The Hindu Morning Digest: March 27, 2026

Iran-Israel war LIVE: Trump says Iran allowed passage of 10 oil tankers as ‘present’

Iran allowed 10 oil tankers to pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz as a “present” to show it was serious about negotiations to end the war, U.S. President Donald Trump said at at a Cabinet meeting in the White House on Thursday (March 26, 2026).

Indian Navy launches ‘Operation Urja Suraksha’ to secure energy lifelines through Strait of Hormuz

Amid rising tensions in West Asia, the Indian Navy has launched an operation to escort, guide, and safeguard India-bound energy shipments through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, which has been blockaded by Iran.

Derogatory remarks against women: TVK chief Vijay seeks action against Kalam’s former advisor Ponraj

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay on Thursday (March 26, 2026) submitted a petition addressed to the Director-General of Police/Head of Police Force in Chennai seeking action against V. Ponraj for his alleged derogatory remarks against women.

10 killed, 35 injured as bus collides with mini-truck in M.P.’s Chhindwara

At least 10 persons have been killed and about 35 injured after a bus they were travelling in met with an accident and overturned in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district on Thursday (March 26, 2026), officials said. 

Lapses in duty by Census officials can invite three years in prison

The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RG&CCI) has written to States that if a Census official refuses to perform their duty, damages or destroys any Census document, they shall face up to three years of imprisonment.

Within a year of getting powers, MHA agency issued 290 takedown notices a day on average for online content

Within a year of being empowered to directly issue takedown notices for online content, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an average of about 290 such notices every day, according to MHA data.

Groups urge President not to grant assent to ‘regressive’ Transgender Amendment Bill

A day after the Rajya Sabha passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026, around 140 lawyers and feminists wrote to President Droupadi Murmu, urging her not to grant assent to the Bill, pointing out “constitutional violations” in its provisions and “procedural infirmities” in the way it was passed.

‘Trade deal not far-off, but there are still gaps’ : U.S. official

The U.S. and India are not “far off” from finalizing an interim trade deal, but need to bridge some negotiating gaps , such as over discussions on pulses and the staging of tariff reductions, according to a U.S. official.

Trinamool Congress worker shot dead in Kolkata ahead of the polls; four arrested

A Trinamool Congress worker has been shot dead in Kolkata ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections.

Ram Navami turns campaign stage in West Bengal as BJP, Trinamool take part in celebrations

With Assembly polls around the corner, both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) took part in Ram Navami celebrations on Thursday (March 26, 2026), with rallies that took over Kolkata and Howrah, and which doubled up as poll campaign platforms. 

Indian among two killed in UAE by debris of intercepted missiles

At least two persons, including an Indian, were killed and three others injured on Thursday (March 26, 2026) when debris of missiles intercepted by the UAE’s air defence system fell on a street in Abu Dhabi, local media reported.

India eyes local currency payments for West Asian oil amid price surge; rupee fall hurts finances

The Indian government is “experimenting” with conducting trade with the West Asian countries in local currencies, in a bid to mitigate the fiscal double-hit of surging oil prices and a depreciating rupee, according to two senior officials in the government.

Election Commission says ₹408.82 crore worth of illicit inducements seized from poll-bound States till now

The Election Commission on Thursday (March 26, 2026) said over ₹408.82 crore worth of illicit inducements, including ₹17.44 crore in cash, liquor worth ₹37.68 crore and drugs worth ₹167.38 crore, had been seized through a coordinated approach involving multi-enforcement agencies in the four States and one union territory going for Assembly polls next month.

Willing to work with India for ‘common interests’ in Global South, BRICS: China

China is willing to work with India for upholding “common interests” in Global South and the BRICS grouping, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of China on Thursday (March 26, 2026). 

Transgender women athletes banned from Olympics by new IOC policy on female eligibility

Transgender women athletes are now excluded from the Olympics after the IOC agreed to a new eligibility policy on Thursday (March 26, 2026), which aligns with U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order on women’s sports ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.