A Kremlin spokesman says the talks are part of an ‘essential dialogue’ with Washington as the war in Ukraine continues into its fifth year.
Published on 2
A delegation of Russian officials has arrived in the United States for meetings with their American counterparts.
The visit, which began on Thursday, is the first such visit to Ukraine since Moscow strained relations due to the war.
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“We hope that these first temporary steps will, of course, contribute to the revival of our bilateral relations,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
He stated that President Vladimir Putin had outlined the “main directions” for the visit and that he would receive a “full briefing” at the meeting.
This visit is taking place at a time when US-brokered talks seeking an agreement to end the war in Ukraine are currently stalled.
Several rounds of talks have failed to break the deadlock since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House last year, with the Kremlin refusing to compromise to halt its years-long offensive.
Russia, a close ally of Iran, has also been cited by Western intelligence officials as one of the supporters of the Iranian government as Tehran fights a war started by the US and Israel.
A report on Wednesday in the United Kingdom-based Financial Times newspaper alleged that Russia is close to completing a shipment of drones to Iran.
Peskov responded to questions about the report, saying, “The media is spreading a lot of lies… don’t pay attention to them.”
Russia this week carried out one of the largest air strikes on Ukraine since the war began, launching 948 drones in 24 hours as it sent troops and equipment to the front lines.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a new appeal for allies to supply air defence weapons to Kyiv, warning that Kyiv, which relies on the US for air defence systems against ballistic missiles, would face a shortage of missiles while Washington focuses on the US-Israeli war over Iran.
Talks between Ukraine and the United States that began in the US state of Florida on Saturday once again failed to produce the security guarantees that Kyiv has long been demanding from Washington.
madrid– Noelia Castillo, a Spanish woman who sought euthanasia and fought a long legal battle with her family over her right, received life-ending medication in Barcelona on Thursday. She was 25 years old.
Editor’s note – This story contains discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the international helpline can be found at www.iasp.info/suicidalthinks.
For a year and a half, Castillo pursued her right to die while her father fought a lengthy legal battle after a medical body in Catalonia approved his daughter’s request for euthanasia in 2024.
As the family conflict unfolded, Castillo’s case garnered significant attention in Spain.
Laws passed in 2021 ensuring the right to euthanasia and medically assisted suicide for patients who meet certain conditions. Public opinion was galvanised by Castillo’s young age, the family’s public battle to stop her, and the circumstances that led her to seek euthanasia, especially as the courts ultimately ruled in favour of her right to end her life.
Castillo told a Spanish broadcaster.
“Finally, I’ve managed it, so let’s see if I can rest now,” Castillo told Spanish broadcaster Antena 3 in an interview broadcast on Wednesday, the day before his death. “I can’t walk anymore.”
Castillo’s parents opposed her decision until the end and were represented by the conservative Catholic organization Abogados Cristianos in the fight to prevent their daughter’s euthanasia. The Catholic group confirmed Thursday that he had died.
Attorney Polonia Castellanos said Castillo’s family was deeply disappointed by the outcome and believed the Spanish government had abandoned and failed their daughter by allowing her to die.
“Death is the last option, especially when you’re very young,” Castellanos said.
Castillo tried to take her own life twice before being euthanised Thursday, she said, adding that it was the second time she was sexually assaulted. Injuries sustained in her second suicide attempt in October 2022 left her unable to use her legs and confined to a wheelchair.
In April 2024, Castillo requested euthanasia with an independent body in Catalonia composed of doctors, lawyers and bioethics experts who deliberated on the application of Spain’s law.
The body approved Castillo’s request based on assessments that deemed his condition serious and incurable, and the 25-year-old suffered severe, chronic, and debilitating pain.
Spain will legalise physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia in 2021 for patients suffering from long-term incurable diseases and those with unbearable permanent conditions. The process for patients to obtain permission to die involves submitting two requests in writing, followed by consultation with medical professionals who were not previously involved in the case.
Castillo’s father appealed against the decision of the Catalan body, which suspended euthanasia requests pending deliberations until August 2024. Through Abogados Cristianos, Castillo’s family argued that she suffered from mental illness that left her incapable of making the decision to end her life.
