Category: News

  • US Halts Military Aid to Ukraine After Trump-Zelensky Disagreement

    US Halts Military Aid to Ukraine After Trump-Zelensky Disagreement

    In the past week, the relationship between the United States and Ukraine has gotten worse. This is happening because of a disagreement between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. The argument has led to the US stopping all military aid to Ukraine, while European countries are trying to support Zelensky.

    The Argument at the White House

    On February 28, President Zelensky visited the White House to meet President Trump and Vice President JD Vance. During the meeting, the two leaders got into a heated argument in front of reporters. The disagreement started when Zelensky challenged Vice President Vance about Russia and diplomacy issues. Vance responded, saying it was disrespectful for Zelensky to raise these issues in front of American media and that he should be thankful for Trump’s efforts to end the conflict.

    President Trump also told Zelensky to be more grateful for US support, saying Zelensky didn’t have leverage against Russia. Trump claimed Zelensky was not interested in a ceasefire because of his dislike for Russian President Putin. After the argument, Zelensky’s other meetings and a joint press conference were canceled.

    Zelensky’s Reaction

    After the tense encounter, President Zelensky spoke on Fox News, stating that the argument was “not good for both sides.” He expressed worries about the situation and emphasized that Ukrainians want to know that America supports them against Russia. President Trump replied, saying Zelensky disrespected the US and could return only when he was ready to talk about peace.

    Zelensky also thanked other world leaders on social media for their support.

    Can They Fix Their Relationship?

    Following a meeting with European leaders who want to support him after the clash, Zelensky spoke to reporters at the London airport, saying he believes the relationship can be repaired. He added that he would come if President Trump invites him for a constructive conversation.

    Zelensky highlighted that ending the war is still a long way off and that any peace must be fair and sustainable.

    Zelensky’s Message of Gratitude

    On Monday, Zelensky posted a video thanking the US for its support during the war. He expressed gratitude for the help Ukraine has received and praised his people and European allies for their commitment to peace and security.

    Trump’s Response

    In reaction to Zelensky’s statement about the war, Trump criticized him on Truth Social, calling it the worst statement he could have made. Trump said he believes Zelensky doesn’t want peace as long as he has US support and pointed out that European leaders said they need help from the US.

    US Freezes Military Aid to Ukraine

    A senior defense official announced that the US has stopped all military aid to Ukraine until President Trump decides that the Ukrainian leaders are genuinely seeking peace. This includes all military supplies not currently in Ukraine and those en route.

  • European Leaders Aim to Boost Trade with Vietnam Amid U.S. Tensions

    European Leaders Aim to Boost Trade with Vietnam Amid U.S. Tensions

    European leaders are planning to visit Vietnam soon to strengthen their relationship with the country. This is happening because there are tensions with the United States that might hurt Vietnam’s exports. Former U.S. President Joe Biden tried to improve ties with Vietnam, seeing it as an important ally against China. But now, if Donald Trump becomes president again, he might impose taxes on Vietnam’s goods, which could hurt trade.

    Because of this uncertainty, European countries are stepping up their connections with Vietnam. Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, and French President Emmanuel Macron are both expected to visit Vietnam in the next few months. These trips were planned a while ago and are not yet confirmed.

    Von der Leyen recently spoke with ASEAN leaders in Vietnam, mentioning that rising tariffs and export controls are concerning, and she wants to create new trade partnerships. Macron is expected to visit later in May to further strengthen ties with Vietnam, which was once a French colony. There are plans for EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic to go to Vietnam in April.

    Last year, the EU imported $52 billion worth of goods from Vietnam, making it the third-largest market for Vietnamese exports, following the U.S. U.S. companies in Vietnam, which depend heavily on sales to the U.S., are worried they might have to cut jobs if new tariffs are imposed.

    Interestingly, if this happens, it might lead to more Vietnamese goods being sold to the EU, and European companies might invest in Vietnam. This could be good for the country as it wants to improve its military supplies and infrastructure, including new railways.

    Additionally, Europe is trying to fill the gap left by the U.S. in foreign aid after Trump cut it off. Belgium is starting a fund to help clean areas contaminated during the Vietnam War by agents like Agent Orange. The goal is to turn these areas into productive industrial zones.

  • Uttar Pradesh Woman’s Suicide Linked to Beloved Cat’s Death

    Uttar Pradesh Woman’s Suicide Linked to Beloved Cat’s Death

    A 36-year-old woman from Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, was very sad after her cat, Titu, passed away. She loved Titu like a child. For three days, she kept Titu’s body close, hoping that it would come back to life. Sadly, on Saturday night, she hung herself. Her family said she had struggled with mental health problems and had received treatment before.

