New US Ambassador Sergio Gor emphasized India's critical importance to America, calling it "the most essential partner" and projecting their relationship as potentially "the most consequential partnership of this century." Speaking at the US embassy, Gor announced continued trade negotiations with another round scheduled for Tuesday, while acknowledging disagreements as normal among "real friends." He highlighted President Trump's friendship with PM Modi and invited India to join Pax Silica, the US-led silicon supply chain initiative as a full member next month. India's participation comes after its notable absence at December's launch, which included nine founding nations. Electronics Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is currently attending critical minerals discussions in Washington. (PC: PTI)

Germany has announced visa-free transit for Indian travelers at German airports, eliminating the requirement for Schengen transit visas during layovers. Chancellor Friedrich Merz made this announcement during his Gujarat visit, strengthening India-Germany ties. Previously, Indian nationals needed transit visas even when staying in international transit areas at Frankfurt, Munich, or Berlin airports without entering Germany or the Schengen area. This decision will significantly ease international travel for Indians passing through German airports. However, travelers must still obtain appropriate tourist, business, or student visas to actually enter Germany and other Schengen countries. The announcement coincided with multiple bilateral agreements deepening economic and security cooperation, including simplified defense trade procedures benefiting India. (PC: X)

Canadian police arrested Arsalan Chaudhary, 43, at Toronto Pearson International Airport in connection with Canada's largest gold heist   $20 million worth of pure gold bars stolen in April 2023. A shipment containing 400 kilograms of .9999-pure gold and $2.5 million in foreign currency vanished hours after arriving from Zurich. Chaudhary, arriving from Dubai, faces theft, possession of stolen property, and conspiracy charges. Another key suspect, Simran Preet Panesar, a former Air Canada employee who allegedly manipulated airline systems to divert the cargo, remains at large in India. Authorities traced him to Chandigarh last year. Ten individuals have been charged in this cross-border investigation, demonstrating international cooperation in pursuing sophisticated criminal networks. (PC: NDTV)

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw attended the Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting hosted by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington, focusing on securing and diversifying global supply chains for critical minerals and rare earth elements. The meeting addressed growing vulnerabilities in strategic sectors as India's electronics manufacturing expands rapidly. Finance ministers from Australia, Canada, EU, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and UK participated, discussing technology sharing, refining processes, and funding for new projects. Bessent emphasized "prudent derisking over decoupling" to remedy supply chain deficiencies. The US highlighted existing investments and planned steps to create resilient, secure supply chains, with participants showing strong commitment to address key weaknesses quickly. 

Iranian authorities are set to execute 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, marking the first reported hanging linked to the nationwide anti-Khamenei protests. Arrested on January 8 in Karaj suburb for participating in demonstrations, Soltani faces imminent execution scheduled for Wednesday. Unlike previous protest-related deaths by shooting, this hanging could establish a precedent for deterring further dissent. Human rights groups report Soltani has been denied legal counsel, defense presentation, and transparent proceedings. His lawyer sister cannot access case files or represent him. The protests erupted in late December 2025 due to economic collapse plummeting currency, soaring inflation, and rising costs. What started as economic demonstrations has evolved into Iran's largest anti-regime movement in years, demanding political reform and ending clerical rule. (PC:  X, Reuters)

Iran’s rulers are facing their most serious challenge since the 1979 revolution, analysts say, as protests continue across the country. Security forces have launched a wide crackdown and imposed a near total internet shutdown. Some streets that saw large rallies last week are now quieter, residents told foreign media. The unrest began after a sharp fall in the currency pushed up prices. President Donald Trump has warned of possible US action and said Tehran has sought talks, though he added pressure could continue. Iran’s foreign minister said the situation is “under total control”. Rights groups report rising deaths and arrests. (PC: BBC)

A 28-year-old Hindu auto driver, Samir Das, was beaten and stabbed to death in Daganbhuiyan in Bangladesh’s Chittagong region on Sunday night, local media reported. Police said the attackers used sharp weapons and then stole his battery-run auto rickshaw. An officer said the killing appeared to be “pre-planned” and efforts were on to identify the suspects. Rights groups have raised concern over a rise in attacks on minority communities ahead of the February national election. India said it is monitoring the situation and urged Bangladesh to act firmly against communal violence. (PC: NDTV)

Delhi and nearby cities are seeing colder nights than hill towns like Shimla, as a cold wave grips north India. The India Meteorological Department said minimum temperatures in Delhi may fall to 3 to 4.2 degrees Celsius. Shimla is likely to record a higher minimum of about 9 degrees. The IMD warned of cold wave or severe cold wave conditions in parts of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh over the next two days. Dense fog is also expected in many states till Thursday. The weather office said there is no major rain or snow forecast this week.

Two China-flagged very large crude carriers, Xingye and Thousand Sunny, were headed to Venezuela to pick up crude oil owed to China under a debt-for-oil arrangement, shipping data shows. Both ships had been anchored in the Atlantic for weeks waiting to enter Venezuelan ports. They have now turned back toward Asia amid a strict US oil embargo on Venezuela and ongoing political turmoil after US forces captured President Nicolás Maduro. The change in course underscores the difficulty of moving Venezuelan oil under US sanctions and export controls. The embargo aims to prevent sanctioned vessels from entering or leaving Venezuelan waters. (PC: India Today)

At least 648 people have died in Iran during a crackdown on anti-government protests, according to the Norway-based group Iran Human Rights. The group said the toll could be higher because a nationwide internet shutdown is blocking checks. The protests began after Iran’s currency lost value and prices rose. US President Donald Trump said Washington was weighing “very strong options” if protesters were harmed. After the remarks, Iran’s supreme leader accused the United States of “deceit” and said unrest was driven by “treacherous mercenaries”. State media aired images of pro-government rallies. Most foreign media cannot report from inside Iran due to access limits. (PC: BBC)