The stock market on Monday ended on a negative note with Nifty at 26,250.

At close, the Sensex was down 322.39 points or 0.38% at 85,439.62, and the Nifty was down 78.25 points or 0.30% at 26,250.30.

The mid and small-cap indices outperformed, with the BSE Midcap index inching up by 0.05% and the Smallcap index rose by 0.07%.

Among the sectors, indices ended on a mixed note. Nifty Realty rose 2.07% while IT fell 1.43%.

Further, the Consumer Durables index rose 1.12%, while the Oil and Gas index fell 1.02%. FMCG was up 0.68%, Media was up by 0.62%, and Metal was up by 0.60%. Nifty Bank fell 0.18%.

The top gainers on the Nifty were Nestle India up by 2.76%, BEL up by 2.53%, and Eicher Motors up by 2.17%.

Around 27 stocks ended in the red, including HDFC Bank (2.31%), Wipro (2.23%), and Infosys (2.21%), which ended as the top losers.

Out of 4,471 stocks traded on the BSE, 1,723 advanced, while 2,545 declined.

Some 203 stocks remained unchanged. Around 209 stocks hit their 52-week highs while some 144 stocks hit their 52-week lows on the BSE.

Those hitting high were Reliance, SBI, Maruti Suzuki India, Mahindra and Mahindra, Larsen and Toubro, and Titan Company.

Tata Chemicals, Page Industries, Vedant Fashions, Embassy Developments, Concord Biotech, and Cohance Lifesciences hit their 52-week lows.

Indian Rupee traded weakly by 9 paise to 90.27 against the dollar amid geopolitical tensions and curtailed foreign inflows.

Metal shares extended their rally for a fifth straight session.

Hindustan Copper led the gains, rising about 3%, Steel Authority of India advanced 2%, while APL Apollo Tubes gained 1.87%.

Tata Steel, Jindal Stainless, Hindalco Industries, and JSW Steel were also among the gainers, rising up to 2%.

Bharat Electronics (BEL) shares gained nearly 3%. Further, BEML, Astra Microwave Products, Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), Bharat Dynamics (BDL), Data Patterns India, and Solar Industries shares rose more than 2% each.

The Ahmedabad Polo Tournament, Gujarat’s biggest polo event, ended on Sunday after three days of intense competition, equestrian sports, and cultural performances.

Organised by the Gujarat Polo Association and supported by the Adani Group, the event’s final day blended sports with entertainment. It started with a dance performance and an exciting Trone Act, creating a festive atmosphere for the evening. Equestrian demonstrations highlighted the discipline and skill involved in horse sports.

A key highlight of the third and final day was the match between Apollo Aviators and Lion’s Den Legends, the two women’s teams in the tournament. In a closely fought encounter, Lion’s Den Legends edged past Apollo Aviators 4–3. Sanjula Mann scored all three goals for Apollo Aviators, while Dr. Shivangi Jai Singh led Lion’s Den Legends with three goals. Lavanya Shekhawat was the other goal-scorer.

The men’s final between Mayfair Polo and Pune Warriors then took centre stage, ending with an exciting finish. Both teams were tied at 7–7 at regulation’s end, but Pune Warriors secured the victory and the title by scoring the Golden Goal, ending 8-7.

Lance Watson was the key player for Pune Warriors with seven goals, complemented by one from Major Anant Rajpurohit. For Mayfair Polo, Dino Dhankhar and Daniel Otamendi each scored three goals, while Lt. Col Vishal Chauhan added one. The tournament wrapped up with a felicitation and prize distribution ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, Arpan Gupta, Promoter of Gujarat Polo Club, said, “The response to the Ahmedabad Polo Tournament has exceeded our expectations. From the quality of play to the enthusiasm of the spectators, the tournament reflects the growing interest in polo in Gujarat. Our objective was to celebrate the sport’s heritage while making it engaging and accessible for a wider audience, and I believe we have achieved that.”

Sanjay Paladia, Promoter of Gujarat Polo Club, said, “This tournament has demonstrated that Ahmedabad has both the appetite and infrastructure to host polo at a national level. The participation of leading national and international players, the inclusion of women’s teams, the standard of competition, and the scale of the event point to a strong future for polo in Gujarat. We see this as the beginning of a long-term sporting tradition.”

The Ahmedabad Polo Tournament, now successfully concluded, has established itself as an event that connects sport, culture, and heritage, setting the stage for the revival of the “king of games” in the state.

