India

Cigarette prices may rise by 20–30 per cent from February 1 after the government revised excise duties based on cigarette length and category. Here’s what changes.

PM Narendra Modi will soon flag off India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train between Kolkata and Guwahati. The service, expected around January 18–19, will offer lower fares than air travel, with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd AC options designed for affordability

The Indian Army recovered a consignment dropped by a suspected drone along the Indo-Pakistan border in Poonch. Dozens of ammunition rounds and a tiffin box suspected to contain an IED were found and examined by the Bomb Disposal Squad

Siddhant Chaturvedi and Alizeh Agnihotri have been cast in the Hindi remake of French film “La Famille Bélier,” directed by Vikas Bahl. The musical drama explores a young girl’s journey balancing her singing talent with family responsibilities

Shiv Sena (UBT) faced a setback ahead of BMC elections as deputy leader Sheetal Devrukhkar-Sheth resigned and is set to join BJP. She was a close aide of Aaditya Thackeray and a senior member of Yuva Sena

Rajasthan began the New Year with rain, hailstorms, dense fog, and a severe cold wave. Jaipur, Chittorgarh, and Bikaner experienced low temperatures and reduced visibility. IMD forecasts continued fog and a cold wave, while Rabi crops may benefit from the rainfall

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticized China’s claim of mediating between India and Pakistan, calling it an affront to India’s sovereignty. He urged the government to officially reject third-party intervention, emphasizing that bilateral resolution resolved recent tensions post-Pahalgam attack

Kerala Police arrested seven people, including an MBBS doctor and a BDS student, in a major anti-narcotics operation near Thiruvananthapuram. MDMA, ganja, vehicles and mobile phones were seized as investigations continue into an interstate drug racket

Light snowfall hit higher reaches of Kashmir while rain lashed the plains on New Year, boosting tourist spirits and winter tourism. Resorts saw celebrations and full occupancy, though snowfall deficit during Chillai Kalan raised concerns over water resources and irrigation needs

Dense fog disrupted flight operations across northern and eastern India, including Delhi, on New Year’s Day, reducing visibility at several airports. Airlines issued advisories and offered rescheduling options, while very poor air quality and cold conditions further complicated travel across affected regions

Sabarimala witnessed a peaceful New Year welcome amid the Makaravilakku festival, as police and security personnel marked midnight with a simple camphor-lighting celebration. Devotees joined in prayers, while heavy pilgrim flow continued with authorities ensuring safety and smooth darshan arrangements

A 22-year-old man was killed in a daylight mob attack in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar district following an altercation with local youths. One accused has been arrested, while police deployed additional forces and continue searching for other suspects involved in the incident

A four-day-old baby girl was found critically injured in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, with police suspecting negligence and possible abandonment after inconsistencies in the mother’s statements. The infant was shifted to a Gujarat hospital as investigations continue from all angles

Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty opened 2026 higher, buoyed by domestic institutional buying and gains in Reliance Industries. Thin global cues aided cautious optimism, despite FII selling. Markets extended 2025 momentum after strong annual gains in early trade Thursday session

Delhi faced severe air pollution and cold conditions on New Year, with AQI remaining in the very poor category at 372. Dense fog, low temperatures and weak winds worsened pollution, while NCR cities also reported alarming air quality levels

Security forces recovered six firearms, explosives and ammunition during an operation in Manipur’s Kakching district. Seized items included rifles, grenades, an IED, mortar bomb, live rounds and a quadcopter drone. Searches continue in vulnerable areas across multiple districts statewide Thursday

Daily Horoscope: Your stars are bringing good tidings for you. Check out your astrological predictions for January 1, 2026. May the day bring you happiness

Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao of Goa and Daman, in his New Year message, expressed anguish over the growing insecurity among minority communities in India. He condemned the "unwarranted" attacks on Christians during Christmas celebrations, calling them a violation of the nation’s moral fabric and constitutional values.

Zohran Mamdani will become mayor of New York City as the clock ticks over into 2026 — but the celebrations are set to last through New Year's Day. The Democrat's team is planning two separate swearing-in ceremonies.

Head constable Ponnammalla Surendar (52), posted at Cheriyal police station, was declared brain-dead after a road accident on December 29 while travelling from Siddipet to Cheriyal. His wife, Rukmini, consented to donate his kidneys, liver, and heart, with the Jeevandan team counselling and facilitating the process.

The Maharashtra police has uncovered a nationwide kidney transplant racket targeting debt-ridden farmers, with links stretching from Chandrapur to Cambodia. The syndicate involved moneylenders, fake doctors, and reputed medical professionals across states, charging up to Rs 80 lakh per surgery while paying donors as little as Rs 5 lakh.

Bunty Jahagirdar, accused in the 2012 Pune serial blasts, was shot dead by unidentified bike-borne assailants in Shrirampur, Ahilyanagar district. He sustained bullet injuries and later died in hospital. Police have formed teams to investigate the motive behind the attack.

Virat Kohli welcomed 2026 with wife Anushka Sharma in a playful masked photo on Instagram. The 35-year-old, in superb ODI form after retiring from T20I and Tests, recently became the fastest to 16,000 List A runs, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar