Putin demands recognition of annexed territories in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has toughened his stance on ceasefire talks with Ukraine. During a press conference on March 17, he insisted that any ceasefire must address the core issues of the conflict. This includes Ukraine recognizing Russia's annexation of territories and agreeing to a ban on NATO membership. His comments came after US and Ukrainian officials discussed a 30-day ceasefire proposal in Riyadh, which Putin has not accepted. As tensions escalate, India's diplomatic ties with Russia may face scrutiny. Heathrow Airport experienced a major disruption on March 20, shutting down for 24 hours due to a power outage from a substation fire. The closure caused significant chaos, with British Airways canceling 90% of its flights the following day. This incident raised concerns about the resilience of critical infrastructure. For India, which relies on Heathrow for travel and trade, it highlights the need for strong backup systems in aviation. In Sudan, the Sudanese Armed Forces regained control of the presidential palace in Khartoum on March 19, dealing a blow to the rival Rapid Support Forces. This turn in the civil war has displaced over 12 million people and raised fears of Sudan potentially splitting apart. India's investments in Sudan's oil and mining sectors could be at risk as the military strengthens its power. Tensions escalated between Israel and Hezbollah after Israeli airstrikes targeted Hezbollah positions following rocket attacks on northern Israel. The Lebanese government condemned the attacks, warning of destabilization. This situation presents a diplomatic challenge for India, which has ties with both nations. US President Donald Trump's new tariffs, set to take effect on April 2, could cost India about $7 billion annually. As Trump pushes for protective economic policies, India faces pressure to negotiate and may need to implement broader economic reforms. In the 2025 World Happiness Report, Finland was named the happiest country for the eighth year in a row, highlighting strong social systems. In contrast, India ranked 126th, struggling with social inequalities despite its economic growth. The report suggests India should enhance public welfare policies to improve overall life quality. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams returned to Earth on March 21 after a nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Their experience will benefit future space explorations, especially NASA's Artemis program. India's space agency, Isro, plans to learn from NASA's mission as it prepares for its own Gaganyaan human spaceflight project in 2025.