Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis mocked the newly announced alliance between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, comparing it humorously to “Russia and Ukraine coming together” — implying it was unlikely and overhyped. He said the reunion was driven by political survival, arguing that both parties had lost their identity and vote base, and claimed it won’t affect local civic polls. Fadnavis maintained that people trust the ruling Mahayuti’s development work and predicted its victory. The comment followed the Thackeray cousins’ joint announcement of their alliance ahead of the January 15 municipal elections. (PC: ANI)

Toronto police are investigating the homicide of 30-year-old Indian-origin woman Himanshi Khurana, whose body was found inside a downtown residence after she was reported missing on Dec 19, 2025. Officers classified her death as a homicide following the discovery early on Dec 20. Authorities have issued a Canada-wide arrest warrant for 32-year-old Abdul Ghafoori, believed to have known the victim and suspected of first-degree murder. Police say the case appears linked to intimate partner violence and have released images of the suspect, urging the public to help locate him. The Indian Consulate in Toronto expressed deep sorrow and is assisting the family. (PC: X)

In Pudussery, Palakkad district, Kerala, a man identified as RSS worker Ashwin Raj was arrested for allegedly assaulting a group of children singing Christmas carols and destroying their band set while they visited houses Sunday night, police said. The carol team, which included children, was confronted and attacked after the accused objected to markings on the drum, according to the complaint. A Catholic bishop strongly condemned the incident, calling any attack on carollers unacceptable and urging legal action. Local BJP leaders disputed details, alleging political motives, while youth groups have announced protests over the episode. (PC: The Hindu)

A fresh batch of nearly 30,000 documents from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Jeffrey Epstein files includes numerous references to President Donald Trump, showing he flew on Epstein’s private jet in the 1990s, sometimes with an unnamed 20-year-old woman and Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, according to a senior prosecutor email. The files also contain internal communications and photos tied to Epstein and his circle—but do not allege criminal conduct by Trump. The DOJ labeled many claims involving Trump as “untrue and sensationalist,” emphasizing transparency in releasing the records. (PC: AP)

Several explosions were heard in southern Moscow on Wednesday at the location where Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov was killed by a car bomb days earlier, according to Russian Telegram channels citing eyewitness reports. Unofficial sources said a car detonated nearby and at least two people were seriously injured, though no official confirmation has been issued by authorities. Sarvarov’s assassination came amid a series of targeted attacks on senior Russian military figures since the Ukraine conflict began, with some accusations pointing toward possible involvement of Ukrainian intelligence services, which Moscow has repeatedly denied. (PC: Reuters)

Controversial figures Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya sparked widespread outrage after a viral video showed them at a lavish London party, where Modi referred to both as “the two biggest fugitives of India.” The footage was shared on social media from Mallya’s 70th birthday celebration, capturing the pair joking about their legal status abroad while evading Indian authorities. Their remarks and public display have drawn sharp backlash online, with critics accusing them of taunting India’s law enforcement and judicial processes. Both men have been living overseas amid ongoing legal challenges. 

The Delhi High Court sharply questioned the Centre’s imposition of 18 % GST on air purifiers, urging the government to explain why tax on these essential devices isn’t reduced amid severe air pollution affecting public health. The court, hearing a public interest litigation seeking classification of air purifiers as medical devices (which could lower GST to 5 %), said citizens breathe about 21,000 times a day, highlighting the damage of polluted air and calling the tax “unreasonable” given the failure to provide clean air. The bench asked the government to respond urgently in court.

The United States has finalised a major overhaul of the H-1B work visa programme, replacing the longstanding random lottery system with a weighted selection process that prioritises higher-paid and higher-skilled foreign workers. The new rule, announced by the Department of Homeland Security, will take effect February 27, 2026, ahead of the FY2027 H-1B cap season, and applies to about 85,000 visas issued annually. Officials say the change aims to curb abuse of the old lottery, protect US workers’ wages and better align visa allocation with economic needs. This shift could make it harder for entry-level applicants, including many from India, to secure H-1B visas. 

At least 18 young wrestlers from Odisha, including eight girls, endured inhumane conditions during travel to and from the 69th National School Games Wrestling Championship in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, after their train tickets were not confirmed by authorities. The athletes were made to sit on the floor near the train toilet for hours in winter, with luggage and cold discomfort, as viral videos sparked outrage and questions about mismanagement by the School and Mass Education Department. Officials have called for a detailed report, and the department said tickets were booked but not confirmed despite efforts. 

Bollywood spy-action thriller Dhurandhar gained an authentic military feel with retired Colonel Bhupinder Shahi serving as a military consultant, ensuring accurate portrayal of army protocols, tactics and culture. Shahi trained actors in fieldcraft and coordinated with costume designers and art directors for realism. Filmed extensively in Ladakh, where Shahi served for eight years, the consultant also helped secure permissions from the Indian Army and Air Force for equipment use. Shahi, with experience on films like Shershah, said his role was crucial in reflecting the Army accurately on screen, enhancing credibility in this decade-long espionage narrative. (PC: The Tribune)