Month: September 2025

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced an accelerated timeline to completely phase out Russian oil and gas imports to the European Union by the end of 2025, emphasising the urgency to cut off funding for Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine.

Speaking during a pull-aside meeting with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined the EU’s progress in reducing its dependency on Russian energy and its commitment to imposing further sanctions.

“President Trump is absolutely right. We’re on it. We have already massively reduced the gas supply from Russia. Completely got out of Russian coal and massively also reduced the oil supply, but there’s still some coming to the European continent,” von der Leyen said.

“We put sanctions out to those ports where, for example, LNG is coming from Russia. We want to put tariffs on oil supplies that are still coming to the European Union. After the last bits of oil and gas come from Russia to the European Union, we want to get rid of it,” she added.

Addressing questions about the previously set timeline of 2027, von der Leyen affirmed a faster approach.

“We want to be out earlier. Absolutely. Till the end of the year, we have the phasing out. We have now the sanctions on the table proposed. Member states have to agree. But we have to be faster because every payment is filling Putin’s watches. This cannot be,” she stressed.

Meanwhile, Trump, during the meeting, criticised the UN’s effectiveness in resolving global conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war.

“We shouldn’t have any wars if the UN’s really doing its job… The UN has fantastic potential… You can have a wonderful concept, but if you don’t have the (right) people… We (solved) all these wars, and we weren’t helped by the UN… They didn’t do anything, and they’re supposed to be solving these problems,” Trump stated.

He had also called out the UN’s effectiveness during his address at the UNGA’s high-level debate.

He further accused the UN of not being able to solve global issues but causing “new problems”.

“Not only is the UN not solving the problems it should–too often, it is actually creating new problems… The United Nations is FUNDING an assault on Western countries and their borders… The UN is supposed to STOP invasions–not CREATE them and not FINANCE them,” Trump said during his address.

Trump also warned that he was prepared to impose heavy tariffs on Russia if it refused to end the war in Ukraine, adding that Russia’s war in Ukraine is “not making Russia look good”.

“In the event that Russia is not ready to make a deal to end the war, then the United States is fully prepared to impose a very strong round of powerful tariffs,” Trump said. (ANI)

US President Donald Trump expressed strong optimism about Ukraine reclaiming its pre-war borders from Russia with robust support from the European Union and NATO, following his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

In a detailed post on Truth Social on Tuesday (local time), Trump described Russia as a “paper tiger” claiming to be bogged down by economic woes after three and a half years of conflict, urging Ukraine to seize the moment to “fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form.”

“After getting to know and fully understand the Ukraine/Russia Military and Economic situation and, after seeing the Economic trouble it is causing Russia, I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form,” Trump wrote, emphasising the potential for restoring “the original Borders from where this War started.”

He attributed Russia’s prolonged struggle to its inefficiencies, calling the prolonged conflict a strategic failure.

“Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years a War that should have taken a Real Military Power less than a week to win. This is not distinguishing Russia. In fact, it is very much making them look like ‘a paper tiger’,” the post read.

Trump highlighted the mounting economic pressures on Russia, including gasoline shortages and a war economy draining resources.

“When the people living in Moscow, and all of the Great Cities, Towns, and Districts all throughout Russia, find out what is really going on with this War… Ukraine would be able to take back their Country in its original form and, who knows, maybe even go further than that! Putin and Russia are in BIG Economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act,” he added, praising Ukraine’s “Great Spirit” and resilience.

The US President affirmed continued American support through weapons supplies to NATO, noting, “We will continue to supply weapons to NATO for NATO to do what they want with them.”

The remarks come shortly after Trump’s meeting with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the UNGA.

According to Al Jazeera, Russia currently occupies roughly one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory, around 114,500 square kilometres.

The active combat front extends approximately 1,000 kilometres through the regions of Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson. Within Zaporizhia and Kherson, Russia controls about 75 per cent of the territory.

In addition, Russian forces hold small portions of the Kharkiv, Sumy, Mykolaiv, and Dnipropetrovsk regions. In the Sumy and Kharkiv areas, about 400 square kilometres remain under Russian control, while in Dnipropetrovsk, a small section near the border is occupied, Al Jazeera reported.

In the Donbas region, composed of Luhansk and Donetsk, Russia controls around 46,570 square kilometres or approximately 88 per cent. This includes nearly all of Luhansk and about three-quarters of Donetsk.

