States

Jammu and Kashmir Police ordered a preliminary enquiry after a cricketer from south Kashmir wore a helmet bearing the Palestinian flag during a private cricket league match in Jammu. Authorities cited sensitivity and possible public order implications

Police registered an FIR against BJP MLA Janardhana Reddy and 10 others after violent clashes over banner installation ahead of a Valmiki statue unveiling in Ballari. One person was killed, several injured, and security was intensified as investigations continue

A lottery vendor died from injuries after being hit by a car allegedly driven by serial actor Siddharth Prabhu in Kottayam. The accident occurred on Christmas Eve; police said the actor was speeding and intoxicated. Charges will be altered following the victim’s death

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

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

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

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

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

In Sukma, Chhattisgarh, security forces recovered a significant Maoist arms cache during an anti-Naxal operation near Gondpalli village. Seized items included rifles, muzzle-loaders, and hundreds of live rounds intended for use against security personnel

Thane police booked two brothers for allegedly raping a woman over seven years, starting when she was a minor in 2018. The victim filed a "zero FIR" in Delhi, leading to charges under the POCSO Act and IPC

On January 3, PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate the “Lotus Light: Relics of the Awakened One” exposition in Delhi, showcasing the sacred Piprahwa Relics and associated antiquities, highlighting India’s Buddhist heritage, cultural preservation, and the universal values of peace and compassion

Fresh snowfall hit higher reaches of Kashmir, including Gulmarg, Gurez, and Macchil, while temperatures remain unusually warm, 3–7°C above seasonal averages. The MeT forecasts light to moderate rain/snow over most areas in the next 24 hours

Gaushalas in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have stopped using vulture-toxic veterinary drugs, helping stabilize populations of critically endangered long-billed vultures. Safe carcass disposal and alternative medicines like meloxicam support conservation, public health, and gradual recovery of these essential scavengers

A 25-year-old woman was allegedly gang-raped in a moving van and thrown onto a road in Faridabad, sustaining serious head injuries. Police arrested two suspects from UP and MP after they lured the victim with a lift on Monday night

A proxy candidate, Lakhai Ghosh, was caught attempting to appear for the Kolkata Police Sub-Inspector exam on behalf of Abdul Khaleque. Police are investigating potential financial arrangements and a wider proxy recruitment racket in Murshidabad and Kolkata

BJP criticized West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee for allegedly threatening Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his Kolkata visit, calling her rule “tanasahi.” Party leaders also accused TMC of past attacks on BJP activists and undermining democracy in the state