Ukraine War Latest: Russia Won’t Decide on US-Proposed Ceasefire Until It Hears from Americans, Kremlin Says

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March 12, 2025

The Kremlin has responded for the first time to Ukraine’s acceptance of a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire, warning that Russia will not act prematurely and needs to receive further details from Washington.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia is carefully analyzing statements following the US-Ukraine discussions. He added that US officials will relay the ceasefire details to Moscow through diplomatic channels.

Contacts between officials are expected in the coming days, but the US has not yet requested a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, Peskov stated. He also emphasized that such a call could be “organized very quickly” if needed.

Russian sources told Reuters that President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to accept the US-backed 30-day ceasefire proposal approved by Ukraine. A senior Russian official indicated that any agreement would have to account for Russia’s battlefield gains and address Moscow’s concerns.

“It is difficult for Putin to agree to this in its current form,” the source said, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the issue. “Putin has a strong position because Russia is advancing,” they added.

The source also warned that without security guarantees alongside the ceasefire, Russia’s strategic position could weaken, allowing the West to shift blame onto Moscow for prolonging the war.

Another senior Russian official described the ceasefire proposal as a potential trap, arguing that Putin would struggle to halt military operations without concrete assurances. The Kremlin has yet to issue an official response.

Putin has consistently ruled out short-term truces. “We don’t need a truce, we need a long-term peace secured by guarantees for the Russian Federation and its citizens,” he said in December.

Russia currently controls nearly a fifth of Ukraine’s territory, approximately 113,000 square kilometers (43,630 square miles), and has been making incremental gains for months.

Ukraine’s hold on a portion of Russia’s Kursk region, seized in August, appears to be slipping, according to open-source war maps and Russian military estimates.

A military expert has suggested Ukraine may have had little choice but to agree to the US ceasefire proposal. Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), said Kyiv appears to be stabilizing relations with Washington, and a minerals deal might soon be signed.

However, Savill cautioned that Ukraine may have made concessions behind the scenes. “We don’t yet know what terms and conditions Russia will demand in return,” he told presenter Wilfred Frost.

Asked who stands to benefit most from the ceasefire, Savill noted that Russia currently has “momentum” on the battlefield, particularly in the Kursk region. “A ceasefire, especially one that restores US military aid and intelligence, will be enormously beneficial to Ukraine,” he said.

“It will frustrate the Russians, who might have hoped to eliminate the Kursk pocket before entering serious negotiations. However, much will depend on how Moscow maneuvers the terms of any ceasefire,” he added.

Captain of Solong Container Ship Involved in North Sea Crash Is Russian National, Company Confirms

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March 12, 2025

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The captain of the Solong, the container ship involved in a North Sea ship collision, is a Russian national, the vessel’s owner confirmed. The maritime accident occurred on Monday when the Solong crashed into the Stena Immaculate, an oil tanker anchored off the coast of East Yorkshire. The shipping company Ernst Russ reported that the rest of the crew consisted of Russian and Filipino nationals.

Authorities arrested a 59-year-old man on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the ship accident in the North Sea, according to Humberside Police. The suspect remains in custody as investigators probe the cause of the collision. Representatives are working alongside the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to determine the circumstances that led to the crash.

The Stena Immaculate oil tanker, operating under the U.S. government’s tanker security program, was carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel when the collision occurred. The impact triggered fires and explosions, with smoke visible from space.

One crew member remains missing and is presumed dead. Authorities confirmed that one crew member from the Solong has not been found.

The maritime search and rescue operation saved 36 people, while ambulances and emergency response teams were stationed at a nearby port. All 23 crew members of the Stena Immaculate were accounted for, but the search for the missing Solong crew member was called off Monday evening.

Recent port state control inspections revealed that the Solong had previously failed safety checks. In July 2024, an inspection found deficiencies in its emergency steering position communications and compass readings.

Administrators identified ten safety issues, including inadequate alarm systems, poorly maintained survival craft, and fire doors not meeting required standards. Another inspection in Scotland in October 2024 flagged concerns about improperly marked lifebuoys.