Ukraine still retains control over around 6,600 square kilometres of Donbas. However, Russian forces have intensified operations in Donetsk, targeting the last major Ukrainian-held cities as part of their push to secure what is often referred to as the “fortress belt”. (ANI)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed cautious optimism in India’s support for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia, stating that India is “mostly” aligned with Kyiv’s position, while acknowledging New Delhi’s position on energy-related complexities.

During an interview with Fox News, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday (local time), Zelenskyy highlighted the need to strengthen ties with India while addressing challenges related to Russian energy dependencies.

“I think India is mostly with us. We have these questions with energy, but I think President Trump can manage it. With the Europeans make closer and stronger relations with India,” Zelenskyy said.

He emphasised the importance of ensuring India does not drift away from supporting Ukraine, adding, “I think we must do everything not to withdraw Indians and they will eventually change their attitude toward the Russian energy sector.”

He noted, however, that engaging China on this issue is “more difficult” due to Beijing’s historic alignment with Russian interests.

“With China, it’s more difficult because, for now, it’s not in their interest to stop supporting Russia,” the Ukrainian president said.

Zelenskyy also praised US President Donald Trump for his commitment to supporting Ukraine until the conflict’s resolution, underscoring a shared desire for peace.

“He [Trump] showed that he wants to support Ukraine till the very end. So now we understand that we’re ready to end this war as quickly as possible. He wants that, I want that, and our people want that, but he understands that Putin doesn’t want,” he said.

“What surprised me, in a very positive way, is the clear message from Trump and America that they will stand with us until the war is over,” Zelenskyy added.

He also contrasted this with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s narrative, stating, “Putin knows he is not winning but still says to everyone that he is winning.” (ANI)

Congress leader Pawan Khera on Wednesday said that historic decisions will be made in the party’s working committee (CWC) meeting to “safeguard democracy”.

“This is a historic CWC (Congress Working Committee) meeting in a historic state, and historic decisions will be made,” Khera said while speaking to reporters.

Referring to the Sadaqat Ashram, Khera told ANI, “This is a historic place that has witnessed the independence movement. The message that will be delivered from here will be historic. It will be for the democracy to safeguard the democracy. Every citizen is threatened by thieves.”

Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid on Wednesday asserted that Bihar needs change, suggesting a change in the government post the upcoming assembly elections in the state.

“The CWC meeting is happening after years in Bihar. Rahul Gandhi and others have worked diligently to bring about change. Bihar needs change. It is very clear,” Khurshid told reporters.

Congress leader M Veerappa Moily stated that anti-incumbency against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the ‘double-engine’ government was “riding high,” and people would go against them in the upcoming assembly polls.

“We will be fighting against the BJP and their combinations. The last 20 years, the same Chief Minister, the same combination. People understand poverty in the country. They understand their suffering. This will go against them, and anti-incumbency is riding high against Nitish Kumar and his government,” Moily told ANI.

Amid mounting chaos over allegations of vote theft, Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel took a swipe at the centre and said that all were waiting for Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi to drop the “hydrogen bomb”.

“Rahul Gandhi made two important remarks in the past months: caste census and vote theft. The atomic bomb has been detonated. Now we are waiting for the hydrogen bomb,” Baghel told ANI.

Baghel arrived in Patna yesterday for the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, which is scheduled to take place this morning.

It is expected that many top leaders from the Opposition party will also participate in the CWC meeting, which is being held ahead of the forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

Congress leaders have started arriving in Bihar’s Patna to attend the CWC meeting. Rahul Gandhi also left for Patna to attend the meeting.

The timing and location of the meeting are considered crucial, as the Bihar Assembly elections are expected to take place by the end of 2025.

The CWC meeting will take place at Sadaqat Ashram, Patna, Congress’ headquarters in Bihar. The meeting is expected to be attended by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) president Rajesh Ram, the party’s Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru, and Congress Legislature Party leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan, among others. (ANI)

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma penned an emotional tribute to the late singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg, stating that “Zubeen will live forever” in the hearts of the people of Assam. The Chief Minister highlighted the artist’s emotional resonance, rebellious nature, and generous soul.

