The Hindu Morning Digest: January 9, 2026

CM Mamata to protest in Kolkata against ED raids on I-PAC office

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will take to the streets in Kolkata on Friday (January 9, 2026) to protest against the raids conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on the I-PAC office, and residence of its co-founder Pratik Jain. Ms. Banerjee will lead the procession from Jadavapur 8B Bus Stand to Hazra More.

Internet shutdown in Iran as protests mount; Trump warns of U.S. action

A nationwide internet blackout was reported in Iran on Thursday night (January 8, 2026) with internet access and telephone lines cut out after demonstrators in Tehran and elsewhere joined a protest called by the country’s exiled Crown Prince.

Three Indians among crew on board Russian oil tanker seized by U.S.: report

Three Indians are among the crew on board the Russian oil tanker seized by the U.S., local media reported even as Moscow on Thursday (January 8, 2026) asked Washington to comply with international laws on freedom of maritime navigation while strongly rejecting its ‘neo-colonist’ tendencies.

Govt. to launch cashless treatment scheme of up to ₹1.5 lakh for road accident victims

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to launch a nationwide cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims, offering coverage of up to ₹1.5 lakh and a cash award for Good Samaritans who rush victims to hospitals. The scheme will cover road accidents anywhere in the country, and not just on national highways.

Home Ministry for talks with Ladakhi leaders in last week of January 

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to call the next round of talks with the civil society leaders of Ladakh in the last week of January, according to a communication sent by the Ministry to the Chief Secretary of Ladakh on Thursday (January 8, 2026). The talks were last held on October 22, 2025.

Authorities hid my video messages for peace, malice coloured the detention: Wangchuk tells SC

Sonam Wangchuk, a climate activist turned Ladakhi Statehood campaigner, impressed upon the Supreme Court that malice on the part of authorities was at the bottom of his detention, evident from the fact that local authorities chose to “hide” his public messages calling for peace after protests for Statehood led to violence and multiple deaths.

Amit Shah reviews security situation in J&K 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed all security agencies to remain alert and continue to work in synergy to ensure that the gains achieved after the dilution of Article 370 are sustained and the goal of “terror-free Jammu and Kashmir” is achieved at the earliest.

National shooting coach accused of sexually harassing minor in Faridabad; suspended by NRAI

A national shooting coach has been accused of sexually assaulting a teenage shooter inside a five-star hotel in Haryana’s Faridabad. The accused, Ankush Bhardwaj, has been suspended following the registration of the case. The incident took place on December 16 last year, but the FIR was registered on January 6.

Gauri Lankesh murder case accused contesting Jalna civic polls as independent candidate

An accused in the sensational murder of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh is contesting the January 15 Jalna Municipal Corporation polls in Maharashtra as an independent candidate. Shrikant Pangarkar is in the fray from ward 13.

UN body report sets India’s 2025-26 growth at 7.2%

India is expected to grow by 7.2% in the financial year 2025-26, with consumption and public investment expected to “largely offset” the impact of the tariffs by the United States, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) said in a report.

Ecologist Madhav Gadgil’s advocacy shaped political, ecological narratives in Kerala

Kerala would remember Madhav Gadgil, the eminent ecologist who passed away on Wednesday (January 7, 2026), as a one-man green army who shaped the socio-political and ecological narratives of the State for the past one and a half decades in an unprecedented manner.

Ahead of U.S. Ambassador arrival, Trump okays 500% tariff Bill on Russian oil

India faced double-pressure over energy on Thursday (January 8, 2026) from U.S. President Donald Trump’s decisions to back a Bill mandating up to “500% tariffs” on countries buying Russian oil, and to withdraw the U.S. from the India-led International Solar Alliance (ISA) amongst dozens of other international organisations.

UN says U.S. has ‘legal obligation’ to fund agencies after Trump withdraws from several organisations

The top United Nations official has said that the United States has a “legal obligation” to keep paying its dues that fund UN agencies after the White House announced that it is withdrawing support from more than 30 initiatives operated by the world body.

Minneapolis shooting: Vance defends ICE agent, says had been dragged by car six months ago

The federal immigration officer who fatally shot ‍a 37-year-old woman in ​Minneapolis had previously been dragged ‌by a vehicle ​and injured, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said on Thursday (January 8, 2026). Mr. Trump and ‌his allies have defended the shooting as an ‌act of self-defense, while Minnesota officials have denounced it as an act of unrestrained violence.

WPL 2026 | Smriti recalls World Cup win as RCB readies to take on Harmanpreet’s MI

The Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur and deputy Smriti Mandhana, the only two victorious skippers in the Women’s Premier League, will headline the opening clash of the 2026 chapter between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and defending champion Mumbai Indians at the D.Y. Patil Stadium on Friday (January 9, 2026).