Mid Day

Do we crave validation from our friends and colleagues on our social media more than we should? And do we really resent it if our friends are influencers?

Police personnel who risk their lives to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections are valued at just Rs 500 said a spokesperson, adding that every police officer, employee and home guard deployed for election duty should be paid a minimum allowance of Rs 5000

The Giants then produced a collective bowling show to bundle out the Warriorz for a paltry 108 in 17.3 overs, snapping a three-match losing streak and returning to winning ways

The Election Commission of India launched ECINET, a unified digital platform integrating over 40 apps for voter services, election info, e-EPIC, grievance redressal, and polling trends, enhancing transparency, efficiency, and citizen access ahead of elections

Investigators are yet to announce what caused the fire, five days after the blaze gutted the three-storey Gul Plaza. Families have criticised the slow pace of the recovery operation, with more than 50 giving DNA samples in the hope of finding their missing relatives

Japans Kashiwazaki-Kariwa No. 6 reactor, the first TEPCO unit to restart since the 2011 Fukushima disaster, was shut down hours after resuming operations due to a control rod malfunction. Officials said there was no safety risk, and the cause will be investigated

The newly recruited officials` training covered physical fitness and endurance, drills and discipline, weapon handling and unarmed combat, industrial security and law, human rights and gender sensitisation, soft skills and professional conduct

PM Narendra Modi was among several world leaders invited by Trump to join the board, which was announced during the second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. France, the United Kingdom, China, Germany, and several other major nations also stayed away from the ceremony

A 14-year-old Delhi boy ran away over parental phone and gaming restrictions to pursue social media fame. He was tracked via phone and train movements and rescued from Bengaluru Railway Station by Delhi Police

Rescue teams rushed to an iron plant in Balodabazar after a kiln explosion caused heavy damage, leaving six workers dead and five injured. Authorities have begun an investigation into the incident

4 Army personnel were killed and 9 injured when their vehicle skidded off the road into a 200-foot gorge at Khanni Top in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir

3 people were killed while 1 remained injured amid shooting in Ausstralia. The shooter(s) remain at large, and police have urged residents to stay indoors and avoid the area.

Seven transgender inmates lodged in Pratapgarh district jail have tested HIV positive in preliminary screening, prompting jail authorities to issue an alert and isolate them in a separate barrack. Confirmatory test reports are awaited

Addressing the National MGNREGA Workers` Convention organised by the Rachnatmak Congress, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said the concept of MGNREGA was to give rights to the poor

The FIR has been lodged even as a Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday continued its probe into the matter on the third day

IAS officer Sanjeev Khirwar, who was at the centre of the 2022 Thyagraj Stadium controversy, has been appointed as the new Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. He will succeed Ashwani Kumar, as per a Central Government notification

Putin said Russia will decide on joining the US-led Gaza Peace Board after consulting partners, emphasized Palestinian needs, and pledged USD 1 billion in aid, with talks planned with President Abbas

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said the upcoming India-EU trade deal will be a game-changer, citing strong trust and growing cooperation. Speaking at Davos, he said the pact will give Indian companies better access to global markets

US President Donald Trump said India and the US will secure a strong Bilateral Trade Agreement, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as officials indicated the first phase of the deal is close and aims to boost trade to USD 500 billion by 2030

At least three people were killed and several injured after a private bus travelling from Nellore to Hyderabad lost control due to a tyre burst, collided head-on with a container truck and caught fire in Andhra Pradeshs Nandyal district early Thursday

Although the AQI showed a marginal improvement compared to Wednesday morning, when it stood at 341, pollution levels across the national capital remained firmly in the `very poor` category

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday received a life threat ahead of Republic Day, with an email warning of a suicide bomb attack during the national flag-hoisting ceremony, officials said, here is more on it

Taiwans Ministry of National Defense said it detected two PLA aircraft sorties, five PLAN vessels and five Chinese balloons operating around Taiwan on Thursday. The military said the situation was closely monitored amid repeated incursions this week

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis announced a state-of-the-art innovation city near Mumbai airport with a USD 11-billion Tata Group investment. At Davos 2026, MMRDA also secured USD 96 billion in MoUs, boosting jobs, startups and sustainable urban growth

Pakistan has announced it will join US President Donald Trumps Board of Peace to support implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan under UNSC Resolution 2803, expressing hope for a permanent ceasefire, increased humanitarian aid and Gazas reconstruction

US President Donald Trump withdrew his threat to impose tariffs on European countries, citing a new NATO framework on Greenland and Arctic security. The move eased market fears and drew relief across Europe amid ongoing tensions over sovereignty

