Iran has executed two more members of the People's Mujahedin group. Authorities state they were hanged for spying for Israel. These hangings are part of a recent surge in executions of political prisoners. Rights groups warn of more executions to come
The summer heat in India can get unbearable and having cooling drinks on hand is important. This cucumber chaas is not just refreshing and hydrating, but is also packed with protein from curd and sattu. What’s more, it has a lot of fibre and electrolytes from cucumber and sabja seeds
Neymar just can’t seem to catch a break — and this time, it’s not even about what he did on the pitch. The controversy machine fired up again after Santos fell 2-3 to Fluminense in a Brazilian Serie A clash on Sunday — with the real flashpoint coming after the final whistle
UK Board Result 2026: Where, how to check UBSE Class 10, 12 results when announced?UK Board Result 2026 will be available to candidates on the official website of UBSE. The steps to check results is given here. Published on: Apr 20, 2026 12:58 PM IST By HT Education Desk | Edited by Papri Chanda
Bharti Airtel has introduced a ₹1,599 broadband plan for its customers, which is available in almost every telecom circle. This plan is being offered to both the company’s Fiber and AirFiber users. If both Fiber and AirFiber services are available in your area
Zelenskyy says U.S. must pile pressure on Russia to end war
Zelenskyy says U.S. must pile pressure on Russia to end war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday (December 20, 2025) called on the United States to put more pressure on Russia to end the war, as diplomats converged on Miami for fresh talks.
Mr Zelenskyy also stated that Washington had proposed the first face-to-face negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in half a year, but later expressed scepticism that they would be helpful.
Also Read | Putin tells his annual news conference that the Kremlin's military goals will be achieved in Ukraine
Mr. Zelenskyy said that only the United States was capable of persuading Russia to end the war, and he called on Washington to increase pressure on Moscow to make that happen.
"America must clearly say: if not diplomacy, then there will be full pressure...Putin does not yet feel the kind of pressure that should exist," he said, stressing the need for more arms supplies to Ukraine and sanctions on the entire Russian economy.
The Ukrainian leader's comments in Kyiv came as Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev arrived in Miami where Ukrainian and European teams have also gathered for the negotiations, mediated by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Discussions are being held constructively," Mr. Dmitriev told reporters, according to Russian state media, adding that "they started and continue today, and will also continue tomorrow.
Mr. Trump's envoys have pushed a peace plan in which the United States would offer security guarantees to Ukraine, but Kyiv would likely be expected to surrender some territory, a prospect resented by many Ukrainians.
However, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday promised not to force Ukraine into any agreement, saying "there's no peace deal unless Ukraine agrees to it." He added that he may join Saturday's talks in Miami, his hometown.
Earlier Saturday, Mr. Zelenskyy had revealed Washington had proposed negotiations that would include Ukraine, the United States and Russia. He added that Europeans could be present and it would be "logical to hold such a joint meeting."
But he subsequently told journalists, "I am not sure that anything new could come of it."
The last time Ukrainian and Russian envoys held official direct talks was in July in Istanbul, which led to prisoner swaps but little else.
Russian and European involvement in Miami marks a step forward from before, when the Americans held separate negotiations with each side in different locations.
However, it is unlikely Dmitriev would hold direct talks with European negotiators as relations between the two sides remain strained.
Moscow, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022, argues that Europe's involvement in the talks only hinders any peace process.
The Florida talks come after President Vladimir Putin vowed to press ahead with his military offensive in Ukraine, hailing Moscow's battlefield gains in an annual news conference on Friday.
Russia announced on Saturday it had captured two villages in Ukraine's Sumy and Donetsk regions, further grinding through the country's east in costly battles.
Mr. Putin however suggested that Russia could pause its devastating strikes on the country to allow Ukraine to hold a presidential ballot — a prospect which Mr. Zelenskyy rejected.
Meanwhile, the death toll in Ukraine's Black Sea Odesa region from an overnight Russian ballistic missile strike on port infrastructure rose to eight, with almost three dozen people wounded.
A civilian bus was struck in the attack, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said.
Intensified Russian strikes have wrought havoc on the coastline region in recent weeks, hitting bridges and cutting electricity and heating for hundreds of thousands in freezing temperatures.
