Uddhav Thackeray demands suspension of SEC Commissioner over voter-list ‘errors’, 'erasable' ink

IANS | January 15, 2026 3:45 PM

Mumbai, Jan 15 (IANS) Amid the ongoing Municipal Corporation elections in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena(UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the State Election Commission. Accusing the Commission of significant irregularities in the voter lists, including duplicate entries and the use of "erasable ink", Thackeray questioned the very integrity of the poll body and demanded that the State Election Commissioner be suspended and questioned.

Uruguay envoy backs stronger ties with India, hails 'very influential leader' PM Modi

IANS | January 15, 2026 3:24 PM

New Delhi, Jan 15 (IANS) Backing stronger ties between both countries, Uruguay's Ambassador to India, Alberto Antonio Guani Amarilla, on Thursday welcomed India's plan to open an Embassy in Montevideo, later this year. In an interview with IANS, Amarilla also called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "very influential leader" and praised him for raising issues facing the Global South on world stage.

50 pc of Indian startups emerging from Tier 2, 3 cities; women lead inclusive growth

IANS | January 15, 2026 3:15 PM

New Delhi, Jan 15 (IANS) Startups are increasingly bridging India’s rural-urban divide by deploying solutions across agri-tech, telemedicine, microfinance, tourism, and ed-tech, directly addressing developmental gaps and supporting rural livelihoods, an official statement said on Thursday, ahead of the National Startup Day.

Pakistan selling off state-owned firms in distress sales

IANS | January 15, 2026 3:01 PM

New Delhi, Jan 15 (IANS) Poor governance and mismanagement due to political interference are leading to huge losses in Pakistan’s state-owned enterprises, after which they are put up for distress sale at throwaway prices, a Pakistani media report said.