Four people were shot dead, and five critically injured in a recent outbreak of violence in Manipur's Thoubal district. As a response, curfew has been reimposed in Thoubal, Imphal East, Imphal West, Kakching, and Bishnupur districts. Chief Minister N Biren Singh condemned the violence, promising swift action against the perpetrators. The attackers, yet to be identified, reportedly donned camouflage attire and targeted locals. The motive appears linked to extortion, leading to clashes with enraged residents. This incident compounds the prevailing ethnic tensions, with Manipur witnessing a series of violent episodes in recent weeks, raising concerns and necessitating heightened security measures.            

The central government declares gangster Goldy Brar a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Linked to the banned Khalistani outfit Babbar Khalsa International, Brar is accused of cross-border affiliations, multiple killings, radical ideology, and making threatening calls to pro-nationalist leaders. A member of the Lawrence Bishnoi Gang, Brar claimed responsibility for Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala's 2022 murder. Involved in arms smuggling and plotting to disrupt peace in Punjab, he faces an Interpol Red Corner Notice for extradition. In an exclusive interview, Brar previously mentioned actor Salman Khan being on their "kill list."

Gujarat ventures into groundbreaking submarine tourism, planning to unveil the mysteries of the submerged city of Dwarka. An MoU with Mazgaon Dockyard Limited sets the stage for a 35-tonne submarine, accommodating 30 passengers, offering unique underwater experiences. The project, announced at the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, aims to boost tourism, generate employment, and attract investments to the region, while Dwarka remains a significant spiritual pilgrimage site. The initiative, awaiting the state government's final decision, holds promise for both historical exploration and economic development in Gujarat. [image courtesy: DD news/X]

In a historic achievement, Gujarat enters the Guinness Book with over 4,000 participants performing Surya Namaskar simultaneously at 108 locations and 51 categories. The monumental event took place at the renowned Modhera Sun Temple, showcasing a diverse participation of families, students, and senior citizens. Prime Minister Narendra Modi commends the state's commitment to yoga and cultural heritage, urging citizens to include Surya Namaskar in their daily routines. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi grace the celebrations, with Guinness adjudicator Swapnil Dangarikar officially announcing the successful record attempt.

In a bizarre incident in Bihar's Darbhanga district, land mafia allegedly stole an entire pond, replacing it with a hut. The disappearance of the water body, utilized for communal activities, raised concerns among locals. Despite complaints and zonal officials briefly halting the filling process, the mafia secretly continued their activities, completing the pond's vanishing act. Rising land prices in Darbhanga motivated this unconventional theft, leaving the community bewildered. Bihar has witnessed unusual thefts, including a stolen train engine and a whole bridge in recent years, reflecting an audacious trend in criminal activities in the region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) on January 12, marking the completion of the country's longest sea bridge. The 21.8-km-long, six-lane bridge aims to significantly reduce travel time between Sewri in Mumbai and Nhava Sheva in Raigad district. Delayed by eight months due to the pandemic, the MTHL connects key areas with interchanges at Sewri, Shivaji Nagar, Jassi, and Chirle. With 16.5 km above the sea and 5.5 km on land, the bridge integrates with the Mumbai Pune Expressway, enhancing connectivity between the state's major cities.

Acharya Satyendra Das, Chief Priest at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, countered Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray's claim of not receiving an invitation for the Ayodhya Ram Temple inauguration. Das clarified, "Invitations are only extended to those who are devotees of Lord Ram." He refuted the notion that BJP was exploiting the temple for political gains, emphasizing the Prime Minister's respectful leadership. The Chief Priest also criticized Sanjay Raut's comments, accusing him of insulting Lord Ram and asserting that Shiv Sena had played a significant role in the Ram Mandir movement. The consecration ceremony is set to span seven days, commencing on January 16.

Delhi and several parts of North India, including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, woke up to a thick blanket of dense fog and cold weather on New Year's Day. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for January 1, cautioning residents about the challenging visibility conditions. Delhi recorded a temperature of 10.8 degrees Celsius, 2.2 notches below normal. The dense fog disrupted transportation, causing 21 trains to run behind schedule. The IMD predicts 'Cold Day' conditions in Punjab (Jan 2-4) and Haryana (Jan 1-4). An orange alert is in place for Rajasthan, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh on January 1.            

Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi celebrated New Year's Eve by making homemade orange marmalade together in their kitchen. They filmed the process in a 5-minute video posted on YouTube, showing them plucking oranges from their garden, cooking the marmalade, and packaging it in jars "with love." Rahul joked that BJP members were welcome to try their marmalade too. Sonia said the recipe belonged to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. She also recalled adjusting to Indian flavors like chilies after moving to India. The lighthearted video aimed to present the Gandhis bonding as a family ahead of a challenging election year. It carried the logo of Congress's recent Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi.

Shimla, famed for its picturesque New Year celebrations, experienced an unexpected dip with a mere 50-60% occupancy, marking the lowest in four decades. Despite the Winter Carnival's vibrant display along the Mall Road and The Ridge, hotel bookings fell short of expectations. The anticipation of a 'white New Year' was met with disappointment as the likelihood of snowfall remained bleak. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's directive to welcome tourists with warmth and leniency towards revelers did not translate into increased occupancy. Stakeholders attribute the decline to unregistered tourism units, capturing tourists, and adverse social media publicity causing diversions to alternative destinations.