Authorities have begun a large-scale enforcement drive in Rajasthan’s Chomu town after a recent stone-pelting incident triggered law-and-order concerns.

The administration has issued notices to 20 illegal slaughterhouses in Pathans’ Mohalla. Action is also being prepared against unauthorised constructions in the area. Heavy police deployment remains in place as officials monitor the situation closely.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa told news agency ANI, “Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has taken strict action against those anti-social elements in Chomu who took the law into their own hands and spread unrest… This bulldozer action is not against anyone but in support of the law.”

He added: “There is a zero-tolerance policy in Rajasthan for those who disturb the peace, spread violence… Those who tamper with the state’s law and order will not be spared. The government, while prioritising the security, peace, and trust of ordinary citizens, is taking strict action and will continue to do so…”

Alos Read: Stone pelting, injured cops and a WhatsApp ban: What unfolded overnight in Rajasthan’s Chomu

What triggered the enforcement action in Chomu

A dispute over alleged encroachment near a mosque led to the crackdown. There were reports of stone-pelting in the area after the disagreement turned violent.

After the incident, police identified those allegedly involved and pasted notices on the houses of 24 accused persons. They were given three days to respond. The deadline ended on December 31, after which the municipal council was allowed to proceed with demolition and sealing, wherever required.

Police deployment and ground situation

Security arrangements have been tightened. Two companies of the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary, along with district police personnel, are deployed on the ground. The operation is being supervised by Deputy Commissioner of Police Hanuman Prasad Meena to prevent any escalation.

Many houses in the locality were found locked during the drive. At a few locations where residents were present, people chose not to speak to reporters.

Reactions among locals have been mixed. Some residents backed strict action against those accused of violence. Others said innocent families should not suffer because of the actions of a few.

Investigation status and municipal action

Police say the investigation is still ongoing. Jaipur Special Police Commissioner Rahul Prakash said teams are working to identify all those involved in the stone-pelting. Nineteen people have been arrested so far, and more suspects have been named during questioning.

Officers are examining video footage from the night of the incident. The footage is being used to trace additional accused. Police are also checking whether individuals from outside Rajasthan were involved and what their role may have been.

Municipal officials said the enforcement process had begun even before the violence. Sunil Kumar Swami, Assistant Accounts Officer of the Chomu Municipal Council, said notices were issued on December 29 to owners of 20 illegal slaughterhouses and four unauthorised constructions.

He said the parties were asked to submit valid documents or remove the structures themselves within three days. If they failed to do so, the council would move ahead with demolition and sealing under existing rules.

Police confirmed multiple arrests in the case. Those held include Arbaz (26), Kamran (24), Mohsin Khan (35), Umar Beg (30), Tahir Alam (40), Jabaz (28), Sameer (21), Abid (22), Salman (22), Mukhtar Ali (32), Aakib (24), Fardeen (24), Shahrukh (19), Faizan Khan (19), Javed Khan (31), Zaheen Khan (19), Haider Ali (28), Javed Qureshi (23) and Wasim Qureshi (36).

Officials said enforcement action would continue against those involved in violence or illegal activities. Security forces will remain on alert to ensure peace in the area.

A person was shot dead in a clash between Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy and Bharatiya Janata Party MLA G Janardhana Reddy outside the latter’s residence in Ballari over a dispute over the installation of a banner.

Tensions flared when Janardhana Reddy’s supporters objected to putting up banners for an event to install the Valmiki statue on January 3. What began as a verbal altercation soon escalated, and the two groups got involved in hand-to-hand combat and stone-pelting, and later firing, prompting police to lathi-charge to disperse the crowd, police said.
Ranjith kumar Bandaru, SP Ballari, said, “This dispute has resulted in a rioting situation and stone pelting between Janardhana Reddy’s supporters and the city MLA’s supporters. Even firing took place, and because of the accidental firing, one person, Rajshekhar, has died. We have immediately attended to the situation and dispersed the crowds, and the deceased was shifted to the hospital.”

SP Ballari said that the shots were fired from a private weapon. The police have registered four cases on the charges of murder, attempt to murder, offence against SC-ST, and a suo-moto case against all the people involved in the riot.
“So far, it appears that the bullet was fired from a private weapon. A total of four cases have been filed, one murder case, one attempt to murder, one SC-ST case and one suo motto case filed by the police against all the people involved in the riot,” SP Ranjith kumar Bandaru said.

No arrests have been made till now as the police continue to investigate the incident.
BJP leader B. Sriramulu claimed that miscreants attempted to murder MLA G Janardhana Reddy, firing shots at his residence.

“A banner has been erected on the road leading to Janardhan Reddy’s house. Some people had come to fight with Janardhan Reddy. Yesterday, there was a sudden attack. He was also shot at…Who permitted to erect a banner on the road leading to an MLA’s house and shoot at the MLA, a .76 mm bullet was fired…We have never seen this in our entire lives,” he said.
Speaking about the victim in the Ballari violence, Sriramulu said, “26-year-old Rajasekhar Reddy, regardless of which party he belongs to, died in the firing that took place yesterday. I pray to God on behalf of my party.
Police brought the situation under control. No arrest has been made as of now. Further investigation is underway.

Speaking to the media later, Janardhan Reddy said that attempts are being made to incite violence in the city in the name of the Valmiki statue installation.

