Leaders from the United States, Russia, United Kingdom, and Italy expressed their condolences and condemned the terrorist attack in Kashmir that claimed 26 lives. US President Donald Trump pledged support to India in the fight against terrorism and offered prayers for the victims and their families. Russia President Vladimir Putin promised to bring those responsible to justice. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Italy President Giorgia Meloni also expressed their sympathies and support for India.
Boeing's selection to design and build the sixth-generation F-47 fighter jet for the US Air Force marks a significant shift in the future of American military aviation. The decision deals a major blow to rival Lockheed Martin, as Boeing will now play a leading role in shaping US air superiority. The NGAD program, expected to cost billions of dollars, aims to produce a cutting-edge fighter jet capable of operating in highly contested environments and countering threats from China and Russia. The contract also includes development of collaborative combat drones to work alongside the F-47.
After Congress leader Shashi Tharoor admitted to the success of India's foreign policy approach with both Russia and Ukraine, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla expressed hope that Tharoor would not face consequences for his candid remarks. Tharoor had previously stated that India is now in a unique position to maintain friendly ties with both countries and be welcomed by both leaders, despite his earlier call for the condemnation of Russia's war with Ukraine during the 2015 Raisina Dialogue.
In a dramatic and unprecedented meeting, US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy clashed over ongoing negotiations between the two countries. Despite pressure from Trump to accept a ceasefire in the peace agreement with Russia, Zelenskyy stood firm on Ukraine's stance towards their neighbour. The heated exchange has caused a rift between the two leaders, with other world leaders expressing support for Ukraine's position. However, it seems that Trump's priority in these negotiations is his image at home, rather than international diplomacy.
In a dramatic exchange in the Oval Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump clashed over the ongoing tensions with Russia. Trump accused Zelensky of risking World War Three, while Zelensky maintained that there should be no compromises with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The anticipated minerals deal was not signed, and Zelensky expressed hope for a better relationship with the US going forward. The upcoming summit of European leaders in London, which will include Zelensky and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, has now taken on even more significance in light of this tense encounter.
During a tumultuous meeting in the Oval Office, President Trump revealed his true intentions of prioritizing a relationship with Russia over honoring the United States' alliance with Ukraine. As Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed Trump's disdain for Ukraine, it became clear that the longstanding partnership between the two countries was now shattered. While the ostensible reason for the visit was to discuss a potential mineral deal, it was evident that Trump's ultimate goal was to normalize relations with Russia and potentially discard Ukraine as an obstacle. Despite global shock and outcry, Trump and his administration remain undeterred in their pursuit of a "triangular relationship" with Russia and China.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy travels to Washington DC to secure a ceasefire agreement with Russia and a possible mineral deal with the US. However, tensions arise as he openly challenges President Trump for his softer approach to Vladimir Putin and urges him to not make any compromises with a "killer". Their meeting ends in chaos and a joint press conference is cancelled, highlighting the strained relationship between the two leaders.
The ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan have created a lucrative arms market for major exporters like the US, France, Russia, and China. While the US sells to both sides, France and Russia see the benefits of cultivating relationships with both countries. China, on the other hand, sells exclusively to Pakistan as it sees the Indian Ocean as a potential frontier. Interestingly, Germany, one of the world's top exporters, only sells to India due to its growing economic ties and past conflicts. This complex arms race raises concerns about the consequences of fueling the tensions between two nuclear-armed nations.
Ukraine's General Staff claims to have targeted a Russian airfield with long-range drones designed by Iran, and recently received a batch of Mirage fighter jets from France to aid in their ongoing conflict with Russia. While the Russian Defence Ministry has reported downing Ukrainian drones, it did not mention the airfield specifically. This attack comes as Ukraine tries to slow the Russian army's push along the front line, with previous successful strikes on oil refineries and other facilities.
India's space program, ISRO, achieved a historic milestone by successfully docking two satellites in space, demonstrating their ability to undertake complex missions like building a permanent space station or landing humans on the Moon. With this successful docking, India becomes the fourth country in the world to achieve this feat, after the US, Russia, and China. This delicate manoeuvre requires precise and coordinated movements as even the smallest error could result in the destruction of the satellites. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO and the entire space community for this achievement.