In Lawrenceville, Georgia, a 51-year-old man, Vijay Kumar, allegedly shot his wife, Meemu Dogra (43), and three relatives dead in a family dispute, police said. The victims — Dogra, Gourav Kumar (33), Nidhi Chander (37) and Harish Chander (38) — all suffered fatal gunshot wounds inside a home on Brook Ivy Court early Friday morning. Three children present during the shooting hid in a closet; the suspect’s 12-year-old child called 911, enabling officers to arrive within minutes. All surviving children were unharmed and taken into care by relatives. Kumar has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder, aggravated assault and cruelty to children. The Indian Consulate in Atlanta expressed grief and pledged assistance to the bereaved family. (PC: HT)

India and the European Union are moving closer to a long-pending free trade agreement as global trade tensions rise. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa will attend India’s Republic Day, with trade talks high on the agenda. Leaders on both sides have described the proposed pact as the “mother of all deals.” Talks have gained urgency amid uncertainty over US tariff policy under President Donald Trump. The deal would deepen trade ties between two large markets and help reduce dependence on unstable partners. Negotiations have continued for nearly two decades and are now nearing completion, though issues like carbon rules and intellectual property remain unresolved. (PC: BBC)

Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, speaking publicly from India for the first time, urged citizens to oppose the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. In a pre-recorded address played in New Delhi, Hasina said the administration could not ensure free and fair elections ahead of the February 12 polls. She alleged rising violence, lawlessness and attacks on minorities, women and journalists. Hasina called for an “ironclad guarantee” to protect vulnerable groups and demanded an impartial United Nations investigation into events after her government fell in August 2024. The Awami League leader has been living in exile in India. Her party has been barred from contesting the election. (PC: HT)

Several international airlines have suspended flights to parts of the Middle East due to growing safety concerns linked to US-Iran tensions. Airlines including KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, United Airlines and Air Canada have halted or limited services to destinations such as Dubai and Tel Aviv. Some carriers said they are avoiding airspace over Iran, Iraq, Israel and parts of the Gulf. Lufthansa has restricted flights to daytime operations in Israel. The move follows increased US military deployments in the region after unrest in Iran. US President Donald Trump confirmed that American warships, including an aircraft carrier, are moving toward the region as a precaution. Iran recently closed its airspace briefly, disrupting global flights. (PC: NDTV)

4 people were shot dead in the United States in what police believe was a domestic dispute in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Indian officials said one of the victims was an Indian national, though US authorities have not confirmed the nationality of all those killed. Police identified the suspect as 51-year-old Vijay Kumar, who was taken into custody after the incident. His wife, Meemu Dogra, and three relatives were among the dead. Investigators said an argument took place before the shooting. Three children, aged 12, 9 and 7, were found hiding in a closet at the home. The suspect’s 12-year-old son called emergency services. The motive remains under investigation. (PC: HT)

A disturbing trend of sex-selective abortions has emerged among Indian communities in the UK, with 118 boys born for every 100 girls between 2021-2025, significantly exceeding Britain's national average of 105:100 and the accepted upper limit of 107:100. The ratio dramatically jumped to 118:100 in 2023-24 for third children, suggesting targeted termination of female fetuses. Analysis reveals Indian parents with two daughters are aborting third female children, with approximately 400 terminations estimated between 2017-2021. Experts warn women face family pressure to terminate pregnancies or believe they're "worth more" producing boys. While the Abortion Act 1967 doesn't permit gender-based terminations, enforcement remains challenging amid cultural pressures. (PC: HT)

Ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina delivered a defiant audio message from New Delhi, calling the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government a "murderous, fascist clique" and urging citizens to overthrow the "foreign-serving regime." Speaking at the Foreign Correspondents' Club via audio link during her first formal public appearance with former ministers since fleeing in August 2024, Hasina declared herself "democracy in exile." She accused the administration of creating "murderous anarchy" and targeting religious minorities including Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians. Former ministers Hasan Mahmud and Mohibul Chowdhury Nowfel attended the briefing. With Bangladesh's February 12 elections approaching and Awami League banned from participating, Hasina dismissed the polls as illegitimate under Yunus's "illegal government." (PC: X)

Bangladesh is pushing ahead with the Padma Barrage project costing 50,443.64 crore Taka as India-Bangladesh Farrakka Water Treaty renewal talks stall. The 1996 treaty, expiring in 2026, faces complications from deteriorating bilateral ties, with Bangladesh seeking guaranteed dry season flows while India pursues revised terms. Bangladesh claims the barrage is necessary due to disrupted water flow caused by India's upstream Farakka Barrage, affecting 37% of the country. The project aims to store monsoon water and supply seven to eight rivers year-round. Meanwhile, China's involvement in Bangladesh's Teesta Master Plan and recent visits near India's strategic Siliguri corridor add geopolitical complexity to regional water-sharing negotiations. (PC: NDTV)

A Pakistani Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist was killed during a joint counter-terrorism operation by Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Army, and CRPF in Kathua district's Billawar area on Friday. The operation was launched following specific intelligence inputs, with the area being cordoned off before contact was established. Search operations continue in the region. This incident occurs just ten days after security forces discovered three terrorist hideouts in the same area. Meanwhile, a separate operation is ongoing in Kishtwar district for the third consecutive day, where terrorists fled into forests after a gunfight that killed one paratrooper and injured seven others. Senior officials are monitoring both operations closely on the ground. (PC: X)

India received an invitation from US President Donald Trump to join the newly launched “Board of Peace,” an initiative aimed at overseeing peace and reconstruction efforts, particularly for Gaza. However, New Delhi did not join the launch at the World Economic Forum in Davos and has yet to decide on participation, instead watching developments closely. Officials are concerned the board’s broad mandate could undermine established multilateral institutions such as the United Nations. India’s absence stood out as Pakistan and other countries signed on, and New Delhi’s decision reflects careful diplomatic calculation amid geopolitical sensitivities. (PC: Reuters)