Jaume Munar will take on Sebastian Baez in the men’s singles, while Jéssica Bouzas Maneiro will play Solana Sierra in the women’s singles when Spain kick off their campaign against Argentina in the United Cup mixed team tennis competition in Perth on Friday.

The four players will be involved in a mixed doubles clash to decide the outcome of the match in case they fail to reach a verdict in the singles clashes.

In other matches, Greece will face Japan with Maria Sakkari taking on Naomi Osaka, while Stefanos Tsitsipas will clash with Shintaro Mochizuki in the men’s singles encounter on the same court as the fourth edition of United Cup, the international hard-court event hosted by Tennis Australia, which is played across Perth and Sydney.

The event will have 18 national teams comprised of up to three women’s and three men’s players, who will compete in a group stage followed by a knockout format. Matches in Perth will take place at RAC Arena, while play in Sydney will be held at Ken Rosewall Arena.

For the group stage, the 18 teams were split into six groups of three in a round-robin format. Groups A, C, and E will play in Perth while groups B, D, and F will play in Sydney. The three group winners and the best runner-up in each city will advance to the quarterfinals.

Perth will host its two quarterfinals on January 7, with winners travelling to Sydney for the semifinals and final. Teams relocating from Perth will have a travel and rest day on January 8-9. The Sydney quarterfinals are scheduled for Jan 8-9, followed by the semifinals on Jan 10 and the final on Jan 11.

Each session features a men’s singles match, a women’s singles match, and a mixed doubles match. Singles matches showcase each country’s top-ranked players and are best-of-three tiebreak sets.

Mixed-doubles match can feature any combination of players and two tiebreak sets followed by a deciding 10-point match-tiebreak if necessary.

Teams

Group A

United States (1) — Coco Gauff, Varvara Lepchenko, Nicole Melichar-Martinez

Spain — Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, Andrea Lazaro Garcia, Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers

Argentina — Solana Sierra, Maria Lourdes Carle, Nicole Fossa Huergo

Group C

Italy (3) — Jasmine Paolini, Nuria Brancaccio, Sara Errani

France — Leolia Jeanjean, Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah, Elixane Lechemia

Switzerland — Belinda Bencic, Naima Karamoko

Group E

Great Britain (5) — Emma Raducanu, Olivia Nicholls, Katie Swan

Greece — Maria Sakkari, Despina Papamichail, Sapfo Sakellaridi

Japan — Naomi Osaka, Nao Hibino, Shintaro Mochizuki

Sydney

Group B

Canada (2) — Victoria Mboko, Kayla Cross, Gabriela Dabrowski

Belgium — Elise Mertens, Greet Minnen, Lara Salden

China — Zhu Lin, Xiaodi You,

Group D

Australia (4) — Maya Joint, Maddison Inglis, Storm Hunter

Czechia — Barbora Krejcikova, Linda Fruhvirtova, Miriam Skoch

Norway — Malene Helgo, Astrid Brune Olsen, Ulrikke Eikeri

Group F

Germany (6) — Eva Lys, Laura Siegemund, Mina Hodzic

Poland — Iga Swiatek, Katarzyna Kawa, Katarzyna Piter

Netherlands — Suzan Lamens, Eva Vedder, Demi Schuurs

The 11th India International Youth Sailing Championship (IIR) 2026, India’s longest-running and most consistent international youth sailing regatta, was officially launched in Chennai on Thursday, and will officially take place from January 4 to 10 at the Chennai Port.

The championship, an Intellectual Property of the Tamil Nadu Sailing Association (TNSA), will feature 117 registered sailors from 13 nations competing across five elite youth classes — 420, 29er (Boys & Girls Skiff), ILCA 4 (Boys & Girls Dinghy), Optimist (Boys & Girls), and iQFOiL Youth Windsurfing (Boys & Girls).

The press conference was presided over by Dr. Atulya Misra, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, in the august presence of Thiru. J. Meganatha Reddy, IAS, Member Secretary, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), Thiru. R. Ashok Thakkar, Vice President of Yachting Association of India (YAI) & TNSA and Chairman of the IIR Organising Committee, Thiru. Mylai Prabhakar, Race Organising Committee Member, IIR, Olympian K. C. Ganapathy, Asian Sailing Championship Gold Medallist, Asian Games 2018 bronze medallist, Tokyo 2020 qualifier, and IIR Gold Medallist, Thiru. S. Jayalakshmi, National & IIR Gold Medallist, and Thiru. Vantava R, National Medallist and IIR 2026 competitor representing TNSA.

Dr. Misra and Thiru. Meganatha Reddy emphasised the merit of sailing, Tamil Nadu’s dominance in the sport, and the State Government’s commitment, announcing the development of two state-of-the-art sailing Centres of Excellence — one at Marina Beach, Chennai, and another in Ramanathapuram, further strengthened by SDAT’s TN Olympic Water Sports vision.

TNSA also highlighted IIR’s global impact as a stepping stone for U-18 sailors, citing international alumni including Isaac McHardy (New Zealand, Paris 2024 Olympic Silver Medallist) and Irish champions Sean Waddilove (Double Olympian, U23 49er World Champion), Paddy Crosbie (IIR 2012, U23 49er silver medallist), and Irish Optimist coach Peter Fagan, reflecting the event’s international prestige and legacy.

