Morning news in Brief: Catch latest updates here

January 18, 2026

1. PM Modi flags off India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train from Bengal’s Malda

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train from Malda in West Bengal, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing modernisation of Indian Railways.

2. Mass killings continue as situation remains grim in Iran amid anti-Khamenei protests

The protests in Iran, which started in December last year, are continuing to escalate despite the large-scale mass killings of the demonstrators across the nation. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), by Wednesday, the death toll in the nationwide crackdown by Iranian security forces on the protestors climbed to 2614.

3. Rahul Gandhi meets patients and families of Indore water contamination victims, demands Compensation

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited Indore to meet the families of victims affected by the ongoing water contamination crisis in Madhya Pradesh. The visit comes amid growing public outrage over contaminated drinking water linked to multiple deaths and hospitalizations in the region. Gandhi took time to interact personally with the families, listening to their grief and demanding accountability from the state government.

4. Delhi, UP on alert as Intel flags Khalistani, Bangladesh-linked terror threats

Intelligence agencies on Saturday issued an alert ahead of Republic Day, warning of a possible attempt by proscribed Khalistani outfits and Bangladesh-based terror organizations to target New Delhi and several other cities across the country.

5. Singer B Praak Gets Death Threat From Bishnoi Gang, Rs 10 Crore Demanded

Punjabi singer B. Praak has received a death threat from a Lawrence Bishnoi gang member, who reportedly demanded Rs 10 crore and threatened to kill him if the demand is not met, putting police on alert and setting up security for the singer.

6. U19 World Cup: India Clinch Thrilling DLS Win Over Bangladesh as Malhotra, Suryavanshi Shine in Bulawayo

A stirring all-round effort from Vihaan Malhotra (4 for 14), backed by a blazing half-century from Vaibhav Suryavanshi (72), powered India to an 18-run victory over Bangladesh via DLS method in their second match of the tournament at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.

7. Punjab CM discusses border issue with HM Shah; seeks rehabilitation of agricultural land situated beyond border fencing

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss issues related to the international border and other pending matters concerning the state, asserting that Punjab’s rights were clearly placed before the Centre.

8. Two Maoists killed in encounter with security forces in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh

Two Maoists, including a key commander, were neutralised in an intense encounter with Maoists in the dense forests of the National Park area in Bijapur district.

9. Flights delayed in Delhi amid dense fog, AQI in ‘very poor’ category

Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) woke up to another harsh winter morning on Saturday, with icy temperatures, dense fog and hazardous air quality combining to intensify discomfort across North India. The cold wave continued unabated for the sixth consecutive day, while pollution levels breached the “severe” category, prompting authorities to reimpose stringent restrictions under Stage-III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

10. Will also get Punjab govt’s FSL investigated by CBI: Delhi Assembly Speaker

Amid the controversy surrounding former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi’s video clip, Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Saturday said that the Punjab government’s Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) would also be investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Addressing a press conference, Gupta reiterated that he would ensure a CBI probe into the functioning and findings of the Punjab government’s FSL in connection with the case.