US President Donald Trump has reached out to Iran’s leadership, expressing his willingness to negotiate a nuclear agreement. In an interview with Fox Business Network broadcast on Friday, Trump revealed that he sent a letter on Thursday, urging Iran to consider discussions.

“I said I hope you’re going to negotiate, because it’s going to be a lot better for Iran,” Trump stated, emphasizing that diplomatic efforts could be more beneficial for the country.

The letter, reportedly addressed to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, signals the US administration’s push to prevent further nuclear development. Trump stressed the urgency of negotiations, adding, “I think they want to get that letter. The other alternative is we have to do something, because you can’t let another nuclear weapon.”

The White House has yet to officially confirm the details of the letter or its contents.

Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov engaged in discussions with Iranian Ambassador Kazem Jalali, focusing on international efforts to address Iran’s nuclear situation. The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed these discussions on Friday, highlighting the ongoing global concerns surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Train services across Europe were significantly impacted on Friday, March 7, when operations, including Eurostar services to and from London, were halted due to the discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb near the busy Gare du Nord station in Paris. This interruption in service affected not only international trains but also routes heading northward from the French capital.

France’s national railway company, SNCF, confirmed that train traffic was suspended following a police request to ensure public safety. Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot warned that travelers should expect “strong disruptions” throughout the day. While some limited services are set to resume in the afternoon, he urged passengers to reconsider their travel plans and, if possible, delay their journeys to avoid unnecessary inconvenience.

The bomb was unearthed early Friday morning, around 4 a.m., by construction workers conducting earth-moving operations in the Seine-Saint-Denis area, situated just north of Paris. In response to the discovery, authorities deployed minesweepers to the location to assess and manage the situation. As the day progressed, travelers stranded at the Gare du Nord gathered as the station finally reopened for operations.

The Gare du Nord is not only a crucial hub for local and regional transit but also serves as a vital international gateway for travelers heading to destinations like Brussels and the Netherlands, as well as for those making connections to the main airport in Paris. With thousands of commuters and tourists passing through daily, the impact of such disruptions is felt widely.

Unexploded ordnance from both World War I and World War II is not an uncommon find around France, given the country’s extensive wartime history. However, discovering such bombs in heavily populated areas is relatively rare and raises significant safety concerns.

During his remarks on Sud Radio, Minister Tabarot reassured the public, especially local residents and those near the train stations, stating there was “no fear” of an imminent explosion risk. He emphasized the rigorous safety procedures in place for the defusing and removal of these potentially dangerous artifacts, aiming to calm fears amid the ongoing operations.

The United States Supreme Court has turned down an emergency appeal filed by Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, opposing his extradition to India. Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, had argued that he faced the risk of torture if sent to India.

Rana’s argument against extradition

In his Emergency Application for Stay, filed with the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and Circuit Justice for the Ninth Circuit, Rana contended that his extradition would violate US law and the United Nations Convention Against Torture. His petition stated:

“There are substantial grounds for believing that, if extradited to India, petitioner will be in danger of being subjected to torture.”

Rana also claimed that his Pakistani origin and Muslim identity heightened the risk, given the nature of the Mumbai attacks case.

Medical concerns cited in plea

Rana’s appeal also highlighted his critical medical conditions, arguing that extradition to India would be equivalent to a “de facto death sentence.” His medical records, dated July 2024, indicate multiple serious illnesses, including:

• Multiple heart attacks
• Parkinson’s disease with cognitive decline
• A mass suggestive of bladder cancer
• Stage 3 chronic kidney disease
• Chronic asthma
• History of multiple COVID-19 infections

Court’s decision and India’s stance

Despite Rana’s plea, the US Supreme Court rejected his request, clearing the way for his extradition. His legal team had argued that if a stay was not granted, “there will be no review at all, and the US courts will lose jurisdiction.”

The rejection comes after a diplomatic push by India and weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US President Donald Trump in Washington. During the meeting, Trump announced that Rana would be extradited to India to “face justice” for his alleged role in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, which claimed 166 lives.

Tahawwur Rana’s link to 26/11 attacks

Rana, 64, has been closely associated with David Coleman Headley, a Pakistani-American terrorist and one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The attacks, which began on November 26, 2008, targeted eight locations in south Mumbai, including luxury hotels, a railway station, and a Jewish center. The siege lasted three days, ending on November 29, 2008.

With the Supreme Court’s decision, India is now set to receive Tahawwur Rana in the coming weeks to face legal proceedings over his alleged involvement in one of the worst terrorist attacks in India’s history.