New Delhi: Former US President Bill Clinton and his wife Hilary Clinton,the former Secretary of State, have agreed to testify before Congress on Monday regarding their alleged links to late sex-offender Jeffrey Epstein. The development comes after the US lawmakers were planning to vote on whether to issue criminal referals against the Clintons.

The two Democrats had earlier rejected House Oversight Committee's requests for testimony for several months. Following the repeated refusals, the Republican led committee moved to hold Clintons in contempt of Congress. In response, the couple said that they were now willing to cooperate describing the episode as partisan and politically motivated in a manner that favoured Donald Trump.

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Clinton deputy chief's hard hitting post

Sharing a post on social media, Clinton deputy chief of staff Angel Ureña asserted that the couple would cooperate with the Committee now and would also appear before the panel.

“They negotiated in good faith,” Ureña wrote in a tweet directed at the House Oversight Committee. “You did not. “They told you under oath what they know, but you don’t care. But the former President and former Secretary of State will be there. They look forward to setting a precedent that applies to everyone.”

Clinton links with Epstein

Pictures and videos released by the US Department of Justice revealed that the Bill Clinton knew Epstein for several years. The former US President was also seen attending gathering at the Epstein estate.

When asked about the association, Bill Clinton maintained that he was unaware of Epstein's crimes. Notably, none of the survivors accused Bill Clinton of any wrongdoing .

Meanwhile, Hilary Clinton has stated that she had no direct connection with Jefrey Epstein and that she has neither flew  on his private jet nor visited his private island in the past.

Letter to Committee Chairman

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In January, the Clintons wrote to House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, criticising his handling of the investigation. The letter said, “The decisions you have made, and the priorities you have set as chairman regarding the Epstein investigation, have prevented progress in discovering the facts about the government’s role.” Further they added, “There is no plausible explanation for what you are doing other than partisan politics.”

In response, Chairman Comer said the subpoenas were not biased or one-sided , noting that they were approved by bipartisan support. He stressed that no-one is above the law. He also said, “We communicated with President Clinton’s legal team for months now, giving them opportunity after opportunity to come in, to give us a day, and they continue to delay, delay, delay,” said the Kentucky Republican.

New Delhi: This is amazing and intriguing at once.

A man in China has taken social media by storm after he shared videos showing how he extracts gold from discarded SIM cards. The man claims that he has recovered around 191 grams till now by doing so. His clips have gone viral and triggered spike in demand for used SIM cards. However, the man, in his videos, has sounded a caution to viewers that the process involves health and safety hazards.

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The man is known as “Qiao” on social media. He hails from Huizhou in China’s Guangdong province. The man is employed in precious scrap metal refining, and one of his gold-extraction videos has amassed over five million views.

What the videos show

The video shows him immersing a SIM card in chemical barrels and carrying out a series of reactions — like corrosion, displacement and heating — for gold extraction. After filtering and heating the material, the man claims to have recovered 191 grams of gold, valued at almost 200,000 yuan (around US$29,000), according to a report in the South China Morning Post.

Qiao told the Xiaoxiang Morning Post that the gold was not extracted only from SIM cards. He said he processed nearly two tonnes of scrap, including telecom chip waste, to refine the gold. The report said a single SIM card holds less than 0.001 grams of gold. Qiao pointed out that precious metals are used as thin plating in certain components or parts to boost stability and corrosion resistance.

According to data, gold can also be recovered from bank card chips and contact components in communication devices, which also contain small amounts of gold and can be recycled.

Dubbed as an 'Alchemist'

Social media users have branded Qiao as the “Alchemist”. One of them noted that the process needed chemical expertise of a professional-level.

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The videos of Qiao’s extraction of gold from discarded SIM cards has sparked a buying frenzy, with people scrambling to buy discarded cards on mainland resale platforms. Vendors are cashing in on the sudden surge in demand by selling bundles of old SIM cards as materials purportedly suitable for gold extraction.

It has been reported that one person is selling gold-refining tools and how-to videos for 485 yuan (US$70). However, Qiao, has cautioned people against trying the process at home as gold extraction involves the use of aqua regia, a highly corrosive acid mixture that can release toxic gases or trigger dangerous chemical reactions.

New Delhi: The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) said it carried out a coordinated attack, killing at least 80 Pakistani military personnel, police officers, intelligence officials, and counter-terrorism unit members, in a statement issued on January 31. The attacks were conducted under what the group termed "Operation Herof Phase II.”

According to the separatist outfit, the attacks were carried out over a period of ten hours, targeting security, military, and administrative installations across several towns and cities. Social media platforms were flooded with posts claiming to verify the group’s assertions.

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Simultaneous attacks at multiple locations

BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch confirmed in a statement that the group conducted attacks at multiple locations. The coordinated assaults reportedly took place in Quetta, Noshki, Mastung, Dalbandin, Kalat, Kharan, Panjgur, Gwadar, Pasni, Turbat, Tump, Buleda, Mangochar, Lasbela, Kech, and Awaran.

The outfit claimed it simultaneously targeted what it described as “enemy military, administrative, and security structures,” asserting that it temporarily restricted the movement of security forces in several areas, NDTV reported.

The BLA further alleged that more than 30 government properties, including offices, banks, and prisons, were seized or destroyed, and that over 20 vehicles were set ablaze. The statement also claimed that BLA fighters took control of certain posts and installations during intense clashes.

Outfit claims temporary control at targeted sites

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However, there was no immediate independent confirmation of these claims, and Islamabad has not issued an official statement on the scale of the violence. Earlier, official casualty figures differed from those claimed by armed groups.

The BLA statement said seven of its members were killed during the violence, identifying them as part of the group’s Majeed Brigade.” The group described these deaths as occurring during coordinated assaults on security installations and claimed their actions resulted in temporary control over targeted sites.

Washington: With the Congress unable to approve 2026 budget before the midnight funding deadline, the United States (US) entered a partial shutdown on Saturday. The shutdown triggered a lapse in federal funding.

Shutdown may be short-lived

The lawmakers, however, expressed confidence that the shutdown might be short-lived. The House may look to ratify a Senate-backed funding deal early next week. A number of non-essential government functions are likely to be impacted until lawmakers pass the funding.

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Last year too, the US experience government shutdown. There was a 43-day impasse last year, which was the longest in US history. As per reports, the latest shutdown is expected to be short-lived as several federal departments already have full-year funding in place.

Several US depts need to start a formal shutdown

According to a report published in Bloomberg, a number of important US agencies like Defence, Treasury, Transportation, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, and Labour departments will need to start formal shutdown procedures during the lapse of the funding. An official said that the government operations might start on Monday if the House clears the funding bill early that day.

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Reports suggest that around three-quarters of federal operations are likely to be impacted by the government shutdown. This may also lead to trigger shutdown procedures across agencies, from education and health to housing and defense. Even as federal departments may begin implementing shutdown plans overnight, with Democrats and Republicans believe that the Senate's action have led to a short disruption rather than a prolonged impasse.

‘Trump Administration wasting valuable resources’

Taking to X, Senate Democratic Minority Whip Dick Durbin accused the administration of misusing federal resources. He wrote, "Instead of going after drug smugglers, child predators, and human traffickers, the Trump Administration is wasting valuable resources targeting peaceful protestors in Chicago and Minneapolis." Durbin added, “This Administration continues to make Americans less safe."

New Delhi: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has admitted that he and Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir had to travel to various countries to seek financial help for the country. He was addressing top Pakistani exporters in Islamabad on Friday night. This rare confession from the top leadership of Pakistan, makes it amply clear how poor is the financial condition of the country.

Pakistan's foreign reserves have improved: Sharif

Sharif's confession showed that the leadership had to make some tough decision due to Pakistan's economy. He however claimed that the condition of Pakistan's foreign reserves have improved. NDTV quoted the Pakistani leader as saying, "The current situation is that the reserves of the foreign exchange have almost doubled. But the loans of our friends and countries are included. But you know that the one who goes to take a loan, his head is bowed."

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Sharif also talked about how General Munir and he had to make certain compromises to seek money from other nations. He said that it embarrassed both him and the Army General to go around the world and seek loans. He said, "Taking loans is a huge burden on our self respect. Our heads bow down in shame. We cannot say no to things that they want us to do."

These remarks by the PM of Pakistan come at a time, when the country is in active discussion with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help support economic growth in the country, after having followed the strict policies which the world body wanted it to follow for economic help.

Sharif claimed that his government had directed the central bank to support industrial growth in Pakistan and provide all possible monetary support to the industrialist. He said that the Governors had been instructed to take some bold decisions and consult with business leaders.

Current loans on Pakistan

As of now, Pakistan has already availed a loan of USD 1.2 billion from the IMF. This loan has helped it to repay its debts and also build up foreign reserves. Apart from the loan, the country also treceived money under a climate financing plan of the UN body.

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The Central Bank predicted that by December 2026, its foreign currency reserves will reach USD 20 billion. But to continue receiving monetary aid, the country needs to maintain a tight monetary spending and limit spending.

The State Bank of Pakistan kept its key rate steady at 10.5%, citing concerns that inflation may pick up. They have predicted that GDP will expand 3.75%-4.75% in the fiscal year to June.

Washington: US President Donald Trump stated that he believed Iran wanted to negotiate a deal to avoid a military confrontation. He added that the "armada" near Iran was larger than the one used to bring Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro.

Ongoing tensions between Iran and US

Trump’s statement came amid tense tensions between Washington and Tehran, following protests in Iran over economic crisis. Thousands of people have lost their lives and several others were arrested in Iran after the protests began. Trump openly backed protesters and threated Iranian regime if any protester was awarded capital punishment. This led to war of words between both sides. Trump later said that Iran decided not to award further capital punishment after his pressure.

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Large armada, flotilla heading towards Iran

"We have a large armada, flotilla, call it whatever you want, heading toward Iran right now, even larger than what we had in Venezuela," the president told reporters. “Hopefully we'll make a deal. If we do make a deal, that's good. If we don't make a deal, we'll see what happens."

When asked whether a deadline for deal with Iran on the latter’s nuclear programme and , ballistic missiles, Trump added "yeah I have". He further said, "only they know for sure" what it was, news agency AFP reported.  "I can say this, they do want to make a deal,"

Satellite images suggest construction at 2 nuclear sites

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In the meantime, satellite images suggested construction at two Iranian nuclear sites which were bombed by Israel and the United States last year. The development raised concerns that Tehran was concealing efforts to recover sensitive materials

The images were taken by Planet Labs PBC. These show new roofs built over structures at Iran’s nuclear sites of Isfahan and Natanz. The latest constructions showed the first significant activity, which were visible by satellite.

