On New Year’s day, Superstar Rajinikanth dropped the first look of director Sooriyaprathap S’s upcoming sci-fi thriller ‘ROOT’ – Running Out Of Time, featuring actor Gautham Ram Karthik in the lead, much to the delight of fans and film buffs.

Superstar Rajinikanth launches the first look of ‘ROOT’

Actor Gautham Ram Karthik, who took to social media to share the first look poster of the film and his excitement about his idol, Rajinikanth, releasing it, wrote, “As far as blessings go, having my idol, the legendary Super Star, Rajinikanth sir releasing the first look poster for our project, ROOT, is truly an unbelievable experience. What a surreal way to start 2026! Truly feeling blessed and grateful! With his blessings, ROOT steps in to a timeless journey! #Rootfirstlook.”

As far as blessings go, having my idol, the Legendary Super Star, Rajinikanth sir releasing the first look poster for our project, ROOT, is truly an unbelievable experience. What a surreal way to start 2026! Truly feeling blessed and grateful!
With his blessings, ROOT steps in to… pic.x.com/ENGjuGspWR

— Gautham Ram Karthik (@Gautham_Karthik) January 1, 2026

Debut of actor Aparshakti Khurana

The film will mark the Tamil debut of Bollywood actor Aparshakti Khurana, who plays a pivotal role in the film. And the fact that Aparshakti Khurana has dubbed for his parts in the film in Tamil has made the film rise to huge expectations among several another reasons.

The production of the film, Verus Productions, few days ago has taken to its social media to make the announcement. It said, “@aparshakti_khurana has completed his Tamil dubbing for #Root. First time in Tamil. First time for Tamil. @aparshakti_khurana voices ROOT. And ROOT voices back. He gave it his all — and boom, the dubbing is over! Introducing @aparshakti_khurana to Tamil. And Tamil to @aparshakti_khurana!”

And its a wrap!

On November 1, earlier last  year the unit of the film had announced that they had wrapped up the shoot. Director Sooriyaprathap S had said, “We’ve officially wrapped ‘ROOT’! The making of this film has been an unforgettable journey. We’ve poured our hearts and hard work into creating a memorable experience for the audience. We can’t wait to share it with you all.”

He went on to add, “A big thanks to our hero Gautham Ram Karthik, his energy, dedication, and commitment made this journey truly special. I’m deeply grateful to my producers, our wonderful cast and crew for their immense support and encouragement, and to Bollywood star Aparshakti Khurana, whose presence and involvement have been a great strength to the film. We’re truly excited as we move into post-production, and can’t wait to bring ROOT to you soon!”

About the film ‘ROOT’

Actress Bhavya Trikha plays the female lead in the film, which will also have veteran actor Y Gee Mahendran in a pivotal role.

Produced by Dhanishtan Fernando, Rajarajan Gananasambandam, Sanjai Shankar, and Shaik Mujeeb under the Verus Productions banner, the film, sources claim, will be an edge-of-the-seat thriller.

The highly anticipated ODI series between India and New Zealand is set to be played across multiple venues in India. The three-match series will begin on January 11, with the remaining matches scheduled for January 14 and January 18.

Fans are eagerly looking forward to the series, as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are set to feature in the ODI leg. The two Indian stalwarts have retired from Test cricket and T20Is, making the 50-over format their only international commitment.

Both players recently turned out in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for their respective domestic teams. Their appearances generated significant buzz, with packed crowds turning up to watch their favourite stars in domestic cricket.

India’s ODI squad announcement

The Indian squad for the ODI series against New Zealand is expected to be announced on January 3. The selection has reportedly been kept on hold to allow the selection committee to closely monitor player performances in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. The tickets for the first odi match at BCA Stadium, Vadodara, have already been sold out. 

India enter the series on the back of a strong performance against South Africa, where they clinched the ODI series 3-1. The Men in Blue will be keen to build on that momentum as they prepare to take on New Zealand at home.

New Zealand ODI Squad for India Tour

New Zealand will be led by Michael Bracewell, with several senior players missing from the ODI squad.

New Zealand ODI Squad:

Michael Bracewell (Captain), Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Devon Conway, Mitchell Hay, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Josh Clarkson, Nick Kelly, Zakary Foulkes, Jayden Lennox, Kyle Jamieson, Adithya Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Michael Rae.

Notable Absences:

Kane Williamson will be unavailable due to SA20 commitments. Rachin Ravindra and Matt Henry are rested as part of preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

India vs New Zealand ODI Series Schedule

1st ODI: January 11 – BCA Stadium, Vadodara

2nd ODI: January 14 – Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot

3rd ODI: January 18 – Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore

India vs New Zealand ODI: Head-to-Head Record

India and New Zealand have faced each other in 120 ODIs so far.

