Month: January 2026

Singer Prashant Tamang, known for his stint on popular singing reality show ‘Indian Idol’, passed away on Sunday.

Extending condolences, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in a post on X said, “Saddened by the sudden and untimely demise today of Prashant Tamang, the popular singer of ‘ Indian Idol’ fame and an artist of national renown. His roots in our Darjeeling hills and one-time association with Kolkata Police made him particularly dear to us in Bengal. I convey my condolences to his family, friends, and countless followers.”

Tributes and condolences have been pouring in across social media, with many expressing shock over the singer’s sudden passing.

Fellow artist Amit Paul took to his Instagram story and wrote, “How’s it even fair!!! Keep smiling Dosti!!! The world won’t be the same without you!!! I still cannot process this… My brother, my friend, my dosti @prashanttamangofficial has left for the heavenly abode… I can’t believe I’m having to write this.”

BJP MP Raju Bista from Darjeeling also reacted to the news and shared a lengthy tribute to the late singer.

“The untimely demise of Prashant Tamang, the popular singer and actor who shone brightly on the stage of Indian Idol across the entire Hindi and Nepali music worlds, has left the entire realm of art and music, including Hindi and Nepali, stunned and deeply heartbroken,” a part of his statement read.

Bista, while remembering his journey in the field of music and acting, added, “Having won “Indian Idol 2007,” Prashant Tamang Ji introduced Nepali songs and music on a broad scale not only to the Gorkhas of India but to the world at large, etching his name among those luminaries who made the talents of Gorkhas renowned on the global stage in the field of music. After clinching the Indian Idol title, he did not confine himself solely to the field of music but entered the world of acting alongside singing in the Nepali blockbuster film ‘Gorkha Paltan,’ and thereafter worked in dozens of films.”

Nagaland Minister Temjen Imna Along also paid his homage, remembering Tamang as his “dear friend.”

Hailing from West Bengal’s Darjeeling, Prashant Tamang was the winner of Indian Idol Season 3. Besides cementing his position in music, he also entered acting, famously appearing in ‘Paatal Lok Season 2’.

He is also expected to be a part of Salman Khan’s upcoming film, ‘Battle of Galwan’. (ANI)

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday took a sharp jibe at US President Donald Trump for backing anti-government protests in Iran, telling him to “manage his own country” instead of commenting on Iran’s internal affairs.

In a message posted on X, Khamenei accused the US President of encouraging unrest in Iran while failing to address serious problems at home.

“The President of the United States declared that if the Iranian government did this or that, he would side with the rioters. The rioters have placed their hopes in him. If he is so competent, let him manage his own country then,” Khamenei wrote.

Khamenei’s remarks came after Trump said the United States was “ready to help” Iranian protesters, as demonstrations across the country entered their second week.

Trump made the remarks in a post on Truth Social. Trump said, “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”

The Supreme Leader’s comments reflect growing tension between Tehran and Washington as protests spread across Iran.

The unrest is now being seen as one of the most serious challenges to Khamenei’s authority in recent years.

Earlier, Khamenei also accused the US administration of being behind the large-scale protests in Iran.

Speaking at a public interaction, Khamenei said protestors were acting to please the President of America.

“There are also those whose work is destruction. Last night in Tehran, and in some other places, a bunch of vandals came and destroyed a building belonging to their own country. For example, suppose they destroyed a certain building or a wall, just to please the President of America. Because he said… some irrelevant nonsense… that “if the government of Iran does such and such, I will come to the side… I will take your side.” The side of these rioters and individuals who are harmful to the country. These people have their hopes pinned on him. If he can, let him manage his own country! In his own country, various incidents are occurring,” Khamenei was reported as saying by Iranian state media.

Trump has repeatedly voiced support for Iranian protesters and has warned Iranian authorities against using force to suppress demonstrations. He has also threatened military action if protesters are killed, further escalating tensions between the two countries.

