A recent report says that **India reducing imports of Russian crude oil **is unlikely to significantly impact the country’s fiscal health in the near term. Despite Russia having been one of India’s largest oil suppliers with discounted crude boosting cost savings and refining margins, India has already begun diversifying its sources toward Middle Eastern and U.S. crude, reducing reliance on Russian barrels without sharp fiscal stress. Analysts note that global oil prices, narrowing Russian discounts, and alternative crude supplies make a gradual shift manageable. However, refiners may face operational and margin challenges as the transition continues. (PC: Reuters)

US President Donald Trump has rejected any idea of a mission to seize Russian leader Vladimir Putin. He was reacting to remarks by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky after the US captured Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro. Zelensky had hinted that Putin could be “next”. Trump told reporters, “I don’t think it’s going to be necessary,” and said he had “always had a great relationship” with Putin. Speaking to oil and gas executives, Trump said he was “very disappointed” the Ukraine war was still on. He added that many lives were being lost each month. Putin is under an International Criminal Court warrant over alleged war crimes in Ukraine. (PC: HT)

Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami has said the India–UK free trade agreement should be seen as a “job engine” and not a symbolic deal. In an interview with London journalist Ross Kempsell, he noted that Indian firms are now the UK’s second-largest investors and have revived brands such as Norton Motorcycles. He said Indian companies support a 20,000-strong tech workforce and help “productively deploy” young people. Doraiswami listed priorities such as technology ties, access to public procurement, SME links, and new UK campuses in India. He also called huge Indian interest in Premier League football and British TV “untapped potential”. (PC: Screengrab)

New video footage has surfaced showing the moments before Renee Nicole Good was shot dead in Minneapolis. The clip was filmed by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who fired the gun. It shows an argument between the officer and Good’s wife. Good is seen driving her car close to the officer before shots are fired. It is unclear if the car hit him. After the shooting, the officer appears to swear. Officials have given conflicting accounts. Mayor Jacob Frey rejected claims that Good tried to kill the officer. The incident has sparked protests and political debate.

4 members of a family from Himachal Pradesh were killed in a car-bus collision in Hoshiarpur on Saturday. The crash happened near Dosarka on the Dasuya road amid dense fog. The family was travelling to Amritsar airport when their car hit a Punjab Roadways bus coming from Pathankot. All four died on the spot. One person was injured and taken to hospital. Police shifted the bodies for post-mortem. Bus passengers were safe. Police said fog likely caused poor visibility and a case is being registered. (PC: HT)

A suspected Chinese national was arrested on Friday after she tried to enter India without valid travel papers from the Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh. Officials said the woman was seen around 1 pm walking through a footpath in Bairia Bazaar in the Nautanwa area of Maharajganj district. She was stopped during a routine check by security staff. The Sashastra Seema Bal detained her after finding she had no passport or visa. She was later handed to local police for arrest. Nautanwa SHO Purushottam Rao said a slip identified her as Huajia Jie of China. Police are probing her origin and motive. (PC: X)

While being questioned lately by London journalist Ross Kempsell, Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami portrayed Prime Minister Modi's view of Britain as warmly pragmatic, calling the UK a "partner of choice" across trade, investment, technology, education, and politics. As proof, Doraiswami cited Modi's July visit, when he added a 21-hour detour to squeeze in a London stop purely to advance the FTA. Modi has set "practical achievable targets" for the relationship and candidly told successive British leaders India is ready to do more. The past year is described as a "banner year" for bilateral ties, with the challenge now sustaining momentum beyond the trade-deal moment. Modi's travel sacrifice demonstrates Britain's strategic importance to India's global partnerships. (PC: X)

President Donald Trump said the United States needs to “control” Greenland to stop Russia and China from gaining influence there. He told reporters that countries must “own” land to defend it and added that Washington would protect Greenland. The White House earlier said it is studying options to buy the semi-autonomous Danish territory and did not rule out force. Denmark and Greenland have rejected the idea and said the island is not for sale. In a joint statement, Greenland’s party leaders said their future must be decided by Greenlanders. European Nato allies backed Denmark and stressed respect for sovereignty and borders under the UN Charter. (PC: BBC)

Protests in Iran have taken a striking turn as images of women lighting cigarettes with burnt photos of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spread online. The protests began in late December and have grown violent, with hundreds reportedly killed. Authorities have shut down the internet and phone services. Burning Khamenei’s image and smoking in public are both banned acts, making the protest deeply symbolic. The unrest follows years of anger over strict rules and rising prices. US President Donald Trump warned Iran’s leaders are “in big trouble.”

Japan plans a major hike in visa and residency fees from April 2026. The increase will affect students, workers and long-term residents the most. Fees for visa extensions may rise five times, while permanent residency costs could jump from 10,000 yen to over 100,000 yen. Tourist visa fees may also go up. Officials say the charges are outdated and pressure has grown due to record tourism and migration. Travellers can avoid higher costs by applying before April 2026. Choosing longer visas and using online applications may also help reduce expenses. (PC: Unsplash)