Pakistan and Indian players shake hands after the toss during the SAFF Championship 2026. — Reporter
In a rare display of sportsmanship amid strained bilateral ties, the women’s futsal captains of Pakistan and India shook hands at the toss during the SAFF Championship 2026 match at Nonthaburi Stadium on Monday, underscoring the spirit of the game beyond politics.
Ahead of the high-octane fixture, Pakistan captain Kayanat Bokhari presented a cultural souvenir to her Indian counterpart Jigmet Chunzen before offering each other the customary handshake.
The arch rivals met thrice in the continental tournament, and Indian players noticeably avoided post-toss and post-match handshakes with their Pakistan counterparts.
The controversy did not remain limited to the men’s events, as a similar situation occurred at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, where both teams’ captains, Harmanpreet Kaur and Fatima Sana, avoided shaking hands at the toss.
Meanwhile, Diti Kanungo’s late strikes led India to a sensational 5-3 victory over arch-rivals Pakistan.
The enthralling fixture got off to a contrasting start as Pakistan secured an early lead through their captain Kaya Bokhari, who netted the opener in the fourth minute.
India neutralised 10 minutes later through Arya More, forcing the match to remain tied at 1-1 at halftime.
Following the break, Pakistan pulled ahead, with Azwa Chaudhry finding the back of the net in the 26th minute, while Anmol Hira bolstered the lead the following minute.
Ritika Singh and Khushbu Saroj helped India draw level scoring in the next two minutes, respectively.
With the scoreboard tied at 3-3, Kanungo made a decisive stride as she scored two goals in the 37th and 40th minutes to propel India to a come-from-behind 5-3 victory.
The victory marked India’s second in the SAFF Women’s Futsal Championship 2026 and boosted their hopes for qualifying for the semi-finals.
Pakistan, on the other hand, suffered their first defeat in the seven-team tournament, ending their unbeaten run, which included a 1-1 stalemate against Bhutan in the campaign opener, followed by comprehensive triumphs over Sri Lanka and Maldives.
Michael Carrick has Manchester United DNA and, just one game into the interim head coach role at Old Trafford, is being heralded as the club’s savior, while the absence of any Tottenham Hotspur DNA in Thomas Frank’s background or football philosophy means he is now fighting to save his job.
OK, it’s not quite that simple, but it is heading that way. Coaching a leading football team has now become a zero-sum game whereby you either embrace the club’s traditions or do it differently and risk alienating supporters, as well as an increasingly vocal and influential cohort of former players — worse still, legends.
If you go your own way and ignore the club’s so-called DNA, you had better win … and win quickly.
But what is football DNA? It is a term that seems to be used only when a manager/head coach is struggling and the supporters and former players boil their difficulties down to that one simple, catch-all term for dissatisfaction.
When Man United fired Ruben Amorim earlier this month after a dismal 14-month reign as head coach at Old Trafford, former club captain and now pundit Gary Neville gave a clear statement as to what the club needed to pull itself out of a malaise that extends back to Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in May 2013.
“Man United have got to appoint a manager that fits the DNA of their club,” he said on Sky Sports. “Ajax will never change for anybody, Barcelona will never change for anybody. I don’t believe Man United should change for anybody.”
Whether by accident or design, United heeded Neville’s comments by interviewing three former players — Carrick, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ruud van Nistelrooy — for the role of Amorim’s successor until the end of the season.
Carrick won the race and masterminded a 2-0 win against Manchester City in his first game in charge. United played fast, attacking and winning football to beat Pep Guardiola’s side and revive hopes of a top-four finish. United DNA? Absolutely.
But here’s where the theory breaks down. No manager has won more trophies in United’s illustrious history than Ferguson’s 48, but when he arrived from Aberdeen to take charge in November 1986, he had no connections to United whatsoever. He had spent his entire playing career in Scotland and the only “United” on his résumé was a year with Ayr United in 1973-74.
Similar stories apply to Arsene Wenger, who had no Arsenal DNA before arriving at the club from Japanese side Nagoya Grampus Eight in September 1996, and Jose Mourinho before his move to Chelsea from FC Porto in the summer of 2004.
Until Wenger took charge, Arsenal’s DNA was one of defensive organization and little flair — opposition fans would sing “Boring, Boring Arsenal” when facing the Gunners — but the Frenchman ripped up the Arsenal playbook and turned them into serial winners that played jaw-dropping attacking football.
