Times of India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over a stampede near Vishnu Nivasam in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, resulting in six deaths and several injuries. The Andhra Pradesh government is providing assistance. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi also extended their condolences. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is closely monitoring the situation.

Gunmen attacked Chad's presidential complex in N'Djamena on Wednesday evening, resulting in 19 deaths, including one presidential guard. The situation is now under control, per government statements. The attack occurred shortly after a disputed election. Chad, a landlocked country in northern Africa, is under military rule and frequently faces attacks from the jihadist group Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region.

Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin ensured swift investigation and filing of chargesheet in the Anna University rape case within 60 days. Aiming to counter the AIADMK criticism, he cited the Pollachi sexual assault case, pledging severe measures against crimes targeting women, and dismissed opposition's conspiracies.

The Bangladesh interim government has approved the import of 50,000 tonnes of non-basmati parboiled rice from India to fulfill domestic demand. A private Indian company will supply the rice at a cost of $22,942,000, evidencing a consistent trade relationship despite recent diplomatic tensions.

A shepherd in Jammu and Kashmir's Pir Panjal range relies on his Gaddi dog Bhola for protection against predators. Bhola's loyalty and vigilance exemplify the breed, now officially recognized as the fourth indigenous Indian canine breed by the NBAGR, following a detailed evaluation by Himachal's animal husbandry department.

As of January 1, 2025, women voters outnumber men in 13 states and one Union Territory, with new entries including Assam, Karnataka, and Nagaland. Nationwide, the total female electorate is still 2.33 crore fewer than males among 99-crore voters. Notable states with high third-gender electors include Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

Government moved Arunish Chawla to the department of investment and public asset management and replaced him with Tuhin Kanta Pandey as revenue secretary. Chawla was revenue secretary for less than two weeks. This reshuffle in the finance ministry is quite unprecedented. Pandey, being the finance secretary, will now coordinate the Budget exercise.

The first JPC meeting on the 'one nation, one election' bills saw opposition MPs call the legislations an attack on constitutional norms, whereas BJP and allies argued for reduced expenditure and administrative load benefits, citing broad public support and historical precedents.

Pritish Nandy, renowned poet, editor, film producer, Rajya Sabha member, and animal rights activist, passed away at 73 in Mumbai. Known for his work in poetry, journalism, and film production, Nandy made significant contributions to Indian media, including the corporatisation of Bollywood and advocating for animal rights.

Bengaluru has been named India's best city for working women in 2024 due to its inclusive, secure, and adaptable environment. The city's higher scores in women's skill development, employment opportunities, infrastructure, and caregiving support contributed to its top ranking. The survey revealed strong gender inclusivity in South India, with 16 cities in the top 25 list.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath defends the survey of Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, warning against ignoring historical occupation of Hindu religious sites. He criticizes the Waqf Board, highlights Sanatan Dharma's significance, and urges political opponents to embrace India's spiritual heritage.

A stampede during the distribution of Vaikuntha Dwara Sarva Darshan tokens for Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirupati resulted in six deaths and over 30 injuries. The chaos involved poor crowd management as devotees surged forward. TTD had organized the event, expecting large crowds. Andhra CM Naidu is overseeing the situation.

The Supreme Court of India has acknowledged its error in rejecting the juvenility plea of a convict, ordering his immediate release after 25 years in jail. The court recognized the convict was 14 at the time of the crime and highlighted the importance of rehabilitation for juveniles.

Following a proposal to temporarily halt the selection of sitting or former judges' lawyer children for high court judges, another SC collegium member suggested they should meet a higher benchmark. This aims to balance merit-based appointments with concerns over the advantages of judicial lineage.

The Supreme Court is set to decide on the legitimacy of the 2023 law altering the selection panel for chief election commissioner (CEC) and ECs, contrasting Parliament's legislative power with SC’s authority. The court's previous order outlined a panel including the PM, LoP, and CJI, but Parliament replaced the CJI with a Union minister, raising concerns about EC independence.

The Maldives ensured it will not compromise India’s security amid concerns regarding Chinese vessels, while agreeing to extend the lease of Indian helicopters and a Dornier aircraft. Defence cooperation between the countries accelerated, including the handover of defence equipment and the continuation of the MNDF 'Ekatha Harbour' project.

A school peon in Pune was arrested after being caught filming girl students in a changing room. The suspect's cellphone, used for recording, was confiscated. The school's authorities, who promptly informed police and parents, have since fired the peon. The investigation is ongoing to determine if similar incidents occurred before.