Morning Digest: Will completely close Strait of Hormuz if U.S. targets power plants, says Iran; BJP will draw a blank this time too in Kerala, says Pinarayi Vijayan, and more

The Hindu Morning Digest gives a select list of stories to start the day. Read the top news today on March 23, 2026

The Israeli PM stated that Iran has targeted civilian areas and key religious sites in Jerusalem, including the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque

The Kerala Chief Minister doesn’t see defections from the Left helping either the BJP or the Congress, which, according to him, is the BJP’s ‘B team’; for the State to be in step with the modern era, the Left should continue to be in govt, he argues

Supreme Court judge, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, on Sunday (March 22, 2026) said there were many within the judiciary who continue to suffer from the “more loyal than the king syndrome”, while pointing to the reticence shown by courts to grant bail, leading to prolonged incarceration for undertrials.

A parliamentary committee has sought details of what is being done to fully operationalise the inquiry and prosecution wings of the Lokpal, over a decade after a law governing it was enacted.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam president Vijay on Sunday (March 22, 2026) announced candidates for all 30 Assembly segments in the Union Territory of Puducherry as the party is going alone to face the upcoming elections on April 9.

Returning to Leh after his release from detention, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Sunday (March 22, 2026) said the Ladakh movement would remain peaceful and expressed hope for constructive engagement between all stakeholders.