Top news of the day
New Delhi: Get all the day’s essential news—politics, crime, sports, and more in a quick, easy-to-read format. Stay informed with breaking updates and top stories in just one click. Perfect for busy readers who want fast, reliable news summaries anytime, anywhere.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke by phone with Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, with both leaders agreeing to strengthen and expand the bilateral relationship between India and Venezuela, sources said. The conversation comes amid shifting political dynamics in Venezuela following recent developments in the South American nation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed deep sorrow over the devastating warehouse fire in Kolkata’s Anandapur area that has claimed at least 21 lives. Describing the incident as “very tragic” and “saddening,” the Prime Minister extended condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
In a statement shared by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on X, PM Modi announced financial assistance from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). An ex-gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh will be provided to the next of kin of each deceased, while those injured in the fire will receive Rs 50,000 each.
Acne and pigmentation are common skin concerns that affect people of all ages. While medical treatments and cosmetic procedures are available, natural methods can be effective when followed consistently alongside a healthy lifestyle.
Acne develops when hair follicles become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, or bacteria, resulting in pimples, blackheads, or cysts. Pigmentation occurs as dark spots, uneven skin tone, or post-inflammatory marks, often caused by inflammation, sun exposure, or hormonal changes.
In a shocking incident in Delhi’s Shastri Park area, a 12-year-old boy was brutally killed by his stepfather in the early hours of Friday. The child, a Class 7 student, was reportedly attacked with a weapon, and his eyes were gouged out.
The accused allegedly recorded a confession video before the child’s body was discovered and sent a photograph of the victim to the boy’s elder brother.
Despite ongoing efforts to curb air pollution, Ghaziabad once again emerged as the most polluted city in the country on Friday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) rising sharply to 303, placing it in the very poor category.
The situation deteriorated further in several parts of the district, including Vasundhara, Indirapuram, and Loni, where AQI levels also crossed the 300 mark. A day earlier, Ghaziabad’s overall AQI stood at 272, but a sudden spike pushed the city back into the severe pollution bracket after briefly remaining in the orange zone.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Congress and its leadership in Assam, questioning the party’s silence over what he described as Rahul Gandhi’s disregard for the state’s cultural traditions during the President’s Republic Day reception.
Speaking at a public programme in Dibrugarh, Shah intensified the Bharatiya Janata Party’s criticism of the Opposition over the ongoing controversy related to the Assamese gamucha, a traditional scarf that holds deep cultural significance across Assam and the Northeast.
As the budget session began, agricultural leader Rakesh Tikait expressed his views on the expectations and concerns of farmers. He stated that the budget should include special provisions for villages and agriculture. Whether farmers grow milk, fish, pottery, or crops, everyone should receive fair prices and benefits. He also emphasized increasing crop prices and the MSP guarantee law.
There are many species of snakes on this planet, but when it comes to the largest and most dangerous snakes, the python and the anaconda come first. While neither are venomous, they are considered extremely dangerous due to their strength and massive bodies. Especially the anaconda, which is even larger and more powerful than the python. A video is currently going viral on social media, sending shivers down people's spines.
In the viral video, a diver is seen diving underwater. Everything seems normal, when suddenly, he spots a giant anaconda. This anaconda is said to be about 8 meters long and weighs approximately 200 kilograms. The diver is momentarily stunned by the sight of such a large snake.
Today's luxury cars are not only expensive but also extremely smart. The biggest reason behind this is artificial intelligence (AI). Interestingly, most car companies don't openly promote it. Instead of calling it an "AI car," they quietly incorporate it into every system of the car, making driving more comfortable, safe, and intuitive.
Advanced sensors in luxury cars constantly monitor the engine, brakes, and other vital components. AI analyzes the data received from these sensors and predicts when a particular part may fail. Based on this, the car issues advance service alerts. This prevents unexpected breakdowns and reduces maintenance costs. Companies call this "smart service alert," but it's AI that's at work.
Political uncertainty continues to grip Maharashtra following the sudden death of Deputy Chief Minister and senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar in a plane crash in Baramati. With his passing, questions have emerged over the future leadership of his NCP faction and the vacancy in the state’s deputy chief ministerial post.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Tanmoy Mirdha, an absconding accused in a major chit fund scam involving over ₹2 crore, bringing a long-pending case a step closer to resolution. The arrest was made on January 29, 2026, following sustained surveillance and technical tracking by the agency.
The brutal killing of 24-year-old Delhi Police SWAT commando Kajal Chaudhary has sent shockwaves across the capital, once again spotlighting the grim reality of domestic violence and dowry-related abuse. Kajal succumbed to her injuries on January 27, five days after she was allegedly assaulted by her husband at their residence in Mohan Garden, Delhi.
