United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has accused European nations of indirectly financing Russia’s war in Ukraine by purchasing refined oil products originating from Russian crude processed in India. His remarks come amid ongoing geopolitical tensions over energy trade and sanctions linked to the conflict in Eastern Europe. In an interview aired on Sunday, Bessent alleged that while European leaders publicly condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine, their trade practices ar

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has strongly criticised remarks made by US President Donald Trump regarding the role of NATO troops in Afghanistan, calling the comments “insulting and frankly appalling” and suggesting that an apology is warranted. Starmer said that the remarks had caused deep pain to the families of those who served and to individuals who were killed or injured during the conflict. He emphasized that statements of this kind undermine the sacrifices made by international

The United Arab Emirates is set to host a historic round of trilateral discussions involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia, marking a potentially significant development in international efforts to end the prolonged conflict in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the upcoming talks while addressing global leaders and policymakers during a high-profile economic forum in Davos, describing the meeting as the first instance where representatives from all three sides wi

A United States federal court has sentenced an Indian businessman to 30 months in prison for orchestrating a scheme to illegally export controlled aviation technology to Russia, in violation of strict US export regulations introduced after the Ukraine conflict. The sentencing underscores Washington’s continued focus on disrupting global supply chains used to bypass sanctions and export controls aimed at safeguarding national security. Sanjay Kaushik, 58, a New Delhi-based aviation

Sri Rajarajeshwari Peetham has announced the schedule and spiritual framework for its Kailash Manasarovar Yatra 2026, while also outlining the broader scope of religious and ritual activities conducted by the organization across multiple countries. The yatra, scheduled from July 20 to August 4, 2026, is positioned as one of the organization’s major pilgrimages, distinct from its year-round spiritual programs carried out globally. The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra will take pilgrims th

The United States sharply criticised Russia on Monday, January 12, for its use of a nuclear-capable Oreshnik ballistic missile in Ukraine, describing the launch as a dangerous and unjustified escalation of the ongoing conflict. The condemnation was delivered during an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council convened to address the latest developments in the war. Addressing the council, US Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Tammy Bruce said Russia’s decision t

A resurfaced claim from 2019 by former White House national security adviser Fiona Hill has drawn renewed global attention after a high-profile U.S. operation in Venezuela. Hill told a U.S. congressional hearing in 2019 that senior Russian officials informally signaled they would consider reducing Moscow’s support for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro if Washington granted Russia greater latitude regarding Ukraine. The suggestion, described by Hill as a “very strange swap arrangement,?

US President Donald Trump on Sunday, January 4, claimed that India has significantly reduced its purchases of Russian oil following the imposition of steep tariffs on Indian goods by Washington. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said his administration’s decision to levy a 50 percent tariff had prompted a response from New Delhi, while also warning that the United States could escalate trade penalties further if necessary. Trump asserted that India’s leadership acted in respo

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

Eurostar suspended all of its train services on Tuesday after a power supply failure in the Channel Tunnel forced operations to a halt during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The disruption came as thousands of passengers were travelling between Christmas and New Year, with services to and from London particularly affected. The sudden suspension triggered widespread delays and uncertainty for travellers relying on high-speed rail connections between the United Kingdom and mainla

Newly released diplomatic transcripts have revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had expressed serious concerns to the United States as early as 2001 over Pakistan’s nuclear weapons programme, questioning why the West appeared largely unconcerned about a country without democratic governance possessing nuclear arms. The remarks were made during a private meeting with then US President

Canada and the United Kingdom emerged as dependable alternatives for Indian students seeking overseas education, especially as uncertainty around US work visas grew. Clear post-study work routes, predictable immigration rules, and relatively stable visa approval trends helped both countries attract hundreds of thousands of Indian students. However, policy changes in 2025 are reshaping that confidence and forcing students and families to reassess long-held assumptions about studying abroad.

German lawmakers are widely expected to approve a defense procurement package exceeding 50 billion euros on Wednesday, marking one of the most significant military spending decisions in the country’s post-war history. The move reflects a broader shift in Germany’s security policy as the government seeks to strengthen national and allied defense capabilities following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Agenda documents for the Bundestag’s Budget Committee indicate that members are

Scientists have achieved a historic medical breakthrough by successfully curing a form of blood cancer that was long considered incurable. Researchers from University College London and Great Ormond Street Hospital have used a revolutionary technology known as DNA base editing to treat T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a rare and aggressive cancer that primarily affects children and young adults. This marks the first time base-edited cells have been used in humans to achieve long-term can

U.S. crude oil prices fell to their lowest level since May on Tuesday, deepening a prolonged downturn that has put the market on track for its weakest annual performance in seven years. The decline reflects growing concerns over a looming supply surplus and shifting expectations around geopolitical risks, particularly the possibility of a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. West Texas Intermediate crude briefly dropped to $55.69 per barrel, while global benchmark Brent crude

The United States has paused a multi-billion-pound investment programme in British technology, dealing a significant setback to relations between Washington and London amid ongoing trade disagreements. The decision places the £31bn tech prosperity deal on hold, halting a package that had been presented by the UK government as a cornerstone of its economic and diplomatic strategy with the US. The agreement, unveiled during Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK, was described by Pri

US President Donald Trump said on Monday, December 15, that efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine were making unprecedented progress, describing the possibility of a peace deal as “closer than ever.” His remarks came amid a series of high-level diplomatic engagements in Europe, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with key European leaders in Berlin as part of renewed international efforts to bring an end to the nearly three-year-long conflict. Speaking t

Bay Area cities moved quickly to strengthen security measures after reports of a deadly shooting during a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia, where two gunmen opened fire and killed 15 people. The incident sent shockwaves through Jewish communities worldwide and prompted heightened vigilance in cities across the United States as the Festival of Lights began. The tragedy weighed heavily on members of the Bay Area Jewish community as families and congregations gathered to mark

Kolkata witnessed a rare convergence of global sporting excellence and popular culture on Saturday, December 13, as legendary footballer Lionel Messi arrived in the city as part of his three-day GOAT India tour. The visit transformed the city into a focal point of international attention, with fans, sports enthusiasts, and cultural observers closely following every development surrounding the Argentine icon’s presence. The historic Yuva Bharti stadium served as the backdrop for a series of

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