Kash Patel officially took office as the ninth Director of the FBI on Thursday, making history as the first Indian American to lead the agency. In a bold statement marking the start of his tenure, Patel issued a warning to America’s enemies: “We will hunt you down in every corner of this planet.”

Patel, who succeeds Christopher Wray, was confirmed by a narrow 51-49 vote in the Republican-led Senate, with Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins voting against the confirmation, alongside all Senate Democrats. Patel’s nomination faced significant opposition, with some questioning his ability to lead the FBI impartially, citing his previous political remarks.

In his first remarks as FBI Director, Patel pledged to rebuild trust in the agency, vowing to make the FBI “transparent, accountable, and committed to justice.” He emphasized his commitment to restoring public confidence in the institution and to ensuring that law enforcement is free from political influence.

In the dance marathon,139 artists created a world record by dancing continuously for 24 hours 9 minutes 26 seconds during the 51st Khajuraho Dance Festival in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.

Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav inaugurated the Khajuraho Dance Festival yesterday. He said that classical dances have been created for the worship of God.

Akashvani Correspondent reports that in the Khajuraho Dance Festival, the making of a world record began at 2:34 pm on 19 February and 139 artists danced continuously till 2:43 pm on 20 February.

This marathon dance presentation of around 24 hours and 9 minutes included performances of Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam and Odissi dances.

The Guinness Book team declared it a world record and handed over the certificate to Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav. The Khajuraho Dance Festival is organized till February 26. Many famous artists are giving their performances at the festival. Sanjeev Sharma, Akashvani News, Bhopal.

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has launched ‘One Man Office’ (OMO), a digital service platform aimed at empowering its agents and sales associates by offering seamless policy sales, customer servicing, and business tracking—all through a mobile-friendly ecosystem.

Unveiled on February 17, 2025, OMO is designed to enhance the efficiency and productivity of LIC’s sales force, which includes Agents, Development Officers, Senior Business Associates, Chief Life Insurance Advisors, LIC Associates, and Chief Organisers. The platform will enable them to provide life insurance services anytime, anywhere.

Speaking at the launch, LIC’s CEO and MD, Siddhartha Mohanty, highlighted the significance of OMO, calling it “a vital tool in promoting life insurance and ensuring superior customer service.”

India has been elected to the vice presidency of the International Organization of Aids to Marine Navigation (IALA) in Singapore on Wednesday.

TK Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways led the Indian delegation comprising Mukesh Mangal, Joint Secretary, N. Muruganandam, Director General of Lighthouses and Lightships, and S. Saravanan, Deputy Director, in the ongoing first General Assembly of IALA in Singapore.

The first General Assembly of IALA also marks its transition from a non-governmental organization (NGO) to an inter-governmental organization (IGO), where India was elected to its Vice Presidency. This underscores India’s strong leadership and contributions to maritime affairs, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable and secure marine navigation, the ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

Chairperson and founder of Reliance Foundation Nita Mukesh Ambani was conferred with the prestigious Governor's Citation by the honourable Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts, recognising the compassionate philanthropist as a visionary leader, and true global changemaker. The citation honours Ambani's lifelong dedication to transformative impact across education, healthcare, sports, arts, culture, and women's empowerment – touching millions of lives in India and beyond.

For this special occasion in Boston, Mrs Ambani once again championed India’s rich artistic heritage by adorning a stunning handwoven Shikargah Banarasi saree, a masterpiece of Indian craftsmanship featuring the intricate Kadwa weaving technique and traditional Konya design.

Meanwhile, in a recent interview, Nita Ambani shared her vision for the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai’s plush Bandra Kurla Complex and how it is elevating India's cultural heritage on the global stage.

India captain Rohit Sharma on Thursday became the second fastest batter after compatriot Virat Kohli to complete 11,000 runs in One-day Internationals during their Champions Trophy clash against Bangladesh here.

Rohit is only the fourth Indian and 10th batter overall to reach the mark in the 50-over format.

The skipper achieved the feat in the fourth over of India's chase of 229 in their Group A match when he hit Mustafizur Rahman over mid-on for a boundary.

Star pacer Mohammed Shami became the fastest Indian bowler to reach 200 ODI wickets during the ICC Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh here on Thursday.

Returning to international cricket after a long injury layoff, Shami grabbed three wickets to reach the milestone in his 104th match and better former India pacer Ajit Agarkar's record of reaching the mark in 133 matches.

Jaker Ali, who made 68, was his 200th wicket. Overall, the 34-year-old fast bowler is the second quickest to 200 ODI wickets, behind Australian left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc, who needed 102 games.

One of India's finest seamers, Shami averages less than 25 in the ODI format and has already taken five fifers and 10 four-wicket hauls.

Vietnam's parliament approved plans on Wednesday (February 19, 2025) for an $8 billion rail link from its largest northern port city to the border with China, boosting links between the two communist-ruled countries and making trade easier.

The new rail line will run through some of Vietnam's key manufacturing hubs, home to Samsung, Foxconn, Pegatron and other global giants, many of whom rely on a regular flow of components from China.

The route will stretch 390 kilometres (240 miles) from the port city of Haiphong to the mountainous city of Lao Cai, which borders China's Yunnan province, and will also run through the capital Hanoi.

As Maha Kumbh 2025 nears its conclusion, a rare astronomical event is unfolding in the night sky. For a limited time, all seven planets of the solar system—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—are visible together, reported India Today.

Rare planetary alignment in February 2025

This planetary parade began in January 2025, with Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune already visible in the night sky. The event will culminate on February 28, 2025, when Mercury joins the lineup, bringing all seven planets into alignment on one side of the Sun.

While the term ‘planetary alignment’ lacks a strict scientific definition, it commonly refers to multiple planets being visible simultaneously along the ecliptic—the apparent path of the Sun across the sky.

Gujarat Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai on Thursday presented a Rs 3.70 trillion budget for the state for the financial year 2025-26, giving tax reliefs of Rs 148 crore. Also, no new tax was proposed in the budget, presented by Desai in the state assembly here on the second day of its budget session.

Desai informed the House that the budget outlay of Rs 3,70,250 crore for 2025-26 indicates an increase of Rs 37,785 crore, or 11.3 per cent, compared to the previous fiscal. The state government proposed a tax relief of Rs 148 crore in the form of reduction in stamp duty on mortgage deeds and on motor vehicle tax on electric vehicles. In his budgetary address, Desai announced a host of new schemes and projects and said the budget was based on five pillars - social security, human resource development, infrastructure development, green growth and development of economic activities.