Chelsea were regarded as entertainers without a winning mentality when Mourinho arrived, but he imposed his own brand of power, organization and direct football to spark an era of success at Stamford Bridge with a style of play that had not a single root in Chelsea’s DNA.
Meanwhile, Manchester City arguably bought Barcelona’s DNA by hiring Guardiola in the summer of 2016. The club’s owners wanted City to win everything by playing Barcelona-style football and Guardiola duly delivered. So what kind of DNA will their fans and legends call for when Guardiola vacates his post?
One thing is certain: No Arsenal, Chelsea or City fan will ever complain about Wenger, Mourinho or Guardiola changing their club’s DNA and turning them into winners.
Football DNA is ultimately nothing more than a code word for nostalgia; a comfort blanket in times of struggle when the warm glow of the past makes everything in the present day appear to be wrong and misjudged. And if you are Man United and the embodiment of the club’s DNA — Ferguson — is a constant presence at games in the directors’ box, the temptation to measure today’s team and head coach against the feats of the 84-year-old is impossible to resist.
play
2:52
Michallik: I can’t see Thomas Frank staying at Tottenham
ESPN FC’s Janusz Michallik reacts to Tottenham’s shocking 2-1 defeat to West Ham in the Premier League.
Spurs coach Frank doesn’t have an army of successful former players and managers to worry about because his club has become a byword for overpromising and underdelivering. If Spurs have a DNA, the code is recurring failure, yet the supporters still hark back the traditions of the 1950s and 1960s when the club won league titles and played an exciting brand of possession-based attacking football.
If a modern-day coach is expected to honor the traditions of the past, especially those from almost 80 years ago, they have no chance of success unless they are bold enough to face forward and do the job their way. As Ferguson, Wenger and Mourinho did.
But having some connection to a club’s DNA does give coaches the benefit of a longer honeymoon period than those who don’t.
Spurs supporters embraced the appointment of Frank last summer after several impressive seasons at Brentford, but as soon as they saw goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario taking free kicks from inside the center circle and defender Kevin Danso hurling long throw-ins into the penalty area during the UEFA Super Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain at the start of the season, alarm bells began to ring.
Such direct football is definitely not part of Tottenham’s DNA, so Frank had to win to avoid his style of play becoming a problem. But, six months on, Spurs aren’t winning and Frank’s football has become a lightning rod that could, as early as this week, lead to him losing his job.
Carrick has no such concerns; United beat City by playing Ferguson-style football — the same that Carrick played in a United shirt — so not only does he have plenty of credit in the bank, his United DNA means there will soon be a clamor for him to get the job permanently if performances and results continue to reflect the great teams of the past.
It is nothing to do with DNA, though. It is all about winning. Nobody complains about the wrong DNA when a team is winning.
The Syrian army’s rapid-fire conquest of important areas and towns previously controlled by the U.S.-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), culminated on Sunday in a fragile ceasefire agreement with a stern warning from a powerful U.S. Senator and experts about the reported crimes of forces controlled by President Ahmed al-Sharaa,
Jim Risch, R-Idaho., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Fox News Digital, “The Syrian government’s decree to respect Kurdish rights is a good sign, but the conduct of its forces on the ground must match. Division and violence in Syria between U.S. partners only benefit bad actors like ISIS and Iran who exploit Syria to use as a breeding ground for international terrorism, including against the U.S. I welcome the announcement of a ceasefire and will be watching its implementation closely.”
Al-Sharaa, a former U.S.-designated terrorist who was a member of the Islamic State and al-Qaeda, greenlighted an incursion into territory ruled peacefully by the SDF for over a decade.
Amid Risch’s warning, reports coming out of Syria claim skirmishes between the Syrian army and SDF are continuing.
Some locals welcome the Syrian army following the withdrawal of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in Tabqa, Syria, Jan. 18, 2026.(Karam al-Masri/Reuters)
The news organization, Kurdistan 24, showed alleged footage of al-Sharaa’s forces releasing Islamic State prisoners. According to the report, “The Syrian Arab Army releases ISIS prisoners in al-Tabqah city.”
The footage has been widely posted on social media. Fox News Digital could not independently verify the video.
