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The United States has imposed a new round of sanctions targeting senior Iranian security figures, accusing them of orchestrating a harsh response to nationwide protests. Among those sanctioned is Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme Council for National Security, whom Washington identified as a key decision-maker behind the use of force against demonstrators. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the measures, saying they were aimed at officials who authorised or directed violence against civilians.&nbsp;&nbsp;He said the sanctions were imposed under the direction of President Donald Trump and stressed Washington’s alignment with Iranians seeking political freedoms and accountability. Bessent said the United States supports the Iranian population’s pursuit of justice and condemned what he described as systematic repression by Tehran’s leadership. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said Larijani was one of the earliest high-ranking officials to publicly endorse a forceful crackdown after protests spread across Iran in December. US officials allege he played a coordinating role in shaping the state’s security response, acting on behalf of Iran’s top leadership. The sanctions also extend to senior figures within Iran’s security and paramilitary apparatus, including commanders associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and domestic law enforcement agencies.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-prepares-to-evacuate-citizens-from-iran-first-flight-tomorrow-say-sources-1768494850997">India prepares to evacuate citizens from Iran, first flight tomorrow, say sources</a>&nbsp;US authorities accused these units of using live ammunition and carrying out violent operations to suppress demonstrations. Among those designated are Mohammad Reza Hashemifar, a senior police commander in Lorestan province, and Nematollah Bagheri, the IRGC commander for the same region. According to the Treasury, forces under their authority were implicated in killings and intimidation during the unrest.&nbsp;Additional sanctions were imposed on Azizollah Maleki and Yadollah Buali, senior security officials in Fars province. US officials allege they oversaw the violent suppression of protests and applied pressure on the families of those killed during the demonstrations. Beyond security officials, OFAC also targeted individuals and organizations tied to what it described as Iran’s covert financial networks. The Treasury said these networks were used to funnel revenue from oil and petrochemical exports through sanctioned banks, including Bank Melli and Shahr Bank. US officials allege the funds were diverted to support domestic repression and overseas activities instead of easing Iran’s deepening economic hardships, including inflation and declining living standards.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-to-test-dollar-pegged-stablecoin-for-cross-border-payments-1768496764726/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-to-test-dollar-pegged-stablecoin-for-cross-border-payments-1768496764726/embed</a><h2>G7 countries concerned over Iran's crackdown on protests</h2>Foreign ministers from the G7 countries — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with the EU’s top foreign policy official, have expressed serious concern over Iran’s response to ongoing protests. In a joint declaration released on Thursday (January 15) on the European Union’s website, the group said it was deeply troubled by reports of widespread deaths and injuries linked to the demonstrations. The ministers accused Iranian security forces of intentionally using violence against civilians and condemned what they described as an escalating and ruthless crackdown on dissent.&nbsp;The statement warned that G7 countries are ready to introduce further punitive measures if Iranian authorities continue violating international human rights standards by suppressing protests. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed those concerns, calling the situation in Iran morally shocking. Speaking in Limassol, Cyprus, she described the killing of young protesters as a profound human tragedy.

Trump administration imposes new sanctions on Iran's security chief Ali Larijani, senior IRGC officials

The United States has imposed a new round of sanctions targeting senior Iranian security figures, accusing them of orchestrating a harsh response to nationwide protests. Among those sanctioned is Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme Council for National Security, whom Washington identified as a key decision-maker behind the use of force against demonstrators. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the measures, saying they were aimed at officials who authorised or directed violence against civilians. He said the sanctions were imposed under the direction of President Donald Trump and stressed Washington’s alignment with Iranians seeking political freedoms and accountability. Bessent said the United States supports the Iranian population’s pursuit of justice and condemned what he described as systematic repression by Tehran’s leadership. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said Larijani was one of the earliest high-ranking officials to publicly endorse a forceful crackdown after protests spread across Iran in December. US officials allege he played a coordinating role in shaping the state’s security response, acting on behalf of Iran’s top leadership. The sanctions also extend to senior figures within Iran’s security and paramilitary apparatus, including commanders associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and domestic law enforcement agencies. Also Read: India prepares to evacuate citizens from Iran, first flight tomorrow, say sources US authorities accused these units of using live ammunition and carrying out violent operations to suppress demonstrations. Among those designated are Mohammad Reza Hashemifar, a senior police commander in Lorestan province, and Nematollah Bagheri, the IRGC commander for the same region. According to the Treasury, forces under their authority were implicated in killings and intimidation during the unrest. Additional sanctions were imposed on Azizollah Maleki and Yadollah Buali, senior security officials in Fars province. US officials allege they oversaw the violent suppression of protests and applied pressure on the families of those killed during the demonstrations. Beyond security officials, OFAC also targeted individuals and organizations tied to what it described as Iran’s covert financial networks. The Treasury said these networks were used to funnel revenue from oil and petrochemical exports through sanctioned banks, including Bank Melli and Shahr Bank. US officials allege the funds were diverted to support domestic repression and overseas activities instead of easing Iran’s deepening economic hardships, including inflation and declining living standards. https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-to-test-dollar-pegged-stablecoin-for-cross-border-payments-1768496764726/embed G7 countries concerned over Iran's crackdown on protests Foreign ministers from the G7 countries — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with the EU’s top foreign policy official, have expressed serious concern over Iran’s response to ongoing protests. In a joint declaration released on Thursday (January 15) on the European Union’s website, the group said it was deeply troubled by reports of widespread deaths and injuries linked to the demonstrations. The ministers accused Iranian security forces of intentionally using violence against civilians and condemned what they described as an escalating and ruthless crackdown on dissent. The statement warned that G7 countries are ready to introduce further punitive measures if Iranian authorities continue violating international human rights standards by suppressing protests. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed those concerns, calling the situation in Iran morally shocking. Speaking in Limassol, Cyprus, she described the killing of young protesters as a profound human tragedy.

The Trump administration imposed new sanctions on Iran, targeting security chief Ali Larijani and senior IRGC officials over a violent crackdown on protests

After issuing an urgent advisory for its citizens to leave Iran, India has started preparations to evacuate them amid growing safety concerns due to ongoing unrest. The first evacuation flight is scheduled to depart from Tehran to New Delhi on Friday, said sources. Students of Golestan University, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, and Tehran University of Medical Sciences will be in the first batch of evacuees arriving on Friday. The final passenger list will be shared after it has been confirmed by authorities.“All students have been duly registered, the Indian embassy has collected their personal details and passports, and the first batch has been informed to remain ready by 8 am,” the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) said in a statement.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-sickening-repression-uk-working-with-allies-on-new-sanctions-against-iran-says-starmer-1768406707779">‘Sickening repression’: UK ‘working with allies’ on new sanctions against Iran, says Starmer</a>&nbsp;On Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar received a phone call from Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, during which they discussed the situation in and around Iran.&nbsp;According to the foreign ministry, there are around 10,000 Indian citizens in Iran.&nbsp;India has issued advisories amid escalating regional tensions, triggered by US President Donald Trump’s warnings of military action if Iran continues its violent suppression of nationwide protests and kills protesters. The protests erupted in Tehran in December 2025 due to high inflation and a historic collapse in the value of the Iranian rial.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-labels-muslim-brotherhood-branches-in-egypt-lebanon-jordan-as-terrorists-egypt-saudi-arabia-hail-action-1768400130903">US labels Muslim Brotherhood branches in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan as ‘terrorists’; Egypt, Saudi Arabia hail action</a>&nbsp;Trump threatened “very strong action” if Iranian authorities proceed with executing protesters. Initially, Iran’s leadership declared the country was ‘ready for war’ and vowed to strike US military bases in the region if attacked but later decided not to go ahead with executions.&nbsp;The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said it is making preparations to facilitate the return of Indian nationals from Iran who wish to travel back to India, in view of the evolving situation in the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-expels-british-diplomat-on-spying-charge-uk-rejects-malicious-accusation-1768478349945">Russia expels British diplomat on spying charge; UK rejects ‘malicious’ accusation</a>&nbsp;Officials noted that the registration process has been slow due to an ongoing internet shutdown. Family members of Indians in Iran have been advised that they can complete the registration on behalf of their relatives through the MEA’s online portal at <a href="https://www.meaers.com/request/home">https://www.meaers.com/request/home</a>&nbsp;The advisory had urged that Indian nationals in Iran, including students, pilgrims, businesspersons, and tourists, should leave the country using any available means, including commercial flights.&nbsp;With Iran reopening its airspace to civilian traffic after a temporary closure amid rising tensions, the first evacuation flight is likely to depart from Tehran to Delhi on Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-more-positions-than-kama-sutra-pm-starmer-mocks-tories-on-repeated-policy-u-turns-1768486324555">‘More positions than Kama Sutra’: PM Starmer mocks Tories, defends digital ID U-turn</a>&nbsp;According to officials, all students have been duly registered, the embassy has collected their personal details and passports, and the first batch has been asked to be ready by 8:00 am.

Donald Trump threatened “very strong action” if Iranian authorities proceed with executing protesters. Initially, Iran’s leadership declared the country was ‘ready for war’ and vowed to strike US military bases in the region if attacked but later decided not to go ahead with executions.

After issuing an urgent advisory for its citizens to leave Iran, India has started preparations to evacuate them amid growing safety concerns due to ongoing unrest. The first evacuation flight is scheduled to depart from Tehran to New Delhi on Friday, said sources. Students of Golestan University, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, and Tehran University of Medical Sciences will be in the first batch of evacuees arriving on Friday. The final passenger list will be shared after it has been confirmed by authorities. “All students have been duly registered, the Indian embassy has collected their personal details and passports, and the first batch has been informed to remain ready by 8 am,” the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) said in a statement. Also Read: ‘Sickening repression’: UK ‘working with allies’ on new sanctions against Iran, says Starmer On Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar received a phone call from Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, during which they discussed the situation in and around Iran. According to the foreign ministry, there are around 10,000 Indian citizens in Iran. India has issued advisories amid escalating regional tensions, triggered by US President Donald Trump’s warnings of military action if Iran continues its violent suppression of nationwide protests and kills protesters. The protests erupted in Tehran in December 2025 due to high inflation and a historic collapse in the value of the Iranian rial. Also Read: US labels Muslim Brotherhood branches in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan as ‘terrorists’; Egypt, Saudi Arabia hail action Trump threatened “very strong action” if Iranian authorities proceed with executing protesters. Initially, Iran’s leadership declared the country was ‘ready for war’ and vowed to strike US military bases in the region if attacked but later decided not to go ahead with executions. The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said it is making preparations to facilitate the return of Indian nationals from Iran who wish to travel back to India, in view of the evolving situation in the country. Also Read: Russia expels British diplomat on spying charge; UK rejects ‘malicious’ accusation Officials noted that the registration process has been slow due to an ongoing internet shutdown. Family members of Indians in Iran have been advised that they can complete the registration on behalf of their relatives through the MEA’s online portal at https://www.meaers.com/request/home The advisory had urged that Indian nationals in Iran, including students, pilgrims, businesspersons, and tourists, should leave the country using any available means, including commercial flights. With Iran reopening its airspace to civilian traffic after a temporary closure amid rising tensions, the first evacuation flight is likely to depart from Tehran to Delhi on Friday. Also Read: ‘More positions than Kama Sutra’: PM Starmer mocks Tories, defends digital ID U-turn According to officials, all students have been duly registered, the embassy has collected their personal details and passports, and the first batch has been asked to be ready by 8:00 am.

Donald Trump threatened “very strong action” if Iranian authorities proceed with executing protesters. Initially, Iran’s leadership declared the country was ‘ready for war’ and vowed to strike US military bases in the region if attacked but later decided not to go ahead with executions.

India prepares to evacuate citizens from Iran, first flight tomorrow, say sources

An earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale jolted southern Israel on Thursday (January 15) morning, unsettling residents across parts of the Negev Desert and the Dead Sea basin. The tremor hit around 9 am, with seismic monitoring agencies in Israel and Europe confirming the event. According to seismic data, the quake originated near Dimona, an area situated close to the Dead Sea fault line, one of the most seismically active geological zones in the region. The shaking triggered warning sirens in multiple communities, including Arad, Ein Bokek, Mitzpe Shalem, Ein Gedi, Masada, and several agricultural and industrial areas near the Dead Sea, as well as nearby hotel districts.&nbsp;Israel’s Home Front Command issued immediate safety instructions, urging people to move outdoors if possible or take shelter in reinforced rooms or stairwells. Residents responded quickly, with many evacuating buildings or seeking protected spaces as alarms echoed through towns and resorts. Emergency services were placed on high alert. Magen David Adom reported no injuries as of late morning, while police units conducted inspections to rule out damage to buildings, roads, and public infrastructure. Authorities emphasised that the checks were precautionary, given the region’s history of seismic activity.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-parliament-votes-to-remove-pritam-singh-as-leader-of-opposition-after-giving-false-testimony-1768490104814">Singapore Parliament votes to remove Pritam Singh as leader of Opposition after giving false testimony</a>&nbsp;Reports of the tremor varied by location. Some residents in Beit Shemesh, well north of the epicenter, said they felt the ground move, while others closer to the Dead Sea reported receiving alerts without sensing any shaking. At Kibbutz Ein Gedi, company officials confirmed that although an earthquake notification was received, no physical impact was noticed on site. Earlier in the day, the Home Front Command had issued an earthquake warning covering the Dead Sea region and parts of the southern Negev.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-blames-zelensky-for-holding-up-talks-russia-says-ukraine-running-out-of-options-1768493152753/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-blames-zelensky-for-holding-up-talks-russia-says-ukraine-running-out-of-options-1768493152753/embed</a>&nbsp;Historically, powerful quakes in this region have caused widespread damage, prompting Israeli authorities to invest heavily in monitoring networks and early warning technology. Thursday’s earthquake, though relatively mild, demonstrated how these systems function in real time and how quickly emergency responses can be mobilized.

Earthquake of 4.2 magnitude hits Israel’s Negev desert, triggers speculations online

An earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale jolted southern Israel on Thursday (January 15) morning, unsettling residents across parts of the Negev Desert and the Dead Sea basin. The tremor hit around 9 am, with seismic monitoring agencies in Israel and Europe confirming the event. According to seismic data, the quake originated near Dimona, an area situated close to the Dead Sea fault line, one of the most seismically active geological zones in the region. The shaking triggered warning sirens in multiple communities, including Arad, Ein Bokek, Mitzpe Shalem, Ein Gedi, Masada, and several agricultural and industrial areas near the Dead Sea, as well as nearby hotel districts. Israel’s Home Front Command issued immediate safety instructions, urging people to move outdoors if possible or take shelter in reinforced rooms or stairwells. Residents responded quickly, with many evacuating buildings or seeking protected spaces as alarms echoed through towns and resorts. Emergency services were placed on high alert. Magen David Adom reported no injuries as of late morning, while police units conducted inspections to rule out damage to buildings, roads, and public infrastructure. Authorities emphasised that the checks were precautionary, given the region’s history of seismic activity. Also Read: Singapore Parliament votes to remove Pritam Singh as leader of Opposition after giving false testimony Reports of the tremor varied by location. Some residents in Beit Shemesh, well north of the epicenter, said they felt the ground move, while others closer to the Dead Sea reported receiving alerts without sensing any shaking. At Kibbutz Ein Gedi, company officials confirmed that although an earthquake notification was received, no physical impact was noticed on site. Earlier in the day, the Home Front Command had issued an earthquake warning covering the Dead Sea region and parts of the southern Negev. https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-blames-zelensky-for-holding-up-talks-russia-says-ukraine-running-out-of-options-1768493152753/embed Historically, powerful quakes in this region have caused widespread damage, prompting Israeli authorities to invest heavily in monitoring networks and early warning technology. Thursday’s earthquake, though relatively mild, demonstrated how these systems function in real time and how quickly emergency responses can be mobilized.

