Morning Digest: Drones spotted over Rajasthan’s Barmer as blackout continues; Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri abused on social media, and more

The Hindu Morning Digest gives a select list of stories to start the day. Read the top news today on May 12, 2025

We are in a combat scenario and losses are part of combat, Indian Air Force’s Director General of Air Operations (DGAO) Air Marshal Bharti said on Sunday (May 11, 2025) while adding that the forces have achieved the objectives of Operation Sindoor and all the pilots are back home. The Air Marshal declined to comment at this stage on any aircraft losses on the Indian side. 

After Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri was subjected to vicious trolling on social media on Sunday (May 11, 2025) for announcing on government’s behalf a day ago that India and Pakistan have agreed for cessation of military operations, the IAS Association came out in solidarity against the “unwarranted personal attacks” against the officer.

Incoming drones suspected to have been launched from across the International Border were spotted in Rajasthan’s Barmer district on Sunday (May 11, 2025) night, prompting the administration to enforce a strict blackout. Residents of the city were advised to stay indoors and switch off their lights.

The Congress on Sunday (May 11, 2025) asked the government to clarify whether it had accepted third party mediation on Kashmir, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that India and Pakistan agreed to a “full and immediate ceasefire”, which had preceded any such declaration from either country. The party also criticised attempts to “internationalise” the issue.

The Total Fertility Rate (TFR), the average number of children per woman, in the country has remained constant at 2.0 in 2021, the same as the year 2020, according to the Sample Registration System (SRS) report for 2021 released by the Registrar General of India (RGI) on May 7.

The United States and China on Sunday (May 11, 2025) said progress had been made after a weekend of talks aimed at de-escalating trade tensions sparked by President Donald Trump‘s aggressive tariff rollout. “We’ve made substantial progress between the United States and China in the very important trade talks,” U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters in Geneva after the second day of discussions had concluded.

Hamas says Edan Alexander, the last living American hostage in Gaza, will be released as part of efforts to establish a ceasefire, reopen crossings into the Israeli-blockaded territory and resume the delivery of aid. The Hamas statement Sunday (May 11, 2025) night does not say when the release will happen. The announcement comes shortly before U.S. President Donald Trump visits the Middle East this week. Mr. Trump is not planning to visit Israel.