In a post on social media platform X, Sarma reflected on the reasons behind the immense love and admiration the people of Assam had for the late singer. “Over the past few days, many from outside Assam have asked – why are we crazy for #BelovedZubeen… There is no single answer,” Sarma wrote.

He continued, “Three things stand out. His music spoke directly to our emotions and was wide enough to accommodate Assam’s diversity. His bravado was legendary- a born rebel, unapologetic about his opinions. But above all, he was one of the most helpful and kindest souls to walk on this planet. Zubeen will live forever”

Zubeen Garg was cremated with full state honours on Tuesday at Kamarkuchi, located on the outskirts of Guwahati. The funeral drew thousands of fans and admirers, with many visibly emotional as they paid their final respects to the artist fondly known as ‘Goldie’ among close friends and family.

The final rites were performed by Garg’s sister, Palme Borthakur, while his wife, Garima Saikia, was seen in tears bidding farewell. A gun salute was accorded to the late artist as part of the state honours.

Hundreds of people gathered at the crematorium to bid an emotional farewell to their beloved singer.

Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, paid floral tributes and wrote in a post on his social media, “The last time that I got to see #BelovedZubeen. From now on, he will live in Assam’s soul, mind and heart…”

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju paid his last respects to Garg at the crematorium in Kamarkuchi.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was present at the site, closely monitoring all the rituals in coordination with the authorities and the singer’s family members.

The mortal remains of the late singer were kept at the Bhogesawar Baruah Sports Complex for his fans and well-wishers to pay their tributes before his funeral.

The Assam government had earlier announced a three-day state mourning in the wake of the demise of singer. The Assam CMO stated that there will be no official entertainment, ceremonial programs, or public celebrations during this period.

The 52-year-old icon of Assam died in Singapore on Friday after a drowning incident. His body was flown to Delhi and later transported to Assam on a commercial flight that landed in Guwahati on Sunday morning.

Garg was in Singapore for the Northeast India Festival.

The news sent a shockwave across the nation, with condolences and tributes pouring in on social media.

Known as the cultural icon of Assam, Garg was not just a singer but also a composer, music director, actor, and filmmaker. With a career spanning over three decades, he lent his voice to thousands of songs in Assamese, Hindi, Bengali, and several other Indian languages. Garg was a multi-instrumentalist and played 12 instruments, including anandalahari, dhol, dotara, drums, guitar, harmonica, harmonium, mandolin, keyboard, tabla, and various percussion instruments. (ANI)

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday accused China and India of being the “primary funders” of the Ukraine war through their continued purchase of Russian oil during his address at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

“China and India are the primary funders of the ongoing war by continuing to purchase Russian oil,” Trump said in his over an hour-long speech at the General Debate of the UNGA, highlighting the role of these countries in financing the conflict in Ukraine.

The remarks came amid global discussions dominated by various conflicts, including the war in Ukraine. Trump’s comments also follow his administration’s recent decision to raise tariffs on India’s imports of Russian oil. The additional 25 per cent levy imposed by the US pushed the total tariff on Indian goods to 50 per cent, one of the highest globally.

US President Donald Trump told the UN General Assembly that China and India are the “primary funders” of the Ukraine war, accusing them of financing it by continuing to buy Russian oil.

India and the United States had earlier held five rounds of negotiations for a trade deal, but the proposed final round of talks scheduled for August was postponed. Over the past few months, India and the US have been negotiating an interim trade deal.

In July, President Trump announced a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods despite hopes for an interim India-US trade deal that could have helped avoid elevated tariffs. A few days later, he imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff, bringing the total to 50 per cent, citing India’s continued imports of Russian oil. These tariffs came into effect on August 27.

India had expressed reservations about the US demand to open up its agricultural and dairy sectors, which are critical and sensitive areas providing livelihoods to a large section of the population. Earlier this year, in March, India and the US had initiated talks on a just, balanced, and mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), aiming to complete the first stage of the agreement by October-November 2025.(ANI)

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s first National Award win is special for all his fans, as well as his family members.

On Tuesday evening, SRK was felicitated with Rajat Kamal by President Droupadi Murmu at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi.

After the honour, his children, Suhana and Aryan Khan, penned a congratulatory note for their “papa”. They also posted a winning selfie of SRK.

In the image, SRK could be seen flaunting his medal.

“You always said you never win the silver, only lose the gold but This Silver is Gold… Our hearts are so happy seeing you receive the prestigious National Award, Congratulations papa we love you,” the post read.

