United States President Donald Trump has reiterated his claim of having stopped a war between India and Pakistan in May last year, saying nobody more than him deserved the Nobel Prize.

Talking to media persons at the White House last night, he said, “Whether people like Trump or don’t like Trump, I settled eight wars- big ones. Some going on for 36 years, 32, 31, 28, 25 years.”

The American leader said, “Some (wars were) just getting ready to start, like India and Pakistan, where already eight jets were shot down in the air, and I got it done in rapid order without nuclear weapons. I can’t think of anybody in history who should get the Nobel Prize more than me, and I don’t want to brag, but nobody else has settled wars. You should get the Nobel Prize for every war you stopped.”

He said these were ‘’major wars, these were wars nobody thought could be stopped. I don’t care about that; I care about saving lives. I’ve saved tens of millions of lives.”

Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin had called him and mentioned two wars that the latter had been wanting to stop for ten years.

‘’Pakistan’s Prime Minister (Shehbaz Sharif) came here and made a public statement that President Trump saved ten million lives involving Pakistan and India, and that was going to be raging.’’

He wondered why former President Barack Obama was given the Nobel Prize. ‘’He (Obama) had no idea why he was given the prize…he still has no idea. He didn’t do anything.’’

Trump has made similar claims on numerous occasions ever since the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan after their four-day conflict in May last year. India has, however, consistently denied third-party involvement in ending hostilities with Pakistan, saying the ceasefire was brokered by the DGMOs on the two sides.

His fresh statement came a day after India termed as ‘’not accurate’’ the reported remarks of US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick that a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries did not happen because Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not call the American President. New Delhi says it is still committed to a mutually beneficial trade deal with the US.

Meanwhile, the new US Ambassador Sergio Gor arrived in India to take charge of his assignment. In a social media post on ‘X’, he said, ‘’Great to be back in India! Incredible opportunities ahead for our two nations!’’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday underscored that India’s youth, with their unmatched energy and commitment, are the driving force behind building a strong and prosperous nation. Highlighting the spirit and determination of India’s younger generation, he expressed enthusiasm to engage with the nation’s youth at the upcoming Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue here on 12 January.

The dialogue will serve as a platform for young leaders from across the country to share ideas, aspirations, and contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat.

The PM will participate in the concluding session of the dialogue on the occasion of National Youth Day, commemorating the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. On the occasion, he will interact with around 3,000 youth from across the country, along with young delegates representing the international diaspora. Selected participants will make their final presentations to the Prime Minister across ten thematic tracks, sharing youth-led perspectives and actionable ideas on key areas of national importance.

During the programme, the PM will release Essay Compilation for Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026, comprising selected essays authored by young participants on India’s developmental priorities and long-term nation-building goals.

The Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue, now in its second edition, is a national platform designed to facilitate structured engagement between India’s youth and national leadership. It aligns with the PM’s Independence Day call to engage one lakh youth in politics without political affiliations and provide them a national platform to make their ideas for Viksit Bharat a reality.

Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026, being held from 9 to 12 January, has witnessed participation from over 50 lakh youth across the country at various levels. The young leaders converging at the national-level championship have been selected through a rigorous, merit-based three-stage selection process, comprising a nationwide digital quiz, an essay challenge, and state-level vision presentations.

The second edition of the Dialogue builds upon the success of its inaugural edition with key new additions, including the introduction of Design for Bharat, Tech for Viksit Bharat – Hack for a Social Cause, expanded thematic engagements, and international participation for the first time, further strengthening the Dialogue’s scope and impact.

The brainstorming sessions at the Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 will begin on a spirited note here on Thursday, January 15. Scholars, writers, journalists and audiences will revisit historic events, examine errors and actions during the Vietnam War, listen to inspiring stories of Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales, and question the country’s current pursuit of higher GDP growth.

In the opening session at the Charbagh, Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Fredrik Logevall will be seen in conversation with Sam Dalrymple on his award-winning work Embers of War, which narrates the fall of an empire and the making of America’s Vietnam.

In a sweeping narrative of power, ambition and fatal misjudgment, Logevall’s book reveals how the United States was drawn into the Vietnam War. Drawing on newly accessible diplomatic archives, he traces the path that led France and later the US into deadly miscalculations and missed opportunities. Illuminating hidden histories of Indochina, the gripping account also explores the collisions that reshaped Southeast Asia.

