AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi strongly criticised the recent attack on the party’s Maharashtra unit chief Imtiaz Jaleel during the ongoing campaign for the local body elections. He said that the people of Aurangabad would give their answer through the ballot by supporting his party. Calling the incident a “cowardly act,” Owaisi stated that it reflected the attackers’ fear of defeat. He added that the administration had been urged to identify and take action against those responsible. Earlier, Owaisi led a roadshow in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, interacting with residents while campaigning for AIMIM candidates.
Imtiaz Jaleel alleged that his party’s rally in the city was attacked by unknown individuals, resulting in injuries to several supporters. He said that despite having official permission and police presence, a group of armed attackers targeted party workers and vehicles. Jaleel maintained that AIMIM would continue its campaign peacefully and within democratic limits.
He further claimed the violence was aimed at disrupting the election process and warned that the party would decide its future course of action if authorities failed to register an FIR and take appropriate steps. Jaleel also accused leaders linked to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the BJP of feeling threatened by AIMIM’s growing influence in the civic polls. The Maharashtra State Election Commission has announced elections for 29 municipal corporations, including BMC, PMC and PCMC, with voting scheduled for January 15 and counting on January 16.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
With the arrival of severe cold conditions in Rajasthan, the authorities at Nahargarh Biological Park in Jaipur have introduced extensive measures to protect wildlife from the winter chill. Modifications have been made to the daily diet of animals, and heaters have been installed in cages and enclosures to ensure warmth.
Senior Veterinary Officer Dr. Arvind Mathur stated that special winter diets are being provided. Big cats such as tigers, lions, and panthers are receiving chicken in addition to their regular meals. Extra attention is being given to young tiger and lion cubs, who are also being fed chicken and chicken soup for additional nourishment. Dr. Mathur explained that following the intense cold, the local administration implemented several relief measures, including installing heaters in animal shelters and providing special mineral and vitamin supplements alongside a customised diet plan.
Animals are also being given essential protein and calcium supplements. Bears are receiving dates, honey, milk, and eggs along with their usual food. A recently relocated Himalayan black bear is being fed bread, apples, and honey as part of its specialised diet. Wolves, hyenas, and jackals are now being served chicken and eggs daily. Dietary changes have also been introduced for otters and hippos, who are being provided with carrots, apples, and bananas, while the quantity of fish given to crocodiles and gharials has been increased.
In addition, salt blocks have been placed inside deer enclosures. Various deer species are being fed green fodder, gram lentils, and carrots. Dr. Mathur further stated that all animals have been dewormed and are receiving vitamins, minerals, calcium, amino acids, and other required supplements. He added that heaters have been installed in night shelters, tarpaulin coverings have been placed over enclosures, and all animals are being monitored continuously to ensure their safety during the cold spell.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
The Indian government has deemed social media platform X's reply inadequate in addressing concerns over its Grok AI chatbot producing obscene and sexually explicit material, particularly content targeting women and children. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued the sharp rebuke following X's submission of details on its content moderation policies.
The issue surfaced on January 2, 2026, when MeitY sent a formal notice to X (formerly Twitter) after reports emerged of users exploiting Grok to generate vulgar images via fake accounts. X responded by outlining its takedown processes and adherence to Indian IT Rules, 2021, which mandate prompt removal of illegal content. Officials, however, found the explanation lacking depth on preventive measures and specific actions taken.
Developed by Elon Musk's xAI and integrated into X, Grok relies on massive datasets scraped from the web, making it prone to replicating harmful biases without strong guardrails. Users have circumvented existing filters—such as prompt blocks and AI classifiers—using sly workarounds, leading to non-consensual deepfakes and even sexualized depictions of minors, including references to characters like those from "Stranger Things."
The backlash extends beyond India, with regulators in the UK, Malaysia, and France launching probes into Grok for child exploitation risks and privacy violations. Critics highlight X's failure to implement robust "nudification" restrictions, equating AI-generated abuse to direct uploads under platform penalties.
MeitY now demands comprehensive clarifications from X, potentially including enhanced human moderation, region-specific filters, and proactive AI training. Failure to comply could invite fines or operational curbs, signaling to global tech giants the rising cost of lax content controls in the AI era.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.
Major General Amir Hatami, Chief of the Iranian Army, responded to what Tehran perceives as hostile statements from abroad, particularly U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning that the United States is “locked and loaded” to act if Iranian forces violently suppress civilian protesters. Speaking to military academy students, Hatami framed such remarks as a direct threat to Iran’s national security, according to Fox News. He stated that the “intensification of such rhetoric against the Iranian nation… will not be left without a response,” highlighting that Iran’s military is now better prepared than in previous conflicts. “If the enemy makes a mistake, it will face a decisive response, and we will strike any aggressor,” he said, as reported by Fox News.
Hatami’s warning comes amid widespread domestic unrest fueled by economic difficulties, inflation, and public dissatisfaction with government policies, with protests spreading across much of Iran. Authorities have introduced limited economic measures, including new subsidies, but unrest has continued for over a week. Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, wrote to the UN Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council, calling for condemnation of what he described as Trump’s “unlawful threats” against Tehran.
Additionally, Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, cautioned that U.S. interference could lead to “chaos across the entire region and the destruction of American interests.” International concern is growing, with Australia advising its citizens to leave Iran immediately due to the heightened risk of escalation from both internal unrest and external threats, according to Fox News. Trump’s earlier statements on Truth Social, warning of U.S. intervention if Iranian forces harmed peaceful protesters, appear to have prompted Hatami’s remarks.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
India plans to lift five-year-old restrictions on Chinese firms bidding for government contracts, introduced after a 2020 border clash. The curbs had blocked Chinese companies from competing for contracts worth up to $750 billion. Officials are considering removing registration requirements, with the final decision resting with Prime Minister Modi’s office. The move comes as India-China ties improve, following Modi’s recent visit to China and eased visa and travel rules, though restrictions on Chinese investment remain.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Soaring rents are pushing businesses out of Kampong Glam, with many shopowners who recently renewed their leases reporting sharp increases — in some cases nearly double — which they attribute to a growing trend of subletting. Over the years, many vacated spaces have been replaced primarily by souvenir stores and photobooths. Andrea Heng and Elakeyaa Selvaraji analyse the data and discuss its implications with Zaki Maarof, Chairman of the Kampong Gelam Alliance.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Singapore’s “dead birds” hotline recorded its highest number of reports last year, reflecting a growing toll of birds killed after colliding with glass surfaces on buildings. The museum notes that the problem is expanding beyond sheer numbers, now affecting newer and sometimes rarer species as urban development intensifies. The report explores the causes behind these collisions, the reasons bird-friendly architecture has yet to become common practice, and the practical solutions—such as specially treated glass and façade modifications—that could significantly reduce bird deaths. Andrea Heng and Rani Samtani discuss these issues with Dr Tan Yen Yi, Research Fellow at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was controversially taken into custody by US special forces and appeared in a Manhattan courtroom. The arrest followed months of US pressure on Maduro, including strikes against “narco-boats” and oil tanker blockades. Donald Trump has since asserted that the US plans to “take over” Venezuela—but how exactly would that happen?
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian.
In Destination Anywhere, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with dentist and author Vrushali Junnarkar, who shares her experiences of discovering the many attractions and natural retreats in Khandala, a charming hill station located in Maharashtra in central-western India. Frequently referenced in her novel The Campbell Gardens Ladies' Swimming Class, Khandala holds special significance for Junnarkar as she describes visits to the town’s historic fort, waterfalls, and caves. She also discusses traditional Maharashtrian street food and regional dishes that are rarely found in Singapore.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
