Veteran Doordarshan newsreader Sarla Maheshwari has died in Delhi at the age of 71, DD News said on X. She was one of the most familiar faces of DD television news in the 1980s, when anchors were widely known as newsreaders. Doordarshan paid tribute, calling her a respected presenter known for her “gentle voice, precise pronunciation, and dignified presentation.” It said she built deep trust among viewers during the early years of broadcast news. Former colleagues also expressed grief and described her as graceful and courteous. Family sources said her cremation is scheduled at Nigam Bodh Ghat in Delhi. (PC: X)

A Hindu gym owner in Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, has drawn national attention after he defended a Muslim shopkeeper during a dispute with Bajrang Dal activists. A video shows Deepak Kumar questioning the group for asking the shopkeeper to remove the word “Baba” from his store name. In the clip, he asks, “Are Muslims not citizens of India?” He later told BBC Hindi his action was spontaneous. After the video spread, he received praise from opposition leaders and many social media users. He has also faced protests and death threats. Police registered cases after complaints from both sides. Kumar said, “First and foremost, I am a human being.” (PC: BBC)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Tarique Rahman after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party secured a clear victory in the parliamentary elections. In a message on X, Modi said the result showed “the trust of the people of Bangladesh in your leadership.” He added that India will support a “democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh.” Modi also said he looks forward to working together to strengthen ties and development goals. Counting trends showed the BNP and its allies winning 177 seats, with most constituencies declared. Jamaat-e-Islami and its partners secured over 50 seats. The vote was the first national election since the 2024 political uprising. (PC: X)

The UNESCO-listed Darjeeling Himalayan Railway has appointed its first woman Travelling Ticket Examiner in 145 years. Sarita Yolmo of Northeast Frontier Railway took charge on the toy train between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling on February 5. Railway officials confirmed she is the first woman to serve in this role on the route. “I am proud to be the first woman TTE in a Darjeeling Himalayan Railway toy train,” Yolmo said. She added she felt both “thrilled and anxious” as she had no earlier experience on this line. Yolmo joined the railway in 1991 and now works on the NJP–Darjeeling service on rotation. (PC: The Telegraph)

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party is set to return to power after 20 years, crossing the majority mark in the general elections. Early counting trends showed the BNP-led alliance winning about 209 seats, well above the 151 needed to form a government. Party leader Tarique Rahman emerged as the frontrunner for the prime minister’s post. Jamaat-e-Islami secured only double-digit seats, showing a limited impact on the final outcome. Turnout was over 60 per cent, according to election officials. Voting took place in 299 constituencies under tight security. More than 70 people were injured in scattered clashes, but authorities reported no election-related deaths. (PC: India Today)

Seattle city has agreed to pay $29 million, about Rs 260 crore, to the family of Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula in a wrongful death lawsuit. The 23-year-old was killed in January 2023 after a police SUV hit her while speeding to an emergency call. Officials said the vehicle was moving at 119 kmph in a 40 kmph zone. Prosecutors later filed no criminal charges against the driver, citing lack of sufficient evidence. Another officer faced action over remarks caught on bodycam footage. Both officers were later fired. The city attorney said Kandula’s death was “heartbreaking” and added, “Her life mattered.” (PC: NDTV)

Bangladesh Nationalist Party chief Tarique Rahman is leading in early vote counting in his Bogura-6 (Sadar) constituency and is viewed as the main contender for prime minister. Partial results from 27 of 150 centres show Rahman with 38,428 votes. His closest rival, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Abidur Rahman, has 17,428 votes, according to local reports. Reuters said that by late evening, BNP was ahead in 50 seats and Jamaat in 18. Bangladesh’s parliament has 300 seats, and 151 are needed for a majority. Voting ended earlier in the day in the first national election since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was removed from office. (PC: HT)

India reacted after an old video of Donald Trump speaking about Narendra Modi resurfaced on social media. In the clip from October 2025, the US President joked that he did not want to “destroy his political career” while praising the Indian Prime Minister. Some users shared the remark as a threat. The Ministry of External Affairs said it would review the matter. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “If such a video exists, whether it is true or false, we will take appropriate action.” The comment was made during trade tensions linked to tariffs and Russian oil purchases. Officials said the line was spoken in a humorous context. (PC: India Today)

India national cricket team beat Namibia national cricket team by 93 runs in their T20 World Cup group match in Delhi after posting 209/9. India’s batting was powered by Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya. Ishan Kishan scored a quick 61 off 24 balls. Hardik Pandya added 52 off 27 balls to lift the total past 200. Namibia were bowled out for 116. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy took three wickets for just seven runs. Axar Patel picked two key wickets. Every Indian bowler took at least one wicket. India registered their second Group A win with a dominant all-round performance. (PC: BCCI)

A court-appointed lawyer has reported that Imran Khan has lost about 85% vision in his right eye while in jail, citing delayed medical care and long isolation. The report by amicus curiae Salman Safdar says Khan complained of blurred vision for months but received no timely treatment. He was later diagnosed with a blood clot that caused severe damage. The lawyer wrote that Khan looked “visibly perturbed and deeply distressed.” The report also says he has spent over two years in solitary confinement and had limited access to doctors, family, and lawyers. It calls for urgent specialist treatment and restored legal and family meetings. (PC: NDTV)