UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticised US President Donald Trump over comments suggesting British and NATO troops were not on the front lines in Afghanistan. Starmer said the remarks were “insulting and frankly appalling” and caused pain to veterans and families of the fallen. He said he would apologise if he had made such comments. Trump repeated his view in an interview, saying NATO troops stayed “a little off the frontlines.” Downing Street said Trump was wrong to downplay the role of UK forces. Officials noted British troops served in sustained combat operations alongside allies. The UK lost 457 soldiers in Afghanistan, with many more wounded. (PC: Sky News)

ICC chairman Jay Shah may consider strict action if Bangladesh does not agree to play its scheduled T20 World Cup matches in India, ICC sources said. The Bangladesh Cricket Board had earlier asked the ICC to shift its matches to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. The ICC rejected the request after reviewing independent security assessments. Sources said the assessments found no specific threat to the Bangladesh team or venues in India. Overall risk was rated low to moderate and manageable. BCB president Aminul Islam said Bangladesh will not play its matches in India despite the ICC decision. Bangladesh are scheduled to begin their campaign in Kolkata on February 7. (PC: NDTV)

US President Donald Trump has claimed that NATO forces stayed away from the front lines during the Afghanistan war. Official data and military records contradict this. After the 9/11 attacks, NATO invoked Article 5 and deployed troops alongside the US from 2001. NATO troop numbers peaked at about 140,000 in 2011. While the US lost the most soldiers overall, several European nations suffered heavy losses relative to their population size. The UK lost 457 troops, Canada 159, France 90 and Germany 62. NATO forces operated in high-conflict regions such as Kandahar and Helmand, where British, Canadian and Danish troops faced intense combat. (PC: India Today)

Delhi Police has filed an FIR against Khalistani extremist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for allegedly threatening unrest in the national capital ahead of Republic Day. Police said Pannun released a video claiming pro-Khalistan posters were put up in parts of Delhi, but no such posters were found. The case has been registered under sections related to promoting enmity, criminal conspiracy, and acts against India’s unity. He also allegedly used abusive slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Security has been tightened across Delhi for the Republic Day celebrations. (PC: HT)

Prince Harry has spoken out after US President Donald Trump said Nato allies stayed away from front-line fighting in Afghanistan. Trump’s remarks triggered strong reactions in the UK, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling them insulting and unacceptable. Harry, who served two tours in Afghanistan with the British Army, said the sacrifices made by Nato troops deserve to be discussed truthfully and with respect. Britain joined the US-led mission in 2001 after Nato invoked its collective defence clause following the 9/11 attacks. The conflict claimed the lives of 457 British service personnel. The White House later defended US support for Nato and Europe’s security role. (PC: BBC)

A fresh cold wave is expected to affect large parts of north and northwest India from January 24, the India Meteorological Department said. Very cold and dry winds from the northwest are likely to lower night temperatures by up to five degrees Celsius in several states, including Delhi, Punjab and Haryana. Day temperatures may remain between 13 and 17 degrees Celsius despite clear skies. Dense to very dense fog is also forecast in parts of the region till January 26. The IMD said rain and snowfall will continue over the western Himalayan region, with another western disturbance likely to bring fresh precipitation from January 26. (PC: HT)

India beat New Zealand by seven wickets in the second T20I in Raipur to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Chasing 209, India reached the target in 15.2 overs, the quickest successful chase of a 200-plus total by a full-member team. They broke Pakistan’s earlier record set in 2025. Captain Suryakumar Yadav scored an unbeaten 82 off 37 balls, ending a long run without a fifty. Ishan Kishan struck 76 from 32 balls on his return to the side. Earlier, New Zealand posted 208 for six, led by Rachin Ravindra and Mitchell Santner. (PC: BCCI)

A woman in Andhra Pradesh allegedly murdered her husband by drugging and suffocating him with her lover's help, then watched pornographic videos beside the body all night. Lakshmimadhuri mixed 20 sleeping pills into biryani served to her husband Lokam Shivanagaraju, an onion trader, on January 18. After he fell unconscious, her lover Gopi arrived around 11:30 pm and pinned him down while she smothered him with a pillow. She claimed heart attack at 4 am, but neighbors noticed injuries and blood near his ear. Autopsy revealed chest fractures and death by suffocation. The couple, married since 2007 with two sons, had disputes over her extramarital affair. Both accused are in custody. (PC: India Today)

US President Donald Trump unveiled his Board of Peace initiative at the World Economic Forum in Davos, claiming "everybody" wants to join. Trump chairs the Executive Council alongside Tony Blair, Jared Kushner, Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff, Marc Rowan, Ajay Banga, and Robert Gabriel. While 59 countries are involved in Middle East peace efforts, 35 have agreed to join, with 20 formally becoming members including Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Pakistan, Turkey, and several European nations like Hungary, Belgium, and Bulgaria. However, major European powers icncluding France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Slovenia declined participation. Countries can serve three-year terms or secure permanent seats by contributing $1 billion to a peace-building fund. (PC: AP)

A disturbing trend of sex-selective abortions has emerged among Indian communities in the UK, with 118 boys born for every 100 girls between 2021-2025, significantly exceeding Britain's national average of 105:100 and the accepted upper limit of 107:100. The ratio dramatically jumped to 118:100 in 2023-24 for third children, suggesting targeted termination of female fetuses. Analysis reveals Indian parents with two daughters are aborting third female children, with approximately 400 terminations estimated between 2017-2021. Experts warn women face family pressure to terminate pregnancies or believe they're "worth more" producing boys. While the Abortion Act 1967 doesn't permit gender-based terminations, enforcement remains challenging amid cultural pressures. (PC: HT)