Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed the nation as protests spread across the country for a second week. He said he would not “back down” against what he called “vandals” and “saboteurs”. Khamenei accused US President Donald Trump of having “hands stained with the blood of Iranians” and claimed he would be “overthrown”. He also said protesters were “ruining their own streets” to please a foreign leader. The Tehran prosecutor warned against “anti-Iranian calls” and said cases were being formed against some brands and online figures. Several Dubai-Iran and Turkish flights were cancelled or turned back due to the unrest. (PC: x)

Fresh protests broke out across Tehran on Thursday night after exiled royal Reza Pahlavi called on Iranians to gather at 8 pm. Witnesses said people in several neighbourhoods shouted slogans such as “Death to the dictator” and “Death to the Islamic Republic”. Cloudflare and NetBlocks reported a nationwide internet outage as the rallies grew. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said at least 42 people have been killed and more than 2,270 detained since unrest began last month. The protests were first triggered by anger over the falling rial and high prices. Iranian officials said security forces would respond to violence. (PC: X)

Minnesota officials said the FBI has blocked the state from taking part in the investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Governor Tim Walz said the move made it hard to trust the process. The state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said the FBI first agreed to a joint probe but later denied access to evidence, forcing it to withdraw. Federal officials said the case is a federal matter. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the agent acted in self defence. Videos show agents ordering Good out of her car before shots were fired. Protests have continued across the city. (PC: BBC)

Delhi, Noida and Gurugram saw early morning rain on Friday, worsening cold conditions in the region. The national capital recorded its lowest temperature of the winter so far at 4.6 degrees Celsius, the India Meteorological Department data showed. Dense fog was also present across the area, adding to the cold. Rain was reported in parts of Noida and Gurugram. The minimum and daytime temperatures stayed well below normal, keeping winter chill strong. Cold day conditions have continued for several days, with earlier low readings on Thursday. The weather office said cold weather and fog may persist for the coming days. (PC: HT)

Large crowds marched in Tehran and other Iranian cities on Thursday night, videos verified by BBC Persian showed. Demonstrations were seen in Mashhad, Isfahan, Tabriz and several western towns. Protesters shouted slogans against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and in support of exiled royal Reza Pahlavi. Human rights groups said the unrest has spread to more than 100 cities during 12 days of protests. The US-based HRANA group said at least 34 protesters and eight security personnel have died, while Iran Human Rights reported 45 deaths. NetBlocks said Iran faced a nationwide internet blackout during the rallies.

Minneapolis Public Schools canceled classes for the rest of the week as safety concerns escalate after a 37-year-old woman, Renee Nicole Good, was shot and killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during a federal enforcement operation in the city. The decision to halt in-person learning, including activities and community education, was made “out of an abundance of caution” amid widespread protests and tensions following the incident. The shooting has sparked national debate over immigration enforcement tactics, with conflicting accounts from federal officials and local leaders and demonstrations continuing in Minneapolis and other cities. (PC: Reuters)

Denmark’s Defence Ministry has warned that its troops are prepared to “shoot first and ask questions later” if the United States attempts to invade Greenland, responding to renewed interest from US President Donald Trump in gaining control of the strategically vital Arctic territory. The directive, dating back to a 1952 rule of engagement, mandates Danish forces to immediately counter any invasion without waiting for orders. Trump has suggested purchasing or even using military force to acquire Greenland, which is an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark and a NATO territory, saying it’s critical for US security. Denmark insists the island is not for sale and such action would jeopardize NATO unity amid growing diplomatic tensions. (PC: NDTV)

Iran has been plunged into a nationwide internet blackout as widespread economic protests intensify across the country, with connectivity dropping to nearly zero in major cities including Tehran, Mashhad and Isfahan. Authorities appear to have cut internet and phone services in an apparent bid to curb communication and suppress expanding unrest triggered by soaring living costs, currency collapse and job losses. Demonstrators have taken to the streets chanting anti-government slogans, while markets and bazaars have shut in solidarity. The blackout coincides with ongoing demonstrations entering their 12th day, with reported dozens of deaths and thousands detained.

US President **Donald Trump has publicly defended an ICE agent who fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis during a federal immigration enforcement operation. Trump described the incident as a violent situation, asserting Good “behaved horribly” and alleging she ran over the agent before he fired in self-defense, comments made before a full investigation. Federal authorities, including Homeland Security, echoed the self-defense claim and labelled Good’s actions as “domestic terrorism.” Local officials, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, strongly rejected this narrative, calling it misleading as protests and national debate escalate over the use of force. (PC: NDTV)

US President Donald Trump has backed a bipartisan Russia Sanctions Bill that could let the US impose tariffs of up to 500% on countries importing Russian oil or uranium, as part of broader measures to weaken Moscow’s economy amid the Ukraine war. The legislation, championed by Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator Richard Blumenthal, targets trading partners like India, China and Brazil that continue buying discounted Russian energy. While the bill still needs Congressional approval, it marks a significant escalation in economic pressure and could strain US–India trade relations if enacted. (PC: NDTV)