Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday announced that the state Cabinet has decided to cancel the JSSC-CGL examinations, meeting a key demand of job aspirants protesting in Ranchi for over three weeks. Soren said the government will conduct a comprehensive inquiry into all errors, whether minor or major, that have occurred since 2014. The Chief Minister also announced that all activities associated with TDPL will be scrapped. This includes examinations conducted by TDPL, published results, selected candidates, participating candidates and all other activities carried out by the organisation. The decisions come amid sustained protests by job aspirants demanding action over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and related processes in Jharkhand.

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has intensified its armed campaign against Pakistani security forces, claiming 22 attacks across Balochistan in eight days and alleging 26 personnel were killed. The separatist group said its struggle would continue until “independence of Balochistan.” Baloch leader Mir Yar Baloch claimed the organisation has around one lakh active members, uses guerrilla warfare and street-fighting tactics, and obtains weapons by capturing Pakistani soldiers and seizing arms. Violence has risen sharply, with the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies recording 254 terrorist attacks and 1,026 casualties in Balochistan in 2025. The BLA also claimed extensive territorial control and continued attacks in 2026, while Pakistani forces launched counter-offensives. (PC: Reuters)

American tourist Mike, an international filmmaker, praised India’s healthcare system after receiving free treatment at a rural government hospital in Odisha. On his fifth day in India, Mike fell ill after overeating local food and said he was vomiting every 15 minutes for around 12 hours. Doctors treated him with IV fluids, anti-nausea medication and injections. Mike clarified he did not believe it was food poisoning, blaming overindulgence instead. He said similar treatment in the US could cost thousands of dollars, but the Odisha hospital charged him nothing. His humorous Instagram video drew praise online, with users highlighting free healthcare, offering recovery wishes and suggesting ways to adjust to Indian food. 

US President Donald Trump threatened military action against Oman after Iran announced an agreement with Muscat on a plan for ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz. Trump told Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst that if Oman interfered with Washington’s efforts against Iran, the US would “bomb the s**t out of them.” The warning came as a 60-day memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran expired without a comprehensive agreement to end the conflict. Trump said he was not in a rush to reach a deal and reiterated that the US naval blockade was increasing economic pressure on Tehran. The threat puts Oman in a difficult position as it balances mediation efforts with Washington and talks with Tehran. (PC: Reuters)

Meta is facing a major US trial over allegations that Instagram and Facebook harmed young users and violated child privacy laws. A lawsuit by 30 states seeks potentially more than $1 trillion and demands major changes to the platforms. The states want parental verification for teenage users, limits on recommendation algorithms, fewer appearance-changing filters, an end to autoplay and infinite scroll, and restrictions on multiple accounts and disappearing posts. Meta denies the allegations and says it is committed to supporting young people. The case, before Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, could force Meta to significantly change how teenagers use its platforms. (PC: BBC)

The BJP has announced a new 64-member team of national office bearers, combining political experience with organisational strength and social diversity as the party prepares for the 2029 Lok Sabha election. The team includes 3 former chief ministers—Vasundhara Raje, Tirath Singh Rawat and Biplab Kumar Deb—and 18 sitting MPs from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Ten women leaders have also been appointed. More than 40% of the members come from deprived communities, while leaders from 23 states and Union Territories are represented. The team also includes tribal, SC and minority representatives, along with doctors, professors, lawyers, engineers and other professionals.  

India has signed a Rs 1,943-crore contract with US defence company General Atomics to lease 2 MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones for the Indian Navy for 30 months. The high-altitude, long-endurance drones can remain airborne for more than 30 hours and operate above 40,000 feet. Equipped with advanced sensors and an anti-submarine warfare kit, they will strengthen India’s maritime surveillance and intelligence capabilities across the Indian Ocean Region. The lease comes after India signed a $3-billion deal to acquire 31 MQ-9B drones for the 3 services. The Navy will receive 15 SeaGuardians, while the Army and Air Force will get 8 each. (PC: NDTV)

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi has ordered a major overhaul of the National Testing Agency (NTA) following recent issues linked to UGC NET. More than 50 NTA staff members have been removed as part of the restructuring. The ministry said 10 specialised leadership posts are also being filled, including Chief Technology Officer, Chief Information Security Officer and General Manager for Test Security. Private-sector experts in cybersecurity, psychometrics and question-paper design will join the reforms. Joshi has also ordered tighter confidential operations, including air-gapped systems and stricter device rules. The NTA must audit all examination processes and submit a corrective-action report. (PC: India Today)

Tyson, a German Shepherd assault dog of the Indian Army’s 2 Para Special Forces, has been honoured for his exceptional courage during a counter-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir. During Operation Trashi-I in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar on February 22, Tyson moved ahead of the troops and detected a terrorist hiding in a suspected hideout. He charged at the terrorist, who opened fire and hit Tyson in the leg. Despite being wounded, Tyson continued the assault, helping troops confirm the terrorists’ position. Security forces subsequently engaged and neutralised 3 Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. Tyson was airlifted to Command Hospital, Udhampur, and later recovered. He was among 89 recipients of Mention-in-Despatches announced by President Droupadi Murmu ahead of Independence Day 2026. (PC: X)

US President Donald Trump has threatened military action against Oman if it interferes with Washington’s blockade of Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to Fox News journalist Trey Yingst, Trump said, “If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the shit out of them.” He also called on Iran to “put up the white flag of surrender” and said he was not in a hurry to end the conflict. The comments came as Oman and Iran discussed a plan to reopen the key shipping route. Iran said the sides had reached an understanding on a transit route through the strait. (PC: X)