Screenshot from video posted by Abhishek Banerjee

NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday met Sunali Khatun, a day after she gave birth to her second child. She was brought back to India on the Supreme Court’s orders after being deported to Bangladesh on suspicion of being its citizen.Also Read | ‘Triumph of humanity’: Sunali, dumped in Bangladesh when pregnant, brought back to India after 6 months, gives birth to sonBanerjee said that at the woman’s request, he named the boy “Apon,” meaning “one’s own” in Bengali. Khatun is already the mother of another boy, who is eight years old and was brought back with her from Bangladesh.The Lok Sabha MP also drew parallels with the Mahabharata, saying that “Duryodhana and Dushasana”—a remark likely aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah—would face “democratic retribution” for inflicting “torture” and “humiliation” on a pregnant mother.“In the Mahabharata, the Kauravas met their downfall because of the grave sin of violating Draupadi’s dignity out of arrogance. The modern-day Duryodhana-Dushasana duo will face democratic retribution in Bengal for the unspeakable torture, insult, and humiliation inflicted upon a pregnant mother,” Banerjee posted on X, sharing a video of his meeting with Khatun in the hospital.Also Read | Kept saying we’re Indian, they didn’t listen: Sunali KhatunThe TMC leader, nephew of party supremo and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, added that seeing the baby reminded him of the “sacred responsibility” public representatives have to defend the rights, honour, and dignity of citizens.“At Sunali’s request, I named the baby boy ‘Apon’ because no power on earth can make our own people feel like strangers. They are ours. They belong with us, among us, forever. I shall visit them again soon to ensure they receive every support they need,” he wrote.Banerjee announced on Monday that he would meet Khatun and her newborn.The woman and her elder son returned to India on December 5, nearly six months after being deported to Bangladesh on suspicion of being its national. Her husband, however, remains in the neighbouring country.The central government brought her back on “humanitarian grounds in view of her advanced pregnancy,” following the Supreme Court’s directive.

India has imported around 144 billion euros’ worth of crude oil from Russia since the start of the Ukraine war, making it the second-largest buyer after China, according to estimates by European think tank Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).According to news agency PTI, CREA said Russia has earned nearly 1 trillion euros from global fossil fuel sales since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. “As of January 2026, Russia has earned 1 trillion euros and counting from global fossil fuel sales since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine,” the think tank said, adding that these revenues continue to fund the war in Ukraine.China topped the list, buying fossil fuels worth 293.7 billion euros from Russia since February 2022, including 210.3 billion euros of oil, along with coal and gas. India followed as the second-largest buyer, importing fossil fuels worth 162.5 billion euros, including 143.88 billion euros of oil and 18.18 billion euros of coal, CREA said.The European Union spent 218.1 billion euros on Russian fossil fuels during the same period, including oil, coal and gas, despite sanctions imposed after the invasion. CREA noted that Russian oil has continued to flow into the EU, mainly to Hungary and Slovakia, and that products refined from Russian crude are still entering sanctioning countries.India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, sharply raised purchases of discounted Russian crude after Western nations cut back imports. Russia’s share in India’s crude basket rose from under 1 per cent before the war to nearly 40 per cent at its peak, PTI reported.However, Russia’s share has since fallen to below 25 per cent amid fresh US sanctions on major Russian oil exporters. India’s daily purchases of Russian oil from non-sanctioned entities dropped to around 72.92 million euros in early January from a peak of 189.07 million euros in July 2023, according to CREA.Reliance Industries, previously India’s biggest buyer of Russian crude, has said it does not expect to receive any Russian oil shipments in January, which could push India’s imports to a multi-year low amid tighter Western sanctions and trade-related pressures.

