Op-Eds Opinion

Modi’s Budget Protected Government Finances, Not Middle-Class Households

By BPN News Desk February 2, 2026

For years, India’s middle class has been told to adjust, to endure, to sacrifice for a larger national good. We did. We paid higher fuel prices, accepted rising education fees, absorbed crushing healthcare bills, and quietly adjusted our household budgets again and again. We swallowed the bitter medicine in the belief that relief would eventually […]

East India State News

Mamata Slams Budget Allocation, Raises Poll Concerns

By BPN News Desk February 2, 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the Union Budget 2026–27, calling the budget allocation for Bengal “insufficient” and alleging political bias in the distribution of funds. She said the state had been “short-changed” compared with others, especially in sectors like infrastructure, health and education. State vs Centre Budget Dispute Mamata Banerjee

Defence National

India Boosts Defence Budget to ₹7.85 Lakh Crore

By BPN News Desk February 2, 2026

The Union Budget 2026–27 presented by the government has **increased India’s defence allocation to a record ₹7.85 lakh crore, marking a 15 % rise over last year’s budget as part of efforts to strengthen the armed forces after recent security challenges. A significant share of the funds is directed at modernising the military’s capabilities. Modernisation […]

International

China and UN Warn Pakistan Over Terror Spillover from Afghanistan

By BPN News Desk February 2, 2026

China and the United Nations have jointly warned that terrorist threats spilling over from Afghanistan could affect Pakistan’s security. At a high-level briefing on counter-terrorism, the Chinese representative at the UN said the Central Asia region faces risks from cross-border militant activity and urged Pakistan to work with Afghanistan to address them. UN Highlights

International

Russian Drone Attack Kills 12 in Dnipro

By BPN News Desk February 2, 2026

At least 12 people were killed after a Russian drone strike hit the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, Ukrainian officials said. The attack targeted a civilian bus in the Dnipropetrovsk region, causing multiple casualties and injuries. Emergency services confirmed that several victims were workers returning from their shifts, and the strike triggered a fire that was […]

International

Trump Says India Will Buy Oil From Venezuela

By BPN News Desk February 2, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that India will purchase crude oil from Venezuela instead of Iran, indicating a potential shift in India’s energy sourcing under U.S. policy preferences. Trump made the remarks while speaking about sanctions and oil trade arrangements involving Iran and Venezuela. Iran Oil Imports Already Halted India had been a major […]

Op-Eds Opinion

Selective Boycotts Are Not Protest: ICC Must Act Against Pakistan

By BPN News Desk February 2, 2026

Pakistan’s decision to boycott only its match against India while remaining part of the ICC tournament is not a political protest. It is a selective refusal that undermines the very structure of international sport. By granting permission to travel, accepting tournament participation, and remaining eligible for prize money and commercial benefits, Pakistan has already

International

Iran Labels EU Armies ‘Terrorist Groups’ After IRGC Designation

By BPN News Desk February 2, 2026

Iran’s parliament has declared the armed forces of European Union countries as “terrorist groups” in response to the EU’s decision to list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation. The move was announced by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf during a session where lawmakers showed support for the IRGC. Escalation After EU […]

Op-Eds Opinion

Why Dalal Street Rejected Budget 2026: A Vote of No Confidence From the Markets

By BPN News Desk February 2, 2026

Yesterday was not just another volatile Budget day. What unfolded on Dalal Street felt personal. For traders like us, the sharp fall in the Sensex and Nifty was not about charts breaking or stop losses getting hit. It was about expectations being ignored, warnings going unheard, and a growing sense that the people who actually […]

International

Turkey Rules Out Trilateral Defence Pact With Pakistan and Saudi Arabia

By BPN News Desk February 2, 2026

Turkey has ruled out joining any multilateral defence pact involving Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, clarifying that there is no plan for a three-way military or security alliance. Turkish officials indicated that Ankara prefers to maintain separate bilateral defence and strategic relationships rather than entering a collective defence framework with multiple countries. No