Washington, US: US President Donald Trump has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Washington to sign a critical minerals deal, while also suggesting that the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war could end “within weeks” if the right agreements are reached.Trump made the remarks during an Oval Office press conference on Monday, revealing that negotiations between the US and Ukraine over access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals were near completion.

Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai has sparked a political showdown with the DMK by challenging its IT wing to a social media hashtag battle. The confrontation comes after DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin warned that if the BJP government continued imposing Hindi, the slogan in Tamil Nadu would shift from ‘Go Back Modi’ to ‘Get Out Modi’.   Responding aggressively, Annamalai dared DMK supporters to tweet ‘

LaVar Ball, the outspoken father of NBA players LaMelo and Lonzo Ball, recently underwent surgery to amputate his right foot due to a serious medical condition, according to multiple reports. The 57-year-old sports personality is reportedly in great spirits and recovering well following the procedure Reports first broke the news of Ball’s surgery, though specific details regarding his medical condition remain undisclosed. The Ball family has yet to release an official statement addressi

In February 2025, US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 30-day pause on tariffs against Mexico and Canada brought a brief sense of relief to global markets. The decision helped prevent a potential escalation of a full-blown trade war, with US equity futures and international markets responding positively. However, concerns linger about the long-term effects of tariffs on industries such as automotive, semiconductor, consumer goods, e-commerce, and green energy.  

In a move to enhance efficiency, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has revised its procedures to allow for quicker profile updates for its 70 million subscribers. With the new system, members who have their Universal Account Number (UAN) validated through Aadhaar can now update their details such as name, gender, marital status, and more, without uploading any supporting documents. The change aims to reduce delays and human intervention, allowing almost 45% of

Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, issued a statement on Monday expressing its resolve to rebuild Gaza, which has suffered extensive destruction following more than 15 months of Israeli airstrikes. The group stated that Gaza's people would rise again to rebuild what Israel has destroyed and remain steadfast in their resistance against the occupation. Hamas emphasized the unwavering determination of Gaza's population to face aggression despite the continued violence. The

On Thursday, SpaceX's latest Starship prototype experienced a catastrophic failure in space, eight minutes after launching from South Texas. The spacecraft, which was carrying mock satellites as its test payload, lost communication with SpaceX mission control, signaling an anomaly in its upper stage. This led to a total loss of the spacecraft, marking a significant setback for the company's Mars ambitions. The failure had an unexpected impact on air traffic. At least 20 comm

The American Civil War, which began in 1861, was a defining moment in the history of the United States. Following increasing tensions over slavery and political divisions, 11 southern states broke away from the Union to form the Confederate States of America (CSA). The secession marked a pivotal moment in American history, mirroring the disintegration of the Soviet Union 130 years later in 1991. The conflict stemmed largely from disagreements over the future of slavery, with souther

Team India's crushing 3-1 defeat to Australia in the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy has triggered intense debate over the future of star players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Their poor performances have left their places in the Test team uncertain, with increasing criticism over their lack of commitment to domestic cricket. A former BCCI official has called for a "strict message" to be sent to underperforming players, urging the selection committee to take stronger action.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made a significant change to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system by enabling UPI payments between verified digital wallets, also known as Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs), and third-party UPI applications. This new directive will allow users of digital wallets to make and receive UPI payments via any third-party UPI app, rather than being limited to the wallet’s own mobile application. The move is aimed at enhancing interoperability within t

Call of Duty: World at War, Treyarch’s World War II-themed first-person shooter, is expected to arrive on Xbox Game Pass in May 2025, according to a reliable tipster. Alongside this title, Singularity, a first-person shooter by Raven Software, will also join the service. This would mark the third Call of Duty game available on Game Pass, following Modern Warfare 3 and Black Ops 6. The news comes from tipster @eXtas1stv, known for ac

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday honored the soldiers who played a pivotal role in India's victory during the 1971 war, known as Vijay Diwas. The day commemorates the surrender of Pakistani forces to the Indian Army, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. In a post shared on X, PM Modi paid tribute to the bravery and sacrifices of the soldiers who contributed to this historic victory. Modi emphasized the selfless dedication and determination of the Indian soldiers, notin

The US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has released the Visa Bulletin for January 2025, providing crucial updates for green card applicants, with a notable focus on Indian applicants. This bulletin offers insights into the availability of immigrant visa numbers, which are vital for individuals waiting in the green card queue. The limits for employment-based preference immigrants have been set at 140,000, while family-sponsored category immigrants have a cap of

The Lok Sabha will hold a two-day debate starting today to mark 75 years of the Indian Constitution, though tensions are high between the BJP and Congress, which are embroiled in a bitter political war. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will kick off the debate for the BJP, with several MPs from the ruling party and allies, including Karnataka's former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, expected to speak. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will respond to the debate and opposition attacks on Saturday

In recent developments, Israeli airstrikes have killed at least six people in the Gaza Strip, further intensifying the ongoing conflict. Simultaneously, Russia has granted asylum to Syrian President Bashar Assad as his regime faces an uncertain future following a series of upheavals. The U.N. Security Council has scheduled emergency consultations to address the Syrian crisis, with calls for war crimes accountability and a smooth political transition. The U.N. human rights chief, Volker Tü

Rebel forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have launched a major offensive against the Syrian government, pushing closer to Homs after capturing Aleppo and Hama in a swift military campaign. The rebels, aiming to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, are now just five kilometers from Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, which would sever the crucial connection between the capital, Damascus, and the Assad regime’s stronghold on the Mediterranean coast. This would rep

The President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Tomoko Akane, strongly criticized both the U.S. and Russia for interfering with the court's investigations, accusing them of threatening the institution with economic sanctions and issuing arrest warrants for key officials. The remarks were made following the ICC’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others in connection to crimes in Gaza, which prompted backlash

Traffic in parts of Delhi and Noida has been significantly affected as farmers march toward the Parliament complex on Monday to demand key changes in land acquisition policies. The farmers, representing at least 20 districts, will be gathering at 12 pm to press for five major demands related to land compensation, employment for landless farmers, and proper settlement of acquired areas. Reports show long traffic queues at the Chilla border and Delhi-Noida direct flyover, with heavy s

On Day 4 of the Parliament Winter Session, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will take the oath as the Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Wayanad at 11 am. She secured a victory in the bypolls with over 6.22 lakh votes, joining her mother, Sonia Gandhi, and brother, Rahul Gandhi, in the Parliament. This is Priyanka Gandhi's first entry into the Lok Sabha. Congress supporters at 10 Janpath celebrated the occasion, distributing sweets ahead of her oath-taking ceremony. The session, which beg

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recommended a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, aimed at ending over 14 months of fighting linked to the ongoing Gaza war. Despite Israeli bombardment escalating in the hours before the ceasefire proposal, Netanyahu is optimistic that the deal will isolate Hamas and shift Israel's focus to Iran, Hezbollah's backer. The ceasefire, brokered by the U.S., would temporarily halt fighting between Israel and Hezbollah for two months,