Independent News & People Network Desk of News

Women’s entry to Sabarimala: NSS and SNDP urge return to traditional practice

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-02-16T09:51:28+00:00

As the Supreme Court considers review petitions against its 2018 verdict allowing women of all ages to enter the shrine, the Nair Service Society and the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam have reiterated their opposition

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Italy’s famous Lovers’ Arch collapses into the sea on Valentine’s Day

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-02-16T09:48:34+00:00

Rock structure which served as backdrop to countless proposals disappears into the Adriatic after stormThe famous arch of the sea stacks at Sant’Andrea in Melendugno, Puglia, Italy, popularly known as Lovers’ Arch, collapsed on Valentine’s Day after strong storm surges and heavy rain swept across southern Italy.The rocky arch, one of the best-known natural landmarks on the Adriatic coast, got its name as it served as a backdrop for wedding proposals, selfies and postcards, and was one of the most recognisable symbols of the Salento, one of Italy’s most heavily visited tourist areas. Continue r

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Cabinet Office looking into Labour Together report claims, says minister

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-02-16T09:45:31+00:00

Liz Kendall says officials will be ‘establishing the facts’ about report that made false claims about journalistsUK politics live – latest updatesThe Cabinet Office is examining the commissioning of a report that made false claims about journalists who were investigating Labour Together, the thinktank closely linked to Keir Starmer, a cabinet minister has said.Liz Kendall, the science and technology secretary, indicated it would not be a formal inquiry, as demanded by the Conservatives and some Labour MPs, noting that the trade association for the PR industry was carrying out such an investiga

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Cabinet Office looking into Starmer-linked thinktank after it investigated journalists

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-02-16T09:45:31+00:00

Liz Kendall says officials will be ‘establishing the facts’ about report that made false claims about journalistsUK politics live – latest updatesThe Cabinet Office is examining the commissioning of a report that made false claims about journalists who were investigating Labour Together, the thinktank closely linked to Keir Starmer, a cabinet minister has said.Liz Kendall, the science and technology secretary, indicated it would not be a formal inquiry, as demanded by the Conservatives and some Labour MPs, noting that the trade association for the PR industry was carrying out such an investiga

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Japan's Panasonic eyes India as top global AC market within seven years

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-02-16T09:44:06+00:00

Several global brands, including Apple and Nike, have been ⁠boosting their manufacturing in India as they look to diversify their supply chain and the country offers more business-friendly policies and ‌cheap labour.

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OpenAI, Meta speech models struggle with Indian languages

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-02-16T09:41:05+00:00

In dialects like Bhojpuri and Maithili, some models fail to transcribe 2 out of every 3 words correctly while Meta’s error rates in Tamil and Malayalam are often 2–3x higher than Indian systems, Microsoft does not support 6 out of 15 tested Indian languages

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BEL approves JV with French company Safran for HAMMER Weapon System

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-02-16T09:41:02+00:00

The operationalisation of the joint venture agreement will be subject to regulatory and administrative approvals from authorities in both India and France

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India’s revamped data addresses IMF concerns, official says

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-02-16T09:36:52+00:00

The statistics ministry released the first set of data with a revised 2024 base on Thursday that showed inflation remained relatively benign, bolstering the case to keep interest rates on hold

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Royal Mail blames bad weather and sickness for late deliveries

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-02-16T09:33:43+00:00

Strain on service means rounds are missed on a daily basis and parcels are prioritised over letters, says reportBusiness live – latest updatesRoyal Mail has blamed stormy weather and too many workers being off sick after complaints over missed delivery rounds and late letters.The strain on the postal service has meant rounds are missed on a daily basis and letters have been left undelivered for weeks, according to the BBC, which cited reports from more than a dozen Royal Mail postal staff at different delivery offices. Continue reading...

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Ban on social media for under-16s is not inevitable, signals technology secretary – UK politics live

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-02-16T09:32:31+00:00

Liz Kendall says several organisations have concerns about ban on social media for under-16s before conclusion of government consultationGood morning. Parliament is in recess this week, but politics goes on, and the government an announcement about social media. The Online Safety Act, a vast piece of legislation that was first proposed in the last decade and passed in 2023, is only now fully coming into force. But already there are claims that it is out of date and, under pressure from campaigners – and particularly the Conservative party – the government last month announced that it will cons

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Minister suggests ban on social media for under-16s is not inevitable – UK politics live

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-02-16T09:32:31+00:00

Technology secretary Liz Kendall says several organisations have concerns about ban on social media for under-16s before conclusion of government consultationGood morning. Parliament is in recess this week, but politics goes on, and the government an announcement about social media. The Online Safety Act, a vast piece of legislation that was first proposed in the last decade and passed in 2023, is only now fully coming into force. But already there are claims that it is out of date and, under pressure from campaigners – and particularly the Conservative party – the government last month announ

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Amazon van gets stuck on Britain’s ‘most dangerous’ mudflat path

Source: The Guardian - World · Published: 2026-02-16T09:20:09+00:00

GPS led driver on to the Broomway in the Thames estuary, where dozens of people are known to have died An Amazon delivery van got stuck trying to drive along one of Britain’s most dangerous coastal paths as the driver followed GPS directions on to mudflats to try to get to an island in the Thames estuary used by the military, the coastguard has said.Rescuers were called to reports the van had been driven out on to the Broomway – a 600-year-old pathway across the flats to Foulness Island that has been called the deadliest in the country. Continue reading...

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Stock Market Live Updates for February 16: Sensex up 500 pts to 83,147.79; Nifty gains 165 points to 25,636.25; Nifty Auto down nearly 1%

Source: The Hindu Business Line – Markets · Published: 2026-02-16T09:17:11+00:00

Sensex, Nifty, Share Prices LIVE: Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty, which opened on a weak note, recovered to trade firm in the afternoon session. At 1:10 pm, Sensex was at 82,930.55, up 303.79 points (+0.37%). Nifty was at 25,581.35, up 110.25 points (0.43%).

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