Entertainment
Trump greets Modi on birthday, praises Ukraine diplomacy as trade row simmers
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received warm congratulations from US President Donald Trump on his birthday Tuesday and praise for his efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, as tense trade talks continued between the two countries.
“Thank you for your support on ending the War between Russia and Ukraine!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social, describing his call with Modi as “wonderful” and praising India´s leader for doing a “tremendous job.”
Modi, posting on X, thanked Trump for his greetings, said he was determined to take bilateral ties to “new heights” and supports Trump´s efforts towards a “peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.”
Ties between New Delhi and Washington have been under tension since Trump raised tariffs on most Indian exports to 50% last month in retaliation for New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil.
White House officials have accused Indian oil refiners of profiteering and argued that New Delhi’s decision to buy Russian crude has helped finance Moscow´s war in Ukraine.
But over the last week, the leaders of both countries have offered more conciliatory public statements and said they remain committed to continuing trade negotiations.
And on Tuesday, Indian and US trade officials held discussions in the capital, New Delhi.
The US delegation included Brendan Lynch, assistant trade representative for South and Central Asia.
“Acknowledging the enduring importance of bilateral trade between India and the US, the discussions were positive and forward looking covering various aspects of the trade deal,” an Indian commerce ministry statement said.
“It was decided to intensify efforts to achieve early conclusion of a mutually beneficial Trade Agreement,” it added.
Despite being one of the first few countries to start trade negotiations with Washington, India has so far failed to secure a deal that would ease its tariff burden.
Exporters in the world’s most populous country have already warned of cancelled orders and potentially significant job losses.
Trump’s decision to mix issues of war and peace with trade by bumping up duties on most Indian goods from 25% to 50% has also complicated matters.
Experts believe that despite both sides pushing forward, a trade deal still will require tough negotiations.
“Any progress hinges on Washington rolling back the oil-linked 25% duty. Without that, no breakthrough is politically or economically viable,” Ajay Srivastava of the Global Trade Research Initiative, a New Delhi-based think-tank, said in a note Tuesday.
Entertainment
Psychic predicts Prince William 2026 personal win in King’s new plans
Prince William is anticipated to hold the fort for his father King Charles in 2026 as the monarch plans to attend to matters of international diplomacy.
The Prince of Wales, who has reportedly been prepared to take on his destined role “on a moment’s notice” by the Palace, was seen establishing his image as a global leader as he stepped in for his father for significant events, giving the speech at the COP30 and attending the funeral of the late Pope Francis.
2026 will also prove to be a rewarding year for the heir to the throne despite the cut down on his travels, according to psychic Inbaal Honigman.
“He will be run off his feet, but with no overseas travel indicated, all of this activity takes place within the borders of the Kingdom,” she predicted.
King Charles had revealed that his cancer treatment can be “scaled back” as doctors have indicated positive recovery. Hence, the Palace has already indicated three major tours for Chales and Camilla next year.
In her tarot card reading, she determined to Tarotoo that William’s year be dictated by the “most positive” World card.
She claimed that this year will be “successful, joyous, and easygoing” and it will leave him with a sense of personal victory.
William will also be doing a lot of the work that he is passionate about. He is set to lend his name to “scientific research around longevity, and he will be photographed supporting animal conservation efforts, specifically relating to aviary species”. He is also expected to open a chain of schools.
It will be a rewarding year but a busy one.
Entertainment
Taylor Swift reveals Travis Kelce is ‘right fit’ in new docuseries
Travis Kelce has become a steady presence in Taylor Swift’s life, and the pop star says their shared careers have made all the difference.
In a new episode of her Disney+ docuseries The End of an Era, Swift, 36, opened up about how touring once made relationships difficult. “Relationships on tour has always been something I’ve really struggled with because it’s always felt like the tour was taking away from the relationship,” she said.
“Somehow, I was not able to do both and feel like I was nurturing both at the same time, even though I would try and try and try and try.”
That changed when she began dating the Kansas City Chiefs tight end. Swift explained there was a “dynamic shift” because both she and Kelce perform in stadiums for a living.
“We both have jobs where we go out in NFL stadiums, and we entertain people for three and a half hours,” she said. “His with considerably more violence than mine — but he’s not in heels. But it’s our passion. We’ve been chasing this since we were little kids.”
Swift added, “I don’t think I ever thought I’d meet a guy who had that same trajectory… You can have the two passions coexist, and they actually fuel each other.”
The couple has been publicly supportive of one another, with Kelce even joining Swift onstage during her Eras Tour stop in London. Fans cheered as he danced and helped carry her across the Wembley Stadium stage.
“The fans absolutely love Travis,” Swift said, adding that Swifties admire “the way he treats me.”
The couple announced their engagement on Instagram on August 26, marking another milestone in a love story that began with a friendship bracelet and a missed meeting.
Entertainment
US issues sanctions on family members and associates of Venezuela’s Maduro
The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on family members and associates of Nicolas Maduro and his wife, as Washington ratchets up pressure on the Venezuelan president.
The US Treasury Department, in a statement, said it had imposed sanctions on seven people it said were tied to Maduro and his wife. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused them of “propping up Nicolas Maduro’s rogue narcostate.”
“We will not allow Venezuela to continue flooding our nation with deadly drugs,” Bessent said.
“Maduro and his criminal accomplices threaten our hemisphere’s peace and stability. The Trump administration will continue targeting the networks that prop up his illegitimate dictatorship.”
Venezuela’s information ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Maduro and his government have vehemently denied links to crime and say that the US is seeking to oust him to take control of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
In recent months, the administration of US President Donald Trump has been ratcheting up pressure on Maduro, executing a large-scale military buildup in the southern Caribbean.
It has carried out strikes against suspected drug vessels in the region, seized a sanctioned oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, and declared a “blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.
Trump has also repeatedly said that strikes on land in Venezuela are coming soon.
Friday’s action sanctioned relatives of Carlos Erik Malpica Flores, the nephew of Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores. The US says Malpica Flores was involved in a corruption plot at state oil company PDVSA. He was sanctioned by Washington last week.
His mother – the sister of Maduro’s wife – as well as his father, sister, wife and daughter were hit with sanctions on Friday.
The Treasury on Friday also extended a general license protecting Venezuela-owned refiner Citgo Petroleum from creditors through February 3 that was set to expire on December 20. It was a far shorter extension than the last one the Treasury issued in June, which had a six-month duration.
Washington has protected the Houston-based company from creditors in recent years, even amid a court-organised auction of shares in its parent company, PDV Holding. The license temporarily bans transactions with a Venezuela-issued bond collateralised with Citgo equity.
A US judge in November authorised the sale of shares in the parent of Citgo Petroleum to an affiliate of Elliott Investment Management, following his approval of a $5.9 billion bid from the company in a court-organised auction to pay Venezuela-linked creditors.
The sale order, which is pending Treasury Department approval, was the last major legal step to wrap a two-year auction aimed at paying up to 15 creditors for debt defaults and expropriations.
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