Regional politics: impeachment motion over judge's lamp order, federal probe into deadly rally stampede, alliance shifts.
An impeachment motion was initiated against a High Court judge after a single-judge order permitting ceremonial lighting near a religious site triggered political objections over potential communal disturbance. Separately, a federal criminal investigation is probing a deadly stampede at a political rally, raising questions about event safety, crowd management and potential criminal liability for organizers and officials.

School of Eminence construction delay raises accountability concerns and alleges misuse of municipal staff and land regularisation motives.
Allegations that the state has delayed completion of the publicly funded School of Eminence project highlight governance and accountability issues in public-infrastructure delivery, with some infrastructure approvals pending completion of formalities. Separate claims assert misuse of municipal staff through deployment to private offices, inclusion of villages into municipal limits driven by land-value motives and regularisation of unauthorised colonies, administrative obstacles to an environmental cleanup, opposition to commercialisation of sports facilities, and MGNREGA amendments intended to prevent beneficiary harassment and ensure timely payments.

Mumbai civic polls: NCP releases candidate list and will contest BMC separately despite broader alliance, nominations closing.
NCP announced a second batch of 27 candidates for the Mumbai civic elections, bringing its slate to 64 nominees and indicating it will contest the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections separately despite a broader alliance with the BJP-led Mahayuti, while municipal elections for 29 corporations including the 227-member BMC are scheduled for January 15 with counting the next day.

Mariupol theatre reopened after a deadly 2022 strike, raising allegations of war crimes and cultural Russification in occupied territory.
A rebuilt Donetsk Academic Regional Drama Theater in Mariupol reopened under Russian-installed authorities after a March 16, 2022 airstrike that an investigation attributes to Russian forces and that reportedly killed about 600 civilians sheltering inside; ruins were bulldozed and remains placed in mass graves. Ukrainian municipal authorities characterize the reconstruction and state-curated repertoire as an effort to conceal traces of an alleged war crime and to advance Russification amid the region's contested annexation and occupation.

IndiGo raises pilot allowances, adds tail-swap pay effective Jan 1 amid FDTL-driven rostering disruptions prompting schedule cuts.
IndiGo raised multiple pilot allowances effective January 1 in response to rostering pressures from revised Flight Duty Time Limitations that limit night landings. The airline increased domestic layover, deadhead and night allowances, introduced a tail-swap allowance, and raised transit meal pay; these adjustments restore roughly 25% of previously reduced allowances and apply across captains and first officers.

Sugar demand is falling as health narratives and zero sugar trends create oversupply risks for the sugar industry.
The narrative that sugar is harmful to health is reducing demand as consumers shift to zero sugar alternatives while production rises, creating a supply demand imbalance that threatens the sector's revenue. Industry representatives have submitted proposals to state executives and seek coordinated action with other producing states and the central government to develop a comprehensive solution to protect the sugar industry and dependent livelihoods.

Himachal Pradesh industrial growth focuses on investment, MSME support, green energy, and startup incubation to boost jobs and rural prosperity.
Himachal Pradesh is pursuing an investment-led industrial policy emphasising infrastructure, sustainability, and MSME strengthening. The state reports approval of 683 projects worth Rs 14,000 crore and memoranda exceeding Rs 5,000 crore, projected to generate about 32,000 jobs. It has moved Rs 1,642 crore in proposals for rural industry support to the central government, secured Rs 109.34 crore in initial funding, and prioritises green energy, eco-friendly transport, digital infrastructure, agricultural and food-processing modernisation, and startup incubation through 14 centres to foster innovation.

Andhra Pradesh approves district reorganisation and highlights large welfare disbursements and major investment-led development plans.
The Cabinet approved increasing districts from 26 to 28 to improve administrative efficiency and coordination, accompanied by revenue conferences to streamline land-document issuance and strengthen local administration. It reported extensive welfare disbursements across farmer, student and pension schemes and highlighted economic measures including over Rs 13 lakh crore in pledged investments, job creation commitments, MSME parks, recruitment drives, and infrastructure allocations for roads, irrigation and water supply to bolster development delivery and investor confidence.

Woman and her lover arrested for killing a man in hotel following a dispute over sexual advances.
Two persons were arrested on charges of killing a man in a hotel room after a drinking session and ensuing dispute over sexual advances; the accused strangled the victim, left the body in the room and absconded, and two occupants had submitted false identification while the victim's identity was genuine.

MGNREGA's transition to VB G RAM G focuses on a six month rulemaking period and interim payment and budget arrangements.
The parliamentary committee examined the transition from MGNREGA to the VB-G RAM G Act, emphasising that the new law will be implemented only after central rules are framed and that interim arrangements are needed for beneficiary payments, budgetary support, and state onboarding during an expected six month transition period.