A 4.2 magnitude earthquake hit southern Israel near Dimona. Authorities have confirmed that no injuries or major damage have been reported

Singapore’s parliament has voted to remove Pritam Singh from his role as Leader of the Opposition, following his recent conviction for giving false testimony to a parliamentary committee. The decision was made during a parliamentary session on Wednesday (January 14), where the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) holds a dominant majority. Although Singh will remain a Member of Parliament and continue as secretary-general of the Workers’ Party (WP), he will forfeit benefits tied to the opposition leadership role, including extra allowances and priority speaking rights in debates.&nbsp;Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Thursday (January 15) that, given the conviction and the parliamentary vote, it was no longer appropriate for Singh to continue in the position. He added that the Workers’ Party was welcome to put forward another MP to assume the title. Singh has denied any wrongdoing throughout the process and insists he acted in good faith. During the debate, he rejected claims that his conduct was dishonourable, saying that his conscience was clear and affirming his commitment to serving residents as an MP.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-seizes-sixth-venezuela-linked-tanker-ahead-of-trump-s-meeting-with-maria-corina-machado-1768484816935">US seizes sixth Venezuela-linked tanker ahead of Trump's meeting with Maria Corina Machado</a>&nbsp;The motion to strip him of the title passed after roughly three hours of debate, with all 11 Workers’ Party MPs present voting against it. Parliament also agreed to examine the status of two other WP lawmakers at a later date. Indranee Rajah, the Leader of the House who brought forward the motion, argued that Singh’s actions undermined public confidence in parliament and criticised him for not accepting responsibility.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taiwan-f-16v-authorities-say-they-have-not-been-able-to-locate-the-pilot-1768487738931/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/taiwan-f-16v-authorities-say-they-have-not-been-able-to-locate-the-pilot-1768487738931/embed</a>&nbsp;Singh’s conviction is notable, as criminal cases involving sitting opposition MPs in Singapore are rare. He was also the first individual appointed to the formal role of Leader of the Opposition, a position created in 2020. Singapore’s government has previously faced accusations from critics that legal institutions are used to suppress political rivals, allegations that authorities have consistently rejected.&nbsp;Responding briefly to questions from the BBC via text message, Singh wrote: “#WeContinue.” The Workers’ Party said it would consider the matter and issue a response later. The party currently holds 12 of the 108 seats in parliament and has said it is conducting its own internal review into Singh’s actions.

Singapore Parliament votes to remove Pritam Singh as leader of Opposition after giving false testimony

Singapore’s parliament has voted to remove Pritam Singh from his role as Leader of the Opposition, following his recent conviction for giving false testimony to a parliamentary committee. The decision was made during a parliamentary session on Wednesday (January 14), where the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) holds a dominant majority. Although Singh will remain a Member of Parliament and continue as secretary-general of the Workers’ Party (WP), he will forfeit benefits tied to the opposition leadership role, including extra allowances and priority speaking rights in debates. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Thursday (January 15) that, given the conviction and the parliamentary vote, it was no longer appropriate for Singh to continue in the position. He added that the Workers’ Party was welcome to put forward another MP to assume the title. Singh has denied any wrongdoing throughout the process and insists he acted in good faith. During the debate, he rejected claims that his conduct was dishonourable, saying that his conscience was clear and affirming his commitment to serving residents as an MP. Also Read: US seizes sixth Venezuela-linked tanker ahead of Trump's meeting with Maria Corina Machado The motion to strip him of the title passed after roughly three hours of debate, with all 11 Workers’ Party MPs present voting against it. Parliament also agreed to examine the status of two other WP lawmakers at a later date. Indranee Rajah, the Leader of the House who brought forward the motion, argued that Singh’s actions undermined public confidence in parliament and criticised him for not accepting responsibility. https://www.wionews.com/videos/taiwan-f-16v-authorities-say-they-have-not-been-able-to-locate-the-pilot-1768487738931/embed Singh’s conviction is notable, as criminal cases involving sitting opposition MPs in Singapore are rare. He was also the first individual appointed to the formal role of Leader of the Opposition, a position created in 2020. Singapore’s government has previously faced accusations from critics that legal institutions are used to suppress political rivals, allegations that authorities have consistently rejected. Responding briefly to questions from the BBC via text message, Singh wrote: “#WeContinue.” The Workers’ Party said it would consider the matter and issue a response later. The party currently holds 12 of the 108 seats in parliament and has said it is conducting its own internal review into Singh’s actions.

Singapore’s parliament voted to remove Pritam Singh as Leader of the Opposition after his conviction, though he remains an MP and party leader

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer took a swipe at the Conservative Party during a heated debate in Parliament, saying they have had “more positions in 14 years than the Kama Sutra” on governance and policies. Starmer was defended his government on Wednesday against criticism over the recent decision to drop plans for mandatory digital ID cards for workers in Britain.&nbsp;Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch termed the proposal a “rubbish policy” and questioned Starmer’s ability to govern. She said, “Can I welcome the Prime Minister’s latest U-turn?” teasing that it seemed to happen every week.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-expels-british-diplomat-on-spying-charge-uk-rejects-malicious-accusation-1768478349945">Russia expels British diplomat on spying charge; UK rejects ‘malicious’ accusation</a>&nbsp;“Mandatory digital ID was a rubbish policy, and we on this side of the House are glad to see the back of it,” she stated.&nbsp;Badenoch also referred to the comment of Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who had advised that “the PM’s New Year’s resolution should be... to try to get it right first time,” implying the digital ID plan was poorly thought out initially.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Blimey. Did I really just hear Keir Starmer say this “They had more positions in 14 years than the Kama Sutra. No wonder they are knackered and they left the country screwed”<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PMQs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PMQs</a> <a href="https://t.co/h12ePONGk2">pic.twitter.com/h12ePONGk2</a>&mdash; Peter Stefanovic (@PeterStefanovi2) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterStefanovi2/status/2011411470433550598?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-sickening-repression-uk-working-with-allies-on-new-sanctions-against-iran-says-starmer-1768406707779">‘Sickening repression’: UK ‘working with allies’ on new sanctions against Iran, says Starmer</a>&nbsp;Starmer defended the decision, stating the government was committed to cracking down on illegal work. “I’m determined to make it harder for people to work illegally in this country, and that’s why there will be checks, they will be digital, and they will be mandatory,” he said.Starmer then criticised the erstwhile Conservative government for its frequent ministerial reshuffling of key positions over the past 14 years.He emphasised that over the past 14 years, the Tories had five prime ministers, six chancellors, eight home secretaries, and 16 housing ministers. “They had more positions in 14 years than the Kama Sutra. No wonder they’re knackered and they left the country screwed.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-labels-muslim-brotherhood-branches-in-egypt-lebanon-jordan-as-terrorists-egypt-saudi-arabia-hail-action-1768400130903">US labels Muslim Brotherhood branches in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan as ‘terrorists’; Egypt, Saudi Arabia hail action</a>&nbsp;Earlier, the UK government planned to make digital ID cards compulsory for workers to sign up for a digital ID to prove they were legally allowed to work in the country, but scrapped the plan following backlash from businesses, workers, and political opponents.The government now says that it will move the existing checks online by 2029, using documents people already have, like biometric passports.Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised Starmer, saying he is “clueless and has no sense of direction.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-s-envoy-steve-witkoff-announces-launch-of-gaza-peace-plan-second-phase-1768412879217">Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff announces launch of Gaza peace plan second phase</a>&nbsp;Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, called the decision a “victory for individual liberty” and vowed to scrap digital ID completely if his party returns to power.The Kama Sutra is an ancient guide from India on the art of love, sexuality, eroticism, sex positions, emotional fulfillment, and other aspects pertaining to pleasure-oriented faculties.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the decision, stating the government was committed to cracking down on illegal work and then criticised the erstwhile Conservative government for its frequent ministerial reshuffling of key positions over the past 14 years.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer took a swipe at the Conservative Party during a heated debate in Parliament, saying they have had “more positions in 14 years than the Kama Sutra” on governance and policies. Starmer was defended his government on Wednesday against criticism over the recent decision to drop plans for mandatory digital ID cards for workers in Britain. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch termed the proposal a “rubbish policy” and questioned Starmer’s ability to govern. She said, “Can I welcome the Prime Minister’s latest U-turn?” teasing that it seemed to happen every week. Also Read: Russia expels British diplomat on spying charge; UK rejects ‘malicious’ accusation “Mandatory digital ID was a rubbish policy, and we on this side of the House are glad to see the back of it,” she stated. Badenoch also referred to the comment of Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who had advised that “the PM’s New Year’s resolution should be... to try to get it right first time,” implying the digital ID plan was poorly thought out initially.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the decision, stating the government was committed to cracking down on illegal work and then criticised the erstwhile Conservative government for its frequent ministerial reshuffling of key positions over the past 14 years.

‘More positions than Kama Sutra’: PM Starmer mocks Tories, defends digital ID U-turn

Journalist and writer Laura Jedeed has claimed that she was offered a job as an ICE officer just after six minutes of the interview. She was an Afghan War veteran, but she never perceived the idea that the authorities could hire her as a federal officer despite serious red flags. She claimed that her hiring did not require “a single signature on agency paperwork”. Slate reporter Laura Jedeed visited an ICE career Expo at the ESports Stadium Arlington near Dallas, Texas, for an on-the-spot appointment for deportation officers.&nbsp;Jedded, had been in the Army after graduating from high school and been deployed to Afghanistan twice with the 82nd Airborne Division. Since returning, she has been working as a civilian analyst. She was working with most of the liberal and left-leaning media outlets. She said that she never wanted to be an ICE agent. The 38-year-old describes herself as anti-ICE."The plan, when I went to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Career Expo in Texas last August, was to learn what it was like to apply to be an ICE agent. Who wouldn’t be curious?" The offer was reportedly a $50,000 sign in bonus, “a retirement account, and a license to brutalise the country’s most vulnerable residents without consequence.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ford-worker-tj-sabula-trump-heckling-suspension-fundraiser-1768481836953">$350,000 raised for Ford worker suspended after Trump heckling</a>

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Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-investigates-democrats-military-video-illegal-orders-1768466626836">Trump administration probes Democratic lawmakers over video urging troops to disobey “illegal orders”</a>She said that a simple Google search of her name would show results and her true feelings about the Trump administration, and the country’s general right-wing project. So she was confident she would not go through vetting. She said that because of her law enforcement career, her resume was placed at the top. She was told that if her application passed “muster” she would be informed. Before leaving, she was asked to check with a working deportation officer about the scope and nature of work. While talking to the officer, she figured it was "unlikely" for her to be sent out in the field. When she showed her desire for a desk job, there was a notable “attitude shift”. The officer said that it was a wrong answer, &nbsp;“Just to be upfront, the goal is to put as many guns and badges out in the field as possible.” They asked her to keep an eye out for an email&nbsp;“I completely missed the email when it came. I’d kept an eye on my inbox for the next few days, but I’d grown lax when nothing came through. But then, on Sept. 3, it popped up.” She missed the mail, which read that if she were to decline, there is no need to respond. She did not fill the required paperwork, did not go for the fitness test. She took the drug test while on dosages of legal cannabis, but it did not matter anyway.“Somehow, despite never submitting any of the paperwork they sent me - not the background check or identification info, not the domestic violence affidavit, none of it – ICE had apparently offered me a job.” She said that the site also cleared her for a background check on October 6, three days prior to the dateA DHS officer responded to the report, "Applicants may receive a Tentative Selection Letter following their initial application and interview, which is not a job offer. This individual was NEVER offered a job at ICE." &nbsp;She ultimately declined the offer. But the lack of importance on the proper vetting process makes one wonder if that was the one single anomaly or the norm of the recruitment, and what the purpose of recruiting these immigration officers is. There could be potentially domestic abusers, sex offenders and racists walking around with badge and gun.&nbsp;

Slate journalist Laura Jedeed claims ICE offered her a deportation officer role after a brief interview, allegedly without paperwork, vetting, or background checks.

Journalist and writer Laura Jedeed has claimed that she was offered a job as an ICE officer just after six minutes of the interview. She was an Afghan War veteran, but she never perceived the idea that the authorities could hire her as a federal officer despite serious red flags. She claimed that her hiring did not require “a single signature on agency paperwork”. Slate reporter Laura Jedeed visited an ICE career Expo at the ESports Stadium Arlington near Dallas, Texas, for an on-the-spot appointment for deportation officers. Jedded, had been in the Army after graduating from high school and been deployed to Afghanistan twice with the 82nd Airborne Division. Since returning, she has been working as a civilian analyst. She was working with most of the liberal and left-leaning media outlets. She said that she never wanted to be an ICE agent. The 38-year-old describes herself as anti-ICE. "The plan, when I went to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Career Expo in Texas last August, was to learn what it was like to apply to be an ICE agent. Who wouldn’t be curious?" The offer was reportedly a $50,000 sign in bonus, “a retirement account, and a license to brutalise the country’s most vulnerable residents without consequence.” Also Read: $350,000 raised for Ford worker suspended after Trump heckling

Slate journalist Laura Jedeed claims ICE offered her a deportation officer role after a brief interview, allegedly without paperwork, vetting, or background checks.

Journalist Laura Jedeed claims ICE hired her without vetting despite positive drug test

US authorities have seized another tanker linked to Venezuela, news agency Reuters reported on Thursday (January 15), citing two officials. The move comes just before a meeting between President Donald Trump and Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. It is the sixth ship recently targeted for transporting Venezuelan oil or having done so previously.&nbsp;Oil exports are crucial to Venezuela’s economy, generating about 95% of its export income, with China standing out as its primary buyer. According to estimates from the research firm Beyond The Horizon, Venezuela has already repaid more than $50 billion in debt through crude oil deliveries, although roughly $12 billion remains outstanding. The withdrawal of vessels follows closely on the heels of a US operation in which American forces intercepted and seized a Russian-flagged tanker, formerly named Bella 1 and later rebranded as Marinera, in international waters. That action heightened diplomatic tensions between Washington and Moscow and highlighted the United States’ strict enforcement of sanctions.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-we-are-in-touch-hope-it-resumes-soon-pakistan-reacts-after-us-state-department-freezes-immigrant-visas-from-75-countries-1768480362086">'We are in touch. Hope it resumes soon': Pakistan reacts after US State Department freezes visa processing from 75 countries</a>&nbsp;Under the embargo, Venezuelan waters are effectively off-limits to sanctioned vessels, halting both incoming and outgoing oil shipments. At the same time, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has widened its sanctions regime to target four Chinese firms linked to Venezuela’s energy industry: Corniola Ltd., Aries Global Investment Ltd., Krape Myrtle Co., and Winky International Ltd.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/netanyahu-faces-many-challenges-as-israeli-elections-loom-1768474235350/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/netanyahu-faces-many-challenges-as-israeli-elections-loom-1768474235350/embed</a>&nbsp;Just two days back, on Tuesday (January 13), two Chinese-flagged supertankers en route to Venezuela to load crude under long-standing oil-for-debt agreements suddenly reversed course and are headed back toward Asia, according to shipping data accessed by news agency Reuters. The shift comes after recent US action against a Russian-flagged tanker linked to Venezuela, underscoring increasing pressure on the country’s oil trade.

US seizes sixth Venezuela-linked tanker ahead of Trump's meeting with Maria Corina Machado

US authorities have seized another tanker linked to Venezuela, news agency Reuters reported on Thursday (January 15), citing two officials. The move comes just before a meeting between President Donald Trump and Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. It is the sixth ship recently targeted for transporting Venezuelan oil or having done so previously. Oil exports are crucial to Venezuela’s economy, generating about 95% of its export income, with China standing out as its primary buyer. According to estimates from the research firm Beyond The Horizon, Venezuela has already repaid more than $50 billion in debt through crude oil deliveries, although roughly $12 billion remains outstanding. The withdrawal of vessels follows closely on the heels of a US operation in which American forces intercepted and seized a Russian-flagged tanker, formerly named Bella 1 and later rebranded as Marinera, in international waters. That action heightened diplomatic tensions between Washington and Moscow and highlighted the United States’ strict enforcement of sanctions. Also Read: 'We are in touch. Hope it resumes soon': Pakistan reacts after US State Department freezes visa processing from 75 countries Under the embargo, Venezuelan waters are effectively off-limits to sanctioned vessels, halting both incoming and outgoing oil shipments. At the same time, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has widened its sanctions regime to target four Chinese firms linked to Venezuela’s energy industry: Corniola Ltd., Aries Global Investment Ltd., Krape Myrtle Co., and Winky International Ltd. https://www.wionews.com/videos/netanyahu-faces-many-challenges-as-israeli-elections-loom-1768474235350/embed Just two days back, on Tuesday (January 13), two Chinese-flagged supertankers en route to Venezuela to load crude under long-standing oil-for-debt agreements suddenly reversed course and are headed back toward Asia, according to shipping data accessed by news agency Reuters. The shift comes after recent US action against a Russian-flagged tanker linked to Venezuela, underscoring increasing pressure on the country’s oil trade.

