An Air India pilot scheduled to operate a Vancouver–Delhi international flight was offloaded before departure after airport staff reported a smell of alcohol, triggering safety concerns. The incident occurred at Vancouver International Airport, where authorities intervened and the pilot was subjected to mandatory checks. Following the development, the airline arranged a replacement pilot, causing a delay to the flight. Air India said it fully cooperated with local authorities and has withdrawn the pilot from flying duties pending investigation. Reiterating its zero-tolerance policy on safety violations, the airline stated that strict action would be taken if wrongdoing is established. (PC: Bloomberg)

India's first bullet train will commence operations by August 15, 2027, announced Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The high-speed rail corridor connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad spans 508 kilometers, with 348 kilometers in Gujarat and 156 kilometers in Maharashtra. The phased rollout begins with Surat-Bilimora section, followed by Vapi-Surat, Vapi-Ahmedabad and Thane-Ahmedabad, concluding with complete Mumbai-Ahmedabad connectivity. Operating at 320 kilometers per hour maximum speed, the corridor features 12 stations and includes 21 kilometers underground track, comprising a 7-kilometer sea tunnel and 5-kilometer mountain tunnel. Travel time between Ahmedabad and Mumbai will reduce to approximately three hours. Stations will offer modern facilities including business lounges, wheelchair-friendly designs, tactile tiles, and specialized washrooms for differently-abled passengers. (PC: Times Now)

Indian Railways will soon launch the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train on the Guwahati–Kolkata route. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the service within 15 to 20 days. The train is built for long trips over 1,000 km and has cleared all safety and speed tests. It reached 180 kmph during trials on the Kota–Nagda section. The 16-coach rake will have modern sleeper berths, CCTV, automatic doors and fire systems. The 3AC fare is about ₹2,300, with higher fares for 2AC and First AC. (PC: India Today)

At least seven people have died and 149 more were hospitalised in Indore after drinking contaminated tap water, mainly in the Bhagirathpura area, officials said. Preliminary investigations indicate that a leak in a main water pipeline beneath a toilet allowed sewage to mix with drinking water, triggering severe diarrhoea, vomiting and dehydration among residents. Local authorities have suspended and dismissed several municipal officials and launched an inquiry. The Madhya Pradesh government has ordered free treatment for patients and promised compensation for victims’ families. Residents had reported foul-smelling water days before the outbreak, raising concerns about infrastructure neglect and public health safeguards.

A 25-year-old woman was gang raped and badly hurt in Faridabad after she accepted a lift in a white Eeco van, police said. The attack took place late Monday night on the Gurugram–Faridabad road. The woman was driven to a lonely stretch, assaulted for hours and then thrown from the moving vehicle near Raja Chowk. She is in the ICU of a private hospital. Doctors said she has a fractured eye socket, a broken and dislocated shoulder, and deep cuts on her face that needed stitches. Two men were arrested and sent to judicial custody. Police are probing the case. (PC: HT)

Seven people have died and 149 have been admitted to hospitals in Indore after drinking contaminated water, officials said. Most patients reported vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration. Doctors said the deaths were caused by severe diarrhoea. The city mayor said some victims died after being taken to hospitals. A leak was found in the main water pipeline in Bhagirthpura, which runs under a toilet. Officials said this may have allowed sewage to mix with drinking water. Two civic officials were suspended and one engineer was removed. A survey of over 2,700 homes was carried out and about 12,000 people were examined. A three-member panel is probing the incident. (PC: HT)

Indian government officials have firmly rejected claims by China and the United States that either played a mediating role in ending the May 2025 India-Pakistan military standoff following Operation Sindoor. New Delhi reiterated that the May 10 ceasefire was the result of direct communication between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan, with no third-party intervention involved. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently listed the India-Pakistan conflict among global disputes Beijing said it mediated—a claim India dismissed as inaccurate. India’s longstanding policy opposes external mediation in bilateral security matters with Pakistan.

A magisterial inquiry into the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub fire in Goa, which killed 25 people on December 6, 2025, found document forgery, licence violations and illegal construction were key factors in the tragedy. The report revealed the club was built illegally on protected salt pan land and operated without a valid trade licence after March 2024, yet authorities failed to shut it down. Local officials, including the panchayat secretary, allegedly colluded with the owners, issuing licences with forged paperwork and ignoring regulatory lapses. The inquiry highlighted serious governance failures, environmental violations and systemic negligence that allowed the unsafe venue to function and endanger lives. 

A wild elephant in a national park reacted strongly upon seeing a camera installed to monitor wildlife. In a viral 28-second video shared by Indian Forest Service officer Parveen Kaswan, the elephant charges at the device and knocks it over, seemingly annoyed by the unnatural setup in its space. Kaswan joked on X that “privacy is important,” highlighting the animal’s awareness. The camera, part of a network of about 210 units used for habitat and population studies, survived the encounter and captured the footage. The clip amazed social media users, who praised the elephant’s intelligence and behavior.

As the world steps into 2026, people across continents have welcomed the New Year with fireworks, prayers, music, and quiet reflection. From Kiribati, the first place to enter the year, to India, where crowds filled Marine Drive and Connaught Place despite winter cold, streets glowed with colour and hope. Sydney paused to honour the victims of the Bondi Beach attack, while Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Seoul lit up the night sky. In Europe, swimmers braved icy waters and towns kept alive age-old customs. Each celebration, big or small, carried one shared wish for peace and better days. We thank our readers for their trust and wish every family in India and around the world a safe, healthy, and joyful New Year.