Ukraine peace deal will happen 'fairly quickly or not at all': Trump

Washington (IANS) The UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer pressed President Donald Trump for a more substantial US commitment to protecting Ukraine if the war ends and warned his US counterpart not to reward Russian President Vladimir Putin in any peace…

EU, India free trade pact to be world’s largest deal: Ursula Von Der Layen

New Delhi (IANS) India and the European Union have agreed to go ahead with a free trade agreement this year, which will be "the largest deal of this kind" in the world, European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen said on Friday. 

"A…

Israel begins to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners

Gaza (IANS) Israeli authorities on Thursday began releasing more than 600 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails as part of the Gaza ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, according to Palestinian sources.

Palestinian sources told…

Zelensky says Ukraine, US preparing for talks on Friday

Kyiv (IANS) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that US and Ukrainian teams are preparing for negotiations on Friday.

In his evening address, Zelensky said on Wednesday that he will meet US President Donald Trump, Xinhua news agency…

Bangladesh: Chaos, violence rules at historic Madhur Canteen in Dhaka

Dhaka (IANS) The historic Madhur Canteen at Dhaka University has turned into yet another ugly political battleground in Bangladesh as members of various student organisations have engaged in protests, scuffles and violence at the iconic venue, this…

Russia's stance on agreement with US on reduction of strategic offensive arms unchanged: Shoigu

Kuala Lumpur/Geneva (IANS) Russia's position on the agreement with the United States on the reduction of strategic offensive weapons, which expires in February 2026, has remained unchanged, Russian security chief Sergei Shoigu said on Thursday.

Top diplomats from Russia and US meet in Istanbul, focus on restoring Embassy operations

Istanbul (IANS)  Top diplomats of Russia and the United States are meeting in Turkey's Istanbul on Thursday as both countries aim at normalising operations of their embassies that remain disrupted following the start of Russia-Ukraine war and…

Death toll from tropical disease melioidosis in Australia rises to 12

Sydney (IANS) The number of deaths from a disease linked to heavy rainfall and flooding in northeast of Australia's state of Queensland has more than doubled to 12, local health authorities said.

Health authorities in the tropical north…

It’s in Russia’s benefit to end war in Ukraine, says Trump after meeting Macron

Washington (IANS) US President Donald Trump said it is to Russia’s “benefit” to make a deal and end the war against Ukraine and he thinks President Vladimir Putin does want to make a deal. 

Addressing a joint news conference with him, France’s…

India abstains on resolutions on Ukraine amendments; US breaks with allies

United Nations (IANS) India abstained on a series of resolutions on Ukraine and amendments at the General Assembly that saw the US break ranks with its Western allies and side with Russia on some of them showing the ruptures and realignments under…