Today’s news LIVE: Jan 25 | India a messenger of peace: Prez Murmu

EAM Jaishankar meets EU's Costa, von der Leyen

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday hoped that summit talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the top leadership of European Union will herald a "new chapter" in the two-way ties.

Jaishankar made the remarks after meeting European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The two top leaders of the 27-nation bloc will grace the Republic Day celebrations as chief guests on Monday. They will hold summit talks with PM Modi on Tuesday.

At the summit on Tuesday, India and the EU are set to announce the conclusion of the much-awaited free trade agreement, firm up a strategic defence partnership pact and a framework for mobility of Indian professionals.

The two sides are also expected to unveil a set of new initiatives to broadbase the overall ties besides deliberating on the disruptions caused by the Trump administration's economic and security policies.

India a messenger of peace in conflict-ridden world: Prez Murmu

Amidst geopolitical tensions escalating across multiple continents, President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday said India is spreading the message of peace in the world which is crucial to secure the future of humanity.

In her address to the nation on the eve of 77th Republic Day, she spoke about various issues including Operation Sindoor and women empowerment, and also touched upon the topics of Vande Mataram and growing economy of the country.

President Murmu outlined India's position as a "messenger" of peace while reinforcing ancient civilisational commitment to universal harmony.

"In our tradition, we have been offering prayers for peace to prevail in the entire universe. The future of humanity can remain secure only if there is peace in the whole world.

"In an atmosphere marked by conflicts in many parts of the world, India is spreading the message of peace," she said.

During her speech, the President also underscored a firm commitment to national security by highlighting the recent success of Operation Sindoor, a precision strike that dismantled terror infrastructure across the border.

"Last year, our country launched precision strikes against terror infrastructure...terror centres were destroyed, and many terrorists met their end," she said, highlighting country's "self-reliance" in the field of defence that powered the historic success of Operation Sindoor.

ED chargesheets online gaming app WinZO, alleges players duped of Rs 734 cr using bots

The Enforcement Directorate on Sunday said it has chargesheeted real-money online gaming app WinZO and its promoters, alleging that players lost Rs 734 crore on the platform as the company "embedded" bots and AI to "manipulate" the game's algorithms.

According to an official statement, the ED’s Bengaluru zonal office filed the prosecution complaint on January 23 before a local court designated to try cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The company, Winzo Pvt. Ltd., its directors – Paavan Nanda and Saumya Singh Rathore – and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including those based abroad, like Winzo US Inc., USA, Winzo SG Pte. Ltd and ZO Pvt. Ltd. have been named as accused in the chargesheet.

WinZO, through its mobile application, offered more than 100 games with a claimed user base of about 25 crore users, largely from tier-3 and tier-4 cities, the ED said.

The Union government banned real-money gaming apps in India in August 2025.

"For providing these RMG (real money gaming) services, the company charged a percentage of the betting amounts from the users, as commission. The company also assured its users that its gaming platform was free from any BOTs (bots which are computer-controlled characters), was transparent and secure," the central agency added.

Republic Day: 45 ‘unsung heroes’ honoured with Padma Shri

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.

Anke Gowda, once a bus conductor, set up the world's largest free-access library, ‘Pustak Mane’, comprising more than two million books in 20 languages along with rare manuscripts. The 75-year-old bibliophile from Haralahalli village near Mysuru in Karnataka has been chosen for the Padma Shri for his unique effort to empower learners across India.

Joining him will be Armida Fernandes, the Mumbai-based paediatrician who set up Asia'a first human milk bank, improving the survival prospects of infants, Bundeli war art trainer Bhagwandas Raikwar from Madhya Pradesh, Bhiklya Ladakya Dhinda, a 90-year old tribal Tarpa player – a musical instrument made of bottle gourd and bamboo – from Maharashtra, and distinguished social worker from Jammu and Kashmir, Brij Lal Bhat, among others. 

Congress refutes rumours of CPI(M) approaching Shashi Tharoor for defection

In the midst of growing speculation in political circles, top Congress sources have firmly denied reports that MP Shashi Tharoor has been approached by the CPI(M) or is considering any move to defect.