At the World Economic Forum, US President Donald Trump described Chinese President Xi Jinping as an incredible man with amazing achievements and reaffirmed strong ties with Xi and Vladimir Putin. Trump also confirmed plans to visit China in April 2026

EU Council President Antonio Costa said US President Donald Trumps threats to annex Greenland and impose tariffs challenge Europes security, principles and prosperity. EU leaders met in Brussels amid rising tensions over sovereignty and Arctic security

South Korean court ruled that former President Yoon Suk Yeols 2024 martial law amounted to rebellion, sentencing ex-Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison. The verdict may influence upcoming cases against Yoon and other aides

Japanese court has sentenced Tetsuya Yamagami to life imprisonment for assassinating former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022. The case also exposed long-standing ties between Japans ruling party and a controversial South Korean church

A 50-year-old e-rickshaw driver, Hemant Gaikwad, died in Indore after a prolonged illness, with his family blaming contaminated drinking water in Bhagirathpura. Residents claim 25 deaths, while the state government reports seven fatalities so far

NZs ODI captain Michael has made his famous Bracewell family proud with a series win on Indian soil, an achievement which puts him on a stage that includes the likes of Clive Lloyd, Viv Richards, and Imran Khan

The court posted the petition for hearing on January 28. The petitioner had sought permission to organise a peaceful protest on January 21 for the Dhangar reservation, but the court, refusing an urgent hearing, said a protest can be held on any day

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, US President Donald Trump said America will not use force to take Greenland but insisted only the US can protect the strategic island. He also criticised Europe, NATO allies and called for talks to acquire Greenland

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday launched and inaugurated development projects and schemes worth Rs 538 crore in Saran district during his Samridhi Yatra. The initiatives include infrastructure works, skill development facilities and women empowerment centres, aimed at boosting overall regional development

Gujarat Police arrested eight people for opening 82 bank accounts in the names of fake companies and supplying them to cybercriminals. The arrests are linked to a nationwide cyber fraud worth over Rs 826 crore

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Union Minister said that India is on track to become the worlds third-largest economy, driven by strong growth, infrastructure investment, manufacturing push, and structural reforms

Assam Rifles seized 56,000 kg of illegal betel nuts, worth Rs 1.7 crore, during an operation on a state highway in Manipurs Noney district. The consignment was handed over to forest officials as authorities continued their crackdown on illegal trafficking

Eternal, the parent company of Zomato and Blinkit, announced that founder Deepinder Goyal will step down as Group CEO and Managing Director from February 1. Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa will take over as the new Group CEO, while Goyal will transition to the role of Vice Chairman to pursue new ventures outside the companys core business

In the viral video, Farakka MLA Manirul Islam can be seen addressing a rally and allegedly warning the EC not to test the patience of the TMC. He said that if the poll panel wants to play with fire, the TMC can do the same

Addressing a packed hall during a special address at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Trump said the US had intervened to prevent conflict between India and Pakistan, as it had done in several other global disputes

The committee has been set up to ensure that all urban design and beautification works in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar are planned in a structured, sensitive and expert-led manner, ahead of the large influx of pilgrims expected during the Kumbh Mela

A day after assuming charge, BJP national president Nitin Nabin held a day-long meeting with party office bearers in New Delhi to review preparations for upcoming assembly elections in five states, including West Bengal

Telangana Police have registered a case against the gram panchayat authorities of Yacharam village in Rangareddy district over the alleged killing of around 100 stray dogs. The case was filed following a complaint by the Stray Animal Foundation, naming the sarpanch, ward members and panchayat secretary

Sanjay Jadhav referred to the alliance between Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and his uncle, Nationalist Congress Party (SP) president Sharad Pawar, during the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal elections

Police said an unidentified vehicle brushed past the motorcycle carrying the two on a bridge near Mirajgaon on the Jamkhed-Shrigonda Road in Ahilyanagar district

The Indian Air Force in a statement said the incident occurred at around 12.15 pm on Wednesday following which the aircraft was safely force-landed in an uninhabited area, ensuring that there was no damage to civilian life or property

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif landed in controversy after inaugurating what appeared to be a Pizza Hut outlet in Sialkot Cantonment. Hours later, the US-based brand clarified the store was unauthorised, triggering memes and widespread social media mockery

The District and Sessions Court convicted Shriram Gawande, Ranjit Gawande, Vikram Gawande, Suraj Gawande, Dheeraj Gawande, Vishal Tayade, Satish Tayade, Pratik Tonde, Mayur Ahir and Dinesh Rajput, special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi directed Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, acting as amicus curiae, to suggest the names of environmentalists and scientists with expertise in mining within four weeks