The Nationalist Congress Party is considering proposing Sunetra Pawar as Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister following the death of Ajit Pawar, sources said. Sunetra Pawar is currently a Rajya Sabha member. Senior party leader Narhari Zirwal told PTI that public opinion favours her induction into the state cabinet. Sources said several NCP leaders, including Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal and Dhananjay Munde, have met her as part of internal consultations. She may also contest the seat vacated by Ajit Pawar. The party is expected to discuss the proposal with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Talks on a possible NCP merger may follow later. (PC: India Today)

A 27-year-old Delhi Police constable posted with the SWAT unit died on Tuesday, days after she was allegedly assaulted by her husband at their home in southwest Delhi. Police said the woman suffered severe head injuries after being attacked with a metal dumbbell and hitting her head against a door frame. She was declared brain dead at a private hospital near Dwarka and later died at a hospital in Ghaziabad. The accused, Ankur Chaudhary, was arrested on the night of the incident. Police said the case, earlier registered as attempt to murder, has now been converted to murder. The victim’s family has alleged dowry harassment. (PC: X)

A small passenger plane crashed in northern Colombia on Wednesday, killing all 15 people on board, authorities said. The aircraft, operated by state-owned airline Satena, was flying from Cucuta to Ocana when it lost contact minutes after take-off. Colombia’s transport ministry said rescuers later found the wreckage and confirmed there were no survivors. The victims included two crew members and 13 passengers, among them congressman Diogenes Quintero and political candidate Carlos Salcedo. The Beechcraft 1900 aircraft went down in a rural area of Norte de Santander, near the Venezuelan border. The cause of the crash is under investigation. (PC: Sky News)

The Economic Survey 2025–26 has warned that rising digital addiction among children and adolescents is becoming a public health concern. Tabled in Parliament on Thursday, the report said excessive use of smartphones, social media and online gaming is affecting mental health, learning and productivity. It defined digital addiction as compulsive screen use that causes psychological stress and limits daily functioning. The survey linked the trend to anxiety, sleep loss and poor academic performance. It also noted wider economic costs, including lower productivity and future earnings. The report said policy focus must shift from access to digital hygiene, wellbeing and behaviour, especially for young users. (PC: India Today)

The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its order on a batch of pleas seeking changes to directions in the stray dogs case. The court asked all parties to file written submissions within a week. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria heard arguments from multiple states, animal welfare groups, dog bite victims and lawyers for the Centre. The court also heard submissions from the National Highways Authority of India on steps taken to keep highways free of stray dogs. It directed the Animal Welfare Board of India to process applications from NGOs seeking permission to run shelters or animal birth control facilities. (PC: HT)

Singer Arijit Singh may be preparing to enter politics after announcing his retirement from playback singing, according to an NDTV report. The report quoted sources close to the artist as saying he is planning to launch a political party, though details remain unclear. The 38-year-old recently said he would stop taking new playback assignments but continue making independent music. In a social media post, Singh wrote, “I won’t stop making music,” and said he would complete pending commitments. A two-time National Award winner, Singh is known for his low-profile lifestyle and lives in Jiaganj, in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district. Singh has not commented on the report. (PC: X)

Nobel laureate economist Abhijit Banerjee said the India–EU free trade agreement sends a signal that India does not rely heavily on the United States. He called the pact “a strategic alignment” that tells Washington “we don’t need the US as much as the US thinks we do”. Banerjee, however, warned that the deal will not bring broad gains on its own. He said trade pacts are “just a starting point” and stressed the need for better efficiency and logistics. Slow ports, transport delays and supply chains remain key challenges. Banerjee said India must match global standards to benefit fully. (PC: The Telegraph)

Pakistan is considering forfeiting its T20 World Cup 2026 group match against India, according to media reports. The Pakistan Cricket Board has discussed the option of skipping the February 15 fixture in Colombo to show solidarity with Bangladesh. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi briefed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the proposal and its possible effects. A source was quoted as saying, “A total boycott is not the priority, but Pakistan could forfeit the India match.” The report added that the PCB may present the move as a government directive, arguing this would protect it from ICC sanctions linked to political interference. (PC: NDTV)

Indian singer Arijit Singh has announced he will no longer take on new playback singing assignments, prompting tributes from fans across the country. In an Instagram post on Tuesday, the 38-year-old said, “I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey.” Playback singing, where singers record songs for actors to lip-sync on screen, is central to Bollywood films. Singh became one of the industry’s most recognisable voices over the past decade. Fans described his voice as “the sound of our heartbreaks and celebrations”. Reports say Singh will complete existing projects and continue making independent music outside commercial cinema. (PC: BBC)

The identity of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was confirmed through personal belongings after a plane crash near Baramati on Wednesday morning. The impact and fire were so severe that the faces of the five victims could not be recognised. Locals and first responders said Pawar was identified by the wristwatch he was wearing, along with his clothes. A resident at the site said the watch was clearly visible on his hand. The detail drew attention because a clock is the election symbol of the Nationalist Congress Party, which Pawar led. Police and officials later completed formal identification procedures. (PC: X)