The New Year marks the start of a fresh calendar, symbolizing renewal, hope, and the chance to start anew. It is celebrated worldwide with diverse customs that reflect cultural richness and traditions. In most countries, the New Year begins on January 1, as per the Gregorian calendar. However, many cultures also observe their own traditional New Year based on lunar or solar calendars.
The transition into the New Year is often greeted with festivities, including fireworks, countdowns, and gatherings with friends and family. People make resolutions as a way to set goals for personal growth and improvement. From pledging to adopt healthier lifestyles to committing to new ventures, New Year resolutions embody the spirit of optimism.
In India, New Year celebrations vary by region, with some following the Gregorian calendar while others, like Ugadi or Baisakhi, mark the occasion at different times of the year. Similarly, the Chinese New Year and Islamic New Year highlight cultural diversity in celebrating renewal.
The Delhi Election Commission has served notices to former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and four of his family members under the Unmapped With Last SIR category in the New Delhi constituency (AC40). The notices were issued to Arvind Kejriwal, his wife Sunita Kejriwal, father Gobind Ram Kejriwal, mother Geeta Devi, and 25-year-old son Pulkit Kejriwal, stating their records were not tracked from the previous SIR exercise. The five are among 110 individuals served notices in this specific part segment of the constituency.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in India after a seven-year gap to participate in the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, marking a significant step in ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two nations. In a panel discussion, former diplomat Anil Trigunayat and strategic affairs expert Dr Tara Kartha analyse the geopolitical dynamics surrounding the visit, bilateral relations, and global implications. The discussion highlights the policy of cooperation while avoiding conflict, key issues such as boundary disputes, trade deficits, and connectivity restoration post-Galwan. The experts also examine the broader role of BRICS in addressing climate finance, supply chains, counter-terrorism, and regional stability amid global economic challenges. Bilateral engagements on the sidelines of the summit, including India's discussions with Ethiopia on mining and Malaysia on semiconductors, further underline the critical focus on economic partnerships and the Global South.
China Southern Airlines announced the resumption of regular passenger services on the Guangzhou to New Delhi route starting 21 September after a six-year suspension. Direct flights between Delhi and Beijing have also resumed following bilateral discussions between the Indian Prime Minister and Chinese President in Kazan. Bilateral developments include the resolution of the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, easing of Chinese visa procedures, increased educational exchanges, and reciprocal journalist visits. Following tensions after the 2020 Galwan incident, dialogue is facilitating the resolution of Line of Actual Control friction points and progress in trade, technology, and people-to-people connectivity.
As America marks 25 years since the September 11 terror attacks, New York City has settled two lawsuits with 9/11 Health Watch, ending a multi-year legal battle to release files concerning air quality and health concerns. Meanwhile, Donald Trump honoured first responders at the White House but sparked controversy over his personal account of 9/11. Trump claimed firefighters carried him away near One Liberty Plaza during the aftermath, an account challenged by critics who noted he was not at the site at the time. Surfacing archival footage, photographs, and past contradictory statements have fuelled online debate, prompting social media scrutiny and memes.
Amid ongoing political controversies and economic debates surrounding India's gross domestic product numbers, prominent economists Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Surjit Bhalla, and Nilkanth Mishra examined the data revision methodology and accuracy. Nilkanth Mishra clarified that comparisons between new and old statistical series are fundamentally flawed because fast-growing economies with large informal sectors require regular base-year resets, adding that national statistical authorities function independently of government directives. Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia noted that quarterly numbers are preliminary and require technical scrutiny regarding why base-year revisions yielded a lower aggregate GDP compared to global trends. Surjit Bhalla affirmed there is no evidence indicating political manipulation or artificial inflation in national accounts data. He highlighted that components like consumption were actually reported lower, private investment had documented increases, and import price dynamics played a structural role in the estimates.
A major political and economic debate has broken out over India's 7.8% GDP growth numbers. The opposition and former Finance Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg questioned the data, claiming a revision in previous figures lowered the base and masked lower growth. The central government strongly rejected these allegations, clarifying that the 7.8% growth rate is accurate, calculated at constant prices using the new 2022-23 base year series, and accused critics of comparing different series. Meanwhile, NVIDIA Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang praised India's artificial intelligence potential, highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's early vision and urging rapid adoption across Indian startups and enterprises.
Tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated following a new barrage of US air strikes and Iranian retaliatory strikes against US assets across Jordan, Bahrain, and Iraq. The strikes led to five deaths, including a four-year-old child, and left 50 people wounded at a wedding near Sirik on the Strait of Hormuz. The military exchange follows attacks on two tankers leaving the Strait of Hormuz and warnings from Tehran over halting Gulf oil exports, which caused global crude prices to surge over four dollars a barrel. The developments come amid warnings of further military action from US President Donald Trump and upcoming sanctions from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Smartphones may have officially become so good that a 2- to 3-year-old device handles daily tasks, heavy gaming, and AI apps without breaking a sweat. In this episode of Tech Today, we question the annual upgrade cycle, break down China's massive humanoid robotics lead, and review a 5-lakh-rupee AI-powered smart home gym. Big Tech Story: The Era of the 10% Better Smartphone Every year, flagship releases draw massive queues, yet real hardware leaps have plateaued into minor iterative bumps. Slightly faster chips, identical megapixel camera sensors, minor battery tweaks, and subtle redesigns. Comparing the iPhone 16 Pro Max to the 17 Pro Max, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 to Fold 8 Ultra, and the Pixel 10 Pro to Pixel 11 Pro reveals that year-on-year everyday user experience barely shifts. We get to the real reasons. AI Guru: Inside China's Humanoid Robot Revolution At the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, over 2,000 robots from 666 teams competed in sprinting, high jumps, boxing, and football. With an X-Humanoid bot sprinting 100 meters in 9.39 seconds and Chinese manufacturers shipping 97% of all global humanoid robots in H1 2026 (nearly 19,000 units), we break down the 3 core structural drivers behind China's near-monopoly Tech Review: IMBODY Power S Smart Gym Can a single connected mirror replace an entire commercial fitness center? We test the IMBODY Power S, an AI-guided strength training system priced at Rs 5,00,000 in India. Digital Resistance Engine: Delivers up to 118kg of motorized digital resistance with auto-adjusting safety features. 43-Inch Smart Mirror: Houses a responsive touchscreen dashboard offering 5 training modes, gamified cardio modules, and real-time form tracking. The Verdict: While it offers a sleek, space-saving luxury setup for busy executives, we break down why dedicated powerlifters and athletes will still prefer the equipment variety of a traditional gym. How long do you usually keep your smartphone before upgrading? Can an AI smart mirror ever replace a real gym membership for you? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! Share this episode with a gadget lover and hit Subscribe to catch every deep dive with Cyrus on Tech Today!
RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat is scheduled to address the Universal Oneness celebration at Madison Square Garden in New York as part of the organization's centenary year global outreach. Ahead of the event, Bhagwat visited the Iskcon temple in New York, where he met volunteers, attended a food distribution program, and spoke on recognizing oneness despite world divisions. Organized by American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue (AHEAD), the event centers on the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and is expected to draw about five thousand Indian Americans. Over two hundred Hindu American organizations are participating in the program, which marks the first leg of a seventeen-day world tour. The event has faced political opposition from New York's Zohran Mamdani, who called the RSS exclusionary, while noting the city lacks jurisdiction to cancel a private program. Protesting groups have also urged the US Secretary of State to revoke Bhagwat's visa. AHEAD stated the event promotes unity and community bonds on Raksha Bandhan.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat is scheduled to address the Universal Oneness Celebration in New York City as part of the organization's centenary year global outreach. Ahead of the event, Bhagwat visited the ISKCON temple in New York City, where he met volunteers, attended a food distribution program, and emphasized that consciousness is the uniting factor amid global conflicts. The event, supported by over 200 Hindu American organizations, centers around the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. However, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani opposed the event, accusing the RSS of representing an exclusionary vision while noting that the city lacks jurisdiction to cancel a private program. Speaking to India Today, Universal Oneness spokesperson Priya Samant defended the gathering as an interfaith, cultural event promoting unity and dialogue among diverse groups. Samant noted that dialogue does not imply agreement and expressed respect for free expression in a democracy.
The New York City Mayor has expressed opposition to a planned event featuring the RSS chief at Madison Square Garden on August 29. Addressing a news conference, the mayor stated that he does not support the rally, citing his vision of India as a pluralistic society and a secular republic. However, he noted that municipal authorities may not have the jurisdiction or legal power to cancel a privately organized gathering. The RSS chief arrived in the United States as part of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's centenary year global outreach program, where he is scheduled to address members of the Indian diaspora at the iconic venue. The bulletin highlights that opposition to the visit has also been raised by US religious freedom officials and civil rights organizations calling for restrictions, while organizers continue preparations for the gathering.