Irish sailing coach Thomas Chaix, a long-standing participant since 2011, added a heartfelt quote, “IIR is something different, a lifelong memory and a special chapter in a sailor’s journey — and a great excuse for coaches to reunite with friends.”

All races will be streamed LIVE globally on the official YouTube channels

MTV Shutdown Rumours: On New Year’s Eve, a familiar song echoed across social media timelines. It was “Video Killed the Radio Star.” For many, it felt like a goodbye note. Posts claimed MTV had finally gone dark closing curtains on a channel that once defined youth and music. But here’s the twist: MTV didn’t actually shut down. Not completely. And not everywhere.

Also Read: Netflix acquires Warner Bros: Will this $72 billion deal save or shatter Hollywood?

A goodbye that wasn’t real

As 2025 ended, the internet lit up with emotional posts saying MTV had officially ended its last broadcast on December 31. The story sounded poetic. The channel that launched with a music video would end with the same one.

But on New Year’s Day 2026, MTV was still on air.

Yes, the channel exists. It’s just not the MTV people remember. If you tuned in today, you probably found back-to-back episodes of The Big Bang Theory. No VJs. No countdowns. No music videos.

So where did the MTV shutdown story come from?

What actually shut down on New Year’s Eve

The confusion started in the UK.

On December 31, Paramount Skydance shut down several MTV-branded music channels in the United Kingdom. These were the smaller, specialist channels that focused mainly on music. They stopped operating as traditional TV channels.

However, the main MTV UK channel is still broadcasting. Paramount has said it is reviewing its international TV business as more viewers move to streaming and digital platforms.

In short: some MTV music channels closed in the UK, not the entire MTV network worldwide.

What about MTV in the US?

In the United States, MTV is still running without any official shutdown announcement.

Channels like MTV and MTV2 continue to broadcast. MTV hasn’t truly stood for “Music Television” in a long time. But music hasn’t disappeared completely from its universe.

There are still digital and streaming options. MTV Classic plays old-school music videos from the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s. MTV Live features newer music content

Several MTV-branded FAST channels stream music videos on Pluto TV, including pop, hip-hop, and Latin music

So while music is no longer front and center on cable, it lives on in smaller digital corners.

When MTV was all about music

For Gen Xers and Millennials, MTV was once a daily ritual. Gen Z folks, we know you do not relate to this feeling.

The channel used to be packed with music videos and iconic shows like Headbanger’s Ball, 120 Minutes, and Yo! MTV Raps. Later came Total Request Live, better known as TRL, which turned the afternoon into a pop culture party.

Back then, MTV didn’t just play music. It shaped taste, launched careers, and made viewers feel part of something global.

That MTV is long gone.

Reality TV took over

Over the years, MTV slowly changed its identity. Music videos became rare. Reality shows took over.

Today, the network is best known for shows like The Challenge and RuPaul’s Drag Race. It has also faced heavy criticism for repeating the same content again and again.

One show, Ridiculousness, became a symbol of this problem. At one point, it filled more than two-thirds of MTV’s entire weekly schedule. For many fans, that was the moment MTV stopped feeling creative and started feeling tired.

Why the “MTV is over” story feels true

Even though the shutdown news is not fully accurate, it feels believable.

In 2023, MTV News, once a respected voice in music and youth culture, was shut down. In 2024, the MTV News website went dark, and its archives disappeared.

Then came 2025, a year when basic cable began to seriously collapse. Media companies started cutting costs and selling off channels. After Skydance acquired Paramount, MTV was hit hard with layoffs. Many remaining music and talent teams were let go.

So when people saw posts saying MTV was over, they didn’t question it. It already felt over.

The numbers tell a quiet story

MTV’s viewership has dropped sharply.

In 2025, MTV ranked 49th in primetime ratings, with an average of just 189,000 viewers. Ten years earlier, it pulled in more than 600,000 viewers.

The decline is clear. MTV no longer dominates youth culture. It barely registers in the cable TV race.

The channel lives, the spirit doesn’t

So, is MTV dead?

Not exactly.

The channel still exists. The logo still flashes on screens. Shows still air. But the MTV that once defined generations disappeared years ago.

What remains is a shell. Familiar in name, distant in spirit.

For now, MTV is still breathing. But for many fans, the goodbye already happened a long time ago.

Shrachi Bengal Tigers held their nerve in a dramatic Women’s Hockey India League 2025-26 encounter to edge past SG Pipers 4-3 in a shootout after the two sides were locked at 3-3 at the end of regulation time, with Lalremsiami’s sudden-death conversion sealing the bonus point after a pulsating contest.

Agustina Gorzelany (6’, 18’) and Lalremsiami (11’) netted goals for the Tigers in regular time, while Lola Riera (10’, 60’) and Sunelita Toppo (59’) scored for the SG Pipers in the match played at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda International Hockey Stadium in Ranchi on Thursday.

The Tigers started aggressively with an early circle entry, but SG Pipers absorbed the pressure and responded with swift passing to test the Tigers’ defence. Shrachi Bengal Tigers soon earned back-to-back penalty corners, converting the second through Agustina Gorzelany (6’) to take the lead. The response from the Pipers was immediate as they won a penalty corner of their own, with Lola Riera (10’) slotting home a well-placed effort to level the scores.

