A powerful blast struck Kabul’s Shahr‑e‑Naw district on Monday, killing several people and injuring others, the Taliban’s Interior Ministry said. Authorities are investigating the cause and assessing the damage in the affected area.

The United States has deployed military aircraft to Greenland’s Pituffik Space Base, a strategic Arctic facility, sparking concerns in Europe amid former President Donald Trump’s long‑standing idea of buying the territory. Officials said the move is part of routine defence operations and has been coordinated with Denmark, which oversees Greenland, and that Greenland’s government was informed in advance.

While Washington presents the deployment as standard military activity, the timing has raised eyebrows. Trump has repeatedly argued that Greenland is crucial to US national security and must be controlled to counter Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic. Earlier, he suggested that the US could purchase Greenland from Denmark, a proposal that has drawn strong opposition in Europe.

Trump also warned of tariffs on Denmark and several European countries if they did not support his plan. European leaders have made it clear that Greenland is “not for sale,” emphasising respect for Danish sovereignty and the rights of Greenlanders to make decisions about their territory.

In response to rising tensions, Denmark has strengthened its military presence in Greenland and invited NATO allies to participate in Arctic exercises. Germany, Sweden, France, Norway, the Netherlands, and Finland have sent small contingents to join Danish-led drills under “Operation Arctic Endurance,” aimed at improving regional security.

The situation highlights the growing geopolitical importance of the Arctic, a region rich in natural resources and strategically vital for global defence. Experts say the US deployment is intended to ensure readiness and maintain security, but European nations remain cautious, viewing Trump’s purchase bid as a potential overreach.

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday carried out extensive multi-state raids as part of its money laundering investigation into the alleged theft and misappropriation of gold linked to the Sabarimala temple. The searches were conducted at around 21 locations spread across Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

In Kerala, ED teams searched the residence of key accused Unnikrishnan Potti at Pulimath near Kilimanoor, along with the homes of several former officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board. Raids were also carried out at the Travancore Devaswom Board office in Thiruvananthapuram. Additional searches took place at residences of other suspects and relatives believed to be connected to the alleged gold diversion network.

Simultaneous searches were conducted in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka at premises linked to jewellers, gold traders and business entities suspected to have played a role in processing and disposing of the stolen gold. Officials said the coordinated action was aimed at tracing the money trail and identifying individuals who may have benefited financially from the alleged crime.

The ED registered its case earlier this month after obtaining permission from a special court to investigate the financial aspects of the Sabarimala gold case. According to investigators, temple ornaments and gold-clad items were allegedly removed over several years on the pretext of repairs and re-plating. It is suspected that some of these items were falsely recorded as being made of copper, while the extracted gold was diverted and sold illegally.

The Sabarimala gold case first came to light in 2019 after discrepancies were noticed in the weight of gold-plated ornaments returned to the temple following re-plating. This led to a detailed probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted following directions from the Kerala High Court. The SIT has since arrested several accused, including temple staff, intermediaries and jewellers.

The ED’s probe focuses on alleged proceeds of crime, illegal financial transactions and possible benami investments arising from the gold theft. During the raids, officials examined financial records, seized documents and digital devices, and questioned individuals linked to the case.

Also Read: Karnataka DGP suspended over viral videos

The Karnataka government has suspended senior IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao after alleged “sleazy” videos linked to him went viral on social media, triggering public outrage and political reactions. Rao, who serves as the Director General of Police (Civil Rights Enforcement Directorate), has denied all allegations and claimed the videos are fabricated.

The suspension order, issued on Sunday, stated that the content circulating online appeared to be obscene and unbecoming of a government servant. The government said the move was necessary to ensure a fair and impartial inquiry into the matter. During the suspension period, Rao will remain headquartered in Bengaluru and will require official permission to travel outside the city.

The videos, widely shared across platforms, allegedly show a senior officer in a compromising situation inside what appears to be an office. Authorities have not yet confirmed the authenticity of the footage. Officials said a detailed departmental inquiry will examine whether service conduct rules were violated and whether further disciplinary or legal action is required.

