Captain Sumit Kapoor, among five victims in the plane crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, wasn't originally scheduled to fly that day. Friends revealed he filled in for another pilot stuck in traffic, receiving orders just hours before the tragic incident. The experienced pilot had recently returned from Hong Kong. The Learjet 45, operated by VSR Ventures, crashed around 8:45 AM during a second landing approach at Baramati Airport amid poor visibility. Preliminary investigations suggest possible pilot misjudgment, though friends dismiss this, citing his extensive experience. All aboard including co-pilot Shambhavi Pathak, flight attendant Pinky Mali, and security guard Vidip Jadhav perished. (PC: NDTV)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, emphasizing the need for maintaining open dialogue on areas of disagreement while building a long-term strategic partnership. The visit, the first by a British leader in eight years, secured 30 days' visa-free travel for UK citizens visiting China for business and tourism. Starmer welcomed AstraZeneca's $15 billion investment in China and discussed lower Chinese tariffs on whisky. The three-hour summit and lunch covered trade, security, Ukraine war, and cultural topics. Starmer stated that engagement with major powers is directly linked to UK's domestic growth, calling China a vital global player.

The black box from the Learjet 45 that crashed near Baramati airstrip has been recovered, the Civil Aviation Ministry confirmed Thursday. The crash killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others. Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu wrote to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis requesting state government cooperation to expedite the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) probe, including crash site access and local administrative support. The ministry emphasized the investigation is being conducted transparently and in a time-bound manner, with AAIB and DGCA teams examining collected evidence. Officials stated key probe findings will be shared with the Maharashtra government. (PC: X)

The Beating Retreat Ceremony 2026 was held at Vijay Chowk, New Delhi, on January 29, marking the formal conclusion of India's Republic Day celebrations. The annual event showcased musical traditions of the Indian Armed Forces, featuring 30 presentations by massed bands from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Central Armed Police Forces. Dating back to the 17th century, Beating Retreat originated as a battlefield practice where drums signaled troops to retreat at sunset. President of India, the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, attended the ceremony. PM Modi emphasized India's rich military legacy, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described it as a solemn tradition embodying discipline, unity, and national pride.

The India Today-CVoter Mood of the Nation survey projects the BJP-led NDA would win 352 seats if Lok Sabha elections were held in January 2026, demonstrating sustained voter trust in PM Narendra Modi despite geopolitical tensions. The Congress-led INDIA bloc is projected at 182 seats, down from 234 in 2024 and 208 predicted in August 2025. The findings boost NDA ahead of 2026 assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry states where BJP has limited presence. In 2024 elections, BJP secured 240 seats, requiring allies JD(U) and TDP to form government, while Congress doubled its tally to 99 seats. (PC: AFP)

Two Indian-origin models, Bhavitha Mandava and Bhoomika Yadav, walked the runway at Matthieu Blazy's debut Chanel couture show in Paris. Mandava, from Hyderabad, previously made history closing Blazy's Chanel Métiers d'art 2026 show in New York. Discovered at a subway station by Show in Bishop in 2024, she graduated from NYU Tandon School of Engineering in 2025 and now focuses on full-time modeling. Yadav, from Raipur, Chhattisgarh, debuted for Chanel at Paris Fashion Week aged 19, wearing a beige embroidered suit. The show at Grand Palais featured surrealist décor and A-list celebrities. Age-inclusive casting allowed models to choose meaningful symbols embroidered inside their outfits. (PC: Times Now)

Indian photographer Dashawatar Gopalkrishna Bade has won the Single Image title in the Culture, Heritage & Beliefs category at the prestigious Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) Awards 2025. His award-winning photograph captures the Pandharpur Wari pilgrimage in rural Maharashtra, showing two men performing traditional stick-dance against an expansive sky while fellow pilgrims clap. The 22nd edition of TPOTY attracted over 20,000 entries from 157 countries, with winners representing 56 nationalities. Greek photographer Athanasios Maloukos won the overall Travel Photographer of the Year award. The competition prohibits generative AI and requires RAW files for evaluation, maintaining high standards in travel photography. (PC: Dashawatar Gopalkrishna Bade/tpoty)

A massive wildfire has been raging in Nagaland's Dzukou Valley for three days, threatening the trekkers' paradise known for its seasonal wildflowers and alpine grasses. Over 30 stranded trekkers have been evacuated as the blaze spreads toward Manipur's Mount Iso. The NDRF has been deployed, and IAF helicopters with Bambi buckets have been requisitioned for firefighting operations. Locals suspect arson, noting the fire started on a remote slope rather than the usual base camp area. The valley's dry winter conditions facilitate rapid fire spread. Dzukou Valley has experienced recurring fires, including major incidents in 2006, 2018, 2020-21, and December 2025, often attributed to trekker carelessness.

A six-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by three minor boys aged 10, 13, and 14 in Delhi's Bhajanpura area on January 18. The victim was returning from her aunt's house when the accused, who were her neighbors and playmates, lured her to a terrace. She returned home bleeding, initially claiming she had fallen before revealing the assault to her mother. Two juveniles have been apprehended and produced before the Juvenile Justice Board, while the eldest suspect has reportedly fled to Bihar. Cases under BNS and POCSO Act have been registered. Notably, one accused's mother handed over her son to authorities after witnessing the victim's condition. (PC: PTI)

Arijit Singh shocked fans by announcing his retirement from playback singing earlier this week. According to NDTV reports, the beloved vocalist from Jiaganj, Murshidabad, West Bengal, may be transitioning into politics. A Bengali film industry insider revealed Singh is considering launching his own political party and contesting elections at the grassroots level first, though he won't participate in the 2026 Bengal Assembly Elections. No official statement has been issued yet. Singh's Instagram announcement thanked fans for their support throughout his illustrious career, which produced iconic tracks including Tum Hi Ho, Channa Mereya, and Kesariya. His final release is Ghar Kab Aaoge from Border 2. (PC: X)