New Delhi: In a major development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez on Friday over the phone. The leaders discussed strengthening bilateral ties between India and Venezuela. Notably, the South American country is going through a tumultuous period after the US forces captured and extradited Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. They were transported to the US and charged with drug trafficking.

Agreed to expand our bilateral partnership: PM Modi

PM Modi took to X and wrote, "Spoke with Acting President of Venezuela, Ms Delcy Rodríguez. We agreed to further deepen and expand our bilateral partnership in all areas, with a shared vision of taking India-Venezuela relations to new heights in the years ahead." Notably, this is the first time PM Modi has spoken with Rodríguez after Maduro's capture.

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India reaffirmed its support

On January 4, the Ministry of External Affairs described the development in Venezuela as a matter of “deep concern” and added that India was closely monitoring the situation. The MEA said in a statement that India "reaffirms its support to the well-being and safety of the people of Venezuela."

The statement added, "We call upon all concerned to address issues peacefully through dialogue, ensuring peace and stability of the region. The Embassy of India in Caracas is in contact with members of the Indian community and will continue to provide all possible assistance."

Delcy Rodríguez: Veteran leader of Venezuela

Delcy Rodríguez became Venezuela’s Acting President on January 5 after Maduro's capture. Her appointment was ordered by Venezuela’s Supreme Court. The Venezuelan Constitution states that the Vice President is designated to assume the duties of the presidency in the event of a permanent vacancy. Rodríguez had served as Vice President since 2018 and is also a lawyer. She has previously served as Foreign Minister and Minister of Economy.

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The 56-year-old leader, a major name of the “Chavista" movement, is a labour lawyer closely related to the private sector. Notably, she was administered the oath of office of the Acting President by her brother Jorge Rodríguez, who heads Venezuela’s National Assembly.

After the capture of Maduro, US President Donald Trump asserted that the country must first be stabilised. Speaking in an interview, Trump stated that the US was not at war with Venezuela. He said, “We have to fix Venezuela first. You can’t have an election. There’s no way the people could even vote,” Trump said, adding that the process “is going to take a period of time. We have to nurse the country back to health.”

New Delhi: Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who recently halted H-1B hiring at state colleges and agencies, had last year hailed the Indian companies for their investments in Texas and hoped for further strengthening ties with New Delhi.

Abbott on Tuesday ordered Texas universities and state agencies to halt new H-1B visa petitions, used by American companies to hire foreign workers with specialised skills, until next year. Texas is home to thousands of H-1B visa holders and the pause is part of the Trump administration's wider crackdown on H-1B visa programme.

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When Texas Guv praised India

US podcaster Kyle Seraphin shared a post, reminding Abbott of his 2024 visit to India funded by the Texas Economic.  "I was wondering why Texas imported so many Indians. This makes more sense. Gov Abbott just froze new H1Bs in Texas... too late. They came here, set up shop, had babies, took over neighborhoods, and brought whatever their culture is with them," Seraphin wrote on X.

In 2024, Abbott endorsed the Texas-India economic partnership and also visited New Delhi. “Texas and India are two places—and two people—who both share an independent streak and a desire to make our mark on the world,” said Governor Abbot.  "As we look towards the future, we must ensure that the next generation of leaders in Texas and India will be the innovators who solve the world’s foremost crises and that embracing the values we share leads to liberty and prosperity unmatched throughout the entire world," Abbott said at the event as he highlighted the investment of Indian companies in Texas.

Texas pauses H-1B hiring

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The Texas Government in a letter said that "state government must lead by example and ensure that employment opportunities — particularly those funded with taxpayer dollars — are filled by Texans first." The hiring has been paused until May 31, 2027 and only applies to state agencies and public universities in Texas.

However, some criticised the move and said that it could worsen existing staff crunch and obstruct universities' ability to recruit talent. "Freezing those pathways makes it harder to staff classrooms, research centers, and hospitals across our state, raising costs, straining public services, and hurting Texans in every corner of our state," Rep. Ramon Romero Jr., Democrat and chairman of Texas Mexican American Legislative Caucus, said in a written statement.

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump on Thursday cautioned Canada that it could face a 50 per cent tariff and the decertification of its aircraft amid escalating tensions between the two countries.

The warning came in response to Canada’s refusal to certify Savannah-based jets as well as aircraft from Georgia-based Gulfstream Aerospace. In a hard-hitting post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “If, for any reason, the situation is not corrected immediately, I will charge Canada with a 50 per cent tariff and also decertify all Canada-based jets sold in America.”

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Backdrop of the tensions

Hours earlier, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney urged Trump to “respect Canadian sovereignty” as discussions emerged about meetings between Alberta separatists and US officials, further deepening diplomatic strains.

Additionally, the US President warned Ottawa of imposing tariffs of up to 100 per cent if Canada proceeded with a trade deal with Beijing. In a social media post, Trump said, “If Governor Carney thinks he is going to make Canada a drop-off port for China to send goods to the US, he is sorely mistaken.”

Will Trump’s proposed tariffs hit Bombardier and Airbus A220s?

Bombardier runs several service centers in the US, including a facility in Wichita, Kansas, where it is advancing its defense business. The US, the world’s largest business aviation market, employs about 3,000 Bombardier workers.

It remains unclear which aircraft, beyond Bombardier’s Global large-cabin jets, would be hit by Trump’s proposed tariffs. This includes Airbus (AIR.PA) A220 jets made in Canada, though most A220s operated by US carriers are produced at Airbus’s Mobile, Alabama, facility.

Are Canada-China relations a concern?

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Trump also accused Canada of opposing his proposed “Golden Dome” missile defence system over Greenland while expanding economic engagement with China. “Canada is against The Golden Dome being built over Greenland, even though The Golden Dome would protect Canada,” he wrote, adding, “Instead, they voted in favor of doing business with China, who will ‘eat them up’ within the first year!”

These remarks followed Carney’s recent visit to Beijing aimed at re-establishing economic cooperation with China, Canada’s second-largest trading partner after the United States. During the visit, Carney also criticised US and Western policies while addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos.

New Delhi: The ongoing trade deal talks between India and the United States have been the subject of intense discussion amid a strained relationship between the two nations.

In the latest development, a report by NDTV states that both nations have made very significant progress on the trade deal talks and are very close to a positive outcome. Recently, India hit the headlines for its massive free trade agreement with the European Union.

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India-EU deal took place on its own merit

The report states that the EU deal was driven by bargaining tactics in relation to Washington. It adds that India closed the EU deal on its own merits, and it did not take place as a reaction to parallel negotiations with the US. The government is reportedly focused on the trade deal with the US, and considers the American market as important, with trade negotiators of both sides being in constant touch.

India-US negotiations robust

The report further says that India's trade strategy is a response to a fragmented global trading system with more countries opting for bilateral and plurilateral ties with major partners. Centre has treated the trade deals with the EU and the US as separate entities, with a focus on growing exports to both places, as they would support jobs and investment at home.

As per the report, the negotiations between India and the US have been "robust" and ongoing, and will be concluded soon. It adds that India will pursue "multiple bilateral negotiations" in parallel.

Historic FTA deal between India, EU

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Recently, India and the EU signed the historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA) deal. The government sealed the 'Mother of All deals' FTA pact with visiting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa.

The documents were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council. After signing the documents, PM Modi, Leyen and Costa issued a joint statement. India's FTA deal with the EU comes at a time when the US President Donald Trump has imposed high tariffs on goods entering the country. The deal would give India access to more markets to sell its goods.

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has announced that a “massive Armada” is currently steaming toward Iran. The move, characterised by the President as a display of “great power and purpose,” is a transparent attempt to force the Iranian leadership into negotiating a new nuclear and security deal.

Trump gives ultimatum on Truth Social 

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Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump described the fleet as a force of unprecedented scale, claiming it exceeds the naval strength previously deployed toward Venezuela."A massive Armada is heading to Iran. It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump warned that the fleet is prepared to "rapidly fulfil its mission with speed and violence, if necessary."

The US President’s objective remains a "fair and equitable" agreement that ensures Iran never acquires nuclear weapons. “Hopefully Iran will quickly ‘come to the table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal - no nuclear weapons - one that is good for all parties. Time is running out, it is truly of the essence!” he warned.

Trump concluded with a blunt warning. "The next attack will be far worse! Don’t make that happen again."

Rallying support in Iowa

The President doubled down on his rhetoric during a campaign-style event in Iowa, where he spoke glowingly of the naval deployment. "There is another beautiful armada heading toward Iran right now," he told cheering supporters.

While expressing hope for a diplomatic resolution, Trump maintained a "deal-or-else" posture. "I hope they make a deal. They should have made a deal the first time. They’d have a country," he remarked, referring to his previous administration’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear accord.

Protests and crackdowns

The sudden military posturing comes amid significant domestic turmoil within Iran. Tens of thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets to protest economic hardships. Trump had previously threatened US intervention if the Iranian government used lethal force against these "peaceful" protesters.

Though he briefly softened his tone after claiming the "killing of protesters had stopped," the threat of military action remains tied to Tehran’s internal handling of dissent.

Tehran’s defiant response

The Iranian leadership has met the "Armada" announcement with a mixture of defiance and dismissal. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dispelled rumours of back-channel diplomacy, stating there had been no contact with US envoy Steve Witkoff.

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“Our stance is clear: Negotiations don’t go along with threats,” Araghchi told state media. He reiterated that Iran is prepared for war if the US chooses to “test” them, promising a “swift and comprehensive” response to any transgression.

Similarly, earlier this month, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the US tactics, asserting that American threats are “aimed at disrupting the security of the region” and will ultimately result in nothing but further instability.

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that the United States will “no longer help” Iraq if Nouri al-Maliki becomes its next prime minister. Opposing a third term for Maliki, who is eyeing a political comeback more than a decade after resigning under pressure in 2014 following the Islamic State’s blitz through Iraq, Trump made his intentions clear and threatened cutting off aid to the country if his wishes were not heeded.

“I’m hearing that the Great Country of Iraq might make a very bad choice by reinstalling Nouri al-Maliki as Prime Minister,” Trump said in a Truth Social post Tuesday. “Last time Maliki was in power, the Country descended into poverty and total chaos. That should not be allowed to happen again.” “Because of his insane policies and ideologies, if elected, the United States of America will no longer help Iraq,” he further added. “If we are not there to help, Iraq has ZERO chance of Success, Prosperity, or Freedom. MAKE IRAQ GREAT AGAIN!"