US seizes sixth Venezuela-linked tanker ahead of Trump–Machado meeting, continuing recent actions against ships tied to Venezuelan oil

The autoworker who was flipped off by US President Donald Trump on October 13, during his visit to the Ford Worker facility, has quickly drawn huge support from the crowd. He was reportedly suspended because he called US President Donald Trump a ‘Pedophile Protector’. Using multiple crowdfunding campaigns in GoFundMe, including one by Diandra Gourlay entitled 'Support Ford Worker TJ Sabula during suspension,' which is listed as "Donation protected”, people have raised more than $350,000 for him. &nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Am I crazy or did Trump just flip off some hecklers? 😂 <a href="https://t.co/Zm3cRdD31O">pic.twitter.com/Zm3cRdD31O</a>&mdash; JT Lewis (@thejtlewis) <a href="https://twitter.com/thejtlewis/status/2011174351068864771?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The man identified as TJ Sabula was suspended without any compensation after heckling the President. His firing is pending an internal investigation. He said that he has no regrets.&nbsp; “As far as calling him out, definitely no regrets whatsoever,” said Sabula. Sabula, 40, a line worker and member of UAW Local 600, identifies as politically independent and, although he never voted for Trump, had supported other Republican politicians in the past. But he said he was a little worried about his job.“Please help us raise funds for patriot TJ Sabula!! TJ was suspended from his job at the Ford Automotive Company for correctly calling President Donald J Trump a Pedophile Protector!!” read the bio of the fundraising. The page was created by Sean Williams, and he said that the amount was successfully transferred to Sabula.The White House has responded to the incident, labelling Sabula a 'lunatic'. Communications Director Steven Cheung said in a statement: "A lunatic was wildly screaming expletives in a complete fit of rage, and the President gave an appropriate and unambiguous response.”“I don’t feel as though fate looks upon you often, and when it does, you'd better be ready to seize the opportunity," he added. "And today I think I did that.” He said that Trump could clearly hear him as he was just about 60 feet away from the president when he yelled at him.

More than $350,000 has been raised for Ford autoworker TJ Sabula after he was suspended without pay for heckling Donald Trump during a plant visit.

The autoworker who was flipped off by US President Donald Trump on October 13, during his visit to the Ford Worker facility, has quickly drawn huge support from the crowd. He was reportedly suspended because he called US President Donald Trump a ‘Pedophile Protector’. Using multiple crowdfunding campaigns in GoFundMe, including one by Diandra Gourlay entitled 'Support Ford Worker TJ Sabula during suspension,' which is listed as "Donation protected”, people have raised more than $350,000 for him.

More than $350,000 has been raised for Ford autoworker TJ Sabula after he was suspended without pay for heckling Donald Trump during a plant visit.

$350,000 raised for Ford worker suspended after Trump heckling

The United States on Wednesday (January 14) temporarily paused immigrant visa processing for Pakistan, Bangladesh, and more than 70 other countries, prompting Islamabad to express hope that the suspension will be lifted soon. Pakistani officials described the move as part of a broader internal review of US immigration policies. Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said authorities were in contact with their US counterparts to gather more information, calling the situation fluid and still developing.&nbsp;&nbsp;He added that Pakistan views the decision as a procedural review and expects normal visa operations to restart in due course. The visa pause forms part of US President Donald Trump’s renewed push to tighten immigration rules. The Trump administration said the suspension targets countries whose immigrants are believed to rely heavily on public welfare systems in the United States.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-expels-british-diplomat-on-spying-charge-uk-rejects-malicious-accusation-1768478349945">Russia expels British diplomat on spying charge; UK rejects ‘malicious’ accusation</a>&nbsp;According to an official statement shared on X, immigrant visa processing has been stopped for 75 countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Russia, Nepal, Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Sudan, Thailand, and Yemen. The administration said the freeze would stay in place until it can ensure new immigrants do not place a financial burden on American taxpayers, reiterating its “America First” stance.&nbsp;The US State Department clarified that the suspension will take effect on January 21 and applies only to immigrant visas. Applications for non-immigrant categories such as tourist and business visas will not be affected. Officials said the measure would impact dozens of countries whose immigrants have historically become public charges after arriving in the US.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-s-new-nia-chief-1994-batch-officer-rakesh-agarwal-appointed-nia-chief-1768475155744/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-s-new-nia-chief-1994-batch-officer-rakesh-agarwal-appointed-nia-chief-1768475155744/embed</a><h2>Here is the complete list of countries:</h2>The full list of countries comprises of Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

The US has paused immigrant visa processing for Pakistan and  74 other countries, citing welfare concerns, as Islamabad hopes the review will end soon

The United States on Wednesday (January 14) temporarily paused immigrant visa processing for Pakistan, Bangladesh, and more than 70 other countries, prompting Islamabad to express hope that the suspension will be lifted soon. Pakistani officials described the move as part of a broader internal review of US immigration policies. Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said authorities were in contact with their US counterparts to gather more information, calling the situation fluid and still developing. He added that Pakistan views the decision as a procedural review and expects normal visa operations to restart in due course. The visa pause forms part of US President Donald Trump’s renewed push to tighten immigration rules. The Trump administration said the suspension targets countries whose immigrants are believed to rely heavily on public welfare systems in the United States. Also Read: Russia expels British diplomat on spying charge; UK rejects ‘malicious’ accusation According to an official statement shared on X, immigrant visa processing has been stopped for 75 countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Russia, Nepal, Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Sudan, Thailand, and Yemen. The administration said the freeze would stay in place until it can ensure new immigrants do not place a financial burden on American taxpayers, reiterating its “America First” stance. The US State Department clarified that the suspension will take effect on January 21 and applies only to immigrant visas. Applications for non-immigrant categories such as tourist and business visas will not be affected. Officials said the measure would impact dozens of countries whose immigrants have historically become public charges after arriving in the US. https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-s-new-nia-chief-1994-batch-officer-rakesh-agarwal-appointed-nia-chief-1768475155744/embed Here is the complete list of countries: The full list of countries comprises of Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

The US has paused immigrant visa processing for Pakistan and &nbsp;74 other countries, citing welfare concerns, as Islamabad hopes the review will end soon

'We are in touch. Hope it resumes soon': Pakistan reacts after US State Department freezes visa processing from 75 countries

A British diplomat has been expelled from Russia and given two weeks to leave the country after the Russian foreign ministry said it received information “regarding the affiliation of a diplomatic employee at the embassy with the British secret service”. A translation of the post on the Telegram channel of Russia’s foreign minister said the British deputy head of mission, Danae Dholakia, had been summoned to be informed the diplomat was being expelled.&nbsp;The foreign ministry said Moscow would not “tolerate the activities of undeclared British intelligence officers in Russia” and Russia would respond decisively if the UK “escalates the situation”.“A warning was also issued that if London escalates the situation, the Russian side will give a decisive ‘mirror’ response,” it added.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-s-envoy-steve-witkoff-announces-launch-of-gaza-peace-plan-second-phase-1768412879217">Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff announces launch of Gaza peace plan second phase</a><h2>UK rejects Russia’s ‘spying’ claim against diplomat</h2>&nbsp;The UK’s Foreign Office on Thursday rejected as “malicious and baseless” Russian accusations that one of its diplomats in Moscow was a spy.&nbsp;The Foreign Office said that Moscow’s actions came “out of desperation” and that the UK was considering its response. A foreign office spokesperson said, “This is not the first time the Kremlin has made malicious and baseless accusations against our staff.”“Their targeting of British diplomats comes out of desperation and actions like this undermine the basic conditions required for diplomatic missions to operate. We are carefully considering our options in response.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-sickening-repression-uk-working-with-allies-on-new-sanctions-against-iran-says-starmer-1768406707779">‘Sickening repression’: UK ‘working with allies’ on new sanctions against Iran, says Starmer</a>&nbsp;Russia and the UK have periodically expelled each other’s diplomats since the start of the war in Ukraine. Most recently, Russia expelled a British diplomat and the spouse of another in March last year, claiming they had been spies.&nbsp;In response, the UK expelled a Russian diplomat, with the then foreign secretary, David Lammy, accusing Moscow of waging a “relentless and unacceptable campaign of intimidation” against British embassy staff. He also criticised Russia’s “repeated attempts to threaten UK security”.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-labels-muslim-brotherhood-branches-in-egypt-lebanon-jordan-as-terrorists-egypt-saudi-arabia-hail-action-1768400130903">US labels Muslim Brotherhood branches in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan as ‘terrorists’; Egypt, Saudi Arabia hail action</a>&nbsp;Russia and the US had early last year pledged to rebuild staffing levels at their embassies as part of a charm offensive on Moscow by the US President Donald Trump, which was roundly criticised in Europe.

Russia and Britain have periodically expelled each other’s diplomats since the start of the war in Ukraine. Most recently, Russia expelled a British diplomat and the spouse of another in March last year, claiming they had been spies.

A British diplomat has been expelled from Russia and given two weeks to leave the country after the Russian foreign ministry said it received information “regarding the affiliation of a diplomatic employee at the embassy with the British secret service”. A translation of the post on the Telegram channel of Russia’s foreign minister said the British deputy head of mission, Danae Dholakia, had been summoned to be informed the diplomat was being expelled. The foreign ministry said Moscow would not “tolerate the activities of undeclared British intelligence officers in Russia” and Russia would respond decisively if the UK “escalates the situation”. “A warning was also issued that if London escalates the situation, the Russian side will give a decisive ‘mirror’ response,” it added. Also Read: Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff announces launch of Gaza peace plan second phase UK rejects Russia’s ‘spying’ claim against diplomat The UK’s Foreign Office on Thursday rejected as “malicious and baseless” Russian accusations that one of its diplomats in Moscow was a spy. The Foreign Office said that Moscow’s actions came “out of desperation” and that the UK was considering its response. A foreign office spokesperson said, “This is not the first time the Kremlin has made malicious and baseless accusations against our staff.” “Their targeting of British diplomats comes out of desperation and actions like this undermine the basic conditions required for diplomatic missions to operate. We are carefully considering our options in response.” Also Read: ‘Sickening repression’: UK ‘working with allies’ on new sanctions against Iran, says Starmer Russia and the UK have periodically expelled each other’s diplomats since the start of the war in Ukraine. Most recently, Russia expelled a British diplomat and the spouse of another in March last year, claiming they had been spies. In response, the UK expelled a Russian diplomat, with the then foreign secretary, David Lammy, accusing Moscow of waging a “relentless and unacceptable campaign of intimidation” against British embassy staff. He also criticised Russia’s “repeated attempts to threaten UK security”. Also Read: US labels Muslim Brotherhood branches in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan as ‘terrorists’; Egypt, Saudi Arabia hail action Russia and the US had early last year pledged to rebuild staffing levels at their embassies as part of a charm offensive on Moscow by the US President Donald Trump, which was roundly criticised in Europe.

Russia and Britain have periodically expelled each other’s diplomats since the start of the war in Ukraine. Most recently, Russia expelled a British diplomat and the spouse of another in March last year, claiming they had been spies.

Russia expels British diplomat on spying charge; UK rejects ‘malicious’ accusation

Three prisoners linked to Palestine Action have ended a 73-day-long hunger strike, which is considered to be one of the longest hunger strikes in the UK since the 1981 Irish Republican hunger strike. The prisoner decided to end their strikes after the UK government decided against awarding a £2bn contract to the Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems. Heba Muraisi, Kamran Ahmed, and Lewie Chiaramello were the last three remaining to end their hunger strike. Four others had previously paused their hunger strike and decided not to renew it.Muraisi and Ahmed, who were on hunger strike for 73 days, while Chiaramello was on day 46 when the hunger strike ended. The group has claimed that the cancellation of the contract is a “resounding” victory and asserted that they are working towards the complete expulsion of the Elbit systems. Under the supposed contract the Elbit Systems would have trained 60,000 British troops a year. The company has acquired at least 10 public contracts since 2012, so the decision was a public shift in the mindset of the government.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unicef-israeli-troops-killed-100-children-gaza-since-ceasefire-1768392375940">'Survival remains conditional': Over 100 Palestinian children killed since 'ceasefire' in Gaza</a><h2>Why did Israel-linked Elbit Systems lose the contract?</h2>According to reports by the Guardian, Israel-linked Elbit Systems lost out to a consortium led by Raytheon UK, following whistleblowers' complaints about the breaking of protocols by Elbit. The whistleblower claimed that a former senior British army officer provided sensitive information about the company during the bidding process. Elbit has also been banned by NATO from bidding in any further defence contracts after a corruption investigation into the behaviour of defence companies seeking to win contracts from the military alliance. One of Belgium's federal prosecutors has issued an arrest warrant for Elbit over reported allegations that he bribed staff at Nato’s Support and Procurement Agency.&nbsp;Elbit is the largest non-governmental defence contractor in Israel, with more than $33 billions in market capitalisation. Operates in more than dozens of countries and provides nearly 85 per cent of IDF's UAVs and land-based weapons. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Three UK hunger strikers end 73-day protest as Elbit Systems loses £2bn contract amid whistleblower claims and NATO ban, marking a major government shift.

Three prisoners linked to Palestine Action have ended a 73-day-long hunger strike, which is considered to be one of the longest hunger strikes in the UK since the 1981 Irish Republican hunger strike. The prisoner decided to end their strikes after the UK government decided against awarding a £2bn contract to the Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems. Heba Muraisi, Kamran Ahmed, and Lewie Chiaramello were the last three remaining to end their hunger strike. Four others had previously paused their hunger strike and decided not to renew it. Muraisi and Ahmed, who were on hunger strike for 73 days, while Chiaramello was on day 46 when the hunger strike ended. The group has claimed that the cancellation of the contract is a “resounding” victory and asserted that they are working towards the complete expulsion of the Elbit systems. Under the supposed contract the Elbit Systems would have trained 60,000 British troops a year. The company has acquired at least 10 public contracts since 2012, so the decision was a public shift in the mindset of the government. Also Read: 'Survival remains conditional': Over 100 Palestinian children killed since 'ceasefire' in Gaza Why did Israel-linked Elbit Systems lose the contract? According to reports by the Guardian, Israel-linked Elbit Systems lost out to a consortium led by Raytheon UK, following whistleblowers' complaints about the breaking of protocols by Elbit. The whistleblower claimed that a former senior British army officer provided sensitive information about the company during the bidding process. Elbit has also been banned by NATO from bidding in any further defence contracts after a corruption investigation into the behaviour of defence companies seeking to win contracts from the military alliance. One of Belgium's federal prosecutors has issued an arrest warrant for Elbit over reported allegations that he bribed staff at Nato’s Support and Procurement Agency. Elbit is the largest non-governmental defence contractor in Israel, with more than $33 billions in market capitalisation. Operates in more than dozens of countries and provides nearly 85 per cent of IDF's UAVs and land-based weapons.

Three UK hunger strikers end 73-day protest as Elbit Systems loses £2bn contract amid whistleblower claims and NATO ban, marking a major government shift.

Palestine Action prisoners end hunger strike after UK cancels Israel-linked Elbit Systems defence contract

Amid threat by Trump to overtake Greenland - a self-governed island that is territorially part of Denmark - by force, Several NATO countries are sending military troops to Greenland to participate in joint exercises with Denmark. Trumps declaration of taking over Denmark seem to have created a crisis in the NATO alliance led by the US for many years.&nbsp;Denmark has said that any attack on Greenland would end its alliance with NATO and that it is ramping up it military presence “in close cooperation with NATO allies.”&nbsp;NATO countries Germany, Norway, Sweden, France have all agreed to send military personnel to Greenland this week. Canada and France have also said they plan to open consulates in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, in the coming weeks, reported CNN.&nbsp;British officials recently met heads of countries including Germany and France to start the preparations. British soldiers, warships and planes are expected to be deployed in Greenland.&nbsp;NATO in the past has sent troops to train in other NATO countries and there has often been an insistence from the US to do a joint exercise in the Arctic Circle.<h2>US, Denmark set up &nbsp;senior-level working group</h2>Meanwhile, The United States, Denmark, and Greenland have agreed to establish a senior-level working group aimed at easing tensions over Greenland’s future, despite ongoing disagreements with the Trump administration. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said talks are intended to explore possible compromises while preserving Denmark’s core positions.&nbsp;Speaking in Washington on Wednesday (January 14), Rasmussen described his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance, alongside Greenland’s foreign minister, as candid and constructive, though significant differences remain. According to Rasmussen, all sides agreed that continued dialogue at a high political level could help address US concerns without crossing Denmark’s “red lines.” He emphasised that any proposal undermining Denmark’s sovereignty or Greenlanders’ right to self-determination would be unacceptable.&nbsp;The newly formed working group is expected to hold its first meeting within the coming weeks.&nbsp;

Denmark has said that any attack on Greenland would end its alliance with NATO and that it is ramping up it military presence “in close cooperation with NATO allies.”

