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Australian opener Usman Khawaja announced his retirement from international cricket after the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG, using the moment to reflect on his career and openly criticise racial stereotyping and criticism he faced as a Pakistan-born Muslim player

Police in Bhadohi registered an FIR after a 20-year-old woman accused her husband and in-laws of concealing his prior marriage and subjecting her to prolonged physical and mental abuse. The accused family has absconded; investigation is ongoing

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams has received a wild-card entry for the Australian Open, marking her return to Melbourne Park at age 45 and making her the oldest woman to compete in the tournament’s main draw

Indian equities opened higher on Friday as Sensex and Nifty gained in early trade, led by Reliance Industries and domestic institutional buying, despite continued foreign investor selling, firm Asian markets, and a modest rise in global crude oil prices benchmark

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

Bulgaria adopted the euro on January 1, 2026, becoming the 21st eurozone member. The lev remains legal tender until January 31, with dual pricing until August. Citizens can exchange leva for euros free of charge at banks, post offices, and the central bank

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

A New Year’s fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, killed and injured multiple people. Over 100 were inside during the blaze. Authorities set up a helpline for families as investigations into the incident begin

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif launched a 142-point economic-governance reform plan to tackle corruption and improve institutional credibility, in line with IMF recommendations. The three-year plan includes anti-corruption measures, rule-based appointments, AMLA reforms, and annual reporting on high-risk agencies

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

K-pop sensation BTS is set to make a comeback on March 20, 2026, with a new album—their first since 2022’s "Proof." Members shared handwritten messages with fans, marking the end of their hiatus for military service and solo projects

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

Former world champion Vladimir Kramnik has filed a defamation suit against FIDE in a Swiss court after criticism over his cheating allegations against players. FIDE had opened an ethics inquiry, citing harmful conduct, while Kramnik denied wrongdoing and defended his actions

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