India–US Ties: Sergio Gor said President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi share a genuine personal bond, underlining that India-US relations remain strong despite differences over trade and tariffs.Annamalai–Thackeray Row: BJP leader K Annamalai dared Raj Thackeray to stop him from entering Mumbai, hitting back at “rasmalai” remark.Mamata vs EC: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Election Commission of forcing voters to re-establish their identity and ignoring past electoral roll corrections during the SIR exercise.Budget 2026: Union Budget 2026 will be presented on a Sunday for the first time, with finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman set to table it on February 1.IND vs NZ Record: India became the first team to successfully chase 300-plus targets 20 times in ODIs after beating New Zealand by four wickets in the series opener. Here are the top five news of the day:‘Trump friendship with PM Modi real,’ says Sergio Gor on India-US tiesUS ambassador-designate to India Sergio Gor highlighted the resilience of India-US ties, saying President Donald Trump shares a genuine personal relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that the partnership remains strong despite occasional differences. “Real friends can disagree but always resolve their differences in the end,” he added amid ongoing negotiations over tariffs and a proposed India-US trade deal.Gor also recalled Trump’s frequent references to his India visit and rapport with Modi, even as both countries negotiate tariffs and a trade deal. Read full story’Will come to Mumbai, try cutting my legs’: Annamalai dares Raj Thackeray amid war of words over ‘rasmalai’ remarkBJP leader K Annamalai hit back at MNS chief Raj Thackeray, daring him to stop his entry into Mumbai, a day after Thackeray mocked him as “rasmalai” and questioned his right to comment on the city.“Who are Aaditya Thackeray and Raj Thackeray to threaten me? I am proud to be a farmer’s son. They have organised meetings just to abuse me. I don’t know whether I have become that important,” Annamalai said.“Some have written that they will cut my legs if I come to Mumbai. I will come to Mumbai—try cutting my legs. If I were afraid of such threats, I would have stayed in my village. If I say Kamaraj is one of India’s greatest leaders, does it mean he is no longer a Tamil? If I say Mumbai is a world-class city, does it mean Maharashtrians didn’t build it? These people are just ignorant,” former Tamil Nadu BJP chief said. Read full story‘Forcing voters to re-establish identity,’ says Mamata Banerjee in a letter to to CECIn the letter, alleged that the Election Commission was overlooking legally mandated corrections made to electoral rolls over the past two decades and compelling voters to prove their identity again during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR).She further accused the EC of serious procedural shortcomings, including not providing proper acknowledgements for documents submitted as part of the revision. Read full storyIn a first, Budget 2026 to be presented on a SundayFor the first time, the Union Budget will be presented on a Sunday. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla that Budget 2026 will be tabled on February 1. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the budget, which will be the eighth of her tenure. The date was announced after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju recently shared the schedule for the Budget Session of Parliament. The session will take place in two parts, from January 28 to April 2. Read full storyIND vs NZ: India first team to hunt down 300-plus targets 20 times in ODIsIndia defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the first ODI on Sunday, successfully chasing a target of 301 in Vadodara to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. With the win, India became the first team in one-day international history to complete 20 successful chases of targets exceeding 300 runs. Virat Kohli top-scored with 93, anchoring the chase with crucial partnerships alongside captain Shubman Gill, who made 56, and Shreyas Iyer, who scored 49. India crossed the target in a tense finish, underlining their reputation as one of the strongest chasing sides in world cricket. Read full storyAbout the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Will Come to Mumbai, Try Cutting My Legs: Annamalai Hits Back at Raj ThackerayIndia Tests Indigenous Fire And Forget Anti-Tank Missile With Top Attack Strike On Moving