Month: March 2025

US President Donald Trump has announced he will speak to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin regarding the war in Ukraine on Tuesday morning. Ahead of the talks, Trump said that “many elements of final agreement have been agreed to” but much remains.

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated, “Tomorrow morning I will be speaking to President Putin concerning the War in Ukraine. Many elements of a Final Agreement have been agreed to, but much remains. Thousands of young soldiers, and others, are being killed. Each week brings 2,500 soldier deaths, from both sides, and it must end NOW. I look very much forward to the call with President Putin.”

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114180129350673750

Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One while returning to the White House after his weekend at Mar-a-Lago, Trump said, “We’re doing pretty well, I think, with Russia. We’ll see if we have something to announce, maybe by Tuesday. I’ll be speaking to President Putin on Tuesday,” CNN reported.

“A lot of work’s been done over the weekend, we want to see if we can bring that war to an end,” Trump said. “Maybe we can, maybe we can’t, but I think we have a very good chance.”

He said, “I think we have a lot of it already discussed, very much, by both sides.” Trump stated that the negotiations would include discussions around.

Last week, the Kremlin said that US negotiators would visit Russia for further talks. However, it did not disclose details regarding the participants, as reported by CNN.

Trump’s announcement regarding talks comes after he said last week that Ukraine had accepted a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire.

Notably, Ukraine expressed readiness to accept the US proposal to enact an “immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire,” which can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties, and which is subject to acceptance and concurrent implementation by Russia.

The US also agreed to immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine.

In response to Trump’s announcement, Putin said that Russia agreed with the proposal in theory. However, he set tough conditions and demanded concessions from Ukraine. He accused the current Ukrainian government of being part of the “root cause” of the war.

On Friday, Putin announced that Russia is working to restore ties with the US after they were “practically reduced to zero, destroyed by the previous American administration.” Referring to ties with the Trump administration, he said, “Overall, the situation is starting to move.” He said, “Let’s see what comes out of this.” Notably, Russia and Ukraine have been engaged in conflict since February 2022. (ANI)

After being stranded for over nine months, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are set to undock from the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday and begin their 17-hour journey back to Earth.

Wilmore, Williams and two other astronauts are poised to undock from the ISS at 10:30 am on Wednesday and are scheduled to splash down in the Gulf of America at 3:30 am on Thursday.

The astronaut crew is scheduled to travel back to Earth alongside Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.

As Nasa went live, Nick Hague, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov were seen packing up and closing the hatches as Crew9 prepares to depart from the Space Station.

“It’s been a privilege to call the Space Station home, to play my part in its 25-year legacy of doing research for humanity, and to work with colleagues, now friends, from around the globe. My spaceflight career, like most, is full of the unexpected,” said Nick Hague.

NASA will provide live coverage of the agency’s SpaceX Crew-9 return to Earth from the International Space Station, beginning with Dragon spacecraft hatch closure preparations at 10:45 pm EDT on Monday. NASA and SpaceX met on Sunday to assess weather and splashdown conditions off Florida’s coast for the return of the agency’s Crew-9 mission from the International Space Station.

In a statement, NASA stated, “NASA will provide live coverage of the agency’s SpaceX Crew-9 return to Earth from the International Space Station, beginning with Dragon spacecraft hatch closure preparations at 10:45 p.m. EDT Monday, March 17.”

“NASA and SpaceX met on Sunday to assess weather and splashdown conditions off Florida’s coast for the return of the agency’s Crew-9 mission from the International Space Station. Mission managers are targeting an earlier Crew-9 return opportunity based on favourable conditions forecasted for the evening of Tuesday, March 18,” it added.

According to a NASA statement, the updated return target continues to allow the space station crew members time to complete handover duties while providing operational flexibility before less favourable weather conditions are expected later in the week.

Mission managers will continue monitoring weather conditions in the area, as Dragon’s undocking relies on several factors, including spacecraft readiness, recovery team readiness, weather, sea states, and other factors. NASA and SpaceX will confirm the specific splashdown location closer to the Crew-9 return, according to the statement.SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov docked with International Space Station, Space X CEO Elon Musk announced on Sunday.

