India

SBI Israel is facilitating trade between India and Israel in Indian rupees, including payments through Special Rupee Vostro Accounts. The move supports bilateral trade, remittances from Indian workers, and growing economic ties amid FTA discussions and strategic cooperation

Allegations of irregularities have emerged over non-academic and administrative appointments at Visva-Bharati University, with complaints to PM Modi, the Education Ministry, and UGC. Applicants claim merit lists were not published and rules bypassed, while the university denies any wrongdoing

In Firozabad, 50-year-old transport businessman Balmukund Dubey was beaten to death by his partner Gajendra Singh and associates over a financial dispute. Police registered a case, and one accused has been taken into custody for questioning

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

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned the Indian Coast Guard’s first indigenously built pollution control vessel *Samudra Pratap* in Goa. Built by Goa Shipyard Limited, the ship strengthens marine pollution control, maritime security, search and rescue, and India’s self-reliance in shipbuilding

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

Actor Anupam Kher welcomed Ravi Kishan to the cast of *Khosla Ka Ghosla 2*, sharing his excitement on social media. Praising Kishan as a brilliant actor and human being, Kher said the collaboration feels special ahead of the sequel

US President Donald Trump warned India over Russian oil purchases, saying tariffs could be raised quickly. He claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi understood Washington’s displeasure, while Senator Lindsey Graham linked reduced Russian oil imports to US tariff pressure

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

US President Donald Trump praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reducing India’s Russian oil purchases, claiming tariff pressure prompted the shift, while Senator Lindsey Graham said the move weakens Russia’s war effort and shows tariffs work.

Shri Ganga Sabha, the body managing Har Ki Pauri and Ganga ghats in Haridwar, has urged the Uttarakhand government to declare the Kumbh Mela area a restricted zone for non-Hindus ahead of the Ardh Kumbh in 2027.

US action reflects a revived Monroe Doctrine, driven by geopolitics, energy security, and regional power competition — not oil alone, but oil first among equals

Vedanta Kalinga Lancers defeated Ranchi Royals 4-2 in their Men’s Hockey India League opener at Chennai. Alexander Hendrickx and Gursahibjit Singh scored twice each, while Tom Boon and Mandeep Singh netted for Royals. Lancers defended strongly to secure victory

Asian Games gold medallist Amit Panghal and Haryana’s Sagar advanced with contrasting wins on the opening day of the Senior National Boxing Championships in Greater Noida. Lalrambuat of Mizoram also won by unanimous decision in the bantamweight category

The Indore tragedy illustrates how municipal inertia stymies attempts to modernise infrastructure even in India’s cleanest city

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India is preparing with full strength to host the 2036 Olympics, while confirming the 2030 Commonwealth Games will be held in India. He highlighted reforms like Khelo India and TOPS, and praised Varanasi’s emergence as a sporting destination

Defending champion Syndrela Das, top seed Divyanshi Bhowmick and Japan’s Miku Matsushima began their under-19 singles campaign with impressive wins at the WTT Youth Contender 2026 in Vadodara. Boys and under-15 top seeds also advanced to the knockout stage with comfortable victories

Foreign media praises ECI's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive for enhancing India's electoral integrity. The initiative strengthens democracy by updating voter rolls, increasing credibility, and encouraging participation, especially among marginalized groups

Stasya Pandya of Mumbai earned silver in the Dressage Team Event at the Junior National Equestrian Championship, scoring 67.463 with Kirrhi Taonga. Her team secured second place with a total of 207.287.

IAF celebrates Tejas LCA’s 25th anniversary of its first flight, highlighting advancements in the aircraft's development, including new variants, successful missile tests, and breakthroughs in indigenous life support systems

Water conservationist Rajendra Singh blamed corruption for Indore's contaminated drinking water crisis, calling it a "system-created disaster." He criticized reliance on Narmada water and poor infrastructure, citing recent deaths from contamination

Police arrested 26 people after banner disputes sparked violent clashes involving stone-pelting and firing, killing one man and injuring several, ahead of a Valmiki statue inauguration in Gangavati, Karnataka