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Putin and Trump Meet in Alaska for First Talks in a Decade
Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump held their first face-to-face talks in a decade on Friday, marking a rare and highly anticipated summit aimed at discussing the ongoing war in Ukraine and exploring possible paths toward peace.
The meeting took place at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, a Cold War-era facility once central to monitoring the Soviet Union. The venue underscored the symbolism of the encounter, which brought together two leaders who have not shared a stage in years.
Trump arrived in Alaska after a seven-hour flight aboard Air Force One from Washington. Putin landed shortly afterward following a nine-hour journey from Moscow on the Russian presidential jet. Both leaders were accompanied by senior officials. On the U.S. side, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff joined Trump, while Putin was flanked by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and top adviser Yuri Ushakov.
In a carefully choreographed moment, the two presidents disembarked their planes at the same time and walked along intersecting red carpets before meeting at a central stage branded “Alaska 2025.” Trump greeted Putin with a broad smile and even light applause as the Russian leader approached. The handshake that followed was firm but warmer than expected, with Trump patting Putin on the shoulders before the pair posed for photographers.
The leaders then entered Trump’s armored limousine, “The Beast,” and were seen sharing a laugh on the short ride to the summit venue. Behind closed doors, the two delegations began talks that stretched for more than two hours. While no immediate breakthroughs were announced, both sides described the discussions as constructive.
In a joint press conference that followed, Putin and Trump said they had identified areas of common ground and agreed to pursue further negotiations in the coming weeks. The Russian leader suggested Moscow as a possible venue for the next round of talks, a proposal Trump acknowledged with a chuckle. “Oh, that’s an interesting one,” Trump remarked. “I’ll get a little heat on that, but I can see it possibly happening.”
Both leaders emphasized the importance of continuing dialogue despite differences. “Today we took the first step toward building a potential path to peace,” Trump said. Putin echoed the sentiment, calling the meeting “respectful and constructive.”
The Alaska summit marked Putin’s first visit to the United States in ten years and signaled a tentative opening in relations between Washington and Moscow, though major obstacles remain in resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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White House Unveils “Media Hall of Shame” Portal as Attacks on Press Intensify
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Russia Launches Massive Overnight Barrage on Ukraine as Peace Talks With U.S. Continue
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