Month: January 2026

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon on Wednesday welcomed the decision of the UN to convene an emergency debate of the Security Council amid colossal anti-regime protests in Iran.

Danon affirmed his support to the protesters.

In a post on X, he said, “After long days of massacre, violent suppression and thousands of killed and wounded, the UN is planning to convene an emergency debate of the Security Council. While the Ayatollahs regime shoots at protesters and hangs opponents, the international community is dragging its feet. To the Iranian people I say, you are not alone! Your struggle for freedom is stronger than any oppressive regime.”

Meanwhile, Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas on Wednesday lauded the anti-regime protests led by Iranians.

Kallas denounced the use of force against the protesters and threatened to put additional sanctions.

In a post on X, she said, “The courage of the Iranian people is humbling. The brutal response by the security forces is unacceptable and exposes a regime afraid of its own people. The EU already has sweeping sanctions in place on Iran. We are now discussing putting additional sanctions.”

Earlier, Finland summoned Iran’s Charge d’Affaires over the escalating violence against protesters by Iranian authorities. Aggression must stop and all unjustly detained demonstrators released.

The right of access to information, including access to the internet, must be ensured. Finland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a tweet.

Denmark Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said that they informed Iran’s charge d’affaires that the brutal crackdown of protesters is unacceptable.

Rasmussen further said that the EU has already imposed several sanctions against Iran and Denmark would take further steps if deemed necessary.

In a post on X, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark said, “FM Lars Lokke Rasmussen: “Iran’s brutal crackdown on the people’s protests is unacceptable. We made this crystal clear to the Iranian charge d’affaires today. The EU has already imposed comprehensive sanctions against Iran, and Denmark is ready to take further steps”.”

Iranians have been protesting since December 28, 2025, and the protests have garnered the attention of international leaders and media.

Meanwhile, Iran is set to witness more brutality as the administration has decided to execute its first protester on Wednesday amid mass arrests of anti-regime protesters, New York Post reported, citing human rights groups. (ANI)

Kerala Blasters has confirmed its participation in the Indian Super League (ISL), starting in February.

The club issued an official statement on their X account, thanking the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for its timely intervention and mediation.

“The Club confirms its participation in the upcoming Indian Super League which is slated to kickoff in February, 2026. This decision has been taken after extensive discussions with the All India Football Federation and associated stakeholders. The Club thanks the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Hon. Sports Minister for the intervention and mediation in this matter,” the statement read.

The statement further added that the Blasters will prioritise safeguarding our present and work collaboratively with all stakeholders to protect the future of Indian football.

“We know that there will be numerous questions, concerns, and we are in the process of addressing and gaining clarity on several of these issues ourselves. Indian football is undergoing a radical metamorphosis and will be subject to new economic, regulatory and sporting realities. The Blasters, will always prioritise to safeguard our present and work collaboratively with all the stakeholders to protect the future,” it added.

“The Club shall release further information in a coordinated manner through appropriate channels very shortly, once we have cemented our approach and once we have received clarity on certain issues at hand. We request for your support as always and for your continued patience and understanding,” it concluded.

On Tuesday, Odisha Football Club (OFC) confirmed its participation in the upcoming ISL season. The club issued an official statement on Instagram, noting its support for the Government of India’s objective of ensuring continuity, stability, and long-term growth in Indian football.

Earlier, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the Indian Super League will start on February 14. Mandaviya has also noted that all 14 clubs have agreed to play the ISL this season.

Union Sports Minister Mandaviya noted that all 14 clubs have agreed to play in the ISL this season. “We have decided that the ISL will start on February 14, Saturday, and all of our clubs will participate in it,” Mansukh Mandaviya told the reporters.”In the country, football has progressed. In football, the country performs well. Through the League, the country gets good players. With this aim, the ISL league will be held,” he added.

Previously, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) held an Emergency Committee meeting and said the dates for the ISL would be announced soon.

The Emergency Committee met to consider and acknowledge the report submitted by the AIFF-ISL Coordination Committee. The Coordination Committee was formed on December 20, 2025, following discussions at the AIFF Executive Committee meeting and the subsequent Annual General Meeting.

The Coordination Committee was tasked with submitting its report to the AIFF Secretariat by January 2, and it duly complied. The AIFF Emergency Committee formally acknowledged the report and recommended that AIFF conduct the league. (ANI)

A roundtable discussion held in Karachi has laid bare the stark disconnect between Pakistan’s women-centric legislation and the lived realities of women across the country, with experts warning that laws passed in Islamabad and provincial assemblies have largely remained symbolic. Speakers stressed that despite an expanding legal framework, women continue to face persistent violence, discrimination, and institutional neglect, as reported by The Express Tribune.

