(1) BJP-Mahayuti clinches BMC, major civic bodies in Maharashtra
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its Mahayuti allies swept the Maharashtra civic elections, winning 25 of 29 municipal corporations, including the prestigious Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
This marks a significant power shift, ending the Thackeray family’s nearly three-decade dominance over the BMC. The Mahayuti alliance crossed the majority mark of 114 in the 227-member BMC, securing 118 seats. BJP emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats. Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) won 29 seats.
The BJP-led coalition also dominated other key urban centres. In Pune BJP achieved a sweep with 123 seats, significantly outperforming the combined NCP factions (25 seats). In Nagpur BJP won 102 seats in its stronghold, while the Congress secured 34. In Thane, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena maintained its dominance, winning 75 of 131 seats, while in Navi Mumbai BJP clinched the body for the first time with 65 seats.
(2) Iran protests: Death toll crosses 5,000-mark
An Iranian official in the region said on Sunday (January 18, 2026) the authorities had verified at least 5,000 people had been killed in protests in Iran, including about 500 security personnel, blaming “terrorists and armed rioters” for killing “innocent Iranians”.
The official, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue, also told Reuters some of the heaviest clashes and the highest number of deaths were in the Iranian Kurdish areas in northwest Iran, a region where Kurdish separatists have been active and where flare-ups have been among the most violent in past periods of unrest.
The U.S.-based HRANA rights group said on Saturday (January 17, 2026) the death toll had reached 3,308, with another 4,382 cases under review. The group said it had confirmed more than 24,000 arrests.
(3) Trump announces 10% tariff on eight European countries over Greenland
In the latest of a series of moves to acquire Greenland, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced tariffs on European and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) allies, despite having negotiated trade deals with the U.K. and the European Union in 2025. The announcement, which the President made on the Truth Social media site, applies to Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland.
Mr. Trump said the countries would pay a 10% tariff on their exports to the U.S. starting February 1. The rate would go up to 25% from June 2026.
Last week, the countries in question sent a handful of troops to Greenland at Denmark’s request, in the face of escalating threats from Mr. Trump — an event Mr. Trump alluded to in his post. Greenland, a mineral-rich Arctic island, is a self-governing territory of Denmark, which is a member of the NATO alliance.
(4) Golden Globes 2026 Winners
The 83rd Golden Globe Awards have wrapped at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another emerged as the night’s dominant force in the Musical or Comedy lane, winning Best Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy and delivering Anderson a major double with Best Director and Best Screenplay, a sweep that positioned the film as an early awards-season pace-setter.
The movie’s run was reinforced by Teyana Taylor’s win for Best Supporting Actress (Motion Picture), giving the film both top-tier craft recognition and a key acting prize on the night.
Here is a full list of winners at the Golden Globes 2026:
(5) Rape case: Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil’s bail plea rejected
The Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Thiruvalla on Saturday (January 17, 2026) denied bail to Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in connection with the case over alleged rape of an NRI woman. With this, he will continue in jail under remand.
Judge Arundhathi Dileep dismissed the bail application following a detailed hearing held the previous day. In his bail plea, the MLA had claimed that his relationship with the woman was consensual. He also contended that proper procedures were not followed during his arrest.
According to the complaint, the accused reportedly established contact with the complainant, a native of Thiruvalla, through social media at a time when she was facing personal difficulties in her marital life. It is alleged that during their first meeting, he brutally assaulted her in a hotel room.
The legislator has two other rape cases pending against him.
Published – January 20, 2026 01:47 pm IST