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First execution of Iranian protester: Khamenei-led regime to hang 26-year-old Erfan Soltani — who is he?

Iran is set to execute a 26-year-old man, Erfan Soltani, arrested just last week amid widespread protests. His family claims he received a death sentence within two days without a trial, with execution slated for Wednesday. This case raises alarms as potentially the first execution linked to the current unrest, prompting a strong warning from US President Donald Trump.

SRK spotted neck tattoos, sparks 'King' buzz: PICS

Shah Rukh Khan was spotted sporting new neck tattoos at a Mumbai dubbing studio, fueling speculation about his upcoming action flick, 'King'. Fans eagerly await updates on the highly anticipated film, which follows his recent Rs 1000 crore successes. The actor's new look hints at a powerful on-screen persona, with the movie poised to be another major box-office contender.

Magh Bihu 2026: Date, Key Rituals, Significance, And All You Need To Know About This Festival Of Assam

Magh Bihu, also known as Bhogali Bihu, is one of the most cherished festivals of Assam, marking the end of the harvest season and the conclusion of winter. Rooted in gratitude, abundance, and togetherness, the festival brings communities together to celebrate the fruits of hard work with food, feasting, and age-old rituals. As Magh Bihu 2026 approaches, many people are seeking clarity on its exact date, rituals, and cultural significance. Here is everything you need to know about Magh Bihu 2026. ALSO READ: Pongal 2026: Date, Significance, And All You Need To Know About This Vibrant Harvest Festival What Is Magh Bihu? Magh Bihu is the harvest festival of Assam and forms an integral part of Assamese cultural identity. Unlike other Bihu festivals that focus on agriculture cycles and new beginnings, Bhogali Bihu is centered on enjoyment, feasting, and thanksgiving after a successful harvest. The festival reflects warmth, unity, and the joy of shared abundance. Magh Bihu 2026 Date: When Will It Be Celebrated? There is often confusion around the date of Magh Bihu as it closely aligns with Makar Sankranti. According to Drik Panchang, which follows precise astronomical calculations, Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu will be celebrated on Thursday, January 15, 2026. The date is determined by the Sun’s transition into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makar). In 2026, this solar transition takes place after sunrise on January 15, which is why the festival shifts from January 14 to January 15. Uruka (Feast Night): January 14, 2026 Magh Bihu / Bhogali Bihu: January 15, 2026 Why Does The Magh Bihu Date Change Every Year? Magh Bihu follows the solar calendar, not the Gregorian calendar. Its observance depends on the exact timing of the Sun entering Capricorn. If the transition occurs before sunrise, Magh Bihu is celebrated on January 14 If it happens after sunrise, the festival is observed on January 15 In 2026, the transition occurs after sunrise, leading to the January 15 celebration. Uruka Night: The Heart Of Bhogali Bihu The night before Magh Bihu, known as Uruka, is considered one of the most important aspects of the festival. Observed on January 14, 2026, Uruka is marked by community feasts and night-long celebrations. Families and neighbours come together to prepare traditional Assamese dishes using rice, fish, meat, curd, and jaggery. Temporary huts called Bhelaghar, made from bamboo, straw, and leaves, are built where people gather to cook, eat, and celebrate late into the night. Uruka symbolizes unity, sharing, and collective joy. How Bhogali Bihu Is Celebrated On the morning of Magh Bihu, people light Meji bonfires and offer prayers seeking prosperity, health, and happiness. After the rituals, the Bhelaghar huts are ceremonially burned, signifying the end of festivities and the release of past hardships. Homes are filled with traditional delicacies such as pitha, laru, chira, doi, and other rice-based preparations. These foods are shared with family, friends, and neighbours, strengthening social bonds and reinforcing the spirit of togetherness. Significance Of Bhogali Bihu The word Bhogali comes from Bhog, meaning enjoyment or indulgence. The festival celebrates the rewards of agricultural labour and marks the transition from the harsh winter months to a period of hope and warmth. Beyond rituals and food, Magh Bihu stands for gratitude, community harmony, and cultural continuity.