On Friday, SpaceX and NASA launched a mission to bring back US astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the ISS, where they have been stranded for nine months. The lift-off took place at 7:03 ET on Friday, with a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon spacecraft on the Crew-10 mission.

The launch came after US President Donald Trump urged Elon Musk to rescue the stranded astronauts sooner than NASA had planned. He has repeatedly accused former US President Joe Biden of abandoning them in space.

Wilmore and Williams have been stranded on the ISS for nine months after reaching there in June last year. They were supposed to stay there for about a week. The astronauts were transported from Earth to the ISS aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.

However, the spacecraft came back to Earth unmanned in September. This came after NASA and Boeing identified “helium leaks and experienced issues with the spacecraft reaction control thrusters” on June 6 as Starliner approached the space station. (ANI)

The bail plea of Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who is currently in judicial custody over her alleged involvement in a gold smuggling case, has been adjourned to March 19 in a sessions court.

The CCH 64th Session Court today directed the DRI’s counsel to file its objections by the next hearing, March 19.

Further proceedings will continue after the objections are submitted.

Ranya Rao had earlier filed a bail application before the Special Court for Economic Offenses, which was rejected due to the serious nature of the allegations against her.

Following this, her legal team moved to the Sessions Court in an attempt to secure her release.

While denying the bail to Ranya Rao, the Special Court for Economic Offenses said that the charges against the actress were serious. She was arrested on March 3 by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Kempegowda International Airport (KIAD) in Bengaluru for allegedly smuggling 14.8 kilograms of gold from Dubai.

Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3, 2025, at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport after DRI officials intercepted her carrying gold.

The CBI has filed an FIR in the gold smuggling case on the complaint of Abhishek Chandra Gupta, Additional Director of DRI.

The FIR has been registered under the Preventiontion of Corruption Act, 1988 and various sections of the Bharatiyatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS) on the complaint of Abhishek Chandra Gupta. The complaint discloses the cognizable offencesunderSections 7and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 20148) r/w 61(2) of BNS.

According to the complaint, after Ranya Rao’s arrest on March 3, two foreign nationals were also arrested on March 6 from Mumbai airport for attempting to smuggle 21.28 kg of gold into India worth Rs. 18.92 crore, as per the complaint.

Abhishek Chandra Gupta, Additional Director of DRI, in his complaint, has said that these cases involving passengers making trips from Dubai and attempting to smuggle gold in large quantities point to a “possible nexus” with a coordinated smuggling syndicate, possibly operating from Dubai (UAE).

In Ranya Rao’s case, she travelled to Dubai multiple times, while the two arrested foreign nationals had previously arrived at Mumbai airport multiple times.

Gupta, in his complaint, has also suspected the possibility of the involvement of public servants and others. (ANI)

Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday countered Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s “80:20” remarks and said that who speaks like this, can never be a Yogi.

“80 aur 20 bolne wale Yogi nahi ho sakte (Those who speak of 80 and 20 cannot be Yogis),” Akhilesh said while speaking to the media.

“A yogi is not defined by their attire, but by their thoughts. What we have learned is that a yogi is someone who understands the suffering of others, who lives in the material world but is detached from it, who does not get angry, and does not spread hatred,” Akhilesh said.

On March 8, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath predicted a landslide victory for the BJP in the next State Assembly elections.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave, CM Yogi said that the 2027 election would be an 80:20 battle in which the BJP and its allies will win 80 per cent while 20 per cent will include everything else.

Meanwhile, Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party, stating that the party was causing double confusion and making double blunders.

Speaking to the media, the SP chief further said that unemployment had surrounded Bundelkhand and the entire state.

“BJP, which calls itself a double-engine government, is running in double confusion and doing double blunders… Unemployment has surrounded Bundelkhand and entire Uttar Pradesh..” Yadav said, speaking to the media.

He further stated that the poor are unable to get treatment and inflation is on the rise due to the BJP.