TargetsShaksgam Valley Row Deepens As China Rejects India’s Claim And Defends CPEC Infra Project With PakIndia To Join Pax Silica As US Signals New Tech Trust Despite Trade Tensions And Tariff DisputesGerman Chancellor Merz Hails India-Germany Ties, Pushes For ‘Economically Meaningful’ India-EU FTA‘This Is Not India’: Protesters Disrupt Sikh Nagar Kirtan Again In New Zealand With Haka DisplayPM Modi, German Chancellor Merz Sign Key Deals As India Germany Push Indo-Pacific StrategyThird Stage Trouble Strikes Again: Inside ISRO’s PSLV-C62 Deviation And What The Failure Means Ahead’Real Friends Can Disagree, But…’: US Envoy Sergio Gor On India-US Ties, Comments On Trade Deal’Organic Shakta Response To Colonial Invasion Of Bharat’: J Sai Deepak On Hindutva At Kolkata Debate123PhotostoriesSwami Vivekananda’s 6 most powerful lessons that guarantee success in lifeMakar Sankranti 2026: 8 types of popular Khichdi dishes to tryFirst Trial Run of Bengaluru’s Pink Line Metro Hits Tracks: What You Need To KnowFrom dust to destiny: Final rush before Delhi–Dehradun highway opens (In Photos)5 most thrilling wildlife adventures near Delhi for the Republic Day 2026 long weekendFrom Rabbit and Hare to Crocodile and Allegator: How these similar looking animals are intrinsically differentSplitsvilla X6: Confirmed contestants list of the Karan Kundrra- Sunny Leone hosted reality showMakar Sankrantri 2026: 10 traditional dishes enjoyed in Bihar and Uttar PradeshWhat 2026 is trying to teach you based on your birth numberBigg Boss Tamil 9: From Aurora to Divya Ganesh – Meet the top 4 finalists of the show123Hot PicksISRO PSLV-C62 missionTrump tariffsGold rate todayBengaluru newsCigarette price hikePublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingStephen Curry BrotherLebron JamesMatthew and Brady Tkachuks Combined Net WorthVanessa BryantBengaluru Girl RapeConnor McDavidISRO LaunchGeorge Valera Net WorthNandani SharmaDarius Slay
- India–US Ties: Sergio Gor said President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi share a genuine personal bond, underlining that India-US relations remain strong despite differences over trade and tariffs.
- Annamalai–Thackeray Row: BJP leader K Annamalai dared Raj Thackeray to stop him from entering Mumbai, hitting back at “rasmalai” remark.
- Mamata vs EC: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Election Commission of forcing voters to re-establish their identity and ignoring past electoral roll corrections during the SIR exercise.
- Budget 2026: Union Budget 2026 will be presented on a Sunday for the first time, with finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman set to table it on February 1.
- IND vs NZ Record: India became the first team to successfully chase 300-plus targets 20 times in ODIs after beating New Zealand by four wickets in the series opener.
Here are the top five news of the day:
‘Trump friendship with PM Modi real,’ says Sergio Gor on India-US ties
US ambassador-designate to India Sergio Gor highlighted the resilience of India-US ties, saying President Donald Trump shares a genuine personal relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that the partnership remains strong despite occasional differences. “Real friends can disagree but always resolve their differences in the end,” he added amid ongoing negotiations over tariffs and a proposed India-US trade deal.Gor also recalled Trump’s frequent references to his India visit and rapport with Modi, even as both countries negotiate tariffs and a trade deal. Read full story
‘Will come to Mumbai, try cutting my legs’: Annamalai dares Raj Thackeray amid war of words over ‘rasmalai’ remark
BJP leader K Annamalai hit back at MNS chief Raj Thackeray, daring him to stop his entry into Mumbai, a day after Thackeray mocked him as “rasmalai” and questioned his right to comment on the city.“Who are Aaditya Thackeray and Raj Thackeray to threaten me? I am proud to be a farmer’s son. They have organised meetings just to abuse me. I don’t know whether I have become that important,” Annamalai said.“Some have written that they will cut my legs if I come to Mumbai. I will come to Mumbai—try cutting my legs. If I were afraid of such threats, I would have stayed in my village. If I say Kamaraj is one of India’s greatest leaders, does it mean he is no longer a Tamil? If I say Mumbai is a world-class city, does it mean Maharashtrians didn’t build it? These people are just ignorant,” former Tamil Nadu BJP chief said. Read full story
‘Forcing voters to re-establish identity,’ says Mamata Banerjee in a letter to to CEC
