The seventh waterbird count at the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam released on Wednesday (February 25, 2026) has spotlighted a new avian guest — a diving duck from the Eurasian taiga breeding grounds.

“The smew (Mergellus albellus) signals wetland health in India, but its vagrant status flags climate-driven range shifts and the need to protect refuelling stops amid hunting and oil pollution threats,” said ornithologist Nilutpal Mahanta, a part of the waterbird census held from January 4 to 11.

A striking diving duck, the smew is a rare visitor to India. Male smews have a black-masked white body, while females have a mottled brown body. Sightings are sporadic and localised, mainly in northern or central Indian wetlands, including Haiderpur in Uttar Pradesh.

During the census, the smew was recorded at Rowmari-Donduwa beels in Laokhowa, part of the Kaziranga landscape covering 1,302 sq. km., and in the core areas of the park that are better known for its one-horned rhinoceroses.

Pakistan has declared an open war against Afghanistan after the Taliban administration said that its forces killed and captured several Pakistani soldiers during a cross-border offensive. In a social media post, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan’s patience has reached its limit and Now it is open war between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Pakistan carried out airstrikes targeting Afghan cities, including Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia, after a fresh round of clashes between the two sides. Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the Pakistani strikes but said there were no casualties. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi described the military action as a befitting response, saying Pakistan’s armed forces acted after Afghan forces allegedly attacked Pakistani border troops.

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday flew as a co-pilot in the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand near the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district. According to the Indian Air Force (IAF), the helicopter took off from the Jaisalmer Air Force Station after the president was briefed by the captain. She waved from the cockpit before departure.

With today's sortie, she became the first Indian president to fly in an attack helicopter, adding another milestone to her engagements with frontline military platforms.

Wearing an olive-green flight suit and helmet, she was seen waving from the cockpit moments before take-off.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated three major inland waterways infrastructure projects on Friday in Dibrugarh on National Waterway-2 (River Brahmaputra). He described the projects as a balanced approach of “Vikas and Virasat” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.

The projects include the Customs and Immigration Complex at Bogibeel, the Customs and Immigration Complex at Dhubri, and the renovated Heritage Building of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) at Dibrugarh.

Addressing the gathering, Sonowal said the projects reflect the dynamic governance model of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that seeks rapid development without losing cultural identity.

The Tripura Cabinet has approved a proposal to implement the Centre’s Nari Adalat scheme on a pilot basis in 10 gram panchayats across the state, a minister said on February 27.

Briefing the media in Agartala, Transport and Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said the decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday.

Chowdhury said the Nari Adalat scheme, launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, will function as a panchayat-level arbitration forum to address cases related to atrocities against women. The forum will seek to resolve disputes through community-based mechanisms and, where necessary, recommend police action.

Each Nari Adalat will consist of a committee of up to nine socially respected members. The pilot project will be implemented in selected gram panchayats across all eight districts of Tripura, the minister said.

Israel has multi-layered air defences against Iranian ballistic missiles, an umbrella it may need to lean on as the United States and Iran teeter toward potential military conflict that could draw Iranian attacks on Israeli territory.

• ARROW

The long-range Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 interceptors, developed by Israel with an Iranian missile threat in mind, are designed to engage incoming targets both in and outside the atmosphere respectively. They operate at an altitude that allows for safe dispersal of any non-conventional warheads.

State-owned Israel Aerospace Industries is the project’s main contractor while Boeing BA.N is involved in producing the interceptors.

• DAVID’S SLING

The mid-range David’s Sling system is designed to shoot down ballistic missiles fired from 100 km to 200 km (62-124 miles) away.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Friday, formally launched the distribution of land pattas to indigenous landless families across the State under Mission Basundhara 3.0 at a programme held at Deuri Beel in Dhemaji.

According to the release, during the event, digital land pattas and allotment letters were also distributed to various public institutions. The Chief Minister further initiated the land settlement process in previously un-surveyed (NC) villages where surveys have been completed under the SVAMITVA scheme.

Further, under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, forest land rights were granted to 538 individuals residing in the Subansiri and Jiadhal Reserved Forests, said the release.

A programme will be organized on 26 February 2026 at Gandhi Prekshagrih, Gandhi Stadium, Near Jeevan Rekha, Nakhasa, Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh) for the promotion and awareness of the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) Scheme, launched by the Government of India.

During the programme, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits and Ayushman Cards will be distributed to Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs) and waste pickers to ensure their safety, health, and social security.

Additionally, beneficiaries who have received skill development training will also be provided with sewing machines to support their livelihood and promote economic empowerment.

The programme aims to create awareness about the NAMASTE Scheme, which focuses on ensuring dignity, safety, and social security for sanitation workers, while strengthening them socially and economically. The event will stand as a testimony to the Government’s commitment to the principle of “priority to the deprived”, ensuring that those who have historically been marginalized or overlooked receive the support and assistance they rightfully deserve.

The Ministry of Ayush has invited applications for the Prime Minister’s Awards for Yoga 2026, which aims to inspire broader participation, innovation and leadership in the field. The Ministry of Ayush informed us that the award will be given in two categories: Individuals and Institutions. Each awardee will receive a trophy, a certificate and a cash award of 25 lakh rupees. Ministry informed us that this award will recognise exemplary contributions toward the development andpromotion of Yoga at both National and International levels. It added that the last date for submission of applications is the 21st of next month. Eligible individuals and institutions can apply through the National Awards Portal.

Shri Somanna said the book is a rich visual and narrative tribute to one of Indian Railways’ most impactful cultural and spiritual tourism initiatives. He said the book beautifully captures the spirit, vision, and collective effort behind a pioneering model that seamlessly integrates faith, culture, heritage, and modern rail infrastructure. He added, the remarkable initiative was conceptualised and driven by Dr. Anup Dayanand, IRTS (Retd.).

Shri Somanna said it is historic that under the Bharat Gaurav Scheme, more than 30,000 devotees from Karnataka have fulfilled their lifelong dream of visiting Kashi and other sacred destinations at an affordable cost.

The book vividly showcases the train as a “moving gallery of India,” detailing its thoughtfully designed coaches, onboard amenities, curated spiritual circuits, and end-to-end passenger experience. Special focus is given to how comfort, accessibility, and affordability were prioritised, particularly for senior citizens and first-time pilgrims through policy support and state subsidies. At its core, the book chronicles the conception, evolution, and successful execution of the Karnataka Bharat Gaurav Train under the Bharat Gaurav Policy.