India

YSRCP chief Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said he would not attend the Andhra Pradesh Assembly unless granted Leader of Opposition status, accusing the Speaker of undermining democracy and alleging corruption and “credit chori” by the coalition government

World champion D Gukesh ended his run of draws with a win over Thai Dai Van Nguyen in round five of the Tata Steel Masters. Arjun Erigaisi lost to Vladimir Fedoseev, while Praggnanandhaa drew and Aravindh Chithambaram suffered defeat

P V Sindhu and Lakshya Sen advanced to the quarterfinals of the Indonesia Masters with straight-game wins. Sindhu will face Chen Yu Fei next, while Kidambi Srikanth and Anmol Kharb exited after defeats in their pre-quarterfinal matches

A Delhi court acquitted former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar in a Janakpuri case linked to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, ruling that the prosecution failed to prove his presence or role beyond reasonable doubt despite acknowledging victims’ trauma

Fifteen Maoists, including top leader Patiram Majhi alias Anal Da carrying a Rs 1 crore bounty, were killed in a gunfight with security forces during an anti-Maoist operation in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district, police said

Varanasi police have issued a notice to folk singer Neha Singh Rathore in connection with a 2025 case over alleged objectionable remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rathore said police from Varanasi and Lucknow have approached her as part of the probe

The Election Commission has allotted the whistle symbol to actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, prompting party workers to begin campaigns across Tamil Nadu. Party leaders said the symbol reflects public expectations ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, which will be TVK’s first electoral test

A special NIA court in Kolkata sentenced a Karnataka man to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for radicalising and recruiting youths for Lashkar-e-Taiba. The case relates to the formation of a terror module in West Bengal, the agency said

Noida police arrested two more builders in connection with the death of a software engineer whose car fell into a waterlogged trench in Sector 150. The victim drowned after being trapped for hours, prompting arrests under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions

A Meitei man was abducted and shot dead by suspected Kuki militants in Manipur’s Churachandpur district, triggering protests in Kakching and parts of Imphal. Police have registered a case and launched a hunt for those involved in the killing

A Delhi court acquitted former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in two cases filed by the Enforcement Directorate over alleged non-compliance with summons linked to the excise policy probe. The court order comes amid ongoing legal proceedings related to the money laundering case

IndiGo reported a sharp fall in net profit for the December quarter after facing massive flight disruptions and costs linked to new labour laws. The airline also faced regulatory action, fines and schedule curbs following widespread cancellations and delays earlier in the month

The Kerala Assembly remained paralysed as the Opposition intensified its attack on the CPI(M)-led government over the Sabarimala gold theft, demanding the resignation of the Devaswom Minister and alleging undue pressure on the investigation, citing High Court observations

The Reserve Bank of India has expressed optimism about India’s economic outlook, saying GDP growth estimates for 2025-26 show the country will remain the fastest growing major economy, supported by domestic demand, export diversification and a resilient banking system

At least 15 Maoists, including top leader Anal Da carrying a Rs 1 crore reward, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jharkhand’s Saranda forest. Officials said the operation is ongoing and termed it a major success.

A 45-year-old woman survived a leopard attack in Beed, Maharashtra, after her thick scarf protected her neck. She sustained minor injuries and is stable; authorities plan camera traps and may set up a cage if the threat continues

The CISF commissioned 324 sports personnel, including 171 women, at Deoli to boost India’s medal prospects in national and international events, including the Olympics. Recruits, many decorated, join as Head Constables after four months’ paramilitary and sports training

The J&K BOPEE has scheduled January 24 counselling to relocate 50 students from the revoked SMVDIME MBBS program into seven government medical colleges using supernumerary seats, ensuring their education continues despite previous controversy over religious composition

The Supreme Court declined to issue nationwide guidelines on preventing stampedes at public gatherings, directing the petitioner to pursue the matter with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Election Commission. The bench cited law-and-order expertise and feasibility concerns

A 1989 article by PM Narendra Modi, under the pseudonym ‘Aniket’, described the Ram Mandir Shilanyas as a historic awakening of Hindu consciousness, critiqued Congress’ “minority appeasement,” and highlighted sustained public mobilisation and VHP efforts leading to the temple’s foundation stone laying

A fierce encounter between security forces and Maoists continues in Jharkhand’s Saranda forest, West Singhbhum. Several Maoists, including a top leader with a Rs 50 lakh bounty, are reported killed, while search and anti-Naxalite operations remain ongoing

The Supreme Court agreed to hear the curative petition of Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Mohammad Arif, sentenced to death in the 2000 Red Fort attack that killed three Army jawans, marking his final legal remedy after dismissal of appeal and review pleas

CPI(M) MLA Kadakampally Surendran admitted meeting Sabarimala gold loss case prime accused Unnikrishnan Potty several times, saying he had no reason to suspect wrongdoing then. He said the visits were open, official, and occurred years before allegations surfaced

Three people, including a bus driver, were killed after a private bus heading to Hyderabad hit a lorry and caught fire in Nandyal district following a tyre burst. Thirty-six passengers were evacuated, with four sustaining minor injuries