Unveiling the Secrets: A Journey into the Unknown

 US President Donald Trump announced that Washington is “pretty close” to finalizing a “fair trade deal” with India, indicating that the United States will soon reduce the steep tariffs imposed on Indian goods. India currently faces some of the highest tariffs globally—around 50 percent—primarily due to an additional 25 percent “penalty” for its earlier purchases of Russian oil. Trump, addressing reporters at a White House press briefing, explained that the high tariff rates were largely a result of India’s energy trade with Russia. “Right now, the tariffs are very high on India because of the Russian oil, and they have stopped doing the Russian oil. It’s being reduced very substantially. Yeah, we will bring the tariffs down at some point,” he said. In New Delhi , government officials confirmed that they see no need for further negotiations on the trade deal, as the two sides have been working on the legal text since October. “Talks are progressing well between the two sides,” sa...

  A devastating explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday evening left at least nine people dead and many others injured, sparking panic in one of the city’s busiest heritage zones. The blast occurred inside a moving car outside Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station around 6:52 pm, setting off a massive fire that engulfed several nearby vehicles. While the exact cause of the explosion is yet to be confirmed, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that investigative agencies were examining “all angles” and not ruling out any possibility, including a terror link. Teams from the Delhi Police, National Security Guard (NSG), National Investigation Agency (NIA) , and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) were deployed to the site within minutes of the incident. The Blast and Its Immediate Impact According to Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha , a Hyundai i20 car moving slowly along the Subhash Marg traffic signal near the Red Fort suddenly exploded, affecting surrounding vehicles. W...

  In a surprising geopolitical twist, the United States has granted Hungary a one-year exemption from sanctions on Russian oil, even as it continues to pressure other nations — including India — to reduce their reliance on Russian energy. The move, announced just weeks after fresh sanctions were imposed on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil on October 22, has stirred debate on whether Washington’s approach to sanctions is more political than economic. A Strategic Exemption for Hungary Hungary’s exemption allows the Central European nation to continue purchasing Russian oil despite the latest American sanctions. In return, Hungary has committed to purchasing US liquefied natural gas (LNG) worth nearly $600 million and building a $114 million nuclear fuel deal. This waiver follows President Donald Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where Trump emphasized that allies who cooperate with the US on critical issues — such as countering China — might receive favorable...

 Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has issued a strong warning that China could soon surpass the United States in the race for artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking at the FT Future of AI Summit , Huang emphasized that China’s competitive edge comes from lower energy costs , fewer regulations , and a government-backed drive to dominate the AI sector. This, he said, could position China ahead of the U.S. in one of the most transformative technological races of our time. “ China is going to win the AI race, ” Huang remarked, according to a report by the Financial Times . He added that Western nations, including the U.S. and the U.K., were being slowed down by excessive caution and regulatory hurdles. “Every conversation on AI in the U.S. comes with the risk of 50 new regulations,” Huang said, pointing to how bureaucracy can stifle innovation. The Chinese Advantage Nvidia faces a significant challenge from China’s approach to AI development. The Chinese government provides energy subsidi...

  Making Spiders Lovable Again: How a Pune Initiative is Spinning New Stories Around Old Fears For generations, bedtime stories and old wives’ tales have painted spiders as sinister creatures — lurking in dark corners, spinning webs of deceit and danger. Their eight legs and glassy eyes have long inspired unease, even in the bravest among us. From the heroic world of Harry Potter, where even wizards like Ron Weasley quake at the sight of them, to our own homes where a glimpse of a web invites panic, spiders have suffered from an image problem that’s centuries old. But in Pune, a quiet revolution is underway — one that hopes to make people see spiders not as symbols of fear, but as fascinating and vital members of our natural world. At the heart of this movement are Shreyas Pattanshetty and Swara Bakshi , two passionate naturalists who have always viewed spiders differently. As members of Capparis Eco Solutions , an organisation that works in biodiversity assessments and environ...

Under the Midnight Sky: How Harmanpreet Kaur’s Women Wrote India’s Golden Chapter   It was a little past midnight on a magical Sunday — the kind of night when dreams and destiny often meet. The lights at Navi Mumbai’s D.Y. Patil Stadium shimmered like a thousand stars, the crowd roared like a heartbeat that belonged to the entire nation, and in that electrifying moment, Harmanpreet Kaur lifted the Women’s Cricket World Cup — a gleaming symbol of years of struggle, sacrifice, and unshakable belief. India was finally crowned world champions in women’s cricket. For millions watching at home, it was more than a win. It was a release of emotions buried over decades. It was for the girls who once played with tennis balls on dusty fields, for mothers who had quietly stitched broken cricket nets, and for the veterans who had once played without applause or sponsorship — just for the love of the game. The Roots of a Dream This victory didn’t begin on that glittering night. It began i...