The parity was short-lived, with Lalremsiami (11’) restoring the Tigers’ advantage through a deft deflection, giving her side a 2-1 lead at the end of the opening quarter. The Tigers then extended their lead in the second quarter as Gorzelany (18’) struck again from a penalty corner. Despite sustained attacks from SG Pipers, Tigers’ goalkeeper Jennifer Rizzo produced a series of fine saves to keep her side ahead 3-1 at half-time.

SG Pipers began the second half on the front foot, launching immediate attacks and earning a penalty corner early on, but they were unable to make it count. Undeterred, the Pipers kept knocking on the door with sustained pressure and repeated circle entries, testing the Tigers’ defence throughout the third quarter. However, resolute defending and disciplined goalkeeping from Shrachi Bengal Tigers ensured the scoreline remained unchanged, as the third quarter ended goalless with the Tigers still leading 3-1.

The fourth quarter followed a similar pattern, with SG Pipers enjoying the bulk of possession and dictating the tempo of the game. Their dominance finally paid dividends with just over two minutes remaining when they won a penalty corner. Captain Navneet Kaur unleashed a fierce shot that was deftly deflected by Sunelita Toppo (59’) to cut the deficit to a single goal.

The late surge continued as the Pipers earned a penalty stroke in the dying seconds of the match, which Lola Riera (60’) calmly converted to complete a remarkable comeback. With the scores locked at 3-3 at full time, the contest was pushed into a shootout to determine the winner.

The thrilling shootout also finished 3-3, with both teams converting three attempts each, forcing the contest into sudden death. In the decisive moments, SG Pipers failed to score on two occasions, while Lalremsiami held her nerve to convert her chance and secure the bonus point for Shrachi Bengal Tigers.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s teenage daughter Ju-ae has paid tribute at the family mausoleum for the first time, accompanied by her father, the North’s state media images showed on Friday.

Her first known attendance at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the North Korean leader’s late father and grandfather lie in state, came amid growing speculation about her presence in the North Korean communist dynasty’s potential succession.

Kim, his wife and Ju-ae, as well as key party and government officials, visited the family mausoleum on New Year’s Day.

While the North’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) did not mention that Ju-ae visited the family mausoleum, state media photos showed the Kim family standing in the front row. Ju-ae was spotted in the centre, with her parents standing on each side.

It marked the first known visit to the family mausoleum by Ju-ae, who first appeared in North Korean state media in 2022.

“All the visitors made a firm pledge to fulfill their responsibility and duty in the vanguard of accomplishing the sacred cause for the eternal prosperity and development of the great DPRK and the promotion of the people’s well-being, true to the ideas and leadership of Kim Jong Un with single-minded loyalty,” the KCNA reported, using the acronym of North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

The mausoleum enshrines the embalmed bodies of the North’s founder Kim Il-sung, grandfather of Kim, and Kim Jong-il, a former North Korean leader and Kim’s father.

Kim Jong-un last visited the family mausoleum on the occasion of New Year’s Day in 2023. He paid respects to his father and grandfather on the first day of each year since taking power in 2012 but skipped such visits in 2018, 2024 and 2025, Yonhap news agency reported.

When asked about the significance of the visit, Seoul’s unification ministry confirmed that it marked Kim’s first visit to the family mausoleum with his daughter that was made public.

“We are closely watching as it is the first such visit,” Chang Yoon-jeong, deputy spokesperson at the ministry, told a regular press briefing on Friday.

“We will continue to closely monitor activities by Chairman Kim Jong-un’s daughter.”

On Thursday, Kim attended a large-scale celebratory performance marking the new year in Pyongyang, also accompanied by his wife and daughter.

Video footage aired by the state-run Korean Central Television showed Ju-ae seated next to him during the event. Clad in a leather coat matching her father’s, she was seen holding his hand and whispering to him as they watched the performance, and kissing him on his cheek after the New Year’s countdown ended.

Winter conditions in Delhi and adjoining areas of the National Capital Region (NCR) are set to intensify, with the weather department forecasting cold wave conditions in the coming days. Even as temperatures are expected to drop further, the city has seen a noticeable improvement in air quality on Friday.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), cold wave conditions are likely to prevail at isolated locations in Delhi between January 2 and 5. A cold wave is declared when the minimum temperature falls between 4.5 and 6.5 degrees Celsius below the normal average.

The IMD also said that dense to very dense fog is likely to persist during the night and early morning hours at many places in Delhi until January 6. Similar cold-wave conditions have been forecast for Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi till January 5.

Although temperatures continued to dip, air quality in the national capital showed marginal improvement. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi stood at 386 on Friday, according to pollution control authorities. However, dense fog and smog reduced visibility across several parts of the city, disrupting daily life and prompting airlines to issue advisories.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI remained in the ‘very poor’ category at 380. As many as 26 monitoring stations recorded ‘very poor’ air quality, while 11 stations fell in the ‘severe’ category. Anand Vihar reported the worst AQI at 423.

Area-wise AQI readings were as follows: Dwarka Sector 8: 338; IGI Airport: 259; ITO (CPCB): 326; JLN Stadium: 362; Mundka: 347; NSIT Dwarka (CPCB): 411.

Neighbouring cities also reported improved air quality. Noida recorded an AQI of 299, placing it in the ‘poor’ category. Gurugram registered an AQI of 232, while Faridabad stood at 220 — both also in the ‘poor’ range. Ghaziabad recorded an AQI of 300. Overall, all NCR cities marked an improvement in pollution levels.

