The traditional bull-taming sport has begun in Madurai for the Pongal 2026 festival. Around 550 bull tamers and 1,100 bulls are participating. The event spans three days, with Palamedu and Alanganallur hosting the finale. Winners will receive attractive prizes, including a car and tractor. Over 2
Denmark and Greenland accused Washington of crossing “red lines” on sovereignty and warned Trump's rhetoric threatens alliances and Arctic stability. Trump Greenland Takeover Claims: Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenland's top diplomat Vivian Motzfeldt
Voting is underway for 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the Mumbai civic body, on Thursday. The results of the elections will be declared on Friday. Across the state, 3.48 crore voters are eligible to decide the fate of 15,931 candidates, PTI reported
For many people, a dream vacation is a trip to snow-covered mountains or a relaxing weekend at the beach. A trek through snow-covered hills or long walks on the beach seem to be on everyone's bucket list. But did you know that there's another travel trend emerging that is all about prioritising
Ballia (UP), Jan 15 (PTI) A Class 9 student was killed and two others seriously injured after a car hit their motorcycle in Ballia district, police said on Thursday. The three had parked the bike on the roadside to speak to a friend on Wednesday when the car rammed into their vehicle on Ubhawn turn
US and UK pulling some personnel from Qatar base as US considers Iran action
US and UK pulling some personnel from Qatar military base
The US and UK are reducing the number of personnel at the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar, as US President Donald Trump considers whether to take action against Iran over its crackdown on anti-government protests.
Officials have told CBS, the BBC's US partner, that the partial American withdrawal was a "precautionary measure". The BBC understands some UK military personnel are also being removed.
A Qatari government statement said the measures reportedly being taken by the US were "in response to the current regional tensions".
The Foreign Office has also temporarily closed the British embassy in Tehran, which will now operate remotely, a government spokesperson said.
The US embassy in Doha has advised its personnel to exercise increased caution and limit non-essential travel to the Al-Udeid air base.
Iran closed its airspace from 02:45 local time (22:15 GMT) on Thursday to almost all flights, according to the US Federal Aviation Administration's website.
The closure was initially due to last two hours, but was later extended to 08:00 local time (03:30 GMT), according to the Reuters news agency.
Several airlines have announced they will reroute flights around Iran in response, including Air India and Germany's Lufthansa.
Air India warned that passengers could experience delays or cancellations as flights through the region were rerouted. Lufthansa issued a statement confirming its flights would avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace "until further notice".
According to rights groups, more than 2,400 anti-government demonstrators have been killed in the recent violent crackdown by the Iranian authorities.
Regarding the removal of military personnel, the Qatari government said it would continue to "implement all necessary measures to safeguard the security and safety of its citizens and residents as a top priority, including actions related to the protection of critical infrastructure and military facilities".
A UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson declined to comment on reports that UK personnel were being withdrawn "due to operational security".
Al-Udeid is the largest US military base in the Middle East and about 10,000 personnel are based there, as well as about 100 UK staff. It is not clear how many will be leaving.
Earlier this week, Trump warned the US would take "very strong action" against Iran if the authorities execute protesters. Iran has said it will retaliate if attacked by the US.
On Wednesday, he said his administration had been told "on good authority" that "the killing in Iran is stopping, and there's no plan for executions".
When questioned by a reporter, Trump said that these were "very important sources on the other side" and that he hoped the reports were true.
The US president was also asked whether military action was now off the table, to which he replied: "We're going to watch and see what the process is."
The Reuters news agency, citing diplomats, reported that while some personnel had been told to leave the Al-Udeid air base, there was no immediate sign of large numbers of troops being bussed out like in the hours before an Iranian strike last year.
Speaking to Fox News on Wednesday, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned Donald Trump to "not repeat the same mistake that you did in June," adding: "You know, if you try a failed experience, you will get the same result."
He also responded to reports of a 26-year-old man whose family say he had been sentenced to death in Iran, saying that "hanging is out of the question" and there would be "no hanging today or tomorrow".
