Legendary Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani passed away at 93 at his Rome home, surrounded by family. His foundation confirmed the death Monday, with funeral services scheduled for Friday, January 23, at Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri. Born in 1932 in Voghera, Garavani trained in Paris before establishing his Rome fashion house in 1959. His breakthrough came with refined red evening gowns in a striking scarlet hue, immortalized as "Valentino red." During the 1970s, he moved among New York's elite creative circle, including Andy Warhol and Diana Vreeland. By the 1990s, his designs graced international runways, worn by supermodels like Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell, leaving a five-decade legacy of timeless elegance. (PC: X)

Pakistan's Chief of Defence Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, stated the country stands at a juncture where it can achieve its founding purpose. Speaking at Junaid Safdar's wedding reception attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior officials, Munir emphasized Pakistan was created in the name of Islam and now enjoys special status among Islamic nations. A Hafiz-e-Quran, Munir has reshaped Pakistan's armed forces with religious symbolism, framing military roles as defending Islam. He invoked the Two-Nation Theory, emphasizing irreconcilable Muslim-Hindu differences. Munir referenced defence agreements with Saudi Arabia and Turkey, meetings with Trump, and economic improvements, suggesting Pakistan's growing Islamic ummah influence despite recent military setbacks. (PC: India Today)

At least seven people were killed and 13 injured in an explosion targeting a hotel in Kabul's commercial Shahr-e-Naw neighborhood on Sunday. The Italian NGO Emergency, operating a hospital in Afghanistan's capital, confirmed receiving 20 casualties, with seven dead on arrival. Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani acknowledged the incident, stating preliminary reports indicated fatalities and injuries, with detailed information to follow. Shahr-e-Naw, considered one of Kabul's most secure areas, houses large office buildings, shopping complexes, and embassies. No group has claimed responsibility for the blast. The attack represents a significant security breach in what is typically regarded as one of the safest districts in the Afghan capital. 

Russia and China criticized President Donald Trump's repeated statements about acquiring Greenland on Monday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov suggested Trump would "go down in history" if Greenland's accession were realized, while Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun accused Washington of using a "so-called China threat" to pursue selfish interests. Trump insisted US control of Greenland is vital for global security, despite existing American military presence and defense agreements with Denmark. European leaders condemned Trump's tariff threats as "blackmail," with the EU scheduling an emergency summit. Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen rejected external pressure, asserting the territory's democratic right to self-determination. Trump previously proposed purchasing Greenland during his first presidential term.

An explosion at a hotel in central Kabul killed and injured several people on Monday, Afghan officials said. The blast occurred in the Shahr-e-Naw area, a busy commercial zone with offices, shopping centres and diplomatic missions. Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani said early reports confirmed multiple casualties, but exact figures were not available. Kabul police spokesperson Khalid Zadran said the hotel was the target of the explosion. Security forces rushed to the area and cordoned it off as investigations began. No group has claimed responsibility so far. Authorities said more details would be shared after the situation is fully assessed.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday said US President Donald Trump’s threats linked to Greenland were “completely wrong”. Starmer said the future of Greenland must be decided by its people and the Denmark government. Trump has warned of tariffs on the UK and other countries that oppose his proposal to take control of Greenland. Starmer described the issue as serious but played down the prospect of retaliation. He said a trade war would not benefit any side. Trump has argued that US control of Greenland is needed for security reasons. (PC: BBC)

US President Donald Trump linked his push for control of Greenland to not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, according to messages confirmed by US media. In a text to Norway’s prime minister, Trump said he no longer felt bound to focus only on peace and argued that US security required full control of Greenland. Norway’s Jonas Gahr Støre said the prize is awarded by an independent committee, not the government. Trump has repeatedly said the US should acquire Greenland and has warned of tariffs and other steps if allies oppose the idea. European leaders have rejected the proposal and called for de-escalation. (PC: BBC)

The Supreme Court of India on Monday asked the Election Commission of India to recognise the stress faced by voters during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal. The court directed the poll body to publish names of voters flagged under the “logical discrepancy” category. It said the list should be displayed at local offices and more time given to submit documents. The court also ordered adequate staff at hearings and receipts for submitted papers. Notices were issued to about 1.25 crore voters for issues such as spelling differences, age gaps, and record mismatches. The case will be reviewed again. (PC: NDTV)

China’s birth rate fell to a record low in 2025 as the country’s population shrank for the fourth year in a row, official data showed. The birth rate dropped to 5.63 per 1,000 people, while the death rate rose to 8.04 per 1,000. The total population fell by 3.39 million to about 1.4 billion. The decline comes despite government incentives such as cash payments, longer maternity leave, and relaxed family size rules. China ended its one-child policy in 2016 and later allowed up to three children per couple. Experts warn that an ageing population and falling workforce could strain the economy. The United Nations expects China’s population to keep declining through the century. (PC: BBC)

The European Union is preparing to use its strongest trade retaliation tool against the United States after President Donald Trump announced tariffs on countries backing Greenland. The proposed measures include a 10 per cent tariff from February 1, rising to 25 per cent by June. EU leaders met in Brussels to discuss a response. French President Emmanuel Macron said the bloc could activate its Anti-Coercion Instrument for the first time. The tool allows counter-tariffs, market restrictions, and limits on US firms. EU officials warned the move could further strain US-EU trade ties. (PC: India Today)