A fire broke out at the ISKCON camp in Sector 18, Maha Kumbh Mela Kshetra, Prayagraj, on Friday. Fire tenders were immediately dispatched, and the blaze was fully contained, officials said. Thick smoke caused panic among devotees, and over a dozen nearby camps suffered damage. DIG Vaibhav Krishna confirmed that no casualties were reported. This marks the third fire incident in the Kumbh Mela area, following a major blaze last month. Authorities are investigating the cause. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath had earlier directed officials to enhance safety measures.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.25% in its first Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting under Governor Sanjay Malhotra. The move aims to inject liquidity into the market, following a previous decision to keep the rate at 6.5%. The Sensex dropped 192 points, while Nifty fell by 73 points after the announcement. Malhotra projected a 6.75% GDP growth for the next year and emphasized the stability of commercial banks. The RBI reaffirmed its commitment to inflation targeting, stating it has served the Indian economy well.

US President Donald Trump sparked controversy by calling the Washington plane crash that killed 67 people “amazing.” Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast, he said the tragedy would lead to better air traffic control systems. Comparing the collision to golf balls at a driving range, Trump claimed the US air control system is outdated and blamed “obsolete equipment.” His remarks drew sharp criticism, with many calling them insensitive. Earlier, Trump blamed diversity hiring for the crash. The accident involved an American Airlines flight and a Black Hawk helicopter near Washington’s Ronald Reagan National

2 Indian students, Cherukuri Suresh Chowdhary and Bhargav Chitturi, died in a car crash near Carlow, Ireland. Their Audi A6 veered off the road and hit a tree. Two others, also Indian students, sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and are receiving treatment at St Luke’s General Hospital. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin expressed shock, while the Indian Embassy in Dublin extended condolences and offered support. Authorities urged people to avoid sharing crash images. A community fundraiser raised over €25,000 to assist the victims' families with funeral costs.

An Indian Air Force Mirage 2000 fighter jet crashed in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri during a routine training flight on Thursday. Both pilots ejected safely before the crash, and no casualties were reported. Officials suspect a technical issue caused the crash, but a detailed investigation has been ordered. The Mirage 2000 has been a key part of the IAF’s operations for years. The crash has raised concerns over the safety of ageing aircraft in the fleet. Authorities have secured the site, and further inquiries are underway to determine the exact cause of the incident.

A US Border Patrol video showing 104 deported Indians in shackles has triggered a political storm in India. The deportees, including women and minors, were flown on a military plane to Amritsar. Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, condemned the treatment, demanding a parliamentary discussion. "They are humans, not prisoners," protesters chanted outside Parliament. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated deportation is not new but did not comment on the shackles. The government is considering the Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024 to protect migrant rights.

Congress has moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha, urging a discussion on the deportation of 104 Indian nationals by the US. The deportees, mainly from Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat, were reportedly shackled and treated poorly. The motion, introduced by Congress deputy leader Gaurav Gogoi, calls for addressing the dehumanization of Indians abroad. On Wednesday, the US military aircraft C-17 landed in Amritsar, and the deportees were questioned by Indian authorities before being sent to their home states.

The central government has renamed Kolkata’s historic Fort William as ‘Vijay Durg’ to erase colonial remnants. Though the decision was made in December, it is yet to be officially announced. The Indian Army’s Eastern Command headquarters, built in 1696 by the East India Company and later rebuilt by Lord Clive in 1781, was originally named after King William III of Britain. Additionally, South Gate has been renamed ‘Shivaji Gate’, replacing ‘St. George Gate’, while Kitchener House is now ‘Manekshaw House’. The move aligns with the government’s efforts to rebrand historical sites with Indian heritage.

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, taking a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam. Holding 'rudraksha' beads, he chanted mantras and prayed for the well-being of all citizens. "Immense peace and satisfaction from Maa Ganga's blessings," Modi posted on X. He reached the site by boat with UP CM Yogi Adityanath. The Mahakumbh, which began on January 13, has attracted over 38 crore pilgrims. Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk also participated in spiritual activities. The event will continue until Mahashivratri on February 26.

Mahant Satyendra Das, 85, head priest of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya, is in critical condition after suffering a brain stroke. He was admitted to the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI) on Sunday. Doctors said he is diabetic and hypertensive but is responding to commands. Das has been associated with the temple since 1992 and is a respected figure in Ayodhya. "We pray for his recovery," said Vishva Hindu Parishad spokesperson Sharad Sharma. Das, a member of the Nirvani Akhara, has been a key figure in the Ram temple movement.