IT major Tata Consultancy Services has said job cuts may continue in 2026 if needed. The company has let go of around 30,000 employees in the last six months. TCS said the exits are part of an ongoing restructuring plan announced in 2025. The company added that there is no fixed target for layoffs. Every exit will follow an internal process and valid reasons. TCS’ total workforce fell to about 5.82 lakh by December 2025. The move comes as firms adjust to AI tools, lower demand, and cost pressures. Tighter office attendance rules and delayed appraisals have also raised employee concerns.

K-pop group BTS have announced a major world tour after a four-year break. The tour will have 79 shows across Asia, Europe and the US. It will begin in South Korea on April 9, 2026. London, Paris, Tokyo and Los Angeles are on the list. Tickets go on sale from January 22. Industry estimates say BTS could earn over $1 billion from concerts, music and merchandise. The band last toured globally in 2018. Their comeback follows the completion of mandatory military service by all seven members. Fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting the reunion. (PC: Getty Images)

Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack across Ukraine overnight. Ukrainian officials said it was the most intense air assault this year. At least four people were killed in strikes on Kharkiv. Another person died in a drone attack in the Donetsk region. Hundreds of thousands of homes lost power in Kyiv. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said energy systems were badly hit. Russia used nearly 300 drones and several missiles, including hypersonic weapons. Ukraine said it later struck a Russian drone factory in the Rostov region. Russia claimed it shot down more than 50 Ukrainian drones. Fighting continues on multiple fronts. (PC: AP)

India officially assumed the BRICS 2026 presidency with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar launching the official website, theme, and logo on January 13. Jaishankar announced India's chairship will adopt a "humanity-first" and "people-centric" approach, seeking to harness member countries' potential for greater global welfare. The Ministry of External Affairs revealed the logo designed on the lotus flower motif during a New Delhi ceremony. India's presidency marks a significant diplomatic milestone as it guides the expanded BRICS grouping through 2026. The launch emphasizes India's vision of leveraging the bloc's collective capabilities to address global challenges while maintaining focus on human welfare and inclusive development priorities throughout its tenure. (PC: X/@DrSJaishankar)

E-commerce platforms must abandon 10-minute delivery promises following Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya's directive prioritizing delivery partner safety. After meeting executives from Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, and Zepto, the government secured commitments to remove time-bound claims. Blinkit has already revised its tagline from "10,000 plus products delivered in 10 minutes" to "30,000 plus products delivered at your doorstep." The move follows December 25 gig worker protests demanding better pay, social security benefits, and elimination of arbitrary time targets. AAP MP Raghav Chadha welcomed the decision, noting the "real, constant, and dangerous" pressure on riders. The government plans implementing four labour codes providing minimum wage, health, and social security coverage from April 1. (PC: X)

Australia has moved India to its "highest-risk" category (Assessment Level 3) for student visa applications, effective January 8, alongside Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. Indian students now face rigorous background checks, bank statement scrutiny, additional English certification, and educational verification, significantly increasing processing times. India ranks second only to China in Australian international enrollments, with 140,000 students versus China's 190,000. The reclassification follows Kerala Police uncovering a fake degree racket supplying fraudulent documents to over 1 million international university applicants, triggering political controversy in Australia. Australian authorities cited "emerging integrity issues" while emphasizing continued support for genuine students seeking quality education. (PC: Reuters)

Multiple drones were detected near the Line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir's Rajouri district on Tuesday, prompting Indian Army countermeasures and firing under standard protocols. The sightings occurred hours after Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi warned Pakistan against UAV intrusions, stating India had conveyed such activity was "unacceptable." Drones were spotted in the Dungala-Nabla and Thandi Kassi areas, triggering high alerts and search operations across Rajouri and Poonch districts. This follows Sunday's multiple drone sightings along the International Border and LoC. During DGMO-level talks Tuesday, India explicitly warned Pakistan to "rein in its drones." Separately, anti-terror operations intensified in Kathua's Billawar after a brief encounter with terrorists. (PC: India Today)

India will face minimal economic impact from Trump's 25% tariff on Iran-trading nations, government sources confirmed, as bilateral trade remains negligible at $1.6 billion just 0.15% of India's total trade volume. Iran doesn't rank among India's top 50 trading partners, with trade expected to decline further this financial year. India's exports to Iran totaled only $1.2 billion in 2024, representing 2.3% of Iran's $68 billion imports, dwarfed by UAE ($21B), China ($17B), and Turkey ($11B). Officials emphasized India's "extremely limited" trade exposure significantly reduces tariff fallout risks. This assessment comes despite India already facing elevated US trade pressures, including 50% tariffs on Russian oil purchases. (PC: X)

The UK has summoned Iran’s ambassador over the violent crackdown on protests. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the move shows the seriousness of the situation. A human rights group warned that a 26-year-old protester is set to be executed on Wednesday. Officials claim around 2,000 people may have been killed during the unrest. Internet services remain restricted across Iran. US President Donald Trump urged protesters to continue demonstrations. Several European countries have also summoned Iranian diplomats. Germany said Iran’s government could be nearing its final days. Protests continue despite arrests and force by security agencies.

Two healthcare workers in West Bengal have tested positive for Nipah virus, officials said. The patients, a male nurse and a female nurse, work at the same private hospital in Barasat, North 24 Parganas. Both are in critical condition and on ventilator support. The cases were first reported earlier this week as suspected infections. After confirmation, the Centre sent a national outbreak response team to assist the state. Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda spoke to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and assured full support. Around 120 contacts have been identified, and testing is ongoing. (PC: iStock)