Month: January 2026

All nine people trapped under the debris after a massive fire in Arki market in Himchal Pradesh’s Solan district are feared dead, officials said on Monday.

Speaking to ANI, Arki Tehsildar and Revenue Officer Vipin Verma said, “Looking at the fire and the debris, it does not seem like anyone inside would have survived.”

The officials had earlier confirmed the death of an eight-year-old child.

The rescue operations continue to recover the bodies of nine people from two families trapped under the debris. According to the officials, some body parts have been sent to the hospital for identification.

“Two earth movers have been deployed here. We have rescued some bodies. They are unidentified as of now. As per local sources and our estimation, around 2 families comprising 9 people, in which two were men, two women, and five children, lived here. We have around five body parts. They have been sent to the hospital,” Arki Tehsildar Vipin Verma told ANI.

According to local authorities, the fire erupted around 2-2:30 am on Monday and quickly engulfed several shops and adjoining buildings, triggering a large-scale rescue operation involving fire services, SDRF, Home Guards and local administration.

SDRF Inspector and Team in charge Bhagh Singh Thakur told ANI, “The search and rescue operation is ongoing… It will continue till we don’t find everyone. We are finding body parts. Right now, it is not possible to say whether anyone survived or not.”

Around 12 shops are affected, with JCB machines and multiple SDRF teams deployed to control the blaze.

Fire officials said the blaze was largely controlled by early morning, though search operations are still in progress. RK Sharma, local fire officer, told ANI, “Water was sprayed using around 10 vehicles, and nearly six fire tenders were deployed. By 6:30 am, the fire was brought under control. Nine people of Nepali origin are reported missing.”

Rescue and search operations are continuing as authorities attempt to clear debris and locate the missing persons. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. (ANI)

Former Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar has been admitted to the Cardiology Department of All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AAIMS), Delhi, on Monday.

According to sources, the former Vice President is in stable condition. Further details are awaited.

The former Vice President resigned in July 2025 “to prioritise health care and abide by medical advice.”

“To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution,” the resignation letter said.

“I extend my deepest gratitude to Your Excellency – the Hon’ble President of India for her unwavering support and the soothing, wonderful working relationship we maintained during my tenure,” it added.

Dhankhar’s resignation was accepted by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, a day after.

Earlier, Dhankhar was admitted to AIIMS on March 9 following complaints of uneasiness and chest pain and was discharged on March 12.

In a statement, AIIMS had said, “After receiving necessary care by the medical team at AIIMS, he made a satisfactory recovery and was discharged on March 12. He has been advised to take adequate rest for the next few days.”(ANI)

Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan got engaged to his girlfriend Sophie Shine.

On Monday, the couple shared the news on Instagram with a dreamy picture, by writing a heartfelt caption that read, “From shared smiles to shared dreams. Grateful for the love, the blessings and every good wish for our engagement as we choose togetherness forever. -Shikhar & Sophie”

Netizens congratulated and showered blessings on the newly-engaged couple in the comment section.

A user wrote, “Congratulation guys” while another dropped heart emojis in the comment section.

As per reports, Shikhar Dhawan and Sophie Shine have been dating for a while. They also confirmed their relationship by sharing a post captioned, “My love,” with a red heart emoji.

Since then, they often share adorable pictures and reels with each other on social media.

Earlier, Shikhar was married to Ayesha Mukherje and had a son named Zoravar. In October 2023, they parted ways after eight years of marriage. During the separation, the Delhi family court granted Dhawan a divorce decree on the grounds of cruelty. He has not been able to meet his son Zoravar in person for two years since the end of the marriage.

He also opened up on his relationship with his son, Zoravar, in an exclusive interview with ANI.

Dhawan revealed that it has been one year since the 39-year-old talked to his little one. He said that it had been two years since he had seen his son Zoravar. He accepted that it’s hard but one learns to live with it.

