The Supreme Court has allowed both Hindus and Muslims to offer prayers at the Bhojshala Temple–Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar on Friday. Hindus can pray from sunrise to sunset as Basant Panchami falls on the same day. Muslims have been permitted to offer Friday namaz between 1 pm and 3 pm. The court asked the Muslim community to submit a list of worshippers to the district administration. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant urged both sides to maintain peace and cooperate with authorities. The order came while hearing a plea seeking exclusive prayer rights for Hindus on the festival day. Security has been tightened in Dhar ahead of the prayers. (PC: NDTV)

Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot walked out of the state Assembly on Thursday after reading only two lines of his customary address. The move came amid a fresh disagreement between Raj Bhavan and the state government. Officials said the governor objected to parts of the government-drafted speech. He reportedly wanted 11 paragraphs removed, citing references critical of the Centre and its policies. When the changes were not made, Gehlot concluded the address early and left the House. A video of the brief address circulated widely. The incident adds to a series of recent disputes between governors and elected state governments across the country over legislative procedures and content of official addresses.

US President Donald Trump has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said India and the United States would reach a trade deal. Speaking to Moneycontrol at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said, “I have great respect for your Prime Minister. He’s a fantastic man and a friend of mine.” Asked about trade talks, he added, “We are going to have a good deal.” Trump’s remarks come amid ongoing negotiations to resolve trade disputes between the two countries. He has earlier warned India of higher tariffs over Russian oil purchases, saying, “We can raise tariffs on them very quickly.” India has denied giving any assurances and said its energy policy is guided by national interest. Talks are continuing. (PC: X)

A 38-year-old Meitei man was abducted by armed men in Manipur’s Churachandpur district and later shot dead, police said. The case came to light after a video showing the killing spread on social media. Police identified the victim as Mayanglambam Rishikanta, a resident of Kakching district. Officials said he was kidnapped on Wednesday evening and killed later the same night. The video shows the man pleading before at least two armed assailants before being shot. Rishikanta was married to a Kuki woman and had recently returned from Nepal on leave. Police have launched an investigation. The incident comes amid continuing ethnic violence in the state since May 2023.

Bangladesh captain Litton Das has said players are uncertain about taking part in the T20 World Cup 2026 amid a venue dispute. “We’re not even sure yet whether we’ll go to the World Cup at all,” Das said. He added that players do not know where they will play or who their opponents will be. “No player knows which country we are going to or whom we will play against,” he said. Das also said the Bangladesh Cricket Board did not consult players before deciding not to play matches in India. The BCB has asked the ICC to shift Bangladesh’s games to Sri Lanka. Talks between the ICC and BCB remain unresolved. (PC: Mint)

US President Donald Trump has paused planned tariff threats against several European nations after talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Trump said the two sides agreed on a “framework of a future deal” linked to Greenland and the wider Arctic region. He said the tariffs due from February 1 would not take effect. However, Trump repeated his interest in Greenland, citing security needs, missile defence plans and access to critical minerals. He said further talks would continue under senior US officials. NATO chief Rutte said Greenland’s status did not come up in talks. Denmark welcomed the pause but stressed respect for its sovereignty and Greenlandic rights. (PC: HT)

Rescue workers are searching for people missing after landslides hit parts of New Zealand’s North Island following days of heavy rain. Several people are unaccounted for after a landslide struck a campsite at Mount Maunganui, a popular tourist area. Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell said at least one young girl is among those missing. Rescuers said there were no signs of life at the site so far. Another landslide in nearby Papamoa left one person seriously injured, with two others missing. The Bay of Plenty region has faced strong winds, flooding and power outages. Search teams are continuing operations overnight despite difficult conditions. (PC: BBC)

Nearly 60 per cent of orders issued in the last three years by the News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority cited breaches of its communal harmony code. Records show the NBDSA passed 54 orders between January 2023 and December 2025. Of these, 32 cases involved religious stereotyping or communal narratives. The regulator is set up by the News Broadcasters and Digital Association. Most penalties directed channels to remove content fully or partly. Financial fines were imposed in only six cases, totalling Rs 3.2 lakh. The review also found long delays in decisions, often over 11 months, leaving disputed content online during review. (PC: The Indian Express)

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has praised India head coach Gautam Gambhir, calling his role the “hardest job after the Prime Minister.” The remark followed a meeting in Nagpur ahead of the first T20I against New Zealand. Tharoor shared a photo on X and said Gambhir faces constant public scrutiny but remains calm. He described Gambhir as an old friend and praised his leadership. Responding on X, Gambhir thanked Tharoor for the support and said debates around a coach’s authority would settle with time. The five-match T20I series is part of India’s build-up to the T20 World Cup 2026. (PC: X)

Sanjeev Khirwar, a 1994-batch AGMUT cadre IAS officer, has been appointed the new Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) by the Union Home Ministry, succeeding Ashwani Kumar. Khirwar returns to Delhi after being transferred to Ladakh in 2022, following a major public row in which he was accused of clearing Thyagraj Stadium early so he could walk his dog, prompting outrage over misuse of public facilities. His appointment comes as the MCD prepares its budget and tackles administrative and financial challenges. Public reactions remain mixed given his past controversy. (PC: India Today)