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India aims to expand its homegrown UPI digital payment system to more countries, especially in East Asia, Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju said. UPI already operates in eight nations, facilitating digital transactions and supporting Indian tourists abroad

Virat Kohli scored 93 and Shubman Gill hit 56 as India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the opening ODI at Vadodara. Kohli became the quickest to 28,000 international runs, while Kyle Jamieson’s four wickets kept the visitors in the contest

India won the toss and chose to bowl against New Zealand in the first ODI at Kotambi Stadium. Shubman Gill said the decision was aimed at testing combinations in Indian conditions, as the hosts suffered a setback with Rishabh Pant ruled out of the series.

Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok has restricted image generation and editing after global backlash over sexualised deepfakes. Governments and regulators in several countries have raised concerns, while Britain warned of action against X over the issue

Five-time champions India have been drawn alongside Bangladesh, New Zealand and USA in Group B of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup. The tournament promises high-intensity clashes, starting with India’s opening match against Bangladesh on January 17.

Ten-year-old Indo-American golfer Aaryash Singh Bhadoria is emerging as a promising junior talent, earning accolades across the US and abroad. Currently training and competing in India, his journey blends global exposure, discipline and sporting ambition.

A Bay Capital report said a potential reversal of the global AI investment boom could redirect foreign capital towards India, whose limited exposure to AI infrastructure and strong macro fundamentals may offer asymmetric upside when markets refocus on fundamentals.

Venezuela holds major critical mineral reserves, offering India long-term supply potential, but sanctions, US policy uncertainty and weak trade limit investment, despite legacy Indian oil assets and strategic diversification efforts

Women-focused helmet brand Tvarra announced Indian cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues as an investor partner. She will help shape the brand’s vision, advocate responsible riding, and promote women’s safety. Tvarra plans offline retail expansion in 2026, beyond its current 600-city online presence

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India is concerned over Venezuela after the US capture of President Nicolas Maduro, urging dialogue, peace and protection of Venezuelan people, reaffirming long-standing bilateral ties while monitoring developments and assisting the Indian community

In Dhaka, Sharif Osman Hadi’s party staged a day-long “March for Justice,” demanding the trial of his killers and repatriation of alleged culprits reportedly in India. Bangladesh’s claims of Indian involvement were denied by New Delhi, while local investigations found no evidence of border crossings by the suspects

Scientists from Mizoram and international collaborators have discovered a new non-venomous reed snake species, *Calamaria mizoramensis*, endemic to the state. Published in *Zootaxa*, the finding corrects a long-standing misidentification and highlights Northeast India’s rich but underexplored biodiversity

India has launched its first government-run AI clinic at GIMS Greater Noida to improve early disease detection, diagnostics and treatment. The facility will use AI and genetic screening to support doctors and enhance access to quality healthcare.

EAM S Jaishankar visited the Paris exhibition *Ce qui se trame – woven stories between India and France*, highlighting India’s textile heritage. His visit reinforces India-France cultural and strategic ties, with upcoming talks on bilateral cooperation and global issues

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said India will respond to the Venezuela crisis in line with national interest and diplomatic sensitivities. He criticized selective enforcement of international law, while the US maintains Maduro’s capture was a law-enforcement action, not a military invasion

SBI Israel is facilitating trade between India and Israel in Indian rupees, including payments through Special Rupee Vostro Accounts. The move supports bilateral trade, remittances from Indian workers, and growing economic ties amid FTA discussions and strategic cooperation

US President Donald Trump warned India over Russian oil purchases, saying tariffs could be raised quickly. He claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi understood Washington’s displeasure, while Senator Lindsey Graham linked reduced Russian oil imports to US tariff pressure

X said it will remove illegal content, suspend offending accounts and cooperate with authorities, including for AI tool Grok misuse, after India’s IT ministry ordered takedowns of obscene material, sought action reports, and warned of legal action for non-compliance nationwide

The Pro Wrestling League has announced six franchises and scheduled its player auction for January 3 ahead of Season Five. Over 300 wrestlers from more than 20 countries are set to feature as PWL returns after a six-year hiatus.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka to attend the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who died at 80. She will be laid to rest with state honours beside her husband Ziaur Rahman