After one of its strongest rallies in decades, gold prices may take a breather in 2026, though the long-term outlook remains firmly bullish, analysts at ICICI Direct said on Tuesday.The report noted that US Federal Reserve rate cuts are expected in 2026, ongoing concerns over rising global debt, and questions over long-term Fed independence will continue to make gold an attractive hedge against macroeconomic uncertainty. “Concerns over Fed independence will be supportive. There are fears in the market that next Fed chair candidate would push for lower interest rate,” the report said, as per news agency ANI.ICICI Direct expects strong downside protection for the metal, with prices unlikely to fall below the $3,500-3,600 range even during a corrective phase. On the upside, gold could test $4,800-5,000 if macroeconomic risks intensify or the dollar weakens further.Gold surged over 60% in 2025, reaching record highs as US rate cuts, aggressive central bank buying, geopolitical tensions, and concerns about US fiscal stability drove investors toward safe-haven assets. The sharp rise has made the metal vulnerable to short-term profit-taking, though analysts do not expect a significant correction.“Any moderation is likely if geopolitical risks ease or global trade tensions cool. Progress toward peace between Russia and Ukraine or stabilisation in US trade policy could reduce the risk premium embedded in gold prices,” the report said.Structural support for gold remains strong, underpinned by sustained central bank purchases, which have averaged roughly 1,000 tonnes annually since 2022. Gold is now emerging as the world’s second-largest reserve asset after the US dollar. Additionally, inflation concerns, high government debt, and rising investment in ETFs are expected to continue supporting prices, along with potential weakness in the dollar.While prices may moderate in 2026, gold’s role as a hedge and safe-haven asset is expected to remain strong.

Speculation around actor Rajat Bedi being roped in as the villain of Krrish 4 had been doing the rounds since October 2025. However, the rumours have now been firmly put to rest by filmmaker Rakesh Roshan.When contacted by Hindustan Times, the veteran director dismissed the buzz, saying, “The news of Rajat Bedi acting in Krrish 4 is all false. There is no truth to any rumours.”

“There is no truth to any rumours”

The clarification comes amid renewed interest in Rajat Bedi, who made his acting comeback with The Ba***ds of Bollywood (2025). While the actor is currently in discussions with a couple of major studios for projects slated for 2026, his involvement in Krrish 4 is not on the cards, contrary to online speculation.Rajat Bedi, however, shares a long-standing association with the Roshan family. He previously played a grey-shaded role in Rakesh Roshan’s Koi… Mil Gaya (2003), the film that laid the foundation for the Krrish franchise.

“After 25 years, you are being launched as a director”

Meanwhile, Krrish 4 continues to generate buzz for a different reason. The upcoming instalment will mark Hrithik Roshan’s directorial debut. The earlier films in the superhero franchise were helmed by his father, Rakesh Roshan.Announcing the milestone in March 2025, Rakesh Roshan shared a heartfelt note on Instagram, writing, “Duggu, 25 yrs back I launched you as an actor, and today again after 25 years you are being launched as a director by two filmmakers Aditya Chopra and myself to take forward our most ambitious film #Krrish4. Wish you all the success in this new avatar with good wishes and blessings!”

Krrish 4 to go on floors in 2026

Currently in the pre-production stage, Krrish 4 is expected to go on floors in early 2026. Hrithik Roshan will reprise his iconic superhero role, while also steering the film as director for the first time, making the project one of the most anticipated releases in the franchise’s history.

Virat Kohli‘s superstardom has long transcended the boundaries of the cricket pitch, establishing him as a global icon whose reach rivals the world’s most elite athletes. While he remains a demigod in India, his influence abroad has seen a massive surge, making him one of the most followed and recognizable figures across the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States.

Indian superstar Virat Kohli to join forces with Mr Beast?

This international fame was once again was on a show when on January 5, 2026, when the world’s most-subscribed YouTuber, Mr Beast (Jimmy Donaldson), made a public plea to collaborate with the Indian legend. During an exclusive interview with NDTV ahead of the global launch of Beast Games Season 2, Donaldson looked directly into the camera and said, “Hey Virat Kohli, I’m trying to film with you.”

This isn’t the first time the creator has reached out; he previously tweeted a similar request in early 2025, which went viral but remained unanswered. MrBeast highlighted that India is one of his largest and most passionate audience bases, and a crossover with Kohli, who has over 270 million Instagram followers, would likely break global viewership records. Fans are now eagerly watching to see if the ‘King’ of cricket will finally step into the world of high-stakes YouTube challenges.

