January 22, 2026

NRIs Cannot Pay Property Deposits for Friends Buying UAE Homes, Warn Legal Experts

NRIs in the UAE cannot legally pay property deposits for friends in India buying homes in the UAE. Such payments violate Indian foreign exchange rules under FEMA and may invite serious penalties from the Enforcement Directorate.

January 22, 2026

Syria’s President Sharaa Seizes Key Kurdish Territories in Northeast After Swift Offensive

President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s forces have swiftly reclaimed large parts of northeast Syria from Kurdish-led SDF control, marking a major shift in the country’s power balance since the civil war. A new deal forces the SDF to integrate into Syria’s army, reversing their autonomy.

January 22, 2026

Jordan Uses Israeli Cellebrite Tool to Extract Data from Activists’ Phones

Jordanian authorities are reportedly using Israeli Cellebrite software to extract data from activists' phones. The digital tool can access photos, chats, passwords, and deleted files. The Citizen Lab says this may breach human rights laws Jordan has signed.

January 22, 2026

Nearly 200 Arrested in Cross-Border Crackdown on Illegal Gold Mining in the Amazon

Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname police arrested nearly 200 people in a joint operation fighting illegal gold mining in the Amazon. The sweep seized gold, mercury, firearms, and cash, exposing links to organised crime and environmental harm.

January 22, 2026

Bangladesh Will Not Play T20 World Cup Matches in India Over Security Concerns

Bangladesh has decided not to play their T20 World Cup matches in India citing security fears. Despite requests, ICC has rejected moving the matches to Sri Lanka. The Bangladesh government stands firm on protecting its players' safety.