While Trump has focused on developments in Iran, protests have also taken place within the United States. On Saturday, thousands of people marched through the streets of Minneapolis, protesting the killing of a woman by a federal immigration agent earlier this week.

Protesters gathered outside federal buildings in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday (local time) evening as people took to the streets in cities across the US to demonstrate against immigration operations in the days after an ICE agent shot and killed a woman in Minnesota, as per CNN.

Protesters on Alameda Street are said to be seen with upside-down American flags and handmade anti-ICE posters.The street was also the site of clashes between protesters and police in June last year, when crowds gathered to rally against immigration raids and US President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard, CNN reported.

Police have blocked off the nearby intersection with squad cars and officers, and much of the crowd has dispersed, according to video reviewed by CNN.

However, a small group of demonstrators appeared unyielding as police tried to usher them away from the buildings.The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) issued a dispersal order along the stretch of Alameda Street where protesters gathered. The department wrote on X on Saturday night, telling demonstrators, “You must leave the area.” (ANI)

At least eight people were killed and 12 others injured after an explosion struck a house in Islamabad’s Sector G-7/2 during wedding celebrations on Sunday. Officials confirmed that the bride and groom were among the deceased, Dawn reported.

Officials said multiple guests were present at the venue when the blast occurred.

Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences spokesperson Aneeza Jalil said six bodies and 11 injured people were brought to the hospital, where the injured were receiving treatment. She told Dawn that an emergency was imposed at Pims following the incident on the directives of Executive Director Rana Imran Sikander.

Jalil also said one injured person was being treated at the hospital’s burns centre after sustaining 20 per cent burn injuries.

Following the explosion, Islamabad Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Sahibzada Yusuf reached the site on the directives of Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon.

Yusuf told media persons that at least four houses were damaged in the blast and confirmed that the deceased included the bride and groom, Dawn reported.

Yusuf further stated that besides the bodies and injured taken to Pims, two other bodies and one injured person were shifted to the Capital Hospital.

He said the explosion took place at a wedding venue where guests were also present, adding that all those trapped had been rescued from the rubble using “advanced technology”.

According to Dawn, Yusuf said rescue teams were continuing checks using specialised equipment and that an inquiry had been ordered to determine the cause of the blast, though the incident appeared to be linked to a cylinder explosion.

Islamabad Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa also told the media that the explosion seemed to have resulted from a gas leak.

He said one of the houses had been demolished in the incident, and arrangements had been made to bring the bodies to a ground near the site before shifting them to a graveyard, Dawn reported.

Hanif Masih, the father of the deceased groom, told the media that the wedding was held on Saturday and the family returned home late at night.

“At the time of the incident (explosion), I was present at home but sleeping in a separate room adjacent to the house. I woke up after hearing a loud explosion and rushed to the place of the incident, but by that time everything had already been destroyed,” he said.

Masih said his son, daughter-in-law and sister-in-law were among those killed, while his daughter and other family members were admitted to the hospital. He declined to speak further, saying he was overwhelmed with grief.

A statement issued by the Senate Secretariat said Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani expressed grief over the incident that took place “during a wedding” and extended condolences to the bereaved families, Dawn reported.

“This is a heart-wrenching incident that turned celebrations into mourning for a family,” the statement quoted him as saying, adding that he raised concern over gas cylinder explosions.

“Such incidents demand that relevant departments fulfil their responsibilities seriously and ensure safety measures,” he said, stressing the need for an effective strategy to curb the “unsafe use of gas cylinders”.

He also called for compliance with laws and greater public awareness of safety measures. (ANI)

Delhi Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, has taken a major and far-reaching step to strengthen the city’s drainage system as part of its resolve to develop Delhi into a modern, global and developed capital.

Four major drains, Mundka Halt-Supplementary Drain, MB Road Storm Water Drain, Kirari-Rithala Trunk Drain, and the Storm Water Drain along Rohtak Road (NH-10) are being developed as key components of the ‘Drainage Master Plan’.

The Delhi government has accelerated the construction and expansion work of these major trunk drains.

