India: Kargil Protesters Defy Severe Cold to Show Support for Islamic Leadership in Iran

Thousands gathered in the Kargil district of Ladakh on Friday, January 16, to demonstrate their support for the Islamic Republic of Iran and its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following weeks of domestic unrest in Iran. Organized by the Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust (IKMT), the peaceful rally featured protesters carrying both Indian and Iranian flags while chanting slogans in support of the Iranian leadership. Participants issued a strong denunciation of foreign interference, citing 'anti-Islamic' policies by the U.S. and Israel aimed at destabilizing Iran. Kargil is renowned for its severe winter conditions. Footage captures protesters chanting amid falling snow.

Javed Akhtar Speaks At Jaipur Literature Festival - India

Javed Akhtar Speaks At Jaipur Literature Festival - India

Indian Poet Javed Akhtar speaks during the session at the Jaipur Literature Festival "The world's Grandest Celebration of books and ideas" in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, on January 15, 2026. Photo by Himanshu Sharma/ABACAPRESS.COM

Javed Akhtar Speaks At Jaipur Literature Festival - India

Javed Akhtar Speaks At Jaipur Literature Festival - India

Indian Poet Javed Akhtar speaks during the session at the Jaipur Literature Festival "The world's Grandest Celebration of books and ideas" in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, on January 15, 2026. Photo by Himanshu Sharma/ABACAPRESS.COM

Javed Akhtar Speaks At Jaipur Literature Festival - India

Javed Akhtar Speaks At Jaipur Literature Festival - India

Indian Poet Javed Akhtar speaks during the session at the Jaipur Literature Festival "The world's Grandest Celebration of books and ideas" in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, on January 15, 2026. Photo by Himanshu Sharma/ABACAPRESS.COM

Javed Akhtar Speaks At Jaipur Literature Festival - India

Javed Akhtar Speaks At Jaipur Literature Festival - India

Indian Poet Javed Akhtar speaks during the session at the Jaipur Literature Festival "The world's Grandest Celebration of books and ideas" in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, on January 15, 2026. Photo by Himanshu Sharma/ABACAPRESS.COM

Javed Akhtar Speaks At Jaipur Literature Festival - India

Javed Akhtar Speaks At Jaipur Literature Festival - India

Indian Poet Javed Akhtar speaks during the session at the Jaipur Literature Festival "The world's Grandest Celebration of books and ideas" in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, on January 15, 2026. Photo by Himanshu Sharma/ABACAPRESS.COM

Javed Akhtar Speaks At Jaipur Literature Festival - India

Javed Akhtar Speaks At Jaipur Literature Festival - India

Indian Poet Javed Akhtar speaks during the session at the Jaipur Literature Festival "The world's Grandest Celebration of books and ideas" in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, on January 15, 2026. Photo by Himanshu Sharma/ABACAPRESS.COM

Javed Akhtar Speaks At Jaipur Literature Festival - India

Javed Akhtar Speaks At Jaipur Literature Festival - India

Indian Poet Javed Akhtar speaks during the session at the Jaipur Literature Festival "The world's Grandest Celebration of books and ideas" in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, on January 15, 2026. Photo by Himanshu Sharma/ABACAPRESS.COM

Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 - Rajasthan

Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 - Rajasthan

Indian Folk artists are performing During the inaugural session of the Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, on January 15, 2026. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 - Rajasthan

Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 - Rajasthan

Indian Folk artists are performing During the inaugural session of the Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, on January 15, 2026. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 - Rajasthan

Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 - Rajasthan

Indian Folk artists are performing During the inaugural session of the Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, on January 15, 2026. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 - Rajasthan

Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 - Rajasthan

Indian Folk artists are performing During the inaugural session of the Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, on January 15, 2026. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 - Rajasthan

Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 - Rajasthan

Indian Folk artists are performing During the inaugural session of the Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, on January 15, 2026. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 - Rajasthan

Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 - Rajasthan

Indian Folk artists are performing During the inaugural session of the Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, on January 15, 2026. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 - Rajasthan

Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 - Rajasthan

Indian Folk artists are performing During the inaugural session of the Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, on January 15, 2026. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 - Rajasthan

Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 - Rajasthan

Indian Folk artists are performing During the inaugural session of the Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, on January 15, 2026. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 - Rajasthan

Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 - Rajasthan

Indian Folk artists are performing During the inaugural session of the Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, on January 15, 2026. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 - Rajasthan

Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 - Rajasthan

Indian Folk artists are performing During the inaugural session of the Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, on January 15, 2026. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 - Rajasthan

Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 - Rajasthan

Indian Folk artists are performing During the inaugural session of the Jaipur Literature Festival 2026 in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, on January 15, 2026. Photo by ABACAPRESS.COM

Pongal Festival - Singapore

Pongal Festival - Singapore

A craftsman demonstrates pottery making for Pongal Festival activities during a media preview of the Pongal Festival celebration held in Singapore's Indian Heritage Centre on Jan. 9, 2026. Pongal Festival is a tradition celebrated in south India. This year's festival is held from Jan. 14 to 17. Singapore's Indian Heritage Centre will be hosting a series of Pongal Festival activities on the two weekends on Jan 10, 11, 17 and 18. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM)

Pongal Festival - Singapore

Pongal Festival - Singapore

People paint on traditional clay pots used for Pongal Festival activities during a media preview of the Pongal Festival celebration held in Singapore's Indian Heritage Centre on Jan. 9, 2026. Pongal Festival is a tradition celebrated in south India. This year's festival is held from Jan. 14 to 17. Singapore's Indian Heritage Centre will be hosting a series of Pongal Festival activities on the two weekends on Jan 10, 11, 17 and 18. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM)

Pongal Festival - Singapore

Pongal Festival - Singapore

Performers dance during the media preview of the Pongal Festival celebration held in Singapore's Indian Heritage Centre on Jan. 9, 2026. Pongal Festival is a tradition celebrated in south India. This year's festival is held from Jan. 14 to 17. Singapore's Indian Heritage Centre will be hosting a series of Pongal Festival activities on the two weekends on Jan 10, 11, 17 and 18. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM)

Pongal Festival - Singapore

Pongal Festival - Singapore

A woman shows a traditional clay pot used for Pongal Festival activities during a media preview of the Pongal Festival celebration held in Singapore's Indian Heritage Centre on Jan. 9, 2026. Pongal Festival is a tradition celebrated in south India. This year's festival is held from Jan. 14 to 17. Singapore's Indian Heritage Centre will be hosting a series of Pongal Festival activities on the two weekends on Jan 10, 11, 17 and 18. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM)

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (C) greets German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (L) and Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski (R) upon their arrival at Quai d’Orsay as part as the Weimar Triangle and Indian foreign ministers meeting in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. Photo by Yoan Valat/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stands outside the Quai d’Orsay to welcome the German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (not pictured) as part as the Weimar Triangle and Indian foreign ministers meeting in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. Photo by Yoan Valat/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (L) talks with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (R) during the Weimar Triangle and Indian foreign ministers meeting at Quai d’Orsay in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. Photo by Yoan Valat/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski looks on during a press conference as part as the Weimar Triangle and Indian foreign ministers meeting at Quai d’Orsay in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. Photo by Yoan Valat/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot looks on during a press conference as part as the Weimar Triangle and Indian foreign ministers meeting at Quai d’Orsay in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. Photo by Yoan Valat/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (L) and French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (R) walk to the rostrum as they hold a press conference with their Polish and German counterparts as part as the Weimar Triangle and Indian foreign ministers meeting at Quai d’Orsay in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. Photo by Yoan Valat/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

(L-R) German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski pose for a family photo as part as the Weimar Triangle and Indian foreign ministers meeting at Quai d’Orsay in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. Photo by Yoan Valat/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

(L-R) German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski hold a press conference as part as the Weimar Triangle and Indian foreign ministers meeting at Quai d’Orsay in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. Photo by Yoan Valat/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot walks to the flags for a family photo as part as the Weimar Triangle and Indian foreign ministers meeting at Quai d’Orsay in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. Photo by Yoan Valat/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar looks on during a press conference as part as the Weimar Triangle and Indian foreign ministers meeting at Quai d’Orsay in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. Photo by Yoan Valat/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (C) greets German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (L) and Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski (R) upon their arrival at Quai d’Orsay as part as the Weimar Triangle and Indian foreign ministers meeting in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. Photo by Yoan Valat/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (L) meets with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (C) as part as the Weimar Triangle and Indian foreign ministers meeting at Quai d’Orsay in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. Photo by Yoan Valat/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul looks on during a press conference as part as the Weimar Triangle and Indian foreign ministers meeting at Quai d’Orsay in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. Photo by Yoan Valat/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

(L-R) German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski hold a press conference as part as the Weimar Triangle and Indian foreign ministers meeting at Quai d’Orsay in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. Photo by Yoan Valat/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (C-R), Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (foreground R), French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (Foreground L) and Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski (C-L) meet during the Weimar Triangle and Indian foreign ministers meeting at Quai d’Orsay in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. Photo by Yoan Valat/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (R) greets German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (L) upon his arrival at Quai d’Orsay as part as the Weimar Triangle and Indian foreign ministers meeting in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. Photo by Yoan Valat/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