In a parallel session at the Front Lawn, Booker Prize–winning author Kiran Desai will discuss her novel The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny, shortlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize. The book unfolds as an epic yet intimate story of modern love, filial duty and generational longing.

At once philosophical, comic and uncanny, Desai navigates the complexities of class, race and legacy, capturing the elusive quest for happiness in a globalised world. In conversation with Nandini Nair, she explores how these entwined stories reflect the quiet radicalism of chance connections.

At another session at Surya Mahal, noted economic thinkers Arun Maira and A.K. Bhattacharya will be in conversation with Mohit Satyanand on Maira’s book Reimagining India’s Economy. Questioning the country’s current chase for higher GDP figures, Maira’s work lays out a roadmap towards a more equitable society. Maira is a management consultant and former member of the Planning Commission of India.

Editorial Director of Business Standard and senior economic journalist AK Bhattacharya, author of the India’s Finance Ministers series, critically evaluates key economic and fiscal policy decisions taken by successive governments since Independence. Together, the speakers will reflect on the shortcomings and future direction of the Indian economy.

In another session, Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales will be in conversation with Anita Anand on his book The Seven Rules of Trust, an inspiring guide to building accountability, creativity and institutions that endure over time.

The 2026 edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival, presented by Vedanta, will be held from January 15 to 19, 2026. Bringing together leading voices from literature, politics, science and the arts, the Festival will continue to foster powerful literary discourse and engage with the most pressing global themes, an organisers’ spokesperson said.

“The Festival remains an empowering space for informed intellectual dialogue, where ideas are debated and stories are shared,” the spokesperson added.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday disclosed that ‘’Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026’’ has surpassed last year’s Guinness World Record of 3.56 crore registrations, with more than four crore online participants already registered.

He stated that more than being an annual dialogue, ‘’Pariksha Pe Charcha’’, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has evolved into a nationwide movement aimed at creating a stress-free environment for the youth of the country.

The minister called upon all students/exam warriors to actively participate in “Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026.” He added that as the examination season approaches, students can alleviate exam-related stress through PM Modi’s masterclass on confidence, focus, and well-being.

The registrations for “Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC),’’ the flagship initiative of the PM, have crossed a historic milestone, with over four crore registrations from students, parents, and teachers as of January 8.

The overwhelming response reflects the growing resonance of the programme and its continued success in addressing students’ mental well-being while promoting a positive, confident, and stress-free approach to examinations.

The scale and diversity of participation underscore the emergence of “Pariksha Pe Charcha’’ as a true Jan Andolan, deeply connecting learners, parents, and educators across the country.

More than an annual interaction, the initiative has evolved into a nationwide movement fostering meaningful dialogue on education, well-being, and holistic development.

The online registrations for “Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026’’ opened on December 1, 2025, on the MyGov portal. Organised annually by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education, the initiative has become a widely anticipated platform that brings students, parents, and teachers together to engage directly with the Prime Minister.

As the examination season approaches, students across the country are encouraged to participate in “Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026’’ and benefit from the PM’s guidance on managing exam-related stress and embracing learning with confidence.

A political row has broken out after All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi spoke about his “dream” of seeing a hijab-clad woman become Prime Minister of India. The remark has drawn strong reactions from leaders across party lines, who questioned both the timing and intent of the statement.

Owaisi made the comment while addressing an election meeting in Solapur, Maharashtra, on Friday. He said the Indian Constitution allows any citizen to become Prime Minister and contrasted this with Pakistan, where the top post is restricted by religion. Calling India’s Constitution inclusive, he said it was his dream that “a hijab-clad daughter” would one day lead the country.

“The constitution of Pakistan clearly states that a person belonging to only one religion can become the Prime Minister of the country. Baba Sahib’s constitution says that any citizen of India can become Prime Minister, CM, or mayor. It is my dream that a day will come when a hijab-clad daughter will become the Prime Minister of this country,” he said.

Leaders question intent, stress merit and mandate

Reacting to the remark, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said there was no constitutional bar on who could become Prime Minister but asserted that India’s civilisation was rooted in Hindu traditions. He added that he was confident the country would always have a Hindu Prime Minister.

The statement also drew criticism from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. VHP spokesperson Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Vinod Bansal accused “radical elements” of holding back women. He said India had already had a woman Prime Minister and would have more in the future, but rejected what he described as an attempt to confine women to “radical Islamic principles”.