When the Barcelona court ruled in favour of Castillo’s right to euthanasia, his father’s lawyers appealed again and took the case to Spain’s Supreme Court, which upheld his rights in January. Abogados Cristianos tried to halt the process again by appealing to the European Court of Human Rights, which had rejected a request to halt it earlier this month.
On Thursday, Castellanos reiterated his client’s arguments that Castillo had a personality disorder and held up Castillo’s case as an example of citizens failing to follow the law.
“This is a man whose will was altered because of that disorder,” Castellanos said. “I think this is evidence of the failure of the law and it should be repealed immediately.”
Speaking to Spanish TV on Wednesday, Castillo said she did not want her family to be around when she died, claiming she felt misunderstood. He admitted that the media made a lot of headlines on his case.
She said, “My family opposes euthanasia because I’m a pillar of it, but what about my years of suffering?”
According to the UK-based rights group Dignity in Dying, which advocates for euthanasia and medically assisted death, Spain is one of nine European Union countries with laws allowing people experiencing unbearable suffering to access assisted death. In euthanasia the patients themselves take a lethal drink or medicine which is prescribed by the doctor to the patients who meet certain criteria. The criteria vary by country.
Euthanasia, on the other hand, involves doctors or health practitioners actively killing patients who meet certain conditions by giving them a lethal injection at their request, under strict conditions.
Since Spain adopted euthanasia laws, 1,123 people have been given life-ending medication by the end of 2024, according to the Spanish Health Ministry.
Castillo said he never questioned his decision, as he had to reiterate his wish to die over the past year and a half. The calculation was simple for him.
“The happiness of a father or mother should not be given more priority than the happiness or life of a daughter.”
Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has returned to court in New York, where his lawyers failed to get drug trafficking charges dismissed in a dispute over legal fees.
it was the first time Maduro, 63, and his wife, Celia Flores, 69, appeared in court. Since the January hearing in which he has denied all the allegations. Maduro did not say anything during the hearing.
he led Venezuela. From 2013 until his dramatic capture of Flores by US military forces on January 3 His home in Caracas was raided overnight.
Was Trump’s capture of the Venezuelan presidency legitimate?
Maduro is accused of working with drug cartels and members of the military to facilitate the shipment of thousands of tonnes of cocaine to the US, as well as ordering the kidnappings, beatings and murders of people who owed him drug money or undermined his smuggling operations.
Before the hearing, people gathered outside the court in New York to protest for and against Maduro.
although the larger group were supporters of the former leader. There are also reports of a scuffle between the two groups.
image: Supporters of ousted President Nicolas Maduro protested outside a New York courtroom. Photo: Reuters
both are happening: detained in Brooklyn Detention Center And no one has asked to be released on bail. Judge Alvin Hellerstein has not yet set a trial date in the case.
Prosecutors have not yet revealed who will testify against Maduro, who is being represented by Barry Pollack, one of America’s most prominent defence lawyers.
The lawyer argued that the US was violating the ousted leader’s constitutional rights by blocking Venezuelan government funds to pay his legal costs.
image: Authorities are securing the court complex ahead of Maduro’s appearance. Photo: Reuters
Prosecutors have previously responded that the U.S. government had authorised Maduro and Flores to use personal funds to pay their legal fees, but Maduro said he was unable to defend himself.
Judge Hellerstein said he would decide at a future date whether to order the Trump administration to allow Venezuela to pay legal fees for Maduro and his wife.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump has once again accused Maduro of being “the major supplier of drugs coming into our country”.
During his cabinet meeting on Thursday, the US president said Maduro would be given a “fair trial”. But he also said, “I think there are other tests coming,” without clarifying the comment.
Read more from Sky News:
Inside Maduro’s January court hearing
Maduro’s gross incompetence
Maduro and Flores enjoy some support in Venezuela, with murals and billboards in the capital Caracas calling for their return.
But while Maduro’s ruling party remains in power, they have been gradually ousted from the government of Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez.
National Savings and Investments (NS&I) is in talks with the government over a potential bailout package worth millions of pounds.
