India successfully tested Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology on Tuesday at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha, joining an elite league of nations possessing this advanced capability. The SFDR technology is crucial for developing long-range air-to-air missiles, providing tactical advantages over adversaries. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and industry partners on the achievement. All subsystems, including the nozzle-less booster, SFDR motor, and fuel flow controller, performed as expected after initial propulsion by a ground booster motor. Senior scientists from various DRDO laboratories, including Defence Research & Development Laboratory and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, monitored the launch. Flight data captured by tracking instruments confirmed successful performance.

French authorities raided Elon Musk's X offices in Paris as part of a cyber-crime investigation into suspected unlawful data extraction and complicity in possessing child pornography. Both Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino have been summoned for April hearings. Simultaneously, the UK's Information Commissioner's Office launched a probe into Musk's AI tool Grok over its potential to produce harmful sexualized images and videos. The French investigation, which began in January 2025, now examines algorithm manipulation, sexual deepfakes, and fraudulent data extraction. X previously called the investigation "politically-motivated." Telegram founder Pavel Durov criticized France, calling it "not a free country" for prosecuting social networks. (PC: Getty Images)

An Air India and IndiGo aircraft were involved in a minor ground collision at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport on Tuesday night. The incident occurred when Air India flight AI 2732 (Mumbai-Coimbatore) was pushing back for departure while IndiGo flight 6E 791 (Hyderabad-Mumbai) was taxiing after landing. The wing tips of both aircraft brushed against each other on the taxiway, resulting in damage to Air India's wingtip. Passengers were on board both aircraft during the incident, but no injuries were reported. All passengers were safely disembarked, and both aircraft were grounded for technical inspections. DGCA officials reached the site and are investigating the matter.

A magnitude 6 earthquake struck Myanmar's Yenangyaung on Tuesday evening at 9:04 pm local time, with strong tremors felt across Kolkata and several parts of Bangladesh. According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, the quake's epicenter was located 95 km west of Yenangyaung and 70 miles east of Akyab, originating at a depth of 57 km. This follows a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that hit Myanmar in March last year near Sagaing, killing nearly 3,500 people and destroying buildings, bridges, and infrastructure across the country. Myanmar's economy and infrastructure remain severely damaged from years of internal conflict, with the military junta recently securing victory in January's general elections. (PC: X/@ANI)

Russia has not received any communication from India regarding stopping oil purchases, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated Tuesday. His remarks come amid the India-US trade deal, which conditions the 18% tariff rate on India halting Russian oil imports. Peskov emphasized Russia's intention to continue developing bilateral relations with India in every possible way, according to Russian media reports. The statement highlights potential complications in the India-US agreement, as stopping Russian oil purchases was reportedly a key condition set by the Trump administration. India has been a major buyer of discounted Russian oil since the Ukraine conflict began, and Moscow's response suggests ongoing diplomatic complexities regarding the trade deal's implementation. (PC: Reuters)

US Ambassador Sergio Gor, nicknamed "Mayor of Mar-a-Lago" for his proximity to President Trump, has emerged as the key figure behind the India-US trade deal within just one month of taking charge. The former DJ-turned-diplomat arrived in New Delhi on January 12 with a mission to restore warmth in bilateral ties. Gor maintained optimistic messaging, emphasized Trump-Modi friendship, and fast-tracked trade negotiations at the Chanakyapuri embassy complex. Analysts credit him for acting as a crucial bridge between Trump and India, helping reduce tariffs from 50% to 18%. His reputation as Trump's reliable foot soldier and trusted confidant proved instrumental in arresting the slide in relations. (PC: India Today)

India's agriculture and dairy sectors have been protected in the recent India-US trade deal, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announced Tuesday. The agreement reduces tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18%, contingent on India stopping Russian oil purchases. Goyal called it "the best trade deal" compared to neighboring countries, opening opportunities for labor-intensive sectors including textiles, plastics, apparel, leather, gems, and jewellery. The minister emphasized the deal protects sensitive sectors while providing access to world-class technologies for India's growth. Final details are being worked out between negotiating teams, with a joint statement expected shortly. Goyal criticized opposition leaders for their negative response to the landmark agreement. (PC: Times Now)

Pakistan Cricket Board's attempt to gain international support for boycotting their February 15 T20 World Cup match against India has completely failed, with no cricket board backing their stance, NDTV reports. Despite Pakistan government's public announcement, PCB hasn't formally contacted ICC about the boycott, leaving them increasingly isolated. Other boards bluntly stated Pakistan has no legal standing, calling it a "manufactured crisis." Contradictions undermine Pakistan's position: their youth team recently played India without protest, and women's team will face India on the same boycott date. With the match scheduled in neutral Colombo, not India, security concerns don't apply. Pakistan now faces potential $38 million penalties and suspension. (PC: AFP)

India's Ministry of External Affairs strongly condemned the vandalism and theft of Mahatma Gandhi's statue from the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville, Melbourne. The 426-kg bronze statue, gifted by India's ICCR and inaugurated by former PM Scott Morrison in 2021, was stolen by three unidentified individuals on January 12 at approximately 12:50 am. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed India has raised the matter strongly with Australian authorities, demanding immediate action to recover the statue and prosecute the culprits. Victoria Police's Knox Crime Investigation Unit is investigating the theft, captured partially on CCTV showing a white van and balaclava-clad perpetrators. Authorities have alerted scrap metal dealers to report suspicious activity.

India's Supreme Court issued a stern warning to Meta over WhatsApp's 2021 privacy policy on Tuesday. Chief Justice Surya Kant told the tech giant to "leave India" if it cannot follow the Constitution, emphasizing that no citizen's privacy will be compromised. The court ordered WhatsApp to halt all user data sharing with Meta until the case concludes. The bench criticized the policy's complex language, noting ordinary users like street vendors cannot understand such terms. Concerns were raised about commercial exploitation of user data, including targeted advertising based on private chats. This hearing addresses appeals against a ₹213.14-crore penalty imposed by the Competition Commission of India for abusing market dominance. (PC: X)