Maharashtra civic polls saw controversial wins, including two relatives of jailed gangster Suryakant Andekar elected in Pune. In Jalna, Shrikant Pangarkar, an accused in journalist Gauri Lankesh's murder, secured a victory as an independent. These results have sparked significant public debate and criticism.

A Congress MLA from Madhya Pradesh, Phool Singh, has sparked controversy by seemingly justifying rape, linking it to religious scriptures. He claimed that seeing a beautiful woman could disturb a man, leading to rape. Singh also alleged that certain texts promise spiritual rewards for sexual acts with women from Dalit or tribal communities, even if they are not beautiful.

Delhi and other major cities are on high alert for Republic Day due to intelligence warnings of potential attacks by Khalistani and Bangladesh-based terror groups. These outfits are reportedly using Punjab-based gangsters as operatives, with increasing links to criminal networks across North India. Security forces are enhancing surveillance to counter these threats.

Takes Control Of BMC For 1st Time, But Needs Shinde Sena For Majority

Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday inaugurated the 3rd International Kite Festival, urging the Delhi government and Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to form a committee to make the city the national hub for kite festivities, expand the event, and encourage public participation for a grand nationwide celebration.

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a decisive victory in the Maharashtra civic elections 2026, including the BMC polls, across 27 civic bodies. Key takeaways highlight the BJP's dominance under Devendra Fadnavis, the erosion of the Thackeray legacy, and the fizzling out of Ajit Pawar's political maneuvers. The Congress showed a minor resurgence, while AIMIM made notable inroads in urban pockets.

The BJP-led Mahayuti has achieved a significant victory in Maharashtra's municipal elections. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis credited the win to the party's development agenda. The alliance secured a majority in numerous municipal corporations, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. This outcome reflects public trust in Prime Minister Modi's leadership and the alliance's focus on governance and infrastructure projects.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated BJP workers and thanked Maharashtra's people for the NDA and Mahayuti's sweeping victory in municipal corporation elections. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attributed the success to a development-focused agenda, highlighting the alliance's strong performance, particularly in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

Maharashtra's civic elections saw a significant political shift as the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a dominant victory, particularly in Mumbai's BMC. Devendra Fadnavis and the BJP celebrated substantial gains, ending Shiv Sena's long-held control. Uddhav Thackeray's Sena and the Congress faced major setbacks, while Raj Thackeray's MNS and Sharad Pawar's NCP also saw diminished influence.

The Nationalist Congress Party, split into factions led by Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar, faced a significant setback in the Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune municipal elections. Despite campaigning together, both factions suffered losses, with the BJP leading in a majority of wards. This performance raises questions about the potential merger of the NCP factions.

India has strongly criticized Pakistan at the UN for misusing the platform and promoting a divisive agenda. Islamabad's envoy raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in the General Assembly, prompting India to accuse Pakistan of spreading baseless allegations and falsehoods detached from reality.

Global public health, veterinary and legal experts caution mass sheltering India’s free-living dogs would undermine rabies control, disrupt urban ecosystems, breach the law and raise costs without making cities safer.

European leaders will attend India's Republic Day parade and the 16th India-EU summit, aiming to finalize a free trade agreement and a defense partnership. Discussions will focus on trade, security, and clean energy, building on a new strategic agenda to strengthen bilateral ties amidst global uncertainties.

National highways will now deny No Objection Certificates for vehicle registration, insurance, and ownership transfers if toll fees remain unpaid. This move, coinciding with the upcoming rollout of barrierless tolling, aims to enhance digital toll collection and prevent evasion on key NH stretches.