India wins: 62

New Zealand wins: 50

No result: 7

Tied: 1

Where to Watch India vs New Zealand ODI Live

The India vs New Zealand series will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network in India. Live streaming will be available on the Jio Hotstar app and website.

India’s Squad for T20I Series Against New Zealand

India have already announced their 15-member squad for the T20I series, which also forms part of their preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

India T20I Squad:

Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (Vice-captain), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan (WK).

New Zealand T20I Squad:

Mitchell Santner (Captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Ish Sodhi.

India vs New Zealand T20I Schedule

All matches will take place at 7 PM IST witl the toss happening at 6;30 PM IST.

1st T20I

Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Venue: Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur

2nd T20I

Date: Friday, January 23, 2026

Venue: Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur

3rd T20I

Date: Sunday, January 25, 2026

Venue: Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati

4th T20I

Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Venue: ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam

5th T20I

Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026

Venue: Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram

The cold winds of winter sweep across the country. And there is one simple thing your body will thank you for: soaking up the sun. Acharya Balkrishna, co-founder of Patanjali, recently reminded everyone on Facebook about the importance of enjoying sunlight during winter.

Why winter sun matters

“Everyone should get as much sunlight as possible in winter,” Acharya Balkrishna wrote. Unlike the harsh summer sun, winter sunlight is gentle. That makes it safer and more beneficial for our bodies.

Sunlight is the most natural source of Vitamin D. The nutrient is essential for bone health, immunity, and overall well-being.

Vitamin D deficiency is common especially in colder months when people stay indoors. Lack of this vital nutrient can lead to weak bones, fatigue, and a reduced ability to fight infections.

By stepping outside for a few minutes each day, you can naturally replenish your Vitamin D levels without supplements.

Sunlight fights germs

Apart from providing Vitamin D, sunlight has a remarkable ability to destroy harmful germs. The ultraviolet rays of the sun can kill many bacteria and viruses that linger on surfaces or in the environment.

In this way, sunlight acts as a natural disinfectant. It helps in keeping you healthier during flu season and cold months.

Best practices for winter sun exposure

Experts suggest spending at least 15 to 30 minutes in the morning sunlight daily is a good practice. You can do this preferably between 8 am and 10 am during winter. Even on cloudy days, outdoor exposure helps body absorb sufficient light for Vitamin D production.

Simple activities like walking, gardening, enjoying morning tea on your balcony can make big, big difference.

However, moderation is key. Winter sun is gentler. But overexposure may still cause dryness or mild skin irritation.

Use protective clothing or light sunscreen if you plan to stay out longer.

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

In a significant move to prevent the exclusion of vulnerable voters during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a fresh directive to facilitate the inclusion of sex workers and other marginalised groups who are unable to produce legacy documents dating back to 2002.

In an order dated 31 December, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, instructed all District Election Officers (DEOs) to adopt special measures during the hearing process under SIR 2026, covering sex workers, particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), ashram inmates and similarly placed persons.

The directive follows a video conference held on December 30 by Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Gyanesh Bharti, reiterating the Commission’s stated objective that “no eligible citizen is left out while no ineligible person is included in the electoral roll”.

As part of the exercise, DEOs have been empowered to conduct personal visits and public enquiries in areas such as red-light zones, old-age homes, habitations, and institutions where eligible voters are unable to produce documentary proof linking them to the 2002 electoral roll.

In cases where eligible applicants are unable to produce documentary proof linking them to the 2002 electoral roll—the last Special Intensive Revision—owing to valid, practical, or unavoidable reasons, the District Election Officer (DEO) will conduct personal visits to the concerned area, hamlet, habitation, or institution.

The DEO will hold a public hearing or enquiry, record statements, and other relevant evidence, and prepare formal proceedings supported by videography, along with a verified list of eligible persons identified during the exercise.

Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of the concerned area or polling station will also be consulted during the enquiry, and their views, objections, or confirmations, as applicable, will be formally recorded.

Based on this process, a consolidated and verified list of eligible applicants will be prepared and forwarded to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), who will give due evidentiary weight to the proceedings while adjudicating and disposing of the relevant enumeration forms in accordance with law.

It should be mentioned that the CEO office conducted special assistance camps in three wards of Kolkata, including Sonagachi, Asia’s largest sex workers’ hub, after complaints that many residents were unable to trace two-decade-old documents required under SIR norms.

Commission officials heard grievances on the spot, with State CEO Manoj Agarwal supervising the camps personally.

Agarwal had also directed DEOs to hold similar camps, wherever required, in old-age homes, red-light areas, widow centres and clusters for persons with disabilities, stressing that the exercise is aimed at ensuring that no legitimate voter is deleted from the rolls.