The jet fuel spill from the Stena Immaculate was reported to have a limited environmental impact, according to Crowley, the maritime company managing the ship.

Officials stated that most of the spilt jet fuel has evaporated or burned off, and there are no visible leaks from either vessel. The Solong, which had been drifting, has now been secured by tugboats.

Investigators continue to examine the cause of the North Sea ship collision as concerns mount over maritime safety regulations and enforcement.

Over 100 Hostages Freed After Deadly Militant Attack on Train in Pakistan

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March 11, 2025

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More than 100 hostages were rescued by Pakistani troops on Tuesday after armed militants attacked a passenger train carrying over 450 people in the country’s southwestern Balochistan province. Three people, including a train driver, a police officer, and a soldier, were killed in the assault, while the fate of several passengers remains unknown.

The attack unfolded when insurgents blew up a railway track, forcing the train to a halt in a remote mountainous area. Witnesses described panic as militants boarded the train, separating men from women. “People began hiding under seats in fear. They allowed me and my family to go because I told them I’m a heart patient,” said 49-year-old Allahditta from a makeshift hospital in Mach.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that security forces had rescued over 100 hostages and killed 16 militants in an ongoing clearance operation marked by intense gunfire. The assault was swiftly claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group responsible for escalating violence in the province.

Some passengers managed to escape and walked for hours to reach the nearest railway station, while others remain unaccounted for as security forces continue their operation.

Balochistan has been the epicenter of a long-running insurgency, with militant groups accusing the government of exploiting the region’s natural resources while neglecting local communities. In recent months, the BLA has escalated attacks, including the targeted killings of travelers and deadly bombings, such as the November 2023 blast at Quetta’s main railway station that killed 26 people.

Pakistan has blamed neighboring Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government for providing sanctuary to militants, a charge Kabul denies.

Security experts warn that the attack underscores the growing instability in the region, with Pakistan witnessing its deadliest year in nearly a decade. According to the Center for Research and Security Studies, over 1,600 people were killed in militant attacks in 2023, with violence particularly concentrated in the western border regions.

As security forces continue operations to locate remaining hostages and neutralize threats, authorities brace for potential retaliatory attacks amid the province’s worsening security crisis.

U.S.-Canada Trade War Intensifies as Trump Doubles, Then Backs Off Metal Tariffs

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March 11, 2025

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President Donald Trump briefly escalated trade tensions on Tuesday by announcing a 50% tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum, only to reverse course hours later, maintaining the previously planned 25% rate. The rapid shift rattled financial markets and sparked renewed fears of inflation.

The turmoil began after Ontario Premier Doug Ford threatened a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to the U.S. in response to Trump’s tariff hike. Ford later agreed to suspend the surcharge and meet with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington on Thursday, prompting the White House to confirm that only the original 25% tariffs would go into effect as scheduled.

“President Trump has once again used the leverage of the American economy, which is the best and biggest in the world, to deliver a win for the American people,” said White House spokesperson Kush Desai.

Markets fluctuated throughout the day, with the S&P 500 briefly entering correction territory before rebounding following Ford’s decision and news of Ukraine’s 30-day ceasefire. Trump dismissed concerns over market volatility, insisting his policies were aimed at long-term economic growth.

Despite the tariff retreat, Trump warned that further measures, including increased duties on Canadian automobiles, could be imposed if Canada did not drop its “egregious” trade protections.

Meanwhile, as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau prepares to hand over power to his successor, Mark Carney, the escalating trade dispute has further complicated diplomatic relations. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned Ford’s initial electricity threat as “egregious and insulting,” reinforcing Trump’s push for U.S. energy independence.

The business community remains wary, with major U.S. corporations cautioning that the administration’s unpredictable trade policies could hinder consumer spending and economic stability. Amid growing concerns of a recession, investors brace for additional tariffs on automobiles and potential retaliatory measures from Canada and China.

“This is what a trade war looks like,” said Josh Lipsky of the Atlantic Council’s GeoEconomics Center. “Tit-for-tat escalation that can quickly spiral to both sides’ economic detriment.”