It is understood an update will be given by ministers on Thursday following a report by the Daily Telegraph that the Treasury-backed bank needs taxpayers’ money to help compensate customers for alleged failings in managing their cash.
The newspaper said the sum could amount to a bill of £400m.
Money Latest: What do higher gilt yields mean for your pension?
account for the majority of the 37,000 claims received by NS&I.
Bereaved families, who claim they haven’t received the money they deserve, account for the majority of the 37,000 claims received by NS&I. Many of these claims are reportedly several years old.
The bank, which offers a range of savings and investments to more than 24 million customers, including more than 22 million premium bond holders, has apologised for the lack of customer service but has not yet commented on the size of the potential risk of redress and compensation to taxpayers.
The government has not yet commented, although Pensions Minister Torsten Bell will address the issue in a statement to MPs later on Thursday.
NS&I is not immune to negative publicity.
In February, a committee of MPs accused the government of being “completely confident” of the £3 billion digital transformation project despite numerous challenges and delays, which it also said had exposed taxpayers to additional risk.
The Public Accounts Committee announced that it was not confident that a plan designed to modernise NS&I’s operations and measurably reduce its operating costs could be successfully accomplished.
Milan– MILAN (AP) – Italy Legally embattled tourism minister resigns on Wednesday in protest against premier Georgia Meloni’s The referendum on judicial reforms failed.
Daniela Santanche’s departure is a sign that Italy’s three-and-a-half-year-old right-wing government has been weakened by Monday’s decision. Defeat at the ballot box is one major solution.
Meloni had called for Santanche’s resignation after two Justice Ministry officials stepped down in the wake of voters’ overwhelming rejection of judicial reforms in a vote that was widely considered a de facto confidence test on Meloni’s leadership. In a statement Tuesday, Maloney said he hoped Santanche would make a similar decision “in the same spirit of institutional sensitivity”.
Santanche, who was seen as a leading member of Meloni’s brother’s Italian The party has suffered many losses politically for a long time test and investigations. Which includes alleged misaccounting and alleged fraud. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Despite her legal troubles, Santanche survived a vote of no confidence in 2023 and has long had Meloni’s support.
Santanchè announced her resignation in a statement to Meloni, in which she said she would “comply” with Meloni’s wishes and acknowledged the impromptu conversation on Tuesday after calls for the Prime Minister’s resignation. She said she would rather not be a “scapegoat” for the referendum defeat, underlining that the measure passed in her northern region of Lombardy and district.
Santanche wrote, “I will not conceal from you a certain amount of bitterness at how my ministerial journey ended, but in my life I have been accustomed to paying my debts – and often those of others as well.”
The judicial reforms were introduced by Meloni’s coalition as an important step towards streamlining Italy’s judicial system, which has been criticised as slow, bureaucratic, and vulnerable to political influence.
But critics argued that the proposed measures risked concentrating too much power in the executive branch. Opposition parties, civil society groups, and legal associations united to warn that the reform could weaken institutional checks and balances.
Defeat in referendum after a campaign Very closely linked to the leadership of the prime minister, questions have been raised about the stability and unity of Meloni’s ruling coalition.
The Bulgarian split squat is an exercise that many lifters love to hate. It causes discomfort and reveals every weakness in your hips and ankles. But some of these challenges may arise due to improper setup.
If you ever feel wobbly, not getting enough depth, or as if your front knee is shaking, it may be because your foot placement, bench height, or body position is poor. When the setup is off, this step seems more awkward than effective.
The Bulgarian split squat is one of the best unilateral exercises to increase leg strength, improve balance, and correct muscle imbalances. But it only provides these benefits if your setup allows the front leg to work while the rest of your torso remains stable and controlled.
However, due to our diverse shapes, sizes, and goals, there is no universal setup. Such variation is normal. What doesn’t change are the basics: a stable front foot, proper distance, square hips, and a smooth slope.
Ultimate Bulgarian Split Squat Checklist
This pre-lift checklist shows you the must-dos for this “wonderful” exercise.
The first time you go through this checklist, it will take time. But with repetition and practice, it will become second nature. So you will also benefit.
