Rupee weakens to 90.24 against the dollar amid geopolitical tensions and RBI reserves rise while equities slip.
Rupee opened weak and depreciated to 90.24 against the US dollar amid heightened demand for the dollar after US action in Venezuela; traders said lower crude prices could only partly cushion the fall. The dollar index rose and Brent crude traded slightly lower. Equity indices declined early and FIIs were net buyers the prior session. RBI data showed foreign exchange reserves increased to USD 696.61 billion, indicating reserve accumulation despite currency pressure.

Cyber fraud warning: there is no legal 'digital arrest'; report scams, protect personal data and warn seniors.
There is no legal concept of digital arrest; police or government agencies do not arrest people or demand money via video calls or social media. The state has expanded cybercrime units and help desks across districts. Citizens should not share personal details or OTPs, should protect photos, videos and location data, and should promptly report cybercrime to official channels to improve recovery chances, with targeted outreach to senior citizens.

Double-engine governance criticized for alleged law-and-order, corruption, environmental and public-health failures across multiple states.
Allegations of systemic failures under the double-engine model focus on law-and-order breakdowns, regulatory lapses causing contaminated products and water, unchecked illegal mining and severe pollution, and apparent large-scale corruption evidenced by recovered cash; these issues are said to undermine access to justice for marginalized groups and produce economic decline, social violence, and reputational harm.

Pollution control vessel strengthens maritime pollution response, law enforcement, search and rescue, and Exclusive Economic Zone protection capabilities.
The commissioning of Samudra Pratap provides a dedicated platform to enforce marine pollution control regulations and support maritime law enforcement, enhancing statutory pollution response through onboard oil-fingerprinting, chemical detection, and firefighting systems, while also strengthening search and rescue, interdiction of illicit activities, and protection of the Exclusive Economic Zone; the vessel's indigenous construction advances policy objectives of Aatmanirbharta in defence manufacturing and has procurement and regulatory implications for domestic operational capacity and export strategy.

Allegations that the state regime operates on a 20% commission, promotes dynasty politics, and fails governance standards.
The speaker alleged a systemic 20 percent commission practice and pervasive graft within the state administration, citing cash-for-jobs, money laundering and a coal-related scandal as manifestations of institutional corruption; criticised dynastic succession plans and governance failures including threats to women's safety, labour protests, and the state becoming a dumping ground for biomedical waste; and urged electoral change via a formal opposition alliance while promoting central government measures to support the regional language.

Bengali migrant workers in Sambalpur report intimidation and identity-based harassment, prompting calls to stop private identity checks.
Reports allege Bengali-speaking migrant workers in Sambalpur faced intimidation and were told not to complain about police or state authorities, while contractors were pressured to prevent worker contact; an accused killing followed an altercation where identity proof was demanded, prompting calls to halt private identity checks described as parallel policing. Police report prompt arrests, impending chargesheets, and a zero tolerance policy with patrolling and awareness measures.

Canadian Hindu Chambers of Commerce to pursue investments in Uttar Pradesh MSME, religious tourism and hospitality with government support.
A Canadian business delegation signalled interest in investing in MSME, religious tourism and hospitality, and the state executive assured administrative and policy support, citing the One District-One Product initiative, infrastructure expansion and a favourable investment climate as incentives. Large-scale investment proposals from a recent summit and planned investor outreach events in Canada were identified as mechanisms to facilitate foreign participation and sectoral development.

Himachal industrial policy emphasizes green industrialisation, EV taxis with 40% subsidy, hydrogen buses, and guaranteed 24-hour power supply.
The state will adopt a new industrial policy to attract investment and promote green industrialisation, backed by 37 MoUs for Rs 10,000 crore. Key measures include phased replacement of 22,000 petrol and diesel taxis with electric vehicles under a scheme offering a 40 per cent subsidy, a tender for green hydrogen buses, infrastructure and logistics cost reductions, land acquisition for airport development, promotion of textiles and tourism, permission for 200 five-star hotels, and assurance of uninterrupted 24-hour power to industries while resolving entrepreneur issues under Section 118.

Firecrackers: call for nationwide ban to curb air pollution and labeling violators as anti national; action urged on cattle smuggling.
A policy proposal urges a nationwide ban on the sale and use of firecrackers to curb air pollution and calls for those who burst firecrackers to be branded "anti-national," while urging citizen-led movements. It also calls for enforcement against cattle smuggling, prevention of cows reaching slaughterhouses, criticism of government failure to halt beef exports, and expresses concern that a recent judicial order on stray dogs has eroded respect for the judiciary.

Hydroelectric projects: minister reviews Salal and Ratle sites; sediment removal after IWT termination; canal approval cleared.
Minister reviewed NHPC's 690 MW Salal and 1856 MW Ratle hydroelectric projects, inspecting operations, security, production capacity and technical activities; NHPC is conducting sediment removal following termination of the Indus Waters Treaty. A canal on the Ujh River to check infiltration and harness cross border flows has been approved with defence and home ministry clearance. The minister directed coordinated execution, said local complaints and contractor engagement issues will be resolved locally, and ruled out an NIA inquiry.

