THE HEADLINES:-
- Nitin Nabin becomes National President of Bharatiya Janata Party; Takes charge at Party Headquarters in New Delhi in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders.
- Prime Minister expresses confidence that Mr Nabin will carry forward BJP’s Legacy; Says, his youthful energy and organisational experience will be beneficial for the party.
- Enforcement Directorate conducts searches at 21 locations in three states in alleged misappropriation of Sabarimala temple assets.
- Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi declines to read DMK-prepared address in the Assembly, citing inaccuracies.
- In sports, the sixth edition of Khelo India Winter Games begin at Leh in Ladakh.
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BJP working president Nitin Nabin has been elected as the new national president of the party today. Party’s National Returning Officer Dr. K Laxman announced Mr Nabin’s appointment as the party president and handed him over the certificate of election on Sangathan Parv at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. Mr Nabin was felicitated by Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, JP Nadda and Nitin Gadkari.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Mr Nabin on being appointed as the national president of BJP, terming it the largest party in the world. Mr Modi said that Mr Nabin will carry forward the legacy of the BJP. The Prime Minister underscored that Mr Nabin possesses youthful energy and extensive experience in organisational work that will be very beneficial for every worker of the party.
The Prime Minister said, India will never allow infiltrators to loot its people and the services that belong to the poor. He highlighted that infiltrators are the biggest threat to the country and should be sent back. The Prime Minister said that political parties that are trying to protect infiltrators must be exposed.
Prime Minister Modi also emphasized that for the past several months, from the smallest unit of the organisation to the election of the national president, the entire process has been carried out in a completely democratic manner. The Prime Minister underlined that service to the people has always been party’s topmost priority.
Mr Modi also highlighted that people’s trust in the BJP has continuously strengthened. He added that in the last 11 years, the party has had a remarkable journey of earning public trust.
Addressing the gathering, newly elected BJP National President Nitin Nabin expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for the opportunity to reach the highest position in the party.
Union Minister JP Nadda also hailed Mr Nabin’s election and termed it as a historic occasion. Mr Nadda highlighted Mr Nabin’s achievements:
Mr Nabin is the youngest national President in the party’s history and the first BJP leader from Bihar to be appointed to the post. He currently represents the Bankipur Assembly constituency in Patna district and held the Road Construction portfolio in the Nitish Kumar led Bihar government.
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Enforcement Directorate today conducted search operations at 21 locations across Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The searches were conducted in connection with the misappropriation of gold and other temple assets relating to Sabarimala Temple.
The investigation follows multiple FIRs registered by the Kerala Crime Branch revealing deep-rooted criminal conspiracy involving officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board, private individuals, intermediaries and jewellers. According to preliminary investigation, gold-clad sacred artefacts were deliberately misrepresented as copper plates in official records and unlawfully removed from the temple premises during the period 2019-2025. The gold was allegedly extracted through chemical processes at private facilities in Chennai and Karnataka, generating proceeds of crime which were retained, transferred and concealed.
The investigation has also revealed indications of other financial irregularities and scams at Sabarimala, including misappropriation related to temple offerings and rituals.
Our Thiruvananthapuram correspondent tells us more on raids in Kerala:
“The Enforcement Directorate conducted raids at the residences of former Devaswom Board Presidents, as well as at the residence of the main accused of Sabari Mala Gold Controversy case and others. At the same time, the Special Investigation Team, functioning under the supervision of the Kerala High Court, is continuing its inspection at Sabarimala. Smithy M Palluruthy, Akashvani News, Thiruvananthapuram.”
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The ED is also conducting searches in Jharkhand, Manipur and Kolkata in connection with a massive fake Input Tax Credit scam worth around 658 crore rupees. The case involves firms accused of generating and availing fraudulent ITC through fake invoices without any actual supply of goods or services. The probe agency said that such bogus claims, apart from draining the exchequer, are often tied to money laundering and shell company networks. Further investigation is underway.
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Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi today declined to read out the DMK government prepared text as part of his customary address in the state Assembly due to inaccuracies in it.
Lok Bhavan issued a detailed clarification, asserting that the Governor was declined to read the address after his microphone was repeatedly switched off and he was not permitted to place his views before the House.
The Lok Bhavan said, the Tamil Nadu government claim that the state attracted huge investments to the tune of over 12 lakh crore rupees is far from the truth.
The Governor walked out citing the reason that the National Anthem was not played. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said that the Governor’s action amounted to dishonouring an elected Government and termed it unconstitutional.
BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan said, the ruling party changes its stand with time:
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The budget session of the Kerala Assembly began today at Thiruvananthapuram. Governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlerkar in his address said that Kerala is moving forward on the path of development. Finance Minister KN Balagopal will present the state budget on 29th of this month. According to the Legislative Assembly calendar, the present session will continue till 26th March of this year.
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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu met UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri at the World Economic Forum summit in Davos today. During the meeting, Mr. Naidu outlined investment opportunities in food security, logistics, port-based industries, renewable energy, urban development, tourism and infrastructure.
The talks focused on strengthening economic ties between Andhra Pradesh and the UAE. Al Marri agreed to work with Andhra Pradesh in the food processing sector through the Dubai Food Cluster.
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Leaders of European Union countries will hold an emergency summit on Thursday on US threats of tariffs linked to President Trump’s stated desire to acquire Greenland. European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill said, EU is engaging with Washington at all levels over the tariff threats and the bloc is taking every possible step to protect its economic interests. He said, the bloc is ready to respond if the threatened tariffs are imposed.
Earlier on Sunday, EU ambassadors met in Brussels for an emergency session on the same issue.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump held a telephone conversation with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte about Greenland and said that he would meet several parties in Davos. He reiterated his stance on Greenland, calling it integral for American and world security at large. The US President shared the details of the conversation in a post on Truth Social today.
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In Iran, 4,029 people have been killed and more than 26,000 detained in a nationwide protest crackdown, says the Human Rights Activists News Agency. Most of the dead were demonstrators, including children, though the toll cannot be independently verified. Invitation to Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to speak at the World Economic Forum at Davos was withdrawn over the killings. The Munich Security Conference separately withdrew its invitation for Iranian government officials over the crackdown. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei acknowledged several thousand deaths, blaming the US.
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The sixth edition of Khelo India Winter Games has started in Leh city of Ladakh. Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta inaugurated the event. Players from 21 States and Union Territories will compete in Ice Sporting Events-Hockey and Skating. More from our correspondent:
“The Opening Ceremony of Sixth Khelo India Winter Games 2026 was inaugurated today by the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, at NDS Stadium in Leh. The Khelo India Winter Games will be held from January 20 to 26 of this month, featuring a range of winter Sports disciplines and bringing together athletes from various states and Union Territories. During the inaugural ceremony local Cultural troupes performed in the Ice rink showcasing the diverse Culture and heritage of Ladakh. Figure Skating, an Olympic Sport, has been introduced from this edition in addition to the existing speed skating and short track Skating. National Level Khelo India Winter Games is being organised under the Khelo India Scheme since 2020 and Ladakh has been hosting it ever since it constituted the game. Khursheed Yousuf, Akashvani News, Leh, Ladakh.”
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In Australian Open Women’s Singles, Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, defeated Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan by 6‑4, 6‑3 in the first round at Margaret court Arena this morning.
In Men’s Singles, Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti moved into the second round after Belgian Raphael Collignon retired injured while trailing 4‑6, 7‑6, 7‑5, 3‑2 in their opening match. Musetti will now face fellow Italian Lorenzo Sonego in round two. World number eight, Ben Shelton of USA advanced with a 6‑3, 7‑6, 7‑6 win over France’s Ugo Humbert. He will next play either Australian qualifier Dane Sweeny or veteran Gaël Monfils.
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Benchmark domestic equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, were trading around 0.7 per cent down during afternoon trade today. The Sensex slipped 593 points to 82 thousand and 653, while the Nifty dropped 211 points to 25 thousand and 374, when reports last came in.
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Statistics and Programme Implementation Ministry will start releasing the GDP, IIP, and CPI data based on the revised base year. In an exclusive interview with Akashvani News, Secretary of MoSPI Dr. Saurabh Garg explained the recent changes in key economic statistics. He said, these numbers affect the lives of every citizen.
He said, using an updated base year helps the government and policymakers understand the economy more accurately because it reflects current prices, production, and consumer habits. Tune in to 100.1 Akashvani FM GOLD at 7:10 PM today to listen to this exclusive interview in our programme Surkhiyo Mai.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-
- Nitin Nabin becomes National President of Bharatiya Janata Party; Takes charge at Party Headquarters in New Delhi in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders.
- Prime Minister expresses confidence that Mr Nabin will carry forward BJP’s Legacy; Says, his youthful energy and organisational experience will be beneficial for the party.
- Enforcement Directorate conducts searches at 21 locations in three states in alleged misappropriation of Sabarimala temple assets.
- Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi declines to read DMK-prepared address in the Assembly, citing inaccuracies.
- In sports, the sixth edition of Khelo India Winter Games begin at Leh in Ladakh.
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