Veteran Bengali actress Uma Dasgupta, known for portraying Durga in Satyajit Ray’s timeless classic Pather Panchali, passed away on Monday at a private hospital. She had been unwell for some time. Actor Chiranjit Chakraborty confirmed the news shared by her daughter. Despite stepping away from acting years ago, Dasgupta’s performance remains etched in the hearts of audiences. Discovered by Ray through her school principal, her portrayal of Durga symbolized innocence and sibling love. Tributes pour in for the actress whose work in the black-and-white era continues to resonate with audiences.

The Indian government has deployed 50 additional Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) companies, comprising over 5,000 personnel, to Manipur to address the escalating violence. Union Home Minister Amit Shah held extensive meetings with security officials, directing coordinated efforts to restore peace. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has also taken over three cases, including a murder and attacks on security posts in Jiribam. Recent violence has resulted in deaths and property damage, with armed groups from conflicting communities being implicated. Shah urged strict actions against instigators, emphasizing the need for quick restoration of order.

Russia has reacted angrily to President Joe Biden's approval of long-range missiles for Ukraine to strike inside Russian territory. Russian officials, including MP Leonid Slutsky and Senator Vladimir Dzhabarov, warned this could lead to serious escalation and even World War Three. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused the US of "adding fuel to the fire." President Vladimir Putin, while not commenting directly, has previously stated such moves would signify NATO's direct participation in the war. Russia has vowed to improve air defenses and hinted at retaliating by supplying weapons to other adversaries.

Russia has reacted angrily to President Joe Biden's approval of long-range missiles for Ukraine to strike inside Russian territory. Russian officials, including MP Leonid Slutsky and Senator Vladimir Dzhabarov, warned this could lead to serious escalation and even World War Three. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused the US of "adding fuel to the fire." President Vladimir Putin, while not commenting directly, has previously stated such moves would signify NATO's direct participation in the war. Russia has vowed to improve air defenses and hinted at retaliating by supplying weapons to other adversaries.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, reportedly suffering from severe illness, has named his son Mojtaba Khamenei as his successor. The Assembly of Experts, under pressure from Khamenei’s representatives, selected Mojtaba in a unanimous vote despite some dissent. Born in 1969, Mojtaba has long supported political figures like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and played a role in suppressing the 2009 protests. He is believed to control substantial financial assets but faces challenges within the Assembly of Experts, which is expected to formally confirm his leadership soon. His path to power remains uncertain amid internal resistance.

The Supreme Court has instructed Delhi-NCR states to establish teams to enforce Stage 4 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) immediately. The court emphasized that these measures should remain in place even if the Air Quality Index (AQI) drops below 450. Concerned about the delay in action, the court also urged states to consider halting physical classes for students up to Class 12 due to health risks. The Supreme Court also directed the Centre to improve satellite data for monitoring stubble burning, a key pollution source.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly believes Virat Kohli could have a "massive" Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, possibly his last Test series there. Ganguly highlighted Kohli’s stellar Australian record, including four centuries in 2014 and one in 2018, while dismissing concerns over his recent poor form. He emphasized Kohli’s ability to thrive on batting-friendly Australian pitches despite a 16-month Test century drought. Ganguly also praised young Dhruv Jurel for his strong performance in the second tour game and hinted at his inclusion in the middle order for the first Test in Perth.

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi criticized the BJP-led central government for failing to curb stubble burning, attributing worsening air quality in Delhi-NCR to political inaction. Atishi highlighted that North India faces a "medical emergency" due to hazardous air pollution, with Delhi’s AQI reaching 484 in the ‘severe-plus’ category. Despite the Supreme Court questioning Delhi’s delay in activating Stage 4 of the anti-pollution Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), Atishi emphasized the Punjab government’s success in reducing stubble burning by 80%. Thick smog and low visibility engulfed Delhi and surrounding areas, raising public health concerns.

The US has approved Ukraine’s use of long-range ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory, marking a major policy shift. These powerful Lockheed Martin missiles can target up to 300 km, offering Ukraine new offensive capabilities. The decision, prompted by North Korean troops aiding Russia in Kursk and fears over Donald Trump’s stance on Ukraine aid, aims to bolster Kyiv’s position before potential peace talks. Ukrainian forces plan to defend occupied Kursk and target critical Russian infrastructure. Critics warn of escalation, with Vladimir Putin previously labeling such strikes as NATO aggression. Ukrainian President Zelensky remarked, "The missiles will speak for themselves."

Coldplay’s upcoming "Music of the Spheres" concert at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on January 25, 2025, has caused hotel prices to skyrocket. Fans report rooms ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh per night, with even mid-range accommodations seeing steep hikes. Social media is abuzz with complaints about exorbitant rates. Some fans resorted to booking “pay later” options to bypass high costs, though hotels have begun demanding upfront payments. This comes after Coldplay announced additional shows in Ahmedabad following sold-out performances in Mumbai on January 18, 19, and 21. The band’s India leg is one of its most-anticipated tours.