From Mumbai, Shiv Sena spokesperson Shaina NC dismissed Owaisi’s statement outright. She said there was “no vacancy” for the Prime Minister’s post and pointed to the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shaina added that leadership should be decided by work and popular mandate, not caste, creed or community, though she said India could support a woman Prime Minister in the future on merit.

Congress leader Imran Masood also distanced himself from Owaisi’s remarks. Speaking to ANI, he said the AIMIM chief was talking about something “impossible”, comparing it to “seeing stars during the day”. He added that wearing a hijab was a personal choice and that democracy guaranteed individual rights.

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took to X to challenge Owaisi to first appoint a hijab-clad woman or a Pasmanda Muslim as president of AIMIM before speaking of the Prime Minister’s post.

Supermodel Kendall Jenner is finally clearing the air, addressing one of the controversial rumours surrounding her sexuality.

Clearing the air

In a recent podcast, Jenner opened up on how the internet believes her to be a lesbian, adding that it would not have been an issue for her to come out in public.

Also Read: Gay or straight: Kendall Jenner spills out the truth

Podcast remarks

“There’s the whole side of the internet that thinks I’m a lesbian. I understand that coming out is not an easy thing for anybody, if not most people. And I’m not saying that’s an easy thing, but knowing, and I can speak for myself here, and knowing myself, I think at this point in my life I’d be out if I was,” as quoted by Page Six.

‘I can speak for myself’

Reiterating her views on revealing her sexuality to the world, the 30-year-old ‘Kardashians’ star added, “I’m not saying it’s an easy thing. I’m just saying that knowing me and knowing how I would want to live my life, I would be. I’d have no problem being that. I think that there’s this whole narrative that I’m hiding this thing. All’s to say, as of today, I am not. I don’t think I will be, but I’m not closing doors to experiences in life.”

Supermodel’s personal life

Coming to the supermodel’s personal life, Kendall Jenner has been linked to several famous people, including singer Harry Styles, NBA player Devin Booker, and rapper Bad Bunny, reported People.

Also Read: Kendall Jenner reshares a PDA picture with Devin Booker

Keeping relationships private

Despite her recent remarks, Jenner prefers to keep her dating life away from the spotlight.

“Kendall’s always had this rule — she felt like she had to be with someone for at least a year before she let them be a part of the show because she doesn’t always know what people’s intentions are. So that’s why we kind of kept her personal life out of it, just because she had a rule,” ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ executive producer Farnaz Farjam told the outlet in 2021.

Also Read: Kendall Jenner reveals Coachella fashion secrets

Why she stays guarded

Prior to that, the supermodel spoke about her decision, explaining that she considers her relationships to be “special and sacred,” which she believes gets messier in the public.

Also Read: Mahesh Babu’s daughter Sitara runs into Kendall Jenner in Italy

A day after being arrested and sent to judicial custody in connection with the gold theft case, Sabarimala priest Kantaru Rajeevar was on Saturday morning moved to the state-run Medical College Hospital after he felt unwell.

It was late on Friday night that Kantaru Rajeevar was remanded to judicial custody by a court in Kollam after his arrest was recorded by the Kerala High Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT).

On Saturday morning, the ‘tantri (priest)’, after being served breakfast in the Special Sub-jail here, reported to the jail staff that he wished to see a doctor.

After the jail doctor examined him, he was moved to the General Hospital, and after a detailed examination, it was decided to shift him to the Medical College Hospital here for treatment.

Rajeevar was arrested by the SIT after being questioned for several hours over his alleged role in the gold theft case.

Investigators said the decision to arrest him was taken only after a detailed examination of the evidence and after seeking legal advice.

The SIT has maintained that the arrest followed due procedure and was not made in haste.

The remand report submitted before the court places significant emphasis on the position and responsibilities of the ‘tantri’ as defined in the Devaswom Manual.

According to the manual, the ‘tantri’ occupies a post equivalent to that of an Assistant Commissioner in the Devaswom hierarchy.

The report underlines that the ‘tantri’ is among the highest-ranking authorities in matters relating to temple rituals as well as the protection and management of Devaswom assets.

Investigators have also highlighted that the ‘tantri’ carries a crucial responsibility in safeguarding Devaswom properties, a factor the SIT has cited to underscore the gravity of the allegations in the gold theft case.

