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.

Cab, auto and bike taxi services may be hit across India today as drivers working with Ola, Uber and Rapido go on a nationwide strike. The protest, called “All India Breakdown”, was announced by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union and other labour groups. Drivers plan to log out of apps for at least six hours. They say companies fix fares on their own and ignore rules. The union wants minimum base fares and a ban on private vehicles being used for commercial rides.

India has not confirmed whether it will stop buying oil from Russia, even as the United States claimed so in a new tariff order. Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal said the Ministry of External Affairs would respond on the issue. A US order under President Donald Trump said India had committed to halting Russian oil imports, leading to removal of a 25% penal tariff. However, the India-US joint statement does not mention Russia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the trade framework, calling it a step towards stronger ties. (PC: Atul Yadav/PTI Photo)

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)

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has strongly refuted Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistani commentators’ claims that India has been “bullying” Pakistan in cricket, particularly after Pakistan’s decision to potentially boycott their T20 World Cup 2026 group match against India. Gavaskar stressed that India has historically taken the first step in sporting and cultural exchanges, citing Pakistani players and commentators in the IPL and invitations extended by India that were not reciprocated. He said India isn’t bullying anyone but “minding its own business” and questioned Pakistan’s use of the term, urging them to “stand up to the bully” if they truly believe it. (PC: PTI)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has officially nominated senior corporator Ritu Tawde as its candidate for Mayor of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), ending nearly four years without an elected civic chief after the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance’s strong showing in the recent municipal elections. Tawde, a three-time corporator with experience in civic administration, will contest the mayoral election scheduled for February 11. As part of the alliance agreement, the Shiv Sena has named Sanjay Ghadi as its candidate for Deputy Mayor, with his term expected to last about 15 months. (PC: PTI)

In a notable diplomatic moment, the United States Trade Representative’s office released a map of India alongside details of a new India-US interim trade agreement that depicted the entire Jammu and Kashmir region — including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) — and Aksai Chin as integral parts of India. This marks a departure from previous U.S. maps that typically showed those areas as disputed, and is being seen as a symbolic signal aligned with India’s long-standing territorial claims. The map’s timing, coinciding with tariff reductions under the trade framework, drew strong reactions online and diplomatic attention. (PC: India Today)

Delhi Police have arrested a sub-contractor, Rajesh Prajapati, in connection with the death of 25-year-old biker Kamal Dhyani, who fell into a deep open pit dug for a Delhi Jal Board (DJB) project in Janakpuri, West Delhi. Police allege Prajapati was informed hours after the accident but failed to take action to help the victim, who was later found dead in the trench with his motorcycle. An FIR for culpable homicide has been filed against the contractor and DJB officials, and the Delhi government has ordered a probe amid public outrage over safety negligence. (PC: X)