Pakistan is under intense domestic scrutiny after the United States and India announced a trade deal that benefits Indian exporters more than Pakistani ones. The agreement, unveiled on February 2, 2026, lowers US import tariffs on Indian goods to 18%, while Pakistan’s exports continue to face slightly higher tariffs of 19%.

The outcome has sparked criticism from politicians, analysts, and social media users in Pakistan, with many questioning the country’s diplomatic strategy. Former Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf (PTI) minister Hammad Azhar said the deal exposes the shortcomings of relying on personal diplomacy, arguing that foreign policy should prioritise economic leverage and market access over symbolic gestures.

Public reaction has been vocal on social media, where many highlighted Pakistan’s previous efforts to gain favor with US leaders, including high-profile recognitions, as largely ineffective. The phrase “you cannot buy respect” has become a popular refrain, summarizing widespread frustration with Islamabad’s approach.

Journalists and commentators also pointed to the potential economic consequences. Higher tariffs could make Pakistani exports less competitive in the US market, adding pressure to an already challenging economic environment marked by declining exports and low foreign investment. Some analysts drew a contrast with India, noting that New Delhi’s focus on strategic autonomy and economic negotiation allowed it to secure more favorable trade terms.

The backlash underscores growing domestic concern over Pakistan’s foreign policy and trade strategy at a time when India is strengthening its economic ties with the US and other global partners.

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The global K‑pop sensation BTS has been spotted travelling to Dubai, UAE, exciting fans worldwide. Videos and photos from Incheon Airport show all seven members,  RM, Jin, Suga, J‑Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook,  departing together, a rare public sighting after years of solo projects and military duties.

Fans, known as the ARMY, shared their excitement online, calling it “surreal” to see the group united. While no official schedule has been announced, speculation is rife about private events or possible performances in the UAE.

Some members, including J‑Hope, have visited the Emirates before, enjoying landmarks like the Burj Khalifa, adding to anticipation over what the septet might do on this trip.

Even without confirmed details, BTS’s presence has already created a buzz across fan communities and regional media, highlighting Dubai as a growing hub for global entertainment events.

Also Read: Indian-origin millionaire admits drink spiking

An Indian-origin millionaire restaurateur, Vikas Nath, has admitted in a London court that he added a controlled substance to a woman’s drink at an exclusive private club, saying he did so to help her “relax” and not with any sexual intent.

The incident took place in January 2024 at Annabel’s, a high-profile members-only club in Mayfair, London. Nath, 63, who owns several luxury restaurants in the UK and Europe, was having drinks with the woman at the club’s rooftop bar. According to prosecutors, Nath used a straw to mix GBL, a sedative drug often linked to drink-spiking cases, into her margarita.

The situation was noticed by alert club staff, who became suspicious after seeing Nath interfere with the drink. They immediately intervened, removed the glass before the woman could take a sip, and served her a fresh drink. Senior staff then informed the police.

When officers arrived, Nath reportedly tried to get rid of the bottle containing the substance by throwing it into a toilet cistern. However, the bottle was recovered, and forensic tests confirmed it contained GBL.

In court, Nath accepted that he had spiked the drink but denied that he intended to sexually assault the woman. He told the court that his actions were meant to calm her, a claim strongly challenged by prosecutors. CCTV footage shown to the jury clearly captured the moment he tampered with the drink.

The woman, whose identity has been protected, told the court she felt “shocked and betrayed.” She said she had met Nath socially before and never imagined he would do something like this. She also recalled that Nath had oddly warned her about drink spiking on earlier occasions, which now felt disturbing in hindsight.

Prosecutors also presented messages suggesting Nath was unhappy about the lack of intimacy in their relationship, and said bottles of the same substance were later found at his home.

Also Read: Over 800 go missing in Delhi in early 2026

A federal judge in Florida has sentenced Ryan Wesley Routh, 59, to life in prison without parole, plus seven additional years for attempting to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a golf course in September 2024.

The dramatic plot unfolded at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, where Trump was playing golf during his 2024 campaign. Routh had carefully planned the attack, hiding with a semi-automatic rifle near the course. His actions could have ended in tragedy, but a vigilant Secret Service agent spotted the rifle and forced him to flee, preventing harm.

Routh was arrested shortly after. During the federal trial that ended in September 2025, he was convicted on five counts, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, assaulting a federal officer, and several firearms offences. Reports say Routh represented himself during the trial and even tried to harm himself in court after the verdict.

At the sentencing hearing, Routh appealed for leniency, citing his age and mental health, but the court rejected these arguments. Judge Aileen M. Cannon described his actions as “deliberate and evil,” highlighting the threat posed to public safety and democratic processes. Prosecutors emphasized that Routh showed no remorse and that his crime was a serious attempt to disrupt an election.

The seven-year sentence will run consecutively for a firearms offence, while other counts run concurrently with his life term. Legal experts say the harsh sentence reflects the seriousness of targeting political figures with violence.

Routh’s lawyers have indicated they may appeal the ruling, but the court’s decision underscores the severe consequences of trying to harm public leaders. The case also serves as a reminder of the constant vigilance required to protect elected officials and maintain the safety of public spaces.

Also Read: Russia says India “free to buy oil from anyone”

The US and Iran will meet in Oman to discuss Iran’s nuclear programme. Washington seeks broader security talks, while Tehran insists on a nuclear-only agenda. Diplomats hope for limited progress, though a major breakthrough remains unlikely.

More than 800 people were reported missing in Delhi during the first few weeks of 2026, according to official police data, raising serious concerns about safety in the national capital. The figures show that an average of around 50–55 people went missing every day, with women and children forming a large share of the cases.

