US ambassador-designate Sergio Gor said India is the most essential partner for the United States and confirmed that fresh trade talks will begin on January 12. Speaking at the US Embassy in New Delhi, Gor said President Donald Trump may visit India next year. He described Trump’s friendship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “real” and said real friends can resolve differences. Gor said the two countries work closely on trade, security, counter-terrorism, energy, technology, education, and health. He also announced that India will be invited to join the US-led Pax Silica alliance next month to build a secure silicon supply chain.

US ambassador-designate Sergio Gor said India is the most essential partner for the United States and that President Donald Trump may visit India next year. Speaking at the US Embassy in New Delhi, Gor said the friendship between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “real” and built at the top level. He said real friends may disagree but always settle issues. Gor said the next round of India-US trade talks will start on Tuesday. He added that both sides work together on security, energy, technology, education and health. Gor also said India will be invited to join the Pax Silica alliance, a US-led plan to build a secure silicon supply chain. (PC: NDTV)

Sergio Gor took charge as the new United States ambassador to India and special envoy to South and Central Asia on Monday at the US Embassy in New Delhi. As he walked to the podium, the song “Hold On, I’m Comin’” by Sam and Dave played in the background. In his first remarks, Gor said the bond between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “real” and built at the top level. He said real friends may disagree but always settle issues in the end. Gor said he will work to raise the partnership. He also said Trump may visit India in the next year or two. (PC: HT)

A futsal referee and a college student are among hundreds reported dead in Iran during two weeks of anti-government protests. Amir Mohammad Koohkan, 26, was shot during a protest in Neyriz on January 3, a friend told BBC Persian. Student Rubina Aminian, 23, was killed in Tehran five days later, rights groups said. A US-based monitor and HRANA estimate nearly 500 protesters and dozens of security staff have died. Protests began on December 28 over economic issues and spread to all 31 provinces. Medical staff said hospitals were overwhelmed with casualties. Foreign media cannot report freely from Iran due to curbs and internet shutdowns. (PC: BBC)

Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi on Monday after he lost consciousness twice over the weekend. Officials said the 74-year-old had “two bouts of unconsciousness” on Saturday while going to the washroom. He later visited AIIMS for a routine checkup, where doctors advised hospital admission for detailed tests. An MRI is expected as part of the medical review. Dhankhar had resigned from the vice president’s post in July last year citing health reasons and has since made limited public appearances. Officials said he had also blacked out at several public events in recent months. No statement has been issued by his family.

The India Meteorological Department has warned of cold wave to severe cold wave conditions in parts of north India over the next few days. Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, west Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh may see freezing weather. The IMD said Delhi’s minimum temperature could fall to between 3 and 4.2 degrees Celsius on Monday. In contrast, Shimla is likely to record a minimum of around 9 degrees Celsius. The cold wave may continue on Tuesday in several states, and Jharkhand could face it till Thursday. The IMD has also issued dense fog warnings for many regions till January 15. (PC: HT)

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said the country is “prepared” for war if the United States intervenes, but added that Tehran does not want a conflict. His remarks came after US President Donald Trump said Washington is considering “very strong options” over Iran. Protests have spread across several cities since late December after the national currency fell sharply. The US-based group HRANA says nearly 500 people have been killed in the crackdown. Iran has imposed a wide internet blackout, making information hard to verify. Foreign media have limited access inside the country. An Iranian source contacted by the BBC said the suffering should not remain hidden. (PC: BBC)

The United Arab Emirates has ended state funding for students seeking to study at British universities, citing fears of Islamist radicalisation on UK campuses. The move followed Britain’s refusal to ban the Muslim Brotherhood, which the UAE lists as a terrorist group. Emirati officials removed UK institutions from the list of overseas universities eligible for scholarships and official degree recognition. Officials said they do not want their students to be “radicalised on campus”. Students may still study in Britain using private funds. UK data show UAE student visas fell 27 percent by September 2025 and 55 percent compared with 2022. Both sides say overall ties remain strong. (PC: India Today)

US President Donald Trump posted a digitally altered image on social media that calls him the “Acting President of Venezuela.” The image showed a fake Wikipedia page with that title under his name. His post came after a US operation captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife earlier this month in Caracas. Venezuelan authorities said Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez took over as acting president under the country’s constitution. Trump’s claim is not recognised by Venezuela’s legal system or any official body. He also shared a post saying Marco Rubio could be “President of Cuba,” saying “Sounds good to me.” The situation has drawn global attention and debate. (PC: X)

US President Donald Trump said the military is reviewing “very strong options” in Iran as deadly protests entered a third week. The Human Rights Activist News Agency said it had verified nearly 500 protester deaths and 48 security deaths. It also reported more than 10,600 detentions. Trump said Iranian officials had called him “to negotiate”, but added the US “may have to act before a meeting”. Iranian leaders called protesters “vandals” and urged supporters to join rallies. They also announced three days of mourning for people killed in what they called a national battle. Internet access in Iran remains restricted, limiting independent reporting.