India and the European Union have agreed on a major free trade deal. The agreement will cut tariffs on most European goods entering India. Import duty on European cars will fall to 10% from nearly 70% over time. Medicines, medical equipment, machinery and chemicals will also become cheaper. Tariffs on wine will drop to 20–30%, while duties on beer and spirits will be reduced. Over 90% of EU goods will see lower or zero tariffs. The EU expects exports to India to double by 2032. The deal may increase competition for Indian firms. (PC: Salman Ali/PTI)

The Maharashtra government has approved a new metro line linking Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the decision on Tuesday. The metro will be 35 km long, with a 9 km underground stretch. It will have 20 stations and connect with other metro routes. The project cost is estimated at ₹22,862 crore. It will be built under a public-private partnership model. The state and centre will fund 40 per cent of the cost. The metro will reduce travel time between the two airports and improve connectivity for passengers and workers. (PC: ANI)

The Karnataka Wine Merchants’ Association has accused the Congress government in Karnataka of a ₹6,000-crore excise scam. The association said corruption took place under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s rule. It plans to write to Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. The body claimed CL-7 bar licences in Bengaluru cost up to ₹2 crore. Excise Minister RB Timmapur rejected the claims and said there is no proof. He said he will answer the charges in the Assembly.

A federal judge in Minnesota has ordered the head of ICE to appear in court over the handling of detained immigrants. The order comes amid protests in Minneapolis after two US citizens were killed during immigration operations. Chief Judge Patrick J Schiltz said ICE failed to follow court orders on immigration hearings. Acting ICE director Todd Lyons must explain why he should not be held in contempt. The crackdown began under President Donald Trump. Officials say the situation has sparked public anger and legal concern. (PC: Reuters)

Rwanda has started legal action against the United Kingdom over a cancelled migrant agreement. Rwanda filed the case at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. It says the UK failed to make payments promised under the deal. The agreement was scrapped by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in 2024. The UK said future payments will not be made. Officials said they will protect taxpayers’ money. Rwanda wants a legal decision on the treaty. The case is still pending. (PC: PA Media)

India and the European Union signed a new Security and Defence Partnership on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the deal will strengthen cooperation in defence and security. The partnership covers maritime security, cyber threats, counter-terrorism and space security. India also pitched itself as a defence manufacturing hub for Europe. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen called the pact a trust-based platform. The deal may allow Indian defence firms to benefit from the EU’s SAFE programme. Leaders said the partnership will support joint defence production and help maintain security in the Indo-Pacific region.

Bollywood's leading playback singer Arijit Singh announced his retirement from playback singing on January 27 via Instagram, marking a significant shift in Indian music industry. While thanking fans for years of support, Singh clarified he won't accept new playback assignments but will honor existing commitments with releases expected this year. Emphasizing "I won't stop making music," he plans to continue independently as a "small little artist," focusing on learning and personal musical evolution. Singh's career spans numerous acclaimed film soundtracks and collaborations across Bollywood. The announcement prompted reflection from fans and industry colleagues on his lasting influence, as he transitions from traditional playback format to independent artistic pursuits. (PC: X)

A new AI-powered receptionist named EMMA (Enhanced Medical Management Assistant) is now answering calls for nearly one million GP patients across the UK, transforming healthcare access. Introduced at Conisbrough Group Practice in Doncaster last October, the system created by AI start-up QuantumLoopAI records patient details, prioritizes requests, and directs them to doctors. Patient Joan Downing, 70, who cares for her brother with complex medical needs, reported dramatic improvements: "I once had a call back within 15 minutes, which is off the scale." Previously, long queues forced many to abandon calls. EMMA functions as a virtual receptionist managing appointment requests, marking significant progress in AI integration within primary healthcare services. (PC: Representative Image from NDTV)

Former UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman, of Indian origin, has defected from the Conservative Party to join Nigel Farage's Reform UK party. The surprise announcement was made at a Reform UK rally for party activists in London on January 27. Braverman becomes the third Conservative MP to quit the Tories and join Reform UK within just over a week, marking a significant blow to the Conservative Party. The BBC reported that Farage himself announced Braverman's defection at the event. Her departure continues a troubling trend for the Conservatives, as Reform UK gains momentum by attracting high-profile former Tory ministers and MPs to Farage's populist platform. (PC: AP)

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticized the India-EU trade deal, accusing Europe of "financing the war against themselves" by purchasing refined oil products from India that use Russian crude. Defending Trump's 25% tariffs on Indian imports over Russian oil purchases, Bessent told ABC News that Europe's energy trade contradicts its security stance. He argued the US bears greater economic burden while Europe benefits from supply chain gaps. However, Bessent recently indicated tariff relief is possible, noting Indian refinery purchases of Russian crude "have collapsed." The Trump administration imposed up to 50% tariffs on Indian goods, doubled in August. India and EU formally announced their comprehensive free trade agreement conclusion. (PC: X)