Step 1: Bench Height and Rear-Foot Setup
Before dreaming of teardrop quads, get your rear-foot setup right. Too high, too low, or too tense – getting it right sets the tone for the rest of the exercise. Set it up correctly, and your front leg will do the work.
Set the bench at about knee height or slightly below.
Place your back foot on the bench with one of these:
lace down (more comfortable, less stress on the ankle), or
Toes bent (more stable for some lifters)
keep your back foot relaxed
Internal signal: The back leg is passive. External cues: Feel the back foot on the bench.
Coach’s Advice: If you feel a strong stretch in your back leg before you start, your setup is wrong. Adjust the height of the bench or foot position to maintain comfort and balance.
Step 2: Front Foot Distance
If there’s one detail that determines whether Bulgarian split squats look effortless or miserable, it’s that. Too close, and you could injure your front knee. If you go too far, you will be fighting for balance.
Extend your front leg forward enough so that you can drop straight down
On the way down, your front knee should move over your toes without falling inward.
Aim for a position where your front heel rests
Change your stance depending on your goal:
Feet closer to the bench for more forward knee travel: more quad thrust
Place feet further apart for more vertical shins: more glute emphasis
The main thing is to find a position where you feel stable and in control.
Internal signals: balanced and organised.
External signs: Drop the back knee straight down.
Coach’s advice: Do a quick test and lower yourself to verify if it feels stable. If not, make adjustments before loading. Once you locate your spot, mark it with a small weight plate to save setup time on the other leg.
Step 3: Foot Position and Balance
Dial in the length of your stance, then lock your base. The Bulgarian split squat is as much about balance as it is about strength. Your front foot should feel like it’s glued to the floor, and the movement feels controlled rather than struggling for balance.
Keep your front foot flat and completely on the ground
Distribute your weight through the heel, big toe and little toe
Keep your hips square in the front – not bent or open.
Internal signals: The entire foot rested on the ground. External cues: Stand with the support of a tripod.
Coach’s advice: If you’re wobbling side to side or your heels are lifted, your stance is not stable, so reset.
Step 4: Torso Positioning and Alignment
The position of your torso determines where the tension goes – to the quads, glutes, or your lower back. Get it right, and the movement continues as it should, but get it wrong, and it feels like a high-wire act.
lean forward slightly
keep your ribs above your pelvis
keep your chest high and shoulders down
head neutral and eyes forward
Internal signals: Longer than the spinal cord. External signs: Chest above the front thigh.
Coach’s advice: If you feel that your lower back is doing more work than your front leg, you have lost your alignment. Reset your torso before continuing.
Step 5: Rooting and Lower Body Tension
Rooting your feet is what transforms the Bulgarian split squat from a balancing act to a quad and glute burner. This tension stabilises your knees, supports your hips, and keeps you balanced from top to bottom.
Plant your front foot off the floor to create a slight external rotation.
Maintain pressure on your midfoot and heels
maintain tension without stopping or becoming rigid
Internal signals: Create tension without applying too much pressure. External signs: Spread the floors apart.
Coach’s advice: If your knee bends or your balance changes mid-reaction, your tension is gone. Correct your foot and build up tension before continuing.
Step 6: Grip and Load Position
The goal here is to keep the weight close to your centre so that your front leg can do the work without unnecessary movement. The more stable the load, the easier it will be to stay balanced and concentrate on driving with the front foot.
Choose your loading style:
dumbbells at your side
hold the cup
Barbell (front or back rack) for advanced lifters.
keep the weight close to your body
Internal signals: Feel the weight centered with your body
External signs: Keep weight stable.
Coach’s advice: If the weight is swinging or pulling you forward, you have lost control. Reset your position and become stable before continuing.
Step 7: Breathe and take over
Proper breathing and bracing keep you from wobbling and moving your hips while descending.
Take a 360° deep breath before each repetition
Stretch your stomach, arms and lower back
Brace your core as if preparing for a punch and maintain for the entire set
Internal signals: take care before moving on
External signs: turn it off
Coach’s advice: If you feel yourself leaning forward or losing balance mid-reaction, you have lost your brace. Relieve tension before continuing.
Step 8: Green Light Checklist
Before you start your first rep, try another and check out this quick checklist.
