Pakistan on Friday declared what it described as an “open war” against Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities following a sharp escalation in cross-border fighting that has heightened fears of a broader regional conflict. The announcement came as reports of explosions and heavy gunfire emerged from Kabul and Kandahar, underscoring the deteriorating security situation along the frontier. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Islamabad’s patience had been exhausted after months of mou

Artificial intelligence company Anthropic said on Thursday that it will not permit the Pentagon unrestricted access to its technology, pushing back against pressure from US officials who warned of possible action under the Defense Production Act. The dispute highlights growing tensions between private AI developers and the US government over how advanced systems should be deployed in military and intelligence operations. According to the company, the Pentagon had given Anthropic a d

Illinois voters are preparing to head to the polls for a series of high-profile races in the upcoming March 17 primary election, with contests ranging from U.S. Senate and governor to congressional seats and local judgeships. Although the standard voter registration period has closed across the state, eligible residents still have opportunities to register and cast their ballots before and on Election Day. The Illinois primary election will determine party nominees for several state

India remains steadfast in its fight against terrorism in all its forms, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said while addressing the High-Level Segment of the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council virtually on Wednesday. He asserted that attacks on innocent civilians can never be justified under any circumstances and called for a unified global response rooted in a zero tolerance approach to terrorism. Speaking at the UNHRC session, Jaishankar urged the Unite

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has concluded a rare party congress with a pointed message to the United States, stating that Pyongyang could improve relations with Washington if it is recognised as a nuclear power. At the same time, he hardened his stance toward South Korea, describing it as the country’s “most hostile” enemy and ruling out further engagement. According to state media reports released on February 26, Kim said there was “no reason” North Korea and the Unit

LARGO, Md. — Facing mounting public pressure over sharply rising utility costs, Maryland lawmakers and local officials are advancing a series of measures aimed at delivering immediate financial relief while pursuing long-term changes to the state’s energy infrastructure. The coordinated push reflects growing concern among residents who say recent power bills have become increasingly difficult to manage. In Annapolis, the administration of Gov. Wes Moore introduced Senate Bill 38

A suicide bomber targeted a police checkpost in Pakistan’s Bhakkar district on Tuesday evening, killing four policemen and injuring several others in an attack that has heightened security concerns in the region. The explosion occurred around 7 pm near a bridge connecting Dera Ismail Khan with Punjab, according to local police officials. Initial reports had indicated that two police personnel were killed and four injured, but officials later confirmed that the death toll had risen

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a standing ovation in Israel’s parliament on Wednesday as he delivered a historic address to the Knesset, becoming the first Indian prime minister to speak before the Israeli legislature. Lawmakers rose to their feet and chanted his name as Modi began his remarks by conveying greetings from 1.4 billion Indians. In his speech, the prime minister strongly condemned terrorism and reiterated India’s firm policy of zero tolerance toward ex

San Jose officials say the city’s efforts to regulate immigration enforcement activities remain firmly in place, even as a recent federal court decision temporarily paused a related California law. Local leaders emphasized that the ruling does not weaken San Jose’s existing requirements for law enforcement officers to clearly identify themselves while on duty. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision Thursday that put California’s No Vigilantes Act on hold pending

Iranian authorities on Tuesday deployed plainclothes police and armed security personnel across several universities in an effort to contain a fourth consecutive day of student protests directed at Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The heightened security presence reflects growing concern within the government over expanding campus unrest and the potential for demonstrations to spread further. Clashes were reported at multiple academic institutions, including Tehran’s Univers

Satellite imagery and open-source flight tracking data indicate that the United States has significantly expanded its military presence across Europe and the Middle East as tensions with Iran intensify over Tehran’s nuclear programme. More than 150 American military aircraft have reportedly been repositioned to forward operating bases in what analysts describe as one of the largest regional force deployments in over two decades. The aircraft include heavy cargo planes, aerial refuelling tanker

Shikhar Dhawan, the former Indian cricketer, has responded strongly to false rumors circulating about his personal life following his second marriage to Sophie Shine. The controversy started after a viral social media post claimed that Dhawan had said his ex-wife, Aesha Dhawan, once told him that no one would marry him after their separation. The post suggested that Dhawan’s remarriage was his way of proving her wrong. However, Dhawan firmly denied making such statements, calling the claims

