As India moves toward 2026, the political spotlight will not only be on major Assembly elections in states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam, but also on a massive churn in the Rajya Sabha. As many as 75 seats in the Upper House of Parliament are set to fall vacant across April, June and November 2026, potentially reshaping the balance of power between the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA alliance. These vacancies span a wide range of states, including Uttar Pradesh,

Brookfield Zoo is offering Chicago-area residents and visitors an excellent opportunity to explore one of the region’s most popular attractions without paying an admission fee, as the zoo has announced free entry on most days throughout January and February. The expanded winter free admission schedule gives families, students, and animal enthusiasts a chance to enjoy a meaningful outdoor experience during the colder months while keeping expenses low. With a wide variety of exhibits and thousan

The Mahayuti alliance recorded a sweeping victory in the Maharashtra local body elections, winning 207 municipal president posts across the state and establishing strong control over urban local governance. Results from the State Election Commission showed the Bharatiya Janata Party leading the tally with 117 seats, making it the single-largest party in the polls. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena followed with 53 posts, while the Nationalist Congress Party secured 37, giving the ruling allianc

The Telangana Panchayat elections revealed two major political trends shaping the state’s future. Congress, under the leadership of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, has solidified its position as the dominant force across the state. With over 52 percent of the seats, the party’s rural and semi-urban appeal has clearly expanded. These results reflect continued voter trust since the 2023 Assembly victory, confirming Congress as the strongest political presence in Telangana. On the ot

Bangladesh has officially withdrawn its earlier approval for fugitive Indian preacher Zakir Naik’s planned visit scheduled for November 28. The reversal came after the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government reassessed potential risks, with security agencies warning that Naik’s presence could draw massive gatherings and create law and order challenges ahead of the country’s first general elections since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime. Naik, who faces terror-linked allegations in Ind

Multiple polling places across New Jersey were forced to close or relocate on Election Day following a series of bomb threats sent via email to several counties. The threats, which prompted immediate law enforcement response, temporarily disrupted voting but did not prevent residents from casting their ballots. Officials confirmed that all affected locations have been secured and that voting has resumed safely in most areas. Authorities said the emailed threats were received by electi

Actor Vijay, leader of the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has made it clear that his party will contest the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections without forming alliances with the ruling DMK or the BJP. Addressing a packed rally in Madurai, Vijay emphasized that TVK would not be playing second fiddle to any established Dravidian party, including the AIADMK and DMK. His stance signifies a bold political move as he prepares to introduce his party to

The San Jose District 3 special election is reaching its decisive moment, with voters heading to the polls Tuesday. The final financial disclosures ahead of the vote reveal a competitive and high-stakes race between Planning Commission Chair Anthony Tordillos and community leader Gabby Chavez-Lopez. Both candidates have used the final weeks of the campaign to consolidate support and push messaging, but it is Tordillos who holds the lead in fundraising. According to official filing

Wawa has filed a lawsuit against the city of Garfield, New Jersey, over a newly amended ordinance that prohibits the convenience store from operating 24 hours a day. The legal action, initiated earlier this month, challenges the city's decision to enforce operating restrictions on overnight business, a move that the company says directly threatens its long-standing service model and investment in the area. The controversy centers around the Wawa store located on Jewell Street,

  Efforts by the San Jose community to save a beloved local restaurant have come to an end as city officials approved a proposal to replace the longstanding Taqueria Eduardo with a new Chick-fil-A location. The decision, made by Planning Director Christopher Burton, has sparked criticism from residents and community groups who argue that the project contradicts the West San Carlos Urban Village Plan and displaces a business that has been serving the neighborhood for over two de

This weekend marks the final opportunity for New Jersey residents to take advantage of early in-person voting ahead of Tuesday’s upcoming primary election. The six-day early voting period, which began on Monday, is nearing its end, and election officials report that voter turnout has already shown promising numbers. According to the New Jersey Division of Elections, more than 300,000 people have cast their ballots across the state so far, reflecting the increasing trend of voters opting

The Santa Clara County Democratic Party has confirmed it will not revise its dual endorsement in the upcoming June 24 runoff election for San Jose’s District 3 city council seat. This decision upholds the party's earlier support for both Gabby Chavez-Lopez and Anthony Tordillos, despite the two now facing off against each other in the final round of voting. The move reflects longstanding party practices and strategic considerations specific to the unique nature of this race.

The much-awaited Livermore Downtown Street Fest is back for 2025, taking place on May 17-18 in the heart of Livermore, California. This free, family-friendly festival promises a weekend full of live entertainment, local shopping, delicious food, and refreshing beverages. Hosted by Livermore Downtown Inc. (LDI), the event has been a cherished tradition for over 30 years. Despite its evolving format, the essence of the festival remains the same supporting small businesses and fostering communit

As the weather warms and the average last spring frost passes, Columbus residents are gearing up for the busiest weekend of the year for planting. With Mother's Day weekend upon us, local gardeners are flocking to nurseries, anticipating large crowds eager to add vibrant annuals to their gardens. These nurseries are prepared to help locals transform their outdoor spaces with expert advice and a wide selection of plants. Shawn Schilling, the general manager at a local nursery i

In a closely watched local election, Amir Omar has been elected the new Mayor of Richardson, securing 55 percent of the vote and defeating incumbent Bob Dubey, who received 42 percent, according to unofficial results released Sunday evening. The victory marks a significant political comeback for Omar, who previously ran for the mayoral position in 2012 but was defeated. His election in 2025 signals a new chapter for Richardson’s city leadership, with voters opting for change amid evolvi

Election Day in Ohio is just days away, and voters across the state are being called to cast their ballots in a variety of local races and on one key statewide issue. As usual, many seasoned voters like Mary and David Porretta are already fulfilling their civic duty. The couple, longtime Ohio residents, made time on Thursday morning to vote early. They believe that no election, large or small, should be overlooked. “We’ve always voted,” Mary said. “I don’t think we&

In a historic political event, Mark Carney has led Canada's Liberal Party to victory in the 2025 federal election, securing a rare fourth consecutive term for the Liberals. According to projections by Canadian public broadcasters CBC and CTV News, the Liberals will form the next government, although it remains uncertain whether they have achieved an outright majority in parliament. Carney, a 60-year-old former central bank governor for both Britain and Canada, only recently asce

Canadians voted on Monday to elect their next Prime Minister as the country confronts a renewed wave of tensions with the United States, fueled by President Donald Trump’s threats of annexation and a continuing trade war. On election day itself, Trump’s comments sparked outrage across Canada, with political leaders from all major parties rebuking his statements. As of the latest projections from CTV News and CBC, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s ruling Liberal Party is

The May 2025 Joint and Special Election in Texas presents an opportunity for registered voters to participate in shaping their local leadership, including city council members, school board trustees, and other key municipal positions. Early voting begins this Monday, April 22, and runs through Tuesday, April 29, offering voters the chance to cast their ballots ahead of the official election day on May 3, 2025. Early Voting: Who Can Vote? Any registered v

In a development that has ignited a fresh round of political controversy, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday conducted a raid at the residence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Durgesh Pathak in connection with alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). The raid comes just days after Pathak was appointed as the party’s co-in-charge for the Gujarat Assembly elections scheduled for 2027. The timing of the raid has triggered a strong reactio