Stay updated with the biggest headlines for Sunday, 18 January- politics, crime, sports, and more – all summarized for quick reading. Get instant access to breaking news, major developments, and trending stories in just one click. Perfect for busy readers who want news on the go.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC), saying the time has come to end 15 years of what he called the party’s “mahajungle raj” in West Bengal. Addressing a poll rally in Hooghly district’s Singur, Modi said the people of the state are demanding “poriborton” (change) and want to remove the TMC from power.
Modi alleged that the TMC has acted against the interests of youth, women, farmers, and fishermen, claiming that only the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) can accelerate development in West Bengal. He accused the TMC of blocking the implementation of central government schemes and said the party’s enmity is being taken out on the people of Bengal rather than on the BJP.
Former Chief Justice of India Dr DY Chandrachud on Saturday said that the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC), brought in through a constitutional amendment, should have been allowed to function for some time to assess its performance, observing that striking down the amendment was “premature.”
Speaking at the Jaipur Literature Festival, the 50th CJI reflected on the far-reaching impact of judicial power, noting that courts exercise enormous authority and their judgments have the capacity to shape both the present and future of the polity and society. Given this influence, he said, society has a legitimate and vital interest in understanding how judges are appointed.
The centenary celebrations of the All World Gayatri Pariwar were held in Haridwar on Sunday, marking a historic milestone for the spiritual and social movement. On the occasion, senior journalist and Dynamite News Editor-in-Chief Manoj Tibrewal Aakash was conferred with a special honor for his invaluable contribution to media and society.
The event, organised on the auspicious day of Mauni Amavasya, also commemorated several significant milestones the birth centenary of Vandaniya Mata Ji, 100 years of the manifestation of the Akhand Deepak, and the completion of 100 years of revered Gurudev’s tapasya (spiritual penance).
The 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) will bring together top leaders from government, business, and civil society from January 19-23, 2026. Under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue,” Davos 2026 aims to provide a neutral platform for leaders to confront shared challenges and explore innovative solutions shaping the future.
At a time of major geopolitical, technological, and societal shifts, the meeting will spotlight collaboration, dialogue, and practical solutions to global issues. For over five decades, the WEF has convened leaders from diverse sectors to tackle complex challenges and drive sustainable progress.
Senior journalist Manoj Tibrewal Aakash was honored at the centenary celebrations of the All World Gayatri Pariwar. Expressing his gratitude, he thanked the entire Gayatri Pariwar and its head, Dr. Chinmay Pandya, saying the recognition will inspire him to continue journalism for public welfare.
The centenary celebrations of the Gayatri Pariwar will continue until January 24, featuring numerous programs aimed at promoting public welfare and world peace. Several central ministers, bureaucrats, and prominent personalities attended the events and addressed the gathering.
The Indian automobile market will see significant activity in the coming months. Demand for the SUV segment, especially 7-seater vehicles, is growing rapidly. Customers are prioritizing larger SUVs for family use, long journeys, and improved road presence. In response, several companies are preparing to launch new and powerful 7-seater SUVs in India. These include petrol and diesel models, and premium models equipped with advanced features.
Elon Musk's social media company, X, has made a significant announcement for creators and writers. The company has announced a prize of $1 million, or approximately ₹9 crore (approximately $10 million USD), for the author of the best long-form article. This move comes at a time when controversy is raging in several countries regarding X and its AI tool, Grok. It is believed that through this initiative, X aims to promote quality content on its platform.
The viral video shows that as soon as the Indian bowler delivers the ball, the Pakistani batsman runs for a run. During this, the two players collide. The argument escalates to the point where they grab each other's collars, and a scuffle ensues. Within moments, the situation escalates to the point where other players and the umpire are seen rushing to intervene. However, investigations have revealed that the video is entirely AI-generated. It is not part of any actual India-Pakistan Under-19 match. The video was created solely to garner views and likes. According to experts, the players' actions and some visual cues in the video clearly indicate that it was created with the help of artificial intelligence.
India’s power distribution sector has recorded its first collective profit in more than a decade, marking a major turnaround for a segment long plagued by financial stress. Power distribution utilities (DISCOMs and power departments) posted a consolidated Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs 2,701 crore in FY 2024-25, according to official data.
Union Minister of Power Manohar Lal termed the achievement a “new chapter” for the distribution sector, attributing the turnaround to sustained structural reforms and policy interventions by the Centre.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will leave for Davos today, January 18 to participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026. The four-day visit, from January 19 to 22, will see the Chief Minister engaging with global leaders, industry captains, and policymakers to showcase Andhra Pradesh as a prime investment destination.
Accompanied by ministers and senior officials, Naidu is scheduled to take part in as many as 36 programmes during the visit, including high-level meetings, panel discussions, and media interactions.
An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in the Singhpora area of Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday. According to security sources, at least three terrorists are believed to be trapped in the area. The encounter is ongoing in a densely forested area where security forces detected the presence of terrorists during a search operation.
India U19 has qualified for the Super 6 stage of the Under-19 ODI World Cup 2026, becoming the first team to do so. By winning the first two matches of the group stage, Team India not only took the lead in its group but also surpassed the other 15 teams in the tournament.
India is playing in Group B, alongside Bangladesh U19, New Zealand U19, and USA U19. Three teams from this group are eligible for a place in the Super 6 stage. India defeated Bangladesh for their second consecutive win, securing four points and securing a place in the Super 6 stage.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met with US Ambassador Sergio Gor at his official residence in Mumbai on Saturday. Consul General Michael Schreuder was also present. The main objective of the meeting was to promote US investment in the state and strengthen India-US trade relations.
Media reports claimed that Mrunal Thakur and South superstar Dhanush were engaged to be married. Reports claimed that the two could wed on February 14. However, other reports dismissed this news as false. According to sources, both are currently focusing on their careers, and no marriage has been confirmed.
US President Donald Trump is adopting an aggressive stance regarding Greenland. Trump appeared angered by Denmark's declaration of maintaining sovereignty over Greenland at all costs and the support of European countries. In response, he announced an additional 10 percent tariff on eight major European countries. Trump stated that if an agreement is not reached on Greenland, the tariff will be increased to 25 percent from 1 June.
With the BMC election results out, politics has heated up regarding the mayoral position in Mumbai and other municipal corporations across Maharashtra. Both the ruling camp and the opposition are now focused on the mayoral selection process. According to sources, the Maharashtra Urban Development Department (UD Department) will conduct a reservation lottery for the mayoral elections for the BMC and other municipalities, which is likely to be held on Tuesday or Wednesday next week.
The third and largest bathing festival of the Magh Mela began today with Mauni Amavasya. A sea of devotees has gathered in the Sangam city of Prayagraj. The holy bath began at 4 a.m. during the Brahma Muhurta, with devotees from across the country arriving at the Sangam banks. According to administration estimates, over 30 million devotees are expected to arrive on Mauni Amavasya.
Gold prices in India have seen a strong weekly increase. Over the past week, 24-carat gold has gained ₹3,320, while 22-carat gold has gained ₹3,050. On January 18, the price of 24-carat gold in the national capital Delhi reached ₹1,43,930 per 10 grams, while 22-carat gold is trading at ₹1,31,950 per 10 grams.
Gold prices remain strong in the international market as well. The global spot price of gold is recorded at $4,603.51 per ounce. Experts believe that weak US inflation data has raised expectations of an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve. If interest rates are cut, demand for safe-haven investments like gold and silver could increase further.
Amid the intense cold and cold wave, dense fog continues to engulf North India. Extremely dense fog enveloped many areas of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand on Sunday morning. Visibility dropped to zero in many places, severely disrupting normal life. The fog directly impacted road, rail, and air traffic, causing significant inconvenience to residents.
More than 50 trains to and from Delhi were delayed, including major trains like Rajdhani and Shatabdi. Air traffic was also affected, and many flights were delayed. Vehicles were seen snaking on the roads. Fog-related road accidents in various parts of Uttar Pradesh and Punjab claimed 17 lives. According to the Meteorological Department, similar conditions are likely to persist for at least the next six days.
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