IBM CEO Arvind Krishna and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw rejected claims that India is behind the US and China in AI. Speaking at Davos, Krishna said criticism of India lacking innovation is “not fair”. He said value in AI will shift to applications, not large models. Krishna added that trillion-parameter models will become cheap and common. Vaishnaw said India is building smaller, sector-based AI models using sovereign data. He said such models have already shown strong results in defence use cases. (PC: NDTV)

The Indian Army busted a terror hideout deep inside a forest in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. Security forces recovered Maggi packets, basmati rice, desi ghee, dry fruits, vegetables, an LPG cylinder and a gas stove. Officials said the items showed the terrorists planned a long stay. The operation is part of Operation Trashi-I and has continued for three days. The terrorists are still missing and may have fled to nearby hills. One Army paratrooper was killed and seven others were injured. Security has been tightened ahead of Republic Day.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said India has stopped buying Russian oil after tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. He said the Trump administration placed a 25% tariff, after which India “geared down” purchases. Bessent said the proposed Russia Sanctions Bill allows tariffs of up to 500% on countries buying Russian oil. He added the threat is mainly aimed at China. India’s External Affairs Ministry said it is aware of the bill and is closely monitoring developments. India said it prioritises affordable energy for its population. (PC: Reuters)

President Donald Trump shared altered images on Truth Social depicting Canada, Greenland, and Venezuela as US territories, showing himself with NATO leaders and planting the US flag in Greenland marked "US Territory Est 2026." The posts coincide with US deploying a NORAD aircraft to Greenland's Pituffik space base amid rising territorial tensions. Trump threatened tariffs on Denmark and European countries 10% from February 1 and 25% from June 1 unless they sell Greenland, calling it essential for national security against China and Russia. During a call with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump reiterated Greenland's importance for American and global security. European leaders are deliberating responses to Trump's escalating demands. (PC: Truth Social/ @realDonaldTrump)

India advised families of officials stationed in Bangladesh to return home as a precautionary measure due to security concerns ahead of Bangladesh's February 12 parliamentary elections. Official sources confirmed all Indian missions and posts remain operational despite the withdrawal. The decision comes amid law and order concerns in Bangladesh, where Interim government chief Muhammad Yunus urged voters to support his administration's reform package in an upcoming referendum. The referendum, scheduled alongside general elections, proposes limits on executive power, including barring individuals from serving as prime minister for more than 10 years. The vote will significantly shape Bangladesh's political order following recent political upheaval and security challenges in the country. (PC: X)

Bangladesh sports advisor Asif Nazrul firmly rejected ICC pressure amid T20 World Cup venue dispute, stating Bangladesh won't accept "unreasonable conditions" if ICC "bows to BCCI pressure." He dismissed speculation about Scotland replacing Bangladesh, reiterating security concerns over playing in India. BCB requested games be moved to co-host Sri Lanka, citing BCCI's directive to Kolkata Knight Riders releasing Mustafizur Rahman amid India-Bangladesh political tensions. Weekend talks in Dhaka reached no agreement. ICC set January 21 deadline for resolution. Nazrul referenced Pakistan's past venue changes, arguing Bangladesh's request has "logical ground." Bangladesh are scheduled to play Group C matches in Kolkata and Mumbai against West Indies, Italy, England, and Nepal. (PC: AFP)

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed India stopped purchasing Russian oil following the Trump administration's 25% tariffs, while announcing potential 500% tariffs on countries buying Russian energy. Bessent stated President Trump doesn't need Senate authority to impose such tariffs under IEPA, though Senator Lindsey Graham's Russia Sanctions Bill seeks to provide explicit authorization. The Treasury Secretary criticized Europe for continuing Russian oil purchases four years after conflict began, calling it "financing the war against themselves." He also targeted China, a major Russian oil buyer. Graham's January 8 proposal aims to pressure China, India, and Brazil into abandoning cheap Russian oil that finances "Putin's bloodbath against Ukraine," giving Trump "tremendous leverage" over these nations. (PC: Reuters)

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced at Davos that the EU-India free trade agreement is nearing completion, calling it "the mother of all deals" creating a 2-billion-people market representing nearly 25% of global GDP. Negotiations, stalled since 2007 and revived in 2022, aim to diversify EU's China dependence while strengthening India's manufacturing competitiveness. Bilateral goods trade reached €124 billion in 2023, with services at €60 billion. Key sticking points include EU's demands for automobile and wine tariff cuts versus India's push for skilled professional mobility. Von der Leyen's upcoming India visit aims to resolve contentious issues ahead of the India-EU leaders' meeting this month. (PC: Reuters)

Ceasefire in Syria collapsed within 24 hours after fresh clashes broke out. Syrian government forces fought the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqa and Hasakah provinces. The fighting focused on prisons holding thousands of Islamic State detainees. The ceasefire was meant to bring Kurdish-controlled areas under state control. Both sides accused each other of risking prisoner escapes. Heavy fighting was reported near Shaddadi and Raqqa. Several fighters were killed. The violence now threatens a key unity deal signed just a day earlier to end weeks of conflict and secure the region. (PC: AFP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed doubts about working with Russia on a proposed Gaza Peace Board. He said it was “very hard to imagine” Ukraine and Russia sitting together in one council. Zelensky confirmed that Donald Trump invited him to join the board. “We did receive the invitation,” he told reporters. The Kremlin also confirmed Russia’s invite, including President Vladimir Putin. The board aims to oversee a US-backed Gaza peace plan. Several countries, including India and China, have also received invitations. (PC: AFP)