Police records reveal that over 800 missing-person complaints were registered between January 1 and mid-January, while data from the first 27 days of the year also shows similarly high numbers. Of these cases, several hundred people are yet to be traced, highlighting the scale of the challenge faced by law-enforcement agencies.

Women and girls make up the majority of those reported missing. More than 500 of the missing persons were women or female minors, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the total cases. Among them, a significant number are still untraced, causing deep concern among families and child-rights activists.

Children are among the most vulnerable groups in the data. Nearly 200 minors were reported missing during the period, with girls accounting for a much higher number than boys. Teenagers aged 12 to 18 years form the largest group among missing children, and a large percentage of them remain untraced even weeks after complaints were filed.

Adults continue to form the biggest category overall, with more than 600 adults reported missing, including both men and women. While police have managed to trace some individuals, hundreds of cases remain unresolved, adding pressure on investigation units across districts.

Delhi Police officials say that many missing-person cases involve people leaving home due to family disputes, work-related migration, or personal reasons. However, the high concentration of women and minors has raised fears related to safety, exploitation, and trafficking.

Authorities have urged families to report disappearances without delay, stressing that early reporting significantly improves the chances of tracing missing persons. Police are using multiple tools, including surveillance, local intelligence, and the ZIPNET missing-persons database, to track cases.

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The Allahabad High Court acquitted Dhani Ram, nearly 100, in a 1982 murder case. Having been on bail since 1984, he was freed as decades-long delays and his advanced age, along with weak evidence, led to acquittal.

Russia has reaffirmed that India is free to purchase crude oil from any supplier, countering US claims that the India–US trade deal requires New Delhi to reduce Russian imports.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that India’s strategy of diversifying energy sources is longstanding and that Moscow has received no official notice of India planning to stop buying Russian crude. Russian officials highlighted that trade in Russian oil has been mutually beneficial, supplying a significant share of India’s demand.

The clarification follows US President Donald Trump’s statement suggesting that India agreed under the trade deal to shift purchases from Russia to the US and Venezuela,  a position not confirmed by India.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry noted that hydrocarbon trade with India remains stable and strategically important. Analysts pointed out that replacing Russian crude with US oil would be complex, given variations in oil grades and refining requirements.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs also reaffirmed that imports from Venezuela or other countries would depend on commercial viability and energy security, underscoring that sourcing decisions are market-driven, not dictated by external pressure.

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Three minor sisters were found dead after falling from the ninth floor of their apartment building in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, in a case that has shocked the city and raised serious concerns about teenage mental health and online influence.

The girls, aged 16, 14 and 12, lived with their family in a residential society in the Crossings Republik area. Police believe the sisters died by suicide. An investigation is underway, but officials say there were no signs of foul play.

According to the police, an eight-page diary and a suicide note were recovered from the flat. The writings suggest the girls were deeply influenced by Korean pop culture, including K-pop music, Korean dramas and online mobile games. The diary shows they had created a strong emotional connection with an online world that slowly became central to their lives.

Family members told investigators that the sisters spent most of their time on mobile phones and social media. Over time, they began using Korean names online and built digital identities that were very different from their real lives. They reportedly had a significant following on social media platforms, which further strengthened their attachment to this virtual world.

The diary also reveals growing emotional distress and a feeling of being misunderstood at home. The girls wrote about conflicts with their father, especially when restrictions were placed on phone usage and online activities. One entry reportedly asked, “Will you stop us from going to Korea?”, reflecting how deeply they associated their dreams and happiness with Korean culture.

Police said the obsession appeared to intensify during the COVID-19 lockdowns, when screen time increased and social interaction became limited. Over time, the sisters became more withdrawn, preferring their online space over real-world connections.

Authorities have sent the diary for further examination and are speaking to family members, teachers and friends to better understand the pressures the girls were facing. Mental health experts say the incident highlights the need for parents to stay emotionally connected with children, monitor online activity, and encourage open conversations rather than strict control.

Also Read: Ishaan Tharoor laid off in Washington Post job cuts

Ishaan Tharoor, a senior journalist at The Washington Post and son of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, has been laid off as part of large-scale job cuts at the American newspaper. The decision is part of a major restructuring exercise that has affected hundreds of employees, including journalists, editors and international correspondents.

Ishaan Tharoor had worked at The Washington Post for 12 years and was best known for his popular global affairs column, WorldView. He joined the paper in 2014 and later became one of its prominent voices on international politics, foreign policy and world events. His writing was widely read and shared across the globe.

Reacting to the news, Ishaan Tharoor expressed deep sadness over the layoffs. In a post on social media platform X, he described the day as “a bad one” and said he was heartbroken for his colleagues. He shared an image of the newsroom carrying the newspaper’s well-known slogan, “Democracy Dies in Darkness.” He also said many journalists who lost their jobs were close friends and long-time collaborators.

The Washington Post has reportedly laid off over 300 journalists, making it one of the biggest workforce reductions in the paper’s recent history. Several departments were affected, including the international desk, which saw significant cuts. The paper has also shut down some foreign bureaus and reduced coverage in areas such as sports and books.

Shashi Tharoor responded to his son’s exit by expressing pride in Ishaan’s work and professionalism. He acknowledged the difficult situation faced by journalists worldwide and said his son’s record at the paper spoke for itself.

The layoffs come at a time when many global media organisations are struggling with falling advertising revenues, changing reader habits and the growing dominance of digital platforms. The Washington Post’s management has said the restructuring is aimed at making the organisation more financially sustainable in the long term, though it has admitted the decisions were painful.

Also Read: Indian-origin millionaire admits drink spiking