Jim Risch, R-Idaho., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Fox News Digital, “The Syrian government’s decree to respect Kurdish rights is a good sign, but the conduct of its forces on the ground must match.”(Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
The State Department referred Fox News Digital to an X post from the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrack, who also serves as the Special Envoy for Syria. Barrack wrote on X about the deal between SDF General Mazloum Abdi and al-Sharra.
“Two great Syrian leaders, driven by the shared vision of liberating their country and people from tyranny, have now come together to forge a brighter future for all Syrians. This agreement and ceasefire represent a pivotal inflection point, where former adversaries embrace partnership over division.”
Soldiers of the Syrian army in the entrance of Sheik Maksoud neighborhood during continuing fighting between the Syrian forces and the SDF on Jan. 10, 2026 in Aleppo, Syria. A ceasefire announced yesterday did not take hold as fighting continued between the Syrian army and Kurdish fighters in the Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhoods of Aleppo. Overnight, the army announced that it had completed a security sweep of the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood. (Adri Salido/Getty Image)
Barrack added, “President al-Sharaa has affirmed that the Kurds are an integral part of Syria, and the United States looks forward to the seamless integration of our historic partner in the fight against ISIS with the Global Coalition’s newest member, as we press forward in the enduring battle against terrorism.”
However, the People’s Protection Units (YPG) commander Sipan Hamo — a Syrian organization that is part of the SDF — said on the Saturday meeting between U.S. envoy Tom Barrack and Kurdish officials produced no roadmap to a ceasefire. He denied Syria’s Kurds wanted to secede or create an independent state and said their future was in Syria.
“Our greatest hope is that there will be a tangible outcome, especially from the coalition and the United States, meaning that they will intervene more forcefully in the existing problems than what they are currently doing,” Hamo said.
The head of the main Kurdish forces told Reuters that the U.S. should intervene more forcefully to end a Syrian offensive that has gained key territory from Kurdish fighters in recent days.
U.S. forces provide military training to members of the SDF in the Qamisli district in the Al-Hasakah province, Syria on Aug. 18, 2023. (Photo by Hedil Amir/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Government troops launched an offensive on Saturday into territory run for the last decade by semi-autonomous Kurdish authorities in the northeast of Syria, capturing towns on both sides of the Euphrates River and the country’s largest oil and gas field, officials and security sources said.
But given Kurdish “concerns about the changes taking place,” the U.S. should offer assurances of protection to them.
Hamo said that, “In the current situation and the chaos we are living in, the only ones who can offer guarantees are the United States or the coalition,” he added in a rare interview from Hasakeh province, which is still under Kurdish control.
“We believe that the responsibility for everything currently happening inside Syria lies with the Western countries, and especially the United States of America,” he said.
FILE – In this March 23, 2019, file photo, U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters pose for a photo in Baghouz, Syria, after the SDF declared the area free of Islamic State militants. (Maya Alleruzzo/AP Photo)
“Of course, we consider Israel a powerful state in the region with its own agenda. We hope that the same stance taken by other countries in the region towards certain minorities in Syria will be extended to the Kurds as well,” Hamo said.
Asked if he was referring to Israel’s stance towards the Druze minority last summer — when Israel carried out air strikes on the defense ministry, near the presidential palace in Damascus and on Syrian troops advancing on Druze cities, Hamo said, “of course.”
Tom Barrack met with the Syrian president on behalf of the United States on Saturday, Jan. 10.(@USAMBTurkiye via X)
Mutlu Civiroglu, a Kurdish Affairs analyst, told Fox News Digital that, “President Trump has spoken about giving Syria and all its peoples a fresh opportunity to turn a new page. Yet, Ahmed al Sharaa’s actions appear to move against that intention, and many Kurds believe he is abusing the political space that was meant to support stability rather than deepen tensions. “
Civiroglu added that I don’t think the U.S. is abandoning the Kurds, but President Trump’s good intention is being abused by Sharaa. Lawmakers in Washington have also expressed unease about the interim Syrian government’s treatment of minorities, which reflects broader questions about its commitment to inclusive governance.”
A group of civilians smashes a statue of a female Syrian Democratic Forces fighter in the city of Tabqa after the Syrian army took control of it, in Tabqa, Syria, Jan. 18, 2026.(Karam al-Masri/Reuters)
Civiroglu posted footage on his popular X account of al-Sharaa supporters toppling “a statue of a female Kurdish fighter after interim Syrian government forces seized Tabqa from the SDF. Kurdish fighters backed by the United States had liberated the town from ISIS in May 2017.”
