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)

Delhi, Noida and Gurugram saw early morning rain on Friday, worsening cold conditions in the region. The national capital recorded its lowest temperature of the winter so far at 4.6 degrees Celsius, the India Meteorological Department data showed. Dense fog was also present across the area, adding to the cold. Rain was reported in parts of Noida and Gurugram. The minimum and daytime temperatures stayed well below normal, keeping winter chill strong. Cold day conditions have continued for several days, with earlier low readings on Thursday. The weather office said cold weather and fog may persist for the coming days. (PC: HT)

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said a planned trade deal with India failed after Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not call President Donald Trump within a set timeline. Speaking on the All-In Podcast, Lutnick said the deal was ready but needed a direct call from Modi to close it. He said India was given a window of “three Fridays” to act. When the call did not come, the US moved on to deals with countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Lutnick added that Washington has stepped back from the earlier terms. He said India could still return to talks in the future. (PC: India Today)

Large crowds marched in Tehran and other Iranian cities on Thursday night, videos verified by BBC Persian showed. Demonstrations were seen in Mashhad, Isfahan, Tabriz and several western towns. Protesters shouted slogans against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and in support of exiled royal Reza Pahlavi. Human rights groups said the unrest has spread to more than 100 cities during 12 days of protests. The US-based HRANA group said at least 34 protesters and eight security personnel have died, while Iran Human Rights reported 45 deaths. NetBlocks said Iran faced a nationwide internet blackout during the rallies.

Multiple district court complexes in Punjab — including Ludhiana, Ropar (Rupnagar), Ferozepur, Mansa and Moga — were evacuated on Thursday after anonymous bomb-threat emails were received on official judicial addresses, prompting panic and suspension of court proceedings. Security forces, including bomb disposal squads and police, conducted thorough searches, but no explosives were found. Punjab Police cybercrime units traced the threatening emails’ origin to Austria and Germany, with suspects masking identities using VPNs and Tor networks. Officials have sought international cooperation for further investigation amid heightened alert in court complexes. (PC: The Tribune)

Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil has slammed the Centre’s repeal of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), calling the newly enacted Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act “draconian” and harmful to rural workers’ rights. The state cabinet unanimously decided not to accept the VB-G RAM G Act and to challenge it in court, accusing it of violating the right to work and livelihood and undermining panchayat authority. Patil said the repeal strips rural labourers of guaranteed work and decentralised decision-making, prompting legal and public opposition. (PC: ANI)

Minneapolis Public Schools canceled classes for the rest of the week as safety concerns escalate after a 37-year-old woman, Renee Nicole Good, was shot and killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during a federal enforcement operation in the city. The decision to halt in-person learning, including activities and community education, was made “out of an abundance of caution” amid widespread protests and tensions following the incident. The shooting has sparked national debate over immigration enforcement tactics, with conflicting accounts from federal officials and local leaders and demonstrations continuing in Minneapolis and other cities. (PC: Reuters)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a major protest rally in Kolkata on January 9 against Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on the I-PAC office and the home of its chief, Pratik Jain, part of a money-laundering probe. Banerjee has angrily criticised the central agency, accusing it of attempting to seize Trinamool Congress internal data, hard disks and strategy documents linked to election campaigning, and labelled the action politically motivated ahead of upcoming state polls. Thousands of TMC workers are expected to join the demonstration, marking an escalation in the political standoff with the central government. (PC: ANI)

Denmark’s Defence Ministry has warned that its troops are prepared to “shoot first and ask questions later” if the United States attempts to invade Greenland, responding to renewed interest from US President Donald Trump in gaining control of the strategically vital Arctic territory. The directive, dating back to a 1952 rule of engagement, mandates Danish forces to immediately counter any invasion without waiting for orders. Trump has suggested purchasing or even using military force to acquire Greenland, which is an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark and a NATO territory, saying it’s critical for US security. Denmark insists the island is not for sale and such action would jeopardize NATO unity amid growing diplomatic tensions. (PC: NDTV)