Here are your top five news of the day:

‘Leave Iran’: India’s stark advisory amid threat of US attack; protests spread

India has asked its nationals currently in Iran to leave the country at the earliest, citing a deteriorating security situation marked by rising regional tensions and domestic protests. In an advisory issued by the Indian embassy in Tehran, students, pilgrims, business travellers and tourists were advised to exit using available means, including commercial flights, amid fears of possible US military action and reports of deaths linked to unrest.Read full story

Courthouse drama between ED and TMC over I-PAC raids

The Calcutta high court has imposed limits on physical access to courtrooms during hearings related to the ED’s raid at the premises of I-PAC director Pratik Jain. The move comes after separate petitions were filed by the Trinamool Congress and the ED in connection with the January 8 raid. To ensure transparency while controlling crowding, the court has decided to live-stream the proceedings, following Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s allegations that the agency was attempting to seize data ahead of elections. Read full story

‘Asked to stay home, give birth’: DMK MP’s bizarre take on girls in North India

DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran sparked a debate by contrasting girls’ education in Tamil Nadu with northern states, saying girls in the north are “asked to stay at home and give birth to children. In asserting Tamil Nadu’s focus on girls’ education, drawing a contrast with what he described as fewer opportunities in some northern states.Read full story

Iran unrest: Tehran-Washington halt talks; US personnel in Qatar told to leave military base

A senior Iranian official said on Wednesday that all communications between Tehran and Washington have been halted amid the concerns over possible US strikes on Iran. Meanwhile, some US soldiers were asked to leave the American base in Qatar. Follow live updates

Virat breaks past Sachin’s record; becomes lead run-scorer against NZ in ODIs

Virat Kohli went past Sachin Tendulkar to become India’s leading run-scorer against New Zealand in ODIs, taking his tally to 1,773 runs. He reached the landmark during the second one-day international on Wednesday, though his knock ended at 23. With this, Kohli now stands second overall on the list of highest ODI run-scorers against New Zealand, behind former Australia captain Ricky Ponting.Read full story