US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a tough phone call on Tuesday over efforts to revive diplomacy with Iran, with US media reports indicating differences of opinion over whether to pursue talks or return to military action.According to Axios, Trump and Netanyahu discussed a revised peace proposal drafted by Qatar and Pakistan, with the support of other regional mediators, aimed at bridging the gap between Washington and Tehran.A source cited by Axios described Netanyahu’s reaction after the call, saying that his “hair was on fire”.Trump has continued to publicly express hope that a deal can still be reached with Iran, while warning that military strikes remain an option if talks fail.“Either we’re going to make a deal or we’re going to do some things that are a little worse,” Trump said Wednesday.Later, he said that talks were “on the borderline” between an agreement and renewed conflict.Also read: Donald Trump warns Iran of ‘bad’ US action as talks reach ‘final stage’

Netanyahu emphasizes tough military approach

Reportedly, Netanyahu is deeply skeptical about talks and wants Israel and the US to resume military operations against Iran in order to further weaken Tehran’s military and strategic infrastructure.According to CNN, Netanyahu told Trump during the hour-long call that delaying planned strikes against Iran was a mistake and argued for continued military action. The Israeli leadership is increasingly frustrated with Iran’s diplomatic “foot-dragging,” the report said.Trump had previously informed Netanyahu that the US was likely to proceed with targeted strikes on Iran under a proposed operation dubbed “Operation Sledgehammer”. However, within a day, Trump halted the strikes following requests from Gulf allies including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.Trump informed Netanyahu during Tuesday’s call that mediators were working on a “letter of intent” that the U.S. and Iran could sign to formally end the war and begin a 30-day negotiation process to end Iran’s nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

New mediation efforts underway

According to Axios, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt have been actively refining a new draft resolution in recent days. Qatar reportedly sent a delegation to Tehran for talks with Iranian officials earlier this week.Iran confirmed it was reviewing the updated proposal. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei said Tehran had “received the US side’s views” and was examining them.Also read: US envoy Sergio Gore hints at ‘big things’ in India-US nuclear energy partnershipIran continues to demand the release of frozen assets and an end to US “piracy” against Iranian shipping.Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian emphasized diplomacy in a statement, saying, “Iran has consistently honored its commitments and explored every avenue to avoid war; all avenues are open from our side.”

Trump warned that the window for diplomacy may be closed

Despite ongoing talks, Trump has repeatedly warned that the window for diplomacy may soon close.“It’s absolutely borderline, believe me,” Trump said. “If we don’t get the right answers, it happens very quickly. We are all ready to go.”Trump also said Netanyahu would ultimately follow Washington’s lead on Iran. “Netanyahu will do what I want him to do,” he said.Meanwhile, Israel’s military leadership has maintained a high level of readiness. Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir said the army was “ready for any development”.The diplomatic efforts come after an April 8 ceasefire halting open fighting between Iran, the US and Israel, although tensions are still high and the Strait of Hormuz is facing major disruptions affecting global energy markets.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN calls for protection of civilians during conflict

