Protesters across Iran returned to the streets on Saturday despite a strong security crackdown, verified videos show. Clashes were reported in Tehran, Mashhad and other cities as the government kept an internet blackout in place. The attorney general warned that protesters could face the death penalty. A rights group said more than 2,500 people have been arrested since late December. BBC sources and HRANA reported over 100 deaths, including protesters and security staff. Hospitals in Tehran and Rasht said they were overwhelmed by the injured. The protests were triggered by high inflation and have spread to over 100 towns, with many now calling for an end to clerical rule. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised “people with a colonial mindset” while speaking at the Somnath Swabhiman Parv in Gujarat. He said some historians and politicians distorted accounts of past invasions in textbooks and tried to hide the history of attacks on the Somnath Temple. Modi said religious invasions were often described only as loot. He recalled that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel faced opposition when he sought to rebuild the temple after Independence. He also said objections were raised to President Rajendra Prasad’s 1951 visit. Modi warned that forces that opposed the restoration were still active, now using “hidden conspiracies” instead of swords.

Israel has raised its alert level following reports that the United States could intervene in Iran. The move comes a day after President Donald Trump said Washington was ready to help Iran “gain freedom” from the government led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israeli officials are said to be reviewing defence plans and monitoring regional activity. Security agencies have increased surveillance in case the situation escalates. No formal order for US action has been announced so far. Analysts say Israel is preparing for possible fallout, including missile or proxy attacks. Both Israeli and US officials have declined to comment on operational details. The region remains tense. (PC: X)

An eyewitness has claimed US forces used an unknown weapon during a January raid in Venezuela to capture President Nicolas Maduro. The account was reposted online by the White House press secretary but has not been verified. A Venezuelan guard said radar systems failed and drones flooded the area before a small US unit arrived. He said a device was then launched that felt like a strong sound wave. The guard claimed soldiers began bleeding from the nose and some vomited blood. Many were unable to stand after the blast. Venezuela’s Interior Ministry said about 100 security personnel died in the raid, but it did not link the deaths to any weapon. (PC: India Today)

The United States and partner forces carried out large air strikes on Islamic State targets in Syria, the US military said. The action followed a deadly IS ambush on 13 December that killed two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter. President Donald Trump ordered the strikes under Operation Hawkeye Strike. More than 90 precision weapons hit over 35 sites, a US official said. Over 20 aircraft took part, including F-15E jets, A-10s, AC-130Js, MQ-9 drones, and Jordanian F-16s. The Pentagon said the goal was to protect US and partner troops. Details on locations and casualties were not released. (PC: BBC)

Large protests broke out in several US cities after the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Demonstrations were reported in Los Angeles, Santa Rosa, Minneapolis, Austin and Philadelphia. Videos online showed crowds waving flags and holding signs against immigration enforcement. In Minneapolis, protesters threw snow and shouted at federal officers, according to local media. The Department of Homeland Security said it was seeing a “coordinated campaign of violence” against agents. In Philadelphia, marchers walked from city hall to a federal detention centre. US officials say the agent acted in self-defence, while many Democrats have criticised the shooting. More protests are planned in other states. (PC: HT)

US President Donald Trump has been briefed on new military options against Iran as nationwide protests continue, US officials told the New York Times. They said Trump is considering limited strikes if Tehran steps up its crackdown. The unrest began on December 28 over a currency crisis and high living costs. Rights groups say at least 72 people have been killed and more than 2,300 detained. Iran’s attorney general warned protesters would be treated as “enemies of God”, a charge that can carry the death penalty. Trump said the United States is “ready to help” Iranians but ruled out sending ground troops. Protests have also spread to cities in Europe and the United States. (PC: India Today)

Social media platform X has blocked about 3,500 posts and deleted 600 accounts after the Centre flagged obscene content generated through its AI tool Grok, government sources said. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology had last week asked the company to submit an action report within 72 hours. The ministry warned that failure to comply would be “viewed seriously” and could lead to strict legal action. Officials said users were misusing Grok to create or share vulgar images of women. The notice asked X to review its technical systems and enforce strict user rules, including account suspension and termination. It also warned of possible loss of legal protection under Indian law. (PC: NDTV)

Iran’s attorney general Mohammad Movahedi Azad has warned that people taking part in nationwide protests will be treated as an “enemy of God”, an offence that can lead to the death penalty under Iranian law. News agency AP, citing a US-based rights group, said at least 116 people have been killed and more than 2,600 detained since demonstrations began on December 28. The unrest has spread across Tehran and several provinces, including Fars, Ilam and Kermanshah. Authorities have not released official figures. Internet access has been largely cut for three days, making it hard to confirm events on the ground. The FBI is not involved. (PC: X)

Police arrested at least 29 people in Minneapolis during protests over the death of Renee Nicole Good, who was shot by an ICE agent earlier this week. City officials said one officer suffered minor injuries after a “chunk of ice” was thrown during the protest. More than 1,000 people gathered near two hotels where ICE staff were believed to be staying. Police said some protesters forced entry into one hotel and damaged windows and walls at another site. The crowd threw ice, snow and rocks at officers and vehicles. The police chief said all 29 people were later released. The FBI is probing the shooting. (PC: BBC)