Month: January 2026

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to visit India in the first week of March.

The Canadian Prime Minister’s visit is likely to see the signing of deals on uranium, energy, minerals, and Artificial Intelligence.

Sources in the Ministry of External Affairs said there would be a key focus on trade during PM Carney’s visit to India.

Meanwhile, Canada has pitched itself as a reliable partner for supplying energy to India. Canadian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson, who was in India for the India Energy Week, said Canada is committed to supplying energy to India and asserted that his country will never use energy for “coercion.”

“It is a changing world we live in, and energy is at the centre of that. I’m here because, like you, the way to resist that change is to build multilateral relationships and to double down on diversification of supply,” the Canadian minister said, speaking at the India Energy Week 2026.

The Canadian minister also said his country is committed to supplying critical minerals to India.

“Canada is a great supplier of those critical minerals, and we’ll be talking about that, and a number of our companies are here at this conference to both help you develop your own critical minerals, but where we have ones to share to help you with energy transition, we will be doing that,” he assured.

According to reports, formal negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between India and Canada could also start in March.

PM Carney is expected to sign smaller agreements with India on nuclear energy, oil and gas, environment, AI and quantum computing as well as deals on education and culture during his visit and a 10-year USD 2.8-billion uranium supply deal is likely to be included.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman are also likely to visit Canada soon, while National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will visit Ottawa next month as part of regular engagements between the two countries.

On Monday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had a productive conversation with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, focusing on strengthening India-Canada bilateral ties. They discussed deepening cooperation in various sectors, including economic partnership, artificial intelligence, and high-level exchanges. (ANI)

A senior Tibetan Buddhist figure from Qinghai province, part of the traditional Tibetan region of Amdo, has reportedly remained missing since being detained in December 2024, prompting serious concerns over enforced disappearance, according to the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), as reported by Phayul.

Lobsang Lungrik, 51, the chief lama of Ba Gon Monastery in Chumarleb (Chinese: Qumalai) County of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, was taken into custody under unclear circumstances.

His whereabouts have not been revealed since then, the rights organisation said in a statement issued on Saturday. TCHRD said Chinese authorities accused Lobsang Lungrik of helping a senior Buddhist scholar from the Tsawa area of Chamdo–who had earlier returned from India and later died–obtain a scripture-related position at Ba Gon Monastery.

He was also accused of transferring funds overseas, allegedly to India. The rights group noted that such allegations are commonly levelled against Tibetans suspected of sustaining religious or cultural connections with communities outside Tibet, Phayul reported.

On December 26, 2024, Lobsang Lungrik was removed from his role as a Standing Committee Member of the Qinghai Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and his membership qualifications were revoked. The move was reportedly made during the 11th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 13th Qinghai Provincial CPPCC, where he had been serving as a Vice Chairman.

He had also held several senior positions, including Vice President of the Buddhist Association of Qinghai Province, Executive Vice President and Board Member of the Buddhist Association of Yushu Prefecture, and Vice Chairman of the Yushu Prefectural CPPCC, the Phayul report said.

TCHRD stated that Chinese authorities have not disclosed the legal basis for his detention nor confirmed his location or whether he has access to legal representation. “His incommunicado detention constitutes arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance,” the group said, adding that enforced disappearance represents a serious violation of fundamental human rights, including the rights to life, liberty and personal security, protection from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, humane detention conditions, and the right to a fair trial, as cited by the Phayul report. (ANI)

President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday received Antonio Costa, President of the European Council and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, at Rashtrapati Bhavan and hosted a banquet in their honour.

Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval were among the leaders present.

Akash Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, was among the invitees, along with leaders from various fields.

Welcoming the European Union leaders, the President said that their presence as Chief Guests on Republic Day, marking the first participation of the European Union in India’s Republic Day celebrations, holds special significance, reflecting the depth of “mutual engagement and the trust we place in one another”.

The President said that India and Europe are connected not only by contemporary interests, but also by shared values such as democracy, pluralism, and an open market economy. These principles guide us in a rapidly changing global environment. She was happy to note that over the past two decades, the India-European Union Strategic Partnership has grown remarkably stronger. She said that this reflects our collective aspiration to shape a stable, balanced, and rules-based international order.

The President said that in these times of uncertainty and conflict, India and the European Union share the responsibility of maintaining global stability. Our cooperation sends a clear message in support of diplomacy, multilateralism, and peaceful coexistence.

The President said that economic cooperation is a key pillar of India-European Union relations. We view trade and investment as instruments of shared prosperity and social progress. She expressed happiness over the successful conclusion of the historic negotiations on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, adding that it will bring significant positive changes to the lives of our people.

