DRC’s Tshisekedi Reconsiders Talks with M23 Amid Military Losses

After ruling out negotiations, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi is now open to talks with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels following military setbacks and waning regional support.

Angola announced a March 18 meeting in Luanda between Congo and M23 representatives, though Kinshasa has not confirmed participation.

Meanwhile, M23 forces, allegedly backed by Rwanda, have seized key cities in eastern Congo, further pressuring the government.

Source: Reuters

Trump says he had productive discussions with Putin yesterday and wants Putin to "spare" the Ukrainian troops in Kursk region.

ISIS Leader in Syria and Iraq, Abdullah Maki Musleh al-Rifai (Abu Khadija), has been killed according to Iraqi PM.

Zelenskiy says Russia is deliberately setting conditions for ceasefire to ‘complicate and drag out’ process.

Iraqi Foreign Minister:

Syrian society suffered, like us, from the policies of the Baath Party.

White House:

Trump's envoy Witkoff spoke to Putin yesterday. Trump did not speak to Putin.

Somalia's Foreign Minister:

We reject any plan that would involve the use of Somali territory for resettlement of other populations.

Ukrainian Military:

There is no threat of encirclement in Kursk. Troops were pulled back to more favorable positions.

Justin Trudeau has officially resigned as the Prime Minister of Canada.

Trump’s University Purge Begins

U.S. Government’s Demands to Columbia University:

• Expel or Suspend Protesters – Disciplinary action for students involved in Gaza encampments and Hamilton Hall protests.

• Centralize Discipline – Transfer all disciplinary authority to the Office of the President, dissolving the University Judicial Board.

• Limit Protests – Enforce strict rules on time, place, and manner to prevent campus disruptions.

• Ban Face Masks – Prohibit masks used to conceal identity or intimidate others, except for religious or medical reasons.

• Hold Student Groups Accountable – Apply disciplinary actions to all violating groups, whether recognized or unrecognized.

• Adopt IHRA Antisemitism Definition – Expand the university’s approach to addressing discrimination.

• Expand Security Powers – Grant Columbia’s internal security law enforcement authority, including arrest and removal of agitators.

• Overhaul Certain Departments – Place MES, South Asian, and African Studies under external oversight for at least five years.

• Reform Admissions – Submit a plan ensuring compliance with federal laws and regulations.

Deadline: March 20, 2025 – Non-compliance may result in a federal funding freeze.

Ukrainian Military to Trump:

Reports of our forces being encircled by the enemy in Kursk are false and fabricated for political purposes.

Unconfirmed video of Russian soldier claims that an order has been issued not to attack Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers during their withdrawal from the Kursk region.

According to him, between 8,000 to 10,000 troops are leaving the area on foot.

Lukashenko:

Volodya (Zelensky) was like a son to me, but he acted like a traitor.

Putin received calls from Ukraine, though this information has not yet been made public.

Mark Carney is now officially the Prime Minister of Canada after 10 years of Justin Trudeau.

Ukrainian Minister of Justice Stefanishyna:

Negotiations on the minerals agreement have been completed, Ukraine is waiting for the signing date from the US.

Zelensky:

We would not wish such years and decades of war on any nation. In Ukraine, we want peace. From the first minutes of this war, we wanted only one thing - for Russia to leave our people alone, and for the Russian occupiers to leave our land.

Zelensky:

We do not want to play games with war. Every day of war is a loss of the lives of our people, and this is the most precious thing we have.

Zelensky:

We support our American partners and President Trump. We want to trust America and its President. Ukraine is ready to act quickly and constructively. And we have warned that the only party that will try to sabotage everything will not be us.

Zelensky:

Putin will try to drag everyone into endless discussions, just as he did with “Minsk”, wasting days, weeks and months on meaningless negotiations, while his weapons continue to kill people. Every condition that Putin puts forward is just an attempt to block any diplomacy.