A blast on a railway track near Sirhind, Punjab, damaged a 600-metre stretch of the freight corridor, derailing the engine of a goods train and injuring the loco pilot. The explosion occurred near Khanpur village around 9:50 pm, causing panic in nearby areas ahead of Republic Day celebrations. Police registered a case under Section 150 of the Railways Act, and forensic teams began investigations. Railway authorities acted swiftly to repair the track and resume train services. Thankfully, no major casualties were reported, though the blast highlights ongoing security concerns along key rail routes in Punjab. 

India and the European Union are expected to finalize a long‑pending Free Trade Agreement (FTA) this Tuesday during the India‑EU summit in New Delhi. The agreement will cut tariffs on European cars and wine while opening EU markets to Indian goods like textiles, electronics, and chemicals. Bilateral trade, which reached $136.5 billion in 2024‑25, is likely to grow significantly after the deal. Some challenges remain, including sensitive tariff reductions and non‑tariff barriers like carbon levies. Once signed, EU Parliament ratification may take over a year, but the pact marks a major step in India‑EU economic cooperation. (PC: Bloomberg)

Iran’s Consul General in Mumbai, Saeid Reza Mosayeb Motlagh, said Iran is “not afraid” amid rising U.S. pressure and sanctions, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei is not hiding in a bunker but conducting required meetings securely. He dismissed media speculation suggesting a leadership crisis and claimed foreign intelligence fueled unrest in Iran, resulting in over 3,100 deaths during protests. Motlagh reaffirmed Iran’s readiness to defend itself against aggression and emphasized ongoing ties with India despite sanctions. He also assured that no foreign nationals, including Indians in Iran, have been harmed, and said internet services are improving after outages. (PC: NDTV)

In Lawrenceville, Georgia, a 51-year-old man, Vijay Kumar, allegedly shot his wife, Meemu Dogra (43), and three relatives dead in a family dispute, police said. The victims — Dogra, Gourav Kumar (33), Nidhi Chander (37) and Harish Chander (38) — all suffered fatal gunshot wounds inside a home on Brook Ivy Court early Friday morning. Three children present during the shooting hid in a closet; the suspect’s 12-year-old child called 911, enabling officers to arrive within minutes. All surviving children were unharmed and taken into care by relatives. Kumar has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder, aggravated assault and cruelty to children. The Indian Consulate in Atlanta expressed grief and pledged assistance to the bereaved family. (PC: HT)

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially removed Bangladesh from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) refused to travel to India for scheduled matches, citing security concerns and rejecting the ICC’s refusal to shift their games abroad. Bangladesh was given a 24-hour ultimatum to confirm participation under the original schedule but failed to comply, leading the ICC to name Scotland as their replacement in Group C. The tournament begins February 7, 2026, with Scotland set to play teams including West Indies, England, Italy and Nepal. This marks a rare pre-event change due to administrative and geopolitical issues impacting international cricket participation. (PC: PTI)

Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen has expressed concern over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, describing the process as hurried and potentially unfair. He said voters are being given very limited time to submit documents, which could lead to eligible citizens being left out. Sen warned that the poor, elderly, and marginalised may face the greatest difficulties. Sharing his own experience with documentation issues, he stressed that voter list revisions should be conducted carefully and transparently. While revisions are necessary, he said the current approach risks harming democratic participation ahead of elections. (PC: The Hindu)

India and the European Union are moving closer to a long-pending free trade agreement as global trade tensions rise. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa will attend India’s Republic Day, with trade talks high on the agenda. Leaders on both sides have described the proposed pact as the “mother of all deals.” Talks have gained urgency amid uncertainty over US tariff policy under President Donald Trump. The deal would deepen trade ties between two large markets and help reduce dependence on unstable partners. Negotiations have continued for nearly two decades and are now nearing completion, though issues like carbon rules and intellectual property remain unresolved. (PC: BBC)

Former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, speaking publicly from India for the first time, urged citizens to oppose the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. In a pre-recorded address played in New Delhi, Hasina said the administration could not ensure free and fair elections ahead of the February 12 polls. She alleged rising violence, lawlessness and attacks on minorities, women and journalists. Hasina called for an “ironclad guarantee” to protect vulnerable groups and demanded an impartial United Nations investigation into events after her government fell in August 2024. The Awami League leader has been living in exile in India. Her party has been barred from contesting the election. (PC: HT)

Russia carried out overnight drone and missile strikes across Ukraine, killing one person and injuring at least 23, officials said, even as talks with the United States continued. Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said a “massive enemy attack” damaged critical infrastructure, leaving about 6,000 buildings without heating in sub-zero weather. Four people were wounded in the capital, three of them hospitalised. In Kharkiv, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said 19 people were injured, with a maternity hospital and a shelter for displaced people damaged. Delegations from Russia, Ukraine and the US met in Abu Dhabi. A source said progress was limited, with territorial issues unresolved. (PC: BBC)

Several international airlines have suspended flights to parts of the Middle East due to growing safety concerns linked to US-Iran tensions. Airlines including KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, United Airlines and Air Canada have halted or limited services to destinations such as Dubai and Tel Aviv. Some carriers said they are avoiding airspace over Iran, Iraq, Israel and parts of the Gulf. Lufthansa has restricted flights to daytime operations in Israel. The move follows increased US military deployments in the region after unrest in Iran. US President Donald Trump confirmed that American warships, including an aircraft carrier, are moving toward the region as a precaution. Iran recently closed its airspace briefly, disrupting global flights. (PC: NDTV)