1 BRICS 2026: Website, theme and logo of ‘BRICS 2026’ to be chaired by India launched
India has assumed the reins of hosting the BRICS 2026 event. The BRICS 2026 website, theme, and logo were launched on Tuesday. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and representatives of BRICS countries were present. The External Affairs Minister stated that India, inspired by the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is undertaking its presidency with a “humanity first” and “people-centric” approach. The theme of our presidency is ” Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability .” The new BRICS 2026 logo symbolizes unity in diversity, showcasing a beautiful blend of tradition and modernity. The logo’s petals incorporate the colors of all BRICS member countries , reflecting equality, shared purpose, and mutual respect. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that India’s presidency has four key priorities : resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability .
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi stated that the 1963 agreement between China and Pakistan regarding the Shaksgam Valley in Jammu and Kashmir is illegal. The Army Chief reiterated India’s position regarding the Shaksgam Valley area. General Dwivedi made this statement while responding to a media query regarding the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson’s comments on the Shaksgam Valley. Pakistan illegally occupied the Shaksgam Valley in 1948. In 1963, Pakistan ceded the area to China . China has completely rejected India’s objection to its infrastructure projects in the Shaksgam Valley in Jammu and Kashmir. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Pakistan is building a road to Pakistan that passes through this area. The CPEC (launched in 2013) passes through Gilgit-Baltistan, where construction of roads, railways, energy projects, and the Gwadar Port is underway. Its total cost is approximately $60 billion.
3 Vance and Rubio welcome Sergio Gor as US envoy to India
US Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly congratulated Sergio Gor . Sergio Gor formally assumed his position as the new US Ambassador to India .
4 Apple picks Google Gemini for Siri, Alphabet gets a big AI boost
Apple and Google have reached a major agreement regarding Artificial Intelligence . Apple has selected the Google Gemini AI model for its new and improved Siri voice assistant . This multi-year deal will power the new Siri and future Apple Intelligence features coming later this year. This agreement further strengthens Google’s position in the AI race and is also considered a major blow to OpenAI. Until now, Apple had also included ChatGPT in its devices, but now Gemini will be given priority as the default AI layer. Google said that its Gemini model will form the basis of Apple’s Apple Foundation Models and future AI features. This deal will give Google access to more than 2 billion active Apple devices.
Bharatiya Janata Party ‘s Kerala state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to change the official name of the state from ‘Kerala’ to ‘Keralam’. . He said that the name ‘Kerala’ is deeply connected to the Malayalam language and the cultural identity of the state. Rajeev Chandrasekhar also mentioned in the letter that in June 2024, the Kerala Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution demanding that the name of the state be changed from ‘Kerala’ to ‘Keralalam’ in official documents.
6 Golden Globes 2026: Priyanka Chopra becomes award presenter
The 83rd Golden Globe Awards is an annual awards ceremony honoring the best work in film and American television production in 2025. Nikki Glaser returned as host for the second consecutive year. The ceremony took place on January 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, California . Paul Thomas Anderson’s film “One Battle After Another” and Jack Thorne-Stephen Graham’s web series “Adolescence” won the most awards at the ceremony, with four each. Director Chloé Zhao’s biographical historical drama ” Hamnet ” won the award for Best Motion Picture – Drama , while Leonardo DiCaprio-starrer “One Battle After Another” won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Bollywood’s “desi girl” and global star Priyanka Chopra presented the awards at the prestigious ceremony .
7 Australian captain Alyssa Healy announces retirement ahead of 2026 T20 World Cup
Australian women’s cricket team captain Alyssa Healy has announced her retirement from all forms of international cricket before the 2026 Twenty20 World Cup . 35-year-old Healy told in a podcast that she has taken the decision to retire due to recurring injuries and mental fatigue. Healy said that she will play her last match in the home series against India in February-March. One of the most successful players in women’s cricket, Alyssa Healy has been a member of the World Cup winning team eight times.
President Draupadi Murmu has invited Deepika, captain of the Indian blind cricket team, to attend this year’s Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi . Postal department officials visited Deepika’s native village Tambalahatti in Amarapuram mandal of Sri Sathya Sai district in Andhra Pradesh and handed over the invitation letter to her.
Lohri is a major winter festival in North India , celebrated primarily in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi . The festival marks the end of harsh winters and the arrival of longer, warmer days. Deeply connected to agriculture and community life, Lohri unites families and society, and conveys a message of gratitude for the harvest, joy, unity, and new beginnings. Lohri is celebrated every year on January 13th, a day before Makar Sankranti. In 2026, Lohri fell on Tuesday, January 13th, 2026. The day marks the Uttarayan of the Sun and the gradual transition from winter to spring.
10 Indian Idol 3 winner Prashant Tamang passes away at the age of 43
Renowned singer and actor Prashant Tamang passed away on January 11, 2026, at his residence in New Delhi . Prashant was the winner of “Indian Idol Season 3” in 2007, after which he gained immense popularity. He also appeared in the web series “Paatal Lok 2. ” Tamang, a native of Darjeeling, was born on January 4, 1983. His songs ” Bir Gorkhali ” and ” Asare Mahinama ” still resonate as powerful cultural anthems. He made his film debut in 2010 with the Nepali hit film ” Gorkha Paltan ” and subsequently starred in films such as “Angalo Yo Maya Ko,” “Kina Maya Ma,” “Nishani,” “Pardesi,” and “Kina Mayama.”