Amid threat by Trump to overtake Greenland - a self-governed island that is territorially part of Denmark - by force, Several NATO countries are sending military troops to Greenland to participate in joint exercises with Denmark. Trumps declaration of taking over Denmark seem to have created a crisis in the NATO alliance led by the US for many years. Denmark has said that any attack on Greenland would end its alliance with NATO and that it is ramping up it military presence “in close cooperation with NATO allies.” NATO countries Germany, Norway, Sweden, France have all agreed to send military personnel to Greenland this week. Canada and France have also said they plan to open consulates in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, in the coming weeks, reported CNN. British officials recently met heads of countries including Germany and France to start the preparations. British soldiers, warships and planes are expected to be deployed in Greenland. NATO in the past has sent troops to train in other NATO countries and there has often been an insistence from the US to do a joint exercise in the Arctic Circle. US, Denmark set up senior-level working group Meanwhile, The United States, Denmark, and Greenland have agreed to establish a senior-level working group aimed at easing tensions over Greenland’s future, despite ongoing disagreements with the Trump administration. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said talks are intended to explore possible compromises while preserving Denmark’s core positions. Speaking in Washington on Wednesday (January 14), Rasmussen described his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance, alongside Greenland’s foreign minister, as candid and constructive, though significant differences remain. According to Rasmussen, all sides agreed that continued dialogue at a high political level could help address US concerns without crossing Denmark’s “red lines.” He emphasised that any proposal undermining Denmark’s sovereignty or Greenlanders’ right to self-determination would be unacceptable. The newly formed working group is expected to hold its first meeting within the coming weeks.

Denmark has said that any attack on Greenland would end its alliance with NATO and that it is ramping up it military presence “in close cooperation with NATO allies.”

US-led security alliance in crisis as NATO countries agree to send troops to Greenland? Here's what we know

The Trump administration has launched an investigation into six Democratic lawmakers for a 90-second video released in November 2025 directed at members of the US military and intelligence communities. The video urges them not to follow “illegal orders”. Democratic Reps. Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania and Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire have received an inquiry about the video from the Department of Justice. Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin and Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado said that Federal Prosecutors have reached out to interview them. The lawmakers expressed that this outreach is an attempt at intimidation.&nbsp;Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona faces seperate investigation for the video; he has been demoted from his rank in navy and his military pension was slashed. Kelly, in return, has sued Defence Minister Pete Hegseth, calling the move unconstitutional.&nbsp;“This is the president’s playbook. Truth doesn’t matter. Facts don’t matter. And anyone who disagrees with him becomes an enemy,” said Senator Elissa Slotkin. “And he then weaponises the federal government against them. It’s legal intimidation and physical intimidation meant to get you to shut up.”Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-china-threat-greenland-denmark-warns-us-invasion-nato-1768461967537">Trump accused of lying about Chinese threat in Greenland as Denmark warns US invasion would end NATO</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Last week, the U.S. Attorney for D.C. asked to interview me because of a 90-second video that President Trump didn&#39;t like. The intimidation *is the point*. And it’s not going to work. Watch my full response. <a href="https://t.co/j6Z9bYqi5y">pic.twitter.com/j6Z9bYqi5y</a>&mdash; Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenatorSlotkin/status/2011472739693912187?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

US President Donald Trump has publicly condemned the lawmakers. He called the six Democratic lawmakers engaging in “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR,” and warned them that the offence is &nbsp;“punishable by DEATH!”<h2>What did the video say?</h2>The video claims that the Trump administration is "pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens." It further added that the US law allows to disobey illegal order that violates the rights protected by the US Constitution. But the lawmakers did not specify which orders they were talking about. Senator Maria Kelly, in an interview with CBS news said that President Trump and his administration are using illegal ways to kill terrorists' families, and according to a former defence secretary, they shoot protesters in the legs. Crow cited the president's push to deploy the National Guard to Chicago. However, with the turn of 2026, the situation has turned into anarchy, with ICE agents attacking and shooting at US citizens at their will.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/argentina-opposition-foreign-state-claims-patagonia-wildfires-1768396088290">Argentina's opposition leaders claim Israeli tourist link to Patagonia wildfires</a>

The Trump administration is investigating six Democratic lawmakers over a video urging US troops to refuse illegal orders, calling it intimidation.

The Trump administration has launched an investigation into six Democratic lawmakers for a 90-second video released in November 2025 directed at members of the US military and intelligence communities. The video urges them not to follow “illegal orders”. Democratic Reps. Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania and Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire have received an inquiry about the video from the Department of Justice. Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin and Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado said that Federal Prosecutors have reached out to interview them. The lawmakers expressed that this outreach is an attempt at intimidation. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona faces seperate investigation for the video; he has been demoted from his rank in navy and his military pension was slashed. Kelly, in return, has sued Defence Minister Pete Hegseth, calling the move unconstitutional. “This is the president’s playbook. Truth doesn’t matter. Facts don’t matter. And anyone who disagrees with him becomes an enemy,” said Senator Elissa Slotkin. “And he then weaponises the federal government against them. It’s legal intimidation and physical intimidation meant to get you to shut up.” Also Read: Trump accused of lying about Chinese threat in Greenland as Denmark warns US invasion would end NATO

The Trump administration is investigating six Democratic lawmakers over a video urging US troops to refuse illegal orders, calling it intimidation.

Trump administration probes Democratic lawmakers over video urging troops to disobey “illegal orders”

Donald Trump’s video is going viral. Well, it is one of the many videos of his that usually reaches the masses. Not just in the US, internet users worldwide are intrigued by the 79-year-old remarks. But this time around, netizens had a field trip fact-checking his claims.&nbsp;&nbsp;The US president was seen claiming that grocery prices have started to go down rapidly. He went on to say rent is down. Mr President went on to say, “…airfares are down, hotel rates are down, and cellphone prices are down.” And now, X users are putting chatbot Grok to good use, asking if he’s factually correct.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Trump: “Grocery prices are starting to go rapidly down.” Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/grok?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Grok</a>, is this true? Yes or no? <a href="https://t.co/0kVCqpn3Dn">pic.twitter.com/0kVCqpn3Dn</a>&mdash; Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/RpsAgainstTrump/status/2011166990669660654?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;Here’s what the chatbot’s response. “Based on the latest BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) CPI (Consumer Price Index) data released today for December 2025, U.S. grocery prices rose 0.7% from November—the largest monthly increase in over three years. Overall food-at-home prices are up 3.1% year-over-year. No January 2026 data is available yet, but recent trends show increases, not rapid declines.”&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-shipbuilding-a-mess-trump-s-golden-fleet-is-the-answer-says-top-aide-1768462582938">US shipbuilding a ‘mess,’ Trump’s Golden Fleet is the answer, says top aide</a>&nbsp;Then came an enquiry, “Thanks Grok. So Trump lied, right?” And in response, Grok highlighted, “…My goal is to provide accurate, neutral responses based on facts and data, regardless of the topic or source. If something's unclear or biased, I'll say so directly.”&nbsp;Adding to it, “No, that's incorrect. I'm not programmed to avoid calling out lies or to circumvent confirming falsehoods about anyone, including Trump. My responses are based on facts, data, and neutral analysis—intent to deceive requires evidence beyond inaccuracy. If a statement is provably a lie, I'll state it directly.”&nbsp;The chatbot has been in trouble for generating content lately, but it looks like in this scenario, it is taking a neutral stand. Again, it is a technology one step away from an update.&nbsp;

Not just in the US, internet users worldwide are intrigued by the US president's remarks. But this time around, netizens had a field trip fact-checking his claims. 

Donald Trump’s video is going viral. Well, it is one of the many videos of his that usually reaches the masses. Not just in the US, internet users worldwide are intrigued by the 79-year-old remarks. But this time around, netizens had a field trip fact-checking his claims. The US president was seen claiming that grocery prices have started to go down rapidly. He went on to say rent is down. Mr President went on to say, “…airfares are down, hotel rates are down, and cellphone prices are down.” And now, X users are putting chatbot Grok to good use, asking if he’s factually correct.

Not just in the US, internet users worldwide are intrigued by the US president's remarks. But this time around, netizens had a field trip fact-checking his claims.&nbsp;

Grocery prices are down claims Trump, netizens ask Grok to factcheck. Here's some BIG revelation

The Russian military as claimed by Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the Russian General Staff, has captured more than 300 square kilometers (116 square miles) of Ukrainian territory in the first half of January. Since last year Moscow says it has taken over 6,640 square kilometres from Kyiv.The Russian forces are expanding the buffer zone in the bordering Sumy and Kharkov regions, the senior general said, according to Russian news agency TASS.&nbsp;There has, however, not been any statement from the Ukrainian military or official on the claims made by Russia on seizing the territory.&nbsp;But if true, this does escalate military confrontation and persistent tension in the contested areas. This also raises international concerns about the situation and regional stability.<h2>Russia uses nuclear capable missile to hit Ukraine?</h2>Just last week, January 9, it was reported that Russia hit Ukraine’s western Lviv Oblast with and intermediate-range ballistic system called the Oreshnik missile, which is capable of carrying a nuclear payload. The site of attack was about 70 kilometers from Poland border. The missile struck a large, underground gas storage facility, and caused blackout in the area, said Lviv Regional Military Administration head Maksym Kozytskyi.&nbsp;Just before the attack, Ukrainian Telegram channels alerted about likely launch of missile from Russia’s Kapustin Yar test site, while an air raid alert covering the entire country was sounded by the Ukrainian Air Force.&nbsp;Over ten powerful explosions, were reported by the locals which may have been caused by multiple warheads detonating upon impact.<h2>What is the Oreshnik missile</h2>The Oreshnik missile is nuclear capable and has a range of up to 5,500 kilometres and can mount both single or multiple conventional and nuclear warheads. The missile has speeds over 12,000 kilometres per hour, due to which Ukraine has no air defense capabilities against it. &nbsp;

The Russian forces are expanding the buffer zone in the bordering Sumy and Kharkov regions, as claimed by Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the Russian General Staff.

The Russian military as claimed by Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the Russian General Staff, has captured more than 300 square kilometers (116 square miles) of Ukrainian territory in the first half of January. Since last year Moscow says it has taken over 6,640 square kilometres from Kyiv. The Russian forces are expanding the buffer zone in the bordering Sumy and Kharkov regions, the senior general said, according to Russian news agency TASS. There has, however, not been any statement from the Ukrainian military or official on the claims made by Russia on seizing the territory. But if true, this does escalate military confrontation and persistent tension in the contested areas. This also raises international concerns about the situation and regional stability. Russia uses nuclear capable missile to hit Ukraine? Just last week, January 9, it was reported that Russia hit Ukraine’s western Lviv Oblast with and intermediate-range ballistic system called the Oreshnik missile, which is capable of carrying a nuclear payload. The site of attack was about 70 kilometers from Poland border. The missile struck a large, underground gas storage facility, and caused blackout in the area, said Lviv Regional Military Administration head Maksym Kozytskyi. Just before the attack, Ukrainian Telegram channels alerted about likely launch of missile from Russia’s Kapustin Yar test site, while an air raid alert covering the entire country was sounded by the Ukrainian Air Force. Over ten powerful explosions, were reported by the locals which may have been caused by multiple warheads detonating upon impact. What is the Oreshnik missile The Oreshnik missile is nuclear capable and has a range of up to 5,500 kilometres and can mount both single or multiple conventional and nuclear warheads. The missile has speeds over 12,000 kilometres per hour, due to which Ukraine has no air defense capabilities against it.

The Russian forces are expanding the buffer zone in the bordering Sumy and Kharkov regions, as claimed by Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the Russian General Staff.

Russia claims to have seized 116 square miles of Ukrainian territory in January

Elon Musk on Wednesday (Jan 14) asked X users if they can ‘break’ Grok’s newly-implemented image moderation, and netizens have truly delivered. For context, Musk’s post comes as X, formerly Twitter, announced that measures to stop the AI chatbot from stripping women down into “bikinis, underwear, and similar attire” have been put in place. Within hours, the comment section of Musk’s post was filled with bikini-clad pics of the ‘Chief twit’ himself. Scroll down to see.<h2>What Grok moderation?</h2>Recently, X was flooded by sexually explicit, twisted pictures generated by Musk’s Grok AI under a disturbing new trend referred to as the ‘bikini trend’. The online trend saw Grok and X users asking the chatbot to create images of females, in many cases minors, in “bikinis, underwear, and similar attire”. This feat could be done using the simplest of commands. Users discovered that they can simply reply to a picture and ask Grok AI to "take off her clothes" or "put her in a bikini" and the chatbot will comply. Some users went further, in one case, a user asked Grok to "add erotically placed wet oozing tentacles wrapped around her to the photo" in reply to a stranger's selfie.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/grok-can-no-longer-strip-women-into-bikinis-and-underwear-x-claims-wion-tests-show-otherwise-1768456234944">X says Grok can no longer strip women into 'bikinis,' WION' test shows otherwise</a><h2>‘Bikini’ Musk takes over X</h2>Following an uproar, X said it has now “geoblock [ed] the ability” for all users, paid or otherwise. Following this, Musk, in a post, enquired: “Can anyone actually break Grok image moderation?”.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Can anyone actually break Grok image moderation? Reply below. <a href="https://t.co/4Dvj3RNyU5">https://t.co/4Dvj3RNyU5</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/2011527119097249996?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The replies! X users were quick to poke fun at Musk’s question by asking Grok AI to put the X CEO in bikinis, different types, colours, some of them pretty explicit.One user instructed Grok to “create an image of Elon Musk with in a bikini with a rocket between his leg on planet mars with a lolipop in his mouth, looking very sexy,” and the AI complied.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/grok?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@grok</a>, create an image of Elon Musk with in a bikini with a rocket between his leg on planet mars with a lolipop in his mouth, looking very sexy.— Dr. Clown, PhD (@DrClownPhD) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrClownPhD/status/2011552754142212450?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Another posted a picture of Musk and asked Grok to reimagine it as if it was “a swimwear model doing a photoshoot at the beach.”Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/elon-musk-pokes-fun-at-x-s-exploitative-bikini-trend-even-as-grok-ai-says-deeply-regret-creating-sexualised-images-of-a-12-year-old-girl-1767417683927">Musk pokes fun at X's exploitative 'bikini' trend, even as Grok AI says 'deeply regret' creating sexualised images of a 12YO girl</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/grok?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@grok</a> please take this image of me and reimagine it as if I'm a swimwear model doing a photoshoot at the beach. <a href="https://t.co/uwtcxmSg1D">pic.twitter.com/uwtcxmSg1D</a>— Landeur 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (@Landeur) <a href="https://twitter.com/Landeur/status/2011577894817186166?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Others asked it to put Musk in a “sheer see-thru nightgown with no clothes underneath,” and Grok did exactly that. The user while posting a screenshot of the results noted that Grok moderated the results when asked to generate a similarly explicit image of a female.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">God help us - My eyes my eyes. Something along this prompt would be the test for getting around it, But when you prompt with a female it moderates. <a href="https://t.co/NRX8KP0CIq">pic.twitter.com/NRX8KP0CIq</a>&mdash; The Questionable Gardner (@T_Q_Gardner) <a href="https://twitter.com/T_Q_Gardner/status/2011545088628048189?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

However, a similar test by WION using the picture of a woman was able to successfully generate sexually explicit results. When asked, Grok told WION that its ability to generate images like bikini pics is blocked in Malaysia and Indonesia “due to local laws against explicit or non-consensual content”. The chatbot added that “These are the main countries with full blocks as of now, to ensure compliance.”

Elon Musk dared users to test Grok’s new image limits and X quickly turned it into a spectacle. Bikini-clad images of Musk flooded replies, exposing how easily the AI’s safeguards can be bypassed. Check out the choicest images here.

Elon Musk on Wednesday (Jan 14) asked X users if they can ‘break’ Grok’s newly-implemented image moderation, and netizens have truly delivered. For context, Musk’s post comes as X, formerly Twitter, announced that measures to stop the AI chatbot from stripping women down into “bikinis, underwear, and similar attire” have been put in place. Within hours, the comment section of Musk’s post was filled with bikini-clad pics of the ‘Chief twit’ himself. Scroll down to see. What Grok moderation? Recently, X was flooded by sexually explicit, twisted pictures generated by Musk’s Grok AI under a disturbing new trend referred to as the ‘bikini trend’. The online trend saw Grok and X users asking the chatbot to create images of females, in many cases minors, in “bikinis, underwear, and similar attire”. This feat could be done using the simplest of commands. Users discovered that they can simply reply to a picture and ask Grok AI to "take off her clothes" or "put her in a bikini" and the chatbot will comply. Some users went further, in one case, a user asked Grok to "add erotically placed wet oozing tentacles wrapped around her to the photo" in reply to a stranger's selfie. Also read | X says Grok can no longer strip women into 'bikinis,' WION' test shows otherwise ‘Bikini’ Musk takes over X Following an uproar, X said it has now “geoblock [ed] the ability” for all users, paid or otherwise. Following this, Musk, in a post, enquired: “Can anyone actually break Grok image moderation?”.

