A woman has been booked in Pune, Maharashtra, for giving a man intoxicating substances, sexually assaulting him and taking obscene photos to blackmail him. The complainant said she first gained his family's trust by claiming she was like his sister, drugged him during a trip to Kashi Vishwanath and later demanded ₹2 lakh while threatening to leak the images online.

Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) Chairperson S Mahendra Dev warned that processed foods like Kurkure and chips are now more accessible than fruits and vegetables. He noted their widespread availability in rural areas. He said processed foods and beverages account for 21% of rural and over 25% of urban consumption, urging efforts to promote healthier snacking options.

India marked 26/11 by remembering the attack that killed many people and reshaped national security. The NIA was created for federal terror cases, NSG hubs were set up in major cities, and coastal security was strengthened with improved naval and marine policing. Better intelligence sharing and upgraded surveillance which are now key to India’s enhanced security framework.

Supertails, founded in 2021 by former Licious executives Varun Sadana, Aman Tekriwal & Vineet Khanna, is in talks to raise $15–20 million led by Venturi Partners. It offers pet supplies, online vet consultations, training and pharmacy services. Its investors include RPSG Capital Ventures, Fireside Ventures, Saama Capital, DSG Consumer Partners and Sauce VC, reflecting growing interest in petcare.

National Milk Day honours Dr Verghese Kurien, whose White Revolution made India the world’s largest milk producer. It celebrates millions of dairy farmers and the success of cooperatives. The day highlights milk’s role in daily nutrition and encourages cleaner, more sustainable and ethical dairy practices for a healthier future.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Wednesday said that India was examining a request from Bangladesh to extradite their former PM Sheikh Hasina. The request, first made in December 2024, has been reiterated now after Hasina was sentenced to death for her role in the killing of student protesters last year. Hasina fled to India in August 2024 amid the protests.

Supreme Court inquired if "intruders" who possess Aadhaar cards to avail social security benefits should also be allowed to vote. The question was posed while SC was hearing petitions challenging constitutional validity of ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. CJI Surya Kant said giving Aadhaar card to migrants living and working in India is "part of our constitutional ethos".

Bengaluru is expected to witness calm and mostly dry weather over the coming week, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting partly cloudy skies and only brief spells of light rainfall on select days. No major weather warnings have been issued for Bengaluru, and temperatures are likely to remain within a comfortable range.

Under baseline assumption of prolonged 50% US tariffs, India's GDP is projected to grow by 6.6% in FY26 before moderating to 6.2% in FY27, as per 2025 Consultation Report. However, India's recent GST rate adjustment is expected to offset tariff impact. Further, India's real GDP expanded by 7.8% in FY26 Q1. Despite uncertainties, India's macroeconomic fundamentals remain strong, it added.

A Delhi woman shared a post after she was assaulted by an Uber driver. "Asked [Uber driver] to stop and he refused. I opened the cab door to make him stop. He turned around, grabbed my arm and twisted it," she said. "Called 100 but no response...Delhi Police how do women contact you when in need?" she added.

A Bengaluru man has been arrested by RR Nagar police for allegedly harassing his former employer’s wife over a prolonged period. According to police, the woman filed an FIR on Sunday after receiving repeated inappropriate and unsolicited messages from the accused. Her husband, who runs an interior design firm, had employed the accused around six years ago.

A 16-year-old student at a pre-metric girls' hostel in Koppal, Karnataka, delivered a baby boy on the hostel premises, raising serious concerns over staff negligence. Both mother and child are stable and receiving treatment. The District Collector and SP have ordered a detailed inquiry, and action is expected against the hostel staff and the accused involved.

Since May 2024, Bihar's Saran Police have rescued 279 girls from forced labor and prostitution, arresting 93 individuals. Investigations continue to capture absconding accused. In a recent Sonepur Mela raid, five minors were rescued from exploitation. Supported by NGOs, the operation is part of a broader crackdown on human trafficking, targeting networks operating at the fair.

Microsoft’s AI assistant Copilot will no longer be available on WhatsApp from 15 January 2026, following a significant policy revision introduced by the Meta-owned messaging platform. The decision marks the end of a collaboration that allowed WhatsApp users to interact with Copilot directly from their chat window.

A man accused of breaking into residential quarters of factory workers in Attibele, Karnataka, and attempting to target women late at night has been arrested after he was caught inside a woman's home on Monday. Police believe he may be linked to multiple similar incidents in the locality. Officials also suspect there may be additional unreported cases.

Gold prices hovered close to their highest level in more than a week on Wednesday, supported by growing expectations that the US Federal Reserve will reduce interest rates next month. With lower rates typically boosting the appeal of non-yielding bullion, traders shifted focus away from currency movements and towards monetary policy cues.

A car, reportedly a Honda sedan, caught fire on the Bandra Worli Sealink in Mumbai on late Wednesday night after colliding with a side barrier at high speed. The incident caused a major traffic disruption, resulting in a massive traffic jam. Firefighting officials conducted dousing operations and no casualties have been reported so far.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to Indian Railways over a complaint alleging that non-vegetarian meals on trains serve only halal-processed meat. The complaint claimed this practice excludes people from Hindu Dalit communities, who traditionally work in the meat trade. It further stated that this harms their livelihood rights and access to equal opportunities.

Indian Railways said there is no official provision for serving Halal-certified food in trains. A Railway official added, “Railways and IRCTC follow Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) guidelines for their food products.” The statement comes after the National Human Rights Commission issued a notice over allegations that serving only Halal meat was creating unfair discrimination.

A woman in Delhi has alleged an Uber driver assaulted her during a ride on Wednesday. Bharati Chaturvedi reported the driver became aggressive, refused to stop, and twisted her arm. She claims emergency services and Uber's safety line offered inadequate help, raising concerns about passenger safety in the capital. Uber India Support has acknowledged the incident.

Bengaluru's historic Halasuru Someshwara Temple has not conducted weddings for nearly six years due to rising divorce cases, which often result in priests being summoned to court as witnesses. The temple management said the decision was taken to protect priests from legal complications and to safeguard the temple's reputation.

The NIA has arrested Soyab, the seventh accused in the November 10 Red Fort blast, for sheltering suicide bomber Umar-un Nabi and providing key logistical support. Linked to a ‘white-collar’ terror module spanning J&K, Haryana, and UP, Soyab’s arrest reveals deeper networks. The module had planned a major December 6 attack but executed a VBIED blast early after several members were arrested.

A video from Mumbai's Govandi Railway Station shows a woman slapping a man who allegedly made obscene gestures at her. Despite passengers trying to intervene, she confronted him directly. The incident has sparked discussions on women's safety in public spaces, with netizens praising her courage and urging authorities to strengthen surveillance and enforce strict action against harassment.

A late-night meeting between deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar and cabinet colleague Karnataka PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, has renewed speculation about internal realignments within the Karnataka Congress. The two senior leaders, often regarded as political rivals, met at an undisclosed location in Bengaluru on Tuesday night, with discussions reportedly continuing past midnight.

One of the eyes of a deceased accident victim was allegedly removed while the body was kept inside the morgue of Barasat Medical College and Hospital in West Bengal. CM Mamata Banerjee has ordered a probe in the case after the victim's family held a protest over the same. "Will take strong action if anyone is found guilty," she added.