The US has alleged that China carried out a secret nuclear explosive test in June 2020, days after the deadly Galwan Valley clash with India. US Under Secretary Thomas DiNanno told a UN forum that China conducted a yield-producing test on June 22, 2020, and used a method called “decoupling” to reduce seismic signals. He said the US was aware of Chinese tests “in the hundreds of tons” range. China rejected the claim and accused Washington of spreading a “China nuclear threat” narrative. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization said its monitoring system did not detect any nuclear test activity in China during that period. (PC: India Today)

Fresh documents released by the United States Department of Justice have brought renewed focus on disturbing claims linked to Jeffrey Epstein and his reported obsession with reproduction. The files include unverified references suggesting Epstein wanted to create children using his own DNA as part of a long-term plan. A former teenage victim has alleged that she gave birth in the early 2000s and that her baby was taken away shortly after birth, a claim that has not been independently confirmed. Earlier reports by The New York Times said Epstein spoke openly about using his New Mexico ranch to impregnate women. Investigators say there is no proof that such a plan was ever carried out.

Former Bangladesh Water Resources Minister and Awami League leader Ramesh Chandra Sen died on February 7, 2026, after falling critically ill in Dinajpur District Jail and being rushed to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:29 am. He was 85 and suffering from health issues. Sen, a five-time MP, had been arrested in August 2024 and was facing multiple cases, including murder. His death has raised fresh concerns over custodial treatment and sparked scrutiny of the interim government’s handling of senior political detainees ahead of Bangladesh’s national election. (PC: India Today)

Newly released Jeffrey Epstein files show that disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein maintained contact with Indian billionaire Anil Ambani from 2017 to 2019, well before his 2019 arrest on federal sex-trafficking charges. The documents reveal exchanges about business, global affairs, and personal matters, including a March 2017 chat in which Epstein suggested a “tall Swedish blonde woman” to make a visit “fun,” and Ambani promptly replied “Arrange that.” The messages also show plans for meetings in New York and Paris and Epstein ordering books about the Ambani family’s history. Ambani’s representative declined to comment. (PC: X)

Iran and the United States held indirect diplomatic talks in Muscat, Oman, on February 6 aimed at reducing fears of a renewed regional conflict, especially after last year’s war and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The negotiations, mediated by Oman’s foreign minister, focused mainly on Iran’s nuclear programme and were described by Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as a “good start,” though both sides acknowledged deep mistrust. Washington wants broader discussions including Iran’s missiles and regional influence, while Iran insists talks remain nuclear-focused. No breakthrough was announced, but both sides agreed to consult their capitals before possible further talks. (PC: AP)

The Dalai Lama's name appeared 169 times in recently released Jeffrey Epstein files, according to the US Department of Justice. The DOJ released over 3 million documents, including 2,000 videos and 180,000 photos exposing Epstein's connections to influential figures including Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, and Elon Musk. Emails from October 2012 suggest the spiritual leader was tipped to attend a function with Epstein. Journalist Michael Wolff claimed he saw the Dalai Lama at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse during gatherings, suggesting financial motivations for seeking philanthropic donations. The Dalai Lama's office did not respond to inquiries regarding donations or connections to Epstein. European outlet Nexta TV suggested Dalai Lama followers may have met Epstein. (PC: Times Now)

A suicide bomber killed at least 69 people and injured 169 at Tarlai Imambargah, a Shia shrine in Islamabad's Shehzad Town area. The attacker detonated explosives at the main gate during afternoon hours after alert guards prevented entry into the main worship hall. Video footage showed severe damage to the gate structure, shattered windows in nearby buildings, debris across roads, and dismembered bodies. Islamabad's Inspector General declared a citywide emergency as victims were transported to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences and Polyclinic Hospital. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, expressing "deep grief." This marks Islamabad's second major suicide bombing in three months, following November's court complex attack that killed twelve.

The United States imposed fresh sanctions on Iran's oil exports Friday, targeting 14 shadow fleet vessels including an India-flagged tanker, moments after indirect talks in Oman concluded. The State Department blocked transactions with vessels from Turkey, India, and UAE transporting Iranian oil. Indian entity Elevate Marine Management and director Akash Anant Shinde were sanctioned for managing a Cameroon-flagged tanker that transported Iranian petroleum products. The sanctions came as Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called talks a "good start," while US Secretary Marco Rubio demanded discussions include Iran's ballistic missiles and regional proxies. The talks aimed to create conditions for diplomatic negotiations amid tensions following Iran's brutal protest crackdown. (PC: X)

Three African nations Namibia, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have agreed to accept deportations of UK migrants lacking legal residency after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood threatened visa restrictions. The DRC complied after Britain stripped VIPs of preferential visa treatment and revoked fast-track visas for DRC nationals. Over 3,000 nationals from these countries could face removal under the agreements. Labour has removed 58,500 foreign criminals and illegal migrants since 2024. Simultaneously, Mahmood proposed sweeping settlement changes including 10-year waits for indefinite leave, 15 years for care workers, and 20 years for refugees, applied retroactively. Labour backbenchers criticized the April proposals as "un-British" and a "breach of trust." (PC: MSN)

Senior US and Iranian officials are holding indirect talks in Oman amid fears of military confrontation following Iran's violent crackdown on anti-government protests that killed at least 6,883 people and arrested over 50,000. The discussions, led by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, aim to establish a framework for negotiations. The US demands Iran freeze its nuclear programme and discard 400kg of enriched uranium, while Iran insists talks focus solely on nuclear issues. President Trump has threatened military action, deploying an "armada" to the region. Iran's weakened regime faces potential US strikes unless successful negotiations occur. Both sides remain far apart despite mutual interest in avoiding conflict. (PC: BBC)