This is a representational image (Pic credit: PTI)
SILCHAR: Mahbabul Haque, chancellor of a private varsity, who also heads a foundation that runs schools in Assam, was arrested Saturday in connection with alleged irregularities in CBSE exams at a school run by him. After Haque, chancellor of USTM, was picked up from home in Guwahati, six teachers were taken into custody. They included principal of CPS in Patharkandi of Sribhumi, a district bordering Bangladesh earlier known as Karimganj. The school is under Haque’s Guwahati-based ERDF, which runs USTM. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed authorities were monitoring the “racket for a long time”. “Ahead of exams, centres of students were changed. By promising 30 extra marks, 247 students from Goalpara, Nagaon, and Kamrup were taken to CPS. When students did not get the facility, they created a ruckus, thus bringing the racket to light,” he said. Haque claimed he had been “summoned” by the cops “for not allowing students to resort to cheating”. TNN
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Latest news on February 23, 2025: A view of poster of Nishant Kumar, son of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar JDU office in Patna.
India News Live: Get real time updates on the latest happenings across India. From key political shifts and government decisions to economic developments and crime reports, we bring you real-time information as it unfolds. Our coverage also includes general news, spotlighting significant events and issues impacting daily life. Disclaimer: This is an AI-generated live blog and has not been edited by Hindustan Times staff.…Read More
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Feb 23, 2025 1:28 AM IST
India News Live: Tejashwi Yadav on why Nitish Kumar’s son should join politics: ‘Would save JDU’
Speculations have been rife that Nishant Kumar, 47, could enter politics ahead of the Bihar assembly polls.
Lahore/Islamabad, As many as 22 Indian fishermen, who were languishing in Pakistan’s Karachi jail, were released and sent to their country on Saturday, officials said.
22 Indian fishermen sent home from Pakistan
The released fishermen were handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah Border near here.
The released Indian fishermen were brought to Lahore from Karachi in a special bus run by Edhi Foundation earlier in the day.
“Each Indian fisherman was provided with PKR 5,000, meals, and gifts by the Edhi Foundation,” a spokesperson for Edhi Foundation told PTI.
The freed individuals include Bhupat, Mala, Krishan, Khalaf, Mohan, Asif, Ashok, Akbar, Lakhman, Moji, Deepak, Ram, Hari, Tapu, Suresh, Vijay, Manoj Kumar, Vinu, Mahesh, Subhash, Sanjay, and Selendhar.
Earlier, Malir Jail Superintendent Arshad Shah told the media that the fishermen were released after completing their sentences. They were all arrested for unintentionally crossing into Pakistan’s territorial waters.
Fishermen from both countries are frequently arrested due to poorly demarcated sea frontiers.
Edhi Foundation head Faisal Edhi urged both India and Pakistan to adopt a more compassionate approach toward fishermen who mistakenly cross maritime boundaries.
According to the latest prisoner exchange lists shared between India and Pakistan on January 1, 2025: Pakistan held 266 Indian prisoners, including 49 civilian prisoners and 217 fishermen while India held 462 Pakistani prisoners, including 381 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen.
A reply from the Ministry of External Affairs in Lok Sabha on December 12, 2024 said that a total of 2639 Indian fishermen have been repatriated from Pakistan since 2014.
Out of the 209 fishermen as of July 1, 2024 under Pakistan’s custody, 51 fishermen have been in Pakistani jails since 2021; 130 fishermen since 2022; 9 fishermen since 2023; and 19 fishermen since 2024, the MEA said.
Edhi Foundation’s Faisal Edhi highlighted the suffering of the families of fishermen from both the sides during their prolonged incarcerations and called for their immediate release and swift repatriation once their sentences are completed.
Pakistani authorities repatriate Indian fishermen through the Wagah border, and their onward journey home in the coastal areas is facilitated by the Indian authorities after completing official formalities. Similarly, Indian authorities release Pakistani fishermen at the Wagah border and their homeward journey to the coastal area is facilitated by the Pakistani authorities.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Saturday reacted to US President Donald Trump’s administration’s claim that the United States Agency for International Development allocated $21 million “for voter turnout” in India, saying the government is “looking into it”. He described the allegation as “concerning and worrisome”, and said the USAID was allowed to function in India in good faith, not for “activities which are in bad faith”.
