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Voting is underway across 29 Maharashtra municipal corporations, with 3.48 crore voters deciding among 15,931 candidates. Mumbai’s BMC, India’s richest civic body with a ₹74,400 crore budget, sees 1,700 candidates contesting 227 seats after a four-year delay. The Thackeray brothers face the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance. Vote counting is January 16.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said several countries are in talks with Pakistan to acquire fighter jets, including JF-17 Thunders and Mushshak trainers, following last year’s conflict with India. Defence Minister Raza Hayat Haraj added that deals must ensure jets go to friendly nations, with China supporting exports, and highlighted JF-17s’ lower cost compared to global jets.
The State Department, led by Marco Rubio, will suspend immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, from January 21 over “public charge” concerns. Non-immigrant visas remain unaffected. The directive expands Trump-era rules, evaluating age, health, finances, education, skills, family, and English proficiency.
Denmark said a “fundamental disagreement” remains with the US after talks on Greenland, though both sides agreed to form a working group. Donald Trump continues pushing for US control of the island, citing security concerns. Danish leaders rejected the idea and announced plans to strengthen military presence in the Arctic and North Atlantic with NATO […]
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said 169 of 328 missing ‘saroops’ have been recovered, calling it a duty, not an achievement, while addressing a gathering on Maghi. He announced a proposed ₹1,000 monthly assistance scheme for women in the upcoming budget and claimed his government has fulfilled all promises made to the people of Punjab.
A monkey was spotted in the spectator stands during the India Open badminton tournament in New Delhi, drawing attention online and inside the venue. Organisers termed the incident unfortunate but confirmed no matches were disrupted. BAI said doors may have been left open and assured tighter safety measures after players earlier criticised venue conditions.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there would be no “hanging today or tomorrow,” despite earlier vows to fast-track trials of protesters. Speaking to a US broadcaster, he claimed peaceful economic protests turned violent due to Israeli orchestration, but order has since been restored, adding he was confident no executions were planned.
A major fire broke out at Magh Mela in Prayagraj’s Sector 4 today, burning two tents. Eight fire engines controlled the blaze, and no injuries were reported. This was the second fire in two days after a similar incident in Sector 5. Authorities suspect a short circuit and have increased safety and security measures during […]
Mumbai’s consumer commission ordered Amazon to refund a customer Rs 16,499 for a defective 40-inch TV, plus Rs 10,000 compensation and Rs 5,000 legal costs. The commission ruled that online platforms cannot avoid responsibility by calling themselves intermediaries, as Amazon profits from sales and must ensure products are defect-free and serviceable.
Illegal cockfighting activities have reportedly resurfaced across several parts of Andhra Pradesh, drawing large crowds. Events are being held in Pulivendula, Vempalli, and Erragunta in Rayalaseema, along with K. Gangavaram, Ramachandrapuram, and Kajulur mandals in Konaseema district. Sources indicate that crores of rupees are exchanging hands through betting.
The World Bank has increased India’s growth forecast for the 2026 financial year to 7.2 percent, up from 6.3 percent projected in June 2025. The rise is attributed to strong domestic demand, tax reforms, and higher rural incomes. However, the bank expects growth to moderate to 6.5 percent in the 2027 financial year.
A 4.3 magnitude earthquake hit Tibet today at a depth of 90 km, according to the National Center for Seismology. This seismic event came a day after a 3.8 magnitude quake struck at a shallow depth of 10 km. The region often sees earthquakes due to constant tectonic plate movement that formed the Himalayas and […]
A Kanpur woman and her lover were sentenced to jail in Uttar Pradesh for poisoning her husband and trying to show it as a natural death. Police sent the body for post-mortem after the victim’s young daughter testified in court. She said her mother and uncle fed her father, after which he never woke up.
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the new Khatima Bus Terminal in Udham Singh Nagar, receiving a warm welcome from locals. He also opened the Uttarayani Kauthik Fair, announced a Parvatiya Vikas Bhawan, financial support, and a permanent stage, and extended Makar Sankranti greetings, highlighting prosperity, culture, tradition, and regional development.
The Delhi government launched 81 new Ayushman Arogya Mandirs to improve neighborhood healthcare access. CM Rekha Gupta inaugurated the centers at Nangal Raya, taking the total to 238. The centers offer primary care, tests, maternity services, vaccinations, and medicines, easing the hospital burden. The government plans to open 1,100 centers across the city.