(260124) — BEIJING, Jan. 24, 2026 (Xinhua) — Ryom Tae Ok (L)/Han Kum Chol of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) carry out in the course of the pairs free skating on the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Beijing, China, Jan. 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Han)
(SP)SAUDI ARABIA-JEDDAH-FOOTBALL-AFC U23 ASIAN CUP-FINAL-CHINA VS JAPAN
(260124) — JEDDAH, Jan. 24, 2026 (Xinhua) — Wang Yudong (entrance R) and Wumitijiang Yusupu (entrance 2nd R) of China heat up earlier than the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup remaining match between China and Japan in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)
Jaypee Infratech cash laundering case: Delhi Court grants interim bail to former CMD on mom’s well being situation
New Delhi [India], January 24 (ANI): Patiala House Court on Saturday granted 14 days’ interim bail to former CMD of Jaypee Infratech Ltd., Manoj Gaur, citing the deteriorating well being situation of his mom.
Gaur, who has been in judicial custody since November 18, 2025, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on November 13, 2025, in reference to a 2018 cash laundering case involving the alleged diversion of Rs 13,000 crore.
Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Dhirender Rana granted interim bail to Manoj Gaur on two sureties of Rs 5 lakh every.
Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra and advocate Farrukh Khan, representing Manoj Gaur, argued that the well being situation of Manoj Gaur’s mom is deteriorating daily as she is outdated and requires dialysis. ‘She may be very weak and affected by numerous medical illnesses. He desires to be along with his mom,’ they mentioned.
On the opposite hand, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Atul Tripathi opposed the bail plea and submitted that there are different members to take care of her.
The common bail utility has additionally been filed. It can be pending earlier than the court docket after arguments on the identical.
It is highlighted within the plea that Gaur is 61 years of age and has a 30-year medical historical past.
It is acknowledged that Gaur’s detention, considered within the backdrop of an eight-year-old ED case, documentary allegations, absence of private acquire, statutory divestment of management over corporations, and critical medical infirmities, is grossly disproportionate andviolative of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India.
It is additional submitted that continued incarceration of Manoj Gaur, regardless of the absence of any investigative necessity, would quantity to punishment previous to conviction and would offend the settled precept that bail is the rule and jail is the exception, notably in circumstances involving extended investigation and trial.
Manoj Gaur has deep roots in society and has substantial household, social, {and professional} ties throughout the jurisdiction of this Court, the plea mentioned.
On November 13, the Court granted the ED 5 days’ custody of Manoj Gaur.
ED had submitted that it’s a cash laundering case associated to the cash of Home Buyers. Accused individuals collected Rs. 13000 crores however didn’t use the identical to present lodging to residence patrons.
Counsels for the accused had opposed the remand sought by the ED. It was submitted that the ECIR was lodged in 2018. An arrest has been made after nearly seven years.
Advocate Farrukh Khan had submitted that the ECIR is of 2018. ‘What stopped ED from 2018 to 2025? Now Gaur has been illegally arrested.’
The counsel had additional submitted that the accused appeared earlier than the ED and cooperated within the investigation. He additionally despatched an electronic mail to the IO and requested one other date to seem.
He was referred to as and was made to take a seat until 8 at evening, the counsel added. Jaypee Infratech Ltd. (JIL) went into insolvency in 2017, and the movement was handed.
It was additionally submitted that there isn’t any evasion on the a part of Manoj Gaur. He is a sick man. When an organization is dissolved, why ought to the person be despatched into custody, counsel questioned.
First FIR was lodged in 2017, and thereafter. My assertion has been recorded, We are within the yr 2025, counsel for the accused had argued.
ED had mentioned that it arrested Manoj Gaur, former Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of M/s Jaiprakash Associates Ltd. (JAL) and former Chairman and Managing Director of M/s Jaypee Infratech Ltd. (JIL), below Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The arrest happened following an in depth investigation and evaluation of proof gathered throughout the ongoing probe in an ECIR recorded by the ED below PMLA in reference to the Jaypee Group, the company mentioned in a launch.
