Authorities in Nepal have extended a curfew in Birgunj, a city near the Indian border, after clashes linked to a TikTok video led to communal tension. The dispute began in Dhanusha district after a video was posted with remarks said to hurt religious feelings. Two youths were later handed to police. The situation worsened after a mosque was vandalised in Kamala Municipality. Protests spread to Birgunj, where groups held rallies, burned tyres and ignored a ban on gatherings. The Parsa district office imposed a curfew in several areas and later extended it till Tuesday evening. Security forces were given special powers to enforce the order. (PC: HT)

Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan triggered a controversy after asking if US President Donald Trump could “kidnap” India’s prime minister like Venezuela’s leader. His remark came while criticising high US tariffs on India. Many on social media mocked the comment, calling it absurd. Former Jammu and Kashmir police chief SP Vaid said the statement was humiliating for the country. Critics pointed out that India is a nuclear power and such comparisons are misplaced. Chavan later continued his attack on Narendra Modi over trade issues, saying India must look for new export markets.

The Election Commission of India on Tuesday released the draft voter roll of Uttar Pradesh after a Special Intensive Revision. About 2.89 crore names were deleted from the list. The total number of voters fell from 15.44 crore to 12.55 crore. Officials said nearly one in five names was removed. The deletions include deceased voters, people who shifted residence, and duplicate entries. The poll body said genuine voters can apply to be added back during the claims and objections period from January 6 to February 6. Similar revisions were recently completed in other states. (PC: PTI)

The Central Bureau of Investigation has summoned actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam founder Vijay to appear on January 12 in the Karur stampede case, officials said. The incident took place on September 27, 2025, during a TVK rally at Veluswamypuram in Karur district. A sudden crowd surge killed 41 people and injured many others. The agency has already questioned senior TVK leaders and recorded their statements. The Tamil Nadu government had first set up a state team to probe the case. The Supreme Court later transferred the matter to the CBI, saying the tragedy needed an independent inquiry. The agency is now checking event permits, police planning, and safety steps. (PC: India Today)

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has welcomed the arrest of Nicolás Maduro by US forces, calling it “a huge step for humanity, for freedom and human dignity”. She spoke to Fox News hours after Maduro appeared before a court in New York. Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were seized from their Caracas residence on Saturday and flown to the United States in a special forces mission. Machado said she was grateful to President Donald Trump for the action. She left Venezuela last month to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. In court on Monday, Maduro said, “I am still president,” and pleaded not guilty to drug and other charges. (PC: BBC)

Dense fog delayed four Vijay Hazare Trophy matches in Jaipur on Tuesday. Poor visibility made it unsafe to start play in the morning. Punjab, led by Shubman Gill, were set to face Goa, while Shreyas Iyer’s Mumbai were scheduled to play Himachal Pradesh. Tosses planned for 9 am were pushed back as fog covered the city. Ground staff waited for conditions to improve. Gill was set to return after illness, while Iyer was making a comeback after injury. Both players are part of India’s ODI squad for the New Zealand series starting January 11. (PC: PTI)

Pakistan sharply increased its lobbying efforts in the United States during India’s Operation Sindoor in 2025, official records show. US filings reveal Pakistani officials sought dozens of meetings with American lawmakers, defence officials and media figures. The aim was to press Washington to intervene and stop India’s military action after the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The outreach covered issues like Kashmir and regional security. Reports also show Pakistan spent millions of dollars on US lobbying firms during this period. The documents suggest Islamabad turned to Washington under heavy military and diplomatic pressure.

The murder of Hyderabad native Nikitha Godishala in the US has taken a new turn. Her family claims she was killed over a money dispute with her ex-boyfriend, Arjun Sharma. Nikitha, 27, was found dead in Maryland after being reported missing on New Year’s Eve. Police have charged Sharma with first- and second-degree murder. Her cousin said Sharma had borrowed money and failed to return $1,000. Nikitha was following up with him for repayment. Her father said Sharma often borrowed money from many people. Nikitha had moved to the US in 2021 for studies and later worked there. (PC: Instagram/@_iamnikkig_)

Ambala police arrested 31-year-old Sunil from Sabga village for allegedly sharing sensitive Indian Army and Air Force information with Pakistan's ISI after being honeytrapped through social media. The accused, employed as construction supervisor at Air Force Station through a private contractor, had six-to-seven months contact with Pakistani handlers via fake female Facebook profile. Investigators allege he was trapped through emotional manipulation, inducement, and blackmail, then shared confidential details on military unit locations, troop movements, and deployment. Police recovered WhatsApp chats and voice call records linking him to Pakistani handlers. His bank account is under examination for suspicious financial transactions. The arrest occurred near Ambala Cantonment bus stand. (PC: News 18)

Nikitha Godishala's sister, Saraswati, filed a complaint with the Indian Embassy alleging accused Arjun Sharma made unauthorized transactions totaling USD 3,500 (Rs 3.16 lakh) from the victim's bank account before fleeing the United States. According to the complaint, Arjun owed Nikitha's family USD 4,500 (Rs 4.05 lakh) total in the days leading to her murder. The Telugu woman was allegedly killed by her ex-boyfriend in the US. Arjun Sharma was arrested by Interpol in Tamil Nadu on Monday following coordination between US federal agencies and Indian authorities who tracked him after he departed America. The sister detailed the financial exploitation in her formal complaint to authorities. (PC: X)