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The United States and Iran held their second round of indirect negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, as diplomatic efforts continue amid heightened regional tensions. While both sides indicated forward movement in discussions, parallel military developments have added complexity to the fragile engagement.
Reports suggest the US has significantly reinforced its military presence in the Middle East. Over 50 advanced fighter aircraft, including F-35, F-22 and F-16 jets, were reportedly repositioned to the region within a 24-hour window. The deployment follows Washington&rsquo;s decision to send a second aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to Middle Eastern waters, underscoring its strategic posture.
Despite the show of force, the Geneva discussions were described as substantive and focused. Iranian officials signalled that preliminary understandings were reached on broad guiding principles that could shape a future agreement. However, they cautioned that drafting and finalising any deal would take time.
On the American side, officials maintained that the talks unfolded largely as anticipated. Washington&rsquo;s core objective remains preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a position repeatedly emphasised by senior US leadership.
Meanwhile, regional tensions persisted. Iran temporarily restricted navigation in parts of the Strait of Hormuz during a naval drill, highlighting the waterway&rsquo;s vulnerability. Additionally, US leaders suggested that differences remain over key conditions laid out by President Donald Trump.
As diplomacy continues, both nations appear to be balancing dialogue with deterrence, leaving the broader geopolitical landscape uncertain.

Second Geneva round shows progress as military moves raise stakes

US-Iran Talks Advance Amid Rising Tensions

Elon Musk could become the world&rsquo;s first trillionaire as early as 2026, with his net worth climbing to an estimated $850 billion in February. He recently crossed the $800 billion mark, setting a new benchmark in global wealth rankings.
Musk&rsquo;s fortune now exceeds the combined wealth of Larry Page, Sergey Brin and Mark Zuckerberg, highlighting the scale of his financial lead.
A major boost has come from a recent deal between SpaceX and xAI. The aerospace firm acquired Musk&rsquo;s AI and social media venture in a transaction valuing the combined entity at $1.25 trillion. With an estimated 43% ownership in the merged company, Musk&rsquo;s stake alone is valued at over $530 billion, accounting for nearly two-thirds of his total wealth.
However, the merger comes amid regulatory scrutiny across Europe, Asia, Australia and California over xAI&rsquo;s image-generation tool, Grok, following concerns around explicit deepfake content.
According to the Manhattan-based prediction platform Kalshi, traders currently assign a 75% probability that Musk will achieve trillionaire status this year. Most expect it to happen before 2029, with strong sentiment pointing to 2026 or 2027.
A potential SpaceX IPO could further accelerate his rise, possibly pushing his net worth toward $1.5 trillion. Meanwhile, his 12% stake in Tesla, along with substantial stock options and a record-breaking compensation package approved by shareholders, continues to underpin his expanding fortune.

SpaceX-xAI deal fuels surge in Musk’s soaring net worth

Musk Eyes Trillionaire Milestone in 2026

Representatives from Ukraine and Russia are scheduled to meet in Geneva on Tuesday and Wednesday for a new round of US-brokered peace negotiations, just days before the fourth anniversary of Moscow&rsquo;s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
The discussions mark the third round of talks mediated by the United States, after earlier meetings were held in Abu Dhabi. Washington has reportedly set a June deadline to push for a settlement, though expectations for a breakthrough remain limited as both sides continue to stand by their core demands.
Ukraine&rsquo;s delegation is being led by Rustem Umerov, secretary of the National Security and Defence Council. Other members include senior presidential aide Serhiy Kyslytsya and Kyrylo Budanov, a key official in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy&rsquo;s administration.
Russia&rsquo;s team is headed by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to President Vladimir Putin. The delegation also includes senior intelligence and foreign ministry officials, along with Kirill Dmitriev, who is involved in a parallel economic working group.
Territory remains the main obstacle. Moscow is pressing Kyiv to cede the remaining portion of the eastern Donetsk region that Russian forces have not yet captured, a demand Ukraine has firmly rejected. Other contentious issues include control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and the potential deployment of Western troops in a postwar scenario.
On the battlefield, fighting continues along a roughly 1,250-kilometre front line. Russia has intensified aerial strikes on Ukraine&rsquo;s energy infrastructure, causing widespread winter power outages. Kyiv, meanwhile, has expanded its drone capabilities to target sites deep inside Russian territory.
Despite sustained diplomatic efforts over the past year, Europe&rsquo;s largest conflict since 1945 continues to claim lives and displace millions.