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Trump against Maliki

Trump’s comments come after Iraq’s largest Shiite political bloc, the Coordination Framework, nominated Maliki as its candidate for prime minister following difficulties in forming a new government after the November 2025 parliamentary elections.

Trump’s warning follows those of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio who spoke with outgoing Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Sunday, during which he warned against installing “a government controlled by Iran.”

Earlier Tuesday, US special envoy to Iraq Mark Savaya wrote on X that the administration was prepared to sanction senior Iraqi officials involved in government corruption. “While our team works on the ground in Iraq to support the formation of a new government and to prevent Iranian backed militias from rising to positions of power, it is equally and even more critical to prepare for confronting the corruption crisis in Iraq,” Savaya wrote.

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Maliki is a highly divisive figure in Iraqi politics. He first served as prime minister from 2006 to 2014, rising to prominence in the post-Saddam era as a leader within the Shiite Islamic Dawa Party.

Trump’s threat reflects broader US concerns about Iranian influence in Iraq, which has grown considerably in recent years. The Coordination Framework includes parties and militia leaders with connections to Iran, and Maliki himself has maintained close relationships with Tehran-aligned factions. The US fears Maliki would deepen Baghdad’s reliance on Iran, diminishing US strategic interests in the region. Trump’s threat to “no longer help” Iraq may thus well result in both political and economic pressures on Iraq.

Washington: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed that the money continues to flow despite Europe phasing out direct ties with Russia significantly. He also accused Europe of buying oil products from India, which are refined through Russian crude, and indirectly funding the Ukraine-Russia war.

India-EU to announce FTA today

The remarks by the treasury secretary has come at a time when the US has put an additional 25 percent tariff on India over New Delhi’s purchase of crude oil from Moscow. This, even as India and the European Union all set to announce a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Tuesday.

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"We have put 25 per cent tariffs on India for buying Russian oil. Guess what happened last week? The Europeans signed a trade deal with India," Bessent has been quoted as saying in the media. He added, “And just to be clear again, the Russian oil goes into India, the refined products come out, and the Europeans buy the refined products. They are financing the war against themselves.”

Bessent compares US and European efforts to stop the Ukraine-Russia war

Trying to put up a contrast between the US and Europe, he observed that while has increased Tariffs in connection with trade with Russia, Europe continues to benefit from Moscow through global oil trade.

‘We will eventually stop the war’

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Praising Trump for trying to stop the Russia-Ukraine war, he added that the US was trying to stop the war. “We will eventually end the war,” the secretary added. The comments by the US Treasury Secretary have come at a time when trade has once again become a centre of tensions, with the US accusing Europe over selective approach.

Meanwhile, India and the EU are likely to announce new trade deal today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Costa in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Washington: Amid ongoing tensions between the United States (US) and Iran, the US Navy’s Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group reached the country’s Central Command area of responsibility. This has led to increase in speculations that President Donald Trump may order a strike on Iran.

USS Abraham Lincoln passes through Strait of Malacca

The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, passed through the Strait of Malacca. The aircraft carrier was accompanied by three missile destroyers, which provided escort to it. These missile destroyers were - USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG-121), USS Spruance (DDG-111) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112).

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The United States Central Command, while taking a post on social media, said that the carrier as well as its strike group "is currently deployed to the Middle East to promote regional security and stability," news agency Associated Press reported.

Iran has witnessed massive protests in recent times

In recent times, Iran has witnessed massive protests across the country due to the deepening economic crisis and an increase in inflation. With thousands of protesters killed in the country and several arrested. Following this, Trump put his weight behind protesters and threatened the Iranian regime with an attack if required. This has led to a war of words between the two sides.

"We have a massive fleet heading in that direction, and maybe we won’t have to use it," Trump had earlier said, suggesting both the show of force and the uncertainty over whether the US might strike Iran.

Trump threatened a possible military strike earlier

Trump had earlier threatened a possible military strike against Tehran if the Iranian regime carried out mass executions of prisoners or killed peaceful demonstrators. As per reports, while nearly 6,000 people have been killed, over 41,000 have been detained in Iran, the agency reported further.

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The US President had recently decided not to take further action against Iran, saying that the latter dropped its plan to execute nearly 800 protesters. However, Iran had rejected the claims of execution as completely false.

The Lincoln strike group’s arrival has come at a time when the US moved other assets into the Middle East. Among them are fighter jets and military cargo flights. With the arrival of the carrier, the US now has multiple military options in case Trump decides to take military action on Tehran.

New Delhi: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is likely to visit India in the first week of March, amid trade tensions with the United States, India's High Commissioner to Canada Dinesh Patnaik told Reuters.

Patnaik said the two countries are expected to sign a series of agreements during the visit, including on uranium supply, energy cooperation, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, education and culture. Formal negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) are also expected to begin in March.

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"I have a feeling in the first week of March is what we are looking at," Patnaik said. There has been no official announcement by the Canadian PM's office.

Canada heavily dependent on the US market

Ottawa is heavily dependent on the US market for its exports and with Trump threatening to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods over a deal with China, Carney's visit signals a strategic pivot towards trade diversification.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, Carney warned that the "old rules-based order is over" and called on middle powers to build resilient coalitions to shape a fairer global system. He also urged countries to forge new partnerships amid growing protectionism.

Canada's energy minister Tim Hodgson, who is visiting India this week, said discussions would include nuclear cooperation, oil and gas, and critical minerals. He said Canada was open to supplying uranium under the bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement, provided international safeguards are respected.

Urgency to revive stalled trade talks

"We know that India is a major nuclear country and has ambitious plans to expand its civilian nuclear energy programme," Hodgson said.

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Patnaik said both countries are moving with urgency to revive stalled trade talks, noting that India is also seeking new trade partnerships. He added that NSA Ajit Doval is scheduled to visit Ottawa next month as part of ongoing security and intelligence exchanges between the two countries.

Diplomatic relations between India and Canada had deteriorated in 2023 after Carney's predecessor Justin Trudeau accused New Delhi of involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a charge India denied. However, ties have seen a thaw since Carney took office, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending the G7 summit last year at his invitation and several Canadian ministers travelling to India in the recent past.

Washington: With the trade deal between India and the US is still to be completed, a purportedly leaked audio of prominent US Senator Ted Cruz have pointed out that he has blamed White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, Vice President JD Vance and President Donald Trump for holding the deal with India.

What the senator claimed?

As per a report by Axios, in the leaked audio record, the senator can be heard telling his supporters that he was fighting the White House for the completion of the deal between both countries at the earliest.

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Notably, the report has come at a time when the trade deal between the US and India has been under discussion for several months. The talks got momentum since US President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25 percent tariff, accusing New Delhi of buying crude oil from Russia.

Audio says about challenges

The report suggests challenges in the completion of trade deal despite several rounds of negotiations between two countries. It was suggested that divisions within the Republican party even after supporting President Trump on Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

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According to the report, Ted Cruz said that he and several other Republican Senators tried to urge Trump against implementation of tariffs on several countries. He had reportedly also warned the President on its impact on the US. Cruz observed that the step would led to higher prices and damage retirement savings accounts for Americans.

Cruz may consider running for next Presidential polls

It is believed that Cruz is considering running for the President’s post in 2028, with an aim to challenge President Trump and Vice President Vance’s control in the Republican Party. Several Republicans are also concerned losing ground to the Democrats in the 2026 midterm polls.

New Delhi: Bangladesh on Sunday said it was “surprised” and “shocked” that India allowed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to make a public address from New Delhi, warning that the move could hurt bilateral ties.

The 78-year-old Awami League leader has been staying in India since August 2024, after student-led protests brought an end to her 15-year tenure in Bangladesh. On Friday, Hasina delivered her first public speech since leaving office through an audio address to a packed press club in New Delhi.

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Dhaka’s sharp protest

Bangladesh’s foreign ministry said the decision to allow the event in the Indian capital amounted to an affront to the people and government of Bangladesh, especially as Hasina has been convicted in absentia by a Dhaka court.

According to Bangladeshi authorities, Hasina was found guilty in November on charges of incitement, issuing orders to kill and failing to prevent atrocities. She was sentenced to death.

“The government and the people of Bangladesh are surprised and shocked. Allowing the event to take place in the Indian capital and letting mass murderer Hasina openly deliver her hate speech... constitute a clear affront to the people and the Government of Bangladesh,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

It added that permitting such a speech created “a dangerous precedent” and could “seriously impair bilateral relations” between Bangladesh and India.

What triggered Dhaka’s reaction

Hasina’s address came less than three weeks before Bangladesh’s general election scheduled for February 12. In the speech, she urged citizens to rise against the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus, claiming it could not ensure free and fair polls.

She accused Yunus of betraying the nation and conspiring to remove her government, invoking the legacy of the 1971 Liberation War to rally support.

“In this grave hour, the entire nation must rise united and galvanised by the spirit of our great Liberation War.

“To overthrow the foreign-serving puppet regime of this national enemy at any cost, the brave sons and daughters of Bangladesh must defend and restore the Constitution written in the blood of martyrs, reclaim our independence, safeguard our sovereignty, and revive our democracy,” she said.

Allegations against the interim government

Hasina alleged that Bangladesh had descended into chaos since her ouster in August 2024, blaming Yunus and what she described as “anti-state militant accomplices” for engineering a plot against her administration.

“Democracy is now in exile. Human rights have been trampled into the dust. Freedom of the press has been extinguished. Violence, torture, and sexual assault against women and girls remain unchecked. Religious minorities face continuous persecution. Law and order have collapsed,” she said.

At the same time, she called for an end to violence and lawlessness in the country, seeking stronger protections for religious minorities, women and vulnerable groups.

Calls for international scrutiny

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Hasina also demanded that the United Nations carry out what she described as a “new and truly impartial investigation” into developments following the fall of her government.

The event saw participation, either in person or online, from several Awami League leaders. Former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury and former foreign minister AK Abdul Momen echoed Hasina’s criticism of Yunus, arguing that the upcoming election would lack credibility without their party’s involvement.

Dhaka: In a shocking incident, a 25-year-old Hindu man, Chanchal Chandra Bhowmik, was burnt alive in Bangladesh's Narsingdi last Friday. The incident took place while he was sleeping in his shop. He was working in a garage for last six years.

Victim was sole breadwinner of the family

Bhowmik was the sole breadwinner of his family. After his father’s death, he was taking care of his ailing mother, disabled elder brother and younger brother. Neighbours described him as a simple man with no known enemies. According to reports, Bhowmik was killed after the shop was shut from the outside, petrol was poured and it was burnt down.

