External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar received a call from Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi discussing the evolving situation amid massive anti-government protests in Iran. India has issued a fresh advisory urging all nationals including students, pilgrims, businesspersons, and tourists to leave Iran immediately and avoid non-essential travel. Protests erupted in late December after the rial plunged to record lows, spreading across all 31 provinces with rights groups reporting over 2,500 deaths during the crackdown. The US has begun withdrawing personnel from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar as precaution, while Trump threatens intervention. Iran warned regional countries hosting American forces about possible retaliation if Washington strikes. (PC: PTI)

Pakistan signed an agreement with World Liberty Financial, the Trump family's crypto business, to develop cross-border digital payment systems using USD1 stablecoin. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and WLF co-founder Zachary Witkoff signed the deal in Islamabad, marking one of World Liberty's first public country partnerships. The agreement involves integrating WLF's stablecoin into Pakistan's regulated digital payments structure through collaboration with the central bank. This follows multiple meetings between Pakistani officials and Trump in 2024, drawing criticism from US officials including former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who accused the White House of prioritizing Trump family business interests over traditional US-India ties. The deal comes amid warming US-Pakistan relations. (PC: X/Ali Farid Khwaja)

India’s traditionally built stitched sailing vessel INSV Kaundinya has successfully concluded its historic 18-day voyage from **Porbandar, Gujarat, to Muscat, Oman, docking at Port Sultan Qaboos with celebratory greetings and a water salute. The vessel, inspired by 5th-century Indian ship designs from Ajanta Cave paintings, was constructed using ancient stitched-plank techniques, showcasing India’s rich maritime heritage and craftsmanship. Skipper Commander Vikas Sheoran led a 16-member crew, with Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council member Sanjeev Sanyal sharing progress updates on social media. The journey symbolises cultural exchange, nautical skill, and strengthening ties between India and Oman. 

Two Indian PhD students, Aditya Prakash and Urmi Bhattacheryya, secured a $200,000 (around ₹1.8 crore) civil rights settlement from the University of Colorado Boulder after alleging discrimination linked to a 2023 incident involving palak paneer. Prakash was reportedly told not to heat his lunch in a shared microwave because of its “pungent smell,” which they say led to hostile treatment, retaliation and lost opportunities. The couple filed a federal lawsuit claiming a discriminatory environment and kitchen policies biased against South Asians. The settlement also included the granting of their Master’s degrees, though the university denied liability and barred them from future enrolment or employment. (PC: India Today)

U.S. President Donald Trump declared that anything less than Greenland being “in the hands” of the United States is “unacceptable,” reigniting his controversial push to gain control over the strategic, resource-rich Arctic territory. Trump argued Greenland is vital for U.S. national security and said NATO should lead efforts to secure it, warning that Russia or China might otherwise gain influence. The remarks came just hours before White House talks hosted by Vice-President JD Vance with Danish and Greenlandic officials amid firm Danish and Greenlandic rejection of U.S. ownership and concerns over sovereignty and transatlantic relations. (PC: AP)

The festive kite-flying season in India has turned deadly as illegal “Chinese manjha” — glass-coated nylon kite string — has been linked to at least four deaths in one day and numerous serious injuries, police and hospital reports say. The sharp, banned thread slices through skin and throats of bystanders, especially motorcyclists, and poses risks to pedestrians and wildlife. Despite bans under safety laws, the dangerous string continues to be sold and used ahead of Makar Sankranti, prompting authorities to warn the public, enforce raids, and urge safer cotton alternatives to prevent further tragedies. (PC: PTI)

Singapore authorities have clarified that popular Indian singer Zubeen Garg’s death last September was accidental, not murder, the coroner’s court heard. The 52-year-old drowned near Lazarus Island after going for a swim from a yacht, despite refusing to wear a life jacket offered to him; he initially removed one that was too large and declined a smaller one. Police described him as “severely intoxicated,” with high alcohol levels likely impeding his coordination. Investigators found no evidence of foul play. Garg had been in Singapore for the North East India Festival and died a day before his scheduled performance. 

India has asked all its citizens in Iran, including students, pilgrims, businesspeople and tourists, to leave the country as unrest continues, according to an advisory issued by the Indian Embassy in Tehran on January 14. The advisory also urges Indians to keep travel and identity documents ready and to stay in contact with the embassy for support. It told citizens to avoid protest areas and monitor local developments. The Ministry of External Affairs has strongly advised all Indians to avoid travel to Iran until further notice. The warnings come as nationwide protests in Iran have grown violent and the death toll has risen. (PC: India Today)

US President Donald Trump has warned Iran of “very strong action” if it executes detained protesters. He spoke after reports that Erfan Soltani, 26, could be put to death days after his arrest. His family told BBC Persian that a court issued the sentence within two days. Rights group HRANA says it has confirmed 2,403 protester deaths and more than 18,400 arrests. An Iranian official told Reuters that about 2,000 people had died and blamed “terrorists”. Trump said he had cancelled meetings with Iranian officials and would act after reviewing verified numbers on the toll from the unrest. (PC: BBC)

India will discuss a plan to buy 114 Rafale fighter jets from France at a high-level Defence Ministry meeting this week, officials said. The deal is valued at about ₹3.25 lakh crore. Most jets will be made in India with around 30% local content. About 12 to 18 aircraft may be bought in fly-away condition for quick use by the Air Force. India has asked France to allow Indian weapons and systems to be fitted on the jets, though source codes will stay with the French side. If approved, this will be India’s largest defence purchase so far. (PC: Economic Times)