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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
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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
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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
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Cyberabad police booked 928 people for drunk driving during New Year eve checks, deploying 55 teams across the region. Officials said celebrations passed off peacefully without major incidents or road accidents due to strict enforcement and monitoring.
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BRS working president KT Rama Rao said the party’s sole objective was to bring K Chandrashekhar Rao back as Chief Minister in 2028, accusing the Congress government of pushing Telangana into regression and failing to fulfil its electoral promises.
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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
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Top film stars including Kamal Haasan, Chiranjeevi and Allu Arjun extended New Year greetings on social media, sharing messages of hope, gratitude and positivity. Actor Pradeep Ranganathan also joined in, urging fans to begin 2026 with good thoughts.
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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
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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
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Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City’s mayor in a historic midnight ceremony at a decommissioned subway station, becoming the city’s first Muslim leader. The 34-year-old Democrat will take oath again at a public ceremony later in the day.
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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
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A man died and 11 others were hospitalised after falling ill during a New Year celebration at Jagathgirigutta in Hyderabad. Police suspect food poisoning or adulterated liquor and have sent food and liquor samples for laboratory analysis
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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
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Farmers in Mukhra (K) village of Adilabad district were forced to stay awake overnight to irrigate crops due to erratic power supply amid freezing temperatures. They demanded uninterrupted electricity and recalled better supply during the previous BRS regime.
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Hyderabad welcomed the New Year without any untoward incidents as strict police vigilance on drunk driving ensured peaceful celebrations. Revellers marked the occasion late into the night, while large numbers of devotees thronged temples, including Birla Mandir, on Thursday morning.
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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
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Superstar Rajinikanth greeted fans who gathered outside his residence on New Year and shared an iconic dialogue clip from Muthu on social media. The actor is currently shooting for Jailer 2, directed by Nelson, which has generated strong buzz.
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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
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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
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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
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Equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty began the first trading session of 2026 on a positive note, supported by steady domestic institutional buying and gains in Reliance Industries. Global cues remained limited as major overseas markets were closed for New Year’s Day.
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A car was gutted after a fire broke out at Abdullapurmet on Thursday. The incident occurred after the driver parked the vehicle outside Ramoji Film City. Fire personnel doused the flames, and officials suspect a short circuit as the cause.
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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
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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