“It’s been two years since I saw my son. It’s been a year since we talked. Because I’m blocked from everywhere. Of course, it’s difficult. But… You learn to live with it and I miss him. But again, I talk to him spiritually. I feel like I’m talking to my son every day. I’m hugging him. So I give my energy there spiritually. If I have to bring my son back, that is the only way I can bring. My sadness won’t help. I’m giving him so much happiness… My son is 11 years old now but I’ve only seen him for 2.5 years, at the age of 11. So I used to travel. In my case, he used to live in Australia. When I got married, I adopted two daughters from my wife’s first marriage. So he couldn’t shift here. But that was the situation and I took it in my stride and I was happy with that. Of course, when the separation happened, things changed… we make ourselves mold in it…,” Dhawan told ANI. (ANI)

Security has been tightened in the Samba district on Monday after a few drones, suspected to be from Pakistan, were sighted along the Line of Control in the Naushera-Rajouri sector of Jammu and Kashmir in the late hours of Sunday.

The development prompted the Indian Army to undertake counter-unmanned aerial systems measures.

“A few Pakistan Army drones were sighted along the line of control in the Naushera-Rajouri sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Army troops undertook counter-unmanned aerial systems measures, forcing them to return,” Defence Sources said.

A local who witnessed the retaliation of the Indian army against the suspected Pakistani drones told ANI that there was “extensive firing in the areas of Jangarh and Kalal” and the incident, according to him, happened at around “7:28 pm” on Sunday. He also thanked the Indian Army for its prompt action.

Speaking to ANI, he said, “At around 7:28 pm yesterday, there was a movement of drones at the border. Our Indian Army forces retaliated against it. The drones crossed from here. There was extensive firing in the areas of Jangarh and Kalal. Our armed forces were absolutely alert. We thank our army that because of them, we are sitting here peacefully.”

Earlier on Saturday, Border Security Force (BSF) and Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a joint search operation after an arms and ammunition consignment was recovered from the border village of Paloora in Samba district.

The consignment included a made-in-China 9mm pistol with two magazines, a Glock 9mm pistol with one magazine and one Chinese hand grenade with marking SPL HGR 84.

According to police, a total of sixteen 9mm live rounds were also recovered from the packet. (ANI)

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday extended her warm greetings to citizens in India and abroad on Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Magh Bihu, which will be celebrated on January 13 and 14.

In a message, the President said, “On the auspicious occasion of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Magh Bihu festivals, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all Indians residing within India and abroad.”

These festivals are a symbol of our rich agricultural traditions and national unity. They are reflection of our vibrant and diverse cultural heritage. These festivals are an occasion to salute the hard work of our farmers who work tirelessly to feed the nation. Through these festivals celebrated across the country, we express our gratitude towards mother nature.

Meanwhile, with Makar Sankranti just days away, Gujarat witnessed vibrant celebrations with the International Kite Festival, a major highlight of the state’s Uttarayan festivities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday jointly inaugurated the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad.

The participation of the German Chancellor marked a blend of cultural celebration and diplomatic engagement during his first official visit to India. Visuals from the event showed both leaders interacting with participants and flying kites together, as colourful kites filled the sky.

The three-day festival will conclude on January 14 and features participation from 135 international kite enthusiasts representing 50 countries. They will be joined by 65 flyers from across India and 871 local participants from Gujarat.

Magh Bihu, a major harvest festival of Assam, marks the end of the harvesting season in the month of Magh and is celebrated with community feasts after the annual harvest. Along with Lohri, Pongal, Sankranti and Uttarayan, it represents the diverse ways in which harvest festivals are celebrated across India.

Lohri celebrations, particularly in northern India, are marked by bonfires, traditional foods and folk songs, adding warmth and joy to the festive season. (ANI)

Directing urgent executive and judicial intervention, the Delhi High Court on Monday ordered the registration of a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) over the “pitiable conditions” faced by patients, attendants, and their relatives, who are forced to brave the cold outside hospitals due to a lack of adequate night shelter facilities.

A Division Bench comprising Justice C. Hari Shankar and Justice Om Prakash Shukla passed the directions after taking note of a news report published on January 11, 2026, titled “Night shelters packed, patients, kin brave the cold outside hospitals.”

The court noted that the article highlighted distressing conditions for people waiting for treatment in hospitals who have no place to stay.

Stating that the issue calls for immediate attention, the Bench directed the Registry to register the matter as a writ petition under the suo motu Public Interest Litigation head.

