Security forces launched a joint Army‑police operation in Kishtwar after intelligence tips. Two Jaish‑e‑Mohammad militants were killed, one identified as Pakistani commander Saifullah. Arms including AK‑47s were recovered; search continues in the area today.

A protest at Jawaharlal Nehru University over allegations that the vice‑chancellor made casteist remarks began peacefully but spiralled into violence after rival student groups confronted marchers late at night. Hundreds had gathered to demand an apology, a formal inquiry and stronger protections against caste discrimination; organisers say the demonstration remained orderly for several hours before tensions flared.

The march, led by the university student union, drew participants from across departments carrying placards and chanting for accountability. Protesters said they wanted the administration to investigate the vice‑chancellor’s conduct and to ensure a safe campus climate for marginalised students. University officials initially described the demonstration as lawful and permitted, but warned against any escalation.
Clashes broke out when members of opposing student organisations confronted the procession at multiple points on campus. Eyewitnesses and student leaders on both sides accused each other of initiating attacks. Several students suffered minor injuries and were treated by campus medical staff; authorities confirmed there were incidents that required attention. Security personnel and local police moved into the area to separate groups and restore order, and officials said they were monitoring developments closely.

The unrest disrupted normal campus activities. Some classes and administrative services were suspended while the administration assessed damage and worked to re‑establish calm. Student organisations issued competing statements, each blaming the other for the violence and demanding impartial probes, both into the vice‑chancellor’s alleged remarks and into the night’s confrontations. Campus leaders called for restraint and urged students to avoid further clashes.

The episode has reignited debate about how universities handle allegations of discrimination and the mechanisms available for students to raise grievances safely. Observers said the incident highlights the need for clearer grievance procedures, better communication between administration and student bodies, and timely, transparent inquiries when serious allegations surface. The university has said it will review the events and respond through appropriate channels.

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Veteran politician and former Union Railway Minister Mukul Roy, widely known as the “Chanakya of Bengal politics” for his sharp organisational and electoral strategies, passed away at a private hospital in Kolkata on Monday. He was 71.

He died following a cardiac arrest after suffering from age-related ailments for a long time, family sources said. Roy had been away from active politics in recent years due to his declining health.

A founding member of the Trinamool Congress, Roy was once considered the party’s second-in-command and a trusted aide of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He played a key role in expanding the party’s structure beyond West Bengal and was regarded as one of the main architects of its political growth.

At the Centre, he served as Minister of State for Shipping and later briefly took charge as the Union Railway Minister in 2012 during the UPA-II government. He was also elected twice to the Rajya Sabha and later became an MLA from Krishnanagar Uttar.

Roy left the Trinamool Congress in 2017 to join the Bharatiya Janata Party, where he served as a national vice-president and helped the party make significant inroads in West Bengal. After winning the 2021 Assembly elections on a BJP ticket, he returned to the TMC, a move that triggered political controversy.

Leaders cutting across party lines condoled his death, remembering him as a master strategist whose moves shaped Bengal’s political landscape for over two decades.

His passing marks the end of a significant chapter in West Bengal politics.

Also Read: Embassy warns Indians in Mexico after El Mencho killing

The Indian Embassy in Mexico has issued a safety advisory for Indian nationals after reports that Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, a powerful drug cartel leader, was killed. The embassy warned that the killing could spark unrest, clashes between rival groups, and sudden security operations in some areas.

The advisory asks Indians in Mexico to stay alert and be aware of their surroundings. It urges people to avoid demonstrations, large gatherings and areas where security operations are reported. If unrest is seen nearby, the embassy advises seeking shelter immediately and following instructions from local authorities.

Travellers were told to reconsider non-essential travel within Mexico and to use only well-known, secure routes if travel is unavoidable. The embassy recommended keeping identity documents and travel papers handy, maintaining regular contact with family and friends, and sharing location details with someone trusted.

To enable quick assistance, Indian nationals were asked to register with the embassy or update their contact information if already registered. The advisory said consular staff are available to help in emergencies, including cases of detention or if someone needs help returning home.

The embassy also asked people to monitor local news and official channels for verified information and to avoid spreading unconfirmed reports on social media. It stressed that calm and cooperation with local law enforcement are important while authorities work to restore normalcy.

