A 25-year-old student from Telangana lost his life in Germany after attempting to escape from a fire that broke out in his apartment building on December 31, turning what should have been the start of a new year into a moment of deep grief for his family and community. The student, Hruthik Reddy, hailed from Malkapur village in Jangaon district and had been residing in Brandenburg, near Berlin, while pursuing higher studies. According to information provided by his family, a fire er

Russia’s Defence Ministry said on Thursday that it had transferred what it described as evidence showing that Ukrainian forces targeted a Russian presidential residence earlier this week, an allegation that Kyiv and Western governments have firmly rejected. The announcement adds to rising diplomatic tensions as Moscow and Washington continue discussions related to the broader war in Ukraine. According to the ministry, fragments of a Ukrainian drone recovered after an alleged attem

As people across the globe prepare to welcome the New Year with countdowns, fireworks, and celebrations across different time zones, a small group of astronauts orbiting far above Earth will experience the arrival of the new year in a way unlike anyone on the planet. Aboard the International Space Station, astronauts currently in orbit will celebrate the New Year an astonishing 16 times, highlighting the extraordinary reality of life in space and the unique way time is experienced beyond Earth.

US military activity near Venezuela has intensified as the US Coast Guard moves to apprehend a third oil tanker operating in international waters, according to officials who confirmed the development on Sunday. The operation marks the second action of its kind during the weekend and the third within a week, highlighting an escalating enforcement strategy against oil tankers under sanctions. One official stated that the vessel involved is subject to restrictions linked to United States measure

An appellate court in Romania has sentenced American rapper Wiz Khalifa to nine months in prison for drug possession, bringing a legal case tied to a 2024 music festival appearance to a close more than a year after the incident occurred. The ruling was delivered on Thursday by the Constanta Court of Appeal and represents a final decision under Romanian law. The case stems from events at the Beach, Please! Festival, held in July 2024 in Costinesti, a popular coastal resort in Constanta County along the Black Sea. Romanian authorities stopped the artist after he allegedly consumed cannabis while performing on stage during the festival. Prosecutors later stated that Khalifa was found in possession of more than 18 grams of cannabis and that part of the substance had been used publicly during his performance. Court documents identified the artist by his legal name, Cameron Jibril Thomaz, and confirmed that he was convicted of possession of dangerous drugs without legal authorization for personal use. Under Romania’s criminal code, cannabis remains classified as an illegal substance, and possession for personal consumption is treated as a criminal offense rather than a civil violation. The appellate ruling followed an earlier decision by a lower court in Constanta County, which in April imposed a criminal fine of 3,600 lei, equivalent to approximately $830. Prosecutors challenged that outcome, arguing that the penalty did not reflect the seriousness of the offense or the circumstances under which it occurred. The appeal sought a custodial sentence, which the higher court ultimately approved. Romania is known for maintaining some of the stricter drug laws in Europe. Even small quantities of cannabis intended for personal use can lead to criminal prosecution, with penalties ranging from fines to prison terms of up to two years. Legal experts note that public consumption, particularly in a high-profile setting, can be viewed as an aggravating factor under Romanian law. It remains unclear whether Romanian authorities will pursue extradition, as Khalifa is a U.S. citizen and does not reside in Romania. Officials have not publicly confirmed whether further legal steps will be taken to enforce the sentence outside the country’s borders. Wiz Khalifa, 38, rose to international fame with his breakout mixtape “Kush + Orange Juice” and later achieved mainstream success with chart-topping singles and collaborations. During his performance at the Romanian festival last summer, he was seen smoking a large hand-rolled cigarette while performing his hit song “Young, Wild & Free,” a moment that later became central to the criminal investigation. The case has drawn attention to the legal risks artists face when performing abroad, particularly in countries with stringent drug policies. Legal analysts say the ruling underscores the importance of understanding local laws, as actions that may be tolerated or legal in one jurisdiction can carry serious consequences in another.

US President Donald Trump is reported to be considering the formation of a new geopolitical grouping known as the “Core-5,” a proposed alliance that would bring together the United States, Russia, China, India, and Japan. The initiative is being explored as a potential alternative to the Group of Seven, signaling a significant shift in Washington’s approach to global leadership and alliance-building. If pursued, the Core-5 could represent one of the most powerful strategic blocs ever as

US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a phone conversation on Thursday, December 11, as confirmed by US Ambassador Sergio Gor. During the discussion, Prime Minister Modi expressed his support for President Trump’s ongoing efforts to help bring peace to Ukraine. The call comes at a time when both nations are navigating trade tensions following the United States’ decision earlier this year to impose a 50% tariff on select Indian goods. According to

Belgium’s Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal filed by fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, marking a critical step forward in India’s long-running efforts to secure his extradition in connection with the Punjab National Bank fraud. The ruling, delivered on Tuesday by the Court of Cassation, upheld the earlier order of the Antwerp Court of Appeal, which had declared India’s extradition request lawful and enforceable. With this decision, Choksi’s attempt to overturn one of the final le

Tensions between Washington and Kyiv escalated again after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly expressed disappointment with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of not yet reviewing a U.S.-supported peace proposal. Trump told reporters late Sunday that he believed Ukrainian officials were receptive to the plan, but insisted that their president had not personally examined it. His remarks added renewed pressure on Kyiv at a sensitive moment in negotiations intended to chart

The Ministry of External Affairs issued a firm message to China after an Indian national was reportedly singled out and detained for nearly 18 hours at Shanghai airport. The statement, released on Monday, underscored India’s expectation that its citizens travelling through Chinese airports must not be selectively targeted or subjected to arbitrary detention, and urged Beijing to ensure that international air travel regulations are respected without exception. The incident has intensified di

