Army officers on Tuesday paid their final respects to Havildar Gajendra Singh, a Special Forces soldier who was killed on Monday during a counter-terrorism operation in the Singhpora area of Chatroo, Kishtwar district. Havildar Singh lost his life "while gallantly executing a counter-terror operation" as part of Operation Trashi-I on the night of January 18–19.
In a post on X, the White Knight Corps stated, "The #GOC, White Knight Corps and all ranks pay solemn tribute to Havildar Gajendra Singh of the Special Forces, who made the supreme sacrifice while gallantly executing a Counter Terrorism operation in the Singpura area during Operation TRASHI-I. We honor his courage, valor, and selfless devotion to duty, and stand firmly with his family in this hour of grief."
The Corps also provided details of the operation, saying contact was made on Sunday with terrorists in the Son Nar area, northeast of Chhatru, during a planned search as part of joint operations with Jammu and Kashmir Police. The troops responded with professionalism and determination under difficult terrain and weather conditions. Additional forces were deployed to reinforce the cordon, in close coordination with civil administration and other security agencies.
Operations under Operation Trashi-I continue in the Son Nar area. The cordon has been tightened, and search operations expanded. Troops of the White Knight Corps, along with Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF, remain deployed to dominate the area. At least eight security personnel were injured during an encounter on Monday, which followed the launch of the operation on Sunday targeting terrorists in the Chatroo region. Jammu and Kashmir Police confirmed that the operation is ongoing, with security forces maintaining heightened deployment.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, January 20, that Britain’s decision to transfer sovereignty of Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands to Mauritius was a sign of “total weakness.” He argued that the move reinforced national security concerns and cited it as another reason why the United States should acquire Greenland.
Diego Garcia hosts a key US-UK military air base in the Indian Ocean. Under an agreement reached last year, Britain agreed to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining control of the base through a long-term lease. At the time, the US administration welcomed the deal, praising efforts to ensure the continued operation of the joint military facility. Reacting strongly, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that the UK was planning to give up Diego Garcia, home to a crucial US military base, to Mauritius “for no reason whatsoever.” He added that China and Russia would undoubtedly be paying close attention to Britain’s actions.
British senior minister Darren Jones defended the agreement, saying it was the most secure option for the base, allowing it to function for the next century. He confirmed that the treaty had already been signed and could not be altered, emphasizing that Britain would rely on diplomacy and the prime minister’s relationship with the US president to safeguard national interests.
Although Prime Minister Keir Starmer has previously built a strong rapport with Trump, including securing a deal to reduce certain tariffs, tensions have recently emerged over Trump’s stance on Greenland and his criticism of the Diego Garcia agreement. Trump has repeatedly claimed that growing Chinese and Russian influence makes Greenland essential to US security and has insisted on full ownership. Britain’s agreement with Mauritius had been delayed following Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, as London allowed the new US administration time to review the arrangement.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
DMK MP Kanimozhi has expressed her support for music maestro AR Rahman following his controversial remarks about Bollywood. On X, she wrote, "I stand with @arrahman. Targeting a musician whose art transcends religion, language, and identity—and the silence of those in authority—is deeply disturbing." She praised Rahman for popularizing Indian music worldwide, calling him an "ambassador of culture and Indian values."
"Rahman is not only a creator and artist who brought Indian music to the world, but also a key ambassador of our culture. He deserves respect and gratitude, not prejudice and hate. Intolerance has no place in a democratic society," Kanimozhi added. Rahman recently told the BBC Asian Network that work in the Hindi film industry has slowed for him over the past eight years, citing changes in the industry.
Veteran author Shobhaa De criticized Rahman’s remarks as "very dangerous," asserting that Bollywood has always valued talent over religion. Speaking at the Jaipur Literature Festival 2026, she said, "If you have talent, you get a chance. Religion has never been a factor. He is successful and mature; he should not have said this."
