The Maha Kumbh 2025 has begun, and it's drawing people from all corners of the world to Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, for this grand spiritual event.

In our LEAD, the INDIA bloc cracks as Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal clash, with Paras Singh for Hindustan Times highlighting accusations of broken promises and hidden alliances. SPOTLIGHT celebrates IMD’s 150 years, as Vasudevan Mukunth for The Hindu underscores its regional impact in forecasting and disaster management. Our SPORTS UPDATE sees BCCI eyeing limited family time for players, reported by Rasesh Mandani for Indian Express. In TECH, Dunzo collapses amid a fund crunch, Sai Keerthi for YourStory revealed. ENTERTAINMENT reports a 3.32 per cent dip in 2024 box office earnings, per Fenil Seta for Bollywood Hungama.

Sydney’s 2DAY FM has cancelled its networked weekend breakfast show hosted by Mike E and Emma sparking rumors of a potential breakfast slot reshuffle, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Australian journalist and TV icon Simon Townsend has died at 79 following a recent diagnosis of aggressive cancer, Mediaweek reported.

The Guardian’s Ariel Bogle says making the leap from being a technology beat reporter at Mashable and the ABC, to being a broader investigations reporter hasn’t been a massive leap because there isn’t a significant gulf between the two roles.

Abbey Smith has started a new role as a reporter and digital content creator at Channel 10 Adelaide. Abbey, a former Breakfast newsreader at Nova Adelaide, was affected by a recent restructuring at NOVA Entertainment.

The Australian Financial Review is expanding its lifestyle content in 2025 with four key appointments across its glossy titles, Mumbrella reported.

Hamish Macdonald will host the Mornings program on 702 ABC Radio Sydney from Monday to Thursday, starting January 20, 2025.

Long-time journalist Chris Griffith is back on the bike and seeking new freelance opportunities after having open heart surgery last September.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on January 10 launched a special FM channel of All India Radio, Kumbhvani (103.5 MHz), at Circuit House, Prayagraj.

In our LEAD, Maha Kumbh’s mass devotion fuels a Rs 3,600 crore advertising boom, with brands cashing in on the world’s largest congregation. For SPOTLIGHT, we look at Apple’s Rs 1 lakh crore iPhone exports, highlighting India’s ascent as a global tech hub. In ENTERTAINMENT, Ajith Kumar races to third place at 24H Dubai, proving he’s a star on screen and track. Our SPORTS section sees cricket legends return to Ranji Trophy. Meanwhile, in TECH, Mashable explored Meta’s algorithm shakeup under Zuckerberg. Finally, BIZARRE uncovers Sambhal’s fake will scam, where 114 plots near a historic stepwell were fraudulently sold.

Clarity Communication has won PR mandates for KeenSemi, Bliss Body and Misfits Communications, marking a significant milestone for the growing agency, Influencing India has learned.

Monique Dews is returning to full-time radio as the Drive newsreader on Brisbane’s 4BC.

The Hit Network has launched a new national Nights show, The Hot Hits with Nic & Loren, hosted by Nic Kelly and Loren Barry. The program premiered on Monday, January 13, at 7 pm., offering the latest music, special guests, and music news.