On 26th May, Iran rejected the prospect of halting its nuclear enrichment program as part of a possible nuclear deal with the United States. The current round of negotiations was described as “very good” by President Donald Trump. However, Masoud Pezeshkian, the president of Iran, asserted that Tehran can endure even if talks with the western power fail.
Foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated, “Enrichment is an inseparable part of Iran’s nuclear industry and must be maintained. We are in no way permitted to show even the slightest flexibility on this issue.” He refuted rumors that Iran could halt enrichment for three years in order to reach an agreement.
“Iran will never accept that. This information is a figment of the imagination and totally false. If there is goodwill from the American side, we are also optimistic, but if negotiations are aimed at curbing Iran’s rights, then talks will get nowhere,” he highlighted.
He stated that a sixth round of negotiations with Washington had not yet been scheduled. Baghaei’s comments follow Trump’s statement that recent negotiations with Iran had made “real progress” and that “some good news” might be on the horizon.
The discussions facilitated by Oman represent the most significant engagement between the two countries since the United States, under Trump’s initial term, withdrew from the pivotal 2015 nuclear agreement. Upon his return to the presidency, he has revitalized the “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran and has alerted Tehran to the possibility of military action if diplomatic negotiations fail.
Pezeshkian rejected Trump’s threats regarding debilitating sanctions. He stressed, “It’s not like we will die of hunger if they refuse to negotiate with us or impose sanctions. We will find a way to survive.” Tehran has been careful to keep a firm stance during the negotiations, keeping in mind domestic politics.
The sentiment expressed by Tehran after the latest negotiations differed significantly from the image conveyed in Washington. Trump stated on 25th May that the talks had been “very, very good” and that he would make a statement “over the next two days.” He alleged,”Very importantly, we had some very good talks with Iran yesterday and today, and let’s see what happens. But I think we could have some good news on the Iran front. We’ve had some real progress, serious progress.”
Trump declared that he hopes the diplomatic channels work, referring to his March warnings that there would be “bombing like they have never seen before” if a deal was not reached within a two-month window. “I’d love that to happen because I’d love to see no bombs dropped and a lot of people dead. I really would like to see that happen,” he further insisted.
Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian foreign minister, also mentioned a “sign of progress” following the fifth round of negotiations. The optimism contributed to the generation of media reports suggesting that a provisional agreement was under consideration as a preliminary step towards a final deal. However, Baghaei disregarded the likelihood of a temporary agreement.
Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been the subject of decades-long negotiations between Washington and Tehran and both countries have publicly taken an aggressive position on the matter of the Islamic Republic’s uranium enrichment. Trump seeks to limit Tehran’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon that could endanger Israel and start a regional nuclear arms race.
Iran, for its part, attempts to lift the crippling sanctions on its oil-based economy and insists that its nuclear program is only for civilian use. Last week, Iranian and American delegates concluded their fifth round of negotiations in Rome. Although there were few encouraging indications of some progress, there are still numerous issues that are difficult to resolve, most notably Iran’s nuclear enrichment.
In a chilling display of lawlessness and communal intimidation, a Hindu locality in Solapur was gripped by terror as an Islamist mob launched a violent assault on residents, particularly targeting Hindu women, media reports said. The incident, which unfolded in the Punjab Talim area, has sparked outrage and fear across the state.
The violence reportedly stemmed from a dispute over an illegal paan shop being operated by local Muslims near Punjab Talim. Residents had previously raised concerns with authorities, alleging that the shop had become a hotspot for anti-social elements who frequently harassed passersby and especially misbehaved with women in the vicinity.
Rather than legal resolution, what followed was an act of vengeance. According to eyewitness accounts, a mob of hundreds of radicalized individuals descended upon the nearby Hindu housing society. Armed with sticks and swords, they forcibly entered homes, assaulted women, molested them, and issued chilling threats of rape, murder, and arson.
Local accounts claim that women were not only physically beaten but also subjected to lewd behavior and threats of being burnt alive. Vehicles were vandalized, and stones were hurled indiscriminately at houses. Shockingly, several residents allege that the police either arrived late or acted with visible bias, siding with the assailants rather than the victims.
“This was not just violence; it was a message,” said a resident, visibly shaken. “They wanted to instill fear—especially among Hindu women—using intimidation and brutality.”
Hindu Women Assaulted, Molested, and Threatened by an Islamist mob in Maharashtra's Solapur.
In Solapur, Muslims were operating an illegal paan shop near Punjab Talim, but locals lodged a complaint against it because many miscreants frequented the shop and misbehaved with… pic.twitter.com/H3JXRJPbaN
While the incident has yet to receive the kind of widespread media attention such a grave episode warrants, social media is abuzz with videos and accounts from the ground, many of which point towards police inaction and deliberate targeting of Hindu community.
This is not an isolated case. Across parts of India, there is a growing pattern where communal provocation and violence often follow legitimate grievances raised by the Hindu community, particularly when it challenges illegal or disruptive activities allegedly carried out by some sections of the society that has ong
The Solapur violence stands as a stark reminder of the consequences of appeasement politics, unchecked radicalism, and broken law and order. In 2022, a man named Umesh Kolhe was murdered in broad daylight by Islamists reportedly for his support to Nupur Sharma, a former BJP spokesperson who was at the receiving end of Sar Tan Se Juda protests for her ‘audacity’ to quote from holiest Islamic scriptures.
