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.

Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan alleged that bodies of stampede victims were dumped into the river, contaminating the Maha Kumbh water in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. She accused the BJP-led government of neglecting arrangements for common devotees and concealing the real death toll. “They are lying about crores of people gathering,” she said outside Parliament. The January 29 stampede killed 30 and injured 60. Opposition parties, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, have demanded a parliamentary discussion. A judicial commission is investigating the tragedy. The Maha Kumbh, held after 12 years, will continue until February 26.

Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attended the final T20 match between India and England in Mumbai on Sunday. Sunak was joined by his father-in-law, Infosys founder Narayana Murthy. Before the match, Sunak met captains Suryakumar Yadav and Jos Buttler. He shared pictures from the game and congratulated Team India on their win, posting on X, "Tough day for England, but I know our team will come back stronger. Congratulations to Team India on the win." India won the match by 150 runs, securing a 4-1 series victory.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the tax relief measures introduced in Budget 2025, calling them a part of Prime Minister Modi's effort to honor taxpayers' contributions to nation building. Speaking at the Budget Round Table 2025 event, she emphasized the government's continuous engagement with taxpayers and efforts to build trust. Sitharaman also reassured that the old tax regime would remain intact, as long as people continued to benefit from exemptions. She stressed that simplifying the tax system for easier compliance remains a key focus.