Air India and IndiGo issued advisories warning that flight schedules may be impacted due to dense fog and reduced visibility. IndiGo said some flights were cancelled in advance to minimise passenger inconvenience.

The status report on operations at IGI Airport at 07.30 a.m. mentioned that CAT I operations were in progress, visibility was at 1,300 metres, the number of diversions was nil, and all operations remained normal.

Delhi recorded its coldest December day since 2019 on December 31, 2025, when the maximum temperature dropped to 14.2 degrees Celsius, around 6.2 degrees below normal.

It started like many online rumours do. A video began floating on social media showing veteran writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar wearing a skull cap and “accepting God.” The problem? None of it was real. The image was fake. The words were fake. And the video was created using AI.

By Friday morning, Javed Akhtar had seen it. And he was furious.

“This is rubbish,” says Javed Akhtar

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Javed Akhtar strongly called out the AI-generated video. He made it clear that the clip was completely false and misleading.

Sharing a Facebook link where the video was posted, he warned people not to believe such content.

Calling the video “rubbish,” Javed said the image used in the clip was computer-generated and designed to spread lies about him. The video falsely claimed that he had “turned to God,” something he firmly denied.

A fake video is in circulation showing my fake computer generated picture with a topi on my head claiming that ultimately I have turned to God . It is rubbish . I am seriously considering to report this to the cyber police and ultimately dragged the person responsible for this…

— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) January 1, 2026

Also Read: Javed Akhtar reacts to Nitish Kumar pulling down woman doctor’s hijab, demands apology

Legal action on the table

Javed Akhtar did not stop at just calling out the fake video. In another post, he revealed that he is seriously thinking about taking legal action.

He said he may report the matter to the cyber police and drag the people behind the video to court. According to him, the fake clip damages his reputation and credibility which he has built over decades of work.

He also warned those who forwarded the video without checking its truth. Javed made it clear that spreading fake news can also have consequences.

Why this fake video surfaced now

Interestingly, the AI-generated image appeared soon after a public debate involving Javed Akhtar. A few days ago, he took part in a discussion titled “Does God Exist?” at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi. The debate also featured Islamic scholar Mufti Shamail Nadwi.

Soon after the event, the fake video began circulating online linking his participation in the debate to the false claim made in the clip.

After the release of the finale episode of ‘Stranger things’ season 5, fans are now in devastation and confusion after seeing the death of one of the main characters of the show, Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown.

‘Stranger Things’ is this epic show where we see science fiction told in a very different way. This actually has led the show to its huge success. Written by Duffer Brothers, the cast includes Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Caleb McLaughlin, Sadie Sink, Gaten and Matarazza as leads.

Also Read: Who dies in ‘Stranger Things’ season 5? Full list of shocking deaths in the record-breaking Netflix finale

In the finale episode we saw the death of Eleven. But in the end we come to know that she is actually not dead but living peacefully in a beautiful place.

The story is narrated by Mike to the group. He suggests certain details which add up to the escape of Eleven from the soldiers surrounding her and a strange flicker right before the Upside portal was closed. He believed Kaali aka Eight used her illusion powers to fake Eleven’s death and hide her escape from everyone so that no one could find her.

This may seem to be an imaginary story but it actually can be true. This is the biggest cliffhanger by Duffer Brothers to give the show a satisfactory ending and it’s all up to fans whether they want to believe Mike or not.

The show’s first episode released in 2016 and from then has become fan’s favourite. Millie Bobby Brown’s career kicked off from this show. Her acting is fabulous in all the seasons and fans have loved her as Eleven in the show.

Now as the show ends, Millie Bobby Brown says goodbye in her Instagram post by posting a picture with Duffer Brothers with the caption over and out.

Also Read: Does Eleven die in ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 finale episode? Complete summary of the final chapter

Fan says goodbye to Eleven after the devastating end of her character.

Millie Bobby Brown posted a picture on Instagram with Finn Wolfhard with the caption ‘Story telling and Mage’, hinting at their character names in DND in ‘Stranger Things’. She also hints that she is alive in the show and proves Mike’s story true.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Millie Bobby Brown (@milliebobbybrown)

In addition, she also posted an a picture with Duffer Brothers captioning ‘Over and out’ as her final emotional tribute to the show and fans.

Fans are now eager to see her in new projects with Netflix as well as movies.

An electrical engineer, his homemaker wife, and their software engineer son were killed in a tragic road accident on national highway-19 near Burdwan town on Wednesday afternoon.

The family’s car, reportedly travelling at high speed, rammed into the rear of a gas tanker at the Jyotram area after the tanker came to an abrupt halt. The impact was severe, killing all three occupants on the spot, police said.

The driver of the car, Saheb Munshi, survived the crash but sustained critical injuries. He was rushed to Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, where his condition is stated to be serious.

The deceased were identified as Sheikh Mohammed Murshed (57), an electrical engineer employed with the Steel Authority of India’s Durgapur Steel Plant, his wife Rozina, a homemaker, and their son, a software engineer working with a private firm in Pune, Maharashtra. The family resided in the SAIL Cooperative locality in City Centre, Durgapur.

According to neighbour Ranjan Tewari, Murshed and his wife were accompanying their son to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, as he was scheduled to fly to Mumbai later in the evening.