 India and the United Kingdom have concluded a landmark Free Trade Agreement, finalizing negotiations in late April. Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer praised the deal as a major milestone that will deepen bilateral ties, increase trade, and create new job opportunities. The FTA eliminates UK tariffs (2–18%) on Indian goods like textiles, footwear, auto components, and machinery—supporting India’s labour-intensive sectors. In exchange, India will gradually reduce duties on UK whiskey and gin from 150% to 40% over ten years, and cut automotive tariffs under a quota system. UK exports such as cosmetics, medical devices, and food products will also benefit from reduced Indian tariffs. Sensitive Indian agricultural items like dairy and apples remain excluded to protect local farmers. The textile and footwear industries welcomed the move, while the alcohol sector expressed concerns about similar future deals with other countries. A key highlight is the Double Contributio...

 On Sunday, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 100% tariff on movies produced outside the United States, claiming that the American film industry is “dying a very fast death” due to incentives offered by foreign governments to attract filmmakers. “This is a coordinated effort by other nations and, as such, poses a national security threat,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “It’s not just about economics—it’s also about messaging and propaganda.” Trump stated he had directed relevant federal agencies, including the Department of Commerce, to immediately begin the process of imposing the tariff on all foreign-made films distributed in the U.S. He added emphatically: “WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick echoed Trump’s sentiments on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “We’re on it.” However, neither Trump nor Lutnick provided specific details about the implementation of the tariff. It remains unclear whether the tariff would apply to streami...

 Thousands of supporters of Hefazat-e-Islam, a prominent Bangladeshi Islamist organization, rallied in Dhaka on Saturday, calling for the dissolution of a government-formed commission on women's rights. The group argued that the commission’s draft recommendations conflicted with Islamic principles. The rally, held at Suhrawardy Udyan, was organized by Hefazat-e-Islam — a coalition primarily composed of teachers and students from non-government "kawmi" madrasas (Islamic seminaries). The group has long been recognized as a significant religious pressure group in the country. Protesters voiced strong opposition to the proposed reforms by the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission, which was established under the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. The proposals aimed to ensure equal rights for women, particularly regarding property rights. In one of its largest public demonstrations in recent years, Hefazat-e-Islam denounced the recommendations as contrary...

  Russia to Help Taliban Fight Islamic State in Afghanistan Russia has announced it will support the Taliban in fighting the Islamic State group in Afghanistan, specifically its local branch known as ISIS-K. Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s special representative for Afghanistan and a former ambassador, called ISIS-K a shared enemy of both Russia and the Taliban. He told Russian state news agency RIA, “We see and appreciate the Taliban’s efforts against ISIS in Afghanistan, and we’ll provide them with the support we can through our expert organizations.” Although no country officially recognizes the Taliban government, which took over Afghanistan in August 2021 after U.S. troops left, Russia recently took a step toward closer ties. Last month, it removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist groups—a label it had used since 2003. This move reflects a warming relationship between Russia and the Taliban. Russian President Vladimir Putin even referred to the Taliban as an ally in the figh...

  Vietnam’s Propaganda Art Still Flourishes, 50 Years After the War Half a century after the Vietnam War ended, the country has transformed dramatically—its cities filled with smartphones, pop music, and modern commerce. Yet one symbol of its past remains unchanged: the vibrant propaganda art of the ruling Communist Party. Artist Tran Duy Truc, now 82, has been painting these patriotic posters since the war. Commissioned to create new works for the 50th anniversary of the war’s end, Truc sees his art as a tribute to history and unity. “This anniversary is special. I may not have fought, but I used my brush as my weapon,” he says. One of his new posters shows two female soldiers—one from the North, one from the South—embracing. The message: “North and South, we are reunited in one home.” Propaganda art first rose to prominence in the 1960s, rallying support with bold visuals and catchy slogans. Today, it still decorates public spaces and even tourist souvenirs. “It’s not just ...

Centre Acts Strongly Post-Pahalgam Terror Attack Following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, the Centre banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels — including major ones like Dawn News, Samaa TV, ARY News, and Geo News — for spreading provocative and misleading content against India and its security forces. Together, these channels had over 63 million subscribers. Viewers now see a notice citing national security when trying to access them. The government also expressed strong objections to BBC India after it referred to the terrorists as "militants" in its reporting. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) conveyed concerns to BBC's channel head and will monitor BBC, AP, and Reuters' coverage closely. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), blocked several Pakistani URLs scamming Indians under the pretext of collecting war funds. Ministries and agencies have been directed to strengthen cyber defen...

 Virginia Giuffre, who accused Jeffrey Epstein of trafficking her to Prince Andrew and of sexual abuse, has died by suicide at the age of 41. Her family confirmed her passing in a statement released Friday, stating she died at her farm in Western Australia, where she had lived for several years. "Virginia lost her life to suicide after enduring a lifetime of sexual abuse and trafficking," her family said, according to The Guardian . "It is with completely broken hearts that we share that Virginia passed away last night." Remembered by her family as a "fierce warrior" in the fight against sexual abuse and trafficking, Giuffre was recognized worldwide for her bravery in confronting powerful figures tied to Epstein’s network. She was described as "the light that lifted so many survivors." Despite the many hardships she faced, her family said, "she shone so bright. She will be missed beyond measure." Virginia Giuffre, an American citizen,...

