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The sharp fall in crude oil prices led to stock market recovering in the United States and elsewhere after the declaration by US and Iran that the Strait of Hormuz is open.

Fire broke out aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) while the US Navy supercarrier was undergoing scheduled maintenance at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia. The blaze was quickly contained by shipyard and crew personnel, with several sailors treated for minor injuries and later returned to duty.

Kuwait has introduced sweeping changes to its citizenship laws, giving the state greater control over nationality decisions. The new decree brings stricter eligibility rules and tougher penalties for those found providing false information during the application process. The reforms signal a shift towards tighter regulation, as authorities aim to strengthen oversight and ensure transparency in granting citizenship.

Having struggled with a wrist injury, Alcaraz will miss his home tournament, having earlier pulled out of the Barcelona Open in the second round. Alcaraz is the defending champion at Roland Garros, having beaten Jannik Sinner in an epic final last year.

In the aftermath of the Israel–Lebanon truce, large parts of South Lebanon remain heavily devastated, with returning residents describing entire neighborhoods as unliveable due to destroyed homes, damaged infrastructure, and limited access to electricity and water. While the ceasefire has paused cross-border fighting, humanitarian concerns continue to grow as displaced families assess losses and aid agencies warn reconstruction could take months or even years.

After weeks of fear, displacement, and uncertainty, families in Lebanon are slowly making their way back to their homes as a temporary ceasefire takes hold. For many, the return is emotional—marked by relief, but also the harsh reality of damage left behind. Streets once emptied by conflict are beginning to see life again, even as concerns remain over how long the fragile peace will last.

President Donald Trump claimed in a Truth Social post on Friday that Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again. Around 20% of global crude oil supplies typically pass through Persian Gulf ports via the shipping lane.

Denis Sassou Nguesso has been sworn in for a fifth term as president of the Republic of Congo, extending his nearly 42-year rule after winning re-election with more than 94% of the vote.

The United States and Iran are reportedly negotiating a high-stakes deal that could reshape the region. Under a proposed plan, Washington may release up to $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds in exchange for Tehran giving up its enriched uranium stockpile. The talks are part of a broader effort to end the conflict, with discussions also covering limits on nuclear activity and regional tensions.

Iran has raised the stakes ahead of crucial talks with the U.S., demanding a staggering $270 billion in war reparations. At the centre of its strategy is the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most critical energy routes. By signalling control over this vital passage, Tehran is building pressure as negotiations approach. The move highlights how geopolitics and global energy security are tightly linked in this high-stakes diplomatic moment.

Min Aung Hlaing has approved the release of more than 4,000 prisoners as part of a traditional New Year amnesty in Myanmar, marking one of the largest recent pardon orders by the military-backed government. The move includes sentence reductions and the release of several foreign detainees, though uncertainty remains over how many political prisoners are included.

A 10-day truce between Israel and Lebanon has officially come into effect, raising hopes of easing tensions after weeks of intense cross-border fighting involving Iran-backed Hezbollah. The ceasefire, announced following high-level talks involving U.S. mediation, could open the door for broader regional negotiations and possibly a longer-term peace arrangement.

In a significant relief for voters in West Bengal, the Supreme Court of India has extended the deadline for filing appeals by those excluded from voter lists. The decision gives affected individuals more time to challenge their exclusion and ensure their right to vote is protected. The move is being seen as crucial ahead of upcoming electoral processes, offering a fair chance for many to be included in the democratic system.

India’s proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 linked to women’s political representation failed to clear the two-thirds majority required in the Lok Sabha, dealing a setback to efforts aimed at advancing implementation mechanisms tied to the Women’s Reservation framework.

131st Constitution Amendment Bill fails in Lok Sabha despite a majority vote, the 33% women's quota and Lok Sabha expansion plan fall short of 2/3rds majority.

The same day, Trump slammed his predecessor Joe Biden for making America a “laughing stock” for the decisions he took during his tenure as the president.

Tensions continue to rise in the West Bank as Israeli forces reportedly fired tear gas at Palestinian schoolchildren, while growing settler violence has made daily life increasingly difficult. In some areas, children have been blocked from reaching their schools, adding to fear and disruption for families.

The US and Israel bombed Iran for six weeks straight. They hit over 11,000 targets. They declared victory over Iran's air power. But deep inside granite mountain ranges, Iran's missile tunnels survived, and now, satellite images show them being cleared and restored while the ceasefire holds. At the same time, US intelligence says China may be secretly shipping weapons to Tehran. The United States is sending additional troops to the Middle East as the fragile ceasefire holds.

Iran has announced that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial shipping for the duration of its temporary ceasefire with the United States, easing tensions in one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints. The reopening is expected to support global oil flows and stabilize markets after weeks of disruption during the conflict.