A key issue examined during the probe was the nature of the remuneration received by the ‘tantri’, described in the Devaswom Manual as ‘paditharam’.

Initially, there was confusion over whether ‘paditharam’ constituted a ritual offering or ‘dakshina’, or whether it was a formal payment.

After seeking legal clarification, the SIT concluded that ‘paditharam’ is remuneration and not a voluntary offering.

The SIT has further stated that the tantri is a salaried functionary who receives payment from the Devaswom Board, a finding that has been incorporated into the remand report.

A team of state BJP leaders on Saturday visited the home of the arrested ‘tantri’ at Chengannur.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the bail application of the ‘tantri’ is coming up, and until then, in all likelihood, he will be in his hospital bed.

After Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi demanded that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar be awarded the Bharat Ratna, the party on Saturday clarified that the remarks were “purely personal” and do not reflect its official position.

JD(U) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad asserted that Tyagi’s recent statements should not be linked to the party, underlining that even party leaders and workers are unsure whether Tyagi continues to be an active member of the organisation.

Speaking to IANS, Ranjan said, “Several statements by KC Tyagi have emerged recently. These do not reflect the official party position or policies. Therefore, his remarks should be regarded as given in a personal capacity. It is also important to note that even party leaders and workers are unaware of whether he is currently active in the party, reinforcing that his statements are purely personal.”

Echoing a similar view, JD(U) Minister Ashok Choudhary also distanced the party from Tyagi’s comments and said no formal decision had been taken on the issue.

Speaking to IANS, Choudhary said, “Regarding KC Tyagi’s statements, these are his personal opinions and not related to the party’s position. No decision has been taken by the party on this matter yet. When the party decides, it will inform the public.”

KC Tyagi had recently written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking the Bharat Ratna for JD(U) national president Nitish Kumar.

In his letter, Tyagi argued that just as Chaudhary Charan Singh and Karpoori Thakur were conferred with the country’s highest civilian award last year, Nitish Kumar was equally deserving of the honour.

Tyagi has also courted controversy in recent weeks by issuing a statement in support of Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman, which did not align with the JD(U)’s official stand.

He had said that politics should not be mixed with sports and urged the BCCI to reconsider its decision directing Kolkata Knight Riders to drop Rahman from the IPL squad.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi welcomed the idea, saying it would be “wonderful” if Nitish Kumar were to be conferred with the Bharat Ratna.

In a post on X, Manjhi wrote, “Bharat Ratna Nitish Kumar Ji… How wonderful it would sound to hear these words, right? We are fully confident that the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji, known for stunning everyone with his decisions, will once again leave everyone stunned by deciding to confer the Bharat Ratna on Bihar’s honourable Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Ji… Bharat Ratna Nitish Kumar.”

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Friday said India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation is firmly on track, driven by the pace laid down by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue in the capital, Doval said the momentum is strong enough to carry the country forward even without constant intervention.

“India will definitely develop. India, at the pace and speed that PM Modi has set. Even if it runs on autopilot, it will still be developed,” he said.

But he added a note of caution. Development alone is not enough. Leadership will decide what kind of developed nation India becomes.

Also Read: PM Modi to interact with youth at Viksit Bharat Young Leaders’ Dialogue 2.0 in Delhi

Why leadership and decisions matter, according to Doval

Addressing young participants, Doval urged them to sharpen their decision-making skills, calling it the most enduring quality of leadership.

“I’ve forgotten my youth, and your youth has changed so much that I’m not even aware of many things. But one thing is very common in both: when I was young, and now, I’ve observed that it always stays with you… That is your decision-making ability,” he said.

He posed a direct question. Who will lead a developed India?

“But the question is: who will lead this developed India? How capable will they be? The greatest strength of a leader is making the right decisions. They make decisions on time and implement those decisions with complete faith and conviction,” Doval said.

He said this skill is essential across fields, from science and technology to national security, and must be built early.

‘Wars are fought to break morale, not for violence’

Doval also spoke at length about national willpower, calling it the real source of a country’s strength.

“You can increase your willpower. That same willpower becomes national power,” he said, explaining that wars are not about destruction but dominance of resolve.

“Why do we fight wars? We’re not psychopaths who get great satisfaction or pleasure from seeing enemy corpses, dead bodies, and severed limbs. That’s not why wars are fought,” he said.

“Wars are fought to break a country’s morale, so that it will surrender according to our wishes and accept our terms… The will of the nation is what wars are fought for,” he added.

