Intelligence agencies on Saturday issued a Republic Day alert, cautioning that banned Khalistani groups and terror outfits based in Bangladesh could attempt attacks in New Delhi and other major cities. Sources from the Intelligence Bureau said Punjab-based gangsters are increasingly being used as ground operatives by Khalistani and radical handlers operating from abroad, who are allegedly leveraging criminal networks to advance their agendas and threaten internal security.

According to the alert, these gangsters are active across Haryana, the Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, and are gradually forging links with Khalistani terrorist elements. With January 26 approaching, agencies warned that these groups may try to exploit the festive period to carry out disruptive activities.

North District Police have conducted multiple mock drills at vulnerable and crowded locations ahead of the Republic Day parade to assess preparedness and response capabilities. Four such exercises were held in the first half of January 2026 at sensitive sites in North Delhi, including key installations, heritage locations, busy markets, and transport hubs.

Areas covered in the drills included the Red Fort, ISBT Kashmere Gate, Chandni Chowk, Khari Baoli, Sadar Bazar, and several Metro stations, all considered high-risk from a security standpoint. The exercises were aimed at strengthening anti-terror readiness and encouraging vigilance among the public and security agencies.

At least 30 tableaux are set to feature in the Republic Day Parade along Kartavya Path, showcasing India’s cultural diversity and development journey. The presentations will follow the themes “Svatantrata Ka Mantr – Vande Mataram” and “Samrddhi Ka Mantr – Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the national song “Vande Mataram.”
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

The 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) continued into its third day on Friday, as delegates from across the Commonwealth assembled at Parliament House to take part in discussions focused on reinforcing democratic institutions and updating parliamentary practices. Chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, the conference has brought together 61 Speakers and Presiding Officers from 42 Commonwealth nations, along with representatives from four semi-autonomous legislatures, highlighting its international importance.

Friday’s agenda features a session on innovative ways to improve public awareness of parliamentary functioning and to encourage citizen engagement beyond elections. This discussion will be led by Manzoor Nadir, Speaker of the National Assembly of Guyana. Another key session includes a keynote address by Francis Scarpaleggia, Speaker of Canada’s House of Commons, on the security, health, and wellbeing of Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff.

The day will also witness the formal transfer of the CSPOC chairmanship, with Om Birla handing over the role to Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the UK House of Commons, who will host the 29th edition of the conference. On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the event and addressed delegates at the Central Hall of the Samvidhan Sadan. In his remarks, he said India has successfully turned its diversity into a strength, supported by strong democratic institutions that ensure stability, efficiency, and the ability to function on a large scale.

Om Birla, in his address, urged Commonwealth nations to share responsibility in tackling challenges such as misinformation, cybercrime, and social fragmentation, while also acknowledging the rapid global transformation driven by technologies like artificial intelligence. Several international participants emphasized the significance of India hosting the conference. Jamaican High Commissioner to India, Jason Keats Matthew Hall, said it was appropriate for the world’s largest democracy to host such a forum, noting that it provided a platform to discuss critical issues shaping democracy in the 21st century. He also underlined the importance of regulating artificial intelligence to ensure its responsible use.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle described his return to India as a pleasure and characterized the conference as a coming together of the democratic community. Speaker of the Parliament of Malawi, Sameer Gaffar Suleman, attending his first Commonwealth meeting, thanked the Indian government and Prime Minister Modi for their hospitality, calling the sessions highly educational. According to an official statement, CSPOC discussions are covering a wide range of modern parliamentary concerns, including the changing role of Speakers, the use of technology in legislative work, and ways to deepen citizen participation in democratic processes.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Around 1,700 candidates are contesting 227 seats in the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, with the civic body confirming on Wednesday that all preparations are in place to ensure smooth and orderly polling on Thursday. According to an official statement, distribution of EVMs and other election materials was completed on Wednesday at 23 divisional centres across the city. Voting will take place from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm, while vote counting is scheduled for January 16 at 23 designated locations under the supervision of Returning Officers. The corporation has finalized counting centres for all 227 wards, each equipped with secure strong rooms for safe storage of election equipment and systems to maintain transparency during counting.

