An Air India pilot was found to be under the influence of alcohol by Canadian authorities before operating flight AI186 from Vancouver to Delhi on December 23. The cockpit crew member was offloaded, causing a flight delay. Air India is cooperating with local authorities and has taken the pilot off flying duties pending an investigation.

A Karnataka government study found most citizens believe elections are fair and EVMs deliver accurate results, countering Rahul Gandhi's 'vote chori' allegations. The survey, covering over 5,000 respondents, revealed strong public trust in the electoral process, with high agreement on free and fair elections and EVM reliability across all divisions, despite concerns about money's influence.

Hindu religious leaders and BJP figures have strongly criticized Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan. Their ire is directed at his IPL team, Kolkata Knight Riders, for selecting Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman. Congress has stepped in to defend Khan, labeling the criticism an attack on India's pluralism. The debate highlights differing views on nationalism and inclusion,

Highway commuters will soon see toll charges halved during the expansion of two-lane to four-lane stretches. Additionally, user fees on partially opened expressways will be aligned with other National Highways. These measures aim to provide relief to users facing reduced road width during construction and high toll rates on expressways.

A man accused in a 500-kg heroin smuggling case was denied temporary bail by a special NIA court. He had requested 30 days to persuade his wife against seeking a divorce. The court suggested he could contest the divorce proceedings via video conference or through family members.

Former Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh questioned the electoral impact of «mandir-masjid politics» and criticized «recent entrants» to the state unit. Ghosh, who met Union minister Amit Shah, also expressed his desire to contest his home seat in the 2026 assembly polls and spoke of being sidelined.

A state-appointed SIT has alleged a planned operation to strip and divert gold from Sabarimala temple's sacred structures. Gold-plated copper sheets were removed for repairs in 2019, chemically stripped of gold in Chennai, and returned with fresh plating to conceal the loss. Temple officials, intermediaries, and private jewelers are implicated in this criminal breach of trust.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will soon inaugurate India's first Vande Bharat Sleeper train connecting Guwahati and Howrah. This advanced overnight service, designed for speeds up to 180 kmph, promises a significantly faster and more comfortable journey. The railway minister highlighted this as part of a broader development push for eastern and northeastern India, with more such trains planned.

Strict action awaits Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and their supervisors if elderly, sick, or disabled voters are summoned for hearings. Despite prior instructions, reports indicate these vulnerable individuals, including pregnant women, were still asked to appear. The Election Commission now mandates home verification for such electors, aiming to prevent distress and uphold its image.

ED searches on associates of gangster Inderjeet Singh Yadav in Delhi-NCR have yielded Rs 1.2 crore in fresh cash, bringing total recoveries to Rs 6.3 crore. The agency also seized gold and jewelry worth over Rs 17.4 crore and property documents valued at over Rs 35 crore.

A Supreme Court panel will inspect Bannerghatta National Park following a plea against a government decision to drastically shrink its eco-sensitive zone. Activists argue the move, reducing the zone from 268.9 sq km to 168.8 sq km, benefits mining and real estate interests, potentially harming wildlife and Bengaluru's green cover.

The transport ministry is proposing mandatory fitness and pollution tests at automated test stations (ATS) for private vehicles, ending home-delivered certificates. A 10-second geo-tagged video of the vehicle during the test will be required. Vehicles failing fitness tests will be declared 'End of Life Vehicle' if not rectified within 180 days.

A contaminated water supply in Indore's Bhagirathpura has led to a severe diarrhoea outbreak, claiming nine lives and hospitalizing over 200 residents. A leaking toilet waste pit near a water line is blamed for the contamination. Families are grappling with loss and illness, with one teacher losing her six-month-old son.

Tragedy struck Bhagirathpura as nine individuals succumbed to illness after consuming contaminated water. Diarrhoea and vomiting plagued residents since Monday, with initial reports indicating sewage contamination from a local police check post toilet. While authorities confirmed four deaths directly linked to the tainted supply, water sample tests revealed contamination, though the specific bacteria remain unidentified.

Medical colleges nationwide must now maintain constant stocks of anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin, following Supreme Court directives. This crucial step ensures timely treatment for dog-bite victims, addressing rising incidents in public spaces. The National Medical Commission's order mandates uninterrupted availability, bolstering public health safety measures across institutions.

Nearly 40% of sanctioned faculty posts remain vacant across 11 AIIMS, revealing a significant staffing crunch at India's premier public hospitals. This widespread shortage, affecting both older and newer institutes, raises concerns about patient care, specialist services, and medical education amidst rising patient loads.

Security forces launched a combing operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district after a drone reportedly dropped an IED and weapons. Searches by the Army, special operations group, and local police recovered a bag with ammunition rounds and a suspected IED in a tiffin box.

Jammu and Kashmir Police have attached agricultural land worth Rs 10 lakh belonging to Pakistan-based terror handler Rafiq Nai. Nai, a launch commander for Tahreek-ul-Mujahideen / Jammu Kashmir Ghaznavi Force, is accused of supervising narcotics and weapons smuggling and facilitating terrorist infiltration. This action is part of a strategy to dismantle terror support networks.

New Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra prioritizes addressing people's aspirations and preserving the Union territory's civilisational history of peace. He also voiced concerns over Ladakh's fragile ecology, cautioning against reckless development amid heightened demands for statehood and Sixth Schedule status.

National Conference expresses concern over alleged assaults on Kashmiri shawl sellers nationwide, with J&K government to address the issue with concerned state governments. The Union Home Ministry has taken note of the attacks, and the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association has urged the Home Minister for intervention.

A 19-year-old Bangladeshi national, Shariful Islam Bhuiyan, was apprehended by BSF near the international border in Jammu. He arrived in India on December 1, 2025, and claimed to be a tourist seeking a Portugal visa. Authorities are verifying his travel documents and digital devices.

Union Fertilizers Minister J P Nadda launched an integrated e-bill system to digitally process fertilizer subsidies worth approximately Rs 2 lakh crore. This move replaces manual procedures with a fully digital workflow, enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accountability through a centralized, tamper-proof digital audit trail. The system accelerates payment timelines and strengthens financial controls.

Two notorious criminals, Vikas Gulia and Dhirpal, have been handed life imprisonment under the stringent MCOCA law in Delhi. The court found them guilty of sustained organized criminal activity, including murder and extortion, despite previous bail. This conviction highlights the police's success in curbing dangerous crime syndicates.

Haryana Congress president Rao Narendra Singh visited a gangrape victim in Faridabad, condemning the 'inhumane and heinous crime' and criticizing the BJP government's claims on women's safety. The 25-year-old mother of three was allegedly gangraped in a moving van and thrown out, suffering severe injuries. Singh demanded strict punishment for the arrested accused and called for a fast-track trial.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged the BJP's agenda is to prevent a 'Marathi manoos' from becoming the mayor of BMC, claiming it's a conspiracy to hurt Marathi people. He stated this strategy aims to create an atmosphere against Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS among outsiders, with UP and Bihar leaders expected to campaign for the BJP.

After Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of facilitating «vote theft,» BJP leader Priyanka Tibrewal alleged that Bangladeshi infiltrators had been given voter ID card, Aadhaar card and were made voters of the TMC.

Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested two terror associates in Ganderbal, seizing a pistol, grenades, ammunition, and Rs 8.40 lakh cash. The operation, based on specific intelligence, also led to the recovery of an SLR rifle and ammunition in Doda district. Investigations are ongoing to uncover wider links and intent.