Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital, was fatally shot by federal immigration agents during a protest in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026. His parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, called for transparency and truth, rejecting official claims that he was armed, and saying video shows him holding a phone with hands raised while aiding a woman before being shot. They described him as kindhearted, devoted to helping others, and “heartbroken but very angry” at what they called “sickening lies” about his death. The incident has intensified national debate over federal enforcement tactics and sparked calls for accountability. (PC: AP)

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has warned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of strict sanctions if Pakistan withdraws from the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in support of Bangladesh, which recently pulled out after its venue change request was denied. Potential penalties include banning Pakistan from bilateral series, excluding them from the Asia Cup, and blocking No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for foreign players in the Pakistan Super League. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has criticized the ICC for “double standards” in handling Bangladesh’s case and said Pakistan’s participation will be decided by its government. (PC: AP)

A dramatic confrontation unfolded on January 24, 2026, when federal law-enforcement officers — reportedly U.S. Border Patrol agents — engaged a man near Glam Doll Donuts on Nicollet Avenue South in Minneapolis, Minnesota, before multiple shots were fired. Viral video shows agents wrestling the man to the ground prior to the shooting, and authorities later said a firearm and two magazines were recovered at the scene. Local officials urged calm as crowds gathered amid ongoing protests against federal immigration enforcement. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz denounced the incident as “sickening” and called for an end to federal operations in the state. 

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 100 % tariff on all Canadian imports if Canada proceeds with a new trade agreement with China, sharply escalating tensions between the two longtime trade partners. Trump, in a Truth Social post, accused Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney of potentially making Canada a “drop-off port” for Chinese goods entering the U.S., warning China would “eat Canada alive.” The trade deal aims to lower tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and boost exports like Canadian canola. Trump’s threat follows recent diplomatic clashes over global policy at forums such as Davos. (PC: Reuters)

Federal law enforcement officers shot and killed a man in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 24, 2026, amid an aggressive immigration enforcement operation, marking the second fatal shooting in just over three weeks. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz condemned the shooting and urged an end to the federal crackdown, calling the deployment of officers “sickening” and demanding their withdrawal. The man was shot amid unclear circumstances; officials said a firearm was recovered at the scene. Daily protests have erupted across the city since the January 7 killing of Renée Good by a federal agent, intensifying tensions between local communities and federal authorities. (PC: India Today)

A 51-year-old Indian-origin man, Vijay Kumar, has been arrested in Lawrenceville, Georgia, after allegedly shooting his wife, Meemu Dogra (43), and three relatives dead following a family dispute early Friday morning. The victims also included Gourav Kumar (33), Nidhi Chander (37) and Harish Chander (38), all found with fatal gunshot wounds inside a residence. Three children present at the scene hid in a closet, and one of them, Kumar’s 12-year-old child, dialed 911, alerting police and leading to a swift response. Kumar faces multiple charges, including felony and malice murder and cruelty to children. The Indian Consulate in Atlanta expressed grief and is assisting the family. (PC: Facebook)

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi stated that Pakistan’s involvement in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be decided by the government, following Bangladesh’s removal from the tournament for refusing to travel to India over security concerns. Naqvi criticised the ICC for replacing Bangladesh with Scotland, calling it unfair. He emphasized that the PCB supports Bangladesh and will follow the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif before confirming Pakistan’s participation. Contingency plans are ready for all possible outcomes, as the cricket board awaits government approval. (PC: PTI)

Russia carried out a major overnight missile and drone assault on Ukraine’s Kyiv and Kharkiv, targeting energy and infrastructure, causing widespread power and heating outages amid freezing temperatures. Ukrainian officials reported at least one death and dozens injured. The attacks coincided with the second day of peace talks in Abu Dhabi involving Kyiv, Moscow, and the United States. Kyiv condemned the strikes as undermining diplomacy. The assault raised doubts about Moscow’s willingness to negotiate, as disagreements over territorial control and security guarantees continue, prolonging the nearly four-year conflict. (PC: AFP)

A blast on a railway track near Sirhind, Punjab, damaged a 600-metre stretch of the freight corridor, derailing the engine of a goods train and injuring the loco pilot. The explosion occurred near Khanpur village around 9:50 pm, causing panic in nearby areas ahead of Republic Day celebrations. Police registered a case under Section 150 of the Railways Act, and forensic teams began investigations. Railway authorities acted swiftly to repair the track and resume train services. Thankfully, no major casualties were reported, though the blast highlights ongoing security concerns along key rail routes in Punjab. 

India and the European Union are expected to finalize a long‑pending Free Trade Agreement (FTA) this Tuesday during the India‑EU summit in New Delhi. The agreement will cut tariffs on European cars and wine while opening EU markets to Indian goods like textiles, electronics, and chemicals. Bilateral trade, which reached $136.5 billion in 2024‑25, is likely to grow significantly after the deal. Some challenges remain, including sensitive tariff reductions and non‑tariff barriers like carbon levies. Once signed, EU Parliament ratification may take over a year, but the pact marks a major step in India‑EU economic cooperation. (PC: Bloomberg)