Human Interest

Mauritius President Dharambeer Gokhool offered prayers at the Tirumala Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple, where he was received by TTD officials and presented with silk clothes, prasadams and a deity portrait after darshan at the world’s richest Hindu shrine

At least six people, including four from a family, were killed in fresh wild elephant attacks in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district. The tusker has killed 13 people in two days, prompting forest teams to launch operations to drive it away

The North Atlantic right whale population, estimated at 384, shows a slight rebound with 15 calves spotted this winter—higher than recent years. Experts warn recovery remains fragile, with ship strikes and fishing gear entanglement threatening the species. Approximately 50 calves per year are needed for long-term survival

Suresh Kalmadi, former IOA President and towering Indian sports administrator, passed away in Pune. A former Air Force officer and politician, he organised major events like the 2010 Commonwealth Games and revived the National Games. His legacy blends sporting achievements with the controversy of CWG corruption allegations

Rajasthan is experiencing severe cold, with night temperatures dipping below 10°C and four locations recording below 5°C. Schools in over a dozen districts, including Jaipur and Ganganagar, extended winter vacations. Dense fog, cold day conditions, bonfires, and night shelters are reported across the state

In Dhaka, Sharif Osman Hadi’s party staged a day-long “March for Justice,” demanding the trial of his killers and repatriation of alleged culprits reportedly in India. Bangladesh’s claims of Indian involvement were denied by New Delhi, while local investigations found no evidence of border crossings by the suspects

Reliance Industries confirmed it has not received Russian crude for nearly three weeks and expects none in January, halting imports at its SEZ refinery to comply with EU sanctions, amid reports linking three tankers to its Jamnagar complex

  Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal unveiled the wearable device ‘Temple’ to track cerebral blood flow, central to his Gravity Ageing Hypothesis. While innovative, medical experts question its scientific validity. The device remains private research-only, not available commercially 

The US reached a deal with Dominica to send foreigners seeking asylum to the Caribbean nation, raising local concerns about resources and security. The move follows US visa restrictions and mirrors similar agreements with Belize, Paraguay, and Antigua and Barbuda

A 15-year-old boy in Pathankot, Punjab, was arrested for allegedly sharing sensitive security information with Pakistani handlers after being radicalized online. Police said the tech-savvy minor’s mobile was cloned, and he had recorded key locations, posing potential national security risks

The Madras High Court, Madurai Bench, upheld a single judge’s order permitting lighting of a lamp on the ‘Deepathoon’ stone pillar at Thirupparankundram hill, affirming the site belongs to the Lord Subramania Swamy Temple, hailed as a victory by devotees

Ukraine’s allies convened in Paris to discuss post-ceasefire security and military support amid uncertainty due to the US focus on Venezuela. Talks aim to strengthen Ukraine’s defense, monitor a ceasefire, deploy multinational forces, and ensure long-term deterrence against Russia

A migrant tiger from Maharashtra re-entered Peddapalli district after crossing the Godavari, while another returned to Maharashtra. Forest officials are monitoring tiger movements near coal mines with CCTV, trackers, and awareness programs, ensuring safety alongside resident tigresses thriving in the area

Three children aged three to six died in a Varanasi village after allegedly consuming poisonous kaner fruit while playing. Police said the incident appears accidental, with no foul play suspected, and precautionary medical checks conducted for other children present

Scientists from Mizoram and international collaborators have discovered a new non-venomous reed snake species, *Calamaria mizoramensis*, endemic to the state. Published in *Zootaxa*, the finding corrects a long-standing misidentification and highlights Northeast India’s rich but underexplored biodiversity

Intelligence inputs warn that Jamaat-e-Islami’s subcontinental hawala network has reactivated ahead of elections, raising funds for terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. The network is allegedly being used by the ISI to rebuild terror infrastructure and influence regional stability

EAM S Jaishankar visited the Paris exhibition *Ce qui se trame – woven stories between India and France*, highlighting India’s textile heritage. His visit reinforces India-France cultural and strategic ties, with upcoming talks on bilateral cooperation and global issues

The Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps installed a 10-KW solar power plant in Muguthang village, North Sikkim, providing year-round electricity to 32 residents. The project under the Vibrant Villages Programme enhances safety, connectivity, and prevents seasonal migration

The Supreme Court of India, led by CJI Surya Kant, signed an MoU with Bhutan’s apex court to exchange young legal professionals. Two Bhutanese law clerks will work in India for three months, with honorarium and travel covered by the SC

A man, Jitendra alias Ballam, was arrested in Baghpat for allegedly torturing a dog and forcing it to drink alcohol after a video went viral. A case under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act has been registered

Eleven monkeys, including two langurs, were found dead in Tumakuru’s Devarayanadurga forest area over two days. Forest officials suspect food poisoning based on post-mortem findings, though the exact cause will be confirmed after laboratory analysis of collected samples

The Supreme Court denied bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case, citing a prima facie case under UAPA. However, bail was granted to five other accused in the same matter

Finland combats fake news by teaching media literacy from preschool, now expanding to artificial intelligence education. Integrated into national curricula, these efforts aim to strengthen democratic resilience and counter disinformation, particularly amid rising AI use and heightened Russian propaganda concerns

Devotees thronged Sangam ghats on Magh Mela’s third day in Prayagraj, praising arrangements and security. The 44-day festival began January 3, features multiple auspicious bathing dates, extensive crowd management, transport facilities, and concludes on Mahashivratri with strong administrative oversight statewide