Election officials said the latest ECI directive provides a formal framework to legally back the special camps and field-level interventions, particularly for communities historically left out of the documentation net, as the revision process enters its final phase.

A man died on Thursday after suffering a heart attack on 27 December shortly after returning from a hearing related to the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, the police said.

The incident took place in the Swarupnagar area of North 24-Parganas district.

The deceased has been identified as Sultan Sardar, a 60-year-old resident of the area. Incidentally, his name was not included in the 2002 voter list.

He had recently received a summons to appear for a hearing as part of the ongoing SIR process. Sultan died four days after returning from the hearing.

The incident occurred at Swarupda village under Swarupnagar police station limits. According to family members, the elderly man suffered a cardiac arrest and died on Thursday morning.

Serampore MP Kalyan Banerjee, speaking on the Trinamul Congress (TMC) foundation day in Serampore on Wednesday, urged party leaders and workers to remain united to face what he described as a very tough fight ahead.

The MP called upon the party to put up a strong resistance against what he termed the “whimsical attitude” of the Election Commission of India and the “unconstitutional methods” allegedly being adopted by the BJP to win the forthcoming elections.

Mr Banerjee said that for the ensuing elections, Subir Mukherjee has been selected as the coordinator for Serampore and Champdany. Shikha Karmadhyaksha of the zilla parishad continues as mentor, while Abhishek Banerjee has asked him to look after organisational matters in Adisaptagram and Chinsurah.

Referring to a recent meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner in New Delhi, Mr Banerjee said that Abhishek Banerjee had raised several questions and objections regarding the manner in which the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and the hearings were being conducted in West Bengal. According to him, the TMC disagreed with the Election Commission on several vital issues.

He said the party had sought clarification on why BLO-2 officials were not allowed to be present during the hearings, despite there being no legal prohibitory order or circular from the Election Commission barring their entry. The appointment of a large number of micro and macro observers during the ongoing hearings in the state was also questioned.

Mr Banerjee claimed that the response from the Election Commission of India was “shocking and painful”. He alleged that the commission stated that, since AROs and DROs in Bengal were not considered competent enough, the appointment of additional macro and micro observers was necessary. He said the TMC strongly objected to what it viewed as humiliating remarks against IAS, IPS and WBCS officers currently serving as AROs and DROs in the state. The party, he added, demanded that BLO-2 officials be allowed in public hearings to ensure transparency.

The Serampore MP further alleged a “hidden conspiracy” to delete voters’ names. “I can clearly see a conspiracy to cut voters’ names. It is a move against TMC candidates,” he said. He claimed that the removal of voters from particular areas of his constituency through illegal and unconstitutional means would adversely affect his electoral prospects, and that similar actions could impact TMC candidates in the forthcoming Assembly elections.

Mr Banerjee warned that the party would not bow to what he described as the “dictatorship” of the Election Commission. “We will intensify our protests against the whimsical attitude of the Election Commission, and we are prepared to go to jail if necessary,” he said.

Two youths drowned in separate incidents in Burdwan and Durgapur on New Year’s Day, Thursday.

In the first incident, a youth drowned while attempting to rescue his friend during a picnic by an irrigation canal at Kanchannagar, on the outskirts of Burdwan town. A group of friends had gathered by the canal to celebrate the New Year and decided to swim. During the attempt, Bijoy Das, who did not know how to swim, began to struggle in the water. His friend, Dhanai Sil (33), jumped in to rescue him. Although Dhanai managed to save Bijoy, he himself drowned. His body was recovered later in the afternoon.

In a separate incident, Rahul Rajak (19) drowned while trying to enter a protected private amusement park at City Centre in Durgapur. According to the police, he attempted to intrude into the park by crossing a deep waterbody. The youth, a resident of the Sagarbhanga locality in Durgapur, was reportedly in an inebriated condition and did not know how to swim.

The police later recovered Rahul Rajak’s body.

Trinamul Congress Rajya Sabha MP Ritabrata Banerjee has written to Union textiles minister Giriraj Singh, warning that the raw jute sector is sliding into a serious economic and social crisis, with the worst impact being felt in West Bengal’s jute-growing and jute-mill regions.

West Bengal once had a thriving jute industry, with the state producing one of the finest jute qualities.

The TMC MP has made it clear that the crisis is not sudden but the result of prolonged policy failures, most notably the absence of a credible raw jute stabilisation mechanism and irregular, unpredictable demand planning under production-control-cum-supply-order (PCSO)/GBT orders.