Actress and politician Kangana Ranaut also responded, calling Rahman "prejudiced and hateful." On Instagram, she alleged that he refused to meet her or work on the music for her film Emergency, claiming he considered it a "propaganda film." She added that her movie was praised by critics and opposition leaders for its balanced approach, but Rahman’s prejudice blinded him from recognizing its merit.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
A powerful explosion tore through a Chinese-run restaurant in the heart of Kabul's Shahr-e-Naw district on Monday, killing seven people and injuring more than a dozen others. The attack, claimed by the Islamic State's Afghan affiliate, targeted a popular spot frequented by Chinese expatriates and locals alike.
The suicide bombing struck near the restaurant's kitchen during peak hours, blowing a massive hole in the front facade and sending debris flying across the crowded street. Eyewitnesses recounted a deafening blast followed by thick smoke and chaos as diners and passersby scrambled to escape. Among the dead were six Afghans and one Chinese national identified as Ayub, with victims including women and a child rushed to nearby hospitals.
Owned by Chinese Muslim Abdul Majid, his wife, and local partner Abdul Jabbar Mahmood, the eatery served noodles and dishes beloved by Kabul's small Chinese Muslim community. It stood as a symbol of China's expanding footprint in Afghanistan post-2021 Taliban takeover, amid Beijing's interest in mining and infrastructure deals. The IS claim via its Amaq agency fits their pattern of hitting Chinese-linked sites, challenging Taliban security pledges to attract foreign investment.
China swiftly condemned the violence, urging a thorough investigation and enhanced safeguards for its citizens and projects, after five nationals were wounded. Taliban forces cordoned off the area but reopened streets quickly, downplaying the breach in one of Kabul's most fortified zones packed with embassies and offices. The incident underscores ongoing instability, as Afghanistan grapples with economic woes and militant threats despite Taliban rule.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Sina Weibo.
Firefighters in Karachi began recovering bodies from Gul Plaza mall after a massive fire killed at least 21 and left over 60 missing. The blaze, the city’s largest in over a decade, destroyed the 1,200-shop complex. Rescue efforts were slowed by thick smoke and structural collapse. Families and shop owners mourned their losses, while officials promised an inquiry into the incident.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
During the daily markets segment on Open For Business, hosts Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman engage in an in-depth discussion with Rachana Mehta, who serves as the Head of Regional Fixed Income at Maybank Asset Management, exploring the latest trends, insights, and developments in the financial markets and their potential impact on investors and the broader economy.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
In Destination Anywhere, Melanie Oliveiro explores the food-focused travel journeys of Naomi Ngoo, founder of SALT.Singapore, the award-winning hawker stall known for its Western and Asian offerings. Ngoo shares memories from Rome, where she savored fresh pasta at the popular Pomodorum, sampled fried delights from Taiwan’s famous Devil Chicken, and enjoyed affordable, high-quality steaks at the UK-based Flat Iron chain. She also reveals how these culinary experiences inspired new SALT.Singapore creations, contributing to her win at the Singapore Hawkers’ Celebration and Awards 2025.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
The Department of Justice launched a criminal investigation into Jerome Powell, the Federal Reserve chair and longtime adversary of Donald Trump. In an unusual turn, central bank leaders and top bankers in the U.S. resisted the Trump administration’s pressure. This week, Jonathan Freedland talks with economist Heather Boushey about why challenging Wall Street could be a battle the president may come to regret.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
A week after Palestinian Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah was removed from the Adelaide Writers’ Week lineup, the festival’s organisers have issued a full and unconditional apology. The South Australian event faced turmoil after her exclusion, leading over 180 writers to withdraw in protest. With a newly appointed board, the organisers expressed regret for the damage caused and extended an invitation to Abdel-Fattah to speak in 2027. Dr. Abdel-Fattah spoke with Nour Haydar about her potential defamation case against the South Australian premier and the broader significance of this incident.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
