Hamas putting roadblocks to stop Gazans from leaving: Israel

In a historic political shift, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has clinched the Mayor's post in Thiruvananthapuram for the first time. V.V. Rajesh was elected Mayor with 51 votes, ending the Left Democratic Front's (LDF) long-standing dominance in the Kerala capital. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) surged to 50 seats in the corporation polls, a significant rise from 35 in 2020. Speaking on the victory, Mayor V.V. Rajesh stated, 'We are going to solve the basic problems of the cities... waste management system and the flood issue.' He also confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the city within 45 days to address the corporation. G.S. Asha Nath has been elected Deputy Mayor.

On this breaking news broadcast, India Today's Divyesh Singh reports on the latest court proceedings regarding the Birch by Romeo Lane fire tragedy in Goa. The Mapusa court has extended the police custody of the Luthra brothers, Gaurav and Saurabh, for four more days. The duo, who were deported from Phuket after the fire claimed 25 lives, are being interrogated by the Anjuna Police over alleged forgery and safety lapses. The report also details the status of co-accused Ajay Gupta.

In this breaking news report, India Today’s Foreign Affairs Editor Pranay Upadhyaya analyses the arrest of controversial Bangladeshi religious leader Ataur Rahman Bikrampuri. Bikrampuri was arrested by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police on 24th December after going live on social media to accuse the National Citizens Party (NCP) and Jamaat-e-Islami of orchestrating terror activities. Upadhyay notes that while Bikrampuri has a 'dubious' record of extremist rhetoric, his revelations put pressure on the Muhammad Yunus interim government to act against radical elements. The report highlights the volatile situation in Bangladesh, with rising violence and threats to journalists just 49 days before the general elections.

The Mapusa court has extended the police custody of the Luthra brothers, Gaurav and Saurabh, for four more days in connection with Birch by Romeo Lane fire tragedy in Goa.