The Hindu Morning Digest: January 16, 2026 & more related news here

Venezuela’s Machado meets with Trump and gives him the Nobel Peace Prize

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to US President Donald Trump on Thursday (January 15, 2026), “in recognition of his unique commitment to our freedom.” Machado detailed presenting his award to Trump in comments to a group of reporters after the meeting, but did not provide further details. The White House did not immediately say whether Trump accepted the medal.

Nationwide protests in Iran appear stifled after crackdown and internet shutdown

Nationwide protests challenging Iran’s theocracy appeared increasingly stifled Thursday, a week after authorities isolated the country from the world and escalated a bloody crackdown that activists say has killed at least 2,637 people.

India plans evacuation of citizens from Iran: official sources

India is preparing to evacuate its citizens from Iran in view of the ongoing protests, official sources said on Thursday (January 15, 2026). MEA sources have said The Hindu that the Indian Embassy in Tehran has started communicating with Indian citizens to determine the scale of the logistical exercise that would be required to conduct multiple airlift sorties between India and Iran.

Drones spotted along India-Pakistan border in Poonch, Samba of J&K

Pakistani drones were seen flying over the Indo-Pak border in the twin districts of Poonch and Samba in Jammu and Kashmir, prompting the security forces to activate their anti-unmanned aerial system to respond effectively on Thursday (January 15, 2026) night.

Can’t we assume that voters who survived multiple list reviews are citizens? Supreme Court poses petitioners’ question to ECI

The Supreme Court on Thursday (January 15, 2026) asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) a basic question that petitioners have repeatedly raised in their challenge to the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls: “Can we not safely assume that voters who have survived multiple roll checks are citizens?”

Maharashtra civic polls: In battle for Mumbai, exit polls predict clear victory for BJP-Shiv Sena alliance

All exit polls predicted a clear sweep of the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, which took place on Thursday (January 15, 2026), and a defeat of the Shiv Sena (UBT)-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena.

Government offices attacked during SIR hearings in West Bengal

Locals enraged by the ongoing Special Investigation Agency (SIR) in West Bengal have attacked two Block Development Officers (BDO) offices in the state for the last two days. While locals led by a Trinamool Congress MLA attacked a BDO office in Farakka on Wednesday, a mob vandalized the BDO office in Chakulia in Uttar Dinajpur district.

Japan’s FM Motegi and EAM Jaishankar to hold strategic dialogue on AI and Indo-Pacific cooperation

With growing concerns over tensions with China and little hope of the Quad Summit in the near future, Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi is expected to discuss strengthening India-Japan ties in the Indo-Pacific during talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Delhi on Friday (January 16, 2026).

India issues advisory to citizens in Israel in view of regional tensions

Amid an uncertain security situation in the region, the embassies of India, the United States and the United Kingdom have issued advisories to their citizens urging them to be vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel. “In view of the prevailing situation in the region, all Indian citizens currently in Israel are advised to remain alert and strictly adhere to the safety guidelines and protocols issued by the Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command,” the Indian mission posted on various social media platforms and its official website on Thursday.

Vijay Hazare Trophy: Vidarbha defeat holders Karnataka by 6 wickets to reach final

Opener Aman Mokhade scored his fifth century of the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy (138, 122b, 12×4, 2×6) as Vidarbha beat defending champions Karnataka by six wickets to enter their second consecutive final, at the BCCI Center of Excellence near here on Thursday. In Sunday’s summit clash, Vidarbha will play the winner of Friday’s Punjab-Saurashtra semi-final.

India Open 2026: Lakshya remains India’s only hope

Lakshya Sen remained the only Indian in the singles draw of the India Open Super 750 badminton event on Thursday (January 15, 2026), advancing to the quarter-finals with the remaining local contenders faltering in the second round due to a combination of erratic play, errors in judgment and poor performance.