In the first phase of the Jharkhand elections, the NDA bloc competes with the India bloc. The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Congress aims to uphold its influence, while the BJP seeks to gain ground. Amid key elections, the Chief Minister's arrest for money laundering adds tension, with tribal votes expected to heavily impact the results.
Speaking to India Today Global, EU Vice President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas stressed the need to “build partnerships with those countries who believe in free trade,” underscoring the strategic message behind the newly concluded India–EU Free Trade Agreement.
This news report focuses on the massive winter storm currently sweeping across much of the United States of America. The severe weather conditions have led to significant disruptions in power supplies and air travel, prompting several states to declare emergencies. According to the report, 'Washington, D.C. was blanketed with over 20 centimeters of snow in nearly 20 hours of snowfall' as the region grapples with the intense winter system. The capital is expected to remain snowbound for an extended period as temperatures are projected to plunge to minus 10 degrees Celsius. The visuals highlight the scale of the snowfall and the resulting impact on infrastructure and daily life across the country. The bulletin emphasizes the severity of the plummeting temperatures and the ongoing challenges faced by residents in the affected regions as the storm continues to impact the United States.
On this Special Report, Maria Shakeel anchors a heated debate on NewsTrack regarding the University Grants Commission's (UGC) new equity regulations for 2026. The guidelines, aimed at curbing campus discrimination, have sparked nationwide protests from upper caste groups who label them 'biased, one-sided, and dangerous.' During the discussion, former Government Secretary R Subramaniam noted that while the rules address a 'requirement' based on Supreme Court observations, expanding the definition to include 92% of the student population 'does not make any sense' and may dilute the focus on marginalized SC/ST communities. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has reassured that 'there will be no discrimination' and the law will not be misused. The programme features diverse perspectives from Dalit rights activists, student leaders, and academics, exploring whether these rules promote genuine equity or risk deepening caste divisions and institutional harassment. The report highlights the growing political pushback and the legal challenge currently before the Supreme Court.
This edition of The News Today with Rajdeep Sardesai examines the landmark free trade agreement between India and the European Union. Concluded after two decades of negotiations, this deal aims to create a market of two billion people by reducing import duties on pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and textiles. Geopolitical strategist Velina Tchakarova and former ambassador Manjit Puri discuss the agreement's impact on global trade fragmentation and the 'Trump factor.' Former World Bank Chief Economist Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg further analyzes shifting economic orders and de-risking strategies amidst US-Europe trade tensions. The bulletin also addresses domestic issues, including student protests against new UGC equity regulations and insights from Professor Sukhdev Thorat on caste-based discrimination. Legal hurdles surrounding actor Vijay’s film 'Jan Nayagan' and record-breaking surges in gold and silver prices are also featured. Cultural highlights include tennis legend Vijay Amritraj reflecting on his Padma Bhushan award and singer Arijit Singh’s announcement regarding his playback singing career, providing a comprehensive look at major economic, social, and cultural headlines.
