U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent sharply criticised the newly signed India-European Union free trade agreement, accusing European leaders of prioritising trade with India over solidarity with Ukraine amid the war against Russia. Bessent argued that by pursuing the trade deal, Europe has shown a “deep contradiction” in its Ukraine policy and, in his view, placed economic interests above geopolitical commitments. He also said some European nations continued buying refined products linked to discounted Russian oil, undermining coordinated Western sanctions. The landmark India-EU pact is expected to significantly boost bilateral trade, but has triggered transatlantic tensions over geopolitical priorities. (PC: NDTV)

U.S. intelligence reports indicate interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez may not fully cooperate with the Trump administration’s goals, especially regarding severing ties with adversaries such as Iran, China and Russia. Rodríguez, who took office after the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3, has not publicly expelled diplomats or advisers from those countries as Washington demands. The CIA assessed that Maduro loyalists were best placed to govern post‑ouster, but critics worry Rodríguez’s reliability could undermine U.S. influence and investment plans in Venezuela’s oil sector. Washington is also exploring contacts with military officials as alternatives. (PC: Reuters)

At least eight people have died in encounters with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) so far in 2026, including deaths in custody and fatal shootings by federal agents. Two high‑profile cases in Minneapolis — Alex Pretti and Renée Nicole Good — have sparked protests and national debate over use of force. Others died from medical issues, alleged suicide, or under unclear circumstances in detention facilities. The toll follows 32 deaths in ICE custody in 2025, the highest in two decades, raising concerns about medical care, oversight and enforcement practices under the current administration. (PC: Bloomberg)

U.S. President Donald Trump has escalated pressure on Iran, warning that Washington could launch a military attack if Tehran does not agree to negotiate a nuclear weapons deal. Trump said a “massive armada,” led by the USS Abraham Lincoln, is moving toward Iranian waters and insisted time is “running out” for diplomacy, referencing past U.S. strikes and stating a future attack could be “far worse.” Tehran has rejected talks under threat and says any assault would be met with fierce retaliation, while regional tensions rise amid protests and nuclear concerns. (PC: AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned a Russian drone strike on a passenger train in the Kharkiv region, calling it “terrorism”. Local officials said at least five people were killed and several others injured. More than 200 passengers were on board when one carriage was hit and two nearby drones exploded. Zelensky said there was no military reason to target civilians. Russia has not commented on the incident. Authorities said the train was travelling from western Ukraine to the Kharkiv region. The attack came amid intensified Russian drone strikes on transport and energy sites. Elsewhere, drone attacks killed civilians in Odesa and near Kyiv, officials said. (PC: BBC)

Eyewitnesses described multiple explosions and a large fire after a plane carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed in Baramati on Wednesday. The aircraft went off the runway while attempting to land and burst into flames moments later. One witness said the plane appeared unstable during descent before crashing and exploding. People nearby tried to help but were stopped by intense fire. The aircraft had five people on board, including Ajit Pawar, two staff members, and two pilots. Airport officials said the Learjet 45 was chartered from Mumbai. The crash occurred at Baramati airport in Pune district. All five on board died, officials confirmed. (PC: NDTV)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is making the first British PM visit to China since 2018, meeting President Xi Jinping on Thursday. Sixty British business and cultural leaders accompany him, including representatives from HSBC, GSK, Jaguar Land Rover, and the National Theatre. Starmer argues Britain's China approach has been inconsistent, oscillating between "Golden Age to Ice Age," and strategic engagement serves national interests. He'll raise human rights issues, including Uyghur treatment and Jimmy Lai's imprisonment. Critics warn China poses national security threats, citing MI5 warnings about espionage. Conservatives accuse Starmer of lacking leverage after approving Beijing's controversial London embassy. The visit follows similar trips by Canadian and French leaders. (PC: BBC)

China allegedly hacked mobile phones of senior British Downing Street officials between 2021-2024, compromising communications of aides to former Prime Ministers Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak. The espionage operation, known as Salt Typhoon, may still be ongoing, potentially affecting current PM Keir Starmer. US intelligence warns the breach accessed text messages, calls, metadata, and location data. This forms part of a broader global campaign targeting Five Eyes intelligence partners including the US, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. The FBI warned Chinese hackers infiltrated telecommunications networks worldwide. Britain's MI5 alerted Parliament in November about Chinese state espionage threats, while parliamentary committees criticized government's inadequate response. (PC: Times Now)

A Lashkar-e-Taiba commander has publicly confirmed links with Hamas, raising concerns about expanding terrorist cooperation. Faisal Nadeem admitted meeting Hamas leader Khaled Mashal in Doha, Qatar, in 2024, accompanied by Pahalgam attack mastermind Saifullah Kasuri. This follows earlier reports of Hamas commander Naji Zaheer meeting Lashkar's Rashid Ali Sandhu in Pakistan's Gujranwala. Zaheer has reportedly visited Pakistan fifteen times since October 2023. Officials suggest these meetings indicate strategic efforts to build ideological and operational alliances involving training, fundraising, and propaganda collaboration. Indian intelligence agencies are closely monitoring developments and assessing implications for national security, with potential actions at FATF and international bodies. (PC: NDTV)

President Donald Trump warned Iran as US warships head toward West Asia, stating America has an "armada" moving in that direction while expressing hope it won't be needed. US officials confirmed aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and guided-missile destroyers will arrive in coming days, with additional air defence systems under consideration. The deployments follow US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June and aim to protect American bases while providing military options. Trump threatened intervention over Iran's protest crackdown, claiming Tehran cancelled nearly 840 executions following his warnings. He told reporters he hopes for a deal before it's too late, though tensions remain high between both nations.