Government Examines Uniform Protocol for National Song

The Union government is considering the formulation of a formal protocol for India’s national song, “Vande Mataram,” with the objective of ensuring uniform respect across public and official settings. The proposal was discussed during a recent high-level meeting convened by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), signalling a possible move towards aligning the ceremonial treatment of the national song with that of the national anthem, “Jana Gana Mana.”

India Delivers Critical Cancer Medicines to Afghanistan

India has dispatched 7.5 tonnes of life-saving cancer medicines to Kabul, extending urgent humanitarian assistance to patients in Afghanistan. The medical consignment underscores India’s continued commitment to people-centric support, particularly in the healthcare sector, amid Afghanistan’s ongoing humanitarian and medical challenges.

Trump’s Board of Peace and the New Grammar of Power Politics

U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to revoke Canada’s invitation to join his proposed “Board of Peace” is more than a personal diplomatic snub. It is a revealing episode in the ongoing transformation of global governance, where multilateral norms are increasingly subordinated to unilateral power, transactional loyalty, and public posturing. The controversy, triggered by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s speech at the World Economic Forum, underlines the growing tension between middle powers seeking rule-based stability and a superpower leadership that is openly sceptical of it.

NGT Intervenes on River Pollution at Pilgrimage Centre

The National Green Tribunal, Southern Zone, Chennai, has directed Karnataka authorities to submit a comprehensive and time-bound action plan to prevent the discharge of wastewater into the Sauparnika River. Listing the matter for further hearing on February 9, 2026, the tribunal expressed dissatisfaction with partial compliance to its earlier orders addressing persistent river pollution near the Kollur temple town.

Helicopter Goes Missing Near Active Volcano

Japanese authorities have launched a large-scale search operation after a sightseeing helicopter disappeared near Mount Aso, one of Japan’s most active volcanic regions. The aircraft lost contact on Tuesday while flying close to the summit area in Kumamoto Prefecture, prompting an immediate emergency response involving police units and the Japan Self-Defence Forces.