Police disperse an agitating crowd as communal tension prevailed Chitnis park area following the VHP-Bajrang Dal protest, in Nagpur, Monday, March 17, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Donald Trump says Xi Jinping to visit in ‘not too distant future’

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday suggested that Chinese President Xi Jinping may visit the United States “in the not-too-distant future” for talks as economic tensions escalate between the powers. “He’ll be coming,” Mr. Trump said, “in the not-too-distant future.”

Violence erupts in Nagpur as Bajrang Dal, VHP protest for removal of Aurangzeb’s tomb

The protests over demands to demolish Aurangzeb’s tomb turned violent as tension triggered in Nagpur’s Ganeshpeth, Mahal, and Gandhibagh areas on Monday afternoon, with stone-pelting and arson reported. According to police, tension escalated when the rumour of burning the holy book of the Muslim community during the protest spread in the area. The videos of the Bajrang Dal demonstration went viral, leading to outrage and dispute between the two communities.

Trade talks between India and U.S. ‘positive’, says Commerce Secretary

India and the U.S. are “proactively engaged” in boosting trade between the two countries, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal said on Monday. “We are proactively engaging with the U.S., and discussing mutually beneficial issues which can increase the trade between the two countries,” Mr. Barthwal told presspersons on Monday in response to questions on U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to impose reciprocal tariffs from April 2. He described the talks as “positive”.

Railways out of financial stress of pandemic years: Ashwini Vaishnaw

The allocation for Railways has increased to ₹2.5 lakh crore from ₹25,000 crore in the past 10 years, and the sector has come out of the difficulties it had faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in the Rajya Sabha on Monday. Replying to a debate on the workings of the Railway Ministry, he said that the Railways was fulfilling its expenses from its own income because of the good performance.

Special court acquits gangster Chhota Rajan in 2011 killing of driver of Dawood Ibrahim’s brother

A special court in Mumbai acquitted gangster Chhota Rajan in the 2011 killing of the driver/bodyguard of Iqbal Kaskar, brother of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. Special Judge A.M. Patil, designated under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), acquitted Rajan. A detailed copy of the order will be made available later. Rajan, who is presently lodged in Delhi’s Tihar jail, was produced before the court via videoconference. The court informed him that he has been acquitted in the case.

Notice to Air India over woman’s brain injury

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has served a show-cause notice on Air India after an 82-year-old woman passenger suffered brain injuries from a fall at the Delhi airport following a delay in providing her with a wheelchair, Minister for Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu informed Parliament.

India’s goods trade deficit at a 42-month low on reduced gold, silver and crude imports

India’s goods trade deficit was down to a 42-month low of $14.05 billion as imports of gold, silver and crude dipped in February 2025, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The difference between import and export of goods was $22.9 billion in January 2025. In February 2024, the merchandise trade deficit stood at $19.5 billion.

Bangladesh slams Gabbard’s remarks on minority persecution

The interim government of Professor Muhammad Yunus refuted U.S. National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard’s remarks on the alleged persecution of minority communities in Bangladesh saying her comments were “not based on any evidence or specific allegations”. It said Ms. Gabbard’s statement in an Indian TV channel was “misleading and damaging to the image and reputation of Bangladesh, a nation whose traditional practice of Islam has been famously inclusive and peaceful and that has made remarkable strides in its fight against extremism and terrorism”.

Trump names Michelle Bowman as top Federal Reserve bank regulator

President Donald Trump on Monday nominated Michelle Bowman to oversee the Federal Reserve’s financial regulatory efforts, a move that could lead to looser rules for large banks. Ms. Bowman was appointed by Mr. Trump in 2018 to serve on the Fed’s governing board. She replaces Michael Barr as the Fed’s Vice Chair for Supervision after Mr. Barr stepped down last month to avoid a legal fight that could have ensued had Mr. Trump carried out his threat to fire him. Barr, however, stayed on the seven-member Fed board, forcing Trump to pick from one of the existing governors.