If the state machinery fails to protect citizens in their own homes from sword-wielding mobs, it betrays the very idea of justice and civil order.
India’s military capabilities were showcased during “Operation Sindoor” on a global stage as the country dismantled critical terrorist infrastructure at nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after Pahalgam terror attack. While the nation continues to admire the success of the operation, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 26th May commemorated the anniversary of “Operation Safed Sagar” which was executed during the 1999 Kargil war between India and Pakistan.
The Kargil war culminated in India’s triumph with the IAF playing a crucial part in this outcome. The IAF, while recounting the decisive action, noted that the operation was initiated to support ground forces as part of Operation Vijay. Its purpose was to drive out Pakistani regulars and intruders who had taken control of Indian positions along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kargil sector
#ThisDayThatYear | 26 May 1999#OpSafedSagar — the Indian Air Force’s codename for its air operations during the KargilWar1999 — was launched in support of ground forces under Operation Vijay. It aimed to flush out Pakistani regulars and intruders who had occupied Indian… pic.twitter.com/CtBJvqRqsx
The IAF remarked, “This was the first large-scale use of air power in the Kashmir region since the 1971 Indo-Pak War.” It was a turning point in military aviation history since no air force had ever been envisioned to engage in such high-altitude precision operations in untamed mountainous terrain.
“Operation Safed Sagar,” according to the IAF, was groundbreaking in multiple ways, including the use of air power in extraordinary capacities, the demonstration of the value of sparingly deploying air assets in a localized conflict, and the dismantling of the long-held belief that the use of air power would inevitably transform into full-scale conflict.
The IAF pointed out that the mission illustrated the air force’s adaptability and determination while also confirming the efficiency of calibrated airstrikes as a deterrent, even in low-intensity warfare. It established that air power could significantly influence the outcome of a conflict without going beyond international borders.
The IAF also released the list of aircrafts that were used in the Kargil War against Pakistan during the operation. MiG-21s, MiG-29s, MiG-23s, MiG-27s, Jaguars, Mi-17 helicopters, Chetak helicopters and Mirage 2000s were among them.
Kargil War
The Kargil conflict began in 1999 when Pakistani terrorists and soldiers, as part of “Operation Badr” crossed the Line of Control and took control of key high-altitude positions on the Indian side in the Kargil region of Jammu and Kashmir. Their objective was to isolate Ladakh by severing the connection between Srinagar and Leh.
The initial infiltrations were detected in Kargil in early May 1999. It was customary for both sides to revert to forward positions in the spring after having vacated them due to the severe winter conditions prevalent in Kashmir. The Pakistani Army commenced the retaking of forward stations well ahead of the anticipated schedule, reoccupying 132 posts under Indian control in addition to their own as part of their preliminary effort to capture the valley.
The incursion was discovered by the second week of May when an Indian Army patrol in the Batalik sector was ambushed after receiving a warning from a local shepherd. Initially, the Indian forces in the area stated they would evict them in a few days but they had little idea of the extent or nature of the encroachment.
However, it swiftly became evident that the entire attack strategy was on a much larger scale after reports of infiltration surfaced further along the LoC. Afterward, India mobilized 200,000 troops under “Operation Vijay.” However, most fighting was at the regimental or battalion level due to the terrain which made it highly difficult to mount division and corps operations.
Two 20,000-strong Indian Army divisions, thousands of Indian Paramilitary Forces personnel, and the Air Force were placed in the region of conflict. The Indian Army advanced heavily into the area. Meanwhile, the invaders were discovered to be firmly entrenched. Artillery strikes had been successful in some locations, however, the Air Force was required to assist in more distant ones.
The Government of India (GoI) approved the limited use of air power on 25th May, over three weeks after the earliest reports in order to prevent the escalation. The IAF was not allowed to cross the Line of Control and its fighter jets were to stay on Indian soil and attack the position of the attacker.
Operation Safed Sagar
The code name “Operation Safed Sagar (White Ocean)” was assigned to the Indian Air Force’s joint action with the Indian Army during the Kargil war in 1999, which focused on expelling both regular and irregular elements of the Pakistani Army from abandoned Indian positions in the Kargil region along the Line of Control.
The whole region surrounding Kargil was characterized by hills and was difficult to access. Hence, it appeared as a vast expanse of white snow. This is the reason the operation was designated “Safed Sagar.” It was the first major application of air power in Jammu and Kashmir since the 1971 India-Pakistani War.
This also marked the first use of combat air power in mountain ranges exceeding an altitude of 15,000 feet. Initially, India was reluctant to deploy its air force along the Line of Control (LoC) because it would have exacerbated the conflict. However, the government ultimately approved the action once the magnitude of the Pakistani aggression was understood.
The mission was launched by the IAF on 26th May, just one day after the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) authorized the use of air power, with a specific condition. The air force was permitted to target the infiltrators but was expressly directed not to breach the Line of Control (LoC) to mitigate the risk of further escalation.
The air force was asked to maintain a 24-hour surveillance using radars. Moreover, they were instructed to operate in regions that were very difficult to access. The Pakistani army was completely involved in infiltration in these region and the Air Force was deployed to counter the same.
