The New Indian Express Wishes its readers a Happy Sankranti Our offices and press will remain closed today and there will be no issue of the paper on Friday tirupati l thursday l january 15, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 18 l anantapur EDITION last year was third warmest on record: U.N. climate agency Average temp 1.44°C above 1850-1900 figures ‘This year likely to be fourth warmest’ ■ “The year 2025 started and ended with a cooling La Niña and yet it was still one of the warmest because of the accumulation of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in our atmosphere,” WMO said ■ Berkeley Earth, whose dataset was one of the eight analysed by the WMO, said 2026 would most likely be fourth-warmest year The global average surface temperature in 2025 was 1.44°C above the 1850-1900 average, according to the WMO’s analysis of eight datasets. Two of these datasets ranked 2025 as the second-warmest year in 176 years since 1850, and the other six ranked it as the third-warmest. In all eight datasets, 2023-2025 are the three warmest years on record The planet logged its third hottest year on record in 2025, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Wednesday 14.97°C was the average global temperature in 2025 CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Despite Trump’s threats of intervention, Iran’s top judge hinted at fast trials and executions for those who were detained in the ongoing protests | P9 At least 2,571 people have been killed in the protests so far, claims USbased Human Rights Activists News Agency As many as 18,434 individuals had been arrested in troubled Iran, as on Tuesday 97 cases of forced confessions broadcast so far Some personnel at US base in Qatar advised to evacuate Dozens of Iranians cross into Turkiye amid massive nationwide unrest Over 1,100 protesters suffered severe injuries US military footprint in West Asia cyprus syria lebanon iran iraq jordan kuwait egtpt saudi arabia Ships drop anchor outside Iran port Many commercial ships have dropped anchor at a distance outside Iran’s port in recent days, according to a Reuters report uae oman sudan eritrea yeman Outpost Source: American Security Project Threat of fast trials, executions Airbase Naval facility Radar facility Leave Iran, India tells nationals Jaishankar speaks with Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi, reviews the evolving situation J aya n t h J a c o b @ New Delhi The Indian Embassy in Tehran on Wednesday advised all it nationals, including students, pilgrims, businesspersons and tourists, to leave Iran using available means, as the security situation in the country sharply deteriorated amid weeks of deadly protests. Later in the day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi, during which the two leaders reviewed the “evolving situation” in and around Iran. “Received a call from Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. We discussed the evolving situation in and around Iran,” Jaishankar wrote on X. “All Indian nationals in Iran are requested to leave the country using available means,” the embassy said, and added that that citizens should keep their travel and immigration documents, including passports and IDs, readily accessible. “They are requested to contact the Indian Embassy for any assistance in this regard,” it said. The embassy reiterated that Indians and Persons of Indian Origin should exercise due caution, avoid areas where protests or demonstrations are underway remain , in contact with the embassy and closely monitor local media for developments. The advisory comes as massive nationwide protests in Iran entered the 18th day with demonstra, tions reported across nearly 280 locations. The unrest, which began over double-digit inflation and sharp currency devaluation, has escalated into violent clashes with security forces. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 2,571 people have been killed in the protests so far. Iran has imposed a communications blackout in several areas and is facing mounting international pressure over its crackdown on demonstrators. Another NGO, Norway-based Iran Human Rights, put the verified toll at 3,428. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump publicly urged Iranian protesters to take over state institutions and not back down, claim- ing that “help is on the way with,” out providing further details. His remarks fuelled speculation over possible US involvement amid rising regional tensions. In a related development, Reuters reported that several personnel were advised to vacate the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest US military base in West Asia, by Wednesday evening as a precautionary step. Similar measures were taken ahead of US air strikes on Iran in June last year. The Indian embassy also urged nationals who have not yet registered with it to do so through its online portal, noting that family members in India may register on their behalf if internet disruptions prevent access within Iran. SC hearing on ED plea against Mamata today S U CHITRA K ALYA N MOHA N T Y @ New Delhi THE Supreme Court will on Thursday take up a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleging obstruction of its search at I-PAC office by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The state government has also filed a caveat in the SC, seeking that no order be passed without hearing it. A bench of justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Vipul M Pancholi will hear the ED’s plea. In a related development, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday closed a plea filed by the Trinamool Congress seeking protection of sensitive political data the ED may have seized from I-PAC. Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for ED, told the HC that the agency did not seize anything from I-PAC director Pratik Jain’s office or home, adding it was Mamata who entered the search site and took away documents and electronic evidence. In its plea before the SC, the ED sought directions for a CBI probe into the alleged interference by the state executive. The agency said the CM’s presence and confrontational act had an intimidating effect on its officers. The petition was filed against the state of West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, DGP Rajeev Kumar, Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Ver ma, and South Kolkata Dy Commissioner Priyabatra Roy. West Bengal Police has also filed an FIR against ED officers over the January 8 I-PAC raids. Cockfights, gambling t20 world cup go on unabated in State With ICC running against time, Bangladesh matches may go to Lanka There are enough indications that the ICC might shift Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka and relocate a few games from the island nation to the venues in India, where Bangladesh were scheduled to play. This will reduce logistical issues for the ICC | P11 Y B r a h m a j i @ Vijayawada happy pongal PM Narendra Modi offering prayers during the Pongal fete at Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs L Murugan’s residence in New Delhi on Wednesday | PTI Deliver better healthcare via PPP mode: Centre to State E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Vijayawada The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has once again urged the Andhra Pradesh government to adopt the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to strengthen healthcare delivery across the State. In a fresh communique, the Centre has highlighted the widening gap between demand and availability of medical services, and stressed that the PPP model could be the most effective way to bridge it.   