Overview
- Bangladesh’s interim government directed three missions in India to close visa sections on security grounds, with reports of business and work visas exempted and services continuing at some other posts.
- India’s foreign ministry rejected U.S. official Howard Lutnick’s account that a lack of Modi–Trump calls stalled a trade deal, citing eight leader‑level phone conversations in 2025 and ongoing talks since February 2024.
- Kerala’s SIT arrested Sabarimala tantrik Kandararu Rajeevaru in the temple gold case, while the Enforcement Directorate registered an ECIR under PMLA as the High Court‑monitored probe widens.
- West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a large Kolkata march against ED raids, as a Calcutta High Court hearing was deferred to January 14 after heavy crowds and disruptions.
- Protests spanned all 31 provinces of Iran with at least 42 deaths and over 2,270 detentions reported by a rights group, as authorities restricted internet access and issued stern warnings.