The toll of victory
The IAF commenced its operations by targeting enemy positions and supply routes. The strike was executed via MiG-21, MiG-27ML and MiG-23BN fighter aircrafts. During the early days, the IAF encountered challenges which resulted in the loss of two aircraft, a MiG-21 and a MiG-27 along with a Mi-17 helicopter. On 27th May, Flight Lieutenant Kambampati Nachiketa’s MiG-27 experienced mechanical failures. He had to eject the aircraft and was soon apprehended by Pakistani forces. He was subjected to torture for several days before his release.
Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja was killed while attempting to find Nachiketa’s landing spot as the enemy shot down his MiG-21. His wife Alka Ahuja disclosed, “Ajay’s MiG-21 fighter was hit by a surface-to-air missile. He had ejected but was captured and tortured by the Pakistan authorities as the postmortem, which was conducted at the Srinagar Base Hospital, revealed,” reported The Times of India.
He received Vir Chakra posthumously for his extraordinary bravery in attempting to save a fellow officer. On 28th May Sergeant PVNR Prasad, Sergeant RK Sahu, Squadron Leader R Pundir and Flight Lieutenant S Muhilan were assigned to fly as a Nubra formation to attack enemy positions at Tololing. Unfortunately, the Stinger Missile struck their helicopter, killing the four valiant soliders.
The adversary suffered massive fatalities as a result of the rocket attack carried out by the four-aircraft formation which was led by Wing Commander Anil Kumar Sinha. The airstrikes on a number of strategic targets helped India win the war. “The air strike on a major supply dump at Muntho Dalo broke the enemy’s back,” revealed retired Air Chief Marshal AY Tipnis in Force Magazine.
The enemy’s shelters were destroyed along with a “huge loss of supplies” and an estimated 100 deaths were reported. The air force’s Tiger Hill missions are likewise impressive. The adversary was attacked by the IAF with laser-guided bombs (LGBs).
“The photograph of the laser designator’s cross on Tiger Hill and the laser bomb hitting the hill-top gives a very vivid impression of what Operation Safed Sagar entailed: Peak of IAF’s professional elan,” he expressed. On 11th July the Indian troops successfully recaptured the Tiger Hills in Kargil.
Operation Safed Sagar’s significance
The unique task of carrying out pinpoint hits in rough and high-altitude terrain where thin air and erratic winds presented serious operational constraints set “Safed Sagar” apart from other such operations. The IAF found new benchmarks for mountain warfare aviation by operating at elevations above 16,000 feet which is often close to the aircraft’s performance limits.
Several factors made it a historic event in military aviation history. It was one of the first times when a minimal amount of air power worked effectively in a confined combat without turning into a full-scale confrontation. It eliminated long-standing strategic reluctance to use air power during border conflicts. The targeted attacks remained inside international borders, proving India’s tactical efficacy and strategic prudence. The operation pushed the limits of India’s air combat capabilities by utilizing night operations and laser-guided bombs.
Furthermore, the air force greatly aided the army. They were responsible for moving soldiers from one location to another and for supplying essential materials. The IAF also assisted in the collection of intelligence on enemy activities which was instrumental in identifying the precise locations of the foes.
During the operation, the Indian Air Force conducted 550 strike missions, 150 reconnaissance missions and over 500 escort flights. The operation was completed on 12th July as India effectively reclaimed all of the seized territories by 26th July. Pakistan withdrew its troops at the end of the war in response to intense international pressure, particularly from the United States.
The ‘chief advisor’ to the interim government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, has finally run his course. In a last-ditch effort to save his throne, the controversial US asset is resorting to blame game, creating mass hysteria and even threatening resignation.
After a drama that unfolded on Thursday (22nd May) about the possibility of Yunus’ resignation, the nation’s focus shifted swiftly from the growing discontenment and facade of unelected, ‘democratic’ governance.
Student activists attempted to woo him at his residence, others demanded his elevation to the post of President. Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party claimed it never asked Yunus to vacate his position.
To top it all, prominent Bangladeshi newspaper ‘The Daily Star’ made a heartfelt appeal to the ‘chief advisor’ against considering resignation. Of course, Muhammad Yunus ‘relented‘ and decided against ‘abandoning’ his responsibilities.
“We’re not going anywhere until our job is done. The chief adviser will be with us. He has not said he will resign. The other advisers are also staying. We have been given responsibilities, and we are here to fulfill them,” information adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud clarified.
Yunus banks on anti-India rhetoric yet again
On Sunday (25th May), Muhammad Yunus attempted to whip up anti-India sentiments in the country so as to distract the public from his incompetency and failure to restore democracy and electoral reforms in Bangladesh.
Through one of his stooges, Mahmudur Rahman Manna (Nagorik Oikya party President), Yunus sent out a message that Bangladesh was faced with a ‘major crisis due to Indian hegemony’.
“The chief adviser stated that the country is in a major crisis due to Indian hegemony. He believes that the entire nation needs to remain united in response. He (Yunus) started the discussion by saying that we are in a deep crisis. By crisis, he meant the conspiracy of Indian hegemony,” Manna remarked.
He quoted Muhammad Yunus as saying, “Indian hegemony does not want to accept this change in our country at all. If they could, they would destroy us in a single day, and they are doing everything necessary to that end. That’s what he said.”
OpIndia had previously explained the rationale behind the continued hostility and war-of-words against India.
Given that India is a perceived as a ‘Hindu nation’ by Bangladeshi Muslims, Yunus set out to antagonise the neighbouring country as well and capitalise on his growing anti-Indian sentiment in the country.
He first attempted to ban the export of Hilsa fish to India but it was in vain. He then strategically downplayed the crucial role played by India in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War by distorting textbooks.
Yunus remained tight-lipped when officials, appointed by him, issued threats to India. In October 2024, Law adviser Asif Nazrul in Bangladesh’s interim government warned that if India tried to refuse the extradition of Sheikh Hasina, the country would launch a “strong protest.”
Sarjis Alam, a so-called ‘student activist’, issued veiled threats to Indian Prime Minsiter Modi. And yet again, Yunus maintained strategic silence. His own ‘adviser’ Mahfuz Alam threatened to annex parts of India.
Former Director General of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), A.L.M. Fazlur Rahman, had also threatened to occupy the 7 States of North-East India in case of war with Pakistan. He is a close aide of Muhammad Yunus.
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) commander Lt. Col Golam Kibria also issued threats to India’s Border Security Force (BSF). The interim government maintained stoic silence yet again.
Yunus went on a trip to China and urged the expansonist nation to use the 7 sisters of India as an extension of its economy.
Muhammad Yunus claims ‘war-like situation’ in Bangladesh
Besides anti-India rhetoric, threats of resignation amid protests by National Citizen Party (formed by students) and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Muhammad Yunus has resorted to creating mass hysteria among the public.
He had alleged that Bangladesh had been in a state of war ever since he gutted democracy by banning Awami League, the prominent political party of the country once headed by now-ousted Sheikh Hasina, in May 2025.
“A war-like situation emerged both inside and outside the country, preventing us from moving forward, causing everything to collapse, and pushing us back into subservience,” the Press Secretary of Muhammad Yunus quoted as saying.
The excuse of ‘war-like situation’ is now used by the controversial US asset, who came to power in Bangladesh through a well co-ordinated regime change operation, to hold his position as the de-facto leader of the country.
Yunus met representatives from all other political parties, including the Jamaat-e-Islami, and go all onboard to support his unelected regime for the time being amid this ‘war-like situation.’
The ‘chief advisor’ to the interim government, who was previously rattled by growing discontenment from all sections of the society, has finally found some respite.
“Since the Awami League’s activities were banned [on May 12], there have been relentless efforts to destabilise the situation. We must protect ourselves from this,” Yunus said.
Mujahidul Islam Selim, the ex-president of the Communist Party of Bangladesh, even remarked, “The election can take place after making the necessary reforms and the interim government can leave fundamental issues to the people. Unnecessary delays can further worsen the already unstable situation.”
With renewed promises of systemic reforms, putting Awami League leaders on trial for alleged ‘crimes’ and conducting a nationwide free and fair election, Yunus has been able to buy himself some additional time.
Earlier, the Bangladesh Army Chief General, Waker-Uz-Zaman, had directed Muhammad Yunus to hold elections by December 2025 under any circumstances.
But the shrewd, cunning ‘chief advisor’ has been able to circumvent the threat of Army by getting all political parties on board (atleast for the time being).
Muhammad Yunus tired to appease Islamic extremists
Bangladesh witnessed a drastic rise in Islamism after Yunus came to power. He first revoked the ban on the radical Islamist outfit ‘Jamaat-e-Islami.’
Thereafter, he released the leader of the radical outfit ‘Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT)’ Muhammad Jasimuddin Rahmani.
At the same time, Muhammad Yunus downplayed the targeted attacks on the Hindu community by violent Muslim mobs. He has gone on record from lamenting about attacks on Hindus to saying that the claims of atrocities are ‘exaggerated‘.
In that way, the controversial US asset was able to placate Islamic extremists. Given that Awami Legaue was against Islamism, the interim government first banned its student wing ‘Chhatra League,’ and then the parent party.
Under the watch of Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh saw a drastic rise in vigilante Muslim mobs, which unleashed violence under the pretext of protecting the tenets of Islam.
These mobs were largely unorganised and called themselves ‘Tawhidi Janata (meaning Revolutionary People).’ They came under the spotlight over acts of vandalism and harassment of people.
The Yunus regime introduced new textbooks for primary and secondary students, which falsely claimed that the first declaration of independence of Bangladesh was made by Ziaur Rehman (a favourite icon of Muslim hardliners in Bangladesh).
The interim government also appointed a Hizb ut-Tahrir terrorist named Mohammad Azaz as the administrator for the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC).
The situation had become so grim that Bangladeshi ambassador to Morocco Mohammad Harun Al Rashid was forced to slam the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in a scathing Facebook post in March this year.
Ever since the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s powerful response under Operation Sindoor, Pakistan has gone into full-blown damage control mode—not on the battlefield, but on social media. With its military bruised and global perception dented, Islamabad has ramped up a barrage of propaganda to paint a picture of success. But now, it’s resorting to outright fiction.
In its latest stunt, Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir posed alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, proudly holding a framed image supposedly capturing a Pakistani military strike—part of what they’ve dubbed “Operation Bunyan”. The catch? The photo is not Pakistani at all. It’s a doctored image from a 2019 Chinese military drill, showing PHL-03 multiple rocket launchers in action.
