Top news of the day: Four ISS astronauts splash down on Earth after first-ever medical evacuation; Uddhav Thackeray claims irregularities in Maharashtra civic polls, and more

SpaceX capsule with four ISS astronauts splashes down on Earth safely after first-ever medical evacuation

Four International Space Station crew members splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on Thursday (January 15, 2026), NASA footage showed, after the first-ever medical evacuation in the orbital lab’s history. A video feed from NASA showed the capsule carrying American astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov and Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui land off the coast of San Diego at 12.41 a.m. (0841 GMT).

Uddhav Thackeray claims irregularities in Maharashtra civic polls, calls it ‘murder’ of democracy

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday (January 15, 2026) alleged irregularities in the Maharashtra civic polls, saying it was an attempt to “murder” democracy. The former Chief Minister also demanded the suspension of the State Election Commissioner over alleged irregularities in the municipal corporation polls.

We are preparing for future wars; indigenisation key for self-reliance: Army Chief

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Thursday (January 15, 2026) said the institution is moving forward as a future-ready force and underscored the need for indigenous equipment, calling it a “strategic necessity”.

Air India aircraft grounded after engine ingests container

One of the engines of an Air India A350 on Thursday (January 15, 2025) ingested a ground container while taxiing to the parking bay amid dense fog. The aircraft was operating a New Delhi–New York flight and returned to Delhi shortly after departure due to Iranian airspace restrictions.

Exports rise 1.87% to $38.5 billion in December: Commerce Secretary

The country’s merchandise exports rose 1.87% to $38.5 billion in December 2025, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said on Thursday (January 15, 2026). Imports increased to $63.55 billion in December 2025 from $58.43 billion a year ago. The trade deficit stood at $25 billion during the month under review.

Russia says concerned by NATO deployments in Greenland

Russia said it was seriously concerned by the arrival of NATO military personnel in Greenland, a mineral-rich island in the Arctic that U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to seize. “The situation unfolding in the high latitudes is of serious concern to us,” the Russian Embassy in Belgium, where NATO is headquartered, said in a statement published late Wednesday (January 15, 2025).

Singapore Prime Minister Wong removes Indian-origin LoP Pritam Singh

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has removed Indian-origin Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh as Leader of the Opposition (LoP), and asked the Opposition party to nominate another Member of Parliament (MP) to fill the position.

Supreme Court stays Kolkata Police probe into ED officers, says ‘lawlessness’ may creep into other States

The Supreme Court on Thursday (January 15, 2026) froze the Kolkata Police probe against Directorate of Enforcement (ED) officials who conducted searches at the I-PAC office and the residence of its co-founder Pratik Jain on January 8. The police investigation was based on allegations that sensitive election records of the State’s ruling Trinamool Congress party, which consults I-PAC on electoral and political strategy, were “stolen” by the Central agency officials during the raids.

CBI conducts searches in various parts of Kolkata in bank fraud case

CBI officers on Thursday (January 15, 2026) conducted searches at different places in Kolkata in connection with a bank fraud case, officials said. The searches were being conducted at the residence of a businessman in the city’s New Alipore area, and in New Town near the city, among other places, they said.

BSP to contest all elections alone, including 2027 U.P. Assembly polls: Mayawati

BSP president Mayawati on Thursday (January 15, 2026) said her party will contest all elections across the country, including the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, on its own, and it would form a government with a full majority in the State. Addressing a press conference in Lucknow on her 70th birthday, Ms. Mayawati said the party had decided that it was “more appropriate” to fight all small and big elections independently and would not enter any kind of alliance with any party.

Supreme Court reserves verdict on plea to withdraw life-sustaining treatment for Harish Rana

The Supreme Court on Thursday (January 15, 2026) reserved for judgment a plea by the family of Harish Rana, a 31-year-old man, to withdraw life-sustaining treatment to him. During the nearly hour-long hearing, a Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan heard submissions made by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, for the Union government, and advocate Rashmi Nandakumar, appearing for the family of Mr. Rana.

Two held after encounter for recent firing incidents in Delhi; Bishnoi gang link suspected \

The Delhi Police on Thursday (January 15, 2026) said they have caught two bike-borne shooters, allegedly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, for their role in two recent firing incidents in the national capital. Police said the accused had opened fire at two locations on the intervening night of Monday (January 12, 2026) and Tuesday (January 13, 2026). The accused, identified as Deepak and a minor, were nabbed after a brief encounter in north Delhi.