Civiroglu said, “al-Sharaa’s confrontations with Kurdish forces, following earlier pressure on Alawite and Druze areas, reinforce doubts about the interim government’s legitimacy and its ability to represent Syria’s diverse population.
“The International community must remember that the Kurdish people have long fought alongside the United States, France and the West in the campaign against ISIS, and many are watching closely to see how these partners interpret the latest escalation,” he said.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Max Abrahms, a leading expert on counter-terrorism and a professor of political science at Northeastern University, told Fox News Digital, “The YPG and then SDF were America’s primary counterterrorism forces against Islamic State in Syria during the war. Unlike the so-called “rebels,” our Kurdish warrior friends exhibited both capability and moderation. It’s not surprising that the jihadists, upon taking power in Damascus, would turn their guns on the Kurdish forces. Of course, we need to stand with them.”
Benjamin Weinthal reports on Israel, Iran, Syria, Turkey and Europe. You can follow Benjamin on Twitter @BenWeinthal, and email him at benjamin.weinthal@fox.com
Reaches $244m in Dec, reversing last year’s surplus; FDI records outflow of $135m
KARACHI:
Pakistan’s current account deficit reached $1.174 billion during the first half of FY26, marking a sharp reversal from a surplus of $957 million recorded in the same period of last year, as rising imports, weaker capital inflows and persistent structural challenges weighed on the external account.
Every month, the country recorded a current account deficit of $244 million in December 2025, compared to a surplus of $454 million in December 2024 and a surplus of $98 million in November 2025, indicating renewed stress on the balance of payments despite relatively stable remittance inflows.
Analysts noted that the widening deficit reflects a combination of seasonal import pressures, subdued export growth in non-services sectors, and limited improvement in foreign investment flows. While services exports, particularly in IT and IT-enabled segments, continued to provide some cushion, they were insufficient to offset the overall deterioration in the trade and income accounts.
The pressure on the external account was further compounded by weak performance on the financial account, where foreign direct investment (FDI) flows remained subdued. According to market estimates, net FDI inflows during 1HFY26 declined by 43% year-on-year to $808 million, compared to $1.425 billion in the same period of last year, underscoring persistent investor caution towards Pakistan.
December proved particularly challenging, as net FDI recorded an outflow of $135 million, reversing a net inflow of $180 million in November, according to Arif Habib Limited (AHL).
Analysts attributed this mainly to a large one-off divestment in the telecom sector following Telenor’s exit from Pakistan, which resulted in a sizeable outflow. However, they cautioned that beyond this transaction, the broader investment climate remains weak due to structural and policy-related concerns.
“The largest net FDI outflow in this month was from Norway of $376 million in the IT sector, led by Telenor’s exit from Pakistan following the sale of its assets to PTCL, in our view. We expect FY26 FDI to clock in at $2.5 billion,” noted Topline Securities.
Country-wise, China, Hong Kong and the UAE accounted for nearly 86% of the total net FDI inflows during the first half of the current fiscal year, highlighting a narrow concentration of foreign investment sources. Market participants view this concentration as a vulnerability, particularly in an environment of heightened global uncertainty and tightening financial conditions.
Commenting on the deteriorating trend, economist Muzammil Aslam said the investment situation remains discouraging despite Pakistan’s engagement with the IMF. “Foreign investment is down 43% in the first six months of the current fiscal year. Companies have either exited or are planning to leave due to heavy taxation, non-competitive utility prices, and policy uncertainty,” he said.
Aslam added that the persistence of weak inflows raises questions about the credibility of the government’s stability narrative. “Being in an IMF programme has not translated into investor comfort. The core issue is political stability, without which economic adjustments alone will not restore confidence,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, movements in the Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) suggest a marginal easing in currency overvaluation. The REER clocked in at 103.73 in December 2025, down from 104.76 in November, reflecting a 0.98% month-on-month decline. However, on a cumulative basis, the REER remains up 5.81% in FY26 to date, while posting a marginal increase of 0.06% in calendar year 2025, indicating that the rupee is still relatively overvalued against a basket of trading-partner currencies.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani rupee registered a slight appreciation against the US dollar in the inter-bank market on Monday, gaining 0.01%. By the close of trading, the local currency settled at 279.92, strengthening by Rs0.03 against the greenback, as reported by the State Bank.
