At least seven people have died and over 100 hospitalised in Indore’s Bhagirathpura area after consuming contaminated drinking water, city officials confirmed. The outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting was traced to a leak in the main water pipeline, allowing drainage water to mix with the municipal supply. Residents reported foul-smelling water before falling sick. Authorities are treating patients and investigating the cause, while suspensions and disciplinary actions have been ordered against municipal officials. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced compensation for victims’ families and free treatment. The incident has raised concerns about basic civic services in the cleanliness-acclaimed city. (PC: Instagram)

The BJP criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly threatening Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to the state, calling her remarks unacceptable and labelling her governance as “tanasahi” (dictatorship). BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra claimed Banerjee suggested Shah could not leave his hotel without her “permission,” framing it as a threat not just to him but to the nation’s democratic norms. The party also accused her of failing to protect BJP workers and allowing political violence. Leaders alleged that violence and attacks on democracy in Bengal have worsened under her rule, and insisted BJP will win a strong mandate in the upcoming elections. (PC: The Hindu)

New Zealand has become the second country to welcome 2026 after Kiribati’s Kiritimati atoll. Large crowds gathered in Auckland as fireworks lit up the Sky Tower, the city’s tallest building. About 3,500 fireworks were launched in a five minute show from several levels of the 240 metre tower. The Sky Tower again served as the main site for the national countdown. In New Zealand, the Chatham Islands are the first within the country to enter the new year. Weather forecasts and a risk of thunderstorms led to the cancellation of some small community events across parts of the North Island.

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was laid to rest in Dhaka on Wednesday with full state honours. The 80 year old BNP leader was buried beside her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, at Manik Mia Avenue near parliament. Thousands of supporters and foreign guests attended the funeral. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar represented India and met Zia’s son and acting BNP chief Tarique Rahman before the ceremony. He handed over a condolence letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Jaishankar also met Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. Leaders from Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Maldives were also present. (PC: India Today)

Russia has released a night video showing a damaged drone in a snowy forest area. The defence ministry said the drone was launched by Ukraine towards President Vladimir Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region. Moscow earlier claimed that 91 long range drones were used in the attack and that all were shot down. The Kremlin called it a “terrorist act” and a personal attack on Putin. Ukraine has denied the charge and said there is no proof it carried out such a strike. President Volodymyr Zelensky described the claim as fake and urged allies to verify Russia’s account.

The small atoll of Kiritimati in the Pacific nation of Kiribati has become the first place in the world to welcome 2026. The island, also called Christmas Island, lies south of Hawaii and north east of Australia. Kiribati is made up of many coral atolls spread across almost 4,000 kilometres of ocean. The country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1979 and has a population of about 116,000. Many islands are very low lying and face rising sea levels. New Year events will reach other parts of Kiribati and then move west across the globe. (PC: BBC)

In the high-profile murder of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, prime accused Faisal Karim Masud has publicly denied any involvement, claiming in a viral video message that he is in Dubai, not India as alleged by Bangladeshi police, and was wrongly accused. He said his ties with Hadi were business-related and blamed a radical political group for the killing. Masud insists his family is being harassed and released evidence of his UAE visa on social media. Bangladesh authorities maintain suspects fled via the Meghalaya border; India has rejected those claims. Hadi was shot in Dhaka on Dec 12 and died later abroad. (PC: X)

The Union Cabinet on 31 December 2025 approved a major relief package for debt-ridden telecom firm Vodafone Idea, freezing its adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues of ₹87,695 crore and granting a five-year moratorium on payments. The dues will now be rescheduled for payment over a 10-year period from FY2032 to FY2041, with the Department of Telecommunications to reassess the frozen amount under audit guidelines. AGR liabilities for FY18 and FY19 remain payable under existing schedules. The move aims to bolster Vodafone Idea’s financial stability, protect the government’s stake, and maintain competition in the telecom sector. Shares fell sharply on the news. 

Police in Rajasthan’s Tonk district arrested two men and seized about 150 kg of explosive material from their car on New Year’s Eve. The action followed a tip-off received by the District Special Team. The suspects were stopped in the Baroni police station area. Officers found ammonium nitrate hidden in sacks marked as urea fertiliser. Police also recovered 200 cartridges and around 1,100 metres of safety fuse wire. The car used to carry the material was seized. The accused, both from Bundi district, were allegedly taking the consignment to Tonk for supply. Police are questioning them to find the source and purpose of the material. (PC: HT)

Police in Rajasthan’s Tonk district arrested two men and seized about 150 kg of explosive material from their car on New Year’s Eve. The action followed a tip-off received by the District Special Team. The suspects were stopped in the Baroni police station area. Officers found ammonium nitrate hidden in sacks marked as urea fertiliser. Police also recovered 200 cartridges and around 1,100 metres of safety fuse wire. The car used to carry the material was seized. The accused, both from Bundi district, were allegedly taking the consignment to Tonk for supply. Police are questioning them to find the source and purpose of the material.