India

President Droupadi Murmu has approved the summoning of Parliament for the Budget Session 2026, scheduled from January 28 to April 2 in two phases. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju announced that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to present the Union Budget on February 1, a rare Sunday occurrence.

Zomato Founder Deepinder Goyal engaged in a rare public exchange with Hyderabad-based neurologist Dr. Sudhir Kumar over the design of his experimental brain-health wearable, ‘Temple’. Dr. Kumar suggested shifting the sensor from the temple to the neck for better correlation with cerebral blood flow.

Aurobindo Pharma said its subsidiary CuraTeQ Biologics has received a Notice of Compliance from Health Canada for its biosimilar Dyrupeg, used to treat cancer patients with low neutrophil levels, following a successful regulatory review

The Supreme Court refused to entertain a plea by a Telangana advocate barred from contesting state Bar Council elections, observing that lawyers are held to higher ethical standards and bar bodies should be allowed to maintain professional integrity

A Delhi court ordered the framing of charges against RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, his family members and others in the alleged land-for-job scam, citing grave suspicion and misuse of the railway ministry during his tenure as minister

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a national digital IED data management system developed by the NSG to help analyse bombing patterns, strengthen investigations and improve coordination among security agencies. The AI-based platform will act as a key national security asset

The Madras High Court directed the CBFC to grant a censor certificate to Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan, ruling that the board’s Chairperson had no power to refer the film to a review committee after clearance. The CBFC has filed an appeal

The Congress has accused the Modi government of planning to lift curbs on Chinese firms bidding for government contracts, calling it a policy U-turn. Party leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Jairam Ramesh demanded explanations during the upcoming Budget session of Parliament

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Enforcement Directorate of attempting to steal the Trinamool Congress’s internal strategy during raids at I-PAC offices, alleging BJP leaders including Amit Shah benefited from the coal scam.

The SIT arrested Sabarimala temple tantri Kantaru Rajeevar in the gold theft case after he allegedly evaded summons. The Enforcement Directorate has also registered a money laundering case, widening the scope of the investigation ahead of key political developments

Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi reviewed the combat readiness of the Eastern Fleet during advanced operational drills in the Bay of Bengal and eastern Indian Ocean, highlighting the role of trained personnel and high operational preparedness amid evolving regional security challenges

The moves provide a fresh lease of life to the debt-ridden teleco, which otherwise faced payments of nearly Rs 18,000 crore by March 2026 and similar amounts every year for the next six years

The Supreme Court refused to address allegations of harassment against women dog feeders in the stray dog case, emphasizing law-and-order issues and urging victims to file FIRs for criminal offenses

The RBI has compounded FEMA violations by Kakinada Seaports Limited after the Enforcement Directorate issued a no-objection certificate. The company paid Rs 21.68 lakh, leading to the closure of adjudication proceedings and termination of further litigation.

CBI arrests Central Power Research Institute Joint Director Rajaram Mohanrao Chennu and Sudhir Group director Atul Khanna in a Rs 9.5 lakh bribery case. Over Rs 3.76 crore in cash seized

As many as 63 Maoist cadres, including 36 carrying bounties worth Rs 1.19 crore, surrendered before security forces in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh. The surrender, credited to the ‘Puna Margam’ initiative, is seen as a major step towards peace in Bastar.

India’s office leasing surged 20% in 2025, reaching 86.4 million sq ft, driven by strong demand and flexible workspaces. Residential sales steadied, with Mumbai leading, as market normalizes post-pandemic

BRS working president KT Rama Rao condemned police action against job aspirants protesting for government notifications in Telangana. He demanded that Rahul Gandhi intervene and ensure the Congress government fulfils its election promise of providing government jobs to unemployed youth.

Daily Horoscope: Your stars are bringing good tidings for you. Check out your astrological predictions for January 8, 2026. May the day bring you happiness

Air travel between Hyderabad and Varanasi was disrupted on Friday morning due to dense fog at Varanasi airport. Airlines cancelled flights, while two aircraft already airborne were forced to return safely to Hyderabad amid poor visibility.

Four pilgrims, including a six-year-old girl, were killed and seven others injured when their vehicle rammed into a parked truck while returning from Sabarimala near Tumakuru in Karnataka early on Friday

Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar has urged citizens to avoid driving in dense fog, especially during Sankranti travel rush, warning that poor visibility increases accident risk and advising motorists to prioritise safety over speed.

Actor Jiiva joined Simbu, Jai and Harish Kalyan in backing Vijay after Jana Nayagan was postponed due to censor clearance issues, with actors assuring fans that the delay would only strengthen the film’s impact.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) has accused the BJP of hypocrisy and ideological compromise, alleging power-driven alliances with AIMIM and Congress in Maharashtra municipal bodies, and claiming the party now prioritises electoral victory over principles