Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Manipur on Saturday, his first trip since the 2023 ethnic violence that killed over 200 people. Speaking in Churachandpur, he urged all groups to give up violence and work for peace, saying, “I am with you.” Modi announced a ₹3,000 crore package, including ₹500 crore for displaced families and 7,000 new houses. He laid the foundation for projects worth ₹7,000 crore, covering roads, railways, airports, and IT development. Modi said the Jiribam–Imphal railway and Imphal airport will boost connectivity. He promised support for tribal development, women’s empowerment, and rebuilding Manipur’s future. (PC: India Today)

India and China are implementing new trust-building measures along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, focusing on enhanced surveillance infrastructure to reduce patrol deployments and potential clashes. Since the 2020 military standoff, India has established comprehensive monitoring networks being continuously upgraded. The robust ISR infrastructure aims to ease winter patrolling challenges and reduce troop casualties from harsh weather conditions. Following October 2024 agreements, both sides conduct coordinated patrols to avoid confrontations. Recent diplomatic talks established expert groups under WMCC to explore "early harvest" boundary delimitation solutions, prioritizing easily resolvable issues first. Despite disengagement progress, 50,000-60,000 troops remain stationed on both sides, with full de-escalation still pending through ongoing diplomatic and military mechanisms. (PC: The Print & India Today)

Former Indian intelligence officer Lucky Bisht claims Pakistan's ISI operates powerfully in Nepal under CIA direction, orchestrating recent GenZ-led protests against the corrupt regime. Bisht suggests the youth movement is merely a front for larger intelligence operations. He describes the ousted KP Sharma Oli government as a "Chinese-backed administration" rather than Nepal's legitimate government, claiming Western powers wanted it removed. The ex-NSG official predicts a new US-aligned government will emerge in Nepal, having accurately forecasted the regime change months earlier in December. Bisht alleges the CIA is "100% behind" Nepal's unrest, with ISI serving as their regional proxy to counter Chinese influence in the strategically important Himalayan nation. (PC: Times Now)

Following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, widespread calls to boycott India's Asia Cup match against Pakistan have united the nation. The massacre claimed 26 lives, sparking a four-day war and ongoing outrage. Celebrities like Satish Shah, military veterans, and political figures are demanding a complete boycott of Sunday's Dubai match. Hashtags like #BoycottIndvsPak trend on social media. Even sponsors like EaseMyTrip withdrew support. Ticket sales remain surprisingly low despite cricket's usual popularity, with premium seats priced up to Rs 4 lakh going unsold. Critics argue playing Pakistan contradicts India's diplomatic isolation strategy, while supporters warn boycotting could harm India's 2036 Olympics hosting bid. (PC: News 18 & India Today)

Amazon suspended Palestinian software engineer Ahmed Shahrour after he publicly opposed Project Nimbus, the company's $1.2 billion cloud computing contract with Israel's government. Shahrour, who works for Amazon's Whole Foods in Seattle, criticized the 2021 collaboration with Google that provides Israel with AI, data centers, and infrastructure through internal Slack channels and a letter to CEO Andy Jassy. Amazon cited policy violations, revoking his system access and deleting messages. Shahrour wrote he experiences "constant dissonance" working while his people in Gaza suffer, urging colleagues to oppose the contract. Critics argue Project Nimbus technology could support military operations and surveillance in occupied Palestinian territories. Amazon spokesperson Brad Glasser stated they don't tolerate threatening workplace behavior. (PC: NDTV)

A Sikh woman in her twenties was raped by two white men in broad daylight in Oldbury, UK, while being subjected to racist abuse including "go back to your country." The racially aggravated attack occurred near Tame Road at 8:30 AM last Tuesday. West Midlands Police are examining CCTV footage and forensic evidence to identify the suspects, described as one man with shaved head in dark sweatshirt, another in grey top. Birmingham MP Preet Kaur Gill condemned the "extreme violence and racially aggravated abuse," while Ilford South MP Jas Athwal called it a "vile, racist, misogynist attack" reflecting rising racial tensions. The incident follows recent brutal assaults on elderly Sikh men at Wolverhampton railway station, sparking community outrage. (PC: News 18 & NDTV)

Erika Kirk delivered her first public statement Friday following her husband Charlie Kirk's fatal shooting at Utah Valley University. The Turning Point USA founder died after being shot during an event on September 10. Standing beside his empty studio chair, Erika declared Charlie "laid down his life for me, for our nation, for our children." Suspect Tyler Robinson, 22, is now in custody. Erika thanked President Trump and Vice President Vance for their support, vowing to continue Charlie's legacy. She announced Turning Point USA's campus tours and AmericaFest would expand, promising to make the organization "the biggest thing this nation has ever seen." The widow emphasized her faith despite the tragedy, stating "our God is so good."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Manipur on Saturday, his first visit since ethnic violence broke out in May 2023. He arrived in Imphal and was welcomed by governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and chief secretary Puneet Kumar Goel. Due to bad weather and heavy rains, his plan to fly by helicopter to Churachandpur was changed, and he will now travel by road. Modi will attend a meeting at Peace Ground in Churachandpur. Earlier in Mizoram, he inaugurated the Bairabi–Sairang Rail Line and launched projects worth over ₹9,000 crore. Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi criticized his visit as “late” and “tokenism.” (PC: India Today)

Philip Francisca, a 27-year-old Romanian PhD student at BHU, was found dead in her Varanasi rented room under suspicious circumstances. Police have sent her body for postmortem and informed the Romanian Embassy. Senior officer Atul Anjan Tripathi revealed Francisca had childhood epilepsy and was receiving treatment. No suicide note or medicines were found. Authorities seized her passport, visa, and phone for investigation. She held a valid visa until 2027 and had previously studied in Surat and Amritsar. The incident follows recent student deaths including a 22-year-old MBA student found with gunshot wounds and a 20-year-old at BITS Pilani, raising concerns about student safety across Indian educational institutions. (PC: ETV Bharat & India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Sushila Karki on Saturday after she was sworn in as Nepal's interim Prime Minister. President Ramchandra Paudel administered the oath at the President's Office following deadly protests that toppled KP Sharma Oli's government. Modi stated on X that "India remains firmly committed to the peace, progress, and prosperity of the people of Nepal." Karki becomes Nepal's first woman Prime Minister, chosen through a unique public vote by Gen Z leaders on Discord platform. Parliament was dissolved Friday with fresh elections scheduled for March 5, 2026. India-Nepal share a 1,751 km border across five Indian states, with relations strengthened by cultural, religious, and linguistic commonalities. (PC: X)