The President said that impact of technology on society is as profound as its impact on the economy. India and the EU can work together to advance “responsible innovation”. She added that the Security and Defence Partnership concluded during this visit will open new opportunities for our defence industries.

The President said that India is keen to further strengthen cooperation with the EU in the fields of clean energy, climate finance, and sustainable technologies.

The three leaders expressed confidence that the important agreements concluded during this visit will further deepen the India-EU Strategic Partnership. They agreed that India and the EU are emerging as a force for balance, stability, and optimism and together, we can shape a future that is sustainable, inclusive and humane. (ANI)

Actors Jennifer Winget and Karan Wahi have been friends for a long time. And surprisingly, since Tuesday evening, social media has been abuzz with their wedding rumours.

As wedding rumours went haywire on social media, Karan broke his silence and indirectly reacted to the reports, writing on Instagram, “Free ki PR ke liye bahut shukriya. (Thank you very much for the free publicity).”

In another Instagram Story, Karan shared a still of Ranbir and Kalki from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, comparing their friendship in the film to his equation with Jennifer.

“Some bonds are greater than love,” the post read.

Jennifer has not reacted to the rumours yet.

Karan and Jennifer have worked together in several shows such as ‘Dill Mill Gayye’, and ‘Raisinghani vs Raisinghani’. heir on-screen chemistry has always been loved by fans. Off-screen too, they are often spotted together, and they never miss a chance to wish each other on birthdays or special occasions. They consistently support and root for one another.

Jennifer was previously married to actor Karan Singh Grover. (ANI)

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kalraj Mishra on Wednesday criticised the newly notified University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines, calling them “unconstitutional” while alleging that they promote “separatism” instead of ensuring equal opportunity for all students.

Speaking to ANI, Mishra said the new UGC guidelines should be inclusive of all sections of society and ensure that any student, regardless of caste or community, facing discrimination has the opportunity to file a complaint.

“We have demanded that the unconstitutional rules, which are based on caste discrimination, and which include OBCs, should be amended. I believe that all sections of society need to be included in this. If any student from any caste or community faces discrimination, they should have the opportunity to file a complaint, and I believe that everyone should be included in this process,” he said.

Mishra further argued that the guidelines could encourage separatism. “I feel that the guidelines provided by the UGC will increase separatism and violate the fundamental rights of the Constitution, and therefore, it will be considered unconstitutional,” he said.

Raising concerns over the absence of safeguards, Mishra demanded strict action against false complaints. “Secondly, we demand that punitive action be taken against those who file false complaints. Currently, there is no provision for punitive action. We believe that there should be such a provision,” he added.

The BJP leader also called for broader representation in grievance redressal bodies.

“Thirdly, we demand that the grievance redressal committee, which has been designated as the Equal Opportunity Centre, should have representation from all sections of society. Furthermore, the committee’s timeframe, scope, jurisdiction, and other details should be clearly defined,” he said.

“We also met with a delegation today. We discussed all these points with them. We also met with Dharmendra Pradhan, the Education Minister,” Mishra added.

This comes after new rules notified by the UGC on January 13, which update its 2012 regulations on the same subject, have sparked widespread criticism from general category students, who argue that the framework could lead to discrimination against them.

The new regulations, introduced to curb caste-based discrimination in colleges and universities, require institutions to establish special committees and helplines to address complaints, especially from SC, ST, and OBC students.

Meanwhile, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday sought to allay concerns over the new UGC regulations, assuring that the law would not be misused and that there would be no discrimination in its implementation. (ANI)

Uttarakhand State Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman on Wednesday confirmed that although widespread rainfall and moderate snowfall have covered the state, no major damage has been reported so far.

Vinod Kumar Suman said, “Almost all districts of Uttarakhand have received rainfall. There was snowfall, but it was moderate. No damage has been reported. There hasn’t been very heavy snowfall in the high-altitude areas. There was a risk of avalanches. We issued a warning yesterday to the districts, cautioning them of the risk of avalanches. The risk remains for a day or two.”

Since yesterday, Chamoli district has been experiencing heavy rain and snowfall, with the remote village of Wan receiving more than one foot of snow.

The continuous snowfall has brought severe cold conditions, disrupting daily life.

In view of the possibility of snowfall and avalanches in the high-altitude regions of Uttarakhand, the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) has alerted all districts.

According to the forecast issued by the Defence Geo-Informatics Research Establishment (DGRE), Chandigarh, there was a likelihood of snowfall and avalanches in various high-altitude areas of the state from 5:00 PM on January 27 to 5:00 PM on January 28.

As per the DGRE warning, the districts of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, and Rudraprayag have been placed in the Orange Category (Category-3). In this category, deep, unstable snow is present on most avalanche paths, increasing the likelihood of natural avalanches.