Responding to the controversy, Rao strongly rejected the allegations. He said the videos were “doctored” and part of a deliberate conspiracy to tarnish his image and career. Claiming he has been targeted by vested interests, Rao said he would pursue legal remedies against those responsible for creating and circulating the content. He also suggested that the clips could be old or digitally manipulated.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the government would not shield anyone and that accountability applies to all, regardless of rank. “No one is above the law,” he said, adding that action would be taken strictly based on facts established through the inquiry. Opposition leaders also demanded a transparent investigation, citing the need to uphold public trust in the police force.

This is not the first time Rao has faced public scrutiny. He was earlier in the news following the arrest of his stepdaughter in a high-profile gold smuggling case. Despite that controversy, he was later reinstated and appointed to his current role.

Also Read: TN Governor walks out of assembly again, skips address

Tension returned to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Monday when Governor R. N. Ravi walked out of the House without delivering the customary inaugural address, continuing a pattern seen for the third year in a row. The walkout, brief but dramatic, once again exposed the growing strain between Raj Bhavan and the elected State government.

The Governor arrived at the Assembly as members took their seats for the opening of the session. However, within minutes, proceedings were disrupted when he declined to read the speech prepared by the State Cabinet. Governor Ravi expressed strong objection to what he described as disrespect to the national anthem and dissatisfaction with how the session was being conducted.

At the heart of the disagreement is a long-followed Tamil Nadu Assembly tradition. Sessions begin with the State anthem, Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu, and end with the national anthem. While the government maintains that this practice reflects respect for both the State and the nation, Governor Ravi has repeatedly argued that the national anthem must be given precedence, calling it a constitutional obligation.

As the exchange unfolded, Speaker M. Appavu urged the Governor to follow established Assembly procedures and read the approved address without interruption. The Speaker reportedly reminded him that the Governor’s role during the opening session is ceremonial and bound by constitutional convention. Soon after, Governor Ravi rose from his seat and left the House, saying he felt insulted and unable to continue.

The walkout drew sharp reactions from the ruling DMK. Chief Minister M. K. Stalin and senior party leaders criticised the Governor’s action, describing it as avoidable and disruptive. They pointed out that similar incidents had occurred in the past two years, arguing that repeated confrontations were undermining the dignity of the Assembly and delaying legislative work.

Despite the Governor’s exit, the House carried on with its business. Copies of the Governor’s address were circulated among MLAs, and the session proceeded as scheduled.

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Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman has addressed the backlash following his comments on alleged communal trends in Bollywood. Speaking in a video message on Instagram, Rahman clarified that he “never wished to hurt anyone” and reaffirmed his love for India, calling it his “inspiration, teacher and home.” He emphasized that his music aims to uplift, honor, and serve, highlighting that cultural diversity remains central to his work.

Rahman’s remarks had suggested that opportunities for him in Bollywood have declined in recent years, hinting at changing dynamics in the industry. The comments sparked strong reactions online and from several public figures. Rahman stressed that his intention was not to provoke, but to reflect on the challenges artists face.

He also highlighted his initiatives to support emerging musicians, including mentoring programs like JHALAA, promoting women in music through Rooh-E-Noor, and collaborating with young artists from Nagaland. His ongoing projects, such as the Sunshine Orchestra and the AI-powered virtual band Secret Mountain, along with his work on the Ramayana adaptation with Hans Zimmer, were cited as examples of his commitment to innovation in music.

The response to Rahman’s clarification has been mixed. Veteran actor Paresh Rawal called him “our pride”, while Malayalam composer Kailas Menon and Rahman’s daughters urged for respectful discussion. Lyricist Varun Grover defended Rahman, highlighting the excessive backlash, whereas singer Shankar Mahadevan noted differing perspectives on industry challenges.

However, actor Kangana Ranaut criticized Rahman sharply, calling him “prejudiced and hateful” and accusing him of refusing to collaborate on her film Emergency. The exchange has intensified debates about representation, freedom of expression, and inclusivity in Indian cinema.

Also Read: High‑speed train collision in Spain kills at least 39

Bangladesh’s place in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 hangs in the balance, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) giving the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) time until January 21 to take a final call on participation. The global tournament is set to begin on February 7, leaving little room for uncertainty.

