US President Donald Trump again claimed that he stopped a war between India and Pakistan last year. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, Trump said he helped end military tensions before they escalated.   He claimed to have settled eight wars since returning to office and said India and Pakistan were “going to go big”. Trump also said he played a role in ending the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.   India has repeatedly rejected any third-party role in the India-Pak ceasefire, saying the decision was taken through direct military talks. (PC: AP)

Veteran NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has retired after a stellar 27-year career. Her retirement took effect on December 27, 2025. She spent 608 days in space, the second-highest by a NASA astronaut. During her visit to Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Williams spoke to students and faculty about life in space. “It is a very exciting time in human space exploration,” she said. She recalled her deep connection to India and shared a lighter moment from orbit. “Opening a packet of Indian food in space was unforgettable,” she said. Williams completed nine spacewalks and also became the first person to run a marathon in space. (PC: x/iitdelhi)

India has advised the families and dependents of its diplomats posted in Bangladesh to return home due to security concerns. The decision comes weeks ahead of Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections amid reports of increased extremist activity. Sources said the step is a precautionary measure and applies to officials at the high commission in Dhaka and other diplomatic posts. India’s missions in Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Sylhet will remain open and operational. Such non-family postings are usually ordered in unstable situations. India-Bangladesh ties have remained tense since the interim government took charge in 2024, with security tightened around diplomatic missions. (PC: NDTV)

An eight-year-old Hindu student has changed schools in London after alleged discrimination over wearing a Tilak-Chandlo, a religious mark on the forehead. The incident took place at Vicar’s Green Primary School, according to advocacy group Insight UK. The group said school staff asked the child to explain his religious practice, which it described as inappropriate for his age. It also alleged the headteacher closely watched the child during breaks, leading him to avoid playtime and isolate himself. The student was also removed from school roles, allegedly due to his faith. Insight UK said such actions may breach the Equality Act 2010. At least four Hindu children have reportedly left the school. (PC: AI Image)

Japan’s Ambassador to India, ONO Keiichi, shared a video of himself eating biryani by hand at Delhi’s Andhra Bhavan, drawing wide attention online. In the video, canteen staff guide him on how to mix and eat the dish the traditional Indian way. Smiling, the ambassador says the biryani tastes better when eaten by hand. He later compared the experience to eating sushi by hand and said it made him feel closer to his Indian friends. He also posted a short message in Telugu praising the taste. Social media users welcomed the gesture, calling it a warm moment of cultural exchange.

Seven senior Indian business leaders have been invited to a high-level reception hosted by US President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Trump will return to the forum this week for the first time in six years and is due to deliver a keynote address on Wednesday. The invited executives include Tata Sons chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Bharti Enterprises founder Sunil Bharti Mittal, Wipro CEO Srini Pallia, Infosys CEO Salil S Parekh, Bajaj Finserv chairman Sanjiv Bajaj, Mahindra Group CEO Anish Shah, and Jubilant Bhartia Group co-chairman Hari S Bhartia. Their presence comes as India and the US hold talks on trade, supply chains, and investment ties. (PC: NDTV)

India has designated Bangladesh a "non-family" posting for diplomats due to escalating security concerns, ordering families of officials to return home as a precautionary measure. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka and four assistant high commissions in Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, and Sylhet will remain operational at full strength. Officials cite threats from extremist and radical elements, and freedom given to Pakistani elements by Muhammad Yunus's interim government. This represents one of India's most stringent security measures for diplomats. Relations have deteriorated since the caretaker government took office in August 2024, with violent protests occurring outside Indian missions. Despite tensions, India recently engaged Bangladesh Nationalist Party ahead of February 12 elections. (PC: PTI) 

US President Donald Trump has once again claimed credit for preventing nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan during May 2025's Operation Sindoor crisis. Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, Trump alleged he ended eight wars in ten months, highlighting the India-Pakistan standoff where "eight planes were shot down" and nations "were going to go nuclear." He cited Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif's praise for saving millions of lives and suggested he deserved Nobel Prizes for each resolved conflict. Trump has maintained since May 2025 that US diplomatic pressure and tariff threats forced the ceasefire. However, India firmly rejects external mediation claims, stating the truce resulted from direct India-Pakistan communication after Operation Sindoor targeted terrorist infrastructure following Pahalgam's deadly April 2025 attack. 

The European Union and India are close to finalising a long-pending free trade deal. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said talks have made strong progress. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, she said the deal could create a market of two billion people. It would account for nearly a quarter of global GDP. Negotiations began in 2007 and resumed in 2022. Some issues remain, including tariffs and labour mobility. Von der Leyen will visit India soon and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both sides hope to close the deal soon. (PC: Reuters)

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said India has stopped buying Russian oil after tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. He said the Trump administration placed a 25% tariff, after which India “geared down” purchases. Bessent said the proposed Russia Sanctions Bill allows tariffs of up to 500% on countries buying Russian oil. He added the threat is mainly aimed at China. India’s External Affairs Ministry said it is aware of the bill and is closely monitoring developments. India said it prioritises affordable energy for its population. (PC: Reuters)