The Hindu Morning Digest: January 13, 2026

Trump says countries doing business with Iran to face 25% tariff

U.S. ‍President Donald Trump said ​on Monday (January 12, 2026) that ‌any ​country that does business with Iran will be subjected to a tariff ​rate of 25% ⁠on any business conducted with the ​United States. The announcement from Mr. Trump comes as he looks to put pressure on Tehran for cracking down on anti-government protestors across the country.

Government disputes reports that it plans to ask phone makers to disclose source code

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology disputed a media report over the weekend on plans to require phone makers like Apple Inc. and Xiaomi to disclose their operating systems’ core source code, saying that the consultation that the government was engaged in was a “routine” one, and that the government had an “open mind” on where discussions with phone makers go.

India, Germany to simplify defence trade: PM Modi

India and Germany will enhance defence trade with an eye on ‘co-production and co-development,’ said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (January 12, 2026), as the two sides signed an agreement to strengthen bilateral defence industrial cooperation. Welcoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to India, Mr. Modi said India will launch a ‘consultation mechanism’ on increasing collaboration with Germany in the Indo-Pacific region.

Centre steps in as two Nipah cases detected in Bengal

Two healthcare workers suspected of being infected by the Nipah virus in Barasat city in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal are undergoing treatment, officials said on Monday (January 12, 2026). The cases were detected at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences-Kalyani in West Bengal’s Nadia district on Sunday (January 11, 2026) night.

Karur stampede case: CBI interrogates TVK chief Vijay for 6 hours

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Monday (January 12, 2026) questioned Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president and actor Vijay for six hours in connection with the probe into the Karur stampede case. It is learnt that the agency wanted him to join the probe again on Tuesday (January 13, 2026), but he sought another date on account of the Pongal festival. The CBI will, therefore, summon him again as and when required.

Non-application of mind, ‘copy-paste’ order led to detention under NSA: Wangchuk in Supreme Court

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Monday (January 12, 2026) said in the Supreme Court that far-removed and unconnected events, vague aspersions, misrepresentation of facts and mechanical application of mind by authorities formed the basis and reason for his detention on September 26 last year after protests for Statehood to Ladakh took a violent turn resulting in multiple deaths.

Victim safety, sanctity of trial paramount to consider bail in POCSO cases: Supreme Court

The safety of the victim and the sanctity of the trial are paramount considerations while adjudicating bail applications in cases involving sexual offences against children, the Supreme Court said in a judgment as it cancelled the bail granted to an accused in a 2024 gangrape case.

Supreme Court names new trial judge for coal scam cases

The Supreme Court appointed a new judge, Sunaina Sharma, on Monday, to conduct the trials in the coal scam cases being probed by the CBI. The Bench considered the names of three judicial officers submitted by the Delhi High Court to replace Judge Sanjay Bansal.

No receipts for SIR documents, Mamata writes fifth letter to CEC

Claiming that no proper acknowledgement or receipt is being issued for the documents submitted by electors during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday wrote yet another letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

WPL-4: Harris, Smriti make it a stroll in the park for Royal Challengers

Small targets can often be dicey. But Grace Harris went on the rampage with a 40-ball-85 and Smriti Mandhana played the supporting role with an unbeaten 32-ball-47 as Royal Challengers Bengaluru pulled off a nine-wicket win against UP Warriorz without breaking a sweat.