US-brokered peace talks resume ahead of invasion anniversary

Geneva Hosts Fresh Russia-Ukraine Talks

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have agreed to intensify economic pressure on Iran, particularly by targeting its oil exports to China, according to a report.
The White House meeting reportedly centred on limiting Tehran&rsquo;s ability to sell crude to Beijing, which remains the largest buyer of Iranian seaborne oil. Data from analytics firm Kpler indicates that China purchases over 80% of Iran&rsquo;s oil shipped by sea. In 2025, China imported an average of 1.38 million barrels per day of Iranian crude, about 13.4% of its total seaborne oil imports.
Due to US sanctions aimed at curbing funding for Tehran&rsquo;s nuclear programme, Iran has few official buyers. Oil shipments to China are often rerouted or labelled as originating from countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia. Chinese customs data have not shown direct Iranian oil imports since mid-2022.
The renewed &ldquo;maximum pressure&rdquo; campaign is expected to run parallel to ongoing nuclear negotiations. An executive order signed by Trump recently allows the administration to impose tariffs of up to 25% on nations trading with Iran, potentially expanding economic leverage.
Meanwhile, tensions between Iran and the United States continue to escalate. A second round of nuclear discussions is scheduled to take place with diplomatic facilitation from Switzerland. Trump has warned of severe consequences if no agreement is reached and has reiterated that military action remains an option.
The US has also reinforced its military presence in the region, including deploying the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier to the Middle East.
Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is peaceful. However, concerns persist as uranium enrichment levels have reportedly reached 60% purity, close to weapons-grade. The International Atomic Energy Agency has faced challenges in fully verifying Iran&rsquo;s stockpile in recent months.
Investigations and diplomatic engagements continue amid heightened geopolitical strain.

US to target Iran oil exports to China amid nuclear talks

Trump, Netanyahu Step Up Iran Pressure

Tensions between the United States and Iran have intensified after US President Donald Trump announced the deployment of a second aircraft carrier group to the Middle East, warning Tehran that failure to secure a nuclear deal could have severe consequences.
Trump confirmed that the USS Gerald R. Ford would soon head to the region, potentially joining the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group already operating near the Persian Gulf. He indicated that the additional military presence would be necessary if diplomatic efforts fail.
The renewed pressure comes as indirect nuclear negotiations resumed, with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner expected to engage Iranian representatives in Geneva. Oman is acting as a mediator in the talks, following earlier discussions hosted there.
Trump reiterated that while he prefers a diplomatic resolution, Iran has been difficult to negotiate with. He also hinted that regime change in Tehran &ldquo;could be the best thing that could happen,&rdquo; escalating rhetoric further.
Referring to previous US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities under what he described as Operation Midnight Hammer, Trump claimed the action significantly weakened Iran&rsquo;s atomic capabilities.
The US has bolstered its military footprint in the region in recent weeks, citing concerns over Iran&rsquo;s nuclear programme and internal unrest. Gulf nations have warned that any confrontation could widen instability across West Asia, which is already grappling with ongoing conflicts.

US ups military pressure as nuclear talks resume in Geneva

Trump Sends Second Carrier Amid Iran Tensions

Indian national Nikhil Gupta has pleaded guilty in a US federal court to charges linked to a murder-for-hire conspiracy targeting pro-Khalistan activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
Appearing before a Manhattan court under the jurisdiction of the United States Attorney&rsquo;s Office for the Southern District of New York, Gupta admitted that he paid $15,000 as an advance to a person he believed was a contract killer in mid-2023. Prosecutors said he had agreed to pay a total of $100,000 for the assassination.
Gupta pleaded guilty to three counts: murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, which together carry a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 29 by US District Judge Victor Marrero.
Authorities allege that Gupta was recruited by Vikash Yadav, described in the indictment as a senior field officer with intelligence responsibilities. Yadav was later formally indicted by the US Department of Justice in October 2024 and remains in India. India has stated that it is no longer employed by the government.
Investigators said Gupta unknowingly dealt with a confidential source and an undercover officer posing as a hitman. The intended target, Pannun, heads Sikhs for Justice, an organisation banned in India.
US authorities have also referenced the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada while outlining the broader context of the case.
The Indian government has maintained that such actions do not align with official policy and previously constituted a high-level inquiry into the allegations.

