In this handout video released by NDRF on Jan. 24, 2025, Police and rescue personnel are seen during a rescue operation after a blast at the ordnance factory, in Bhandara district, Maharashtra.
| Photo Credit: NDRF via PTI Photo
Bhandara Ordnance factory blast: Four dead and five injured, Rescue operation continues
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that according to preliminary information, 13 to 14 workers were stuck after the roof of a unit collapsed in the blast at the Bhandara ordnance factory. Mr. Fadnavis, in a post on X, said, “five people were rescued, and the district collector and superintendent of police were at the spot, while a team from the state disaster response force (SDRF) from Nagpur is on the way.”
Republic Day 2025: 70 paramilitary companies, 15,000 cops to be deployed, says Delhi Police
“Over 70 companies of paramilitary forces and more than 15,000 police personnel are set to be deployed across the capital for Republic Day celebrations,” an official said on Friday (January 24, 2025). “The city will be monitored by drones and CCTV surveillance and cyber-specialist officers will be deployed to oversee operations,” a senior police officer said.
Parliamentary panel meet on Waqf begins on stormy note; ten opposition members suspended
The meeting of the parliamentary committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill began on a stormy note on Friday (January 24, 2025), with opposition members claiming they were not being given adequate time to study the proposed changes to the draft legislation. Ten opposition members attending the parliamentary panel meeting on the Waqf Amendment Bill were suspended for a day on Friday (January 24, 2025). The Joint Committee on Waqf Amendment Bill, chaired by BJP member Jagdambika Pal, is scheduled to hear the views of a delegation led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the religious head of Kashmir.
Australian Open 2025: Jannik Sinner subdues Ben Shelton and returns to final
Defending champion Jannik Sinner continued his sizzling Australian Open run with a 7-6(2) 6-2 6-2 win over American 21st seed Ben Shelton to reach a second straight final at Melbourne Park and book a meeting with Alexander Zverev. Sinner’s victory made the 23-year-old the youngest man to make multiple finals at the Australian Open since Jim Courier in 1992-93 and kept alive his dream of becoming the first Italian to lift three Grand Slam singles trophies. Sinner entered the match on Rod Laver Arena having won four of his five meetings with left-hander Shelton but found himself in trouble early on as a thunderous forehand winner handed the American a break, which he followed up with a tight hold.
Delhi High Court refuses BJP leader’s plea to direct sitting of Assembly for tabling CAG reports
The Delhi High Court on Friday (January 24, 2025) refused a petition by several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs that the 14 CAG reports linked to policy initiatives of the Delhi Government be tabled at the State Assembly. Justice Sachin Datta, however, observed that there was an “inordinate delay” on part of the Delhi Government in the matter. It said that the tabling of the audit reports was mandatory under the Constitution.
Sri Lanka revokes power purchasing deal with Adani, say reports
Sri Lanka has revoked a 2024 power purchase agreement with Adani Green Energy — for a proposed wind power plant in the island’s Northern Province — following corruption allegations, news agency AFP reported on Friday (January 24, 2025). “The government has revoked the power purchase agreement, but the project is not cancelled. A committee has been appointed to review the entire project,” the report said, quoting an unnamed senior official from the Energy Ministry.
Putin ready to talk to Trump, Kremlin says awaiting confirmation from Washington
Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to hold a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump and Moscow is waiting for word from Washington that it is ready too, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Friday (January 24, 2025). Mr. Trump said on Thursday he wanted to meet Mr. Putin as soon as possible to secure an end to the war with Ukraine and expressed his desire to work towards cutting nuclear arms, something the Kremlin said Mr. Putin had made clear he wanted, too.
ICC Test team of 2024: Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Yashasvi Jaiswal named
Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal deservedly found a place in the ICC’s Test Team of the Year 2024 that featured four Englishmen with Australian Pat Cummins as its captain. The team also had two New Zealanders, including the redoubtable Kane Williamson. Cummins was the lone Australian to make the all-star XI. Bumrah was nothing short of magical in 2024, dominating every team and every batter he bowled to. He became the first bowler to average under 20 with a minimum of 200 wickets in Test cricket, solidifying his place in history.
Mandhana, Deepti in ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year, no Indian in men’s side
Star batter Smriti Mandhana and all-rounder Deepti Sharma were on Friday (January 24, 2025) named in the ICC women’s ODI Team of the Year 2024 but none of their male counterparts found a place in the men’s side that was dominated by Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The women’s all-star team has three players from England, two Australians, two South Africans and one each from Sri Lanka and West Indies, besides the two Indians. Meanwhile, the absence of any Indian in the men’s all-star team could be attributed to very less number of matches the country played last year. India played only three ODIs — an away series against Sri Lanka —, losing two of them while the third one ended in a tie.
Amul cuts milk prices for one-litre packs by ₹1 across India
Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which markets dairy products under the Amul brand, has reduced milk prices by ₹1 per litre across India. However, the reduction in prices is only for one-litre packs. “We have reduced the prices of one-litre packs by ₹1 per litre across India,” GCMMF managing director Jayen Mehta told PTI.
WHO chief to cut costs, reset priorities after U.S. exit, document shows
The World Health Organization (WHO) will cut costs and review which health programmes to prioritise after the U.S. announced its exit, its chief told staff in an internal memo seen by Reuters. U.S. President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal on the first day of his second term earlier this week, alleging that the global health agency had mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises.
JSW Steel net profit declines 70% to ₹719 crore in Q3
JSW Steel on Friday (January 24, 2025) reported over 70% fall in consolidated net profit to ₹719 crore in December quarter, mainly due to higher expenses. It had posted a net profit of ₹2,450 crore in the year-ago quarter, the company said in an exchange filing. Total income during the latest third quarter also trimmed to ₹41,525 crore from ₹42,134 crore a year ago.
Patanjali Foods recalls four tonnes of red chilli powder; urges customers to return product, claim refund
Patanjali Foods Ltd has recalled four tonnes of red chilli powder from markets following the direction from food regulator FSSAI. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) asked Patanjali Foods to recall a specified batch of packed red chilli powder due to non-conformity with food safety norms. “Patanjali Foods has recalled small batch of four tonnes of ‘Red Chilli Powder (200 gram pack),” the company’s CEO Sanjeev Asthana said in a statement.
Published – January 24, 2025 06:05 pm IST
