NATO Launches Arctic Sentry Military Effort to Move Beyond Greenland Dispute
Brussels, 12 February 2026 — NATO launched Arctic Sentry, a label for national exercises in the Arctic region. The initiative signals allied readiness amid longstanding tensions linked to Greenland and Arctic security. Arctic Sentry is not a permanent operation and does not involve long‑term troop deployments under a single NATO banner. It follows earlier drills such as Denmark’s Arctic Endurance and Norway’s Cold Response. The aim is to improve coordination, intelligence sharing, and crisis response capabilities among seven allied nations and partners with Arctic interests.
NATO launches Arctic Sentry
Not a permanent operation; no permanent troops
Follows Denmark’s Arctic Endurance and Norway’s Cold Response
Aims to improve Arctic readiness and cooperation
Includes multiple allied nations with Arctic interests
Goa, 12 February 2026 — Goa will receive its first biodiversity and cultural features map, developed by WWF India. The child‑friendly guide covers 48 species and traditional art forms and will be distributed free to schools during the Goa Art and Literature Festival. The map serves as an educational tool to improve environmental awareness and accompanies broader wildlife mapping efforts in the state. Free print and digital formats will support teachers and students in classrooms and field visits, reinforcing conservation education alongside ongoing biodiversity initiatives.
Mumbai/London, 12 February 2026 — EY Global has promoted two senior partners from EY India to global leadership roles amid expanding regional growth. Ram Sarvepalli, formerly head of EY India’s consulting practice, is named deputy global managing partner‑client service. Ajay Arora, EY India’s M&A leader, becomes global M&A leader for EY’s transactions and corporate finance practice. The moves reflect EY’s strategy to leverage India’s growing professional services talent in global leadership positions, as cross‑border deals and digital transformation services continue to rise in importance for multinational clients.
Two EY India partners promoted to global roles
Ram Sarvepalli: deputy global managing partner‑client service
Ajay Arora: global M&A leader for transactions & corporate finance
Shows EY India leadership in global network
Linked to rising cross‑border deals and growth
Economic Survey 2025–26 Highlights Public Health and Economic Linkages
New Delhi, 10 February 2026 — The Economic Survey 2025–26 warns of rising obesity, diabetes, mental health issues, and digital addiction as mounting public health challenges, even as maternal and child health improves. The document stresses a stronger link between health outcomes and workforce productivity, urging investments in digital health, hospital infrastructure, and preventive care. It also notes gains in health indicators over past decades while cautioning about lifestyle risks. The survey’s recommendations aim to sustain economic growth by strengthening the health system and aligning health policy with macroeconomic priorities.
Survey flags obesity, diabetes, digital addiction
Emphasises health–economy link and productivity
Advocates digital health and hospital infrastructure
Kauvery Hospital Launches Robotic Beating Heart Bypass Surgery Programme
Bengaluru, 12 February 2026 — Kauvery Hospital has launched a beating‑heart coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) programme using the fourth‑generation da Vinci robotic system. The minimally invasive procedure allows surgeons to perform grafts through small keyhole incisions without stopping the heart or using a heart‑lung machine. This approach reduces surgical trauma and can shorten recovery times for patients with coronary artery disease. The programme is led by Arunkumar Krishnasamy, a senior robotic cardiac surgeon, and supported by a multidisciplinary team of anaesthesiologists, perfusionists, and critical care specialists. The development signals growth in robotic cardiac care in India.
UAE’s Electric Seagliders Could Cut Travel Time Between Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Abu Dhabi, 12 February 2026 — The UAE is advancing electric seagliders to reduce travel time between coastal cities. The concept combines high‑speed marine and aircraft technology with zero emissions. Prototypes are under development through government partnerships and private sector investment. If scaled, the seagliders could transform water travel and logistics in coastal zones, offering rapid, low‑pollution connections. Officials note the project aligns with national goals for sustainable transport and regional connectivity, though regulatory, safety, and infrastructure hurdles must be addressed before commercial deployment.
Paragliding World Cup India Panchgani 2026 to Begin Feb 15
Panchgani, 12 February 2026 — The Paragliding World Cup 2026 will be staged in Panchgani from February 15 to 21, attracting over 100 contestants from more than 25 countries. Registration and document checks begin on day one, followed by test flights for acclimatization. The competition, officially Cross Country Paragliding, will run for six days. Organiser Krishna Kant Bhagra noted Panchgani’s potential to become a premier winter adventure destination, highlighting unique opportunities for pilots to fly in cooler conditions unavailable in many European venues.
Paragliding World Cup 2026 in Panchgani
Dates: Feb 15–21, 2026
100+ contestants from 25+ countries
Registration and test flights on day 1
Panchgani positioned as winter adventure hub
Indian Shooters Add Two Gold Medals, Gold Tally Reaches 39 at Asian Championship
New Delhi, 12 February 2026 — Indian shooters added two gold medals to their tally at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship in New Delhi, taking India’s total to 39. Prachi Gaikwad won junior women’s 50m rifle three-position with 353.3 points; Kazakhstan’s Tomiris Amanova took silver with 351.4; India’s Anushka Thokur earned bronze on 34 shots. In the team event, the trio of Gaikwad, Thokur, and Hazel clinched gold with a combined 1,748 points. The performance reflects India’s continued strength in shooting and an improving pipeline of young athletes.
