International

Zohran Mamdani Sworn In as New York City Mayor

By BPN News Desk January 1, 2026

Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as the new mayor of New York City just after midnight on January 1, 2026. The oath taking ceremony was held at the decommissioned Old City Hall subway station beneath City Hall Park in Manhattan. The location was chosen for its historical significance and its link to the city’s public […]

National

Modi Extends New Year Greetings, Prays for Peace

By BPN News Desk January 1, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended New Year greetings to people across the country as India welcomed 2026. In his message, the Prime Minister wished citizens good health, happiness and success in the year ahead. He said he prayed for peace and harmony in society and expressed hope that the new year would bring positivity and […]

National Politics

Amit Shah Sets BJP Target of 22 Seats in Kolkata Region

By BPN News Desk January 1, 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asked Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers to aim for winning 22 of the 28 Assembly seats in and around Kolkata in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. Shah made the statement during organisational meetings with party leaders and cadres in the state, stressing the importance of strengthening the BJP’s […]

Defence National

DRDO Successfully Tests Two Pralay Missiles

By BPN News Desk January 1, 2026

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out a salvo launch of two indigenously developed Pralay missiles from the same launcher off the coast of Odisha on December 31, 2025. The flight-tests were conducted around 10:30 am as part of user evaluation trials and both missiles met their flight objectives, with tracking sensors […]

Law & Order National

ED Attaches ₹150 Crore London Property in Fraud Probe

By BPN News Desk January 1, 2026

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached a high value residential property in London worth about ₹150 crore as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation. The property, located near Buckingham Palace, was attached under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The order was issued following evidence that the asset was […]

Business Industry

India Tobacco Stocks Fall After New Excise Duty

By BPN News Desk January 1, 2026

Shares of Indian tobacco companies fell sharply after the government announced a new excise duty on cigarettes, adding to the existing goods and services tax regime. The duty, which will come into effect from February 1, 2026, applies per 1,000 cigarette sticks and varies by cigarette length. This move effectively reintroduces a central levy on […]

International

Zelenskyy Rejects Weak Deal, Putin Vows Victory

By BPN News Desk January 1, 2026

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine wants the war to end but will not sign a weak peace agreement that, in his view, would only delay another round of fighting. In a New Year address, he said Ukrainians are exhausted after nearly four years of war, but insisted that tiredness will not translate into surrender. […]

Cricket Sports

Afghanistan Name Squad for T20 World Cup 2026

By BPN News Desk December 31, 2025

The Afghanistan Cricket Board has named its 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be played in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2026. All-rounder Rashid Khan will lead the team as captain. Afghanistan is placed in Group D alongside New Zealand, South Africa, the United […]

International

Quad Envoys Hold Rare Public Meeting in Beijing

By BPN News Desk December 31, 2025

Ambassadors from the four Quad countries, India, the United States, Japan and Australia, held a rare publicly acknowledged meeting in Beijing. The meeting took place at the US Embassy in the Chinese capital and was described as part of routine diplomatic engagement among the four countries. Focus on Indo-Pacific Issues During the meeting, the envoys […]

Science Space & Astronomy

ISRO Successfully Tests SSLV Third Stage

By BPN News Desk December 31, 2025

The Indian Space Research Organisation has successfully conducted a ground test of the upgraded third stage of its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle. The static test was carried out at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota as part of preparations for upcoming SSLV missions. Key Upgrades in the Third Stage The third stage, known as […]