Five must-read stories—January 9

Demonetisation: ₹14 lakh crore in old notes are back, only ₹75,000 crore out

So far, about ₹14 lakh crore in demonetised currency have been deposited with banks, according to The Indian Express. The government is resigned to the prospect of only about ₹75,000 crore in demonetised ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes not returning to the formal banking system.

As rural hands return, NREGA demand spikes over 60%

With job losses suffered by migrant labourers owing to the cash squeeze following demonetisation, the average daily demand for work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) has recorded an over 60% increase in December as compared to the preceding few months, reports The Indian Express.

Wary of China, India offers Akash surface-to-air missile systems to Vietnam

India is now actively discussing the possible sale of the indigenously developed Akash surface-to-air missile systems to Vietnam, even as the two countries steadily crank up their bilateral military ties with a watchful eye on a confrontational China in the Asia-Pacific region, says The Times of India.

India reduces baby deaths but yet to meet 2012 targets

India's infant mortality rate (IMR) has fallen to 37 babies died for every 1,000 that were born in 2015. However, it is still short of the target 27 that India agreed to under the 2015 millennium development goals (MDGs), reports IndiaSpend.

Differences with Cyrus Mistry have been simmering since 2013: Ratan Tata

Differences between Ratan Tata, the chairman of Tata Trusts, and Cyrus Mistry, the ousted chairman of Tata Sons, were simmering since 2013, according to an affidavit filed by Tata before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), reports The Economic Times.