Archive | The Columns

Archive News of February 24, 2026

India’s alternate airports to reach around 40 mn passenger capacity in 2026

India’s alternate airports, built to reduce pressure on crowded metro hubs, are expected to reach a combined annual passenger handling capacity of around 40 million by the end of 2026, a new report said on Tuesday.

Hyderabad cops bust pan-India cyber fraud syndicate; arrest 104 fraudsters in 16 states

In a major crackdown, Hyderabad Police dismantled a pan-India cyber fraud syndicate with the arrest of 104 fraudsters across 16 states.

At least 32 special teams carried out ‘Operation Octopus’ over a span of 10 days, Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar said on Tuesday.

Under the leadership of DCP (Cybercrimes) V. Aravind Babu, the police executed a coordinated operation against cybercrime syndicates operating across the country.

India's e‑commerce to nearly double by 2030 to $300 bn: Report

India’s e‑commerce market, currently at $120–140 billion, is projected to reach $280–300 billion by 2030, even as it remains 7–8 per cent of total consumer spending, a report said on Tuesday.

Historic announcement by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann; 40 lakh families to receive free ration under ‘Meri Rasoi Yojna’

In a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening food and nutrition security for the first time at this scale in Punjab, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday announced the launch of the ‘Meri Rasoi Yojna’, under which 40 lakh families will receive free quarterly food kits starting April, in addition to wheat provided under the National Food Security Act.

Punjab Govt Ensured Time-Bound Execution of Tata Steel’s Largest Punjab Investment: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday said that Punjab’s industrial resurgence has received a major fillip with the commencement of operations of Tata Steel’s mega manufacturing plant in Ludhiana from March, asserting that the project reflects the growing confidence of global industry in the state’s progressive policies and stable governance framework.

On Sridevi’s 8th death anniversary, Jackie Shroff pays heartfelt tribute

On the eighth death anniversary of Sridevi, actor Jackie Shroff remembered his late co-star, saying she continues to live on in the hearts of millions through her timeless performances.

With advent of spring, Kolkata, south Bengal record this year's first rain

With the advent of spring, Kolkata and south Bengal districts on Tuesday received this year's first rain, Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) said.

Kolkata and its surrounding areas recorded light to moderate rain which started from 4 a.m. Along with this, scattered rain occurred in various districts.

Gold and silver prices dip amid profit booking as US dollar gains

Gold and silver prices retreated on Tuesday, amid uptick in US dollar and profit‑taking after huge gains in previous session.

Investors weighed in tariff uncertainty and ongoing US-Iran peace talks which capped the decline in prices.

Bengal SIR: Judicial officers seek special security in four border districts

As the process of judicial adjudication of voters’ documents identified under the “logical discrepancy” category in poll-bound West Bengal got underway, the judicial officers appointed in four districts located near the India-Bangladesh border have sought special security after experiencing security breaches.

The process of judicial adjudication started on Monday as directed by the Supreme Court last week.

Man critically wounded in shootout in Kolkata

A man was critically wounded in a shootout in West Bengal's Beniapukur area of Kolkata on Tuesday, police said.

According to the police, a personal dispute between two person intensified into a shootout. About five to six rounds of bullets were fired at one person in Tiljala area of Beniapukur.

The injured youth was rushed to the trauma care of SSKM Hospital in a serious condition.

Delhi air quality dips to poor with pockets of very poor; chill largely confined to early mornings

Delhi's air pollution on Tuesday remained in the poor to very poor category, with the highest reading recorded in Anand Vihar at 331 AQI. The weather in Delhi-NCR has also been changing frequently since the beginning of February; however, the heat has now begun shifting gears even before Holi. The chill is largely confined to early mornings and late nights, while sharp afternoon sunshine is making its presence felt across the national capital and surrounding areas.

Lucknow teen shoots father, dismembers body and hides remains in blue drum

In a chilling incident in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow, a 19-year-old youth allegedly shot his father dead, dismembered the body and concealed parts of it inside a blue drum at their residence, police said on Tuesday.

Yo Yo Honey Singh says he is ‘safe in Mexico’ after cartel violence, flying back home

After the killing of Mexico’s most wanted cartel leader triggered violent unrest across the country, rapper-singer Yo Yo Honey Singh, who was in the country, shared an update about his well-being and said that he is “safe in Mexico” and flying back home.

Five kids among 6 of family die in massive house fire in UP's Meerut

Six members of a cloth merchant’s family including five children were killed after a massive fire broke out at their two-storey home in the Lisari Gate area of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.

An elderly woman and a neighbour sustained severe burn injuries and are undergoing treatment.

Sensex, Nifty post early losses over AI-related tech woes

The Indian equity markets erased gains from the previous session early on Tuesday, tracking an overnight sell-off in US equities amid AI-led disruptions affecting global technology stocks.