World

Iran faces renewed unrest and rising anxiety after the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, fueling fears in Tehran that similar action could target Iran’s leadership amid protests, regional tensions with Israel, and heightened rhetoric from US and allied politicians

Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok has triggered global backlash after generating non-consensual sexualised images of women and children, prompting demands for action and investigations by governments across Europe, India, Asia and Latin America over AI safety and digital abuse

Notorious CIA mole Aldrich Ames, whose espionage for the Soviet Union and Russia caused one of the gravest intelligence breaches in US history, has died at 84 in a Maryland prison, where he was serving a life sentence without parole

Israel issued a tender advancing the contentious E1 settlement near Jerusalem, drawing criticism for undermining a future Palestinian state, as Israel and Syria resumed US-brokered talks in Paris and the UN said Gaza aid stocks have reached minimum food needs amid ongoing restrictions

A 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Davao Oriental in the southern Philippines, triggering widespread tremors but no immediate reports of damage or casualties. Authorities warned of possible aftershocks as the quake highlighted the country’s vulnerability within the Pacific Ring of Fire

Indian American physician Dr Tina Shah has entered the Democratic race for New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, citing healthcare failures and policy gaps. Drawing on years in critical care, she says Washington decisions directly affect patient outcomes.

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

Iran is facing its deadliest unrest since 2022 as protests over economic hardship spread nationwide. Rights groups say at least 27 protesters were killed, prompting warnings from Supreme Leader Khamenei and calls for mass action from exiles

A Danish lawmaker accused the Trump administration of risking conflict with an ally over Greenland, rejecting US security claims. Denmark and European leaders reaffirmed Greenland’s sovereignty, saying decisions rest solely with Denmark and Greenland

Australian Open organisers announced a record AUD 111.5 million prize pool, a 16 per cent rise from last year. Singles winners will earn AUD 2.79 million, with increases across all rounds. The Grand Slam begins January 12 at Melbourne Park

Lakshya Sen opened his season with a hard-fought win over Singapore’s Jason Teh at the Malaysia Open Super 750, advancing to the second round. Malvika Bansod lost her opener, while Ayush Shetty and M R Arjun-Hariharan Amsakarunan were set to play later

Travis Head (163) and Steven Smith (129 not out) powered Australia to 518/7 at stumps on Day 3 of the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney. England trail by 134 runs after Joe Root’s 160 lifted them to 384 in the first innings

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur climbed to 13th in ICC Women’s T20I batting rankings after her match-winning knock against Sri Lanka, while Deepti Sharma slipped to second in bowling. Amanjot Kaur and Sri Lanka players also made notable gains

The geopolitical headwinds India faced in 2025 signal harder times this year, as global conditions are likely to worsen before stabilising

The North Atlantic right whale population, estimated at 384, shows a slight rebound with 15 calves spotted this winter—higher than recent years. Experts warn recovery remains fragile, with ship strikes and fishing gear entanglement threatening the species. Approximately 50 calves per year are needed for long-term survival

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

The US capture of Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro has sparked global concern over the erosion of international law. Critics warn it could embolden unilateral military actions, affect Ukraine, Greenland, Taiwan, and the Middle East, and strain alliances with Europe, highlighting the fragility of the post-World War II global order

Israel struck southern and eastern Lebanon, including Sidon, targeting Hezbollah and Hamas infrastructure in civilian areas. Lebanon condemned the attacks ahead of a government briefing on militant disarmament. No deaths were reported in the latest strikes

A 40-year-old Hindu grocer, Moni Chakraborty, was fatally attacked with a sharp weapon in Narsingdi, Bangladesh. He is the third Hindu businessman killed in recent weeks, raising concerns about targeted attacks in the area

The US reached a deal with Dominica to send foreigners seeking asylum to the Caribbean nation, raising local concerns about resources and security. The move follows US visa restrictions and mirrors similar agreements with Belize, Paraguay, and Antigua and Barbuda

Ukraine’s allies convened in Paris to discuss post-ceasefire security and military support amid uncertainty due to the US focus on Venezuela. Talks aim to strengthen Ukraine’s defense, monitor a ceasefire, deploy multinational forces, and ensure long-term deterrence against Russia

Death toll from Iran protests rose to at least 35, activists said, with over 1,200 detained nationwide. Demonstrations across 27 provinces persist despite warnings from Supreme Leader Khamenei, amid economic distress, security force clashes, and rising international tensions involving the United States

Real Madrid beat Real Betis 5-1 with Gonzalo Garcia scoring a hat-trick, keeping pace with Barcelona in La Liga. Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 with Real Sociedad, while Levante, Girona and Oviedo also featured in key weekend results

Travis Head’s unbeaten 91 guided Australia to 166/2 at stumps on Day 2 of the Ashes Test in Sydney, replying to England’s 384 built on Joe Root’s 160. Australia trail by 218 runs with Head and Neser unbeaten