New York: India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Harish Parvatneni said that protecting civilians, including in conflict situations, is a central element of maintaining international peace and security.Parvataneni, speaking at the annual UNSC Open Debate on the topic “Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict”, congratulated China on assuming the presidency of the UNSC for this month.He said, “We congratulate China on assuming the presidency of the UNSC for this month and also welcome the convening of this annual open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. We thank the Secretary-General for his report and the briefers for their insightful comments this morning.”Parvataneni said a decline in recorded civilian deaths was seen in 2025 after three years of continuous increase.“India reaffirms its strong commitment to the UN Charter and emphasizes that protecting civilians at all times, including in conflict situations, is a central element of maintaining international peace and security. In 2025, civilian deaths recorded in twenty armed conflicts exceeded 37,000. Although this is the first decline after three years of continuous increase, the numbers are still high. Continued civilian casualties, displacement, destruction of critical infrastructure and loss of hospitals, schools, medical personnel and “Attacks against humanitarian workers remain extremely worrying.” Said.Parvataneni said India calls for zero tolerance for loss of civilian lives.“India calls for zero tolerance for loss of civilian life. Parties to armed conflict must ensure safe and unimpeded humanitarian access while respecting international humanitarian law.” Even a decade after the adoption of UNSC Resolution 2286, repeated attacks on civilian facilities and humanitarian workers reflect a serious decline in respect for international humanitarian law. India reiterates that medical personnel and humanitarian workers must be protected at all times.”Parvataneni said the growing trend of using drones to deploy explosive weapons in urban areas is particularly worrying.“As the UNSG report notes, the use of missiles, bombs and other explosive weapons in cities and populated areas remains a leading cause of civilian damage. The growing trend of using drones to deploy explosive weapons in urban areas is particularly worrying. The use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, by parties to conflict must be consistent with international law and humanitarian principles. Safeguards must be taken to prevent misuse and unexpected harm to citizens. The protection of civilians cannot be achieved through humanitarian responses alone. The targeted use of violence against civilians to achieve political objectives, including terrorism, must be comprehensively addressed,” he said.Parvataneni also condemned cross-border terrorism and highlighted that India has been a victim of such terrorism for decades.“India is deeply concerned about the persistent threat posed by cross-border terrorism, which is undermining the basic principles of regional peace, stability and international security. India has been a victim of this form of terrorism for decades. States that sponsor, harbor or support terrorism must be held accountable. India has consistently stressed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations remains one of the most serious threats to civilians worldwide. No cause or grievance can justify deliberate attacks against civilians,” he said.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is the latest entry in the beloved gaming franchise, and it’s expected to be one of the finest releases in years. The new title is essentially set to bring the Dark Knight’s iconic Gotham City to life in his signature brick-built style. Early access to the title has already been made available to eligible players, and the global launch is just around the corner. Here’s everything you need to know about when LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight will go live in your region.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight release date and time for all regions

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is already available in Early Access, starting on May 19, 2026. This gives players who have purchased the premium editions a three-day head start before the worldwide launch. Meanwhile, the full release for all players will take place on May 22, 2026, with console players able to join in at exactly 12:00 a.m. local time on May 22, regardless of region.Speaking of PC players, the game will launch on May 22 at 10am PT. Here are the full regional details based on the confirmed schedule:of America

Europe and UTC

Asia

oceania

It’s worth noting that console players have a slight advantage, as the 12:00 AM console unlock means players in Australia and New Zealand on console will be able to play several hours before the PC launch in their region.

What to expect from LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight

Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is arguably the most content-rich entry in the Lego game series. It features a roster of iconic DC characters as well as a massive open-world Gotham City. The game also features amazing humor and engaging gameplay, which keeps players engaged with the title. With Early Access already underway and full launch just around the corner, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is expected to be a massive success.That’s all you needed to know about the release date and time of LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight.

