Breaking News highlights: Supreme Court refuses to pass direction in plea challenging VIP entries into temples

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra says, "...The biggest problem is that no matter how hard you work, the money is not enough, it has become difficult to survive. Today the situation is that Aam Aadmi Party leaders come to you at the time of elections, they do not talk about inflation, your struggle. Aam Aadmi Party leaders are talking about Raj Mahal and BJP leaders are talking about Sheesh Mahal. They are not talking about your issues."

On the resignation of 7 AAP MLAs, Rituraj Gobind, AAP MLA from Kirari, says, " In the last few weeks, I was also contacted by BJP several times and they tried to lure me by offering various things but I told them that not everyone is greedy, not everyone can be purchased...Kejriwal gave a ticket to a common man like me twice...some of our fellow members are doing this right now because of BJP's influence, history will never forgive them..."

As the Maldives faces a looming economic crisis, India on Friday said it is in close touch with the island nation regarding the situation.

The economy of the Maldives is reeling under increasing pressure, largely because of debt distress.

"We remain in close touch with Maldivian authorities on the situation facing them," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

The lack of funding from developed countries to mitigate climate change in the Global South may prompt developing countries to "rework" their climate targets, India said on Friday.

In the Economic Survey 2024-25 tabled in Parliament, the government said the new financial package agreed at the 2024 UN climate conference (COP29) in Azerbaijan to support climate action in the developing world "presents little optimism".

With countries required to submit their next round of Nationally Determined Contributions or climate plans for the 2031-2035 period this year, the economic survey said the "funding shortfall may lead to a reworking of the climate targets".

Several landmines, part of an anti-infiltration obstacle system, exploded due to forest fire at two separate places along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Friday, officials said.

The fire broke out in Dhari Dabsi forest in Mendhar and Sona Gali in Mankote sectors this afternoon, causing over half-a-dozen landmine blasts, the officials said. There was no report of any damage in the explosions.

Most parts of India are expected to experience above-normal temperatures and below-normal rainfall in February, following a warmer and drier January, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday. The rainfall in February is likely to be below 81 per cent of the long-period average (1971-2020) of 22.7 mm.

IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said most parts of the country are likely to receive below-normal rainfall, except for some areas in west-central, peninsular and northwest India. Minimum temperatures in February are expected to be above normal in most regions, except in some parts of northwest and peninsular India.

A Delhi court is likely to pronounce on February 7 its verdict in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots murder case against former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar.

The case is related to the alleged killings of two persons - Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh - in Saraswati Vihar area on November 1, 1984. On December 16, 2021, the court framed charges against Kumar, finding a "prima facie" case against him.

Raising concerns over urban planning issues, Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Friday remarked that Maharashtra’s cities were witnessing a surge in migration, including people from northern states and illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

A row has erupted over Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's 'poor thing' remark for President Droupadi Murmu's address to the joint session of Parliament.

Reacting to which, Congress MP KC Venugopal said, "Basically, they (BJP-led central government) want to divert the attention from everything - economic situation of the country... They are making an issue, but everyone knows that Sonia Gandhi has full respect for the President of India, but they want to make it an issue to divert the attention."

On Prime Minister Narendra Modi's likely visit to the US in February, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the PM and President Trump had a telephonic conversation somedays back recently.

The two sides are working on an early visit of the PM to the United States to further deepen India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership and the specific dates of this visit are still being worked out, he said.

Myanmar's military government on January 31 announced another six-month extension of its mandate to rule in preparation for elections it has said will be held this year, as the country enters its fifth year of crisis. However, it did not announce an exact date for the polls.

The military declared a state of emergency on February 1, 2021, when it arrested the country's leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and top officials from her government in an army takeover which reversed years of progress toward democracy after five decades of earlier military rule.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra came out in her mother Sonia Gandhi's defence after a massive row erupted over the latter's 'poor thing' remark.

"My mother is a 78-year-old lady, she simply said that the President must have been tired reading such a long speech, poor thing... I don't think she... I think she has utmost respect for her (President). I think it's very unfortunate that this kind of thing has twisted by the media. They are both respected people, they are older than us; it's pretty clear that she means no disrespect," she said.

In response to the surge in crowds due to Maha Kumbh Mela, officials have suspended the Ganga Aarti for the public at Varanasi’s ghats until February 5. Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal has requested residents to stay indoors unless necessary and extend their support to the devotees.

On Congress MP Sonia Gandhi's statement on President Droupadi Murmu, BJP MP Sambit Patra said, "... It is unfortunate that Congress leader Sonia Gandhi made such an inappropriate comment on President Droupadi Murmu... She called her a 'poor thing' which translates to 'bechari'. The President can never be 'poor thing'... The position she holds and where she comes from, she can never be a 'poor thing'. She is empowered and capable... If anything, Rahul Gandhi is the only 'poor thing' in the country..."

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma took to X and stated, "Rashtrapati Ji’s address to Parliament was comprehensive, relevant and aspirational. It had the essential ingredients to realise the aim of a Viksit Bharat. I found the razor sharp focus on promoting innovation and AI to be extremely relevant in today’s global context. What stood out was also the Modi Government’s continued thrust on harnessing the potential of the North East, combating the menance of illegal immigration and efforts to reclaim our cultural legacy. My gratitude to Rashtrapati Ji for eloquently laying down the government’s priorities and policies for the near term."

After the President's address to the Parliament, Congress MP Sonia Gandhi says,"...The President was getting very tired by the end...She could hardly speak, poor thing..."

Supreme Court on Friday refused to pass any direction in a plea challenging VIP entries into temples across the country. Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna led bench, clarified that although they may agree with the issue raised in the plea, the case is not fit for the Court to either adjudicate or pass any directions in this regard.

However, the Court noted that the state authorities may take appropriate decisions as they may deem fit.

Ahead of the Union Budget, Shiv Sena (UBT ) leader Sanjay Raut said, "Today is the address of the president. Tomorrow the budget will come. This first part of the session is for very less days.. We all, the members of the opposition parties will discuss the budget in the sessions after that..."

President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Parliament to address the joint sitting of both Houses which marks the beginning of the Budget session.

More than 43 lakh people have taken a holy dip till 8 am on Friday. Meanwhile, more than 30 crore people have taken a holy dip till January 30, as per UP govt data.

Versova Police has arrested two Bangladeshi nationals who had entered India illegally and were living in Mumbai. Some fake documents have also been recovered from them, Mumbai Police said. (ANI)

Karnataka Lokayukta on Friday conducted raids in various locations, including Bengaluru, in seven different cases. (ANI)

The joint committee of Parliament, which examined the amendment bill on Waqf on Thursday, submitted its report to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, paving for the government to move amendments on the bill tabled last year. The Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill was also introduced along with the Waqf amendment bill.

The government has also listed three new bills for the session -- 'The Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill, 'Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill', and the 'Immigration and Foreigners Bill'. Read more

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal along with Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to visit the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday over the notice issued to him by ECI, says Aam Aadmi Party.

The budget session of the Parliament will begin today with President Droupadi Murmu addressing the joint sitting of the two Houses, followed by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabling the Economic Survey in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.