SRK shares the Best Actor Award with Vikrant Massey, who got the honour for 12th Fail. Shah Rukh’s friends Karan Johar and Rani Mukerji were also honoured with National Awards on Tuesday.

While Rani bagged the Best Actress Award, Karan received it for his film ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’.

Congratulating SRK, Karan and Rani for their win, Gauri took to Instagram and wrote, “The big day for all three of my favourites… What an honour to receive the National Award!!! today is the culmination of all your hard work! Continue to inspire…. @iamsrk #RaniMukerji @karanjohar.”

Gauri also shared a picture of SRK and Gauri. The two can be seen sharing smiles as they were seated together at the ceremony.

The National Film Award winners were announced in August, with Shah Rukh Khan named Best Actor in a Leading Role.

After the announcement, SRK had taken to social media to share an emotional video of gratitude for his fans, team, family, and colleagues.

“Thank you for honouring me with the National Award. Thanks to the jury, the I&B ministry. Iss samman ke liye Bharat Sarkar ka dhanyawaad. Overwhelmed with the love showered upon me. Half a hug to everyone today…,” he said.

“Needless to say, I am overwhelmed with gratitude, pride, and humility. To be honoured with the National Award is a moment that I will cherish for a lifetime. Thank you so much to the jury, the chairman, and to the I&B Ministry, and to everyone who thought I was worthy of this honour,” the 59-year-old actor had said.

He had also thanked his entire team of ‘Jawan’.”I want to thank my team and management, which works tirelessly. They bear with me my eccentricities and my impatience and give me their full attention, making me look much better than I am. This award would not be possible at all without their love and perseverance,” he added.

Shah Rukh had also acknowledged the unwavering support of his family throughout his journey.”My wife and kids, who over the last few years have given me so much more love and care as if I am the kid in the house, and want only the best for me. They know my obsession with cinema takes me away from them, but they all bear it with a smile and allow me the time,” he emphasised.

With ‘Jawan,’ Shah Rukh returned in full force in 2023, taking on a dual role with action, emotion, and intensity. The film became one of the biggest blockbusters of the year, and his performance struck a chord with the masses. (ANI)

The director of a branch of a well-known institution based in Delhi’s Vasant Kunj has been booked on charges of alleged molestation after more than 15 girl students came forward with complaints, police said on Tuesday.

“The Manager of an institution, has been accused of allegedly molesting about 15 girls of the institution in the Vasant Kunj area. A case has been registered at Vasant Kunj North PS, based on the statements of the girls. The accused has a luxury car with a fake number plate bearing the UN’s number. The vehicle has been impounded, and upon further investigation, it was found that no such number has been issued. The Police are tracing the accused’s location,” officials informed on Wednesday.

Statements of around 15 students have been recorded under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) before a magistrate.

DCP (South West) Amit Goel said, “The accused has been traced near Agra and he will be arrested soon.”

During the investigation, police also recovered a luxury red Volvo car belonging to the accused. The vehicle was found with a fake United Nations (39 UN 1) number plate. Police confirmed that the number was not issued by the UN and was fabricated by the accused himself.

Officials added that the accused had earlier applied for anticipatory bail but later withdrew the plea.

Sources stated that the institution management has removed the accused from their position and is cooperating with the police investigation.

Earlier in another operation, Delhi Police has solved a blind hit-and-run case within eight days by apprehending the accused and recovering the offending vehicle in the South West district, informed the police.

According to police, on September 15, around 1 pm, a PCR call was received at Vasant Vihar police station, reporting that car belonging to Mayank Jain had been hit by a another car between 2 am and 3 am at the Munirka flyover. When Jain stepped out of his vehicle, the driver allegedly hit him deliberately and fled from the spot. Jain, who sustained injuries, was admitted to RR Hospital, Dhaula Kuan, for treatment. Based on the complaint, a case under FIR No. 221/25 was registered at Vasant Vihar police station.

Police stated that more than 200 CCTV cameras installed along the Ring Road and its adjoining areas were scanned during the investigation. A suspected car with a broken front glass was identified.

On verification, it was found that the registered owner of the vehicle had passed away two years ago, and the car was being used by his family members. During analysis of call records and route mapping through CCTV footage, it was established that Gaurav Bhardwaj, a resident of Greater Kailash Enclave-I, had taken the car to Dwarka on the night of the incident.

