The Times of India

Uttarakhand Tourism has launched its inaugural nationwide roadshow campaign, commencing in New Delhi, to promote the state as a year-round destination. The initiative aims to showcase diverse offerings, including adventure, culture, and wellness, across all seasons to foster a 365-day tourism economy.

The Indian Army recently conducted 'Exercise Sanjha Shakti,' a joint military-civil fusion drill at Dighi Hills Range. Over 350 personnel from the Army and 16 civilian agencies, including police and fire departments, participated. The exercise aimed to bolster coordination for complex security challenges and emergency response, enhancing civil-military synergy for public safety and disaster management.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced a three-day visit to Gujarat, beginning in Somnath to participate in the Somnath Swabhiman Parv. His itinerary includes attending the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference and holding talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The visit also features a drone show, a ceremonial procession, and the inauguration of several development projects.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken action against 27 restaurants nationwide for mandatorily levying service charges, deeming it a violation of consumer law. Fines up to Rs 50,000 were imposed, with directions to refund collected charges and modify billing systems to prevent default additions.

Police apprehended three individuals suspected of drug peddling in Udhampur and Jammu districts on Saturday. Authorities recovered a total of 7.53 grams of heroin from two separate car searches. The arrested individuals have been booked under the NDPS Act, and investigations are ongoing.

The Indian Navy is organizing a multi-speciality medical camp in Lakshadweep from January 12-16, offering comprehensive healthcare to island residents. This joint services initiative will provide specialist consultations, treatments, and surgical procedures, including cataract surgeries, aiming to supplement existing healthcare services and strengthen community ties.

This collapse is central to the scepticism voiced by oil companies. Restoring production on a meaningful scale is not a matter of restarting wells. It would require rebuilding pipelines, upgraders, refineries, power supply and skilled manpower, all of which demand long-term capital commitments.

The Unnao rape survivor has appealed for support. She claims Kuldeep Singh Sengar's daughters and their supporters are revealing her identity on social media. This puts her safety at risk. The Supreme Court has stayed a High Court order granting bail to Sengar. The survivor's mother welcomed the Supreme Court's decision.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has strongly condemned the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state, alleging it has led to 77 deaths and numerous hospitalizations. She criticized the Election Commission of India (ECI) for a elentlessly harassing and unplanned process that lacks human judgment and social sensitivity, particularly impacting women voters and prominent citizens.

Andhra Pradesh's Cabinet has greenlit the Dagadarthi greenfield airport in Nellore, boosting the state's aviation and industrial infrastructure. This eighth airport will enhance connectivity to major ports and highways, fostering growth in manufacturing, exports, and agri-logistics.

Congress prepares for crucial 2026 assembly elections in key states. The party's ability to form effective alliances will be critical. Past electoral struggles highlight the challenges in balancing relevance with maintaining political ground. Recent alliance negotiations suggest a continuation of complex bargaining tactics. The outcomes of these strategies will shape Congress's electoral future.

India and the EU are accelerating Free Trade Agreement talks, aiming for a balanced deal protecting farmers and MSMEs. Meanwhile, a small aircraft made an emergency landing near Rourkela due to a technical fault. An Indian-American judge faces MAGA backlash after blocking a Trump funding freeze, and North Korea accuses South Korea of drone intrusions.

PhonePe Payment Gateway has launched 'PhonePe PG Bolt' for Visa and Mastercard transactions, enabling a faster and more secure in-app checkout experience. The solution utilizes device tokenization to allow users to save cards once and use them across integrated merchants.

India and the European Union are pushing to finalize their free trade agreement. Officials met in Brussels to review progress and resolve outstanding issues. Both sides have expressed strong political will to conclude the negotiations soon.

India and the European Union advanced their Free Trade Agreement discussions during Minister Piyush Goyal's Brussels visit. Both sides committed to resolving outstanding issues to expedite a balanced agreement protecting farmers and MSMEs while integrating Indian industries into global supply chains. Goyal also visited Liechtenstein to discuss the India-EFTA TEPA, encouraging investment and collaboration.

Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has called for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, expressing confidence in Prime Minister Modi's decision-making. This call follows a similar sentiment from JD(U) colleague KC Tyagi. However, the JD(U) has since clarified that Tyagi's remarks were personal and not representative of the party's stance.

Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri highlighted that the government's long-term energy planning is translating into tangible benefits for citizens, stating that the real test of policy lies in how seamlessly it supports daily life rather than in announcements alone.

Amidst Trump's 500% tariff threat, it's important to note that despite heavy import dependence, Indias energy security has strengthened through diversified crude sourcing and greater refining flexibility, improving resilience to external supply shocks.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the department has ample funds for tariff refunds if the Supreme Court rules against President Trump's emergency tariffs, though payments could take over a year. He expressed doubt about such a ruling, calling potential refunds a corporate boondoggle if companies passed costs to consumers.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval highlighted the global trend of countries imposing their will through force, emphasizing that national willpower translates into national power. He credited India's current leadership for its significant progress over the past decade, stating that strong leadership and morale are crucial for national independence and achieving objectives.

Indian garment makers face a potential 500% US tariff threat, jeopardizing export prospects for the fall-winter cycle. Buyers are hesitant, and the industry is still recovering from previous 50% duties. Manufacturers are proceeding with production despite uncertainty, fearing a 500% tariff would effectively halt exports to the US.

President Trump met with oil executives to discuss investments in Venezuela's oil sector following President Maduro's capture, presenting the country as secure for business. Industry leaders expressed caution, with one stating Venezuela is currently uninvestable without significant reforms. The US administration plans to manage company access to Venezuela's oil resources, sidelining Caracas from negotiations.

West Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari has sent a legal notice to CM Mamata Banerjee, demanding proof for her allegations linking him and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to the coal smuggling case. Adhikari stated he will pursue defamation proceedings if she fails to provide evidence within 72 hours.