The Chief Minister informed that the ‘Drainage Master Plan’ for Delhi’s sewerage and drainage system was originally prepared in the 1970s. Despite rapid population growth and large-scale construction activity, the plan did not undergo the required revisions, resulting in an increasingly severe drainage situation over the years.

She said that the present government has introduced effective changes keeping in view Delhi’s geographical conditions, recurring waterlogging and population pressure, and drainage infrastructure is now being constructed accordingly, so that the national capital does not face waterlogging and related problems in the future.

CM Gupta believes that the true identity of any metropolis lies in a robust, scientific and forward-looking drainage system. With this vision, the Delhi Government has prioritised those areas of the capital where residents have long suffered from waterlogging, overloaded sewer lines and related issues. These long-standing problems will now be resolved, bringing relief to the people of Delhi.

To address drainage issues in the Kirari, Mundka, Bawana and Nangloi Assembly constituencies of West Delhi, a 4.5-kilometre-long trunk drain is proposed to be constructed parallel to the railway line. The project is being implemented by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department.

The estimated cost of the drain is Rs. 220.93 crore, and it is designed to handle rainwater from a catchment area of 1,520 acres. The discharge capacity of the drain has been fixed at 760 cusecs to ensure uninterrupted drainage even during peak monsoon rainfall.

The drain will originate near Mundka Halt Station and will run along the railway corridor before merging with the Supplementary Drain. A key feature of this project is the water from several secondary drains along the route will also be integrated into it, creating a unified and streamlined drainage system for the entire area.

The work is proposed within railway land limits, for which an MoU has already been signed with the Railways. Administrative and financial approvals are expected shortly, after which the project is targeted to be completed within 15 months.

Waterlogging has been a persistent and serious issue in South Delhi, particularly in the stretch from Lado Sarai T-Point to Pul Prahladpur. Keeping this in view, the MB Road Storm Water Drain project has been incorporated into the ‘Drainage Master Plan’. Under this project, the total road length is 11.38 kilometres, while the combined length of drains on both sides will be 22.76 kilometres.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 387.84 crore, and it is scheduled to be completed within 2.5 years, including six months of pre-construction and two years of construction. The project is being executed by the Public Works Department (PWD) of the Delhi Government.

This project is particularly important as existing stormwater drains in several locations are either inadequate in capacity or have been damaged during other construction activities. Additionally, provisions have been made for the transplantation or felling of around 500 trees, construction of footpaths, and shifting of electricity, Delhi Jal Board and other utility services.

Another significant project is the construction of a 7,200-metre-long trunk drain from Kirari to Rithala (near Rohini) in North-West Delhi. This Delhi Development Authority (DDA) project has an estimated cost of Rs. 250.21 crore, with a designed discharge capacity of 1,160 cusecs. At present, approximately 600 metres of construction work has been completed. The remaining work had been stalled due to pending permission for the felling of 84 trees, an issue that has now been resolved.

In addition, improvement work on the stormwater drain along Rohtak Road (NH-10) is being carried out on a war footing to strengthen the drainage system. Under this PWD project, construction and improvement of drains on both sides are underway from Kirari Suleman Drain near Nangloi Railway Metro Station to Hirankudna Drain (from Metro Pillar No. 428 to 626), and from Tikri Border to Hirankudna Drain (from Metro Pillar No. 753 to 626).

The estimated cost of this project is Rs. 184 crore, out of which the Government of India has provided Rs. 105 crore in 2025-26 under the ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)’ scheme. The project is targeted for completion by March 2026.

The Chief Minister stated that Delhi’s ‘Drainage Master Plan’ has been prepared keeping in view the city’s rapid urbanisation, climate change and population pressure. Its objective is to enhance the capacity of major trunk drains to ensure safe and swift discharge of rainwater into the Yamuna, reduce pressure on the sewerage system, and provide a permanent solution to the problem of waterlogging.