Such avalanches may be of medium size and can reach the valley floor. In these conditions, limited movement is considered appropriate only on selected, relatively safer routes, with extreme caution. Any activity on snow-laden slopes can be highly risky.

Earlier, following the directions of the Secretary, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, Vinod Kumar Suman, the State Emergency Operations Centre instructed the District Magistrates of the concerned districts to maintain continuous local monitoring, ensure vigilance in sensitive areas, and provide timely information and advisories to the general public.

Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary movement on snow-covered slopes and avalanche-prone areas during the warning period, refrain from stopping below slopes during or after snowfall, and regularly and safely remove accumulated snow from the roofs of their houses, temporary shelters, and cattle sheds.

It has also been advised that if, due to unavoidable circumstances, people are required to temporarily stay in high-altitude areas experiencing heavy snowfall, it would be appropriate to relocate to safer and lower-altitude areas for one to two days, depending on prevailing conditions. (ANI)

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on Tuesday affirmed that the Kingdom will not permit its airspace or territory to be used for any military actions against Iran, amid reports of a US naval buildup in the region.

According to a statement by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Crown Prince made the remarks during a telephone conversation with the President of the Islamic Republic, Masoud Pezeshkian, who briefed him on recent developments in Iran, including the nuclear negotiations.

During the call, the Al Saud emphasised that Saudi Arabia respects Iran’s sovereignty and will not allow attacks or military operations against the country from any party, regardless of their origin. He also reiterated the Kingdom’s support for resolving disputes through dialogue to promote security and stability in the region.

“The Crown Prince affirmed the Kingdom’s position of respecting the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran and emphasized that the Kingdom will not allow its airspace or territory to be used for any military actions against the Islamic Republic of Iran or any attacks from any party whatsoever, regardless of their origin,” SPA stated in its statement.

“His Royal Highness also affirmed the Kingdom’s support for any efforts aimed at resolving disputes through dialogue in a way that enhances security and stability in the region,” it added.

The Iranian President expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s stance and thanked the Crown Prince for his efforts to maintain regional security and stability.

This comes moments after US President Donald Trump reiterated his hard-line stance on Iran during a campaign-style event in Iowa, emphasising both military pressure and the possibility of negotiations with Tehran as tensions persist over the crackdown on protesters and regional security.

Pointing to a significant US military buildup in the Middle East, Trump said that there was a “beautiful armada floating beautifully toward Iran,” noting that the Islamic Republic “make a deal.”

“By the way, there’s another beautiful armada floating beautifully toward Iran right now. So we’ll see. I hope they make a deal. I hope they make a deal. They should have made a deal the first time. They’d have a country,” Trump said.

His comments highlighted Washington’s show of force while also leaving the door open for diplomacy.

Iran is currently in turmoil due to nationwide anti-government protests, driven by soaring inflation, economic hardship and mounting public anger over governance.

According to the latest compiled data from the Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA), as of the 31st day of the protests, the total number of confirmed deaths has reached 6,221.

Among these, 5,858 were protesters, 100 were children under 18, 214 were government-affiliated forces, and 49 were non-protester civilians. An additional 17,091 deaths are still under investigation.

The total number of arrests stands at 42,324, with 11,017 people reported as severely injured. There have been 261 documented cases of forced confessions broadcast publicly, and 11,026 individuals have been summoned to security institutions. Across 201 cities in 31 provinces, a total of 656 protest-related incidents have been recorded. (ANI)

An earthquake of magnitude 6.0 struck Philippines on Wednesday, a statement by the National Center of Seismology (NCS) said.

As per the statement, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 40km.

In a post on X, the NCS said, “EQ of M: 6.0, On: 28/01/2026 12:17:05 IST, Lat: 6.48 N, Long: 123.83 E, Depth: 40 Km, Location: Moro Gulf, Philippines.”

The Philippine Sea borders the Philippines to its east, but it’s a vast part of the western Pacific Ocean, with its floor being the Philippine Sea Plate; while the Philippines has sovereign rights over its adjacent waters (the West Philippine Sea within the South China Sea), the broader Philippine Sea is a large oceanic basin shared with other nations like Japan and Taiwan.

The Philippines lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire, a tectonic belt of volcanic arcs and oceanic trenches in the Pacific Ocean.

John Dale B Dianala, assistant professor at the National Institute of Geological Sciences, the University of the Philippines in Diliman, told Al Jazeera that just by virtue of the geographic and geologic setting of the country, the Philippines is home to many onshore and offshore tectonic faults.

“The whole length of the Philippines, around 1,800km, is right along the boundary of two major tectonic plates – the Philippine Sea plate and Eurasian plate – part of the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire. These two plates, thousands of kilometres wide, have been pushing against each other for millions of years at two to three times the rate of fingernail growth,” he said.

