Two China-flagged very large crude carriers, Xingye and Thousand Sunny, were headed to Venezuela to pick up crude oil owed to China under a debt-for-oil arrangement, shipping data shows. Both ships had been anchored in the Atlantic for weeks waiting to enter Venezuelan ports. They have now turned back toward Asia amid a strict US oil embargo on Venezuela and ongoing political turmoil after US forces captured President Nicolás Maduro. The change in course underscores the difficulty of moving Venezuelan oil under US sanctions and export controls. The embargo aims to prevent sanctioned vessels from entering or leaving Venezuelan waters. (PC: India Today)

At least 648 people have died in Iran during a crackdown on anti-government protests, according to the Norway-based group Iran Human Rights. The group said the toll could be higher because a nationwide internet shutdown is blocking checks. The protests began after Iran’s currency lost value and prices rose. US President Donald Trump said Washington was weighing “very strong options” if protesters were harmed. After the remarks, Iran’s supreme leader accused the United States of “deceit” and said unrest was driven by “treacherous mercenaries”. State media aired images of pro-government rallies. Most foreign media cannot report from inside Iran due to access limits. (PC: BBC)

Turkey is in advanced talks to join the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia collective defence pact, Bloomberg reported. The agreement treats any aggression against one nation as an attack on all, similar to NATO's Article 5. Turkey, NATO's second-largest force, has significantly aided Pakistan militarily, providing over 350 drones during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, along with trained operators. Turkey is helping build corvette warships for Pakistan and upgrading F-16 jets. Analyst Nihat Ali Ozcan noted Turkey brings military experience, Pakistan offers nuclear capability and ballistic missiles, while Saudi Arabia provides financial clout. The trilateral alliance could reshape security partnerships across West Asia, South Asia, and Africa, potentially complicating relations with the US, NATO, Iran, and India. (PC: X)

London's Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley announced the city's homicide rate fell to its lowest in over a decade, with 97 homicides in 2025, an 11% reduction from 2024. Rowley countered President Donald Trump's claims about violent crime, stating London is safer than New York, Los Angeles, and several European capitals on a per capita basis. He criticized AI-generated videos and online commentators promoting false narratives despite factual evidence showing declining serious violent crime. Violent incidents causing injury dropped 20% since 2014. Trump previously claimed London had "no-go" areas and criticized Mayor Sadiq Khan for "letting crime go." However, British perceptions remain negative due to surging shoplifting, which reached all-time highs. (PC: Reuters)

US ambassador-designate Sergio Gor said India is the most essential partner for the United States and confirmed that fresh trade talks will begin on January 12. Speaking at the US Embassy in New Delhi, Gor said President Donald Trump may visit India next year. He described Trump’s friendship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “real” and said real friends can resolve differences. Gor said the two countries work closely on trade, security, counter-terrorism, energy, technology, education, and health. He also announced that India will be invited to join the US-led Pax Silica alliance next month to build a secure silicon supply chain.

US ambassador-designate Sergio Gor said India is the most essential partner for the United States and that President Donald Trump may visit India next year. Speaking at the US Embassy in New Delhi, Gor said the friendship between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “real” and built at the top level. He said real friends may disagree but always settle issues. Gor said the next round of India-US trade talks will start on Tuesday. He added that both sides work together on security, energy, technology, education and health. Gor also said India will be invited to join the Pax Silica alliance, a US-led plan to build a secure silicon supply chain. (PC: NDTV)

Sergio Gor took charge as the new United States ambassador to India and special envoy to South and Central Asia on Monday at the US Embassy in New Delhi. As he walked to the podium, the song “Hold On, I’m Comin’” by Sam and Dave played in the background. In his first remarks, Gor said the bond between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “real” and built at the top level. He said real friends may disagree but always settle issues in the end. Gor said he will work to raise the partnership. He also said Trump may visit India in the next year or two. (PC: HT)

A futsal referee and a college student are among hundreds reported dead in Iran during two weeks of anti-government protests. Amir Mohammad Koohkan, 26, was shot during a protest in Neyriz on January 3, a friend told BBC Persian. Student Rubina Aminian, 23, was killed in Tehran five days later, rights groups said. A US-based monitor and HRANA estimate nearly 500 protesters and dozens of security staff have died. Protests began on December 28 over economic issues and spread to all 31 provinces. Medical staff said hospitals were overwhelmed with casualties. Foreign media cannot report freely from Iran due to curbs and internet shutdowns. (PC: BBC)

Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi on Monday after he lost consciousness twice over the weekend. Officials said the 74-year-old had “two bouts of unconsciousness” on Saturday while going to the washroom. He later visited AIIMS for a routine checkup, where doctors advised hospital admission for detailed tests. An MRI is expected as part of the medical review. Dhankhar had resigned from the vice president’s post in July last year citing health reasons and has since made limited public appearances. Officials said he had also blacked out at several public events in recent months. No statement has been issued by his family.

The India Meteorological Department has warned of cold wave to severe cold wave conditions in parts of north India over the next few days. Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, west Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh may see freezing weather. The IMD said Delhi’s minimum temperature could fall to between 3 and 4.2 degrees Celsius on Monday. In contrast, Shimla is likely to record a minimum of around 9 degrees Celsius. The cold wave may continue on Tuesday in several states, and Jharkhand could face it till Thursday. The IMD has also issued dense fog warnings for many regions till January 15. (PC: HT)