India's drug regulator has revoked the registration of QR 678-Neo, an anti-hair loss product. The cosmetic was illegally marketed online for treating medical conditions like post-chemotherapy hair loss and genetic baldness. This action by the CDSCO against M/s Esthetic Centers International Pvt Ltd serves as a stern warning to the booming cosmetic market about making unapproved therapeutic claims.

Generations-old trades now face uncertainty

In a significant political development, the BJP has secured its maiden mayoral victory in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation. V V Rajesh, a seasoned party leader, clinched the top post with crucial support, marking the NDA's first governance of a city corporation in the state.

Prime Minister Modi lauded the Sahibzadas' supreme sacrifice as a testament to India's courage against religious fanaticism. He emphasized that their story, suppressed for decades due to a colonial mindset, is now being brought to the forefront.

Union home minister Amit Shah has called for a nationwide upgrade of anti-terror infrastructure, advocating for an «impenetrable anti-terrorism grid» and a common ATS structure across states. He also announced a «360-degree strike» plan against organised crime, emphasizing data sharing and technological integration to combat evolving threats and ensure future security.

An NRI's viral post highlights a New York friend's surprise at India's rapid growth and affordability, particularly in healthcare, transport, and digital services. While acknowledging better air quality in the US, the visitor noted significantly lower costs for mobile, health insurance, and property taxes in India. The post sparked discussions on civic sense and the nuances of cost-of-living comparisons.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin accused the BJP of trying to sow religious divisions, saying Tamil Nadu’s communal harmony “irritates” the party. He condemned attacks on Christians, highlighted interfaith unity, and expressed confidence that the DMK would be re-elected in 2026.

Leaders across India remembered former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his first death anniversary. Singh, who served from 2004 to 2014, was hailed as a transformative leader who boosted India's economy. His contributions to the nation's development were acknowledged by political figures. Singh's legacy as an economist and a dedicated public servant continues to inspire.

Megha Majumdar's new novel, 'A Guardian and a Thief’, is an Oprah's Book Club selection, a finalist for the National Book Award and the Kirkus Prize, and on the longlist for the American Library Association's Andrew Carnegie Medal. Her first book, 'A Burning’, was nominated for the National Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle's John Leonard Prize and the Carnegie Medal, and won a Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar in India.

India has raised concerns with the US over the abrupt cancellation of pre-scheduled H-1B visa interviews for thousands of Indian applicants. These interviews, postponed for enhanced social media vetting, have caused significant delays and hardships for skilled workers unable to return to their jobs in the US.

India's women's safety challenges persist in 2025, with official crime data revealing only a fraction of the reality. Decades of reforms haven't erased gender inequality, social stigma, and uneven justice access, leaving many incidents unreported due to fear, family pressure, and systemic barriers. This gap between reported crimes and lived experiences highlights the ongoing struggle for safety.

Dr. Dimple Padawe, Dean of Government Dental College, was crowned 'Mrs India Classic', using the platform to raise awareness about oral cancer, especially in tribal communities. Her impactful national costume, featuring a digitally printed saree and a crown of artificial cigarettes, symbolized the disease's devastating effects.

The Enforcement Directorate has launched a money laundering investigation against Islamic preacher Maulana Shamshul Huda Khan, based on an FIR by the UP Anti-terrorism squad. Khan, now a UK citizen, allegedly drew a government salary from 2013-2017 while living abroad and acquired properties worth over Rs 30 crore.

India's food safety watchdog, FSSAI, has mandated that only beverages derived solely from the Camellia sinensis plant can be labeled as 'tea'. This directive aims to prevent misbranding and consumer confusion, impacting products like rooibos and flower infusions. The move is expected to bring clarity to the market and consumer understanding of what constitutes true tea.

Delhi High Court has asked the Centre and producers of a web series, reportedly based on gangster Vikas Dubey, to respond to a plea by his wife seeking to halt its release. She claims the series invades her privacy by sensationalizing private life and events without consent, violating her constitutional rights.

The Madras High Court has ordered an FIR and legal action against two Tamil Nadu police officers for allegedly torturing a passport applicant in Virudhunagar in 2020. Justice Sunder Mohan noted that disciplinary proceedings against sub-inspector S Manikandan and constable SP Selvaraj for torturing Thavakannan constituted cognizable offenses, warranting an FIR and subsequent action.

After 28 years, a CISF constable sacked in 1998 for assault and misconduct has been reinstated by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The court deemed the punishment excessive, stating past conduct shouldn't justify removal when current allegations are unsubstantiated. The bench emphasized that punishment must be proportionate and not shock the conscience.

The Punjab and Haryana high court ruled that character certificates cannot be denied to Army aspirants due to pending criminal cases before charges are framed. Justice Suvir Sehgal allowed a petition by Ramanpreet Singh, who was denied a certificate for an abetment to suicide case, stating mere registration of a case isn't guilt.

CBI has filed a chargesheet against four Punjab Police personnel, naming Inspector Ronnie Singh as the prime accused in the assault on Colonel Pushpinder Bath. Charges of attempted murder were dropped, replaced with 'causing grievous hurt' and 'wrongful restraint' following a parking dispute.

A 20-year-old Bengali mason, working in Odisha for the first time, was tragically beaten to death by a mob. While his family claims he was falsely accused of being Bangladeshi, police state the violence erupted from a monetary dispute. Two other migrant workers were critically injured in the attack.

In a heartwarming display of unity, a 75-year-old Sikh woman in Punjab's Jakhwali village donated land for a new mosque. Sikh and Hindu families are also contributing financially to the construction. This gesture highlights the village's long-standing tradition of interfaith harmony, where all communities support each other's religious needs.

Naxal carried a Rs 1.1 crore bounty on his head

Tragedy struck near Mysuru Palace late Thursday when a helium cylinder for balloons exploded, claiming one life and injuring four, including three tourists. The blast, heard a kilometer away, occurred as visitors enjoyed the palace's winter festival events. Authorities have ruled out foul play, and forensic teams are investigating the incident. Injured individuals were promptly taken to KR Hospital.