Anti-ICE crowd chase off pro-ICE demonstrators from Minneapolis streets (AP photo)

A January 6 rioter pardoned by US President Donald Trump led a small pro-ICE rally in Minneapolis on Saturday, but was quickly swamped by a much larger counter-protest against Trump’s immigration crackdown and the surge of federal agents in the city.Jake Lang, one of around 1,600 people granted clemency by Trump on his first day back in office gathered with his supporters outside the federal courthouse, but was soon surrounded by counter protesters shouting slogans and holding anti-ICE signs. As tensions rose, Lang was chased from the area. Earlier, Lang’s group played the song Ice Ice Baby and made anti-immigrant remarks, claiming immigrants were “replacing” white Americans. Lang had promoted the event online as a “Crusader march” and used the term “Little Somalia” for the area, referring to Minneapolis’ large Somali population. He had also said he planned to burn a Quran during the protest.A local group, the People’s Action Coalition Against Trump, had called for a counter protest, and dozens of people turned up. Videos from the scene showed crowds surrounding Lang and forcing him away from the courthouse.After the rally, Lang claimed on social media that he had been attacked and stabbed. He later said he had been taken to hospital and accused city authorities of failing to protect him. Lang urged Trump to send in the National Guard and shared a fundraising link for his medical bills.“I just got stabbed by a crazie white commie leftist rioter today in Minnesota,” Lang wrote on X. In another post he said, “I was just literally lynched by an anti-white mob of liberals & illegal immigrants- I’m at the hospital now getting staples in my skull..Nearly ripped limb from limb in Minneapolis!!!!” The protests came amid rising anger in Minneapolis over a surge of federal immigration agents in the city. Earlier this month, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot Renee Good, a 37-year-old woman. The shooting sparked protests across the country.Local and state leaders have openly criticised the federal presence. Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey told ICE to leave the city, while Minnesota officials have sued the Trump administration, arguing that the deployment of agents is unconstitutional. The White House has rejected the criticism and accused Democrats of encouraging violence against law enforcement. Trump has warned he could invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy active-duty troops against protesters, though he later appeared to soften his comments.

