Swiss authorities have detained Jacques Moretti, co-owner of the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, after a New Year’s Eve fire killed 40 people and injured over 100. Prosecutors say Moretti was held due to a potential flight risk as part of a criminal probe into negligent homicide and related charges. The blaze, possibly ignited by sparklers or candles near the ceiling, spread rapidly in the crowded bar, triggering nationwide mourning. A memorial and national day of mourning were held on January 9, with leaders and families seeking accountability. Safety lapses at the venue are under intense scrutiny.

Bangladesh’s interim government announced the temporary suspension of visa services at key diplomatic missions in India, including New Delhi, Kolkata and Agartala, citing security concerns as the primary reason. The move affects standard consular operations, though work and business visas remain exempt. Dhaka is also urging the United States to reverse a newly imposed visa bond requirement, a policy Bangladesh calls “unfortunate and painful” and says affects multiple countries. The tensions follow ongoing diplomatic strain between Bangladesh and India, partly tied to earlier visa restrictions and broader regional political sensitivities. (PC: The Hindu)

Federal agents in Portland, Oregon, shot and injured two people during a “targeted vehicle stop,” Portland police said after responding to reports of gunfire on Thursday. The male and female victims were found with apparent gunshot wounds and taken to a hospital; their conditions are unknown. The FBI is leading the ongoing investigation, confirming Customs and Border Protection agents were involved. The Department of Homeland Security said the driver allegedly tried to run over agents, prompting a defensive shot. The incident comes amid heightened tensions over federal immigration enforcement in the city. (PC: AP)

Berlin witnessed a major power outage after suspected arson damaged high-voltage cables, plunging nearly 45,000 households and over 1,000 businesses into darkness for two days. The blackout occurred amid sub-zero winter temperatures, forcing authorities to arrange shelters and hotel accommodations for affected residents. German federal prosecutors have launched a terrorism investigation, treating the incident as a possible act of sabotage targeting critical infrastructure. Investigators are examining claims by the far-left group Vulkangruppe, which reportedly took responsibility. Power has since been restored, but security concerns remain high.

India has raised serious concerns over what it calls “recurring attacks on minorities” in Bangladesh, following a series of violent incidents targeting the Hindu community and other religious minorities. The Ministry of External Affairs said extremists have repeatedly assaulted minorities, their homes and businesses, creating fear and insecurity. New Delhi urged Dhaka to address these communal attacks firmly and criticised attempts to dismiss them as mere personal or political disputes. The government’s remarks come amid a wider pattern of reported violence, including murders, mob attacks and property damage, which have drawn international attention and diplomatic unease. 

A potential India–United States bilateral trade agreement could not be finalised largely because Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not make a direct call to then-US President Donald Trump at a critical stage of negotiations, according to US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Lutnick said the deal was “set up” but required leader-level engagement to close, and India’s hesitation meant the window passed while the US concluded agreements with other countries. By the time India returned to pursue the pact, Washington had moved on to other partners and harsher terms, including higher tariff rates. The talks have yet to produce a formal agreement. 

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed the nation as protests spread across the country for a second week. He said he would not “back down” against what he called “vandals” and “saboteurs”. Khamenei accused US President Donald Trump of having “hands stained with the blood of Iranians” and claimed he would be “overthrown”. He also said protesters were “ruining their own streets” to please a foreign leader. The Tehran prosecutor warned against “anti-Iranian calls” and said cases were being formed against some brands and online figures. Several Dubai-Iran and Turkish flights were cancelled or turned back due to the unrest. (PC: x)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a large protest rally in Kolkata after the Enforcement Directorate raided offices of political consultancy I-PAC and the home of its director Pratik Jain. Thousands joined the march. The ED later moved the Calcutta High Court seeking an “urgent” hearing, alleging misconduct by the chief minister during the searches. The court hearing was deferred to January 14 after heavy crowding forced the judge to leave the courtroom. Earlier in the day, eight Trinamool Congress MPs were detained by Delhi Police while protesting outside Home Minister Amit Shah’s office. The Trinamool Congress called the raids arbitrary and illegal. (PC: India Today)

Fresh protests broke out across Tehran on Thursday night after exiled royal Reza Pahlavi called on Iranians to gather at 8 pm. Witnesses said people in several neighbourhoods shouted slogans such as “Death to the dictator” and “Death to the Islamic Republic”. Cloudflare and NetBlocks reported a nationwide internet outage as the rallies grew. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said at least 42 people have been killed and more than 2,270 detained since unrest began last month. The protests were first triggered by anger over the falling rial and high prices. Iranian officials said security forces would respond to violence. (PC: X)

Minnesota officials said the FBI has blocked the state from taking part in the investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Governor Tim Walz said the move made it hard to trust the process. The state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said the FBI first agreed to a joint probe but later denied access to evidence, forcing it to withdraw. Federal officials said the case is a federal matter. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the agent acted in self defence. Videos show agents ordering Good out of her car before shots were fired. Protests have continued across the city. (PC: BBC)