“Each earthquake is a manifestation of the periodic release of the stress along long fractures on these plates – what geologists call ‘faults’ – which rupture several metres of movement along a fault in large earthquakes,” he further told Al Jazeera.

“When the displacement involves vertical uplift of the seafloor from an offshore fault, like in the Philippine Trench to the east of the country, the movement displaces the water column from the depths of the ocean that then propagate to the surface and coasts in the form of tsunamis. Strong shaking can also cause submarine landslides that can also trigger tsunamis,” he added. (ANI)

Indian conglomerate the Adani Group and Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer on Tuesday announced the signing of a strategic agreement to manufacture aircraft in India, marking a significant step in the country’s push to emerge as a global aviation hub.

Under the agreement, the two companies plan to establish an aircraft assembly line in India and collaborate across multiple segments of the aeronautical value chain. The partnership will cover not only aircraft manufacturing but also initiatives related to pilot training, maintenance, and the development of technical and engineering skills linked to the aviation sector, as reported by Brasil 247.

According to Brasil 247, in a joint statement, Adani and Embraer said the collaboration is aimed at strengthening India’s domestic aerospace industry while expanding the country’s technological and manufacturing capabilities.

“The proposed ecosystem is designed to support domestic demand while simultaneously generating a significant number of direct and indirect jobs,” the statement said. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

Embraer, one of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers, is known for its regional jets, military aircraft, and executive aviation platforms.

Its partnership with the Adani Group, which has a strong footprint across infrastructure, airports, defence, and energy, is expected to enhance India’s role in global aerospace supply chains.

Industry experts view the agreement as aligned with the Indian government’s broader strategy to attract foreign investment, promote high-value manufacturing, and reduce dependence on imports in critical sectors. The initiative also complements India’s ambitions under programmes such as “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat,” particularly in defence and civil aviation.

The collaboration reflects the growing internationalisation of the aerospace industry, as manufacturers seek new markets and cost-efficient production bases. For India, the project represents another step toward consolidating its position as a competitive destination for advanced aviation manufacturing and skill development. (ANI)

Amid heavy snowfall during the winter season in the sacred town of Baba Kedarnath, personnel of the Uttarakhand Police and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) are setting an inspiring example of courage and dedication while facing the harsh challenges of nature, district administration officials said.

As continuous snowfall blankets the shrine, the security forces are not only discharging their responsibility of safeguarding the pilgrimage site but are also embodying the spirit of “self-reliance” and “effective management” by clearing heavy snow from their residential areas.

Despite sub-zero temperatures, the forces remain constantly alert and active. When heavy snowfall disrupted access routes and affected living facilities (barracks), the personnel themselves took up shovels to clear several feet of accumulated snow, ensuring that emergency services remained uninterrupted.

Even in Kedarnath’s extremely challenging terrain and low-oxygen conditions, the morale of the security personnel continues to remain high.

The holy town of Kedarnath, nestled in the high Himalayas, is experiencing extreme winter conditions, with 3-4 feet of snow blanketing the shrine and temperatures plummeting to -16°C.

The Rudraprayag district administration told ANI that amid continuous snowfall in the state’s high Himalayan regions, the holy town of Kedarnath, the abode of Baba Kedar, has been completely blanketed in snow. At present, around 3 to 4 feet of snow has accumulated at the shrine, and temperatures have dropped to below- 16 degrees Celsius.

Despite the harsh weather, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Rudraprayag Police are braving the cold, conducting continuous patrolling around the temple premises and sensitive areas.

Even in extreme cold and icy winds, the forces are carrying out continuous patrolling in and around the temple premises and other sensitive areas.

The district administration and police have been alerted to the possibility of avalanches, and personnel are maintaining heightened vigilance.

The Rudraprayag district administration and the police department jointly stated that, despite difficult terrain, the morale of the security forces remains high. The security arrangements at Kedarnath Dham are fully robust and in place.

In view of the possibility of snowfall and avalanches in the high-altitude regions of Uttarakhand, the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) has alerted all districts. According to the forecast issued by the Defence Geo-Informatics Research Establishment (DGRE), Chandigarh, there is a likelihood of snowfall and avalanches in various high-altitude areas of the state from 5:00 PM on January 27 to 5:00 PM on January 28.

As per the DGRE warning, the districts of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, and Rudraprayag have been placed in the Orange Category (Category-3). In this category, deep, unstable snow is present on most avalanche paths, increasing the likelihood of natural avalanches.

Such avalanches may be of medium size and can reach the valley floor. In these conditions, limited movement is considered appropriate only on selected, relatively safer routes, with extreme caution. Any activity on snow-laden slopes can be highly risky. (ANI)