Iran’s President to Trump: No Negotiations, ‘Do Whatever the Hell You Want’

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March 11, 2025

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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that Iran would not engage in negotiations with the United States under threats, telling President Donald Trump to “do whatever the hell you want,” Iranian state media reported Tuesday.*

“It is unacceptable for us that they (the U.S.) give orders and make threats. I won’t even negotiate with you. Do whatever the hell you want,” Pezeshkian was quoted as saying.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reaffirmed on Saturday that Tehran would not be pressured into talks, following reports that Trump had sent a letter urging Iran to negotiate a new nuclear agreement.

While expressing willingness for a potential deal, Trump has reinstated the “maximum pressure” strategy used during his first term, aiming to further isolate Iran economically and curb its oil exports.

In a Fox Business interview last week, Trump stated, “There are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal” to prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Iran has denied pursuing nuclear weapons but has significantly accelerated uranium enrichment to 60% purity, nearing the 90% threshold required for weapons-grade material, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Tehran’s nuclear advancements have intensified since 2019, a year after Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers and reinstated economic sanctions that have severely impacted Iran’s economy.

U.S. Resumes Military Aid and Intelligence Sharing as Ukraine Signals Openness to Ceasefire

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March 11, 2025

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The Trump administration has lifted its suspension of military aid and intelligence sharing for Ukraine, as Kyiv indicated willingness to enter a 30-day ceasefire with Russia, contingent on Moscow’s agreement, U.S. and Ukrainian officials said Tuesday following diplomatic talks in Saudi Arabia.

The move represents a significant shift from a week earlier when the administration halted assistance, reportedly to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into negotiations aimed at ending the war with Russian forces. The suspension of aid came shortly after a tense White House meeting between Zelenskyy and President Donald Trump over the conflict.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led the American delegation at the Jeddah talks, stated that Washington would present the ceasefire proposal to the Kremlin. However, Russia has so far rejected any resolution short of a full settlement without concessions.

“We’re going to tell them this is what’s on the table. Ukraine is ready to stop shooting and start talking. And now it’ll be up to them to say yes or no,” Rubio told reporters. “If they say no, then we’ll unfortunately know what the impediment is to peace here.”

Education Department Cuts Half Its Workforce as Trump Pushes to Dismantle Agency

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March 11, 2025

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The U.S. Department of Education announced plans Tuesday to lay off more than 1,300 employees, reducing its workforce by half as part of President Donald Trump’s broader effort to shrink the federal government.

The cuts, which follow previous staff reductions through buyouts and probationary terminations, will leave the department with approximately 2,050 employees, down from its previous 4,100. Officials raised concerns about the agency’s ability to maintain regular operations amid the downsizing.

The layoffs are part of a large-scale federal workforce reduction spearheaded by Trump, with thousands of positions also expected to be cut across the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration, and other agencies. In addition, the Education Department is terminating building leases in cities such as New York, Boston, Chicago, and Cleveland.

Despite the workforce reductions, department officials stated that key responsibilities—including distributing federal aid to schools, managing student loans, and overseeing Pell Grants—would continue.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon defended the move, emphasizing the need to redirect funds to state education authorities. “So many of the programs are really excellent, so we need to make sure the money goes to the states,” McMahon said in a Fox News interview Tuesday.

In a memo issued on March 3, the day she was confirmed by the Senate, McMahon warned employees of impending deep cuts, describing the department’s “final mission” as eliminating bureaucracy and transferring its authority to state governments.

Trump, who campaigned on dismantling the agency, has repeatedly claimed it is controlled by “radicals, zealots, and Marxists.” While McMahon acknowledged during her confirmation hearing that only Congress has the power to abolish the department, she indicated that restructuring and budget reductions were necessary.

Concerns remain over whether the staff reductions will impact core functions such as enforcing civil rights protections for students with disabilities and managing the $1.6 trillion federal student loan portfolio. Critics argue the cuts could hinder the department’s ability to address these responsibilities effectively.