Aadya Baheti and Rajdeep Biswas registered comfortable wins to be crowned the U-11 girls’ singles and U-11 boys’ singles champions, respectively, in the WTT Youth Contender 2026, presented by Sports Authority of Gujarat, at the SAMA Indoor Sports Complex in Vadodara on Monday.

In the U-11 girls’ singles final, Aadya defeated Sakshya Santosh 15-13, 11-8, 12-10, while Biswas got the better of Sharvil Karambelkar 11-8, 11-6, 11-13, 11-4 to win the boys’ singles final.

The second edition of the WTT Youth Contender, hosted by the Table Tennis Association of Baroda and implemented by UTT, will feature a total of 226 players competing across U-11 to U-19 age categories.

In the boys’ U-15 event, Vivaan Dave defeated Rishaan Chattopadhyay 9-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-3 to advance to the quarterfinals. He will now face Rudra Jena, who got the better of U-13 boys’ singles champion Dev Pranav Bhatt 11-4, 11-8, 11-5.

U-15 girls’ singles top seed Ankolika Chakraborty, second seed Naisha Rewaskar, and the up-and-coming Tanishka Kalbhairav also booked their last eight spot with comfortable wins over their respective opponents.

The top seeds in the U-19 girls’ and boys’ singles also advanced to the quarterfinals without breaking much sweat.

Earlier on Sunday, defending champion Syndrela Das, top seed Divyanshi Bhowmick, and Japan’s Miku Matsushima began their girls’ U-19 singles campaign with impressive wins in their respective groups in the WTT Youth Contender 2026.

Syndrela, who clinched the U-17 title on Saturday, defeated Archismita Mahato 11-7, 11-7, 11-8 in Group 3, while Divyanshi defeated Shrestha Kontham 11-4, 11-3, 11-7 in Group 1.

In Group 2, Miku began with an 11-3, 11-6, 11-4 win over Gunjan Kumar. The top seeds in the boys’ U-19 category were also assured of a spot in the knockout stage, as they registered two wins each in their respective groups.

The U-15 top seeds also advanced to the knockout stage with comfortable wins in their groups.

Last week, Syndrela Das and Rupam Sardar registered comfortable victories to clinch the U-17 girls and U-17 boys singles titles in the WTT Youth Contender 2026 at the SAMA Indoor Sports Complex, while Divija Paul and Dev Pranav Bhat were crowned the U-13 girls and boys champions, respectively.

In his first reaction after the Supreme Court denied him bail in the 2020 Delhi riots larger conspiracy case, jailed activist Umar Khalid on Monday said that he was relieved after other accused were granted bail.

“I am really happy for others who got bail!! So relieved,” Khalid told his partner Banojyotsna Lahiri, who shared the conversation on X.

When she said that she will visit him in jail on Tuesday, the activist responded: “Good good, aa jana. Ab yehi zindagi hai (this is my life now).”

Khalid and Sarjeel Imam, another key accused in the case, have been lodged in jail under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) since 2020.

The top court earlier today denied them bail and said that the duo won’t be able to file a fresh bail petition for one year or until the examination of protected accused, whichever is earlier.

However, five other accused, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Mohd Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmed, were granted conditional bail. They were also behind bars for the last five years.

The Supreme Court said Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam’s case stands on a “qualitatively different footing” than that of other accused, both in terms of prosecution and evidence.

Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam cannot apply for bail for one year: What the SC said in Delhi riots case

The top court said the duo played roles that were “central” to the alleged offences.

The apex court also noted that while the period of incarceration for Khalid and Imam has continued and has been long, it still does not violate the constitutional mandate or override the statutory embargo under the law.

Pronouncing the judgement, a Bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and Prasanna B Varale said that a prima facie case is made out against the activist duo, thereby attracting the statutory bar to bail under Section 43D(5) of the UAPA.

Amid the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, Union Minister for Power Manohar Lal, during a two-day visit here, reviewed the progress of hydroelectric projects being executed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC) in the Kishtwar, Reasi and Ramban districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Minister visited three project sites in Kishtwar on Monday and directed officials to ensure the timely completion of the hydropower projects on the Chenab River, a key component of the Indus river system.

After visiting the 1000 mw Pakal Dul project, Manohar Lal wrote on X; “As one of the ambitious energy infrastructure projects in the region, the Pakal Dul Hydro Electric project will play an important role in the all-round development of Jammu and Kashmir in the times to come”.

