UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer mocked the Conservative Party during Wednesday's parliamentary debate, saying they had "more positions in 14 years than the Kama Sutra," while defending his government's decision to drop mandatory digital ID cards for workers. Starmer emphasized Labour remains committed to cracking down on illegal employment through digital, mandatory checks, though the specific ID form remains flexible. He highlighted Conservative instability, noting they had five prime ministers, six chancellors, eight home secretaries, and sixteen housing ministers over fourteen years, leaving the country "screwed." The digital ID proposal, introduced September 2024, faced widespread opposition over privacy concerns. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called it "rubbish policy," while Reform UK's Nigel Farage celebrated it as a "victory for individual liberty."

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on January 15 that he had been assured by “very important sources” in Tehran that the killing of protesters in Iran has stopped and that planned executions will not take place, though the U.S. has not independently verified these claims. Trump, who had previously warned of possible military action over the violent crackdown on nationwide protests, said he would “watch and see” before deciding on further steps. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi echoed that “hanging is out of the question,” denying any execution plans. The move appeared to ease immediate fears of escalation, even as the broader unrest and international scrutiny continue. (PC: Reuters)

Three years after what is believed to be Canada’s largest gold heist — the disappearance of 400 kg (about 6,600 bars) of .9999-pure gold and C$2.5 million in cash from Toronto Pearson International Airport in April 2023 — investigators are closing in on a key suspect. Peel Regional Police have arrested one accused, Arsalan Chaudhary, at Toronto airport, and charged him in the cross-border probe dubbed Project 24K. Canadian authorities have issued a warrant and extradition request for Simran Preet Panesar, a former Air Canada manager who was found living near Chandigarh with his family. (PC: HT)

Iran’s judiciary has said protester Erfan Soltani was not sentenced to death, state media reported on Thursday. The statement came after Soltani’s family said they were earlier told his execution had been postponed. Soltani, 26, worked at a clothing shop and was arrested last week after taking part in protests in north-west Tehran. Rights groups had said he was the first protester to receive a death sentence during the current unrest. Iranian authorities did not explain why reports about the sentence had changed. The update came as Iran announced the reopening of its airspace after days of disruption caused by the nationwide security situation. (PC: The Guardian)

An Iran-based rights group has claimed that more than 3,400 people have died during nationwide protests that began in December after the currency crash and rising prices. Iran Human Rights, based in Norway, said at least 3,428 deaths have been recorded so far. It cited sources in Iran’s health system and said the real number may be higher. The group also reported cases where injured protesters were allegedly killed on the streets and inside medical centres. Iranian authorities have not confirmed the figures. At the same time, Iran briefly closed its airspace, and the United States has moved some staff from regional bases amid growing tensions. (PC: X)

Denmark said there is a “fundamental disagreement” with the United States over Greenland after talks in Washington on Wednesday. Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio was frank but constructive. He said President Donald Trump is pushing to take control of Greenland, which Denmark and Greenland oppose. The three sides agreed to set up a high-level working group to discuss future ties. Denmark and Greenland said they are open to more US military bases on the island. Trump later repeated that the US needs Greenland for national security. (PC: BBC)

The United States has started withdrawing military personnel from select bases in the Middle East as tensions with Iran continue to rise. The move comes amid security concerns following regional instability and warnings from Tehran against foreign military action. Adding to the uncertainty, Iran temporarily shut its airspace to civilian flights, forcing airlines to reroute services and raising fears of a wider conflict. While US officials have not confirmed any imminent military action, the developments have fueled speculation about potential confrontation. The situation has heightened global concern, with diplomatic and security agencies closely monitoring the rapidly evolving regional dynamics. (PC: India Today)

The U.S. State Department has announced it will pause immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, and Russia, starting January 21, 2026, as part of a broader immigration crackdown. The decision targets nations whose migrants are deemed more likely to rely on public assistance, with visas halted until new screening procedures are reviewed to prevent perceived welfare dependency by new immigrants. The freeze affects family, employment, and diversity visas but non-immigrant visas like tourist and student visas remain largely unaffected. The suspension could delay plans for thousands of prospective immigrants. 

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer drew Parliament's laughter and groans with a crude joke comparing Conservative leadership changes to the Kama Sutra during Prime Minister's Questions. Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Starmer's policy reversal on digital identity checks, which shifted from mandatory to optional despite previous commitments. Badenoch questioned the government's ability to govern, citing Health Secretary Wes Streeting's recent call to "get it right first time." Starmer defended the shift while attacking Conservatives over frequent leadership changes, dubbing them the "Ikea shadow cabinet." The exchange expanded to inheritance tax affecting farmers and party defections, with neither side claiming victory though the digital ID reversal increased pressure on Starmer. (PC: AP)

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)