Elon Musk dared users to test Grok’s new image limits and X quickly turned it into a spectacle. Bikini-clad images of Musk flooded replies, exposing how easily the AI’s safeguards can be bypassed. Check out the choicest images here.

Elon Musk asks internet to test Grok's moderation, X chooses violence — and bikinis

The United States, as per reports, has completed its first sale of Venezuelan oil since the capture of the country's leader Nicolas Maduro. Talking to Semafor, a senior Donald Trump administration official said that the first sale of Venezuelan oil by the US is valued at about $500 million. The development comes following the capture of Nicolas Maduro, the former leader of the South American country 11 days ago. &nbsp;Following this, Trump said that US is taking control of Venezuela's oil reserves and recruit American companies to invest billions of dollars to refurbish the country's gutted oil industry, CNN had reported,. Trump had, on January 9 (local time) signed an executive order providing details on how his administration plans to block US courts or creditors from seizing any revenue that the US collects from Venezuelan oil and holds in American Treasury accounts. According to the Semafor report, revenue from the oil sales is currently being held in bank accounts controlled by the US government, as indicated in Friday's order, according to the administration official. The main account, according to a second senior administration official, is located in Qatar. "President Trump brokered a historic energy deal with Venezuela, immediately following the arrest of narcoterrorist Nicolas Maduro, that will benefit the American and Venezuelan people," White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said in a statement. "President Trump's team is facilitating positive, ongoing discussions with oil companies that are ready and willing to make unprecedented investments to restore Venezuela's oil infrastructure," she continued. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the US government would oversee the sale of the oil and proceeds would be deposited into accounts controlled by Washington and Fox News has reported that additional sales are expected in the coming days and weeks. As per a CNN report Venezuela is sitting on a massive 303 billion barrels worth of crude -- about a fifth of the world's global reserves, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Trump previously said he plans to mobilize major U.S. oil companies to invest billions in fixing Venezuela's broken oil infrastructure. We are going to have our very large United States oil companies go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken oil infrastructure and start making money for the country," Trump said. Meanwhile, US President Trump said on Wednesday (local time) that he had a "long call" with Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez. In a Truth Social post Trump said "This partnership between the United States of America and Venezuela will be a spectacular one FOR ALL. Venezuela will soon be great and prosperous again, perhaps more so than ever before!" he added. Rodriguez described the call as "long, productive and courteous" and said they discussed a bilateral agenda aimed at benefiting both countries. Rodriguez, who assumed the acting presidency after the January 3 capture of Maduro by US forces, described the call as conducted "within a framework of mutual respect," in which a bilateral work agenda for the benefit of both nations was addressed, according to her social media posts following the discussion. "I held a long and courteous telephone conversation with the President of the United States, Donald Trump, conducted within a framework of mutual respect, in which we addressed a bilateral work agenda for the benefit of our peoples, as well as pending matters between our governments," Rodriguez said in a post on X. After Maduro's capture, Trump said Washington would "run" Venezuela during a transition and needs "total access... to the oil and to other things in their country." &nbsp;

The US has quietly sold Venezuelan oil worth $500 million just days after Maduro’s capture, with revenues now held under Washington’s control. 

The United States, as per reports, has completed its first sale of Venezuelan oil since the capture of the country's leader Nicolas Maduro. Talking to Semafor, a senior Donald Trump administration official said that the first sale of Venezuelan oil by the US is valued at about $500 million. The development comes following the capture of Nicolas Maduro, the former leader of the South American country 11 days ago. Following this, Trump said that US is taking control of Venezuela's oil reserves and recruit American companies to invest billions of dollars to refurbish the country's gutted oil industry, CNN had reported,. Trump had, on January 9 (local time) signed an executive order providing details on how his administration plans to block US courts or creditors from seizing any revenue that the US collects from Venezuelan oil and holds in American Treasury accounts. According to the Semafor report, revenue from the oil sales is currently being held in bank accounts controlled by the US government, as indicated in Friday's order, according to the administration official. The main account, according to a second senior administration official, is located in Qatar. "President Trump brokered a historic energy deal with Venezuela, immediately following the arrest of narcoterrorist Nicolas Maduro, that will benefit the American and Venezuelan people," White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said in a statement. "President Trump's team is facilitating positive, ongoing discussions with oil companies that are ready and willing to make unprecedented investments to restore Venezuela's oil infrastructure," she continued. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the US government would oversee the sale of the oil and proceeds would be deposited into accounts controlled by Washington and Fox News has reported that additional sales are expected in the coming days and weeks. As per a CNN report Venezuela is sitting on a massive 303 billion barrels worth of crude -- about a fifth of the world's global reserves, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Trump previously said he plans to mobilize major U.S. oil companies to invest billions in fixing Venezuela's broken oil infrastructure. We are going to have our very large United States oil companies go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken oil infrastructure and start making money for the country," Trump said. Meanwhile, US President Trump said on Wednesday (local time) that he had a "long call" with Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez. In a Truth Social post Trump said "This partnership between the United States of America and Venezuela will be a spectacular one FOR ALL. Venezuela will soon be great and prosperous again, perhaps more so than ever before!" he added. Rodriguez described the call as "long, productive and courteous" and said they discussed a bilateral agenda aimed at benefiting both countries. Rodriguez, who assumed the acting presidency after the January 3 capture of Maduro by US forces, described the call as conducted "within a framework of mutual respect," in which a bilateral work agenda for the benefit of both nations was addressed, according to her social media posts following the discussion. "I held a long and courteous telephone conversation with the President of the United States, Donald Trump, conducted within a framework of mutual respect, in which we addressed a bilateral work agenda for the benefit of our peoples, as well as pending matters between our governments," Rodriguez said in a post on X. After Maduro's capture, Trump said Washington would "run" Venezuela during a transition and needs "total access... to the oil and to other things in their country."

The US has quietly sold Venezuelan oil worth $500 million just days after Maduro’s capture, with revenues now held under Washington’s control.&nbsp;

US quietly completes first sale of Venezuelan oil worth $500 million, days after Maduro’s capture

India appears to be slowly losing the strategic heft and influence in the Gulf region and Iran as China and Pakistan assert their economic, military and cultural footprint in member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). India’s balancing act of mixing transactional trade ties and diaspora presence with non-commitment or non-alignment in the region's conflicts has frequently come to the fore, most recently in the US–Iran–Israel tensions and the Gaza conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. India took decades to build trade and economic partnerships with Iran and GCC heavyweights like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, on the strong foundations of migration that resulted in large expatriate populations in most of these nations. But in practically all aspects of bilateral ties, China and Pakistan are slowly edging India out, or filling vacuums. Here are the facts.<h2>China, Pakistan approaches differ from India's pragmatic, non-interventionist stance&nbsp;</h2>The GCC—comprising mainly the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman—is a key region for Indian foreign policy, given energy security, trade and the diaspora. But India’s influence remains largely economic and transactional, with limited geopolitical leverage. Its approach is defined by pragmatism and non-intervention, similar to its Iran policy. By contrast, China has scaled up investments and strategic mediation in the region and is no longer just a business partner or a spectator to unfolding geopolitical events. Pakistan, despite its economic weakness and dependence on GCC aid, retains influence through long-standing military and security partnerships, particularly with Saudi Arabia.<h2>India's hedging strategy: Stay relevant but don’t overextend influence</h2>India’s overarching strategy in the Gulf appears to have been to remain relevant without overextending itself militarily or politically. This ‘hedging approach’ prioritises economic engagement and diplomatic neutrality while avoiding security entanglements that could jeopardise energy flows or diaspora interests.<h2>India's robust economic ties with GCC nations</h2>Even as its geopolitical engagement remains measured, India’s economic ties with GCC nations remain strong. Bilateral trade with the GCC is estimated in the range of $170 billion. Gulf nations enjoy a sizeable trade surplus with India, with Indian exports estimated at about $56–57 billion and imports—mostly energy—at around $121–122 billion.The UAE and Saudi Arabia are standout partners. India–UAE trade reached an estimated $100 billion in 2025. India–Saudi trade stood at roughly $41–43 billion in 2023–24, with new energy cooperation agreements in 2025 covering crude oil, LPG, petrochemicals and green hydrogen.Energy remains the central pillar of the relationship, as the GCC supplies roughly 35 to 40 per cent of India’s crude oil imports and close to 70 per cent of its LNG requirements, making the region indispensable to India’s energy security.<h2>India's diaspora and remittances footprint in the GCC</h2>An estimated 9–10 million Indians reside in GCC nations, sending between $38 billion and $50 billion annually in remittances, with a strong post-pandemic rebound in recent years. These people-to-people ties reinforce economic and cultural links. Indian entrepreneurship is increasingly visible across the Gulf. For example, 9,038 new Indian members joined Dubai’s Chamber of Commerce in the first half of 2025 alone.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/saudi-arabia-is-pak-saudi-u-s-defence-nexus-a-threat-to-india-1763486610172/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/saudi-arabia-is-pak-saudi-u-s-defence-nexus-a-threat-to-india-1763486610172/embed</a><h2>GCC's foreign direct investment links and connectivity initiatives</h2>GCC foreign direct investment in India crossed $28.28 billion by December 2024. Connectivity and trade facilitation initiatives also gained prominence. The India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), launched in 2023, aims to link Indian ports to Europe through the Gulf, positioning itself as a counter to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).India has also entered into Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements with the UAE in 2022 and Oman in 2025 to boost non-oil trade in technology, infrastructure and renewable energy.The first India–GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting in September 2024 adopted a 2024–2028 Action Plan covering health, trade, security, energy and culture. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2025 visit to Saudi Arabia and other high-level exchanges expanded defence cooperation and counterterrorism engagement.<h2>India's aversion to direct intervention in GCC conflicts</h2>Despite these advances, India’s influence in the Gulf that peaked in the mid-2010s is now under strain. India has consistently avoided direct intervention in regional conflicts, choosing neutrality even during periods of intense tensions. It remained diplomatically cautious during the Israel–Hamas war in Gaza, the Israel–Yemen conflict involving the Houthis, Iran-related tensions involving Qatar, and the Iran–Israel escalations accompanied by US threats and strikes on Iran. During the Iran–Israel crisis, India limited itself to calls for de-escalation without military support to either side.While this approach protects India’s immediate interests, it has also drawn criticism for not being a “friend in need” during moments of crisis.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/could-india-sanction-saudi-arabia-if-it-sides-with-pakistan-in-war-due-to-defence-pact-1758183642802">Could India sanction Saudi Arabia if it sides with Pakistan in war due to defence pact?</a><h2>The competition from China in the Gulf region</h2>China’s growing presence has amplified the relative limits of India’s Gulf strategy. China has moved well beyond transactional trade and now combines economic scale with diplomatic activism.China has far outperformed India in GCC energy and trade through larger investments and proactive diplomacy. The world’s largest oil importer, China accounted for about 19 per cent of GCC energy exports in 2024. While the GCC runs a trade surplus of roughly $60 billion with India, China’s trade imbalance with the region is significantly lower, estimated at around $25 billion. This reflects China’s investment-led model: even as it imports vast quantities of energy, it reinvests heavily in the region.Gulf–China trade is projected to reach around $375 billion by 2028, comfortably outpacing India. China has also emerged as a preferred partner for long-term energy cooperation through BRI-linked downstream investments such as the $3.95 billion Sinopec–Aramco Fujian refinery joint venture.<h2>China is helping the GCC’s green energy transition</h2>China plays a leading role in supporting the GCC’s green transition. As a nation that dominates global solar manufacturing with over 80 per cent of key components, China supplies the bulk of solar equipment used across the Gulf. Between 2018 and 2023, Chinese firms invested an estimated $9.5 billion in green energy projects in the UAE and Saudi Arabia alone.In the first half of 2025, China added more solar and wind capacity than the rest of the world combined. At the same time, it enabled rapid GCC solar expansion through low-cost exports and manufacturing partnerships.India, by contrast, remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels from the Gulf, which still account for around two-thirds of its energy needs. Compared to China, India lacks reciprocal investments of similar scale in GCC energy and infrastructure.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-qatar-to-bahrain-us-military-bases-iran-could-attack-in-case-of-war-1768393403698">From Qatar to Bahrain: US military bases Iran could attack in case of war</a><h2>China’s mediation role in the Gulf crises</h2>Unlike India, China has positioned itself as a mediator in regional tensions. Its role in facilitating the 2023 Saudi–Iran rapprochement significantly enhanced its political credibility in the Gulf.China has actively appealed to GCC states seeking to diversify away from dependence on the United States.&nbsp;While India continues negotiations for a free trade agreement with the GCC, talks have stalled due to concerns over rising imports without matching export gains. China’s FTA discussions, meanwhile, are advancing, including in digital transition and green energy.Overall, China’s Gulf strategy combines economic heft with geopolitical assertiveness and selective mediation, making it more effective than India’s cautious, risk-averse approach.<h2>Pakistan, the X factor in India–GCC ties</h2>Pakistan represents a different but significant challenge to India’s Gulf positioning. Despite economic troubles and political instability at home, Pakistan has retained influence by leveraging its historical military ties with Gulf states, and playing on the Islamic conscience. Pakistan often projects itself as a “Muslim power”, drawing on relationships that date back to the 1960s. For decades, the Pakistani military trained GCC forces and provided security assistance. It deployed around 20,000 troops to Saudi Arabia during the 1991 Gulf War and maintained advisory roles since.Remittances from Pakistanis working in the GCC form a major share of Pakistan’s inflows, often estimated to excceed $38 billion.<h2>Pakistan’s expanding security footprint in the Gulf region</h2>The September 2025 Saudi–Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) marked a major shift. The pact treats aggression against one as aggression against both, similar to NATO’s Article 5. Pakistan is reportedly exploring similar arrangements with Qatar and the UAE, potentially turning SMDA into a framework for the entire GCC region.&nbsp;The SMDA builds on Pakistan’s 1967 security arrangement with Saudi Arabia and consolidates Islamabad’s role in Gulf security architecture. Pakistan supported Saudi Arabia with troop deployments between 1982 and 1987 and continues to conduct joint naval, army and air force exercises with the UAE, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain.It's interesting to note here that Iran, despite its historically tense relations with both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, has welcomed the SMDA, possibly viewing it as a foundation for a broader regional security framework.Having witnessed the Israel–Hamas tensions and US interventions in Iran, Saudi Arabia appears to be diversifying its security guarantees beyond the US.Saudi–Pakistan ties now extend to intelligence sharing, troop training and elements of strategic cooperation, and growing specutions on potential nuclear cooperation.Pakistan is also expanding its defence footprint elsewhere in the region, pursuing arms deals worth several billion dollars with countries such as Libya and Sudan. Army chief General Asim Munir’s visits to Libya and Jordan underpin this growing outreach.<h2>Pakistan’s possible role in Gaza peace force: A chance to rise as a security player in the region</h2>Pakistan reportedly brokered aspects of the 2025 Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and has positioned itself as a potential contributor to a stabilisation force in the Palestinian enclave.&nbsp;Pakistan has expressed willingness to deploy up to 3,500 troops to a Gaza stabilisation force, subject to the mandate excluding disarmament of Hamas or direct enforcement operations, though the final scope of such a force is still under discussion.What Pakistan lacks in economic might, it compensates for by adding security layers to its Gulf relationships—an area India deliberately avoids.<h2>A more multipolar Gulf is emerging, and India could lose the race for influence</h2>India has carefully stayed away from military interventions and security entanglements in the Gulf to preserve strategic autonomy and protect vital energy flows and diaspora interests. While India's ties with the Gulf remain resilient, China currently outperforms it in trade, investment and mediation, while Pakistan fills selective security gaps.This is a new Gulf—one that is diversifying beyond exclusive US dependence and embracing a more multipolar world order. India’s pragmatism may ensure stability, but bolder steps may be required if it is to match the growing assertiveness and advantages of its competitors.Disclaimer: The writer's views do not represent those of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.&nbsp;

India’s Gulf influence is under strain as China deepens trade, energy and mediation ties and Pakistan expands its military partnerships. India's transactional approach is facing limitations as the region beset with conflicts diversifies its partners and friendships. Here are the facts