The day after labour ministry’s nudge to delivery platforms to drop the 10-minute branding, a breathless Sumit Singh appeared on the landing of my floor with my order. While I waited by the lift, seeing Singh emerge from the stairwell of my Noida apartment gave me a mild shock. “You climbed 17 floors?” I asked.“Ji, ma’am,” he replied, adjusting the voluminous bag strapped to his shoulders and wiping sweat from his forehead as I stood wrapped in three layers on one of NCR’s coldest days. “I can’t wait for the lift. Every minute I save gives me a chance to earn more.” Though the app I was using, Zepto, wasn’t promising 10-minute delivery, just as told, nothing had changed for Sumit. Not the daily 10-12-hour race against the clock, not the business model geared towards survival of the quickest, not the expectation of the customer sitting with fruits and expecting milk for cereal, and certainly not the class system hardcoded into NCR apartment culture of allowing delivery boys only into service lifts (meant for garbage).Sumit had waited five minutes – for him, “the outer limit of time wastage” – for the service lift to arrive at the ground floor and decided to sprint up when it didn’t. When I told him about the 10-minute promise being removed, he laughed. “That is only an announcement. Reality remains the same. The faster I finish an order, the faster I get the next one. That’s how this works. My income depends on how many deliveries I complete in a day. If one order gets delayed, it has a ripple effect,” he said.Over the last few weeks, more so since govt brought in the new labour code and gig workers’ unions called a strike during Christmas and New Year, the superfast commerce model has come under the scanner for exploitative practices. Though the strikes weren’t disruptive, they brought main concerns of the gig economy – harsh working conditions, stiff targets and lack of job or income security – into public discourse. Govt’s intervention on the 10-minute branding was a nod to those concerns.But it’s the medley of the invisibles – the stopwatch that a ping for an order starts, performance metrics and work allocation algorithms, and the incentive structure – that choreographs the delivery gig. Changing the branding doesn’t change this, or Sumit’s deliverables, or the next steep climb.Discontinuation of 10-minute deliveries was among the main demands of the gig workers’ unions that called the strike to prioritise safety of riders. That will, however, mean taking ‘quick’ out of commerce, which is a foundational challenge to the business model. Why is saving time so important?For every kilometre travelled, Sumit says he earns around Rs 14 per order. Longer-distance orders fetch slightly more, but they also take more time and burn more fuel or battery charge. To earn between Rs 25,000 and Rs 30,000 a month after deducting fuel costs and traffic challans – the minimum that delivery riders say they need to earn to survive in Delhi-NCR – they must, according to Sumit, complete 30-35 deliveries a day. “That means working 10-12 hours daily without any weekly off. On a good day, I earn up to Rs 850,” he explains.Income varies from one platform to another. Gaurav Kumar, who delivers for Swiggy Instamart, says, “Today, I earned Rs 366 after working 8 hours and 33 minutes. I completed 14 deliveries. Scrapping of the 10-minute rule has not changed anything for me. What I want is a steady income.”Customer behaviour adds another layer of stress. Dhruv Rajput, who works with Blinkit in Gurgaon, says people have become used to lightning quick deliveries and get irritated by delays. “People still want their orders fast, whether or not it’s a 10-minute promise. Sometimes, in cash on delivery cases, there are customers who refuse to pay if we get late. They don’t want to hear about traffic congestion. There is no option then but to take the blame and apologise,” he says.What’s worse than an unhappy customer?If there’s something riders fear more than an irritable customer, it’s being blocked out of the app. All riders TOI spoke to said reasons for blocking IDs are arbitrary, ranging from rejections to customer complaints. “Even if there is an emergency to attend to, if a rider rejects orders a few times on the app, it can lead to deductions, or worse, blocking,” says Deepak Kumar, a Zepto rider in Delhi. “Rejecting an order can lead to a deduction of Rs 5-10 or more, depending on distance and order quantity. Accounts can get blocked too. Then you can’t work at all.”Riders also run a huge risk of traffic fines. To save time, they often drive on the wrong side, take turns they aren’t supposed to, hoping they won’t get caught. Sumit, who delivers in Noida, says Dec 2025 was a particularly unlucky month. “I paid Rs 6,000 in traffic fines.”A critical part of the job that does not get any attention, say delivery riders, is the weight of orders they carry. Raju, a Blinkit rider in Delhi, says: “I’m often climbing stairs and carrying around with me a bag weighing 25-30kg. This takes a toll on the body like back and knee pain. Govt should bring in clear weight limits.” TOI wrote to Blinkit, Zepto and Instamart for a comment, but did not receive a response.What are our rights? Educate usRiders said they were aware of the new labour code govt has brought, but details are vague to them. They urged govt to organise awareness camps for them, so they can be educated about what their rights are. A rider said awareness about rights is not something the industry takes seriously. The rider’s app showed he has a total health coverage of Rs 1 lakh, OPD coverage of Rs 10,000 and accidental coverage of Rs 10 lakh. Although the status of ‘Health and Accident Insurance’ was ‘Active’ on the app, the rider said he had no idea how to claim it and no one from the company had explained it to him. “There is an option to ‘Raise a Claim’ but it asks for several details when you press it. Riders need help with that. One of my friends recently met with an accident while on a delivery and broke his leg. He wasn’t able to claim insurance because he is not very conversant with the technicalities. If govt wants actual change, it should provide training to gig workers on our rights, insurance, finances and safety measures,” said the rider.

The all air-conditioned train aims to make overnight train journeys faster and more premium and comfortable for passengers.

Vande Bharat sleeper flag off today: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to flag off the first Vande Bharat sleeper train set of Indian Railways from Malda town in West Bengal today. The inaugural Vande Bharat sleeper train will run between Howrah in West Bengal and Kamakya (Guwahati) in Assam.The all air-conditioned train aims to make overnight train journeys faster and more premium and comfortable for passengers. The Vande Bharat Sleeper train has 16 air-conditioned coaches, including 11 AC-3 tier coaches, four AC-2 tier coaches and a single First AC coach, with an overall passenger carrying capacity of 823.

Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Number, Schedule & Timings

Train number 27575 Howrah-Kamakhya (Guwahati) Vande Bharat sleeper will leave at 18:20 from Howrah to arrive in Kamakhya the next day at 8:20 AM. The train will complete the journey in just 14 hours, making it the fastest train on the route. En route the it will stop at Bandel Jn, Nabadwip Dham, Katwa Jn, Azimganj, New Farakka Jn, Malda Town, Aluabari Road, New Jalpaiguri, Jalpaiguri Road, New Cooch Behar, New Alipurduar, New Bongaigaon, and Rangiya. At most of these destinations the train will stop for 2 minutes, except New Jalpaiguri (10 minutes), Malda Town (10 minutes), Azim Ganj (5 minutes).In the return direction, train number 27576 Howrah-Kamakhya Vande Bharat sleeper train will depart from Howrah station at 6:15 PM to arrive in Kamakhya at 8:15 AM.The train will run on six days in a week; Ex Kamakhya won’t run on Wednesday and Ex-Howrah won’t run on Thursdays.

Vande Bharat Sleeper Fare Structure & Ticket Prices

For passengers travelling from Howrah to Kamakhya (Guwahati), the AC-3 tier train ticket will be priced at Rs 2,299. This is exclusive of the 5% GST. Fares to New Jalpaiguri and Malda Town will be Rs 1,334 and Rs 960, respectively. In the AC-2 tier category, the Howrah–Guwahati fare has been fixed at Rs 2,970, with tickets costing Rs 1,724 for New Jalpaiguri and Rs 1,240 for Malda Town.First AC fares from Howrah to Guwahati have been set at Rs 3,640, while travel to New Jalpaiguri will cost Rs 2,113 and journeys to Malda Town Rs 1,520.On the Kamakhya side, fares between Kamakhya and Malda Town have been set at Rs 1,522 for AC-3 tier, Rs 1,965 for AC-2 tier and Rs 2,409 for First AC, while tickets between Kamakhya and New Jalpaiguri will be priced at Rs 962 in AC-3 tier, Rs 1,243 in AC-2 tier and Rs 1,524 in First AC.

Vande Bharat Sleeper: What Are The Top Features?

Vande Bharat sleeper trains have been designed for a top speed of 180 kmph and have been tested successfully at that speed. The maximum permissible speed of the train is 160 kmph, though this will vary depending on the route.Safety and efficiency are addressed through the indigenous KAVACH anti-collision system, while regenerative braking technology will be deployed to improve energy efficiency, in line with existing Vande Bharat chair car trains.The sleeper coaches are equipped with well-padded berths to enhance comfort, along with improved access to upper berths to make movement easier for passengers.Onboard facilities include gentle night-time lighting, integrated passenger information systems, CCTV monitoring and modular pantry units. The trains also feature aircraft-style bio-vacuum toilets, including specially designed amenities for persons with disabilities, baby care facilities and hot-water shower units in the first-class coach.Additional enhancements include sealed gangways and automatic doors between coaches to help regulate air quality and cabin temperature, as well as individual reading lamps, charging points, foldable snack tables and interiors finished with GFRP panels.Automatic door operation at designated stations, a centralised coach monitoring system and emergency communication features that enable passengers to directly reach the locomotive pilot further strengthen safety and convenience.Its aerodynamic profile helps reduce air resistance, resulting in a steady and smooth ride even at higher speeds. Passengers travelling on the Vande Bharat Sleeper will be served cuisine that reflects local flavours. According to Indian Railways, trains originating from Guwahati will offer authentic Assamese dishes, while services starting from Kolkata will feature traditional Bengali food, adding a cultural dimension to the journey and making overnight travel more enjoyable.

