January 17, 2026

Tribal Groups Hold Jharkhand Bandh Over Killing of Village Head Soma Munda

Tribal activists enforced a bandh in Jharkhand's Khunti, Simdega, Chaibasa, and Gumla on January 17, protesting the killing of village head Soma Munda. Roads were blocked, shops closed, and schools shut, with police deploying extra forces to maintain peace.

January 17, 2026

Dubai Police Warn Against Deadly Social Media Challenges Threatening Youth Safety

Dubai Police warn parents and teens about risky social media challenges causing injury and death worldwide. They stress close monitoring and quick reporting to keep children safe.

January 17, 2026

Riyadh Launches Unified Digital Platform to Speed Up Urban Planning Approvals

Riyadh Municipality has introduced a single digital system to fast-track urban planning approvals, reducing delays and increasing transparency for developers and investors in Saudi Arabia.

January 17, 2026

Maharashtra's Jalna District Imposes Prohibitory Orders Amid Dhangar ST Inclusion Agitation

Maharashtra’s Jalna district has banned public gatherings and shut shops to curb protests by the Dhangar community demanding Scheduled Tribes status. Restrictions apply from morning till midnight on January 18 in Jalna and Ambad tehsils.

January 17, 2026

Kerala Appoints Special Prosecutor in Bishop Franco Mulakkal Abuse Case

The survivor-nun in the Bishop Franco Mulakkal abuse case welcomes Kerala government's appointment of special public prosecutor B.G. Harindranath. She thanked the CM and public for support as her fight continues.

January 17, 2026

TGSRTC to Deliver Gold Prasadam at Home for Sammakka Saralamma Jatara 2025

TGSRTC will deliver gold prasadam to devotees who can't travel to Medaram for the Sammakka Saralamma Jatara starting January 28. The prasadam packet costs ₹299 and includes gold offering, jaggery, and goddess photos.

January 17, 2026

Singapore’s Tough Vape Crackdown: Jail, Caning & Hotline To Stop Dangerous K-pods

Singapore bans e-cigarettes, cracking down hard on drug-laced vapes called K-pods. Offenders face jail, caning, rehab, and heavy fines. A hotline reports vapers, with strict new laws in schools and public campaigns warning of dangers.

January 17, 2026

Rare Twin Mountain Gorillas Born in Virunga National Park, Congo

Twin mountain gorillas born in DRC's Virunga National Park are being closely watched. The rare births bring hope amid high infant mortality and serious threats.

January 17, 2026

4.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Gujarat's Kutch District; No Casualties Reported

A 4.1 magnitude quake jolted Kutch district in Gujarat at 1:22 a.m. on January 17. Locals panicked but there were no casualties or property damage. The area is known for frequent seismic activity.

January 17, 2026

Manipur Police Arrest 4 Militants, Destroy 65 Acres of Illegal Poppy Fields

Manipur security forces nabbed four militants involved in extortion and took down nearly 65 acres of illegal poppy cultivation across Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts. The crackdown included arrests of cadres from banned groups and destruction of farms and equipment.