follow us:
The Karnataka State Election Commission announced that Bengaluru civic polls under the Greater Bengaluru Authority will be held after May 25 using ballot papers instead of EVMs. Draft electoral rolls for 369 wards were released, covering nearly 89 lakh voters. Officials urged citizens to verify entries as house-to-house checks begin from January 20.
Despite the Mahayuti alliance crossing the majority mark in the BMC, Uddhav Thackeray faction leader Sanjay Raut said the Mumbai mayoral contest remains open. Claiming 108 supporters, just six short of majority, Raut urged “wait and watch,” alleging fear and possible defections within the Shinde-led Shiv Sena camp.
PM Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed during his two-hour India visit, focusing on energy security, nuclear cooperation, AI, defence and counter-terrorism. The leaders backed LNG and nuclear deals, expanded digital and defence ties, condemned terrorism, and set ambitious trade and investment targets.
Naveen Polishetty has emerged as Tollywood’s safest hero with four theatrical releases turning into hits. Agent Sai Srinivas Athreya, Jathi Ratnalu, Miss Shetty Mr Polishetty and Anaganaga Oka Raju all succeeded, with the latest crossing Rs 100 crore worldwide. Consistency across genres, and strong overseas returns make him a trusted, low-risk star for producers.
The Telangana government will start a morning breakfast scheme at Anganwadi centres from February. Children will be served items like khichdi and upma through TG Foods. The scheme will begin as a pilot in 970 Hyderabad centres and later expand statewide, covering 35,781 centres and around 8 lakh children.
Visitors to Telangana’s Amrabad Tiger Reserve will soon get a new 20-km Kollam safari route. The reserve already runs three safaris managed by the Chenchu tribe. Eco-friendly facilities and water sources are being improved. Since 2025, nearly 50 tiger sightings were recorded. Safaris close January 20–25 for tiger census.
Amazon’s Great Republic Day Sale 2026 offers major discounts on air conditioners from LG, Voltas, Haier, Panasonic, Blue Star, and more. Buyers can avail SBI card discounts, exchange offers, and EMI options. Prices drop sharply across 1 to 2-ton models with 3- and 5-star ratings, with deals valid till January 22.
Actor-turned-politician Vijay was questioned by the CBI for six hours in connection with the Karur stampede that killed over 40 people. TVK chief appeared cooperative, with no accusations filed. Investigators are examining lapses and his delayed site arrival. Vijay remains a witness in the Supreme Court-monitored inquiry, with no further summons issued.
Hyderabad’s famous Fire Pan Wala, Hussain, has entered MasterChef India Season 9. Known for making thousands of paan varieties, he brought street food culture to the national stage. Though wheelchair-bound, Hussain impressed the judges with his confidence, skills, and creativity, showing that passion and talent can overcome physical limits.
Hyderabad’s C-Mitra helpline, launched on January 9, has aided 1,000 cybercrime victims in 10 days, filing over 100 FIRs. Using AI, the 24-member team drafts legally sound complaints and registers FIRs promptly. Police warn citizens against AI-driven scams, deepfakes, and phishing, advising verification of requests, avoiding suspicious links, and never sharing OTPs.
In Bollywood hit Dhurandhar, Akshaye Khanna’s portrayal of gangster Rahman Dekait won massive praise. Surprisingly, Telugu star Nagarjuna Akkineni was the first choice but had to decline due to prior commitments on Coolie and Kubera. Khanna’s performance revived his career, earning acclaim for his calm, menacing presence, and memorable dialogue delivery in the film.
Tollywood is facing fake practices like self-bookings and inflated box-office posters. Producers manipulate ticket sales and ratings, even overseas, to show false hype. This misleads audiences, damages credibility, and hurts distributors. Experts urge the industry to focus on real quality content instead of unethical manipulation.
Pakistan’s former PM Imran Khan has been denied access to his lawyers and kept in solitary confinement for over three months, PTI claims. The party described this as “cruel and inhuman” under international law. Restrictions reportedly follow Khan’s criticism of military chief Asim Munir, with the government citing national security concerns.
India has been invited to Trump’s US-led Gaza Peace Board, a high-profile body overseeing reconstruction and conflict resolution. While participation offers strategic visibility, it risks undermining India’s multilateral credentials and UN support. With Pakistan also invited, New Delhi faces a delicate balancing act between diplomacy, and global positioning.
A Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) outbreak in Madhya Pradesh has killed two children in Mandsaur and Neemuch, following Indore’s 15 deaths from contaminated water. Thirteen new cases have emerged. WHO and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme are investigating. Experts link GBS clusters to poor sanitation and Campylobacter jejuni.