India wins two more gold medals
Gaikwad tops junior women’s 50m rifle
Amanova silver; Thokur bronze
Team gold with Gaikwad, Thokur, Hazel
India’s gold tally reaches 39
Auli to Host National Winter Games, Skiing Carnival
Auli, 13–16 February 2026 — The National Winter Games and Skiing Carnival will be held in Auli, Chamoli district, Uttarakhand. The event, organised by Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) with ITBP support, aims to promote winter tourism and adventure sports. Tourism Secretary Dheeraj Garbyal and state officials highlighted the event’s plan for infrastructure upgrades, safety services, and job creation in the region. The championship will showcase Garhwal’s winter landscape and help position Auli as a premier winter sports destination in North India.
IAF–RTAF Joint Air Exercise Near Malacca Strait Demonstrates Indo-Thai Defence Cooperation
New Delhi, 12 February 2026 — The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) conducted their first international air exercise of 2026, signaling stronger Indo-Thai defence ties. The joint on-site drills featured IAF Su-30MKI multirole fighters alongside RTAF JAS 39 Gripen aircraft. The exercise took place near the Strait of Malacca, a critical sea lane that handles a large share of global trade and energy shipments. IAF assets included AWACS and airborne early warning and control aircraft, and IL-78 mid-air refuelers. RTAF contributed Gripen C/D fighters. Operations were staged from bases in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Thai air bases, focusing on interoperable air‑to‑air and air‑to‑surface tasks.
IAF Su-30MKI and RTAF Gripen aircraft participated
Drills conducted near the Malacca Strait
IAF assets included AWACS, AEW&C, and IL-78 refuellers
Bases used: Andaman & Nicobar Islands; Thai air bases
Emphasis on interoperable air‑to‑air and air‑to‑surface tasks
Hollywood actor James Van Der Beek, best known for his role in Dawson’s Creek, has died at the age of 48 after a prolonged battle with colorectal cancer. Family statements confirmed the death and highlighted his advocacy for early cancer detection and screening. Van Der Beek rose to global fame in 1998 as Dawson Leery, a central character in the popular teen drama. His passing is being mourned by fans and colleagues worldwide, with tributes emphasizing his contributions to entertainment and public health awareness.
Bharat Bandh on 12 February 2026: National Strike Across Sectors
New Delhi, 12 February 2026 — A nationwide Bharat Bandh is being observed on Thursday, 12 February 2026, called by Samyukt Kisan Morcha and a coalition of over 10 central trade unions. The protest targets new labour codes and other government policies, with participation expected from workers and farmers across more than 600 districts. Banking, transport, and public services are among sectors likely to experience disruptions. Authorities advised travellers to plan ahead. While some regions reported limited impact, others faced significant activity as unions pressed for policy changes and worker protections. Sources include TOI and HT reports.
Bharat Bandh on 12 February 2026
Led by SKM and 10 trade unions
Targets labour codes; affects 600+ districts
Possible disruptions in banking, transport, services
Travelers advised to plan ahead
National Productivity Council Marks 68th Foundation Day with Productivity Week 2026
New Delhi, 12 February 2026 — The National Productivity Council (NPC) will observe its 68th Foundation Day on 12 February 2026 and a National Productivity Week from 12 to 18 February across India. The 2026 theme is 'Clusters as Growth Engine: Maximizing Productivity in MSMEs,' emphasizing cluster development to improve micro, small and medium enterprises. Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, who heads the NPC, underscored policies to boost MSMEs, expand manufacturing capacity, and support sustainable industrialisation. The week will feature workshops and showcases highlighting best practices in productivity, supply chains, and competitive manufacturing across sectors.
NPC Foundation Day on 12 Feb 2026
National Productivity Week: 12–18 Feb 2026
Theme: Clusters as Growth Engine for MSMEs
Focus on MSME upgradation and manufacturing capacity
Puducherry Doctors Win Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award 2026
Puducherry, 12 February 2026 — Two senior ophthalmologists from Puducherry, Dr Haripriya Aravind and Dr R Venkatesh, have been selected for the Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award 2026. They will receive the honour at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Foundation conference in Washington DC on 11 April. The award recognises exceptional service in cataract care and includes a $100,000 grant, which the recipients have chosen to donate to the Aravind Eye Care System to support its non‑profit initiatives.
Dr Haripriya Aravind and Dr R Venkatesh awarded
Presentation at ASCRS Foundation Conference, Washington
Award recognises humanitarian cataract care work
Includes $100,000 grant donated to Aravind Eye Care System
Budget 2026–27 Health Announcements Align with Biopharma and Care Workforce Goals
New Delhi, 12 February 2026 — The budget discourse around Union Budget 2026–27 highlights a strengthened health sector, including the Biopharma Shakti initiative to position India as a global biotech hub and a planned Rs 10,000 crore outlay over five years. Proposals include expanding the allied health workforce, establishing regional medical hubs, and advancing digital health to improve diagnostics and delivery. Industry experts welcomed the shift toward a robust healthcare ecosystem with greater private‑sector participation. The announcements align with national strategies to boost healthcare access, innovation, and global competitiveness in life sciences.
