Qutub Minar not minaret, but Vedshala: Former ASI Regional Director

IANS | January 3, 2026 4:39 PM

New Delhi, Jan 3 (IANS) Former Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) regional director Dharamveer Sharma on Saturday claimed that the capital’s iconic structure, Qutub Minar, was a “Vedhshala” (an ancient observatory to study Astronomy) in reality and also presented cogent arguments to corroborate his claims.

‘Bangladesh is not Pakistan’: Former BCCI official questions Mustafizur release call

IANS | January 3, 2026 4:16 PM

New Delhi, Jan 3 (IANS) The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) directive to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their Indian Premier League (IPL) squad has drawn sharp criticism from a senior former board official, who termed the decision illogical and poorly timed with a major International Cricket Council (ICC) event approaching.

Can regular intake of fast foods lead to illnesses and death?

IANS | January 3, 2026 4:14 PM

New Delhi, Jan 3 (IANS) Regular eating of fast foods, ranging from deep-fried snacks served as street food to quick-service restaurant chains, can cause serious damage to health, which can, in the long run, lead to several diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular conditions, contributing to death, said experts here on Saturday.

Whereabouts of President Maduro, his wife, unknown: Venezuela VP

IANS | January 3, 2026 4:10 PM

Caracas, Jan 3 (IANS) Venezuela Vice President Delcy Rodríguez on Saturday said that the whereabouts of country's President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are unknown following the US attacks in Caracas, Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira in the early hours of the morning, local time.

Colombia on high alert, calls for an urgent UN meeting on Venezuela

IANS | January 3, 2026 3:51 PM

Bogota, Jan 3 (IANS) Expressing deep concern over the US attacks on Venezuela, Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Saturday called for an urgent UN meeting, calling for prohibition of the use or threat of force and peaceful settlement of international disputes.

Shreyas Iyer provided clearance to play Vijay Hazare Trophy match on January 6

IANS | January 3, 2026 3:41 PM

Mumbai, Jan 3 (IANS) India batter Shreyas Iyer is all set to play his first competitive match since sustaining a spleen injury in October 2024. The 31-year-old star will represent Mumbai against Himachal Pradesh in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy match, which will be played at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on January 6.