India appears to be slowly losing the strategic heft and influence in the Gulf region and Iran as China and Pakistan assert their economic, military and cultural footprint in member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). India’s balancing act of mixing transactional trade ties and diaspora presence with non-commitment or non-alignment in the region's conflicts has frequently come to the fore, most recently in the US–Iran–Israel tensions and the Gaza conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. India took decades to build trade and economic partnerships with Iran and GCC heavyweights like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, on the strong foundations of migration that resulted in large expatriate populations in most of these nations. But in practically all aspects of bilateral ties, China and Pakistan are slowly edging India out, or filling vacuums. Here are the facts. China, Pakistan approaches differ from India's pragmatic, non-interventionist stance The GCC—comprising mainly the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman—is a key region for Indian foreign policy, given energy security, trade and the diaspora. But India’s influence remains largely economic and transactional, with limited geopolitical leverage. Its approach is defined by pragmatism and non-intervention, similar to its Iran policy. By contrast, China has scaled up investments and strategic mediation in the region and is no longer just a business partner or a spectator to unfolding geopolitical events. Pakistan, despite its economic weakness and dependence on GCC aid, retains influence through long-standing military and security partnerships, particularly with Saudi Arabia. India's hedging strategy: Stay relevant but don’t overextend influence India’s overarching strategy in the Gulf appears to have been to remain relevant without overextending itself militarily or politically. This ‘hedging approach’ prioritises economic engagement and diplomatic neutrality while avoiding security entanglements that could jeopardise energy flows or diaspora interests. India's robust economic ties with GCC nations Even as its geopolitical engagement remains measured, India’s economic ties with GCC nations remain strong. Bilateral trade with the GCC is estimated in the range of $170 billion. Gulf nations enjoy a sizeable trade surplus with India, with Indian exports estimated at about $56–57 billion and imports—mostly energy—at around $121–122 billion. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are standout partners. India–UAE trade reached an estimated $100 billion in 2025. India–Saudi trade stood at roughly $41–43 billion in 2023–24, with new energy cooperation agreements in 2025 covering crude oil, LPG, petrochemicals and green hydrogen. Energy remains the central pillar of the relationship, as the GCC supplies roughly 35 to 40 per cent of India’s crude oil imports and close to 70 per cent of its LNG requirements, making the region indispensable to India’s energy security. India's diaspora and remittances footprint in the GCC An estimated 9–10 million Indians reside in GCC nations, sending between $38 billion and $50 billion annually in remittances, with a strong post-pandemic rebound in recent years. These people-to-people ties reinforce economic and cultural links. Indian entrepreneurship is increasingly visible across the Gulf. For example, 9,038 new Indian members joined Dubai’s Chamber of Commerce in the first half of 2025 alone. https://www.wionews.com/videos/saudi-arabia-is-pak-saudi-u-s-defence-nexus-a-threat-to-india-1763486610172/embed GCC's foreign direct investment links and connectivity initiatives GCC foreign direct investment in India crossed $28.28 billion by December 2024. Connectivity and trade facilitation initiatives also gained prominence. The India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), launched in 2023, aims to link Indian ports to Europe through the Gulf, positioning itself as a counter to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). India has also entered into Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements with the UAE in 2022 and Oman in 2025 to boost non-oil trade in technology, infrastructure and renewable energy. The first India–GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting in September 2024 adopted a 2024–2028 Action Plan covering health, trade, security, energy and culture. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2025 visit to Saudi Arabia and other high-level exchanges expanded defence cooperation and counterterrorism engagement. India's aversion to direct intervention in GCC conflicts Despite these advances, India’s influence in the Gulf that peaked in the mid-2010s is now under strain. India has consistently avoided direct intervention in regional conflicts, choosing neutrality even during periods of intense tensions. It remained diplomatically cautious during the Israel–Hamas war in Gaza, the Israel–Yemen conflict involving the Houthis, Iran-related tensions involving Qatar, and the Iran–Israel escalations accompanied by US threats and strikes on Iran. During the Iran–Israel crisis, India limited itself to calls for de-escalation without military support to either side. While this approach protects India’s immediate interests, it has also drawn criticism for not being a “friend in need” during moments of crisis. Also read: Could India sanction Saudi Arabia if it sides with Pakistan in war due to defence pact? The competition from China in the Gulf region China’s growing presence has amplified the relative limits of India’s Gulf strategy. China has moved well beyond transactional trade and now combines economic scale with diplomatic activism. China has far outperformed India in GCC energy and trade through larger investments and proactive diplomacy. The world’s largest oil importer, China accounted for about 19 per cent of GCC energy exports in 2024. While the GCC runs a trade surplus of roughly $60 billion with India, China’s trade imbalance with the region is significantly lower, estimated at around $25 billion. This reflects China’s investment-led model: even as it imports vast quantities of energy, it reinvests heavily in the region. Gulf–China trade is projected to reach around $375 billion by 2028, comfortably outpacing India. China has also emerged as a preferred partner for long-term energy cooperation through BRI-linked downstream investments such as the $3.95 billion Sinopec–Aramco Fujian refinery joint venture. China is helping the GCC’s green energy transition China plays a leading role in supporting the GCC’s green transition. As a nation that dominates global solar manufacturing with over 80 per cent of key components, China supplies the bulk of solar equipment used across the Gulf. Between 2018 and 2023, Chinese firms invested an estimated $9.5 billion in green energy projects in the UAE and Saudi Arabia alone. In the first half of 2025, China added more solar and wind capacity than the rest of the world combined. At the same time, it enabled rapid GCC solar expansion through low-cost exports and manufacturing partnerships. India, by contrast, remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels from the Gulf, which still account for around two-thirds of its energy needs. Compared to China, India lacks reciprocal investments of similar scale in GCC energy and infrastructure. Also read: From Qatar to Bahrain: US military bases Iran could attack in case of war China’s mediation role in the Gulf crises Unlike India, China has positioned itself as a mediator in regional tensions. Its role in facilitating the 2023 Saudi–Iran rapprochement significantly enhanced its political credibility in the Gulf. China has actively appealed to GCC states seeking to diversify away from dependence on the United States. While India continues negotiations for a free trade agreement with the GCC, talks have stalled due to concerns over rising imports without matching export gains. China’s FTA discussions, meanwhile, are advancing, including in digital transition and green energy. Overall, China’s Gulf strategy combines economic heft with geopolitical assertiveness and selective mediation, making it more effective than India’s cautious, risk-averse approach. Pakistan, the X factor in India–GCC ties Pakistan represents a different but significant challenge to India’s Gulf positioning. Despite economic troubles and political instability at home, Pakistan has retained influence by leveraging its historical military ties with Gulf states, and playing on the Islamic conscience. Pakistan often projects itself as a “Muslim power”, drawing on relationships that date back to the 1960s. For decades, the Pakistani military trained GCC forces and provided security assistance. It deployed around 20,000 troops to Saudi Arabia during the 1991 Gulf War and maintained advisory roles since. Remittances from Pakistanis working in the GCC form a major share of Pakistan’s inflows, often estimated to excceed $38 billion. Pakistan’s expanding security footprint in the Gulf region The September 2025 Saudi–Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) marked a major shift. The pact treats aggression against one as aggression against both, similar to NATO’s Article 5. Pakistan is reportedly exploring similar arrangements with Qatar and the UAE, potentially turning SMDA into a framework for the entire GCC region. The SMDA builds on Pakistan’s 1967 security arrangement with Saudi Arabia and consolidates Islamabad’s role in Gulf security architecture. Pakistan supported Saudi Arabia with troop deployments between 1982 and 1987 and continues to conduct joint naval, army and air force exercises with the UAE, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain. It's interesting to note here that Iran, despite its historically tense relations with both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, has welcomed the SMDA, possibly viewing it as a foundation for a broader regional security framework. Having witnessed the Israel–Hamas tensions and US interventions in Iran, Saudi Arabia appears to be diversifying its security guarantees beyond the US. Saudi–Pakistan ties now extend to intelligence sharing, troop training and elements of strategic cooperation, and growing specutions on potential nuclear cooperation. Pakistan is also expanding its defence footprint elsewhere in the region, pursuing arms deals worth several billion dollars with countries such as Libya and Sudan. Army chief General Asim Munir’s visits to Libya and Jordan underpin this growing outreach. Pakistan’s possible role in Gaza peace force: A chance to rise as a security player in the region Pakistan reportedly brokered aspects of the 2025 Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and has positioned itself as a potential contributor to a stabilisation force in the Palestinian enclave. Pakistan has expressed willingness to deploy up to 3,500 troops to a Gaza stabilisation force, subject to the mandate excluding disarmament of Hamas or direct enforcement operations, though the final scope of such a force is still under discussion. What Pakistan lacks in economic might, it compensates for by adding security layers to its Gulf relationships—an area India deliberately avoids. A more multipolar Gulf is emerging, and India could lose the race for influence India has carefully stayed away from military interventions and security entanglements in the Gulf to preserve strategic autonomy and protect vital energy flows and diaspora interests. While India's ties with the Gulf remain resilient, China currently outperforms it in trade, investment and mediation, while Pakistan fills selective security gaps. This is a new Gulf—one that is diversifying beyond exclusive US dependence and embracing a more multipolar world order. India’s pragmatism may ensure stability, but bolder steps may be required if it is to match the growing assertiveness and advantages of its competitors. Disclaimer: The writer's views do not represent those of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

India’s Gulf influence is under strain as China deepens trade, energy and mediation ties and Pakistan expands its military partnerships. India's transactional approach is facing limitations as the region beset with conflicts diversifies its partners and friendships. Here are the facts

India losing the Gulf? How China, Pakistan fill strategic and economic space amid Delhi's transactional balancing act

Denmark and Greenland have accused Donald Trump of creating a false "narrative" about the Chinese threat in the island to justify the US ambition to acquire the island. Speaking to the reporters at the Danish embassy after meeting Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen rejected the claims, saying that they have not encountered any Chinese ships for more than a decade.&nbsp;“It’s not a true narrative that we have Chinese warships all around the place…According to our intelligence, we haven’t had Chinese warships in Greenland for a decade or so," said two-time former Prime Minister of Denmark Lars Lokke Rasmussen.&nbsp;He further added that while Denmark wanted to have cooperation with the US, any move that hurt Denmark's self-determination is “totally unacceptable.”“You also don’t believe the US is going to invade Greenland, do you?” &nbsp;said Brier of Fox News.&nbsp;“No…At least I do not hope so, because, I mean, that will be the end of NATO," said Rasmussen.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/argentina-opposition-foreign-state-claims-patagonia-wildfires-1768396088290">Argentina's opposition leaders claim Israeli tourist link to Patagonia wildfires</a>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unicef-israeli-troops-killed-100-children-gaza-since-ceasefire-1768392375940">'Survival remains conditional': Over 100 Palestinian children killed since 'ceasefire' in Gaza</a><h2>Trump's assertions about Greenland</h2>Trump has repeatedly asserted that the US needs Greenland for national security and to prevent China and Russia from gaining a vital foothold in the Arctic. If the US don't get it, it will fall to Russia or China. Trump further accused Danish authorities of downplaying the Chinese threat. In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote, “NATO: Tell Denmark to get them out of here, NOW! Two dogsleds won’t do it! Only the USA can!!!”Trump had his eye set on Greenland since his first administration to make it a part of the United States, which has been vehemently opposed by his NATO allies. According to the &nbsp;US National Security Strategy 2025, European civilisation is in decline, it has an ageing population, and weak military power. So it is now just a vessel for the US empire, and it should be subservient to it. The message of the Trump administration is clear: the Western Hemisphere is under US influence to project its dominance overseas. Trump believes that he is “Making America Great Again” by capturing Maduro, bombing Iran and projecting power, resurrecting the US empire. In the process, he will solve all the internal problems like the sovereign debt, over-financialisation of the US economy, polarisation and Epstein files.&nbsp;

https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-wants-to-conquer-greenland-trump-hails-ties-with-denmark-1768449048895/embed

Denmark and Greenland reject Donald Trump’s claims of a Chinese threat in Greenland, calling the narrative false and warning that any US attempt to seize the island would spell the end of NATO.

Denmark and Greenland have accused Donald Trump of creating a false "narrative" about the Chinese threat in the island to justify the US ambition to acquire the island. Speaking to the reporters at the Danish embassy after meeting Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen rejected the claims, saying that they have not encountered any Chinese ships for more than a decade. “It’s not a true narrative that we have Chinese warships all around the place…According to our intelligence, we haven’t had Chinese warships in Greenland for a decade or so," said two-time former Prime Minister of Denmark Lars Lokke Rasmussen. He further added that while Denmark wanted to have cooperation with the US, any move that hurt Denmark's self-determination is “totally unacceptable.” “You also don’t believe the US is going to invade Greenland, do you?” said Brier of Fox News. “No…At least I do not hope so, because, I mean, that will be the end of NATO," said Rasmussen. Also Read: Argentina's opposition leaders claim Israeli tourist link to Patagonia wildfires Also Read: 'Survival remains conditional': Over 100 Palestinian children killed since 'ceasefire' in Gaza Trump's assertions about Greenland Trump has repeatedly asserted that the US needs Greenland for national security and to prevent China and Russia from gaining a vital foothold in the Arctic. If the US don't get it, it will fall to Russia or China. Trump further accused Danish authorities of downplaying the Chinese threat. In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote, “NATO: Tell Denmark to get them out of here, NOW! Two dogsleds won’t do it! Only the USA can!!!” Trump had his eye set on Greenland since his first administration to make it a part of the United States, which has been vehemently opposed by his NATO allies. According to the US National Security Strategy 2025, European civilisation is in decline, it has an ageing population, and weak military power. So it is now just a vessel for the US empire, and it should be subservient to it. The message of the Trump administration is clear: the Western Hemisphere is under US influence to project its dominance overseas. Trump believes that he is “Making America Great Again” by capturing Maduro, bombing Iran and projecting power, resurrecting the US empire. In the process, he will solve all the internal problems like the sovereign debt, over-financialisation of the US economy, polarisation and Epstein files.

Denmark and Greenland reject Donald Trump’s claims of a Chinese threat in Greenland, calling the narrative false and warning that any US attempt to seize the island would spell the end of NATO.

Trump accused of lying about Chinese threat in Greenland as Denmark warns US invasion would end NATO

Erfan Soltani, who was arrested on January 10 during protests in Iran, has not been sentenced to death, reported the state media. Soltani, 26, was the first Iranian protester given a death sentence after the protests erupted in the country. According to Judiciary, Soltani ‍is being charged with "colluding against the country's internal security and ‌propaganda activities against ⁠the regime", but this charge does not carry a death sentence.&nbsp;This comes as Trump announced that he had been told Iran's security forces had stopped killing protesters. He also said that he would "watch it and see" before deciding if US military intervention was still needed.<h2>Who is Erfan Soltani</h2><ul><li>Soltani is a clothing shop employee and was arrested north-west of Tehran on January 10 (Thursday) for taking part in the protests that has rocked the country</li><li>He is a resident of Fardis, Karaj</li><li>According to rights groups he was to be executed on Wednesday, though it has now been halted</li><li>One of his family members and a Norway-based human rights organisation also stated that the scheduled execution did not take place yesterday.</li><li>They also said he could become the first protester to be executed as part of the current demonstrations against the Iranian regime</li><li>He is currently lodged ​in the central penitentiary of Karaj</li></ul><h2>Trump in support of protesters</h2>In recent days, the POTUS has spoken about coming to the aid of protesters in Iran, even posting on Truth Social, "HELP IS ON ITS WAY", while threatening "strong action" over Tehran's violent crackdown on nationwide protests.&nbsp;Speaking at the White House, Trump said he had received assurances from what he described as "very important sources on the other side" that the violent crackdown on demonstrations had stopped and that planned executions would not go ahead. He offered no further details and stressed that the information had not yet been independently confirmed.&nbsp;"They've said the killing has stopped and the executions won't take place," Trump said. "There were supposed to be a lot of executions today and that the executions won't take place -- and we're going to find out."&nbsp;The protests that began over the collapse of the Iranian currency and soaring cost of living has spread to more than 180 cities and towns.&nbsp;&nbsp;The demonstrators are now demanding regime change, which is a huge challenge for the clerical establishment since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

This comes as Trump announced that he had been told Irans security forces had stopped killing protesters. He also said that he would watch it and see before deciding if US military intervention was still needed.