She added that these efforts represent a concrete and decisive step towards making Delhi’s drainage infrastructure future-ready. Once completed, these projects will provide lasting relief to large parts of the capital from recurring monsoon waterlogging. (ANI)

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of spreading hatred and playing politics of religion in the state.

He criticised the BJP for allegedly misrepresenting former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi’s speech in the Delhi Assembly and said such actions aim to incite people and spread misinformation.

Addressing a press conference here, Mann said, “BJP is doing politics of religion, politics of hatred. They are attempting to incite religious sentiments in Punjab through actions which could not even be thought of.”

“In the Delhi Assembly, Atishi’s voice was used, and they gave subtitles arbitrarily, attempting to pass it off as disrespect for Guru Sahib. Forensics examined the video and gave a report that she did not even utter the word ‘Guru’,” he added.

Mann claimed that the BJP had done similar things in the past, dubbing one slogan as something entirely different, since their policy was to “instigate people and spread misinformation”.

“This is the disgusting mindset of the BJP. They had been doing this in the past, too. One slogan is raised, and it is dubbed as something entirely different. Their policy is to instigate people and spread misinformation. I strongly condemn this. It is they who actually did sacrilege by mentioning the names of Gurus in the subtitles. They are anti-Punjab and hate Punjabis a lot,” the Punjab CM said.

Earlier, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi President Saurabh Bharadwaj, along with other party leaders, reached Raj Ghat in the national capital to protest against the BJP over the alleged circulation of a doctored video of Delhi Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Atishi.

AAP MLA Jarnail Singh accused the BJP of conspiring to divert attention from key issues concerning the national capital.

“The BJP government has resorted to a very cheap conspiracy to sideline the real issues of Delhi in this assembly session. The opposition had to ask the government so many questions pertaining to the issues of the people of Delhi, but a conspiracy by a BJP MLA, in which he doctored a video of LoP Atishi, is an example of their corrupt thoughts,” Singh said.

According to a forensic report dated January 9, the word “Guru” was not uttered by Atishi in the audio clips circulating on social media, a release said.

“Vide Forensic Report dated January 9, 2026, it has emerged that the word ‘Guru’ has not been uttered by Atishi in her audio as contained in the video clips being circulated on social media. Furthermore, there has been deliberate doctoring of the video to attribute words in the captions that were never spoken by Atishi,” the release further clarified.

Further investigation into the matter is underway, police said. (ANI)

With Makar Sankranti just a few days away, Gujarat is gearing up for the International Kite Festival, one of the biggest highlights of the state’s Uttarayan celebrations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad on January 12. The three-day festival will run till January 14 and will see participation from 135 international kite enthusiasts representing 50 countries. Alongside them, 65 flyers from across India and 871 local participants from Gujarat will take part in the event.

Ahead of the main inauguration, kite-flying activities began on January 10 in cities including Rajkot, Surat and Dholavira. People were seen gathering in large numbers on terraces and open grounds, flying kites and celebrating the festive atmosphere.

The Rann of Kutch also witnessed early celebrations, with kite flyers setting up against the vast landscape. The atmosphere in the region was lively as colourful kites filled the sky and drew attention from both locals and tourists.

Anup Nair, a member of the Force India Kite Team representing Kerala, said he was happy to be part of the festival once again. Speaking to ANI, he said, “I have come to represent Kerala on behalf of the Force India Kite Team and participate in Gujarat’s International Kite Festival. Today, we are in the Rann of Kutch, which is a very beautiful place. More than 150 kite flyers from India and abroad are participating in this festival. This festival makes the sky colourful and fills people with excitement.”

Similar scenes were witnessed in Rajkot, where both locals and visitors joined the celebrations. Emma, a tourist who travelled to India to attend the festival, shared her experience on the first day. “This is the first day and already I’m having so much fun. I’ve been visiting the festival for the last two years. I’ve been excited for this for months. The weather is good and the wind is picking up, so we’re hoping to fly our biggest kite, which is about 30 metres long,” she said.