MrBeast reacts to Indian fans and expresses his desire to collaborate with King Virat Kohli 🔥

pic.twitter.com/1yDXeXggfQ

— Sarcasm (@sarcastic_us) January 5, 2026

Mr Beast games Season 2 and the CarryMinati feature

The timing of MrBeast’s appeal coincides with his massive push into the Indian market through his Prime Video series, Beast Games. During the same interview, Donaldson officially confirmed that Indian YouTube icon CarryMinati (Ajey Nagar) will feature in the second season of the show. Set to premiere on January 7, 2026, Beast Games Season 2 will feature 200 contestants, split into 100 of the world’s strongest and 100 of the smartest minds, battling for a historic $5 million prize. By including CarryMinati, MrBeast is leveraging the localized ‘creator economy’ to ensure his show resonates with the millions of fans in the subcontinent. He noted that the new season has moved away from ‘random luck’ eliminations to more skill-based challenges, aiming to make the massive cash prize feel truly earned by the victor.

Also READ: Dwayne Bravo reveals his all-time T20 World XI; no place for Rohit Sharma and AB de Villiers

Kohli’s domestic dominance and focus on New Zealand ODIs

While the digital world buzzes over a potential collaboration, Kohli’s immediate priority remains firmly on the cricket pitch as he prepares for India’s first international assignment of 2026. After a sensational stint in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Delhi, where he silenced critics by smashing 131 against Andhra Pradesh and a quick-fire 77 against Gujarat, Kohli has opted out of the final domestic match against Railways to join the national squad. He will enter the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting January 11 in Vadodara, in red-hot form, having finished 2025 as India’s highest run-getter with 651 runs. Standing on the cusp of major career milestones, including becoming the quickest to 16,000 List A runs, Kohli appears more focused on extending his record-breaking streak than his YouTube debut.

Also READ: Aakash Chopra predicts the winner and Orange Cap holder for WPL 2026 edition

Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma of India (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma have emerged as one of Indian cricket’s most exciting duos, demonstrating the kind of depth that makes world cricket take notice. While Gill wields the bat with surgical precision, Abhishek attacks the ball with ruthless intent. Both have matured under the guidance of India’s two-time World Cup winner Yuvraj Singh, whose mentorship, though informal, has played a key role in shaping their careers. Coming from India’s 2018 Under-19 World Cup-winning squad—a batch that also produced stars like Prithvi Shaw and Arshdeep Singh—Gill made his senior India debut in 2019, while Abhishek waited six years before earning his cap. Today, Gill is India’s captain in ODIs and Tests, and Abhishek has established himself as the team’s leading T20 opener.

Speaking to Kevin Pietersen, Yuvraj reflected on what set the two apart from their peers. “I started working with these guys just before Covid. And obviously, I could feel Shubman was up a notch, one step ahead. He had already played two games for India, and I could see that the guy is four times more hardworking than the average cricketer. Every time I told him something, he would happily adapt it in his batting. And that’s why he is where he is,” Yuvraj said. He added that Abhishek’s rise followed a carefully mapped process. “As for Abhishek, I put him in a process. I told him if you do this in 4 years, you’re going to play for India. Think about playing for India and not the IPL. And in exactly four years and three months, he debuted for India. Some guys don’t understand how much talent they have. But he did. And if you put in the process, the results will show.” Despite their close bond with Yuvraj, the mentor noted differences in approach between the two young batters. While T20 cricket has encouraged fearless strokeplay, something Abhishek embodies, Gill remains patient, often building his innings carefully. “I’ve had a lot of arguments about it, to be honest. I don’t mind going after bowling. I just feel that nowadays you don’t put a price on your wicket. There is no fear of getting out, and once there is no fear of getting out, you can go after any bowler. Whether he’s bowling 140 or 150. If I were in his place, I would never step out to somebody bowling 145. These guys are stepping out to 150 clicks. They are not afraid, and that’s the generation we have come to,” Yuvraj explained. Highlighting the difference between the two styles, he said: “I tell Abhishek that if you hit three sixes and three boundaries and take four runs, it’s the same amount of runs. Can you take the risk out? If you want to be consistent, either you create an impact or score a hundred. The problem is that they want to score 100 off 40 balls or 36 balls. Not happy scoring 100 off 50-55 balls. Why I feel Shubman is more consistent in his performances is that he gives himself time. Abhishek is not built like that.” Yuvraj’s insights underline the complementary nature of the pair: while Abhishek thrives on explosive hitting, Gill’s measured approach ensures reliability at the crease, making them a formidable combination for Indian cricket.