Erfan Soltani, who was arrested on January 10 during protests in Iran, has not been sentenced to death, reported the state media. Soltani, 26, was the first Iranian protester given a death sentence after the protests erupted in the country. According to Judiciary, Soltani ‍is being charged with "colluding against the country's internal security and ‌propaganda activities against ⁠the regime", but this charge does not carry a death sentence. This comes as Trump announced that he had been told Iran's security forces had stopped killing protesters. He also said that he would "watch it and see" before deciding if US military intervention was still needed. Who is Erfan Soltani Soltani is a clothing shop employee and was arrested north-west of Tehran on January 10 (Thursday) for taking part in the protests that has rocked the country He is a resident of Fardis, Karaj According to rights groups he was to be executed on Wednesday, though it has now been halted One of his family members and a Norway-based human rights organisation also stated that the scheduled execution did not take place yesterday. They also said he could become the first protester to be executed as part of the current demonstrations against the Iranian regime He is currently lodged in the central penitentiary of Karaj Trump in support of protesters In recent days, the POTUS has spoken about coming to the aid of protesters in Iran, even posting on Truth Social, "HELP IS ON ITS WAY", while threatening "strong action" over Tehran's violent crackdown on nationwide protests. Speaking at the White House, Trump said he had received assurances from what he described as "very important sources on the other side" that the violent crackdown on demonstrations had stopped and that planned executions would not go ahead. He offered no further details and stressed that the information had not yet been independently confirmed. "They've said the killing has stopped and the executions won't take place," Trump said. "There were supposed to be a lot of executions today and that the executions won't take place -- and we're going to find out." The protests that began over the collapse of the Iranian currency and soaring cost of living has spread to more than 180 cities and towns. The demonstrators are now demanding regime change, which is a huge challenge for the clerical establishment since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

This comes as Trump announced that he had been told Iran's security forces had stopped killing protesters. He also said that he would "watch it and see" before deciding if US military intervention was still needed.

Who is Erfan Soltani, the Iranian protester, whose execution has been halted?

US shipbuilding programmes are a “mess” and “behind schedule and over budget”, said US Secretary of the Navy John Phelan on Tuesday (Jan 13) while outlining US President Donald Trump’s Golden Fleet initiative. Phelan said that revitalising the American shipbuilding industry was essential for restoring American maritime dominance over China.<h2>Trump aide highlights ‘uncomfortable truths’</h2>Speaking at the Surface Navy Association symposium, Phelan noted that “To be a superpower, you need a dominant military force, a robust economy and the ability to make things”.“You cannot sustain global maritime power with a hollow industrial base,” he said, adding that the current US shipbuilding programmes were “a mess” and “behind schedule and over budget”. He then contrasted these “uncomfortable truths” with Washington’s “most consequential strategic competitor” - China.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-drops-cryptic-hints-on-iran-says-regime-could-fall-amid-unrest-says-this-about-exiled-crown-prince-pahlavi-1768447993357">Trump drops cryptic hints on Iran, says regime could ‘FALL’ amid unrest; says this about exiled crown prince Pahlavi</a>Highlighting the manufacturing capabilities of China, he said that while Beijing has a manufacturing workforce of roughly 100 million, the United States has fewer than 13 million.“This is not a future challenge. It is happening now,” he insisted. Drawing parallels to the industrial mobilisation of the Second World War, he added that Washington must move to a “wartime footing”.China wants to ‘dominate the Indo-Pacific’Phelan noted that China’s leadership has been “explicit about their ambitions to dominate the Indo-Pacific, reshape the international order, and displace the United States as the world’s leading economic and maritime power”. He said that Trump’s Golden Fleet would address this disparity.<h2>What is Trump’s Golden Fleet?</h2>The Golden Fleet, unveiled by Donald Trump, features a new “Trump-class” battleship. According to Phelan, the fleet would be a “high-low mix” of naval platforms. That mix would span aircraft carriers, destroyers, submarines, newly designed frigates, auxiliary vessels and a growing array of unstaffed and autonomous ships.Describing the controversial ‘Trump class’ battleship as a “lethal, decisive response” to future conflicts, he pushed back against suggestions that such a vessel would be a nostalgic throwback. Instead, he said, the Trump-class battleship would be built for sustained fire, robust air and missile defence, and command capabilities for both manned and unmanned forces. “A ship built to not only swat the arrows but to kill the archers,” Phelan noted.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-most-lethal-trump-class-warships-are-here-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-largest-battleship-its-weapon-nuclear-capabilities-explained-in-pics-1766473350248">'Most lethal' Trump-class warships are here! All you need to know about the largest battleship | Explained</a>

US Navy Secretary John Phelan called America’s shipbuilding a costly 'mess' and warned that China is pulling ahead. He touted President Donald Trump's Golden Fleet, which features ‘Trump-class' battleships as the answer. All you need to know.

US shipbuilding programmes are a “mess” and “behind schedule and over budget”, said US Secretary of the Navy John Phelan on Tuesday (Jan 13) while outlining US President Donald Trump’s Golden Fleet initiative. Phelan said that revitalising the American shipbuilding industry was essential for restoring American maritime dominance over China. Trump aide highlights ‘uncomfortable truths’ Speaking at the Surface Navy Association symposium, Phelan noted that “To be a superpower, you need a dominant military force, a robust economy and the ability to make things”. “You cannot sustain global maritime power with a hollow industrial base,” he said, adding that the current US shipbuilding programmes were “a mess” and “behind schedule and over budget”. He then contrasted these “uncomfortable truths” with Washington’s “most consequential strategic competitor” - China. Also read | Trump drops cryptic hints on Iran, says regime could ‘FALL’ amid unrest; says this about exiled crown prince Pahlavi Highlighting the manufacturing capabilities of China, he said that while Beijing has a manufacturing workforce of roughly 100 million, the United States has fewer than 13 million. “This is not a future challenge. It is happening now,” he insisted. Drawing parallels to the industrial mobilisation of the Second World War, he added that Washington must move to a “wartime footing”. China wants to ‘dominate the Indo-Pacific’ Phelan noted that China’s leadership has been “explicit about their ambitions to dominate the Indo-Pacific, reshape the international order, and displace the United States as the world’s leading economic and maritime power”. He said that Trump’s Golden Fleet would address this disparity. What is Trump’s Golden Fleet? The Golden Fleet, unveiled by Donald Trump, features a new “Trump-class” battleship. According to Phelan, the fleet would be a “high-low mix” of naval platforms. That mix would span aircraft carriers, destroyers, submarines, newly designed frigates, auxiliary vessels and a growing array of unstaffed and autonomous ships. Describing the controversial ‘Trump class’ battleship as a “lethal, decisive response” to future conflicts, he pushed back against suggestions that such a vessel would be a nostalgic throwback. Instead, he said, the Trump-class battleship would be built for sustained fire, robust air and missile defence, and command capabilities for both manned and unmanned forces. “A ship built to not only swat the arrows but to kill the archers,” Phelan noted. Also read | 'Most lethal' Trump-class warships are here! All you need to know about the largest battleship | Explained

US Navy Secretary John Phelan called America’s shipbuilding a costly 'mess' and warned that China is pulling ahead. He touted President Donald Trump's Golden Fleet, which features ‘Trump-class' battleships as the answer. All you need to know.

US shipbuilding a ‘mess,’ Trump’s Golden Fleet is the answer, says top aide

Amid heightened tensions with the US, Iran reopened the airspace for commercial flights after temporarily closing its airspace. This comes at the backdrop of growing buzz around the US strike on Tehran. Additionally, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday (Jan 14) warned America to not repeat the same mistake again. He was referring to the June strike by US on Iranian nuclear sites. According to a notice posted by the Federal Aviation Administration, Iran restricted flight movements from 10:15 p.m. UTC Wednesday to 12:30 a.m. UTC Thursday. It was later extended until 7.30 am local time.&nbsp;&nbsp;Speaking to Fox News host Bret Baier, Abbas Araghchi, warned Washington to not repeat the past mistake, referring to American strikes against three nuclear facilities in Iran as part of a 12-day Iran-Israel war in June, 2025. The Iranian Foreign Minister said, “My message is do not repeat the same mistake that you did in June. You know, if you try a failed experience, you will get the same result. You know in June, you destroyed the facilities, the machines, but the technology cannot be bombed. And the determination also cannot be bombed.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-bullet-won-t-miss-trump-receives-assassination-threat-from-iran-amid-us-strike-speculations-1768441871920">'Bullet won’t miss...': Trump receives assassination threat from Iran amid US strike speculations</a>&nbsp;FM Araghchi further said that Iran has always been ready for negotiations and diplomacy, further accusing the US of always escaping it. "Now Iran proved to be ready for negotiation and diplomacy...we have proved that in the past 20 years, but it was the US who always escaped from the diplomacy, who cut the diplomacy and opted for war. My message is between war and diplomacy; diplomacy is a better way... although we do not have a positive response from the US. But still, diplomacy is much better than War," he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-make-iran-great-again-to-trump-is-watching-is-washington-backing-exiled-prince-pahlavi-1768443879071">From ‘Make Iran Great Again’ to ‘Trump is watching’: Is Washington backing exiled prince Pahlavi?</a> Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump informed that "the killing in Iran is stopping" and that "there are no plans for executions." Speaking to reporters at the White House during a signing ceremony, Trump said, "We were told that the killing in Iran is stopping. and there are no plans for executions or an execution. I've been told that on good authority. We'll find out about it."&nbsp;&nbsp;The Iranian Embassy also issued a statement, saying, "Unilateral actions by the United States against the existing global order -- including the imposition of unfair tariffs and its withdrawal from 66 international institutions -- have pushed the world toward a breakdown of global norms. Silence and inaction by countries do not mitigate these threats; they only intensify them. These policies will sooner or later affect all countries, regardless of their size or economic power.”<h2>Iran protest and a possible US intervention</h2>Iran is witnessing massive protest against the clerical regime that has been in power after Islamic revolution of 1979. The protest that began as a reaction to the catastrophic economic collapse soon snowballed into calls for regime change. Iranian regime has warned protesters of death penalty.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-pentagon-pizza-index-to-netanyahu-s-plane-buzz-around-possible-us-strike-on-iran-grows-1768448907748">From Pentagon Pizza Index to Netanyahu's plane: Buzz around possible US strike on Iran grows</a>&nbsp;US President Trump on Jan 14 took to Truth Social to declare that “help is on its way” triggering massive speculations of strike on Tehran. He also asked people to take a note of all “killers and abusers” and assured that they would pay a “big price.” However, he has taken a “wait and watch” approach and in his latest remark, he suggested that Iranian regime has stopped execution plans. Though he did not specify if that would stop him from his military action, but his statement is being reported as softening of stance despite killing of nearly 2000 protesters, as per rights group.

Iran faces escalating unrest as protests enter the 20th day amid economic collapse. Iran temporarily closed its airspace following US threats. FM Abbas Araghchi warned President Trump against repeating June strikes, urging diplomacy over war as executions and global tensions draw concern

Amid heightened tensions with the US, Iran reopened the airspace for commercial flights after temporarily closing its airspace. This comes at the backdrop of growing buzz around the US strike on Tehran. Additionally, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday (Jan 14) warned America to not repeat the same mistake again. He was referring to the June strike by US on Iranian nuclear sites. According to a notice posted by the Federal Aviation Administration, Iran restricted flight movements from 10:15 p.m. UTC Wednesday to 12:30 a.m. UTC Thursday. It was later extended until 7.30 am local time. Speaking to Fox News host Bret Baier, Abbas Araghchi, warned Washington to not repeat the past mistake, referring to American strikes against three nuclear facilities in Iran as part of a 12-day Iran-Israel war in June, 2025. The Iranian Foreign Minister said, “My message is do not repeat the same mistake that you did in June. You know, if you try a failed experience, you will get the same result. You know in June, you destroyed the facilities, the machines, but the technology cannot be bombed. And the determination also cannot be bombed.” Also Read: 'Bullet won’t miss...': Trump receives assassination threat from Iran amid US strike speculations FM Araghchi further said that Iran has always been ready for negotiations and diplomacy, further accusing the US of always escaping it. "Now Iran proved to be ready for negotiation and diplomacy...we have proved that in the past 20 years, but it was the US who always escaped from the diplomacy, who cut the diplomacy and opted for war. My message is between war and diplomacy; diplomacy is a better way... although we do not have a positive response from the US. But still, diplomacy is much better than War," he said. Also Read: From ‘Make Iran Great Again’ to ‘Trump is watching’: Is Washington backing exiled prince Pahlavi? Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump informed that "the killing in Iran is stopping" and that "there are no plans for executions." Speaking to reporters at the White House during a signing ceremony, Trump said, "We were told that the killing in Iran is stopping. and there are no plans for executions or an execution. I've been told that on good authority. We'll find out about it." The Iranian Embassy also issued a statement, saying, "Unilateral actions by the United States against the existing global order -- including the imposition of unfair tariffs and its withdrawal from 66 international institutions -- have pushed the world toward a breakdown of global norms. Silence and inaction by countries do not mitigate these threats; they only intensify them. These policies will sooner or later affect all countries, regardless of their size or economic power.” Iran protest and a possible US intervention Iran is witnessing massive protest against the clerical regime that has been in power after Islamic revolution of 1979. The protest that began as a reaction to the catastrophic economic collapse soon snowballed into calls for regime change. Iranian regime has warned protesters of death penalty. Also Read: From Pentagon Pizza Index to Netanyahu's plane: Buzz around possible US strike on Iran grows US President Trump on Jan 14 took to Truth Social to declare that “help is on its way” triggering massive speculations of strike on Tehran. He also asked people to take a note of all “killers and abusers” and assured that they would pay a “big price.” However, he has taken a “wait and watch” approach and in his latest remark, he suggested that Iranian regime has stopped execution plans. Though he did not specify if that would stop him from his military action, but his statement is being reported as softening of stance despite killing of nearly 2000 protesters, as per rights group.

Iran faces escalating unrest as protests enter the 20th day amid economic collapse. Iran temporarily closed its airspace following US threats. FM Abbas Araghchi warned President Trump against repeating June strikes, urging diplomacy over war as executions and global tensions draw concern

'Do not repeat same mistakes': Iran reopens airspace but issues fresh warning to Trump

Iran's judiciary has claimed that Erfan Soltani has not been sentenced to death. It was clarified on Thursday that he was arrested during protests, but has not been handed the death penalty. It added that Soltani ‍is being charged with "colluding against the country's internal security and ‌propaganda activities against ⁠the regime", but this charge does not carry a death sentence. He is currently being held ​in the central penitentiary of Karaj. Human rights groups have claimed that Soltani could become the first protester to be executed as part of the current demonstrations against the Iranian regime. They stated that he was due to be hanged on Wednesday (January 14). However, reports later emerged that the execution had been "postponed". Now, Iran's judiciary has dismissed claims of a death sentence being given to Soltani. One of his family members and a Norway-based human rights organisation also stated that the scheduled execution did not take place yesterday.<h2>Human rights groups feared Erfan Soltani could be publicly hanged</h2>Soltani owns a clothes shop in Fardis, Central Iran, and was arrested at his home for taking part in the protests that have rocked the nation in the past weeks. His family told Arina Moradi, a member of the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights, that they were unaware of his whereabouts for days after he was arrested, and claimed that they were informed about the death sentence four days later. Activists raised concerns that the 26-year-old could be tortured and abused in jail and feared a public hanging to terrorise the people. Reports suggested that Erfan Soltani’s sister, who is a licensed lawyer, tried to gain access to his files but failed. His family appealed to US President Donald Trump to stop their son's execution, stating that he was "never a political activist, just part of the younger generation who was protesting against the current situation in Iran."Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-protests-save-erfan-soltani-hashtag-trends-on-social-media-amid-news-of-execution-1768368578279">Iran protests: 'Save Erfan Soltani' hashtag trends on social media amid news of execution</a> Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-protests-erfan-soltani-could-be-publicly-hanged-after-just-10-minutes-with-his-family-as-trump-issues-stern-warning-1768361809100">Iran protests: Erfan Soltani could be publicly hanged after just '10 minutes' with his family, as Trump issues stern warning</a>&nbsp;https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-fm-abbas-araghchi-says-no-plan-of-hanging-protesters-1768460756960/embed<h2>Donald Trump says Iran has called off Soltani's execution</h2>Trump had warned Iran against carrying out the execution, saying "very strong action" will be taken if Soltani is executed. "If they hang them, you're going to see some things," he told CBS News in an interview. On Wednesday, he told reporters that Iran has called off executions of detained protesters and that he has been informed that "the killing (of protesters) has stopped" in the country. However, he has not ruled out military action. The head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has vowed to respond to the United States and Israel, accusing them of being involved in the unrest in the country. Iran has closed its airspace amid heightened tensions in the region. Two European military officials told Reuters US could act against Iran within the next 24 hours; however, the Trump administration might go another way to "keep everyone on their toes." &nbsp;

Erfan Soltani was not sentenced to death after being arrested for taking part in the protests, the Iranian judiciary has said. It added that the charge against him does not carry the death penalty. Activists had claimed that Soltani would be hanged on January 14.  

