Times of India

On Makar Sankranti, over 3.5 crore devotees took a holy dip at Sangam, led by Naga Sadhus and seers from different akharas in Prayagraj. The event included flower showers from helicopters and processions of seers on decorated chariots as devotees chanted and celebrated under the intense spiritual ambiance.

Sharad Pawar, NCP-SP chief, invites PM Modi to inaugurate the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in Delhi. This gesture is seen as gratitude for granting classical language status to Marathi. The event, first organized in 1878, holds historical significance. Shiv Sena highlights that the classical language status resulted from collective efforts, not attributed to one leader alone.

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Mumbai, experienced disruptions as support staff protested against delayed salaries and irregular payments. The unpaid staff halted proceedings, raising concerns over the tribunal's financial stability and its ability to manage over 7,000 pending cases. Lawyers noted significant delays which may affect cases involving disputes worth substantial amounts.

A 30-year-old man in Badlapur, identified as Suraj, was arrested for allegedly killing his wife’s suspected rapist. Suraj invited his friend Nagesh, who had allegedly sexually assaulted his wife, to a party and then bludgeoned him to death with a hammer. The post-mortem report led to Suraj’s confession.

Ashwini Ganapathi Bhat, a Bengaluru resident, is set to take part in the Lake Sonoma 100 Miler Sufferfest trail run in California. Transitioning from a nine-year IT career to ultra-trail runner, she aims to complete the 160km race. Ashwini is supported by Tekion and aspires to grow trail running in India, especially among women.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised J&K CM Omar Abdullah for supporting Modi's efforts to bridge the 'dil ki doori' with Kashmir. Singh emphasized the significance of abrogating Article 370 and reaffirmed India's stance on PoK. He criticized past governments for ineffective handling of terrorism, credited the armed forces for peace improvements, and highlighted sacrifices by the people of J&K, including the Muslim community.

Nearly 47 years after the 1978 communal riots in Sambhal, three displaced Hindu families have regained partial possession of their ancestral land, with the district administration returning 10,000 sq ft out of a 15,000 sq ft plot. Authorities are investigating the ownership of the remaining land.

Over 200 unregistered madrassas have been identified in Uttarakhand, prompting an investigation into their registration status, funding sources, and student details. A district-level committee is overseeing the probe, and a report will be submitted within a month. Authorities emphasize the need for compliance and transparent action.

Republican lawmakers support President-elect Donald Trump's plan to buy Greenland, introducing a bill to initiate negotiations with Denmark. The "Make Greenland Great Again Act" faces mixed reactions, with some criticizing it as a distraction. Trump's proposal, viewed by many as impractical, has caused concerns over global instability, with analysts warning of potential repercussions.

An elderly passenger lost his life when a private bus carrying 50 pilgrims from Telangana to Prayagraj caught fire at a tourist center in Vrindavan. The blaze, speculated to be caused by a lit beedi, engulfed the bus before emergency services arrived.

A passenger train bound for Puducherry with about 500 passengers had a derailment incident at Villupuram, where one wheel of the MEMU train derailed during shunting. No passengers were injured, and affected passengers were transferred to another train. The derailment briefly affected movement toward Puducherry, but normal services resumed by 8:40am.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the commissioning of two warships, INS Surat and INS Nilgiri, along with the submarine INS Vaghsheer, on January 15. This move aims to enhance India’s naval capabilities and self-reliance in defense. The vessels, featuring advanced technology, are set to strengthen India's strategic presence in the Indian Ocean Region.

Glogowek, a small town in Poland, has invited billionaire Elon Musk to buy its 13th-century castle and make it his European headquarters. Mayor Piotr Bujak hopes the historical castle’s appeal and the town’s perfect climate will catch Musk’s attention. The property offers space for business and residential use but requires significant renovation. So far, no response from Musk.

A drone called Drishti-10, made by Adani Defence and Aerospace under an Israeli license, crashed into the sea during trials off Porbandar. The Navy, which had not yet received the drone, faces no financial loss. The drone is designed for long-range intelligence missions. The armed forces require around 150 new drones of this type.

An assistant block development officer in Nainital, Bhupendra Singh, was apprehended for allegedly killing one girl and critically injuring two others while driving under the influence of alcohol. The incident occurred when the victims, returning from a local fair, were hit by his speeding vehicle. Singh was caught after crashing into a nearby hill.

Chinese researchers have developed an AI-powered strategy to disrupt Elon Musk's Starlink satellite network in wartime. Using simulations inspired by whales' hunting techniques, the approach aims to neutralize Starlink's military advantages. The strategy highlights the growing importance of space superiority in geopolitical conflicts, including Taiwan, and underscores the evolving nature of modern warfare.

A federal court ruling has struck down the Biden administration's 2022 Title IX regulations, which extended protections to LGBTQ+ students, including transgender individuals. Judge Danny C. Reeves of Kentucky ruled that the expansion was an overreach, aligning Title IX with its original 1972 framework. This decision significantly impacts transgender students’ rights, educators, and school policies, with widespread implications for LGBTQ+ advocacy and U.S. education.

AAP staged a unique wedding procession without a groom, targeting BJP's delay in announcing its chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming elections. AAP leaders participated, with Sanjay Singh and Arvind Kejriwal highlighting the lack of leadership within BJP. This event followed Kejriwal's earlier claim that Ramesh Bidhuri was BJP's top contender, which Bidhuri denied.

In 2023-24, a record number of Indian students utilized the OPT programme to build work experience in the US. Despite the rising MAGA rhetoric and potential policy changes, the demand for skilled professionals in fields like AI and biotechnology ensures continuing interest from Indian graduates.

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma trained with Mumbai for the Ranji Trophy's resumption, despite a lean patch in recent months. Calls for top batters like Rohit and Virat Kohli to return to domestic cricket grow louder as both have struggled in Tests. Key players' recent Ranji Trophy appearances are also highlighted.