HEADLINES
- Home Minister Amit Shah launches the National IED Data Management System to strengthen the country’s counter-IED and internal security architecture.
- Delhi Court frames charges against RJD President Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members in Railways land for jobs corruption case.
- External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar meets President of France Emmanuel Macron to discuss India France partnership in view of contemporary global developments.
- Iran imposes nationwide internet blackout as anti-government protests enter 13th day, spread across all 31 provinces.
- India’s star shuttler PV Sindhu storms into semi-finals of Malaysia Open Super 1000 in Kuala Lumpur.
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Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah today virtually launched the National IED Data Management System (NIDMS), marking a significant step towards strengthening the country’s counter-IED and internal security architecture. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Shah said that Inter-agency coordination will also be much better with the launch of the new system. He said, it will be a very effective way of delivering the right information at the right time and in the right place. Developed by the National Security Guard (NSG), the NIDMS is a secure national-level digital platform aimed at enabling the systematic collection, collation and dissemination of data related to Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Mr. Shah underlined that in the coming times, the NIDMS will serve as a new protective shield by providing data for analysis during investigations of terrorist incidents across the country.
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In a fresh setback to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members, a Delhi court today framed charges against the accused in the alleged Railways land-for-jobs corruption case being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
The Rouse Avenue Courts passed the order holding that a prima facie case of corruption, cheating and criminal conspiracy is made out against Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, sons Tejashwi Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav, daughters Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav, and several other accused.
The court, paving the way for the trial, framed charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav under sections of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, along with other offenses.
The court held that the Central agency’s charge sheet prima facie shows that close associates of Lalu Prasad Yadav facilitated the acquisition of land in lieu of jobs in the Railways across different parts of the country.
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In a significant development in the coal smuggling case, the Enforcement Directorate has once again moved to the Calcutta High Court, alleging that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee obstructed a search operation at the I-PAC office. For the second consecutive day, the ED’s counsel sought permission from Justice Shuvra Ghosh to file a formal petition regarding the matter. Justice Ghosh has granted the ED permission to move the case, scheduling the hearing for 2:30 PM today. Additionally, the court has directed that notices be served to all parties involved in the litigation.
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BJP today accused TMC leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of unethical, irresponsible, unconstitutional conduct during the Enforcement Directorate’s raids against I-PAC, a political consultancy firm in Kolkata yesterday. Briefing the media in New Delhi today, Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad alleged that Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee has brought the entire democratic process and governance into disrepute. He accused the Chief Minister of trying to rescue something sensitive implicating her.
Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress today staged protest outside the residence of Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi. They were protesting against the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) raid at the office of the political consultancy firm, I-PAC in Kolkata yesterday. Talking to media, TMC MP Mahua Moitra said the TMC members were detained and taken to police station. She said they were protesting peacefully. She alleged that ED is selectively targeting the opposition.
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Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan today launched Creator’s Corner in New Delhi. The initiative, launched by Prasar Bharati, aims to showcase and promote creative content across digital platforms.
Addressing the event, Mr. Vaishnaw said that the government’s target is to connect one crore youth to the creator’s economy. He also announced that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will undergo complete restructuring this year, including the development of a new operating system. He said that through this system, the orientation of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Prasar Bharati, and its associated organisations will shift towards the industry, participants, the new generation of creators, and technology.
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today said that the Defence sector is moving towards becoming self reliant in the field of defence production. The Minister inaugurated the Ashok Leyland Electric Vehicle (EV) factory in Sarojini Nagar area of his constituency Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and HD Kumaraswamy along with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath graced the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Defence Minister said, the Government has simplified many rules and taken necessary steps which have increased the faith of investors and the business. He said, the defence production which was earlier 46 thousand crore rupees annually has now increased to 15 lakh crore rupees. The EV plant inaugurated in Lucknow today is another milestone in the field of investment in heavy industries after the Brahmos manufacturing unit.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a three day visit to Gujarat from tomorrow. Prime Minister will reach Somnath in the evening and participate in Omkar Mantra chanting. He will also witness drone show at Somnath temple.
On Sunday, the Prime Minister will take part in Shaurya Yatra, a ceremonial procession organised to honour the countless warriors who laid down their lives defending the Somnath Temple. He will perform Darshan and Pooja in Somnath Temple and also participate in a public function marking Somnath Swabhiman Parv.
Later in the day, the Prime Minister will travel to Rajkot to participate in the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference for the Kutch and Saurashtra Region.
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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today called on President of France Emmanuel Macron in Paris. In a social media post, Dr Jaishankar deeply appreciated his perspectives on contemporary global developments and positive sentiments for the Strategic Partnership.
The External Affairs Minister also addressed the Ambassadors’ Conference of France where he underlined the contemporary global shifts driven by trade, finance, technology, energy, resources and connectivity. He also spoke about the significance of India France partnership in promoting multi-polarity and strategic autonomy.