    The woman’s mother explained that Titu died quickly one night and that her daughter believed the cat could be revived. Even after many hours, she did not want to bury the cat. Neighbors recalled how close the woman and Titu were, suggesting her past marriage may have left her feeling lonely. After her tragic death, the police helped bury Titu.

    Experts believe that for people with mental health issues, pets can become a very important support. A psychologist pointed out that her emotional connection to her cat might have overwhelmed her after it died, leading to her sad decision.

    If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless, please remember that there are people who can help. In India, you can contact helplines like 011-23389090 (Sumaitri) or 044-24640050 (Sneha Foundation) for support.

  • Gold Prices Steady Amid Tariff Concerns: What’s Next

    Gold Prices Steady Amid Tariff Concerns: What’s Next

    Gold prices stayed the same on Tuesday as people worried that U.S. President Donald Trump’s new taxes on goods from Canada and Mexico might make prices go up and hurt the economy.

    Key Points:
    – The price of gold held at $2,892.64 an ounce early Tuesday morning. Gold futures in the U.S. were also almost the same at $2,902.90.
    – Trump announced on Monday that he would impose a 25% tax on imports from Mexico and Canada, leading to fears of a trade conflict in North America and causing markets to react negatively.
    – He mentioned that starting April 2, there would be new taxes on countries that tax U.S. products, and that he would increase the existing taxes on Chinese goods to 20%.
    – If prices rise too much, the Federal Reserve might keep interest rates high for a long time, making gold less appealing as an investment since it doesn’t earn interest.
    – St. Louis Federal Reserve President Alberto Musalem thinks the U.S. economy will keep growing this year, but there are concerns because some recent reports show weaker consumer spending and housing data.
    – Investors are now looking forward to upcoming job reports for clues on how interest rates might change.
    – JP Morgan stated that they believe gold prices will go up long-term and predict prices could reach around $3,000 an ounce by late 2025.
    – Other precious metals: Silver stayed at $31.67 an ounce, platinum dropped to $951.60, and palladium decreased to $934.89.

  • Elon Musk Demands Weekly Accomplishments from Federal Employees

    Elon Musk Demands Weekly Accomplishments from Federal Employees

    Federal workers have until midnight to listen to Elon Musk’s second request for reports about what they’ve done recently. Musk, along with former President Trump, warned that those who don’t follow these instructions might get fired. They believe asking for a list of five accomplishments from last week will help make the government more accountable.

    Many employees feel stressed and confused about this new rule as the government changes. Some agencies are telling their staff not to respond or to keep their answers limited, like they did last month when Musk made his first request.

    This time, employees should expect to send their lists every Monday. There are about 2.4 million federal workers, with most not based in Washington, D.C. For example, workers at the Food and Drug Administration received several emails about the request on Monday, telling them about the new requirement and how to respond properly.

    They must avoid sharing sensitive information and should answer with general statements only. Similar rules came from the Department of Energy. Employees were told not to include anything sensitive or classified and to keep things vague. The State Department said they would answer on behalf of their workers, while the Federal Bureau of Prisons allowed workers to say that their duties are security-sensitive. The Justice Department initially said not to respond due to confidentiality, but later changed its mind.

    The FBI was also told to wait and not respond until told otherwise. Last month, the request for five accomplishments was optional, even with Musk hinting at layoffs. Now, individual agencies are asking, as they have the authority to hire or fire employees.

    Musk described this new requirement as a “pulse check” to see if employees could report back effectively.

  • Abu Azmi Sparks Outrage for Praising Aurangzeb as ‘Good Administrator

    Abu Azmi Sparks Outrage for Praising Aurangzeb as ‘Good Administrator

    Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Abu Azmi caused a big stir when he called Mughal emperor Aurangzeb a “good administrator.” This upset many, including Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who called Azmi’s comments “treason” and insisted that legal action should be taken against him.

    Azmi, known for making controversial remarks, said that Aurangzeb was not a cruel ruler. He stated that during Aurangzeb’s 52-year reign, if he had been forcing Hindus to convert to Islam, there would have been many more converts. Azmi claimed that while Aurangzeb did destroy temples, he also destroyed mosques, implying he wasn’t strictly anti-Hindu. “The country should not be divided by religion; we must all follow the Constitution,” he added.

    In response, Eknath Shinde criticized Azmi, reminding him that Aurangzeb tortured the Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj for 40 days. Shinde called Azmi’s remarks wrong and said he should apologize. He suggested that such statements disrespected India’s history.

    Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC also condemned Azmi’s comments, saying he needs to study history. She emphasized that Aurangzeb only destroyed temples and never built any. BJP leader Ram Kadam joined in the criticism, pointing out that Aurangzeb brutally killed Sambhaji Raja.

    The anger over Aurangzeb has grown recently, especially after the release of the movie “Chhava,” making Azmi’s comments even more controversial.

  • Car Crashes Into Crowd During Carnival in Mannheim: Multiple Injuries

    Car Crashes Into Crowd During Carnival in Mannheim: Multiple Injuries

    A car crashed into a crowd in Mannheim, Germany, on Monday, injuring several people. News source Mannheimer Morgen reported that police responded quickly to the scene, but they did not have information about any suspects or confirmed injuries yet.

    The crash happened during the carnival season when many people were out celebrating. A lot of parades were taking place in cities, including Mannheim, where the incident occurred. Eyewitnesses said a black SUV sped through the streets, driving into people as it moved from Paradeplatz square toward the famous water tower in the city.

    Local news says some people were hurt seriously in the crash. Police are investigating the situation and have a large operation underway in Mannheim.

  • IIT Baba’ Arrested for Ganja Amid Safety Concerns

    IIT Baba’ Arrested for Ganja Amid Safety Concerns

    On Monday, the Jaipur police arrested a well-known figure, Abhay Singh, known as ‘IIT Baba,’ at his hotel for having a small amount of ganja (marijuana). Police said they received a tip that he might be trying to harm himself after he shared concerning messages on social media.

    When the police found him, he admitted to using ganja and that he might have said troubling things when he was not fully conscious. Because he only had a little ganja, the police interrogated him and then released him on bail.

    Abhay Singh, who became famous during the Maha Kumbh festival, spoke to reporters during his arrest, saying, “It’s my birthday, and I want to be happy today.”

    Recently, he also claimed that he was attacked by a group of people dressed in saffron robes during a live TV debate. They entered the studio, created chaos, and reportedly hit him with sticks. Abhay then protested outside a police station but decided not to file a formal complaint after talking with the police.

  • Bangladesh’s Yunus Stresses Importance of Strong India Relations Ahead of Summit

    Bangladesh’s Yunus Stresses Importance of Strong India Relations Ahead of Summit

    Bangladesh and India need to be good friends because they depend on each other, said interim leader Muhammad Yunus in an interview with BBC Bangla. He mentioned that some misunderstandings have occurred because of rumors but is confident that their relationship is strong. Yunus hopes to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon at the Bimstec Summit in Thailand on April 3-4. He described the relationship as “very good” and stated, “There’s no other way but to have good relations between Bangladesh and India.”

    Yunus noted that both countries have a rich history and work closely in politics and trade. Even though there have been conflicts, he believes they stem from misinformation. He stated, “We are trying to fix that misunderstanding.”

    Relations have been rocky lately, especially after the protests last August that led to the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government. India has criticized the interim government for its treatment of minorities in Bangladesh. Trade and travel between the two countries have been affected as well. Hasina is currently living in India, and the interim government wants her to return.

    When asked about the possibility of unrest in Bangladesh, Yunus said that it’s always a threat. He believes the Awami League party, which Hasina leads, is trying to create problems. Yunus assured that he plans to hold elections within the year and mentioned that political parties, including the Awami League, need to decide if they will participate.

    He also denied any support from the government for a new political group formed by student leaders, stating that those representatives have resigned.

  • Eight Lives Lost as Avalanche Hits Uttarakhand; 46 Workers Rescued

    Eight Lives Lost as Avalanche Hits Uttarakhand; 46 Workers Rescued

    The District Magistrate of Chamoli, Sandeep Tiwari, announced that the last body from the avalanche site was brought to Joshimath today. The Indian Army finished its search and rescue work in the Mana area of Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, on Sunday. This was done to help the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers who were trapped after the avalanche on February 28.

    Sandeep Tiwari told ANI, “The last body that we found yesterday has been brought to Joshimath today. We are finishing the legal formalities. I want to thank all the teams for completing this operation on time.” He thanked the Army, ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police), Air Force, NDRF (National Disaster Response Force), and SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) for their swift efforts in the rescue.

    According to the Indian Army, 46 out of the 54 BRO workers were rescued and are getting medical help. Sadly, eight lives were lost in this tragic event. The Army shared on social media, “Despite our relentless efforts day and night, 8 lives could not be saved. We express our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones.”

    Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also expressed his sorrow for the families of the deceased BRO workers and hoped for a speedy recovery for the injured workers.