About 40 killed in deadly Switzerland resort fire; victims yet to be identified

Investigators set about the painful task of identifying the burned bodies of a blaze that ‍engulfed a crowded bar and killed around 40 people at a New Year’s Eve party ​in the upscale Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana. So severe were the burns ‌suffered by the mostly young crowd of revellers in the Le Constellation ​bar that Swiss officials said it could take days before they name all the victims of the fire that also injured 115, many of them seriously. Parents of missing youths anxiously issued pleas for news of their loved ones as foreign embassies scrambled to work out if their nationals were among those caught up in one of the worst tragedies to befall modern Switzerland.

First time in its history, Bangladesh to try postal ballots in 2026 election

For the first time in its independent history, Bangladesh will allow postal ballots in the upcoming election scheduled for February 12, 2026. The Election Commission of Bangladesh has started the facilitation process with the help of international postal services that would allow voters to mail the ballots on time to be counted after physical voting ends in Bangladesh.

GST revenue grows at 3-month high rate of 6.1% to ₹1.74 lakh crore in December 2025

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections rose 6.1% year-on-year to ₹1.74 lakh crore in December 2025, marking a three-month high, official data showed. However, a sharp increase in refunds resulted in net revenues slumping to a 12-month low of ₹1.46 lakh crore. While the gross collections are marginally higher than the ₹1.7 lakh crore collected in November, which reflected the collections of the first full month following the GST rate cuts, they are still well below the nine-month average of this financial year of ₹1.93 lakh crore

India asks Pakistan to expedite release of Indian prisoners in its custody

India urged Pakistan to expedite the release and repatriation of 167 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners in view of completion of their jail terms. In addition, Pakistan has been asked to provide immediate consular access to the 35 civilian prisoners and fishermen in Pakistan’s custody, who are believed to be Indian, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

DRDO to play key role in Sudarshan Chakra air defence initiative: Rajnath Singh

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will play a pivotal role in the creation of Sudarshan Chakra, an ambitious air defence initiative announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day 2025 address from the Red Fort. Mr. Singh was addressing scientists and senior officials during his visit to the DRDO headquarters in New Delhi on the occasion of the organisation’s 68th Foundation Day. Under the Sudarshan Chakra initiative, the DRDO will equip critical installations across the country with advanced air defence systems for comprehensive aerial protection over the next decade.

One killed as banner row triggers clash, firing near Janardhan Reddy’s residence in Ballari

One person, believed to be a Congress activist, was killed after a clash broke out between supporters of Ballari MLA Nara Bharath Reddy and Gangavathi MLA Gali Janardhan Reddy over the tying of a banner in Ballari. While officials were yet to formally confirm the death, Mr. Bharath Reddy, speaking to mediapersons after the incident, alleged that a Congress activist was killed by supporters of Mr. Janardhan Reddy during the clash.

Govt. notifies February 1 as the end of GST compensation cess, start of new tobacco tax regime

The Ministry of Finance issued a series of notifications that would bring into effect the new taxation regime for tobacco products from February 1, 2026. First of all, it notified that the Central Excise (Amendment) Act, 2025, passed in the recently-concluded Winter session of Parliament, would come into force from February 1, 2026. This Act specifies new rates of excise duty on tobacco products. It also notified that the provisions of the Health Security se National Security Act, 2025, which currently levies a cess on the manufacture of pan masala, will come into force from February 1, 2026.

Financial dominance over wife cannot qualify as ‘cruelty’, Supreme Court judgment

The Supreme Court has said that monetary and financial dominance of a man over his wife cannot qualify as cruelty, especially in the absence of any tangible mental or physical harm caused to her. The recent judgment by a Bench headed by Justice B.V. Nagarathna, while quashing a case of dowry harassment instituted by a woman against her husband, found her allegations, including that she was forced to maintain a “pennywise” account of the household expenses in Excel sheet while he sent “lakhs” to his parents and siblings for business purposes, as a reflection of the “daily wear and tear of marriage”.

DGCA seeks explanation from AI for operating Dreamliner despite snags

Aviation watchdog DGCA has sought an explanation from Air India for operating a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner despite repetitive technical snags, according to sources. In a show-cause notice issued this week, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has flagged snags pertaining to Dreamliner VT-ANI. Non-compliance with the Minimum Equipment List (MEL) for the flight operated on June 28 this year has also been mentioned in the notice.

AI a ‘big opportunity’, essential to ensure its benefits reach all: President Murmu

Describing Artificial Intelligence as a “big opportunity” for ushering in positive change, President Droupadi Murmu said it is essential to ensure that its benefits reach all sections of the society, especially the underprivileged. AI should be utilised for reducing societal, economic and technological barriers, said the President.

CBI books South Delhi resident for ‘misusing’ names of PM Modi, his Principal Secretary

The CBI has booked a posh South Delhi colony resident who sent a flurry of emails to senior executives and scientists across government-owned defence firms, research bodies and even a top officer of the U.S. Navy, asserting that he wanted to develop a fighter aircraft engine for India and had the blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Claiming privileged access to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Nisheeth Kohli, a resident of Vasant Kunj, said he wished to help the government of India develop an indigenous military jet engine.

National Sports Governance Act comes into effect partially

The National Sports Governance Act partially came into effect with provisions that will set the ball rolling for the institution of an all-powerful National Sports Board (NSB) and a Tribunal to handle sporting disputes notified as enforced by the Central government. The Act was notified on August 18 last year and has been described as the single biggest sporting reform in the country by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.