The Hindu Morning Digest: April 28, 2025
Senthilbalaji, Ponmudy resign as Tamil Nadu Ministers after strong remarks from courts
Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K. Ponmudy and Electricity, Prohibition and Excise Minister V. Senthilbalaji resigned on Sunday (April 27, 2025) night. A Raj Bhavan release said Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has recommended Governor R.N. Ravi to accept their resignation. The Chief Minister also recommended the induction of former Minister Mano Thangaraj into the Cabinet. The swearing-in will be held on April 28 at the Raj Bhavan.
Skirmishes continue at LoC as India weighs response to Pahalgam attack
Ceasefire violations by Pakistan troops continued along the Line of Control (LoC) for the third night in a row on Saturday (April 26, 2025), while the Indian Navy and the Air Force held exercises on Sunday (April 27, 2025) as tensions run high after the Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistan began massive mobilisation of equipment close to the LoC, while the Indian Navy carried out multiple anti-ship firings for long-range precision 'offensive strike.'
Pahalgam terror attack: Opposition parties may seek special session of Parliament
The Opposition parties are mulling on whether they should issue a joint appeal asking the government to convene a special session of Parliament in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 persons were killed on April 22. Independent Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal reiterated his appeal to all political parties to urge the government to convene a special session. The Congress is reaching out to other allies in the INDIA bloc to frame a consensus. 'It is under consideration,' a senior Congress leader said.
Pakistan, China resolve to uphold regional peace and stability, oppose unilateralism
Pakistan and China on Sunday reiterated their firm resolve to uphold regional peace and stability, promote mutual respect and understanding, and jointly oppose unilateralism and hegemonic policies. The understanding was reached during a telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, reported Radio Pakistan. During the conversation, Mr. Dar, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, briefed the Chinese foreign minister on the current regional situation in the region after the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday in which 26 people were killed.
IPL 2025 DC vs RCB | Krunal's heroics propel Royal Challengers Bengaluru to the top
Before Sunday (April 27, 2025), Krunal Pandya had batted in just four of nine matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in this year's IPL and scored 24 runs off 28 balls. He made up for his lack of runs and batting opportunities in the earlier matches by coming to the fore against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Chasing 163, the all-rounder's unbeaten 73 off 47 balls delivered a critical six-wicket win for the visitor. It stretches RCB's perfect away record this year to six wins out of six.
Govt. brings cybercrime centre I4C under PMLA
The government has authorised Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to share and receive information from the Enforcement Directorate under the anti-money laundering law, a move aimed at detecting money trail and combating cyber frauds. In a notification dated April 25, the Revenue Department under the Finance Ministry included I4C under Section 66 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu calls for 'dismantling' Iran's nuclear infrastructure
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Sunday for the complete dismantling of Iran's nuclear programme, insisting that any deal with Tehran must also address its ballistic missile capabilities. 'You have to dismantle their nuclear infrastructure and that means ... they will not have the capacity to enrich uranium,' he said in a speech in Jerusalem, adding that any deal should also 'bring in the prevention of ballistic missiles'.
All hands on deck as redeveloped Chandni Chowk rapidly loses lustre
The 1.3-km-long redeveloped stretch between Red Fort and Fatehpuri Masjid in Chandni Chowk is back to its old ways. It is crowded and unkempt, with garbage littering the red sandstone road and betel stains on the pavements. Inaugurated with much fanfare in September 2021 by then Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the stretch, a traffic-free zone, consisted of a wide footpath, public toilets, water ATMs, ramps for persons with disabilities, decorative lights, benches, and multilingual signage. The Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC), the nodal agency for the redevelopment of the historic town, carried out the beautification, at a cost of around ₹100 crore.
Bihar election: Eye on votes, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal takes part in Dalit Mahapanchayat
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and Bihar Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State president Dilip Jaiswal along with Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary jointly attacked Congress party alleging that party did not do anything for the upliftment of the Dalits. They all had gathered to address people during 'Dalit Mahapanchayat' organised by 'Bihar Ravidas Vikas Sangh Parivar' at Miller High School ground in Patna on Sunday (April 27, 2025) to honour Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar.
Religious hate has no place in France, says Macron after man killed in mosque
There can never be a place for racism and hate in France, President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday (April 27, 2025) after the brutal stabbing to death of a man in a mosque in the south of the country. 'Racism and hatred based on religion can have no place in France. Freedom of worship cannot be violated,' Mr. Macron wrote on X in his first comments on Friday's killing, extending his support to 'our fellow Muslim citizens'.
Murshidabad riots not spontaneous, says fact finding team; demands judicial inquiry
The riots in Murshidabad were not spontaneous and houses and shops of both the communities – Hindus and Muslims were attacked, said a fact-finding report by five civil rights organisations on the violence. The team in its interim report has sought for immediate and independent judicial investigation into all incidents since April 11. 'The unrest was a clear failure of law and order. Police, administration could have prevented it, if they wanted. Their indifference and inaction allowed this violence to spread, fanning communal unrest,' said a press statement by the organisation.
