TODAY NEWS ON January 26, 2026

President Droupadi Murmu to address the nation on Republic Day eve

President Droupadi Murmu will address the nation on Sunday (January 25, 2026) on the eve of the Republic Day, her office has said. The address will be broadcast from 7 p.m. on the entire national network of Akashvani and telecast over all channels of Doordarshan in Hindi followed by the English version, it said on Saturday (January 24, 2026).

Dharmendra, V.S. Achuthanandan, Mammootty among 131 Padma awardees

The Padma Awards for 2026 were announced on Sunday (January 25, 2026). The Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian honours of India, are announced every year on the eve of Republic Day. A total of 131 people were named for the awards. 5 for the Padma Vibhushan, 13 for the Padma Bhushan and 113 for the Padma Shri awards.

Macron pushes for fast-track ban on social media for children under 15

French President Emmanuel Macron says he wants his government to fast-track the legal process to ensure that a ban on social media for children under the age of 15 can enter into force in September at the start of the next school year.

Ex-bus conductor, nonagenarian musician among 45 awarded Padma Shri in ‘unsung heroes’ category

A former bus conductor who set up the world’s largest free-access library, a paediatrician who formed Asia’s first human milk bank, and a 90-year old rare musical instrument player were among 45 individuals from across India chosen for the Padma Shri award in the ‘unsung heroes’ category on the occasion of Republic Day, sources said on Sunday (January 25, 2026).

India to display military might, growth story at 77th Republic Day parade

India will display its development journey, cultural diversity, and military might, including newly-raised units and mock-ups of major weapon systems deployed during Operation Sindoor, at the 77th Republic Day celebrations on Monday (January 26, 2026). The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will be the chief guests at the event in the national capital.

President approves Gallantry and Distinguished Service Awards for Republic Day

As many as 982 police personnel were awarded Gallantry and Service Medals on the occasion of Republic Day. The Medal for Gallantry was awarded to 125 police personnel, which included 35 personnel from areas affected by Left Wing Extremism, 45 from the Jammu & Kashmir region, and five personnel from the northeast. Out of 101 President’s Medals for Distinguished Service, 89 have been awarded to the Police Service, five to the Fire Service, three to the Civil Defence and Home Guard Service, and four to the Correctional Service.

Fresh security encounter breaks out in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar

A fresh encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir late Sunday (January 25, 2026) night, officials said. This marks the third encounter in the Chatroo belt of the hilly district over the past week, as the Army and police continue their search for a group of three Pakistani terrorists linked to the Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit, despite heavy snowfall in the area.

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi to be conferred with the Vishisht Sewa Medal

Colonel Sofia Qureshi, who was a prominent face during the Operation Sindoor, has been named as a recipient of the Vishisht Seva Medal in the 2026 Republic Day honours list. Sofia Qureshi, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, shared day-to-day details of the strikes that were carried out during Operation Sindoor.

Ferry carrying more than 350 people sinks in southern Philippines and rescuers have saved 215

A ferry with more than 350 people on board sank in the southern Philippines after midnight, and rescuers have saved at least 215 passengers and retrieved seven bodies, officials said on Monday (January 26, 2026). The M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, an inter-island cargo and passenger ferry, was sailing to southern Jolo island in Sulu province from the port city of Zamboanga with 332 passengers and 27 crew members when it apparently encountered technical problems and sank, said coast guard officials. The officials also provided the figures on passengers rescued and bodies retrieved.

Israel launches ‘large-scale operation’ to locate last hostage in Gaza

Israel said on Sunday (January 25, 2026) its military was conducting a “large-scale operation” to locate the last hostage in Gaza, as Washington and other mediators pressure Israel and Hamas to move into the next phase of their ceasefire. The statement came as Israel’s Cabinet met to discuss the possibility of opening Gaza’s key Rafah border crossing with Egypt, and a day after top U.S. envoys met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about next steps.

Indian-origin man shot dead in Canada, police suspect targeted gang-linked attack

A 28-year-old Indian-origin man was shot dead in Canada in what police believe was a “targeted” attack linked to gang activity. The incident occurred on January 22 in Burnaby city of British Columbia province, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) said in a statement on Friday (January 23. 2026).

Shibu Soren is and will forever remain ‘Bharat Ratna’: Jharkhand CM on Padma Bhushan to father

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Sunday (January 25, 2026) expressed gratitude to the Centre for conferring the Padma Bhushan on his late father Shibu Soren, as his party, the JMM, demanded a Bharat Ratna for the tribal stalwart. He was among 13 people named for the Padma Bhushan, the country’s third-highest civilian honour.

Veteran journalist Mark Tully passes away in Delhi at 90

Veteran journalist Mark Tully, a chronicler of India and an acclaimed author, breathed his last at a private hospital in New Delhi on Sunday (January 25, 2026), his close friend said. He was 90. The award-winning journalist had been ailing for some time and had been admitted to the Max Hospital in Saket for the past week.

Australian Open 2026: Novak Djokovic into quarterfinals after Mensik pullout

Novak Djokovic advanced to the Australian ‍Open quarterfinals after his fourth-round opponent Jakub Mensik withdrew ​due to an abdominal injury on Sunday (January 25, 2026), a ‌day before they were scheduled to ​meet at Melbourne Park.