The photo was presented during a lavish dinner hosted by Munir on May 24, just a day after he was controversially elevated to the title of Field Marshal. The event saw the who’s who of Pakistan’s power corridors—President Asif Ali Zardari, PM Shehbaz, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and military top brass—clapping along to what was essentially a staged piece of military fan fiction.
But the internet wasn’t buying it.
Netizens were quick to unmask the lie. One user mocked, “The army that can’t even take original photos of its own ops wants us to believe in its ‘victory’?”
PM gifted Asim Munir a photoshopped image from a 2019 Chinese military drill!!! Waah re Lumber one fauj! pic.twitter.com/uTTTLe7j37
Another wrote, “I don’t think they know anything about Google Image Search.”
Shehbaz Sharif Gifted Chinese Drill Pic As 'Op Bunyan' Memento To Pak Army Chief. I don't think they know anything about Google Image Search.? pic.twitter.com/DrmzFpXFKj
This isn’t a one-off. State-backed Pakistani media outlets have previously used video game clips and old war documentaries, falsely labeling them as real-time visuals from Pakistani military actions against India.
During the height of Operation Sindoor, pro-Pakistani handles even claimed Delhi Airport had been hit by a missile. That “evidence”? A clip from a gas station explosion in Aden, Yemen, back in August 2024—swiftly debunked by India’s PIB Fact Check. Pakistan Air Force spokesperson Aurangzeb Ahmed lean on English, ‘centre of gravity’ phrase precisely, to hoodwink the Pakistani public and masking the military’s utter failure to prevent airstrikes by India.
Another viral claim suggested Bathinda Airfield had been “wiped out”—yet the airfield remained fully operational, with zero damage reported.
From fake images to false flags, Pakistan’s propaganda war seems more about fooling itself than the world. And with every Photoshop fail and video game clip exposed, the credibility of Islamabad’s narrative nosedives even further.
In a rare direct attack on Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump called him “absolutely crazy”. Trump has hit out at his Russian counterpart, accusing him of “needlessly” killing people in Ukraine. In a Truth Social post published on Sunday (25th May), Trump expressed his frustration over Putin launching missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities. President Trump’s change in tone for Putin comes at a time when the American leader has continuously been boasting of working towards ending the Russia-Ukraine war.
“I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY! He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I’m not just talking about soldiers. Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever,” Trump said.
The US President further insinuated that President Putin wants to annex entire Ukraine, however, it would lead to Russia’s “downfall”.
“I’ve always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that’s proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!” Trump said.
President Trump also slammed Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy for “talking the way he does”, adding that it serves no purpose other than creating problems.
“Likewise, President Zelenskyy is doing his Country no favors by talking the way he does. Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop,” the US President said.
Trump being Trump, proceeded to boast about how the Russia-Ukraine war would never have erupted if he had been the US President. He also claimed that the prolonged conflict is a Putin’s, Zelenskyy’s, and Biden’s war.
“This is Zelenskyy’s, Putin’s, and Biden’s War, not “Trump’s,” I am only helping to put out the big and ugly fires, that have been started through Gross Incompetence and Hatred,” he added.
President Trump’s assertion that Russia’s fresh offensive in Ukraine and Zelenskyy’s rhetoric are counterproductive to peace efforts, comes after Russia launched a massive overnight attack involving more than 300 drones and 69 missiles against Ukrainian cities, including capital Kyiv. Reports say that around 13 people were killed in the Russian strikes. Russia is also reported to have taken control of the village of Romanivka in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.
Earlier on Sunday, Russian air defences intercepted 110 Ukrainian drones, including 13 over the Moscow and Tver regions.
Meanwhile, the US Special Envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, deemed the latest Russian attack as “a clear violation” of the 1977 Geneva Peace Protocols and called for an immediate ceasefire.
Russia’s aerial strikes against Ukraine came days after the two warring nations completed biggest prisoner swap since the beginning of the conflict. Recently, over 1000 soldiers and prisoners of war were exchanged by both sides.
Donald Trump’s statement against President Putin comes after Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said that America’s silence has emboldened Putin. Zelenskyy also advocated for building strong pressure on the Russian leadership, otherwise, “Russian brutality cannot be stopped.”
“This cannot be ignored. America’s silence, and the silence of others in the world, only encourages Putin,” Zelenskyy said.
Trump has continuously been expressing frustration over President Putin’s alleged sudden change in stance towards potential ceasefire and peace between Russia and Ukraine. Earlier, while interacting with reporters at the Morristown Municipal Airport in New Jersey, Trump said that he failed to understand “what the hell happened to Putin”, adding that he “doesn’t like it at all”.
“I don’t like what Putin is doing. Not even a little bit,” Trump said.
After all of Trump’s boastful talks of ending Russia-Ukraine conflict, peace remains elusive
Donald Trump’s frustration over Putin, however, is not confined to mere rhetoric, rather, the US President is contemplating imposing secondary sanctions against Moscow. It is interesting to mention that just few days ago, Ukraine had said that it would ask the European Union to impose stricter sanctions against Russia, including seizing Russian assets and bringing in sanctions for some buyers of Russian oil.
This came in view of Trump’s growing pro-Russia stance recently as the US President had decided not to impose fresh sanctions against Moscow after having a telephonic conversation with President Putin. However, Trump’s more recent remarks directly accusing President Putin of taking measures counterproductive to peace efforts indicate that the US is somewhat fickle in its approach.
Earlier this month, Ukraine and the United States signed the minerals deal under which the US will gain access to the war-torn nation’s rare earth deposits, including oil and gas.
After assuming office, Trump has significantly reduced aid to Ukraine, thus compelling the war-torn country to ink a deal to secure long-term US investment.
Interestingly, the Trump administration has been pushing for a swift end to the war, possibly at the cost of some of Ukraine’s long-term strategic goals, most importantly, NATO membership. Not to forget, Ukraine’s desperate attempts at joining NATO were one of the major reasons behind the escalation of tensions with Russia. This remains a bone of contention with Russia emphasising that it cannot allow Ukraine to join NATO since this poses a direct threat to Russia’s sovereignty.
The US-Ukraine deal and Putin-Trump telephonic conversations, however, are not yielding much positive results towards securing lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine. Before the latest threat of imposing secondary sanctions, Trump had hinted at imposing sanctions against Moscow after Russia’s missile attack on Ukraine and questioned whether Putin wants to stop the war.
Interestingly, during his election campaign last year, Donald Trump had claimed that if voted to power, he would end the Russia-Ukraine conflict within 24 hours, however, it’s been nearly five months already and Trump’s efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war embarrassingly faltered.
Donald Trump changing his seemingly pro-Putin stance, which Ukraine earlier called “appeasement”, is not surprising as the American President has already backtracked from his statement in which he committed to bringing the Ukraine-Russia war, ongoing for the last three years, to an end.
Both Russia and Ukraine have been accusing each other of delaying peace talks and resolution of disputes. This is when both countries talk about being interested in ending the conflict while continuously launching drone and missile strikes against each other. On 16th May, Russia and Ukraine started direct peace talks in Istanbul and agreed on exchange of 1000 prisoners each. The two nations had also agreed to start drafting a document outlining the conditions for a potential ceasefire.
Recently, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that second round of talks with Ukraine will take place soon. While prisoners swap, agreed upon in the first round of talks, has been completed, ceasefire remains a distant dream. While Russia remains adamant about making Ukraine relinquish its NATO dream, and halting of Western military aid to Ukraine, Kyiv deems this unacceptable. These core differences have rendered all the months of diplomatic efforts futile.
Interestingly, Donald Trump has been trying hard to position himself as a global peacemaker. It was seen during the recent India-Pakistan standoff, wherein India inflicted humiliating damages against Pakistani terror camps and military establishments, how Trump repeatedly claimed to have ‘settled’ Indo-Pak conflict through trade. Although a laughable claim, even if believed for argument’s sake, the question arises as to why has his “trade” ties offers for both Russia and Ukraine have failed to ‘settle’ the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv?
Interestingly, Trump has gone from being reluctant to impose fresh sanctions against Russia, being friendly with President Putin and rebuking President Zelenskyy, to calling the Russian leader “crazy” and contemplating imposition of secondary sanctions against Russia. So far, the prisoner swap has been the only positive outcome of Russia-Ukraine peace talks, the United States has secured a lucrative minerals deal with Ukraine, while people on the Russian and Ukrainian sides continue to die.
On 24th May, the Supreme Court of India urged the Centre to consider decriminalising consensual adolescent relationships under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The remarks of the apex court have sparked alarm among child rights activists and social observers. The court has also asked the government to frame a national policy on sexual and reproductive health education.
Minors cannot choose their government, they don't even have the right to vote. Are we expecting them to choose their sexual partners wisely? Be careful, this could legitimize Nikah and other forms of child marriage with minor girls.
— प्रियंक कानूनगो Priyank Kanoongo (@KanoongoPriyank) May 25, 2025
While this may be framed as empathy by the judiciary, former chief of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Priyank Kanoongo, warned that such a step could open a dangerous floodgate. In a post on X, he wrote, “Minors cannot choose their government, they don’t even have the right to vote. Are we expecting them to choose their sexual partners wisely? Be careful, this could legitimise Nikah and other forms of child marriage with minor girls.”
The judicial observation that could be misused
The Supreme Court made the observations while hearing the plea of a woman whose husband was sentenced to 20 years under POCSO for having a relationship with her when she was 14. The Court appointed senior lawyers Madhavi Divan and Liz Mathew as amici curiae, who recommended a more empathetic approach towards adolescent consensual relationships. The court then issued notice to the Centre, suggesting the formation of an expert committee to look into the matter.
Notably, several High Courts, including those in Madras and Delhi, have already leaned towards a more “nuanced” interpretation. In a recent judgment, the Delhi High Court quashed a case against a boy and held that love among adolescents should not be punished. On the other hand, a few years ago, the Madras High Court had said that adolescent relationships should be viewed with understanding, not from an adult’s lens.
But this is India, not Scandinavia
The issue here is that the courts are possibly viewing the situation from a Western viewpoint. What may work as a model in Western liberal societies can have devastating consequences in India. Notably, India is already reeling under challenges like forced child marriages, Nikah involving minor girls, rampant trafficking under the guise of marriage, and systematic religious conversions under grooming tactics. Decriminalising adolescent sex may end up becoming a legal loophole for all these, and many other forms of abuse.
The POCSO Act is not meant to police love. However, it is also not meant to allow grown men to exploit legal grey zones by marrying or entering into relationships with underage girls under the guise of “adolescent love”. There is no way one can ignore how the Nikah route is often used to avoid POCSO charges. Not to forget, not long ago, in June 2022, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had justified child marriage using Shariah and held that a Muslim woman of 16 years old was eligible for Nikah. Will this judicial leniency not embolden traffickers and manipulators who are already gaming the system?
The slippery slope ahead
It is not a matter of legal language alone. It is a socio-cultural landmine. Once the law starts accommodating “consensual” relationships involving 14 or 15-year-olds, the line between love and exploitation will blur even further. Who is going to verify the consent? At what age does a girl from a poor and marginalised background have the agency to refuse coercion disguised as love?
Child marriage is very much a serious issue in India. Every year, there are thousands, if not lakhs, of child marriages happening in the country. The moment adolescent sexual activity is normalised under the law, religious bodies, khap panchayats, and trafficking rings could push vulnerable girls into marriages or exploitative situations, all legally shielded.
What is needed – balance, not blanket decriminalisation
It is a fact that in some cases, POCSO is misused and it deserves attention. However, legal reform must be surgical, not sweeping. There should be age-gap thresholds, better counselling mechanisms, parental mediation, and strong safeguards must accompany any change.
If such safeguards are not in place, the so-called “noble intention of protecting young love” will become a disaster for society and the safety of young girls. It will be hijacked by those who have a history of preying on the young and voiceless.
No matter how strong the lines the court or lawmakers write about “empathy”, the fact remains that minors cannot vote, cannot drive, and there is a good reason for it. Are we going to assume now that they are fit to give sexual consent?
The judiciary may mean well, but from a Western world’s perspective. For a country like India, such judgments, if not accompanied by caution and cultural context, will not protect love. They will legitimise abuse.
On 26th May, police personnel attempted to apprehend a wanted criminal Qadir, however, they were attacked with stones and gunfire by a mob, in Ghaziabad of Uttar Pradesh. During the incident, a constable was killed by gunfire. He was identified as Saurabh Deswal and he had recently joined the police force.
The Crime Branch of Noida- Phase III Police Station conducted a raid in Nahal village, Masuri, Ghaziabad, to apprehend Qadir, successfully arresting him. However, when the police began to take him away, some of his family members and associates, who were hiding near the field, started to throw stones at the police. This was followed by indiscriminate gunfire. Other police personnel saved themselves by running in different directions but Saurabh tragically lost his life.
The victim was posted at the Phase-3 police station in Gautam Buddh Nagar. He sustained a gunshot wound to the head. The police immediately took him to Yashoda Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead. According to reports, many cops were also injured in this attack. The others managed to save their lives by fleeing the scene.
ब्रेकिंग न्यूज़:
गाजियाबाद में हिस्ट्रीशीटर कादिर उर्फ मंटा को पकड़कर ले जा रही नोएडा पुलिस टीम पर बदमाशों का हमला। सिपाही सौरभ के सिर में गोली लगने से मौत। फायरिंग के बाद बदमाश अपने साथी को छुड़ाकर फरार हो गए। सौरभ शामली के रहने वाले थे और 2016 बैच के थे।@noidapolice… pic.twitter.com/GlLJKZSQS5
— BT News |Bharatiya Talk| (@BharatiyaTalk) May 26, 2025
After obtaining information about the incident, a large number of police officers arrived at the location where Qadir was attempting to escape but he was captured by them. According to other reports, he was able to escape during the violent altercation. An FIR (First Information Report) has been initiated in the matter after a complaint from a sub-inspector in Noida.
The authorities indicated that other accused will be nabbed soon and severe action will be taken against them. History-sheeter Qadir has reportedly more than 24 cases filed against him at just 23 years of age.
The Uttar Pradesh government plans to invest ₹6,124 crore to build ring roads, bypasses and flyovers throughout the state in an important move to increase road connectivity and reduce traffic congestion. A government spokesperson informed, “With the goal of transforming Uttar Pradesh into ‘Uttam Pradesh’, the state government is advancing infrastructure on a large-scale to expand the network of expressways.”
“The plan is to create a gridlock layout to integrate important national highways with expressways, as well as major state highways and roads, to reduce commute time across the state,” the person added.
₹6,124 crore approved for 62 road projects to cut commute times, ease congestion, and strengthen UP’s logistics network. Urban centres and high-density areas prioritised. pic.twitter.com/yWYNqubB1W
An official stated, “Integrating the existing road network through ring roads, flyovers and underpasses is being planned simultaneously to resolve the long-standing issues of traffic jams and congestion within key cities and urban centres.”
The public works department has created a thorough plan outlining the growth of road connectivity for the fiscal year 2025-2026 in response to instructions from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. A total of 62 projects have been selected for immediate implementation under the framework.
The road map specified that while implementing civil infrastructure projects, areas with dense populations and high vehicle traffic shall be assigned priority. It will exclude municipalities and councils that are already connected to national routes.
The initiative is designed to enhance connectivity infrastructure while also optimizing traffic management. This would provide safer and more comfortable travel for the urban population who commute in major cities like Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Agra, Bareilly, Lucknow, Kanpur and Ghaziabad, among others. Additionally, multiple industrial parks are under progress at various locations throughout the state to promote manufacturing.
Future logistics, warehousing and freight movement industries will also be essential to bolstering the state’s economy and achieving the USD 1 trillion goal, according to an official. The Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department (UPPWD)-prepared blueprint mentioned that cities with a population of one to ten lakh will be prioritised.
A detailed study conducted by Bundelkhand University has reaffirmed that the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), launched under the Har Ghar Jal initiative, has brought in a quiet revolution in rural Bundelkhand. The study was conducted across 70 villages in seven districts. It paints a vivid picture of how piped drinking water has brought transformative changes in health, education, livelihoods, social structure and rural development.
A recent study by Bundelkhand University underscores how the Jal Jeevan Mission has transformed rural life across 70 villages, improving health, education, and livelihoods.@jaljeevan_pic.twitter.com/7wrUnRxc8s
The Department of Social Work conducted the study at the request of the State Water and Sanitation Mission. The findings are based on field surveys, community interviews and on-ground observations, as noted by the report in Times of India. The study captured both quantitative outcomes and human stories of change.
Scope of the study and district-wise reach
The study was conducted over a period of two and a half months. A team comprising four faculty members and researchers covered ten villages each from Banda, Chitrakoot, Hamirpur, Jhansi, Jalaun, Mahoba and Lalitpur. The team was led by Associate Professor Dr Yatindra Mishra. The study involved interactions with women, youth, ASHA and Anganwadi workers, schoolteachers, students and other key stakeholders.
Dr Yatindra Mishra remarked, “The Har Ghar Jal initiative has done more than provide water. It has restored dignity, health and stability to people who were living under chronic water stress. But we must now transition from access to responsibility, making conservation and sustainability central to the next phase of rural progress.”
The villages surveyed include Narayanpur, Jakhni, Garauli Shukla in Banda; Deundha, Nonmai, Barhat in Chitrakoot; Pachkhura, Dharkpur, Jariya Teela in Hamirpur; Baijpur, Ghatkotra, Chirkna in Jhansi; Hatheri, Raipura, Girthan in Jalaun; Bari, Kashipura, Dhanawan in Mahoba and Rampur, Gugkhara, Thanrawa in Lalitpur.
Health outcomes improve across the board
The study revealed that the availability of safe and clean drinking water significantly enhanced public health. Households reported a sharp decline in water-borne illnesses including diarrhoea, typhoid and stomach infections. Digestive health improved and people experienced relief from ailments such as neck and back pain caused by lifting and carrying heavy water pots.
A notable difference was seen in the health of pregnant and lactating mothers. The maternal mortality rate saw a substantial decline and the nutritional status of women improved. Over 95 percent of respondents reported saving on medical expenses. Earlier, contaminated water had led to bone weakening and chronic illnesses, particularly among the elderly. These health issues have now reduced significantly, which has contributed to the overall well-being of the households.
Education and school hygiene see significant gains
All surveyed schools have been fully integrated with the Jal Jeevan Mission. Functional water storage systems and clean toilets have directly contributed to higher school enrolment, particularly among girls. The study highlighted a reduction in dropout rates as young girls now feel safe and dignified in school environments.
Both teachers and students reported improvements in hygiene, availability of drinking water during school hours and better attendance. As the young girls are no longer burdened with the job of fetching water, families are now more inclined to send them to school.
Rural economy witnesses uplift, women lead the charge
As water is now available at the doorstep, women who earlier spent hours daily getting water are now participating in an array of jobs including agriculture, animal husbandry, tailoring, poultry and other income-generating activities. These engagements have increased household incomes and empowered women in decision-making within their families.
The construction of toilets and provision of water inside homes enhanced the safety, dignity and health of women and adolescent girls. In many cases, women were able to take up jobs as water attendants, sanitation helpers and field motivators under the scheme, which further improved their household income.
Social discrimination on the decline
The study documented a notable reduction in caste-based discrimination. Earlier, access to common water sources often served as a flashpoint for social tension. With every household having its own supply, this dynamic has dramatically shifted. Communal relations have improved, cooperation has increased and a sense of collective ownership over shared resources is establishing its roots among the villagers.
Around 93 percent of respondents acknowledged a drop in dowry cases and early marriages. Villagers credited this to an improved social environment, better education and a rising sense of dignity linked to water availability and sanitation.
Youth stay back to build instead of migrate
Interestingly, rural youth, who traditionally saw migration to urban centres for work as a great opportunity to have a sustainable life, are now increasingly staying in their villages. The study reports that 92 percent of youth prefer to remain in the village due to emerging self-employment avenues. These include farming, dairy, mobile repair, retail shops, fish farming and poultry.
The availability of water has made previously fallow land cultivable. MGNREGA demand has also surged, with more localised livelihood options gaining traction. The shift reflects a broader change in how rural youth perceive opportunity and stability.
Bundelkhand University’s recommendations for long-term impact
While the gains are significant, the study also highlighted areas that required focus to ensure long-term success. Bundelkhand University has recommended raising awareness about the value of water and actively discouraging wastage. It has called for promoting household-level water budgeting through trained volunteers and local campaigns.
Furthermore, the University has stressed the importance of training “Jal Sahelis” before deployment so that they can effectively educate others. The University has urged promoting collaborations with NGOs and Panchayats to introduce water conservation techniques at the grassroots level. Additionally, the University has advised sensitising school staff and caretakers to manage water storage efficiently and prevent misuse.