Jeanne Allen, of the Center for Education Reform, supported the cuts, arguing they would empower state and local leaders to create more flexible education solutions. However, Roxanne Garza, a former chief of staff in the Office of Postsecondary Education under President Joe Biden, questioned whether essential services could continue unaffected. “How those things will not be impacted with far fewer staff… I just don’t see it,” she said.

The department temporarily closed its Washington headquarters and regional offices Wednesday, citing unspecified security concerns, before reopening Thursday.

Putin Urged to Unleash 7,600 mph (Mach 10) Hypersonic Oreshnik Missile After Massive Moscow Drone Attack

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March 11, 2025

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Russian officials are pressuring President Vladimir Putin to deploy the hypersonic Oreshnik missile following Ukraine’s largest drone assault on Moscow since the war began, according to state reports.

The calls for retaliation intensified after Moscow experienced an unprecedented wave of Ukrainian drone strikes, with 337 drones targeting ten Russian regions overnight. Russian air defenses intercepted 91 drones over the capital, but falling debris caused multiple casualties, infrastructure damage, and temporary shutdowns at major airports.

Col-Gen Andrey Kartapolov, a Russian lawmaker and former deputy defense minister, stated that launching the Oreshnik missile would be a proportional response. “The decision rests with the Supreme Commander-in-Chief [Putin], but I believe it would not be unreasonable—better yet, more than one,” he said.

The Oreshnik missile, an advanced intermediate-range ballistic weapon, is capable of reaching speeds of 7,600 mph (Mach 10) and generating temperatures up to 4,000 degrees. Designed to carry multiple warheads, its velocity makes interception nearly impossible. The missile was previously used in a strike on Dnipro last November after Ukraine fired U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles into Russian-controlled territory.

Amid escalating tensions, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed that the Oreshnik missile system would soon be operational in Belarus, further raising security concerns. The situation unfolds as U.S. and Ukrainian officials engage in high-stakes negotiations in Saudi Arabia, discussing military support, economic aid, and the future course of the conflict.

DC Begins Removal of ‘Black Lives Matter’ Plaza Near White House Amid Political Pressure

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March 11, 2025

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Washington, D.C., has begun dismantling Black Lives Matter Plaza, the once-symbolic site of protests against police brutality, as city officials face mounting political pressure.

Starlette Thomas, a 45-year-old Maryland resident, returned to 16th and H streets on Monday, where she had once protested daily during the summer of 2020. As jackhammers tore into the bold yellow lettering, she quietly picked up a piece of pavement.

“To walk away with a piece of that means it’s not gone,” Thomas said. “It’s more than brick and mortar.”

Crews began removing the iconic “Black Lives Matter” street painting one block from the White House, a move D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced last week following pressure from congressional Republicans. The project, expected to take six weeks, will replace the words with city-sponsored murals.

The mural, commissioned by Bowser in June 2020, was a direct response to days of nationwide protests following George Floyd’s murder by a Minneapolis police officer. Its removal now reflects the shifting political landscape under President Donald Trump’s return to the White House and Republican control of Congress.

Bowser, a Democrat, originally ordered the mural and designated the site as Black Lives Matter Plaza in defiance of Trump’s handling of racial justice protests. Now, however, she faces limitations on D.C.’s autonomy.

“The mural inspired millions and helped our city through a painful period,” Bowser posted on X last week. “But we can’t afford to be distracted by meaningless congressional interference. The devastating impacts of federal job cuts must be our number one concern.”

Among those witnessing the removal was Megan Bailiff, CEO of Equus Striping, the company that originally painted the letters.

“This is historically obscene,” Bailiff said. “Its presence is more significant at this very moment than it ever has been in this country.”

Far-right figures quickly celebrated the change. Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk visited the site, declaring it “the end of this mass race hysteria in our country.”

Since Trump’s return to office, Bowser has shifted tactics to avoid direct conflict. She met with him at Mar-a-Lago after the election and has publicly focused on areas of agreement. However, Trump has reignited campaign rhetoric about federal intervention in Washington, describing the capital as overrun with crime, graffiti, and homelessness.

