All flights to and from Srinagar have been cancelled after heavy snowfall and poor weather conditions affected Kashmir on Tuesday. Airport officials said flight operations were suspended due to low visibility and unsafe conditions. Fresh snowfall across the valley also forced the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, cutting the main road link with the region. Light to moderate snow was recorded in Srinagar and other low-lying areas, while higher reaches received moderate to heavy snowfall. The weather disturbance disrupted daily life and transport services across Kashmir. Authorities advised travellers to check weather updates and road conditions before planning journeys as further snowfall is expected in some areas. (PC: HT)

Public sector bank services across India are likely to be disrupted on January 27 due to a nationwide strike by bank employee unions. The United Forum of Bank Unions has called the strike to press for the implementation of a five-day workweek. Talks with the chief labour commissioner failed to resolve the issue. Private sector banks such as ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank are expected to operate normally. Customers of public sector banks may face a third consecutive day of limited services after Sunday and Republic Day holidays. State Bank of India said operations could be affected despite efforts to ensure normal functioning. (PC: HT)

The Goa government is studying a possible ban on social media for children under 16, Goa IT Minister Rohan Khaunte said. He said parents have complained that social media distracts children and causes social issues.   Khaunte said officials are reviewing an Australia-style law and related papers. A decision will be taken after talks with the chief minister, possibly before the next Assembly session.   He said the aim is to help children focus on education and learning technology. The move follows a similar proposal by Andhra Pradesh. Australia has already passed a law restricting social media use for those under 16.

The Indian Air Force released a video on Republic Day showing fighter jets carrying weapons used in the 2019 Balakot strike and Operation Sindoor. The footage was shown as India marked its 77th Republic Day. For the first time, the IAF displayed fully loaded aircraft with operational weapons. These included Meteor air-to-air missiles on Rafale and LCA Tejas jets, and the same missile configuration used by Mirage 2000 aircraft in 2019. The video also showed Astra missiles on Sukhoi-30MKI jets and upgraded Jaguars. BrahMos cruise missiles, Hammer bombs, and Rampage air-to-surface missiles were also seen. The IAF rarely releases such weapon footage. (PC: NDTV)

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi has been awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in the 2026 Republic Day honours for distinguished service. She became widely known during the 2025 media briefings of Operation Sindoor. Years earlier, in 2020, the Supreme Court had cited her service while ruling in favour of granting Permanent Commission to women officers. The court said her career showed women could serve in command roles alongside men. It noted her leadership of an Indian Army contingent at Exercise Force 18 in 2016 and her service in UN peacekeeping missions in Congo. Colonel Qureshi belongs to the Corps of Signals and has served in multiple operations and relief missions. (PC: X)

Heavy snowfall and severe traffic jams left hundreds of tourists from Delhi NCR stranded near Manali during the Republic Day weekend. Bharat Sharma and three friends said they were stuck in their car for nearly 40 hours while returning from Solang Valley. The group reached Manali on January 23 but became trapped in slow-moving traffic for almost a full day. They said food, water and toilet access were limited, and hotel prices surged due to high demand. Videos showed several tourists abandoning vehicles and walking through icy roads. Authorities later cleared snow, allowing traffic to move. Officials have urged travellers to follow lane discipline in hilly areas.

The Indian Air Force marked the grand finale of the 77th Republic Day parade with a large flypast over Kartavya Path on Monday. The display featured Varuna, Vajraang, Arjan and Vijay formations. Aircraft included Rafale, Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar, P-8i, Apache, C-130 and C-295. A total of 29 aircraft took part, including fighter jets, transport planes and helicopters. Earlier, the Prahar formation showcased the Army’s Operation Sindoor flag using Dhruv helicopters. Held under the theme “150 Years of Vande Mataram”, the parade highlighted India’s defence capability, culture and development.

India's 77th Republic Day parade showcased multiple firsts including the Suryastra Universal Rocket Launcher System with 300 km strike capability, newly raised Bhairav light commando battalion bridging infantry and special forces, and Shaktiban Regiment equipped with drone and counter-drone technology. The 61 Cavalry appeared in battle gear instead of ceremonial uniform for the first time, while key Army assets rolled down Kartavya Path in a phased battle array formation. An animal contingent featuring Bactrian camels, Zanskar ponies, raptors, and Army dogs participated. The 90-minute parade, attended by EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, displayed indigenous platforms including BrahMos, Akash, ATAGS artillery, with 29 aircraft in flypast formations featuring Rafale and Apache helicopters.

Rajasthan Police seized a massive cache of explosives from a Nagaur district farm just hours before Republic Day celebrations. The late Saturday night raid in Harsaur village recovered 9,550 kg of ammonium nitrate packed in 187 sacks, along with nine cartons of detonators and multiple bundles of fuse wires. Suleman Khan, a local resident with three prior criminal cases, was arrested on-site. Preliminary interrogation revealed he allegedly supplied explosives to legal and illegal mining operations. The recovery is particularly significant as ammonium nitrate was previously linked to the November 2025 Red Fort blast. Central agencies have been notified and will question the accused as part of a broader investigation under the Explosives Act. (PC: News 18)

India celebrated its 77th Republic Day with President Droupadi Murmu presiding over the grand parade at Kartavya Path, featuring European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen as chief guests. Themed around 150 years of Vande Mataram, the 90-minute parade showcased military might through Operation Sindoor's joint forces display, indigenous defense systems including DRDO's hypersonic Long Range Anti-Ship Missile achieving Mach 10 speeds, Apache helicopters, Rafale jets, and advanced autonomous systems. The event featured 30 state and ministry tableaux, 2,500 cultural artists, all-women Coast Guard contingent, and a 29-aircraft fly-past. Special initiatives included Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra awardees marching alongside robotic military dogs and Bactrian camels.