States

Two men were arrested for allegedly posting obscene and defamatory content online targeting Vijayalakshmi, wife of jailed Kannada actor Darshan. Police continue investigating over 18 accused after the actor’s incarceration in connection with a 2024 fan murder case

A 50-year-old epilepsy patient died in Bhadohi after reportedly suffering a seizure and falling into a bonfire outside his home while keeping warm. The incident occurred in Bhakora village, with police confirming accidental death after preliminary examination

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been appointed chairperson of the screening committee for Assam Assembly elections. The AICC formed committees for five poll-bound states as the party prepares candidate selection and alliance strategy ahead of the March–April polls

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, serving a 20-year sentence for rape and murder convictions, has been granted a 40-day parole in Haryana. This marks yet another temporary release, drawing renewed criticism from Sikh organisations and opposition groups

Filmmaker Cibi Chakaravarthi will direct Rajinikanth’s upcoming film *Thalaivar 173*, produced by Kamal Haasan and R. Mahendran. The film is slated for a Pongal 2027 release, marking a major collaboration in Tamil cinema

A 30-year-old Dalit woman was stabbed to death in Yellapur, allegedly by a man pressuring her to marry him. The accused was later found dead. The incident sparked communal tension, protests, bandh calls and heightened security in Uttara Kannada district

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually witnessed the breakthrough of a 1.5-km mountain tunnel on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train corridor in Palghar. The 508-km high-speed rail project, supported by Japan, will reduce travel time to under two hours

Gaya GRP officer Rajesh Kumar Singh was arrested for involvement in a November gold heist worth ₹1.44 crore from a train passenger. Police are investigating other absconding personnel and attempting to recover the stolen gold, while statements and CDRs guide the probe

A 15-year-old boy was stabbed to death Thursday night in Delhi’s Sultanpuri. Police arrested the main accused, Vikram, with six prior criminal cases. Two accomplices remain absconding as authorities investigate the motive and examine CCTV and witness statements

Ranveer Singh’s spy action film 'Dhurandhar' has been declared tax-free in Ladakh by LG Kavinder Gupta. Shot extensively in the region, the blockbuster has earned over ₹1,100 crore worldwide, boosting Ladakh’s cinematic appeal and supporting the local film and tourism industry

In Varanasi, a BJP corporator’s son allegedly slapped a police sub-inspector Thursday evening in the Chowk area. Locals beat him, and police rescued him. Himanshu Srivastava faces a case and is being sent to jail, officials said

A female constable was assaulted and had her clothes torn during an anti-mining protest in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh. Two men were arrested, and authorities are investigating further amid outrage over violence against police and escalating clashes over Jindal Power’s coal project

CDS General Anil Chauhan inaugurated the upgraded runway at IAF’s Car Nicobar Air Base in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The enhanced facility strengthens India’s eastern front, improves quick air operations, and underscores the region’s strategic importance

Around 200 parrots died near the Narmada River in Khargone, Madhya Pradesh, due to food poisoning. Post-mortems ruled out bird flu. Officials blamed improper feeding, contaminated food, and pesticide exposure, and have banned feeding near the aqueduct bridge

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