ISLAMABAD – Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Friday, January 17, in a high-profile land corruption case. The verdict was delivered by an anti-graft court in Rawalpindi, where Khan has been detained since August 2023, according to ARY News. The case, involving alleged financial misconduct during Khan’s premiership from 2018 to 2022, is considered the most significant of the many legal battles he has faced. Prosecutors accused Khan, 72, and his wife, Bushra Bibi, of accepting land as a gift from a real estate developer in exchange for illegal favors. Both had denied the charges. Bushra Bibi, who is in her late 40s and had been out on bail, was also convicted and taken into custody following the verdict, as reported by Geo News. The announcement of the judgment had been delayed multiple times, most recently earlier this week, as negotiations continued between the government and Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. In a statement, PTI’s foreign media wing criticized the verdict, calling the case against Khan and his wife “baseless” and predicting that it would not hold up under scrutiny. The ruling is a major blow to Khan and his party, which had shown resilience in the 2024 general elections despite political turmoil. PTI-affiliated candidates, forced to run as independents, secured the most seats but fell short of forming a majority government. Khan, a former cricket star turned politician, has faced a series of legal challenges since being ousted from office in a parliamentary vote of no confidence in April 2022. While he has been acquitted or seen sentences suspended in most cases, he remains convicted in charges related to inciting violence. The May 9, 2023, arrest of Khan triggered violent protests, with his supporters storming military installations. This led to a heightened security situation and his subsequent trial being conducted within the jail premises. Khan’s sentencing marks another chapter in Pakistan’s turbulent political landscape, as his party continues to grapple with the fallout of legal battles and a fractured political base. Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters file

Donald Trump will take the oath of office as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, following his victory in the November 5 elections. Preparations are in full swing for the event, which is expected to draw global leaders and dignitaries from around the world to Washington, D.C. The inauguration ceremony will begin at 12:00 pm ET (10:30 PM IST) at the U.S. Capitol, marking a significant moment in global politics. Trump has extended invitations to a wide range of world leaders, signaling his desire for diplomatic engagement with both allies and adversaries. One of the most notable invitations is to Chinese President Xi Jinping, despite ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China. Trump’s spokesperson Karoline Leavitt explained that this invitation is part of a broader effort to foster dialogue with all nations, including competitors and adversaries. However, reports suggest that Xi may send a senior representative, such as Vice President Han Zheng or Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in his place. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has confirmed that she will attend, expressing her eagerness to participate following a recent meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, where he praised her leadership. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close ally of Trump, has also received an invitation but is still deliberating on his attendance. The two share a strong political bond, with many Trump supporters viewing Orban’s policies as a potential model for the second term. Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has confirmed that he will attend, calling it an “honor,” despite facing legal challenges back home. Bolsonaro has requested permission from the Brazilian Supreme Court to travel. El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, one of the first leaders to congratulate Trump on his victory, will also be present, according to CNN. Argentina’s President Javier Milei, a staunch Trump ally, is expected to attend the event. Milei, who assumed office in 2023, shares a close relationship with Trump’s incoming administration. Japan’s Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya will represent Japan at the ceremony, highlighting Japan’s eagerness to strengthen ties with the new U.S. government. India will be represented by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, who will meet with members of the new administration and other world leaders during his visit to Washington. In addition to foreign leaders, several influential business and political figures are expected to attend. These include Eric Zemmour, the far-right French politician; Nigel Farage, the British politician and long-time Trump ally; Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta; Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI; Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, who is co-hosting an inauguration party with Elon Musk’s X and The Free Press; and TikTok’s CEO, who will be seated at the dais alongside other dignitaries. Trump’s team has emphasized that the inauguration is not just a U.S. event but a global one, with the president eager to showcase a global stage for the occasion. An advisor noted, “Trump is very eager to have world leaders at the inauguration. He wants a global stage.” Disclaimer: This image is taken from Bloomberg

Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) witnessed a notable drop, improving from "Severe" levels earlier this week to "Very Poor" on Thursday, with a reading of 302. By Friday morning, the AQI further improved to 294. This reduction in pollution levels follows rainfall on Wednesday, which significantly helped in clearing the air. The improved air quality prompted the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to lift Stage-IV restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). For context, an AQI between 0-50 is classified as "Good," 51-100 as "Satisfactory," 101-200 as "Moderate," 201-300 as "Poor," 301-400 as "Very Poor," and 401-500 as "Severe." The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts partly cloudy skies for Friday, with smog and dense fog expected in most areas during the morning and very dense fog in isolated pockets. Shallow fog or smog is also likely to persist during the evening and night. Meanwhile, air traffic at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport faced disruptions on Friday morning. A video shared by news agency ANI showed several flights delayed due to the prevailing weather conditions. The airport issued an advisory at 7:50 am, cautioning that flights not equipped with CAT III technology might be affected by the low visibility. Passengers were advised to contact their respective airlines for updated flight schedules. The CAT III system enables aircraft to operate in poor visibility conditions, ensuring smoother operations in challenging weather. Disclaimer:This image is taken from Vipin Kumar/HT Photo.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, alongside US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti, inaugurated the new US Consulate in Bengaluru, marking a significant milestone in strengthening India-US relations. Jaishankar emphasized that the opening of the consulate was long overdue, and it highlights the growing importance of Bengaluru in the bilateral relationship. He also announced that India would soon be opening its consulate in Los Angeles, the hometown of Ambassador Garcetti, further solidifying the diplomatic ties between the two nations. Jaishankar expressed the need for a permanent US diplomatic presence in Bengaluru, a city that plays a key role in India’s growth and technological advancements. He stated, "Bengaluru is such an important place, and it was imperative that American diplomats had a permanent presence here. It has been a long-awaited step. I told him (Garcetti) that once Bengaluru is done, I will make sure Los Angeles is done." In his address, Jaishankar underscored the evolving potential of India-US relations, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, space, and drones. He highlighted the growing technological collaboration, which will continue to shape the future of both countries. "Our relationship will increasingly be driven by technology, with a significant space component, as the space domain opens up further," he said, noting that defense collaboration has also strengthened, with advanced American weapons now part of India’s military inventory, including C-17s, C-130s, Chinooks, and Apaches. The Minister also touched upon the importance of educational and research partnerships between India and the US. "I envision more collaborative campuses, student exchanges, and a stronger American educational presence in the region," he added. Jaishankar concluded by noting that the formal opening of the consulate in Bengaluru was another step towards overcoming historical hesitations and advancing India’s deeper engagement with the world. He expressed hope that this development would encourage more consulates from other countries to open in Bengaluru, benefiting India, Karnataka, and the city itself. Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI

California is grappling with devastating wildfires, forcing residents to evacuate as their homes are reduced to ashes. As climate impacts grow more severe, questions arise about the scale of natural disasters in 2025, both in the U.S. and globally. Jack Board and Liling Tan discuss the issue with Ira Spitzer, reporting from Los Angeles, to shed light on the worsening crisis. Disclaimer: This Image is taken from Wired

As Donald Trump prepares to return to the Oval Office, he faces a lengthy list of issues to address, including tariffs, immigration, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The former president's priorities for his second term are expected to focus on these key areas, but it remains to be seen how he will navigate them. In a preview of his upcoming presidential inauguration, Teresa Tang discusses with Washington Correspondent Nick Harper what to expect from Trump's second term in office and which issues he is likely to prioritize.

Customers often encounter disputes with financial institutions, such as having their bank accounts frozen due to fraudulent transactions or facing rejection of insurance claims. How can these issues be resolved effectively? Eunice Chua, the CEO of the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre (FIDReC), explains to Andrea Heng how mediation can serve as a solution to these problems. Disclaimer: This Image is taken from Reuters.

It's common to feel emotional and uncertain after being retrenched. However, after taking some time to recover, it's important to begin the job search. Sean Tong, head of Asia at Frazer Jones, shares insights with Tiffany Ang and Gerald Tan on the first steps to take in order to recover and get back on track professionally after retrenchment.