The court further ordered that key ministries be impleaded as respondents, including the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, noting that these authorities, along with the Government of NCT of Delhi, exercise control over night shelters in the capital.

The Bench also directed that the writ petition be listed before Division Bench-I, which deals with public interest litigation matters, in accordance with the roster and subject to the orders of the Chief Justice, on the same day.

Additionally, the court ordered that a copy of the referenced newspaper article shall form part of the record and be treated as an annexure to the order.

The suo motu proceedings signal the High Court’s concern over the lack of basic shelter facilities for vulnerable patients and their families during the peak winter season, particularly outside major government hospitals in Delhi, and set the stage for scrutiny of governmental measures to address the issue. (ANI)

The 2026 Golden Globe Awards saw an influx of Hollywood A-listers turning up in their glamorous best, taking over the red carpet with much style. From a number of stunning fashion wins by the ladies to the best-dressed gentleman, the evening was all about championing timeless Hollywood charm. Here’s a look at the top-dressed celebrities at the 2026 Golden Globes.

Selena Gomez-Benny Blanco

The singer-actor looked stunning in a custom Chanel gown featuring a strapless black velvet style, with a feathered neckline made of silk chiffon and silk organza. Her highly detailed dress took 323 hours to make and included 200 embroidered elements. Her husband, Benny Blanco, coordinated in a black tuxedo.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas-Nick Jonas

Priyanka Chopra arrived at the Golden Globes with her singer-husband Nick Jonas, with the two setting the red carpet on fire. For the event, PeeCee chose a stunning blue off-the-shoulder tiered gown from Dior, which she paired with Bulgari jewellery. Jonas chose a classic tux and bow tie, demonstrating why black and blue pair so well.

Coleman Domingo

Domingo clearly loves to mix and elevate his style, opting for a grouping of diamond leaves by Boucheron on one side of a Valentino tux jacket. He accessorised the look with Valentino shoes and an Omega watch, accentuating the outfit. Speaking on the red carpet, Coleman said, “It’s like ivy in a garden.”

Kirsten Dunst

Kirsten Dunst brought back the trend of bias-cut slip dresses to the Golden Globes red carpet. She was seen in a deep green outfit from Tom Ford by Haider Ackermann, complemented by Kwiat diamond jewellery and Gianvito Rossi shoes.

Chase Infiniti

The ‘One Battle After Another’ star stood out in a custom Louis Vuitton ensemble featuring a silver-embroidered hand-embroidered bustier paired with a velvet skirt. She completed the look with diamond jewellery and Brandon Blackwood shoes.

Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson brought considerable shine to the red carpet in her custom-designed gown from Giorgio Armani Prive, featuring crystal and silk fringe. It had rhinestone embellishments with a diamond halter neckline.

Teyana Taylor

The ‘Golden Globe’ winner was dressed in a Schiaparelli gown, which highlighted a draped design in the front while the back had a crystal-embellished bow with tassels. She accessorised the gown with jewellery from Tiffany & Co.

Elle Fanning

Fanning arrived in a Gucci gown with tiny flowers embroidered in the Norwegian national flower. She completed her look with Cartier diamond jewels. The actress kept her hair simply open, complemented by dewy nude makeup.

Zoey Deutch

Zoey Deutch chose a Prada gown that blended modern and Art Deco elements. It is crafted from white silk georgette and features a deep teardrop neckline. The crystal-embroidered peplum was embellished with glass fringe details. She also included a satin platform sandals.

Jennifer Lawrence

One of the evening’s style surprises was Jennifer Lawrence wearing a sheer look by Sarah Burton, featuring a slashed tulle gown with floral embroidery. She paired it with a powder-pink bomber jacket, pink platform sandals, and a floral-embellished clutch.

Leonardo Dicaprio

The ‘One Battle After Another’ actor made a classic choice of outfit for the evening, going for a black tuxedo paired with black lace-up shoes. The actor was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy for his role in One Battle After Another.

Timothee Chalamet

Timothee Chalamet, who won big at the Golden Globes this year, went for an all-black look with a little touch of silver. He was joined by his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner, who chose a custom, curve-hugging gown in a metallic hue. At the ceremony, Timothee Chalamet won his first Golden Globe Award for his performance in ‘Marty Supreme’.

