The city of Seattle has approved a $29 million (about Rs 260 crore) settlement for the family of Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula, who died after being hit by a police vehicle in 2023. She was studying at Northeastern University. Officer Kevin Dave was driving at high speed while responding to an emergency call when the crash happened. The city attorney said, “Her life mattered… to her family, her friends and to our community.” Prosecutors did not file felony charges, citing lack of proof of reckless intent. The officer was later fired and fined. Part of the payout will be covered by city insurance. (PC: NDTV)

A US Republican lawmaker has introduced a bill in Congress to end the H-1B visa programme, saying it hurts American workers. The proposal was filed by Florida Representative Greg Steube and is called the Ending Exploitative Imported Labour Exemptions (EXILE) Act. It seeks to remove the H-1B visa route from current law. Steube said the system is misused by companies to hire cheaper foreign labour. He said it “undermines our values and national interests.” The H-1B visa allows US firms to hire skilled foreign professionals and is widely used by Indian workers. The move comes amid tighter US visa checks and broader immigration controls. (PC: economic times)

Seattle city has approved a $29 million (about ₹262 crore) settlement for the family of Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula, who died after being hit by a police vehicle in 2023. Kandula, 23, was studying in the US when she was struck by a speeding patrol car driven by officer Kevin Dave. Officials said he was responding to an emergency call. City attorney Erika Evans said her death was heartbreaking and added, “Jaahnavi Kandula’s life mattered.” The case triggered protests after bodycam footage showed another officer making insensitive remarks. The driver was dismissed and fined. Prosecutors earlier said felony charges could not be proven. (PC: X)

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party has sent mixed signals about India in its election manifesto. The party led by Tarique Rahman said it wants stronger ties with neighbouring countries. It also accused India of border “killings and push-ins” and promised strict steps to stop them. Rahman has continued his criticism of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her past government. The manifesto says the BNP believes “not in revenge, but in a politics of justice and humanity.” The document comes just before the national vote and outlines the party’s stand on foreign ties and domestic politics. (PC: NDTV)

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri defended himself against Rahul Gandhi's Epstein Files allegations, stating he met the late sex offender only 3-4 times as part of International Peace Institute delegations. Puri clarified his boss Terje Rod-Larsen knew Epstein, and their interactions were purely professional, unrelated to criminal charges. He referenced three million US Department of Justice documents covering 2009-2017, showing minimal contact during his UN ambassadorship. Puri read email exchanges discussing India's internet economy growth, noting Epstein called him "two-faced" and he wasn't their "right person." Gandhi raised Puri's name during Lok Sabha Budget session discussions. Epstein was indicted on federal sex trafficking charges in August 2019, dying in jail one month later. (PC: X)

An Italian media report claiming India's final Air India Flight 171 crash investigation may point to intentional pilot action sparked intense debate, though no official conclusion exists. Corriere della Sera, citing Western aviation sources, reported investigators believe one pilot moved both engine fuel switches to "cutoff" shortly after June 12, 2025 Ahmedabad takeoff, an "almost certainly intentional" act. The Boeing 787 crashed 32 seconds post-takeoff. Simulator tests allegedly couldn't reproduce mechanical dual-engine shutdown. Cockpit recordings captured pilots asking "Why did you turn off the engines?" Indian authorities including AAIB, DGCA, Civil Aviation Ministry haven't responded. The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association previously condemned speculation as "gross violation." Government confirmed independent AAIB investigation follows ICAO standards, with flight recorders under constant surveillance.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov contradicted US President Donald Trump's claims that India agreed to halt Russian oil purchases, telling Russia's parliament he hasn't heard such statements from Prime Minister Modi or other Indian leaders. Trump previously rolled back 25% tariffs on Indian goods, citing India's agreement to stop buying Russian oil as a trade deal condition. India hasn't officially confirmed this commitment. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal diplomatically stated trade deals don't dictate sourcing decisions, which depend on market conditions and energy security. Lavrov accused the US of using "coercive measures" to force India and BRICS members to abandon affordable Russian energy for expensive American liquefied natural gas, pursuing "global economic dominance."

The United States has deleted a social media post that showed a map of India including PoK and Aksai Chin as Indian territory. The post was shared by the US Trade Representative on February 7. It was part of an announcement on the India-US trade deal.   The map drew attention because it did not mark the regions as disputed. In the past, US maps showed these areas as disputed. Analysts said the move was unusual. Later, the post was removed without explanation.   India maintains that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including Aksai Chin, are integral parts of the country.

The United States has revised its factsheet on the India-US trade deal. The updated version removes mention of tariff cuts on “certain pulses.” It also drops references to agricultural goods in a $500 billion purchase plan. The earlier document said India “committed” to buy US farm products. The new version says India “intends” to buy energy, tech and coal products.   The change came after Congress criticised the deal. India is the world’s largest producer of pulses and protects its farmers with high tariffs. The government has said farmers’ interests remain safe and no sensitive sectors were opened.

India’s foreign tourist pattern has shifted, with Gujarat and West Bengal reporting strong growth while Goa and Tamil Nadu saw steep declines. Data shared in the Lok Sabha by Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat showed Gujarat’s foreign tourist arrivals rose 281 percent between 2019 and 2024. West Bengal recorded an 88 percent rise. Goa’s numbers dropped by about 50 percent in the same period. Tamil Nadu saw an 83 percent fall. Maharashtra held the largest share of coastal foreign tourist visits at 17.69 percent during 2019–24. India recorded 20.57 million foreign tourist visits in 2024. The minister shared the figures in a written reply to Parliament. (PC: X)