Moscow earlier said it would expand strikes on Ukrainian ports as retaliation for targeting its sanctions-busting oil tankers.
On Saturday, Ukraine claimed to have destroyed two Russian fighter jets at an airfield in occupied Crimea, according to the security service SBU. Kyiv's army said it struck a Russian oil rig in the Caspian Sea as well as a patrol ship nearby.
Mr. Putin described Russia's initial invasion as a "special military operation" to demilitarise the country and prevent the expansion of NATO.
Kyiv and its European allies say the war, the largest and deadliest on European soil since World War II, is an unprovoked and illegal land grab that has resulted in a tidal wave of violence and destruction.
Published - December 21, 2025 06:55 am IST
Russia-Ukraine Crisis / Ukraine
Source: TheHindu
Related Posts: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives for Davos talks Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls for European air defence system as Russian strike wounds 13 in Zaporizhzhia city Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls for European air defence system as Russian strike wounds 13 in Zaporizhzhia city Ukrainian drone attack sets Russian oil depot on fire as Zelenskyy announces prisoner exchange Winter Session of Parliament to be held from December 1 to December 19 Ukrainian city hit by Four Killed In Ukrainian Drone Attack In Russia's Samara Region Russian says Ukrainian drones kills two Ukrainian woman Ukrainian woman explains what makes Indian gyms better than European ones
The Bombay High Court has directed the Union Government to decide by May 4 on conferment of the Padma Vibhushan award posthumously to wrestler Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, India's first individual Olympic medallist. Justices Madhav Jamdar and Pravin Patil of the High Court's Kolhapur Bench
4 hours ago
Patrick Muldoon net worth: Was Days of Our Lives star married? All on wealth and personal lifePatrick Muldoon, the Hollywood actor famous for Days of Our Lives and Starship Troopers, died at 57 from a heart attack on April 19. Published on: Apr 20
4 hours ago
A heartfelt video recorded inside a metro train has gone viral after an Indian man candidly shared how he lost nearly Rs 2 crore during the Covid 19 pandemic before starting over from scratch. Shared by the Instagram page @immemesupplier with the caption, “Just mens sacrifices"
4 hours ago
At least 25 people have been killed in an explosion at a firecracker factory in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, with four others seriously injured. The blast occurred at the Vanaja Fireworks Industry in Virudhunagar on Sunday evening
4 hours ago
Enterprises leveraging AI can benchmark innovation, gain credibility, and unlock strategic partnerships at ET Most Innovative AI Product 2026, positioning themselves at the forefront of growth, leadership, and India’s evolving AI-driven business ecosystem
4 hours ago
No to laissez-faire on AI, yes to a light touchThe private sector can do much of the heavy lifting in verifying safety claims, writes Dean Ball Published on: Apr 20, 2026 4:01 PM IST The Economist Share via Copy link Anthropic, a frontier AI company
4 hours ago
Ajay Devgn posts rare childhood pics of daughter Nysa on 23rd birthday; Kajol pens heartfelt noteAjay Devgn and Kajol marked daughter Nysa’s 23rd birthday with heartfelt wishes, sharing rare childhood photos and emotional notes celebrating her special day. Apr 20, 2026
4 hours ago
Designing India’s next appliance chapter: BSH India CEO on habits and localisationBSH India CEO in this excluive interaction outlines a localisation-led strategy focused on awareness, new categories and growth tailored to Indian habits. Updated on: Apr 20
4 hours ago
Imagine life without change. Without progress, without improvements, without moving on from the yesterday. Imagine being trapped in a time warp, waking up to the same things every day, going through a rigmarole that comes with the regularity of sunrise and sunset.Imagine life without change
4 hours ago
JEE Mains final answer key 2026 for session 2 released, download link hereThe NTA JEE exam was held on April 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. The examination was held in two shifts- first shift from 9am to 12 noon and second shift from 3pm to 6pm Updated on: Apr 20
4 hours ago
Sri Lanka’s Tamil parties have sought sustained Indian engagement to ensure the implementation of the Indo-Lanka Accord of 1987, signed during the early years of the civil war to address the aspirations of Tamils for equal rights and greater political power
4 hours ago
