India issued a travel advisory urging citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iran amid widespread protests over inflation and living costs. The external affairs ministry advised approximately 10,000 Indian nationals, mostly students, and people of Indian origin in Iran to exercise caution, avoid protest areas, and register with the Indian embassy. Protests have erupted across 23 of Iran's 31 provinces, triggered by 36% inflation and the Iranian rial losing half its value. At least 15 people have died since protests began a week ago. US President Donald Trump threatened intervention if Iranian authorities crack down on protesters, while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed Iran won't yield, raising tensions amid Western sanctions over Iran's nuclear program. (PC: X)

Sharada Iyer, a 52-year-old Indian woman living in Muscat, died in a trekking accident in Oman's Jebel Shams region. The former Oman Air manager, originally from Thazhava, Kerala, was trekking with a group along marked paths in the rugged Wadi Ghul area of Al Dakhiliyah Governorate when the accident occurred on January 2. Authorities did not disclose the exact cause of death, but the location's steep cliffs and challenging terrain pose recognized risks. Iyer, daughter of late agricultural scientists RD Iyer and Rohini Iyer and sister of Malayalam playback singer Chitra Iyer, had returned to Oman on December 24 after attending her father's funeral. Her last rites will be performed on January 7 at the family's ancestral home in Thazhava. (PC: Instagram)

Arjun Sharma, accused of murdering Telugu woman Nikitha Godishala in the US, allegedly siphoned approximately $3,500 from her bank account before fleeing to India. The victim's sister, Saraswati, filed a complaint with the Indian Embassy detailing unauthorized financial transactions. Arjun had borrowed $4,500 from Saraswati, returning only $3,500, and requested an additional $1,000 on January 2, which was denied. That same day, the 26-year-old reported 27-year-old data analyst Nikitha missing to Howard County Police, claiming he last saw her on New Year's Eve, then immediately fled to India. His suspicious departure prompted coordination between US federal agencies and Indian authorities, leading to his Interpol-facilitated arrest in Tamil Nadu on Monday. (PC: X)

Venezuela leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores have a little-known link with India through the late spiritual teacher Sathya Sai Baba. Maduro was raised Catholic but was introduced to Sai Baba by Flores before their marriage, reports say. In 2005, the couple visited the Prasanthi Nilayam ashram in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, and met the guru. A photo from the visit shows them seated near him. After Sai Baba died in 2011, Maduro, then foreign minister, helped pass a condolence motion in Venezuela’s assembly. In 2025, he also marked Sai Baba’s centenary with a tribute. (PC: HT)

Indian police have arrested Arjun Sharma in Tamil Nadu after he fled the United States following the killing of his former partner, Nikitha Godishala. US investigators said Godishala, a 27-year-old data analyst based in Maryland, was reported missing on January 2. Sharma told police he last saw her on New Year’s Eve and left the country the same day. A search of his apartment in Columbia, Maryland, on January 3 found Godishala dead with multiple stab wounds. Howard County Police issued arrest warrants for first- and second-degree murder. US and Indian agencies tracked Sharma through international coordination. Extradition steps are expected to follow. The Indian Embassy said it is assisting the victim’s family. (PC: India Today)

The Indian Embassy in Washington confirmed it's providing consular assistance to Nikitha Godishala's family after the 27-year-old Indian woman was found dead in Columbia, Maryland. Police identified her ex-boyfriend as the prime suspect who allegedly reported her missing before fleeing the United States. Authorities issued arrest warrants for first and second-degree murder, coordinating with federal agencies for next steps. The Embassy is assisting with documentation, coordinating with local officials, and monitoring investigation developments. Friends described Godishala as a young professional who moved to the US for higher studies and work opportunities. The case has raised safety concerns for Indian nationals abroad, prompting the Embassy to advise vigilance and encourage citizens to contact consular officials during emergencies. (PC: X)

A video of Indian Instagram creator Noah offering water and food to a homeless American couple on New Year's Day has gone viral. Noah approached the struggling couple, gave them water bottles, and asked what they needed. The man humbly requested McDonald's, which Noah promptly delivered. The couple, visibly moved, repeatedly thanked him, with the man saying "God bless you." Noah captioned the video: "I was in tears seeing this. How long do you survive without water?" The compassionate gesture resonated widely online, with viewers praising his kindness. Noah previously gained attention for helping a paralyzed woman caught in heavy rain, driving her safely to her daughter's house during a downpour.

British MP Bob Blackman reiterated his support for India's position on Jammu and Kashmir, asserting the entire Union Territory should be reunited with India. Speaking at Jaipur's Constitutional Club, Blackman said his stance predates PM Modi's 2019 decision, tracing back to the early 1990s Kashmiri Pandit exodus. "I called for Article 370's abrogation in 1992, when Kashmiri Pandits were forced out," he stated. The Conservative MP condemned Pakistan's "illegal occupation" of parts of the princely state and criticized cross-border terrorism. Blackman previously condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 people, calling Pakistan a "failed state" that sponsors terrorism. He urged Western governments to support India against terrorism.

A South Korean national was fatally stabbed by his live-in partner from Manipur during a late-night drinking session in Greater Noida. Duck Jee Yuh, a branch manager at a mobile phone company, was brought dead to GIMS Hospital on January 4. His partner, Lunjeana Pamai, confessed to stabbing him in the chest during an argument that escalated into physical confrontation. The couple had been living together for two years. Pamai told police she didn't intend to kill him and that the stabbing occurred during the altercation. Police investigations revealed the relationship was troubled, with allegations of heavy drinking and domestic violence. Pamai has been arrested and remains in custody pending further investigation.

India has overtaken China to become the world's largest rice producer, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced Sunday. India's rice production reached 150.18 million tonnes during 2024-25, surpassing China's 145.28 million tonnes. The Agriculture Minister made this declaration at a public event, marking a significant milestone in India's agricultural sector. This achievement represents a major shift in global rice production dynamics, as China had traditionally held the top position for decades. Rice remains a staple crop for both nations and a critical component of global food security. The increased production also strengthens India's position as a leading agricultural economy and major food exporter in international markets.