China has approved the construction of the world's largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Zangbo river in Tibet. The dam is expected to generate over 300 billion kilowatt hours of electricity, more than three times the capacity of the Three Gorges Dam. While China claims the project will aid its carbon goals, India and Bangladesh have expressed concerns about its impact on water supplies and the environment downstream. India, especially, fears potential flash floods and water scarcity, with the river flowing into its northeastern states and Bangladesh.

An NRI’s viral post on X criticizes an Indian family for loud behavior aboard a Finland train from Lapland to Helsinki. User Gokul described the family speaking loudly in Hindi with their cabin doors open, disrupting the "ultra-quiet" atmosphere. He lamented, "Indians lack civic sense." The post triggered mixed reactions. Some agreed, citing similar experiences, while others urged Gokul to address the issue directly. Critics highlighted that other nationalities can also be noisy, with one stating, "Noise isn’t exclusive to Indians; check the London Underground on weekends." The debate continues to trend online, sparking discussions on public etiquette abroad.

Canada has introduced significant changes to its Express Entry system, affecting Indian professionals seeking permanent residence. From spring 2025, Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for job offers will be removed to curb immigration fraud. Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, said the move aims to prevent misuse of labour market impact assessments while still attracting skilled talent. Current PR applicants or those with existing invitations remain unaffected. Additionally, flagpoling at border points, previously used for immigration services, has been discontinued. This overhaul could impact thousands of skilled workers and students pursuing opportunities in Canada.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating Canadian colleges accused of facilitating the trafficking of Indian nationals into the United States. The probe, initiated after a tragic 2022 incident where a Gujarat family died attempting to cross the Canada-US border, highlights illegal student visa misuse. The investigation has revealed a network involving 112 Canadian colleges, 1,700 agents in India, and 25,000 students trafficked annually. ED has frozen assets and conducted searches in multiple cities, uncovering links between Canadian institutions and the trafficking operation, with two men convicted for their role in the smuggling ring.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating a human trafficking racket involving Canadian colleges. Indians were reportedly lured and charged ₹55-60 lakh each to enter the US illegally via Canada. The probe began after a Gujarat family froze to death at the US-Canada border in 2022. ED raided locations in Mumbai, Nagpur, Gandhinagar, and Vadodara, suspecting two entities of helping students obtain Canadian visas under false pretenses. Over 260 Canadian colleges are linked to the scam. Instead of attending classes, students crossed the border illegally. The investigation is ongoing to uncover the extent of the racket.

A local Afghan staffer at the closed Indian Consulate in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, sustained minor injuries in an incident, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Indian authorities are in contact with their Afghan counterparts and awaiting further details. India had shut the consulate in 2020, though it continues humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan. Partnering with UNODC, India has supplied over 50,000 MT of wheat, medical aid, and earthquake relief. The Indian Embassy in Kabul operates with a technical team focused on aid delivery. India aligns its Afghanistan policy with historical ties and UN resolutions, including UNSCR 2593.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar begins a 6-day US visit, marking his first trip since Donald Trump's election victory. The visit, aimed at strengthening India-US relations, includes meetings with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Biden administration officials. Jaishankar will also brief Indian diplomats on engagement strategies with Trump 2.0 officials, focusing on bilateral, strategic, and global issues. This visit comes amid tensions over Canada’s accusations against India and highlights efforts to maintain continuity in ties. Experts anticipate cautious optimism for deeper cooperation, especially in technology and defense, while navigating challenges like reciprocal tariffs and immigration policies.

The Ram temple project in Ayodhya has received the British Safety Council's prestigious ‘Sword of Honour’ for maintaining exceptional safety standards. The construction, managed by L&T with Tata Consulting Engineers' support, also won the National Safety Council's Golden Trophy. The British Safety Council awarded the honour after rigorous inspections of the project, which met top safety criteria. The temple's construction has involved over 15 million man-hours of labour, with safety precautions ensuring smooth progress despite challenges posed by the large number of daily devotees visiting the site.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has nominated Krish Raval, an Indian-origin professional, for a life peerage in the House of Lords. Raval is the founder of Faith in Leadership, an organization based at the University of Oxford focused on inter-faith relations. He was awarded an OBE in 2018 for his work in leadership education and inter-faith cohesion. Raval, also the chair of Labour Party’s diaspora group, Labour Indians, will join the Labour benches in the House of Lords, alongside other nominees, including Sue Gray and Thangam Debbonnaire. The King must approve the nominations.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is under increasing pressure to resign as most Liberal MPs, particularly from Ontario, call for his step down. This follows the resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland over policy differences. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and Indian-origin MP Chandra Arya have also voiced their demand for Trudeau’s resignation. His departure could potentially ease tensions with India, which have worsened due to accusations against India over the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. A new leader could shift Canada’s approach, potentially improving diplomatic ties with India. Polls show the Conservative Party is leading.