Do you know who is known as the father of Indian Railways? Hint: It’s not an Indian!
Before the image of railway stations’ commotion became India’s reality, such a vast network of over 68,000 kilometers was unthinkable. Quite a herculean task if you think about it like that. Who could possibly dare to weave together deserts, deltas, and densely-packed cities?
‘Not leaving Kashmir’: Some tourists remain defiant as Pahalgam terror attack triggers exodus of visitors
Some tourists in Jammu and Kashmir have shown extraordinary defiance after a brazen militant attack targeted visitors in the union territory’s Pahalgam region. The attack killed over two dozen tourists and has triggered a swift exodus of visitors from the valley.
‘IKillU’: India head coach Gautam Gambhir gets death threat allegedly from ‘ISIS Kashmir’, approaches police
In response to the alarming situation, Gambhir formally submitted a request for the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) to the SHO Rajinder Nagar Police Station and the DCP Central Delhi.
Trump notices ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ sticker during Oval Office meeting: ‘Who is that?’
President Donald Trump elicited laughter in the Oval Office on Wednesday after asking a wounded veteran about his “Let’s Go Brandon” sticker. While meeting with wounded veterans, the president appeared to notice the sticker, asking: “Who is that picture on there?” “That is Joe Biden,” the veteran replied. “And it says, ‘Let’s go, Brandon.’” Attendees inside the iconic office erupted with laughter. “I’m saying, ‘what was that picture?’” Trump said through laughter. “That’s great.” ‘DOWN TO ZERO’: VETERAN SUICIDE CRISIS TARGETED IN VA BILL BY BIPARTISAN HOUSE COALITION The “Let’s Go Brandon” phrase was coined during a 2021 NASCAR interview when a sports reporter misheard a crowd chant. Following Brandon Brown’s victory at the NASCAR Xfinity Series race, a crowd began chanting “F— Joe Biden” in the background of his interview. NBC reporter Kelli Stavast apparently misunderstood what people were chanting, claiming they were saying “Let’s Go Brandon!” NASCAR DRIVER BRANDON BROWN ADDRESSES ANTI-BIDEN ‘LET’S GO, BRANDON’ CHANT The video quickly went mega-viral and people have since used the phrase as a way to rebuke former President Biden. Trump’s lighthearted Oval Office moment took a heartfelt turn following the sticker exchange. Trump then addressed the group of veterans and their families, many of whom he had previously visited during his first term. “These are amazing people, great heroes,” Trump said. DOGE UNCOVERS MASSIVE VA CONTRACT FOR ‘SALARY SURVEY DATA AND ANALYSIS’ – SAYS IT CANCELED IT, SAVING MILLIONS One veteran offered his gratitude to the former president: “Mr. President, we just were very happy with the energy that this administration is bringing, and it’s an administration that says it does what it promises. We’re behind you. We believe in you. And I think we all love you.” Another veteran added: “Thank you for loving America, sir.” The event marked the rollout of several new executive orders, including major education initiatives. Among them: reforms to the accreditation system for higher education, new transparency measures to expose foreign influence at U.S. universities, and a nationwide push to enhance artificial intelligence education for American youth. Fox News Digital’s Bradford Betz contributed to this report.
What will the IMF and World Bank do in the latest economic crisis?
Global financial institutions meet as turmoil brings fears worldwide. Global financial turmoil tops the agenda as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank hold meetings in Washington, DC. The organisations face significant challenges, and criticism, too. Can they help vulnerable countries, or will Western interests take priority? Presenter: Nick Clark Guests: Ali Hasanain – Associate professor at the Lahore University of Management Sciences Vicky Pryce – Chief economic adviser at the Centre for Economics and Business Research Daniel Gros – Board member at the Centre for European Policy Studies Adblock test (Why?)
Real Madrid beat Getafe to keep LaLiga leaders Barcelona in sight
Arda Guler scores the only goal of the game as Real record crucial away win to keep title defence alive. Arda Guler struck the only goal as Real Madrid won 1-0 at Getafe to claw back to within four points of LaLiga leaders Barcelona. The young Turkey international fired in from outside the area midway through the first half on Wednesday as Carlo Ancelotti’s side stayed in title contention after Barcelona won by the same scoreline at Mallorca on Tuesday. Archrivals Madrid and Barcelona will meet in the Copa del Rey final in Seville on Saturday, with Kylian Mbappe poised to return from injury for the weekend Clasico – one of two remaining this season. In his absence on the outskirts of Madrid, 18-year-old Brazilian striker Endrick made his first league start as England international Jude Bellingham dropped to the bench. Left-back Fran Garcia twice went close for Madrid, his initial effort palmed away by David Soria before he blasted the rebound high and wide. It wasn’t long before Guler broke the deadlock after Brahim Diaz looked to have wasted the chance. Madrid worked the ball back out to Guler, whose powerful 20-yard drive flashed past Soria despite the Getafe goalkeeper getting a hand to it. Arda Guler of Real Madrid scores his team’s winning goal [Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images] Endrick thought he had scored only his second LaLiga goal after being put through by Vinicius Junior, but Soria took the sting out of his shot and Djene cleared off the line. Advertisement Getafe created opportunities of their own, the best of which fell in the second half to an unmarked Mauro Arambarri, who dragged wide with only Thibaut Courtois to beat. Courtois came to Madrid’s rescue in stoppage time as he smothered inside his six-yard box after Peter and Juanmi tried to force the ball home from close range. Getafe substitute Alvaro Rodriguez, who is on loan from Madrid, nearly snatched an equaliser at the death, but saw his low shot beaten away by Courtois. Inaki Williams fired Athletic Bilbao to a 1-0 home win over Las Palmas earlier on Wednesday to strengthen their chances of direct qualification for next season’s Champions League. The Basque side sit fourth with five games to go, eight points clear of fifth-placed Villarreal, who suffered a 3-0 defeat at Celta Vigo. Bilbao also have a Europa League semifinal against Manchester United to come, and should they win that, they will play the final in their home stadium. Five LaLiga sides qualify for the Champions League this season. Sixth-placed Betis are a point behind Villarreal ahead of their encounter with rock-bottom Valladolid on Thursday. A fifth-minute goal from the elder Williams brother after he turned a defender in the box and side-footed home with the outside of his boot was enough for all three points. Bilbao needed two sharp saves from Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon before half-time as relegation-threatened Las Palmas went down fighting. Adblock test (Why?)
Trump says lower tariffs depend on China, as US states sue over trade war
Wall Street rallies for second day on hopes of a de-escalation in trade tensions between world’s two largest economies. United States President Donald Trump has reiterated his intention to lower his crippling tariffs on China, but insisted the timeline for any relief will depend on Beijing. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday, Trump said he could announce new tariff rates on US trading partners, including China, over the next few weeks, depending on the outcome of his administration’s negotiations with other countries. “That depends on them. We have a situation where we have a very, very great place. It’s called the United States of America, and it’s been ripped off for years and years,” Trump said when asked how soon he could lower the 145 percent tariff he has imposed on most Chinese goods. “In the end, what I think is going to happen is we’re going to have great deals, and by the way, if we don’t have a deal with a company or a country, we’re going to set the tariff.” Trump said he got on “very well” with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and he hoped to see the sides reach a deal. “Otherwise, we will set a price,” Trump said. Advertisement Asked earlier on Wednesday if his administration was “actively” talking to China, Trump said: “Actively. Everything is active. Everybody wants to be a part of what we’re doing.” Trump’s comments came as Wall Street rallied for a second straight day on hopes that Washington and Beijing will de-escalate tensions that have spiralled into an effective trade embargo between the world’s two largest economies. The benchmark S&P 500 closed 1.67 percent higher on Wednesday, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite finished up 2.50 percent, adding to gains the previous day spurred by US Treasury Scott Bessent’s comments that a trade with China was “unsustainable”. On Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration was considering slashing tariffs on Chinese goods by 50-60 percent in a bid to lower tensions. The report, which cited people familiar with the matter, said that Trump was considering a number of options for easing the duties but would expect to see Beijing lower its 125 tariffs on US goods in return. On Tuesday, Trump publicly acknowledged that his 145 percent tariff on China was “very high” and said the rate would “come down substantially” at some point. China has said it opposes protectionist measures such as tariffs, but that it is prepared to “fight to the end” if the US continues to escalate its trade salvoes. “We have made it very clear that China does not look for a war, but neither are we afraid of it. We will fight, if fight we must,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said during a regular media briefing on Wednesday. Advertisement “Our doors are open if the US wants to talk. If a negotiated solution is truly what the US wants, it should stop threatening and blackmailing China and seek dialogue based on equality, respect and mutual benefit.” The US-China trade war has raised fears of a global economic slowdown, with the International Monetary Fund earlier this week slashing its 2025 growth forecast from 3.3 percent to 2.8 percent. On Wednesday, a group of 12 US states, including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois and New York, filed a lawsuit challenging Trump’s authority to impose the tariffs without the approval of the US Congress. In the suit filed at the US Court of International Trade in New York, the states said that Trump had “upended the constitutional order and brought chaos to the American economy”. “President Trump’s insane tariff scheme is not only economically reckless – it is illegal,” Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a statement. “Arizona cannot afford President Trump’s massive tax increase. No matter what the White House claims, tariffs are a tax that will be passed on to Arizona consumers.” Adblock test (Why?)
Pahalgam terror attack: Rahul Gandhi cuts short his US visit, to attend Congress’ CWC meeting in Delhi today
Rahul Gandhi will attend the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, at around 10.30 am. As many as least 26 people were killed in the dastardly attack by terrorists on tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.
Trump praises Elon Musk as ‘patriot, a brilliant guy, and a friend of mine’ amid DOGE exit
Elon Musk may be easing off his role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE ), but President Donald Trump isn’t easing off his praise. On Wednesday, Trump praised Musk’s smarts and patriotism during an executive order signing in the Oval Office, brushing off critics and defending the tech mogul’s work on federal reform. “He’s an incredible… brilliant guy,” Trump said. “He was a tremendous help both in the campaign, and in what he’s done with DOGE.” DOGE, launched in 2025, has served as a hallmark of Trump’s second-term agenda to cut waste, streamline federal agencies, and apply private-sector principles to federal operations. FOX NEWS POLL: THE FIRST 100 DAYS OF PRESIDENT TRUMP’S SECOND TERM Musk’s informal advisory role in the effort has drawn both attention and criticism. In an exchange with a reporter, Trump addressed what he described as unfair treatment of Musk and Tesla. “They took it out on Tesla, and I just thought it was so unfair because he’s trying to help the country, but he has helped the country… He didn’t need to do this. He did it,” he said. Trump’s remarks came as tensions have hit an all-time high for Musk’s electric vehicle company Tesla. DAVID MARCUS: WHAT AMERICA OWES ELON MUSK AFTER DOGE A Kansas City dealership was recently firebombed, causing over $200,000 in damage. In Europe, a Tesla executive canceled a scheduled appearance in Rome over reported security threats. These incidents have occurred alongside ongoing protests at Tesla’s Berlin gigafactory. Trump continued his praise, referencing Musk’s aerospace work with SpaceX: “When you see those rockets go up and come back and land in the same gantry, nobody else can do that but this man. So he’s just an incredible person, and he’s a friend of mine as a nice person too, as a very nice person.” He also noted Musk’s broad technological contributions. “He’s a great patriot… he makes a great product… it’s a great car. It’s [a] great everything. Starlink is great. What he does is good. He’s doing medical things that are amazing.” Wrapping up his response, Trump said he hoped Musk would continue to be involved, even as he turns his attention back to his business empire. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “I told him… whenever you’re ready, I’d like to keep him for a long time.” A recent Fox News poll shows that while 49% of Americans think DOGE will make the government more efficient, 52% believe the Trump administration has not been “competent and effective” in managing federal operations — a sentiment unchanged from 2017.
AG Pam Bondi announces ‘greatest hits’ amid DOGE cuts, including $250K to work with jailed trans inmates
The Justice Department released some of its “greatest hits” when it continues to slash millions of dollars of wasteful grants, Attorney General Pam Bondi said Wednesday. Among the money that will be saved is $2 million that was used for “national listening sessions of individuals with lived experience,” as well as $695,000 for “a parallel convergent mixed-methods case study research design to assess the efficacy of police departments’ LGBTQ liaison services.” The agency will save another $250,000 used to fund a grant for “working with incarcerated transgender individuals providing gender-affirming care to including housing in gender-appropriate facilities.” “More to come,” Bondi wrote on X. PAM BONDI CALLS OUT ‘DETACHED FROM REALITY’ DEMS FOR DEMANDING ALLEGED MS-13 GANG MEMBER BE RETURNED TO US The moves are part of a larger effort by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to get rid of wasteful spending and downsize the scope of the federal government. TEXAS POISED TO CREATE ITS OWN VERSION OF DOGE AS BILL PASSES BOTH CHAMBERS “Great work by @AGPamBondi @TheJusticeDept,” a DOGE post on X stated. Last week, DOGE announced it had worked with the U.S. National Science Foundation to cancel 402 “wasteful” diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) grants, which will save $233 million, including $1 million for “Antiracist Teacher Leadership for Statewide Transformation.” “Today, NSF announced it is terminating awards not aligned with agency priorities, ensuring current & new awards are consistent with our mission,” the NSF said at the time.