The Hindu Morning Digest, February 4, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump. File.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images via AFP

PM Modi set to hold talks with U.S. President Trump in Washington on February 13

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to pay a two-day visit to the U.S. from February 12 to hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on a range of issues including trade and defence, people familiar with the matter said on Monday (February 3, 2025). As per the plan, Mr. Modi will travel to Washington D.C. after concluding his two-day visit to Paris, they said.

Amid global tumult, Rupee breaches 87 against dollar

The Indian Rupee slumped almost 0.6% or 49 paise to breach the 87 mark against the U.S. Dollar on Monday, amid a meltdown for most emerging market currencies and stock markets across Asia and Europe on the first day of trading after President Donald Trump imposed higher tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China. The Rupee, which had crossed the 86 mark vis-à-vis the dollar on January 10, closed at 87.11 after slipping close to 87.3 during the day.

Trump agrees to pause tariffs on Canada and Mexico after they pledge to boost border enforcement

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday (February 3, 2025) agreed to a 30-day pause on his tariff threats against Mexico and Canada as America’s two largest trading partners took steps to appease his concerns about border security and drug trafficking. The pauses provide a cool-down period after a tumultuous few days that put North America on the cusp of a trade war that could have crushed economic growth, caused prices to soar and ended two of the United States’ most critical partnerships.

93% probability that voice in leaked audio is of Manipur CM: Truth Labs

Even as the Supreme Court awaits a forensic analysis of the audio tapes purported to implicate Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh for his alleged role in the State’s ethnic conflict by a government laboratory, an analysis conducted by Truth Labs Forensic Services, a private non-profit, has said that comparisons with samples of Mr. Singh’s public speeches showed that there was a 93% probability that the voice in the leaked tapes was that of the Manipur Chief Minister. 

Campaigning for Delhi polls concludes

Campaigning for the February 5 Delhi Assembly polls ended at 6 p.m. on Monday (February 3, 2025). The triangular battle between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the BJP and the Congress saw multiple rallies and campaigns by senior leaders, trying to convince the voters on the multitude of welfare schemes announced in their manifestos.

BJP MPs file privilege notice against Sonia Gandhi over remarks on President

A group of BJP MPs from the tribal community filed a breach of privilege notice on Monday (February 3, 2025) against Congress parliamentary party leader Sonia Gandhi for using “derogatory and slanderous” words against President Droupadi Murmu. Led by BJP leader and former Union Minister Faggan Singh Kulaste, they met Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and sought disciplinary action against Ms. Gandhi, contending her remarks lowered the dignity of the office of the President.

Opposition protests in both Houses of Parliament on Kumbh stampede

The Opposition held protests in both Houses of Parliament on Monday (February 3, 2025) alleging mismanagement at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj where 30 persons were killed in a stampede on January 29. In the Rajya Sabha, the Opposition walked out in protest twice in the first half of the session while in the Lok Sabha, Question Hour was held amid pandemonium as Opposition members raised slogans. 

Supreme Court fixes February 12 hearing on pleas challenging CEC/EC appointments law

The Supreme Court on Monday (February 3, 2025) agreed to hear on February 12 petitions challenging the legality of a new law dealing with the appointments of chief election commissioners (CEC) and election commissioners which gives the Central government a dominant role. The hearing comes close to the day of retirement of CEC Rajiv Kumar. The petitioners ideally want a decision on the law before the appointment of the next CEC.

Suspected Guillain-Barre Syndrome cases rise to 163 in Maharashtra

The number of people suspected to have contracted Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) in Maharashtra rose to 163 on Monday (February 3 2025), from 158 the previous day. The number of suspected deaths by the syndrome remained at five. The number of confirmed cases of the rare auto-immune neurological disorder stood at 127 on Monday, with 28 of them on ventilator support, on Monday, according to data from the State Public Health Department.

Donald Trump orders creation of U.S. sovereign wealth fund, says it could buy TikTok

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday (February 3, 2025) ordering the U.S. Treasury and Commerce Departments to create a sovereign wealth fund and said it may purchase TikTok. “We’re going to stand this thing up within the next 12 months. We’re going to monetise the asset side of the U.S. balance sheet for the American people,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters. “There’ll be a combination of liquid assets, assets that we have in this country as we work to bring them out for the American people.”