Referring to current global conflicts, Doval said countries use force to impose their will, and only strong leadership backed by morale ensures independence.

“If you have everything but without that morale, all your weapons and resources will be useless,” he said.

He praised India’s leadership for steering the country towards rapid progress over the last decade, calling its commitment and dedication a source of inspiration.

The Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2.0 began on Saturday at Bharat Mandapam and will continue until January 12. The first edition was held at the same venue in January 2025.

Guess who’s back, Actress Shriya Pilgaonkar says her character Sweety Gupta from Mirzapur Season one is “back from the dead”. She is currently shooting for the film adaptation of the popular crime thriller series.

Also Read: Shriya Pilgaonkar talks about receiving guidance from her actor parents Sachin & Supriya

‘Back from the dead’ announcement

Shriya took to Instagram, where she shared two pictures. The first was a picture of the film’s clapboard, while the second was a group photograph featuring the cast members including Ali Fazal, Shweta Tripathi, Divyenndu, Pankaj Tripathi, Rasika Dugal and others.

Also Read: ‘Mirzapur: The Movie’ wraps Varanasi shoot: Ali Fazal, Shweta Tripathi, Pankaj Tripathi share their journey

For the caption, Shriya wrote: “8 years later …guess who’s back from the dead. MIRZAPUR -THE FILM. Currently filming. Jald hi milenge ..”

 

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A tragic end in Season 1

Here’s a recap if you don’t remember, Shriya’s character Sweety was killed by the character Munna Bhaiyya at her own wedding, despite her being pregnant on the first season of the show.

Also Read: Mirzapur co-stars Ali Fazal and Shriya Pilgaonkar to return with House Arrest

About the Mirzapur universe

Meanwhile, “Mirzapur”, follows Akhandanand “Kaleen” Tripathi, a crime boss and businessman who is the proverbial ruler of Mirzapur district in the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh state in India.

Also Read: Bhaukaal intensifies! Kaleen and Munna Bhaiya return with ‘Mirzapur’ movie

In the first season, the main cast features Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Divyendu Sharma, Vikrant Massey, Shweta Tripathi, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Rasika Dugal, Harshita Gaur and Kulbhushan Kharbanda.

The second season retains the main cast from the first season, excluding Vikrant and Shriya, with a new cast consisting of Vijay Varma, Isha Talwar, Lilliput, Anjum Sharma, Priyanshu Painyuli, Anangsha Biswas and Neha Sargam.

What’s next for Shriya Pilgaonkar

Shriya will next be seen in Haiwaan by director of the film Priyadarshan. The much‑anticipated film Haiwaan has completed its shooting schedule. And is expected to be released in 2026.

 

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She made her acting debut with the Marathi film Ekulti Ek in 2013, for which she earned the Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Debut.

Following her Hindi film debut with Fan, the actress went onto establish herself with successful web series such as Mirzapur, Guilty Minds, The Broken News and Taaza Khabar. For Guilty Minds and the film Ishq-e-Nadaan.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seized actor-politician Vijay’s campaign vehicle as part of its ongoing investigation into the deadly stampede that occurred during his public meeting in Karur on September 27 last year, which claimed 41 lives and left several others seriously injured.

According to officials, the campaign bus, used by Vijay during the rally and transported from Panaiyur to Karur, was currently being examined by investigators to verify movement logs, travel timings, and compliance with permissions granted for the event.

The driver of the vehicle is also being questioned to corroborate details related to the rally day schedule and crowd movement.

The tragedy reportedly occurred amid massive crowding and alleged lapses in crowd-control arrangements at the venue where Vijay addressed supporters.

Following directions to ensure an impartial inquiry, the case was transferred to the CBI, which has since intensified its probe by questioning political leaders and district-level officials associated with the event.

Earlier, on November 25, senior leaders of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) appeared before the CBI in New Delhi. Those questioned included party General Secretary Bussy Anand, Election Campaign Management General Secretary Adhav Arjun, and Joint General Secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar.

TVK Karur West District Secretary KP Mathiyazhagan and M.C. Paunraj were also examined.

Investigators said the leaders were questioned on a wide range of issues, including rally planning, permissions obtained, crowd estimates, security arrangements, and logistical coordination.

On December 4, Karur District Collector Thangavelam was summoned and questioned for over two hours regarding administrative approvals, inter-departmental coordination, and the response mechanisms in place on the day of the rally.