While many parts of Mexico remain safe for residents and visitors, the embassy warned that high-profile events involving organised crime can trigger sudden security incidents. It said it will continue to monitor the situation and issue updates as needed.

Indians in Mexico who need help were told to contact the embassy immediately and to keep emergency contact details ready. The advisory is a precautionary measure aimed at reducing risk and ensuring that Indian citizens can get timely consular support if the security situation changes.

Embassy officials said they are coordinating with Mexican authorities and will provide consular updates through official channels; Indians should follow embassy guidance, register travel plans, and report any incidents immediately so assistance can be arranged promptly.

Also Read: India, Brazil sign rare-earth deal

India and Brazil have taken a major step to strengthen their strategic and economic ties by signing a key agreement on rare earth and critical minerals—resources that power everything from electric vehicles and mobile phones to clean-energy systems and defence technology.

The deal was signed after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, with both leaders calling the growing partnership a reflection of deep mutual trust. Along with securing access to vital minerals, the two countries have set an ambitious goal of pushing bilateral trade beyond $20 billion in the coming years.

Brazil, which holds one of the world’s largest reserves of rare earth elements, is seen as a natural partner for India as it works to reduce its dependence on limited global suppliers and build more resilient supply chains. For India, the collaboration supports its clean-energy transition and advanced manufacturing plans. For Brazil, it opens new opportunities for investment, technology sharing and value-added processing instead of exporting raw materials alone.

The agreement goes beyond mining. Both sides have decided to work together in areas such as mineral processing, digital technology, renewable energy, healthcare and entrepreneurship. Business leaders from the two countries also joined the discussions, signalling stronger industry-to-industry connections.

Trade between India and Brazil has already been rising steadily, crossing $15 billion recently, with Brazil emerging as India’s largest partner in Latin America. The new roadmap is expected to give fresh momentum to this growth and create jobs, innovation and new markets in both economies.

The leaders also underlined the importance of closer cooperation among developing nations at a time when global supply chains are under strain. Their message was clear: partnerships built on trust and shared growth can help shape a more balanced global economic order.

President Lula, leading a high-level delegation, praised India’s rapid digital and economic progress and said the moment was right for the two countries to move from friendly ties to a stronger strategic relationship.

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Rahul Gandhi was greeted with black-flag protests by workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party when he arrived in Mulund on the outskirts of Mumbai on Saturday for a court appearance in neighbouring Thane. BJP supporters lined the route, raising slogans and showing black flags, while heavy police deployment ensured the situation remained under control and his movement was not disrupted.

The protest came a day after the BJP held nationwide demonstrations against the Indian Youth Congress for interrupting the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. Youth Congress members had staged a shirtless protest at the venue, claiming that the Centre’s policies, including the proposed India-US trade deal, were against the interests of young people. The act briefly disrupted the high-profile event and drew sharp reactions from the ruling party.

Delhi Police detained several protesters and later arrested four Youth Congress leaders on charges related to unlawful assembly and creating a disturbance. The Congress criticised the action, calling it an attempt to silence dissent, while the BJP accused the opposition of politicising an international technology platform.

Rahul Gandhi’s Thane visit was in connection with an ongoing defamation case. Though the court appearance went ahead as scheduled, the protests highlighted the continuing political confrontation between the two parties, with both sides stepping up attacks over recent events and policy issues.

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Reddit is experimenting with an AI-powered search tool that makes it easier for users to find products mentioned in its discussions. For a limited group of U.S. users, searches for items like “best headphones” or gifts now display interactive product carousels in the results.

These carousels show images, prices, and purchase links, drawing from posts and comments where users have shared recommendations. The goal is to help users explore popular products without leaving Reddit.

The company says the AI provides quick insights on frequently recommended items, and it will refine the feature based on user feedback before any wider rollout.

This move builds on Reddit’s push into e-commerce, following formats like Dynamic Product Ads, which personalize product suggestions for users. CEO Steve Huffman highlighted that search usage on the platform has grown, signaling potential for engagement and revenue.

By merging community-driven content with shopping tools, Reddit aims to offer a convenient way to discover products while keeping the focus on discussion and recommendations. The trial reflects a broader trend of social platforms using AI to enhance discovery and commerce.