“During the inspection, an in-depth observation and detailed review of the power station’s operational status, safety arrangements, production capacity and technical activities was carried out in the company of senior officials”.

The Minister also inspected and reviewed the progress of the Kiru (624 mw) and Kwar (540 mw) hydroelectric projects after which he wrote on X; “Necessary directives were issued to the officials and engineers to ensure the completion of these two projects in accordance with high quality, safety standards and stipulated timeline”.

“These projects will not only establish a new benchmark in the production of green and renewable energy in Jammu and Kashmir but will also strengthen regional development and infrastructure, thereby creating direct and indirect employment opportunities for the local people,” said.

Manohar Lal, accompanied by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary (Power), arrived here yesterday to review the NHPC hydroelectric projects in the Union Territory of J&K.

Bhupendra Gupta, CMD, NHPC briefed the Minister on the progress of various NHPC Hydroelectric projects located in Jammu & Kashmir. The two-day visit includes inspections of projects located in the Reasi, Ramban and Kishtwar districts.

The Minister visited NHPC’s Salal Power Project, where he was apprised of the ongoing works. He directed the NHPC to expedite the sediment removal operations of the Salal reservoir.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Salal Power Station, located on the Chenab River in Reasi district, is undertaking sediment removal works following the termination of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), aimed at removing accumulated silt and maximizing optimal utilization of water resources.

During the visit to the Salal Power Station, the Minister undertook a plantation drive within the power station premises, underscoring the Government’s commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development. He also held discussions with the local administration and senior officials of various concerned departments to ensure coordinated efforts for timely execution of works.

Enroute to Kishtwar, Manohar Lal conducted an aerial inspection of the Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project (1856 MW).

Upon arrival in Kishtwar, he visited the Ratle Hydroelectric Project, where he laid the foundation stone for the dam concreting works and encouraged the project team to complete the works in an effective and time-bound manner.

PDP leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday strongly criticised the Supreme Court’s decision denying bail to the key activist Umar Khalid in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case. “The scales of justice are breaking under the burden of injustice”, she remarked.

Reacting sharply to the verdict, Mehbooba Mufti said the ruling exposed glaring double standards in the justice system. “What a travesty of justice. On one hand, Gurmeet Singh, convicted for rape and murder, continues to receive parole after parole. On the other hand, Umar Khalid, merely an accused yet to face trial, has been languishing in jail for over five years & repeatedly denied bail by no less than the Supreme Court of India today,” she wrote on X.

She further remarked, “The scales of justice are breaking under the burden of injustice”.

PDP leader Iltija Mufti also echoed a similar reaction.

Reacting to the Supreme Court verdict, former DGP of J&K, SP Vaid, wrote on X, “Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, booked under the UAPA in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots, must face the full wrath of the Indian justice system. No bail, no mercy. Terrorists, rioters, and separatists should be dealt with in exactly the same manner. In the 2020 Delhi riots, 53 people were killed and over 700 injured. The prosecution has pointed to Sharjeel Imam and his remarks about calling for Assam to be cut off from the rest of India”.

Manchester United are parting ways with their head coach, Ruben Amorim, following a 1-1 draw with Leeds on Sunday at Elland Road. The club announced the news on Monday, informing that Darren Fletcher is set to take charge of the team for the fixture against Burnley from Wednesday. 

The club shared the announcement with the fans on their official website, explaining that the move will help the club to improve its position in the standings.

“Ruben Amorim has departed his role as Head Coach of Manchester United,” said the club’s statement.

 Amorim’s tenure began in November 2024. He led the team to a UEFA Europa League Final in Bilbao in May.

“With Manchester United sitting sixth in the Premier League, the club’s leadership has reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change. This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish. The club would like to thank Ruben for his contribution to the club and wishes him well for the future,” added the statement.

The Red Devils sit in the sixth spot in the Premier League table, with eight wins, seven draws and five losses in 20 games, and have just 31 points, 17 points less than table-toppers Arsenal (48 points). They have drawn their last three fixtures, winning one and losing one.

In their recent Premier League match, Manchester United secured a 1-1 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road. After a quiet first half, Brenden Aaronson netted the opener for Leeds United, capitalising on a defensive lapse of United to put the hosts in front during the 62nd minute of the match. However, United’s Matheus Cunha scored a goal for his side in the 65th minute to level the score at 1-1.

During the closing stages, Leeds’ Noah Okafor and Joel Piroe had the best chances against Daniel Farke’s side but could not convert them as the match ended in a stalemate.

