A final-year BTech student in computer science engineering from IIT Hyderabad has secured ₹2.5-crore package from Netherlands-based global trading firm Optiver, the highest ever in the institute's history since its inception in 2008. The offer has gone to 21-year-old Edward Nathan Varghese. He converted a two-month internship into pre-placement offer after training phase followed by a project.

21-year-old IIT Hyderabad student gets ₹2.5 crore job offer, highest ever for the institute

PM Narendra Modi will attend the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference at Gujarat's leading Marwadi University from January 11 to 12, 2026, the university said. With Home Minister Amit Shah and Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel in attendance, the event will focus on MSMEs, startups, tourism, and global opportunities. Participation from Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and the Netherlands will also be present.

PM Modi to grace Vibrant Gujarat Conference at Marwadi University

Denmark's state-run postal service, PostNord, delivered its final letter on Tuesday, bringing an end to over 400 years of traditional mail delivery. Denmark has become the first country to officially decide that physical letter delivery is no longer essential or economically sustainable in the digital age. In 2024, PostNord delivered over 90% fewer letters than it did in 2000.

Denmark delivers its last letter

Another Hindu man, Khokon Das, was attacked by a violent group in Bangladesh. The 50-year-old was injured after the attack and set on fire. The incident took place on December 31 in the Shariatpur district of the country. Das was reportedly on his way home when he was attacked with sharp weapons by a mob, beaten up and set ablaze. 





Another Hindu man injured after being attacked by mob, set on fire in Bangladesh

Howland and Baker Islands have become the last places to enter 2026. The two uninhabited US atolls in the Equatorial Pacific entered 2026 at 12 pm GMT (5.30 pm IST) on January 1. The Republic of Kiribati, an island nation in Micronesia sub-region of Oceania in the central Pacific Ocean, was the first to enter 2026.

Howland and Baker Islands become last places to enter 2026

Ranveer Singh-starrer 'Dhurandhar' beat Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 'Pathaan' to become the highest-grossing Bollywood film in North America. As per Sacnilk, the film crossed $17.50 million in North America by end of fourth Tuesday, thus surpassing Pathaan's collection of $17.49 million. However, it's still the third highest-grossing Indian film in North America after 'Baahubali 2' and 'Kalki 2898 AD'.

'Dhurandhar' becomes highest-grossing Bollywood film in North America

The price of cigarettes will reportedly increase by 20%-30% as the government imposes an additional excise duty on tobacco products effective from February 1. The new levy is in the range of ₹2,050-₹8,500 per 1,000 sticks, depending on length and type of cigarettes. Therefore, a cigarette, which earlier cost ₹18, would likely cost ₹21-₹22, the Wion reported.

How much costlier will cigarettes get from February 1?

Several people were killed after an explosion ripped through a bar in Switzerland's ski resort town of Crans-Montana, authorities confirmed. "There has been an explosion of unknown origin," Gaetan Lathion, a police spokesman in Wallis canton told AFP. He said the explosion took place in a bar called Le Constellation as revellers rang in the New Year.




Several killed in explosion at bar in Switzerland

The central government has imposed an additional excise duty on tobacco products like cigarettes and a health cess on pan masala, which will be effective from February 1. Moreover, pan masala, cigarettes, tobacco and similar products will now face a GST of 40%, while biris will attract a GST of 18%. The new levies will be over and above GST.

Cigarette, pan masala to get costlier from Feb 1 as govt imposes new excise duty, cess

US-based Clean Core Thorium Energy (CCTE) will partner with NTPC to develop thorium as an alternative to uranium for fuelling India's nuclear reactors, The Indian Express reported. CCTE is only the second US company in nearly two decades to receive a US Department of Energy export licence for selling nuclear technology to India. Thorium-based fuel produces less long-lived radioactive waste.