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For New Year 2026, Chennai police deployed 20,500 personnel across beaches, temples, and crowded areas. Swimming, fireworks, and loud parties are banned. Hotels must follow safety rules, restrict alcohol areas, and end events by 1 AM. Drunk driving faces strict action, including arrests and vehicle seizure, ensuring safe celebrations citywide.
Delivery agents for Swiggy, Zomato, and Blinkit are holding a nationwide strike today, December 31, demanding the removal of the 10-minute delivery model, fair wages, accident insurance, and protesting arbitrary ID blocking. The protest is expected to disrupt online food and grocery deliveries across India, affecting customers and restaurant partners alike.
India has announced a three-year tariff of 11–12% on selected steel imports from China, Vietnam, and Nepal to protect domestic producers from cheap, low-quality steel. The duty starts at 12%, falling to 11% over three years. Speciality steel and certain developing countries are exempt, aiming to curb market distortions and anti-dumping concerns.
Telangana R&B Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy asked for toll-free travel on Hyd–Vijayawada highway at Pantangi, Korlapahad, and Chillakallu plazas from Jan 9–14 and 16–18 for Sankranti. Officials were instructed to manage traffic, set up a control room, and ensure smooth travel, preventing congestion and inconvenience during the festive rush.
Two trains carrying 108 workers collided inside a THDC tunnel in Pipalkoti, Chamoli, injuring 70 people. Most suffered minor injuries, while some are under observation for fractures. Rescue teams rushed workers to Gopeshwar and Pipalkoti hospitals. District officials visited the injured, and families, mostly from Jharkhand and Odisha, were informed.
Sivakarthikeyan’s film ‘Parasakthi,’ directed by Sudha Kongara, will release on January 10, 2026. The movie, based on the 1960s anti-Hindi movement in Tamil Nadu, stars Sreeleela and Ravi Mohan. The audio launch and theatrical trailer are expected on January 3. Rana Daggubati, Atharvaa, and Basil Joseph also play key roles.
Dense fog hit Delhi-NCR and northern India, causing major travel disruptions. Delhi Airport reported 118 flight cancellations, 16 diversions, and 130 delays under CAT III operations. IndiGo advised passengers to check updates. Cold wave conditions in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh worsened visibility, affecting both flights, trains, and road travel.
Warner Bros. Discovery plans to again reject Paramount Skydance’s takeover bid, sources say. The board, meeting next week, is concerned Paramount hasn’t raised its offer, considered inferior to Netflix’s deal for Warner Bros.’ studio and streaming assets. Paramount, led by Larry Ellison, faces scrutiny over debt, job cuts, and lack of breakup-fee guarantees.
Former Australian cricketer Damien Martyn is in a Queensland hospital in an induced coma after falling ill with meningitis on Boxing Day. Friends and former teammates, including Adam Gilchrist and Darren Lehmann, sent prayers and support. Cricket Australia also wished him a speedy recovery. Martyn, known for his strokes, played 67 Tests and 208 ODIs.
After India women’s 15-run win over Sri Lanka in the fifth T20I, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur praised her team’s performance. She said 2025 had been great, highlighting hard work, positivity, and self-belief. She added that the team’s consistent habits and teamwork helped secure victories and end the year on a high note.
The Election Commission of India has revised dates for Uttar Pradesh’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, with the draft roll on January 6, claims and objections till February 6, and final publication on March 6, 2026. Deleted names can be challenged using Form 6 or Form 7, amid political scrutiny.
Trinamool Congress’ 10-member delegation, including senior leaders Abhishek Banerjee and Derek O’Brien, will meet CEC Gyanesh Kumar today, Dec 31, to discuss concerns over West Bengal’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The party plans to raise issues regarding the ongoing SIR exercise, a major point of contention for the ruling TMC.
Andhra Pradesh cabinet approved new districts and revenue divisions. Markapuram and Polavaram districts were created, raising the total from 26 to 28. New divisions at Addaroad Junction, Addanki, Pileru, Madakasira, and Banaganapalli aim to improve local governance and public services, making administration more accessible for residents across the state.
Russia said Ukraine launched drone attacks on Moscow, western regions and annexed Crimea, injuring one person near the capital. Air defences downed 27 drones in three hours, including 3 over Moscow. Authorities reported no major damage. A separate power outage near Moscow affected thousands, with no evidence linking it to the attacks, according to officials.
Iranian students protested across Tehran and other cities after shopkeepers rallied over economic hardship. Demonstrations hit 10 universities, prompting heavy security deployment. The rial’s sharp fall has raised prices. President Masoud Pezeshkian urged dialogue, while parliament warned against exploitation. The government replaced the central bank governor.