The health condition of veteran Tamil film director and actor Bharathiraja, is stable, the hospital announced today. He has been hospitalised after he complained of breathlessness.

Hospital issues and medical bulletin

In a medical bulletin, the hospital where the veteran director is currently receiving treatment, MGM Healthcare said, “Mr Bharthiraja was admitted with severe lung infection and is currently being treated in the Critical Care Unit. He is on all appropriate treatment for organ impairments and is being closely cared for by our team of medical experts.”

Under treatment and critical care

The hospital further added, “His condition is stable and he will continue to require treatment in the Critical Care Unit.”

Film fraternity visits the veteran director

Senior professionals from the film industry including directors R K Selvamani, director and actor Seeman, producer and actor Chitra Laxmanan, directors Lingusamy, Ameer, A R Murugadoss and Seenu Ramasamy chose to call on the veteran director at the hospital on Monday.

Appeal against false rumours

In a video clip, director R K Selvamani, soon after calling on the family of the veteran director in the hospital, said, “We came down to meet director Bharathiraja. For the last few days, there have been wrong reports on social media and in a section of the media regarding his health. We wanted to clarify the status and therefore called on him today.

“We met the doctor providing treatment to the director. The doctor informed us that director Bharathiraja is in the Intensive Care Unit. All his body organs are functioning well. He has had a bout of Pneumonia and he is in a stable condition,” the director explained.

Selvamani further said, “When we requested the doctor if we could see director Bharathiraja, he said that yesterday, a lot of visitors had called on the director and as a result, his infection had increased. Therefore, he clarified that they were not allowing anyone to reduce the infection. At present, director Bharathiraja is stable.”

“Some people out of eagerness or some people harbouring bad intentions are spreading false rumours. If you truly have affection for the veteran director, please pray for him as it will in a way aid his recovery. Please don’t share false rumours. Irrespective of the news, the family members or the hospital will give it to you. Before that, don’t share news out of your own accord. We have met all the family members and also the chief doctor and enquired about his (Bharathiraja’s) health. We have requested them to issue a medical bulletin daily to stop false rumours from spreading,” the director explained.

The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Dewas, Anand Malviya, who described Madhya Pradesh minister Kailash Vijayvargiya’s “ghanta” remark—made in response to a reporter’s question on deaths caused by contaminated water in Indore—as “inhuman and a symbol of authoritarian behaviour,” has been suspended with immediate effect.

According to the suspension order issued by the Divisional Commissioner of the Ujjain Division on Monday, Malviya was suspended for issuing an official order without proper verification and for negligence in the discharge of his official duties.

The development comes days after Malviya issued a controversial order directing the deployment of revenue staff to maintain law and order during a Congress protest over the deaths allegedly caused by contaminated water in Indore.

Kailash Vijayvargiya regrets using objectionable word over Indore contaminated water deaths

In the order dated January 3, Malviya asserted that people had died after consuming “contaminated and dirty water supplied by the BJP-run municipal corporation” in Indore.

“In Indore, due to the consumption of contaminated and dirty water supplied by the BJP-run municipal corporation, 14 people have died and 2,800 persons are undergoing treatment,” the order stated.

It further said that the “objectionable” remarks made by a state government minister on this sensitive issue were a “sign of inhuman and authoritarian behaviour.”

“On this sensitive issue, the objectionable remark made by a state government minister, including the use of the word ‘ghanta,’ is a sign of inhuman and authoritarian behaviour. The (Congress) State President, Jitu Patwari ji, has taken a decision that, in protest against this incident, BJP MPs and MLAs will be gheraoed,” the order read.

Meanwhile, the Opposition Congress has warned of a massive protest in Indore on January 11 if Vijayvargiya does not resign by then.

“If Kailash Vijayvargiya does not resign by January 11, the entire Madhya Pradesh Congress is ready to hold a massive sit-in protest in Indore on January 11,” Congress leader Jitu Patwari said.

The Komolika star, Urvashi Dholakia rang in the New Year with a fun girls’ trip to Darjeeling with producer Ektaa Kapoor. The two friends were also accompanied by one of their other friends, actress Charu Mehra.

Chasing views and making memories

Urvashi dropped a couple of photos and videos from her lovely getaway in Darjeeling with Ektaa Kapoor on social media. The snippets showed all of them posing in the middle of a lush green landscape, making goofy poses and flaunting their lovely smiles.

