World

Australia said social media platforms have removed or restricted 4.7 million child accounts since banning under-16s in December, marking early success of the landmark law. Officials said enforcement is working, encouraging other countries to consider similar child safety measures

India began on the front foot, pressing high and moving the ball quickly across the court, but Bangladesh survived the initial pressure through disciplined defending and sharp counter-attacks

US State Department to suspend immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries from January 21, citing concerns that applicants may rely on public welfare. The move follows stricter ‘public charge’ rules under the Trump administration

Qatar has confirmed that some US personnel are leaving the Al Udeid Air Base due to regional tensions. Reports suggest the US is withdrawing personnel from Middle East bases as a precaution, while Iran has vowed to retaliate against any attack and warned neighbouring countries hosting US forces.

Singapore’s Parliament passed a motion expressing regret over Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh’s conduct and deeming him unfit to continue as Leader of the Opposition, following a lengthy debate. The final decision on his position now rests with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong

Bangladesh’s interim government has scrapped a Rs 50-crore Liberation War documentation project initiated by Sheikh Hasina’s administration, citing poor quality and historical inaccuracies in 14,640 recorded interviews. The contractor will not be paid, and the videos will not be archived

US Ambassador Sergio Gor presented his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, signaling efforts to strengthen India-US ties. Previously White House personnel director, Gor emphasized India’s centrality to US relations and ongoing discussions on a trade deal

Iran’s judiciary head Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei vowed fast trials and executions for detainees in nationwide protests, emphasizing urgency. His remarks came in defiance of US President Donald Trump’s warning of “very strong action” against such measures

Zoe Saldana has become the highest-grossing leading actor of all time, with a cumulative box office of USD 15.46 billion from 33 films, driven by blockbusters like the “Avatar” series and “Avengers: Endgame,” surpassing Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson

A construction crane collapsed onto a passenger train in northeastern Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima province, derailing the train and causing a fire. At least 22 people were killed and 64 injured while traveling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani

Greenland has become the focus of rising geopolitical tension after US President Donald Trump reiterated his desire to control the island. Greenland’s leaders and residents firmly rejected the idea, backing Denmark and NATO while warning against threats to sovereignty and regional stability

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation after a summit in Nara, capped by a surprise cultural moment as the two leaders shared a lighthearted drumming jam session to popular K-pop hits

  Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led SDF exchanged fire in eastern Aleppo province amid stalled talks on integrating SDF fighters into the national army. The clashes follow recent violence in Aleppo that displaced thousands and heightened tensions along key frontlines 

At least 12 people were killed after a construction crane collapsed onto a passenger train in northeastern Thailand, causing it to derail and catch fire. The train was travelling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani; rescue operations are ongoing 

New Australian research finds hot takeaway coffee cups shed microplastics, especially all-plastic cups. Heat, not soaking time, drives release, with millions of particles possible. Material choice and cooler drinks can reduce exposure, globally consumed daily by billions of people worldwide

At least 2,571 people have been killed in Iran’s crackdown on nationwide protests, activists said. Internet shutdowns have hindered verification, while authorities have released no official figures, making the unrest one of Iran’s deadliest since 1979.

The US Congress is divided over Greenland as Denmark and Greenland prepare for White House talks. Democrats seek to block any takeover, while Republicans push annexation, following President Trump’s warnings about Chinese and Russian influence in the Arctic

Activists report that the death toll from Iran’s nationwide protests has surpassed 2,000, marking one of the deadliest episodes of unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The Human Rights Activists News Agency said most victims were protesters, with children among the dead.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reforms have opened new avenues for women in diplomacy, and India has responded by appointing women diplomats to key roles in the Gulf. Sadaf Chaudhary, a 2021 batch IFS officer, now heads the Haj section in Jeddah, managing arrangements for 1.75 lakh Indian pilgrims annually.

Nationwide protests over Iran’s collapsing economy have triggered a deadly state response, internet blackouts and fresh tensions with the United States

Pope Leo XIV met Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado at the Vatican, where she sought his intervention for the release of political prisoners. The meeting comes amid heightened international concern over Venezuela’s political crisis

A US federal court ordered immigration authorities to facilitate the return of an Indian national deported in violation of a court stay, ruling the removal unlawful and a breach of due process and judicial authority.

A rare Himalayan vulture was rescued in a dehydrated and exhausted state from a Singapore highway and is undergoing rehabilitation. Wildlife experts hope to release the near-threatened migratory bird once it fully recovers.

The Trump administration has revoked over 100,000 visas in under a year, a record increase driven by enhanced screening and security measures. The move targets foreign nationals linked to crimes amid broader debates on immigration and border control.