States

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

Three convicted prisoners escaped from Hazaribagh’s Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan Central Jail, triggering a massive manhunt. Despite high-security measures, authorities are searching the jail and surrounding areas, alerting neighboring districts, and investigating possible lapses in one of Jharkhand’s most secure prisons

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi participated in Bargarh’s Dhanu Jatra, presenting 123 development projects worth Rs 1,362 crore at King Kansa’s symbolic court. He announced new projects, lauded women and farmers’ schemes, and emphasized the festival’s cultural and economic significance

Kerala police arrested 25-year-old Roshidul Islam from Assam for allegedly spreading extremist content online and promoting religious hatred. He reportedly had international contacts and attempted to procure AK-47 rifles from Pakistan. Investigation is ongoing in Thrissur’s Kaipamangalam area

Residents in Indore allege eight deaths from vomiting and diarrhoea due to contaminated water, while authorities confirm three. The Madhya Pradesh government announced compensation, suspended officials, ordered a probe, and cited pipeline leakage as cause opposition accusations of concealment persist

An NIA court in Guwahati sentenced Md Kamruj Zaman to life imprisonment for raising a Hizb-ul-Mujahideen module in Assam during 2017-18. He recruited members for terror activities; sentences run concurrently with fines, while co-accused earlier pleaded guilty, officials said Wednesday

Lokayukta arrested a Special Public Prosecutor in Kalaburagi for allegedly demanding and accepting bribes to argue better in an SC/ST atrocities case. The advocate was caught red-handed receiving Rs 25,000 after earlier payments, following a complaint from a Telangana resident

A 14-year-old Class 9 student was found dead at her home in Beed district’s Tambwa village. Police are probing the December 28 incident, with the cause unknown, after completing formalities and sending the body for post-mortem as investigation continues officially