English-language national news, explainers and fact checks.
In the third T20I at Guwahati on 25 January 2026, Hardik Pandya pulled off a spectacular airborne catch as India, leading the series 2-0, looked to keep momentum ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
A Hindu man who was sleeping inside a garage in Bangladesh’s Narsingdi district died in a fire, with investigators reviewing CCTV footage and weighing whether the blaze was accidental or deliberately set—an incident that has renewed local concerns about minority safety.
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Indian authorities have confirmed Nipah virus infections in West Bengal, with health agencies tracing contacts, expanding testing and enforcing quarantine protocols while urging precautions, given the disease’s high risk and lack of a proven cure or vaccine.
Ahead of Republic Day on 26 January 2026, India is preparing a high-profile military showcase on Kartavya Path, New Delhi, with homegrown missile systems, armour and rocket launchers taking centre stage—an emphasis on self-reliance and frontline readiness.
ISRO chief V. Narayanan said the agency is targeting seven launches before the end of March 2026, including a first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission as India advances toward human spaceflight and scales up its launch cadence.
Delhi saw a sharp, weather-driven drop in pollution levels with AQI touching 192—its lowest in 102 days—after rain and gusty winds. Forecasts, however, suggest a return to ‘poor’ and even ‘very poor’ categories around Republic Day amid colder conditions and another western disturbance.
RJD has named Tejashwi Yadav as its national working president in the presence of party chief Lalu Prasad Yadav. The move has triggered fresh internal friction, with Rohini Acharya alleging the party’s command has slipped to ‘infiltrators and conspirators’.
Police in Narsingdi, Bangladesh, are investigating the death of 25-year-old Chanchal Bhowmik, who was burnt to death while sleeping inside a garage. CCTV footage showing suspicious movement near the site has strengthened suspicion that the fire may not have been accidental.
India’s gross GST collections grew 6.1% year-on-year in December 2025 to over ₹1.74 trillion, supported by a sharp rise in import-related revenue even as domestic transaction growth remained muted after sweeping rate cuts.
India’s 77th Republic Day parade in New Delhi will put a strong focus on indigenous, frontline military platforms and fresh Army formations, with missiles, armour and combat aviation expected to feature prominently along Kartavya Path.
India pulled off a dominant chase of 209 against New Zealand in the 3rd T20I at Guwahati on January 25, 2026, with Ishan Kishan leading the charge with 76 off 32, as India surged further ahead in the series.
India’s gems and jewellery sector has asked the government for a set of Budget 2026–27 measures, including GST relief, customs duty rationalisation and policy tweaks aimed at strengthening exports. Industry bodies say cost reductions and clearer trade rules are needed to improve competitiveness amid global headwinds.