In a further escalation of the probe, the CBI has issued a formal summons to Vijay, directing him to appear before investigators at the agency’s headquarters in New Delhi on January 12.

Sources said the questioning will focus on his role as the principal speaker, the planning and execution of the event, and decisions taken by the organising committee concerning crowd management.

The investigation aims to fix accountability for the lapses that led to one of the deadliest political rally tragedies in recent years.

Officials indicated that further questioning of key witnesses and scrutiny of documentary evidence will continue in the coming days.

Delhi Police have arrested three more individuals in connection with the Turkman Gate stone-pelting case, which erupted following a demolition drive by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) near the mosque.

With this arrest, the total number of accused persons held in the case so far has risen to 16, police said on Friday.

On Friday, the Delhi Police said they have arrested three more individuals, identified as Mohd. Naved, Mohd. Faiz and Mohd. Ubaidullah.

On Thursday, Delhi police also confirmed that 30 individuals have been identified for their alleged involvement in the violence.

The identification was made using CCTV footage and viral videos circulating on social media. Police teams have launched raids at multiple locations to take the remaining suspects into custody.

A video from a police bodycam, taken before the stone-pelting, was recorded when the encroachments began to be removed. Similar videos are being viewed from police bodycams, which may have captured rioters.

In a related development, the Delhi Police is set to issue a summons to Samajwadi Party MP Mohibbullah Nadvi, asking him to join the investigation. Nadvi was present at the site shortly before the violence broke out. Police said that despite repeated requests by senior officers, he remained in the vicinity at the time of the incident.

The demolition drive was conducted near Turkman Gate, close to Ramlila Maidan, following directions from the Delhi High Court. Police said the operation was carried out in the early hours of January 7 after several coordination meetings with the members of the Aman Committee and local stakeholders to maintain peace.

Meanwhile, the Tis Hazari court on Friday remanded eight accused to judicial custody till January 21. Accused persons were produced before the court following fresh arrests in the Turkman Gate stone-pelting case. Delhi Police sought judicial custody of all the accused persons.

Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Sayesha Chaddha remanded the accused, namely Imran Farrukh, Imran Sultan, Mohd Affan, Amir Hamza, Mohd. Ubaid Ullah, Shahnawaz, Mohd. Athar, Mohd. Adil in judicial custody till January 21.

Investigating agencies are on their toes with the case relating to narcotics increasing in Jammu and Kashmir. Syndicates operating from Pakistan are the main suppliers of drugs into Jammu and Kashmir, officials say.

They have been exploiting some vulnerabilities along the border areas to push drugs into the Union Territory. In recent times, drugs have been smuggled into Punjab and then transported by road to J&K, investigations have found.

The year 2025 saw a major crackdown by the Jammu and Kashmir police. At least 1,000 cases were registered under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The police made around 1,400 arrests during the same year. These included major suppliers and peddlers.

However, a surprising trend was noticed in 2025. The police discovered an increasing number of women and couples involved in the trade. During the crackdown, the police arrested 35 women in Jammu alone. The police also found that many women were running an all-woman network to evade detection.

The trend of having all-women networks is something that the ISI had planned. It is encouraging the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba to have an all-women network of terrorists. Further, it is also in the process of creating an all-women network of overground workers in Jammu and Kashmir. Hence, it comes as no surprise that the ISI wants to replicate the same when it comes to the narcotics network, too, an official said.

When these syndicates realised that the crackdown by the agencies against narco-terror would be severe, they immediately changed their strategy. The creation of an all-women network and using couples to peddle drugs were part of this renewed strategy, officials say.

In both cases, the detection becomes harder. In the case of couples, they get familial cover, and the detection is slower in such cases. Even in the case of the Faridabad module, the same trend was noticed. Dr Shaheed Saeed, who has been arrested, was key to the formation of the module. She is the one who made frequent trips to Jammu and Kashmir to meet with Maulvi Irfan Ahmed. These meetings are what led to the setting up of the module. She was the one who was instrumental in taking instructions from Ahmed and radicalising the rest of the members. She got away each time because she avoided detection since she was a doctor and also a woman.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that this is a strategy that has been working for the ISI, and hence it wants to introduce many women into its terror playbook. In addition to avoiding detection, women are considered to be better recruiters.