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US Seeking 'Handshake' On Rare Earths From China, White House Aide Says
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Delhi, Beijing ties eased, India-China-Russia troika could resume: Russia Minister
The stalled work of the Russia-India-China (RIC) troika could be restarted as the tension between New Delhi and Beijing has eased 'significantly', Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on at the 'Forum of the Future-2050' here, the Russian foreign minister also said the resumption of joint work in RIC format could be the first step towards pan-Eurasian processes, including the formation of a multi-polar really hope that we will be able to restore the work of the Russia-India-China trio. We have not met at the level of foreign ministers for the last couple of years, but we are discussing this issue with my Chinese colleague and with the Indian head of the External Affairs department,' Lavrov was quoted as saying by Russia's state-run TASS news agency. 'I really hope that now that the tension has eased, in my opinion, has eased significantly on the border between India and China, and the situation is stabilising, there is a dialogue between New Delhi and Beijing, we will be able to resume the work of this Russia-India-China trio," he the deadly Galwan Valley standoff between the militaries of India and China in 2020, the RIC troika has not been very said that Russia and China can and should play a leading and proactive role in the pan-continental process, including in the formation of a multi-polar architecture, and added that the restoration of the RIC format could act as the first step towards this.'This will also be a very important step forward in the movement of continental processes,' he two-day forum inspired by Russian philosopher Alexander Dugin, often dubbed as President Vladimir Putin's 'guru', has attracted young and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's father Erol Musk is also attending the forum.
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US, China begin crucial trade talks in London, signal rare earth and tech export concessions
Washington is prepared to relax certain technology export restrictions on China, while also expressing confidence that Beijing will increase exports of rare earth minerals to the US market, according to a report, citing a senior White House official read more Police officers stand guard at the entrance of Lancaster House, where the trade talks between the US and China are taking place, in London, on Monday. Top economic officials from the United States and China kicked off a critical round of trade negotiations in London on Monday, with early signs of compromise from both sides. According to a South China Morning Post report, citing a senior White House official, Washington is prepared to relax certain technology export restrictions on China, while also expressing confidence that Beijing will increase exports of rare earth minerals to the US market. The talks are being led by China's Vice Premier He Lifeng, alongside US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, added the report, citing China's state news agency Xinhua. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In an interview with American outlet CNBC, Kevin Hassett, Director of the National Economic Council at the White House, on Monday said that the US expectation was that 'immediately after the handshake, any export controls from the US will be eased, and the rare earths will be released in volume, and then we can go back to negotiating smaller matters." A deal to ease restrictions on critical minerals and advanced technologies would mark a major shift in the ongoing US-China economic and tech rivalry. In recent years, Washington has curbed China's access to key innovations, like semiconductors and AI, over fears they could boost Beijing's military capabilities. When asked about the concerns over China using US technology for military advancement, Hassett added, 'It depends, like the very, very high end Nvidia stuff is not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about possible export controls on other semiconductors, which are also very important to them". Since 2022, the US has restricted exports of Nvidia's most advanced chips to China, leading the company to create lower-grade versions for the Chinese market. Talks finalised after Trump-Xi call The London talks were arranged following a call between President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump last week, where both leaders agreed to advance negotiations on trade disputes. White House adviser Kevin Hassett said the two discussed 'many topics', including a deal to release 'the magnets and rare earths that we need throughout the economy.' 'Some US companies that rely on those things, and there are enough of those, like, for example, auto companies … President Trump took it very seriously, called President Xi, and said, 'we've got to, we've got to get the stuff coming out faster'. And President Xi agreed,' Hassett added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tensions escalate despite 'tariff truce' Tensions between the US and China have escalated despite a recent 'tariff truce' struck in Geneva last month, with both sides accusing each other of breaching the agreement. Under the 90-day deal, both countries had pledged to sharply reduce tariffs. However, Washington has since banned advanced Chinese-made microchips and restricted exports of chip design tools and jet engine technologies to China. Beijing, in turn, has kept tight controls on critical mineral exports imposed on April 4, despite promising to ease non-tariff measures in the Geneva accord. Its slow approvals for rare earth exports have raised alarms among US and European carmakers, who fear imminent factory shutdowns, reported SCMP. The standoff underscores China's powerful leverage in global supply chains, particularly through its dominance of rare earth magnets, which are essential to high-tech industries, according to research firm Gavekal Dragonomics. 'The question for the next round of talks is whether the US can offer China something it wants in exchange for relaxing its controls on rare earths,' the research note said. 'What China really wants is a lifting of export controls on semiconductor technology, where the US has the chokehold, but this would be politically difficult,' it added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Beijing also wants to avoid another escalation in tariffs that would decimate its exports to the US market, but Trump might struggle to use that as leverage now that he has showed he is unwilling to maintain embargo-level tariffs, the note said. On Saturday, China's Commerce Ministry said it had approved several rare earth export applications and was open to deeper talks on export controls. Following a Trump-Xi call, China granted temporary export licences to suppliers for US automakers including GM, Ford, and Stellantis, Reuters reported. The London meeting marks the first under a new trade dialogue mechanism established after last month's Geneva accord. Vice-Premier He Lifeng is visiting the UK through Friday and met British finance minister Rachel Reeves on Sunday. China's May exports rose 4.8% year-on-year, but rare earth exports fell 48.3% to $18.7 billion. Shipments by weight declined 5.7%. Meanwhile, the Trump administration faces legal challenges over its China tariffs. After a court deemed them illegal, a federal judge reinstated them temporarily. The administration is set to file its defense Monday, arguing the tariffs pressured China into talks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