In the letter, alleged that the Election Commission was overlooking legally mandated corrections made to electoral rolls over the past two decades and compelling voters to prove their identity again during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR).She further accused the EC of serious procedural shortcomings, including not providing proper acknowledgements for documents submitted as part of the revision. Read full story
In a first, Budget 2026 to be presented on a Sunday
For the first time, the Union Budget will be presented on a Sunday. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla that Budget 2026 will be tabled on February 1. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the budget, which will be the eighth of her tenure. The date was announced after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju recently shared the schedule for the Budget Session of Parliament. The session will take place in two parts, from January 28 to April 2. Read full story
IND vs NZ: India first team to hunt down 300-plus targets 20 times in ODIs
India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the first ODI on Sunday, successfully chasing a target of 301 in Vadodara to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. With the win, India became the first team in one-day international history to complete 20 successful chases of targets exceeding 300 runs. Virat Kohli top-scored with 93, anchoring the chase with crucial partnerships alongside captain Shubman Gill, who made 56, and Shreyas Iyer, who scored 49. India crossed the target in a tense finish, underlining their reputation as one of the strongest chasing sides in world cricket. Read full story
![Zoji La [Ladakh] SRINAGAR: Zoji La tunnel, an upcoming strategic corridor that will provide all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh, is nearing a defining moment, with engineers inching towards a “breakthrough” final blast expected around May 30.Work is progressing at about four meters per day from both ends — Sonamarg (Baltal) in Kashmir and Minamarg in Ladakh — using controlled drilling and blasting. Only 300 meters of the 13.155km tunnel is left to excavate, Harpal Singh, chief operating officer (COO) of Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL), told TOI. The Hyderabad-based company is executing the project.“The final blast will bring the excavation phase to a close, completing the tunnel’s core structure,” Singh said, adding the blast will signal the physical connection between Kashmir and Ladakh.According to Singh, this historic milestone will be achieved by reducing tunnel excavation to zero within 30 to 35 days. “Breakthrough will ensure speedy construction of the remaining works, including concrete lining, permanent tunnel drainage, installation of surveillance equipment, control buildings, underground transformers and (traffic) smoke control systems,” Singh explained.The tunnel is still another two-and-a-half years from completion. Before it is opened to the public, the breakthrough will allow construction teams and machines to move seamlessly between two ends, streamlining work. “The teams and equipment can move through the tunnel without any hassle,” Singh said, adding this will help sustain construction through winters when heavy snowfall in Sonamarg halts surface movement.The tunnel will reduce distance between the two ends (Sonamarg and Minamarg) from 49km to 43km and increase vehicle speeds from 30kmph to 70kmph, officials said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSamrat Chaudhary Becomes Bihar CM: A Political Journey Marked by Setbacks and ReinventionIran Expresses Confidence In India’s BRICS Presidency Amid West Asia ConflictPM Modi, Donald Trump Hold 40-Min Phone Call, Discuss Strait Of Hormuz, West Asia SituationPak Enters Noida? Stunning Twist To Wage War As Workers Riot In NCR; Yogi Minister Drops BombshellFuel Price Freeze Amid Hormuz Crisis Is Costing Oil Companies Thousands of Crores DailyChina Defends Renaming Places In Arunachal After India Slams Beijing’s ‘Mischievous Attempt’Bihar DY CM Puzzle for JDU, Nishant Kumar Reluctance Complicates NDA MathNitish Kumar Resigns After 20 Years as Bihar CM; BJP Names Samrat Choudhary as SuccessorWomen’s Reservation Bill Explained: How 850-Seat Lok Sabha Plan Promises To Change Indian PoliticsExplained: Supreme Court Backs Right to Vote but Denies Relief to Bengal’s Deleted Voters123PhotostoriesWhy this new rice variety is called ‘Designer Rice’ and how it will impact your protein