NEW DELHI: Several Indian nationals, returned from Iran, arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi late on Friday amid escalating regional tensions. Their return follows an advisory issued by the Indian government urging citizens in Iran to leave the country due to the deteriorating security situation. The Ministry of External Affairs said it is closely monitoring developments and remains “committed to doing whatever is necessary for their well-being.”One Indian national who returned from Iran described it as “bad situation” and expressed gratitude to the government for facilitating their departure. “The conditions are bad there. The Government of India is cooperating a lot, and the Embassy provided us with information on leaving Iran as early as possible…’Modi ji hai toh har cheez mumkin hai’,” he said. Another returnee told ANI that conditions had worsened sharply in recent weeks. “We were there for a month. But we were only facing problems for the last one or two weeks…When we went outside, the protesters would come in front of the car. They would cause a little trouble…The internet was shut down, which is why we couldn’t tell our families anything, so we were a little worried…We couldn’t even contact the embassy,” he said. A third Indian national, a resident of Jammu and Kashmir, highlighted the risks posed by the unrest. “I am a resident of Jammu and Kashmir… The protests there were dangerous. The Indian government has made a very good effort and brought the students back…” he said. Family members of those returning gathered at the airport to welcome them home. Among them was a family awaiting the arrival of an aunt who had travelled to Iran on pilgrimage. “My wife’s aunt went to Iran on a pilgrimage…Iran has always been a good friend of India and we were very confident in the Modi government, which continuously supported…We thank the government of India for making this possible. We are very happy as our family member is returning to India,” a relative said. Another man waiting for his sister-in-law thanked the authorities for coordinating the evacuation. “My sister-in-law is returning from Iran today. There was a war-like situation in Iran, and the internet was down. We were not able to contact her by any means. We were worried…We are very happy that she is returning to India safely…We thank the Government of India for making arrangements for their return to India during these difficult times,” he said. A family member of two returnees said communication had been cut off for days. “My mother and aunt are returning from Iran. We were worried because we were unable to contact her for three days…They are returning to India today,” he said. Earlier, the Indian Embassy in Tehran issued an advisory asking Indian nationals, including students, businesspeople, pilgrims and tourists, to leave Iran using available transport options, including commercial flights, citing the “evolving situation.” Separately, the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi strongly advised Indians to avoid travel to Iran until further notice. It reiterated a January 5 advisory urging those already in the country to remain cautious and avoid protests or demonstrations. The unrest began at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar on December 28 over the sharp fall in the Iranian rial and later spread nationwide. The currency’s decline followed multiple crises, including severe water shortages, power outages, rising unemployment and surging inflation.

Gold prices edged lower in the domestic market on Friday, with profit-taking setting in after bullion retreated from record levels in overseas trade amid a firmer US dollar. On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold futures for the February contract fell Rs 520, or 0.36 per cent, to Rs 1,42,601 per 10 grams, with volumes of 14,194 lots.In the international markets, bullion prices corrected during Asian trading hours. On the Comex, silver futures for the March contract declined $1.93, or 2.10 per cent, to $90.41 per ounce, after having touched a record high of $93.56 per ounce on Wednesday.Gold futures for February delivery also dropped $21.9, or 0.47 per cent, to $4,601.8 per ounce. The yellow metal had hit an all-time high of $4,650.50 per ounce on January 14.Here is how much gold costs in major Indian cities today:

Gold price in Delhi today

The price of 22K gold in Delhi is Rs 13,160 per gram, up Rs 20, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,355 per gram, higher by Rs 22.

Gold price in Ahmedabad today

In Ahmedabad, 22K gold costs Rs 13,150 per gram, up Rs 20, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,345 per gram, higher by Rs 22.

Gold price in Kolkata today

Kolkata markets price 22K gold at Rs 13,145 per gram, up Rs 20, while 24K gold stands at Rs 14,340 per gram, higher by Rs 22.

Gold price in Mumbai today

Mumbai sees 22K gold priced at Rs 13,145 per gram, up Rs 20, while 24K gold costs Rs 14,340 per gram, higher by Rs 22.

Gold price in Hyderabad today

Hyderabad markets see 22K gold at Rs 13,145 per gram, up Rs 20, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,340 per gram, higher by Rs 22.

Gold price in Bangalore today

In Bangalore, 22K gold is priced at Rs 13,145 per gram, up Rs 20, while 24K gold costs Rs 14,340 per gram, higher by Rs 22.

Gold price in Patna today

In Patna, 22K gold costs Rs 13,150 per gram, up Rs 20, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,345 per gram, higher by Rs 22.

Gold price in Indore today

Indore markets price 22K gold at Rs 13,150 per gram, up Rs 20, while 24K gold stands at Rs 14,345 per gram, higher by Rs 22.

Gold price in Chennai today

In Chennai, 22K gold is priced at Rs 13,230 per gram, down Rs 60, while 24K gold costs Rs 14,433 per gram, lower by Rs 65.

Gold price in Lucknow today

Lucknow sees 22K gold priced at Rs 13,160 per gram, up Rs 20, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,355 per gram, higher by Rs 22.