 The World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Friday that it has exhausted all its food supplies in Gaza due to the continued closure of border crossings into the territory. Meanwhile, Gaza authorities reported that Israeli airstrikes had killed at least 78 people within the past 24 hours. "The WFP has completely run out of food stocks for families in Gaza," the agency said in a statement, noting that it delivered its final supplies to community kitchens on Friday. "These kitchens are expected to run out of food entirely in the coming days," the statement added. The WFP said that no humanitarian or commercial goods have entered Gaza for over seven weeks, as all major crossing points remain closed, marking the longest closure the region has ever experienced. Israel, which has previously denied claims of a hunger crisis in Gaza, accuses Hamas militants of misusing aid—an accusation Hamas denies—and insists on maintaining the blockade to prevent supplies from reaching...

 Chinese manufacturers are increasingly turning to TikTok and other social media platforms to market luxury goods directly to American consumers. Their message is clear: skip the big brands and buy similar products straight from the source — at a fraction of the price. In these videos, sellers promote items like leggings, handbags, and sandals that closely resemble high-end products from well-known brands such as Lululemon, Hermès, and Birkenstock. They often claim — sometimes misleadingly — that their products are made in the same factories as those premium brands. American influencers are amplifying the trend, endorsing these factories and boosting downloads of Chinese shopping apps like DHGate and Taobao. For price-conscious consumers bracing for potential price hikes due to proposed tariffs under former President Donald Trump, the appeal is strong. The trend is exploding on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where these videos are racking up millions of views and thousands...

 Amid mounting pressure from Washington to demonstrate a commitment to peace in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday proposed bilateral negotiations with Kyiv for the first time in years. He also expressed openness to additional ceasefires following a one-day truce for Easter. Putin noted that hostilities had resumed after his unexpected 30-hour ceasefire, which he had declared unilaterally on Saturday. Both Russia and Ukraine blamed each other for breaching the truce, which Kyiv had largely dismissed from the beginning as a publicity stunt. The United States said it would support an extension of the ceasefire. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged that it be prolonged into a 30-day truce aimed at safeguarding civilian areas. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has pledged to bring a swift end to the three-year conflict, has shifted American policy away from its strong backing of Ukraine, leaning instead toward acknowledging Russia’s narrative of th...

 A gurdwara and a Hindu temple in Surrey, Canada, were reportedly vandalized on Saturday by individuals linked to pro-Khalistan activism. The incidents coincided with the appearance of anti-India and anti-Hindu slogans during the Khalsa Parade held later that day in Surrey. During the parade, 'wanted' posters featuring Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar were displayed, sparking widespread criticism. Prior to the event, hate graffiti was discovered at the Ross Street Gurdwara in Vancouver and Lakshmi Mandir in Surrey. Both cases are currently under investigation by local law enforcement. The Ross Street Gurdwara, known for promoting Sikh-Hindu unity and distancing itself from Khalistani ideologies, condemned the vandalism. The Khalsa Diwan Society, which manages the Vancouver gurdwara, attributed the act to a small group of Sikh separatists pushing the Khalistan agenda. In a statement, the society said: ...

Some robots completed the race while others struggled from the beginning. Twenty-One Humanoid Robots Join Runners at Beijing Half-Marathon.  In a groundbreaking event, 21 humanoid robots participated alongside thousands of human runners in the Yizhuang Half-Marathon in Beijing on Saturday. It marked the first time robots have competed in a 21-kilometer race with humans. The robots, developed by Chinese companies such as DroidUP and Noetix Robotics, came in various shapes and sizes—some standing under 120 cm (3.9 feet), while others reached up to 1.8 meters (5.9 feet). One manufacturer even highlighted its robot's human-like appearance, featuring feminine characteristics, the ability to smile, and even wink. Several companies conducted weeks of testing to prepare their robots for the event. Beijing officials likened the marathon more to a motorsport competition, due to the heavy involvement of engineering and navigation teams. “The robots are performing impressively and appear ve...

 It’s every person for themselves,” said Fallon Albrecht as she navigated her bicycle through a hectic downtown Amsterdam intersection on Thursday morning—one so notoriously busy it once had its own livestream. Like many of the cyclists surrounding her, the 39-year-old chose not to wear a helmet during the rush hour commute, despite both the potential risks and a national campaign in the Netherlands aimed at shifting public perception on helmet use. “I don’t wear one because of my bun,” she explained, pointing to the neatly tied knot of hair atop her head. Government data shows that the Netherlands has more bicycles than people. Yet, helmets remain uncommon and have sparked an ongoing debate—balancing the importance of road safety with the country’s strong cultural attachment to cycling as a way of life. Annual data released Thursday by the Dutch Central Bureau for Statistics revealed that cyclists accounted for the highest number of road fatalities in the Netherlands last year,...