The Hindu Morning Digest: January 8, 2026

Census first phase to be held from April 1 to September 30

The first phase of the Population Census 2027, also known as the houselisting operations (HLO) phase, will be conducted from April 1 to September 30 this year across all States and Union Territories, the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RG&CCI) said in a notification on Wednesday (January 7, 2026).

U.S. to exit 66 international organisations as Trump further retreats from global cooperation

The Trump administration will withdraw from dozens of international organisations, including the UN’s population agency and the UN treaty that establishes international climate negotiations, as the U.S. further retreats from global cooperation. President Donald Trump on Wednesday (January 7, 2026) signed an executive order suspending U.S. support for 66 organisations, agencies and commissions following his instructions for his administration to review participation in and funding for all international organisations, including those affiliated with the United Nations.

Vijay’s ‘Jana Nayagan’ postponed

The makers of Tamil superstar Vijay’s farewell film, Jana Nayagan, confirmed that the film will not release on January 9, 2026, and that their new release plans will be announced soon. This comes just hours after the Madras High Court reserved orders on a writ petition filed by the makers against the non-issuance of the film’s censor certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

GDP to grow at 7.4% in 2025-26, government predicts

The government has estimated that real growth in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country will stand at 7.4% in the current financial year 2025-26, up from the 6.5% seen in the previous year. In the First Advance Estimates of GDP for 2025-26, released on Wednesday (January 7, 2026), the government has predicted that nominal growth for the year would be 8%. 

U.S. military says Russian-flagged oil tanker seized in North Atlantic

The United States military on Wednesday (January 7, 2026) announced the seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker, originally known as the Bella-1, in the North Atlantic for sanctions violations, bringing an end to a multi-week pursuit by American forces. While Britain provided support to the U.S. in the operation, Russia said it was a violation of maritime law.

Centre moves to restore popular govt. in Manipur, holds review meets

The Centre is holding talks to restore the popular government in Manipur where the President’s Rule will complete a year on February 13, government sources told The Hindu. The Manipur Assembly is in suspended animation. Over the past one week, two security review meetings were held under Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan.

Supreme Court defers Sonam Wangchuk detention case hearing by a day

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (January 7, 2026) gave itself a day’s time to enable Justice P.B. Varale, the puisne judge on the Division Bench headed by Justice Aravind Kumar, to read the case records of a challenge launched by Dr. Gitanjali J. Angmo against the Centre for detaining her husband and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act.

‘Prima facie’ not with Justice Varma, Supreme Court says

The Supreme Court said on Wednesday (January 7, 2026) that it prima facie disagreed with Justice Yashwant Varma’s claim that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had overstepped the statutory rigour of the Judges (Inquiry) Act by “unilaterally” constituting a committee to examine allegations about the sacks of half-burnt currency found on the premises of the judge’s official residence in Delhi in March 2025.

Fadnavis vows action after BJP, Congress team up to keep Sena away

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday (January 7, 2026) said the BJP will take action against those who formed an alliance with the Congress and the AIMIM in two local bodies in Maharashtra. The BJP’s local unit teamed up with the Congress and Ajit Pawar’s NCP in the Ambarnath Municipal Council to keep Shiv Sena, its ally in the State government, out of power. 

Delhi demolition drive: 30–35 raised slogans, broke barricades, damaged property, according to FIR

A group of 30-35 people allegedly raised slogans against police, broke barricades and snatched and damaged a loud-hailer during a court-ordered anti-encroachment drive near the Faiz-e-Elahi mosque at Turkman Gate area, according to an FIR lodged by the Delhi Police. Five people, including a juvenile, were taken into custody, and 10-15 others were detained.

Will meet Modi in ‘near future’, says Netanyahu; sets off speculation on visit to India soon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hoped to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi “in the near future”, sparking speculation that his visit to India, that was cancelled in November 2025, could be rescheduled soon. Mr. Netanyahu made the comment after a call to Mr. Modi on Wednesday (January 7), when he said that the two leaders had discussed strengthening national security for India and Israel.

Trump invited to give State of the Union address on Feb. 24

Speaker Mike Johnson has invited President Donald Trump to give the first State of the Union address of his second term on February 24. The address will give Mr. Trump the chance to shape the GOP’s message to voters going into a midterm election that will determine whether Republicans maintain control of Congress

T20 World Cup | ICC and BCB likely to thrash out impasse by this weekend

The impasse between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) over Bangladesh’s participation in next month’s Men’s T20 World Cup in India is likely to be resolved before the weekend. On Wednesday (January 7, 2026), the BCB stated that the ICC has responded favourably to its request to relocate Bangladesh’s matches outside India.

Published – January 08, 2026 06:55 am IST