A pulmonologist quit her £50,000 annual NHS job in the UK to accept a ₹36 lakh position in India, prioritizing quality of life over higher salary. Despite the pay cut, she saves ₹26 lakhs annually in India compared to ₹11.6 lakhs in the UK due to lower living costs. She gained a spacious 3BHK apartment versus a cramped 1BHK, home-cooked meals, household help, and proximity to family. However, she lost NHS pension benefits, career progression clarity, better work regulations, and cleaner air quality. The doctor acknowledged her privilege, including partner's income, supportive family, transferable skills, and no student loans, which facilitated her relocation decision. (PC: Vasant Kunj Medical Centre) 

The UK and 32 other countries have expressed serious concern over the International Paralympic Committee's decision to lift suspensions on Russia and Belarus. IPC President Andrew Parsons explained the reinstatement wasn't linked to the Ukraine war but to reduced evidence of using Paralympic sport for promoting the conflict. The initial 2023 suspension occurred because both nations promoted what Russia called the "special operation" through Paralympic sports. Parsons noted that banning countries for launching wars isn't a breach of IPC constitution, despite government beliefs otherwise. Russia and Belarus were banned from Beijing 2022 Paralympics after Ukraine's invasion. However, no Russian or Belarusian teams will compete at Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics due to ongoing federation bans. (PC: Reuters)

Nearly 20 years after India's "house of horrors" case shocked the nation, Surinder Koli has been acquitted, leaving victims' families devastated. The Supreme Court overturned his conviction in the final pending case, citing tortured confession after 60 days in custody. Originally, 19 women and children's bodies were found near a Noida bungalow in 2006. Businessman Moninder Singh Pandher was freed in 2023; now his servant Koli walks free too. The court criticized police for flawed investigation marked by negligence, saying they implicated "a poor servant" instead of finding the true offender. Victims' families from Nithari slums question "If they didn't kill our children, who did?" (PC: BBC) 

A Pakistani couple was intercepted by BSF personnel along Gujarat's Kutch border in the early hours of Monday, marking the second such incident in two months. The duo, identifying themselves as Popatkumar Nathu Bhil and Gauri Gulab Bhil, were spotted between border pillars 523 and 524 around 2:50 am and handed over to Balasar police station. They carried only 100 Pakistani Rupees and no formal identification, claiming to be from Tharparkar district in Sindh Province. The couple alleged their families opposed their relationship, prompting them to cross the border. They will be questioned by security agencies at Bhuj's Joint Interrogation Centre. Previously, another Pakistani couple was detained in October under similar circumstances. (PC: Osint TV)

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has publicly admitted that Islamabad's attempts to rebuild relations with Afghanistan's Taliban regime have completely failed. Speaking on Geo News, Asif revealed he personally welcomed the Taliban after their 2021 Kabul takeover and traveled to Afghanistan multiple times, but achieved no success. Pakistan expected the Taliban to remain dependent, but the situation reversed entirely. Asif stated Pakistan has "completely lost hope" and sees "no scope for positive change" from Kabul. He criticized the Taliban as a "ragtag group" lacking discipline, traditions, and proper conduct, contrasting them with Pakistan's military. Asif also questioned which Islamic law permits living in a neighbor's home for decades before violence. (PC: X)

Pema Wang Thongdok, an Arunachal Pradesh woman harassed at Shanghai airport, has responded to trolls emphasizing national unity. She was detained for 18 hours during a layover from London to Japan when Chinese officials refused to recognize her Indian passport, claiming Arunachal Pradesh was "part of China." In her post, Thongdok thanked supporters and clarified she works full-time in financial services with no time for trolls. She stressed that any Indian government action benefits all Indians and Arunachalis, not just her personally. Chinese officials confiscated her passport, denied boarding, and mocked her, suggesting she apply for a Chinese passport. India's Foreign Ministry reaffirmed Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India.

Israel is coordinating with Indian authorities to reschedule Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's postponed India visit, originally planned for December. The visit was delayed following the Delhi Red Fort blast that claimed 15 lives. Israel's PMO emphasized strong bilateral ties, stating they have "full confidence in India's security under PM Modi" and are already working on new dates. Netanyahu's last official visit to India was in January 2018. Recently, Union Minister Piyush Goyal concluded a successful three-day Israel visit, meeting Netanyahu and signing Terms of Reference to launch Free Trade Agreement negotiations. The meeting focused on strengthening innovation ties, combining Israel's hi-tech expertise with India's scale and talent across agriculture, water, defense, and technology sectors.(PC: Dawn & India Today)

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine is ready to move ahead with a US-backed plan to end the war with Russia. He said Kyiv will discuss the most sensitive issues directly with US President Donald Trump and wants Europe involved in the talks. Ukraine supports the main idea of the plan but key points, including territorial demands, remain unresolved. US, Ukrainian and Russian officials met in Geneva and Abu Dhabi as talks gained pace. The push for peace comes as Russian missiles and drones hit Kyiv, killing seven people. Ukraine says any deal must protect its security and sovereignty. (PC: X)

India will face Pakistan in a major T20 World Cup 2026 match on February 15 in Colombo. Both teams are in Group A with USA, Namibia and Netherlands. India will open their campaign against USA on February 7 in Mumbai, followed by Namibia on February 12 in Delhi. After the Pakistan match, India will play the Netherlands on February 18 in Ahmedabad. The tournament starts on February 7 and the final is set for March 8 in Ahmedabad, but it will shift to Sri Lanka if Pakistan reach the title match. Matches will be hosted across India and Sri Lanka. (PC: NDTV)

India has firmly rejected China’s claim that an Arunachal Pradesh woman was not detained at Shanghai airport. Pema Wangjom Thongdok said officials told her that her passport was “invalid” because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace. China denied any detention or harassment. India hit back, calling Arunachal Pradesh an “integral and inalienable part of India” and an “indisputable reality.” The MEA said China’s actions violated international air travel rules and its own transit norms. Arunachal chief minister Pema Khandu also condemned the treatment, calling it racial mockery. (PC: X)