The rupee had also posted a modest gain over the previous week, appreciating by Rs0.07, or 0.03%, in the inter-bank market. It ended the week at 279.95, compared to 280.02 at the close of the preceding week.
Furthermore, bullion prices registered a sharp increase in the local market, as 24-karat gold per tola surged by Rs7,500 to settle at Rs489,362 – an all-time high. The price of 10 grams of 24-karat gold increased by Rs6,431 to Rs419,549, according to the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association. Likewise, the price of 10 grams of 22-karat gold went up by Rs5,895 to Rs384,600.
Silver prices also registered a growth, with 24-karat silver per tola increasing by Rs300 to Rs9,782 and the price of 10 grams of silver rising by Rs257 to Rs8,386.
In the international market, gold prices increased by $75 to $4,670 per ounce, while silver prices rose by $3 to $93.07 per ounce, the association reported.
The son of Norway’s crown princess, who goes on trial in February accused of raping four women, has been charged with new crimes, including a “serious narcotics offense,” prosecutors said on Monday.
Prosecutor Sturla Henriksbo said in a statement sent to AFP that an additional indictment had been issued on Monday against Hoiby, 29, covering a total of six counts.
One was a “serious narcotics offence” dating from one incident in 2020 “involving 3.5 kilos of marijuana.” Hoiby has admitted to the crime, Henriksbo said.
Hoiby’s lawyer Ellen Holager Andenaes told Norwegian news agency NTB her client had “on one occasion transported marijuana from A to B without earning a penny.”
Two of the counts concerned restraining order violations, while three others were traffic violations for driving a motorcycle at high speed, Henriksbo said.
“The additional indictment will now be sent to the Oslo district court for consideration during the main hearing, which begins on February 3,” he said.
Hoiby was arrested on Aug. 4, 2024, suspected of having assaulted his then-girlfriend.
Marius Borg Hoiby, son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, is seen June 16, 2022, in Oslo, Norway.
Hakon Mosvold Larsen/NTB/AFP via Getty Images
Hoiby denies the most serious charges against him, but he plans to plead guilty to some lesser charges, his lawyer Petar Sekulic told the Reuters news agency last year.
“He does not agree with the claims regarding rape and domestic violence,” Sekulic told Reuters.
In a public statement 10 days after his August 2024 arrest, Hoiby said he had acted “under the influence of alcohol and cocaine after an argument,” having suffered from “mental troubles” and struggling “for a long time with substance abuse.”
The four rapes allegedly took place in 2018, 2023 and 2024, the last one after the police investigation began.
It is the biggest scandal to hit the Norwegian royal family.
Hoiby was raised by the royal couple alongside his step-siblings Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, aged 21 and 19.
Unlike them, he has no official public role.
The trial will take place in Oslo district court from Feb. 3 until March 13.
From neighbourhood pizzerias and dessert-first cafés to culture-forward dining spaces, these new restaurant and café openings reflect how India’s food scene is expanding
From neighbourhood-focused outlets and delivery-first concepts to design-led cafés and purpose-driven restaurants, these launches reflect how modern diners seek more than a meal
India’s dining landscape continues to evolve with brands expanding thoughtfully, blending strong culinary identities with design, community, and purpose. Across cities, new openings are no longer just about food, they are about experience, storytelling, and creating spaces that resonate with changing lifestyles.
From neighbourhood-focused outlets and delivery-first concepts to design-led cafés and purpose-driven restaurants, these launches reflect how modern diners seek more than a meal. Comfort, inclusivity, nostalgia, innovation, and connection now sit at the heart of hospitality. As brands grow, they are choosing locations and formats that feel intentional, responding to local communities while staying true to their core philosophy.
Whether it’s reimagining familiar flavours, centring desserts as the main event, building culture-forward spaces, or creating inclusive dining experiences, these new ventures highlight how the food and beverage sector is expanding with clarity and confidence, one carefully considered opening at a time.
Circle of Crust
Circle of Crust has opened a new outlet in Uttam Nagar, New Delhi, marking another milestone in its steady expansion. Known for its philosophy of “Pizza But Better,” the brand continues to build a loyal following by pairing familiar flavours with Indian-inspired twists. The Uttam Nagar outlet, launched on 15 January 2026, carries forward this approach with a strong focus on consistency and customer experience.