External affairs minister S Jaishankar
“Some information has been put out there by the Trump administration people, and obviously, that is concerning… I think, as a government, we’re looking into it. My sense is that the facts will come out…USAID was allowed here in good faith, to do good faith activities; now, suggestions are being laid out from America that there are activities which are in bad faith. It’s worrisome, and if there’s something to it, then the country should know who the people are involved in it,” S Jaishankar said at an event in the national capital.
The US government’s Department of Government Efficiency, which is spearheaded by Donald Trump’s close associate Elon Musk, recently wrote on X that USAID allocated $21 million “for voter turnout in India”. It said the funding had been cancelled.
Trump has claimed on several occasions that the Biden administration allocated the fund.
In Washington, speaking at a ‘Governors Working Session,’ Trump said on Friday: “Twenty-one million dollars going to my friend Prime Minister Modi in India for voter turnout. We’re giving 21 million for voter turnout in India. What about us? I want voter turnout too.”
The Congress, India’s main opposition party, attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government saying it should strongly condemn the allegation, reported PTI.
“The white paper should not only focus on USAID funding, but all such agencies which fund both governments, individuals and all other entities under Indian law,” Congress’ media and publicity department head Pawan Khera told a press conference.
Hitting back at Khera, BJP leader Ajay Alok said the Congress has probably lost its mind, PTI reported.
“We have already shown that the government got USD 2119 million between 2004-14 and just 1.5 million between 2014-25. We are shutting down these things. The Indian government is now acting, the US government has issued a list of who has got the money from where… This is part of a deep state. The Bharat Jodo Yatra was also being funded from this money,” Alok claimed.
The Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday that the reports were deeply troubling.
“We have seen information that has been put out by the US administration regarding certain USA activities and funding. These are obviously very deeply troubling. This has led to concerns about foreign interference in India’s internal affairs. Relevant departments and agencies are looking into this matter. It would be premature to make a public comment at this stage, so relevant authorities are looking into it, and hopefully we can come up with an update on that subsequently,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
In her first press briefing as Delhi CM , Rekha Gupta had said that her government will table the CAG reports in the first Assembly session.
NEW DELHI: The Delhi government will table the long-pending Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports in the Assembly on February 25. The reports, which examine the financial and administrative performance of the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, had been at the centre of a political tussle between the two parties. Delhi LG VK Saxena has appointed BJP MLA Arvinder Singh Lovely as the pro tem speaker of the Delhi assembly. According to the legislative assembly bulletin, the first session of the eighth Delhi Assembly will commence on 24th February, with the oath-taking ceremony for newly elected MLAs in the morning, followed by the election of the Speaker in the afternoon. On 25th February, Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena will address the House, after which the CAG reports will be presented. The session will reconvene on 27th February for discussions on the motion of thanks and the election of the Deputy Speaker. BJP MLA Vijender Gupta, who has been elected as the Speaker, had confirmed the tabling of the CAG reports. “The CAG reports will be tabled on 25th February,” he said in a post on X after meeting Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta to discuss the agenda of the upcoming session. The BJP had previously accused the AAP government of deliberately stalling the release of the reports to conceal corruption. During AAP’s rule, the party had moved court seeking directions for the reports to be tabled, a demand that is now being fulfilled under the BJP-led administration. Rekha Gupta, who took office as Delhi chief minister on February 20, had defended her government’s swift decisions amid criticism from opposition parties. “The Congress ruled for 15 years and AAP for 13. Instead of questioning us, they should reflect on their own record. Within a day of taking office, we cleared the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, which AAP had blocked, providing Rs 10 lakh in benefits to Delhi residents,” she stated. She also took aim at the opposition, suggesting that the CAG reports could reveal damaging details about the previous administration. “They are worried that once the CAG reports are tabled, many records will be exposed,” she said. In addition to addressing financial transparency, the BJP government has pledged to prioritise pollution control and infrastructure projects. After participating in the evening Aarti on the Yamuna’s banks, Rekha Gupta reiterated her commitment to cleaning the river, a key issue during the Assembly elections. The BJP had previously criticised AAP for failing to address pollution and encroachment along the river.
NEW DELHI (AP) — It is a sports rivalry like no other in the world.
When India and Pakistan face off in Dubai on Sunday, the cricket contest will be amped up by so much more — the 78 years of bitterness between the two arch rival nations, the heightened political hostilities, and the patriotic zeal of hundreds of millions of people.