“We went chasing views and came back with stories…we may not have had phone signal but our connection was strong we didn’t just travel we felt every moment @ektarkapoor @4umehra Darjeeling u have our hearts.”#travel #diaries #darjeeling #holiday #winter (sic),” Urvashi captioned the post.

 

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A bond beyond the screen

Urvashi is known to have a close bond with the television mogul, Ektaa Kapoor, as the two have worked together in the popular show “Kasautii Zindagii Kay”, where Urvashi played the iconic role of Komolika.

Ektaa’s year-end break and ‘Naagin 7’

Ektaa also shared sneak peeks from her travel diaries. Announcing her year-end break, she posted a video with Urvashi and Charu and penned, “Signing of the year! Loads of ups n even more downs …..launched #naagin7 n left for year end break with two real ichadari Nagins !!! Hope u like d show ! Ratings in the coming year will telll ! JAI MATA DI.”

 

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On December 27, seventh season of Ektaa’s popular ‘Naagin’ franchise premiered. The project stars Priyanka Chahar Choudhary as the lead, along with Alice Kaushik, Karan Kundrra, Eisha Singh, and Namit Paul in crucial roles.

The first season of “Naagin” premiered back in 2015, featuring Mouni Roy, Arjun Bijlani, and Adaa Khan.

Also Read: Naagin 7 cast: Full star lineup from Priyanka Chahar Choudhary to Namik Paul. Find out where to watch episode 1

Maharashtra State Congress Committee President Harshwardhan Sapkal demanded the dismissal of Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar on Monday for allegedly threatening a former Member of Parliament, Haribhai Rathod, in the office premises of the election officer of the Colaba assembly constituency, after the incident’s video went viral last week.

“The conduct of Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar, involving misuse of his office, is a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct. CCTV footage related to this incident has been destroyed. This shows that the Election Commission is not acting honestly. The Election Commission should have registered an offence by now, if not keeping the will of the people in mind, then at least for the sake of its own conscience. But once again, the Election Commission has proved that it is tied to the BJP’s apron strings,” Sapkal told media persons.

Sapkal said that the Congress wrote a letter to the Election Commission demanding an inquiry and action against Narvekar, but the Election Commission asked for evidence. “There is CCTV footage of the incident, but the footage has been destroyed. Action should be taken based on the statements of opposition candidates who were physically stopped and threatened by Narvekar while trying to file their nominations. Although the inquiry report has arrived, it only contains verbal abuses.” Sapkal said.

“Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar has ruined the prestige of that post. Even during his first term as Speaker, Narvekar violated the Inter-Party Prohibition Act and destroyed democracy and the Constitution. So he was given a second chance. Now Narvekar has descended to a lower level to get his relatives elected in the municipal corporation elections. He obstructed the filing of nomination applications by opposition candidates by threatening them, misusing his post. Strict action must be taken against him. Her Excellency President Draupadi Murmu must dismiss Narvekar from the Speaker’s post,” Sapkal said.

”Constitutional authorities like the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Chairman of the Legislative Council, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and the Governor are expected to maintain a non-political stance, since they hold extremely important constitutional positions. However, Rahul Narvekar behaved like a criminal thug and threatened a member of the opposition. Narvekar’s body language, conduct, and intimidation tactics were of an extremely low level. To ensure that a member of his own family was elected unopposed, Narvekar stood blocking the door of the election returning officer and prevented opposition candidates from filing their nomination papers. This behaviour is disgraceful and amounts to misuse of his office,” Sapkal said.

“Haribhau Rathod is a former MP. What kind of behaviour is it to threaten him and issue instructions to withdraw his security? As Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly, Narvekar has begun to consider himself bigger than the Constitution. We had seen horse trading after elections, but now, even before elections, might-is-right methods are being used openly. Those declared as elected unopposed are not popular. Elections are the essence of democracy, but this entire process is being hollowed out. The country will have to face serious consequences due to this,” the Congress leader said.

“The country’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, had six non-Congress ministers in his cabinet. This is our culture and tradition, but the BJP and its Mahayuti do not want any opposition, and they are going to any extent to get elected unopposed. We condemn their shameless game of not allowing opposition candidates to file applications by threatening them with the help of the police and administration. The Election Commission has become a silent witness to this. In a democracy, there is also an option of pressing the ‘None Of The Above’ (NOTA) button, which is part of the right to vote given by the Constitution. Voters should be given the opportunity to use ‘NOTA’ in places where Mahayuti candidates won unopposed,” Sapkal said.

