​WASHINGTON — A surge in political spending tied to artificial intelligence interests is reshaping congressional races in Texas, highlighting the growing influence of the tech industry on U.S. elections and policy debates. In the lead-up to the March 2026 primary elections, Republican candidate Chris Gober was promoted in a television ad as a “Trump conservative” and “MAGA warrior,” though the messaging avoided direct references to artificial intelligence despite backing from AI-link

Europe’s financial markets are facing a critical moment and must urgently reform to remain competitive in a rapidly shifting global investment landscape, according to the head of the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund. Nicolai Tangen, chief executive of Norges Bank Investment Management, which oversees Norway’s $2 trillion wealth fund, has issued a stark warning that Europe risks falling further behind unless it addresses long-standing structural issues in its capital markets. Speaking

For decades, a recurring argument during periods of American involvement in the Middle East has been that such conflicts are driven by access to oil. However, the United States’ position in the global energy landscape has shifted dramatically over the past decade. Once heavily dependent on foreign imports, the country has transformed into one of the world’s largest producers of oil and natural gas, reshaping both global energy markets and geopolitical calculations. Recent figures from th

The United States government has urged Americans in parts of the Middle East to leave the region as fighting linked to the escalating Iran war intensifies, complicating travel and raising security concerns. The State Department issued updated guidance advising citizens to depart from 14 countries, including Israel, Lebanon, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, as regional security conditions deteriorate. Until recently, Americans in several of these countries had been instructed to s

The United States could face an economic impact of up to $210 billion as Operation Epic Fury intensifies tensions with Iran, according to leading budget analysts. President Donald Trump has indicated that the conflict may continue for at least four weeks, raising concerns about prolonged military spending and wider fallout for the US economy. Estimates by economist Kent Smetters of the Penn Wharton Budget Model suggest that the total cost of the Iran conflict could significantly strain federa

A former sheriff’s deputy in Illinois has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, a Springfield woman who had called 911 seeking help after reporting a possible prowler near her home. The sentence was handed down Thursday, concluding a case that has drawn national attention and renewed debate over police use of force during emergency responses. Sean Grayson, 31, was convicted in October in connection with the July 6, 2024, shooting death of Mas

US President Donald Trump sharply criticized Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Thursday following the central bank’s decision to leave interest rates unchanged, accusing him of delaying necessary rate cuts and undermining the nation’s economic strength, national security and global competitiveness. The comments came shortly after the Federal Open Market Committee announced it would maintain its benchmark interest rate, a move that aligned with market expectations but drew strong poli

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday held talks with United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor in New Delhi, days ahead of his scheduled visit to Washington, D.C., for a high-level engagement on critical minerals. The meeting focused on multiple aspects of the India-US relationship, reflecting the breadth and depth of cooperation between the two countries across strategic, economic and defence domains. Following the meeting, Jaishankar said the discussions covered

The U.S. dollar has continued its recent decline, extending a trend that presents both opportunities and challenges for the American economy. President Donald Trump described the currency as “doing great,” reflecting his view that a moderately weaker dollar can provide strategic benefits in international trade. Despite this optimism, economists warn that the weakening greenback represents a “double-edged sword,” offering advantages to exporters while introducing risks related to inflatio

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday addressed global political and business leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, marking the completion of his first year in office with a forceful assessment of his administration’s economic record. Speaking to the annual gathering, Trump said public sentiment toward his leadership remained overwhelmingly positive, while asserting that the country had undergone a dramatic reversal in economic conditions since he assumed office. During h

US President Donald Trump has declined to address whether his administration would consider the use of force to acquire Greenland, responding with a brief refusal when asked during a telephone interview with NBC News. Pressed on the issue, Trump said only “no comment,” leaving unresolved questions about the seriousness of previous remarks regarding the strategically important Arctic territory. During the interview, Trump reiterated his willingness to impose tariffs on European n

India on Friday said it was concerned about the fatal shooting in Minneapolis, citing the presence of a large Indian community in the United States and the broader implications of the incident. The reaction came amid growing scrutiny of immigration enforcement practices in the US following the death of a woman during a federal operation. Responding to questions on the incident, the Ministry of External Affairs said India was closely following developments related to the Minneapolis

New Jersey political leaders are weighing in after a fatal shooting involving an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer that has triggered protests and intensified national debate over federal enforcement practices. The incident, which occurred Wednesday, resulted in the death of a Minnesota resident and has drawn sharp reactions from elected officials across party lines. According to video footage captured at the scene, ICE officers approached a sport utility vehicle that was

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The US Embassy in India has postponed temporary work visa interviews scheduled for mid-December, triggering widespread concern among Indian professionals awaiting H-1B visa processing. The affected interviews have now been rescheduled to March and April 2026, according to communications sent to applicants and legal experts familiar with the matter. The unexpected decision has disrupted travel and employment plans for thousands of workers who rely on timely visa stamping to continue their role

American authorities have unveiled a proposal that would require foreign tourists from dozens of countries, including the United Kingdom, to provide a five-year record of their social media activity before entering the United States. The measure, introduced by Customs and Border Protection, seeks to significantly expand the personal information collected from travellers who qualify for the visa waiver programme. Forty-two countries currently participate in the programme, which allows short-te

The United States embassy in India has issued a new advisory urging all visa applicants to strictly adhere to the updated appointment dates communicated through recent rescheduling emails. The mission clarified that individuals who arrive on their previously scheduled dates will not be granted entry into any embassy or consulate facility. The reminder follows a series of appointment modifications across multiple visa categories prompted by internal adjustments to scheduling systems, and aims

The debate over the H-1B visa programme in the United States has sharpened significantly, exposing a deep political divide over the future of skilled immigration. The issue has grown increasingly contentious in recent months, with former president Donald Trump and several Republican leaders intensifying allegations of fraud and misuse within the system. Their claims have focused heavily on Indian applicants, with some prominent voices asserting that a vast majority of submissions from India a

Indian-origin venture capitalist Asha Jadeja Motwani has asserted that she played a role in shaping former President Donald Trump’s recent shift in tone on the H-1B visa program, a move that has triggered debate among his political supporters. The program, which enables United States companies to hire skilled foreign workers, has long been a focal point in policy discussions involving the technology sector. Motwani said she spoke directly with both Trump and Vice President JD Vance about th

A significant privacy issue in WhatsApp has come to light after researchers revealed that a long-standing flaw exposed the phone numbers and profile photos of nearly 3.5 billion users worldwide. The discovery was made by a team from the University of Vienna, who found that WhatsApp’s contact-discovery system lacked proper rate limiting, allowing automated tools to check millions of phone numbers per hour. Through this gap, researchers were able to confirm whether a number was registered on