Violent riots broke out in Nagpur after the release of Chhaava, a Bollywood film about Hindu warrior Sambhaji and Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. Angry crowds clashed, leading to injuries and property damage. Police arrested 51 people and launched criminal cases against many others. A curfew has been imposed to restore order. Politicians had earlier made strong speeches about Aurangzeb, increasing tensions. Social media rumours about religious desecration worsened the situation. Opposition parties blame the government for creating communal issues. With growing divisions in India, concerns rise over peace and unity in the country.

In a major crackdown on illegal online gambling promotions, the Telangana Police have booked 25 celebrities, including actors Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda, and Prakash Raj, for endorsing betting apps. The case, filed under the Telangana Gaming Act, alleges that these celebrities misled the public by promoting unauthorized gambling platforms. Authorities are investigating their involvement, with potential legal consequences. The move follows the state's strict stance against online betting, which has led to increased scrutiny of celebrity endorsements. More details on the investigation and legal actions are expected in the coming days.

At least 30 Maoists were killed in two encounters with security forces in Chhattisgarh. In Bijapur, 26 Maoists were gunned down, while 4 were killed in Kanker. One DRG jawan also lost his life in the operation. A joint BSF-DRG team launched the mission near the Bijapur-Dantewada border, recovering weapons and ammunition. Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the operation, stating the government remains committed to a "Naxal-free India" by March 2026. More than 81 Maoists have been killed in the state this year. Search operations continue in the area.

The UK is hosting senior military leaders from 20+ nations to plan a Western-led peacekeeping force for Ukraine. Prime Minister Keir Starmer will attend the meeting after visiting Barrow to lay the keel for HMS Dreadnought, a new nuclear-armed submarine. Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard said the force must be "credible" to secure lasting peace. Russia opposes NATO troops in Ukraine, and the US hesitates to provide air cover. Starmer emphasized the UK's nuclear deterrent, calling it a "credible capability." Defence Secretary John Healey reaffirmed Britain's "unshakeable" commitment to NATO security.

Renowned dog breeder S. Satish from Bengaluru has reportedly purchased a Czechoslovakian Wolfdog for a record-breaking ₹50 crore, making it the world's most expensive dog. The hybrid breed, developed from German Shepherds and Carpathian wolves, is known for its intelligence, agility, and wolf-like appearance. Satish, owner of Cadaboms Kennels, has previously made headlines for acquiring rare and high-priced breeds. The astronomical price has sparked curiosity in the pet world, highlighting India's growing luxury pet market.  

The Israeli army has banned traffic on Gaza’s key north-south artery, Salaheddin Road, following the resumption of ground operations. "Movement is prohibited for safety reasons," Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee stated. Instead, civilians are allowed to travel south via the Al-Rashid coastal road. Hamas officials confirmed Israeli tanks had blocked Netzarim Junction, a strategic point near Gaza City. The ceasefire, in place since January 19, collapsed after Israel rejected negotiations for a second phase. Following days of airstrikes, Israeli forces expanded ground operations, sparking international condemnation.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has lifted the saliva ban for IPL 2025 after captains supported the move in a Mumbai meeting. The International Cricket Council (ICC) had permanently banned saliva use in 2022 due to COVID-19 concerns. However, the IPL operates under its own guidelines, making it the first major event to reintroduce saliva for ball shining. "The majority of captains were in favor," a BCCI official confirmed. The decision is expected to impact reverse swing significantly, with players like Jasprit Bumrah previously highlighting its importance.

Israeli airstrikes on Thursday killed at least 70 Palestinians, with the total death toll since Tuesday rising to 510, according to Gaza health officials. The Israeli military has expanded ground operations, targeting Hamas leaders and infrastructure. Israel also announced it will block Palestinian movement from southern Gaza to the north. Hamas condemned the actions as a violation of the ceasefire, urging mediators to intervene. Meanwhile, international condemnation has grown amid rising civilian casualties. The conflict, which began in October 2023, has now claimed over 49,000 Palestinian lives. No breakthrough in peace negotiations has been reported.

Badar Khan Suri, an Indian national and postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, has been detained by U.S. federal agents on allegations of promoting Hamas propaganda and antisemitism on social media. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims Suri has connections to Hamas, though no direct evidence has been publicly presented. Suri, who completed his PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia in 2020, teaches a course on "Majoritarianism and Minority Rights in South Asia" at Georgetown. He is married to a U.S. citizen originally from Gaza. His detention is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to deport foreign nationals involved in pro-Palestinian activism, raising concerns among civil rights organizations about potential targeting of political opponents. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated he felt “no pressure” from U.S. President Donald Trump to concede to Russia in their latest talks. Trump described their hour-long conversation as “very good,” following his recent call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky had earlier warned against concessions after Putin demanded a halt to Western aid. While Trump noted progress toward a ceasefire, Kyiv and Moscow continued trading accusations of attacks. Zelensky signaled openness to pausing strikes on Russian energy and civilian sites. Their discussion followed a heated Oval Office exchange two weeks ago.