US President Donald Trump posted a digitally altered image on social media that calls him the “Acting President of Venezuela.” The image showed a fake Wikipedia page with that title under his name. His post came after a US operation captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife earlier this month in Caracas. Venezuelan authorities said Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez took over as acting president under the country’s constitution. Trump’s claim is not recognised by Venezuela’s legal system or any official body. He also shared a post saying Marco Rubio could be “President of Cuba,” saying “Sounds good to me.” The situation has drawn global attention and debate. (PC: X)

Isro’s PSLV-C62 mission failed on January 12 after a problem during the third stage of flight, leading to the loss of all 16 satellites. The PSLV-DL rocket lifted off from Sriharikota at 10:17 am and worked normally through the first two stages. After the third stage ignited, mission control lost telemetry and the vehicle could not reach its planned 505 km orbit. Isro chief V. Narayanan said a “disturbance in roll rates and a deviation in flight path” was noticed. The mission carried DRDO’s EOS-N1 satellite and 15 other payloads. A failure analysis probe has begun. 

US President Donald Trump said the military is reviewing “very strong options” in Iran as deadly protests entered a third week. The Human Rights Activist News Agency said it had verified nearly 500 protester deaths and 48 security deaths. It also reported more than 10,600 detentions. Trump said Iranian officials had called him “to negotiate”, but added the US “may have to act before a meeting”. Iranian leaders called protesters “vandals” and urged supporters to join rallies. They also announced three days of mourning for people killed in what they called a national battle. Internet access in Iran remains restricted, limiting independent reporting.

A dog has won a major acting prize at the 9th Astra Film Awards. Indy, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, took the Best Performance in a Horror or Thriller category for the 2025 film Good Boy. The award was given by the Hollywood Creative Alliance. Actors Ethan Hawke and Alison Brie were among the nominees. Alfie Williams, Sally Hawkins and Sophie Thatcher were also in the race. The film shows a dog trying to protect the person it loves while facing danger it cannot understand. Writer and director Ben Leonberg accepted the prize by video and said, “Indy is honored to accept this award.” (PC: X)

ISRO launched PSLV-C62 mission Monday from Sriharikota, marking India's first 2026 space launch carrying EOS-N1 Earth observation satellite and 14 co-passenger satellites. However, the mission encountered a technical anomaly during the third stage (PS3), causing flight path deviation. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan confirmed analysis is underway. The 44.4-meter, 260-tonne vehicle using PSLV-DL configuration aimed to deploy satellites into Sun Synchronous Orbit 17 minutes post-launch. NewSpace India Limited executed this ninth dedicated commercial mission. The flight also demonstrated Spain's Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator re-entry capsule, scheduled for controlled South Pacific splashdown. PSLV has completed 63 prior successful flights, including record-setting 104-satellite launch in 2017. 

Elon Musk's X platform removed 600 accounts and blocked 3,500 objectionable posts following India's government directive over Grok AI chatbot misuse for generating obscene content. The Ministry of Electronics and IT issued a January 2 notice threatening legal action if X failed to remove vulgar content, particularly Grok-generated images featuring "digital undressing." X assured compliance with Indian laws. The crackdown followed MP Priyanka Chaturvedi's complaint to IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw about women's digital safety concerns. X faces global backlash, with UK Prime Minister Starmer calling it "disgusting" and the EU demanding document retention. Musk warned users creating illegal content would face consequences matching uploading violations. (PC: The Telegraph)

The ICC will respond to Bangladesh Cricket Board's request to relocate T20 World Cup 2026 matches from India between Monday and Tuesday. BCB cited security concerns, requesting games be moved from Kolkata and Mumbai to Sri Lanka after IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders released bowler Mustafizur Rahman following BCCI suggestions. However, ICC is unlikely to accept, instead proposing Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram as alternate venues. Bangladesh rejected Chennai, with BCB president stating government consultation is required. The Bangladesh government expects direct Indian communication regarding security. ICC may cite Bangladesh umpire Sharfuddoula Saikat's recent officiating in Vadodara to address security concerns. With under four weeks remaining before competition, ICC seeks urgent resolution. (PC: AFP)

Malaysia and Indonesia have become the first countries globally to block Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok over its ability to create sexually explicit deepfakes. The tool on X platform has been used to edit real people's images into revealing outfits, enabling production of pornographic and non-consensual content involving women and children. Malaysia's regulator cited "repeated misuse" after X failed to address platform design risks, focusing only on user reporting processes. Indonesia's minister called such content a human rights violation. Grok faces British pressure, with Technology Secretary Liz Kendall backing access blocks for violating online safety laws. Musk dismissed critics as seeking "any excuse for censorship." Ofcom awaits decision on regulatory action. (PC: Getty Images)

The International Court of Justice begins three-week hearings today on Myanmar's alleged genocide against Rohingya Muslims during the 2017 military crackdown. The Gambia filed the case in 2019, accusing Myanmar of breaching the 1948 Genocide Convention. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya fled to Bangladesh, reporting mass rape, arson, and murder; 1.17 million now inhabit Cox's Bazar refugee camps. The ICJ ordered provisional measures in 2020 requiring Myanmar to prevent genocidal acts. The US declared the violence genocide in 2022. Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, now detained since 2021, previously defended Myanmar, calling it an "internal armed conflict." Legal experts view this case as precedent for similar accusations against Israel regarding Gaza. (PC: AFP)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad today for his first bilateral visit since assuming office last May. The leaders will finalize agreements on semiconductors, critical minerals, defense manufacturing, and skill development, including a Hyderabad skills center. Merz brings a 25-member CEO delegation featuring submarine manufacturers, signaling strong defense cooperation. Discussions will cover the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, Ukraine war, Trump's disruptive policies, and China's challenge. Over 2,000 German companies operate in India, with more joining Make in India initiatives. The visit precedes EU leaders attending Republic Day celebrations and French President Macron's February arrival, marking extensive India-Europe engagement promoting a multipolar world order.