United Nations human rights experts have voiced serious concern over alleged abuses by Indian authorities in Jammu and Kashmir following a militant attack in Pahalgam in April. The experts criticized India's sweeping security operations, arbitrary detentions, torture, property demolitions, and communication restrictions imposed after the attack. They reported that around 2,800 people, including journalists and human rights defenders, were detained under the Public Safety Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, which allow prolonged detention without trial. The experts described these laws as overly broad and vague. Reports also indicated instances of torture, incommunicado detention, and discriminatory treatment of Kashmiri Muslims. The UN experts condemned punitive demolitions and forced evictions carried out without court orders, calling them a form of collective punishment that violates India’s Supreme Court ruling of 2024, which deemed such actions unconstitutional. They urged India to ensure compliance with international human rights law even while addressing security threats.

In Maharashtra’s Kalyan region, three Muslim students were publicly humiliated by Hindu extremists who forced them to bow before a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The incident occurred after a video showing the students offering prayers in an empty classroom went viral online. Members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal reportedly stormed Ideal College, demanding the students apologize and perform the act of obeisance while chanting religious slogans. Witnesses said police officers present at the scene did not intervene. Local Muslim residents and parents of the victims condemned the incident, accusing the college administration of yielding to mob pressure and preparing disciplinary action against the victims instead of the perpetrators. Rights groups and community leaders said the event reflects a growing pattern of harassment and intimidation of Muslims in BJP-ruled states, where extremist groups allegedly act with impunity and law enforcement fails to protect minorities.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially released the full schedule and group details for the 10th edition of the T20 World Cup, set to take place in India and Sri Lanka during February and March. Bangladesh has been placed in Group C alongside two-time champions England and West Indies, as well as associate members Nepal and Italy. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals. The tournament will open on February 7 with a match between Pakistan and the Netherlands, while Bangladesh will face the West Indies on the same day in Kolkata. Bangladesh’s subsequent matches are scheduled against Italy on February 9, England on February 14, and Nepal on February 17. Other groups include India, Pakistan, and the United States in Group A; Australia and Sri Lanka in Group B; and South Africa and New Zealand in Group D.

A Bangladeshi student named Shahriar was found dead, hanging from a ceiling fan in a rented apartment in Greater Noida’s Beta-2 area, part of India’s National Capital Region. The discovery was made after the landlord, unable to contact him for over a day, entered the room and alerted police. Shahriar had been living with a woman named Rupa, a resident of Bihar, who claimed to be his wife. The couple had rented the room for 8,000 rupees on November 17. Police reported that Rupa was last seen leaving the residence on November 21. No suicide note was recovered from the scene, and the body has been sent for post-mortem examination. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of death, with officials stating that further details will be known after the autopsy report is released.

A new controversy has erupted in India after the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) removed the title 'Great' from the names of Mughal emperor Akbar and Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan in newly printed school textbooks. The Congress party accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of rewriting history to align with its ideological narrative and diminishing the contributions of Muslim rulers. BJP and its ideological ally, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), defended the move, calling it a long-overdue correction. Congress leaders, including Imran Masood, K. Muraleedharan, and Harish Rawat, criticized the decision as politically motivated and warned of further historical distortions ahead of the 2029 national elections. RSS leader Sunil Ambekar stated that the leaders were not removed from textbooks but that students should also learn about their alleged misdeeds. The updated NCERT books have already been distributed to over 24,000 CBSE schools across India, fueling a broader debate over historical interpretation and political influence in education.

A low-pressure system formed over the Andaman Sea and the Malacca Strait is intensifying and is expected to develop into Cyclone 'Seniyar' within the next 48 hours, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Early warnings have been issued for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. The cyclone, named 'Seniyar' meaning 'lion'—a name given by the United Arab Emirates—is projected to move west-northwest, but its landfall location remains uncertain. The IMD forecasts that the system will become a deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal by Monday and may strengthen further. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Meteorological Department has indicated the possible formation of another low-pressure area over the southern Andaman Sea, which could also intensify. Both Indian and Bangladeshi forecasts suggest stable weather in most regions, except for light rain in northern Bengal’s hilly areas. No major temperature changes are expected across Bangladesh and West Bengal in the coming days.

India faces the prospect of a humiliating home series defeat after South Africa’s commanding performance in the second Test in Guwahati. Following a crushing loss in the first Test at Eden Gardens, India again struggled against the Proteas’ pace and spin attack. South Africa posted a formidable 489 in their first innings, led by Senuran Muthusamy’s 109 and Marco Jansen’s 93. In reply, India collapsed for 201, with Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring 58 and Washington Sundar adding 48. Jansen starred with the ball, taking 6 wickets for 48, while Simon Harmer claimed 3 for 64. South Africa opted to bat again instead of enforcing the follow-on, reaching 26 without loss at stumps on Day 3, extending their lead to 314 runs. With India trailing heavily, captain Rishabh Pant’s side now faces an uphill battle to avoid a series whitewash at home.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has suggested that the country’s borders could change in the future, hinting that Pakistan’s Sindh province might one day become part of India again. Speaking at an event for the Indian diaspora in Morocco, Singh said that although Sindh is currently part of Pakistan, it remains culturally tied to India. He referred to the sentiments of Sindhi Hindus, including the generation of veteran leader L.K. Advani, who never accepted the separation of Sindh during the 1947 Partition. Singh emphasized the spiritual significance of the Indus River to Hindus and noted that even many Muslims in Sindh considered its waters sacred. His remarks, linking cultural unity with potential territorial change, have drawn attention amid sensitive India-Pakistan relations and ongoing debates over historical and cultural identity.

