At least seven people were reported dead in clashes between protesters and security forces in several Iranian cities this week. The protests began in Tehran on December 27 after shopkeepers went on strike over high prices and weak growth. They later spread to towns in Lorestan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, and Isfahan provinces. State media said a Basij member was killed in Kouhdasht. Police arrested dozens of people in Tehran and other areas. Videos showed crowds shouting slogans such as “Mullahs must leave Iran.” President Masoud Pezeshkian said people have real economic demands and urged steps to improve living conditions. (PC: India Today)

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)

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)

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)

Marriage to an American citizen no longer guarantees a US Green Card, warns immigration attorney Brad Bernstein. Under the Trump administration, marriage-based Green Card applications face heightened scrutiny, with officials emphasizing genuine relationships over legal paperwork. Bernstein, with over 30 years' experience, stresses that cohabitation not just marriage is essential for approval. Couples living separately risk immediate application rejection, as US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) assesses relationships' totality to determine "good faith" marriages. Immigration officers disregard reasons for living apart, whether work, school, or financial constraints. The development follows Trump's comprehensive Green Card review for permanent residents from 19 "countries of concern" and suspension of the Diversity Visa Lottery program, reflecting stricter immigration pathways and increased marriage fraud investigations. (PC: X)

At least 40 people are presumed dead and approximately 100 injured following a devastating fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, a luxury Swiss Alps ski resort, during New Year's celebrations. The blaze erupted shortly after midnight as revellers welcomed 2026. Swiss police have ruled out terrorism but investigations continue into the exact cause, with speculation surrounding pyrotechnics used during a concert. The tragedy represents one of Switzerland's worst peacetime disasters in recent years. Emergency responses overwhelmed local hospital facilities, including intensive care units. Foreign nationals are among the casualties. A temporary no-fly zone was imposed, and the area remains cordoned off. Authorities established a reception center and helpline for victims' families as identification efforts proceed.

A Hindu businessman, Khokan Chandra, narrowly escaped death after being beaten, stabbed, and set ablaze by a mob in Bangladesh on New Year's Eve. The 40-year-old pharmacy owner was attacked in Tiloi area while returning home. Assailants stabbed him multiple times, poured petrol, and ignited him before he jumped into a nearby pond, sustaining critical burn injuries. This marks the fourth attack on Hindu minorities within two weeks. Recent incidents include Bajendra Biswas's shooting, Amrit Mondal's lynching, and Dipu Chandra Das's blasphemy-related murder. The violence escalates amid protests over anti-India youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi's death. India has condemned the unremitting hostility against Bangladeshi minorities, raising international concerns about their safety.

Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as the 112th mayor of New York City in a symbolic early-morning ceremony held at the abandoned City Hall subway station, marking a historic moment in the city’s political history. At 34, Mamdani becomes the youngest mayor, as well as the first Muslim, first South Asian, and first African-born leader of the city. He took the oath on the Quran, emphasizing inclusivity and diversity. A Democratic socialist, Mamdani has pledged to focus on housing affordability, public transport, childcare, and social equity. A larger public inauguration is scheduled later in the day. (PC: The Hindu)

A large fire tore through a bar in the Swiss resort town of Crans-Montana during New Year celebrations, killing “several tens” of people and injuring about 100, police said. Many of the victims suffered severe burns. The bar, Le Constellation, was crowded at the time. Swiss police said it is too early to confirm the cause but ruled out terrorism. Helicopters and ambulances rushed injured people, including foreign tourists, to nearby hospitals. Italy’s foreign ministry said about 40 people may have died. Regional officials said the local hospital’s intensive care unit and operating rooms quickly reached full capacity due to the high number of patients. (PC: X)

Marriage to a US citizen is no longer a sure way to get a Green Card, says American immigration lawyer Brad Bernstein. He said officials now check if couples really live together and share daily life. Applications are under tighter review, with more focus on genuine relationships. Couples who stay apart, even for work or study, may face rejection. Bernstein said officers do not rely only on legal papers and can open fraud checks if spouses do not share a home. US Citizenship and Immigration Services reviews the full relationship to see if the marriage was in good faith and not only for immigration benefit.