According to The Express Tribune, organised by the Pakistan Women Foundation for Peace (PWFP), the session gathered lawyers, academics, healthcare professionals, journalists, civil society organisers and social advocates at a local club. PWFP Chairperson Nargis Rehman said that although numerous protective laws have been enacted since the 2006 Women Protection Act, their impact has been blunted by poor enforcement, lack of political ownership and weak administrative machinery. She emphasised that women remain disadvantaged in education, health access, political participation, and workplace inclusion due to deep-seated patriarchal attitudes that still shape state institutions.

Rehman highlighted another long-standing problem- Pakistan’s failure to gather credible nationwide data on women’s labour force participation. She said that without dependable statistics on employment, wages or workplace safety, policymaking remains superficial. Citing concerns, she noted an alarming rise in violence against women over the past two years, as cited by The Express Tribune.

She further noted that feudal and patriarchal structures tightened their hold subsequently in Pakistan, influencing both society and lawmaking. Legislation such as the Hudood ordinances, she argued, damaged women’s rights for decades. A private TV channel CEO added that media outlets also face barriers when covering women’s issues. He said entertainment-driven viewership trends and pressure from religious groups limit the space for meaningful reporting on women’s freedoms, as reported by The Express Tribune. (ANI)

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday made it clear that the BJP-led Mahayuti will not seek any future political alignment with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) or Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, asserting that his alliance is fully capable of winning elections on its own.

“We are never going to need the MVA or Uddhav in the future. We can never form an alliance with them. We are winning this election. Yes, it’s true they are not our ‘enemies’, we can have tea with them in the future, but there will be no alliance,” he asserted.

Speaking to ANI, Fadnavis said that the Mahayuti entered the civic election campaign in a “serious and professional” manner from the very first day. The Chief Minister highlighted that the BJP-led alliance fielded candidates from ordinary backgrounds, including vegetable vendors, middle-class individuals, advocates, and even people without their own homes. According to him, the campaign received an overwhelming public response, driven by the work showcased before voters.

Expressing confidence in the outcome, Fadnavis said the Mahayuti will secure a clear majority and have its mayors in 26 of the 29 municipal corporations going to polls.

He further criticised Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Uddhav Thackeray for deliberately attempting to fuel the “Marathi vs Non-Marathi” narrative during the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, asserting that such divisive politics stands in sharp contrast to his government’s development-focused approach. “Marathi is my language. There must be development for the Marathi language,” he told ANI.

Fadnavis also addressed the Hindutva debate, stating that Hindutva is the BJP’s “soul” and has never been used merely as an electoral slogan. He criticised rivals for distancing themselves from Hindutva for vote-bank politics and said they must answer to the people for misleading Marathi asmita (identity).

The remarks come as Maharashtra heads into civic polls across 29 municipal corporations, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Voting for the BMC election 2026 will be held on January 15 from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm across 227 wards, with counting scheduled for January 16. (ANI)

On the occasion of Ekadashi, a large number of devotees arrived at the Sangam Ghat in Prayagraj to take a holy dip during the ongoing Magh Mela.

Drone visuals from the Mela show thousands of devotees at the Sangam Ghat, braving the cold and taking the dip.

The second sacred bathing ritual (snan) of Magh Mela will be held on Makar Sankranti, on January 15 in Prayagraj. After the successful Paush Purnima snan, in which over 31 lakh devotees took a holy dip, the Mela administration is preparing for the upcoming Makar Sankranti Snan.

The administration has implemented high-security measures, with UP ATS mobile patrol squads monitoring the Magh Mela area.

Informing on the security arrangements, SP Magh Mela Neeraj Pandey said that around 10,000 police personnel have been deployed and surveillance is ongoing to ensure “a safe snaam.”

“Keeping Makar Sankranti in view, the police have made complete arrangements. Around 10,000 police personnel are deployed. 22 PAC, 6 RAF, NDRF, ATS, and civil police personnel are deployed in large numbers. The water police are continuously patrolling… Surveillance is being conducted through drone cameras and CCTV cameras… Full preparations are in place, and everyone is being ensured a safe ‘snaan’,” the SP told ANI.