US military action in Venezuela criticised as unconstitutional without congressional authorization; lawmakers demand immediate briefings and oversight.
Legislators criticised the President's military deployment to Venezuela and capture of Maduro as an unconstitutional exercise of executive power, emphasising that Congress alone has the power to authorize the use of force. They demanded immediate briefings on personnel safety, casualties, and operational objectives, and urged Congress to reassert its war powers and oversight to prevent open-ended military commitments and executive overreach.

India-EU trade pact talks enter final phase as minister visits Brussels to advance comprehensive FTA negotiations.
India and the EU are in final-phase negotiations on a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement covering 23 chapters, including trade in goods, services, investment, rules of origin, customs and trade facilitation, technical barriers, trade remedies, government procurement, dispute settlement, competition, intellectual property rights and geographical indications. The EU seeks tariff cuts in sectors like automobiles and medical devices, tax reductions on select agricultural and beverage products, and a stronger IP regime; the EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism is also a live negotiating item. Senior Indian ministers will meet EU trade officials in Brussels to bridge differences and advance closure.

Allegations of systemic corruption and religious discrimination may influence upcoming assembly elections and political alliances.
Allegations of systemic corruption are made against the state government, claiming a prevailing "20 per cent" commission practice and linking party figures to a cash-for-jobs scheme, money laundering and a coal-related scam that purportedly strain the state economy, while separately asserting improper treatment of Hindu worship and restrictions on religious processions as breaches of the constitutional ethos.

Bank employees' unions call nationwide strike Jan 27 seeking implementation of a 5 day workweek with adjusted daily hours.
Bank employees' unions have announced an all India strike on January 27 pressing for implementation of a five day workweek in banks, relying on a wage revision settlement understanding to declare the remaining two Saturdays as holidays and proposing an extra 40 minutes of weekday work to prevent loss of man hours.

Rajasthan unveils investor-friendly IT, data centre and AI-ML policies to attract technology-led investment and startups.
Rajasthan has introduced investor-friendly policies for global capability centres, data centres and AI ML to attract technology-led investment, directed officials to maintain continuous investor engagement and to facilitate ease of doing business, and is promoting the startup ecosystem (over 7,000 IT startups) while linking women associated with Rajeevika to startup initiatives.

Banned tobacco and hookah products seized in Pune; case registered against company directors after large raid.
The Food and Drug Administration raided a manufacturing unit in Takve, Maval taluka, Pune, confiscating ready-to-use flavoured hookah products, raw materials and flavours valued at Rs 31.67 crore; a case was registered against the company's directors and managerial staff following ministerial directives for rigorous enforcement and compliance review, with the operation linked to a prior Rs 19.45 crore warehouse seizure and a separate forest department interception of gutkha and pan masala valued at Rs 75 lakh.

Alleged CLU bribery scheme: pre set rates yielded large proceeds and the collector reportedly received half of collections.
Allegations describe a systematic bribery scheme for CLU approvals with pre fixed rates of Rs 5-10 per square metre, collections recorded in "hisaab" accounts transmitted to the collector's personal assistant, and digital and witness evidence identifying the collector as the principal beneficiary; investigators trace over 800 applications generating alleged proceeds exceeding Rs 10 crore and report a claimed revenue sharing arrangement requiring custodial interrogation to examine layering and concealment.

BEST bus services to be strengthened, privatisation halted, fleet expanded and funding secured through municipal budget.
The manifesto designates BEST as a public service utility funded from the municipal budget and municipal revenues, prohibits new wet lease and privatisation contracts and sale of depot land, and requires that operations, maintenance and staffing be brought under BEST control. It conditions any fare increase on a public hearing and an independent expert committee report, mandates a CAG approved audit into revenue declines, and commits to a phased expansion of the bus fleet to over 6,000 units alongside depot and maintenance upgrades to secure sustainable, accountable service.

India becomes world's largest rice producer; government releases 184 improved crop varieties to boost yields.
The government released 184 improved crop varieties-high-yielding, climate-resilient and pest-resistant-across 25 crops developed by ICAR, agricultural universities, and private seed companies, and directed officials to accelerate distribution so quality seeds reach farmers; seed multiplication rates have been raised 1.5-2x and seed corporations will supply affordable, quality seed to strengthen availability and support food security.

Bengali migrant workers allegedly assaulted after speaking Bengali; Aadhaar checks and claims of language based discrimination follow.
Three migrant workers from West Bengal allege they were assaulted in Maharashtra after being identified as non nationals for speaking Bengali; they were removed from transport, had their Aadhaar cards inspected, and say the violence continued despite showing documentary identity, raising issues of alleged language based discrimination, unlawful assault, and field use of identity verification.