In the Jammu and Kashmir drugs case, it was found that the women found it easy to recruit. The same applies to terror-related cases as well. The youth often tend to listen to women more as they are easily convinced. This is something that the ISI has been exploiting and would continue to do so on a larger scale in the coming days.

An official said that in addition to dealing with these all-women modules, it is also important to stop the flow of drugs into the Union Territory from Pakistan. The use of drones has gone up multifold in recent years. There have been 791 drone incursions in 2025 along the western border. A majority of these were along the Punjab and Rajasthan borders, while just nine were in Jammu and Kashmir.

The India-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir has become a fortress. Post Operation Sindoor, the border has become extremely difficult to operate, and this is why the infiltrations have gone down to almost nil. Using drones along the borders with Punjab and Rajasthan allows Pakistan to bypass traditional routes. Once the narcotics land in the country, then a majority of it is transported by road into Jammu and Kashmir.

Intelligence agencies say that this menace is likely to go up this year too. The Pakistanis are desperate for funds to refuel their terror networks, and hence, the sale of narcotics will be their mainstay. The agencies are on high alert as there is actionable Intelligence which signals the increase in narcotics smuggling and the mushrooming of more all-women narco modules.

Protests sweeping Iran have set off alarm bells in New Delhi. Demonstrations have spread to more than 100 cities, adding to fears about instability at a time when India has a major strategic bet riding on the Chabahar Port project.

Indian officials say the unrest does not pose an immediate physical threat to the port. But there is concern about continuity. If protests deepen or lead to a change in regime, delays could stretch on, an official said.

India has invested close to USD 500 million in Chabahar. The port is central to New Delhi’s plans to reach Afghanistan, Central Asia, Russia, and Europe without routing trade through Pakistan. Any slowdown hurts timelines and leverage.

Also Read: Iran protests: ‘You better not start shooting because we’ll start shooting too,’ warns Donald Trump

Why Chabahar matters to India’s regional strategy

Chabahar is a gateway project. It supports India’s Connect Central Asia policy and opens trade routes to landlocked countries such as Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. It is also a pillar of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

The INSTC is a 7,200-km ship–rail–road network linking India with Iran, Russia, Europe and the Caspian Sea. Officials say it cuts transit time by nearly 40 per cent and costs by about 30 per cent. For India, those gains depend on steady progress on the ground.

A crucial piece is the Chabahar–Zahedan railway. Unrest could slow rail connectivity, weakening the corridor’s efficiency. Delays to cargo handling and infrastructure development are already a worry, officials note, especially after internet blackouts and supply-chain disruptions linked to the protests.

Unrest, security worries and the China factor

Iran’s security agencies are under strain. Officials point to low morale among lower-ranking cadres of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards amid an economic crisis. That has fed anxiety among workers, who fear being caught in the middle as protests continue.

New Delhi is also watching Beijing. China is known to advance its interests when countries face instability, officials say. Chabahar is seen as a counter to China’s footprint at Pakistan’s Gwadar Port, about 170 km away. The port also helps India keep an eye on Chinese naval activity in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.

News agency IANS mentioned an official as saying that any prolonged delay at Chabahar could set back long-term plans as China scales up at Gwadar.

Protests erupted on December 28, 2025, driven by a deepening economic crisis. What began as anger over inflation, food prices and the sharp fall of the Iranian rial has broadened. Shopkeepers first took to the streets; students and the wider public followed. The demands have since expanded to include calls for regime change, with demonstrations now reported across more than 100 locations.

Sunil Gavaskar does not forget promises.

The former India captain recently met Jemimah Rodrigues and turned a light-hearted assurance into a warm, memorable moment. Gavaskar gifted the India women’s team star a customised guitar shaped like a cricket bat, and then sang with her.

In a video now going viral on social media, Gavaskar is seen greeting Jemimah with a smile before handing over the unusual gift. He even cracked a joke, saying he was not the “opening bat” that day.

The meeting’s most loved moment came later. Gavaskar and Jemimah sang Yeh Dosti, the iconic song from the film Sholay, originally sung by Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey. The clip instantly struck a chord with fans.

“Sunil sir kept his promise and we ended up jamming with the coolest Bat-ar ever. This was a special one,” Jemimah wrote on Instagram.

 

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A post shared by Jemimah Jessica Rodrigues (@jemimahrodrigues)

Gavaskar had earlier said he would jam with Jemimah if she went on to win the Women’s ODI World Cup. The moment was his way of keeping that word, in his own style.