Murshed’s 80-year-old mother, Nasima, a former employee of the Durgapur Steel Plant, was inconsolable on receiving the news. “I lost my husband 30 years ago. Now I have lost my son, grandson and daughter-in-law. I am shattered,” she said.

The family originally hailed from Jangipur in Murshidabad district and had been settled in Durgapur for nearly six decades.

Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Sanjay Singhal on Thursday formally unveiled the official mascot, ‘Tejo’, of the Second All India Police Handball Cluster during a curtain-raiser ceremony at the SSB’s Siliguri headquarters.

The prestigious tournament will be held from 19 to 23 January. This year, the SSB has been entrusted with hosting the event, with organisational responsibility assigned by the Force Headquarters to the Frontier Headquarters, Siliguri.

According to SSB officials, the competition will see participation from 81 men’s and women’s teams representing 30 police organisations and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) from across the country.

Veteran BJP leader Dilip Ghosh on Thursday signalled a full-fledged return to the political battlefield, making it clear that the party’s 2026 Assembly campaign is firmly in his sights.

Re-energised, as he put it, by Union home minister Amit Shah’s call of action, Mr Ghosh addressed a press conference from the BJP’s Salt Lake state headquarters after a long gap, asserting that he would now be active “across the field”. “Amit Shah asked me to step into the field, and I have done so,” Mr Ghosh said, underlining that his renewed visibility was not self-driven but guided by the party’s central leadership. Without naming him, the former state BJP president took sharp digs at Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, reopening fault lines within the state unit. Speculation about Mr Ghosh’s political comeback had begun soon after his meeting with Mr Shah on Wednesday. By Thursday afternoon, the buzz turned into action.

Nearly eight months after he was last seen at the party office, Mr Ghosh arrived at the Salt Lake headquarters, held an extended meeting with state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, and then faced the media in his trademark combative style.

Responding to questions about his apparent marginalisation within the party in recent months, Mr Ghosh struck an aggressive note. “I have always been around. I will play across the field. I was state president for six years and later handled other responsibilities. Today I have spoken to Samik-da. Wherever the party needs me, I am ready. I will fight,” he said.

Mr Ghosh also addressed the controversy from the recent Lok Sabha election campaign, when he had faced protests and black flags by sections of BJP workers. Without taking names, he blamed “new entrants” for the episode. “BJP workers have never shown black flags to me. In changed circumstances, many people have joined the party. This is their culture. They don’t know when and whom to show black flags to. Some people have come from the Trinamul Congress. They did this. Whether they were right or wrong, I won’t judge. I also don’t know whether they will stay or leave,” he remarked pointedly.

Asked whether he would contest the 2026 Assembly elections, Mr Ghosh said he had no reservations if the party asked him to do so. On the larger question of whether the BJP could reclaim lost ground in 2026, he invoked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s long political struggle. “How many years of struggle did Mamata Banerjee take to come to power? One has to keep fighting. People will come and go. But if you step away from the movement, it won’t work,” he said. With his remarks, Mr Ghosh made it clear that he intends to be a key player in the BJP’s Bengal strategy going forward.

A group of eight US lawmakers has written to the Indian government, asking that activist Umar Khalid be given a fair and timely trial in line with international law. The letter comes days after New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani publicly expressed support for Khalid.

The lawmakers addressed their letter to India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra. They said their appeal followed recent interactions with Khalid’s family and growing concerns around the length of his detention.

US lawmakers cite long detention, due process concerns

The letter is led by Democrat Jim McGovern, Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee and Co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, who represents Massachusetts’ 2nd District. Seven other members of Congress joined him.

According to the letter, McGovern and his colleagues met Umar Khalid’s parents earlier in December. Soon after, McGovern shared details of the meeting in a post on X.

“Earlier this month, I met with the parents of Umar Khalid, who has been jailed in India for over 5 years without trial. Representative Raskin and I are leading our colleagues to urge that he be granted bail and a fair, timely trial in accordance with international law,” McGovern wrote.

In their letter, the lawmakers raised concerns about Khalid’s continued detention under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

“Umar Khalid has been detained without bail for 5 years under UAPA, which independent human rights experts have warned may contravene international standards of equality before the law, due process and proportionality,” the letter said.

It added: “India must uphold the rights of individuals to receive a trial with reasonable time or to be release and be presume innocent until proven guilty.”

The lawmakers also requested information on steps taken by Indian authorities to ensure that proceedings against Khalid and other co-accused meet international judicial standards.

Mamdani’s message and recent court relief

The letter follows a personal note written by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who was sworn in on Thursday. Mamdani had earlier written to Khalid, recalling his meeting with Khalid’s parents. The message was shared on social media by Khalid’s partner, Banojyotsna.

“I think of your words on bitterness often, and the importance of not letting it consume one’s self. It was a pleasure to meet your parents. We are all thinking of you,” Mamdani wrote.

Among the other US lawmakers who signed the letter are Congressman Jamie Raskin, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, Senator Peter Welch, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, Congressman Jan Schakowsky and Congressman Lloyd Doggett.

Meanwhile, a Delhi court recently granted Umar Khalid provisional bail to attend his sister’s wedding. The Karkardooma Court allowed interim bail from December 16 to December 29. Khalid’s sister, Ayesha Fatima Syeda, got married on December 27.

