A shocking murder-suicide unfolded inside a classroom at Mai Bhago Law College in Usma village, Tarn Taran, Punjab, on Monday (captured on CCTV). A first-year law student, Prince Raj, allegedly shot his female classmate, Sandeep Kaur, dead just before classes began. Immediately after, he turned the gun on himself. Sandeep died on the spot, while Raj was critically injured and taken to hospital. Fellow students and faculty were stunned as panic spread across campus. Police have begun a probe into the motive and security lapses, reviewing footage and interviewing witnesses.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing mounting political turmoil after chief of staff Morgan McSweeney resigned over his role in advising the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the United States — a move now mired in controversy due to Mandelson’s past links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. McSweeney said the decision “damaged trust in politics,” intensifying criticism of Starmer’s judgment. The resignation follows the exit of communications director Tim Allan, marking multiple senior departures in days and fuelling calls within his party and from opponents for leadership change. Starmer insists he will stay focused on governance. (PC: Reuters)

SpaceX has postponed its planned Mars mission, with CEO Elon Musk saying human travel to Mars is viable only when technology, infrastructure and planetary alignment—occurring every 26 months—are favourable. The delay reflects logistical and technical constraints, prompting SpaceX to shift focus toward building a “self-growing city” on the Moon, which can be reached more frequently and quickly, with launches possible every 10 days. Musk affirmed that Mars remains a long-term goal, but lunar development offers faster progress toward sustainable off-Earth habitation. The revised strategy underscores a more measured timeline for interplanetary ambitions. (PC: The Times of India)

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi has outlined demands to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to end Pakistan’s threat to boycott its February 15 T20 World Cup match against India amid the ongoing dispute over Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament. Naqvi reportedly asked for a tri-nation series involving India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, resumption of bilateral ties with India, and financial or hosting concessions as conditions to reconsider the boycott call. The ICC has rejected key demands, and talks continue with Bangladesh and Pakistan, with the final decision still pending government and ICC engagement. (PC: X)

In Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, three minor sisters — Nishika (16), Prachi (14) and Pakhi (12) — allegedly jumped to their deaths from the ninth floor of their Bharat City flat early on 4 February after their parents reportedly took away their mobile phones amid concerns over online gaming and Korean content obsession. Police recovered a suicide note and diary showing emotional distress and a strong attachment to Korean culture. Investigation has uncovered a complex family background involving the father’s multiple marriages and past incidents, raising questions about living conditions, isolation, school dropouts and psychological health as probes continue. (PC: NDTV)

Delhi Police have registered an FIR after an unpublished memoir of former Army chief General MM Naravane was found circulating online. Police said they acted after seeing posts claiming that a pre-print copy of Four Stars of Destiny was being shared on websites and social media. A preliminary check found a PDF of a typeset manuscript online. Officials said the book had not received final clearance from authorities. The case has been given to the Special Cell to trace the source of the leak and identify those sharing it. The issue triggered a political row after Rahul Gandhi displayed a copy and said, “They did not want me to speak about it.” (PC: NDTV)

Indian cricket icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been demoted from the top tier to the Grade B category in the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) 2025–26 annual central contracts list, following a revamp of the contract structure. The previously highest A+ category has been scrapped, leaving only three players — Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja — in the top A grade this season. Kohli and Rohit, now primarily playing only in the ODI format, join other stars in Grade B. The changes reflect a shift toward rewarding multi-format involvement and current contribution. (PC: X)

The Supreme Court of India on 9 February 2026 firmly ruled that no impediment will be allowed in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, amid objections raised by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee against the Election Commission’s exercise. The bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant granted a one-week extension to finalise the Bengal voter list beyond the original 14 February deadline to complete scrutiny of documents. The court also directed the West Bengal DGP to file an affidavit on law-and-order issues and said additional directions would be issued if needed to ensure the SIR proceeds smoothly without disruption. (PC: PTI)

Abdul Rehman, a 20-year-old terror suspect lodged in Faridabad’s Neemka Jail, was killed by a fellow inmate late on 8 February, police said. Rehman, arrested in March 2025 during a joint operation by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad and Haryana Special Task Force, was accused of plotting an attack on the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and found with two hand grenades. He was attacked with a sharp object by inmate Arun Choudhary inside the prison and later pronounced dead. Authorities have ordered an investigation into the incident and are reviewing prison security protocols.

Ghislaine Maxwell, the jailed associate of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, will use the Fifth Amendment and not answer questions before a US House committee, her lawyer said. Maxwell is serving a 20-year jail term for sex trafficking minors connected to Epstein’s network. Her lawyer David Oscar Markus said, “She will take the 5th,” and will read a prepared statement first. Lawmakers want to ask her about other possible co-conspirators and Epstein’s links with powerful people. The testimony comes as the Justice Department releases millions of pages of Epstein case files. Some members also want answers about her earlier statements and pardon talk. (PC: BBC)