Led by Founder Neha Anand and Co-Founder Kartik Anand, Circle of Crust was created to cater specifically to Indian palates. Over the years, the brand has expanded across Punjab, Chandigarh, and Haryana, and has also entered the international market with an outlet in Dubai.
The new outlet features a vibrant, youthful setting suited to students, families, and working professionals. The menu includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian favourites such as Paneer Makhani, Chicken Tikka, Butter Chicken, and Pijja Chatkare, along with specialty crusts made from whole wheat, beetroot, and spinach. Pastas, sides, desserts, and beverages complete the offering. To mark the launch, the brand is offering complimentary pizzas from its Super Singles range for three days.
FES Cafe and Desserts
Dessert-first café FES Cafe has launched its third outlet at Nirvana Courtyard, Gurgaon, further strengthening its presence across Delhi NCR. With existing locations in Greater Kailash II and Galleria Market, Gurgaon, the brand has built a loyal following for its indulgent desserts and thoughtfully designed spaces.
Founded by Vidur Mayor, FES Cafe is widely known for introducing New York–style chunky cookies to the Indian market and for placing desserts at the centre of the dining experience. Over time, it has evolved into a cultural “third space” where food, design, and community naturally intersect.
The Nirvana Courtyard outlet is the brand’s largest and most design-led space so far. It is also FES Cafe’s first split-level café, with the ground floor dedicated to service and takeaway, and the upper floor designed for relaxed seating and longer visits. A standout feature is the Music Corner, inspired by early-2000s headphone booths, where guests can listen to cassette tapes together, creating a tactile, nostalgic experience.
Depot48 – Khasta
Depot48 has launched Khasta, a delivery-only kulcha concept that reimagines the traditional tandoori kulcha as a complete, generously filled meal. Rooted in Punjabi comfort food, Khasta blends familiarity with innovation, offering slow-crafted kulchas designed for everyday convenience.
The menu balances classics like Amritsari Aloo-Pyaz Kulcha and Butter Chicken Kulcha with inventive options such as Mushroom Truffle Kulcha with Mirch Ka Salan, Pulled Jackfruit & Podi Kulcha, Goan Chorizo Blue Cheese Kulcha, and even a Gur-Dal Halwa dessert kulcha. Each kulcha is sealed and cooked in the tandoor to achieve a crisp, flaky texture while remaining easy to transport and reheat.
Founders Vikas Narula and Girjashanker Vohra describe the concept as an extension of Punjabi generosity, food meant to be warming, satisfying, and easy to share, adapted for how people eat today.
PHURR
PHURR Elevated Vegetarian Cuisine has opened its second outlet in Indiranagar, following the success of its consistently houseful Jayanagar location. Co-founded by Rahul Lunawat, the brand has carved a niche by making vegetarian dining indulgent, design-forward, and memorable.
The Indiranagar space builds on PHURR’s expressive aesthetic, combining playful maximalism with comfort. The menu continues to celebrate rooted vegetarian flavours, featuring favourites like Tender Coconut Fritters, Andhra Chilli Broccoli, Vegetable Kofta with Banarasi Pukhtan Curry, and Bhindi 2 Way, along with a new addition, Finger Millet Nihari.
The mocktail-only bar remains a highlight, proving that creativity and balance can stand independent of alcohol. PHURR’s expansion reinforces its belief that elevated vegetarian cuisine is here to stay.
Ishaara
Ishaara by Bellona Hospitality has launched a new standalone outlet at 1 Sobha, Church Street, Bengaluru, bringing its purpose-led dining philosophy to the heart of the city. Known for championing inclusion, the restaurant is run by a team of hearing and speech-impaired service professionals, where gestures form the language of hospitality.
Led by Prashant Issar, Managing Director of Bellona Hospitality, the brand continues to focus on empathy and meaningful human connection. The menu draws from familiar Indian flavours, offering refined yet nostalgic dishes across chaat, mains, and desserts. The Church Street outlet also introduces Taal, a cocktail programme inspired by rhythm and the elements, alongside zero-proof options.
Designed by Minnie Bhatt Design, the indoor-outdoor space blends concrete, wood, brass, and greenery into a grounded, welcoming environment, further strengthening Ishaara’s presence in Bengaluru.