Police later found that the accused had replaced the damaged front glass at a mechanic shop in GK-I the next day. The broken glass was also recovered on September 20.On September 22, Bhardwaj was apprehended and, during interrogation, confessed to the crime. The car was also recovered at his instance, police added. (ANI)

US President Donald Trump, addressing the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, declared that within seven months of his presidency, he had achieved what many thought impossible.

He asserted that he had ended seven “unendable” wars and reiterated his claim of having helped broker a truce between India and Pakistan earlier this year.

“In just 7 months, I have ended 7 unendable wars,” Trump told world leaders. “They said they were unendable, some were going for 31 years, one was 36 years. I ended 7 wars, and in all cases they were raging with countless thousands of people being killed.”

The US President listed the conflicts he said were brought to a close under his watch, citing Cambodia and Thailand, Serbia, the Congo and Rwanda, Pakistan and India, Israel and Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia, and Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Trump has repeatedly linked his claims at the UNGA with remarks he made earlier this week in Washington. On September 21, while speaking at the American Cornerstone Institute Founder’s Dinner, he again asserted that he played a role in “stopping wars,” including between India and Pakistan, and even suggested he should be honoured with the Nobel Prize for “ending seven wars.”

“We are forging peace agreements, and we are stopping wars. So we stopped wars between India and Pakistan, Thailand and Cambodia,” Trump said at the event.

Expanding on his claim, he added, “Think of India and Pakistan. Think of that. And you know how I stopped that — with trade. They want to trade. And I have great respect for both leaders. But when you take a look at all of these wars that we’ve stopped.”

At the same event, Trump listed conflicts he said were halted under his leadership, including “Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kosovo and Serbia, Israel and Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia, Rwanda and the Congo.”

“Just look at that. India, Pakistan, Thailand, Cambodia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kosovo and Serbia, Israel and Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia, Rwanda and the Congo. We stopped all of them. And 60 per cent of them were stopped because of trade,” he stated.

He further claimed that his pressure had been decisive. “Like with India, I said, ‘Look, we’re not going to do any trade if you’re going to fight and they have nuclear weapons. They stopped.'”

Turning to the war in Ukraine, Trump linked the conflict to his broader claim of being a peacemaker. “I said, ‘Well, what about the seven others? I should get a Nobel Prize for each one’. So they said, ‘but if you stop Russia and Ukraine, sir, you should be able to get the Nobel’. I said I stopped seven wars. That’s one war, and that’s a big one,” he told the gathering.

Trump said he initially believed the conflict would be easier to resolve because of his ties with Moscow. “Because I have a good relationship with President Putin, disappointed in him, but I do. I thought that would be the easiest one, but we’ll get it done one way or the other,” he said.

He suggested energy prices were directly linked to ending the war. “… That (oil drilling) will automatically stop the war with Russia and Ukraine; you get the prices down a little bit more, that’s got to stop it. I am very disappointed in President Putin. Anywhere between 5000-7000 people are dying every week…”

Reiterating his criticism of Moscow, Trump said the Russian president had failed to meet expectations. “He has let me down. I mean, he’s killing many people and he’s losing more people than he’s, you know, than he’s killing. I mean, frankly, Russian soldiers are being killed at a higher rate than the Ukrainian soldiers,” Trump said at a press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The president acknowledged the limits of his influence, admitting, “Even though I thought that the Russia-Ukraine war would be the ‘easiest’ one to solve, it was not the case.”

He insisted, however, that the war would not have begun had he been in office. “This was a thing that would have never happened had I been president. If I were president, it would have never happened. And it didn’t happen for four years. Most people agree it didn’t happen, nor was it close to happening,” he stated.

Trump also recalled his past diplomatic outreach, referring to his summit with Putin in Alaska, where he urged the Russian leader to engage directly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He said despite those efforts, “a peace deal did not materialise.”

The conflict has continued since then. In February 2022, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, aiming to “demilitarise and denazify” the country, according to President Vladimir Putin.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict, which began with Moscow’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, escalated into a full-scale war in 2022. Fighting has continued with Ukrainian counteroffensives alongside Russian gains in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. In August 2024, Ukraine launched an incursion into Russia’s Kursk Oblast, capturing territory and prisoners. (ANI)