As well as the temporary closure of the British embassy in Tehran, the US Mission to Saudi Arabia has advised its personnel and citizens to "exercise increased caution and limit non-essential travel to any military installations in the region".
Italy and Poland have published statements urging their citizens to leave Iran, while Germany has issued a notice to air operators recommending that flights do not enter Tehran, citing potential risk from "escalating conflict and anti-aviation weaponry".
Iran's government has accused the US of seeking to "manufacture a pretext for military intervention", with the parliament speaker warning that if the US attacked, both Israeli and US military and shipping centres in the region would become legitimate targets.
The latest protests in Iran began at the end of December following the collapse of the currency and as the country deals with soaring living costs.
They quickly widened into demands for political change and became one of the most serious challenges to the clerical establishment since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said it had so far confirmed the killing of 2,403 protesters, as well as 12 children, despite an internet blackout. More than 18,434 protesters have been arrested during the unrest, the group also reported.
Amnesty International said there were "mass unlawful killings committed on an unprecedented scale", citing "verified videos and credible information from eyewitnesses in Iran".
The organisation urged UN member states to recognise the "crimes committed by security forces" in the protests.
Source: BBC
Related Posts: Decision time for Trump on Iran but what does he ultimately want Iran Issues Warning To American Politicians To Cease Their Deceptions’ Iran official says 2 Iran May Hang 26-Year-Old Protester Today As Trump Warns Of Is Trump Planning A Strike On Iran Iran hints at trials Iran postpones execution of protester Iran shuts airspace Killings In Iran Have Stopped Iran dramatically raises the stakes with its state TV issuing direct assassination threat to Trump
The United States on Wednesday said that it is suspending the processing of immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries “whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates”. The pause, which will impact applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan
1 minutes ago
Real Madrid's Copa del Rey campaign came to a stunning halt on Wednesday night, as club legend Alvaro Arbeloa's first match in charge ended in humiliation. The 15-time European champions were knocked out 3–2 by Segunda División strugglers Albacete
2 minutes ago
Actor-singer Prashant Tamang's untimely demise left the nation in a state of shock. Actor and singer Meiyang Chang, who was Prashant's best friend for years, talking to IANS, revealed how the late singer was looking forward to his upcoming project, The Battle of Galwan
1 minutes ago
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed a 25% tariff on certain AI chips, such as the Nvidia H200 AI processor and a similar semiconductor from AMD called the MI325X, under a new national security order released by the White House
2 minutes ago
Tragedy struck Thailand again as a highway construction crane collapsed in Bangkok's suburbs on Thursday, claiming two lives. This follows a devastating incident just a day prior, where a massive rail construction crane fell onto a train, resulting in 32 fatalities. The Rama II Expressway
1 minutes ago
Novak Djokovic's pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title may already be wobbling before the Australian Open has even begun. The 38-year-old Serbian, now ranked world No. 4, was forced to cut short a practice session after just 12 minutes on Wednesday
1 minutes ago
The US and UK are reducing the number of personnel at the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar, as US President Donald Trump considers whether to take action against Iran over its crackdown on anti-government protests. Officials have told CBS, the BBC's US partner
1 minutes ago
The family of Renee Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis mother of three fatally shot by a federal immigration officer, has accused immigration agents of killing her as she attempted to comply with their instructions, announcing they have retained the same law firm that represented the family of George
1 minutes ago
Bharat Coking Coal IPO Allotment Status: The basis of allotment for the Bharat Coking Coal IPO has been finalised. Investors can check the IPO allotment status on the websites of the BSE, the NSE, as well as on the portal of registrar Kfin Technologies. All eyes are now on its listing on Monday
1 minutes ago
NEW YORK (AP) — Many Verizon customers encountered a widespread outage on Wednesday, disrupting calling and other cellular services across the U.S. The carrier acknowledged that there was an “issue impacting wireless voice and data services
1 minutes ago