A 29-year-old Indian professional working in the US has described the stress of repeated H-1B lottery failures as a “permanent subscription” in a viral Reddit post cited by American Bazaar.The user said he moved to the US for a master’s degree, which he called “one of the worst job markets ever.” He completed his course in about 1.5 years, supported himself through campus work and later secured a full-time role in a top bank while working under Optional Practical Training (OPT).He said that he initially took an education loan of around $40,000, which he later fully repaid and gradually saved around $100,000. However, despite financial stability and a steady job, he said uncertainty over his immigration status dominated his life.“Sounds great on paper… but Visa concerns are basically a permanent subscription at this point,” wrote a Reddit user.After three unsuccessful attempts in the H-1B lottery, he said the emotional stress became difficult to manage.“At this point I believe my name is not in the simulation,” he said.He added: “Mentally it’s exhausting after doing everything ‘right’ and still having your future decided by a random draw.”The user said he may now consider internal transfer back to India, where he can earn around Rs 30,00,000 (or $35,300) per year in his home city. He said the idea of ​​returning also came with the appeal of being closer to family and not having to constantly track immigration updates.“Finally living a life where I don’t look at ‘H1B news’ like stock market earnings,” he wrote. He further wrote, “Yes too… marriage pressure has officially entered the chat.”The post sparked discussion among other Indian professionals in similar situations, many of whom shared their experiences of fatigue, uncertainty and plans to return to India after years in the US.He said that he has achieved what many consider professional success, but still struggles with constant stress.“My stats: I got my masters, survived the dumpster-fire job market, and worked my way up to a lead manufacturing engineer role at a startup. On paper, it’s the dream – lead title, 100% debt-free, and a solid USD nest egg. But like you said, visa worries are a background noise that never stops.He said that the possibility of returning to India has already brought some relief.“Just booking the flight has started bringing ‘relief’.”This comes as hundreds of applicants are facing delays in their H-1B visa processing due to higher petition volumes, requests for evidence (RFE), stricter USCIS scrutiny of particular businesses, and additional security and background checks under the Trump administration.

As part of an anti-India espionage network, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday arrested a Kolkata man for passing on classified security information to Pakistan Intelligence Officers (PIOs).The official NIA India account shared the details of the arrest onAccording to the agency, the accused has been booked under various sections of the Indian Justice Code (BNS), Official Secrets Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. [UA(P)A].“A look out circular was issued against him and proceedings to declare him a Proclaimed Offender (PO) were also underway when he was detained,” the NIA said in its press release.The agency further revealed during its investigation that the accused was married to a Pakistani national and was frequently traveling between India and Pakistan since 2005.“During one such visit, he was contacted and groomed by the PIO to carry out espionage activities in India in exchange for financial inducement and promise of Pakistani citizenship,” the release said.NIA exposed alleged spying networkAccording to the NIA, the accused allegedly helped espionage and terrorist operatives by sharing one-time passwords (OTPs) linked to Indian Telecom mobile numbers with a PIO to activate WhatsApp accounts.The agency claimed that these accounts were later used by the alleged PIO to secretly communicate with Motiram Jat, another accused in the case, who was allegedly involved in passing on sensitive security related information.investigation is ongoingThe NIA said investigation is underway to identify other persons linked to the espionage racket and uncover the larger conspiracy behind the operation.The arrest comes amid a massive crackdown by the agency in states including West Bengal, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to dismantle the alleged cross-border intelligence network.

Candace Owens caused major backlash after a controversial livestream filled with conspiracy claims involving Charlie Kirk, criticism of Victor Marx, and comments about Joe Rogan and Theo Vaughn. Owens claimed that “nothing is happening” regarding Kirk’s death and suggested ulterior motives involving his will and communications. Critics of X accused him of pushing conspiracies without evidence, describing the broadcast as chaotic and confusing.

Political commentator Candace Owens has sparked controversy once again after a fiery episode filled with accusations, conspiracy claims and scathing criticism of several public figures. The broadcast quickly became a trending topic online, especially when viewers began debating his comments late in the day. charlie kirk and his ongoing feud with Victor Marx.Much of the reaction stemmed from Owens repeatedly suggesting that there were unanswered questions surrounding Charlie Kirk’s death and the people around him. Critics online accused her of veering the speculation into conspiracy territory, while supporters claimed she was simply asking tough questions that others were avoiding.