Farah Khan spills the beans about Rakesh Bedi's FTII days; recalls him having free food, alcohol at Javed Akhtar's houseRakesh Bedi and Farah Khan reflected on their long-standing friendship with Farooq Shaikh and Satish Shah, among others, recalling fond memories. Apr 20, 2026
4 hours ago
(Bloomberg) -- Bitcoin rose to the highest level since early February after a flurry of comments from the US and Iran sparked optimism that the conflict in the Middle East may be heading toward a resolution. The original cryptocurrency broke through the higher bound of the narrow range its been
4 hours ago
New Delhi: The first phase of the West Bengal Assembly election will take place on April 23, with the second phase scheduled to be held on April 29 to elect 294 members of the state Legislative Assembly. The votes will be counted, and the results will be declared on May 4. Ahead of the first phase
4 hours ago
In an exciting turn of events, cricket superstar Chris Gayle has taken a new role as co-owner and global brand ambassador for the Glasgow Mugafians. Set to compete in the inaugural ICC-sanctioned T20 league in Europe, this dynamic franchise is gearing up for the European T20 Premier League
4 hours ago
Tech Tonic | No, the EU doesn’t require phones to have removable batteriesThe good news is that batteries must be easily replaceable, and phone makers must provide replacement parts with any accompanying accessories Published on: Apr 20, 2026 11:54 AM IST By Vishal Mathur Share via Copy link
4 hours ago
A software engineer claim’s has triggered a wave of reactions online after claiming that Deloitte revoked his job offer just days after he resigned from his previous company. The incident has struck a chord with many professionals, with several social media users describing the experience as
4 hours ago
Gold prices on Monday (April 20, 2026) dropped ₹1,310 to ₹1,53,299 per 10 grams in futures trade amid a fall in spot demand. On the Multi Commodity Exchange, gold contracts for the June delivery traded lower by ₹1,310, or 0.85%, at ₹1,53,299 per 10 grams in a business turnover of 1,119 lots
4 hours ago
Malayalam film Private, directed by Deepak Deon, has been selected for screening at the ongoing 48th edition of the Moscow International Film Festival. The film, starring Indrans and Meenakshi Anoop, has been chosen in the non-competition category. The first screening was on April 18
4 hours ago
Nick Shirley claims ‘death threats’ are making it dangerous to stay at hotels, ‘The fraudsters are angry’Nick Shirley has alleged that it is getting increasingly dangerous for him to stay at hotels due to constant doxxing and killing plots. Updated on: Apr 20
4 hours ago
24-year-old quits job, builds ₹1 crore startup in 4 months: 'We're not stopping here'A 24-year-old entrepreneur’s claim of building a ₹1 crore startup in 4 months has gone viral, drawing praise and advice from users online. Updated on: Apr 20
4 hours ago
The exchange plans to commit capital of up to Rs 100 crore to meet the minimum net worth requirements as per the draft Coal Exchange Rules. The move underscores the commodity exchange’s push to deepen its presence in the energy space and expand the commodity ecosystem
4 hours ago
Manchester City's win over Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday was an absolutely thrilling game to watch and analyse - not the cautious and cagey tactical battle I thought it might be. Given they were the team who really needed to win, I expected City to be the ones to go after Arsenal from the
4 hours ago
Vietnam plans to extend a special consumption tax cut on electric vehicles by nearly four years to the end of 2030 in a bid to boost EV sales and reduce emissions, the parliament office said over the weekend.The government will submit the proposal to extend the tax cut to parliament for
4 hours ago
Two Indian men were shot dead in Italy on April 17 as they were leaving a warehouse used as a place of worship during the Vaisakhi festival, PTI reported. The men, Raginder Singh and Gurmit Singh, were killed in front of the Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur Ji in the Covo town in the Bergamo province
4 hours ago
Blue Origin on Sunday (April 19, 2026) said its New Glenn rocket booster touched down after its launch, marking its first landing of a reused booster. New Glenn carries AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite to low-Earth orbit in a flight that marks a pivotal step for
4 hours ago
Pakistan playing a role in facilitating the second round of talks between the United States and Iran was a “monumental setback” for the Narendra Modi government’s foreign policy, said the Congress on Monday. In a social media post, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that India needed an
4 hours ago
