Hamas has named three Israeli hostages— Iair Horn, Sagui Dekel Chen, and Alexandre Troufanov— to be released this Saturday, after 498 days in captivity. They were taken during the 7 October attack that started the Gaza war. The release is part of a ceasefire deal, where Israel is expected to free 369 Palestinian prisoners in exchange. The ceasefire, which began on January 19, has faced challenges, with both sides accusing each other of violating terms. However, mediation by Egypt and Qatar has kept the agreement in place.

In a recent summit, PM Modi and President Trump emphasized the strengthening of India-US ties, focusing on trade, technology, and counterterrorism. The leaders discussed tackling issues like illegal immigration, organized crime, and cross-border terrorism, especially from Pakistan. The partnership in the Indo-Pacific and tech cooperation was highlighted, with the launch of initiatives like TRUST to foster advancements in AI, defense, and quantum computing. Notably, the Russia-Ukraine conflict was absent from their discussions, shifting the spotlight away from geopolitical tensions toward mutual economic interests and security.

A high court judge in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh absolved a man of marital rape charges, has sparked outrage and reignited calls to criminalize marital rape in the country. The man was acquitted of rape and homicide charges after the High Court ruled that marital rape isn't legally recognized. Activists, including lawyers and gender rights advocates, condemned the decision, arguing it perpetuates violence against women and undermines their safety. Despite petitions to reform the law, the Indian government maintains that criminalizing marital rape would destabilize marriage, citing outdated beliefs about consent within marriage.

President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose reciprocal tariffs on countries like China, Brazil, France, the European Union, and India to address trade imbalances and enhance U.S. industry competitiveness. This approach involves matching tariffs imposed by other nations on U.S. goods, aiming to "restore fairness" in trade relationships. While the U.S. average tariff is 5%, the White House reports that India's average is 39%, with specific products like motorcycles facing duties up to 100%. Experts view these tariff threats as a strategic negotiating tool, though concerns about potential price increases in the U.S. persist.

    The Taliban seeks to reopen its embassy in New Delhi, a move India is approaching with caution. Despite ongoing diplomatic discussions, the Indian government remains cautious given the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan and its impact on regional security. While India continues to engage diplomatically with Afghanistan, it has refrained from recognizing the Taliban government officially. India is monitoring developments closely, with a focus on safeguarding national interests and regional stability before making any formal decisions regarding the embassy reopening.    

Former Indian captain Dilip Vengsarkar has expressed faith in the performances of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 but has raised eyebrows over the Indian team’s bowling unit. In the absence of ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, Vengsarkar emphasized that the team’s success will depend on how well the bowlers play. Vengsarkar also emphasized the importance of team balance by the inclusion of all-rounders. Indian batting has always proved consistent, but Vengsarkar opines that the Indian team’s bowling unit must play well constantly if it has to emerge victorious in the high-stake competition.  

On February 15, 2025, a U.S. military aircraft transported 119 Indian nationals deported for illegal immigration, landing at Amritsar's Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport. This marks the second such deportation flight, following a previous arrival of 104 individuals on February 5. The deportees, primarily from Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat, had entered the U.S. illegally over the years. Upon arrival, they underwent thorough verification and medical examinations before being escorted to their respective home states. This operation is part of the U.S. administration's intensified efforts to address illegal immigration.   

An anonymous woman who filed a civil lawsuit against rappers Jay-Z and Sean Combs, alleging they sexually assaulted her in 1993 when she was 13, has withdrawn her case. The lawsuit, filed under New York's Adult Survivors Act, claimed the assaults occurred at industry parties. Both Jay-Z and Combs denied the allegations. The case was voluntarily dismissed without prejudice, meaning it could potentially be refiled. Combs, already facing multiple sexual misconduct allegations, has denied all wrongdoing. The lawsuit’s withdrawal follows increasing scrutiny of historical sexual abuse claims in the entertainment industry.      

At the Munich Security Conference, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that Indian democracy has only expanded over the past 75 years, with greater numbers of voters, especially by women. In response to alarm over democratic backsliding, Jaishankar indicated that the political system has shown it has staying power. In issues confronting the world, he advocated diplomatic solutions to conflict and diversified international supply chains so economic risks are mitigated. Jaishankar also advocated greater trade relations between the European Union and India, affirming Indian commitment to international relations and stability.  

During a White House meeting, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Donald Trump committed to fighting human trafficking and illegal immigration. Modi emphasized dismantling migrant exploitation rings and committed Indian support toward repatriation. Both sides underscored Indian students' economic contributions in the United States and explored widening legal routes for migration. Modi also suggested increased law enforcement coordination aimed at dismantling trafficking rings. The meeting strengthened United States-India coordination toward addressing immigration issues, targeting enforcement, as well as fostering lawful opportunities for migration.