Drug-Free Campus

Delhi University organised a special program under the Drug-Free Campus Campaign, with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as guest of honour. Pradhan lauded the university’s initiative in combating the growing challenge of substance abuse among students.

Strategic Talk

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw attended a high-level Finance Ministerial meeting hosted by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington to discuss measures to secure and diversify global critical minerals supply chains, particularly rare-earth elements vital for advanced manufacturing and electronics.

New Initiative Launched

Deputy CM Pravati Parida launched the “Aame Padhiba Aama Bhasare” initiative, enabling children in Anganwadi centres to learn in 21 tribal mother tongues. She also announced a major expansion of Subhadra Yojana, with ₹250 crore to be credited directly to beneficiaries’ accounts by January 18.

More Polling Booths

Odisha has added around 7,000 new polling booths, raising the total to nearly 43,000 for the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Each booth will now have a maximum of 1,200 voters.

Revival Plan For Chilika

Odisha Chief Minister Majhi announced a five-year plan for Chilika Lake’s ecological rejuvenation, prioritizing biodiversity protection, fishery improvements, and tourism development, marking a major government push to restore the lake while balancing ecological preservation with economic growth.

India’s BRICS 2026 Vision

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during the launch of logo, theme and website for the BRICS Summit has stressed that resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability will be the key priorities during India’s chairship of BRICS 2026.

No More Time Limit

Quick commerce platforms agreed to remove "10-minute delivery" service following the intervention of Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya over the safety of delivery partners.

25% Tariff Imposed

US President Donald Trump announced that countries doing business with Iran will face a 25 per cent additional tariff on trade with the United States, signalling a tougher approach toward Tehran and its international partners. For India, this implies a whopping 75 per cent tariff on all its products being exported to the United States.

Shuttlers Eye Glory

The India Open Badminton tournament has started at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu will lead India’s challenge in the competition.