India

A Bengaluru special court sentenced Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni to life imprisonment for conspiring in BJP leader Yogesh Gowda’s murder, awarding compensation to the victim’s family and convicting multiple accused after a prolonged Central Bureau of Investigation probe

The Income Tax Department conducted raids at premises linked to TMC MLA Debashis Kumar and Miraj Shah in Kolkata ahead of Assembly polls. The TMC termed the action politically motivated, while officials said it was part of a probe into unaccounted money

The National Human Rights Commission issued notices to Maharashtra authorities and Tata Consultancy Services over alleged sexual exploitation and forced conversion at its Nashik office, seeking detailed reports on FIRs, POSH compliance and internal mechanisms

India welcomed the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, with MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal backing peace efforts, while noting due process on designating Hamas as a terror outfit amid regional tensions.

Tata Consultancy Services has suspended employee Nida Khan, named as the main accused in a religious conversion-related case in Nashik. The company termed it an interim measure pending investigation, as authorities continue to probe the allegations

The Gujarat High Court dismissed the Asaram Ashram Trust appeal in a Motera land dispute, upholding government action to reclaim over 45,000 sq m citing violations, clearing the way for possession near Narendra Modi Stadium.

Indian equity markets ended higher on Friday, with Nifty and Sensex gaining amid cautious optimism ahead of US-Iran talks. Broader markets outperformed, while easing geopolitical tensions and sectoral gains supported investor sentiment despite ongoing global uncertainties

Global tech layoffs have crossed 80,000 in the first quarter of 2026 and may exceed 3 lakh this year, driven by AI-led restructuring. Major firms like Oracle, Amazon and Meta are leading job cuts amid cost optimisation efforts

Devendra Fadnavis said authorities will bust a module behind alleged sexual harassment and forced conversion at Tata Consultancy Services Nashik unit, with arrests made and central agencies assisting the ongoing multi-case investigation

The Enforcement Directorate conducted fresh raids in Nashik against self-styled godman Ashok Kharat in a money laundering probe, seizing documents and digital evidence linked to alleged benami properties, financial fraud and exploitation allegations.

Narendra Modi urged Lok Sabha MPs to support the women’s reservation bill, appealing to protect ‘nari shakti’ sentiments and create history by granting 33% quota, alongside voting on delimitation and related bills to expand parliamentary representation.

Shashi Tharoor criticised Narendra Modi for linking women’s reservation to delimitation, calling it “barbed wire” and warning it could become “political demonetisation”, urging immediate implementation of quota and wider consultation on delimitation reforms.

Gold prices have risen nearly 10 per cent in 2026 ahead of Akshaya Tritiya, driven by global uncertainty. Despite volatility and weak jewellery demand in India, long-term outlook remains positive, with investors increasingly shifting towards financial gold options like ETFs

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s epic romance Love and War, starring Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal, is now sets on silver screen for a January 21, 2027 theatrical release, postponed from March 2026, the makers announced officially on social media

Maharashtra Minority Commission chief Pyare Khan accused BJP MP Navneet Rana of inciting communal tension in Amravati over claims about victims' religion in a minor video case, demanded her expulsion, as police arrested eight and denied rumours amid ongoing probe.

Global crude oil prices declined nearly 2 per cent on Friday as hopes of easing West Asia tensions and a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon dampened supply concerns, even as markets remained cautious amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.

A government panel supported by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board recommended removing excise duty on CNG and reducing GST on vehicles to boost adoption, supporting India’s goal of increasing natural gas share to 15% by 2030

The Supreme Court of India refused interim protection to Congress leader Pawan Khera in an Assam defamation case, directing him to seek anticipatory bail locally, after questioning alleged jurisdictional misuse involving Assam FIR

A study by Indian researchers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics found dwarf galaxies orbiting the Milky Way may host intermediate-mass black holes, with stellar motion data consistent with their presence, advancing understanding of galaxy and black hole evolution

A deadly collision between a car and private bus in Yadgir caused a fire that killed six people instantly. The accident near Devapur in Surpur taluk is under investigation, with authorities yet to determine the exact cause

Bihar government, led by Samrat Choudhary, conducted statewide surprise jail raids to strengthen prison security and reforms, with extensive searches across facilities finding no contraband while signalling stricter monitoring and discipline in correctional institutions

National Investigation Agency took over probe into ISI-linked spy network using CCTV cameras across India, uncovered by Ghaziabad police, to examine espionage, funding, and national security breaches involving sensitive locations

Gautam Adani became Asia’s richest person, surpassing Mukesh Ambani in the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, as Adani Group stock gains boosted his net worth amid global market volatility in 2026

Harivansh was elected unopposed as Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha for a third term, becoming the first nominated member to hold the post, with leaders including Narendra Modi extending congratulations