Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati's radio division Akashvani on Friday launched 'Kumbhvani'-- an FM channel dedicated to disseminating information related to the Maha Kumbh 2025, an official statement said.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the FM channel at the Circuit House during the second day of his Prayagraj tour ahead of the mega religious congregation.

"Prasar Bharati has launched the OTT-based Kumbhvani FM channel to disseminate comprehensive information about the Maha Kumbh. Broadcasting at a frequency of 103.5 MHz, the channel will be on air from January 10 to February 26, operating daily from 5.55 am to 10.05 pm," the UP government said in the statement.

Kolkata, Eminent director Aparna Sen was honoured with the ‘Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the annual award ceremony of West Bengal Film Journalists Association for her contributions to Indian cinema.

Accepting the award here on Sunday, Sen expressed gratitude and praised contemporary Bengali filmmakers for carrying forward the legacy of Bengali cinema.

"I thank the organisers for conferring this honour to me. I have great respect and faith in contemporary filmmakers in Bengal like Srijit Mukherji, Atanu Ghosh and many others. Let us carry this rich legacy of Bengali cinema further," the 'Parama' director said at the acceptance speech.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Monday picked international jurist Nawaf Salam to form a government to pull the war-scarred country out of economic crisis.

A majority of Lebanese lawmakers endorsed Mr. Salam, the presiding judge at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, after two years of a caretaker government.

"The president of the republic has called on Judge Nawaf Mr. Salam to task him with forming a government," the presidency said.

India has successfully tested field evaluation trials of indigenously-developed third-generation anti-tank guided missile Nag Mk-2.

The defence ministry said the trials were conducted recently at a firing range in Rajasthan's Pokhran in the presence of senior Army officers.

"Field evaluation trials of indigenously-developed Nag Mk 2, the third-generation anti-tank fire-and-forget guided missile, were successfully conducted recently at Pokhran field range in the presence of senior officers of the Indian Army," it said.

"During the three field trials, the missile systems destroyed precisely all the targets — maximum and minimum range, thus validating its firing range," it said.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed the ‘HimKavach’ clothing system to protect soldiers operating in extreme cold conditions. The system, designed to function in temperatures ranging from 20°C to -60°C, has passed all user trials in operational settings.

The HimKavach system is made up of multiple layers, each tailored for insulation, breathability, and comfort. The modular design allows soldiers to add or remove layers depending on the weather. This feature is seen as critical for troops operating in the Himalayas, where temperatures can drop sharply.

Before HimKavach, the Indian Army used the Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS), a three-layered outfit developed by DRDO’s Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences. The ECWCS provided insulation and waterproofing and included a reversible outer layer for camouflage in snowy and non-snowy terrain.

India top-order batter Shreyas Iyer, who guided Kolkata Knight Riders to their IPL title triumph in 2024, was named captain of Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Sunday ahead of the upcoming season set to begin in March.

Iyer, a proven leader and one of the most sought-after players in the IPL, was roped in by PBKS for a record-breaking ₹26.75 crore, making him the second-most expensive player during the November auction.

At PBKS, Iyer will reunite with head coach Ricky Ponting, with whom he shared a successful stint at Delhi Capitals, guiding the team to the 2020 IPL final.

"I am honoured that the team has reposed its faith in me. I am looking forward to working again with coach Ponting. The team looks strong, with a great mix of potential and proven performers. I hope to repay the faith shown by the management to deliver our maiden title," said Iyer in a statement.

Prime Minister Ilza Amado Vaz of São Tomé and Príncipe has resigned after her proposed cabinet list was made public before being presented to President Carlos Vila Nova. According to a Presidential decree, this breach prompted her dismissal from office.

Amado Vaz, a former Justice Minister, was appointed Prime Minister on January 9, following the President’s dissolution of Patrice Trovoada’s government on January 6. Per the decree, she was required to submit her proposed government structure and cabinet list by January 11. However, the ruling Independent Democratic Action Party shared the list on social media the same day it was submitted before the President was officially informed. In her resignation letter, Amado Vaz acknowledged the premature release of the list, which led to her dismissal.

The President’s decision to dissolve the previous Government has fueled political controversy in the West African island nation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated and dedicated the prestigious Sonamarg Tunnel to the nation, in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.

Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Dr Jitendra Singh, J&K Lt Gov Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Senior UT Ministers, Parliament Members, Legislators and senior Tunnel Project Officials were present on the occasion.

Prime Minister also inspected the tunnel by moving inside the tunnel. He was briefed about the tunnel project.
The Sonamarg Tunnel will significantly reduce the travel time to just 20-25 minutes between Gagangeer and Sonamarg in Ganderbal district.

The Tunnel is a game-changer for the region, offering more than just a connection between Gagangeer and Sonamarg.
The tunnel is equipped with cutting-edge technologies that provide real-time updates and seamless connectivity for users. This futuristic infrastructure will enhance the travel experience and also set a new standard for road connectivity in the region.

The Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC), apex meet for policy deliberation for the promotion and propagation of inland waterways in India, witnessed major announcements to boost infrastructure along national waterways, a release said on Friday.

According to the release, the second meeting of IWDC, organised by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the nodal agency for the development of waterways under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), announced investments of more than RS 50,000 crore in the next five years. A series of new initiatives across 21 Inland Waterway States were announced worth more than Rs 1400 crore, on the occasion. The meeting was presided over by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal.

The IWDC began with a traditional lamp lighting ceremony by the Chief Minister of Assam, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma along with the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal at Kohora in Kaziranga.

South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a Chhattisgarh-based subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), has achieved a significant milestone by launching a dedicated Post-Retirement Benefit (PRB) Cell. This initiative underscores SECL’s commitment to ensuring the welfare and convenience of its retired employees.

The PRB Cell, acting as a single window, consolidates various post-retirement services under one roof, streamlining the process for retired employees. Previously, retirees were required to liaise with multiple departments—such as Personnel, Finance, and Medical, to address matters related to pensions, provident funds, medical facilities, and other benefits.

This fragmented approach often resulted in delays, miscommunication, and undue stress for the retirees. The newly launched PRB Cell resolves these issues by offering a centralized platform where retired employees can access all their post-retirement benefits and services seamlessly.