Times of India

A fierce blaze swept through the bustling Arki market in Solan, claiming 10 precious lives, among them nine Nepalese nationals and an eight-year-old boy from Bihar. The fire erupted, devastating the area due to multiple cylinder explosions in a wooden edifice, transforming the market into a scene of destruction.

Iran is set to execute a 26-year-old man, Erfan Soltani, arrested just last week amid widespread protests. His family claims he received a death sentence within two days without a trial, with execution slated for Wednesday. This case raises alarms as potentially the first execution linked to the current unrest, prompting a strong warning from US President Donald Trump.

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the equity benchmark indices, started Wednesday on a negative note, slipping in trade. While Nifty50 was near 25,650, BSE Sensex was down over 120 points.

Kylie Kelce's podcast, Not Gonna Lie, is making a significant mainstream impact with global pop star Demi Lovato headlining the season two premiere. This strategic booking signals the show's evolution from a quiet breakout to a major media player, drawing attention beyond its initial NFL audience and reinforcing its reputation for authentic, unfiltered conversations.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's cryptic social media post after a meeting with Rahul Gandhi has fueled speculation about a leadership change in the state. Despite Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's denial of political discussions, the brief one-on-one interaction between Gandhi and Shivakumar at Mysuru airport has sparked renewed political buzz.

A video has emerged that shows two individuals in traditional garb, who claim to be Dubai residents and YouTube influencers, at the iconic Har Ki Pauri. This development has reignited debates about restricting non-Hindu access to the sacred Ganga ghats. Investigators are delving into the identities and motives of the men involved, and await further actions based on their findings.

Chennai airport faced flight disruptions Wednesday morning as dense smoke from Bhogi festival celebrations reduced runway visibility to just 300 meters. Authorities anticipate improvement later today. The Pollution Control Board urged a smoke-free celebration, highlighting environmental and health risks from burning waste like plastics and tires, which have previously impacted flights and public well-being.

Israel is severing ties with several UN agencies and international bodies, citing persistent bias and hostile actions. This decision follows a review prompted by the US withdrawal from similar organizations. The affected bodies include UN Women and the UN Conference on Trade and Development, with specific grievances cited regarding children in conflict and sexual violence allegations.

Ahead of the second ODI against New Zealand, KL Rahul shared valuable advice with budding cricketers, emphasising patience and perseverance. He urged youngsters to trust the process, continuously work on themselves, and be ready to seize opportunities when they arise. Rahul highlighted that difficult phases are common for all players and stressed the importance of not giving up.

The New York Yankees have bolstered their pitching staff by acquiring left-handed pitcher Ryan Weathers from the Miami Marlins. This move addresses depth concerns for the upcoming season. In exchange, the Yankees sent four promising young position players to Miami. Weathers brings team control and potential to the Yankees' rotation.

Budget 2026 for defence: According to FICCI, enhancing defence spending is essential with a higher capital outlay within a steadily rising defence budget and a significant boost in funding for DRDO to accelerate modernisation and indigenous technology development.

The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education is set to declare the Class 10 and Class 12 October–November session results on January 14. Class 10 results are expected in the morning, followed by Class 12 in the afternoon. Students can check scores online and download provisional mark sheets for immediate academic use.

Mohammad Kaif attributes Virat Kohli's ODI dominance over Rohit Sharma to his exceptional mindset and ability to convert starts into match-winning scores. Kaif highlighted Kohli's self-awareness and relentless standards, even after a significant knock. Kohli's recent fifty-plus streak in ODIs is also noted, bringing him closer to a new Indian record.

The US Commerce Department has signaled a policy shift, approving Nvidia to export its H200 AI chips to China under strict conditions. This move allows for case-by-case licensing reviews instead of automatic rejections for these advanced processors, though the most cutting-edge chips remain off-limits.

Deputy CM Ajit Pawar indicated a potential reunion with his uncle Sharad Pawar, stating he believes in "addition, not subtraction" in politics. He admitted that the bitterness between the two NCP factions has subsided following their alliance for the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic polls, making the contest against the BJP tighter.

Stock market recommendations: Mehul Kothari of Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers recommends buying SJVN, JSW Energy, and Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd. as top stock picks for today.

Police in Bareilly have arrested a 30-year-old wife and her 26-year-old lover for the hammer murder of her husband. The couple allegedly conspired to kill the 50-year-old farmer after he discovered their three-year affair and objected to it. The wife held him down while her lover struck him with a hammer.

US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Iran, vowing strong action if authorities proceed with executions amid widespread protests. Trump stated that the US would respond forcefully if hangings commence, emphasizing that killing thousands of people would have severe consequences for Iran. He also indicated that the US is monitoring the situation closely and will act accordingly.

Legendary singer Kumar Sanu was moved by a report of a fan's suicide attempts and personally reached out to offer support. After learning the fan was hospitalized in Patna, Sanu spoke with the fan's father, expressing his sadness and praying for recovery. The singer's team also sought updates on the fan's condition.