Biopharma Shakti initiative announced
Rs 10,000 crore outlay over five years
Expansion of allied health workforce
Regional medical hubs and digital health push
Positive reception from industry
Mumbai Unveils India’s First ‘Musical Road’ on Coastal Road
Mumbai, 12 February 2026 — Mumbai has unveiled India’s first musical road on the Coastal Road. A 500‑metre stretch between Nariman Point and Worli plays the song Jai Ho as vehicles travel at 70–80 km/h. The groove‑based installation uses rumble strips to create vibrations that generate musical notes. Inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the project blends infrastructure with culture and aims to enhance urban experience and tourism. The musical road sits on the northbound carriageway just after the Coastal Road tunnel, complementing ongoing coastal development in the city. The feature showcases design‑driven public spaces in India’s megacities.
First Indian melodious road on Coastal Road segment
Song Jai Ho audible at 70–80 km/h
Grooves (rumble strips) create musical notes
Location: Nariman Point to Worli, 500 metres
Inaugurated by CM Devendra Fadnavis
Balaghat Chosen for Grain Storage Plan Pilot
Balaghat district in Madhya Pradesh has been selected as the pilot district under the World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in the Cooperative Sector (WLGSP). A 500 metric tonne godown was constructed at Bahudeshiya Prathamik Krishi Saakh Sahakari Society Maryadit, Parswada. The facility was inaugurated on 24 February 2024 and is hired by the Madhya Pradesh Warehousing and Logistics Corporation (MPWLC). The initiative aims to decentralise grain storage infrastructure at the PACS level, enhancing local storage capacity and resilience in the cooperative sector.
Balaghat chosen for WLGSP pilot
500 MT godown constructed at Parswada PACS
Inaugurated 24 February 2024
Hired by MPWLC to decentralise storage
Aims to strengthen PACS-level grain infrastructure
Cipla Foundation, IISc Launch Centre for Advanced Pulmonary Care & Research
Bengaluru, 12 February 2026 — Cipla Foundation and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) announced a joint centre for Pulmonary Medicine at the Tata IISc Medical School. The Cipla Foundation Centre will provide diagnostics, outpatient and inpatient services, a dedicated ICU, and high‑dependency units to advance treatment for respiratory illnesses. It will support Indian guidelines for COPD, ILD, and asthma, along with biomarker research, pharmacogenomics, and AI‑based lung diagnostics. The collaboration aims to strengthen India’s respiratory health ecosystem through clinical care, research, and skill development, benefiting patients and healthcare professionals.
Cipla Foundation and IISc launch Pulmonary Centre
Location: Tata IISc Medical School, Bengaluru
Services include ICU and high‑dependency units
Research on COPD, ILD, asthma; AI diagnostics
Aim: strengthen India’s respiratory health ecosystem
Uttar Pradesh Begins Mass Drug Administration for Lymphatic Filariasis
Lucknow, 10 February 2026 — Uttar Pradesh has launched a mass drug administration (MDA) campaign to combat lymphatic filariasis across multiple districts. The campaign follows WHO guidelines and involves door-to-door distribution of preventive medicines, community mobilization, and monitoring to reduce transmission and disability associated with the disease. Health workers, volunteers, and district administration are coordinating to achieve high coverage over coming weeks. The initiative underscores India’s broader public health effort to eliminate neglected tropical diseases through preventive chemotherapy and community engagement.
Dastak Youth Festival 2026 Highlights Ecotourism and UP Heritage
Lucknow/Agra, 12 February 2026 — The 18th edition of the Dastak Youth Festival began at the International Buddhist Research Centre with a focus on Nature, Environment, and Uttar Pradesh. The three‑day event is supported by the UP tourism department, Yuva club, and Ecotourism initiatives. Around 500 students from more than 55 colleges are participating, with about 150 on the first day. Organisers say the festival will promote ecotourism, environmental stewardship, and UP’s cultural heritage, while showcasing youth as drivers of change and sustainable development.
Meghalaya CM Announces 70% Subsidy for Homestays Ahead of National Games 2027
Shillong, 12 February 2026 — Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced a 70 percent subsidy for homestays ahead of the National Games 2027. The government aims to boost community‑based lodging in parallel with five‑star resort development planned at Tura. The subsidy supports entrepreneurs to establish sports hostels owned and operated by local families after the Games. Officials say the scheme will diversify tourism infrastructure, create livelihoods, and encourage participation from rural areas. The plan follows a broader push to blend public and private tourism assets for a more inclusive visitor experience.
70% subsidy for homestays announced
Aim: support sports hostels for National Games 2027
Focus on community-owned accommodation
Plans to pair homestays with higher-end tourism assets
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