Controversy erupts with Candace Owens Charlie Kirk conspiracy claims

During the show, Owens revisited his recent interview with Victor Marx and defended his decision to bring him up despite the fallout it generated online. She repeatedly played clips from the interview and attempted to dissect specific words, particularly Marx’s use of the word “they”, which she argued sounded suspicious.Owens hinted at possible ulterior motives involving Charlie Kirk’s inner circle, claiming that “nothing is adding up”. He also alleged that Kirk and Erica planned to update the end-of-life documents immediately after his death, saying that they had evidence but never disclosed it publicly during the show.At one point, Owens suggested that changes to the will were never meaningless.“Says you don’t update your desire for fun.”He then took the discussion further by saying that there may have been efforts to monitor Kirk’s communications. The episode also included repeated calls for the preservation of communications involving Kirk’s security team and Paramount Tactical as part of a potential lawsuit.Owens also encouraged investigators to contact him directly regarding the case, leading to even more online reactions.

Candace Owens also took aim at Victor Marx, joe rogan and TPUSA

The episode didn’t stop with Charlie Kirk speculation. Owens sharply criticized Victor Marx throughout the broadcast, questioning both his credibility and public image.He described Marx as “too soft to be in the army or to be governor” and later called him unstable. He also suggested that a broader effort was underway to create division between Christians and Muslims.The show then shifted to unrelated internet drama involving Joe Rogan and Theo Vaughn. Owens reacted strongly to the clip which discussed Theo Vaughn’s personal struggles before praising Rogan’s subsequent apology.Meanwhile, critics of X accused Owens of making dramatic allegations without presenting concrete evidence. A viral response mocked the number of conspiracies and unanswered claims presented during the episode, calling the broadcast a “complete waste of time”.Regardless of the backlash, the controversy surrounding Owens is driving major online engagement, proving once again that his comments remain one of the Internet’s most polarizing political spectacles.

Bengaluru/Delhi/Mumbai: Before Parle Products could understand what was happening, the shelves started emptying. By Wednesday evening, searches on Mumbai-based biscuits and confectionery maker’s caramel toffee, Melody, had increased by more than 190 times on Google, while search strings like ‘Melody Modi’, ‘Meloni Melody’ all had ‘breakout’ tags on the search platform. It didn’t take long for ecommerce and quick commerce platforms to see a surge in orders. Mayank Shah, vice president and chief marketing officer, Parle Products, told TOI that by 3 pm, searches for Melody Toffee on these platforms increased by almost 50 times. The hike came hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a pack of Melody to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during a diplomatic meeting. The video of that moment quickly became one of the favorite moments of the day on the Internet. According to reports, the video had received more than 130 million views on the YouTube channel by evening. According to Shah, by Wednesday afternoon, about 40-45% of the dark stores of Q-com companies like Blinkit and Zepto present in Parle’s network were out of Melody stock. The nearly century-old company had to send excess inventory to ecommerce warehouses, dark stores and retail trade channels to meet demand.

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“This is a very proud moment for all of us at Parle Products,” Shah said. When the Prime Minister gifts Parle products to world leaders, it is a powerful testament to the potential of indigenous brands on the global stage. “Melody is India’s best-selling toffee brand and is today available in over 100 countries. We are very grateful to the Prime Minister for giving this incredible recognition and visibility to Indian brands.“ A senior Blinkit official confirmed to TOI on condition of anonymity that the platform has seen a sharp increase in both searches and sales of Melodies on the pin code after the Modi-Melony moment went viral online. Even the government got involved. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal posted on Twitter that India’s “toffee tale will certainly be sweet to the ears.” Goyal highlighted that in the last 12 years till March 2026, Indian exports of toffees, caramels and similar sweets have grown by about 166% to Rs 132 crore. Dalal Street bookies, who never lag behind in taking advantage of an opportunity to make money in a frenzy, also jumped into the bandwagon soon after the melody video made headlines. However, ironically, they bet on the stock of a wrong company: Parle Industries, a company that is in the waste management and recycling business. The company has no direct connection with Melody Toffee manufacturer Parle Products. By afternoon, the stock which had fallen nearly 35% in the last three months, hit 5% upper circuit at Rs 5.25 on the BSE and closed at the same level. Volume more than doubled to more than 8.5 lakh shares.