US President Donald Trump has backed a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill that could raise tariffs on countries buying Russian oil, including India. Senator Lindsey Graham said Trump “greenlit” the measure and a vote may come next week. The bill allows the president to penalise nations seen as aiding Russia or blocking peace in Ukraine. It includes visa bans, asset blocks and tariffs of at least 500 percent on some imports. India already faces a 50 percent US tariff after two hikes in 2025 linked to its Russian oil purchases. Trump has said tariffs could rise further if such trade continues. (PC: HT)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited two locations linked to poll firm I-PAC on Thursday as the ED carried out raids in a money laundering case. She first reached the home of I-PAC head Prateek Jain in central Kolkata, then went to the group’s office in Salt Lake. TV images showed her leaving both places with files, including a green folder. Banerjee said the action was ordered to access Trinamool Congress election plans and called it politically motivated. Sources said the ED is probing links between I-PAC and alleged proceeds from the Bengal coal scam. The agency has not yet issued a statement. (PC: India Today)

A male hippopotamus at Alipore Zoo in Kolkata has stayed in its water enclosure for the past 14 days during a cold wave. Zoo officials said the young hippo stopped leaving the pool around Christmas and is eating very little. Vets have tried to draw it out with food, but it returns to the water after feeding. The animal usually comes out before dusk. The hippo arrived from Odisha’s Nandankanan Zoo in September 2024 with a mate, which died days later. Officials are checking if illness or stress after the loss is causing the behaviour. The enclosure is now closed to visitors. (PC: BBC)

A 37-year-old woman, Renee Nicole Good, was fatally shot by a US immigration agent in Minneapolis on Wednesday morning. Federal officials said she tried to run over officers with her car. City leaders said the agent acted recklessly. Videos online show agents approaching her SUV parked on a residential street. As the vehicle moved, at least two shots were fired and the car crashed into another vehicle. The FBI is leading the investigation. The injured agent was treated and released from hospital. Protests followed across the city, and schools cancelled classes for the week due to safety concerns. ICE operations in Minneapolis will continue.

Two Indian nationals, Gurpreet Singh (25) and Jasveer Singh (30), were arrested in Indiana's Putnam County for trafficking 309 pounds of cocaine concealed in their semi-truck's sleeper berth. The US Department of Homeland Security stated this quantity could kill over 113,000 Americans, with cocaine's lethal dose being 1.2 grams. Both held California Commercial Drivers' Licenses. Gurpreet illegally entered the US in March 2023 near Lukeville, Arizona, and was released under the Biden administration. Jasveer entered in March 2017 near Otay Mesa, California. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged detainers on January 4. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom's sanctuary policies for endangering American lives. (PC: DHS)

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif claimed Pakistan won't need IMF loans within six months due to surging fighter jet orders following the May 2025 India-Pakistan mini-war. However, experts dismiss this as unrealistic. Political scientist Ayesha Siddiqa noted Pakistan only manufactures 35% of JF-17's airframe, sharing revenues with China. Pakistan's total debt exceeds $280-300 billion, with debt servicing consuming over half of federal revenues. Economist Qaiser Bengali stated Pakistan has "already defaulted," surviving only by taking new loans to repay old ones. Pakistan recently sold its national airline PIA for Rs 4,300 crore under IMF pressure, contradicting Asif's optimistic claims about economic independence through jet sales.

India's National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), KKR, and Sembcorp are competing to acquire renewable energy supplier Sprng Energy from Shell Plc in one of India's biggest renewable M&A deals. Shell purchased Sprng from Actis for $1.5 billion three years ago and has since expanded the company's 5GW energy generation portfolio. The three contenders submitted non-binding offers in late December, with Macquarie also showing interest. Shell is reviewing strategic options to unlock long-term value, driven by shareholder pressure to focus on core exploration and production. Shell previously attempted partial divestments last year, but valuation mismatches stalled those efforts. The sale could become the largest renewable energy M&A deal this year. (PC: iStock)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated India is strengthening ties with Europe to bring greater stability to the global economy and politics during talks with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris. The remarks came amid frosty India-US relations following President Trump's 50% tariff on Indian imports. Jaishankar emphasized Europe's crucial role in international politics, noting substantive discussions on FTA, technology, semiconductors, railways, defense, and aviation. India will host German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and EU leaders in coming weeks. Jaishankar highlighted that India chairs BRICS this year while France helms G7 in 2026, emphasizing continuous consultation between strategic partners amid global uncertainty.

Haryana Police registered a case against national shooting coach Ankush Bharadwaj for allegedly sexually harassing a 17-year-old national-level shooter in Faridabad. The incident occurred on December 16, 2025, after the athlete competed at Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in South Delhi. The FIR alleges Bharadwaj asked the minor to meet him at his Surajkund hotel to review performance, then persuaded her to his room where the assault occurred. He allegedly threatened to harm her career and family if she disclosed the incident. The case was registered under POCSO Act Section 6 and BNS Section 351(2) following the victim's mother's complaint. The National Rifle Association of India suspended Bharadwaj pending inquiry. (PC:  Instagram/ankush597)

Pakistani PhD student Zorain Nizamani's op-ed "It Is Over" went viral after being removed from The Express Tribune hours after publication, allegedly under military pressure. The article argued Pakistan's ruling elites have lost influence over younger generations, stating forced patriotism through seminars and speeches no longer works. Nizamani claimed Gen Z and Gen Alpha see through propaganda thanks to internet access and education, despite state efforts. He noted frustrated youth are leaving Pakistan rather than challenging authorities. The censorship sparked massive backlash, with former PM Imran Khan's PTI and activists condemning the removal as proof of the article's truth. Nizamani, son of actors Fazila Qazi and Qaiser Khan Nizamani, became a national hero online.