The Hindu Morning Digest: May 11, 2025

Peace deal struck, but Pakistan violates 'understanding' along border
After three days of intense military hostilities, India and Pakistan have reached an 'understanding' about stopping 'military action' and 'firing' External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced on Saturday (May 10, 2025). In a late night brief press meeting, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri informed that Pakistan had committed 'repeated violations' of the 'understanding' saying that the Indian armed forces were given instruction to 'deal strongly' with the situation.
Despite ceasefire, cross-border firing from Pakistan reported across Jammu border
Soon after the cessation of firing and military action between India and Pakistan was announced on Saturday (May 10, 2025) evening, cross-border firing from Pakistan was reported at several locations along the Jammu border, a Border Security Force (BSF) official said. 'There was heavy firing till 7.30 p.m., commensurate response was being given,' said the official.
CA Exams to be held between May 16-24
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) informed Saturday (May 10, 2025) that the remainder of the final and intermediate level examinations to qualify as a chartered accountant (CA) would be conducted between May 16 and 24. Exams of the Post Qualification Course (International Taxation –Assessment Test), or the INTT AT, would also follow the same schedule.
Israeli airstrikes kill 23 in Gaza as outcry over aid blockade grows
Israeli airstrikes overnight and into Saturday (May 10, 2025) killed at least 23 Palestinians in Gaza, including three children and their parents whose tent was bombed in Gaza City, health officials said. The bombardment continued as international warnings grow over Israeli plans to control aid distribution in Gaza as Israel's blockade on the territory of over 2 million people is in its third month.
Opposition parties want Modi Government to share ceasefire details, shed light on U.S. role
On Saturday (May 10, 2025), opposition parties, in response to the ceasefire announced between India and Pakistan, urged the Narendra Modi government to share details of the ceasefire and demanded a special Parliament session to discuss the way forward. Congress general secretary (communication) Jairam Ramesh said in view of the 'unprecedented announcements' from Washington D.C., there is now a need for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to 'chair an all-party meeting and take political parties into confidence'.
Murshidabad murder: West Bengal police arrest accused from Jharkhand
West Bengal Police arrested one Hajrat Ali early morning on Saturday (May 10, 2025) in connection with the murder of a father-son duo in Murshidabad on April 12 during communal mob violence, Deputy Inspector General of Police in Murshidabad range Syed Waquar Raza told The Hindu.
Govt. says peace deal with Pakistan was struck without mediation
The Union government said here on Saturday that the the Directors-General of Military Operations of India and Pakistan 'directly' had reached an understanding to end hostilities. Officials said India and Pakistan had worked out the agreement on stopping military action 'between the two countries', and said that, contrary to Mr. Rubio's comment, there was 'no decision to hold talks on any other issue at any other place'.
Miss World jamboree begins with a cultural extravaganza in Hyderabad
The 72nd edition of the Miss World pageant officially began on a dazzling note at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium on Saturday (May 10) evening, with a vibrant showcase of Telangana's cultural heritage. The event opened with the State anthem and a declaration by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who was joined by Chairperson and CEO of the Miss World Organisation Julia Morley and reigning Miss World Krystyna Pyszková.
Pope Leo XIV lays out his vision and identifies AI as a main challenge for humanity
Pope Leo XIV laid out the vision of his papacy on Saturday (May 10, 2025), identifying artificial intelligence as one of the most critical matters facing humanity and vowing to continue in some of the core priorities of Pope Francis. In his first formal audience, Pope Leo repeatedly cited Francis and the Argentine pope's own 2013 mission statement, making clear a commitment to making the Catholic Church more inclusive and attentive to the faithful and a church that looks out for the 'least and rejected.'

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World braces for Iran's response after US airstrikes signal new era

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US strike dealt major blow to Iran's nuclear site, says Netanyahu

Israel hailed US involvement in June 13 strikes on Iran, marking first combat use of bunker-buster bombs to target Fordow's fortified nuclear and missile facilities Bloomberg The US airstrike on the best-defended Iranian nuclear facility delivered 'a great deal of damage,' but the full extent is not yet known, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. The Israelis pressed their own strikes after the US sorties. Netanyahu pledged in a news conference to continue Israel's military campaign in Iran as well as in the Gaza Strip. Israel, which on June 13 launched air strikes designed to destroy Iran's nuclear and missile projects, lauded the participation of the US, whose military wielded for the first time in combat the unique bunker-buster munitions required to penetrate Fordow's fortifications. 'Regarding Fordow, I think that we need to doff the cap to our great friend, to my close friend President Trump, for an excellent job which the US military and Air Force did,' Netanyahu said. 'They dealt a great deal of damage to Fordow.' He added: 'We will of course study these things. And in any event we shall ensure that no threat is posed by these nuclear facilities.' Israel does not yet know what became of enriched uranium stockpiles which Iran was believed to have kept at Fordow, an Israeli official said on the condition of anonymity. If the Iranians removed it ahead of the US strike, the fissile material could potentially be purified further to make fuel for warheads. Netanyahu declined to say how long the Iran operation might take. Israel and the US were conferring, he said. The showdown marks a risky new phase in Israel's campaign against Iranian proxies like Hamas, which triggered the now region-wide conflict from Gaza when it invaded Israel in a killing and kidnapping rampage on October 7, 2023, killing more than 1,200 Israeli residents. Israel has been retaliating ever since, killing an estimated 50,000 Palestinians and now turning its attacks on its arch-enemy's nuclear program. Israeli forces recovered the bodies of three more hostages over the weekend, bringing to 50 the number still in captivity — 20 of them presumed to be alive. 'The operation in Iran helps in achieving the goal in Gaza,' he said. 'Without the support, without the scaffolding provided by Iran, all of this structure is collapsing.' It would take time for this to 'sink in' with Hamas, he added. Opinion polls have shown that most Israelis want the Gaza war ended, even with Hamas still standing, if it means the safe return of the hostages.