At the heart of the issue is Bangladesh’s hesitation to play its scheduled group matches in India, one of the co-hosts of the tournament along with Sri Lanka. Bangladesh has been drawn in Group C, alongside England, West Indies, Nepal, and Italy, with most of its matches planned at Eden Gardens in Kolkata and one in Mumbai.

The BCB has expressed concerns related to security and the broader diplomatic climate, and has suggested that its matches be shifted to Sri Lanka instead. However, the ICC has made it clear that moving venues or reshuffling groups at this stage would be extremely difficult. Tournament schedules, broadcast commitments, ticket sales, and team logistics have already been finalised, leaving little flexibility.

Senior ICC officials recently held discussions with BCB representatives in Dhaka, underlining the urgency of the decision. The ICC has also shared its security assessment with the BCB, stating that there is no specific or targeted threat to the Bangladesh team in India, and that the risk level is comparable to other international sporting events.

Despite these assurances, the BCB has yet to formally confirm whether the team will travel to India. The January 21 deadline has therefore become crucial. If Bangladesh does not give its consent by then, the ICC is prepared to move ahead without them.

In such a scenario, Scotland is widely expected to step in as a replacement team, based on ICC rankings and qualification criteria. While no final announcement has been made, preparations are reportedly in place to ensure the tournament proceeds smoothly, regardless of Bangladesh’s decision.

Also Read: AR Rahman clarifies remarks after backlash

At least 39 people died and dozens were injured when two high-speed trains collided after one derailed near Adamuz in southern Spain. Rescue operations continue, and investigations into the cause are underway, with rail services suspended in the region.

OpenAI has rolled out advertisements in its ChatGPT chatbot, targeting free and lower-cost Go tier users, while paid subscribers remain ad-free. The ads are clearly marked, won’t affect responses, and user chats will not be shared with advertisers. This strategy allows OpenAI to monetise its estimated 800 million weekly active users without imposing subscription costs on all users, helping fund the growing expense of AI infrastructure.

Google, by contrast, has no plans to add ads to its Gemini AI assistant. Dan Taylor, Google VP of Global Ads, explained that inserting ads into Gemini could reduce its effectiveness as a task-focused assistant. Google is instead monetising AI through ad-enabled features like AI Overviews and AI Mode in search, which maintain user trust while generating revenue.

The two companies’ strategies underline a wider industry debate over revenue and user experience. OpenAI is experimenting with an ad-supported model for free-tier users, while Google prioritises an ad-free assistant experience, relying on other AI-driven ad surfaces for monetisation. Both approaches aim to balance financial goals with maintaining user trust in increasingly sophisticated AI tools.

These contrasting paths illustrate how generative AI firms are navigating the challenge of making AI financially sustainable without compromising usability. As AI adoption rises, the tension between monetisation and user experience is becoming a defining factor in the strategies of leading tech companies.

Also Read: Kerala man dies after viral bus video

A 27-year-old software engineer died after his car plunged into a water-filled construction pit in Noida, highlighting serious lapses in road and construction safety.

The incident occurred late Friday night near Sector 150, when the victim, identified as Yuvraj Mehta, was driving home. His SUV broke through a damaged boundary wall and fell into a deep pit dug for a commercial project. Police said poor visibility due to dense fog and the absence of barricades or warning signs contributed to the accident.

According to officials and family members, Mehta, who did not know how to swim, managed to climb onto the roof of his sinking vehicle. He remained there for nearly 90 minutes, repeatedly calling for help. During this time, he contacted his father, shared his live location, and used his phone’s flashlight to signal distress.

Mehta’s father rushed to the spot and alerted emergency services. Local residents and passersby also gathered at the site, and one person reportedly entered the pit in an attempt to rescue him. However, the depth of the pit, cold water, and low visibility made rescue efforts difficult. Police personnel present were unable to enter the water immediately.

Specialised rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and later the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were called in. By the time the teams began the operation, Mehta had drowned. His body was recovered in the early hours of Saturday.

Residents said the open pit had long posed a danger and that repeated complaints to authorities about the lack of safety measures had gone unaddressed. Following the incident, police registered an FIR against the builders responsible for the site for alleged negligence. Authorities said an inquiry has been ordered to fix accountability.

Also Read: High‑speed train collision in Spain kills at least 39