Fans hold Pakistani and Indian flags with a message banner as they watch the tri-series ODI cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan, Feb. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Fans hold Pakistani and Indian flags with a message banner as they watch the tri-series ODI cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan, Feb. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Cricket-mad nations India and Pakistan are competing in the game’s 50-over format for the coveted eight-nation Champions Trophy tournament that began on Wednesday in Pakistan. While six national teams have travelled to Pakistan for the tournament, India has refused to go there by leveraging its strong influence on International Cricket Council, the game’s global governing body.
Indian cricket authorities have offered no formal statement about refusing to play in Pakistan, but some officials have suggested that the decision was based on security concerns. India will play all its matches — including the one against Pakistan — at a neutral venue in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
The game’s political undertones
In both India and Pakistan, cricket has become a symbol of national identity and every clash grabs the attention of more than a billion fans. And Sunday’s match comes at a time when relations between the two neighbors have hit a new low.
That animosity largely stems from the two countries’ dispute over Kashmir, a restive Himalayan region over which they have fought two wars. Nuclear-armed rivals each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety.
Compounding the territorial dispute are heightened tensions stemming from the deadly 2008 Mumbai attacks that India blamed on Pakistani militants, a charge Islamabad denies.
A fan holds a placard reading ‘Kohli we want to see you in Pakistan’ as he arrives with others at the National Bank Stadium for the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Karachi, Pakistan, Feb. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)
A fan holds a placard reading ‘Kohli we want to see you in Pakistan’ as he arrives with others at the National Bank Stadium for the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Karachi, Pakistan, Feb. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)
And sporting relations inevitably ebb and flow with the politics. Bilateral cricket ties have remained suspended since 2008, and the two national teams have only played each other in global events where they are always paired together in a group to ensure there is a contest between them.
Even though the Indian team has not travelled to Pakistan since 2008, Pakistan played in India in 2023 during the World Cup, including before a hostile crowd at a cricket stadium named after Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
So-called “cricket diplomacy” has occasionally thawed out relations but that hasn’t been the case under Modi. His Hindu nationalist government has taken a tough stance on resuming friendlier cricket ties with Pakistan with many senior ministers saying Indian team won’t play in the country.
Dozens of people in India and disputed Kashmir have also faced police complaints and sometimes even jail for cheering for the Pakistani team.
A police officer stands guard next to a banner showing the portraits of India’s captain Rohit Sharma outside the Gadafi Stadium, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M Chaudary)
A police officer stands guard next to a banner showing the portraits of India’s captain Rohit Sharma outside the Gadafi Stadium, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M Chaudary)
“Cricket is the strongest currency in the eyes of this government which they have used to instigate resentment and anger against Pakistan,” said Sharda Ugra, an Indian sports writer. Ugra said while the fans of the two countries are eager to watch the two nations play more often, the contest “has been held hostage to ugly politics.”
The eyes of hundreds of millions are on the game
In sheer numbers, viewership for the India-Pakistan match dwarfs the Super Bowl in what Ugra calls the “greatest sports rivalry in the world” bar none.
When the two sides played against each other in 2023 in India, the estimated viewership — on cable television and streaming services — was around 400 million. In comparison, this year’s Super Bowl averaged a 127.7 million across all platforms in the U.S.
Organizers expect similar numbers for Sunday’s contest that will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. And it’s a guaranteed windfall as tickets for the game sold out within minutes while billion-dollar broadcast deals have been hammered out.
Media in both the countries are cashing in too. Pakistani and Indian TV news channels are providing wall-to-wall coverage. In recent weeks, TV commercials in both countries used patriotic fervor to poke fun at each other.
An Indian family watches their children during a cricket coaching camp in Mumbai, India, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
An Indian family watches their children during a cricket coaching camp in Mumbai, India, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
Local authorities and private companies in both the countries have announced that they would set up giant screens in some city centers and inside shopping malls.
Fans want more
For many fans, this clash holds more value than any other sporting event in the world — and they want more of it.
In India’s western city of Mumbai, cricket coach Anil Sawant plans to watch the game at a clubhouse along with his friends on a giant screen.
“These matches should take place often,” 57-year-old Sawant said, as his students honed their skills during practice at the city’s Shivaji Park ground — a favorite for cricketers of all ages.