“Poor are not able to get treatment and inflation is on the rise… BJP is coloured in only one colour, and this cannot be accepted by people…” he said.

Speaking on the Bundelkhand Expressway, he said that it was one of the biggest money-making expressways but was not even maintained by the government after the inauguration.

“The Bundelkhand Expressway is the biggest money-making expressway for this area, but the way it should have been built and maintained after the inauguration is no longer visible… The people who built the highway seem to have forgotten it…” he said. (ANI)

Violence broke out with incidents of vandalism and stone pelting reported in Maharashtra’s Nagpur, a police officer said, adding that a few police personnel were also injured. The situation, however, is said to be under control.

The incident was reported from Mahal area of Nagpur on Monday evening.

DCP Nagpur Archit Chandak, who claimed to have sustained an injury, told ANI, “This incident occurred due to some miscommunication. The situation is under control right now. Our force here is strong. I appeal to everyone to not step out or pelt stones. Stone pelting was taking place, so we displayed a show of force and also used tear gas. A few vehicles were set ablaze, we doused off the fire by calling Fire Brigade. A few police personnel were injured, I too sustained a little injury in my leg during stone pelting.”

The official urged for peace and warned against violating law and order.

“We urge everyone to maintain peace. Do not trust rumours. Do not disturb law and order and support police. We are taking legal action,” DCP Chandak added.

Following the incident, authorities deployed a large contingent of police in the area to contain the situation and maintain law and order.

Visuals showed a car burning in flames on a road in the area. More details are awaited (ANI)

The hype around the upcoming Netflix series ‘Khakee: The Bengal Chapter’ has increased multiplefold after former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly collaborated with the makers for a promo ahead of its premiere on March 20.

Weeks after director Neeraj Pandey hinted at the possibility of Ganguly’s appearance in his upcoming crime drama show, streaming giant Netflix surprised fans by introducing him as a “Bengal Tiger” in the promotional video of the Khakee series.

In the highly viral promo video of the crime show, the former captain donned a police uniform and wielded a baton while auditioning for a role in the upcoming crime drama Khakee: The Bengal Chapter.

The video also featured his aggressive rage while he remembers an ex-coach who brought in all the controversies.

Ganguly humorously flexed his diverse cricketing shots while interrogating a prisoner during his audition. The makers of the crime drama show introduced Ganguly as “The Bengal Tiger” in the promo.

While sharing the video, they wrote, “The Bengal Tiger meets the Bengal Chapter. Watch Khakee: The Bengal Chapter out 20 March, only on Netflix.”

Talking about this unexpected yet epic collab, Sourav Ganguly expressed his love for thrillers and cop dramas and shared his excitement for the upcoming Khakee: The Bengal Chapter series.

In a press release statement, he said, “As someone who has always been passionate about thrillers and cop dramas, Khakee as a franchise is definitely one of my favourites. So when Netflix approached me, I was excited to collaborate with them for the newest installment of Khakee – The Bengal Chapter, in the capacity of a superfan. And I truly feel that.”

He continued, “The series has been extensively shot in Kolkata, and the gripping narrative and stellar performances make it a must-watch for anyone who appreciates a well-made thriller. I have the deepest respect and admiration for a maker like Neeraj Pandey, and this collaboration with Netflix has been an absolute delight. It’s a first for me, and I would like to extend my best wishes to the entire team of Khakee. Watch Khakee: The Bengal Chapter on March 20 only on Netflix.”

The series, directed by Debatma Mandal and Tushar Kanti Ray, is a follow-up to Pandey’s 2022 show Khakee: The Bihar Chapter. Set in Kolkata in the early 2000s, it tells the story of an IPS officer fighting crime, corruption, and political power.

Talking about the trailer, it showcases the struggles of the officer, who dares to challenge the powerful figures controlling the system. The show is co-written by Neeraj Pandey, Debatma Mandal, and Samrat Chakraborty.