Umar Khalid has been charge-sheeted in the North East Delhi riots conspiracy case under the UAPA. His bail plea remains pending before the Supreme Court.

Zohran Kwame Mamdani has formally taken over as mayor of New York City, promising to govern “expansively and audaciously” and stay true to his identity as a “democratic socialist”.

The 34-year-old was sworn in on New Year’s Day, becoming the first Muslim, first South Asian, and first African-born mayor of the United States’ largest city and financial capital.

At the public inauguration on the steps of City Hall, the oath of office was administered by Senator Bernie Sanders, a long-time political inspiration for Mamdani. Sanders said the victory represented a rejection of political establishments and powerful economic interests.

“I will not abandon my principles for fear of being deemed radical,” Mamdani said after taking office. He pledged to revive what he called “the era of big government” to improve daily life in the city.

Also Read: Zohran Mamdani takes mayoral oath on Quran, becomes New York City’s first Muslim mayor

A socialist pitch from the steps of City Hall

In his address, Mamdani said his administration would confront corporate power and push collective solutions over individualism.

“We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism,” he said, outlining a governing approach that “never flinches in the fight against corporate greed, and refuses to cower before challenges”.

He repeated key campaign promises, including free bus travel, free childcare from six months of age, city-run retail outlets and a freeze on rent hikes in regulated housing.

Sanders, speaking earlier, framed Mamdani’s rise as a message to the wealthy elite. “The billionaire class in this city and country have to understand that they cannot have it all,” he said, adding that the country must belong to everyone, not just a few.

The ceremony opened with a prayer to Allah by Imam Khalid Latif, who said that it would be a “different” New York where “a young immigrant democratic socialist can be bold enough to run and brave enough to win not by abandoning conviction but by standing firmly with it”.

In a nod to his socialist image, Mamdani arrived at City Hall in a regular taxi, even as he remained under police protection. He has previously criticised the police force, calling it racist and a threat to public safety.

He took the oath holding two Korans , one belonging to his grandfather and another linked to an African American writer, held by his wife, Rama Duwaji.

A celebratory block party followed on Broadway, with music and dancing despite freezing temperatures of around minus 2 degrees Celsius. City officials estimated nearly 40,000 people attended.

Midnight oath, political hurdles ahead

Hours earlier, just after midnight, Mamdani had already been sworn in privately by New York State Attorney General Letitia James at a long-closed, ornate subway station beneath City Hall. The ceremony, marking the legal start of his term, was attended only by family, close aides and the media.

At the same time, crowds in Times Square welcomed the New Year with the traditional crystal ball drop, singing “New York, New York” as the city closed the chapter on outgoing mayor Eric Adams’ term.

Mamdani, a Shia Muslim born in Uganda, is the son of filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani, who traces his roots to India. He won the mayoral race last November after defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo, riding on widespread anger over the rising cost of living.

His margin, however, was narrow. Mamdani secured 51 per cent of the vote, with the remainder split between Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, leaving nearly half the electorate unconvinced.

Since the election, he has softened or stepped back from some earlier radical positions and has sought to engage with Jewish groups after criticism that some of his past remarks and associations were anti-Semitic. The city’s fire commissioner resigned over these concerns, though the Jewish police commissioner stayed on.

Several of Mamdani’s proposals, particularly those tied to affordability, will require approval at the state level and significant funding. His call to “tax the rich” has drawn pushback, as around 1 per cent of earners already contribute nearly half of the city’s USD 18.5 billion income tax revenue, raising fears of an exodus of high-income residents.

Even as supporters celebrate a historic shift at City Hall, Mamdani begins his term facing deep scepticism, sharp political scrutiny and the challenge of turning bold promises into workable policy.

Nature is not always about pleasant views or picturesque scenery; it also involves philosophy, memory, and spiritual journey. Recently, an art and photography exhibition was organised at the Birla Academy of Arts & Culture. Titled ‘Reflections of Nature’, the exhibition brought together Chinese -style brushwork rooted in Indian landscapes alongside wildlife photography. Curated by Nandita and Sandip Bhattacharjee, it aimed to create a dialogue between art, reality and ecology. For Nandita Bhattacharjee, the exhibition is a part of a deeply personal artistic journey.

Trained in Chinese painting, she returned to Kolkata in 2014 with a decision to devote herself to reinterpreting Indian landscapes through Chinese painting techniques. Speaking to The Statesman she said, “The paintings displayed here are Chinese-style artworks, but they depict Indian themes and landscapes.” Her medium of art involves working on Chinese rice paper using pigmented Chinese watercolours. Her process allows no preliminary sketch. “Chinese style painting involves direct painting with the brush without sketching the drawing. Every stroke is different for that reason. Combining all these different strokes, I have attempted to create landscapes,” she stated. One of her works, ‘Openness’, draws inspiration from Nagarhole in Karnataka.

The Jacaranda trees she encountered there left a lasting impression. However, the art doesn’t just solely focus on visual beauty; it also emphasises ecological concerns. “The thought process begins with pollution and ‘un-pollution’. Mother Earth looks so beautiful when not polluted. But we are exploiting her and causing distress,” she stressed. This duality of beauty and exploitation is depicted through her art. Sandip Bhattacharjee’s wildlife photography complements the paintings. “Ultimately, both our works display nature. One through the artist’s lens, the other as pure reality,” Sandip shared. His photographs captured untamed moments from the wild, reinforcing the exhibition’s environmental consciousness.

