Human Interest

NASA prepares for Artemis II, a historic crewed lunar flyby on February 6, 2026. Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen will test Orion spacecraft and life-support systems, orbiting the Moon before returning to Earth

Birders have reported at least two new bird species at Pong Dam Lake in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. The Wildlife Department is working to identify them, while a year-end census will record the total migratory bird population for 2026

Indian intelligence agencies have warned of an ISI-backed plot to infiltrate terrorists into India via Bangladesh ahead of Republic Day, citing links with smuggling syndicates and relaxed controls there, as Pakistan-based groups seek alternative routes amid tighter LoC security

China’s population declined for a fourth straight year in 2025 despite incentives to boost births, including cash subsidies and policy shifts after ending the one-child rule. New data show falling birth rates as high living costs, economic pressures and low fertility continue to challenge authorities

Daily Horoscope: Your stars are bringing good tidings for you. Check out your astrological predictions for January 19, 2026. May the day bring you happiness

A 20-year-old villager was killed in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district after accidentally triggering a pressure IED planted by Naxalites while in a forest. Police launched search operations, warned locals to remain cautious, and cited continued civilian casualties from Maoist violence in the Bastar region

Prince Harry returns to London’s High Court as a nine-week trial begins against the Daily Mail’s publisher, accusing it of unlawful privacy breaches. The case marks the final chapter in his high-stakes legal battle to curb tabloid excesses and could involve millions in damages

Ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos, an Oxfam report warned that billionaire wealth hit a record USD 18.3 trillion in 2025, deepening economic and political inequality, with billionaires far more likely to hold power while global poverty, hunger and unrest intensify

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu praised over 50,000 state learners enrolling in IIT Madras–IBM’s Advanced Quantum Skilling course via NPTEL, calling it vital to building one lakh global-standard quantum professionals and driving future-ready, technology-led economic growth in India

ICC U-19 Men’s World Cup 2026 approved Aqil Khan Obaid as Afghanistan’s replacement for Hafieezullah Zadran, sidelined with a fractured left wrist. The Event Technical Committee formally sanctioned the squad change following Zadran’s injury during the opening match against South Africa

The USFDA issued a warning to Telangana’s Palamur Biosciences for serious Good Laboratory Practice violations, citing inhumane animal treatment and unreliable data. PETA India has urged government intervention, demanding rescue of 1,200 animals and reform of India’s experimentation regulator

In Tata Steel Masters Round 1 at Wijk Aan Zee, Arjun Erigaisi defeated R Praggnanandhaa, while D Gukesh drew with Javokhir Sindarov. Hans Niemann and Vincent Keymer also won, leaving Erigaisi, Keymer, and Niemann sharing the early lead

Indonesian rescuers recovered wreckage of a missing ATR 42-500 in Sulawesi’s mountainous region, carrying 11 people. Search teams face steep slopes, fog, and strong winds while investigating the crash, with authorities focusing on locating survivors and determining the cause

Daily Horoscope: Your stars are bringing good tidings for you. Check out your astrological predictions for January 14, 2026. May the day bring you happiness

In Gaza, the “yellow line” established under the October ceasefire has become a deadly zone for civilians. While intended as a buffer between Israeli troops and Palestinians, its shifting and poorly marked boundaries have led to at least 77 deaths from gunfire near the line, including children and teenagers

Space start-up GalaxEye will launch “Mission Drishti,” India’s largest privately developed satellite combining optical and radar sensors to produce all-weather fused earth images, with applications in defence, agriculture, disaster response, and climate monitoring, aiming for a 10-satellite constellation by 2030

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation for the Rs 6,957-crore Kaziranga Elevated Corridor in Assam to ensure safe wildlife movement, reduce highway accidents, and boost ecotourism, while also virtually flagging off two Amrit Bharat Express trains to enhance connectivity

Indian Street Premier League has opened bids for co-ownership of Srinagar Ke Veer, owned by Akshay Kumar, offering investors a chance to partner with a successful franchise as ISPL expands its footprint, viewership and long-term franchise value

AR Rahman addressed backlash over his remarks on alleged communal bias in Bollywood, saying his words were misunderstood, reaffirming India as his inspiration and home, and stressing his commitment to music that uplifts, unites cultures and never intends to hurt sentiments

Unprecedented security has been deployed in Davos for the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, with thousands of troops, snipers, AI drones and cyber tools guarding global leaders, CEOs and institutions amid protest concerns and heightened geopolitical tensions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation for the Kaziranga elevated corridor project, a Rs 6,957-crore initiative aimed at safeguarding wildlife movement, reducing highway accidents and improving connectivity while boosting ecotourism in Assam

Olive Ridley turtle nesting is picking up along Tamil Nadu’s delta coast after a delayed start, with over 9,000 eggs secured in Mayiladuthurai and Nagapattinam, as improving sea conditions and the new moon are expected to boost activity

A Taiwanese journalist was detained on charges of bribing military officers to obtain sensitive information for people in mainland China, as authorities intensified a crackdown on espionage amid rising cross-strait tensions and increased Chinese military pressure on the self-ruled island

Seventh seed Jasmine Paolini cruised past Aliaksandra Sasnovich as the Australian Open began in Melbourne, while stars Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev featured Sunday, with veteran Venus Williams returning via wildcard for a landmark singles appearance event history