Michael B Jordan

The ‘Sinners’ nominee made a stylish appearance in a custom double-breasted Prada suit. He paired the look with David Yurman jewellery and wire-frame shades, setting major fashion goals on the red carpet.

With that said, many others also took the red-carpet style to the next level, including Patrick Schwarzenegger, Nikki Glaser, Brittany Snow, Emily Blunt, and Jennifer Garner, among others. (ANI)

The much-awaited trailer for Rani Mukerji starrer ‘Mardaani 3’ has been finally unveiled, taking audiences into the chilling disappearance of young girls.

The 3-minute-16-second trailer opens with the return of Rani Mukerji as the bold and fearless cop Shivani Shivaji Roy, who is set to “race against time” to rescue the missing girls from the trap of child trafficking.

It drops viewers straight into the grim narrative when Shivani confronts a sinister crime network responsible for kidnapping multiple girls, pushing her to the edge in a quest for justice.

As Shivani continues to find clues, she comes across the merciless, evil and powerful ‘Amma’ responsible for handling a beggar mafia, mostly targeting child victims.

Driven by the unshakable will to rescue the girls, Shivani Shivaji Roy is seen diving deeper into the criminal world, risking it all to protect the innocent lives. The trailer features nail-biting acting, intense confrontations and moments of emotional turmoil.

While Rani Mukerji looks promising in her iconic role, returning with a renewed intensity, actor Mallika Prasad steps in as the lead antagonist ‘Amma’. Janaki Bodiwala, who also appeared in ‘Shaitaan’, plays a key role in the film.

Written by Aayush Gupta and directed by Abhiraj Minwala, ‘Mardaani 3’ is produced by Aditya Chopra under the banner of Yash Raj Films.

The makers recently announced the film’s new premiere date, releasing it earlier than planned on January 30, 2026.

According to a release, ‘Mardaani 3’ will focus on a fast-paced story where time is running out as a police officer searches for missing girls.

Speaking about the film’s tone, Rani had earlier teased that Mardaani 3 is an “edge-of-the-seat thriller” that is “dark, deadly, and brutal.”According to the makers, the film will feature a bloody, violent clash between Shivani’s goodness and sinister evil forces.

The film’s release coincides with Rani Mukerji’s 30 years in the film industry. (ANI)

India is set to significantly strengthen its internal security architecture as 780 districts across the country will soon be connected under the first phase of the National IED Data Management System (NIDMS) the country’s first comprehensive digital platform dedicated to tracking and analysing Improvised Explosive Device (IED) incidents.

Developed by the National Security Guard (NSG), India’s elite counter-terrorism force, the NIDMS is designed to enable the systematic collection, collation and dissemination of IED-related data at a national level. The first phase of implementation is already underway and is expected to link nearly 800 end users, including district-level law enforcement units and select specialised forces, through a highly secure network.

“The system’s end-user connectivity extends down to the district level. In the first phase, we are working to connect around 800 end users to the NIDMS. These include nearly 780 districts, along with other local units and Special Frontier Force units that may require access to the data on a need-to-know basis,” a senior NSG officer told ANI on condition of anonymity.

“All data will be shared through a secure network.”

The officer said the NIDMS hosts IED blast and recovery data dating back to 1999, making it one of the most extensive bomb-related databases in the country.

“Thousands of data points previously scattered across agencies have now been digitised and integrated into a single platform, aimed at supporting post-blast investigations and enhancing coordination among security and law enforcement agencies.”

“The National Bomb Data Centre (NBDC) of the NSG has been collating IED-related data for over two decades after receiving authorisation from the Government of India. We store and maintain details of all IED recoveries and blast incidents across the country. This entire dataset has now been uploaded to the NIDMS in digitised form,” the officer said.

Built using advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and predictive modelling, the NIDMS offers analytical capabilities that go far beyond traditional intelligence methods. The system can identify trends and correlations that are not easily detectable through manual analysis.

“Once sufficient data is available, natural patterns begin to emerge. These patterns are analysed and disseminated to States, Union Territories and other forces, helping them make informed operational decisions on the ground,” another NSG officer explained.

