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)

Spain is set to have its first reigning queen in over 150 years when Princess Leonor succeeds her father, King Felipe VI. Leonor, 20, is next in line after her grandfather Juan Carlos I abdicated in 2014. She is the elder daughter of Felipe and Queen Letizia. Spanish law requires the heir to complete military training in the army, navy and air force. Leonor began her training in 2023 and has since served on a naval ship and flown solo in a military aircraft. She will become commander-in-chief of the armed forces when she becomes queen. Her accession will make her the first queen regnant since Isabella II. (PC: X)

A construction crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train in Sikhio district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, northeastern Thailand, on January 14, 2026, causing a derailment, fire and mass casualties. The Bangkok–Ubon Ratchathani express was carrying around 195 passengers when the crane—part of a high-speed rail construction project—fell onto multiple carriages. At least 22–31 people have been confirmed dead and dozens more injured, with some sources reporting about 80 casualties as rescue operations continue. Authorities have launched an investigation into safety lapses and the cause of the crane’s collapse amid ongoing recovery efforts.

Iran’s government has publicly blamed foreign intelligence agencies, particularly those of the United States and Israel, for instigating and escalating nationwide protests that began over economic issues. President Masoud Pezeshkian claimed external forces trained “terrorists” and fomented unrest, including attacks on mosques and bazaars, shifting attention from domestic grievances to geopolitics. Tehran’s allegations come amid a severe crackdown on dissent, with heavy casualties and mass arrests reported. Analysts note these claims coincide with heightened tensions between Iran and Western adversaries, though independent verification of foreign involvement is limited. Iranian officials see external interference as part of a broader effort to destabilise the state. (PC: X)