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Latest on spade of attacks on Hindus

Bhowmik's killing is the latest on the spade of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. In recent time there have been reports of several attacks on Hindus, which led to deaths in several cases. In recent times, the attacks on Hindus surged again after the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, a student leader, who play important role in protests against the Sheikh Hasina Government in 2024. Hasina was forced to leave the country subsequently.

What led to surge in recent attacks?

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Hadi was attacked in Dhaka recently. After initial treatment in the country, he was subsequently shifted to Singapore, where he succumbed to injuries. His death led to massive anti-India protests and attacks on Hindus were also increased. In recent times, several Hindus like Dipu Chandra Das and Khokon Chandra Das were killed in Bangladesh, resulting in fear among minorities in the country.

Khokon, a businessman. was killed last year, after he was attacked and set on fire by a mob in Shariatpur district of the country. On the other hand, Dipu who owned a small medicine shop, was killed after he was stabbed, beaten and doused with petrol while returning home.

New Delhi: As tensions escalate in the US following the shooting of a man by federal agents during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, President Donald Trump accused Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey of “inciting insurrection” after the incident.

Trump alleged that the two Democrats were spreading “pompous, dangerous and arrogant rhetoric” instead of investigating what he claimed were “millions of dollars stolen from Minnesota.”

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Trump's seeks answer from local police

In a hard-hitting post on Truth Social, Trump questioned Minnesota authorities over the absence of local police officers during the operation, asking why no officers were deployed to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel. He further alleged that police had been prevented from carrying out their duties.

On Saturday, Trump shared another post on Truth Social, directly calling out the Governor and the Mayor. He wrote, “This is the gunman’s gun, loaded (with two additional full magazines!), and ready to go — what is that all about? Where are the local Police? Why weren’t they allowed to protect ICE Officers? The Mayor and the Governor called them off.”

Furthering his remarks, Trump described ICE officers as “patriots” and urged the public to allow them to carry out their duties. He also claimed that those who allegedly stole money from the people of Minnesota should be jailed. Trump said that 12,000 “illegal alien criminals” had been arrested and removed from the state, labelling them “fraudsters” and calling the situation a “really big bank robbery.” According to Trump, the attack on federal agents was a cover-up for the alleged theft.

Minnesota Governor reacts

Reacting to Trump’s incendiary post, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, condemned the ICE operations and demanded an immediate halt.

“This is sickening. The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now,” Walz wrote on X.

The shooting

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Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the man who was shot was an American citizen and a lawful gun owner with a valid permit to carry. He confirmed that multiple federal officers were involved in the shooting.

The incident has further intensified tensions between state officials and the Trump administration as federal immigration enforcement expands in Minnesota, drawing sharp criticism from local leaders and renewed political backlash from the White House.

New Delhi: The two-day trilateral peace talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States concluded in Abu Dhabi on Saturday without any clear indication of a breakthrough, as uncertainty continued over the outcome of the negotiations and the future course of the peace process.

According to news agency AFP, citing a source familiar with the discussions, additional rounds of talks aimed at ending the prolonged conflict between Russia and Ukraine are expected to continue in Abu Dhabi next week. The discussions marked the first formal trilateral engagement among the three countries since the war erupted.

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The diplomatic effort came at a tense moment, with developments on the ground underscoring the fragility of the process.

Fresh strikes hit Kyiv amid talks

Just hours before the negotiations wrapped up, Russia launched overnight airstrikes on Kyiv, killing at least one person and injuring four others, Reuters reported. The attacks also targeted parts of the city’s power infrastructure, leaving nearly 1.2 million properties without electricity.

Ukrainian authorities said around 6,000 buildings in the capital were left without heating on Saturday morning as temperatures hovered around minus 10 degrees Celsius, raising concerns over civilian safety amid harsh winter conditions.

High-level contacts and US mediation

The trilateral talks formally began on Friday under UAE mediation. Separately, Russian President Vladimir Putin held marathon overnight discussions on a possible Ukraine settlement with envoys of US President Donald Trump — Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — according to the Associated Press.

During these discussions, Russia reportedly maintained its long-standing position that any peace agreement would require Kyiv to withdraw its troops from eastern territories that Moscow claims to have annexed but does not fully control. Ukraine has consistently rejected these demands.

Earlier on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested that a potential peace deal was “nearly ready,” while speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Commenting on the Abu Dhabi talks, a spokesperson for the UAE government said the discussions focused on the “outstanding elements” of a US-proposed negotiation framework, Reuters reported. The spokesperson added that the talks were held in a constructive and positive atmosphere and included direct engagement between officials from both Russia and Ukraine.

Donbas remains key sticking point

As the talks concluded, Russia’s long-standing demand for Donbas remained unresolved. Although the eastern Ukrainian region was widely expected to emerge as a major sticking point, there was no official clarification on whether the issue was substantively addressed.

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Donbas, which includes the coal-rich regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, is strategically important due to its mineral resources, steel manufacturing base and access to the Sea of Azov through river networks.

Zelensky has repeatedly rejected any proposal involving territorial concessions. Speaking at Davos, he made Ukraine’s position clear: “It’s all about the eastern part of our country, it’s all about the land,” he was quoted as saying by CNN.

New Delhi: Iran has issued a stark warning to the United States, saying any military strike would be treated as an "all-out war", after US President Donald Trump announced the deployment of a large American naval force to the Middle East.

A senior Iranian official said Tehran views the US military buildup as a direct threat and would use "everything at its disposal" to retaliate if attacked. "Any strike, whether described as limited or surgical, will be treated as a full-scale war against us," the official was quoted by Iranian media as saying.

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The warning came after Trump's statement that an "armada" of US warships was heading toward the region. "We have a big force going toward Iran," Trump said on Thursday. "I'd rather not see anything happen, but we will see. We are watching them very closely. We have an armada, we have a massive fleet heading in that direction, and maybe we won't have to use it."

Iran's armed forces on high alert

According to reports in US media and Reuters the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, along with three destroyers armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles and US Air Force F-15E fighter jets, are being deployed to the Middle East.

Iran has placed country's armed forces on high alert. "We hope this buildup is not meant for confrontation, but our military is prepared for the worst-case scenario," the official said.

Tensions escalated further after senior Iranian military leaders issued increasingly combative statements. A spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces warned that any move against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would have "catastrophic consequences", while the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Iran had its "finger on the trigger" in response to threats from the US and Israel.

Six international airlines suspend flight to Middle East

The escalation comes amid prolonged unrest inside Iran, where months of anti-government protests have been met with a violent crackdown. The number of civilians killed in crackdown on protests may be more than 20,000, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Iran said, according to a Bloomberg report.

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Iran has accused US of orchastrating these protests.

Meanwhile, six international airlines have suspended flights to the Middle East amid escalating geopolitical tensions. Dutch airline KLM and Air France have halted services to several destinations in the region, including Dubai.

New Delhi: The US has asserted that it wants to maintain ties with Jamaat-e-Islami, an Islamist party that has been criticised for its anti-India stance and its opposition to Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War. Reports say US officials recently held discussions with the party at its regional office in Sylhet.

The development comes amid a series of engagements between the US State Department and Islamist groups ahead of Bangladesh’s February elections. A US diplomat, speaking in an interview, said Washington has rejected claims that it supports any “particular party” in Dhaka. The diplomat referred to interactions dating back to December 2026, when officials from the US embassy met local journalists and discussed various political parties. The embassy had stated at the time that the US is not biased towards any political party and is willing to work with whichever government comes to power.

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Expanding relations trigger controversy

Over the past two years, Jamaat-e-Islami has gradually expanded its engagement with the US. In 2023, a senior Jamaat leader in Dhaka held talks with a US diplomat on the eve of violent protests against the Sheikh Hasina administration.

In 2025, these interactions intensified. In June, two US diplomats visited Jamaat’s headquarters, where discussions reportedly focused on women’s and minority rights. In July, US Chargé d’Affaires Anne Jacobson met Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman at the party’s headquarters.

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Despite Rahman’s controversial past, including remarks perceived as praising extremist figures such as Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the US granted him a visa in November 2025, signalling what observers see as Washington’s growing interest in engaging with the Islamist outfit.

Is the Jamaat-US ties, a threat to India

Analysts warn that these developments could pose serious concerns for India. The Awami League, widely regarded as the most pro-India political party in Bangladesh, has also faced restrictions, indicating a potential shift in Indo-Bangladesh relations. Additionally, a rise in attacks on minority communities has raised alarm over the safety of vulnerable groups in the country.

New Delhi: The United States is bracing itself against a potentially 'catastrophic' winter weather that can affect over 160 million people across the country.

People will reportedly face transportation chaos, blackouts, and life-threatening cold due to the winter weather, as supermarket shelves were emptied on Friday. There is a chance of freezing rain and heavy snow from Friday evening, and the weather system will impact the continental US.

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Monster storm looms over US

The dangerous monster storm looming over the US has forced 16 states and Washington, D.C., to declare emergencies. Places that typically do not experience prolonged Arctic temperatures are bracing for power failures and supply shortages. The huge winter weather system is forming in parts of the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains and surges across southern and midwestern areas from Friday.

According to the National Weather Service, the 'catastrophic ice accumulation' as a result of the winter weather can potentially cause 'long-duration power outages, extensive tree damage, and extremely dangerous or impassable travel conditions'. The situation may particularly worsen for many states that rarely face intense winter weather.

Residents asked to stay indoors

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt has asked residents to stay indoors and prepare for the dangerous winter storm expected to hit his city, where snowfall rarely takes place. The National Weather Service has reported freezing rain and sleet in parts of Texas as the winter storm begins to impact the state. Freezing rain has taken place in the Texas Big Country, a region in the middle of the state.

So far, over 2,700 weekend flights have been cancelled as Democratic Governor in New York State, Kathy Hochul, warned residents to stay inside. Authorities in many places have warned of a life-threatening cold that could last a week after the storm, putting people at risk of frostbite if they go outside even for some minutes. As a result, the shelves of supermarkets are becoming empty as people queue up in large numbers to stock up to last the weather.

Donald Trump questions global warmings

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Amid such a scenario, US President Donald Trump on Friday took to his social media platform Truth Social and said, "Record Cold Wave expected to hit 40 States. Rarely seen anything like it before. Could the Environmental Insurrectionists please explain – WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GLOBAL WARMING???"

Trump has always be critical about the concept of climate change, and has even called it a "hoax." He has refuted claims of experts about global warming as a "political agenda" and led the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement twice, once in 2020 and then in 2025.

New Delhi: US-mediated talks between Ukraine and Russia began in Abu Dhabi on Friday, with Moscow once again pressing Kyiv to withdraw its forces from the eastern Donbas region, a demand Ukraine has firmly rejected.