Civic authorities said polling staff reported in large numbers from Wednesday morning, receiving essential materials such as voter lists, seals, indelible ink, and official documents after proper verification. To maintain law and order, over 25,000 police personnel will be deployed citywide. In total, 10,231 polling stations have been established, with 64,375 officers and staff assigned election duty.

To boost voter participation, the BMC has introduced several initiatives, including decorated polling booths, pink booths, selfie points, media facilitation centres, and special assistance for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Adequate security arrangements have also been made for polling day.

In a first-of-its-kind move, the civic body has implemented geo-fencing and live vehicle tracking to monitor transport used for election operations. As per another release, 2,865 vehicles including 1,023 BEST buses, 101 state transport buses, 1,160 private vehicles, and 581 taxis are being tracked from a central control room at the civic headquarters in south Mumbai to ensure timely and secure movement of election staff and materials.

The high-stakes contest for control of the cash-rich BMC, which has an annual budget exceeding Rs 74,000 crore, features a fierce battle between the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the reunited Thackeray cousins — Raj and Uddhav — leading MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT). Parties such as the NCP, NCP (SP), Congress, and Samajwadi Party are also in the race.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

Emphasizing the growing need for coordinated global action against terrorism, Major General Kulvir Singh, Commander of the Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School, highlighted on Wednesday that the ADMM-Plus framework has become a key pillar of multilateral cooperation in the Asia-Pacific. Speaking at the 16th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts Working Group on counter-terrorism, co-chaired by India and Malaysia, he noted that the forum demonstrates the seriousness with which member nations address terrorism.

Addressing delegates, he said, “Counter-terrorism is not merely a technical or military issue. It affects every citizen, the stability of our societies, and the future of our region. We are here to strengthen our collective ability to prevent, respond to, and recover from terrorist acts.” He added that terrorism remains one of the most persistent and adaptive threats to international peace and security. Over the past two decades, terrorism has evolved in multiple dimensions, claiming over 400,000 lives worldwide, with only 64 countries remaining unaffected.

Speaking to reporters, Major General Singh mentioned that this was the second Experts Working Group meeting in Delhi, following last year’s session. He explained that a final planning conference for a Table Top Exercise (TTX) would take place later this year in Malaysia, where participating delegations would study counter-terrorism procedures and operational practices of ASEAN member nations. “The outcomes of the TTX will inform the Field Training Exercise (FTX), likely to be conducted next year in Mizoram at the Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School. Lessons from the TTX will be applied during the FTX exercise on the ground,” he said.

He also noted that a comprehensive document compiling best practices from all participating countries would be released at the end of the ADMM-Plus meeting. This guide will help nations learn from each other and work towards a unified ASEAN Counter-Terrorism framework (ACTT), creating a common protocol to guide future counter-terrorism exercises.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

In Destination Anywhere, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with dentist and author Vrushali Junnarkar, who shares her experiences of discovering the many attractions and natural retreats in Khandala, a charming hill station located in Maharashtra in central-western India. Frequently referenced in her novel The Campbell Gardens Ladies' Swimming Class, Khandala holds special significance for Junnarkar as she describes visits to the town’s historic fort, waterfalls, and caves. She also discusses traditional Maharashtrian street food and regional dishes that are rarely found in Singapore.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Karate standout Marissa Hafezan clinched Singapore's first gold in the sport at the SEA Games in 32 years. She defeated Vietnam's Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly 5-3 in the women's kumite under-55kg final to secure the historic victory. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman sit down with Marissa to learn more about her remarkable achievement. They also get an update on Team Singapore’s overall performance at the midpoint of the Games, featuring insights from Marissa Hafezan, SEA Games gold medallist and Singapore karate exponent, and Phil Goh, independent sports journalist.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Australia is introducing a first-of-its-kind law that blocks minors from using social media without a parent’s approval. Andrea Heng and Susan Ng discuss the debate with Professor Tama Leaver from Curtin University’s Internet Studies program: is this a vital measure to safeguard young people’s mental health, or an impractical policy that limits digital freedom?

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

In December 2019, a fishing boat set out from an Alaskan port with an experienced crew, unaware that an icy storm was gathering. The events that followed underscore why deep-sea fishing is considered one of the most dangerous professions in the world. This account is by Rose George, read by Rosalie Craig, and is adapted from Every Last Fish: What Fish Do for Us, and What We Do to Them, published by Granta.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.