WASHINGTON — DC Water officials said recent snow and rain have not worsened contamination levels linked to the Potomac sewer line failure, even as crews confront new engineering hurdles and unresolved questions about how repair costs will be divided. The agency confirmed that Mayor Muriel Bowser previously sought full federal reimbursement for the sewer collapse under disaster aid provisions. However, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers indicated Monday that the current agreement cov

New Jersey Transit is preparing to restore bus and rail operations Tuesday morning, though officials caution that riders should expect modified service and potential delays. The announcement was made Monday evening by agency President and CEO Kris Kolluri, who outlined the phased return plan for commuters across the state. According to Kolluri, bus services are scheduled to begin running at 4 a.m. Tuesday. However, normal routing may not be fully in place, as some detours and delays could occur depending on overnight road conditions. TransitNJ officials are urging passengers to allow extra travel time during the morning commute and to monitor real-time updates before departing. Rail operations are expected to resume an hour later, beginning at 5 a.m., but the full network restoration depends on ongoing infrastructure work. Amtrak crews are working overnight on critical switch repairs within shared rail corridors. Kolluri noted that if the Amtrak work is not completed on schedule, certain lines may face continued disruptions. Specifically, the Raritan Valley Line and the North Jersey Coast Line could remain suspended, and the Northeast Corridor Line may be unable to make some local stops. Even where trains resume service, riders should anticipate a reduced timetable. Officials confirmed that all rail routes will operate under a modified weekend schedule for the time being. This temporary measure is intended to stabilize operations while crews complete remaining repairs and assess system conditions. Transit authorities emphasized that safety and reliability remain the top priorities as service gradually returns. Commuters across New Jersey are advised to check official travel alerts frequently and plan ahead for possible changes during the first day of resumed operations.

As the Russia-Ukraine war entered its fourth year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a direct appeal to former US President Donald Trump, urging continued American backing for Kyiv in its ongoing fight against Moscow. The Ukrainian leader emphasized that sustained US support remains critical as the conflict with Russia shows no signs of resolution. In an interview ahead of the February 24 anniversary marking Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Zelenskyy stressed the strategi

Former United Kingdom ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson was arrested on Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, according to confirmation from London’s Metropolitan Police. The 72-year-old veteran Labour Party figure was detained at a property in Camden and taken to a London police station for questioning as part of an ongoing investigation. Police officials said the arrest followed the execution of search warrants at two separate addresses in the Wiltshire and Ca

United States President Donald Trump has issued a fresh warning to global trade partners, threatening significantly higher tariffs for countries he claims have taken advantage of the American economy for years. The remarks come amid heightened uncertainty following a recent Supreme Court ruling that has reshaped the administration’s tariff authority and complicated ongoing trade negotiations. In a post on Truth Social, Trump cautioned that any nation attempting to “play games” in the w

The Indian government has decided to reschedule a planned visit by its trade delegation to Washington, DC, following fresh uncertainty triggered by the US Supreme Court’s decision to strike down former president Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs. Officials indicated that the move reflects a cautious approach as both sides assess the legal and strategic implications of the ruling on the ongoing India-US trade deal discussions. The Indian delegation, led by chief negotiator Darpa

New York City officials have imposed sweeping emergency measures as a powerful winter storm approaches the northeastern United States, prompting widespread travel restrictions, school closures, and transit disruptions. Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Sunday ordered the shutdown of the city’s traffic network for all but emergency travel and formally declared a state of emergency, warning residents to prepare for dangerous conditions. Under the directive, public schools across the city will

Ohio lawmakers are advancing a proposal that would allow residents to claim state income tax deductions for qualifying church donations, arguing the move would bring Ohio policy in line with federal tax law while strengthening faith-based services across local communities. House Bill 444, also known as the Tithing Protection Act, was introduced last fall by Republican Rep. Josh Williams of Sylvania Township and Democratic Rep. Dontavius Jarrells of Columbus. The measure received its first he