Submit your Article

US President Donald Trump says "many elements" of a peace agreement in Ukraine have been agreed with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, ahead of their much anticipated phone call, BBC reported.

Trump posted on Truth Social that he will speak with Putin on Tuesday morning.

He said that while there have been agreements, "much remains" to be worked upon.

"Each week brings 2,500 soldier deaths, from both sides, and it must end NOW. I look very much forward to the call with President Putin," Trump wrote.

He earlier told reporters that "we're going to see if we can work a peace agreement, a ceasefire and peace, and I think we'll be able to do it".

In his nightly address on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Putin of prolonging the war.

"This proposal could have been implemented long ago," he said, adding that "every day in wartime means human lives".

There have been inconsistencies from within the Trump administration over how advanced the ceasefire talks are.

Speaking after his meeting in Jeddah with Ukrainian officials, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the "bulk" of the conversation had been "what a negotiation process would look like" and not "the specific conditions".

US envoy Steve Witkoff, who met with Putin on Thursday in Moscow, has also struck a more measured tone, according to BBC.

Meanwhile, the UK and France have urged Putin to prove he wants a peace deal with Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the "courage" of Zelenksy in agreeing to a ceasefire proposal, and challenged Russia to do the same.

"Enough deaths. Enough lives destroyed. Enough destruction. The guns must fall silent," Macron said in a post on X.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Putin should agree to a "full and unconditional ceasefire now", telling MPs he had seen "no sign" that Putin was serious about a peace deal.

He warned that the UK and its allies have "more cards that we can play" to help force Russia to negotiate "seriously".

The White House sounded a more upbeat note on the eve of the Trump-Putin talks, which will take place by phone, saying peace in Ukraine has "never been closer".

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Monday that Trump was "determined" to secure the peace deal.

On what the talks might cover, she said: "There's a power plant that is on the border of Russia and Ukraine that was up for discussion with the Ukrainians, and he will address it in his call with Putin tomorrow."

The facility is likely to be the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe. It has been occupied by Russian forces since March 2022, and fears of a nuclear accident have persisted due to fighting in the area.

Asked on Sunday what concessions were being considered in the ceasefire negotiations, Trump said: "We'll be talking about land. We'll be talking about power plants [...] We're already talking about that, dividing up certain assets."

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on what the leaders would discuss, responding, "we never do that".

While Putin has previously said he supports a ceasefire, he also set out a list of conditions for achieving peace, BBC reported.

One of the areas of contention is Russia's Western Kursk region, where Ukraine launched a military incursion last August and captured some territory.

Russia had pushed to recapture it in recent weeks, and Putin now claims it is fully back in control of Kursk.

He has also raised numerous questions about how a ceasefire could be monitored and policed along the frontline in the east, and has said he would not accept Nato troops on the territory.

The peace proposal on the table was discussed by Ukrainian and American delegates in Saudi Arabia last week.

After hours locked away in a room, they announced proposals for a 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine said it was ready to accept.

France's President Macron and newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who met on Tuesday, stressed their nations would continue their "unwavering" support of Ukraine and demand "clear commitments" from Russia.

In the middle of the stunning trans-Himalayan terrain, in the Urai pass, there is a less-known but potentially vibrant route that offers a fresh perspective on the relationship between Nepal, China and India. The U-shaped edge in the northwestern corner visible in the map of Nepal, precisely in Bajhang district, above the 4,000 meters, is not so widely known and thus has become a neglected route. This ancient route near Kailash Mansarovar is rightly positioned to connect the holy sites in China and India. Its importance can be gauged by the fact that Urai pass is strategically placed to connect and rejuvenate religious-cultural significance, much deeper than the often talked-about economic integration in the region that is fragile and geopolitically sensitive.  

In his book Spy on the Roof of the World, Sydney Wignall has elaborated deeply on the use of Urai pass for a very long time by explorers, pilgrims and traders. He has also described Urai pass as a geostrategic location, given the prospect of connectivity it possesses. Even today, for those seeking spiritual visits to holy sites like Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake, it is considered a potential gateway that could alter how regional trade and religious tourism operate. A similar understanding has been shared by Hanna Rauber in her work Life and Trade of the Bhote Khampa in Far West Nepal, who has particularly stressed the business and livelihood aspect. 

If revisited and reopened, the Urai pass could soon provide millions of people access to spiritual, cultural and financial possibilities. It will link the Tibetan highlands and beyond with the largely populated plains of northern India, home to tens of millions of Hindus, Buddhists and Bon followers. 

Shiva Raj Malla Shrestha, in his academic article Ancient Nepal (2001), published by the Department of Archaeology, has stated that ancient works, such as Skanda Puran, also clearly depict the importance of Urai Pass, then known as Uru Parvat. It is believed that the Urus and other pre-Vedic clans took this route to facilitate interaction between humans, ideas and commodities in the Himalayas. It was formerly employed by pilgrims as well as merchants; hence, it was crucial in connecting Tibet with northern India and Western Nepal. Urai pass therefore occupies a strategic position in the Himalayas and has potential for trans-Himalayan linkages and promoting religious-cultural, and economic interactions. 

Moreover, the business prospect can be gauged from the fact that Fürer-Haimendorf, in his work Himalayan Traders: Life in Highland Nepal (1975), has portrayed Urai pass as a critical corridor in the trans-Himalayan trade network, linking the remote Bajhang district with Tibet. It facilitated the exchange of goods such as salt, wool, grains and spices between Tibet and Nepal.

Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake have been religiously and spiritually significant for many years, especially for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Bon followers. People have long endured rugged terrains and severe weather since they feel the gods reside in these holy sites. Moreover, it is widely believed that not just the destination but also the path taken by holy spirits is known to be divine and pure, thus further amplifying the value of this route. Hence, mapping this route in itself holds a greater significance. For this, all the major points in this route should be studied and the route needs to be made adventurous yet safe for pilgrims and tourists from across the globe.   