Additionally, Magh Mela Officer Rishi Raj informed that by 6 AM, over 9 lakh people had taken a dip, adding that “the entire police force has been deployed on the spot.”

“Even on the occasion of Ekadashi, many people are taking a bath. By 6 AM, around 9 lakh 50 thousand people have already taken a bath, and devotees are bathing at all our ghats…Makar Sankranti is tomorrow, but since it’s January 14th, people are still coming to bathe today, and our entire police force is deployed on the spot…and monitoring is being done at all places,” the officer said.

Soumya Agarwal, Divisional Commissioner, Prayagraj, assured the safety during the snaan on Makar Sankranti.

“The police and security personnel have been properly briefed, and heavy security has been deployed to ensure a safe bath during the festival….We are expecting over 1 crore devotees on Makar Sankranti for the holy dip,” she stated

In addition to Prayagraj, devotees also took a holy dip in the River Saryu and offered prayers on Makar Sankranti in Ayodhya.

On the other hand, West Bengal minister Sujit Bose said that elaborate arrangements have been made for the Gangasagar Mela, adding that “such a huge gathering has not been organised anywhere else in the country.”

“The Mamata Banerjee government has made elaborate arrangements for the mela… Giving the status of a national mela to the Gangasagar mela is upto the people. People have seen the kinds of arrangements made here. Such a huge gathering is not organised anywhere else in India…,” Bose told ANI. (ANI)

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) said his administration’s tariff policy is the cornerstone of what he described as the “strongest and fastest economic turnaround” in the country’s history, asserting that it brought hundreds of billions of dollars pouring into the United States Treasury and “helped curb inflation”.

He said steep duties on imported goods, particularly automobiles, have driven record investment and boosted wages across sectors.

Speaking at the Detroit Economic Club after touring Ford Motor Company’s historic River Rouge Complex, Trump said, “I am back in Michigan to report to you on the strongest and fastest economic turnaround in our country’s history. Under our administration, growth is exploding, productivity is soaring, investment is booming, incomes are rising, inflation is defeated, and America is respected again. Just as I promised you, I’ve imposed a 25 per cent tariff on all foreign automobiles,” adding that the move had transformed the domestic auto sector.

“U.S. auto factories are now seeing more than $70 billion of new investment, and much of that money is coming right here to the car-making capital of the world, Detroit,” he said.

Defending his broader tariff strategy, Trump claimed it had delivered substantial fiscal gains. “They brought hundreds of billions of dollars pouring into the United States Treasury, helped curb inflation, and helped cut the federal budget deficit by a staggering 27 per cent and that’s only for a short period of time,” he said.

Rejecting criticism that tariffs raise prices for consumers, Trump added, “Every prediction the critics made about our tariff policy has failed to materialise. The evidence shows overwhelmingly that the tariffs are not paid by American consumers. They’re paid by foreign nations and middlemen. Once again, the so-called ‘experts’ were 100 per cent wrong and Trump was right.”

Earlier on Monday, Trump said that the Country would be “screwed” if the Supreme Court rules against his administration’s tariff policies, calling such a scenario a “complete mess” that could cost trillions of dollars. His remarks came as the Supreme Court is expected to release opinions on Wednesday, with potential rulings on Trump’s tariffs.

“The actual numbers that we would have to pay back if, for any reason, the Supreme Court were to rule against the United States of America on Tariffs, would be many Hundreds of Billions of Dollars, and that doesn’t include the amount of ‘payback’ that Countries and Companies would require for the Investments they are making on building Plants, Factories, and Equipment, for the purpose of being able to avoid the payment of Tariffs,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Further, Trump also attacked the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare, saying it had enriched insurers at the cost of ordinary Americans.

“Obamacare was a gift to make health insurance companies rich at the expense of the American People,” he said, announcing that his administration would unveil a new healthcare affordability framework later this week.

“I want the money to go directly to the people, so they can buy the healthcare that’s right for them. That’s why later this week, I’ll announce our healthcare affordability framework that will reduce premiums for millions.”

Listing what he called fulfilled campaign promises, Trump said, “Over the past 12 months, almost every promise I made to you right here in 2024 has been kept. I gave you the largest tax cuts in American history,” adding that interest on car loans had been made fully tax-deductible but only for vehicles “stamped with the beautiful words, ‘Made in the USA.'”

On energy prices, Trump claimed sharp declines in fuel costs. “We have gas stations in the Detroit area where you can fill up for less than $2.30 a gallon, whereas two years ago, it was $4.50,” he said.

