The Hindu Morning Digest, January 15, 2024

U.K. Minister Tulip Siddiq resigns over financial ties with aunt Sheikh Hasina

The British Minister responsible for financial services and fighting corruption resigned on Tuesday (January 14, 2025) after weeks of questions over her financial ties to her aunt Sheikh Hasina, ousted last year as prime minister of Bangladesh. Tulip Siddiq, 42, had repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and Prime Minister Keir Starmer said last week he had full confidence in her. The resignation of a second government Minister in two months is a blow to Mr. Starmer, whose approval ratings have plunged since his Labour Party won a general election in July.

After death of Kerala youth, India reiterates demand to release all Indians serving in Russian military

An Indian national recruited by the Russian military has been killed and another has sustained injuries in Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine, and New Delhi has taken up the matter strongly with Moscow. Following the death of the Indian national from Kerala, India has reiterated to Russia its demand for an early discharge of the Indian nationals recruited by the Russian military, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Punjab farmers to begin fast-unto-death from January 15

Further intensifying their stir against the Centre in support of their various demands, protesting Punjab farmers have said a ‘jatha’ of 111 farmers wearing black clothes will start their fast-unto-death from Wednesday (January 15, 2025). Meanwhile, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s fast-unto-death reached the 50th day on Tuesday with farmer leaders saying he was having difficulty in drinking water. His body is still not accepting water and is moving towards “multi-organ failure”, which is worrisome, they said.

Biden moves to lift state sponsor of terrorism designation for Cuba, part of deal to free prisoners

President Joe Biden notified Congress of his intent to lift the U.S. designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, the White House announced, as part of a deal facilitated by the Catholic Church to free political prisoners on the island. Senior U.S. administration officials, who previewed the announcement on the condition of anonymity, said ”many dozens” of political prisoners and others considered by the U.S. to be unjustly detained would be released by the end of the Biden administration at noon on Jan. 20.

FIR against AAP for posting AI-generated videos of PM Modi, Amit Shah on X

Delhi Police have registered an FIR against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for allegedly posting AI-generated photos and videos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the party’s official X handle, police sources said. The case was lodged under relevant sections at the North Avenue police station, they said, without giving details of the FIR.

Naval combatants to strengthen India’s efforts to be global leader in defence: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the commissioning of three frontline naval combatants will strengthen India’s efforts towards being a global leader in defence and augment its quest towards self-reliance. Mr. Modi will dedicate the three combatants — Surat, Nilgiri and Vaghsheer — to the nation on their commissioning at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on Wednesday (January 14, 2025). “Tomorrow, 15th January, is going to be a special day as far as our naval capacities are concerned,” he said on X.

24, Akbar Road: Wrapping within its walls, history of Congress and much more

If walls could talk, 24, Akbar Road would write itself a book — of the days of the Raj, of the Burma of the 1960s and mostly of the dramatic ups and downs of the Congress that headquartered itself in its spacious premises 47 years ago. Always more than an address, the Lutyens era bungalow that witnessed many a story and secret cedes its place as a political nerve centre on Wednesday (January 15, 2025) when the opposition party moves to its new office, the Indira Gandhi Bhawan, at Kotla Road a few kilometres away.

Smriti Irani, Shekhar Kapur in reconstituted Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library Society

The Centre has reconstituted the society and Executive Council of the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library (PMML) with several new names being added. The executive council, which previously had 29 members, has now been expanded to 34 members. While former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Nripendra Mishra, has been reappointed for a five-year term as the chairperson of the organization, prominent new members added are former Union Minister Smriti Irani, ex-NITI Aayog Vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar, retired Army General Syed Ata Hasnain, renowned filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, and Vasudev Kamath from Sanskar Bharati, according to a notification issued by the Union Culture Ministry.

South Korea investigators arrive in new attempt to arrest President Yoon

Two vehicles belonging to South Korean investigators probing impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol arrived outside his official residence early Wednesday as they prepared to execute a new arrest warrant, Yonhap News TV reported. It came as thousands of the embattled leader’s die-hard supporters massed outside the presidential residence in the capital Seoul to protect Mr. Yoon, AFP reporters saw.

EAM Jaishankar meets Spanish President Sanchez, reaffirms ‘long-standing’ bilateral partnership

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday called on Spanish President Pedro Sanchez and reiterated the “long-standing” India-Spain partnership, updating him on the progress in bilateral cooperation. Separately, he also called on the King of Spain Felipe VI. Mr. Jaishankar arrived in Spain on Monday for a two-day official visit — his first to the country as the external affairs minister.

Trinadha Rao Nakkina apologizes for controversial remarks about actress Anshu’s physical appearance

Tollywood director Trinadha Rao Nakkina has apologised for making disparaging remarks about actress Anshu’s physical appearance. At, the teaser launch event for Tollywood director Trinadha Rao Nakkina’s upcoming film Mazaka which was held in Hyderabad on Sunday, the director made certain comments about actress Anshu’s physical appearance.

Rishabh Pant set to play for Delhi in Ranji Trophy game against Saurashtra

Rishabh Pant has confirmed his availability for Delhi’s next Ranji Trophy game against Saurashtra in Rajkot from January 23 to 26. Pant, 27, hasn’t played for Delhi in India’s premier domestic First-Class competition since leading the side in the 2017-18 final against Vidarbha in Indore that the latter won. “Pant is available for the next Ranji game. He will join the Delhi team directly in Rajkot,” Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) president Rohan Jaitley told The Hindu on Tuesday night.

FIR registered against Haryana BJP chief, singer for alleged gangrape in Kasauli

Haryana BJP chief Mohanlal Badoli and a singer were booked after a woman alleged that she was gangraped by them in a hotel in Kasauli. Himachal Pradesh Police has registered an FIR against the two men, officials said on Tuesday (January 14, 2025). PTI reached out to Mr. Badoli but no response was received. According to the complainant, the two men made videos of the act and threatened to kill the victim if she disclosed the incident to anyone, they said.

Delhi Assembly polls: Congress releases third list of 15 candidates, replaces Gokalpur nominee

The Congress released its third list of 15 candidates for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections after Central Election Committee meeting on Tuesday (January 14, 2025). The Grand Old Party has fielded former Union minister Krishna Tirath from Patel Nagar, councillor Ariba Khan from Okhla, Harbani Kaur from Janakpuri and Jitender Solanki from Vikaspuri. With this list, the Congress has declared 63 candidates for the elections to the 70-member Delhi Assembly.

Trinamool worker shot dead in Malda, second party leader killed in a month

A Trinamool Congress worker was killed and two other party supporters sustained bullet injuries at Kaliachak in Malda district on Tuesday (January 14, 2025). The firing occurred at about 9 a.m. in the Kaliaganj area under the Kaliachak police station limits when Trinamool Congress local committee president Bakul Sheikh and other party workers were attending a programme on the inauguration of a road.