Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to visit Ankara for talks with Turkish counterparts aimed at preventing a potential U.S. military strike over Tehran’s crackdown on mass protests and its nuclear programme. Ankara is offering to mediate between Tehran and Washington to ease spiralling tensions and has urged the U.S. to address disputes step-by-step. The U.S. has deployed a naval strike group to the Middle East, with President Trump warning of harsher action if Iran does not negotiate. Iran insists negotiations can’t happen under military threats and emphasises diplomatic engagement on equal terms. (PC: EPA)

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died when the chartered Learjet 45 he was aboard crashed near Baramati during its second landing attempt amid poor visibility, killing all five people onboard. The victims included Pawar, two pilots — Captain Sumit Kapoor and Shambhavi Pathak — a flight attendant and Pawar’s security guard. Friends say Captain Kapoor had filled in at short notice, as another pilot was delayed by traffic. Preliminary probes suggest possible pilot misjudgement and challenging weather conditions, with technical issues also under investigation. The tragedy shocks Maharashtra’s political landscape ahead of local elections and prompts detailed aviation inquiries. (PC: NDTV)

The Economic Survey argues that while climate change matters, cutting carbon emissions should not overshadow India’s broader development goals. It highlights that India’s per-capita emissions remain low and stresses prioritising economic growth, energy access, and human welfare, especially for vulnerable populations. The report suggests a balanced approach where adaptation and resilience-building are central to climate strategy, given development needs and capacity constraints. It also cautions against over-emphasising emission reductions without adequate global financial and technological support, and calls for climate action tailored to India’s national context rather than external pressure. (PC: The Hindu)

A 27-year-old Delhi Police constable and SWAT commando, Kajal, died on January 27 in a Ghaziabad hospital days after a brutal domestic assault by her husband, Ankur Chaudhary. On January 22, after a dispute at their Dwarka Mor home, Ankur allegedly struck her head repeatedly with a metal dumbbell and smashed it against a door frame. During the attack, he called Kajal’s brother, forcing him to listen to her screams and telling him to record the call and that he was going to kill her. Kajal was declared brain dead and later succumbed to her injuries; Ankur was arrested and charged with murder. (PC: HT)

Amid Trump's confrontational trade policies and hostile tariffs, the EU and Canada have pivoted toward India as a more reliable partner. The India-EU free trade agreement, dubbed the "mother of all deals," represents 25% of global GDP and one-third of world trade, with signing expected early next year. The EU kept India's agriculture out while India will reduce tariffs on 96.6% of EU exports. Canada, threatened by Trump over energy, will now ship more crude oil and LNG to India. Canadian PM Mark Carney plans to visit India with agreements on uranium, nuclear cooperation, and critical minerals, as global powers diversify from unpredictable US trade policies. (PC: India Today)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor in New Delhi ahead of his upcoming US visit, discussing "many dimensions" of India-US partnership. Jaishankar expressed confidence that Gor would strengthen bilateral relations. The ambassador described their meeting as "highly substantive," covering defense, trade, and critical minerals. Jaishankar is scheduled to visit Washington next week for the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial hosted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on February 4. Gor, who assumed his role as 27th ambassador on January 12, previously highlighted the robust India-US defense cooperation, referencing a 10-year defense pact signed last year that will deepen strategic partnership.

British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca announced Thursday it will invest $15 billion in China through 2030 to expand pharmaceutical manufacturing and R&D capabilities. The investment will leverage China's scientific excellence, advanced manufacturing, and China-UK healthcare ecosystem collaborations to deliver cutting-edge treatments globally. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, currently on an official visit to China, stated the expansion will support thousands of UK jobs. The company plans to develop existing facilities in Wuxi, Taizhou, Qingdao, and Beijing, while establishing new sites. CEO Pascal Soriot emphasized advancing breakthrough treatments like cell therapy and radioconjugates. The investment is expected to grow AstraZeneca's China workforce beyond 20,000 employees. (PC: Marcus Brandt/dpa & X)

Captain Sumit Kapoor, among five victims in the plane crash that killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, wasn't originally scheduled to fly that day. Friends revealed he filled in for another pilot stuck in traffic, receiving orders just hours before the tragic incident. The experienced pilot had recently returned from Hong Kong. The Learjet 45, operated by VSR Ventures, crashed around 8:45 AM during a second landing approach at Baramati Airport amid poor visibility. Preliminary investigations suggest possible pilot misjudgment, though friends dismiss this, citing his extensive experience. All aboard including co-pilot Shambhavi Pathak, flight attendant Pinky Mali, and security guard Vidip Jadhav perished. (PC: NDTV)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, emphasizing the need for maintaining open dialogue on areas of disagreement while building a long-term strategic partnership. The visit, the first by a British leader in eight years, secured 30 days' visa-free travel for UK citizens visiting China for business and tourism. Starmer welcomed AstraZeneca's $15 billion investment in China and discussed lower Chinese tariffs on whisky. The three-hour summit and lunch covered trade, security, Ukraine war, and cultural topics. Starmer stated that engagement with major powers is directly linked to UK's domestic growth, calling China a vital global player.

The black box from the Learjet 45 that crashed near Baramati airstrip has been recovered, the Civil Aviation Ministry confirmed Thursday. The crash killed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others. Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu wrote to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis requesting state government cooperation to expedite the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) probe, including crash site access and local administrative support. The ministry emphasized the investigation is being conducted transparently and in a time-bound manner, with AAIB and DGCA teams examining collected evidence. Officials stated key probe findings will be shared with the Maharashtra government. (PC: X)