NEW DELHI: Providing an impetus to technology-driven river rejuvenation and pollution abatement measures, the Uttar Pradesh govt, in coordination with central agencies, has completed high-resolution aerial surveys of areas along the Ganga main stem in the state, generating precise geospatial datasets that are being integrated into a live GIS-based drain dashboard for round-the-clock monitoring.The dashboard with 2D and 3D visualisation capabilities enables basin-level pollution monitoring, identification of hotspots and prioritisation of drain remediation measures. This is the first-of-its-kind initiative where LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) based scientific data has been coupled with visual data generated through drone surveys.LiDAR, an active remote sensing technique, and drone surveys have been used to identify all drains discharging into the river, enabling a comprehensive response to drainage-related challenges through enhanced surveillance of sewage treatment infrastructure.The progress and deployment of such technology in the Ganga river basin was reviewed at a meeting chaired by Union Jal Shakti minister C R Paatil on Monday.The meeting also saw stress being laid on the importance of reuse of treated wastewater, adoption of innovative and research-based solutions such as ‘aquifer mapping’ with a focus on Paleo-Channels, as well as initiatives relating to bioremediation and innovative sewage treatment projects and centralised effluent treatment plants.Paatil directed all states to expeditiously formulate the policy for safe reuse of treated water, in alignment with the national framework. The review exercise also emphasised promotion of reuse of treated water in states with clearly prescribed targets and an enabling environment through notification of policy provisions.Meanwhile, the National Mission for Clean Ganga — a central nodal agency for implementation of the Ganga rejuvenation programme — is introducing CCTV-based real-time monitoring systems. This will be integrated with an AI-enabled feature extraction system and a centralised dashboard to further enhance the monitoring and compliance framework of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs).STPs are currently being comprehensively monitored through Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) which track key water quality parameters such as BOD, COD, DO, pH and TSS. “The new initiative will add a critical layer of physical and visual monitoring to address concerns related to effective operation of STPs,” said an official.

Indian banks are likely to benefit from enhanced regulatory oversight by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and a more robust supervisory toolkit, which should lower systemic risks and improve the sector’s operating environment, global rating agency Fitch said in a report.Fitch noted that these regulatory shifts, combined with strong economic growth prospects and reduced inflation risks, are credit positive for Indian banks. “We believe regulatory responses to stress events, frameworks for monitoring risks and recovery of impaired loans have improved in recent years. Consequently, weaknesses that contributed to the last non-performing loan spike between the financial year ended March 2016 (FY16) and FY18 have been significantly reduced,” the report said, as per news agency PTI.Banking system metrics are now at their strongest in years. The sector’s non-performing loan ratio fell to 2.2 per cent in the first half of FY26, down from a peak of 11.2 per cent in FY18, while the common equity Tier 1 ratio has risen to 14.8 per cent from 9.3 per cent in FY14. Fitch also highlighted that the sector’s return on assets, at around 1.3 per cent, is comparable with peer banking systems in the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting a ‘bbb’ category operating environment.Fitch said the implementation of an expected credit loss (ECL) framework should further reduce volatility by smoothing earnings over the business cycle. Over the medium term, robust economic growth of over 6 per cent over the next two years is expected to provide banks with ample opportunities for profitable lending growth.The report added that India’s banking sector credit-to-GDP ratio stood at 59 per cent in 2025, below the peer average of 101 per cent. “This suggests there is headroom for lending growth to exceed nominal GDP growth moderately over the medium term without posing major risks to systemic stability, if underwriting standards hold up,” it said.Overall, Fitch indicated that stronger supervision, regulatory reforms, and a favourable macroeconomic environment position Indian banks to operate with reduced risks while continuing to expand credit prudently.