Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has been awarded the Ashok Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry honour, for his role in the Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station. Shukla served as mission pilot during the 18-day flight in June 2025. The mission marked India’s first human visit to the ISS in more than four decades. He flew aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft and took part in over 60 experiments, including several led by Isro. Officials said his work provided key data for India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. Shukla returned safely to Earth in July 2025, becoming the second Indian to travel to space. (PC: India Today)

Bangladesh has expressed strong objection after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina delivered a public address in New Delhi. Dhaka said it was “surprised” and “shocked” that India allowed the event to take place. In a statement, Bangladesh’s foreign ministry said the move set a “dangerous precedent” and could harm bilateral relations. Hasina, who has been in India since August 2024, made her first public speech since her removal from power. She criticised the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus and urged people to oppose it. Bangladeshi authorities said Hasina was convicted in absentia last year on serious charges. The speech came weeks before Bangladesh’s general election. (PC: HT)

A 28-year-old Indian-origin man, identified as Dilraj Singh Gill, was fatally shot in Burnaby, British Columbia, on January 22, police said, in what investigators believe was a targeted attack tied to ongoing gang conflict in the region. Officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) responded to reports of gunfire near Canada Way, finding Gill with fatal wounds; he was pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving efforts. A burning vehicle later found nearby is believed to be connected to the homicide, and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is leading the probe, urging witnesses to come forward. (PC: India Today)

US immigration authorities are facing criticism after a 2-year-old girl was detained with her father in Minneapolis, according to media reports. The child, Chloe Renata Tipan Villacis, was with her father, Elvis Joel Tipan-Echeverria, when ICE agents stopped them while returning from a grocery store. The Department of Homeland Security said the father is an undocumented immigrant from Ecuador and was taken into custody after refusing to follow orders. The child was flown to Texas despite a court order seeking her release, reports said. DHS said the toddler was later released and reunited with her father. The case comes amid stepped-up immigration enforcement under Operation Metro Surge. (PC: NDTV)

The President of India has approved 131 Padma awards for 2026 on the eve of Republic Day, the government announced on Saturday. The list includes five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awards. Veteran actor Dharmendra has been named for the Padma Vibhushan posthumously in the art category. Former Kerala chief minister VS Achuthanandhan has also received the honour posthumously for public affairs. Among Padma Bhushan awardees are actor Mammootty, former diplomat Piyush Pandey (posthumous) and banker Uday Kotak. Cricketers Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur have been selected for Padma Shri in sports. The 2026 list includes 19 women, 16 posthumous awardees and six foreign or overseas Indian recipients. The awards will be presented at Rashtrapati Bhavan in March or April. (PC: HT)

US President Donald Trump has praised British troops who served in Afghanistan after his earlier remarks drew strong criticism. Trump had said Nato forces stayed “a little back” from front lines, comments UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called “insulting and frankly appalling.” After speaking with Starmer, Trump posted online praising UK soldiers as “among the greatest of all warriors.” He said 457 British troops died and many were injured during the conflict. Downing Street said the call focused on the shared sacrifice of UK and US forces. Trump did not issue a direct apology for his earlier comments. (PC: BBC)

Veteran journalist and author Mark Tully passed away at a private hospital in New Delhi on Sunday. He was 90. Tully had been unwell and was admitted to Max Hospital in Saket for the past week. A close friend confirmed his death. Tully served as the BBC’s New Delhi bureau chief for 22 years and was known for his reporting on India and South Asia. He covered major events, including wars, political unrest, and social crises. Born in Calcutta in 1935, Tully wrote several books on India and later hosted a BBC Radio 4 programme. He received the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. (PC: The Indian Express)

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has accepted the ICC’s decision to remove the team from the T20 World Cup 2026. Bangladesh was dropped after refusing to travel to India, citing government security advice. The ICC rejected requests to shift matches to Sri Lanka or change group placement. Scotland has been named as Bangladesh’s replacement. BCB officials said all options were exhausted and no further appeal will be made. The board confirmed it will not seek arbitration or dispute resolution. An ICC security review found no specific threat, but Bangladesh maintained safety concerns for players and staff. The tournament will be held in India and Sri Lanka. (PC: India Today)

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged that the ₹22 crore revenue generated by the Goa nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane over the last two financial years is proceeds of crime under anti-money laundering law. The agency claims the club operated without statutory licences, using forged NOCs and documents, and earned money illegally, which was diverted to personal and related accounts. ED conducted raids in Goa, Delhi, and Haryana on January 23, freezing suspected accounts and uncovering evidence of possible foreign remittances. The case ties to the December 6 deadly fire at the club that killed 25 people. (PC: Reuters)

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly retreated to a heavily fortified underground bunker in Tehran amid fears of a possible U.S. military strike, according to multiple media reports. The move follows warnings from Iranian security officials about heightened risks as U.S. naval forces, including the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group, head toward the Middle East. The bunker includes interconnected tunnels and is meant to protect leadership during conflict. Khamenei’s third son, Masoud, is said to be handling daily operations and communications. Tehran has warned that any attack would trigger a severe response. (PC: AFP)