The consequences are now evident across the entire value chain. Jute mills are curtailing shifts or suspending operations due to unaffordable raw material prices and acute working-capital stress. Thousands of jute workers are losing employment days and wages, deepening distress in industrial belts. At the same time, jute farmers remain exposed to uncertainty, with no assurance that the current high prices are policy-backed or sustainable. Even the government’s foodgrain procurement system is facing packaging stress, raising concerns over dilution norms and alternative materials.

Seeking immediate corrective action, MP has urged the ministry of textiles to address three critical areas:

1. Announce a raw jute stabilisation / buffer framework: Establish clear reserve norms, transparent release triggers, and time-bound stock rotation linked to MSP procurement.
2. Ensure predictable and evenly distributed PCSO demand — Finalise prices on time and avoid compressed ordering cycles that destabilise both farmers and mills.
3. Strengthen farmer-facing MSP operations — Improve procurement speed and reach, enhance grading support, and ensure assured payment timelines.

Emphasising that jute is not merely an industry but a strategic national packaging backbone supporting millions of livelihoods, Ritabrata warned that continued policy inertia could cause long-term structural damage to the sector. He has sought the personal intervention of the union minister and early action to restore stability, confidence, and fairness in the raw jute market.

The MP’s letter states: Jute mills are curtailing shifts or suspending operations due to unaffordable raw material costs and acute working capital stress. Thousands of jute workers are losing employment days and wages, leading to growing distress in industrial belts. Jute farmers remain exposed to uncertainty, with no assurance that current high prices are the result of sustainable policy support rather than temporary scarcity and the government’s own foodgrain procurement system faces packaging stress, reviving concerns regarding dilution and alternatives.”

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to deploy its own independent mechanism to identify housing complexes with multiple high-rise towers for setting up polling booths ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

The move comes after district authorities repeatedly failed to meet deadlines for the exercise.

Sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, said the decision was taken following a review meeting held on 30 December, amid the failure of district magistrates (DMs), who also function as District Electoral Officers (DEOs), to submit lists of housing complexes with 300 voters or more.

The meeting, chaired by ECI Deputy Election Commissioner Gyanesh Bharti on Tuesday, was held to push forward the implementation of the plan.

The meeting was attended by Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal, district magistrates and district electoral officers, along with senior officials from North 24-Parganas and South 24-Parganas, at the CEO’s office.

Despite 31 December being fixed as the final deadline by the commission, several districts failed to furnish consolidated lists even by then.

“The DEOs missed two consecutive deadlines. With no credible progress on the ground, the commission has decided to activate its own independent mechanism to identify suitable housing complexes for polling booths. The detailed plan will be communicated shortly,” a senior official in the CEO’s office told said on condition of anonymity.

The ECI has also kept contingency plans ready.

“If owners’ associations or resident welfare bodies do not permit polling booths within housing complexes, the commission may set up temporary polling stations at nearby locations. Such temporary booths could cater to voters from more than one adjacent housing complex,” the official said.

As per the commission’s current assessment, polling booths within housing complexes are likely to be concentrated in Kolkata and its adjoining districts of North 24-Parganas, South 24-Parganas and Howrah, besides industrial townships like Asansol and Durgapur in West Burdwan district and Siliguri in Darjeeling district.

Earlier this month, the ECI had expressed strong displeasure over not receiving a single concrete proposal from district authorities identifying high-rise housing complexes suitable for polling booths.

In a formal communication, the commission directed DEOs to ignore suggestions from political parties on selecting private housing complexes, following sharp differences among parties over the proposal.

The commission had also instructed DEOs to conduct surveys immediately after the publication of the draft electoral roll, on 16 December, covering high-rise buildings, group housing societies, RWA colonies, slums, and gated communities with at least 250 houses or 500 voters.

The survey was to assess the availability of ground-floor rooms suitable for polling stations, with the entire exercise to be completed by 31 December.

Meanwhile, a Trinamul Congress delegation that met Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar raised strong reservations regarding setting up booths in private high rises and residential group housing societies.

However, the CEC made it clear that the commission would not backtrack from its decision to set up polling booths within housing complexes, underlining the ECI’s resolve to push through the plan despite administrative delays and political objections.

Ahan Shetty just experienced one of the biggest experiences in his life. The young actor shared a reflection as he became part of the patriotic song “Ghar Kab Aaoge” from the upcoming film ‘Border 2’. For Ahan, it was a full-circle moment linking him to his father, Suniel Shetty’s legendary track “Sandese Aate Hain” from the 1999 war drama ‘Border’.

Posting a picture on Instagram with his father, Ahan held the ‘Border 2’ clapboard.

