Wednesday, January 28, 2026
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Evening news wrap: Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash; Oppn demands ‘thorough probe’, and more

From Baramati To Power Broker: How Ajit Pawar’s Sudden Death Leaves A Massive Political Vacuum

Ajit Pawar dies in plane crash

  • Ajit Pawar no more: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and four others on board died after an aircraft carrying them crashed in Baramati town of Maharahstra’s Pune district.
  • Oppn demands probe: Led by the Congress, opposition leaders demanded a thorough investigation into the plane crash that killed Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and four others.
  • World T20: Former India opener Krishnamachari Srikkanth has launched a scathing attack on PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, urging Pakistan to ‘stay away’ after Naqvi hinted at a possible withdrawal from the tournament.
  • Punished for ‘disobedience’: Russian military commanders reportedly punished two soldiers accused of desertion and disobeying orders by tying them to a tree and forcing snow into their mouths.
  • Bizarre diktat: Panchewa village panchayat in MP’s Ratlam district o issued a decree, calling for a total social and economic boycott of the families whose children opt for love marriages.

Here are the top 5 stories of the day:

Ajit Pawar, four others die in plane crash in Maharashtra’s Baramati

The plane, a Learjet 45 (registration VT-SSK) operated by VSR, crashed while attempting an emergency landing at around 8.45am, according to officials and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). He was on board along with two other personnel — a personal security officer and an attendant — and two crew members, including the pilot-in-command and first officer. Read full story here

From Baramati To Power Broker: How Ajit Pawar’s Sudden Death Leaves A Massive Political Vacuum

‘Why did this happen?’: Congress leads opposition demand for probe into Ajit Pawar’s plane crash

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called for a probe, describing Pawar’s death as untimely and deeply shocking. “We will demand an investigation into this accident. It is a very sad incident. Ajit Pawar died a premature death. The passing away of a hard-working man has shocked us all. We are with his family in this hour,” Kharge said. Read full story here

‘Hey Pakistan, don’t come, you’ll be thrashed’: India World Cup-winner warns Mohsin Naqvi

“Hey Pakistan, don’t come. Your man Mohsin Naqvi has been talking about it – don’t come. You will be thrashed. A six hit in Colombo will land in Madras. Beware. The best option is to stay away. Find an excuse and don’t come. These boys will thrash them hard,” Srikkanth said in a video on his YouTube channel. Read full story here

Russian soldiers tied half-naked to trees, forced to eat snow as punishment

A leaked footage shows the men in only their underwear, exposed to the freezing cold. Both soldiers apologised for their alleged disobedience, with one saying, “I’m sorry, it won’t happen again,” while hanging upside down as a superior officer shoved snow into his mouth, saying, “Eat it. Absolute fools.” The officer, according to the video, also shouted, “These idiots tried to leave their positions without permission, refusing to follow orders. What are you lying about?” Read full story here

Boycott families if kids opt for love marriage: MP village panchayat

The diktat followed eight instances of elopement in the past six months. The ‘Khap-style’ decree sparked tension in the village, prompting Jat community members, along with Rashtriya Jat Tejveer Sena, to approach district collector and SP on Tuesday, demanding action against the people responsible for the decree. Read full story her Go to Source

Hot this week

‘Satyagraha’ at the Kennedy Center: Philip Glass leads artists’ boycott in protest of Trump takeover

Philip Glass (AP image) TOI correspondent from Washington: Celebrated American composer and Indophile Philip Glass has withdrawn the world premiere of his Symphony No 15, “Lincoln,” from the MAGA-infused Kennedy Center in Washingto Read More

Pallavi Aiyar Talks Breaking The Public-Private Divide

Excerpts from the interview.Q: How did this book come about? A: A lot of my books have the personal in them. I think this in some ways is the most personal. Read More

Desert dust storms ferry disease-causing bacteria to the Himalayan hilltops

Photo credit: IANS BENGALURU: High in the Himalayas, where thin air and cold temperatures are often believed to offer natural protection against disease, an unseen traveller is arriving on the wind. Read More

Pakistani Colonel Gunned Down In Major TTP Attack In Dera Ismail Khan

Unidentified assailants opened fire on Colonel Khan’s vehicle near Karamat Abad on Bannu Road, killing him on the spot before fleeing the scene. Read More

Topics

‘Satyagraha’ at the Kennedy Center: Philip Glass leads artists’ boycott in protest of Trump takeover

Philip Glass (AP image) TOI correspondent from Washington: Celebrated American composer and Indophile Philip Glass has withdrawn the world premiere of his Symphony No 15, “Lincoln,” from the MAGA-infused Kennedy Center in Washingto Read More

Pallavi Aiyar Talks Breaking The Public-Private Divide

Excerpts from the interview.Q: How did this book come about? A: A lot of my books have the personal in them. I think this in some ways is the most personal. Read More

Desert dust storms ferry disease-causing bacteria to the Himalayan hilltops

Photo credit: IANS BENGALURU: High in the Himalayas, where thin air and cold temperatures are often believed to offer natural protection against disease, an unseen traveller is arriving on the wind. Read More

Pakistani Colonel Gunned Down In Major TTP Attack In Dera Ismail Khan

Unidentified assailants opened fire on Colonel Khan’s vehicle near Karamat Abad on Bannu Road, killing him on the spot before fleeing the scene. Read More

India To Build Its Own ‘Sukhoi-Style’ Passenger Jet As HAL Seals Russian Deal

HAL and United Aircraft Corporation sign a landmark deal to manufacture the Sukhoi Superjet-100 in India, marking a major step for indigenous passenger aircraft Go to Source Read More

Volkswagen India lines up five product interventions for 2026, begins year with Tayron R-Line

Volkswagen India on Wednesday outlined an aggressive product strategy for 2026, announcing five product interventions spread across the year as it looks to strengthen brand relevance and customer engagement in the Indian market. Read More

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