Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the ₹2,700-crore Z-Morh Tunnel in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sonamarg today. The 12 km-long tunnel, located at 8,650 feet, ensures all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah highlighted its potential to transform Sonamarg into a winter sports hub, boosting local tourism and economy. The project includes bypassing avalanche-prone routes, improving safety and access to the strategically important Ladakh region. The Zojila Tunnel, part of this initiative, will be completed by 2028, reducing the Srinagar-Leh distance by 6 km and enhancing regional integration.

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, has commenced, expecting 45 crore devotees over its duration. On January 13-14, 4 crore pilgrims are anticipated to take holy dips at the Sangam. Security includes 40,000 personnel, 2,751 CCTV cameras, and 328 AI-enabled devices. An anti-drone system and drones ensure 24/7 surveillance across 25 sectors. Authorities have established 1.5 lakh tents and granted 4.5 lakh electricity connections to accommodate the crowd. The UNESCO-recognized event, held every 12 years, attracts devotees seeking purification and salvation. Notable attendees include spiritual leaders and global figures like Richard Gere and Dalai Lama.

Uttar Pradesh Police have set up multi-layered security for Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, expecting over 45 crore visitors. Advanced measures include 2,700 AI cameras, 113 underwater drones, and round-the-clock patrols. Over 1,000 police officers, NSG commandos, and ATS teams are on duty. Mock drills have been conducted to ensure readiness. Security checkpoints and anti-sabotage teams guard key routes and sites like temples and akharas. The event, held every 12 years, starts January 13 and ends February 26. Main bathing rituals are on January 14, January 29, and February 3. Authorities aim to ensure the safety of all devotees.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of India’s youth in achieving the goal of a developed nation. Speaking at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025, he said the youth’s strength would shape the country’s future over the next 25 years. Modi praised Swami Vivekananda’s faith in India’s youth, adding that with the right vision, India can overcome challenges and become economically, strategically, socially, and culturally empowered. The event, marking National Youth Day, was attended by 3,000 young leaders aged 15 to 29, who will help guide the nation’s roadmap.

Rescue teams in Assam recovered three more bodies from a flooded coal mine in Dima Hasao district. Nine workers were trapped on January 6 when water suddenly filled the abandoned mine near the Assam-Meghalaya border. So far, four bodies have been retrieved. Efforts to drain the 340-foot-deep quarry face challenges due to flooding. Special equipment and divers are being used, but progress is slow. Two individuals, including the mine's leaseholder, have been arrested. Officials and Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi are calling for accountability and stricter mining regulations to prevent such tragedies. Search operations for the remaining workers continue.

A ceiling slab collapsed at the under-construction Kannauj railway station on Saturday morning, trapping several workers and staff under the debris. The building was being renovated under the Amrit Bharat scheme. About 40 people were on-site, and 23 have been rescued so far. Rescue teams, including SDRF, GRP, RPF, and local police, are working to save those trapped. Injured individuals have been taken to the hospital. The incident caused panic, and locals rushed to help but were unable to clear the heavy debris. Efforts are ongoing to ensure everyone's safety.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has grounded all Dhruv advanced light helicopters (ALH) until the cause of the Jan 5 crash in Gujarat is identified. Preliminary findings show that the pilots lost control of the helicopter seconds before the crash. The incident involved an ALH Mark-III, which nose-dived after failing to respond to control inputs, killing two pilots and a crew member. This follows a troubling safety record, including previous crashes and reports of power loss and gearbox failures. HAL has promised to fast-track the investigation and ensure safe flying operations resume after addressing all issues.

A 32-year-old Canadian man was arrested at Delhi airport for carrying a crocodile skull in his luggage. The man was stopped during a routine security check on Monday, where customs officers discovered the skull wrapped in cloth. Weighing 777g, the skull was confirmed to be that of a baby crocodile, a protected species under India's Wildlife Protection Act. The man allegedly purchased it in Thailand without the necessary permits. Authorities have seized the skull, and investigations are ongoing to determine the exact sub-species. A case has been registered against him for violating wildlife protection laws.

Vietnam’s new traffic rules, effective January 1, impose stricter penalties and reward citizens up to $200 for reporting traffic violations. The system, aimed at enhancing road safety, has sparked lighthearted reactions among Indian netizens. Many joked about quitting IT jobs, claiming they could earn more by reporting violations in India, given the frequent disregard for traffic laws. Economist and Niti Aayog member Arvind Virmani supported implementing similar measures for severe offenses in India. While Delhi and Goa have reward systems for reporting violations, their low awareness limits impact. The debate underscores cultural contrasts in traffic management globally.

The Supreme Court has refused to review its October 2023 judgment rejecting legal recognition of same-sex marriages in India. A five-judge bench, reviewing petitions in chambers, found no "error apparent on the face of the record." The court upheld its majority view that marriage laws fall under the legislative domain and not the judiciary. Petitioners argued the ruling compels LGBTQIA+ couples to live dishonestly. The 2023 decision denied both marriage and civil union rights, leaving advocates disappointed. The bench reiterated its position, stressing that Parliament, not the judiciary, is the appropriate forum to address such issues.