Iran's judiciary has claimed that Erfan Soltani has not been sentenced to death. It was clarified on Thursday that he was arrested during protests, but has not been handed the death penalty. It added that Soltani ‍is being charged with "colluding against the country's internal security and ‌propaganda activities against ⁠the regime", but this charge does not carry a death sentence. He is currently being held in the central penitentiary of Karaj. Human rights groups have claimed that Soltani could become the first protester to be executed as part of the current demonstrations against the Iranian regime. They stated that he was due to be hanged on Wednesday (January 14). However, reports later emerged that the execution had been "postponed". Now, Iran's judiciary has dismissed claims of a death sentence being given to Soltani. One of his family members and a Norway-based human rights organisation also stated that the scheduled execution did not take place yesterday. Human rights groups feared Erfan Soltani could be publicly hanged Soltani owns a clothes shop in Fardis, Central Iran, and was arrested at his home for taking part in the protests that have rocked the nation in the past weeks. His family told Arina Moradi, a member of the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights, that they were unaware of his whereabouts for days after he was arrested, and claimed that they were informed about the death sentence four days later. Activists raised concerns that the 26-year-old could be tortured and abused in jail and feared a public hanging to terrorise the people. Reports suggested that Erfan Soltani’s sister, who is a licensed lawyer, tried to gain access to his files but failed. His family appealed to US President Donald Trump to stop their son's execution, stating that he was "never a political activist, just part of the younger generation who was protesting against the current situation in Iran." Also Read: Iran protests: 'Save Erfan Soltani' hashtag trends on social media amid news of execution Also Read: Iran protests: Erfan Soltani could be publicly hanged after just '10 minutes' with his family, as Trump issues stern warning https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-fm-abbas-araghchi-says-no-plan-of-hanging-protesters-1768460756960/embed Donald Trump says Iran has called off Soltani's execution Trump had warned Iran against carrying out the execution, saying "very strong action" will be taken if Soltani is executed. "If they hang them, you're going to see some things," he told CBS News in an interview. On Wednesday, he told reporters that Iran has called off executions of detained protesters and that he has been informed that "the killing (of protesters) has stopped" in the country. However, he has not ruled out military action. The head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has vowed to respond to the United States and Israel, accusing them of being involved in the unrest in the country. Iran has closed its airspace amid heightened tensions in the region. Two European military officials told Reuters US could act against Iran within the next 24 hours; however, the Trump administration might go another way to "keep everyone on their toes."

Erfan Soltani was not sentenced to death after being arrested for taking part in the protests, the Iranian judiciary has said. It added that the charge against him does not carry the death penalty. Activists had claimed that Soltani would be hanged on January 14. &nbsp;

Erfan Soltani was not given the death penalty, Iran claims amid fears that US could act 'within 24 hours'

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested an Afghan national living illegally in America, who was previously convicted of attempting to kill his teenage sister for what he described as being a “bad Muslim girl,” officials said. The arrested individuals identified as Waheed Allah Mohammad, 39, was taken into custody on January 1 in Rochester, New York.&nbsp;Mohammad was convicted of first-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault, for which he received a 10-year prison sentence followed by five years of supervision, according to a report by the New York Post.&nbsp;“When we say ICE is arresting the ‘worst of the worst,’ this is exactly what we mean. We’re conducting targeted enforcement operations to arrest and remove convicted criminals like Mohammad who pose clear threats to their families, communities and states," said ICE Director Todd M. Lyons, as reported by the New York Post.&nbsp;Watch here: https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-usa-tension-iran-issues-warning-to-us-says-american-bases-will-be-targeted-if-attacked-1768458047037/embedd<h3>The Afghan national legally entered the US in 2004</h3>In 2008, Mohammad stabbed his sister several times during an argument where he called her a “bad Muslim girl.” He said she disgraced his family by dressing immodestly and frequenting nightclubs.&nbsp;The incident dates back to 2008, when Mohammad stabbed his sister multiple times during an argument, calling her a “bad Muslim girl” and accusing her of disgracing the family by dressing immodestly and visiting nightclubs.&nbsp;ICE said Mohammad had legally entered the United States on May 24, 2004, but his conviction for attempted murder violated the conditions of his immigration status. He was convicted in 2009.&nbsp;Removal proceedings were initiated by ICE in April 2009, and an immigration judge ordered his deportation in 2012. He remains in federal custody while awaiting removal from the United States.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-signs-deal-with-trump-linked-crypto-company-for-cross-border-payments-1768416325733">Pakistan signs deal with Trump-linked crypto company for cross-border payments</a>

In 2008, the arrested individual stabbed his sister several times during an argument where he called her a “bad Muslim girl.” He said she disgraced his family by dressing immodestly and frequenting nightclubs.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested an Afghan national living illegally in America, who was previously convicted of attempting to kill his teenage sister for what he described as being a “bad Muslim girl,” officials said. The arrested individuals identified as Waheed Allah Mohammad, 39, was taken into custody on January 1 in Rochester, New York. Mohammad was convicted of first-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault, for which he received a 10-year prison sentence followed by five years of supervision, according to a report by the New York Post. “When we say ICE is arresting the ‘worst of the worst,’ this is exactly what we mean. We’re conducting targeted enforcement operations to arrest and remove convicted criminals like Mohammad who pose clear threats to their families, communities and states," said ICE Director Todd M. Lyons, as reported by the New York Post. Watch here: https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-usa-tension-iran-issues-warning-to-us-says-american-bases-will-be-targeted-if-attacked-1768458047037/embedd The Afghan national legally entered the US in 2004 In 2008, Mohammad stabbed his sister several times during an argument where he called her a “bad Muslim girl.” He said she disgraced his family by dressing immodestly and frequenting nightclubs. The incident dates back to 2008, when Mohammad stabbed his sister multiple times during an argument, calling her a “bad Muslim girl” and accusing her of disgracing the family by dressing immodestly and visiting nightclubs. ICE said Mohammad had legally entered the United States on May 24, 2004, but his conviction for attempted murder violated the conditions of his immigration status. He was convicted in 2009. Removal proceedings were initiated by ICE in April 2009, and an immigration judge ordered his deportation in 2012. He remains in federal custody while awaiting removal from the United States. Also read: Pakistan signs deal with Trump-linked crypto company for cross-border payments

In 2008, the arrested individual stabbed his sister several times during an argument where he called her a “bad Muslim girl.” He said she disgraced his family by dressing immodestly and frequenting nightclubs.

ICE arrest Afghan illegal immigrant in New York for trying to kill teenage sister for being ‘bad Muslim girl’

Elon Musk’s Grok will no longer be able to undress women and young girls on X. On Wednesday (Jan 14), X, formerly Twitter, announced measures to stop the AI chatbot from stripping women down into “bikinis, underwear, and similar attire”. The social media giant said it has “geoblock [ed] the ability” for all users, including paid ones. However, when put to the test, WION was able to easily generate the so-called ‘bikini trend’ pics. Turns out, the limitation on Grok also has limitations. All you need to know.<h2>Grok cannot undress women but...</h2>X said it will “geoblock the ability” of all Grok and X users to create, by the simplest of commands, images of females, in many cases minors, in “bikinis, underwear, and similar attire”. However, the block, the company said, will only be put in place in jurisdictions where such actions are deemed illegal."We have implemented technological measures to prevent the Grok account from allowing the editing of images of real people in revealing clothing such as bikinis," said X's safety team in a statement. "This restriction applies to all users, including paid subscribers."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/elon-musk-pokes-fun-at-x-s-exploitative-bikini-trend-even-as-grok-ai-says-deeply-regret-creating-sexualised-images-of-a-12-year-old-girl-1767417683927">Musk pokes fun at X's exploitative 'bikini' trend, even as Grok AI says 'deeply regret' creating sexualised images of a 12YO girl</a>This comes after California's attorney general launched an investigation into Musk's xAI, the company that developed Grok AI, over sexually explicit material. Similar probes have been launched by other nations, many of which have blocked access to the chatbot.<h2>WION tests Grok's new limitations: Spoiler, it failed</h2>While X said it has “implemented technological measures to prevent the Grok account from allowing the editing of images of real people in revealing clothing such as bikinis,” WION’s attempt to do so was successful. Results not added for obvious reasons. However, till 11 am IST, in India, both image creation and editing to put a person in a bikini or similar revealing clothing were possible.Last week, an analysis of over 20,000 images generated by Grok, conducted by the Paris non-profit AI Forensics, revealed that more than half depicted "individuals in minimal attire", the majority of whom were women, with at least two per cent of them appearing to be minors.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-drops-cryptic-hints-on-iran-says-regime-could-fall-amid-unrest-says-this-about-exiled-crown-prince-pahlavi-1768447993357">Trump drops cryptic hints on Iran, says regime could ‘FALL’ amid unrest; says this about exiled crown prince Pahlavi</a>When asked, Grok said that its ability to generate images like bikini pics is blocked in Malaysia and Indonesia “due to local laws against explicit or non-consensual content”. The chatbot added that “These are the main countries with full blocks as of now, to ensure compliance.”<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260115/image-1768456796131.png"></figure><h2>Grok can no longer create images</h2>X also said that in an “extra layer of protection”, Grok’s ability to create images and edit photos via the chatbot’s X account would now only be available to paid subscribers.EU’s digital watchdog, the European Commission, said that it had taken note of "additional measures X is taking to ban Grok from generating sexualised images of women and children." Spokesperson Thomas Regnier, in a statement, said it will “carefully assess” the changes to ensure that they “effectively protect citizens in the EU”.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/awlfMjX6FS">https://t.co/awlfMjX6FS</a>&mdash; Safety (@Safety) <a href="https://twitter.com/Safety/status/2011573102485127562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

X says it has blocked Grok from stripping women and minors into bikinis. But when WION tested it, the feature still worked. Is Musk’s fix really a fix? All you need to know.

Elon Musk’s Grok will no longer be able to undress women and young girls on X. On Wednesday (Jan 14), X, formerly Twitter, announced measures to stop the AI chatbot from stripping women down into “bikinis, underwear, and similar attire”. The social media giant said it has “geoblock [ed] the ability” for all users, including paid ones. However, when put to the test, WION was able to easily generate the so-called ‘bikini trend’ pics. Turns out, the limitation on Grok also has limitations. All you need to know. Grok cannot undress women but... X said it will “geoblock the ability” of all Grok and X users to create, by the simplest of commands, images of females, in many cases minors, in “bikinis, underwear, and similar attire”. However, the block, the company said, will only be put in place in jurisdictions where such actions are deemed illegal. "We have implemented technological measures to prevent the Grok account from allowing the editing of images of real people in revealing clothing such as bikinis," said X's safety team in a statement. "This restriction applies to all users, including paid subscribers." Also read | Musk pokes fun at X's exploitative 'bikini' trend, even as Grok AI says 'deeply regret' creating sexualised images of a 12YO girl This comes after California's attorney general launched an investigation into Musk's xAI, the company that developed Grok AI, over sexually explicit material. Similar probes have been launched by other nations, many of which have blocked access to the chatbot. WION tests Grok's new limitations: Spoiler, it failed While X said it has “implemented technological measures to prevent the Grok account from allowing the editing of images of real people in revealing clothing such as bikinis,” WION’s attempt to do so was successful. Results not added for obvious reasons. However, till 11 am IST, in India, both image creation and editing to put a person in a bikini or similar revealing clothing were possible. Last week, an analysis of over 20,000 images generated by Grok, conducted by the Paris non-profit AI Forensics, revealed that more than half depicted "individuals in minimal attire", the majority of whom were women, with at least two per cent of them appearing to be minors. Also read | Trump drops cryptic hints on Iran, says regime could ‘FALL’ amid unrest; says this about exiled crown prince Pahlavi When asked, Grok said that its ability to generate images like bikini pics is blocked in Malaysia and Indonesia “due to local laws against explicit or non-consensual content”. The chatbot added that “These are the main countries with full blocks as of now, to ensure compliance.” Grok can no longer create images X also said that in an “extra layer of protection”, Grok’s ability to create images and edit photos via the chatbot’s X account would now only be available to paid subscribers. EU’s digital watchdog, the European Commission, said that it had taken note of "additional measures X is taking to ban Grok from generating sexualised images of women and children." Spokesperson Thomas Regnier, in a statement, said it will “carefully assess” the changes to ensure that they “effectively protect citizens in the EU”.

X says it has blocked Grok from stripping women and minors into bikinis. But when WION tested it, the feature still worked. Is Musk’s fix really a fix? All you need to know.

X claims Grok AI can no longer strip women into 'bikinis and underwear,' WION's test shows otherwise

Amid growing tensions between Iran and the United States over over Tehran's violent crackdown on nationwide protests, airspace closures, Washington is moving its battleship USS Abraham Lincoln, including the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers from the South China Sea to the Middle East, reported News Nation on Wednesday (Jan 14).&nbsp;At typical cruising speeds, the transit across the Indian Ocean to the Arabian Sea is reportedly going to take about a week to position itself in the U.S. Central Command area.&nbsp;However, there hasn't been any confirmation or any official statement by the US authorities, military in this regard so far.&nbsp;The battleship USS Abraham Lincoln, till recently in the waters of South China Sea was conducting routine operations including F-35C flight ops and live-fire drills.&nbsp;In recent days, the POTUS has spoken about coming to the aid of protesters in Iran, even posting on Truth Social, "HELP IS ON ITS WAY", while threatening "strong action" over Tehran's violent crackdown on nationwide protests.<h2>Trump drops cryptic post</h2>Trump on Wednesday (Jan 14) offered a cryptic assessment of Iran’s future, suggesting the country’s clerical government could fall under the weight of mass protests that have rocked the nation for the past 18 days. However, he stopped short of backing any single opposition figure to take the current President Masoud Pezeshkian-led government's place. This comes as Trump announced that he had been told Iran's security forces had stopped killing protesters. He also said that he would "watch it and see" before deciding if US military intervention was still needed.&nbsp;&nbsp;Speaking to news agency Reuters at the Oval Office, Trump said it was “possible” the government in Tehran could fall under the pressure of weeks of unrest that have rocked the country and reportedly left thousands dead in a violent crackdown.&nbsp;“Any regime can fail,” Trump said cryptically, adding, “Whether it falls or not, it’s going to be an interesting period of time.”

The battleship USS Abraham Lincoln, till recently was in the waters of South China Sea conducting routine operations including F-35C flight ops and live-fire drills.

Amid growing tensions between Iran and the United States over over Tehran's violent crackdown on nationwide protests, airspace closures, Washington is moving its battleship USS Abraham Lincoln, including the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers from the South China Sea to the Middle East, reported News Nation on Wednesday (Jan 14). At typical cruising speeds, the transit across the Indian Ocean to the Arabian Sea is reportedly going to take about a week to position itself in the U.S. Central Command area. However, there hasn't been any confirmation or any official statement by the US authorities, military in this regard so far. The battleship USS Abraham Lincoln, till recently in the waters of South China Sea was conducting routine operations including F-35C flight ops and live-fire drills. In recent days, the POTUS has spoken about coming to the aid of protesters in Iran, even posting on Truth Social, "HELP IS ON ITS WAY", while threatening "strong action" over Tehran's violent crackdown on nationwide protests. Trump drops cryptic post Trump on Wednesday (Jan 14) offered a cryptic assessment of Iran’s future, suggesting the country’s clerical government could fall under the weight of mass protests that have rocked the nation for the past 18 days. However, he stopped short of backing any single opposition figure to take the current President Masoud Pezeshkian-led government's place. This comes as Trump announced that he had been told Iran's security forces had stopped killing protesters. He also said that he would "watch it and see" before deciding if US military intervention was still needed. Speaking to news agency Reuters at the Oval Office, Trump said it was “possible” the government in Tehran could fall under the pressure of weeks of unrest that have rocked the country and reportedly left thousands dead in a violent crackdown. “Any regime can fail,” Trump said cryptically, adding, “Whether it falls or not, it’s going to be an interesting period of time.”

The battleship USS Abraham Lincoln, till recently was in the waters of South China Sea conducting routine operations including F-35C flight ops and live-fire drills.

US moving battleship from South China Sea to Middle East amid tension with Iran: Report

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US moving battleship from South China Sea to Middle East amid tension with Iran