Delhi’s Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced that the national capital recorded its best air quality in eight years in 2025, with significant declines in particulate pollution compared to 2024. PM2.5 levels dropped from 104 µg/m³ to 96, and PM10 from 212 µg/m³ to 197, while the city logged nearly 200 days with an AQI under 200, including 79 days in the ‘good’ or ‘satisfactory’ range. Only eight ‘severe’ pollution days were recorded, the lowest in recent years. The government credited science-led interventions on vehicular emissions, dust, industry and waste management for the improvements. (PC: PTI)

 A 50-year-old Hindu businessman, Khokon Chandra Das, was brutally assaulted by a mob in Shariatpur’s Damudya area on New Year’s Eve, stabbed repeatedly and doused with petrol before being set ablaze while returning home from his pharmacy shop, local reports say. Das survived by jumping into a nearby pond and was rushed to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital before being transferred to Dhaka for advanced treatment with serious burn and stab wounds. Police have identified some suspects, but motives remain unclear. The attack marks the fourth incident targeting the Hindu minority in two weeks, intensifying concerns over rising violence against minorities in Bangladesh.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Sabarimala temple gold theft has informed the Kollam Vigilance Court that the scale of the crime appears much bigger than earlier believed. Beyond the previously identified missing gold from door frames and Dwarapalaka idols, investigators say multiple gold-clad panels, including those with sacred figures and decorative motifs, were removed and likely siphoned off during replating. Only about 584 g of gold has been recovered so far, far less than the estimated original quantities. Scientific analysis of temple artefact samples is underway to determine the true extent of the loss. (PC: MSN)

Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal responded to a nationwide gig workers’ strike call on New Year’s Eve by highlighting that Zomato and its quick-commerce arm Blinkit achieved record delivery volumes — over 75 lakh orders on December 31, despite protest actions. He said operations were largely unaffected, crediting delivery partners and local authorities for smooth execution. Goyal disputed claims that the system is fundamentally unfair, urging people not to be swayed by “vested interests” and saying millions still choose gig work. He acknowledged the system isn’t perfect but insisted portrayals of exploitation are misleading while framing platform work as significant job creation. (PC: Mint)

A tragic incident in Indore’s Bhagirathpura has left a five-month-old infant, Avyaan, dead after his parents mixed municipal tap water with packaged milk on medical advice — unaware the water was contaminated. The baby developed fever, vomiting and diarrhoea, and died en route to the hospital. The family alleges the Narmada water supply was polluted, contributing to his illness. Residents in the area have reported foul-smelling water, with multiple deaths and illnesses linked to contaminated drinking water, raising urgent health and infrastructure concerns. (PC: NDTV)

A 25-year-old woman was brutally gang-raped in Faridabad after leaving home around 8:30 pm, telling her sister she would wait for an auto and visit a friend. While waiting for transport near a bus stop, she reportedly accepted a lift from two men. Later, between midnight and 3:30 am, she was allegedly raped inside the vehicle and thrown onto a roadside, sustaining serious injuries. Found unconscious with a split face, she was hospitalized and later shifted for treatment. Police have registered a case and arrested two suspects, with investigations ongoing amid public outrage. (PC: NDTV)

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.