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Wednesday that radical Islamic movements represent a growing and consequential threat not only to the United States but to global security as a whole. Describing these organisations as revolutionary in nature, Rubio said their objectives extend far beyond holding limited territory, and instead involve expanding their influence across regions and cultures. He noted that the ideological framework guiding these groups envisions a broad reach

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has delivered a strong caution that the threat of diseases and dangerous pathogens being exploited by non-state actors is no longer a distant or hypothetical concern. Speaking at a major gathering marking fifty years of global commitment to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), he warned that bioterrorism has evolved into a credible danger that the world must be fully prepared to confront. He stressed that recent scientific advancements, though beneficia

Senior advocate Sai Deepak has challenged the account presented by the Pakistan High Commission in the United Kingdom regarding a scheduled debate between Indian and Pakistani speakers at the Oxford Union. The event, which was expected to feature prominent figures from both countries, became the centre of a controversy after the Pakistan High Commission publicly claimed that Indian participants withdrew at the last moment, resulting in what it described as a walkover. Deepak rejected this ver

Reports claiming that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled or delayed his upcoming India visit due to security concerns after the recent Delhi blast have triggered widespread discussion. However, senior government sources have now clarified that such claims are misleading and factually incorrect. The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Netanyahu, initially expected later this year, is unlikely to take place in 2025, but officials emphasize that the decision has no

The United States and Ukraine announced that they have agreed on an updated peace framework designed to advance efforts to end the nearly four-year conflict with Russia. The revised approach follows a new round of intensive diplomatic discussions in Geneva, where senior officials from both nations worked to address concerns that earlier proposals leaned too heavily toward positions seen as favourable to Moscow. The previous iteration of the plan, strongly backed by President Donald Trump, had

Several international airlines suspended their commercial operations to Venezuela on Saturday after a safety alert from United States aviation authorities warned of increased security risks in the region. The developments came amid a significant buildup of US military assets near the country and rising tensions that have raised concerns about the safety of civilian aircraft. Marisela de Loaiza, president of the Venezuelan Airlines Association, confirmed that Iberia, TAP, LATAM, Avianca, and Brazil’s GOL temporarily halted their flights to Venezuela. She did not indicate when these services might resume, noting only that the carriers had taken the decision in response to growing caution over regional security conditions. A few airlines, including Panama’s Copa Airlines, Air Europa, PlusUltra, and Venezuela’s LASER, continued operating scheduled flights, though industry observers say they are closely monitoring any changes in regulatory guidance. Turkish Airlines also announced that it would cancel flights between November 24 and 28. The suspensions followed a detailed advisory issued on Friday by the US Federal Aviation Administration. The agency urged all civilian aircraft in Venezuelan airspace to exercise heightened caution, citing what it described as a worsening security situation and increased military activity around the country. The FAA noted that potential threats could affect aircraft at any altitude and during any phase of flight, including overflights, arrivals, departures, and even when aircraft are parked on the ground. The alert came at a time when US military forces have expanded their presence in the broader region. Washington has deployed an aircraft carrier strike group, several naval vessels, and stealth aircraft as part of operations it says are aimed at countering drug trafficking networks. Officials in Caracas, however, have expressed alarm, fearing that the mobilization may be intended to exert political pressure or signal preparations for more direct action. Tensions escalated further ahead of a US terrorism designation taking effect against an alleged drug cartel that authorities say is linked to Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. The designation has fueled speculation that new punitive measures could follow and may be connected to the military deployments nearby. Since early September, US forces have conducted multiple strikes against what they described as drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in more than 80 deaths. Despite the scale of the operation, the United States has not publicly presented detailed evidence confirming that the targeted vessels were actively involved in drug trafficking or posed a direct threat. The lack of transparency has unsettled several governments in the region and contributed to concerns about escalating military tensions. The combination of aviation warnings, expanding military activity, and the diplomatic strain surrounding Venezuela has created uncertainty for airlines and travelers. Industry officials say flight operations will continue to be reassessed as conditions evolve and as regulatory authorities issue further guidance.

The G20 Leaders’ Summit 2025 opened in South Africa on Friday, marking a significant moment for the international forum as it convenes on the African continent for the first time. Hosted in Johannesburg, the three-day gathering carries the theme “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability,” reflecting South Africa’s priorities of promoting collaborative global action in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment. This year’s summit places particular emphasis on strength

Fatima Bosch of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2025 after a finale filled with emotions, controversy, and global attention. Her win became one of the most talked-about moments in pageant history, especially after her unexpected walk-out from the competition earlier in the week. Bosch triumphed over Thailand’s Praveenar Singh, Venezuela’s Stephany Abasali, the Philippines’ Ma. Ahtisa Manalo, and Côte d'Ivoire’s Olivia Yace, who secured the remaining top five positions. The official

A significant disruption occurred at the Cop30 climate summit in Brazil on Thursday when a fire broke out inside the primary venue in Belém, forcing an immediate evacuation and halting the ongoing negotiations. The incident unfolded as delegates were preparing for a series of high-stakes discussions aimed at advancing global climate action and strengthening cooperation among countries to address the accelerating climate crisis. Authorities confirmed that the blaze ignited in a pavilion secti

Reports suggesting that the United States and Russia have drafted a confidential peace proposal for Ukraine have stirred uncertainty in Kyiv and prompted questions across Europe about the future direction of the conflict. The alleged initiative, first detailed in recent media reports, points to a possible framework designed without Ukrainian participation and containing concessions that could fundamentally reshape the country’s territorial and security landscape. Senior U.S. milit