Talking about the issue of the alleged Rs 70,000 crore corruption involving Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Sapkal stated that “Those in power are corrupt, and therefore no one can take action against anyone, nor do they step down from power. However, Ajit Pawar has directly challenged Narendra Modi and Devendra Fadnavis,” Sapkal said.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has revealed that Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol helped notorious criminal Nilesh Ghaywal obtain a passport. “This is an extremely serious matter and a violation of the Passport Act, 1967. Helping notorious criminals travel abroad poses a threat to national security. Therefore, Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol must be made to resign immediately, and the entire matter must be investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI),” Sapkal demanded.

After the release of Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the impact of rising political tensions between India and Bangladesh has begun to spill over into other sports as well.

Former India cricketer and current Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) President Kapil Dev confirmed that the board will hold a meeting to discuss the participation of Bangladeshi golfers in upcoming PGTI events. He clarified that no decision has been taken yet.

“There has been no decision yet regarding the participation of Bangladesh players in the PGTI. A board meeting will be held, after which the matter will be discussed and an update will be shared with everyone,” Kapil Dev told IANS.

Bangladeshi golfers Jamal Hossain, Md Siddikur Rahman, and Md Akbar Hossain are among the notable players currently competing on the PGTI Tour.

Kapil made the statement on the sidelines of the launch of ‘72 The League’, India’s first exclusive franchise-based national professional golf league. On Monday, the league announced the addition of the Noida-based UP Prometheans, owned by Prometheus School, founded in 2019.

The current diplomatic strain between the two neighbouring countries intensified following reports of mob violence against members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh, with several such incidents reported in recent weeks, prompting strong reactions from both governments.

Amid the unrest, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) issued a directive to KKR, co-owned by Shah Rukh Khan, to release Mustafizur Rahman, who was bought for ₹9.20 crore at the IPL mini-auction. The BCCI also permitted the franchise to name a replacement.

In response, the Bangladesh government ordered a ban on the broadcast of all matches of the upcoming IPL season.

“It is hereby informed that a directive issued by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has come to notice, whereby Bangladesh’s star cricketer Mr Mustafizur Rahman has been excluded from the Kolkata Knight Riders team for the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament scheduled to commence on March 26, 2026. No reasonable justification for such a decision by the BCCI is known, and this decision has caused pain, distress, and anger among the people of Bangladesh,” read a statement from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Further escalating the situation, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate all of Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup matches scheduled for February to Sri Lanka, citing security concerns.

As political tensions increasingly influence sporting ties, the repercussions are becoming evident across disciplines. It remains to be seen whether the fallout will remain limited to cricket or extend further into other sports, affecting athletes and fans on both sides of the border.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid floral tributes to former Chief Minister and Governor Kalyan Singh on his 94th birth anniversary, remembering him as a leader who gave true meaning to his name by dedicating his life to the welfare of Uttar Pradesh.

Recalling his tenure, the Chief Minister said, “Kalyan Singh, fondly known as ‘Babuji,’ was the first Chief Minister of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Uttar Pradesh. When he assumed office in 1991, the state was grappling with disorder, lawlessness, rising criminal and terrorist activities, and deep-rooted misgovernance. Villages, farmers, the poor, youth, and women were deprived of the benefits of government schemes, while Hindu society was yearning to break free from centuries of subjugation.”

CM Adityanath said, “Babuji led the first BJP government in the state with a full majority. Within a few months of his leadership, people began to feel a renewed sense of confidence that Uttar Pradesh was moving towards good governance and development, despite repeated conspiracies aimed at destabilising his government and spreading unrest.”

He further stated that at the peak of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, Kalyan Singh prioritised devotion and principle over power. Respecting the sentiments of devotees and saints, he did not hesitate to sacrifice his government for Lord Ram. Though his government fell, he took full responsibility for fulfilling the historic resolve of ending the symbol of slavery, remaining steadfast in his duty towards Lord Ram.

The Chief Minister said, “Babuji’s tenure will always be remembered for strengthening good governance, development, and the nationalist vision of Uttar Pradesh. Born into a farmer’s family, Kalyan Singh imbibed the spirit of nationalism through the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and made it the guiding purpose of his life. His dedicated service as an MLA, minister, Member of Parliament, Chief Minister, and Governor has left an indelible mark on the nation and will be remembered for generations.”