A key feature of the platform is its predictive analysis capability, which officials say could play a critical role in preventing future attacks. “If a particular trend continues in a specific region, the system can help forecast the nature of incidents that may occur in the coming period,” the officer said, describing it as one of the most significant advancements in counter-IED preparedness.

The software has been developed in collaboration with the Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, with technical development carried out by a team from IIT Delhi. The project took nearly one-and-a-half years to complete, with close coordination between academic experts and NSG personnel. The system’s servers are currently hosted in Gandhinagar.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the NIDMS on January 9, calling it a next-generation security shield against terrorism. He said the platform would be extremely important for the investigation of terrorist incidents and for analysing multiple dimensions of such attacks, thereby strengthening India’s internal security framework.

Designed as a common national repository, the NIDMS allows State Police Forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and other central agencies to access, analyse and share IED-related information in real time. Officials said the platform will help standardise data formats, reduce duplication of effort and ensure seamless information flow among agencies involved in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.

IEDs have long posed a serious threat in several parts of the country, frequently used by terrorist and insurgent groups to target security forces and civilians. By leveraging data analytics and technology-driven insights, the NIDMS aims to enhance India’s ability to prevent such attacks and respond more effectively when they occur.

The platform is expected to evolve continuously, incorporating new datasets and analytical tools to meet emerging security challenges. Officials said it will also support forensic analysis, training programmes and operational planning related to bomb disposal and blast investigations.

By enabling investigators to analyse patterns of explosions, study the modus operandi and identify inter-linkages between incidents, the NIDMS is poised to become a cornerstone of India’s counter-IED ecosystem. (ANI)

A day after controversy erupted over Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Annamalai’s statement on Mumbai, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aadtiya Thackeray on Monday said that it has been made clear that the party only wants to insult and “loot” the state.

“Annamalai is the face of the BJP, which is zero. He could not win there and save their own deposit. It was shown that the next PM will be him only, but actually, they are a Zero that Tamil Nadu has shown. Whereas (CM) Stalin has been bringing forward Tamil Nadu at such a speed, these people are only fighting, hurling abuses. Annamalai has insulted Maharashtra, and the state will not tolerate this. Annamalai and the BJP have insulted Maharashtra,” Thackeray told reporters here in Mumbai.

Thackeray’s statement comes a day after BJP leader Annamalai said that Mumbai is an “international city, and not a city of Maharashtra”, while addressing a rally in Mumbai’s Dharavi ahead of the upcoming BMC polls.

The UBT leader claimed that the BJP is constantly trying to keep people “busy” with various welfare schemes or communal issues, while selling the whole state to industrialists.

“Whatever the (BJP) government does, the people are aware that the government has no love for Mumbai, or for Maharashtra. The people see how they keep us busy in Ladki Bahin, or in Hindu-Muslim, but the whole of Maharashtra is being given for free to industrialists. This is not governance, this is misgovernance,” he said.

Earlier, as Annamalai called for a “triple engine government” in Maharashtra, he had said, “Bombay is not a Maharashtra city, but an international city,” while campaigning in Dharavi and Sion Koliwada areas for the party.

“Mumbai needs a triple-engine government. We need a BJP mayor in Mumbai, with (Maharashtra) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the state, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre. Mumbai is a global metropolis which has a budget of over Rs 40,000 crore. Bengaluru’s budget is Rs 19,000 crore, while Chennai’s is Rs 8,000 crore. You need good people who sit in the administration to manage the finance,” Annamalai added.

This elicited strong reactions from opposition political parties, including from Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, who called Annamalai ‘Rasmalai.’

“One rasmalai came from Tamil Nadu…what is your connection to here?Hatao lungi bajao pungi,” Raj Thackeray had said, referencing the slogan from the 1960s and 70s of the Shiv Sena that was founded by Raj Thackeray’s uncle, Balasaheb Thackeray.

Replying to the jibe, the BJP leader said, “Who are Aditya Thackeray and Raj Thackeray to threaten me? I am proud to be a farmer’s son. They have organised meetings just to abuse me. I don’t know whether I have become that important.”

The State Election Commission in Maharashtra has announced elections to 29 municipal corporations across the state, including the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). Polling will be held on January 15, with counting scheduled for January 16. (ANI)