According to the United Arab Emirates’ foreign ministry, the negotiations will continue over two days and are aimed at encouraging dialogue and exploring political solutions to the ongoing conflict. The ministry’s statement was quoted by Reuters.

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High-level diplomacy backdrop

The meeting involving delegations from the United States, Ukraine and Russia comes a day after US President Donald Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. It also followed talks held earlier between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Moscow reiterates Donbas position

Following the discussions, the Kremlin reportedly restated its long-standing position on eastern Ukraine. "Russia's position is well known on the fact that Ukraine, Ukrainian armed forces, have to leave the territory of the Donbas," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying.

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Ukraine has described such terms as unacceptable, noting that it currently controls around 20% of the eastern Donbas region. President Zelensky reiterated that Kyiv remains open to economic initiatives in the east, including the creation of a free trade zone under Ukrainian control, according to Associated Press.

Strikes reported ahead of talks

Ahead of the Abu Dhabi meeting, Ukrainian authorities said Russian strikes killed three people in the Kharkiv region and four others in eastern parts of the country, highlighting the continued hostilities even as diplomatic efforts are underway.

New Delhi: In what could escalate a simmering tension between the US and Canada, US President Donald Trump on Thursday withdrew an invitation sent to Ottawa to join the Board of Peace campaign initiated to resolve global conflict.

Trump's move came hours after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney hit back at his US President for claiming at the World Economic Forum in Davos, that "Canada lives because of the United States." Carney said "Canada doesn't live because of the US" and the country thrives because "we are Canadian".

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Following Carney's remarks, Trump on his Truth Social platform, said the US was withdrawing an invitation for Canada to join the "Board of Peace" -- his self-styled billion-dollar body.

"Dear Prime Minister Carney: Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada's joining," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

How it started

On Tuesday, Carney's speech in Davos drew global attention and he received standing ovation for not shying away from denouncing the US-led, rules-based global order and urging nations to accept the end of such global order. Although his Tuesday's speech did not mention Trump, it was seen as a reference to the US President's disruptive influence on international affairs.

Carney had said that middle powers like Canada who had prospered through the era of an "American hegemon" needed to realise that a new reality had set in, and that "compliance" would not shelter them from major power aggression.

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Hitting back at Carney, Trump on Wednesday slammed his Canadian PM during his own speech in Davos. " I watched your PM yesterday. He was not so grateful. Canada lives because of the US. Remember that the next time you make your statements," he said.

The war of words between the two leaders underscores growing tensions between the allied nations. While Carney has been critical of the Trump administration since assuming office 9 months ago, Ottawa remains heavily reliant on trade with the US.

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that a "big force" is heading toward Iran, signalling a possible deployment of American troops in the Gulf amid heightened tensions in the region and growing fears of wider regional conflict. Trump renewed warnings to Tehran against killing protesters or restarting its nuclear programme, days after he downplayed the prospect of imminent military action.

"We have a big flotilla going in that direction, and we’ll see what happens. We have a big force going toward Iran. I’d rather not see anything happen, but we’re watching them very closely," he said while speaking to reporters.

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 "We have an armada ... heading in that direction, and maybe we won't have to use it," he said, confirming continuing military preparations.

US officials also said that an aircraft carrier strike group and other military assets are expected to be deployed in the Middle East in the coming days, according to news agency Reuters.

Trump's military intervention threats 

Tensions between Iran and the United States escalated following a severe crackdown on protests across Iran in recent months.

Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran with military intervention over a deadly crackdown on protests going on in the country against the Islamic regime led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The country has been on boil since late December with the protesters taking to the streets against the Khamenei regime over the dwindling economy and soaring cost of living. According to reports, thousands of protesters have been killed in the crackdown and many have been detained.

Execution halted

The US President recently said that, following mounting pressure from Washington, Iranian authorities cancelled plans to execute hundreds of protesters. He also pulled back from a threat to strike Iran over its deadly crackdown on anti-government protests. "I stopped 837 hangings on Thursday. They would have been dead. Everyone of them would have been hung," Trump said.

He also warned of military action if Iranian authorities go forward with their execution plan. "I said, if you hang those people, you’re going to be hit harder than you’ve ever been hit. It’ll make what we did to your nuclear programme look like peanuts," Trump said.

US increases military build-up

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Tensions in Iran are likely to escalate in the coming days as the US is considering a military build-up in the country. The Trump administration is planning to deploy additional air defence systems and warships including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in Iran. Fighter aircraft and several guided-missile destroyers began moving from the Asia-Pacific region last week.

On Wednesday, Trump said he hoped there would be no further US military action but warned Washington would respond if Iran resumed its nuclear programme.  

New Delhi: In news that can have a tectonic effect on global politics, Hamas, the group that has governed the Gaza Strip and has been in armed conflict with Israel, has reportedly agreed to a deal with the US.

Hamas to surrender weapons

According to the agreement, as has been reported by Sky News Arabia TV, citing a Palestinian source, Hamas will surrender its weapons and transfer maps of the Gaza Strip’s underground tunnels if the group is recognised as a political party.

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Sky News Arabia TV quoted the Palestinian source as saying that the "the understandings within the framework of which the organization will disarm will allow those interested in Hamas’ political and military leadership to leave the Gaza Strip with an American promise that Israel will not harm it in the future."

The source added that “the Americans agreed to integrate several Hamas police officers and officials in the past into the management of the ‘new Gaza’ on the condition that they undergo an Israeli-American security check."

PNA not against agreement, Israel disagrees

The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) has reportedly agreed to the agreements if they end the war, establish a ceasefire, and speed up the reconstruction. However, Israel has reportedly expressed disagreement with some points of the deal, especially those related to Hamas remaining a political party in the Palestinian arena.

Israel vows destruction of Hamas

Israel's Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has responded to the Sky News report and said, “To the extent that the publications about the feasibility of allowing Hamas murderers to continue to exist in Gaza are true, they are very serious."

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He added that Israel waged a war "to destroy Hamas" and they cannot be "whitewashed under the guise of a ‘political movement’ and allow its Nazi terrorists, who were responsible for massacre, murder, rape, and burning of babies, to continue to effectively control the Strip. Hamas must be destroyed, in accordance with the central goal of the war."

Donald Trump warns Hamas

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday the first charter of the Gaza Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland's Davos. The charter of the board came into full force, and it was declared a full-fledged international organization. He claimed that the board will bring stability to war-torn Gaza. Trump said, “If Hamas doesn’t do what they promised they will do, I think they probably will, but they were born with rifles in their hands. They have to give up their weapons, and if they don’t do that, it is going to be the end of them."

New Delhi: The Syrian government has launched a renewed campaign against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Kurdish political structures, intensifying military pressure and administrative dismantling in Kurdish-majority regions. As part of this offensive, territorial gains by Al-Sarra’s forces have been made in northeast Syria where the government has retaken the cities of Raqqa and Deir Az Zor from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

This marks a sharp departure from the post-Assad framework encouraged by the United States where integration of Kurdish forces into the post-Assad Syrian political order was eagerly sought. The Al-Sharra government too had taken steps to ensure this, but now seem to backtrack on their commitment as the US too looks on at this crackdown passively even though it can have severe implications on the fragile security balance in northeastern Syria and the larger nearly always volatile region.

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US plan for Al-Sharra and Kurds post Assad

When the Assad regime fell in December 2024, the Syrian Democratic Forces, a primarily Kurdish-led group, was hesitant to join the emerging rulers in Damascus. Negotiations between Mazloum Abdi, the SDF’s leader, and al-Sharaa eventually culminated in an agreement on March 10, 2025, to integrate the Kurdish-led forces into the Syrian government forces.

This pact was encouraged by the United States as well, which viewed it as a means to preserve territorial stability and prevent chances of another civil war in Syria. The United States also sought a pact between Al-Sharra and the Kurds because Kurdish forces, particularly the SDF, had played a pivotal role in defeating ISIS in Syria with extensive US military support. The US wanted to ensure that the Kurds get a place in the new Syrian state post-Assad, both as a reward for this partnership and due to strategic necessity. This now seems to have come undone, as Syrian government forces are overtaking Kurdish areas with impunity, and the United States too seemingly silent on the issue.

Who are the Kurds?

The Kurds are an ethnic group native to the Middle East, sharing a historical identity, language family and cultural traditions. They inhabit a mountainous region spanning southeastern Turkey, northern Syria, northern Iraq, and western Iran.

Despite forming one of the largest stateless nations in the world, their political development has been shaped by the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire after World War I. Promises of Kurdish self-determination and a homeland known as Kurdistan remain unfulfilled. The Kurdish demand for a homeland has now well extended from a nationalist aspiration to one that has been shaped by persistent political exclusion, economic marginalization, cultural erasure and military attacks in nearly all countries of which their population is a part of.

How current persecution fits in a legacy of Kurdish injustice?

The present repression of Kurds under Al-Sharra continues decades of state-led marginalization of Kurds, not just in Syria but also in Turkey, Iraq, and Iran. They have faced the brunt of oppressive regimes, both while they are in power and when there is a power vacuum or regime change in these regions. Despite considerable political pushback and well-acknowledged military skills of Kurds, their recent history has been marked by violence, exclusion and injustice.

Kurds for example were subjected to systematic policies of exclusion under the Baathist regime in Iraq. It was in the form of political exclusion as in 1962, when the country’s census stripped tens of thousands of Kurds from citizenship and put restrictions on Kurdish language and cultural expression. Other more violent forms have included ethnic cleansing programmes, mass displacements of Kurds and chemical warfare.

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Similar patterns of military suppression, political exclusion and demographic engineering occurred in Turkey through counterinsurgency campaigns against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and in Iran through periodic crackdowns on Kurdish political movements.

The current persecution thus follows this historical pattern by targeting Kurdish political autonomy, dismantling self-governance institutions and using aggressive military programmes against the scattered minority in countries like Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey. This is despite the exemplary military campaign that Kurdish groups operated against ISIS. After this they did receive a brief period of Kurdish self-rule and political organization, but as has been the fate of the Kurds, no sovereign land belonging to them continuously resulted in violence, displacement and exclusion of Kurds.

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced the first charter of his “Board of Peace“ for Gaza. He made the announcement while speaking at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland's Davos. The charter of the board came into full force and it was declared a full-fledged international organistaion.

Trump launches Board of Peace for Gaza

Trump launched the board in a signing ceremony in Davos on Thursday. During the announcement, he claimed that “everybody” wants to be a part of his Board of Peace and added that he will continue to “work with many others, including United Nations”. Notably, Pakistan was among the countries that signed to be part of the Board of Peace.