It can be mentioned that the ED initiated an investigation towards the Jaypee group on the idea of a number of FIRs registered by the Economic Offences Wings (EOW) of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh Police, based mostly on complaints filed by homebuyers of Jaypee Wishtown and Jaypee Greens tasks, alleging prison conspiracy, dishonest, and prison breach of belief towards the corporate and its promoters.
It has been alleged that the funds collected from 1000’s of homebuyers for the development and completion of residential tasks have been diverted for functions apart from development, leaving the homebuyers defrauded and their tasks incomplete, the company added.
ED investigation revealed that out of roughly Rs. 14,599 Crore collected by JAL and JIL from homebuyers (as per claims admitted by NCLT), substantial quantities have been diverted for non-construction functions and siphoned off to associated group entities and trusts, together with Jaypee Sewa Sansthan (JSS), M/s Jaypee Healthcare Ltd. (JHL), and M/s Jaypee Sports International Ltd. (JSIL), the ED mentioned. (ANI)
It has additionally been revealed throughout the investigation that Manoj Gaur is the Managing Trustee of Jaypee Sewa Sansthan (JSS), which acquired a part of the diverted funds, the company claimed.
Earlier, on 23 May 2025, the ED had performed search operations at 15 places in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Mumbai, together with the places of work and premises of M/s Jaiprakash Associates Ltd. and M/s Jaypee Infratech Ltd. During the searches, ED seized a big quantity of economic and digital information, together with paperwork evidencing the offence of cash laundering and diversion of funds, ED mentioned.
The company has alleged that the investigation has established the central position of Manoj Gaur within the planning and execution of the fund diversion by a posh internet of transactions throughout the Jaypee Group and its related entities. (ANI)
(SP)CHINA-BEIJING-FIGURE SKATING-ISU FOUR CONTINENTS-MEN-SHORT PROGRAM (CN)
(260124) — BEIJING, Jan. 24, 2026 (Xinhua) — Jin Boyang of China competes in the course of the males’s brief program on the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Beijing, China, Jan. 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Han)
Australian Open: Naomi Osaka withdraws from event on account of belly harm
Melbourne [Australia], January 24 (ANI): Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the continued 2026 Australian Open event on account of an belly harm, in response to Olympics.com.
The Japenese Tennis star, who was scheduled to play after Serbian legend Novak Djokovic on Rod Laver Arena, did not really feel match sufficient to play on Saturday. This implies that Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis might be by means of to the final 16 of the continued tennis event.
Osaka confirmed the event about her withdrawal from the Australian Open on her Instagram deal with. ‘I’ve needed to make the troublesome resolution to withdraw to handle one thing my physique wants consideration for after my final match.’
‘I used to be so excited to maintain going, and this run meant essentially the most to me, so having to cease right here breaks my coronary heart, however I can not threat doing any additional injury, so I can get again on the court docket. Thanks for all of the love and assist… I’m so grateful everybody embraced me a lot. And thanks to my entire group for at all times having my again and the event organisers for being so sort,’ Osaka wrote.
Menawhile, defending two-time champion Jannik Sinner continued his high-quality run on the ongoing Australian Open, surviving the sweltering Aussie warmth and cramps to succeed in the fourth spherical with a win over Eliot Spizzirri on Saturday.
According to ATP’s official web site, Sinner beat Eliot in a high-quality comeback win from being one set down, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, at Rod Laver Arena, a battle that lasted three hours and 45 minutes.
In the ladies’s singles match, defending champion Madison Keys continued her profitable run on the Australian Open, outclassing former world primary Karolina Pliskova on Saturday. Keys continued her profitable run on the Australian Open, extending her unbeaten run to 10 matches, outclassing the previous US Open and Wimbledon finalist 6-3, 6-3 to finish her hopes of any additional run within the event.
Now, she books a conflict for the spherical of 16 with Jessica Pegula, a well-known rival, towards whom she enjoys a 2-1 head-to-head file, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 win on Australian soil within the ultimate of the Adelaide International final January. (ANI)
Himachal govt points advisory as western disturbance triggers heavy snowfall, rain alert on January 26-28
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], January 24 (ANI): The Himachal Pradesh authorities has issued a statewide advisory in view of an lively western disturbance more likely to trigger heavy snowfall and rainfall throughout the state between January 26 and 28, officers mentioned on Saturday.
According to a bulletin from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the system is anticipated to deliver a protracted moist spell, with remoted spells of heavy snowfall in increased reaches and rainfall in decrease and adjoining areas, doubtlessly impacting street connectivity, energy provide and important companies.
Quoting the advisory issued by the Revenue Department, the state authorities has directed all District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) to activate District Emergency Operation Centres (DEOCs) for round the clock monitoring and coordination. District administrations have additionally been requested to evaluate and replace contingency and evacuation plans, notably for snow-bound, flood-prone and low-lying city areas.
The authorities has pressured the well timed dissemination of public warnings and journey advisories to make sure commuter and vacationer security.
‘All departments have been instructed to stay on excessive alert and guarantee preparedness to take care of any eventuality arising because of heavy snowfall or rainfall,’ the HP authorities mentioned within the advisory.
The Public Works Department (PWD) has been directed to make sure pre-positioning of snow clearance equipment, together with JCBs and snow cutters, at strategic areas to minimise street blockages and restore connectivity on the earliest. Emergency Response Teams (ERTs) have been requested to stay prepared for instant restoration of roads and significant infrastructure.
The Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) has been instructed to maintain emergency groups on standby for fast restoration of energy provide and guarantee satisfactory backup for important companies. Meanwhile, the Jal Shakti Vibhag has been requested to make sure uninterrupted water and sanitation companies, particularly in high-risk and snow-bound areas.
Police and Tourism Departments have been directed to control visitors on susceptible routes and problem journey advisories to forestall vacationers from coming into high-risk zones. Coordination with transport authorities has additionally been emphasised to handle commuter security.
The state authorities has additional directed all departments to keep up shut coordination with the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) and submit day by day scenario stories in the course of the interval of the climate disturbance.
Meanwhile, snow clearance and street restoration works are underway in Shimla and different components of the state.
Due to snowfall within the higher reaches of Shimla, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, and Kinnaur districts, greater than 600 roads have been blocked, creating difficulties for each locals and guests. Efforts are underway to revive connectivity. (ANI)
JAPAN-TOURISM-CHINESE MAINLAND VISITORS-PLUNGE
(260124) — TOKYO, Jan. 24, 2026 (Xinhua) — Tourists go to the neighborhood of the Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 20, 2026. The variety of guests from the Chinese mainland to Japan plunged 45.3 % from a yr earlier in December 2025, official information confirmed.
Tourists from the Chinese mainland fell to about 330,400 individuals in December 2025, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) stated on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
Stewart Cink, Freddie Jacobson atop leaderboard at Mitsubishi Electric
(Photo credit score: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
Stewart Cink fired a 9-under-par 63 and Sweden’s Freddie Jacobson carded a 64 on Friday to share the lead after two rounds of the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai in Ka’upulehu-Kona, Hawaii.
The occasion is the opener of the 2026 PGA Tour Champions season.
Jacobson adopted his first-round 65 with a bogey-free spherical at Hualalai Golf Course to get to 15-under 129. He eagled the par-5 No. 10 and after beginning quick by recording birdies at Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and seven for 31 on the entrance 9. He additionally birdied the par-5 No. 14 on a relatively quiet again 9.
‘You can inform guys maintain urgent the fuel pedal round right here, so I used to be completely happy to get off to a fast begin and make some putts early — that at all times helps,’ Jacobson stated. ‘Yeah, round 10, making an eagle putt at that time, getting it going.
‘The previous few holes was a bit of tough. It was a bit of tough to get the putts to go in, however, total, I feel I hit just about all of the fairways as we speak and gave myself a variety of alternatives.’
Cink, who carded a first-round 66, shares the lead after making 10 birdies on Friday and only one blemish, a bogey on the par-4 No. 16.
‘The wind was light on the market, so there are scoring alternatives on this golf course,’ Cink stated on Friday. ‘But I stated it yesterday, too, you continue to need to do it. You cannot simply go to sleep on the market and count on to make an entire bunch of birdies. You nonetheless need to be actually dialed in.
