In the early hours of Thursday, a private bus travelling from Nellore to Hyderabad suffered a tyre burst, lost control, jumped the median and collided head-on with an oncoming container truck near Shirivellametta in Nandyal district of Andhra Pradesh. The impact caused a massive fire that engulfed both vehicles, killing the bus driver, the truck driver, and the truck cleaner, all charred beyond recognition. About 36 passengers were on board; several were injured, with more than 10 sustaining burn or jump-related injuries and taken to Nandyal Government Hospital. A passing DCM driver broke windows to help passengers escape safely. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation. (PC: HT)

Assistant Commandant Simran Bala, 26, will lead an all-male Central Reserve Police Force contingent at the Republic Day Parade on January 26 in New Delhi. She will command more than 140 male personnel, becoming the first woman officer to do so in the force’s history. Bala hails from Nowshera in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district and is the first woman officer from her district in the CRPF. She cleared the UPSC CAPF examination in her first attempt in 2023 with an All India Rank of 82. Senior officers selected her after parade rehearsals, citing her drill accuracy, confidence, and leadership. (PC: India Today)

An Indian Air Force trainer aircraft crashed into a pond during a routine training flight in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on Wednesday. The incident occurred near the airport, prompting an immediate emergency response. Officials said both pilots were rescued safely.   Eyewitnesses said the small propeller aircraft appeared to lose control before plunging into the water. Thick black smoke was seen rising from the crash site as local residents moved closer to help. Fire tenders and National Disaster Response Force divers later secured the area. Visuals showed aircraft debris scattered near the pond. The aircraft has not yet been recovered. Authorities said rescue and safety operations were still underway, and further details were awaited. (PC: HT)

Documents show a Noida builder warned the authority in 2022 about severe drainage risks at a construction site. In a letter, director Anchal Bohra said collapsed sewer and main drain lines had flooded the basement. He warned of a “serious mishap” if repairs were delayed. The site later became the scene of a fatal crash. On January 17, 27-year-old software engineer Yuvraj Mehta died after his car fell into a deep, water-filled pit in Sector 150. Records show the area has faced drainage problems since 2015. Police have arrested two builders. A special probe is underway. The authority says a long-pending drainage project will start soon. (PC: India Today)

Oscar-winning composer Shankar Mahadevan weighed in on the controversy sparked by AR Rahman’s comments about a slowdown in his Bollywood work, which Rahman suggested might be linked to shifting industry power dynamics and a “communal thing”. Shankar offered a different view, explaining that creative artists and decision-makers are often separate, with non-musical personnel controlling what music gets released — which affects opportunities. He didn’t directly support or refute Rahman’s remarks but framed the issue as structural rather than communal. Rahman also shared a video about his deep cultural connection to India. (PC: NDTV)

The Indian Army busted a terror hideout deep inside a forest in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. Security forces recovered Maggi packets, basmati rice, desi ghee, dry fruits, vegetables, an LPG cylinder and a gas stove. Officials said the items showed the terrorists planned a long stay. The operation is part of Operation Trashi-I and has continued for three days. The terrorists are still missing and may have fled to nearby hills. One Army paratrooper was killed and seven others were injured. Security has been tightened ahead of Republic Day.

The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday strongly criticised Maneka Gandhi for her remarks on the stray dogs issue made during a podcast. A bench led by Justice Vikram Nath said it showed restraint by not initiating contempt proceedings. The court said its earlier observations on holding dog feeders accountable were serious, not sarcastic. It also questioned Gandhi’s conduct and tone while commenting on the court. Her counsel declined to respond on contempt issues. The bench asked about her contributions to policies on rabies control and animal welfare during her public service. (PC: NDTV)

Greater Noida Police have arrested builder Abhay Kumar in connection with the death of a software engineer whose car fell into a water-filled pit. Kumar owns the MZ Wishtown project in the Knowledge Park area. The arrest followed an investigation based on a complaint by the victim’s father. The engineer, Yuvraj, was returning home when his car plunged into the pit near Sector 150. Police say the pit was left open for years without barricades or warning signs. An FIR has been filed against the developer companies. A special investigation team is probing the case. (PC: India Today)

Investigations into the death of a 27-year-old software engineer in Greater Noida have highlighted multiple safety and response failures. The victim, Yuvraj Mehta, died after his car plunged into a water-filled excavation pit in Sector 150. Police said the vehicle lost control at a sharp 90-degree turn during dense fog. The road stretch had no warning signs, reflectors, strong barricades or proper lighting. Officials said the pit remained unsecured due to delays in water regulation work by local agencies. Rescue teams reached the site but lacked ropes, cranes and equipment to enter the water in time. The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered a special investigation. (PC: HT)

Litter was found inside a coach of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express within hours of its inaugural run on Saturday. The train was flagged off between Howrah and Guwahati by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Videos shared online showed plastic packets and disposable spoons scattered on the floor of a sleeper coach. The incident occurred before regular commercial services began. Railway officials later said cleanliness on trains is a shared public responsibility. The Vande Bharat Sleeper is part of Indian Railways’ push to upgrade long-distance travel with modern coaches and higher fares.