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The US President said, "What we’re doing is so important. This is something I really wanted to be here and do, and I could think of no better place.” After he signed the documents of the board, he held them out to the camera with a smile as other world leaders followed suit.

He claimed that many nations have supported his Board of Peace to bring stability in war-torn Gaza. Trump said, “If Hamas doesn’t do what they promised they will do, I think they probably will, but they were born with rifles in their hands. They have to give up their weapons, and if they don’t do that, it is going to be the end of them."

The world was actually on fire: Trump at Davos

The US President said, "What we’re doing is so important. This is something I really wanted to be here and do, and I could think of no better place.” After he signed the documents of the board, he held them out to the camera with a smile as other world leaders followed suit.

During his speech in Davos, Trump boasted how US strikes “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capacity and said that Tehran will 'talk' in future. He also spoke on the US operations against ISIL in Syria, and claimed about dwindling threats to Europe, the US and the Middle East. He added, “Just one year ago, the world was actually on fire. A lot of people didn’t know it.”

What is Board of Peace?

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The Board of Peace of Trump is an international organisation formed as a part of his multi-stage plan to bring stability in Gaza after the Israel-Hamas ends completely. Trump’s ceasefire plan for the conflict has been implemented already and the second phase of the plan has been initiated by the US government.

According to the White House, the Board would provide strategic oversight, coordinate international resources, and help manage governance, reconstruction and reintegration efforts following a ceasefire. It said in a statement that the Board of Peace will play an essential role in fulfilling all 20 points of the President’s plan, providing strategic oversight, mobilizing international resources, and ensuring accountability as Gaza transitions from conflict to peace and development.

New Delhi: Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said that the February elections in the country are a mockery, since her party, the Awami League is not allowed to participate in it. Talking exclusively to TV9  Network, she said that the ruling government of Bangladesh needs to clarify why her party is barred from taking part in these elections.

I challenge Yunus to contest elections: Hasina

Sheikh Hasina further sharpened her attack on the interim head of the Bangladesh government, Muhammad Yunus. She said, "I challenge Yunus to contest the national elections."

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She further urged the government to allow her party, the Awami League to participate in the February elections. She said that the present dispensation had designed the elections in such a way that her party is excluded from participation.

She further accused Yunus of building huge wealth abroad by money laundering. She accused him of illegally grabbing power and questioned his authority. He accused him of trying to "legitimise his power by stealing the mandate of people."

Past attacks of Hasina on Yunus

This is however not the first time that Hasina has attacked the current dispensation of Bangladesh. Ever since losing power in August 2024, she has continuously highlighted the mismanagement and poor governance of the country.

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Following attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, earlier this month, she sharpened her attacks on the Yunus government. She blamed the government for taking the country towards darkness and said that "extremists were emboldened" under the current regime. She said that minorities are being put under danger, despite decades of Muslims and minorities having lived together, peacefully.

She said that fear has gripped residents of Bangladesh and it has also lost the respect of other countries of the world.

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump claimed that a "supersonic weapon" was used by the US military when it carried out a surprise midnight raid in Venezuela to capture its now-deposed president Nicolas Maduro. Trump, however, refused to divulge details about the device.

Trump's remark comes days after a Venezuelan security guard who was on night duty during the military operation had claimed that the US used a mystery weapon that made soldiers "bleed through the nose" and "vomit blood".

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Trump's sonic weapon claim

In an interview on the NewsNation programme Katie Pavlick Tonight, the US President confirmed that the secret weapon was used during the Venezuela raid on January 3, gloating about the strength of the US military and suggesting that no other country possesses similar technology.

When asked if Americans should be concerned about the power of the weapon, Trump replied, “Well, yeah."

“It’s something I don’t wanna… nobody else has it," he said, adding, “But we have weapons nobody else knows about. And I say it’s probably good not to talk about it, but we have some amazing weapons." “That was an amazing attack," Trump added.

Earlier, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reshared a social post that divulged a first-hand account of the US' military raid, quoting the security guard. She captioned, “Stop what you are doing and read this…”.

What security guard had said

The guard had claimed that American forces wiped out hundreds of Venezuelan fighters using technology unlike anything he has ever seen or even heard about. “They (US forces) were shooting with such precision and speed, it seemed like each soldier was firing 300 rounds per minute. We couldn't do anything.”

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The guard recalled that the US troops launched something like an intense sound wave weapon. "Suddenly I felt like my head was exploding from the inside," he added.

He claimed that all Venezuelan soldiers started bleeding from the nose and some also vomited blood. "We fell to the ground, unable to move. We couldn’t even stand up after that sonic weapon or whatever it was.”

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump on Thursday expressed confidence that Washington and New Delhi would conclude a strong trade agreement, while praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Speaking to Money Control on the sidelines of the summit, Donald Trump said trade ties between the two countries were moving in a positive direction. “Will have a great deal with India,” he said, signalling optimism about ongoing negotiations.

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Trump also spoke warmly about his rapport with PM Modi. He described him as a “fantastic leader” and adding, “I have great respect for your Prime Minister.”

Trade optimism amid a turbulent past

The latest comments come against the backdrop of a chequered trade relationship. In August last year, trade talks between India and the US collapsed, following which Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent — among the highest imposed globally. The move included a 25 per cent levy aimed at penalising New Delhi for continuing to purchase Russian oil.

Despite these tensions, both sides have repeatedly indicated their willingness to revive negotiations. India said last week that the two countries have come close to a deal several times since agreeing to restart talks in February last year.

Diplomatic engagement continues

India’s ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra Gor, said both governments remain in regular contact. “Both sides continue to actively engage. In fact, the next call on trade will occur tomorrow,” he said while taking charge in New Delhi. Emphasising the broader relationship, Gor added, “Real friends can disagree but always resolve their differences.”

According to Gor, discussions are not limited to trade alone, with cooperation spanning security, counterterrorism, energy, technology, education and health.

Focus on trade, defence and energy

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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week. The conversation focused on cooperation in areas such as trade, critical minerals, nuclear energy and defence.

India and the United States have set an ambitious target of more than doubling bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030. As part of efforts to reduce the trade deficit, New Delhi has committed to increasing imports of US energy and defence equipment. However, talks held last year failed to deliver a comprehensive agreement, leaving several key issues unresolved.

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump once again used a global platform to credit himself for halting an India–Pakistan military confrontation, reiterating the claim during his address at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos on Wednesday.

Since May last year, Trump has repeatedly asserted that he played a decisive role in preventing a full-scale conflict between the two South Asian neighbours. Speaking at Davos, he repeated the assertion, claiming that his intervention stopped the hostilities before they escalated further. The Republican leader also said he had resolved eight wars within a year of beginning his second term in office.

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Claims of global peace deals

Trump said he inherited a difficult situation from the previous Biden administration, including what he described as an open US–Mexico border, which he claimed to have transformed into “the strongest border in the world.” He then linked this to his broader foreign policy record, arguing that he had successfully settled multiple international conflicts over the past year.

"I've now been working on this war (Russia-Ukraine) for one year, during which time I settled eight other wars, India, Pakistan. Vladimir Putin called me, he said, I can't believe you settled that one(Armenia-Azerbaijan). They were going on for 35 years. I settled into one day. What does the United States get out of all of this work?" he said.

Repeated peace claims

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Trump has made the India–Pakistan claim on numerous occasions, stating more than 50 times that he brokered peace after New Delhi launched Operation Sindoor against terror camps in Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack in April last year, in which 26 civilians were killed.

India denies mediation

India, however, has consistently rejected any suggestion of third-party mediation. New Delhi has maintained that the decision to end hostilities was taken bilaterally through military channels at the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) level, without acknowledging any role played by Trump or the United States.

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos amid his Greenland claims and tariff wars.

Trump greets 'friends and enemies'

At the start of his speech, Trump greeted 'so many friends' and 'a few enemies', that prompted laughter in the auditorium in Davos. Also, he claimed that “inflation has been defeated” and America’s previous “open and dangerous border” has been closed.

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Removed 2,70,00 from federal payroll: Trump

He said, "One year ago, we were a dead country under Democrats. Now, we are a hot country. Stock market at an all time high in just one year of my tenure, and there have been USD 18 trillion dollars of investment in my time." Claiming that "when United States go up, everyone follows", Trump called former President Joe Biden "Sleepy Joe Biden" and further informed the WEF in Davos that "natural Gas production all time high now."

Trump added that the US is going through a transformation that has "not been seen in 100 years", and also informed the audience that "in 12 months, we have removed 2,70,00 people from federal payroll." He claimed to be delivering the most remarkable transformation in US history, and promised "growth that no country has seen before."

Trump makes Greenland claim again

About Europe, he said, "I love Europe, but it's not heading in the right direction. There is unchecked migration in Europe." He commented on Greenland and said that the island is "sitting undefended in a key strategic location." The US President added, "We need Greenland for strategic national and international security. It is a vast underdeveloped territory." He 'reminded' everyone present how the US 'saved' the planet during World War II and without them, "Europe would be speaking German."

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During the address, Trump said, "No one can save Greenland other than the United States. All the US is asking for is Greenland, and we do not want to use force. We are a much more powerful force now than when we returned to Greenland. All we want from Denmark to keep our dangerous enemies at bay is the island." He also mentioned how Canada "gets a lot of freebies from the US".

Trump said, "We want a piece of ice for world protection, but they won't give it. We are asking for very little, and it will be very good if you say yes. If you say no, we will remember. We have a very strong military now, and secured borders." Regarding NATO, he said that the organisation probably won't help the US in its quest for Greenland.

Nuuv: Amid continuing threat by US President Donald Trump to takeover Greenland, Denmark’s autonomous territory’s PM Jens-Frederik Nielsen has asked officials to prepare for the possible military invasion.

Arctic island must be prepared: Greenland PM

He added that the Arctic island must be prepared even as the invasion seemed highly unlikely. “It’s not likely there will be a military conflict, but it can’t be ruled out,” he prime minister said at a press conference in Nuuk.

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Nielson added that his government would prepare a taskforce which will help in preparing the citizens to prepare for any disruptions during their daily lives. He added that new guidelines would be issued to the public.

Trump repeatedly threatened to invade Greenland

In recent times, Trump has repeatedly threatened to invade Greenland for security reasons. He had recently shred an airtificial intelligence generated image of himself putting an US flag in the island. Recently, thousands of protesters across Denmark put out rallies in support of Greenland.

Former Greenland prime minister Mute B Egede has also said that the territory was facing huge pressure and must to be ready for any outcome. “Greenland is under a lot of pressure,” Bloomberg quoted him as saying, “we need to be ready for all scenarios,” he added.

