The Hindu Morning Digest, February 17, 2025

Representational image of a seismograph recording an earthquake. Photo: via Reuters

Third group of deportees from U.S. land in Punjab’s Amritsar

A United States aircraft carrying around 112 undocumented Indian immigrants, deported from the U.S. landed at Punjab’s Amritsar International Airport on Sunday night (February 16, 2025), even as Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann urged the youth of Punjab to learn lessons from the deportation of illegal migrants, appealing to them to shun the idea of going abroad by wrong means.

High-level committee formed to probe into New Delhi railway station stampede

The Railways has formed a two-member high-level administrative grade committee to investigate the stampede that occurred on Saturday night (February 15, 2025) at New Delhi Railway Station, officials in the Ministry of Railways said on Sunday (February 16, 2025). The committee of Northern Railways’ Principal Chief Commercial Manager Narsingh Deo and Principal Chief Security Commissioner Pankaj Gangwar will investigate the stampede that claimed 18 lives, including four children and a septuagenarian woman.

Delhi earthquake: Strong tremors felt across National Capital Region on February 17 morning

An earthquake of 4.0 magnitude rocked parts of Delhi-NCR early on Monday (February 17, 2025), the National Center for Seismology said. The tremors rocked several parts of the city and the adjoining National Capital Region. The location of the earthquake was New Delhi, at a depth of five kilometres, it said in a post on X.

Pakistani troops opened small arm fire on Indian post at LoC in Poonch: Army

A fresh exchange of fire was reported on the Line of Control (LoC) in the Pir Panjal Valley’s Poonch on Sunday. No casualties were reported in the incident. An Army official said a brief exchange of fire took place on the LoC in Poonch district. “Around 11 a.m., Pakistan troops opened fire from small arms on an Indian post across the LoC in Poonch sector. The fire was retaliated appropriately by the Indian Army. No casualties to our side,” an Army official said. 

Jaishankar meets Foreign Ministers of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and other south Asian counterparts

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain in Muscat on Sunday (February 16, 2025), in a meeting aimed at defusing tensions and addressing “challenges” between Delhi and Dhaka over attacks on minorities and the continued stay of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in India.

PM Modi hopeful of achieving ₹9 lakh-cr textile exports ahead of 2030 deadline

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (February 16, 2025) said he is optimistic that the textile sector will achieve the Rs 9 lakh crore annual exports target ahead of the 2030 deadline.

Former Indian Navy officials jailed in Qatari prison call for return of colleague left behind

A day before the arrival of the Qatari Emir to India for an important visit, the seven former Indian Navy officials who returned last year after being imprisoned for nearly 18 months in Doha, have called for the repatriation of the last remaining Indian who is stuck in the Gulf sheikhdom.

Will U.S.’s F-35 stealth fighter jets fit into IAF’s future plans? 

Early last week fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) of both Russia and U.S. were at Aero India in Bengaluru, positioned at each end of the static display at the Yelahanka Air Force station. Just as the business days of the show came to an end, U.S. President Donald Trump, standing next to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a visit to Washington DC, announced that they will be increasing military sales to India “by many billions of dollars” and they are also paving the way to “ultimately” provide India with the F-35 stealth fighters.

At least nine people are dead, including eight in Kentucky, amid latest blast of winter weather

At least nine people have died in the most recent round of harsh weather to pummel the U.S., including eight people in Kentucky who died as creeks swelled from heavy rain and water covered roads. 

Trump administration cuts reach FDA employees in food safety, medical devices and tobacco products

The Trump administration’s effort to slash the size of the federal workforce reached the Food and Drug Administration this weekend, as recently hired employees who review the safety of food ingredients, medical devices and other products were fired.

Rwanda-backed rebels reach centre of east Congo’s 2nd major city in unprecedented expansion

Rwanda-backed rebels reached the centre of east Congo’s second-largest city, Bukavu, on Sunday (February 16, 2025) morning and took control of the South Kivu province administrative office after little resistance from government forces, many of whom fled the rebels’ advance. 

Musk says chatbot Grok 3 will be unveiled on February 17

Elon Musk said his startup xAI will release its Grok 3 chatbot on Monday (February 17, 2025) and billed it as the “smartest AI on Earth” in a fiercely competitive market.

IPL 2025 schedule: KKR vs RCB at Eden to kick off season

The BCCI on Sunday (February 16, 2025) unveiled a 74-match schedule for the 18th Indian Premier League that will be held across 13 venues, starting on March 22 with three franchises playing at least a couple of their home games at their designated second bases.

WPL | Gardner’s all-round effort and Priya’s spell turn the tide in Giants’ favour

Priya Mishra didn’t get a game in last year’s WPL. And when she finally made her debut for Gujarat Giants, in the Season 3 opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, she went for plenty.