TODAY NEWS ON March 18, 2025

News Headlines for CAT, CLAT and IPM aspirants

Source: THE HINDU

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.”

PM Modi-Christopher Luxon meeting: India, New Zealand ink defence pact

India and New Zealand inked a mega pact to institutionalise their defence and security ties even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed concerns to his Kiwi counterpart over certain unlawful elements carrying out anti-India activities in the Pacific island nation. Mr. Modi and visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held wide-ranging talks with a focus on ramping up overall bilateral ties, especially in areas of trade, defence, education and agriculture.

Former Union Minister Debendra Pradhan dies at 84; President, Prime Minister mourn

Veteran BJP leader Debendra Pradhan, who was a Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, died on Monday (March 17, 2025). He was 84 and survived by two sons, including Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Pradhan, the three-time Odisha BJP president, breathed his last at his son’s official residence at Teen Murti Lane in New Delhi.

Justice Bagchi sworn in as SC judge, in line to be CJI in 2031

Justice Joymalya Bagchi was sworn in by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna as a Supreme Court judge on Monday (March 17, 2025). The appointment of Justice Bagchi raises the judicial strength of the Supreme Court to 33. The court’s vacancy has been reduced to one. Justice Bagchi, who was a Calcutta High Court judge prior to his appointment to the apex court, is in line to be Chief Justice of India in May 2031.

U.S. piles pressure on Yemen’s Houthis with new airstrikes

The United States carried out new airstrikes on Yemen on Monday (March 17, 2025), the Houthis’ Al Masirah TV said, expanding the biggest U.S. military operation in the Middle East since President Donald Trump took office in January 2025. Responding to the Iran-aligned Houthi movement’s threats to international shipping, the U.S. launched a new wave of airstrikes on Saturday (March 15, 2025). On Monday (March 17, 2025), the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah and Al Jawf governorate north of the capital Sanaa were targeted, Al Masirah said.

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.

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.

Tulsi Gabbard, Rajnath Singh hold talks; focus on expanding defence ties

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Monday (March 17, 2025) held wide-ranging talks focusing on enhancing the overall India-US strategic ties, especially in areas of defence and information sharing. Ms. Gabbard, who is on a two-day visit to India met National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Sunday. She met him on the the sidelines of a conclave of top global intelligence czars focusing on ways to boost cooperation in dealing with various security challenges.

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.