PM unveils projects in poll-bound Assam, West Bengal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (January 18, 2026) laid the foundation stone for the ₹6,957-crore Kaziranga Elevated Corridor, and virtually flagged off two Amrit Bharat trains in Assam’s Nagaon district. He also launched development projects worth over ₹830 crore in West Bengal and flagged off three Amrit Bharat trains connecting Kolkata with other parts of the country.

EU warns as Trump threatens with tariffs on Greenland

European Union leaders on Saturday ​(January 17, 2026) warned of a “dangerous downward spiral” ‌over U.S. President Donald Trump’s ​vow to implement increasing tariffs on European allies until the U.S. is allowed to buy Greenland. “Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. ​Europe will remain united, coordinated, and ⁠committed to upholding its sovereignty,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council ​President Antonio ⁠Costa said in posts on X.

India’s power distribution utilities post ₹2,701 crore net profit as State DisComs trim losses by 80%

Reversing several years of losses since unbundling and corporatisation of State electricity boards, India’s power distribution utilities — namely, Distribution Companies (DisComs) and power departments — posted a net profit or positive profit after tax (PAT), primarily led by State-run DisComs trimming their losses by approximately 80% from FY 2023 to FY 2025, a senior official in the Power Ministry told The Hindu.

Iran considers ‘gradually’ restoring internet after shutdown

Iranian authorities have said they are considering “gradually” restoring internet access after imposing a sweeping communications shutdown across the country more than a week ago, local media reported. On Sunday (January 18, 2026) morning, AFP was able to connect to the internet from its Tehran office, though the vast majority of internet providers and mobile internet remain cut.

India invited to sit on Trump’s Board of Peace for Gaza

India has been invited by U.S. President Donald Trump to be part of the Board of Peace for Gaza, sources in New Delhi said on Sunday (January 18, 2026). The information was also disseminated by the U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor who shared a letter on social media from Mr. Trump to Prime Minister Narendra Modi inviting India’s participation in the Board of Peace for Gaza.

Navarro renews attack on Delhi, asks why Americans ‘paying for AI in India’

White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro has renewed his criticism of India, questioning why Americans are paying for Artificial Intelligence in India. In an interview on Real America’s Voice, Mr. Navarro said,”…It’s like, why are Americans paying for AI in India? Chat GPT (is) operating on U.S. soil, using American electricity, servicing large users of Chat GPT, for example, in India and China and elsewhere around the world. So that’s another issue that’s got to be dealt with.”

UAE President to visit India as Trump peace plan for Gaza takes shape

Against the background of tension in West Asia and U.S. President Trump’s push for the ‘Board of Peace for Gaza’, India will host the President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday (January 19, 2026). The Ministry of External Affairs announced on Sunday (January 18) that during the visit, the President of the UAE will hold official talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Mumbai will get Mahayuti Mayor: Eknath Shinde; ‘People chose development over emotional issues’

Mumbai will have a Mahayuti Mayor, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on Sunday (January 18, 2026) after interacting with newly-elected Shiv Sena members of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), who have been shifted to a hotel.

9 killed, 80 injured after bus carrying marriage party overturns in Jharkhand’s Latehar

At least nine people, including five women, were killed and over 80 others injured after a bus carrying wedding guests overturned in Jharkhand’s Latehar district on Sunday (January 18, 2026), police said. The accident occurred at Orsa Bangladara valley under Mahuadanr police station limits.

‘Massification’ of higher education system has triggered an ‘epidemic’ of distress: Supreme Court order

The Supreme Court has observed that “massification” and “privatisation” of higher education have placed India second globally in student enrolment, but the rush has left behind a trail of deaths, distress, chronic vacancies and exploitation.

Investment won’t come to Bengal as long as Trinamool remains in power, says PM Modi

Accusing the Trinamool Congress of imposing a ‘syndicate tax’ on all development in the State, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (January 18, 2026) said investment and business would not come to West Bengal as long as the Trinamool Congress government remained in power.

Chile declares emergency as wildfires kill at least 15

Wildfires raging in southern Chile have killed at least 15 people and forced more than 50,000 to evacuate, the government said Sunday (January 18, 2026). Security Minister Luis Cordero gave the tolls for the blazes burning for two days now in the Nuble and Biobio regions about 500 kilometers (300 miles) south of Santiago.

Syrian government announces ceasefire with Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces

The Syrian government on Sunday (January 18, 2026) announced a ceasefire with the Syrian Democratic Forces, taking almost full control of the country and dismantling the Kurdish-led forces that controlled the northeast for over a decade. The announcement comes as tensions between government forces and the SDF boiled over earlier this month, eventually resulting in a major push by government forces toward the east.

Mehbooba Mufti agrees with musician A.R. Rahman’s ‘communal bias in Bollywood’ remarks

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday (January 18, 2026) seconded the claim of music composer A.R. Rehman that there was “communal bias in Bollywood”. In a post on X, Ms. Mufti said, “Bollywood has always been a living mini-India mirroring the country’s social realities. Brushing aside such experiences does not change the truth about today’s India.”

Two high-speed trains collide and derail in Spain; at least 20 killed

More than 20 people were killed and several other injured after two high-speed trains collided and derailed in southern Spain, the emergency services said on Sunday (January 18, 2026). Antonio Sanz, regional Health Minister for the Andalusia province where the crash happened, said that 73 injured passengers have been taken to six different hospitals.

Government seeking dates as no merit in NSA case against Sonam Wangchuk, says Gitanjali Angmo

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali Angmo has said his arrest reflects the state of democracy in the country, where power is used to “illegally detain” people, and the case has “no merit” as fresh dates are repeatedly sought by the government in court. In an interview with PTI, Ms. Angmo alleged that Mr. Wangchuk should already be out of prison considering “procedural lapses” by authorities, saying it is an “open and shut case”.

Need to erase caste from mind to end discrimination: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has said that if caste discrimination is to be eliminated from social practice, then caste must first be erased from the mind. In the past, caste was linked to profession and work, but later, it became entrenched in society and led to discrimination, Bhagwat said on Saturday (January 17, 2026) at the Jan Sangoshthi organised as part of the centenary year of the RSS, where he held an interaction with members of the public.

Wings India 2026 in Hyderabad from January 28-31; over 20 countries’ delegations to attend

Wings India 2026, Asia’s largest civil aviation event, is set to be inaugurated at the Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad on January 28. The four-day global gathering, scheduled from January 28 to 31 will be formally inaugurated by Union Minister of Civil Aviation Rammohan Naidu in the presence of high-level dignitaries from India and abroad.

Iran protests: Verified death toll reaches at least 5,000, says official

An Iranian official in the region said on Sunday (January 18, 2026) the ‍authorities had verified at least 5,000 people ​had been killed in protests ‌in Iran, including about ​500 security personnel, blaming “terrorists and armed rioters” for killing “innocent Iranians”.

IND vs NZ third ODI: Kohli special goes in vain as Kiwis script history

Different ground, different surface, different conditions — historic outcome. Daryl Mitchell once again proved to be India’s chief tormentor, hammering his second consecutive century (137, 131b, 15x4, 3x6), while Glenn Phillips complemented him with a scintillating hundred (106, 88b, 9x4, 3x6).