First Published:
January 19, 2026, 21:28 IST
Newslifestylefood New Restaurant And Café Openings Across India: Fresh Concepts, Design-Led Spaces And Purposeful Dining
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The number of Gen Zers – those born between 1997 and 2012 – reporting they had been in a relationship at any point as a teen was 20 percent lower than Gen Xers and 22 percent lower than Baby Boomers, according to a 2023 poll from the Survey Center on American Life, and a 2025 study from the American Institute for Boys and Men found that more than 40 percent of Gen Z men reported having no relationship experience as teens last year.
Now, a new analysis of more than 17,000 teens and young adults in Germany and the United Kingdom shows anyone who remains single over an extended period experiences increasing feelings of loneliness and a greater decline in life satisfaction.
The deficits to well-being also tick up during peoples’ late twenties, a time when symptoms of depression rise, researchers at Switzerland’s University of Zurich said in a release.
People who remain single for an extended period experience increasing feelings of loneliness, European researchers say (AFP via Getty Images)
“Overall, our findings show that remaining single for a prolonged period in young adulthood is associated with moderate risks to well-being,” Michael Krämer, a senior researcher, explained.
The education problem
The researchers looked at the responses of people between the ages of 16 and 29 years old.
The examination showed that men, people with higher levels of education, people whose current well-being is lower and people who live alone or with a parent are more likely to remain single for longer.
“Our results demonstrate that both socio-demographic factors such as education and psychological characteristics such as current well-being help predict who will enter into a romantic relationship and who won’t,” Krämer said.
He noted that the results support previous research regarding a link between focusing on education and postponing committed relationships.
Meet cute
The researchers also discovered the importance of a first relationship for young people.
Respondents who entered their first partnership reported a higher life satisfaction and feeling less lonely.
This was true in both the shorter and longer term. But, the longer people wait to enter a first relationship, the longer being single lasted.
“This suggests that entering a first relationship may become more difficult when people are in their late 20s – especially since lower well-being also increases the likelihood of remaining single for longer,” Krämer said.
Loneliness has been tied to life-threatening health concerns (AFP via Getty Images)
The issue with loneliness
The negative health effects of loneliness have been widely researched, and there’s no shortage of concerns.
For one, loneliness raises levels of the stress hormone cortisol, leaving people at risk for vascular, immune system and heart problems, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Other health risks associated with loneliness include high blood pressure, dementia, diabetes, stroke, suicide and premature death.
“We know the effect stress has on the body and loneliness is extremely stressful,” psychologist Dr. Adam Borland told the clinic. “If we’re experiencing loneliness, we don’t necessarily take care of ourselves the way we should. And that can lead to health issues.”
Idris Elba gets honest about managing real-life hijack situation
Idris Elba recently got candid and shared how he would react in a real-life hijack situation.
While conversing with PEOPLE magazine regarding the second season of his blockbuster Apple TV thriller series Hijack, the 53-year-old English actor and rapper got honest about who would navigate a real-life hijacking situation better, he or his character Sam Nelson.
Elba admitted that Nelson, a corporate negotiator, has the upper hand when it comes to taking control of the situation.
He added, “I’d handle it worse probably. I’d handle it worse. I’m not sure I’d think on the way he does.”
The star of A House of Dynamite went on to reveal that his personality is completely different from Nelson’s, but if he ever finds himself caught in a hostage situation, he will try to connect with his captors on a personal level.
He elaborated, “I would try and appeal to the human beings involved and try and say, ‘Hey, man, it doesn’t have to be like this.’ Where he’s a lot more like, ‘Okay, I’ll figure this out. I’ll double cross you all somehow.’”
Elba stated that he tries to be “calm and not a panicker, but definitely probably not as good as a negotiator as him [Sam].”
For those unaware, the first season of Hijack landed Nelson in a high-flying hostage situation on a plane and now in a sophomore season, he finds himself on an underground train in Berlin.
It is significant to mention that Hijack season 2 was released on January 14, 2026, on Apple TV.
Luxury, auto stocks slide as Trump ties Greenland purchase to new tariffs
European markets opened lower on Monday, January 19, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on eight European countries amid rising trade tensions.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index dropped 1% in mid-morning trading, marking a dismal start for a week in which earnings statements and the World Economic Forum in Davos are expected to drive markets.
