Top news of the day | February 7, 2026

India trusted partner for growth, says PM Modi in Malaysia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (February 7, 2026) said India is seen as a “trusted partner for growth” and it was reflected in the recent trade deals it has agreed with various countries, including the U.K., USA and EU. Addressing a community programme in Kuala Lumpur, Mr. Modi also said that the Indian diaspora continues to serve as a strong bridge between India and Malaysia.

Piyush Goyal says no harm to farmers in India-U.S. trade pact

The Interim Agreement between India and the U.S. will not include any item that would hurt Indian farmers, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on Saturday (February 7, 2026), adding that there are several areas where Indian farmers and MSMEs have received duty-free entry into the U.S. market.

BJP set to get first Mumbai Mayor, Ritu Tawde files nomination; Shiv Sena picks Sanjay Ghadi for deputy post

The BJP is set to install its first mayor in Mumbai, ending the Thackeray’s 25-year dominance in the civic body, with party corporator Ritu Tawde filing her nomination for the election to the top post on Saturday (February 7, 2026). Shiv Sena, the saffron party’s ally in the Mahayuti, has declared Sanjay Ghadi as its candidate for the deputy mayor’s post.

Islamabad blast: Three arrested in Peshawar linked to suicide attack at Shia mosque

Pakistan’s police have arrested two men and a woman in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Peshawar, linked to a suicide attack at a Shia mosque in Islamabad on Friday (February 6, 2026). At least 31 people were killed and 169 others injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up at Khadijah al-Kubra mosque-cum-imambargah in the Tarlai area of Islamabad, in one of the worst terror attacks targeting the community in recent years.

Meghalaya coal mine blast: Death toll rises to 27 as two more bodies recovered

Two more bodies were found at the illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district on Saturday (February 7, 2026), taking the toll in the blast to 27, police said. The bodies were found as a multiple-agency search was continuing in the Thangsku area of Umsngat village, where the blast happened on Thursday (February 5), they said.

Kin link elderly man’s death to Indore water contamination tragedy; residents claim toll now 33

The family of a 70-year-old man who died in Indore while undergoing treatment in a hospital has linked his demise to the water contamination tragedy in Bhagirathpura, though a senior health official on Friday (February 6, 2026) said the deceased had a history of paralysis and had also suffered a thigh bone fracture.

Not a deal, but surrender: Congress alleges Indo-U.S. trade pact ‘betrayal’ with India

The Congress claimed on Saturday (February 7, 2026) that the Indo-U.S. trade pact is “not a deal but a surrender” of the country’s self-esteem and interests, and that it is a betrayal of India and its people. Addressing a press conference here, Congress’s media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said India will soon become a dumping ground for American products that will hurt the interests of the farmers and small and medium industries in New Delhi.

Gaurav Gogoi’s ‘Pakistan links’ being probed for sake of national security: Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday (February 7, 2026) said an investigation is being conducted into Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi’s alleged Pakistan links for the “sake of national security”, and any likely impact on politics is “secondary”. He claimed that two persons — a Pakistani national and a British citizen — have “central roles” in this entire matter, though he did not name either of them.

Japan snap election: PM Takaichi counts on her popularity to win Sunday’s poll

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is leveraging her popularity to help her party win Sunday’s (February 8, 2026) snap election as she pushes her right-wing agenda to boost her country’s economy and military capabilities in the face of growing tensions with China and an unpredictable Washington.

Iran FM says agreed with U.S. to hold next round of talks ‘soon’

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a fresh round of talks with Washington would take place “soon”, while insisting that enrichment was Tehran’s “inalienable right” and building trust would take time. Mr. Araghchi said the first round of talks in Oman on Friday (February 6, 2026) had been a “good start”.

Ola, Uber and other app-based transport drivers’ strike

App-based transport workers, including drivers and delivery workers associated with major platforms such as Ola, Uber, Rapido, Porter, and other app-based transport services, announced an all-India strike on Saturday (February 7, 2026) to protest falling incomes and increasing exploitation in the platform transport sector.

U.S. gave Ukraine, Russia June deadline to reach agreement to end war, Zelenskyy says

The U.S. has given Ukraine and Russia a June deadline to reach an agreement to end the nearly four-year war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters. If the June deadline is not met, the Trump administration will likely put pressure on both sides to meet it, he added.