Two Indian PhD students, Aditya Prakash and Urmi Bhattacheryya, secured a $200,000 (around ₹1.8 crore) civil rights settlement from the University of Colorado Boulder after alleging discrimination linked to a 2023 incident involving palak paneer. Prakash was reportedly told not to heat his lunch in a shared microwave because of its “pungent smell,” which they say led to hostile treatment, retaliation and lost opportunities. The couple filed a federal lawsuit claiming a discriminatory environment and kitchen policies biased against South Asians. The settlement also included the granting of their Master’s degrees, though the university denied liability and barred them from future enrolment or employment. (PC: India Today)

U.S. President Donald Trump declared that anything less than Greenland being “in the hands” of the United States is “unacceptable,” reigniting his controversial push to gain control over the strategic, resource-rich Arctic territory. Trump argued Greenland is vital for U.S. national security and said NATO should lead efforts to secure it, warning that Russia or China might otherwise gain influence. The remarks came just hours before White House talks hosted by Vice-President JD Vance with Danish and Greenlandic officials amid firm Danish and Greenlandic rejection of U.S. ownership and concerns over sovereignty and transatlantic relations. (PC: AP)

The festive kite-flying season in India has turned deadly as illegal “Chinese manjha” — glass-coated nylon kite string — has been linked to at least four deaths in one day and numerous serious injuries, police and hospital reports say. The sharp, banned thread slices through skin and throats of bystanders, especially motorcyclists, and poses risks to pedestrians and wildlife. Despite bans under safety laws, the dangerous string continues to be sold and used ahead of Makar Sankranti, prompting authorities to warn the public, enforce raids, and urge safer cotton alternatives to prevent further tragedies. (PC: PTI)

Singapore authorities have clarified that popular Indian singer Zubeen Garg’s death last September was accidental, not murder, the coroner’s court heard. The 52-year-old drowned near Lazarus Island after going for a swim from a yacht, despite refusing to wear a life jacket offered to him; he initially removed one that was too large and declined a smaller one. Police described him as “severely intoxicated,” with high alcohol levels likely impeding his coordination. Investigators found no evidence of foul play. Garg had been in Singapore for the North East India Festival and died a day before his scheduled performance. 

India has asked all its citizens in Iran, including students, pilgrims, businesspeople and tourists, to leave the country as unrest continues, according to an advisory issued by the Indian Embassy in Tehran on January 14. The advisory also urges Indians to keep travel and identity documents ready and to stay in contact with the embassy for support. It told citizens to avoid protest areas and monitor local developments. The Ministry of External Affairs has strongly advised all Indians to avoid travel to Iran until further notice. The warnings come as nationwide protests in Iran have grown violent and the death toll has risen. (PC: India Today)

US President Donald Trump has warned Iran of “very strong action” if it executes detained protesters. He spoke after reports that Erfan Soltani, 26, could be put to death days after his arrest. His family told BBC Persian that a court issued the sentence within two days. Rights group HRANA says it has confirmed 2,403 protester deaths and more than 18,400 arrests. An Iranian official told Reuters that about 2,000 people had died and blamed “terrorists”. Trump said he had cancelled meetings with Iranian officials and would act after reviewing verified numbers on the toll from the unrest. (PC: BBC)

India will discuss a plan to buy 114 Rafale fighter jets from France at a high-level Defence Ministry meeting this week, officials said. The deal is valued at about ₹3.25 lakh crore. Most jets will be made in India with around 30% local content. About 12 to 18 aircraft may be bought in fly-away condition for quick use by the Air Force. India has asked France to allow Indian weapons and systems to be fitted on the jets, though source codes will stay with the French side. If approved, this will be India’s largest defence purchase so far. (PC: Economic Times)

Air India is facing a lawsuit in the United Kingdom from families and estates of victims of the June 2025 plane crash in Ahmedabad. Court records show that 11 claimants filed a personal injury case at the London High Court on December 18. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was flying to London Gatwick when it lost height seconds after take-off and crashed into a medical college hostel. The disaster killed 260 people, including 19 on the ground. One passenger survived. Air India has not yet commented. Separately, families of four victims have sued Boeing and Honeywell in the United States over alleged faulty fuel switches. (PC: Reuters)

In Hounslow, West London, over 200 members of the Sikh community mobilised to rescue a 16‑year‑old Sikh girl allegedly abducted and exploited by a Pakistani grooming gang, before police took the suspect into custody after hours of demonstrations. The teenager was reportedly befriended when she was around 13 and allegedly held in a flat, prompting outrage over perceived police inaction and concern about recurring grooming gang scandals in the UK. Community members reunited the girl with her family amid calls for stronger law enforcement and protection against exploitation.

US Vice‑President JD Vance will host talks at the White House with Greenlandic and Danish representatives to discuss Arctic issues and growing diplomatic tensions. The discussions come after President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in Greenland, a resource-rich and strategically important territory, which Denmark and Greenland firmly rejected, emphasizing the island is not for sale. Vance’s meetings aim to address security, economic, and geopolitical concerns in the Arctic, clarify U.S. intentions, and manage bilateral relations. Analysts note the talks reflect ongoing sensitivity over sovereignty, defense, and resource access in the region. (PC: Reuters)