(L-R) German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski gather during the Weimar Triangle and Indian foreign ministers meeting at Quai d’Orsay in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. Photo by Yoan Valat/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

(L-R) German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski pose for a family photo as part as the Weimar Triangle and Indian foreign ministers meeting at Quai d’Orsay in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. Photo by Yoan Valat/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (C) greets German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (L) and Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski (R) upon their arrival at Quai d’Orsay as part as the Weimar Triangle and Indian foreign ministers meeting in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. Photo by Yoan Valat/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (C) greets German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (L) and Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski (R) upon their arrival at Quai d’Orsay as part as the Weimar Triangle and Indian foreign ministers meeting in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. Photo by Yoan Valat/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (2-L) meets with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (2-R) as part as the Weimar Triangle and Indian foreign ministers meeting at Quai d’Orsay in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. Photo by Yoan Valat/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

(L-R) German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski gather during the Weimar Triangle and Indian foreign ministers meeting at Quai d’Orsay in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. Photo by Yoan Valat/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

Weimar Triangle and Indian Foreign Ministers Meet in Paris

French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (L) meets with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (C) as part as the Weimar Triangle and Indian foreign ministers meeting at Quai d’Orsay in Paris, France, 07 January 2026. Photo by Yoan Valat/Pool/ABACAPRESS.COM

Heavy Rains that Have Been Impacting Madagascar Since Late November Last Year

Heavy Rains that Have Been Impacting Madagascar Since Late November Last Year

Vendors sell fruits alongside a flooded street in a neighborhood in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, on January 7, 2026. Heavy rains that have been impacting Madagascar since late November last year have caused the deaths of 11 people and left six others injured, according to a report released Tuesday by the country's disaster management agency. The capital, Antananarivo, is among the areas hardest hit. A total of 274 people have been affected, with 26 residential houses damaged or destroyed, said the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management. Located in the western Indian Ocean, Madagascar typically experiences its rainy season from November to March. The accompanying severe weather often causes loss of life, displaces residents, and floods vast areas of agricultural land. Photo by Sitraka Rajaonarison/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Heavy Rains that Have Been Impacting Madagascar Since Late November Last Year

Heavy Rains that Have Been Impacting Madagascar Since Late November Last Year

Vendors sell fruits alongside a flooded street in a neighborhood in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, on January 7, 2026. Heavy rains that have been impacting Madagascar since late November last year have caused the deaths of 11 people and left six others injured, according to a report released Tuesday by the country's disaster management agency. The capital, Antananarivo, is among the areas hardest hit. A total of 274 people have been affected, with 26 residential houses damaged or destroyed, said the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management. Located in the western Indian Ocean, Madagascar typically experiences its rainy season from November to March. The accompanying severe weather often causes loss of life, displaces residents, and floods vast areas of agricultural land. Photo by Sitraka Rajaonarison/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Heavy Rains that Have Been Impacting Madagascar Since Late November Last Year

Heavy Rains that Have Been Impacting Madagascar Since Late November Last Year

Vendors sell fruits alongside a flooded street in a neighborhood in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, on January 7, 2026. Heavy rains that have been impacting Madagascar since late November last year have caused the deaths of 11 people and left six others injured, according to a report released Tuesday by the country's disaster management agency. The capital, Antananarivo, is among the areas hardest hit. A total of 274 people have been affected, with 26 residential houses damaged or destroyed, said the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management. Located in the western Indian Ocean, Madagascar typically experiences its rainy season from November to March. The accompanying severe weather often causes loss of life, displaces residents, and floods vast areas of agricultural land. Photo by Sitraka Rajaonarison/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Heavy Rains that Have Been Impacting Madagascar Since Late November Last Year

Heavy Rains that Have Been Impacting Madagascar Since Late November Last Year

People cross a flooded street in a neighborhood in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, on January 7, 2026. Heavy rains that have been impacting Madagascar since late November last year have caused the deaths of 11 people and left six others injured, according to a report released Tuesday by the country's disaster management agency. The capital, Antananarivo, is among the areas hardest hit. A total of 274 people have been affected, with 26 residential houses damaged or destroyed, said the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management. Located in the western Indian Ocean, Madagascar typically experiences its rainy season from November to March. The accompanying severe weather often causes loss of life, displaces residents, and floods vast areas of agricultural land. Photo by Sitraka Rajaonarison/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM