kottayam l Thursday l January 15, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 14 l city EDITION last year was third warmest on record: U.N. climate agency Average temp 1.44°C above 1850-1900 figures The global average surface temperature in 2025 was 1.44°C above the 1850-1900 average, according to the WMO’s analysis of eight datasets. Two of these datasets ranked 2025 as the second-warmest year in 176 years since 1850, and the other six ranked it as the third-warmest. In all eight datasets, 2023-2025 are the three warmest years on record The planet logged its third hottest year on record in 2025, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Wednesday ‘This year likely to be fourth warmest’ ■ “The year 2025 started and ended with a cooling La Niña and yet it was still one of the warmest because of the accumulation of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in our atmosphere,” WMO said ■ Berkeley Earth, whose dataset was one of the eight analysed by the WMO, said 2026 would most likely be fourth-warmest year 14.97°C was the average global temperature in 2025 CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Despite Trump’s threats of intervention, Iran’s top judge hinted at fast trials and executions for those who were detained in the ongoing protests | P11 At least 2,571 people have been killed in the protests so far, claims USbased Human Rights Activists News Agency As many as 18,434 individuals had been arrested in troubled Iran, as on Tuesday 97 cases Over 1,100 of forced confessions broadcast so far Some personnel at US base in Qatar advised to evacuate Dozens of Iranians cross into Turkiye amid massive nationwide unrest protesters suffered severe injuries US military footprint in West Asia cyprus syria lebanon iran iraq jordan kuwait egtpt saudi arabia Ships drop anchor outside Iran port Many commercial ships have dropped anchor at a distance outside Iran’s port in recent days, according to a Reuters report uae oman eritrea yeman sudan Outpost Source: American Security Project Threat of fast trials, executions Airbase Naval facility Radar facility Leave Iran, India tells nationals Jaishankar speaks with Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi, reviews the evolving situation J ayan t h J a c o b @ New Delhi The Indian Embassy in Tehran on Wednesday advised all it nationals, including students, pilgrims, businesspersons and tourists, to leave Iran using available means, as the security situation in the country sharply deteriorated amid weeks of deadly protests. Later in the day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi, during which the two leaders reviewed the “evolving situation” in and around Iran. “Received a call from Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. We discussed the evolving situation in and around Iran,” Jaishankar wrote on X. “All Indian nationals in Iran are requested to leave the country using available means,” the embassy said, and added that that citizens should keep their travel and immigration documents, including passports and IDs, readily accessible. “They are requested to contact the Indian Embassy for any assistance in this regard,” it said. The embassy reiterated that Indians and Persons of Indian Origin should exercise due caution, avoid areas where protests or demonstrations are underway remain , in contact with the embassy and closely monitor local media for developments. The advisory comes as massive nationwide protests in Iran entered the 18th day with demonstra, tions reported across nearly 280 locations. The unrest, which began over double-digit inflation and sharp currency devaluation, has escalated into violent clashes with security forces. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 2,571 people have been killed in the protests so far. Iran has imposed a communications blackout in several areas and is facing mounting international pressure over its crackdown on demonstrators. Another NGO, Norway-based Iran Human Rights, put the verified toll at 3,428. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump publicly urged Iranian protesters to take over state institutions and not back down, claim- ing that “help is on the way with,” out providing further details. His remarks fuelled speculation over possible US involvement amid rising regional tensions. In a related development, Reuters reported that several personnel were advised to vacate the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest US military base in West Asia, by Wednesday evening as a precautionary step. Similar measures were taken ahead of US air strikes on Iran in June last year. The Indian embassy also urged nationals who have not yet registered with it to do so through its online portal, noting that family members in India may register on their behalf if internet disruptions prevent access within Iran. SC hearing on ED plea against Mamata today SUC H ITR A K A LYA N MO H A N TY @ New Delhi THE Supreme Court will on Thursday take up a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleging obstruction of its search at I-PAC office by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The state government has also filed a caveat in the SC, seeking that no order be passed without hearing it. A bench of justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Vipul M Pancholi will hear the ED’s plea. In a related development, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday closed a plea filed by the Trinamool Congress seeking protection of sensitive political data the ED may have seized from I-PAC. Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for ED, told the HC that the agency did not seize anything from I-PAC director Pratik Jain’s office or home, adding it was Mamata who entered the search site and took away documents and electronic evidence. In its plea before the SC, the ED sought directions for a CBI probe into the alleged interference by the state executive. The agency said the CM’s presence and confrontational act had an intimidating effect on its officers. The petition was filed against the state of West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, DGP Rajeev Kumar, Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Ver ma, and South Kolkata Dy Commissioner Priyabatra Roy. West Bengal Police has also filed an FIR against ED officers over the January 8 I-PAC raids. Thousands witness Makarajyothi Sabarimala: In a surcharged atmosphere of religious fervour and gaiety, thousands of devotees witnessed Makaravilakku after adorning Thiruvabharanam on the idol of Lord Ayyappa at 6.41 pm on Wednesday. Immediately after the deeparadhana, Makarajyothi was visible on the eastern horizon amid chanting of Swamiye Saranamayyappa. P7 B’desh WC matches may be shifted to Lanka Chennai: With the ICC running out of time, a decision on Bangladesh Cricket Board’s request of relocating its matches out of India is expected in the next few days. There are enough indications to this daily that the ICC might shift Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka. P13 Battle for KC(M) backing sharpens as election nears Sabarimala probe SIT arrests former TDB member Sankar Das UDF is to convince Mani C Kappan, its Pala MLA, to vacate the As assembly elections draw seat for KC(M) chairman Jose closer, Kerala’s political battle- K Mani. Amid reports that Kaplines are being redrawn around pan of Kerala Democratic Para familiar axis, with both the ty (KDP) may be asked to conUDF and the LDF aggressively test from a sure-winning seat wo o i n g Ke r a l a C o n g re s s from Malabar, the Pala MLA on (Mani), whose alleWednesday met IUML giance could once leader P K Kunhalikutagain prove decisive. ty at his residence in While the Congress Malappuram and conleadership, with the veyed that he would backing of the Indian not relinquish the Pala Union Muslim League assembly seat. (IUML), has stepped Amid growing specup efforts to bring ulation over a possible KC(M) back into the political realignment UDF fold, the LDF is by KC(M), Jose’s stateoffering special con- There will be calls ment that “where sideration to the rethere is KC (M), there from various gional party to keep it will be government” quarters inviting within the r uling has further fuelled ruKC(M). However, front, including the KC (M) will remain mours. This, in turn, state cabinet decision firm with the LDF has prompted the LDF on Wednesday to proto move quickly to adJose K Mani, vide land in Thirudress the concerns of KC(M) chairman vananthapuram for Jose and his team. As an institute in memopart of it, the state ry of K M Mani, the late patri- government has taken an urarch of Kerala Congress. The gent decision to allocate land CPM-led front has reportedly for setting up the memorial. promised the KC(M) 13 seats in The cabinet decided to lease the upcoming assembly polls. out 25 cents of land, currently The UDF, meanwhile, is con- in the possession of the Kerala tinuing its efforts to convince Water Authority at VellayamKC(M) to switch allegiance to balam, to the KM Mani foundathe Congress-led front, through tion to set up the KM Mani Methe IUML and a few bishops. morial Institute for Social ● More on P6 The main stumbling block for Transformation.  A B H I L A S H C H A N D R A N @Kottayam E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @T’Puram Coming under seething criticism from the High Court for not arresting former Travancore Devaswom Board member K P Sankar Das, an accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case, the Special Investigation Team on Wednesday recorded his arrest at a hospital in Thiruvananthapuram where he has been undergoing treatment following a cerebrovascular accident. The SIT recorded Das’ arrest in the presence of the magistrate and collected the medical reports from the hospital. The arrest details and the medical records will be filed before the Kollam Sessions Court on Thursday. Das was a member of the board during 2019 period and has been arraigned as an accused in the cases pertaining to theft of gold from the dwarapalaka idols and door frames. Former TDB presidents A Padmakumar, N Vasu and board member N Vijaya Kumar were earlier arrested by the SIT. The HC had criticised the SIT, accusing it of delaying Das’ arrest. The court had observed that Das has been hospitalised after being arraigned as an accused in the case and said it disagreed with the investigating officer. Das’ son Hari Sankar is a DIG-rank officer with the state police and the High Court made a mention of that while making the remark. The SIT had arraigned him as an accused after assessing that the board members too played a role in the subterfuge. They along with Padmakumar were involved in taking the decision to hand over gold-plated sheets to main accused Unnikrishnan Potti under the pretext of renovation works. E X P RESS REA D all for one & one for all Students of BSS Gurukulam Higher Seconday School, Alathur, perform group dance (HS category) on the theme of ‘Operation Sindoor’ at the 64th Kerala School Kalolsavam, which kicked off in Thrissur on Wednesday | T P Sooraj | full coverage: P2, P3 Co-founder Bose resigns from Kochi Biennale R o nn i e K u r i ak o s e @ Kochi Bose Krishnamachari, artist and co-founder of the KochiMuziris Biennale, resigned from the Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) on Wednesday, marking the exit of one of the most influential figures behind India’s largest contemporary art festival. “After 15 years of being deeply committed and involved in building the foundation and shaping the Biennale, from its inception as an artist-led initiative to what it is today I felt , this was the right moment to step back, for personal and family reasons, and to return more fully to my own artistic practice,” Bose said in a statement. Bose was serving as president of the KochiMuziris Biennale -- the latest edition is currently under way -- and as a member of the board of trustees of the foundation. Following the development, the KBF has begun the process of identifying “an eminent person with high credentials in the art world” to take over as president, an official note read.“We are looking to get someone as early as possible,” KBF chairperson Venu Vasudevan told TNIE. When pressed for more details on why Bose left the foundation in the midst of 2025-2026 Biennale, he referred to the statement released, adding, “I have nothing further to add.” Bose, along with artist Riyas Komu, founded the Biennale in 2012 as an artist-led initiative. Over the past 15 years, the festival’s success positioned Kochi on global contemporary art map. Bose co-curated the inaugural edition and remained closely involved in shaping the festival’s curatorial philosophy, funding model and international networks.  ● More on P6 courting controversy World No 3 shuttler says opted out of India Open due to pollution A n m o l G U r u ng @ New Delhi As you enter the IG Stadium — the India Open badminton venue — you cannot miss the pungent heavy smell floating in the air. Inside the playing area it’s much better. Yet, from the stands the light seem to cut through a film of dust. Just to add to the woes of the organisers, a day after a Denmark player lambasted the playing conditions, World No 3 men shuttler has come out with another scathing remark. Months ahead of the World Badminton Championships to be held at the same venue in August, this is definitely not the kind of publicity Badminton Associat i o n o f I n d i a wo u l d b e expecting. On Tuesday, Mia Blichfeldt raised concerns more about health than conditions. Barely 24 hours later, another Danish pro, Anders Antonsen, on his social media account, said he pulled out of the event (last week) due to ‘extreme pollution’. If this was not enough, a few players posted a video of a monkey inside the stadium. In the same post, the World No 3 raised concerns about the city’s ability to con- duct badminton events including the upcoming World Championships which is scheduled to be held at the same venue later this year. “Many are curious as to why I have pulled out of the India Open for the third consecutive year. Due to extreme pollution in Delhi at the moment I don’t think it’s a place to host a badminton tournament,” the 2025 French Open winner said. “Crossing my fingers that it will be better in the Summer when the World Championships will take place...” On Wednesday, some of the foreign players have been sporting face masks to counter dust issues. One of the doubles players from South Korea had shared a picture of a monkey in the stands. However, India’s Kidambi Srikanth dismissed criticisms by saying that there is no problem. Meanwhile, BAI secretary Sanjay Mishra said, “BAI and the venue staff have been working at the stadium continuously for the last 20 days, and this is the first time such an incident has been observed. It is possible that a door may have been inadvertently left open.”