The French market’s CAC 40 index declined by 1.4 per cent, the German market’s DAX index fell 1.2 per cent, and the FTSE 100 in London closed lower by 0.5
On the same day, Trump announced that a 10% tariff will now be imposed on products from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and the UK, starting on Feb. 1.
However, the rate will increase to 25% on Jun. 1 unless a deal is reached allowing the US to buy Greenland.
Responding to the situation, European officials described the tariff threat as coercive and explored countermeasures, suggesting potential tariffs on $108 billion of U.S. imports and other actions under the EU’s Anti-Coercion Instrument.
Analysts noted that Trump’s tariff strategy is more politically motivated than economic.
Shares of luxury, auto, and technology companies were among the sectoral decliners, falling 3.1%, 2.4%, and 2.2%, respectively, as the luxury and auto sector indexes hit a three-month low. Volatility in Eurozone equities also reached a high last seen in November.
Market analysts have noted that the absence of trading volume in the US markets in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday could also lead to the amplification of these trends since declines were also registered in the futures of S&P 500, Nasdaq, EURO STOXX50, and DAX as investors turned their attention towards safe currencies such as the Japanese yen.
The market uncertainty was further fueled by global macroeconomic factors such as the slowdown in the economy in China and upcoming inflation data in the U.S. With earnings season already underway, investors are weighing risks along with economic indicators, making stocks highly susceptible to further market swings
Glaucoma often progresses without symptoms until vision loss occurs. Learn why early eye tests and awareness are critical to detecting this silent eye disease before it’s too late.
Public awareness is critical. By understanding that glaucoma often develops silently and by encouraging regular eye examinations, we can significantly reduce the devastating impact of late-stage diagnosis
Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight”, a progressive eye disease that damages the optic nerve and can lead to irreversible vision loss. What makes it particularly dangerous is its stealth: in the early stages, glaucoma usually develops without noticeable symptoms. Many people remain unaware of the condition until significant and permanent damage has already occurred. Emerging research suggests that certain physiological traits may predispose some eyes to an especially subtle, symptom-free progression, making early detection even more challenging.
Dr Sudipto Pakrasi, Chairman, Ophthalmology, Medanta, Gurugram, shares key insights into this silent condition.
The Slow Erosion of the Optic Nerve
At the heart of glaucoma lies the gradual deterioration of the optic nerve, the vital channel that transmits visual information from the eye to the brain. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a well-known risk factor, but optic nerve damage can also occur in individuals with normal IOP levels. This complexity underscores why glaucoma cannot be diagnosed by pressure checks alone; comprehensive evaluation is essential.
Hidden Variations in Eye Physiology
In many cases, vision loss begins in the peripheral field, an area we rarely notice in daily life. The brain’s remarkable ability to compensate for these subtle deficits often masks the problem. Some individuals, however, appear to have ocular physiology that inherently suppresses symptoms. Their optic nerves may tolerate stress for longer periods, allowing damage to accumulate silently before any perceptible impairment emerges.
Why Symptoms Stay Invisible
Several factors influence whether glaucoma remains unnoticed:
Optic nerve resilience: Some optic nerves can withstand elevated IOP or other stressors longer before showing signs of damage.
Pattern of nerve fibre loss: Damage in certain regions causes subtle visual field defects that are easily overlooked.
Rate of progression: Slowly advancing glaucoma can remain hidden for years, delaying awareness.
The Critical Role of Regular Eye Examinations
Because glaucoma often progresses without warning, routine eye examinations are the most effective safeguard. Individuals at higher risk including those with a family history of glaucoma, older adults, people of African or Asian descent, and those with conditions such as diabetes or hypertension should undergo comprehensive testing.
Key diagnostic tools include:
Tonometry: Measurement of intraocular pressure
Visual field testing: Assessment of peripheral vision
Optic nerve imaging: Using ophthalmoscopy or optical coherence tomography (OCT)
Early Detection: The Only Defence
While glaucoma-related damage cannot be reversed, early detection can preserve vision. Treatments such as medicated eye drops, laser therapy, or surgical interventions can lower intraocular pressure and slow or even halt disease progression.
Raising Awareness to Protect Sight
Public awareness is critical. By understanding that glaucoma often develops silently and by encouraging regular eye examinations, we can significantly reduce the devastating impact of late-stage diagnosis. Vigilance today is essential to safeguarding vision for tomorrow.
First Published:
January 19, 2026, 21:16 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
