A look at the headlines right now:

  1. Rajinikanth confirms his entry into politics, says the last year brought shame to Tamil Nadu: While Twitter users cheered the actor’s decision, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said that he will move to another state if his party allies with Rajinikanth.
  2. Five jawans killed after suspected JeM militants attack CRPF camp in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama: Another soldier died after Pakistan allegedly violated the ceasefire in Nowshera sector.
  3. Gujarat Deputy CM Nitin Patel agrees to take charge after phone call with Amit Shah: The BJP national president told Patel, who was unhappy about not getting three important portfolios, that he would be allotted suitable departments.
  4. In New Year message, Xi Jinping vows China will be the ‘keeper of international order’: Reform and ‘opening up’ are the paths to progress to ‘realise the Chinese dream’, the country’s president said.
  5. Two anti-government protestors killed and dozens detained in Iran, authorities warn of ‘iron fist’: The government denied the involvement of the police in the two deaths, and blamed Sunni groups and ‘foreign agents’ instead.
  6. All 10 leaders of Asean nations will be chief guests at Republic Day parade, says Narendra Modi: During his Mann ki Baat radio show, the prime minister also praised the bill that proposes to criminalise triple talaq.
  7. BMC demolishes illegal extensions at 314 restaurants in Mumbai, day after Kamala Mills fire kills 14: Police arrested two relatives and booked one for allegedly protecting restaurant owners.
  8. South Korea seizes Panama ship suspected of supplying oil to North Korea despite sanctions: This follows the seizure of a Hong Kong ship in November for similar reasons, which Seoul revealed on Friday.
  9. ‘We have to perform if we do not want to perish,’ new Air India chief tells staff: In a New Year’s message to the staff, Kharola wrote that ‘professional and productive work culture’ was key to turn around the struggling airline.
  10. Suicide attack at funeral in Afghanistan’s Jalalabad kills 15, injures 14: There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.