NATO countries voice support for Greenland

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Recently, a small group of officials from Denmark and other NATO countries visited the island. While all countries voiced their support for Greenland, Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command is also likely to expand military exercises.

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump took an even tone during a press conference to mark his firstr in office in his second term. “I think that we will work something out where NATO is going to be very happy and where we're going to be very happy,” Trump said when asked about Greenland.

New Delhi: French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday said Europe would not be intimidated or "give in to bullies", his strongest rebuke yet of US President Donald Trump's threat to impose steep tariffs if Europe blocks a US takeover of Greenland. Trump has also threatened to impose tariffs of up to 200 per cent on French wine and champagne.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Macron said France and Europe would not "passively accept the law of the strongest", warning that doing so would amount to "vassalisation". He said Europe would continue to defend territorial sovereignty and the rule of law even as the global order shifts towards what he described as a more brutal, rules-free environment.

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'Prefer rule of law to brutality'

"We prefer respect to bullies," Macron said. "We prefer the rule of law to brutality."

His remarks came after Trump's threatened to impose tariffs on eight European countries, including France, unless the United States is allowed to acquire Greenland from February 1. Macron said the "endless accumulation" of tariffs was unacceptable, particularly when used as leverage over territorial sovereignty.

Earlier in his address, Macron opened with a note of irony, describing the current moment as "a time of peace, stability and predictability", prompting laughter from the audience. He quickly added, however, that the world was entering a period of growing instability and imbalance, both economically and in terms of security.

Trump's tariff threats over Greenland

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"The world is experiencing a shift towards a world without rules, where international law is trampled and where the only law that matters is that of the strongest," Macron said, warning against what he described as "new imperialism" and "new colonialism".

European countries, meanwhile, are weighing countermeasures over Trump's tariff threat over Greenland.

New Delhi: A Bangladeshi Hindu student who had been missing for nearly a week was found dead in a river in Bangladesh’s Naogaon district. The deceased student has been identified as Abhi, a fourth-year student of the Management Department at Naogaon Government College.

According to reports, police recovered an unidentified body from a river on Saturday afternoon. The information came to light after images and videos of the body began circulating on social media. Abhi’s family later identified the body and rushed to the riverbank. The family confirmed the identity by checking the victim’s belongings and the clothes he was wearing on the day he went missing.

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What led to the tragic end?

Family members and friends described Abhi as a hardworking and ambitious student who aspired to complete his studies and secure a stable job. His examinations were scheduled to take place in the coming days.

According to relatives, Abhi went missing on January 11 following an altercation at home. When he failed to return hours later, the family grew concerned and began searching for him. Unable to trace him, they subsequently filed a general diary (GD) at Adamdighi Police Station, News 18 reported.

Investigations underway

Naogaon Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Niamul Islam said the body has been sent for post-mortem examination. “The exact cause of death will be known after the autopsy report is received,” he said, adding that the circumstances surrounding Abhi’s death remain unclear.

Family members and local residents have raised concerns over whether the death was accidental or involved foul play. Police said an investigation is underway.

India makes Bangladesh a non-family posting

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The incident has come amid growing concerns over the safety of minority communities in Bangladesh, with rights groups and activists calling for thorough investigations and accountability in cases involving unexplained deaths.

Amid escalating tensions in Bangladesh, India has decided to designate the country as a “non-family” posting for its diplomats due to security concerns. However, all five Indian diplomatic missions in the neighbouring country will continue to operate at full strength, people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. The move comes at a time when threats from extremist and radical elements have reportedly increased, the sources said on condition of anonymity.

New Delhi: Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday said Greenland was not "a natural part" of Denmark, describing the Arctic island as a product of "colonial conquest rather than historical continuity".

Speaking at a news conference in Moscow, Lavrov said Russia had no interest in interfering in Greenland's affairs and dismissed suggestions that Moscow was seeking control over the territory. He said Washington was aware that Russia had no such plans.

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'Greenland a colonial conquest'

"In principle, Greenland is not a natural part of Denmark, is it?" Lavrov said. "It was neither a natural part of Norway nor a natural part of Denmark. It is a colonial conquest. The fact that the inhabitants are now accustomed to it and feel comfortable is another matter."

Lavrov's remarks come amid heightened tensions between the United States and Europe over Greenland. Donald Trump has said the United States should have full control over Greenland, citing national security concerns. On Saturday, Trump announced tariffs on imports from European allies opposing a potential US takeover of the island.

Russia has reacted positively to the widening rift between the US and Europe over Greenland but has pushed back against Trump's claims that Moscow and Beijing pose a threat to the territory. Lavrov said Russia had "no interest" in interfering on the Arctic island.

Fissures between Nato allies over Greenland

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Meanwhile, European countries have warned that Trump's tariff announcement would violate a trade agreement reached with his administration last year. Leaders of the European Union are expected to discuss possible retaliatory measures at an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday.

Lavrov also alleged that NATO was preparing for a war with Russia, saying the alliance was not concealing its intentions. He added that discussions were taking place within Nato about the alliance's future, amid concerns that conflict could arise between member states.

New Delhi: The 56th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting (WEF) is beginning in Davos, Switzerland today, January 19, 2026, and India is sending its largest-ever delegation ever to the event. Such large and significant participation from India is important as it comes ahead of the Global India AI Summit to be held in New Delhi. Recent US-India trade and tariff skirmishes are another thing that make India’s presence and action in Davos this year important.

A star-studded event

This year’s theme for Davos is ‘A Spirit of Dialogue’ and according to the World Economic Forum, over 3,000 delegates from more than 130 countries are expected to attend the event. This would include 64 heads of state and government, particularly from emerging nations. “Dialogue is not a luxury, it is a necessity,” said WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, a former Norwegian minister, of the event and its importance.

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Talking of global luminaries, US President Donald Trump’s presence in the event is a highlight, especially in light of his recent policies surrounding global economic functions, be it in relations to his tariff threats or foreign policy objectives.

Other major world leaders to look out for include Canada’s Mark Carney, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Chancellor, EU President Ursula von der Leyen, Argentina’s Javier Milei, Indonesia’s Prabowo Subianto, Spain’s Pedro Sánchez, and EU President Ursula von der Leyen. Another major point of interest would be looking at the big names in AI and tech who would be joining which include luminaries such as Jensen Huang, Satya Nadella and Dario Amodei.

Indian participation

Complimenting such a strong global presence is India’s delegation, powerful in both numbers and clout. From India, a number of high-profile individuals will be attending the event. These include National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi and Minister of Civil Aviation K. Rammohan Naidu.

Another major segment of India’s delegation to Davos 2026 is made up of several Chief Ministers representing their states. When it comes to chief ministers, several Indian states are representing, these include Devendra Fadnavis from Maharashtra, N Chandrababu Naidu from Andhra Pradesh, Himanta Biswa Sarma from Assam, Mohan Yadav from Madhya Pradesh, A Revanth Reddy from Telangana and Hemant Soren from Jharkhand. The larger number of chief ministers attending in Davos is significant and will be keenly looked at.

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Apart from chief of states, many other luminaries are also expected to attend the event, these include some of the top names of Indian business and industry worlds. Some top names include Reliance CEO Mukesh Ambani, Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, Bajaj Group Chairman Sanjiv Bajaj. Other major players include Jubilant Bhartia Group Chairman Hari S. Bhartia, TVS Motor CEO Sudarshan Venu, Mahindra Group CEO Anish Shah, Axis Bank’s Amitabh Chaudhry, Godrej Industries Group Chairman Nadir Godrej, JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal, Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, Infosys CEO Salil S Parekh, Wipro Chairman Rishad Premji, Essar CEO Prashant Ruia and Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma. This makes it a good mix of both large traditional business houses of India and new startup players.

Dhaka: Amid tense ties between India and Bangladesh, Chinese envoy to Dhaka Yao Wen visited the Teesta project area on Monday. The project is quite close to the Siliguri corridor, also known as the Chicken Neck. It is a 22 m narrow strip between North east states and India’s mainland.

What Bangladesh claimed about the envoy’s visit

According to the interim government in Bangladesh, the visit of the envoy was related to a technical assessment carried out for the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, ‘The Times of India’ reported. Last year amid protests in Dhaka and other Bangladesh cities, protesters had targeted New Delhi with anti-India protests.

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China to start implementation of Teesta Master Plan

Officials who accompanied Yao on the project site said that China was looking to start the implementation of Teesta Master Plan (TMP) and added that both Dhaka and Beijing are committed to the project. They said that this was not possible at this time, as the scrutiny project was still in progress. The Teesta river as a very important water resource for Bangladesh and India.

India, Bangladesh water strategy remains incomplete

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Because of this, the water strategy has not yet been completed between India and Bangladesh and this was not possible at this time, as the scrutiny project was still in progressed Dhaka for decades, due to concerns raised by the West Bengal Government. Sharing a message on X on Monday, Bangladesh officials wrote on the envoy's visit, “Both sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, reaffirming longstanding friendship and development cooperation between Bangladesh and China.”

It added, “Discussions included Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project and the proposed Bangladesh–China Friendship Hospital. In this context, the Chinese ambassador informed that he would visit Teesta project area, and reiterated China’s commitment to completing the ongoing technical assessment expeditiously.” During an interview in China last year, Bangladesh Chief Advisor Mohammed Yunus had urged Beijing to establish a strong economic structure in his country.

New Delhi: The frozen landscape of the far north has transformed into a high-stakes military theatre as the United States begins deploying aircraft to Greenland’s strategic Pituffik Space Base. The move comes amid a sharpening diplomatic crisis triggered by President Donald Trump’s aggressive push to bring the autonomous Danish territory under American control.

The eagle lands at Pituffik

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The North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) confirmed on Monday that US military aircraft are en route to the base, formerly known as Thule Air Force Base. While NORAD officially characterised the deployment as a "long-planned" effort to support routine North American defence operations across Alaska, Canada, and the continental US, the timing has sent ripples through the international community.

Pituffik is no ordinary outpost; it serves as a critical communications hub and houses a sophisticated missile warning system that acts as the primary shield for North American airspace. NORAD emphasised that the mission is operating with full diplomatic clearances and was coordinated with Copenhagen.

Denmark digs in

While the US frames the move as routine, Denmark’s response suggests a state of high alert. According to reports from the Financial Times, a significant contingent of Danish troops and military hardware touched down on Monday in Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq.

This surge bolsters the 200 soldiers already stationed on the island. In a rare show of force, the head of the Danish army personally oversaw the deployment, which followed a weekend of intense multinational military exercises. The message from Copenhagen is clear: while they are open to military cooperation, the soil itself is not for sale.

The Trump factor: Security or sovereignty?

The military buildup follows a series of provocative statements from President Trump, who recently declined to rule out the use of force to secure the island. Trump has argued that Greenland is a "vital" security asset, citing the need to preempt Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic.

A continent on edge

The American "Greenland Gambit" has ignited a firestorm in Europe. Germany and France have moved to the forefront of the opposition, calling for a unified European response to what they view as Washington’s heavy-handed tactics.

The tension has spilled over into the economic sphere, with European Union officials warning of major retaliatory measures if the Trump administration follows through on threats to impose tariffs against nations opposing the U.S. acquisition of Greenland.

NATO’s tightrope walk

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Amid the friction, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has entered the fray. Following a meeting with Denmark’s defence minister, Rutte underscored Greenland’s "pivotal role" in collective Western security. He praised Copenhagen’s recent investments in Arctic defence capabilities, signalling NATO’s desire to keep the focus on shared defence rather than territorial disputes.

As US planes touch down on the icy runways of Pituffik and Danish troops patrol the snowy perimeters of Nuuk, the world watches to see if this Arctic chill will thaw through diplomacy or freeze into a permanent confrontation. For now, Denmark remains steadfast: more cooperation is welcome, but sovereignty is non-negotiable.

New Delhi: India has received a formal invitation from US President Donald Trump to join his newly proposed “Board of Peace”, a multinational initiative designed initially to support peace and post-conflict governance in the Gaza Strip. The White House confirmation was shared publicly by the US ambassador to India Sergio Gor. Gor announced, "Honored to convey @POTUSinvitation to Prime Minister @narendramodi to participate in the Board of Peace which will bring lasting peace to Gaza.”

Trump extends invitation to Modi

In the letter of invitation, Trump said, "It is my Great Honor to invite you, as Prime Minister of the Republic of India, to join me in a critically historic and Magnificent effort to solidify Peace in the Middle East and, at the same time, to embark on a bold new approach to resolving Global Conflict!"

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Trump referred to his September 29 announcement of a Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza conflict, saying, "Now it is time to turn all of these Dreams into reality. At the heart of the Plan is The Board of Peace, the most impressive and consequential Board ever assembled, which will be established as a new International Organization and Transitional Governing Administration."

"Our effort will bring together a distinguished group of nations ready to shoulder the noble responsibility of building LASTING PEACE, an Honor reserved for those prepared to lead by example, and brilliantly invest in a secure and prosperous future for generations to come. We will convene our wonderful and committed partners, most of whom are Highly Respected World Leaders, in the near future," he added.

The Board of Peace for Gaza is aimed to support effective governance to achieve stability and prosperity in post-war Gaza and places India among roughly 60 countries approached for inclusion in this body. The invitation is also important as it comes at a time when India and US ties face challenges related to trade negotiations and tariffs.

What is Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza

The Board of Peace is a US-backed international body brought about by US President Donald Trump as part of his multi-stage plan to bring stability in Gaza after the Israel-Hamas ends completely. Trump’s ceasefire plan for the conflict has already completed its first plan and the US administration recently announced the initiation of the second phase of the plan.

According to official descriptions, the Board would provide strategic oversight, coordinate international resources, and help manage governance, reconstruction and reintegration efforts following a ceasefire. Trump’s initiative presents as a new international organisation with a broader potential mandate to address global conflict beyond Gaza. Participation terms currently include options for a three-year appointment without financial contribution or a permanent seat in exchange for a significant investment toward the Board’s activities.

Why is the invitation important for India

India’s inclusion signals the country’s recognition as a major diplomatic power on the world stage. An invitation to a high-visibility peace initiative, especially one seen as a global governance mechanism, is symbolic of the US perception of India’s potential in international conflict resolution.

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It marks India as an important voice from the Global South, a leadership which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked towards for some time now. The move also extends India’s longstanding balanced approach to Middle East diplomacy, something well recognised by the US as well.

Most important is that the invitation comes at a time when the US–India bilateral relations face friction, particularly over trade where disagreements have stalled progress. Active engagement by India in this Trump-led initiative for peace in Gaza may bring a fresh wave of mutual cooperation between the two nations and build momentum for engagement in other avenues as well.

New Delhi: In a development that may signal India's rising respect in the global arena, US President Donald Trump has reportedly invited India to be a part of his 'Board of Peace' to oversee governance and reconstruction in Gaza.

Trump invites PM Modi for Gaza reconstruction

According to reports, President Trump has invited PM Modi to be part of the Board of Peace. It is an ambitious international body that will be formed for Gaza's reconstruction and transitional governance after ceasefire has halted more than two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas.

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Trump forms Gaza's 'Board of Peace'

Notably, Trump on January 15 announced the formation of a Gaza “board of peace". In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said, "It is my Great Honor to announce that THE BOARD OF PEACE has been formed. The Members of the Board will be announced shortly, but I can say with certainty that it is the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

In a separate post on the platform, he announced the "next phase of Gaza’s 20-Point Peace Plan". He wrote, "Since the Ceasefire, my team has helped deliver RECORD LEVELS of Humanitarian Aid to Gaza, reaching Civilians at HISTORIC speed and scale. Even the United Nations has acknowledged this achievement as UNPRECEDENTED. These results have set the stage for this next phase."

What will the Board of Peace do?

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According to a statement by the White House, "The Board of Peace will play an essential role in fulfilling all 20 points of the President’s plan, providing strategic oversight, mobilizing international resources, and ensuring accountability as Gaza transitions from conflict to peace and development."

It added that "to operationalize the Board of Peace’s vision, under the chairmanship of President Donald Trump, a founding Executive Board has been formed, composed of leaders with experience across diplomacy, development, infrastructure, and economic strategy." The appointed members included US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, former UK Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair, and president of the World Bank, Ajay Banga.

New Delhi: Recently, Nobel Peace Prize winner and Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize 2025 medal to United States President Donald Trump.

Foundation clarifies Nobel Prize distribution

Now, the Nobel Foundation has spoken out against it, clarifying that prizes cannot “symbolically” give the prize to someone else. It said in a statement on Sunday, “A prize can not, even symbolically, be passed on or further distributed." It also said that a core mission of the Nobel Foundation is to “safeguard the dignity of the Nobel Prizes and their administration".

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The statement reads, "The Foundation upholds Alfred Nobel’s will and its stipulations. It states that the prizes shall be awarded to those who ‘have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind,’ and it specifies who has the right to award each respective prize."

Machado 'presents' Trump with her Nobel

On December 15, Machado met Trump at the White House and presented him with her medal. Machado said that the gesture was made as a “recognition for his unique commitment to (Venezuela's) freedom". Trump wrote about it in a post on Truth Social, saying he had “accepted” the prize.

Trump ups the ante on Greenland

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In his bid to acquire Greenland, President Trump has imposed tariffs on eight countries. He has imposed a 10 per cent tariff on imports from several European countries, accusing them of opposing America's plan to acquire Greenland.

In a post on Truth Social, he said the tariffs would apply to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland from February 1, 2026 and it would be raised to 25 per cent from June 1, 2026, if a deal is not reached for what he described as the "complete and total purchase of Greenland" by the US. Notably, Trump has recently upped the ante of his Greenland desire after the US Army captured and extradited Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from the country.

New Delhi: A day after US President Donald Trump unveiled a sharp tariff threat linked to Greenland, eight European countries issued a joint statement on Sunday declaring full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland. The statement, reported by Reuters, came amid growing unease in Europe over Arctic security and the risk of a widening transatlantic trade dispute.

The joint declaration was signed by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Britain, following Trump’s remarks that he could impose sweeping tariffs if no agreement was reached over Greenland.

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Europe backs Denmark and Greenland

“We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland,” the European countries said in their statement, underlining political unity in the face of mounting pressure from Washington.

The countries also highlighted shared defence concerns in the Arctic, saying, “As members of NATO, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest.” The emphasis on NATO signalled Europe’s view that Arctic stability is a collective responsibility rather than a bargaining tool.

Tariff threat raises alarm in Europe

Trump announced on Saturday that a 10 per cent tariff would be imposed from February 1, 2026, on imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland. He warned that the levy would rise to 25 per cent from June 1, 2026, if no agreement on Greenland is reached.

The European statement criticised the approach, cautioning that economic coercion could damage long-standing partnerships. “Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral,” it said, reflecting concerns that trade measures could spill over into wider political and security cooperation.

Calls for restraint and dialogue

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre urged caution, warning against an uncontrolled escalation. “I think we should be very careful not to have a trade war that spirals out of control. I don’t think anyone benefits from that,” Reuters quoted him as saying, stressing the need for dialogue to prevent further deterioration.

European Council President Antonio Costa said the European Union was coordinating a collective response, adding that the bloc would firmly defend international law. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed concerns, warning that the tariff threats could seriously harm transatlantic relations.

Trump links tariffs to Greenland push

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While announcing the measures, Trump argued that the US had been “subsidising” European nations for centuries and claimed that “world peace is at stake.” He said tariffs would remain until a deal for Greenland’s “complete and total purchase” is reached, arguing that the Arctic island is vital to global security amid interest from China and Russia.

The episode has intensified European anxiety over the use of trade pressure as a diplomatic weapon, with leaders warning that the economic fallout could be significant if tensions continue to rise.

New Delhi: In his bid to acquire Greenland, US President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on eight countries. French Minister of Agriculture Annie Genevard commented on that issue on Sunday and said that the United States would suffer consequences because of Trump's action.

What did the French minister say?

According to news agency AFP, the Genevard said, "In this escalation of tariffs, he (Trump) has a lot to lose as well, as do his own farmers and industrialists." She also said that the Europeans would not let the US do anything just as it wished. Notably, Trump has recently upped the ante of his Greenland desire after the US Army captured and extradited Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from the country.

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Genevard said that although the European Union will handle the situation with caution, noting that any escalation could prove to be deadly. However, she added that "it could also be deadly for the US,” and that any takeover or purchase bid of the US for Greenland would be “unacceptable”.

Trump's tariffs on European nations

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President Trump has imposed a 10 per cent tariff on imports from several European countries, accusing them of opposing America's plan to acquire Greenland. In a post on Truth Social, he said the tariffs would apply to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland from February 1, 2026 and it would be raised to 25 per cent from June 1, 2026, if a deal is not reached for what he described as the "complete and total purchase of Greenland" by the US.

He wrote, "We have subsidized Denmark and the countries of the European Union for many years by not charging them tariffs. This Tariff will be due and payable until a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.” He called Greenland essential for the security of the US and claimed that China and Russia wanted it.