Noting that the history of the relationship and collaboration between Iran and India dates back hundreds of years before the emergence of Islam, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, Representative of Iran's Supreme Leader, has said that philosophical books of India were studied in Iran. He said India's achievements in mathematics, astronomy, and medicine were studied in Iran and people of Iran have always learned about the relationship between the two ancient civilisations. "The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran always insists on good relations and collaboration between Iran and India…I hope that in Chabahar they will work nicely…The history of the relationship and collaboration between Iran and India goes to 3,000 years ago, before the emergence of Islam. Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi said that there is need to distinguish between "reality of the situation" and "imagination" about the situation in Iran. "Concerning the situation in Iran, actually we have two things which we have to divide and differentiate between them.

Close New wage figures show Arsenal biggest over-performersGet the Adam Clery Football Column. Read our Privacy noticeClubs across Europe are entering the final 10 days of the January transfer window as they look to make final additions before the business end of the season. However, Liverpool may also have entered the race for Jacquet, with the Reds tracking several centre-back targets, including Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven as well as Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck. Elsewhere, Premier League leaders Arsenal seem to be happy with their business this month, with Mikel Arteta’s side not expected to make any additions after Ethan Nwaneri completed his loan move to Marseille. Follow all the latest transfer news, gossip, rumours and done deals in The Independent’s live blog below

On Saturday, January 24, 2026, most schools in Uttar Pradesh are expected to follow their regular schedule. In many states, government schools and offices follow a second-and-fourth Saturday off pattern, which means schools in these areas may remain closed. Punjab:Many schools in Punjab observe fourth Saturday holidays, so several institutions may remain closed on January 24. Madhya Pradesh:January 24 is not an official holiday in the state, but some schools may remain closed due to fourth Saturday rules. Even where schools are open, the Sunday and Republic Day holidays offer a short break.

“I consider President Trump's remarks to be insulting and frankly appalling, and I'm not surprised they've caused such hurt for the loved ones of those who were killed or injured,” he said. He also paid tribute to the 457 British personnel who died in Afghanistan and urged Trump to apologise. The UK contributed the largest foreign contingent after the United States, with over 150,000 British troops serving until 2014. Criticism From Veterans and LawmakersThe remarks drew strong criticism because Trump had not served in the Vietnam War despite being eligible. Diane Dernie, whose son Ben Parkinson was severely injured in a mine blast in Afghanistan in 2006, called Trump’s remarks “the ultimate insult” and urged Starmer to confront him.

Opposition figures, led by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, have criticised the polls, and Muhoozi’s social media posts have drawn international attention. Madowo shared one of Muhoozi’s posts and asked publicly, “Muhoozi, why are you bragging about killing Ugandans who support the opposition? The feud underscores broader concerns about press freedom and the role of social media in East African politics. Muhoozi, who is Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, is known for his frequent and often provocative social media posts. The incident has drawn reactions across the region, with social media users and media observers weighing in on the exchange.

Senior Counsel Ahmednassir Abdullahi has said he will not resume legal practice before the Supreme Court, despite the court lifting a two-year ban on him and his law firm. The Supreme Court on Thursday vacated orders issued on January 23, 2024, which had barred the outspoken lawyer and his law firm from appearing before the court — a move he has consistently described as unconstitutional and unjustified. While welcoming the lifting of the ban, Ahmednassir said the decision alone does not address the fundamental issues he raised against the court. He, however, welcomed the fact that his partners and associates are now free to practice before the Supreme Court following the lifting of the ban. Despite the court’s decision, Ahmednassir maintained that the lifting of the ban amounts to an “appeasement ploy” and insisted that meaningful reforms — not procedural relief — is the only path towards restoring the Supreme Court’s integrity and prestige.

Robbie Williams breaks The Beatles' chart record17 hours ago Share Save Mark Savage Music correspondent Share Save'I feel like the Forrest Gump of Pop': Robbie Williams reflects on his careerRobbie Williams has secured a major milestone on the UK album chart, surpassing The Beatles to become the artist with the most number one albums in chart history. Williams' album Britpop, released last Friday, is the 16th number one of his solo career, which launched in 1997 with Life Thru A Lens. Robbie Williams/Official Charts Company Robbie Williams with some of his Official Charts Company number one trophiesIn a neat moment of circularity, Williams' record-breaking album harks back to the start of his solo career, and the period when he nearly lost himself. Across his career, the star now has 21 number one albums, including Take That's chart-topping LPs like Everything Changes and Progress. "And I said, to my mother-in-law, 'You know, Gwen, if I get the next number one album, I've had more number one albums than anyone ever'.

