A 22-year-old Indian national identified only as Shivam has been indicted by a federal grand jury in New York's Northern District for smuggling Indian nationals from Canada into the United States. He faces one conspiracy count and four counts of illegally transporting aliens for financial gain, covering operations from January-June 2025. In January 2025, Border Patrol agents pursued two vehicles near the US-Canada border in Clinton County; one crashed while the other stopped in Mooers, both carrying 12 undocumented individuals. WhatsApp messages between drivers and Shivam's number allegedly coordinated multiple smuggling operations, including proof-of-life photos and safe house directions. Conviction carries 10 years maximum per count, with mandatory five-year minimum. (PC: iStock)

An IndiGo flight from Kuwait to Delhi was diverted to Ahmedabad on Friday after a bomb threat was reported onboard. The aircraft was carrying 180 passengers. A passenger found a handwritten note claiming a bomb was present. The pilot informed air traffic control and diverted the flight as a precaution. The plane landed safely at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at around 6.40 am. All passengers were evacuated safely. Security teams searched the aircraft. Airport officials said no suspicious object has been found so far. IndiGo said all safety protocols were followed. The airline added that the flight will depart after final clearance. (PC: PTI)

The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission will hold a public hearing in February with a special focus on India. The meeting will review US ties with New Delhi and Beijing and the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. It will look at border tensions, maritime access, and India’s role in the region. The hearing will also study trade, technology, and supply chains, including AI and semiconductors. The move comes as India considers a graded opening of its economy to China. US officials want to strengthen the strategic partnership with India to counter China’s influence. The hearing is set for February 17. (PC: Reuters)

Indian-origin billionaire Vinod Khosla has criticised Elon Musk over comments he called “seemingly racist.” Writing on X, Khosla said, “Instead of bringing your family into it, maybe try not tweeting seemingly racist stuff next time.” The clash began over an old post by Musk on white population decline. Khosla accused him of promoting racist ideas. Musk responded with personal insults and defended himself by citing his Indian-origin partner and child. Khosla later said he admires Musk’s business skills. The exchange also revived a long-running public beach access dispute in California. (PC: kholsaventures.com)

India and the European Union have sealed a landmark free trade agreement — dubbed the “mother of all deals” — in response to rising global trade tensions, particularly U.S. tariff threats under President Donald Trump. The pact, expected to be signed early next year, covers nearly all goods between the two partners and gives India preferential access to EU markets, especially for labour-intensive exports hit by U.S. tariffs such as textiles and jewellery. In return, India will cut tariffs on most EU imports while protecting sensitive sectors like agriculture. The deal signals trade diversification beyond reliance on the U.S. amid protectionist pressures. (PC: India Today)

Amid Trump's confrontational trade policies and hostile tariffs, the EU and Canada have pivoted toward India as a more reliable partner. The India-EU free trade agreement, dubbed the "mother of all deals," represents 25% of global GDP and one-third of world trade, with signing expected early next year. The EU kept India's agriculture out while India will reduce tariffs on 96.6% of EU exports. Canada, threatened by Trump over energy, will now ship more crude oil and LNG to India. Canadian PM Mark Carney plans to visit India with agreements on uranium, nuclear cooperation, and critical minerals, as global powers diversify from unpredictable US trade policies. (PC: India Today)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor in New Delhi ahead of his upcoming US visit, discussing "many dimensions" of India-US partnership. Jaishankar expressed confidence that Gor would strengthen bilateral relations. The ambassador described their meeting as "highly substantive," covering defense, trade, and critical minerals. Jaishankar is scheduled to visit Washington next week for the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial hosted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on February 4. Gor, who assumed his role as 27th ambassador on January 12, previously highlighted the robust India-US defense cooperation, referencing a 10-year defense pact signed last year that will deepen strategic partnership.

Two Indian-origin models, Bhavitha Mandava and Bhoomika Yadav, walked the runway at Matthieu Blazy's debut Chanel couture show in Paris. Mandava, from Hyderabad, previously made history closing Blazy's Chanel Métiers d'art 2026 show in New York. Discovered at a subway station by Show in Bishop in 2024, she graduated from NYU Tandon School of Engineering in 2025 and now focuses on full-time modeling. Yadav, from Raipur, Chhattisgarh, debuted for Chanel at Paris Fashion Week aged 19, wearing a beige embroidered suit. The show at Grand Palais featured surrealist décor and A-list celebrities. Age-inclusive casting allowed models to choose meaningful symbols embroidered inside their outfits. (PC: Times Now)

Indian photographer Dashawatar Gopalkrishna Bade has won the Single Image title in the Culture, Heritage & Beliefs category at the prestigious Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) Awards 2025. His award-winning photograph captures the Pandharpur Wari pilgrimage in rural Maharashtra, showing two men performing traditional stick-dance against an expansive sky while fellow pilgrims clap. The 22nd edition of TPOTY attracted over 20,000 entries from 157 countries, with winners representing 56 nationalities. Greek photographer Athanasios Maloukos won the overall Travel Photographer of the Year award. The competition prohibits generative AI and requires RAW files for evaluation, maintaining high standards in travel photography. (PC: Dashawatar Gopalkrishna Bade/tpoty)

Nobel laureate economist Abhijit Banerjee said the India–EU free trade agreement sends a signal that India does not rely heavily on the United States. He called the pact “a strategic alignment” that tells Washington “we don’t need the US as much as the US thinks we do”. Banerjee, however, warned that the deal will not bring broad gains on its own. He said trade pacts are “just a starting point” and stressed the need for better efficiency and logistics. Slow ports, transport delays and supply chains remain key challenges. Banerjee said India must match global standards to benefit fully. (PC: The Telegraph)