Also Read: ‘Ghar Kab Aaoge’ teaser out: Sonu Nigam, Arijit Singh, Diljit Dosanjh unite for ‘Border 2’ song | WATCH

Growing up with ‘Border’

Ahan’s journey began as a child watching Suniel Shetty perform in ‘Sandese Aate Hain’. The original track sung by Sonu Nigam and Roopkumar Rathod with lyrics by Javed Akhtar featured Suniel Shetty alongside Sunny Deol, Akshaye Khanna, and Jackie Shroff. It remains one of Bollywood’s most loved war songs.

Now, two decades later, Ahan steps into a similar space with ‘Ghar Kab Aaoge’.

Ahan Shetty has some reflections

Sharing his thoughts online, Ahan wrote, “They say a picture is worth a thousand words… but I don’t have the words for this. I only know what I feel. I grew up watching my father be part of Sandese Aate Hain. Today, I find myself a part of Ghar Kab Aaoge.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ahan Shetty (@ahan.shetty)

He added, “Somewhere between then and now, life quietly came full circle. This isn’t about a song or a project, it’s about time, love, and a quiet gratitude. I’ll carry it with me forever.”

‘Border 2’ cast

Directed by Anurag Singh, ‘Border 2’ has an ensemble cast including Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, Ahan Shetty, Mona Singh, Medha Rana, Sonam Bajwa, and Anya Singh.

It is a production of Gulshan Kumar & T-Series in association with JP Dutta’s JP Films and backed by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, JP Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta. It is going to release on January 23, 2026.

If nostalgia had a sound, it would probably be the sweet strains of ‘Yeh Galiyan Yeh Chaubara’. And last week, fans got a magical dose of it! Veteran actress Padmini Kolhapure joined the evergreen Shreya Ghoshal on the sets of Indian Idol, and the result was pure, pure musical magic.

The clip, shared by Padmini herself on Instagram, starts with Shreya effortlessly gliding through the iconic melody from the 1982 Raj Kapoor classic ‘Prem Rog’.

Then comes the heartwarming twist. She gestures for Padmini to join. And the veteran actress steps in with her voice carrying decades of emotion.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by padminikolhapure (@padminikolhapure)

Padmini’s caption perfectly summed up the moment: “@shreyaghoshal Not just singing songs, but singing straight to the soul .. When emotions need a melody, Shreya Ghoshal delivers.”

About ‘Prem Rog’, the film

‘Prem Rog’, directed and produced by the legendary Raj Kapoor, remains a landmark in Indian cinema.

The story is about a man’s love for a widow navigating societal boundaries. Raj Kapoor was returning to socially relevant themes. Padmini Kolhapure portrayed young widow and earned critical acclaim. Rishi Kapoor’s performance etched his name in Bollywood history.

Over 40 years later, the film’s songs continue to tug at heartstrings. And ‘Yeh Galiyan Yeh Chaubara’ is that melody many still hum with a wistful smile.

Padmini Kolhapure: Bollywood’s evergreen star

For Padmini, music and cinema have always walked together. Starting her career at just seven, she appeared in films like ‘Zindagi’ and ‘Dream Girl’.

But it was ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’ and later ‘Prem Rog’ that truly made her a household name.

With over 75 films to her credit, Padmini remains one of the most cherished actresses of the 1980s.

Also Read: Rajesh Khanna’s untold story of Delhi Bungalow

Amid growing tensions with Bangladesh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday asserted that the neighbouring countries will also grow when India progresses, while stating that New Delhi “invests, helps, and shares” to promote good neighbourliness.

During a discussion at an event at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Jaishankar was asked about the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh and India’s neighbourhood policy.

The senior minister, who was in Dhaka on Wednesday to represent India at the funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, said India has neighbours of various kinds, some of which are good to the country or are at least not harmful.

“…Your natural instinct is to be kind, to help that neighbour, and that’s what we do as a country. When you look around our neighbourhood, wherever there is a sense of good neighbourliness, India invests, India helps, India shares,” the minister said as reported by news agency ANI.

‘India’s growth is a lifting tide’

Jaishankar pointed out India’s help to its neighbours during several crises like the COVID pandemic and economic stress.

“Most of our neighbours got the first shipment of vaccines from India. Some neighbours went through very exceptional stresses – a very notable one was Sri Lanka, and we actually stepped up with a package of USD 4 billion at a time when their negotiations with the IMF were still moving at a very glacial pace.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: On being asked about the unrest in Bangladesh and India’s neighbourhood policy, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, “I was there in Bangladesh just two days ago. I had gone to represent India at the funeral of the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Begum Khalida Zia.… pic.x.com/T7g4UyhZw6

— ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2026

“Most of our neighbours have a realisation that India’s growth is today a lifting tide. If India grows, all our neighbours will grow with us. I think that’s the message which I also took to Bangladesh. They are right now heading for their elections. We wish them well in that election, and we hope that once things settle down, the sense of neighbourliness in this region will grow,” the foreign minister said, addressing the question of relations with Bangladesh when a number of Hindus have been killed in targeted attacks against minorities.