The Union Budget 2026 is approaching, and people’s expectations are growing. Millions of train passengers are especially hopeful for some direct relief. At the same time, talks about a major benefit for senior citizens have gained momentum. According to media reports, Indian Railways is seriously considering bringing back the ticket concession for senior citizens.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the budget in Parliament on February 1. It is believed that this budget may contain some important railway-related announcements. If the senior citizen concession is reinstated, it will be a significant gift for elderly travelers. This could make long-distance travel affordable again.
The Uttar Pradesh Police took major action against Shubham on Friday. Shubham's passport has been cancelled. After this action, it has become difficult for him to stay in Dubai. Shubham has been absconding in this case.
The Uttar Pradesh Police is now preparing to issue a Red Corner Notice against Shubham.
Indian Army personnel on Friday successfully foiled a drone intrusion attempt by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
According to security sources, around 15 Pakistani drones were detected near the Jodha Makan Beerandori area of the Keran sector after they crossed into Indian airspace. Alert troops immediately responded to the breach.
OTT platforms have now become the biggest source of home entertainment. Like every Friday, January 30, saw many much-awaited films and shows released on streaming platforms for audiences. Check out the complete list of Friday's top OTT releases here for binge-watching this weekend.
Starring Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, and Akshaye Khanna, "Dhurandhar" is a high-stakes spy thriller. The story revolves around undercover agent Jaskirat Singh Rangi (Ranveer Singh), who is sent by Indian intelligence on a dangerous mission in Pakistan. After joining the gang of Rehman Dakait (Akshaye Khanna) in Lyari, Jaskirat discovers that the weapons he purchased were used in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. The film is now available for streaming on Netflix.
At least four people were killed after a speeding truck collided with a car on the Bhind Road highway near Bantu Dhaba here in Gwalior. The deceased include two women and two men.
All the deceased were from Bhind district. At about 8 in the morning as their car reached near Bantu Dhaba, a speeding truck coming from behind rammed into it.
Gold and silver prices fell sharply in early trade on Friday on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX). After hitting record highs in the previous session, both precious metals slipped under pressure from investor profit-booking and global cues. Silver prices fell nearly 4% on the MCX, while gold fell 3% to below ₹1.78 lakh per 10 grams.
Gold prices for April delivery on the MCX opened at ₹1,80,499 per 10 grams on Friday, down 1.88% from its previous closing price of ₹1,83,962. Gold prices further declined to ₹1,78,444 per 10 grams during trading, a decline of nearly 3%. Earlier on Thursday, MCX Gold had touched an all-time high of ₹1,93,096 per 10 grams.
Domestic stock markets opened weak on Friday under heavy selling pressure. Increased volatility in global markets and sharp fluctuations in gold and silver prices appeared to shake investor confidence. The Sensex fell by more than 500 points in early trading, while the Nifty declined by more than 0.6 percent.
On Friday, the BSE Sensex opened at 81,950.05, down 616.32 points, or 0.75 percent. The NSE Nifty 50 index slipped 171.35 points, or 0.67 percent, to 25,247.55. This weakness is believed to be a result of global cues and sharp movements in the commodity market.
In view of the Union Budget 2026, Indian stock markets will remain open on Sunday, February 1. Markets are typically closed on Sundays, but special live trading sessions will be held on the National Stock Exchange (NSE), Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), and commodity markets to allow investors and traders to react in real time to the budget presentation.
According to an official circular issued by the NSE and BSE on January 16, 2026, stock market trading will be as usual on February 1. The pre-open session will begin at 9:00 am and continue until 9:08 am, while the general market will be open from 9:15 am to 3:30 pm. Trade modifications will then be available until 4:15 pm.
Former Indian captain and legendary cricketer Virat Kohli's Instagram account suddenly disappeared late Thursday-Friday night. Searching for his name on the social media platform reveals neither his profile nor any posts. Millions of fans are shocked and concerned by this unexpected development.
Searching for Virat Kohli on Instagram reveals his profile completely missing. Many users say it appears the account has been deleted or deactivated. However, no official statement has been issued by Kohli or his management team regarding this matter, further fueling the suspense.
US President Donald Trump has once again taken a tough stance against Canada, announcing a major and aggressive move related to the aviation industry. This decision is feared to further intensify existing trade tensions between the US and Canada. In a social media post, Trump accused Canada of discriminating against the American aircraft manufacturer Gulfstream.
The weather is set to change again in the last days of January. According to the latest forecast from the Meteorological Department (IMD), a new Western Disturbance will become active on the night of January 30th, affecting northern and northwestern India, as well as the southern coastal areas. This system will bring heavy rain and snowfall in the hilly states, while rain, cold waves, and dense fog may increase in the plains.
