Jan 13 News Live:No change in leadership, says Karnataka CM after meeting Rahul Gandhi

Karnataka to verify reports of Bangladeshi nationals obtaining Aadhaar: Parameshwara

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Tuesday (January 13) said the state government has begun verification of reports about Bangladeshi nationals obtaining Aadhaar and other identity documents and assured that action would be taken wherever violations are found.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Parameshwara said he has already instructed senior police officials to compile detailed data on the presence of Bangladeshi nationals in Karnataka.

The focus, he said, is on identifying those who have entered the country illegally and secured local identity documents to stay in the state.

His response came following the arrest of two Bangladeshi nationals in the state, who allegedly possessed Aadhaar cards as well.

The Home Minister said the state government has already deported some Bangladeshi nationals and will continue to do so wherever such cases are established.

Referring to how illegal immigrants may be entering the country, Parameshwara said border management is the responsibility of the Centre.

India's electronics exports crossed Rs 4 lakh crore in 2025: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Electronics exports from the country have crossed Rs 4 lakh crore in 2025 and are expected to grow when four semiconductor plants begin production this year, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said.

According to official estimates, electronic production reached around Rs 11.3 crore and exports were to the tune of Rs 3.3 lakh crore in 2024-25.

"Electronics exports crossed Rs 4 lakh crore in 2025, creating jobs and bringing foreign exchange. Momentum will continue in 2026 as four semiconductor plants come into commercial production," Vaishnaw said in a social media post on Monday (January 12).

The mobile phone industry dominates the country's electronics manufacturing sector at present.

According to industry estimates, more than 25 lakh people are employed in the electronics sector.

The minister shared a report which states that iPhone exports from India have hit Rs 2.03 lakh crore in 2025, which is almost double that of Rs 1.1 lakh crore Apple exported in the calendar year 2024.

Operation Sindoor remains ongoing, says Army Chief

Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said that Operation Sindoor remains ongoing and that any future misadventure will be met with a resolute response. He acknowledged the proactive role of national stakeholders, including the CAPFs, intelligence agencies, civic bodies, state administrations, and ministries such as the MHA and Railways.

He said that Operation Sindoor was a clear example of tri-service synergy carried out under a clear political directive with full freedom to act or respond.

TN govt asks people to book in advance for Pongal special buses

Following overwhelming response to the special bus services being operated in view of the mid-January Pongal harvest festival, the Tamil Nadu transport department has appealed to the public to avoid last-minute scramble by booking for the journey in advance.

The special services are being operated to enable the people to visit their native places during the Pongal holidays and return to their places of work.

“From January 9 to 12, a total of 4.88 lakh passengers travelled ahead of the festival. In addition, 2.57 lakh passengers have made advanced booking so far," the release said.

Additional buses were being operated as per the requirement and convenience of the travelling public.

"Therefore, the people are requested to plan their journey and make the reservations for travel and thereby avoid last-minute rush,” the release urged. 

Delhi HC refers BJP's plea challenging AAP MLA Vishesh Ravi’s election to a larger bench

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday (January 13) referred to a larger bench a petition filed by BJP leader Yogender Chandolia challenging the election of AAP’s Vishesh Ravi from the capital’s Karol Bagh Assembly constituency in February 2020.

"The matter is referred to a larger bench. I am not inclined to agree with the view of the coordinate bench," said Justice Subramonium Prasad.

A detailed copy of the judgement is awaited.

In his election petition filed in 2020, Chandolia, who was fielded by the BJP against Ravi from Karol Bagh constituency, alleged that, among other things, the AAP MLA's educational qualification in his nomination affidavit filed for the polls was incorrect.

Chandolia alleged that Ravi's claim that he passed the class 10 examination via the National Institute of Open Schooling in 2003 was false. He thus prayed that the election result for Karol Bagh seat should be declared null and void.

