Around 1,700 candidates are contesting 227 seats in the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, with the civic body confirming on Wednesday that all preparations are in place to ensure smooth and orderly polling on Thursday. According to an official statement, distribution of EVMs and other election materials was completed on Wednesday at 23 divisional centres across the city. Voting will take place from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm, while vote counting is scheduled for January 16 at 23 designated locations under the supervision of Returning Officers. The corporation has finalized counting centres for all 227 wards, each equipped with secure strong rooms for safe storage of election equipment and systems to maintain transparency during counting.

Civic authorities said polling staff reported in large numbers from Wednesday morning, receiving essential materials such as voter lists, seals, indelible ink, and official documents after proper verification. To maintain law and order, over 25,000 police personnel will be deployed citywide. In total, 10,231 polling stations have been established, with 64,375 officers and staff assigned election duty.

To boost voter participation, the BMC has introduced several initiatives, including decorated polling booths, pink booths, selfie points, media facilitation centres, and special assistance for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Adequate security arrangements have also been made for polling day.

In a first-of-its-kind move, the civic body has implemented geo-fencing and live vehicle tracking to monitor transport used for election operations. As per another release, 2,865 vehicles including 1,023 BEST buses, 101 state transport buses, 1,160 private vehicles, and 581 taxis are being tracked from a central control room at the civic headquarters in south Mumbai to ensure timely and secure movement of election staff and materials.

The high-stakes contest for control of the cash-rich BMC, which has an annual budget exceeding Rs 74,000 crore, features a fierce battle between the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the reunited Thackeray cousins — Raj and Uddhav — leading MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT). Parties such as the NCP, NCP (SP), Congress, and Samajwadi Party are also in the race.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

Emphasizing the growing need for coordinated global action against terrorism, Major General Kulvir Singh, Commander of the Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School, highlighted on Wednesday that the ADMM-Plus framework has become a key pillar of multilateral cooperation in the Asia-Pacific. Speaking at the 16th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts Working Group on counter-terrorism, co-chaired by India and Malaysia, he noted that the forum demonstrates the seriousness with which member nations address terrorism.

Addressing delegates, he said, “Counter-terrorism is not merely a technical or military issue. It affects every citizen, the stability of our societies, and the future of our region. We are here to strengthen our collective ability to prevent, respond to, and recover from terrorist acts.” He added that terrorism remains one of the most persistent and adaptive threats to international peace and security. Over the past two decades, terrorism has evolved in multiple dimensions, claiming over 400,000 lives worldwide, with only 64 countries remaining unaffected.

Speaking to reporters, Major General Singh mentioned that this was the second Experts Working Group meeting in Delhi, following last year’s session. He explained that a final planning conference for a Table Top Exercise (TTX) would take place later this year in Malaysia, where participating delegations would study counter-terrorism procedures and operational practices of ASEAN member nations. “The outcomes of the TTX will inform the Field Training Exercise (FTX), likely to be conducted next year in Mizoram at the Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School. Lessons from the TTX will be applied during the FTX exercise on the ground,” he said.

He also noted that a comprehensive document compiling best practices from all participating countries would be released at the end of the ADMM-Plus meeting. This guide will help nations learn from each other and work towards a unified ASEAN Counter-Terrorism framework (ACTT), creating a common protocol to guide future counter-terrorism exercises.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, visited the historic Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad on Monday, reflecting on the lasting global impact of Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals. In a message shared on X, the Prime Minister highlighted that the Ashram continues to serve as a powerful symbol of Gandhiji’s principles, which have inspired and empowered people worldwide. He noted that the visit with Chancellor Merz took place earlier that morning in Ahmedabad.

During their visit to the Ashram, situated along the banks of the Sabarmati River, both leaders offered floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and paid sincere homage, according to a statement from the Gujarat Chief Minister’s Office. They also toured Hriday Kunj, Gandhiji’s residence within the Ashram, and observed the spinning of the charkha. Both dignitaries expressed deep admiration for Gandhi’s simple lifestyle, his philosophy of self-reliance, and his commitment to truth and non-violence.

The visit was attended by several distinguished officials and guests, including Governor Acharya Devvratji, Chief Secretary M. K. Das, Sabarmati Ashram Chairperson Kartikeya Sarabhai, Sabarmati Ashram Redevelopment Committee Chairman I. P. Gautam, Ahmedabad Collector Sujeet Kumar, members of the German delegation, and prominent figures associated with the Ashram.

Chancellor Merz is currently in India on a two-day official visit, his first since assuming office. The visit is expected to strengthen the momentum of high-level political engagement between the two nations and reaffirm their shared commitment to building a future-oriented partnership for mutual and global benefit. On January 13, Merz is scheduled to visit Bosch and the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) before departing for Germany.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@narendramodi.

The IFSO Unit of the Delhi Police has uncovered a major SIM box racket operating nationwide, arresting seven cybercriminals, including a Taiwanese national. According to an official statement, the group ran a large-scale SIM box operation, exploiting telecom loopholes to commit cyber fraud targeting citizens across India. Investigators seized thousands of illegally obtained SIM cards during the operation.

A SIM box is a device that can hold hundreds of SIM cards simultaneously and reroutes international calls as local calls, bypassing telecom charges and regulations. Police said the devices were also used to send bulk SMS messages containing phishing links, fake loan offers, and fraudulent investment schemes. By disguising the origin of calls and messages, the suspects made tracing the scams difficult for authorities. Investigations are ongoing.

The Delhi Police IFSO Unit had cracked a sophisticated fake government recruitment scam. The scheme targeted hundreds of job seekers by impersonating the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Ministry of Culture. The accused allegedly created a fake ASI recruitment portal, posting nonexistent government vacancies to exploit unemployed youth nationwide.

Police registered the case under FIR No. 268/25 at PS Special Cell, citing Sections 318(4), 319(2), 336(3), 340(2), and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The suspects reportedly advertised seven Curator positions and 84 Junior Assistant posts, sharing links to the counterfeit website via college groups, online forums, and messaging platforms. The portal closely mimicked the official ASI site, using authentic logos, colors, and layouts, making it almost indistinguishable from the genuine government website.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@DelhiPolice.

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.

Karate standout Marissa Hafezan clinched Singapore's first gold in the sport at the SEA Games in 32 years. She defeated Vietnam's Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly 5-3 in the women's kumite under-55kg final to secure the historic victory. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman sit down with Marissa to learn more about her remarkable achievement. They also get an update on Team Singapore’s overall performance at the midpoint of the Games, featuring insights from Marissa Hafezan, SEA Games gold medallist and Singapore karate exponent, and Phil Goh, independent sports journalist.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Australia is introducing a first-of-its-kind law that blocks minors from using social media without a parent’s approval. Andrea Heng and Susan Ng discuss the debate with Professor Tama Leaver from Curtin University’s Internet Studies program: is this a vital measure to safeguard young people’s mental health, or an impractical policy that limits digital freedom?

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

In December 2019, a fishing boat set out from an Alaskan port with an experienced crew, unaware that an icy storm was gathering. The events that followed underscore why deep-sea fishing is considered one of the most dangerous professions in the world. This account is by Rose George, read by Rosalie Craig, and is adapted from Every Last Fish: What Fish Do for Us, and What We Do to Them, published by Granta.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.