The Hindu Morning Digest: May 14, 2025

Security personnel stand outside the gate of Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, India, May 8, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Pakistan High Commission staffer expelled for espionage, linked to case on leak of Army movements

Amid continuing tensions between India and Pakistan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) declared an official of the Pakistan High Commission “persona non grata” (PNG), expelling him for espionage. The decision concerning the official, who was not named by either side, was conveyed to Pakistan Charge d’Affaires Saad Warraich, who was issued a demarche, asking the staffer to leave India within 24 hours. 

India reasserts Kashmir stand after Trump poser

Responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks on the Kashmir issue, India on Tuesday (May 13, 2025) reiterated its “long-standing national position” that regards Jammu and Kashmir as a “bilateral” issue to be addressed within the framework of India-Pakistan ties.

Pollachi sexual assault case: How nine men operated a notorious racket in a calm, picturesque Pollachi

The nine persons convicted in the Pollachi sexual assault case operated a notorious racket out of the otherwise calm rural Pollachi region in Coimbatore district, where numerous films have been shot for its picturesque landscape. The accused sexually assaulted the victims at several locations, including the house of a survivor, investigators found. However, a private guest house of K. Thirunavukkarasu, 34, one of the convicts and a budding financier, at Chinnappapalayam near Pollachi was the place where a majority of the sexual assaults had taken place.

Trump says U.S. to lift Syria sanctions, secures $600 billion Saudi deal

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday (May 13, 2025) that the U.S. will lift long-standing sanctions on Syria, and secured a $600 billion commitment from Saudi Arabia to invest in the United States on a trip to the Gulf. The U.S. agreed to sell Saudi Arabia an arms package worth nearly $142 billion, according to the White House which called it “the largest defence cooperation agreement” Washington has ever done.

Issue of duplication of EPIC numbers resolved, says EC

The Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday (May 13, 2025) said it has resolved the long-pending problem of duplication of voter ID card numbers and issued fresh elector photo identity cards (EPIC) to those who faced the issue. The electors photo identity card (EPIC) number is the 10-digit voter ID card number issued by the EC to each elector. The number is a unique alphanumeric code assigned to each registered elector to prevent impersonation.

UN humanitarian chief blasts Israel for ’deliberately’ blocking aid to Gaza

The United Nations’ top humanitarian official blasted Israel on Tuesday (May 13, 2025) for “deliberately and unashamedly” imposing inhumane conditions on Palestinians, including the risk of famine — one of the strongest condemnations by a high-ranking U.N. official during the war in Gaza.

Pakistan declares an Indian diplomat ‘persona non grata’, asks to leave within 24 hours

Pakistan on Tuesday (May 13, 2025) declared a staff member of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad “persona non grata” for engaging in activities what it called “incompatible” with his privileged status. A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said that the concerned official has been directed to leave Pakistan within 24 hours.

Goa stampede: Inquiry committee recommends dissolving the temple management committee

The Fact-Finding Inquiry Committee (FFIC), constituted to investigate the Goa stampede that occurred early on the morning of May 3, 2025, during the Lairai Jatra festival in Shirgao, North Goa, recommended that the Goa government dissolve the Shree Lairai temple management committee.

Southwest monsoon advances to the Andaman Sea

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Tuesday (May 13, 2025) that the southwest monsoon has advanced into some parts of the south Bay of Bengal, the south Andaman Sea, Nicobar Islands, and parts of the north Andaman Sea.

Ban on Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League a ‘concerning development’: India

Days after the interim government of Bangladesh banned the oldest political party of the country, the Awami League, India on Tuesday (May 13, 2025) described the development as a “concerning matter” and urged the planned election in Bangladesh should be “inclusive”.

All 13 accused in Murshidabad father-son murder are locals, some known to the family

Most of the accused in the Murshidabad father-son murder case were locals known to the victims and their family, a high-ranking official of West Bengal police told The Hindu on Tuesday (May 13, 2025). On Tuesday, West Bengal police made their 13th arrest in connection with the Jafrabad murder. The accused, Yusuf Sheikh, is a resident of Dighri village in the same area. He was apprehended from the nearby Suti Police Station area.

U.S. agrees to sell Saudi Arabia $142 billion arms package

The U.S. agreed on Tuesday (May 13, 2025) to sell Saudi Arabia an arms package worth nearly $142 billion, according to a White House fact sheet that called it “the largest defense cooperation agreement” Washington has ever done. The agreement, signed during U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the Saudi capital Riyadh, covers deals with more than a dozen U.S. defence companies.