The programme was attended by former MP Rajveer Singh, outgoing BJP State President Chaudhary Bhupendra Singh, MPs Satish Gautam and Mukesh Rajput, Cabinet Minister Dr Sanjay Nishad, Minister of State Danish Azad Ansari, Minister of Basic Education Sandeep Singh, along with several other dignitaries.

Oranges are really good for you, Acharya Balkrishna says. They are full of vitamin C that help your body fight off unwanted toxins. Eating an orange a day can make your body stronger. This is one of those options to stay healthy. On top of that, oranges also keep you fresh.

Acharya Balkrishna suggests making eating oranges a habit. And, why would not you? After all, oranges are juicy. And, they come with health benefits.

Heart-friendly nutrients

Oranges contain important nutrients like potassium and folic acid, which are essential for heart health.

Potassium helps regulate blood pressure, while folic acid works to keep cholesterol levels under control.

These nutrients work together to lower the chance of getting heart problems. They also help keep the system healthy. The nutrients are important, for the heart and the whole cardiovascular system.

Also Read: 36 herbs, one tonic: Discover why chyawanprash is the ultimate winter health booster

Brain health and stress relief

Did you know that oranges can also benefit your brain? The nutrients in oranges help improve oxygen flow to the brain, keeping it alert and active.

Eating oranges can really help you feel better. They can make your blood flow better. That can help reduce stress and anxiety. They can also help you with your mood swings and depression, according to Acharya Balkrishna.

Weight management and digestion

Oranges are low in calories and high in fiber, which makes them a great choice for those trying to manage their weight.

The fiber in oranges helps with digestion. It makes your gut healthy. This means you are less likely to get constipation and the fiber in oranges helps you feel full for a time.

Easy to include in daily diet

One of the best things about oranges is the easiness to include it in your daily diet. You can eat them as a snack, add them to your breakfast, or even include them in salads and desserts.

You can also consume it as juice. Fresh orange juice is tasty and healthy.

So, the next time you feel stressed or low on energy, reach for an orange. Its vitamins, minerals, and natural goodness make it a perfect choice for both body and mind.

Keeping big brother DMK on tenterhooks, the Congress has renewed the demand for a share in power that has put under cold storage the seat-sharing talks for the 2026 assembly elections.

Congress Whip in the Lok Sabha Manickam Tagore has joined the chorus for a coalition government post elections. For both the dominant Dravidian parties, the ruling DMK and the principal Opposition AIADMK, power sharing is an anathema as it will be seen as a weakness. The two parties have ruled Tamil Nadu alternately and the state never had a coalition government post-independence.

“No one can win an election in Tamil Nadu without an alliance. The time has come to debate power sharing… Time for share of power not only share of seats,” said Tagore, the MP from Virudhunagar, citing a survey on vote share data of parties in Tamil Nadu. This has rekindled the conversation, betraying the Congress’ desperation to be part of the government after 1967.

“Alliance politics is the truth in Tamil Nadu,” he said, adding that the survey by IPDS, a little-known pollster, however, has not given the correct picture of the vote of Congress and other parties. According to the IPDS data, the Congress vote share is a mere 3.10 per cent while that of the DMK is 17.07 per cent and the AIADMK is 15.03 per cent. The BJP, with 2.50 per cent is closely behind the Congress, whereas the ultra-Tamil Nationalist Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) of Seeman has 7.50 per cent. Interestingly the fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) of actor Vijay has 14.20 per cent.

Only recently, Professionals’ Congress chairman Praveen Chakravarty has stirred the hornet’s nest with his comparison of Tamil Nadu’s debt burden with that of Uttar Pradesh and claiming that the former is alarming.

Reacting sharply, DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan condemned Tagore’s demand for a share in power. “He is neither the TNCC president or the national president of the Congress. It is the leadership of the Congress that has to engage us. Instead of making such noises in the public domain, he should have taken this up with his party leadership,” he fumed. “It is because of people like him that the Congress is in a pitiable condition in the state. Rather than working for their party’s growth, they are hurting it. For seat sharing, the Congress national leadership has formed a committee and the members of the panel and they will hold parleys with our party leaders. He is not even a member of that panel,” he said.

Earlier too, Elangovan debunked the claim for a coalition government when Congress Legislature Party Leader S Rajesh Kumar raised the demand, saying that being part of the government is necessary for the party’s growth and to fulfil its poll pledges.

