Myanmar’s 2026 election, orchestrated by the military since the 2021 coup, is widely condemned as a sham designed to entrench junta control. While authorities claim it restores civilian rule, heavy restrictions on freedoms, pervasive surveillance, and widespread intimidation dominate daily life, especially in Yangon. Popular parties like Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy remain banned, leaving voters with little choice. Citizens face pressure to participate amid ongoing civil conflict and economic hardship. Observers argue that true democracy remains impossible under the junta, with genuine political change dependent on sustained resistance and international pressure. (PC: AFP)

Delhi’s Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced that the national capital recorded its best air quality in eight years in 2025, with significant declines in particulate pollution compared to 2024. PM2.5 levels dropped from 104 µg/m³ to 96, and PM10 from 212 µg/m³ to 197, while the city logged nearly 200 days with an AQI under 200, including 79 days in the ‘good’ or ‘satisfactory’ range. Only eight ‘severe’ pollution days were recorded, the lowest in recent years. The government credited science-led interventions on vehicular emissions, dust, industry and waste management for the improvements. (PC: PTI)

Widespread protests have erupted across Iran as shopkeepers, traders and university students demonstrate against sharp inflation, economic stagnation and the plunging rial currency. At least seven people have been killed in clashes between security forces and demonstrators since the unrest began, with reports of several buildings — including administrative structures and bazaars — severely damaged amid stone-throwing and confrontations. The demonstrations, which started in Tehran and spread to other cities, reflect deep frustration with soaring prices and deteriorating living standards, intensified by long-standing sanctions and economic mismanagement. Authorities have made multiple arrests as tensions continue. (PC: AFP)

 A 50-year-old Hindu businessman, Khokon Chandra Das, was brutally assaulted by a mob in Shariatpur’s Damudya area on New Year’s Eve, stabbed repeatedly and doused with petrol before being set ablaze while returning home from his pharmacy shop, local reports say. Das survived by jumping into a nearby pond and was rushed to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital before being transferred to Dhaka for advanced treatment with serious burn and stab wounds. Police have identified some suspects, but motives remain unclear. The attack marks the fourth incident targeting the Hindu minority in two weeks, intensifying concerns over rising violence against minorities in Bangladesh.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala temple gold theft has informed the Kollam Vigilance Court that the scale of the crime appears much bigger than earlier believed. Beyond the previously identified missing gold from door frames and Dwarapalaka idols, investigators say multiple gold-clad panels, including those with sacred figures and decorative motifs, were removed and likely siphoned off during replating. Only about 584 g of gold has been recovered so far, far less than the estimated original quantities. Scientific analysis of temple artefact samples is underway to determine the true extent of the loss. (PC: MSN)

Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal responded to a nationwide gig workers’ strike call on New Year’s Eve by highlighting that Zomato and its quick-commerce arm Blinkit achieved record delivery volumes — over 75 lakh orders on December 31, despite protest actions. He said operations were largely unaffected, crediting delivery partners and local authorities for smooth execution. Goyal disputed claims that the system is fundamentally unfair, urging people not to be swayed by “vested interests” and saying millions still choose gig work. He acknowledged the system isn’t perfect but insisted portrayals of exploitation are misleading while framing platform work as significant job creation. (PC: Mint)

A tragic incident in Indore’s Bhagirathpura has left a five-month-old infant, Avyaan, dead after his parents mixed municipal tap water with packaged milk on medical advice — unaware the water was contaminated. The baby developed fever, vomiting and diarrhoea, and died en route to the hospital. The family alleges the Narmada water supply was polluted, contributing to his illness. Residents in the area have reported foul-smelling water, with multiple deaths and illnesses linked to contaminated drinking water, raising urgent health and infrastructure concerns. (PC: NDTV)

An Indian professional returned to Bengaluru after seven years in the United States, sharing his reverse migration experience on Reddit. The man cited visa uncertainties, aging parents, and inability to envision permanent settlement as reasons for returning. Despite family warnings about regret, he reports no second thoughts and doesn't plan returning soon. He acknowledged India's challenges including poor air quality, littering, and bureaucratic hurdles, but noted the US equally faces homelessness, gun violence, and racism. Significantly, he found traffic congestion and work-life balance comparable between Bengaluru and major American cities like Houston, Denver, and Boston. He described Kannadigas as warm and welcoming, emphasizing the substantial gap between online narratives and lived reality, advising prospective returnees to treat social media commentary skeptically.

An Indian professional returned to Bengaluru after seven years in the United States, sharing his reverse migration experience on Reddit. The man cited visa uncertainties, aging parents, and inability to envision permanent settlement as reasons for returning. Despite family warnings about regret, he reports no second thoughts and doesn't plan returning soon. He acknowledged India's challenges including poor air quality, littering, and bureaucratic hurdles, but noted the US equally faces homelessness, gun violence, and racism. Significantly, he found traffic congestion and work-life balance comparable between Bengaluru and major American cities like Houston, Denver, and Boston. He described Kannadigas as warm and welcoming, emphasizing the substantial gap between online narratives and lived reality, advising prospective returnees to treat social media commentary skeptically. (PC: X)

A 25-year-old woman was brutally gang-raped in Faridabad after leaving home around 8:30 pm, telling her sister she would wait for an auto and visit a friend. While waiting for transport near a bus stop, she reportedly accepted a lift from two men. Later, between midnight and 3:30 am, she was allegedly raped inside the vehicle and thrown onto a roadside, sustaining serious injuries. Found unconscious with a split face, she was hospitalized and later shifted for treatment. Police have registered a case and arrested two suspects, with investigations ongoing amid public outrage. (PC: NDTV)