The series features an ensemble cast of Bengali cinema stars, including Prosenjit Chatterjee, Jeet, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, and Saswata Chatterjee. The series is also the first Hindi drama to have an entirely Bengali cast. (ANI)

After the Karnataka cabinet approved 4 per cent reservation for minority contractors in tenders, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya on Monday said that reservation only on the basis of religion is unconstitutional and blatantly illegal.

Speaking to ANI, Surya also claimed that CM Siddaramaiah has also proposed a Rs 1000 crore CM Muslim Colony Development Fund.

“Reservation only based on religion is unconstitutional, blatantly illegal, and has the potential of threatening the country’s national unity and security. The framers of the Constitution, including Babasaheb Ambedkar, had opposed this idea tooth and nail. He had called this idea a fatal dose against National integrity and that this idea will lead to the balkanisation of India,” he said.

“The CM has also proposed a Rs 1000 crore CM Muslim Colony Development Fund. What the hell is this? You say you don’t have money to even fill up potholes in the city of Bengaluru, but you can pay such a huge amount for Muslim Colony Development,” the BJP MP said.

The Karnataka state cabinet approved an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, which aims to provide 4 per cent reservation in tenders to Minority contractors, official sources said.

The decision was taken on March 14 in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the Cabinet Hall of the Vidhan Sabha. Official sources added that the amendment will be made after the KTPP act is tabled in the ongoing assembly session.

However, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has clarified that the state government’s decision to provide a four per cent reservation in government contracts is not exclusive to Muslims but extends to “all minority communities and backward classes.”

Earlier today, state Minister Ramalinga Reddy said that all five to six minority communities will come under this reservation.

“BJP always does nonsense things… There is a reservation for SC/ST. Now, we have given reservations to minorities. There are 5 to 6 minority communities… All will come under this reservation, not just one community,” Ramalinga Reddy said addressing the media. (ANI)

Director of National Intelligence of the United States Tulsi Gabbard who is in India as part of a multi nation visit has said that India and the US have a direct dialogue at the very top when it came to the issue of tariffs.

Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the think tank Observer Research Foundation’s annual Raisina Dialogues in the capital, Tulsi Gabbard said that there was an opportunity to strengthen the economic relationship between India and the US.

“What I have heard from the Indian government officials that I’ve spoken to over the last few days, there is an opportunity here to see. There is more potential for strengthening of our economic relationship and I’m glad to see that they’re looking at it in a more positive light than just one that is focused in a negative way, when we look at tariffs. Obviously Prime Minister Modi is looking out for what is in the best interest of India’s economy and the opportunities available for the people of India. Similarly, President Trump is doing the same for the United States, our economic interests and the interests of the American people ” she added.

The US Director of National Intelligence said that both President Trump and PM Modi are looking for a “good solution”.

“What I see as a great positive is that we have two leaders who have common sense and who are looking for good solutions. This direct dialogue is happening at the very top in both of our countries, but also at the different secretaries and the cabinet members is going to be key to lay down what that path forward really looks like. And I personally am excited because there’s keen interest in the private sector here in India and in the United States,” she said.

Tulsi Gabbard said that the two leaders also share a great friendship and that is the foundation on which the two countries will build on their partnership.

“The tone and the relationship with our new administration under President Trump and Prime Minister Modi was set during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the White House. As you know, they are already good friends. It was a very great opportunity for them to share their joint vision for the US-India partnership and the opportunity for us to continue to strengthen that partnership,” she said.

“The meetings that I’ve had here with different Indian government officials and intelligence officials really is set on that foundation of how we can continue to integrate, how we can continue to strengthen our relationship, not only of course in my area of intelligence, but we’re looking at commerce and trade and defense and education. There’s nothing but opportunity that I see here in the US-India partnership,” she added.

Tulsi Gabbard also spoke on a range of issues including being inspired by the teachings of the Mahabharata, particularly the teachings of Krishna to Arjuna. (ANI)

India has conveyed its concerns regarding anti-India activities linked to Khalistani elements during discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

Addressing the issue, Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumdar in a special briefing of the Ministry of External Affairs stated, “About Khalistan, this was an issue that came up… We do alert our friends to the activities of anti-India elements in their countries and their abuse of freedom of speech and other democratic freedoms to glorify terrorism and to threaten attacks against our diplomats, our parliament or our events in India. So these were also conveyed. The government of New Zealand has been receptive and has taken our concerns on board in the past as well.”

