A £275,000 Aurus Senat limousine from Russian President Vladimir Putin's official fleet reportedly exploded near Moscow's FSB headquarters on March 29. The incident occurred on Sretenka Street, north of the Lubyanka area. Footage shows the fire originating in the engine compartment and spreading to the interior. Bystanders attempted to extinguish the flames before emergency services arrived. The occupants escaped unharmed; their identities remain undisclosed. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. This event underscores heightened security concerns surrounding President Putin amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict. (PC: Newsweek)

The United States has witnessed a sharp decline in the number of Indian nationals caught crossing illegally, reaching the lowest figures in four years. U.S. Customs and Border Protection recorded 1,628 arrests in February 2025, a steep drop from 3,132 in January and over 5,600 in December 2024. This decline is attributed to President Donald Trump’s stricter immigration policies and intensified border enforcement. The crackdown has also led to a reduction in smuggling operations, while undocumented Indian immigrants in the U.S. are avoiding travel to minimize detention risks. Authorities expect the trend to continue under ongoing enforcement measures. (PC: The Week)  

Hamas's armed wing released a video featuring Israeli hostage Elkana Bohbot, abducted during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. In the footage, Bohbot pleads for the Israeli government to secure his release amid ongoing airstrikes. This follows an earlier video where Bohbot and fellow captive Yosef Haim Ohana described the dangers they've faced since the resumption of Israeli airstrikes on March 18. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum identified Bohbot and continues to advocate for the hostages' release. The conflict has led to significant casualties and destruction in Gaza. (PC: Firstpost & ABC)

The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for Syria, citing increased risks of terrorism, civil unrest, and wrongful detention. With the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holiday, there's a heightened threat of attacks targeting embassies, international organizations, and public institutions in Damascus. The U.S. government urges its citizens to depart Syria immediately and remains unable to provide consular services, as the U.S. Embassy in Damascus has been closed since 2012. For emergency assistance, U.S. nationals should contact the U.S. Interests Section at the Czech Embassy in Damascus. (PC: India Today & Spiegel)

Nepal witnessed intense street protests as pro-monarchy demonstrators clashed with security forces, demanding the restoration of the Himalayan nation’s constitutional monarchy. The protests, organized by the Rashtriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and other royalist groups, turned violent, resulting in at least two deaths and over 100 arrests. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse crowds in Kathmandu and other major cities. Protesters accused the government of suppressing free speech, while authorities labeled the agitation a threat to national stability. As tensions rise, political analysts warn of growing dissatisfaction with Nepal’s current republican system, fueling further unrest. (PC: Sputnik India)

On March 28, 2025, violent pro-monarchy protests erupted in Kathmandu, Nepal, demanding the reinstatement of the monarchy. Clashes between demonstrators and security forces resulted in two deaths, including a TV cameraman and a protester. At least 112 people were injured, including 53 police officers, 22 Armed Police Force personnel, and 35 protesters. Authorities arrested over 100 individuals, including key political figures. The government imposed a curfew and deployed the army to control the unrest. The protests highlight ongoing dissatisfaction with Nepal’s republican system, abolished in 2008, amid growing concerns over governance and corruption. (PC: NDTV)  

On March 28, 2025, a catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, causing widespread devastation. Over 1,000 people have been killed, and more than 2,400 injured, overwhelming hospitals struggling with limited resources. Blood donations are in high demand as medical facilities face severe shortages. The United Nations has allocated $5 million for immediate relief efforts. In neighboring Thailand, the tremors led to the collapse of a 30-story building in Bangkok, killing at least 10. Myanmar's military leader, General Min Aung Hlaing, has appealed for international assistance as rescue operations continue amid ongoing aftershocks. (PC: AFP)

Katrina Armstrong has resigned as Columbia University’s interim president just a week after the university agreed to policy changes demanded by the Trump administration. Armstrong, who took over in August after her predecessor resigned over handling protests against Israel, will return to Columbia’s medical center. She is replaced by Claire Shipman as acting president. The resignation follows Trump’s threats to withhold $400 million in federal funding over alleged antisemitism on campus. Columbia has banned face masks at protests and revised oversight policies. Meanwhile, a Columbia graduate activist faces deportation, intensifying concerns over student activism and political repression. (PC: BBC News)  

In a significant escalation, Israeli forces conducted extensive airstrikes targeting Iranian military installations in Syria. The operation, described as one of Israel's most substantial in recent years, aimed to dismantle Iran's military entrenchment in the region. Targets included weapons depots, intelligence centers, and training facilities associated with Iran's Quds Force and allied Syrian military units. The strikes were reportedly in retaliation for prior rocket attacks on Israeli positions in the Golan Heights. Syrian state media acknowledged the assaults, reporting casualties among both military personnel and civilians. This development underscores the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran over Syria's strategic landscape. (PC: The Mirror)

Bangladesh is evaluating proposals from both China and India for the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, estimated at $1 billion. Chinese participation in the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project. Bangladesh’s assurance was communicated during the ongoing visit of Chief Advisor Prof Mohammed Yunus to China. The two sides also signed an agreement on exchange of hydrological information of the Yarlung Zangbo-Jamuna (Brahmaputra). In a joint statement issued after the end of the official discussion, the two sides announced that Bangladesh and China have agreed to start discussion for a Free Trade Agreement “at an early date”. The project aims to address seasonal challenges of the Teesta River, including flooding during monsoons and reduced flow in dry periods, thereby benefiting agriculture and local communities. Bangladesh will consider both proposals to determine the most advantageous path forward. (PC: DNA India)