Overview
- Iran’s anti-government demonstrations spread across dozens of cities after exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi urged nationwide action, with President Donald Trump publicly backing protesters and warning Tehran against repression.
- Authorities cut internet and international phone connectivity, and monitors cited at least 39–42 deaths and more than 2,200 detentions linked to the unrest, according to HRANA and NetBlocks data.
- In Kerala’s Sabarimala gold-loss investigation, the SIT arrested temple tantric Kandararu Rajeevaru after the chief priest’s detention, as the Enforcement Directorate registered a PMLA/ECIR money-laundering case.
- West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a large Kolkata march opposing ED raids on I-PAC, while a crowded High Court hearing was deferred to January 14 in the ED–TMC matter.
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs rejected U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s claim that a lack of Modi–Trump calls stalled a trade deal, noting ongoing talks since February 2024, as Delhi Police reported 13 arrests in the Turkman Gate clashes and Indian sources disputed Pakistan’s mosque-damage allegation.