Mohammad Ahmed, a 27-year-old accountant, has also planned to host seven of his friends at his home in Pakistan’s Rawalpindi city. All of them will watch the game on a big screen and he plans to serve them special chicken biryani.
“And of course French fries and soft drinks will be on the menu too,” Ahmed said with a smile.
——
Associated Press journalists Rizwan Ali in Islamabad, Pakistan and Rajanish Kakade in Mumbai contributed to this report.
PM Modi will meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Feb 27-28 in New Delhi. The visit marks the first-ever delegation of the entire EU College of Commissioners to India, focusing on trade, technology, climate, and strategic partnerships.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold delegation-level talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during her official visit to India on February 27-28, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Saturday. She will be accompanied by the European Union (EU) College of Commissioners, marking the first time the entire commission will visit India together.
Strengthening the India-EU strategic partnership
“This will be President Ursula von der Leyen’s third visit to India. She previously visited in April 2022 for a bilateral meeting and in September 2023 for the G20 Leaders’ Summit. The Prime Minister and President von der Leyen have also met frequently on the sidelines of multilateral summits,” the MEA statement noted.
The visit comes as India and the EU enter the third decade of their strategic partnership, which began in 2004. The MEA emphasized that this visit will pave the way for enhanced cooperation across various sectors.
Key meetings and high-level discussions
During the visit, PM Modi and von der Leyen will discuss a wide range of issues aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.
The visit will include the second ministerial meeting of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council.
European Commissioners will hold bilateral meetings with their Indian counterparts.
High-level discussions will focus on trade, investment, climate change, science and technology, digital connectivity, and agriculture.
Shared values and future cooperation
India and the EU share a commitment to democracy and rules-based international multilateralism. Their multifaceted ties span key areas such as economic cooperation, digital transformation, and global security challenges.
The MEA highlighted that the visit is one of the first high-level engagements since the new European Commission’s mandate began in December 2024, following the European Parliament elections in June 2024.
As both sides prepare for high-level talks, the visit is expected to further deepen the India-EU strategic partnership and promote stronger diplomatic and economic cooperation.
Ukraine has reinstated its e-visa services for citizens of around 45 countries, including India, Bhutan, Maldives, and Nepal. Starting February 19, 2025, the General Department for Consular Services will process e-visa applications for various purposes, including tourism, business, education, sports, cultural and scientific activities, journalism, and medical treatment.
Union e-visa categories and fees
The Ukrainian embassy has announced two categories of Union e-Visas:
Single-entry visa: USD 20
Double-entry visa: USD 30
Urgent processing: Additional charges apply, doubling the standard fee
Processing time: Standard applications take three working days, while urgent applications are completed within one day.
Strengthening diplomatic and economic ties
Restoring e-Visa services is a step towards strengthening Ukraine’s diplomatic relations with important countries, such as India. India and Ukraine have had solid ties over the years in a number of areas, such as trade, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, defence, education, and cross-cultural interactions. Read more: Unexplored Madhya Pradesh: 6 Offbeat destinations you need to see
Educational and cultural links
The intellectual ties between the two nations remain strong, with institutions such as Kyiv Linguistic University and Taras Shevchenko National University offering Hindi language training. Additionally, the Ukrainian Association of Ayurveda and Yoga promotes cross-cultural relationships by aggressively promoting Indian traditional medicine and yoga through international conferences.
Symbol of friendship: Mahatma Gandhi Statue in Kyiv
In October 2020, a statue of Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled in Kyiv’s “Oasis of Peace” botanical garden, underscoring the two countries’ close ties. This marked the 150th anniversary of his birth and represented his values of peace and nonviolence. Read more: Jim Corbett vs. Rajaji National Park: The ultimate wildlife face-off Ukraine is committed to promoting international involvement and enhancing international ties, as evidenced by its decision to restore e-Visa services. The action will benefit Ukraine and its partner countries by expanding cultural and educational exchanges, as well as improving tourism and commercial prospects.
