Saudi to buy $142 bn worth arms from U.S. “The united states and saudi arabia signed the largest defence sales agreement in history,” the white house said | P9 kottayam l wednesday l may 14, 2025 l `9.00 l PAGES 12 l city EDITION Major developments 3 terrorists killed in J&K Normal ops from Thursday Pak spy expelled Three Lashkar-eToiba terrorists, including its top commander Shahid Kuttay, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district on Tuesday, officials said As disruption in flight operations continue, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said airlines would resume their normal operations to the 32 closed airports from May 15, when the NOTAM ends India on Tuesday declared an official at the Pak High Commission in New Delhi persona non grata. The staffer — not an not officer — has been ordered to leave in 24 hours for being caught for spying Modi makes Adampur point to call out Pak propaganda Visits airbase Islamabad claimed it had destroyed along with S-400 battery Never discussed trade with the US during Op Sindoor: Foreign office RA J E SH K UMAR THA K UR @ New Delhi Clearly exposing Pakistan’s lie that it destroyed Indian Air Force’s Adampur airbase in Punjab, which houses the S-400 air defence system, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday visited the airbase and interacted with the soldiers. “What you have achieved is unprecedented, unimaginable and amazing,” Modi told the airmen in his first speech to the armed forces since Operation Sindoor, with an S-400 missile defence system in the backdrop. Pakistan had claimed it had inflicted significant damage on the Adampur airbase and destroyed the S-400 air defence system there. The PM’s presence at the airbase debunked Pakistan’s tall claims. Upon arriving at the airbase in the morning, Modi engaged with air warriors and soldiers in full public view. He walked near fighter jets ready for deployment, with the S-400 system on standby within , a fully operational and normallooking base. “He came, walked openly on airbase, interacted with the air warriors and conquered their hearts,” said a senior official. e x p r ess r e a d Cadell sentenced to life for mass murder T’Puram: The Additional Sessions Court VI on Tuesday sentenced Cadell Jeanson Raja to life imprisonment in addition to 12 years’ in jail for the murder of four members of his family, including parents and sister, at their home in Nanthancode in 2017. The court also imposed a fine of `15 lakh on him | P4 Retail inflation eases to 6-year low in April New Delhi: Retail inflation eased to a nearly six-year low of 3.16% in April mainly due to subdued prices of vegetables, fruits, pulses, and other protein-rich items, creating enough room for the Reserve Bank to go for another round of rate cut in the June monetary policy review | P10 J aya n t h J a c o b @ New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi | pti Bharat Mata Ki Jai chant scares enemies Praising the bravery of India’s armed forces, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “When our forces foil the threat of nuclear blackmail, only one thing resonates from ‘Aakash’ to ‘paataal’ – Bharat Mata Ki Jai” The PM’s visit, a day after his address to the nation, delivered yet another powerful message to the international community—laying bare Pakistan’s falsehoods while cautioning it against any future misadventures. “Interacted with the air warriors and soldiers at AFS Adampur. Their courage and professionalism in protecting our nation are commendable,” Modi later wrote on X. The External Affairs Ministry asserted on Tuesday that trade was never discussed with the US during Operation Sindoor, where the might of Indian armed forces compelled Pakistan to seek a ceasefire, and that India will suspend the Indus Waters Treaty until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably ends its support for cross-border terrorism. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “Now, as per the Cabinet Committee on Security There is now a (CCS) decision of 23 April, In- new normal. The sooner Pakistan dia will keep the Treaty in abey- gets used to it, ance until Pakistan credibly the better and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. Randhir Jaiswal, Please also note that climate MEA spokesperson change, demographic shifts and technological changes have created new realities on the ground.” As for the issue of trade, it did not come up in any of the discussions with the US, Jaiswal said rebutting claims made by President Donald Trump of how he had used the issue of trade as a leverage to broker a ‘full and immediate ceasefire’ between India and Pakistan. He reiterated that it was Pakistan which had approached India for a ceasefire after it was rattled by the force of Indian strike at its air bases. Now, India plans to strike US with retaliatory tariffs D i pa k M o n d a l @ New Delhi INDIA has notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) about its plans to impose retaliatory tariffs on select US metal imports in response to Washington’s protectionist tariffs on steel, aluminium and related products. India’s decision to end concessions for the US will effect an increase in import tariffs on selected products originating in the US. The countermeasures could come into effect as early as June 8, 2025, unless consultations are initiated or the US withdraws its safeguard tariffs. The notice was filed on May 12 under Article 12.5 of the WTO Ag reement on Safeguards, which allows retalia- tion when a member imposes safeguard measures without adequate notification. India has estimated the US tariffs have affected $7.6 billion in Indian exports, resulting in an additional $1.91 billion in duties. It, therefore, now plans to impose retaliatory tariffs. India’s move targets US duties that have been in place since 2018, and recently extended via presidential proclamations on February 10, 2025. Although imposed under the guise of national security, India argues these tariffs are de facto safeguard measures that violate WTO rules. It further contends the US failed to fulfill its obligations under Article 12.3, which mandates prior consultations. Goyal to visit US for trade talks Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will lead a team of officials to Washington starting May 17 for talks with US on the proposed bilateral trade agreement C B S E r es u l t s T’Puram region’s 11-year Class 12 reign ends E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Kochi Vijayawada tops chart The CBSE Class 12 results for 2025 has brought a notable change in the region-wise pass percentage rankings, with Vijayawada ending Thiruvananthapuram region’s 11-year streak at the helm. With a stellar pass percentage of 99.60, Vijayawada edged out Thiruvananthapuram, which stood strong at second place with 99.32%. Since its formation in 2014, the Thiruvananthapuram re- 99.60% Vijayawada region recorded the highest pass percentage in the country in Class 12 T’Puram region in second place with 99.32% gion -- comprising Kerala and Lakshadweep -- had consistently recorded the highest pass percentage in the country, peaking at 99.91% in 2024. Despite being dethroned, the re- gion continues to shine with one of the highest success rates nationwide, well above the national average of 88.39%, which improved by 0.41% from last year. The CBSE has divided the country into 17 regions with 26,675 schools affiliated to it. The Chennai region secured the third position with a pass percentage of 97.39. Among institutions, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas led the way with 99.29%, followed closely by Kendriya Vidyalayas at 99.05%. More on P4 T’Puram, Vijayawada share crown T’Puram region shared the glory with the Vijayawada for the highest pass percentage in Class 10 results, with a score of 99.79% each. Trump and Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also signed a host of bilateral pacts CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI ■ The deal was inked during US President Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi, the first foreign tour in his 2nd term Trump and Saudi Crown Prince bin Salman | ap/pti After interacting with the 39-year-old crown prince, Trump said: “I really believe we like each other a lot” ■