Criticising the Biden administration, Trump further claimed his administration had sharply reduced America’s trade imbalance. “Under Biden, we had the highest trade deficit ever recorded, losing more than $1 trillion every single year. We’ve slashed that gaping trade deficit by, in a short period of time, 62 per cent,” he said.

On foreign investment, Trump contrasted his record with that of the Biden administration. “In four years of Biden, they secured less than $1 trillion of new investment in the United States. In less than one year, I have secured commitments for over $18 trillion dollars from all over the world, the most ever for any country,” he said. (ANI)

Iran is set to witness more brutality as the administration has decided to execute its first protester on Wednesday amid mass arrests of anti-regime protesters, New York Post reported, citing human rights groups.

26-year-old Erfan Soltani is allegedly scheduled to be hanged to death after his arrest during the protests in Karaj last Thursday (local time), the Iran Human Rights (IHR) and National Union for Democracy in Iran (NUFD) NGO groups said.

The NUFD reported that the man’s “only crime is calling for freedom for Iran.”

NUFD is also calling for international support to stop Soltani’s hanging. He is allegedly unable to seek legal advice to defend himself, as reported by New York Post. The protester is being charged with “waging war against God,” a crime punishable by death in Iran.

According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency report on Monday, at the end of the seventeenth day, a total of 614 protest gatherings had been recorded nationwide. These demonstrations took place in 187 cities and covered all 31 provinces of the country. The detention of 18,434 individuals has been confirmed. The agency also said, the deaths of 2,403 protesters have been confirmed. Among those killed, 12 children (individuals under 18 years of age) have been recorded. 147 members of security forces and government supporters have been killed, including at least five civilian supporters of the government.

Meanwhile, amid the continuing protests, exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi on Tuesday (local time) appealed to protesters and the country’s armed forces, asserting that the world not only saw and heard the demonstrators’ courage and voice but is also “taking action”.

He urged citizens to sustain the movement against the Khamenei regime and warned that those responsible for violence would eventually be held accountable. In a video message shared on X, Pahlavi said the US President Donald Trump had responded to the protests, asserting that the voices of Iranians were being heard beyond the country’s borders.

Addressing protesters directly, he said, “My compatriots, as I told you in my previous message, the world not only saw and heard your courage and voice but is taking action. By now, you have undoubtedly heard the message from the President of the United States. Help is on the way.”

Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump said that Iran was on his mind and that he is being apprised on the crackdown on protestors by the regime.

“We’re going to look at the whole situation that’s going on in Iran. Really bad stuff. But the Iran is on my mind when I see the kind of death that is happening over there. We’re going to get some accurate numbers as to what’s happening with regard to the killing,” he said during his gaggle with Press at Joint Base Andrews. (ANI)

Supermodel and actor Milind Soman, who is widely known for promoting an active lifestyle and age-defying fitness, said true fitness goes beyond physical strength and praised megastar Amitabh Bachchan for the way he handles stress and pressure of stardom and enjoys life even in his eighties.

Speaking about fitness and longevity, Soman shared that mental resilience and the ability to stay joyful despite life’s pressures define real well-being. He cited Big B as an example, saying that the legendary actor continues to work actively and live life on his own terms ever after crossing 80 years of age.

The ‘Bajirao Mastani’ actor said Bachchan has seen extreme highs and lows, yet has managed to remain disciplined, focused and enthusiastic.

“At the age of 80 plus, he is still enjoying life to the full. Whatever he wants, he is doing,” Milind told ANI.

The fitness enthusiast, who inspires millions, said Bachchan’s life proves that age is no barrier to staying active, relevant, and fulfilled.

Soman added, “He has been through so much, the stress in his life and in his career (still he continues to stay strong). Amitabh Bachchan is an amazing man, and he is the fittest person that I know in India.”

Milind, who founded the women’s run Pinkathon in 2012, said the idea from the beginning has been to encourage women to adopt a healthy lifestyle through one of the easiest activities, walking and running. “I’m happy to say that a lot of women started running with this initiative. In fact, some women who started with the 3km event are now completing 100km. So, that just shows, one, how enjoyable it can be, how addictive it can be and how amazing your limits are. Or there are no limits at all…”

He continued taking the initiative forward, saying, “So, the idea is to take it to as many cities as possible. From 2012 till now, we have been able to go to 10 or 12 cities. And mostly the metros, major metros. But in the future, we want to go to Tier 2 or Tier 3 cities..”

