Zelensky, Trump signal near deal on ending Ukraine war (Ld)

IANS | December 29, 2025 8:03 AM

New York, Dec 29 (IANS) Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said a peace plan to end the war was “90 per cent” ready, while US President Donald Trump asserted they were “getting a lot closer, maybe very close”, after their meeting to find a path to ending the four-year conflict.

Progress on Ukraine was possible, but deal remained distant: US media

IANS | December 29, 2025 7:35 AM

Washington, Dec 29 (IANS) US media did not appear to be convinced of a successful Ukrainian peace following the meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Most outlets said progress was possible, but a deal remained distant.

Trump, Zelensky keep talks light as Ukraine peace negotiations advance

IANS | December 29, 2025 7:27 AM

Washington, Dec 29 (IANS) A mix of humor, gestures, and casual exchanges marked a high-stakes press appearance as US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy sought to project ease and momentum at Mar-a-Lago, even as negotiations to end the war in Ukraine remained unresolved but close.

Trump says Russia, Ukraine want war to end as talks near final stage

IANS | December 29, 2025 6:53 AM

Washington, Dec 29 (IANS) US President Donald Trump said that both Russia and Ukraine want the war between them to end, as negotiations aimed at reaching a peace agreement moved closer to completion following his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.

Trump, Zelensky say Ukraine peace deal 'very close' after Florida talks

IANS | December 29, 2025 6:24 AM

Washington, Dec 29 (IANS) US President Donald Trump said that peace negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine were “very close” following what he described as a “terrific meeting” with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.

Bangladesh reports 71 blasphemy-linked attacks on Hindus from June-Dec: Report

IANS | December 28, 2025 9:25 PM

Dhaka, Dec 28 (IANS) At least 71 incidents related to blasphemy allegations against Hindu minorities were reported in Bangladesh from June-December this year, Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) said in a report. The HRCBM documented cases from more than 30 districts, including Chandpur, Chattogram, Dinajpur, Lalmonirhat, Sunamganj, Khulna, Comilla, Gazipur, Tangail and Sylhet, according to the report.

Elections in Pak-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan meaningless until region has own provisional constitution: Report

IANS | December 28, 2025 9:14 PM

Islamabad, Dec 28 (IANS) Pakistan continues to occupy Gilgit-Baltistan despite its legal accession to India in 1947. Pakistan is set to hold Assembly elections in the occupied territory of Gilgit-Baltistan in a few months; however, the polls would be meaningless until the region has its own provisional constitution and the Assembly has authority to legislate over resources, a report has stated.

Curtain of darkness: How British empire denied 'light of knowledge' to further its despotism (From the Archives)

Santosh Kumar Verma | December 28, 2025 8:55 PM

New Delhi, Dec 28 (IANS) The British occupation of India was built upon a great lie: the assertion that foreign dominion served the "welfare and happiness of the inhabitants". The East India Company (EIC), a vast trading corporation that had morphed into a territorial sovereign, continually boasted of establishing "courts of justice" and creating "new and valuable property" for the natives, claiming to have replaced a chaotic, precarious past.