What S Jaishankar said at IIT Madras on India, democracy and the West

‘Bad neighbour’

Jaishankar also addressed Pakistan and the terrorism sponsored by it, stating that Islamabad cannot seek the benefits of good neighbourliness from India while seeking to bleed the country.

“You can also have bad neighbours. Unfortunately, we do. When you have bad neighbours, if you look to the one to the west. If a country decides that it will deliberately, persistently, and unrepentantly continue with terrorism, we have a right to defend our people against terrorism. We will exercise that right. How we exercise that right is up to us. Nobody can tell us what we should or should not do. We will do whatever we have to do to defend ourselves.

“Many years ago, we agreed to a water-sharing arrangement, but if you had decades of terrorism, there is no good neighbourliness. If there is no good neighbourliness, you don’t get the benefits of that good neighbourliness. You can’t say, ‘Please share water with me, but I will continue terrorism with you’. That’s not reconcilable,” Jaishankar stated categorically, ruling out any reconciliation with Pakistan unless it gave up supporting terrorists.

‘COVID vaccines… but for the fact India gave it to us’

The Union minister also explained how New Delhi’s move to share COVID vaccines with developing and underdeveloped countries of the world raised India’s stature globally. He also recalled how the West had created a stockpile of the vaccines while denying access to not-so-rich countries.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: At IIT Madras, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, “In my entire career, I have never seen anything having a greater emotional impact on the rest of the world than giving vaccines. I’ve actually had people who tear up when they remember the first vaccine shipment.… pic.x.com/iQuD5Uj3HH

— ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2026

“In my entire career, I have never seen anything having a greater emotional impact on the rest of the world than giving vaccines. I’ve actually had people who tear up when they remember the first vaccine shipment. COVID was a bad memory. We have put it all behind us. But at that time, there were developed countries, western countries, who had stocked up eight times the number of vaccines as their population and next to them were small countries to whom they were not willing to give 10,000 doses. We were someone who had the responsibility of 1.4 billion people. We felt at that time giving those countries 100-200 thousand doses was something which would be a gesture of solidarity, would be make or break for them. Today, we talk less about vaccines. When I go to Latin America, when I go to small island states, people from the Caribbean, people from the Pacific, say, ‘we have no chance of getting within smelling distance of vaccine, but for the fact that you people give it to us’,” the EAM stated.

On New Year, makers of Director Madhan’s upcoming romantic entertainer ‘With Love’, featuring ‘Tourist Family’ director Abishan Jeevinth and Anaswara Rajan in the lead, announced that their film would hit screens on February 6. The film has given rise to huge expectations as it is a production of superstar Rajinikanth’s daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth along with producer Magesh Raj Pasilian.

Also Read: Rajinikanth celebrates 75th birthday; Tamil Nadu fans organise temple rituals and gatherings

Release date of the film ‘With Love’

Soundarya Rajinikanth took to her X to announce the release date of her film. She wrote, “A new year brings a new feeling… and new love. #WithLove arrives in cinemas worldwide from Feb 06. Starring @Abishanjeevinth, @AnaswaraRajan_. A @RSeanRoldan musical. Written and Directed by @madhann_n. Produced by @soundaryaarajni, @mageshraj.”

A new year brings a new feeling… and new love ♥️#WithLove arrives in cinemas worldwide from Feb 06 ✨

Starring @Abishanjeevinth. ♥️ @AnaswaraRajan_

A @RSeanRoldan musical
Written ♥️ Directed by @madhann_n

Produced by @soundaryaarajni ♥️@mageshraj @MRP_ENTERTAIN… pic.x.com/Cs7cCgvoLv

— soundarya rajnikanth (@soundaryaarajni) January 1, 2026

‘With Love’ teaser release by Rajinikanth himself

Everyone recalls the moment when the title teaser was released by none other than Rajinikanth himself.

Superstar Rajinikanth took to his X to release the title teaser,  and said, “Wishing my daughter @soundaryaarajni and the entire team of the film #WithLove all the very best. God bless. @mageshraj”

Wishing my daughter @soundaryaarajni and the entire team of the film #WithLove all the very best. God bless. https://t.co/JaxNazPk6N@mageshraj pic.x.com/IxZzsIZfze

— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) November 21, 2025

Soundarya Rajinikanth, also responded to her dad by saying, “Biggest blessing ever. Thank you so much appa. You are my life !”

Updates on film’s production

The upcoming film has an wonderful technical team working on it. It has one of the Tamil film industry’s top music directors Sean Roldan scoring music for it. Cinematography by cameraman Shreyaas Krishna and editing is by Suresh Kumar. Art direction for the film is by Raj Kamal and Costumes have been designed by Priya Ravi.

