Human Interest

A surfer suffered minor injuries in the fourth shark attack off New South Wales in three days. Multiple attacks, including critical injuries to children, have prompted beach closures, shark alerts, and warnings against swimming in murky waters conducive to bull shark activity

An auto bandh called by the Informal Labourers and Workers Federation (ILWF) Drivers Bandh Association disrupted life across Hyderabad, with groups of auto-rickshaw drivers stopping vehicles and forcing passengers to alight.

The Army’s Eastern Command sought Governor CV Ananda Bose’s intervention after CM Mamata Banerjee alleged a senior officer at Fort William aided BJP activities during electoral roll revision, prompting political backlash and the Governor alerting central authorities

Gulmarg recorded minus 5.5°C as the MeT Department forecast moderate to heavy rain and snowfall from January 22 due to two Western Disturbances, warning of transport disruption, landslides, strong winds and advising caution to travellers and residents

Bengaluru Karnataka government suspended DGP K Ramachandra Rao after alleged obscene videos from his office went viral. Citing conduct rule violations, he faces inquiry, travel restrictions, amid denials, prior gold smuggling allegations, and assurances that no officer is above law

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