Ankita Konwar, Founder, Invincible Women, shared, “I really, truly believe that women are so extremely extraordinary,” adding, “What excites me most is the consistency we’re seeing, women returning year after year, moving across distances, and growing stronger with time. Endurance isn’t just physical, it’s mental and emotional too.”

Returning to the capital after six and a half years, the Zydus Pinkathon Delhi will feature race categories from 3 km, Lifelong 5 km, and 10 km to ultradistances of 50 km, 75 km, 100 km, and 100 km relay. Leading the lineup is Commander Priya Khurana, representing the 100K category, followed by Ritu Chandel Handa for the 75K and Arti Limje, a visually impaired runner for the 50K distance.

The event also honours Jaswinder Kaur, 10K category, and Bhavana Saxena, a cancer survivor representing the Lifelong 5K run. Maria Bagatsing, a dedicated babywearing mother, stands as the mascot for the 3K category. (ANI)

Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Harmanpreet Kaur etched her name in history, as she became only the second batter in Women’s Premier League (WPL) history to complete 1,000 runs after Nat Sciver-Brunt.

Kaur achieved this feat against Gujarat Giants (GG) in the ongoing WPL fixture on Tuesday in Navi Mumbai. She slammed a brilliant 71 runs off just 43 balls.

A record-breaking 10th fifty-plus score by Kaur and her crucial partnerships with batters Amanjot Kaur and Nicola Carey guided the Mumbai Indians to a seven-wicket win over the Gujarat Giants at the DY Patil Stadium.

Kaur brought up her 10th fifty-plus score in WPL, most by any batter in the tournament’s history, outdoing Mumbai Indians’ Nat-Sciver Brunt and UP Warriorz skipper Meg Lanning (nine each). Kaur now has 1,016 runs in 30 matches and 29 innings at an average of 46.18 and a strike rate of 146.18, with 10 fifties under her belt.

Kaur also continued her brilliant form against the Giants, after this innings, she has slammed 422 runs at an average of 84.4 and a strike rate of 176.56 against GG, including five fifties.

Kaur shines in successful WPL run-chases, amassing 432 runs in just 12 innings at an impressive average of 72, with five half-centuries and a best score of 95.

Following this victory, the Mumbai Indians have now won all eight games against the Gujarat Giants in the history of the WPL. That remains the only 100% record for a team against an opponent in the competition’s history.

This is the Mumbai Indians’ second consecutive win in the ongoing WPL 2026 season, after losing to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the tournament opener, propelling them to second place. (ANI)

Delhi’s air quality continued to remain a serious concern on Wednesday morning, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 357 at 7 am, falling in the ‘very poor’ category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This marks a further deterioration compared to Tuesday, when the city’s AQI stood at 337.

Several areas across the national capital reported AQI levels well above 300, indicating persistently hazardous conditions for public health. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 366 at 7 am, while Bawana stood at 361. Jahangirpuri witnessed particularly alarming levels, with the AQI touching 420, placing it in the ‘severe’ category. RK Puram recorded an AQI of 407, Dwarka Sector 8 at 403, Punjabi Bagh at 366, Wazirpur at 386, and Chandni Chowk at 397, according to CPCB data.

As per AQI classification, a reading between 0 and 50 is ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’ and 401 to 500 ‘severe’.

Furthermore, as per air quality data available at 7 am, Ahmedabad recorded an AQI of 139, while Bengaluru stood at 88. Chennai’s AQI was recorded at 108, and Hyderabad reported a comparatively better air quality with an AQI of 81. Jaipur registered an AQI of 211, placing it in the ‘poor’ category, while Lucknow recorded 193. Mumbai’s AQI stood at 118, Patna at 136, and Pune at 149, indicating ‘moderate’ air quality levels in these cities.

In addition to deteriorating air quality, Delhi is experiencing an intense cold wave. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), early morning temperatures in the city dropped to around 3-4 degrees Celsius. According to the IMD forecast, similar cold conditions are likely to persist throughout the day.

A day earlier, Delhi woke up to a chilly morning, with temperatures dropping to around 4 degrees Celsius. Cold wave conditions, accompanied by dense fog in several parts of the city, continued to disrupt normal life, affecting visibility and adding to travel-related challenges.

Meanwhile, rehearsals for the 77th Republic Day parade are currently underway at Kartavya Path. (ANI)