The International Kite Festival will also be held at Shivrajpur near the Statue of Unity and Ekta Nagar on January 11. Events are scheduled in Ahmedabad from January 12 to 14, while Vadodara will host celebrations on January 13. (ANI)

Long-time couple Nupur Sanon and Stebin Ben are now officially husband and wife! The couple got married in a dreamy Christian ceremony on Saturday, surrounded by their close friends and family members, confirmed a source close to the couple.

It was followed by a glamorous cocktail party in the evening.

Actors Disha Patani and Mouni Roy, who were among the selected guests at the wedding, took to their Instagram stories and offered glimpses from the Udaipur venue. The divas looked stunning, dressed in day gowns as they attended Nupur and Stebin’s wedding ceremony.

Kriti Sanon’s rumoured boyfriend, Kabir Bahia, also shared a picture, showing him posing with film producer Dinesh Vijan and filmmaker Amar Kaushik, both known for their recent works with Kriti.

Adding more to the buzz, celebrity fashion stylist Sukriti Grover shared glimpses from the wedding celebrations. Celebrity makeup artist Aasif Ahmed also appeared to be present at the grand wedding celebrations.

In one of the pictures, Aasif could be posing in front of a mirror beautifully adorned with white flowers and soft greenery. Nupur’s and Stebin’s names could be seen perfectly inscribed on the mirror, bringing a romantic charm to their white wedding.

In the meantime, Nupur Sanon and Stebin Ben’s pre-wedding festivities were nothing short of a Bollywood spectacle. Held in a lavish pink setting, the Sangeet ceremony saw the dance floor come alive with energy and joy. Nupur, her sister and Bollywood star Kriti Sanon, and other close friends set the stage on fire with their moves.

In a key highlight, Kriti and her mother joyfully performed ‘Dil Tu Jaan Tu’ for the couple, followed by a high-energy performance by the ‘Mimi’ actor and her ‘Arjun Patiala’ co-star Varun Sharma on the Lollipop song, the source shared.

For the Haldi ceremony, the couple made a cheerful entry to popular Hindi songs, which was followed by a fun-filled round of games, dance, music, and more. Many of their close friends and family members were present at the celebrations, including producer Raghav Sharma and actor Varun Sharma.

Photos and videos from the festivities are already going viral, and fans can’t get enough of the heartwarming glimpses.

But the celebrations don’t stop there!

The couple is expected to fulfil the ‘pheras’ in a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony on Sunday.

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As the wedding celebrations continue, fans and well-wishers have flooded social media platforms with love for the newlyweds, as many eagerly await the official pictures. (ANI)

‘Pyaar Ka Punchnama’ director Abhishek Pathak and actor Shivaleeka Oberoi are set to embrace parenthood for the first time, with the soon-to-be mom sharing her first-ever pregnancy photos.

Taking to her Instagram handle, Shivaleeka offered glimpses of her baby bump with a series of adorable pictures. “Holding onto this,” she wrote in the caption.

In the pictures, a cheerful Shivaleeka could be seen delicately caressing her baby bump as she posed for the camera.

She kept it simple with a plain tank top and a baggy pair of denims. In her Instagram story, the ‘Khuda Haafiz’ star playfully added, “When you finally have the courage to post but not the permission.”

Earlier in December 2025, the couple announced the pregnancy news amid the Christmas festivities. “Our love story has found its sweetest verse — a tiny blessing is joining our universe,” they wrote on social media.

Abhishek and Shivaleeka tied the knot on February 9, 2023, in Goa after dating for a few years. Their wedding reception was a star-studded affair with the presence of ‘Pyaar Ka Punchnama’ cast Kartik Aaryan, Sunny Singh, Nushrratt Bharuccha and Ishita Raj Sharma.

Actor Ajay Devgn graced the couple’s wedding with his nephew Aaman Devgan.

They had a dreamy proposal in Turkey, where Abhishek Pathak popped the question to Shivaleeka Oberoi under the hot air balloons. The grand proposal video also did the rounds on social media.