‘You are given the chance to hit the ball shut and to benefit from the par-5s, however you continue to need to do it,’ Cink continued. ‘So that is been a key for me the final couple days is simply doing it. I have not been lackadaisical fairly often, I have not been enjoyable and I’ve been targeted when the time comes.’
Canada’s Stephen Ames, who led after the primary spherical, slipped right into a tie for third at 14 beneath with Argentina’s Angel Cabrera.
Cabrera carded the low spherical of the day with a 10-under 62, marked by simply 5 pars. He made an eagle, on the par-5 No. 4, and 10 birdies — Nos. 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14, 15 and 16. Cabrera misplaced strokes with bogeys on the par-4 No. 11 and the par-3 No. 17.
Ames had a less-adventurous 66 with seven birdies, one bogey and 10 pars.
Fred Couples is alone in fifth at 13 beneath after his 66. He made 5 consecutive birdies on Nos. 4-8 for a 31 on the entrance 9, birdied No. 10 and gave again a shot with a bogey at No. 12 earlier than recording one other birdie at No. 14.
The three-round event concludes Saturday.
–Field Level Media
J-Ok: NH44 stays closed for second day; snowfall paralyses life in Jammu hill resorts
Batote (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], January 24 (ANI): The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH44) stays closed for the second consecutive day as a consequence of slippery street circumstances.
The incessant snowfall for the second consecutive evening on Saturday within the well-known hill resorts of Jammu province – Patnitop, Nathatop, Sanasar & Batote, in addition to Banihal, Gool and different reaches – has paralysed life in these areas.
However, a vivid, sunny day was noticed earlier within the day, which might assist with the restoration of energy and water provide, in addition to visitors.
Because of the blockage of all paths, NH44 and NH244, and the abandoned markets, elusive clients have compelled some shopkeepers to maintain their outlets closed for the second consecutive day at present in Batote market of Ramban district.
The vacationers, particularly the snow buffs who could not attain Patnitop as a consequence of street blockages, had been seen having fun with the snow, and their kids had been taking part in snow video games.
The delight of long-awaited snowfall has additionally introduced disruption to energy and water provides, in addition to floor (visitors) and telecommunications.
The Ramban district administration was caught unprepared to face this sudden heavy snowfall, because the road-clearing machines and the workers of Jammu Power Development Corporation Ltd (JPDCL) and Jal Shakti Vibhag had been discovered to be inadequate.
The distant tehsils like Batote, Banihal, Gool, Ukhral and Rajgarh stay disconnected from the Ramban district headquarters for the second day at present.
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) was closed on Friday as a consequence of heavy rain and snowfall, with motion additionally stopped at Jakhani Chowk in Udhampur.
Snowfall additionally disrupted air journey, with Srinagar Airport and IndiGo Airlines asserting momentary suspension and cancellation of a number of flights.
Authorities mentioned that in view of ongoing rains and snow accumulating as much as Ramsoo, all sorts of visitors had been halted at safer places on NH-44 as a precautionary measure due to slippery street circumstances.
Meanwhile, heavy snowfall continued for the second consecutive day within the Bhalesa space of Doda district within the Jammu Division for the final 24 hours.
Due to snow obstructing roads and providers, the SDM Gandoh, Bhalesa, on behalf of the Doda district administration, suggested residents to remain indoors as a security precaution. Temperatures have dipped under zero.
Around one foot of snow has been recorded within the plains, whereas the higher hilly areas obtained practically two to a few ft of snowfall. All important providers, together with electrical energy and water provide, had been disrupted.
Roads, together with highways and hyperlink roads, stay blocked as a consequence of landslides, fallen timber, and heavy snow accumulation. Only emergency providers are permitted till circumstances enhance within the space. (ANI)
Details emerge on Prudential Life scandal that victimized 500 clients – TokyoReporter
TOKYO (TR) – Executives from Prudential Life Insurance Co., Ltd. on Friday apologized at a press convention following revelations that workers inappropriately obtained over 3.1 billion yen from clients.
The press convention was the primary for the reason that scandal got here to gentle. President Hiroshi Mahara stated, “We offer our deepest apologies for the great anxiety and inconvenience caused. We are extremely sorry.”
