Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to make his podcast debut on 'People By WTF,' hosted by Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath. The podcast will focus on discussions bridging politics and entrepreneurship, covering topics like global conflicts, youth participation in politics, and PM Modi's tenure.

Sharad Pawar praised the RSS for its ideological commitment while urging his party to rally behind progressive leaders' ideals. Reflecting on election losses, he stressed improving communication with OBCs and bridging caste divides, particularly in Marathwada. Pawar announced a revamp and plans to allocate 50% of election tickets to new faces in the NCP.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intensify their rivalry ahead of the Delhi assembly elections through a new series of poster wars. AAP's posters criticize BJP leaders for derogatory remarks while BJP accuses AAP's Arvind Kejriwal of disrespecting the Purvanchal community.

A significant water shortage hampers firefighting efforts in Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades as wildfires devastate the area. Hydrants ran dry due to overwhelmed storage tanks and pumping systems. Firefighters adapt by relying on aerial support, highlighting critical infrastructure issues and the need for system redesigns to handle future wildfires.

A 25-year-old BPO worker, Shubhada Kodare, was brutally murdered by her colleague Krishna Kanojia in Pune. Kanojia attacked her with a cleaver over a financial dispute, claiming she had borrowed and refused to return Rs 4 lakh. Despite numerous witnesses, no one intervened until after the attack. Kanojia has been arrested, and the investigation is ongoing.

A 25-day blackout in Soraha village, Budaun district, ended as a new transformer was installed after the old one was stolen. The villagers, particularly students and farmers, endured freezing nights without electricity. The replacement transformer was fast-tracked following a news report highlighting their plight. Villagers expressed relief as power was restored.

Gujarat high court issues notice to a woman who was granted a divorce citing cruelty after discovering her husband's sister married outside their caste. The family court's decision is challenged by the husband, with the high court scheduling a joint hearing on January 20.

India has invited Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations. India wishes that Subianto does not visit Pakistan immediately after his India trip, to avoid negative implications for India's relations with Pakistan. No official announcement has been made yet.

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed pleas for legalising same-sex marriages for the second time, with a five-judge bench unanimously rejecting review petitions by LGBTQ+ community members. The court upheld its October 2023 judgment, maintaining same-sex marriage will remain illegal without new legislation, and denied adoption rights for queer couples.

The Supreme Court has expressed reservations about directing governments to implement its 2024 ruling that bars the creamy layer within SC and ST categories from benefiting from quotas. The court emphasized that it is up to the legislature and executive to decide on the issue.

Jammu & Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah questions the relevance of the INDIA bloc, suggesting dissolution if it was only formed for Lok Sabha elections. He highlights a lack of clarity regarding leadership, future strategy, and the bloc’s existence while responding to Tejashwi Yadav’s comment about its limited scope and calls for a meeting to address these concerns.

Farooq Abdullah emphasizes the permanence of the INDIA bloc alliance beyond just elections, aiming to strengthen the nation and combat hatred. His son, Omar Abdullah, expresses concerns about the bloc’s future if it only serves parliamentary elections. Farooq defends Omar, stressing the need for cooperation with the central government for J&K’s development.

Home Minister Amit Shah reviews ongoing projects of the Bureau of Police Research and Development, focusing on new criminal laws, grassroots policing challenges, and police modernisation. He emphasizes research, multi-stakeholder contributions, and 'make in India' initiatives to improve Indian police forces and criminal justice system.

The government has invited officials from countries that were part of undivided India, such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka, to celebrate 150 years of the India Meteorological Department. Events include marathons and exhibitions, with Pakistan confirming participation and special commemorative coins issued.

The Indian home ministry has instructed all states and UTs to screen prisoners and prison staff for tuberculosis as part of a nationwide 100-day campaign on TB elimination. The initiative aims to conduct awareness drives, provide information on prevention, symptoms, and cure, and curb TB prevalence in prisons.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the achievement of the Genome India Project, which sequenced 10,000 genomes despite COVID-19 challenges. This milestone advances biotechnology and India's health potential, providing genetic data to aid precision medicine. The project, linked to India's burgeoning bioeconomy, underscores the country's role as a solution provider in global health.

The sub-committee on the Graded Response Action Plan has implemented stage III measures in Delhi-NCR due to severe air quality. This includes mandatory hybrid learning for students up to grade V and restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles, as well as nonessential diesel-powered goods vehicles.

Arvind Kejriwal accuses BJP of electoral malpractice in New Delhi Assembly constituency, alleging fake applications for vote cancellations and additions. He demands stringent action against BJP candidate Parvesh Verma and election officials involved. AAP calls for Election Commission intervention to ensure fair elections and uphold democracy.

A deadly stampede occurred at Tirupati's Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam ticket distribution, leaving six dead and over 40 injured. Witness D Venkata Lakshmi described the chaos, with people walking over others and pushing uncontrollably. Survivors blamed poor crowd management by police, noting the sudden gate opening led to the panic. The tragedy could have been prevented with better crowd control measures.

US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, discussed the potential for strengthened ties between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President-elect Donald Trump. While unsure about Modi's invitation to Trump's swearing-in, he noted the leaders' strong camaraderie and anticipated future meetings to further the evolving India-US partnership.

Farmers in West Bengal are transforming agriculture through innovative techniques like Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and solar-powered farming, leading to reduced irrigation costs, increased yields, and sustainable practices. SwitchON Foundation has been instrumental in training farmers and providing essential resources for these advancements.

A Bengaluru resident's social media post about free bus rides for women in Karnataka has sparked debate. Observations raised concerns over fairness, pointing out male passengers pay fares while women travel free, and questioning financial sustainability. BJP criticized the scheme amid fare hikes. Supporters argue it empowers women, enhancing mobility and access to opportunities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised India's advocacy for peace and democracy during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention, stressing the nation's heritage and cultural ethos. He called on the Indian diaspora to contribute towards India's development, celebrated their role globally, and lauded improvements in consular services.