Top Stories
- Tragedy in Switzerland: A massive explosion and fire at a bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana during New Year celebrations has resulted in at least 40 deaths and over 100 injuries. Authorities are investigating the cause, with early reports suggesting a pyrotechnic accident.
- Air India Pilot Offloaded: An Air India pilot was removed from a flight in Vancouver just before takeoff after failing a breathalyzer test. The incident caused significant delays, and the airline has launched an investigation.
- Contaminated Water in MP: A tragic incident in Madhya Pradesh has left 7 people dead and over 100 hospitalized after sewage reportedly mixed with drinking water supplies.
🇮🇳 India News
- Dense Fog Disrupts Travel: North India, including Delhi, is witnessing severe fog, leading to flight delays and advisories from major airlines for passengers to check statuses before travel.
- H-1B Visa Relief: Amazon has announced it will allow employees stranded in India due to H-1B visa processing delays to work from home until March 2, 2026, breaking its strict office mandate.
- India-Pakistan Tensions: India has sharply responded to Pakistan's comments on minority rights, with the MEA stating that Pakistan's own track record "speaks for itself." Meanwhile, a radical group in Bangladesh has issued an ultimatum demanding the cancellation of work permits for Indians.
- Telangana Women Killed in US: Two 24-year-old women from Telangana were reportedly killed in a road accident in the United States while traveling between cities.
📈 Business & Stock Market
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Market Closing: The Indian stock market started 2026 with volatility. After opening in the green, indices closed marginally lower.
- Sensex: Closed at 85,188.60 (down 32 points).
- Nifty 50: Closed at 26,146.55 (up ~17 points).
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- Crash in Tobacco Stocks: Shares of ITC and Godfrey Phillips crashed significantly (ITC fell nearly 10%) following reports of a new government cess on tobacco products.
- Top Gainers: NTPC, Larsen & Toubro, and Power Grid were among the top performers today.
🌍 World News
- New NYC Mayor: Zohran Mamdani has been sworn in as the new Mayor of New York City in a ceremony held at a historic subway station.
- Taiwan Tensions: China has launched live-fire military drills around Taiwan, with dozens of aircraft and naval vessels reported near the island's zone. Taipei has placed forces on high alert.
- Russia-Ukraine: President Zelenskyy has stated he will not sign a "weak deal" that prolongs the war, as conflicts continue into the new year.
🏏 Sports & Entertainment
- Cricket: As the Sydney Test approaches, Australian spinner Todd Murphy is hopeful for a major role. Meanwhile, debates continue over the 2025 performance comparison between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam.
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Entertainment:
- Twinkle Khanna shared a supportive message for Akshay Kumar's niece, Simar, who is making her debut in the movie Ikkis.
- A revised version of the film Dhurandhar has hit cinemas today after changes directed by the I&B Ministry.
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