“There is no basis for these reports. As far as our information goes, Shashi Tharoor will not take such a risk at this point. I don’t know anything about the CPM approaching him. I just heard it on TV channels. How can the CPM approach him when they have constantly portrayed him as a BJP stooge in the Congress?” a senior Congress leader told The Federal.

Read the full story here. 

Vijay kickstarts campaign push with ‘whistle’ blow in Mahabalipuram

Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay on Sunday (January 25) launched his campaign for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections at Mahabalipuram, around 60 km from Chennai.

Opening his address blowing a whistle, and his popular dialogue “Cup mukkiyam Bigilu” ('Cup is critical') from his 2019 Tamil film Bigil, Vijay took aim at the state’s two major Dravidian parties, alleging that the AIADMK had “directly surrendered” to the BJP, while the DMK had done so “indirectly”. “We will not bow to any pressure,” he asserted.

On Thursday, the Election Commission granted the Whistle symbol for the TVK. At today's meeting, Vijay unveiled the symbol and also played it, with enthusiastic party workers joining and cheering him.

Read the full story here

Jaishankar hosts US lawmakers: Security and economy top agenda

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday discussed with a three-member American Congressional delegation various aspects of India-US relations, including trade and security, against the backdrop of continuing strain in ties between the two countries.

US Ambassador Sergio Gor, who was also present at the meeting, said the talks were "productive" and that the focus was on strengthening the bilateral partnership in the domains of security, trade and critical technologies.

The visit of the US Congressional delegation to India, comprising Jimmy Patronis, Mike Rogers and Adam Smith, came as both sides are looking to move forward in the negotiations for a bilateral trade deal.

In a social media post, Jaishankar described the meeting as a "good interaction". "Discussed various aspects of India-US ties, Indo Pacific and Ukraine conflict. Congressional interactions have always been an important facet of our relationship," he said.

India, EU to announce conclusion of FTA negotiations on Jan 27

India and the European Union are set to announce on January 27 the conclusion of negotiations and finalisation of a free trade agreement, which is aimed at boosting economic ties between the two regions amid disruptions in global trade due to US tariffs, an official said.

The pact is nearing the finishing line after 18 years. The talks started in 2007.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has termed this free trade agreement (FTA) "mother of all deals" the country has signed so far.

The conclusion of talks for the agreement will be announced in the India-EU (European Union) Summit here, the official said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen landed here on January 24 for a four-day visit. President of the European Council Antonio Costa and von der Leyen will hold summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 27.

While India and the 27-nation bloc EU will announce closure of FTA talks this week, it will be signed after legal vetting of the text on a mutually agreed date. Implementation of the deal may take some time as it requires approval of the EU parliament. In India, it requires the nod of the Union cabinet only.

Tejashwi named RJD working president at national executive meeting

RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s younger son and heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav was on Sunday named the working president of the party at its national executive meeting here.

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.

In a post on X, the Rashtriya Janata Dal said the decision, which makes clear the line of succession in the party, was taken at its national executive meeting, which was attended by Yadav, Prasad and other senior leaders.

Yadav’s eldest sister and Patliputra MP Misa Bharti, who was said to be eying that party post, was also present at the meeting.

Tejashwi, a former deputy chief minister of Bihar, is currently the leader of the opposition in the assembly.

He had, on Saturday, appeared confident of his elevation in the party, as he had told workers at the RJD office that he was thinking of revamping the party structure from the booth level.

2026 polls not just election, but 'democratic battle': Vijay

TVK chief Vijay on Sunday characterised the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections as a high-stakes "democratic battle" rather than a mere electoral contest, asserting his party's unique position to challenge established political powers.

"What is going to happen now is not just an election; it is a democratic battle. You are the commanders who are going to lead this democratic battle," Vijay told a gathering of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) cadres here.

The actor-turned-politician declared that only TVK has the guts and attitude to take on the 'evil force' that is ruling right now and the 'corrupt force' that has previously governed the state--obvious references to the ruling DMK and the AIADMK, respectively.

"Whether it is this evil force or that corrupt force, both should not rule Tamil Nadu. Only we have the guts and the attitude to truly and boldly oppose such parties," said Vijay. He also emphasised the core mission of his political entry, stating, "we are here to save the people and protect the soil from anyone who intends to cause harm".