On January 12, Vijay Nehra, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, addressed a detailed letter to State Health Secretary Saurabh Gaur. The letter, accompanied by a 27-page set of guidelines, explained how PPP initiatives could expand healthcare services to a P4 wider population.  Despite clear and repeated directions from the Andhra Pradesh High Court prohibiting cockfights, and gambling, these illegal activities are being conducted openly, and on an unprecedented scale across the State, particularly in the coastal districts, during Sankranti. While cockfights continue to be organised in several pockets, large-scale and organised gambling has reportedly spread to almost every village under the guise of festive celebrations, with huge sums of money changing hands, forcing youth and villagers into severe financial distress, and wiping out villagers’ hard-earned money . The continued violations have raised serious concern over enforcement ‘failures’ and the apparent lack of deterrent action by the authorities, even as court orders remain unambiguous. The AP High Court, while taking serious note of the large-scale conduct of cockfights and gambling during Sankranti, had directed district collectors, police commissioners and superintendents of police to strictly enforce the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, Now, people can report outbreak of diseases via IHIP Vijayawada: For the first time, the Medical and Health Department has decided to involve the public directly in the early detection of infectious diseases. Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare Veerapandian announced that complaints and alerts will now be accepted through the Integrated Health Information Platform web link, developed under GoI’s Disease program Prasant Madugula and the AP Gaming Act, 1974. The High Court made it clear that these laws must be implemented effectively and without fail, warning that any lapse would attract personal responsibility of the officials concerned. It cautioned that disciplinary action could be initiated against tahsildars and police officers who fail to prevent cockfights and gambling. Emphasising proactive enforcement, the court ordered district collectors to constitute joint inspection teams in all mandals to P4 conduct inspections.  World No 3 shuttler says opted out due to pollution As you enter the IG Stadium — the India Open badminton venue — you cannot miss the pungent heavy smell floating in the air. Inside the playing area it’s much better. Yet, from the stands the light seem to cut through a film of dust. Just to add to the woes of the organisers, a day after a Denmark player lambasted the playing conditions, World No 3 men shuttler has come out with another scathing remark. Months ahead of the World Badminton Championships to be held at the same venue in August, this is definitely not the kind of publicity Badminton Association of India would be expecting. On Tuesday, Mia Blichfeldt raised concer ns more about health than conditions. Barely 24 hours later, another Danish pro, Anders Antonsen, on his social media account, said he pulled out of the event (last week) due to ‘extreme pollution’. If this was not enough, a few players posted a video of a monkey inside the stadium. In the same post, the World No 3 raised concer ns about the city’s ability to conduct badminton events including the upcoming World Championships which is scheduled to be held at the same venue later this year. “Many are curious as to why I have pulled out of the India Open for the third consecutive year. Due to extreme pollution in Delhi at the moment I don’t think it’s a place to host a badminton tour nament,” the 2025 French Open winner said. “Crossing my fingers that it will be better in the Summer when the World Championships will E x p r e s s ne w s s e r v i c e @ Guwahati Music icon Zubeen Garg was “severely intoxicated”, and he drowned near the Lazarus Island after refusing to wear a life jacket, a coroner’s court in Singapore was told on Wednesday . Testimonies reconfirmed reports that the singer went into the waters wearing a life jacket but removed it and then declined to wear a second one. Witnesses saw the severely intoxicated Garg trying to swim back to the yacht, but went limp and began floating face down. The chief investigating officer told the court that Garg and 20 others on the yacht had snacks, drinks and alcohol. The yacht’s captain said he had seen two of Garg’s friends holding his arms because he was unable to walk properly The coroner’s hear. ing is ongoing with 35 witnesses set to testify . Today’s edition includes 4-page Chittoor MLA Gurajala Jagan Mohan’s birthday special pullout Express read courting controversy An m o l G U r un g @ New Delhi ‘Garg refused life jacket, was heavily drunk’ take place...” On Wednesday, some of the foreign players have been sporting face masks to counter dust issues. One of the doubles players from South Korea had shared a picture of a monkey in the stands. However, India’s Kidambi Srikanth dismissed criticisms by saying that there is no problem. Meanwhile, BAI secretary Sanjay Mishra said, “BAI and the venue staff have been working at the stadium continuously for the last 20 days, and this is the first time such an incident has been observed. It is possible that a door may have been inadvertently left open.” HC quashes `1,500 sand theft case, holds it’s non-cognizable Vijayawada: The AP High Court has quashed a criminal case against a man accused of illegally transporting sand worth `1,500, ruling that police had no authority to register the FIR or investigate without Magistrate’s prior permission. Justice Venkata Jyothirmai Pratapa, in her verdict recently, held that when the value of stolen property is less than `5,000, the offence is non-cognizable