At least six people were killed and 28 others injured in a head-on collision between two buses in Tamil Nadu’s Tenkasi district on Monday, according to NDTV. Police said one bus was traveling from Madurai to Sengottai, while the other was heading toward Kovilpatti when the collision occurred. The impact left both vehicles severely damaged. Several of the injured passengers were taken to a local hospital, with officials reporting that some remain in critical condition. Preliminary investigations suggest that the Madurai–Sengottai-bound bus, operated by Kesar, was speeding and driving recklessly, which likely caused the crash. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin expressed condolences to the victims’ families and directed local authorities to ensure proper medical care for the injured. Police have launched an investigation and are reviewing CCTV footage to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon expressed deep concern over Delhi’s alarming air pollution levels while promoting her upcoming film 'Tere Ishq Mein'. Speaking at the event, she noted that the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) had exceeded 430, posing severe health risks. Sanon said the toxic air quality has become a serious issue that demands immediate attention. The worsening pollution has already disrupted several film shoots in Delhi, including the postponement of her film 'Cocktail 2', which also stars Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna. The actress urged authorities and citizens to take collective responsibility and implement effective measures before the situation deteriorates further. Kriti Sanon will next appear opposite South Indian actor Dhanush in director Aanand L. Rai’s 'Tere Ishq Mein'.

A new Hindi film titled ‘The Taj Story’, starring veteran actor Paresh Rawal, claims to reveal the ‘truth’ behind the Taj Mahal, alleging it was once a Hindu temple named Tejo Mahalaya. This theory, first proposed by revisionist writer P.N. Oak in the 1980s, has been repeatedly discredited by historians and India’s Archaeological Survey. Despite lacking evidence, the narrative has resurfaced under the influence of Hindutva politics, which seeks to reinterpret India’s Islamic heritage as foreign and glorify a continuous Hindu past. The film’s release aligns with broader political efforts by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to reshape historical narratives, including textbook revisions and renaming cities with Islamic origins. Critics argue that such cultural projects deepen communal divisions and legitimize exclusionary nationalism. The Taj Mahal controversy, therefore, symbolizes a larger ideological struggle over India’s pluralistic history and identity.

India faced heavy criticism after losing the Eden Gardens Test against South Africa, marking a rare home defeat. South Africa posted 489 runs in their first innings, with Senuran Muthusamy scoring 102 off 206 balls and Marco Jansen narrowly missing a century by seven runs. During South Africa’s innings, Indian captain Rishabh Pant grew visibly frustrated with spinner Kuldeep Yadav for delaying the start of overs. The umpires had already warned Pant twice for slow over rates. In a heated moment, Pant scolded Kuldeep, reminding him of the 30-second timer and urging him to bowl faster. His remark, accusing the team of turning Test cricket into a joke, reflected growing frustration within the Indian camp. The defeat has sparked debate over India’s discipline, focus, and approach to the longest format of the game.

India’s indigenous Tejas fighter jet crash during the Dubai Airshow has raised serious concerns over the country’s defense export ambitions. The incident, which killed pilot Wing Commander Namansh Sal, occurred on November 21 and has been seen as a major setback for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the state-run manufacturer. Analysts say the crash on such a global stage could damage India’s credibility as a defense exporter, though some remain optimistic about Tejas’s recovery. HAL had been targeting markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, even opening an office in Malaysia in 2023. The Tejas project, initiated in the 1980s to replace aging MiG-21s, has faced delays due to engine supply issues from GE Aerospace. With India’s air force operating only 29 of its authorized 42 squadrons, the government is now considering alternatives such as Rafale, F-35, or Su-57 jets while continuing to expand its Tejas fleet. Experts note that beyond exports, Tejas remains vital for India’s future aerospace development.

Medical experts have raised alarm over the rapid rise of antibiotic resistance, warning that the world could soon enter a post-antibiotic era where even minor infections become deadly. According to data from India’s ICMR and NCDC, common bacteria such as E. coli, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas are increasingly resistant to conventional antibiotics. Dr. Sunil Havannavar of Manipal Hospital explained that misuse and overuse of antibiotics, along with poor infection control, are accelerating the crisis. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified antibiotic resistance as one of the top ten global health threats. If antibiotics lose effectiveness, surgeries like heart transplants, joint replacements, and cancer chemotherapy will become highly unsafe. Experts emphasize that responsible antibiotic use, public awareness, and systemic healthcare reforms are essential to prevent a catastrophic medical future where modern treatments could fail.

Oscar-winning Indian composer A R Rahman has spoken candidly for the first time about the personal toll of fame following his divorce from wife Saira Banu after 29 years of marriage. In a recent interview, Rahman reflected on how celebrity status has deeply affected his private life, saying that while fame brought him global recognition, it also took away his freedom and peace. Living in Chennai, he explained, has been both a blessing and a burden—his fans’ love often leaves him with little personal space. Rahman described how public attention follows him everywhere, from airports to weddings, making it difficult to enjoy simple moments. Despite these challenges, he emphasized his attachment to his homeland, saying he never considered moving abroad. Rahman also contrasted the respect for privacy he experiences overseas with the constant public scrutiny in India, acknowledging that fame has come at a heavy personal cost.