The United States President Donald Trump has issued stern warnings to Cuba, Colombia, and Mexico, accusing their governments of enabling drug trafficking, cartel violence, and regional instability. He signalled that Washington’s patience is running out as security threats intensify in the Western Hemisphere.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning from Mar-a-Lago, Trump said the United States is prepared to take decisive action if these countries fail to curb narcotics production, cross-border crime, and cartel influence.

Cuba is ready to fall, claims Trump

Focusing on Cuba, Trump claimed Havana’s position has weakened sharply following a recent US operation in Venezuela, which he said has cut off a major economic lifeline.

“Cuba now has no income,” Trump said, asserting that the island nation had relied heavily on Venezuelan oil supplies. “They got all of their income from Venezuela and Cuba literally is ready to fall.”

While ruling out immediate US military intervention, Trump suggested that internal collapse may be inevitable. “We are not going in. I think it is just going to fall. It is going down for the count,” he said, adding that many Cuban Americans would welcome such an outcome.

#WATCH | US President Donald J Trump says, “Cuba is ready to fall…Cuba now has no income. They got all of their income from Venezuela, from the Venezuelan oil. They’re not getting any of it and Cuba literally is ready to fall…”

Source: US Network Pool via Reuters pic.x.com/bb0EIzPXar

— ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2026

Hints at launching an operation against Colombia

Trump made a strong remark against Colombia, accusing its leadership of allowing large-scale cocaine production destined for the United States.
“Colombia is very sick too, run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States,” Trump alleged.

Asked whether Washington could launch an operation in response, Trump replied, “It sounds good to me,” adding that the current situation would not last long. “He’s not going to be doing it very long,” he said.

The US President linked Colombia, Venezuela, and Cuba as part of what he described as a regional drug network. “We had a drug caliphate in our backyard,” Trump said, claiming the US is now dismantling it.

Mexico ‘run by cartels, says Trump

Turning to Mexico, Trump said powerful drug cartels continue to dominate large parts of the country, accusing the government of failing to confront them effectively.
“The cartels are running Mexico, whether you like it or not,” Trump said. “It’s not nice to say, but the cartels are running Mexico.”

He claimed he has repeatedly offered US military assistance to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to fight drug trafficking. “Every single time I talked to her, I offered to send troops,” Trump said, adding that the offers were declined.

“She is concerned. She is a little afraid,” he remarked.

Trump warned that unless Mexico acts more decisively, consequences could follow, noting that illegal drugs continue to flow into the US through Mexican territory. “Mexico has to get their act together,” he said.

The President said Washington remains prepared to expand operations beyond Venezuela if required. “We were prepared to do a second strike,” Trump said, adding that the option remains on the table if regional governments fail to “behave.”

Trump insisted the objective is regional stability, not occupation. “We’re in the business of having countries around us that are viable and successful,” he said.

The comments underscore Trump’s readiness to use economic pressure, military options, and blunt diplomatic warnings to reshape US relations with neighbouring countries he views as threats to American security.

Also read: How the US captured Nicolas Maduro in 2 hours and 20 minutes

In view of the increasing cyber crimes in the state, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has appealed to the general public to remain vigilant and aware. Through “Yogi ki Pati” (Yogi’s Letter), the Chief Minister informed the people of the state on Monday that while mobile phones, the internet, and computers have made life easier, they have also led to a rapid increase in cases of cyber fraud and online crime.

The Chief Minister said that the Uttar Pradesh government is continuously taking concrete steps to prevent cyber crimes. Before 2017, there were only two cybercrime police stations in the state, while now cybercrime police stations are operational in all 75 districts of the state. In addition, cyber help desks have been set up in all police stations so that victims can receive immediate assistance.

In his message, the Chief Minister issued a special warning regarding fraud being committed in the name of “digital arrest.” He clarified that there is no such provision as digital arrest in any law of the country. Neither the police nor any government agency arrests anyone nor demands money through video calls, WhatsApp, or social media. People should immediately be vigilant if they receive such calls or messages.

The Chief Minister also advised caution in the use of social media. He explained that sharing photos, videos, or location on social media allows criminals to gather information about you and misuse it. Therefore, do not share your personal information, bank details, or OTP with anyone.

If someone becomes a victim of cyber fraud, there is no need to panic. In such a case, a complaint should be immediately registered on the cyber helpline number 1930. Filing a complaint on time increases the chances of recovering the defrauded money.

Chief Minister Adityanath appealed to the people to become aware of themselves and also inform their family and people around them, especially the elderly, about preventing cybercrime. He said that a safe and cybercrime-free Uttar Pradesh can only be created through public awareness.