India has been vocal about its stance against separatist movements operating from foreign soil. The meeting with Luxon comes at a time when the Indian government has been urging international partners to take stronger action against individuals and groups involved in extremist activities.

New Zealand has previously acknowledged such concerns, and India expects continued cooperation in addressing these threats.

Meanwhile, India’s concerns over Khalistani separatist activities are not limited to New Zealand. Recently, India formally raised the issue with the United Kingdom following a security breach during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to London. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “We have conveyed our deep concern to the UK authorities about the breach of security arrangements by UK-based separatist and extremist elements during EAM’s visit.”

Jaiswal further criticised the “license accorded to such forces” and the indifference toward their threats and intimidation tactics. He stressed that India would assess the sincerity of the UK’s response based on the actions taken against those responsible. The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) later condemned the protests staged by Khalistani elements outside Chatham House, where Jaishankar had been addressing a discussion.

The government continues to push for stringent measures against such groups, emphasising that their activities pose a direct threat to India’s sovereignty and diplomatic interests. (ANI)

Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed on Monday emphasised the crucial role India plays in the island nation’s prosperity and security, stating that good relations with India are vital for Maldives’ safety, security, and prosperity.

Nasheed is in India to participate in the Raisina Dialogues 2025. Speaking to ANI, Nasheed said, “I don’t think Maldives can prosper without very good relations with India. Our safety, security, and prosperity rely on our good relations with India.”

Nasheed’s comments come as the Maldives faces a mounting debt crisis, exacerbated by China’s lending practices and trade policies.

“In the past, changes in governments have swung the relationship from being bad to good and bad to good. But recently, the new government has also patched up their differences with India, and that’s encouraging,” he said.

Nasheed pointed out that the new government is facing difficulties in implementing the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China.

“But there is still a difficulty with the new government implementing the free trade agreement with China and the impact that it will have not only on the Maldives but also what it can mean to India. I think it would be difficult for many in India to understand why the government had done that,” he added.

The China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement (FTA), implemented in January 2025, has worsened the country’s economic vulnerabilities, with Maldives exports comprising less than 3% of bilateral trade, compared to China’s dominating 97% import share.

Notably, the Maldives is grappling with a mounting debt crisis that threatens its economic sovereignty, as foreign exchange reserves dwindle to precarious levels while substantial debt repayments loom.

According to an article by human rights advocate and freelance journalist Dimitra Staikou on Medium, China’s lending practices and trade policies have significantly accelerated the island nation’s financial deterioration.

Dimitra also highlighted that the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement (FTA), implemented in January 2025, has worsened the country’s economic vulnerabilities rather than providing relief.

“Of the approximately USD 700 million in bilateral trade, Maldives exports comprise less than 3 per cent compared to China’s dominating 97 per cent import share. Under the FTA, Maldives removed tariffs on 91 per cent of goods from China, a concession that has yielded little reciprocal benefit given the country’s narrow export base,” she wrote.

The FTA has also led to a significant decline in government revenue from import duties, falling by 64% from MVR 385 million to MVR 138 million. Furthermore, the agreement has opened the Maldivian tourism sector to Chinese companies and financial institutions, with financial benefits largely flowing back to Chinese companies rather than strengthening the Maldivian economy.

In contrast, India has been a significant partner for Maldives, providing financial aid, infrastructure development, and security cooperation. The two countries have a long-standing relationship, with India being one of the first countries to recognize Maldives’ independence in 1966.

Nasheed’s comments highlight the importance of maintaining good relations with India, particularly in light of the challenges posed by the China-Maldives FTA. As the Maldives navigates its economic crisis, its relationship with India is likely to play a critical role in shaping its future prosperity and security. (ANI)