Stance distance dialed in; balanced, not tight or spread out
Hips square: no rotation or rotation
Torso standing: slightly bent, ribs above the pelvis
Tension set: front foot engaged
Brace Lock: Core Stabilized
Eyes forward: neutral head position
If everything feels solid, you are ready to begin.
Prostock-Studio/Adobe Stock
Common Bulgarian Split Squat Mistakes (and Fixes)
The Bulgarian split squat has a negative reputation, partly because most people rush the setup. Addressing these issues will lead to significant benefits.
Standing too close to the bench: your front knee moves too far forward, your heel lifts and your knee says ‘no’.
Solution: Take your front foot further forward. You should be able to fall straight down while keeping your heels straight and your weight centred.
Standing too far away: You feel stretched and unstable, struggling to stay balanced.
Solution: Bring your front foot in until you can control the slope and maintain balance without leaning forward. Once you find your position, mark it with a small weight plate to save time.
Losing balance mid-rep: You wobble from side to side or lean back and forth.
Solution: Double-check the width of your stance and plant your front foot. Think of “tripod legs” and slow down the speed until control improves.
Excessive forward lean or lower-back arch: You either arch your lower back forward or arch more, taking the stress off the front leg.
Solution: Keep your ribs over your pelvis and maintain a controlled torso angle. Think “chest over front thigh”, not chest to the floor.
Perfect the setup, and you’ll have one of the most effective tools for building strength, balance, and bulletproof lower body flexibility. Control your stance, stay rooted, and control the fall, and the profits will be there.
Discover the complete guide to fennel seeds (sounf), including their impressive health benefits, potential side effects, and safe daily consumption tips
For centuries, the tiny, aromatic seeds you often find at the entrance of Indian restaurants have been more than just a breath freshener. Known as fennel seeds (sounf) in Hindi, these humble seeds are a cornerstone of traditional medicine across Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. But while their sweet, liquorice-like flavour is familiar to many, the full spectrum of their health benefits—and their potential side effects—are less widely understood.
Whether you’re a culinary enthusiast, someone exploring natural remedies, or simply curious about what you’re consuming after a meal, understanding fennel seeds (sounf) is essential. Let’s dive deep into the science-backed benefits, the lesser-known risks, and how to incorporate this ancient remedy into your modern life safely.
What Exactly Are Fennel Seeds (Sounf)?
Fennel seeds come from the Foeniculum vulgare plant, a flowering herb in the carrot family. Fennel is native to the Mediterranean but is now grown worldwide, and all parts of the plant are edible. However, the seeds are the most prized part, celebrated for their concentrated essential oils—primarily anethole, fenchone, and estragole—which give them their distinctive flavour and medicinal properties.
When you consume fennel seeds (sounf), you are tapping into a rich history of use in Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, and ancient Greek healing practices. Today, modern science is beginning to validate what traditional healers have known for millennia.
8 Powerful Benefits of Fennel Seeds (Sounf)
1. Aids Digestion and Relieves Bloating
This is arguably the most well-known benefit. Chewing fennel seeds (sounf) after a meal stimulates the secretion of digestive enzymes and gastric juices. The volatile oils help relax the smooth muscles of the digestive tract, reducing gas, bloating, and abdominal discomfort. It’s a natural, effective remedy for indigestion.
2. Supports Heart Health
Fennel seeds (sounf) are a good source of dietary fibre, which helps reduce cholesterol levels. Additionally, their high potassium content aids in regulating blood pressure by counteracting the effects of sodium. The seeds also contain antioxidants like flavonoids that help reduce oxidative stress, a key factor in heart disease.
3. Acts as a Natural Breath Freshener
The antimicrobial properties of the essential oils in fennel seeds (sounf) help combat the bacteria in the mouth that cause bad breath. Chewing a small handful after a meal is a simple, sugar-free alternative to commercial mouthwashes and mints.
4. May Help Regulate Menstrual Cycles
For centuries, fennel seeds (sounf) have been used to alleviate menstrual discomfort. Studies suggest that the compound anethole can mimic the effects of oestrogen, which may help regulate irregular periods and reduce the severity of cramps. Many women find that fennel seed tea is soothing and effective during their cycle.