Admits role in murder-for-hire plan targeting Pannun

Nikhil Gupta Pleads Guilty in US Plot

The United States has ordered the deployment of the world&rsquo;s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, from the Caribbean Sea to the Middle East as tensions with Iran intensify and diplomatic negotiations remain underway.
The carrier, accompanied by its strike group, is expected to remain in the region until at least late April or early May. The move would place two American carrier groups in the Middle East, strengthening Washington&rsquo;s military posture at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.
The decision comes as Donald Trump evaluates possible military responses while continuing to push Tehran toward an agreement on its nuclear programme. Another carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, along with guided-missile destroyers, arrived in the region more than two weeks ago, signalling a broader show of force.
The redeployment marks a swift operational shift for the Ford, which had been sent to the Caribbean from the Mediterranean last October as part of a wider military build-up ahead of a surprise operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicol&aacute;s Maduro.
Analysts note that the move appears to contrast with Washington&rsquo;s previously stated security focus on the Western Hemisphere, highlighting how rapidly evolving threats can reshape strategic priorities.
The Ford originally began its current deployment in late June 2025, meaning its crew could face an unusually extended mission depending on how long the carrier remains stationed in the region.
While officials have not detailed the duration or operational scope of the deployment, the reinforcement underscores growing pressure on Iran and reflects the United States&rsquo; readiness to escalate its presence even as diplomatic channels stay open. The White House has not issued an immediate response regarding the carrier&rsquo;s movement.

USS Ford heads to Middle East as Washington weighs options while nuclear talks continue

US Sends Largest Carrier To Iran Tensions Surge

Bangladesh appears headed for a major political transition as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led alliance takes a commanding lead in the country&rsquo;s first parliamentary election since the dramatic 2024 uprising that ended Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s long tenure.
Early vote counts indicate the BNP and its partners have secured more than two-thirds of the 299 contested seats, comfortably crossing the threshold required to establish the next government. Voting in one constituency was postponed following the death of a candidate.
An alliance backed by the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami has reportedly captured around 70 seats, while independents and smaller parties shared the remainder, underscoring a fragmented but transformed political landscape.
BNP chairman Tarique Rahman, son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, is expected to assume leadership of the government. Celebrations were deferred as the party observed mourning after Zia&rsquo;s passing, reflecting her enduring influence as one of the most formidable rivals to Hasina. The Awami League, once dominant under Hasina, was barred from contesting the election.
The results mark the symbolic end of the decades-long political rivalry between Hasina and Zia, often described as the &ldquo;Battle of Begums,&rdquo; and signal the start of a new era in Bangladeshi politics. Hasina remains in self-imposed exile in India after being sentenced over alleged crimes linked to the 2024 protests, a development that has complicated diplomatic ties between Dhaka and New Delhi.
Nearly 128 million voters were registered, though turnout hovered around 40%, suggesting voter fatigue or lingering political uncertainty. Alongside the parliamentary vote, citizens approved the July 2024 Charter, a package of constitutional reforms aimed at reshaping governance. The measures include mandating a neutral caretaker administration during elections, introducing a bicameral legislature, boosting women&rsquo;s representation, reinforcing judicial autonomy, and setting a two-term cap for prime ministers.
The interim administration described the election as a constitutional expression of public frustration over inequality, governance failures, and long-standing grievances.
For India, the outcome presents a delicate recalibration. New Delhi must adapt to leadership historically viewed as less aligned with its security priorities, while also managing the sensitive issue of Hasina&rsquo;s presence on Indian soil. At the same time, India has maintained outreach to the BNP in hopes of preserving strategic cooperation, especially as China seeks greater regional influence.
Concerns also persist over minority safety following thousands of reported incidents of communal violence after Hasina&rsquo;s departure. Diplomatic tensions have surfaced, with both sides trading accusations over the handling and portrayal of these developments.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh&rsquo;s evolving ties with Pakistan, from restored direct flights to discussions of defence cooperation, signal a broader geopolitical shift that could reshape South Asian dynamics in the years ahead.