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Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal today held high level talks with European Union (EU) Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maros Sefcovic in Brussels. In a social media post, Mr Goyal said, the discussions were held as part of ongoing efforts to finalize a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement between India and EU. He added that during the dialogue, they deliberated upon key areas of the proposed agreement. The Minister said, they reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based trading framework and a modern economic partnership that safeguards the interests of farmers and MSMEs while integrating Indian industries into global supply chains.
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India’s GDP is estimated to grow 6.6 per cent in this year and 6.7 per cent in the next year, supported by resilient consumption and strong public investment. According to the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2026 report, recent tax reforms and monetary easing will provide additional near-term support. According to UN’s report, several large developing economies, including India, and Indonesia, are expected to continue experiencing solid growth driven by resilient domestic demand or targeted policy measures.
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Iran has imposed a near-total nationwide internet blackout as anti-government protests enter their 13th day and spread across all 31 provinces. Monitoring group NetBlocks said, connectivity across the country dropped sharply on the evening of January eighth and to the 9th morning, with mobile phone services also severely disrupted. Rights groups report at least 45 protesters have been killed since the unrest began on 28th December, including children, with more than two-thousand 200 people arrested We have more from our Dubai Correspondent:-
“A new dimension has emerged with an appeal from exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi, who urged Iranians to chant and rally at a fixed evening hour over two nights. On Thursday, witnesses say the call was taken up in several neighbourhoods of the capital and in other cities, with slogans heard against the leadership and in support of the former monarchy. Analysts say the response could prove a key test of whether the protests remain fragmented or begin to converge around a broader political challenge. vinod kumar, Akashvani news, dubai
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Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez condemned U.S. military incursion, as a vile act of war. Following the capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces, Rodríguez, who was sworn in as interim leader announced plans for a monument and a special commission to honor the Venezuelan and Cuban citizens killed in the raid. She asserted that Venezuela uses its weapons only for self-defense and teach the U.S. a lesson in diplomacy. Meanwhile, 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado welcomed the government’s recent release of some detainees as moral restitution.
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Sri Lanka remains on alert as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify and move closer to the island’s eastern coastline later today. The weather system, currently southeast of Batticaloa, is forecast to bring heavy rain, strong winds and thunderstorms to several parts of the country. Here’s the latest update.
“The Department of Meteorology says the deep depression is moving northwestwards and could make landfall between Pottuvil and Trincomalee by evening. Heavy rainfall exceeding 100 millimetres is forecast for parts of the north and east, along with damaging winds and lightning. Meanwhile, the National Building Research Organization says a shift in the system’s path has reduced rainfall threats in the Central Highlands, and evacuation advisories there have been lifted. Authorities urge the public to stay vigilant and closely follow official updates as conditions evolve. Ahmed Muyeen Farooqi, akashvani news, Colombo.”
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A severe cold wave gripped the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with several locations recording the lowest temperatures of the season today. The Jammu region experienced a dip in night temperatures at several places. More from our correspondent:
“The Jammu region experienced a dip in night temperatures at several places. The Jammu city recorded a minimum of 7.1 degrees Celsius, down from 8.7 degrees on Thursday, while Jammu Airport settled at 7.7 degrees from 9.3 degrees. Udhampur saw a significant fall to 2.0 degrees from 6.6 degrees. Meteorological officials said the prevailing cold wave is likely to continue, while foggy conditions in the Jammu region disrupted traffic at several places today. Meanwhile, the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road and the historic Mughal Road remain closed due to snow accumulation. The weather department cautioned that moderate fog is likely to prevail over the plains of Jammu division for next couple of days, with dense fog at isolated places. People have been advised to take necessary precautions, particularly during night and early morning hours.This is N. Gulshan Raina For Akashvani News from Jammu.”
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India’s star shuttler PV Sindhu stormed into the semi-finals of the 2026 Malaysia Open Super 1000 in Kuala Lumpur,today. Sindhu won the first game 21-11 when her Japanese opponent World No. 3 Akane Yamaguchi retired after 12 minutes of play. Two-time Olympic medallist Sindhu, will next face either Indonesia’s sixth seeded Putri Kusuma Wardani, or second-seeded Chinese Wang Zhi Yi.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN
- Home Minister Amit Shah launches the National IED Data Management System to strengthen the country’s counter-IED and internal security architecture.
- Delhi Court frames charges against RJD President Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members in Railways land for jobs corruption case.
- External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar meets President of France Emmanuel Macron to discuss India France partnership in view of contemporary global developments.
- Iran imposes nationwide internet blackout as anti-government protests enter 13th day, spread across all 31 provinces.
- India’s star shuttler PV Sindhu storms into semi-finals of Malaysia Open Super 1000 in Kuala Lumpur.