English-language national news, explainers and fact checks.
The Centre has announced the Padma Awards for 2026 on the eve of Republic Day, with veteran banker and industrialist Uday Kotak among the Padma Bhushan recipients. The government said 131 Padma awards were approved across Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri categories, recognising contributions spanning public affairs, arts, sports, science and social service.
A Hindu youth who was sleeping inside a garage in Narsingdi, Bangladesh, died after a fire broke out. Police said CCTV footage shows suspicious movement near the site, and the investigation is examining whether the blaze was accidental or caused by an external act.
A private survey showed India’s private-sector activity strengthened in January, with the HSBC Flash Composite Output Index rising to 59.5 from 57.8 in December, supported by faster new orders and improved output across manufacturing and services.
A new docu-series titled ‘Space Gen: Chandrayaan’ has premiered on JioHotstar, focusing on the Chandrayaan programme and culminating in the high-pressure hours leading up to Chandrayaan-3’s successful soft landing near the Moon’s south pole.
Ahead of Republic Day (26 January 2026), police across NCR districts have tightened security with checkpoints, drone surveillance, and multi-layer deployment at key venues and high-footfall areas, while urging the public to report suspicious activity.
Indian cricket stars Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur are set to be honoured with the Padma Shri, recognising their impact and achievements in Indian cricket across formats and leadership eras.
The India Meteorological Department has issued alerts for a fresh western disturbance expected to affect parts of north, northwest and central India from 26 January 2026, with heavy snowfall at isolated places, hailstorms, thunderstorms, gusty winds and fog-related disruptions.
RJD named Tejashwi Yadav as National Working President at a party meeting in Patna, strengthening the leadership transition within the Yadav family. Rohini Acharya publicly questioned the shift, alleging the party’s control has moved to ‘infiltrators and conspirators’.
At the 77th Republic Day parade, the Union Home Ministry’s tableau is set to showcase the nationwide implementation of India’s three new criminal laws and highlight a shift toward a technology-driven, time-bound justice system. The presentation aims to underline citizen-centric reforms as the legal transition continues.
A new Xpheno outlook report says active technology job openings in India have dropped to about 1.03 lakh in January 2026, down 24% from the same period last year. While global capability centres show some growth pockets, overall hiring sentiment remains subdued after a slow 2025.
A 25-year-old Hindu man, Chanchal Bhowmik, was reportedly burnt to death in Bangladesh while sleeping in a garage, with CCTV footage triggering suspicion of foul play. The incident featured among major developments highlighted in an Indian news wrap as authorities and local voices sought clarity on what happened and why.
Health authorities in West Bengal have confirmed Nipah virus infections in two nurses at a private hospital near Kolkata, triggering contact tracing, quarantine measures and expanded testing. Officials are probing the suspected index patient and monitoring high-risk contacts as the state intensifies surveillance for the high-fatality zoonotic virus.