BSP chief Mayawati has strongly condemned the upcoming Netflix series Ghooskhor Pandat starring Manoj Bajpayee, calling it casteist and insulting to Brahmins by portraying "Pandits" as corrupt bribe-takers. She demanded an immediate Central government ban and FIR against the makers. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath ordered an FIR under multiple sections for promoting enmity and outraging religious sentiments. The controversy escalated with a Delhi High Court petition and NHRC notice, prompting filmmakers to withdraw promos while clarifying the title refers to a fictional character.

Comedian Samay Raina, in an exclusive interview, humorously contrasted comedy consequences: in India, police take the comic (referring to his 2025 controversy), while in the US, they take the audience. Discussing his show Still Alive at Madison Square Garden, he explained the title reflects surviving backlash from India's Got Latent. Raina expressed caution joking about Trump on artist visa, highlighting free speech nuances across countries.

The India-US trade deal documents feature India's official map depicting Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh including PoK and Aksai Chin as integral territories, consistent with parliamentary resolutions. This inclusion amid the agreement's tariff reductions and concessions underscores India's firm stance on sovereignty. Pakistan protested the depiction, while China remained silent. The map's presence in bilateral pacts reinforces India's position without direct controversy in negotiations focused on economic terms.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Kuala Lumpur, his first foreign trip of 2026, focused on elevating the comprehensive strategic partnership with Malaysia. Key outcomes include the upcoming launch of India's UPI digital payments system, extended OCI Card eligibility for Malaysian Indians up to the sixth generation, scholarships, and diaspora programs. Modi and Anwar Ibrahim emphasized shared cultural links, with a grand performance by 800 dancers. The visit featured warm personal gestures and delegation talks on extradition and cooperation in energy, trade, and defence.

The India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement slashes US tariffs on Indian imports from 50% to 18%, effective noon February 7, 2026, boosting exports in textiles, pharmaceuticals, gems, and machinery. It eliminates duties on generics, gems/diamonds, aircraft parts, with quotas for autos and reductions on US agri/industrial goods. An interim pact post Russian oil halt, it addresses barriers in medical devices/ICT while promoting tech/digital trade. Formal signing in March follows executive order.

Pakistan reacted with disbelief and social media meltdown after the India-US trade deal granted India an 18% tariff rate on exports, lower than Pakistan's 19%, despite Islamabad's efforts to build goodwill with Trump through Nobel nominations and cooperation offers. The deal scrapped a 25% punitive duty on India's Russian oil purchases. Trump's claims of India buying $500 billion US goods and switching to Venezuelan oil remain unconfirmed. India diversified with EU, UK, Oman pacts, highlighting Pakistan's limited leverage.

A joint statement on the India-US trade deal is anticipated within the next week, with fine print to be made public thereafter, according to sources. The agreement safeguards India's sensitive sectors like agriculture and dairy, with no investment commitments involved. The first tranche is slated for signing around mid-March, following a US executive order reducing tariffs on Indian goods to 18%. Negotiations, lasting a year, faced delays over red lines but prioritize national interests. Senior US officials visit India soon to finalize details.

A woman in India booked Rapido's porter service to send a sealed cardboard box claimed as goods, but instructed the delivery boy to dump it at a garbage heap upon arrival, revealing it contained trash. Karan Nishad, the rider, recorded his shocked laughter, saying, “So this is where we’ve reached - now we’re delivering other people’s trash!” The viral video sparked mixed reactions: humor over the irony of turning delivery into "trash transport," alongside concerns about dignity of labour and courtesy toward gig workers. Discussions highlighted need for respectful usage of services.

India's Ministry of External Affairs stated the government remains open to exploring commercial merits of any new crude supply options, including Venezuela, prioritizing energy security for 1.4 billion citizens. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted Venezuela's long-standing partnership until sanctions halted imports in 2019-20, with brief resumption in 2023-24. Decisions are guided by market conditions and national interests, without confirming shifts from Russian or Iranian sources. This follows US President Trump's claims of a deal involving Venezuelan oil purchases. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez discussed deepening energy ties with PM Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi targeted Trinamool Congress in Rajya Sabha, accusing them of protecting infiltrators by approaching courts, ignoring impacts on youth livelihoods, tribal land, and women's safety. He criticized ineffective governance prioritizing power over people, noting developed nations expel infiltrators while India faces pressure to save them. Modi highlighted atrocities against women continuing unabated under such protection. The remarks follow West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's court appearance on SIR issues, escalating political tensions over infiltration and security.