Rihanna’s recent comment about pregnancy goes viral

Rihanna's recent social media comment has ignited a frenzy, with fans speculating about a potential 2026 pregnancy. The singer's cryptic reply to an influencer's post about choosing between 'hot and sexy' or 'pregnant' has sent the internet abuzz. Having recently welcomed their third child, fans are eager to know what's next for the star and A$AP Rocky.

Islamic NATO? Turkey Weighs Entry Into Saudi-Pakistan Defence Bloc With Similar Clause | Report

Turkey is in talks to join a Saudi Arabia–Pakistan security arrangement that mirrors NATO’s collective defence principle, a move that could reshape strategic alignments across the Middle East and South Asia, Bloomberg reported. The proposed pact, originally concluded between Riyadh and Islamabad, is said to resemble NATO’s Article 5 provision, under which an attack on one member is treated as an attack on all. Discussions with Ankara have advanced significantly, according to people familiar with the matter. Division Of Roles Takes Shape Under the emerging framework, each country would bring distinct capabilities to the table. Saudi Arabia would offer financial backing, Pakistan would contribute its nuclear deterrent, ballistic missile capacity and manpower, while Turkey would add military expertise and a growing domestic defence industry. Nihat Ali Ozcan, a strategist at the Ankara-based think tank TEPAV, said shifting regional dynamics were driving countries to seek new security mechanisms. “As the US prioritises its own interests and that of Israel in the region, changing dynamics and fallout from regional conflicts are prompting countries to develop new mechanisms to identify friends and foes,” he said. People briefed on the discussions described a broader alliance as a logical next step, noting that Turkey’s strategic interests are increasingly converging with those of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan across South Asia, the Middle East and parts of Africa. Growing Coordination, Wider Implications Signs of closer coordination are already visible. Turkey’s Defence Ministry said the three countries held their first-ever naval meeting in Ankara earlier this week, signalling deeper military engagement. The potential expansion carries particular significance because Turkey is not just another regional power. It is a long-standing member of the US-led NATO alliance and has the second-largest military in NATO after the United States. Saudi Arabia and Turkey also share longstanding concerns about Shiite-majority Iran, though both prefer engagement with Tehran over direct military confrontation. They are aligned in backing a stable, Sunni-led Syria and in advocating Palestinian statehood. Turkey’s defence relationship with Pakistan is already well established. Ankara is building corvette warships for the Pakistani navy, has modernised dozens of Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jets, and shares drone technology with both Riyadh and Islamabad. Turkey has also invited the two countries to take part in its Kaan fifth-generation fighter jet programme, Bloomberg previously reported.

Iran Set For First Protest-Linked Execution Today As Toll Crosses 2,500; Trump Threatens ‘Very Strong Action’

