European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in New Delhi on Sunday, saying India and the European Union are showing “another way” in a divided world. Ahead of the 16th India-EU Summit, she said the partnership is built on strategic cooperation, dialogue and openness. Von der Leyen will attend the Republic Day parade as chief guest, signalling stronger political ties. Talks during her visit will focus on a proposed Free Trade Agreement, earlier described as the “mother of all deals”, along with cooperation in trade, technology, climate action, supply chains and security. Officials said both sides aim to deepen economic engagement and strengthen strategic coordination.

The Centre has announced the Padma award recipients for 2026 on the eve of Republic Day. Actor Dharmendra and former Kerala chief minister VS Achuthanandan have been named for the Padma Vibhushan posthumously. Other Padma Vibhushan recipients include KT Thomas, classical violinist N Rajam and P Narayanan. The Padma Bhushan list features adman Piyush Pandey, banker Uday Kotak, actor Mammootty and singer Alka Yagnik. Cricketers Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur have received the Padma Shri for sports. The list includes 131 awardees across Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. Nineteen women and sixteen posthumous recipients are among those honoured. The awards will be presented by the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan. (PC: NDTV)

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has been awarded the Ashok Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry honour, for his role in the Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station. Shukla served as mission pilot during the 18-day flight in June 2025. The mission marked India’s first human visit to the ISS in more than four decades. He flew aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft and took part in over 60 experiments, including several led by Isro. Officials said his work provided key data for India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme. Shukla returned safely to Earth in July 2025, becoming the second Indian to travel to space. (PC: India Today)

The President of India has approved 131 Padma awards for 2026 on the eve of Republic Day, the government announced on Saturday. The list includes five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awards. Veteran actor Dharmendra has been named for the Padma Vibhushan posthumously in the art category. Former Kerala chief minister VS Achuthanandhan has also received the honour posthumously for public affairs. Among Padma Bhushan awardees are actor Mammootty, former diplomat Piyush Pandey (posthumous) and banker Uday Kotak. Cricketers Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur have been selected for Padma Shri in sports. The 2026 list includes 19 women, 16 posthumous awardees and six foreign or overseas Indian recipients. The awards will be presented at Rashtrapati Bhavan in March or April. (PC: HT)

Veteran journalist and author Mark Tully passed away at a private hospital in New Delhi on Sunday. He was 90. Tully had been unwell and was admitted to Max Hospital in Saket for the past week. A close friend confirmed his death. Tully served as the BBC’s New Delhi bureau chief for 22 years and was known for his reporting on India and South Asia. He covered major events, including wars, political unrest, and social crises. Born in Calcutta in 1935, Tully wrote several books on India and later hosted a BBC Radio 4 programme. He received the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. (PC: The Indian Express)

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged that the ₹22 crore revenue generated by the Goa nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane over the last two financial years is proceeds of crime under anti-money laundering law. The agency claims the club operated without statutory licences, using forged NOCs and documents, and earned money illegally, which was diverted to personal and related accounts. ED conducted raids in Goa, Delhi, and Haryana on January 23, freezing suspected accounts and uncovering evidence of possible foreign remittances. The case ties to the December 6 deadly fire at the club that killed 25 people. (PC: Reuters)

A 33-year-old Mumbai college professor, Alok Kumar Singh, was stabbed to death by a fellow commuter after a minor argument aboard a Borivali–Churchgate local train near Malad railway station on Saturday evening. The dispute unfolded as both men were disembarking, escalating into violence when the unidentified attacker pulled out a sharp weapon and stabbed Singh in the abdomen. He collapsed on the platform and was later declared dead at hospital. Police are examining CCTV footage and searching for the suspect as a murder case is registered at Borivali GRP station. (PC: NDTV)

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has uploaded on its official website the names of West Bengal voters flagged under the ‘logical discrepancies’ list during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, following a Supreme Court directive. Around 1.25 crore voters are on the list due to mismatches like incorrect parental details or implausible age differences. District electoral officers will download and display these lists at local panchayat and block offices to ensure transparency and allow affected voters to verify and raise objections. The move aims to improve electoral roll integrity ahead of state polls. (PC: ANI)

A blast on a railway track near Sirhind, Punjab, damaged a 600-metre stretch of the freight corridor, derailing the engine of a goods train and injuring the loco pilot. The explosion occurred near Khanpur village around 9:50 pm, causing panic in nearby areas ahead of Republic Day celebrations. Police registered a case under Section 150 of the Railways Act, and forensic teams began investigations. Railway authorities acted swiftly to repair the track and resume train services. Thankfully, no major casualties were reported, though the blast highlights ongoing security concerns along key rail routes in Punjab. 

Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen has expressed concern over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, describing the process as hurried and potentially unfair. He said voters are being given very limited time to submit documents, which could lead to eligible citizens being left out. Sen warned that the poor, elderly, and marginalised may face the greatest difficulties. Sharing his own experience with documentation issues, he stressed that voter list revisions should be conducted carefully and transparently. While revisions are necessary, he said the current approach risks harming democratic participation ahead of elections. (PC: The Hindu)