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The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that a major exercise to update and clean up voter lists will begin this April. Known as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), this phase will cover 22 states and Union Territories, including major regions like Delhi, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

The SIR is a high-level verification process designed to ensure that electoral rolls are 100% accurate. Unlike regular updates, this involves intensive door-to-door verification by officials. Their primary job is to identify and remove “ghost” voters—those who have passed away or moved away from their registered addresses. They also work to delete duplicate entries where a single person might be registered in two different locations. Simultaneously, the process ensures that every eligible citizen who was previously left out is finally added to the list.

The ECI has already issued notices to the 22 remaining regions to begin preparatory work. Along with Delhi and Maharashtra, the list of states participating in this round includes Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and several North-Eastern states such as Manipur, Meghalaya, and Nagaland. This follows a previous round of the SIR that is currently finishing up in 12 other states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

Interestingly, none of the 22 states starting the revision in April are scheduled to hold elections this year. The ECI’s goal is to maintain a “clean” and transparent database well in advance of any future polls. However, the process is under significant scrutiny. The Supreme Court of India is currently hearing petitions regarding the legality and methods used during these revisions. This judicial review follows concerns raised about the procedures in states like West Bengal, where the timeline was recently extended to ensure more comprehensive data verification.

Detailed schedules for the door-to-door visits in each state are expected to be released by local election authorities in the coming weeks.

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The US Supreme Court has delivered a major blow to former President Donald Trump’s trade policies, ruling that most of his sweeping global tariffs were unlawful. In a 6–3 decision on February 20, 2026, the court concluded that Trump exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which was intended to give presidents emergency powers, not to impose broad import taxes.

The tariffs, often called “reciprocal tariffs,” affected goods from nearly all US trading partners, including China, Mexico, Canada, and India. The Trump administration had argued they were necessary to protect American industries and address trade imbalances, but critics claimed the measures were unauthorised and disruptive to global trade.

Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, emphasised that tariff powers belong to Congress, not the president, citing the Constitution and the “major questions doctrine”, which requires clear legislative authorisation for major economic actions. Justices Thomas, Alito, and Kavanaugh dissented, arguing the tariffs fell within presidential powers.

The ruling invalidates billions of dollars in import duties collected under these tariffs and could allow companies to seek refunds, though the Supreme Court left the refund process to lower courts, meaning it may take time to resolve. Sector-specific tariffs, such as those on steel and aluminum imposed for national security reasons, are not affected.

The decision has significant political and economic implications. Supporters say it restores Congressional authority over taxation, while critics argue it limits the president’s ability to respond quickly to trade challenges. The White House has indicated it may explore alternative legal routes to maintain aspects of its trade agenda.

For businesses and exporters, the ruling brings clarity after years of uncertainty and reinforces the principle that sweeping economic measures require clear legislative backing, not just executive action.

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French President Emmanuel Macron wrapped up his three-day India visit in a fun and unexpected way, with a short social media video titled “Thank You India!” that quickly caught the attention of netizens. The 43-second clip showcases memorable moments from his trip: warm welcomes, meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, temple visits, cultural events, and even Macron jogging through the streets of Mumbai.

What really made the video stand out was the choice of music. Instead of traditional orchestral or diplomatic tunes, Macron picked the title track from the Bollywood hit Dhurandhar, instantly giving the farewell montage a lively, local flavor. Social media users praised the gesture, calling the pairing of the upbeat track with the diplomatic footage “just lit” and celebrating it as a nod to Indian pop culture.

The video went viral almost immediately, sparking playful reactions and memes across platforms. Many saw it as a light-hearted but thoughtful touch, blending international diplomacy with the vibrancy of Indian cinema. Some even joked that Macron had “mastered Bollywood vibes” better than expected.

During his visit, Macron focused on strengthening India-France ties, especially in areas like technology, innovation, and AI. He also addressed the India AI Impact Summit 2026, highlighting India’s growing role in global tech governance. In his farewell video, the mix of cultural warmth and official highlights reflected both the serious and human sides of diplomacy.

By choosing a Bollywood soundtrack, Macron turned a formal thank-you note into a viral moment that connected with people across India, proving that even heads of state can score brownie points with good taste in music.