Silver futures hit fresh record on MCX amid Iran tensions, global uncertainty

Silver futures soared to yet another record of Rs 2,72,202 per kg on Tuesday (January 13), tracking firm global trends, as uncertainties surrounding the US Federal Reserve's policy stance and escalating tensions in Iran spurred safe-haven demand.

On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), silver futures for March delivery jumped by Rs 3,232, or 1.2 per cent, to hit a new record of Rs 2,72,202 per kilogram.

In the last two trading sessions, the white metal prices have skyrocketed by Rs 19,477, or 7.7 per cent, from Rs 2,52,725 per kg on Friday.

Silver prices surged sharply on Tuesday as geopolitical tensions in Iran deepened and traders grew wary over the Federal Reserve's policy uncertainty outlook, Rahul Kalantri, VP Commodities, Mehta Equities Ltd, said.

On the Comex, silver futures for the March contract were trading marginally higher at USD 85.20 per ounce, after crossing the USD 86-per-ounce mark for the first time in the previous session.

Passenger vehicle dispatches rise 27 pc year-on-year in December 2025: SIAM

Passenger vehicle dispatches from companies to dealers increased 27 per cent year-on-year in December 2025, led by robust demand for utility vehicles, industry body SIAM said on Tuesday (January 13).

Total passenger vehicle sales stood at 3,99,216 units last month as compared with 3,14,934 units in the year-ago period, registering a growth of 26.8 per cent.

On sales outlook, SIAM noted that the industry enters the fourth quarter of 2025-26 with firm momentum after strong double-digit growth across all vehicle segments in late 2025, and expects steady wholesale and retail volumes traction through the quarter.

The year-end sales push, healthy pipeline of bookings, and the full transmission of 2025 interest rate cuts on loans are expected to support demand, pointing to continued growth into 2025-26, underpinned by stable macroeconomic conditions and supportive policy reforms of the Government of India, it added.

"While remaining watchful of geopolitical developments, the industry expects FY2025-26 to close on a positive growth trajectory, with policy-led tailwinds firmly in place, sustaining the robust performance witnessed in recent years," the industry boy stated.

Kolkata Metro railway services face brief disruption due to power supply glitch

Commuters were inconvenienced during the morning rush hour on Tuesday (January 13), as Kolkata Metro railway services on the busy Dakshineswar-Shahid Khudiram stretch were affected for nearly an hour, owing to a power supply issue, an official said.

The glitch occurred on a train while it was travelling between the Netaji Bhavan and Rabindra Sadan station, he said.

After the train halted due to a power supply issue, passengers were safely brought out and taken to the Netaji Bhavan station, the Metro railway official said.

Normal services were restored at 8.46 am. 

Earthquake of magnitude 3.5 hits Bageshwar in Uttarakhand

A low-intensity earthquake of magnitude 3.5 struck near Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand on Tuesday morning, causing people to rush out of their homes, according to officials.

No loss of life or property has been reported so far, the officials said.

According to the District Disaster Management Office, the magnitude 3.5 earthquake struck at 7.25 am. The epicentre was near Kapkot town, about 30 kilometres from the Bageshwar district headquarters.

Bageshwar District Disaster Management Officer Shikha Suyal said there have been no reports of loss of life or property so far.

Liquor, drugs, weapons seized in Maharashtra's Nanded ahead of civic polls

Ahead of the civic body polls, enforcement agencies have seized a large quantity of liquor, ganja, and some weapons in Maharashtra's Nanded district, officials said.

As many as 929 persons have been booked or externed under legal provisions, they said.

Elections to 29 municipal corporations in the state, including Nanded, are scheduled on January 15.

The local civic body's poll code enforcement teams, in coordination with the state excise department, carried out a series of raids against the illegal sale of country-made and foreign liquor between December 15, 2025 and January 11, 2026.

They seized 441.24 litres of liquor and 2.2 kg of ganja in Nanded district and registered five cases, the officials said on Monday.

The police, as part of the drive against illegal arms, seized a pistol, one live round, four daggers and seven swords, they said.