Prudential Life Insurance is a foreign-owned firm that not solely sells life insurance coverage but additionally provides life planning companies, together with asset administration.
“We have discovered that 107 employees and former employees improperly solicited investments and improperly received a total of approximately 3.1 billion yen from 503 customers,” stated Mahara.
In response to this incident, Mahara has resigned, efficient on February 1.
As Nippon News Network (Jan. 23) experiences, the scandal, whose origin dates again many years, was clearly a matter of company tradition gone flawed.
Dating again 35 years
An inner investigation revealed a sequence of problematic practices, relationship again 35 years, wherein present and former workers defrauded clients.
The strategies used assorted. In one case, an worker, aged of their 30s, working at a department workplace in Minato Ward ready paperwork for patrons that listed the corporate identify “Prudential Life Insurance.”
However, the worker advised investments in fictitious monetary merchandise. As a end result, a complete of roughly 53 million yen was defrauded from 4 clients.
In one other case, an worker stated approached clients with funding concepts unrelated to the corporate’s insurance coverage enterprise and accepted their cash. “I want you to lend me money for investment,” the worker instructed clients.
In some instances, they requested clients to lend them cash after which by no means paid it again.
“Our sales systems made it easy”
Of defrauded quantity of greater than 3.1 billion yen, roughly 2.3 billion yen has by no means been repaid.
In explaining how workers have been capable of defraud the funds, Mahara stated, “First, our sales systems made it easy to commit inappropriate acts and difficult to detect fraud. Systems that were overly tied to performance attracted personnel who prioritized financial gain and led them to adopt such mindsets after joining the company. In addition, fluctuations in income based on sales personnel’s own performance led to income instability and led to inappropriate behavior.”
While acknowledging that “our internal compensation system was one factor in causing the problem,” he said that “there was no sharing of methods” amongst workers.
“There was a competitive spirit”
The community spoke with a former worker who labored in gross sales at Prudential Life for 2 years, beginning in 2018, to seek out out extra in regards to the state of affairs.
“There was a competitive spirit,” the foerm worker stated. “Awards got on a weekly, month-to-month and annual foundation. They submit issues like, ‘Today, such and such person was number one’ or ‘Number one for the week.’”
When asked if any employees were struggling, the former employee says there were.
“They were paid on a commission-based system, so if they don’t promote, they will’t pay their lease,” the previous worker stated. “I think that’s what happens to most people who quit. They can’t make a living.”
“In a bit of a bind”
After this problem surfaced, present workers have been contacted. They instructed tales like, “My policies are canceled” and “I can’t even meet with customers.”
Another former worker instructed the community, “The harder you work, the more your salary skyrockets, and vice versa. If you don’t sell, some people even make minimum wage. There were always people who eventually couldn’t sell insurance and were in a bit of a bind, so they borrowed money, and that information was shared within the company.”
The latter borrowing from clients was shared throughout conferences.
A former gross sales worker stated, “There were things that were really left to individual discretion, so I wonder if there are times when supervision is lacking.”
“Compensation Committee”
Of the 107 individuals concerned within the scandal, most have already left the corporate. The remaining 10 or so workers shall be fired.
In addition, Prudential Life Insurance will set up a “Compensation Committee” composed of third-party consultants to re-examine instances beforehand deemed ineligible for compensation. It will present compensation for these deemed mandatory.
Regarding the two.3 billion yen in unreturned funds, Akitomo Nakajima, an lawyer specializing in company scandals, says Prudential Life is liable.
“If they used the company’s name to explain or provide materials as if they were part of a Prudential product, and it’s normal to believe they were doing so as part of their job, then Prudential Life Insurance would be held responsible,” Nakajima stated.
However, it may very well be difficult.
“If they made solicitations unrelated to Prudential Life Insurance, such as ‘Here’s a lucrative business opportunity for you’ or ‘Extend a loan to me and I’ll pay you back double,’ I think it would be difficult to hold the company responsible,” Nakajima stated. “If the sales pitch was deceptive, it could be considered fraud, so it’s entirely possible that victims will file a police report and the police will begin an investigation.”