BHUBANESWAR: It was another poor day in the office for the Indian women’s hockey team as they went down to Germany 0-4 in their fifth match of the FIH Pro League at Kalinga Stadium here on Friday evening. The two teams faced off thrice last year and India always gave them a fight including in the Olympic qualifiers in Ranchi where Germany won in the shoot-outs. But on Friday, the hosts didn’t stand a chance as Germany – coached by India’s former coach Janneke Schopman – completely overpowered the Indians in a match that was affected for some time by a heavy downpour. Coach Harendra Singh wasn’t happy with what he saw and did not mince his words after the game. “I think they had too much respect for the opponents. You cannot just go into the shell. You have to learn from the discussions in the dressing room. And you have to show the character that you are hungry to win the game,” said Harendra after the match. “We have far better fitness than them, but we did not play like that. We gave them the first two quarters and then tried to come back.” Earlier, Germany had come out all guns blazing and took a 2-0 lead early in the first half. Amelie Wortmann and Sophia Schwabe scored in the 3rd and the 18th minutes respectively and it could have been more considering they had won five penalty corners. Harendra was also critical of the fact that the team failed to play to the conditions. “If there’s rain, the pitch will be heavy, and the ball will behave differently. But they were waiting when they should have started intercepting the ball,” he said. They did try but Germany scored two more goals in the final quarter – Schwabe in the 47th minute and Johanna Hachenberg in the 59th – to wrap up the game in style. While the heavy loss will be a hard pill to digest, Harendra believes the team would have won if they played to their potential. They will get a chance on Saturday to show that but coming back from this loss won’t be easy.
This week saw a wide range of events, from international to national politics. Here are the top news stories from February 16 to February 22.
Take a look:
Rekha Gupta sworn in as Delhi CM: Decoding BJP’s strategy of backing ‘dark horses’
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has joined the growing league of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, who were considered dark horses before being given key government positions.
At 50, Rekha Gupta is a first-time Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA). She has also been a municipal councillor. Gupta’s swearing-in today as Delhi CM marks the end of the 27-year wait for the BJP to come to power in the national capital. Read here.
Indian-origin Kash Patel is the new FBI director, promises to make agency, ‘transparent and accountable’
Donald Trump loyalist Kash Patel, on Thursday, made history as the first Indian-origin director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) after Senate gave their confirmation. After the Senate approval, Patel expressed his gratitude and vowed to rebuild the agency into one that is “transparent, accountable, and committed to justice.”
Thanking Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi he said he is commited to restore public trust in the FBI. Read here.
‘Kickback scheme’: Donald Trump on $21 million USAID funding for voter turnout in India
After US President Donald Trump once again raised concerns over the alleged allocation of USD 21 million by the US government for voter turnout in India, labelling it a “kickback scheme,” the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the funds of being used to support “deep state assets” in India and called for an investigation into the matter. Read here.
Gyanesh Kumar is the new Chief Election Commissioner
Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was appointed as the new Chief Election Commissioner on Monday, February 17. The announcement came soon after the selection committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi recommended his name as the next chief election commissioner to President Droupadi Murmu.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi were also part of the selection committee which met on Monday. Read here.
Harassment led 20-year-old Nepalese student of KIIT to die by suicide
Tensions have been high at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar following the death of Prakriti Lamsal, a 20-year-old B.Tech computer science student from Nepal, who was found dead in her hostel room on Sunday evening. Police have arrested Advik Srivastava, a third-year mechanical engineering student at KIIT, in connection with the incident, and he has been remanded to judicial custody. He is accused of abetting Lamsal’s suicide. Read here.
PM Modi holds bilateral meeting with Amir of Qatar Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Amir of Qatar, Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Tuesday where the two leaders held delegation-level talks. Upon arrival, the two leaders exchanged pleasantries and shook hands. Read here.
CM Yogi Adityanath refutes high faecal coliform claim, says Sangam water ‘fit to take a dip, drink from’
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday asserted that the water quality at Prayagraj during the ongoing MahaKumbh was fit to take a dip and perform aachman (drinking holy water).
The Uttar Pradesh CM slammed the Opposition for ‘spreading propaganda’ that the Sangam water was unfit for bathing. Read here.
Sambhal Violence: Key weapons supplier arrested
After the Senate approval, Patel expressed his gratitude and vowed to rebuild the agency into one that is ‘transparent, accountable, and committed to justice.’
Sambhal Violence: The main supplier of weapons involved in last year’s violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal was arrested on Thursday, according to police reports. Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Vishnoi stated that a total of 79 individuals have been apprehended in connection with the riots that erupted during a survey at the Shahi Jama Masjid on November 24, 2024. Read here.
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