Today’s news headlines for school assembly (Feb 6): Top national, international & sports updates
Students preparing for assemblies can catch up on today’s top news headlines from India, world, business, sports and education. From major political developments and government decisions to global affairs and economic updates, here’s a quick roundup of the most important stories making headlines today to keep you informed and updated.
NATIONAL NEWS
India–US trade deal: Joint statement expected next week, says Piyush Goyal
New Delhi: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed on Thursday that India and the United States are set to issue a joint statement on their long-discussed trade agreement within the next week. The Union Minister stated that the first tranche of the bilateral pact is expected to be finalised and signed in four to five days.
The announcement is anticipated to clarify details that have remained opaque since US President Donald Trump declared unilaterally that a deal had been struck, with tariffs on Indian goods reduced from 50 per cent to 18 per cent. The joint statement would be followed by a comprehensive legal agreement, which is likely to be signed by mid-March, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal added.
PM Modi accuses Opposition of insulting President, Constitution
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday accused the Congress party of insulting the President of India by disrupting proceedings in the Lok Sabha during the debate on her address.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha while replying to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address, Modi further alleged that the Opposition had shown disrespect towards tribals, Dalits and people from the northeast. He also charged the Congress with insulting the Constitution itself.
The Prime Minister had been unable to deliver his reply in the Lok Sabha the previous day due to repeated uproar from Opposition members.
US with New Delhi’s aid shuts over 200 websites linked to India-based drug trafficking network
Washington: The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has said it worked closely with Indian law enforcement agencies to track and dismantle illegal drug trafficking networks operating across borders.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the agency announced the takedown of more than 200 website domains linked to an India-based transnational criminal organisation (TCO) that operated within the United States. The DEA said the collaboration with the Government of India helped identify and investigate the criminal groups involved in illicit drug distribution.
According to the DEA, the organisation ran illegal online pharmacies and is suspected to be connected to at least six fatal overdoses and four non-fatal cases. The group has been under investigation by the DEA’s Rocky Mountain Field Division since 2022.
Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party moves SC against Bihar 2025 polls; seeks fresh elections
New Delhi: Former election strategist Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party (JSP) has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Bihar Assembly elections held in 2025 and is seeking fresh polls in the state. The case is expected to be heard on Friday, February 6, 2026, before a Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.
In its plea, the JSP alleged that the Bihar government violated the Model Code of Conduct by transferring ₹10,000 each to women beneficiaries under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana after the poll schedule was announced. The party argued that such transfers unfairly influenced voters.
The BJP-led NDA retained power in Bihar, winning 202 out of 243 seats, while the INDIA bloc managed only 35, including six for Congress. The Jan Suraaj Party failed to secure any seat, with most of its candidates losing their deposits.
‘Energy security of 1.4 billion supreme priority,’ India on Trump’s Russian Oil claim
New Delhi: India has reiterated that safeguarding the energy needs of its 1.4 billion citizens remains its foremost priority, following US President Donald Trump’s claim that New Delhi had agreed to halt purchases of Russian oil.
Trump had earlier suggested that India would stop importing Russian crude and instead invest in Venezuelan oil, following the announcement of the India–US trade deal. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi later confirmed the deal, he made no reference to ending Russian oil purchases.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters on Thursday that India’s energy policy is guided by market realities and global dynamics. “Diversifying our energy sourcing in keeping with objective market conditions and evolving international dynamics is at the core of our strategy. All of India’s decisions are taken, and will continue to be taken, with this in mind.”
Atleast 16 labourers killed in Meghalaya coal mine blast, more feared trapped
Shillong: At least 16 labourers have died and several others are feared trapped after an explosion at a suspected illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district on Thursday, police confirmed.
Director General of Police I Nongrang said the incident occurred in the Thangsku area during the morning. “We have recovered 16 bodies so far. The exact number of labourers present inside the mine at the time of the explosion is yet to be ascertained. More people are feared trapped,” she told reporters.
12 Maoists carrying Rs 46 lakh bounty surrender in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur
Bijapur: Twelve Naxalites carrying a collective bounty of Rs 46 lakh surrendered before the police in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Thursday, a senior official said.
The cadres, including eight women, belonging to the 'south sub zonal buro' of Maoists, turned themselves in before senior police officials here under the Bastar police's 'Poona Margem' (from rehabilitation to social reintegration) initiative, Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav said. They were also impressed by the state government's surrender and rehabilitation policy, the official added.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
UK PM admits error in appointing Mandelson, apologises to Epstein victims
London: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, battling for his political future, apologised Thursday to victims of Jeffrey Epstein for appointing disgraced Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.
Starmer issued the wide-ranging apology after being dogged for days by the decision, following fresh allegations about Mandelson's cosy ties to late sex offender Epstein which emerged in newly-released files last Friday.
The latest crisis to hit Starmer's struggling government has left many doubting his judgement and some -- including within his ruling centre-left Labour party -- questioning if he can remain prime minister.
Shashi Tharoor’s son Ishaan laid off as Washington Post cuts over 300 jobs
Washington: The Washington Post on Wednesday carried out one of the largest job cuts in its history, laying off nearly one-third of its workforce — including senior international affairs columnist Ishaan Tharoor, son of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor — in a sweeping restructuring that has sharply reduced the newspaper’s global footprint. The move included the closure of its sports section, the winding down of several overseas bureaus and the end of its book coverage, dealing a major blow to an institution long regarded as a pillar of international journalism. Among those affected were all staff members associated with the paper’s Middle East coverage.
Executive editor Matt Murray described the decision as painful but necessary, saying the organisation could no longer be “everything to everyone” in the face of changing technology and audience habits.
SPORTS NEWS
Kerala crushes Punjab 4–0 to enter Santosh Trophy final
Silapathar (Assam): Kerala, Punjab, Services and Railways booked their places in the semi-finals of the Santosh Trophy National Football Championship on Tuesday after winning their respective quarter-final matches. Services will meet Railways in the first semi-final at Silapathar Stadium on Thursday, while Kerala will clash with Punjab in the second semi-final at Dhakuakhana Stadium later the same day.