An Indian entrepreneur has said he sold his company in Sweden and is leaving the country due to issues with the immigration system. Abhijith Nag Balasubramanya, founder and CEO of Hydro Space Sweden AB, shared his decision in a LinkedIn post.   “Today, I am officially stepping down… This isn’t an exit by choice. It is an eviction,” he wrote. He described the migration process as “incompetent” and “hostile.”   He said officials changed the grounds for rejection and did not give clear guidance. Balasubramanya added he would return to India to focus on his mental health. His post drew mixed reactions online. (PC: NDTV)

Following viral claims by Indian travel influencer Sachin Awasthi that he was denied entry and detained for 38 hours upon arrival at Jeju Island, the Indian Embassy in Seoul released a detailed travel advisory for Indians visiting under the visa-waiver scheme. The embassy clarified that visa-free entry does not guarantee admission, as South Korean immigration authorities make final decisions. Travellers have been advised to carry confirmed return tickets, hotel bookings, proof of sufficient funds, travel insurance and clear itineraries to avoid inconvenience or denial of entry. (PC: HT)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s February 2026 visit to Israel underscores the growing strategic partnership between the two nations. Defence cooperation remains central, with India among the largest importers of Israeli military technology. Bilateral trade, currently around $3.75 billion, is set to expand further with ongoing talks on a Free Trade Agreement and investment frameworks. The visit also focuses on collaboration in technology, water management and agriculture. Regionally, discussions touch upon West Asia stability and connectivity initiatives, reflecting India’s calibrated diplomatic engagement in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape. (PC: AP)

A 57-year-old Sikh man, Avtar Singh, who served as a volunteer and head cook at a gurdwara in Tracy, California, was kidnapped on February 17 and later found dead near Lake Berryessa on February 20. Authorities from the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office said surveillance footage showed three unidentified individuals forcing him into a white SUV. Investigators believe Singh was not the intended target of the abduction and homicide, suggesting the perpetrators were pursuing someone else. Officials stressed it appears to be an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the community, and detectives are working to identify those responsible. (PC: PTI)

An air ambulance that crashed in Jharkhand’s Chatra district had no black box and had remained unused for four years, officials said. The Beechcraft C90 King Air was flying from Ranchi to Delhi on Monday night. All seven people on board died.   Officials said cockpit voice and flight data recorders were not required for this aircraft. Investigators will use air traffic control records and study the wreckage. Bad weather and a thunderstorm are being examined as possible causes. Air India and IndiGo had earlier reported rough weather on the same route. The victim’s family has sought compensation, saying the flight cost them ₹8 lakh. (PC: HT)

An Indian restaurant in London will shut next month after 16 years in business. Owner Harman Singh Kapoor said rising costs and safety fears forced the decision. He runs Rangrez in Hammersmith with his wife.   In a post on X, Kapoor said “repeated disturbances and attacks by Pakistanis” and “a lack of proper support from the Met Police” made it impossible to continue. He earlier said he and his family received death threats after he posted a video criticising the Khalistan movement. Police said officers attended the scene and reviewed CCTV. Kapoor said he will now focus on activism. (PC: India Today)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans for a strategic “Hexagon of Alliances” just days before PM Narendra Modi’s State visit to Israel on February 25-26, 2026. The proposed bloc aims to counter what Netanyahu described as “radical Shia and emerging radical Sunni axes,” positioning India as a key partner alongside Israel, Greece and Cyprus, with other Arab, African and Asian states expected to join. The alliance seeks enhanced cooperation on security, diplomacy and regional stability amid rising tensions with Iran and shifting Middle East dynamics. Modi will discuss mutual regional and global interests during the visit. (PC: PTI)

On the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, India was among 51 nations that abstained from a United Nations General Assembly resolution titled "Support for Lasting Peace in Ukraine," which called for an immediate, complete, and unconditional ceasefire. The resolution received 107 votes in favour and 12 against. Other abstaining nations included China, the United States, Brazil, Bangladesh, and the UAE. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the 107 supporting nations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the war as a violation of international law, warning that 2025 recorded the highest civilian casualties in Ukraine since the conflict began, and called for an unconditional ceasefire immediately.

After 16 years of serving authentic Indian cuisine in London's Hammersmith, Rangrez restaurant is shutting down. Owner Harman Singh Kapoor announced the closure on X, citing spiralling operational costs, repeated disturbances, alleged attacks by Pakistani groups, and inadequate support from the Metropolitan Police. Kapoor, a vocal critic of the Khalistan movement, previously claimed his restaurant was attacked by pro-Khalistan supporters in 2023 following his social media posts. He and his family reportedly faced death threats, abusive calls, and online intimidation. Defiant in his closure statement, Kapoor declared he would now dedicate himself fully to activism, warning radicals: "You can disrupt my business, but not my will."

Avtar Singh, a 57-year-old Sikh man of Indian origin, was kidnapped and murdered in a chilling case of mistaken identity in Tracy, California. Surveillance footage captured three suspects forcibly shoving Singh into an SUV outside a gurdwara at 2:30pm on Tuesday. His wife reported him missing at 9pm after returning home to find their three children alone. Authorities discovered his body near Lake Berryessa, two hours away, on Friday. Sheriff Patrick Withrow confirmed Singh was not the intended target. A devoted gurdwara head cook for 23 years, Singh had recently become father to premature triplets just six months ago. A GoFundMe has been launched for his grieving family. (PC: NDTV)