Britain will expand the use of AI and facial recognition as part of major police reforms, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced. The government will invest £140 million to modernise policing in England and Wales. AI tools will help analyse CCTV, phone footage and digital evidence, and cut paperwork. (PC: PA)   Live facial recognition vans will increase from 10 to 50 to help catch wanted criminals. The plan aims to free up police time and put more officers on the streets.   Reforms also include merging police forces, creating a national FBI-style service, and stricter standards for officers. Police leaders welcomed the changes, but critics warned of too much power being centralised.

The Goa government is studying a possible ban on social media for children under 16, Goa IT Minister Rohan Khaunte said. He said parents have complained that social media distracts children and causes social issues.   Khaunte said officials are reviewing an Australia-style law and related papers. A decision will be taken after talks with the chief minister, possibly before the next Assembly session.   He said the aim is to help children focus on education and learning technology. The move follows a similar proposal by Andhra Pradesh. Australia has already passed a law restricting social media use for those under 16.

At least 17 people have died as a powerful winter storm hit large parts of the United States. Deaths were reported in New York, Texas, Massachusetts and several other states. A 16-year-old girl died in a sledding accident in Texas. The storm caused heavy snow, strong winds and extreme cold. More than 10,000 flights were cancelled and many schools and roads were closed. Hundreds of thousands of homes lost power. Warnings from the National Weather Service stretch from Texas to New England. Kentucky Governor Andrew Beshear warned of “dangerously cold” weather and risks of frostbite and hypothermia. Officials urged people to stay indoors and follow safety advice. (PC: BBC)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi did not wear a North-Eastern patka at the Republic Day ‘At Home Reception’ at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, sources said. The event followed a North-East theme.   Sources claimed President Droupadi Murmu asked Gandhi twice to wear the patka, but he declined. Pictures showed him holding it instead. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was seen wearing it.   The Congress called the claims “fake drama” and accused the BJP of politicising the President’s house. The BJP said Gandhi insulted the culture of the North-East.

7 people were killed after a private jet crashed during a snowstorm in the US state of Maine, officials said. The Bombardier Challenger 600 went down while taking off from Bangor International Airport on Sunday night. One crew member survived with serious injuries.   The Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft flipped over and caught fire on the airfield. An air traffic controller was heard saying the aircraft was “upside down.”   The airport was closed after the crash and will remain shut until Wednesday. The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation. The crash happened as a major winter storm hit large parts of the United States, disrupting flights and roads. (PC: X/@WCNorbit)

Pakistan has delayed a final decision on taking part in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Naqvi said all options remain open and a decision will be taken by Friday or next Monday.   The uncertainty follows the ICC’s decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland after Dhaka refused to travel to India over security concerns. Pakistan has raised objections to the move and may even skip its group match against India in Colombo.   The ICC has warned Pakistan against any boycott, saying withdrawal could lead to severe sanctions. The PCB said government clearance is required before confirming participation.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticised the EU–India trade deal and linked it to Russian oil sales. He said Europe is indirectly funding the Ukraine war. “The Russian oil goes into India, the refined products come out, and the Europeans buy them,” Bessent said. “They are financing the war against themselves.”   His comments came as India and the European Union finalised talks on a free trade agreement, now under legal review. The US has imposed tariffs of up to 50% on Indian goods over Russian oil imports.   European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen earlier called the pact the “mother of all deals,” saying it would deepen economic ties between India and Europe. (PC: Reuters)

China has launched an investigation into General Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, over allegations of leaking "core technical data" from China's nuclear weapons program to the United States. The 75-year-old general, considered a loyal Xi Jinping ally and Politburo member, faces additional accusations including accepting bribes for promotions, forming political cliques, and overseeing corrupt military procurement practices. The Wall Street Journal reports internal briefings detailed these charges before the public announcement. While Chinese authorities confirmed the probe for "serious violations of discipline and law," they haven't officially confirmed the nuclear leak allegations. This investigation is part of a broader crackdown that has targeted over 50 senior military officers since 2023. (PC: India Today)

Three notorious Malaysian fugitives engaged in a violent confrontation with security forces at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport after being deported from the UK. Navindren Raj Cumarason, Sridharan Subramanian, and Pratifkumar Selvaraj key figures in Malaysia's "Ops Jack Sparrow" crackdown are now held under high-security in the airport's refusal room. The trio, linked to over 80 criminal incidents including murders and arson, had slipped through Malaysian borders and transited through Mumbai to reach Manchester, where British immigration refused them entry. They fought desperately with CISF personnel upon arrival, attempting to overpower officials. Malaysian elite police are expected within 48 hours to take custody, while investigations examine how they initially boarded the Manchester flight. (PC: NDTV)

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticized Europe for "financing the war against themselves" by purchasing refined Russian oil products from India. Speaking to ABC News on Sunday, Bessent stated that Russian crude oil enters India, gets refined, and Europeans then buy these products. His comments came as European leaders concluded trade deal negotiations in New Delhi during India's 77th Republic Day celebrations, with EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen calling the upcoming agreement the "mother of all deals." Bessent had previously claimed European allies refused to impose tariffs on India because they wanted to secure a major trade deal with New Delhi. EU leaders Antonio Costa and Von der Leyen attended Republic Day as chief guests. (PC: The Indian Express)