TODAY NEWS ON January 26, 2025

News Headlines for CAT, CLAT and IPM aspirants

Source: THE HINDU

News Headlines

One nation, one election proposal will prevent policy paralysis, says President Droupadi Murmu

The proposal to synchronise election schedules in the country is a reform measure that promises to “redefine” the terms of good governance, President Droupadi Murmu said on Saturday, while addressing the nation on the eve of the 76th Republic Day. “The ‘One Nation One Election’ plan can promote consistency in governance, prevent policy paralysis, mitigate resource diversion, and reduce the financial burden, apart from offering many other benefits,” Ms. Murmu said.

Republic Day Parade: India to display military might, cultural heritage; celebrate 75 years of Constitution

India is set to showcase its military prowess and rich cultural heritage and display a symbolic confluence of ‘virasat’ and ‘vikas’ on Kartavya Path in New Delhi to mark the 76th Republic Day on January 26 when the nation will also commemorate the platinum jubilee of the enactment of the Constitution.

Republic Day 2025: 942 personnel awarded gallantry and service medals

A total of 942 personnel of Police, Fire, Home Guard & Civil Defence (HG&CD) and Correctional Services have been awarded gallantry and service medals on the eve of the Republic Day, 2025.

Two Kirti Chakras, 14 Shaurya Chakras among 93 Gallantry Awards to Armed Forces, CAPF personnel

The President of India and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Droupadi Murmu has approved two Kirti Chakras, one of them posthumous, and 14 Shaurya Chakras, three of them posthumous, in a total of 93 Gallantry Awards to personnel of the Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), 11 of which are posthumous, on the eve of 76th Republic Day.

On Republic Day eve, Vande Bharat Express touches base in Kashmir for first time

On the eve of Republic Day, the Vande Bharat Express touched ground in the Kashmir valley for the first time after successful trial runs held over the past two months on the tracks constructed in the high-altitude and tough mountainous regions of the Pir Panjal, connecting the Valley with the Jammu region.

Former CJI, violinist, and Kathak dancer among Padma Vibhushan awardees

Former Chief Justice of India Justice (retired) Jagdish Singh Khehar, who gave a dissenting opinion among the Supreme Court Bench that outlawed triple talaq in 2017, was conferred with Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second highest civilian award, as part of the Padma awards announced on the eve of Republic Day.

India, Indonesia committed to uphold peace, security and freedom of navigation in ASEAN region, says Modi

India and Indonesia are committed to uphold peace, security and freedom of navigation in the Southeast Asian region, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. Visiting Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who is the chief guest in this year’s Republic Day celebrations, said the delegation-level talks held at the Hyderabad House were “very intensive and very frank”, and declared that bilateral projects would be expedited by “cutting bureaucracy”. He also announced that Indonesia would send a high-level defence delegation to India.

BJP will not scrap ongoing welfare schemes in Delhi, says Amit Shah

Attacking the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed three rallies in the national capital on Saturday (January 25, 2025), ahead of the Delhi Assembly election. Alleging that the AAP kept on lying, Mr. Shah said that though its leaders had promised not to take bungalows and cars, they did; in fact “they constructed a ‘sheesh mahal’ [palace]”, a reference to party chief Arvind Kejriwal’s official residence.

India should be an ‘essential and important’ part of Gaza reconstruction: Palestinian envoy

There is an “expectation” that the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip will begin soon, Palestine’s acting Ambassador to India said on Saturday (January 25, 2025), calling on India to be an “essential and important” part of the process. His statement came even as Israel and Hamas conducted their second exchange of hostages and prisoners since the ceasefire was announced a week ago.

Nine South African soldiers killed as eastern Congo conflict escalates

Nine South African soldiers have been killed in eastern Congo’s conflict zone, the South African defence department said on Saturday (January 25, 2024), as Congolese troops and peacekeepers battled to stop an advance by Rwanda-backed rebels on the city of Goma.

Uniform Civil Code to come into effect in Uttarakhand from January 27

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will come into effect in Uttarakhand from January 27, a government order issued by Home Secretary Shailesh Bagauli stated. With this, the State will have a uniform civil law for every native. In the order, issued to various government departments and officials, it is stated that the UCC portal will be launched by the Chief Minister Puskhar Singh Dhami at 12:30 p.m. on January 27 at the Secretariat.

North Korea conducts strategic cruise missile test

North Korea conducted on Saturday (January 25, 2025) a strategic cruise missile test, state media KCNA reported on Sunday (January 26, 2025). The country’s leader Kim Jong Un oversaw the test, according to the report which described it as a test-fire of an “important weapon system.”

IND vs ENG second T20I: Tilak special seals it for India in a tricky chase at Chepauk

Tilak Varma stood tall against a fiery English attack and single-handedly guided a tricky chase by slamming a fine unbeaten half-century (72 n.o., 55b, 4x4, 5x6) as India beat England by two wickets in the second T20I at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday. Chasing 166, the Men in Blue started strongly when Abhishek Sharma slammed Jofra Archer for three boundaries in the first over. But the English pacers were relentless and kept picking up wickets regularly to keep their side in the contest.

Gaza ceasefire: Hamas frees 4 female Israeli soldiers; Israel releases 70 Palestinians

Hamas militants handed over four captive female Israeli soldiers to the Red Cross in Gaza City on Saturday (January 25, 2025) after parading them in front of a crowd. Israel followed with the release of the first 70 of 200 Palestinian prisoners or detainees due to be set free as part of the fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Australian Open 2025: Sparkling Madison Keys stuns Aryna Sabalenka to claim maiden Grand Slam title

American Madison Keys produced an inspired display to dethrone top seed Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open and capture her maiden Grand Slam title with a battling 6-3 2-6 7-5 victory in the final on Saturday. The 29-year-old became the fourth-oldest first-time Grand Slam champion in the professional era after Flavia Pennetta, Ann Jones and Francesca Schiavone, and her win ended Sabalenka’s bid for a third straight Melbourne Park crown.

26/11 Mumbai-attack convict Tahawwur Rana’s extradition to India cleared by U.S. Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court has cleared Mumbai-attack convict Tahawwur Rana’s extradition to India, dismissing his review petition against the move. Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana is accused of playing a major role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks in India.Pakistan detects first Mpox case at Peshawar airport in 2025

Pakistan has reported its first Mpox case this year [2025] during the screening of incoming passengers at one of its airports in Peshawar city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The Express Tribune quoted a Health Ministry spokesperson saying that Border Health Services staff detected the patient at the Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar. The patient reportedly had a travel history visiting the Gulf countries.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels unilaterally release 153 war detainees, Red Cross says

Yemen’s Houthi rebels unilaterally freed 153 war detainees Saturday, the International Committee of the Red Cross said, one of several overtures in recent days to ease tensions after the ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. Previous prisoner releases have been viewed as a means to jumpstart talks over permanently ending Yemen’s decadelong war, which began when the Houthis seized the country’s capital, Sanaa, in 2014. However, the Houthis’ release comes just after they detained another seven Yemeni workers from the United Nations, sparking anger from the world body.

Arshdeep Singh named ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year

Indian left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh was on Saturday crowned the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2024 for his influential role in the team’s World Cup title triumph, which cemented his reputation as one of the leading short format bowlers. The 25-year-old took 36 wickets in 18 matches last year.