Top news of the day: Dharmendra, V.S. Achuthanandan, Mammootty among 131 Padma awardees; TVK chief Vijay says neither ‘evil force’ nor ‘corrupt force’ should rule T.N., and more

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.

Neither ‘evil force’ nor ‘corrupt force’ should rule Tamil Nadu, says TVK president Vijay

Making clear his party’s stand against the ruling DMK as well as the Opposition AIADMK in the Assembly election, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay said on Sunday (January 25, 2026) that neither the “evil force” nor the “corrupt force” should rule the State. This was the first time that the actor-politician spoke critically of the AIADMK, without naming the party but referring to it as “the party that ruled Tamil Nadu earlier”.

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).

Tejashwi named RJD working president at national executive meeting

RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s younger son and heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav was on Sunday (January 25, 2026) named the working president of the party at its national executive meeting. Mr. Yadav’s elevation comes after the RJD’s drubbing in the recent Assembly polls, which the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ had fought with the 36-year-old leader as its Chief Ministerial candidate.

People paying a heavy price for air pollution with their health: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday (January 25, 2026) said that people are paying a heavy price for air pollution with their health, and that children and the elderly are bearing the brunt the most. In a post on X, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha urged people to speak up against air pollution. He also asked them to write to him, sharing their views on how it has affected crores of Indians.

ED terms ₹22 crore revenue of Goa nightclub as proceeds of money laundering

The entities running the Goa-based nightclub, where 25 people were killed in a fire last year, generated revenue of ₹22 crore in the last two fiscals, an amount suspected to be “proceeds of crime” under the anti-money laundering law, the ED said on Sunday (January 25, 2026).

Mamata accuses ECI of bulldozing Opposition, destroying foundation of India’s democracy on ‘BJP’s behalf’

Terming the Election Commission’s celebration of National Voters’ Day as a “tragic farce”, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday (January 25, 2026) accused the poll panel of bulldozing the Opposition and destroying the foundation of the country’s democracy on “behalf of the BJP”.

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.

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).

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.