The film has been garnering attention ever since the makers announced it. This will mark the debut of director Abishan Jeevinth as an actor. Abishan Jeevinth was the director of the superhit film ‘Tourist Family’. The film, which released earlier last year and was made on a modest budget, went on to make over 90 crores at the box office, pleasantly surprising both critics and fans for its unexpected and outstanding performance.

The film’s makers have already announced that shooting for the film had been wrapped up.

Baloch leader Mir Yar Baloch has claimed that China could deploy its military forces in Pakistan’s Balochistan region within the next few months, warning that the deepening China-Pakistan alliance poses a serious threat.

In an open letter addressed to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and posted on X on New Year’s Day, Mir Yar Baloch said Baloch representatives view the growing strategic partnership between Islamabad and Beijing as “dangerous”.
He said that Balochistan has faced decades of repression under Pakistan’s control, including what he described as state-sponsored violence and human rights abuses.
“The people of Balochistan have endured Pakistan’s state occupation, state-sponsored terrorism, and egregious human rights atrocities for the past seventy-nine years. The time has now arrived to eradicate this festering affliction at its roots, ensuring lasting peace and sovereignty for our nation, ” he wrote.

In the letter, Mir Yar Baloch also noted that China and Pakistan are moving rapidly towards the final stages of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship Belt and Road Initiative project of Chinese President Xi Jinping that runs through Balochistan.
“The Republic of Balochistan views the escalating strategic alliance between Pakistan and China as profoundly dangerous. We warn that China, in collaboration with Pakistan, has advanced the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to its final phases,” he said.
He claimed that unless Baloch resistance and defence forces are strengthened and taken seriously, the region could soon witness a direct Chinese military presence.
“Should the capabilities of Balochistan’s defense and freedom forces not be further bolstered and if they continue to be overlooked as per longstanding patterns, it is conceivable that China could deploy its military forces in Balochistan within a few months,” the letter stated.

Mir Yar Baloch further claimed that any Chinese troop deployment in Balochistan without the consent of the local population would have wider regional consequences.
“The presence of Chinese boots on Balochistani soil without the will of the 60 million Baloch people would pose an unimaginable threat and challenge to the futures of both Bharat and Balochistan,” he wrote.

China and Pakistan have repeatedly denied allegations of military expansion under CPEC, maintaining that the project is economic in nature. India, however, has consistently opposed CPEC, stating that it passes through Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and raises sovereignty and security concerns.

Earlier this year in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State in the Ministry of ExternaL Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh said in a written reply, ” Government’s position on CPEC is clear and consistent. Government has consistently protested to parties concerned over the inclusion of the so-called ‘China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)’, which passes through parts of the Indian Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir under illegal occupation of Pakistan, as a flagship project of ‘OBOR/BRI’ and asked them to cease these activities. Any proposed participation of third countries or expansion of the so-called CPEC projects to third countries is unacceptable.”

Moreover, in the letter, Mir Yar Baloch also commended the Indian strikes under Operation Sindoor on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people.
“We commend the bold and resolute actions undertaken by the Modi Government in the previous year through Operation Sindoor, particularly targeting terrorism hubs facilitated by Pakistan and directed against the Pakistani military in response to Pahalgam terror attack. These measures demonstrate exemplary courage and a steadfast commitment to regional security and justice, ” he wrote.

There has been no official response so far from the Indian government or the Chinese and Pakistani authorities to Mir Yar Baloch’s claims.

Hollywood’s favourite silver fox, George Clooney, is back in the headlines but this time it’s less about movies and more about politics. The actor, who recently became a French citizen along with his wife Amal and their kids, has sparked a fresh back-and-forth with former President Donald Trump.

Donald Trump’s New Year’s social media roast on George Clooney

On New Year’s Eve, Trump took to Truth Social to comment on Clooney’s French citizenship. The post was a wild ride of political name-dropping and veiled insults. He referenced Clooney’s 2024 op-ed urging Joe Biden to quit the race, then tossed in mentions of other politicians Tim Waltz, Gavin Newsom, and a mysterious “Jamala(K!)” before declaring Clooney’s films “totally mediocre.”

Trump even claimed Clooney was never really a movie star, just an average guy who liked to “complain about common sense in politics.”

Naturally, this got the celebrity world talking.

George Clooney fires back at Donald Trump

Clooney didn’t miss a beat. In true Hollywood style, he took Trump’s own words and flipped them.

“I totally agree with the current president,” Clooney said. “We have to make America great again. We’ll start in November.”

Translation? He’s eyeing the midterms and hinting that Democrats could flip the House or maybe even the Senate.