Oil and gas auction deadline extended, bids for OALP X, DSF and CBM now due February 18, 2026.
The government extended the OALP X, DSF and special CBM bid submission deadlines to February 18, 2026. OALP X offers 25 blocks covering about 191,986 sq km across onshore, shallow water, deepwater and ultra deepwater tracts in 13 basins, including four blocks in the Andaman basin. Under HELP's open acreage model, explorers nominate areas which are clubbed for bidding; nominated firms receive a five point advantage. Awards are made to bidders offering the highest revenue share and proposed work programmes.

India AI Impact Summit seeks global consensus on AI governance, inclusion and democratisation of AI resources.
India will host the India AI Impact Summit in February 2026 to secure a consensus declaration on AI governance focusing on the inclusion agenda and democratisation of AI resources. The summit convenes global leaders and industry CEOs and will deploy seven working groups to produce outcomes on economic growth and social good, inclusion, safe and trusted AI, human capital and science, democratising resources and resilience, and innovation and efficiency. Expected deliverables include a leaders' declaration, commitments to local AI development, and collaborative frameworks for AI for Good.

Uttar Pradesh tourism expands via policy-driven investment, infrastructure projects and youth training to boost visitation and livelihoods.
Uttar Pradesh's tourism strategy uses the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Policy 2022 and a Rs 1,283.33 crore state development portfolio, together with central schemes like Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and Museum and Heritage Cluster funding, to finance restoration, infrastructure and facility centres at religious, historical and cultural sites. Operational measures include district-level projects, beautification and convention centre development, improved connectivity and international promotion, while human capital initiatives such as the CM Tourism Fellowship Programme, Youth Tourism Teams, and vocational courses support implementation and local employment.

Alleged hotel homicide: two individuals arrested for allegedly strangling a man after a dispute; fake IDs reportedly used.
Police arrested two persons, Ram Chandra Singh and Jemamani Singh, accused of strangling Akash Mohanta to death in a Balasore hotel room after an altercation; the suspects allegedly used fake Aadhaar cards to enter while the victim's Aadhaar was genuine, and were later apprehended in different districts following the discovery of the body.

Rajasthan agricultural economy: state to host Global Rajasthan Agritech Meet 2026 to promote smart farming and investment.
The state will host the Global Rajasthan Agritech Meet 2026 to promote technology adoption, increase agricultural productivity and encourage investment, with officials directed to complete preparations and ensure coordinated implementation across agriculture, horticulture, dairy, animal husbandry, fisheries, cooperation and irrigation so farmers can access smart farming practices, expert knowledge and export opportunities.

IndiGo cancelled 118 flights amid fog; low-visibility rules require trained pilots and CAT-IIIB-capable aircraft for safe operations.
IndiGo cancelled 118 flights due to widespread fog and some operational reasons, issuing travel advisories about low visibility and sequencing of movements. Winter low-visibility rules require airlines to roster pilots trained for precision low-visibility approaches and to operate aircraft certified to CAT-IIIB standards, enabling landings in very low runway visual range conditions; operators must align scheduling and fleet deployment with these operational requirements.

Jaro Education partnership renewed to provide admissions-related services, expanding access to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across India.
Renewal of an exclusive partnership between Jaro Education and SSODL continues Jaro's role providing admissions-related services-including counselling, outreach and enrolment support-for recognised programmes such as MBA, BBA and BCA, aimed at expanding access to undergraduate and postgraduate distance and online learning across India.

Darknet drug cartel chargesheet alleges darknet procurement, cross-border shipment, seizures of drugs and crypto, and Interpol tracing.
The Narcotics Control Bureau filed a chargesheet alleging members of a darknet cartel organized procurement, cross-border shipment, distribution, and cryptocurrency-facilitated payments for illicit drugs; seizures included suspected LSD, ketamine, and substantial cryptocurrency and real property, and the NCB has sought Interpol assistance to trace accused persons located abroad.

Silver prices hit record highs in Delhi on strong trader buying and rising industrial demand, amid volatile global markets.
Silver surged to a record Rs 2,40,000 per kg in Delhi on sustained trader buying, delivering a 167.55% year to date gain; analysts link the rally to physical demand, supply tightness and rising industrial consumption (solar, AI, EVs, electronics), while noting profit taking, global price volatility and sensitivity to central bank signals.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections: major parties announce candidate lists and alliances ahead of nomination deadline.
The article details candidate nominations and inter-party seat pacts for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, noting a first party list of 70 candidates, allied partners contesting complementary numbers of seats, and other parties declaring smaller slates. It emphasizes the BMC's 227-member composition and the electoral timetable: polls on January 15 with counting the next day and the nomination filing deadline on December 30.