The Supreme Court of India will hear a case on the Aravalli issue on Monday. The court took up the matter on its own. A three-judge bench will examine the new definition of the Aravalli Range and related concerns. The row began after the Centre issued a revised definition. Activists and scientists said it could allow more mining in fragile areas. The court has paused new mining leases for now. It said mining can resume only after a proper plan is made. The government has also stopped new leases and asked experts to mark no-mining zones. 

Three satellite-tagged Amur falcons from Manipur have completed rare long flights from India to Africa in December. Apapang flew about 6,100 km in six days and reached Kenya after crossing the Arabian Sea and the Horn of Africa. Alang covered nearly 5,600 km, with short stops in Telangana and Maharashtra, before landing in Kenya. Ahu flew about 5,100 km to Somalia after halting in Bangladesh. The birds are now moving across parts of southern Africa, including Zimbabwe and Botswana. Scientists from the Wildlife Institute of India are tracking the birds to study routes and support protection of global migration paths.

Hyderabad police have filed a detailed chargesheet in the Pushpa 2 stampede case, naming 23 accused, including Telugu star Allu Arjun, his security team and Sandhya Theatre management, in connection with a deadly crowd surge at Sandhya Theatre in December 2024. A woman died and her young son was seriously injured when an overwhelming crowd rushed during the film’s premiere event due to fans trying to see the actor. The chargesheet accuses organisers of failing to manage crowd control, holding them responsible for the tragedy. Legal proceedings are expected as the court examines the roles of those named.

At the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting attended by Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor, top issues included the new Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act replacing MGNREGA, Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and unrest in Bangladesh. Kharge condemned scrapping MGNREGA, calling VB-G RAM G one-sided and announced a nationwide “MGNREGA Bachao Andolan” from January 5, 2026 to protest its repeal. Rahul Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor also criticised the renaming and restructuring of the rural jobs law. (PC: HT)

India’s worsening water scarcity, especially in Rajasthan’s arid region, is creating operational and community challenges for global beverage firms like Heineken, Carlsberg and Diageo. Strict Indian laws force these companies to maintain production in each state due to limits on moving liquor across borders, despite intense competition for dwindling groundwater. While industry uses a small share of water, locals in places like Alwar face acute shortages and blame factories, though courts found compliance with regulations. Companies are boosting water efficiency, harvesting rainwater and investing in community projects. Experts say broader infrastructure and sustainable water management are crucial to ease tensions and secure long-term operations. (PC: Reuters)

In Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, a woman who had accused Rajat Sharma, son of a local BJP leader and council president, of rape is in critical condition after consuming sleeping pills and rat poison, police said. She left a six‑page note alleging seven months of threats, mental harassment, intimidation and pressure to withdraw her FIR, including offers of ₹50 lakh to settle. She claimed the accused promised marriage but his family arranged another engagement and sought to derail her complaint. An FIR was filed in April, and authorities say chargesheeting is underway. The woman appealed for justice from senior leaders while hospitalized. (PC: X)

Ahead of New Year celebrations, Delhi Police carried out a large-scale overnight crackdown under Operation Aaghat to curb organised crime and ensure public safety. The operation led to the arrest of 285 people from across the national capital. Police seized illegal firearms, sharp weapons, drugs, cash and other contraband, targeting criminals, repeat offenders and anti-social elements. Multiple teams conducted coordinated raids, checkpoints and surprise inspections based on intelligence inputs. Senior officials said the drive aims to deter crime, prevent violence and maintain law and order during the festive period, assuring citizens of heightened security across Delhi.

The Indian government has been unable to produce a clear, legally accepted definition of the Aravalli hill range despite more than a year of work, creating uncertainty over conservation and mining regulations. Disputes over whether landforms under 100 m should be classed as Aravallis have drawn criticism from environmentalists and opposition leaders, who warn a narrow definition could expose ecologically vital areas to mining and development, undermining groundwater recharge and biodiversity protection. The lack of a uniform definition has even led to legal challenges and growing public protests, reflecting deep concern over the future of this ancient ecological system. (PC: ANI)

A 25-year-old woman has alleged she was sexually harassed by a fellow passenger during a Namma Metro ride near the busy Majestic interchange in Bengaluru. She said the 55-year-old man sat unusually close, repeatedly pressed against her and touched her despite her attempts to move away, making her feel distressed. When her station arrived, she slapped him on the train and again on the platform as he begged and smiled, according to her account. Metro staff intervened and the woman filed a police complaint, leading to a Non-Cognisable Report (NCR) being registered.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared that India punished terror planners through Operation Sindoor and neutralized executors through Operation Mahadev, marking the first time both were addressed simultaneously. Speaking at the Anti-Terrorism Conference-2025, Shah referenced the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Baisaran Valley, stating it aimed to disrupt communal harmony and derail development in Jammu and Kashmir. Based on precise intelligence, forces neutralized all three terrorists, sending a stern message to Pakistan. Shah said the investigation's findings will put Pakistan "in the dock on international platforms." He warned that terrorism's evolving nature requires agencies to stay ahead, emphasizing the need for uniform Anti-Terrorism Squad structures across states for effective intelligence sharing. (PC: X)