The development came after Iran extended an order closing its airspace to commercial aircraft without explanation, as tensions stay high with the US. Amid the ongoing situation in Iran, Air India and IndiGo on Thursday issued an advisory and stated that due to the closure of the Iranian airspace
2 minutes ago
Google on Thursday unveiled "Personal Intelligence", a major update to its Gemini AI, to give users a personalised experience across their digital ecosystemThis new mode will allow Gemini to securely connect with a person's Gmail, YouTube, Google Photos
1 minutes ago
Cervical cancer remains one of the most preventable cancers affecting women, yet it continues to be widely misunderstood. Despite significant advances in cervical cancer screening, vaccination, and treatment, myths surrounding lifestyle and personal choices persist
2 minutes ago
BookMyShow crashed within minutes as fans rushed to buy tickets for the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 clash, highlighting the unmatched global pull of cricket's biggest rivalry. The hype around India vs Pakistan once again proved unmatched in world sport
2 minutes ago
The titular character of Amazon Prime Video's most awaited show God of War is in the limelight. The streaming platform has unveiled the actor who will lead the live action television show and play ‘Kratos'. Veteran actor Ryan Hurst will be seen in the role of Kratos in the Amazon adaptation
1 minutes ago
Bangladesh cricket faces an unprecedented crisis as players threaten a total boycott over controversial remarks by a BCB director, casting serious doubt on the team's participation in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Bangladesh cricket is staring at one of its biggest internal revolts in recent history
2 minutes ago
Wholesale price inflation extended upward momentum for the second straight month, recording at 0.83% in December 2025, driven by an uptick in prices of food, non-food articles, and manufactured items on a month-on-month basis, government data showed on Wednesday (January 14, 2026)
2 minutes ago
The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system and secretes hormones that regulate metabolic rate, heart function, temperature control, and several other essential bodily processes. Thyroid eye disease does not always occur at the same time as thyroid disorders. Eye symptoms can appear before
2 minutes ago
Gold and Silver Rates Today, January 15: Gold and silver prices eased on Thursday, January 15, as investors booked profits after three consecutive sessions of record highs. In Mumbai, the price of 24-carat gold rose to Rs 1,43,180 per 10 grams, while 22k gold was available at Rs 1,31
2 minutes ago
The Ganga Sabha has called for a ban on non-Hindus entering Har Ki Pauri and other Ganga ghats in Haridwar. This restriction should also apply to government employees and media personnel. The Sabha cited existing bylaws from 1916 that prohibit non-Hindu entry
1 minutes ago
Shadowfax Technologies IPO opens for subscription on tomorrow (Tuesday, January 20). Shadowfax Technologies Ltd is a logistics service provider located in India. The company focuses on express parcel delivery for e-commerce and a variety of supplementary services
2 minutes ago
Securing a stable, well-paying job is becoming increasingly difficult, and concerns about career security are only growing. Amid this uncertainty, one job posting has captured widespread attention online. A screenshot shared on social media shows a software developer role offering compensation that
2 minutes ago
India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak on Tuesday (January 13, 2026) played down speculation about an alleged communication breakdown between senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir, stressing that the experienced duo remains deeply involved in discussions around
1 minutes ago
Thailand was rocked by a second deadly construction accident in as many days after a crane collapsed at a highway project near Bangkok on Thursday, killing two people—just 24 hours after a separate crane failure crushed a passenger train in the country's northeast
1 minutes ago
Historically, students interested in pursuing a career with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were usually advised to pursue social work, development studies, or direct experience. This is quickly shifting, in a rapidly evolving landscape of a growing social sector in India
2 minutes ago
UCO Bank Recruitment 2026: UCO Bank has invited online applications for the recruitment of Generalist and Specialist Officers. Eligible candidates can apply through the official website of the bank at uco.bank.in. A total of 173 posts will be filled through this recruitment drive
2 minutes ago
In the second mass surrender event in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district over the last week, 29 people, all active as frontal wings of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), surrendered on Wednesday (January 14, 2026), according to the police. On January 7, 26 Maoists had surrendered in Sukma
2 minutes ago