Thought to be the earthly forms of Mount Meru, a sacred mountain in Hindu, Jain and Buddhist views, many religious people visit Mount Kailash and Mansarovar.

The Urai pass might provide Indian pilgrims—especially those from the states of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh—with a fresh approach to reach these holy sites. Long ago, visits to Kailash and Mansarovar were connected with the dull and time-consuming paths through Nepal and Uttarakhand. Utilizing the Urai pass and other infrastructure enhancements, the distance could be shortened, and pilgrim access to these holy sites would be safer and more accessible.

The populous northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, home to more than 200m people, can reap benefits with the opening of this pass. The state is near the Urai Pass, which might result in a direct trade route between Tibet and the northern plains opening itself. This could lead to more business and religious travels. The turnaround of people on a large scale during Mahakumbh in Uttar Pradesh shows the unlimited possibility Urai pass might unlock for Nepal, China and India. 

For an extended period, remote Himalayan villages have been cut off from the economic centers of India and its northern neighbors. Using this pass could have more than one motive. Opening this path would mark the beginning of a fresh era of pilgrimage, and reaching their spiritual goals would be simpler and safer for people.

Opening this pass would open more opportunities for people in South Asia and beyond to collaborate and connect. 

For this, Nepal needs to take diplomatic steps to bring China and India together, excavate the route from anthropological and historical perspective, and work toward developing it as a top cultural-religious tourist destination.

A federal judge on Monday questioned whether the Trump administration ignored his orders to turn around planes carrying deportees to El Salvador, a possible violation of the decision he’d issued minutes before, Associated Press reported.

District Judge James E. Boasberg was incredulous over the administration’s contentions that his verbal directions did not count, that only his written order needed to be followed, that it couldn’t apply to flights that had left the U.S. and that the administration could not answer his questions about the deportations due to national security issues.

“That’s one heck of a stretch, I think,” Boasberg replied, noting that the administration knew as the planes were departing that he was about to decide whether to briefly halt deportations being made under a rarely used 18th century law invoked by Trump about an hour earlier.

“I’m just asking how you think my equitable powers do not attach to a plane that has departed the U.S., even if it’s in international airspace,” Boasberg added at another point.

Deputy Associate Attorney General Abhishek Kambli contended that only Boasberg’s short written order, issued about 45 minutes after he made the verbal demand, counted. It did not contain any demands to reverse planes, and Kambli added that it was too late to redirect two planes that had left the U.S. by that time.

“These are sensitive, operational tasks of national security,” Kambli said.

The hearing over what Boasberg called the “possible defiance” of his court order marked the latest step in a high-stakes legal fight that began when President Donald Trump invoked the 1798 wartime law to remove immigrants over the weekend. It was also an escalation in the battle over whether the Trump administration is flouting court orders that have blocked some of his aggressive moves in the opening weeks of his second term, according to the Associated Press.

“There’s been a lot of talk about constitutional crisis, people throw that word around. I think we’re getting very close to it,” warned Lee Gelernt of the ACLU, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs, during the Monday hearing. After the hearing, Gelernt said the ACLU would ask Boasberg to order all improperly deported people returned to the United States.

Boasberg said he’d record the proceedings and additional demands in writing. “I will memorialize this in a written order since apparently my oral orders don’t seem to carry much weight,” Boasberg said.

On Saturday night, Boasberg ordered the administration not to deport anyone in its custody through the newly-invoked Alien Enemies Act, which has only been used three times before in U.S. history, all during congressionally declared wars. Trump issued a proclamation that the law was newly in effect due to what he claimed was an invasion by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, Associated Press reported.

Nabaraj Subedi, a Panchayat-era leader who also is the coordinator of the recently-formed Joint People’s Movement Committee for the restoration of the monarchy, announced that he will no longer remain a general member of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP). Eighty-six years old Subedi, who is regarded as a close ally of former King Gyanendra Shah, made this statement during a press conference following a gathering of pro-monarchy supporters in Kathmandu on Monday.

“I will no longer be a general member of the RPP starting today. I am working toward bringing back the monarchy,” Subedi declared. He stressed that political parties should work together to run the state effectively. Subedi elaborated that the ‘New Understanding’ is a concept where the monarchy would serve as a symbol of national peace, stability, social harmony, religion, culture, tradition, sovereignty and territorial integrity. He called the political parties to address this proposal promptly, warning that neglecting it would not be in line with Nepal’s past movements for change.

In a statement, Subedi emphasized that if pro-monarchy agendas were misunderstood or misinterpreted, it would come at a high cost. His demands include the restoration of the constitutional monarchy, re-establishment of the Hindu kingdom, the abolition of federalism, anti-corruption measures and good governance.

Drawing from the recent developments in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Syria, Subedi expressed concern that suppressing the voices of the people could lead to undesirable circumstances, as seen in those countries.  “We want to reiterate that we are proponents of peace and non-violence. We desire a monarchy based on the supremacy of the people. However, if our peaceful stance is seen as a weakness and our agendas are misinterpreted, resulting in major political parties retaliating, the consequences could be severe,” the statement warned.

Subedi’s ‘New Understanding’ envisions a peaceful transition through a constitutional monarchy that upholds national unity and integrity.

However, the effort to unite former monarchists under a single banner has not made much headway with intense disagreements among them over who should lead the movement. After the former King proposed the leadership of Subedi for the restoration of the monarchy, RPP leadership, the fifth largest party in the Parliament, indicated its rejection. In a central executive committee meeting called by RPP Chair Rajendra Lingden on Sunday, the majority of senior party leaders opposed the 86-year-old Subedi, whom the former king had endorsed.