On the work front, Abhishek Pathak is set to bring the much-awaited ‘Drishyam 3’, marking the return of Ajay Devgn’s Vijay Salgaonkar.

The makers recently announced the film’s release on October 2, 2026.

Shooting for the much-awaited third instalment of the popular franchise is currently in full swing.

Presented by Star Studio18, ‘Drishyam 3’ is a Panorama Studios production. Directed by Abhishek Pathak and written by Abhishek Pathak, Aamil Keeyan Khan and Parveez Shaikh, it is produced by Alok Jain, Ajit Andhare, Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathak. (ANI)

Bollywood star Alia Bhatt took a moment to celebrate fellow artist Yami Gautam following the release of her recent courtroom drama ‘HAQ’. She not only called up Yami to share her thoughts but also gave her a major shoutout on social media.

Taking to her Instagram story, Alia penned a heartfelt note, calling herself a “Yami fan”.

“Queen @yamigautam you are pure craft, heart and all things gold for Haq! One of my top female performances of all time.. As I mentioned over the phone too..am a Yami fan waiting eagerly for all your work to once again charm and entertain us all,” Alia wrote on Instagram.

In response to Alia Bhatt’s post, Yami couldn’t help but cherish their heartfelt conversation. She reshared Alia’s post and wrote, “It takes a brilliant actor & gem of a person herself to be so generous with her perspective! Have always admired your work & ethics, Alia! Such a heartfelt & honest conversation we had this morning! To many more of such moments & always rooting for one each other… celebrating this empowerment today & everyday!!!”

With her response, Alia Bhatt joined the list of celebrities who have hailed ‘HAQ’ and the powerful performances by Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi.

Earlier, stars like Kiara Advani and Sanjay Kapoor also heaped praise on Yami.

The film ‘HAQ’ is based on the 1985 Supreme Court judgement in Mohd. Ahmed Khan vs Shah Bano Begum, a landmark case concerning women’s rights and maintenance laws in India.

Directed by Suparn S Varma, ‘HAQ’ also features Vartika Singh, Danish Husain, Sheeba Chadha, and Aseem Hattangady in key roles.

Produced under the banner of Junglee Pictures, ‘Haq’ is backed by Vineet Jain, Vishal Gurnani, Juhi Parekh Mehta, and Harman Baweja. The movie was released in theatres on November 7, 2025. (ANI)

Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar on Sunday criticised the law and order situation in West Bengal following an alleged attack on Leader of Opposition (LoP) Suvendu Adhikari’s convoy.

Speaking to the media at Bagdogra airport in Siliguri, Majumdar said, “Law and order situation is very bad in the state of West Bengal, that much I can say.”

When asked whether the Election Commission could conduct free and fair elections in the state, Majumdar said that violence has no place in a democracy. “They have to do so because it is the demand of democracy. Elections should be free and fair, and they should be devoid of any kind of violence. Violence is not at all acceptable in a democracy. It has no place in democracy,” he said.

The remarks came a day after Suvendu Adhikari alleged that his convoy was attacked by Trinamool Congress workers on Chandrakona Road in Paschim Medinipur district on Saturday night, while he was returning from Purulia. Following the incident, Adhikari staged a protest inside the Chandrakona Police Station, demanding that an FIR be registered against those involved.

Adhikari accused the ruling TMC of attempting to eliminate the BJP from the state ahead of elections. Claiming that senior TMC youth and labour wing leaders were involved, he said he had submitted names to the police and demanded immediate arrests.

In a post on X, Adhikari alleged, “The very guardians of law stood by like mute spectators. This is not just an attack on me; it’s an assault on every voice of opposition in West Bengal. The TMC’s desperation is showing, resorting to thuggery because they can’t face the heat of the people’s rising anger. I am now sitting on a dharna inside the Chandrakona Police Station, demanding immediate action & arrests. The people of Bengal deserve better than this lawless dictatorship. I will not budge until accountability is enforced.” (ANI)