Beyond aesthetics, the exhibition seeks to revive a nearly forgotten artistic tradition. Sandip pointed to the historical lineage of Chinese brushwork in India. Rabindranath Tagore had invited Chinese master Prof Xu Beihong to Shantiniketan, influencing artists like Nandalal Bose in the 1930s. However, the style faded over time. “We want to create awareness of this art form that Gurudev Tagore brought to India,” he claimed. He further added, “Nandita may be among the very few practitioners of this genre in the country today.” According to Sandip, Chinese painting is philosophical in structure. It is meant to be viewed from bottom to top. There is a simultaneous interplay of space and time within it. For instance, artworks like ‘Flow of Life’ and ‘Devotion’ visually chart human journeys.

The journey moves from mundane existence to spiritual enlightenment. It is depicted through shifting landscapes, rural imagery and cosmic unity. In conversation with The Statesman, Chief Guest and art critic Madhu Sarkar highlighted the rarity of such displays. “Chinese brushwork is one of the oldest artistic traditions in the world. Its nuanced strokes, calligraphic essence and metaphysical landscapes explore the flow of cosmic energy, ‘Chi’. Without mastery, one cannot progress in this style. It really feels great to be a part of such an exhibition.” Aptly matching its title, ‘Reflection of Nature’ showcased nature in different forms – be it through Chinese paintings or wildlife photography. Even though the style and technique may differ, what it wanted to convey was universal: a reconnection with nature and inner awareness.

A controversy has broken out after IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders picked Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman, drawing Shah Rukh Khan, one of the team’s co-owners, into an unexpected political debate.

The criticism began when Hindu religious leader Devkinandan Thakur questioned the decision, citing reports of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. His comments quickly set off a wider reaction, with BJP leaders, Muslim clerics, and opposition politicians stepping in from different sides of the argument.

BJP leader calls SRK a ‘traitor’, sparks wider outrage

On Thursday, BJP leader Sangeet Singh Som escalated the criticism, accusing Shah Rukh Khan of betraying the country by associating with a player from Bangladesh.

Speaking to ANI, Som alleged that Hindus in Bangladesh were facing severe persecution, including attacks on homes and women, and claimed that investing in players from a country he described as “working against India” was unacceptable.

“People like Shah Rukh Khan are traitors; they eat in India and sing praises of Pakistan and Bangladesh,” Som said, adding that Mustafizur Rahman would not be allowed to play in India and “won’t be able to step outside the airport”.

Similar criticism was voiced by Hindu spiritual leader Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya, who also questioned the actor’s actions and character.

“He (Shah Rukh Khan) is not a hero. Shah Rukh Khan does not have a character. His actions have been those of a traitor,” Rambhadracharya said.

Devkinandan Thakur, reiterating his stance, asked how a team owner could include a Bangladeshi player at a time when, he claimed, Hindus were facing brutal attacks in the neighbouring country. He demanded that the cricketer be removed from the team and suggested the reported fee be redirected to affected families.

“As a gesture of apology and remorse, Rs 9.2 crore, which is being given to that cricketer, should be given to the families of the Hindu children who are being killed there,” he said.

Opposition, Muslim leaders push back, cite Constitution and law

The remarks drew strong condemnation from opposition leaders and Muslim religious organisations.

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate said, “First of all, I want to ask who put the Bangladeshi players in that pool. This question is for the BCCI and the ICC. Home Minister’s son, Jay Shah, should answer who put the Bangladeshi players in the pool where IPL players are bought and sold, the pool where the players’ auction takes place… he is the ICC’s chief and the main decision-maker in cricket all around the world…”

Congress MP Manickam Tagore called the attacks on Shah Rukh Khan an assault on India’s plural character. Writing on X on Thursday, he said, “Calling Superstar Shah Rukh Khan a ‘traitor’ is an attack on India’s pluralism. Hate cannot define nationalism. RSS must stop poisoning society.”

Congress leader Tariq Anwar also defended the actor, pointing out that Shah Rukh Khan has acted in several films rooted in patriotic themes and is an internationally recognised figure. He said the inclusion of foreign players in the IPL can only happen with the approval of cricket authorities and within the framework of international rules.

Muslim leaders echoed similar views. Imam Association president Maulana Sajid Rashidi said protests often erupt simply because Muslim names are involved. He questioned who had the authority to object to a lawful decision taken under constitutional and sporting norms.

“In this country, blindly opposing anything without thinking or understanding the Constitution has become a habit. Whenever a Muslim name comes up, protesting becomes very easy. Shah Rukh Khan is Muslim, and the Bangladeshi cricketer he bought is also Muslim, so the protest is inevitable because the hatred against Muslims here immediately comes to the surface… What concern is it of the people?… If they do something against the constitution, the law will deal with them, won’t it? The government will take action against them. Who are you to protest and say that Shah Rukh Khan shouldn’t do this?”

All India Muslim Jamaat president Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi said Indian Muslims were equally concerned about the safety of minorities in Bangladesh, but stressed that entering into a sporting agreement did not amount to betrayal. “This cannot be justified under any circumstances,” he said, referring to the accusations against the actor.

The controversy comes amid heightened tensions following recent incidents of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, which have triggered protests and political reactions in India. IPL authorities have not issued any statement on the matter so far.