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Friday, January 9, 2026
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Zero Hour

A peek into politics beyond speeches, controversies and elections. From strategic moves to the personal and discreet, from matters of state to what’s on the plate, ThePrint will bring you exclusive reports on the lives and times of the movers and shakers in politics and government. Stay tuned and email tips to ideas@theprint.in

Over green tea, China ambassador’s wife talks DU days, Buddhism & ‘handsome’ Rajiv Gandhi

Jyoti Malhotra -
Jiang Yili, scholar of Indian philosophy, tells ThePrint that reports of China’s tight control on religion are not all that true.
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Sachin Pilot, the BBC intern who joked about joining the BJP

Renu Agal -
As a BBC intern, Sachin Pilot, now in the race for Rajasthan CM's post, had scripted and edited a radio package for BBC and earned £20-30.
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German Ambassador to India is diplomat by day and concert musician by night

Nandita Singh -
Martin Ney, who is believed to be moving on from his diplomatic posting, held last private concert in India at his residence Tuesday.
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Rahul Gandhi runs 12 km every other day. And he isn’t the only politician working out hard

Nandita Singh -
Gym at midnight or stroll on their lawns, politicians — from Rahul Gandhi to Rajnath Singh — are not letting busy schedules get in the way of a healthy life.
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Why out-of-power Indian politicians are writing more and more books

Rajgopal Singh -
As Kapil Sibal joins the list of writer-politicians, leaders such as Shashi Tharoor and Pavan Varma explain what it entails in a country like India.
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Why Chhagan Bhujbal choked with tears when he visited Maharashtra Sadan

Pragya Kaushika -
The NCP leader is out on bail for corruption cases, one of which pertains to alleged irregularities in the contract for the Sadan.
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Mehbooba’s brother Tassaduq Mufti shifts focus to films, culture and environment

Rahiba R. Parveen -
Cinematographer by profession, Tassaduq served as tourism minister in Mehbooba-led J&K govt, and now wants to revive old city of Srinagar.
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Kick-started nuclear deal, bowled over by cricket: He’s the US ambassador to India

Jyoti Malhotra -
Kenneth Juster’s Twitter feed, teeming with posts about the sport, are a world away from recent tensions in India-US ties over Trump’s rejection of the Iran nuclear deal, and defence buys from Russia.
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What happened to all the men who spoke for the silent PM?

Sanya Dhingra -
While Manmohan Singh has taken a backseat from public life since Congress’ defeat in 2014, his 3 media advisers have continued to have an impressive career.
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Pictures: Is it Santa Claus? Is it Lord Krishna? No, it’s a Member of Parliament

Divya Narayanan -
In the Budget session alone, Siva Prasad has dressed up as a Christian priest, Lord Krishna, Santa Claus, and TDP founder NTR, among others.
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Opinion

Economy

Global economic growth to slow in 2026 as Trump’s tariffs bite, UN says

Magdalena Del Valle -
The global economy is forecast to expand 2.7% this year, down from an estimated 2.8% in 2025. Growth is expected to go back up to 2.9% by 2027.

Defence

2025: Pakistan’s deadliest year in over a decade

Sushovan Chakraborty -
Islamabad-based think-tank PICSS's new report says Pakistan saw 'pronounced escalation' in violence last year, with 3,413 conflict-related deaths compared to 1,950 in previous year.

National Interest

A year-end Mea Culpa in National Interest—The Army-Islam combo doesn’t kill democracy

Shekhar Gupta -
Many of you might think I got something so wrong in National Interest pieces written this year. I might disagree! But some deserve a Mea Culpa. I’d deal with the most recent this week.

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