Washington is sending officials to Moscow for ceasefire talks after Ukraine agreed to a 30-day truce in a Saudi-hosted meeting. President Donald Trump confirmed the move but did not specify attendees. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the White House urges Russia to accept the deal, calling it the closest step toward peace. Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin visited Russia’s Kursk region, which has seen recent fighting. Trump warned financial pressure on Russia is possible but emphasized his goal is peace. Ukrainian military leader Oleksandr Syrsky acknowledged troop withdrawals from Kursk, signaling shifting battle lines.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance is set to visit India later this month, marking his second international trip since taking office. Accompanying him will be Second Lady Usha Vance, making her first official visit to her ancestral homeland. Usha's parents emigrated from India to the United States in the late 1970s. This visit follows Vance's recent trips to France and Germany, where he engaged in high-level discussions with European leaders. During his inaugural foreign visit, Vance delivered a speech at the Munich Security Conference that drew considerable attention for critiquing European governments on issues such as illegal migration, religious freedoms, and election integrity. The upcoming visit to India is expected to strengthen cultural and diplomatic ties between the two nations, furthering mutual understanding and cooperation.

NASA has postponed the SpaceX Crew-10 mission intended to retrieve astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station (ISS). The delay arose due to hydraulic system issues detected less than four hours before the scheduled launch of the Falcon rocket from Kennedy Space Center. The Crew-10 mission, led by NASA astronaut Anne McClain and including members from Japan and Russia, is now tentatively rescheduled for Thursday night, pending resolution of the technical problems. Williams and Wilmore, who have been aboard the ISS since June 2024, were initially slated for a brief mission but experienced an extended stay following malfunctions with Boeing's Starliner capsule.

Russia has presented the United States with a list of demands aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and improving bilateral relations. Key stipulations include preventing Ukraine's NATO membership, prohibiting foreign troops on Ukrainian soil, and recognizing Crimea and four other provinces as Russian territory. Concurrently, U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed a 30-day ceasefire, warning of severe financial sanctions against Russia should it decline. However, Russia firmly opposes the deployment of NATO peacekeepers in Ukraine, criticizing its exclusion from related discussions. While U.S. arms deliveries to Ukraine have resumed, the success of these diplomatic efforts hinges on Russia's response to the ceasefire proposal.

In a daring rescue operation in Balochistan, Pakistani security forces successfully stormed the hijacked Jaffar Express, neutralizing all 33 Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) militants and rescuing hundreds of passengers. The crisis began when militants blew up the railway track and fired rockets at the train, which was carrying 440 passengers from Quetta to Peshawar. The assailants, some wearing suicide vests, demanded the release of Baloch political prisoners and threatened to execute hostages. The ensuing standoff resulted in the tragic loss of 21 passengers and four security personnel. The BLA, seeking greater autonomy and resource control in the region, has intensified attacks recently, highlighting ongoing unrest in Balochistan.

President Donald Trump's 25% tariffs on all U.S. steel and aluminum imports took effect on March 12, 2025, aiming to protect domestic industries. In response, the European Union plans to impose tariffs on up to €26 billion of U.S. exports, while Canada announced C$29.8 billion in retaliatory tariffs, targeting metals, computers, and sports equipment. Canada's Finance Minister, Dominic LeBlanc, stated, "We will not stand idly by while our iconic steel and aluminum industries are being unfairly targeted." The escalating trade tensions have unsettled markets, with investors fearing a potential recession. Trump has threatened further tariffs if the EU proceeds with its countermeasures, stating, "Whatever they charge us, we're charging them."

India's retail inflation declined to 3.61% in February 2025, marking a seven-month low and falling below the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) medium-term target of 4%. This decrease is primarily attributed to a significant drop in vegetable prices, leading to a food inflation rate of 3.75%, the lowest since May 2023. The easing inflation provides the RBI with the opportunity to implement further rate cuts to stimulate economic growth. Economists anticipate a 25 basis points reduction in the repo rate during the April policy meeting, with potential for additional cuts in subsequent months. The RBI had previously reduced the key interest rate by 25 basis points to 6.25% in February, the first cut in nearly five years.

The Pakistan Army ended the Jaffar Express hostage crisis, freeing 346 passengers after an intense operation against Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) militants. The train, carrying 400 passengers from Quetta to Peshawar, was derailed and hijacked near Gudalar using explosives. The military confirmed the deaths of 33 militants, 21 passengers, and 4 paramilitary soldiers. Some attackers wore suicide vests, complicating the rescue. The army transported empty coffins to the site in preparation. "All terrorists have been eliminated, and hostages rescued," said army spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif. The BLA has claimed responsibility for the attack.

A Carnegie-YouGov survey reveals that while 47% of Indian Americans believe India is on the right track, many fear strained US-India ties under Donald Trump. Most Democrats prefer Biden or Kamala Harris over Trump, with 66% of Indian-American Republicans backing him. The alleged Indian assassination plot in the US remains largely unnoticed, with only half aware of it. Despite political divides, Indian Americans remain culturally connected to India. The survey highlights shifting attitudes, with Democratic support declining from 56% in 2020 to 47% in 2024, signaling evolving political preferences within the community.

Hyderabad police arrested journalists Pogadadanda Revathi and Thanvi Yadav for allegedly posting abusive content against CM Revanth Reddy. A third person, linked to the X account ‘NippuKodi,’ was also detained. The Congress’ state social media unit filed the complaint, leading to charges of organised crime, spreading rumours, and criminal conspiracy. The BRS condemned the arrests, calling them “Emergency-style rule.” BRS leader KT Rama Rao said the Congress was “intolerant of criticism.” BJP's Shehzad Poonawalla also slammed the arrests, calling them an attack on press freedom. Press bodies have demanded their immediate release.