Mama Ida Odinga/FILEPresident William Ruto has nominated Mama Ida Betty Odinga to serve as Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Mama Ida Odinga is a respected educationist, civic leader, and advocate for social justice and gender equity. Mama Ida Odinga has a long history of activism. Beyond civic engagement, Mama Ida Odinga has contributed to the private sector, including leadership in family businesses such as East African Spectre, a liquefied gas cylinder manufacturing company. If approved, Mama Ida Odinga will take up the role as Kenya seeks to advance sustainable development and environmental stewardship on the international stage.

The service brought together family and friends who came to pay their last respects to Njeri DeLeon, Emmanuel DeLeon, and Kairo Winkelpeck. The family, which lives in Waterloo, Iowa, had travelled to Kenya for the holidays. Their parents survived the accident with minor injuries and have remained in the country to coordinate funeral arrangements. A GoFundMe fundraiser set up to support the family has raised more than $70,888 from hundreds of donors offering condolences. During the mass, speakers described the loss as “unimaginable”, calling for comfort for the grieving parents and the wider family.

Winnie Byanyima says husband Kizza Besigye is sick, condition worryingDetained Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye is in a “worrying” health condition after falling sick, his wife Winnie Byanyima told Reuters, citing symptoms including high temperature, stomach pain, dehydration and inability to walk. His lawyers, wife, and political allies have rejected the charges, describing him as a political prisoner targeted for opposing President Yoweri Museveni’s decades-long rule. He is also unable to walk and eats little, Byanyima, who visited her husband on Wednesday, added. Byanyima said that a doctor who took tests suspects Besigye has a bacterial infection but results of the diagnosis are not yet out. Besigye, who has contested Museveni in presidential elections four times, missed a court appearance on Wednesday due to his worsening condition.

The soft drink giant is recognized worldwide for its diverse range of beverages, including standard Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, and Pepsi Max. Discontinued Pepsi Max flavour returns to UK stores after more than 30 yearsNow Pepsi Max Tropical has been spotted in Home Bargains and Sainsbury's stores across the UK. Pepsi Max Tropical is available in Sainsbury's and Home Bargains in 500ml and 2L bottles, plus 8-packs of 330ml cans. Discontinued Diet Coke Cherry makes permanent UK returnPepsi Max Tropical isn't the only discontinued soft drink to make a comeback in 2026. The returning Diet Coke Cherry is available in:300ml cans500ml bottles2L bottles8x 330ml can multipacks24x 330ml can multipacksRECOMMENDED READING:Senior Brand Manager for Diet Coke Great Britain, Tara Byrnes, said: “We are delighted to announce that Diet Coke Cherry will be joining the Diet Coke family permanently.

French tourist dies in tragic paragliding accident in Elgeyo MarakwetA French tourist has died following a paragliding accident near Iten town along the scenic Elgeiyo Marakwet escarpments, officials confirmed on Thursday. The victim, 49-year-old Maud Frédérique Binaud, arrived in Kenya on January 17, 2026 and was scheduled to leave at the end of the month. The deceased was paragliding alongside her spouse, Pierre Laurens, who was flying a separate paraglider at the time of the accident,” the police report read in part. Authorities say investigations into the accident are ongoing, focusing on equipment, weather conditions, and other potential contributing factors. Meanwhile, the repatriation of the deceased is underway, in coordination with French diplomatic officials, as the community grapples with the incident.

By Andrew MwanguraEmail, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.comMore than five years have passed since Kenya formally committed to issuing Seafarers’ Identity Documents (SIDs) – a fundamental requirement in modern maritime governance. Since that pledge, the process has secured Cabinet approval, received Parliamentary endorsement, and been affirmed at the highest levels of government. Yet, Kenyan seafarers remain without this essential credential, stranded not by a lack of legal or policy frameworks, but by a profound administrative inertia. All that remained was the final step: procurement. Mr. Mwangura is an independent maritime consultant and former Secretary General of the Seafarers Union of Kenya (SUK).

Liverpool must sell Federico Chiesa after latest injury setback Federico Chiesa is a much-loved figure at Anfield despite barely kicking a football for the Reds, with his career for the past few years being plagued with injuries. He has been fit this season, however, but has still not managed to be trusted with many minutes under Slot, suggesting he really is not part of the Dutchman's plans. Federico Chiesa needs to leave Liverpool for his own career As well as Liverpool's patience wearing thin, Chiesa's is likely too and he needs the move just as much as the Reds due to it being a World Cup year. Juventus seems the best place to go given his existing links with the club, with their still time for him to become an icon in Turin. It will be a sad day when he does go, but he will always be remembered as a bit of a cult hero, which is strange given how little he has actually contributed.

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