Here’s an overview of the leading stories capturing headlines across India and around the globe.
1) Maha Kumbh Mela begins in UP's Prayagraj with holy dip at Sangam
The Maha Kumbh Mela commenced at Sangam, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers, on Monday with more than 40 lakh people from different walks of life taking the first holy dip.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that the Maha Kumbh to be held from January 13 to February 26 will elevate India's ancient cultural and religious traditions to global prominence. The holy city of Prayagraj is now welcoming saints, seers, pilgrims, devotees and citizens from different walks of life.
2) IMD issues 'Orange Alert' across Delhi-NCR, dense fog conditions likely
According to the India Meteorological Department, dense fog conditions are very likely in the Delhi/NCR region and an orange alert was issued regarding the same.
Air quality monitoring stations in Delhi have reported concerning pollution levels across the city. According to CPCB data, the AQI of the national capital recorded 285.
3) Bus conductor assaults retired IAS officer over Rs 10 fare in Jaipur
A retired IAS officer was assaulted by a bus conductor for allegedly refusing to pay an extra fare of Rs 10 in Rajasthan's Jaipur.
According to the police, the incident took place on January 10 when the retired IAS officer, RL Meena, 75, was not dropped at the correct bus stop, after which he refused to pay the extra fare.
4) Death toll from Los Angeles fires rises to 24, with dangerous winds incoming
The death toll from massive wildfires that have ravaged Los Angeles rose to 24 on Sunday, with officials warning of incoming dangerous winds that could whip the blazes up further.
The fires continued to rip through the United States' second-largest city for the 6th day, reducing whole communities to scorched rubble and leaving thousands without homes.
Massive firefighting efforts have staunched the spread of the Palisades Fire, which was looming toward upscale Brentwood and the densely populated San Fernando Valley. But conditions are set to dramatically worsen, with "extreme fire behavior and life threatening conditions" over the coming days.
5) Malala slams Afghan Taliban for instituting system of 'gender apartheid' against women
Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai on Sunday slammed the Afghan Taliban regime for instituting a system of “gender apartheid” against women by disguising their crimes in the cloak of culture and religion.
"Simply put, the Taliban do not see women as human beings. They cloak their crimes in cultural and religious justification. These policies are a violation of human rights and have no basis in Islamic teachings,” she said while speaking on girls’ education in Muslim nations on the second and final day of an international conference in Islamabad.
6) Punjab Kings announce Shreyas Iyer as skipper for 2025 IPL
India top-order batter Shreyas Iyer, who guided Kolkata Knight Riders to their IPL title triumph in 2024, was named captain of Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Sunday ahead of the upcoming season set to begin in March.
Iyer, a proven leader and one of the most sought-after players in the IPL, was roped in by PBKS for a record-breaking Rs 26.75 crore, making him the second-most expensive player during the November auction.
7) India not doing well in Test cricket: New BCCI secretary vows to make changes
Newly appointed Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Devajit Saikia has admitted that India is struggling in red-ball cricket. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai after being elected unopposed, Saikia said that it would be a big challenge to return India to its former glory.
8) Ajith Kumar's team claims 3rd position in Dubai 24H 2025 race
Tamil superstar Ajith Kumar's racing team has secured the third place in the Dubai 24H 2025 race on Sunday.
Held annually at the Dubai Autodrome, the racing event features high-performance GT and touring cars competing in a gruelling 24-hour format that tests speed, strategy and endurance. The verified X page of the actor's fan club shared the update on the microblogging site.
9) Air India to offer first class seats in A350-1000 planes
Air India will have first class seats in its large wide body A350-1000 planes, with the airline seeing opportunities in the airline's network where these seats will work well as the airline pursues efforts to have a larger pie of the global skies.
10) Tiku Talsania hospitalised, recuperating well: daughter Shikha Talsania
Veteran actor Tiku Talsania is doing much better and recuperating well at a Mumbai hospital, his daughter and actor Shikha Talsania said on Sunday.
Reports of Tiku Talsania's hospitalisation started doing the rounds on social media on Saturday. Earlier, it was reported that the 70-year-old actor suffered a heart attack but his wife Deepti Talsania later told reporters that he had a brain stroke.