Reports suggest the White House is preparing an executive order targeting D.C., though Bowser has not commented. Instead, she has pointed to Congress as the greater threat to D.C.’s Home Rule, which grants the city limited self-governance.

Congressional Republicans continue efforts to tighten control over D.C. governance. A proposed measure, the **BOWSER Act**, aims to revoke the Home Rule Act of 1973, potentially stripping the city of its remaining autonomy.

Russia Faces ‘Massive’ Drone Attack Ahead of Key U.S.-Ukraine Talks

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March 11, 2025

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Russia said it was targeted by a large-scale Ukrainian drone assault overnight Tuesday, just hours before crucial discussions between U.S. and Ukrainian officials commenced.

Moscow’s defense ministry reported downing 343 drones allegedly launched by Ukraine, including 91 targeting the Moscow region. Officials also said six Ukrainian strike drones were intercepted near Russia’s Kursk nuclear power plant. If confirmed, the attack would mark one of the most significant aerial strikes on Russian soil since the start of the war.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin described the incident as the “most massive” attack on the capital, reporting damage to buildings caused by falling debris. Authorities said three people were killed and at least six others injured. Moscow Region Governor Andrey Vorobyev stated that debris ignited a fire in a parking lot, destroying more than 20 vehicles.

Ukraine’s Armed Forces claimed responsibility for striking the Moscow Oil Refinery’s production facilities, alleging that Russian air defense operations led to collateral damage on civilian infrastructure.

Geolocated footage verified by CNN showed an explosion at an apartment building in southern Moscow. The attack prompted the temporary closure of two major Moscow airports and additional airports east of the city, forcing flight diversions, according to state-run news agency TASS.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Air Force reported repelling Russian missile and drone attacks overnight. According to Ukrainian officials, at least one person was killed and 18 injured in the strikes.

The escalation comes as U.S. and Ukrainian delegations convene in Saudi Arabia for discussions on military aid and conflict resolution. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz are meeting with Ukraine’s national security adviser, foreign minister, and defense minister.

“We will protect Ukrainian interests, have a clear vision of ending the war, and work effectively with our American partners,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak stated.

Ahead of the talks, Rubio emphasized the U.S. aim to assess potential concessions Ukraine may consider in negotiations with Russia. The outcome of the discussions could influence whether Washington resumes full intelligence-sharing and military aid to Kyiv.

CNN previously reported that while the U.S. continues to share intelligence for Ukraine’s defense, it has scaled back details that could be used for offensive strikes on Russian forces.

Fighting has intensified in recent weeks amid strained U.S.-Ukraine relations, following a heated Oval Office exchange between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Zelensky.

Russia launched a major aerial assault on Ukraine over the weekend, killing more than two dozen people, according to Ukrainian authorities. Additional strikes between Sunday and Monday claimed six more civilian lives.

Ukraine’s foothold in Russia’s Kursk region is diminishing, with Russian advances posing a threat to Kyiv’s territorial leverage at a critical stage in the conflict.

Tuesday’s reported drone assault on Moscow appears to surpass Ukraine’s previous largest attack on the capital in November, when 34 drones were shot down. In September, Russia claimed to have destroyed at least 20 Ukrainian drones near Moscow in an attack that left one person dead and forced airport closures.

NewsWeekPRO

Ukraine War Latest: Russia Won’t Decide on US-Proposed Ceasefire Until It Hears from Americans, Kremlin Says

Captain of Solong Container Ship Involved in North Sea Crash Is Russian National, Company Confirms

Over 100 Hostages Freed After Deadly Militant Attack on Train in Pakistan

U.S.-Canada Trade War Intensifies as Trump Doubles, Then Backs Off Metal Tariffs

Iran’s President to Trump: No Negotiations, ‘Do Whatever the Hell You Want’

Putin Urged to Unleash 7,600 mph (Mach 10) Hypersonic Oreshnik Missile After Massive Moscow Drone Attack

DC Begins Removal of ‘Black Lives Matter’ Plaza Near White House Amid Political Pressure

Russia Faces ‘Massive’ Drone Attack Ahead of Key U.S.-Ukraine Talks

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