intake10 free things to do in Noida that are actually worth your timeHow to make Chef Sanjeev Kapoor-style Langarwali Dal6 essential real estate investment strategies for first-time buyers9 unique food etiquette rules from around the worldTop 5 IT hubs in India driving real estate demandArgue without breaking up: 5 simple rules every couple needs to know‘Bhooth Bangla’, ‘Dacoit’ To ‘The Drama’: What to watch in theatres this Week5 things you can bake beyond bread in an OTGIsrael–Lebanon tensions flare again: Inside Hezbollah’s arsenal and Lebanon’s military hand against Israel123Hot PicksIran warStock market holidayPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingDelhi-Dehradun ExpresswayStock market holidayBank holiday todayKaty PerryAnna Kepner murderDon TzuPraful HingeIPL Points TableKavya MaranNFL news roundup](https://vknewstoday.in/wp-content/uploads/1776198165_photo.jpg "Zoji La [Ladakh] SRINAGAR: Zoji La tunnel, an upcoming strategic corridor that will provide all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh, is nearing a defining moment, with engineers inching towards a “breakthrough” final blast expected around May 30.Work is progressing at about four meters per day from both ends — Sonamarg (Baltal) in Kashmir and Minamarg in Ladakh — using controlled drilling and blasting. Only 300 meters of the 13.155km tunnel is left to excavate, Harpal Singh, chief operating officer (COO) of Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL), told TOI. The Hyderabad-based company is executing the project.“The final blast will bring the excavation phase to a close, completing the tunnel’s core structure,” Singh said, adding the blast will signal the physical connection between Kashmir and Ladakh.According to Singh, this historic milestone will be achieved by reducing tunnel excavation to zero within 30 to 35 days. “Breakthrough will ensure speedy construction of the remaining works, including concrete lining, permanent tunnel drainage, installation of surveillance equipment, control buildings, underground transformers and (traffic) smoke control systems,” Singh explained.The tunnel is still another two-and-a-half years from completion. Before it is opened to the public, the breakthrough will allow construction teams and machines to move seamlessly between two ends, streamlining work. “The teams and equipment can move through the tunnel without any hassle,” Singh said, adding this will help sustain construction through winters when heavy snowfall in Sonamarg halts surface movement.The tunnel will reduce distance between the two ends (Sonamarg and Minamarg) from 49km to 43km and increase vehicle speeds from 30kmph to 70kmph, officials said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSamrat Chaudhary Becomes Bihar CM: A Political Journey Marked by Setbacks and ReinventionIran Expresses Confidence In India’s BRICS Presidency Amid West Asia ConflictPM Modi, Donald Trump Hold 40-Min Phone Call, Discuss Strait Of Hormuz, West Asia SituationPak Enters Noida? Stunning Twist To Wage War As Workers Riot In NCR; Yogi Minister Drops BombshellFuel Price Freeze Amid Hormuz Crisis Is Costing Oil Companies Thousands of Crores DailyChina Defends Renaming Places In Arunachal After India Slams Beijing’s ‘Mischievous Attempt’Bihar DY CM Puzzle for JDU, Nishant Kumar Reluctance Complicates NDA MathNitish Kumar Resigns After 20 Years as Bihar CM; BJP Names Samrat Choudhary as SuccessorWomen’s Reservation Bill Explained: How 850-Seat Lok Sabha Plan Promises To Change Indian PoliticsExplained: Supreme Court Backs Right to Vote but Denies Relief to Bengal’s Deleted Voters123PhotostoriesWhy this new rice variety is called ‘Designer Rice’ and how it will impact your protein intake10 free things to do in Noida that are actually worth your timeHow to make Chef Sanjeev Kapoor-style Langarwali Dal6 essential real estate investment strategies for first-time buyers9 unique food etiquette rules from around the worldTop 5 IT hubs in India driving real estate demandArgue without breaking up: 5 simple rules every couple needs to know‘Bhooth Bangla’, ‘Dacoit’ To ‘The Drama’: What to watch in theatres this Week5 things you can bake beyond bread in an OTGIsrael–Lebanon tensions flare again: Inside Hezbollah’s arsenal and Lebanon’s military hand against Israel123Hot PicksIran warStock market holidayPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingDelhi-Dehradun ExpresswayStock market holidayBank holiday todayKaty PerryAnna Kepner murderDon TzuPraful HingeIPL Points TableKavya MaranNFL news roundup")