George Clooney and the French citizenship

The Clooneys’ French citizenship isn’t just a headline-grabber. George has openly praised French privacy laws for protecting his family, particularly from paparazzi snapping photos of his kids.

George Clooney-Donald Trump friendship

Recently Clooney reflected on his past friendship with Trump. “I knew him very well,” he said. “He used to call me a lot, and he tried to help me get into a hospital once to see a back surgeon. I’d see him out at clubs and at restaurants. He’s a big goofball. Well, he was. That all changed.”

Zohran Mamdani brought touches of his South Asian heritage to his formal inauguration as this multicultural city’s Mayor on New Year’s Day.

While acknowledging his parents during his speech, he also gave a shout-out to relatives in Delhi.

He is the son of Mira Nair, a movie director, and Mahmood Mamdani, a Columbia University Professor from Uganda, who claims Indian ancestry.

“Thank you to my parents, Mama and Baba, for raising me, for teaching me how to be in this world, and for having brought me to this city,” he said in his inaugural address on City Hall steps after being sworn in.

“Thank you to my family – from Kampala to Delhi,” he added.

Two of the three Korans that he used to take the oath of office belonged to his grandfather and his grandmother.

Before his swearing-in, a Hindu, Arun Khosai, and a Sikh, Sandeep Kaur, stood by with Christian and Jewish religious leaders as an imam from New York invoked Allah in a prayer.

Mamdani made a culinary reference to his heritage in his speech while talking about making the city work for workers like “those who feed us biryani”.

Another nod to his heritage came from singer Babbulicious, who sang ‘Gaddi Red Challenger’ in a mix of Punjabi and English during the inauguration ceremony.

Babbu Singh, whose stage name is Babbulicious, is also a social media influencer, comedian, artist, and author of children’s books.

Mamdani clapped in rhythm to Babbulicious’ song as the singer wearing a pink turban jumped around the stage.

“NEW YORK VICH MUNDA RENDAAAAA”, Babbulicious posted on Instagram.

Maamdani had a line in his speech, ‘Logon ke dil badal gaye hein’, which he translated as “softness in people’s hearts”.

He said a Pakistani Auntie named Samina told him that was how she perceived the effect of his movement on the city.

While Mamdani mentions his father’s religion, which he has embraced as his own, he has been silent on the religion his mother was born into, Hinduism.

Mamdani had a trifecta of firsts, as he became the 111th or 112th Mayor (the city is unable to count the number of Mayors before him, and he acknowledged that in his speech).

He is the first Muslim, the first South Asian (as he is generally referred to), and the first born in Africa.

He spent his first five years in Uganda, where he was born, and the next two in South Africa, where his father taught, before landing in New York at the age of seven when the professor joined Columbia University.

He was given the middle name Kwame, after the late Ghanaian president, Kwame Nkrumah, showing his link to Africa.

Mamdani is married to Rama Sawaf Duwaji, an artist and illustrator of Syrian origin.

She was born in the US but spent her childhood in the Persian Gulf countries.

At least 40 people were killed, and around 115 others injured in a non-arson fire at the “Le Constellation” bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, CNN reported the Valais Cantonal Police as saying.

At a press conference in Crans-Montana, Valais Cantonal Police Commander Frederic Gisler on Thursday said that authorities responded swiftly after a fire was reported at a bar in the area.
According to Gisler, smoke was first seen coming from the bar in the centre of the Swiss ski resort at around 1:30 am. Moments later, a witness contacted the emergency call centre to report the incident. A red alert was immediately issued to mobilise firefighting services, he added.

The first teams from the Crans-Montana intercommunal police and the gendarmerie reached the scene at 1:32 am, and were soon joined by additional emergency responders, CNN reported.
“Their initial assignment was obviously to take care of the victims, to provide them emergency help,” Gisler said. He noted that firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze quickly. “Following that, the initial investigations were able to start,” he said.
Reception centres were later set up to assist those affected by the incident, and a helpline was launched at 4:14 am to provide information and support to families.
“All of the injured people had received care by shortly after 5 am, thanks to this widescale mobilisation,” CNN quoted Gisler as saying.

Families of those who lost their lives in the fire at Crans-Montana are facing a painful wait, as local authorities said it could take several days to identify all of the approximately 40 victims, CNN reported.
“Currently and in the days to come, the priority will be identifying the people who have died so that their bodies can be returned quickly to their families,” Gisler said in a press conference.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his solidarity with the victims’ families and the Swiss government over the incident.
“Deep emotion following the fire in Crans-Montana. My thoughts go to the bereaved families and the injured. To Switzerland, to its people and to its authorities, I convey the full solidarity of France and our fraternal support,” he stated in a post on X.