ECI begins IICDEM 2026: CEC highlights India's ancient democratic system at meet

IANS | January 21, 2026 1:00 PM

New Delhi, Jan 21 (IANS) The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday commenced the India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in the national Capital. The three-day conference is poised to be the largest global gathering of its kind hosted by India in the field of democracy and election management, bringing together election administrators, policymakers, academics, and experts from across the world. Welcoming the delegates, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar highlighted India's ancient democratic system while addressing the delegates.

Delhi-NCR air remains in ‘very poor’ category; winter chill eases

IANS | January 21, 2026 8:56 AM

New Delhi, Jan 21 (IANS) Air pollution levels across Delhi-NCR continued to remain alarming on Wednesday, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) standing at 380 at 8:00 a.m., placing the region firmly in the ‘very poor’ category, according to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

HM Amit Shah to visit Uttarakhand today on two-day tour

IANS | January 21, 2026 7:13 AM

New Delhi, Jan 21 (IANS) Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah will be on a two-day visit to Uttarakhand starting Wednesday, during which he will participate in several important religious, cultural, and social programmes in Haridwar and Rishikesh.

Maha Congress rift: Wadettiwar and Dhanorkar at loggerheads over leadership selection

IANS | January 20, 2026 10:48 PM

Chandrapur, Jan 20 (IANS) Despite a significant victory in the Chandrapur Municipal Corporation elections, the internal friction within the Chandrapur district unit of the Congress party has reached a breaking point as a public dispute has erupted between the Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar and party MP Pratibha Dhanorkar.