Host Morocco won over Cameroon 2-0, and Senegal defeated Mali 1-0 on Friday to book the first two tickets to the semifinals in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations football tournament.

At Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Brahim Diaz broke the deadlock for Morocco in the 26th minute, while Ismael Saibari sealed the win with a left-footed shot from the centre of the box in the 74th minute. Morocco were beaten by Cameroon in the semi-finals the last time they hosted AFCON in 1988, but things took a different course on Friday night.

Morocco, Africa’s top-ranked nation and World Cup semifinalists in 2022, are under enormous pressure to win the trophy in front of their own fans, half a century after their last continental title. Co

Morocco coach Walid Regragui said they were on course to achieve that dream.

“We need to just keep going one game at a time. We have not done anything yet,” said Regragui, who nevertheless also hailed a “historic” victory after the match.

“Moroccans have not seen their team in the semi-final of an AFCON for 22 years. They deserve it, but we need to keep our feet on the ground and make it even more historic,” he was quoted as saying by the local media.

In the last-four stage, Morocco will face the winner of Saturday’s clash between Algeria and Nigeria, reports Xinhua.

Meanwhile, Iliman Ndiaye scored the only goal of the match for Senegal in the 27th minute at Tangier’s Grand Stadium. During this fiercely contested West African derby, Mali were reduced to ten men when their captain, Yves Bissouma, was sent off in added time at the end of the first half, reports Xinhua.

Senegal will next face the winner of Saturday’s match between record champion Egypt and title holder Côte d’Ivoire.

The biggest football tournament in Africa will continue with the third and fourth semifinal spots to be decided on Saturday night.

PV Sindhu’s campaign at the season-opening Malaysia Open BWF World Tour Super 1000 came to an end on Saturday after the Indian went down in straight games to China’s world No. 2 Wang Zhiyi in the women’s singles semifinals at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur.

Competing in her first tournament since returning from a foot injury that had kept her out of action since October last year, the two-time Olympic medallist lost 16-21, 15-21 in a match that lasted just under an hour. The defeat also brought an end to India’s challenge in the Super 1000 event.

The Hyderabad-born shuttler began the contest with intent, using her height and reach effectively and unleashing powerful cross-court smashes to surge to a 5-2 lead in the opening game before Wang responded with sharp net play to draw level. A few errors from the Chinese player allowed Sindhu to edge ahead again at 9-7, but Wang regained the upper hand to lead narrowly at the mid-game interval as Sindhu struggled with consistency at the net.

The first game remained evenly balanced after the break, with both players trading errors as the score moved to 13-13. From there, Wang lifted her intensity, mixing aggressive attacks with precise placement to pull away to an 18-14 advantage. Sindhu tried to resist, but another error handed Wang the opening game.

Sindhu once again started strongly in the second game but gradually fell behind before making up patiently to move to a 6-3 lead and then extended it to a commanding 11-6 at the interval by pushing Wang into the corners. However, the momentum shifted soon after the restart as Wang mounted a steady comeback, capitalising on a series of unforced errors from Sindhu.

With the scores locked at 13-13, the Chinese player seized control through sharp net exchanges and relentless pressure, opening up a 16-13 lead. Sindhu missed the baseline on a couple of occasions, handing Wang five match points, and the contest ended when another wide shot confirmed the Chinese shuttler’s place in the final.

Despite the straight-game loss, Sindhu felt the match was more competitive than the scoreline suggested. “At this stage, it’s going to be a hard game, and there aren’t going to be easy points,” she said. “There were really long rallies, and I felt it was a good game overall, even though it ended in two sets. She was on the winning side today.”

The 30-year-old also admitted she missed an opportunity to press home her advantage in the second game. “At 11-6, maybe I should have taken two or three points in a row to maintain the lead,” Sindhu said. “But in a match like this, you can’t expect it to be easy even when you’re leading.”

The semifinal appearance marked Sindhu’s first at a major tournament in 14 months and provided encouraging signs following her injury layoff. She said the outing had boosted her confidence ahead of the upcoming India Open, where she will compete on home soil.

“It was a good tournament for me. It’s important that I rest now and get going for the India Open. Starting the season with a performance like this gives me a lot of confidence and motivation, especially after coming back from an injury,” Sindhu said.