After AAP's defeat in Delhi, the INDIA bloc is now riven by internal conflict in Maharashtra. Veteran leader Sharad Pawar created controversy by honoring Eknath Shinde, the defector from Shiv Sena who toppled Uddhav Thackeray’s government, with the Mahadji Shinde Rashtra Gaurav Puraskar. Sanjay Raut lashed out at Pawar, calling it betrayal and labeling the function as a "political gathering of brokers." BJP’s Shaina NC mocked Raut, accusing him of frustration. Pawar’s volatile political moves continue to trigger speculation, creating fissures in the opposition alliance as instability intensifies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome from the Indian diaspora as he reached the United States on a two-day visit. Braving harsh winter conditions, community members waited outside Blair House, the official state guest house opposite the White House, to greet him. Slogans of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Modi, Modi" filled the air as people expressed their eagerness for his visit. PM Modi's visit, at the invitation of US President Donald Trump, is focused on strengthening the India-US relationship with meetings with the US leadership. He was welcomed at Joint Base Andrews by India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, among other officials.

India has been ranked 96th among 180 countries in the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) by Transparency International, dropping three places from last year. India is positioned alongside Gambia and Maldives with an overall score of 38, down from 39 in 2023 and 40 in 2022.   Among the neighbors, Pakistan ranked 135, Sri Lanka 121, Bangladesh 149, and China 76. Denmark (90) is the least corrupt, while South Sudan (8) is the most corrupt. The other least corrupt nations are Finland (88), Singapore (84), and New Zealand (83).

U.S. President Donald Trump has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to the United States after a 90-minute phone call about ending the Ukraine war. Trump also confirmed he will visit Russia soon as part of ongoing negotiations. He spoke separately with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, expressing hope for peace. A key meeting is scheduled for Friday in Munich, where U.S. officials will lead discussions. Trump called the war "massive and unnecessary destruction" and urged a resolution. Meanwhile, U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth ruled out sending American troops as peacekeepers.

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has cut nearly $900 million from the U.S. Education Department’s research arm. The move ended 169 contracts, including long-term studies tracking student progress and research on teaching strategies. Critics say these cuts will harm education accountability and student learning. The decision also faces legal challenges, with the agency temporarily blocking DOGE workers from internal systems. Some small businesses lost contracts and had to lay off staff. While supporters argue this is a chance to rethink outdated programs, many warn it could weaken efforts to improve education in the U.S.

India and France have agreed to build 3 more Scorpene-class submarines in Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the deal during Modi’s visit to France. India already operates six Scorpene submarines, with the latest featuring Indian-made technology. The new submarines will have advanced features, including the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, allowing them to stay underwater longer. Both leaders also discussed cooperation on missiles, helicopters, and jet engines. Modi invited France to consider India’s Pinaka rocket system, strengthening defence ties further. The visit highlighted growing Indo-French military and technological collaboration.

Comedian Samay Raina has deleted all episodes of his show India’s Got Latent following backlash over a joke by YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia. The joke sparked outrage, leading to police complaints against Raina, Allahbadia, and others. Raina said the situation had become “too much to handle” and assured full cooperation with authorities. He stated that his only aim was to entertain people. Amid the controversy, his upcoming shows in Ahmedabad and Surat have been cancelled. The debate over the show’s content continues as authorities investigate the matter.

US President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a long phone call about ending the Ukraine war. Trump said both leaders wanted to stop the deaths and agreed to start peace talks. The Kremlin confirmed the call, saying it lasted 90 minutes. Putin invited Trump to visit Moscow, and Trump plans to call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy soon. This is the first confirmed talk between them since Trump took office. The conversation happened after the US ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine, signaling a shift in US policy on the war.

    Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar has been convicted in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The case involves the murder of a father-son duo in Saraswati Vihar, Delhi, on November 1, 1984. The conviction was conducted at Delhi's Rouse Avenue court on February 12, 2025. Sajjan Kumar is already serving a life sentence for his involvement in another anti-Sikh riots case in the Delhi Cantt area. His conviction in this new case is a addition to the ongoing legal consequences of the 1984 violence.  

A Singaporean woman of Indian descent has been in the news for her unconventional daily commute—flying to work in Malaysia instead of renting a house there. She contends that flights, when combined with transport costs, are less expensive than Malaysia's high rent. She went on social media to explain how airline prices, discount promotions, and clever planning make this an affordable alternative. Her story has sparked debate on the subject of the high cost of living and creative solutions to housing affordability costs. Her unconventional approach is a testament to the high cost of living for working professionals in large cities today.