BNP alliance leads polls, signaling shift in Dhaka politics and testing India ties ahead

BNP Set to Rule as Bangladesh Votes for Change Now

Bangladesh recorded a voter turnout of 47.91% across 32,789 polling stations by noon as citizens headed to the polls in a closely watched national election. The voting process was disrupted in the morning by crude bomb explosions reported in Gopalganj and Munshiganj, raising security concerns.
More than 127 million people are eligible to vote in the country of nearly 170 million, with 1,981 candidates contesting parliamentary seats. Despite the large field, only 109 women are running. The election is being overseen by an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, which has pledged a free and fair process.
The vote is widely viewed as Bangladesh&rsquo;s first genuinely competitive election since 2009, particularly after the Election Commission cancelled the registration of Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s Awami League, preventing the party from participating.
With the Awami League out of the race, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has emerged as a leading force, projecting Tarique Rahman as its central figure after his return from a long exile. The party faces competition from an 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami, which is seeking to expand its political influence alongside newer groups such as the youth-driven National Citizen Party.
Generation Z voters, estimated to make up about a quarter of the electorate, are expected to play a decisive role. Many young activists who were involved in the 2024 uprising see the election as an opportunity for meaningful political change. Nearly five million first-time voters are participating.
From exile in India, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina cautioned that excluding major political groups could create long-term instability and deepen divisions within the country.
Corruption remains the top issue for many voters, followed by rising prices, slower economic growth after the pandemic, and the urgent need for job creation for a young population. The ban on the Awami League has also sparked debate, with some supporters considering a boycott, though analysts believe their influence may still shape the outcome.
Alongside the parliamentary vote, citizens are participating in a referendum proposing political reforms such as term limits for the prime minister and stronger checks on executive authority. The result is expected to signal whether Bangladesh moves toward structural democratic changes.
Early trends have typically appeared the morning after polling, but officials indicate that counting may take longer this year due to the dual ballots for parliamentary seats and the reform referendum.

47.91% turnout by noon as violence, reforms and youth vote shape Bangladesh election

Bangladesh Votes Amid Blasts, Awami League Barred

The city of Seattle has agreed to pay $29 million (around ₹262 crore) to the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old Indian student who was fatally struck by a speeding police vehicle in 2023.
City officials described the incident as a tragic loss and expressed hope that the settlement would provide some measure of relief to her family.
Originally from Andhra Pradesh, Kandula was pursuing a master&rsquo;s degree at Northeastern University&rsquo;s South Lake Union campus. She had moved to the United States from Bengaluru in 2021 through a student exchange programme and was expected to graduate later this year.
The fatal collision occurred when a police officer, reportedly driving at speeds reaching 119 kmph in a zone limited to 40 kmph, hit Kandula while responding to a drug overdose call.
Her death triggered widespread outrage, which intensified after body camera footage surfaced showing another officer making insensitive remarks about her life and suggesting a financial payout. The comments drew criticism from oversight authorities, who said they damaged public confidence in the police department.
The officer heard in the recording was later dismissed and subsequently challenged his termination in court, arguing that his remarks were intended as criticism of potential legal responses rather than the victim.
The officer driving the vehicle was also removed from the department, cited for negligent driving, and fined $5,000. However, prosecutors declined to pursue felony charges, stating there was insufficient evidence to prove deliberate disregard for safety.
Approximately $20 million of the settlement is expected to be covered by the city&rsquo;s insurance, with the remainder funded through municipal resources.

US city settles lawsuit after police vehicle fatally struck Indian student in 2023

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