Paul Kapur, a noted American academic and expert on South Asian security, has been appointed as the new Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia in the United States government. Known for his hardline stance against Pakistan’s military establishment, Kapur’s appointment marks a significant shift in Washington’s regional approach, especially amid renewed tensions in South Asia. His selection comes as the US seeks to redefine its engagement with both India and Pakistan whil

The University of Oxford has once again secured the top position in The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, marking its tenth consecutive year as the world’s leading academic institution. Released today, the rankings reaffirm Oxford’s strength in research innovation, teaching quality, and global reputation. The 2026 edition also reflects changing dynamics in higher education worldwide, showing shifts in the United States and Asia and modest but steady pro

The United States has approved the supply of AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) to Pakistan, marking a new phase in defence cooperation between the two countries. The US Department of War announced the inclusion of Pakistan as one of several international buyers under a recently modified arms contract with Raytheon, the American defence manufacturer responsible for producing the missile systems. According to the department’s notification, Raytheon received

During a bilateral meeting at the Oval Office on October 7, United States President Donald Trump lightened the mood by jokingly referring to Canada as the “51st state” of America. The comment came as the two leaders discussed a range of issues concerning trade, diplomacy, and regional developments. The remark, made in good humor, was received with laughter by the Canadian prime minister, turning the formal meeting into a moment of friendly exchange that reflected the generally positive tone

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has expressed support for reforms to the H-1B visa programme in the United States but warned that the proposed $100,000 application fee could have serious consequences for innovation and access to global talent. Speaking in a recent discussion, he said the idea of tightening the system to prevent misuse was good in principle but added that such a steep financial barrier could transform the American dream into a privilege for the few. The proposed increase in H-

US President Donald Trump met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House on Tuesday, October 7, for a high-level bilateral discussion focusing on economic cooperation and global security challenges. The meeting underscored the two nations’ long-standing partnership while also revealing areas of disagreement over trade priorities and international conflicts. According to officials familiar with the discussions, President Trump and Prime Minister Carney covered a wi

A suburban Chicago native, Fred Ramsdell, has earned one of science’s highest honors, sharing the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Mary E. Brunkow and Dr. Shimon Sakaguchi for their pioneering discoveries on peripheral immune tolerance. Their groundbreaking work unveiled how the body prevents immune cells from attacking its own tissues—a finding that has revolutionized the field of immunology and paved the way for new treatments for autoimmune diseases and cancer.

United States President Donald Trump warned on Sunday, October 5, that his administration would launch fresh airstrikes against Iran if the country attempts to restart its nuclear program. Speaking at a Navy Day event at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, Trump said the United States “won’t wait so long this time” to act. His remarks referred to the June 22 airstrikes that targeted Iranian nuclear sites, an operation he described as “perfectly executed.”

The conflict in Gaza has reached another turning point after Hamas announced its agreement to release all Israeli hostages, alive or deceased, while expressing willingness to negotiate a broader peace plan proposed by President Donald Trump. The statement, delivered on Friday, signaled a potentially pivotal moment in ongoing regional negotiations, though the group’s future actions remain uncertain as deadlines approach. Hamas leaders said they are prepared to work through medi

A critical moment has arrived in the ongoing conflict as a final deadline has been issued for Hamas to agree to a peace deal and release all hostages. The ultimatum signals the most forceful warning yet that refusal to comply could bring severe consequences. The current terms are being presented as a last opportunity to secure both the release of captives and the prospect of a ceasefire that could allow humanitarian relief into affected areas. The language of the ultimatum was stark and uncompro

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday emphasized that India cannot afford to remain a passive spectator as geopolitical conflicts, sanctions, and tariffs continue to reshape global supply chains. Speaking at the inauguration of the Kautilya Economic Conclave 2025 in New Delhi, she said that India’s economy has shown remarkable resilience in the face of disruptions, but it must play a proactive role to secure its future. Sitharaman highlighted how global uncertainty is

After a gap of more than five years, direct flights between India and mainland China are set to resume by the end of October 2025, marking a significant milestone in the gradual thawing of relations between the two Asian giants. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on October 2 that both countries had agreed to restart air services between designated points, beginning with the winter season schedule on October 26. The resumption will depend on the decisions of airlines and the completio

President Donald Trump reportedly informed Congress through a confidential Pentagon memo that the United States is now engaged in what is described as a “non-international armed conflict” against Latin American drug cartels. Among the groups named are Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, and Venezuelan organizations like Tren de Aragua and the Cartel de los Soles. The memo designates these cartels as terrorists and their members as unlawful combatants,

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was forced into a rare public apology this week, after US President Donald Trump pushed him to directly address Qatar over a deadly airstrike in Doha. The strike, which took place on September 9, killed five people, including the son of senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, and rattled Washington as well as key mediators in the ongoing Gaza ceasefire talks. The White House r

Mahatma Gandhi’s iconic statue at Tavistock Square in London was vandalised on Monday, just days before Gandhi Jayanti on October 2. The incident has sparked outrage in India and abroad, with the Indian High Commission in the UK strongly condemning the act as shameful and an attack on the legacy of nonviolence. The plinth of the bronze statue, which depicts Gandhi in a meditative seated posture, was defac

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed US President Donald Trump’s new initiative aimed at ending the Gaza conflict, describing it as a comprehensive pathway toward long-term and sustainable peace. Modi’s support comes after Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed on Washington’s 20-point proposal during talks at the White House. In a statement posted on X, Modi said, We welcom

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday announced a comprehensive peace initiative aimed at ending the ongoing Gaza war, expanding the Abraham Accords, and setting the stage for long-term stability in the Middle East. The announcement came after an extended meeting at the White House, where both leaders addressed the press in the State Dining Room and described the day as historic. Trump declared that the plan was designed to end not just the fighting in

Russia has signaled close monitoring of the possibility that the United States may supply Ukraine with Tomahawk long-range missiles, weapons capable of striking Moscow. The Kremlin on Monday, September 29, downplayed the potential battlefield impact of such a move but underscored concerns about who would provide targeting data if the missiles were deployed. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed that while the weapons themselves may not drastically alter the military balance, the question o

The Brics nations on Saturday issued a strong joint statement condemning the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, calling all acts of terrorism criminal and unjustifiable. The ministers of the grouping reiterated their unified stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations while underlining the urgent need for concerted international action. In their statement, the leaders said they condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22,

Restrictions on H-1B visas in the United States are expected to have a relatively small impact on the flow of remittances from overseas Indians back to India. According to a recent research study, the total losses are unlikely to exceed five billion dollars out of an eighty three billion dollar total inflow. This means that while there will be a direct effect on some families and professionals, the broader picture for India’s economy remains resilient.