Health authorities across India have raised an alert as H1N1 seasonal flu cases climb during the post-monsoon period. Delhi has recorded 1,777 H1N1 cases this year out of nearly 2,392 influenza A cases, with Karnataka reporting over 4,200 cases. Rising numbers have also been flagged in Kerala and Maharashtra. ICMR scientists confirmed that no new H1N1 strain is behind the surge, noting that the virus follows its typical twice-a-year seasonal pattern between July and October. The central government has reviewed Delhi's preparedness, including hospital bed availability, oxygen supply, critical care capacity, and medicine stocks. High-risk groups such as young children, pregnant women, and adults over 65 with comorbidities are advised to take precautions as festive gatherings commence. Health experts recommend annual flu vaccines, proper hygiene practices, avoiding self-medication, and seeking medical attention if symptoms persist.
Delhi Police registered a First Information Report under Sections 118 and 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita following a protest staged by Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Member of Parliament KL Sharma at Sansad Marg police station. The FIR targets unknown individuals regarding allegations raised by protester Sachin Locha about an alleged pellet gun incident during a demonstration in New Delhi. In an interview with India Today, Indian Administrative Service officer and Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe discussed administrative reforms, civil service accountability, and his 21-year career spanning 25 government postings. Mundhe detailed safety enforcement measures by the Maharashtra FDA, which included conducting over 3,000 inspections, seizing goods valued at 55 crore rupees, suspending Food Business Operator licenses, and implementing two-shift operations in testing laboratories. He also addressed previous death threats from the sand mafia in Nanded and Solapur, High Court observations, canteen inspections at Mantralaya, and regulatory actions targeting banned gutkha and surrogate advertisements.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday brought back a muffler gifted to him during his first visit to New Zealand nearly three decades ago, recalling the warmth and affection he received on that trip. Addressing a community event in Auckland, PM Modi said that although it was his first visit to the country as Prime Minister, he had travelled there 25-30 years ago before entering public life. He shared that a New Zealander had gifted him a muffler, a cap and a pair of gloves during that visit, and revealed that he had brought the same muffler to the event. "I used it several times over the years and I take care of it even today, just like I take care of your love for me," PM Modi said, drawing applause from the audience.
The 13th annual India Today MDRA Best Colleges Survey evaluates 50,000 institutions across 14 streams to guide students seeking admission into undergraduate and postgraduate courses. For the 2026 edition, the survey introduces a new category ranking the most improved colleges based on their five-year growth trajectory. The Hindu College secures the top position in both arts and science streams, while Shri Ram College of Commerce retains its dominance in commerce. In professional courses, AIIMS Delhi remains the top medical college, and the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, leads in law. IIT Delhi tops the public engineering college rankings, with BITS Pilani securing the first spot among private engineering institutions. The survey also highlights institutions like Mount Carmel College, Kirori Mal College, and AIIMS Jodhpur for showing the greatest progress over time. Other top-ranking institutions include NIFT Delhi for fashion, IIMC Delhi for mass communication, and TISS Mumbai for social work, reflecting their consistent academic excellence and robust infrastructure.
Five years after making her Bollywood debut in Bunty Aur Babli 2, Sharvari Wagh is finally having her moment.
A 19-year-old ethical hacker from West Bengal claims he found major flaws in CBSE’s new digital answer-sheet evaluation system within hours of testing it.
In this episode of 5 Live, watch the exclusive interview of the 19-year-old ethical hacker who hacked and exposed critical security flaws in CBSE's new digital evaluation system.
The new Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has initiated an outreach to opposition leaders on his first day in office, ahead of a floor test in the state assembly. The Chief Minister visited the residences of the former Chief Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and other political rivals to exchange greetings. This gesture marks a departure from the traditional political rivalries in the state. Meanwhile, the assembly session witnessed a split within the AIADMK, with two separate factions arriving independently for the oath-taking ceremony. A majority of the party's legislators are reportedly backing a new legislative party head, demanding the current general secretary step down. In other news, the Prime Minister has urged citizens to reduce fuel consumption and avoid purchasing gold for a year to save foreign exchange amid the escalating war in West Asia. Additionally, suspense continues over the selection of the new Chief Minister in neighbouring Kerala.
The world’s largest water fight comes at a cost. We break down how Songkran, Thailand’s New Year celebration.
