Dr. Nusrat Parveen, the Muslim AYUSH doctor at the centre of a heated hijab controversy in Bihar, has not yet joined her government posting despite deadlines and extended timelines after a viral video showed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar removing her hijab during an appointment event in Patna. Officials confirmed she did not report for duty by the expected date and contact with her or her family remains limited, keeping the issue in the spotlight. The widely-shared incident has ignited political and social debate about personal and religious rights — drawing reactions from leaders, bar associations, and rival states, while her future decision on whether to assume the job is still awaited. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the new terminal at Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport in Guwahati. Built at a cost of ₹4,000 crore, it is India’s first nature-themed airport terminal. Modi said the project opens “new opportunities” and marks “a new chapter in Assam’s development.” The terminal can handle over 13 million passengers each year, making it the largest in the Northeast. The airport is named after Assam’s first chief minister, whose statue was also unveiled. The terminal was developed by Adani Airports Holdings Limited and uses bamboo-inspired designs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India's first nature-themed airport terminal at Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport in Guwahati on Saturday, calling it a "new chapter" in Assam's development. Built at nearly Rs 4,000 crore, the nature-inspired terminal reflects the region's natural landscape and will enhance passenger capacity, connectivity, tourism, and trade across the Northeast. Modi described the occasion as celebrating development for the entire Northeast, not just Assam. During his two-day visit, he will pay homage to 1979 Assam Movement martyrs, interact with students aboard Brahmaputra cruise vessel 'Charaideo' under 'Pariksha pe Charcha,' and lay the foundation stone for a Rs 12,000 crore ammonia-urea fertiliser plant in Namrup.

Security heightened along Jammu and Kashmir's International Border in Samba and Kathua districts following intelligence inputs warning of possible infiltration attempt by three Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists. The alert was shared with all sister security agencies, prompting intensified surveillance and coordinated deployment across vulnerable border stretches. Security forces maintain high vigilance to thwart infiltration bids. Separately, the National Investigation Agency arrested two absconders in Maharashtra's Dinesh Pusu Gawade murder case both CPI (Maoist) members identified as Raghu and Shankar Mahaka. Additionally, Budgam Police registered an FIR against Syed Khurshid Ahmad for attempting to enter Srinagar International Airport using a forged air ticket, discovered during routine security checking at the airport's drop gate. (PC: Times Now)

Eight elephants died and one was injured after the Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express struck a herd crossing railway tracks in Assam's Hojai district around 2:17 AM on Saturday. The collision caused five coaches and the train's engine to derail, though no passengers were harmed. The incident occurred near Changjurai in the Jamunamukh-Kampur section under the Lumding Division of Northeast Frontier Railway. Senior railway officials rushed to the site, relocating affected passengers to vacant berths before the train resumed its journey to Guwahati around 6:15 AM. Rail traffic to Upper Assam and other northeastern regions was severely disrupted, with several trains cancelled or diverted. Forest and railway teams initiated restoration efforts immediately.

Tamil Nadu's electoral rolls saw 97 lakh voter names deleted following the Special Intensive Revision exercise, reducing the total from 6.41 crore to 5.43 crore voters. The Election Commission's December 19 draft identified 26.94 lakh deceased voters, 66.44 lakh shifted voters, and 3.39 lakh duplicate registrations. Chennai recorded the highest deletions at 14.25 lakh, dropping from 40.04 lakh to 25.79 lakh voters. Coimbatore lost 6.50 lakh, while Dindigul, Kanchipuram, and Karur saw significant reductions. Chief Election Officer Archana Patnaik dismissed allegations of selective community-based deletions, stating due procedure was followed. AIADMK's Edappadi K. Palaniswami claimed most deleted votes were fake, criticizing DMK's electoral practices. (PC: The Hindu)

The Delhi government announced it will install 10,000 air purifiers in government school classrooms to protect children from severe air pollution, starting with the first phase of implementation. Education Minister Ashish Sood said tenders have been issued and that the initiative aims to improve indoor air quality amid persistent high AQI levels in the capital. The plan is part of a broader pollution control effort, including clearing the Bhalswa landfill by 2026, reflecting long-term administrative measures rather than short-term fixes. Officials emphasized student health and clean breathing environments as priorities. (PC: India Today)

India’s Parliament has approved the landmark SHANTI Bill (Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India), heralding a major shift by allowing private companies to enter the previously state-controlled nuclear power sector. The legislation repeals parts of the old Atomic Energy Act and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, enabling private firms to build, own, operate and decommission nuclear plants under licence. It also rationalises liability rules and aims to attract investment to help achieve a target of 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047. Supporters call it transformational for clean energy growth, while critics raise safety and accountability concerns. (PC: ANI)

A 23-year-old female shooter was allegedly raped at a hotel in Faridabad, Haryana, while staying in the city for a shooting competition, police said. The victim, who had come with a female friend for the event, accused three people — including her friend and two men identified as Satendra and Gaurav — of assaulting her during a party at the hotel on Wednesday evening. According to her complaint, the attack occurred when her friend and one man stepped out, leaving her with the main accused. She locked the trio in the room and alerted police, who arrested them and produced them in court, sending them to judicial custody. 

Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet have warned passengers of possible flight disruptions at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport due to dense fog, low visibility and high pollution levels affecting the region on Friday. The Delhi airport also issued advisories urging travelers to check flight status in advance as foggy conditions may slow departures and arrivals. Airlines said poor visibility might delay, revise or even cancel flights, and urged passengers to stay updated through airline apps or websites. Ground staff assistance and alternative arrangements are being offered for affected flyers. (PC: AFP)