Human Interest

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

Millions of devotees thronged Haridwar, Varanasi and Prayagraj on Mauni Amavasya, braving cold and fog to take sacred dips, perform rituals and prayers, as authorities enforced tight security and crowd management during the major Magh Mela bathing day nationwide peacefully

Tamil Nadu Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin flagged off the Palamedu Jallikattu with 1,000+ bulls and 500 tamers. Actor Soori attended, prizes included cars and tractors. Over 2,000 police managed crowds; 57 injured. Finale set at Alanganallur January 17

Filmmaker Puri Jagannadh announced his new multi-lingual film with Vijay Sethupathi, titled *Slumdog – 33 Temple Road*. Produced by Jagannadh, Charmme Kaur, and JB Narayan Rao, the action-packed drama is set for release in five Indian languages

A four-year-old girl died when a nilgai crashed through her family’s car windshield in Guna, Madhya Pradesh. Her parents were injured, and the animal, trapped inside the vehicle, was rescued by forest officials and is in critical condition

Jharkhand Health Department issued an advisory to strengthen surveillance and preparedness against Nipah virus after two cases were reported in neighbouring West Bengal. Though no cases exist in Jharkhand, authorities urged vigilance, isolation readiness and public awareness due to high infection risk

Australia said social media platforms have removed or restricted 4.7 million child accounts since banning under-16s in December, marking early success of the landmark law. Officials said enforcement is working, encouraging other countries to consider similar child safety measures

As counting began for Maharashtra’s 29 municipal corporations, Shiv Sena leaders expressed confidence in a strong Mahayuti performance, citing consistent electoral outcomes and development work, even as controversies emerged over voting ink and phased counting delays

Iskcon Mayapur authorities warned devotees and tourists against fake websites offering fraudulent accommodation bookings. An FIR has been filed after several visitors were cheated through convincing online portals, prompting appeals to use only the official booking website

Hollywood star Sharon Stone introduced a new puppy as the latest member of her family, sharing photos from the Astra Film Awards. The actress also highlighted her upcoming role in action thriller sequel 'Nobody 2.'

Bangladesh’s interim government has scrapped a Rs 50-crore Liberation War documentation project initiated by Sheikh Hasina’s administration, citing poor quality and historical inaccuracies in 14,640 recorded interviews. The contractor will not be paid, and the videos will not be archived

The WHO urges higher taxes on sugary drinks, fruit juices, and alcohol to combat non-communicable diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart conditions. Low taxation keeps these products cheap, boosting consumption and profits while straining global health systems

  Twenty-nine Naxalites, including a Rs 2 lakh reward head, surrendered in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district under the “Poona Margem” rehabilitation initiative. Enhanced security, anti-Naxal operations, and government incentives weakened Maoist influence in the Darbha division, encouraging reintegration into society 

Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on India’s industrial growth and reliance on Chinese imports sparked a political clash, with BJP leaders accusing him of undermining national interests, while Congress defenders say he emphasized strengthening domestic manufacturing to boost economic progress 

  Al Qaeda is increasingly using AI and deepfake technology to radicalize and recruit in India, hosting servers across multiple countries. The outfit’s low-profile, calculated approach exploits Osama Bin Laden’s image, creating significant challenges for Indian intelligence agencies 

Iran’s judiciary head Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei vowed fast trials and executions for detainees in nationwide protests, emphasizing urgency. His remarks came in defiance of US President Donald Trump’s warning of “very strong action” against such measures

Nobel Laureate Jack Szostak highlighted telomeres’ key role in ageing, cancer, and cell repair, explaining that stress shortens them. He emphasized genomics, including the Genome India Project, to understand disease susceptibility and guide healthier lifestyles and therapeutic development 

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

On Armed Forces Veterans Day, CDS General Anil Chauhan and Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi paid tribute to veterans and their families, honouring their selfless service, leadership, and contributions to India’s defence, inspiring future generations in national security and development

  Two siblings, aged 4 and 5, who went missing from Ranchi’s Dhurwa area 12 days ago, were rescued from kidnappers in Ramgarh district. Jharkhand police traced them successfully, with Chief Minister Hemant Soren praising the coordinated investigation 

A construction crane collapsed onto a passenger train in northeastern Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima province, derailing the train and causing a fire. At least 22 people were killed and 64 injured while traveling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani

Sub-zero temperatures across Kashmir have frozen parts of Dal Lake and other water bodies as the region experiences 'Chilla-i-Kalan,' a 40-day extreme cold period. Srinagar recorded minus 5.2°C, with a western disturbance expected to impact weather from January 16

Small lifestyle changes such as five extra minutes of sleep, brief moderate exercise, and slightly improved diet can significantly extend lifespan, studies suggest. Research published in The Lancet shows combined improvements in sleep, activity, and nutrition deliver outsized benefits to population health