U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly thrown his weight behind the ongoing anti-government protests in Iran, telling demonstrators that “help is on its way” as international alarm grows over a brutal crackdown by Iranian authorities. Human rights groups say the violence has already claimed the lives of more than 2,000 people, with reports of mass arrests, internet blackouts, and impending executions deepening global concern. Trump also issued a stark warning to Tehran against executing detained protesters, vowing “very strong action” if the Iranian government follows through with death sentences. Iran To Hang Anti-Regime Protestor Today  Rights organisations say Iran is preparing to carry out its first execution linked to the current wave of protests. The individual identified is 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, who was arrested in Karaj, near Tehran. Activist groups claim Soltani faces imminent hanging after what they describe as a deeply flawed legal process, alleging he was denied a fair trial following his arrest during anti-regime demonstrations, as per a report on NDTV. The reported execution has intensified fears that Iranian authorities may seek to use capital punishment as a deterrent, even as protests continue to flare across the country. Starlink Steps In During Internet Blackout As Iran remains under a sweeping communications shutdown now stretching beyond five days, SpaceX has moved to provide an alternative. According to Ahmad Ahmadian of Holistic Resilience, the company has waived the subscription fee for its Starlink satellite service, allowing Iranians who already possess receivers to access the internet free of charge. Rights groups argue that the blackout is being used to obscure the true scale of the crackdown and limit the flow of images and information from protest hotspots. Tehran Pushes Back At Washington Iran’s mission to the United Nations dismissed Washington’s statements, accusing the U.S. of attempting regime change through sanctions, unrest, and threats. Officials in Tehran maintain that security forces have restored order following several nights of nationwide protests. However, human rights monitors accuse authorities of using lethal force against demonstrators while concealing the extent of casualties through information controls. U.S. Envoy’s Secret Meeting Revealed According to an Axios report, White House envoy Steve Witkoff recently held a secret meeting with Reza Pahlavi, Iran’s exiled former crown prince, reported AFP. Pahlavi, who has lived abroad for nearly five decades, has emerged as a symbolic figure for protesters and has urged Trump to act swiftly against Iran’s clerical leadership. Trump Reiterates Warning In a CBS interview, Trump reiterated his warning on executions, stressing that the U.S. would respond if Iran carried out death sentences against protesters. Iranian prosecutors have indicated they may pursue capital charges of moharebeh, or “waging war against God,” against some detainees. On Truth Social, Trump urged Iranians to “KEEP PROTESTING” and said he had canceled meetings until the killings stop. Death Toll, Khamenei’s Stand The Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that the death toll had reached at least 2,571 by Wednesday. Iranian authorities countered that “terrorists” were responsible for the deaths of civilians and security personnel. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised pro-government rallies as proof the protest movement had been defeated, framing them as a warning to the U.S. While some international phone services have been partially restored, connectivity remains unstable amid continuing unrest.

'Don't give up, stay ready': KL Rahul's message to young cricketers

Ahead of the second ODI against New Zealand, KL Rahul shared valuable advice with budding cricketers, emphasising patience and perseverance. He urged youngsters to trust the process, continuously work on themselves, and be ready to seize opportunities when they arise. Rahul highlighted that difficult phases are common for all players and stressed the importance of not giving up.

'F*ck You': Trump Shows Middle Finger To Heckler At Michigan Factory Visit | VIDEO

US President Donald Trump was caught on camera responding with an obscene gesture to a heckler during a visit to an auto plant in Michigan on Tuesday, according to a video that has since spread widely on social media. The incident occurred during Trump’s tour of a Ford F-150 factory in Detroit, where he was seen standing on an elevated walkway overlooking the factory floor, dressed in a long black overcoat. As shouting rang out from below, the president appeared visibly irritated. Obscene Exchange Caught On Video Video footage, first reported by TMZ, shows Trump pointing toward an unidentified individual on the factory floor, scowling before raising his middle finger. In the clip, he also appears to mouth or say the words “fuck you” twice while gesturing in the heckler’s direction. The person shouting has not been publicly identified. According to TMZ, the heckler could be heard yelling, in part, “pedophile protector,” before Trump reacted. Trump has NO SHITS LEFT TO GIVE. This is gold. 😂After being heckled, the President yells “F—k you” and gives the protester the MIDDLE FINGER.Protect him at all costs. pic.twitter.com/M6cjNy5Os8 — mistersunshinebaby (@mrsunshinebaby) January 13, 2026 White House Defends President’s Response The White House quickly moved to defend the president’s actions. Spokesperson Steven Cheung told AFP that Trump’s response was justified given the circumstances. “A lunatic was wildly screaming expletives in a complete fit of rage, and the President gave an appropriate and unambiguous response,” Cheung said. Epstein Files Continue To Shadow Trump Presidency The confrontation comes as Trump’s second term has been marked by renewed pressure to release government files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a former associate of the president. Epstein, a wealthy financier, died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of trafficking underage girls. His death was officially ruled a suicide, but has remained the subject of persistent conspiracy theories, many amplified by Trump’s own supporters. Trump approved bipartisan legislation mandating the release of the Epstein files, but his Department of Justice missed a December 19 deadline to make all the documents public. Earlier this month, justice officials said they were still reviewing more than two million documents before releasing them.