5. Rich in Antioxidants
The seeds are packed with powerful plant compounds, including rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, and quercetin. These antioxidants help neutralise free radicals in the body, reducing inflammation and potentially lowering the risk of chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes.
6. Promotes Healthy Skin
The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of fennel seeds (sounf) make them beneficial for skin health. Drinking fennel tea can help flush toxins from the body, potentially reducing acne and promoting a clearer complexion. The seeds also contain minerals like zinc and selenium, which are essential for skin repair and protection.
7. May Aid Weight Loss
Fennel seeds (sounf) are often recommended in weight loss regimens for two reasons. First, they act as a mild diuretic, helping reduce water retention. Second, their natural sweetness can help curb cravings for sugary treats, making it easier to stick to a healthy eating plan.
8. Supports Respiratory Health
The expectorant properties of fennel seeds (sounf) can help loosen phlegm and soothe coughs. Drinking fennel tea during cold and flu season may provide relief from congestion and sore throats.
4 Potential Side Effects of Fennel Seeds (Sound)
While fennel seeds (sounf) are generally safe for most people when consumed in moderate amounts (about 1-2 teaspoons per day), excessive consumption can lead to unwanted effects.
1. Allergic Reactions
Though rare, some individuals may be allergic to plants in the Apiaceae family (which includes carrots, celery, and parsley). Symptoms can include skin rashes, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing. If you experience any of these after consuming fennel seeds (sounf), discontinue use immediately and seek medical advice.
2. Hormonal Effects in Pregnancy
Due to its oestrogen-like properties, fennel seeds (sounf) should be consumed with caution during pregnancy. Large amounts could potentially stimulate uterine contractions. While a small sprinkle in food is generally considered safe, concentrated forms like supplements or large quantities of tea should be avoided during pregnancy unless approved by a healthcare provider.
3. Drug Interactions
Fennel seeds (sounf) can interact with certain medications. They may:
Slow blood clotting, potentially increasing bleeding risk if taken with blood thinners like warfarin.
Interfere with the absorption of certain antibiotics.
Affect hormone-sensitive medications, including some birth control pills and tamoxifen.
4. Photosensitivity
Some compounds in fennel seeds (sound) can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. In very high doses, the compound could increase the risk of sunburn. Such sensitivity is rarely a concern with dietary intake but is worth noting for those using concentrated fennel oil or supplements.
How to Safely Incorporate Fennel Seeds (Sounf) into Your Routine
The key to enjoying fennel seeds (sounf) safely is moderation. Here are simple, effective ways to include them in your daily life:
Method
How to Use
Best For
Chew Raw
Take 1 teaspoon after meals and chew thoroughly.
Fresh breath and immediate digestive aid.
Fennel Tea
Steep 1 teaspoon of crushed seeds in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
General wellness, menstrual relief, calming effects.
Cooking
Add whole or ground seeds to curries, soups, breads, and roasted vegetables.
Culinary flavour and digestive support with meals.
Infused Water
Soak 1 tablespoon in a litre of water overnight. Drink throughout the day.
Mild diuretic effect and gentle hydration.
Who Should Be Cautious?
Pregnant women: Consult your doctor before consuming medicinal quantities.
Breastfeeding mothers: While fennel is traditionally used to boost milk supply, excessive use should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Children: Small amounts are safe, but avoid concentrated supplements.
Individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions: Conditions like endometriosis, breast cancer, or uterine fibroids warrant a conversation with a doctor.
The Bottom Line
Fennel seeds (sounf) are far more than a simple mouth freshener. They are a potent, versatile natural remedy with a long history of use and growing scientific support for their digestive, hormonal, and antioxidant benefits. When used mindfully and in moderation, they can be a valuable addition to a healthy lifestyle.
However, as with any natural remedy, it’s wise to be aware of potential side effects. Fennel seeds (sounf) are powerful, and their benefits come with the need for respect. If you have underlying health conditions or take regular medications, a quick consultation with your healthcare provider can ensure you enjoy all the benefits without any unwanted surprises.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet or using herbal remedies, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication
