U.S. President Donald Trump has played down the six-month conflict with Iran, calling it “small potatoes” for the United States while backing Vice President JD Vance’s view that the continuing hostilities should not necessarily be described as a war. Trump Calls Iran Conflict ‘Small Potatoes’ Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on September 4, Trump said he

The Texas Bullion Depository provides insured, segregated storage for approved gold, silver and other precious metals in Leander. Account holders retain ownership of their metals, while HB 1056 could give the facility a larger role in Texas payments beginning in 2027. The Texas Bullion Depository has gained new attention following Texas' recognition of qualifying gold and silver specie as legal tender. The broader

India opened September 4 with a major space achievement as ISRO successfully launched EOS-05 aboard GSLV-F17 from Sriharikota. The day also brought major geopolitical developments involving Trump’s backing for a Syria-Hormuz alternative, pressure on Iran and Venezuela’s new oil arrangements. ISRO EOS-05 launch succeeds from Sriharikota The Indian Space Research Organisation successfully com

For decades, the Strait of Hormuz has been one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints. Now, Washington and Gulf producers are accelerating plans for pipelines and alternative export routes that could sharply reduce dependence on the narrow waterway. The goal is not necessarily to eliminate Hormuz, but to weaken its ability to disrupt global oil markets. Strait of Hormuz bypass becomes US strategy

Gloria Steinem dies at 92, ending a career that helped shape modern American feminism. The journalist, Ms. magazine co-founder and women's rights organizer spent decades advocating for gender equality, reproductive rights and women's political participation. Gloria Steinem, the influential journalist, author and feminist organizer who became one of the most prominent voices of the U.S. women's rights movement, has died at 92. Steinem died at her home in Ne

Krishna Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, regarded in Hindu tradition as the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. According to tradition, Krishna was born at midnight on Ashtami during Krishna Paksha of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada. The festival symbolizes the victory of dharma over adharma and hope over oppression. Devotees across India and around the world observe the occasion with fasting, prayers, bhajans, temple celebrations and midnight worship. Mathura and Vrindavan

A major US-Venezuela oil deal is reshaping the country’s energy sector, with Chevron, Eni and GE Vernova signing multibillion-dollar agreements in Caracas. The moves follow a separate arrangement that gives Washington extensive economic and governance rights connected to about 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil reserves. US-Venezuela oil deal opens new investment phase US Energy Secretary C

Towhid Hridoy has rewritten Bangladesh’s first-class record books with a monumental unbeaten 350 for Bangladesh A against South Africa A in Potchefstroom. His career-defining innings surpassed Tamim Iqbal’s previous national record and made Hridoy the first Bangladeshi to score a first-class triple century outside the country. Towhid Hridoy 350 sets new Bangladesh record Hridoy remained unb

Chinese President Xi Jinping has used his state visit to Egypt to call for a new Middle East security architecture, urging regional countries to resist external interference and take greater control of their own security decisions. His visit comes as China seeks a larger diplomatic and economic role in a region unsettled by the US-Iran conflict. Xi Jinping calls for new Middle East security order

A Strait of Hormuz tanker attack has left two Filipino seafarers dead aboard the Saudi-operated SIDR, intensifying concerns over maritime security in one of the world’s most important oil routes. Bahri confirmed the deaths as US-Iran tensions again escalated across the Gulf. Strait of Hormuz tanker attack kills two sailors Saudi Arabia’s national shipping company Bahri confirmed that two Fi

A U.S. passport for ages 16 and 17 follows different rules from passports for children under 16. Applicants generally use Form DS-11 in person, provide citizenship evidence and photo ID, show that one parent or guardian is aware, and receive a passport valid for 10 years. U.S. passport requirements change once a child turns 16. Applicants ages 16 and 17 generally apply in person using Form DS-11, but unlike children under 16, they do not normally need both parents to app

Parents cannot renew a child’s U.S. passport issued before age 16 through the standard renewal process. A new in-person Form DS-11 application is required. Learn about five-year validity, required documents, current child passport fees and what changes once the applicant turns 16. Parents may commonly refer to replacing an expired child passport as a “renewal,” but U.S. passport rules treat it differently. A passport issued to a child under age 16 cannot be re

A U.S. passport for a child born abroad depends on whether the child acquired U.S. citizenship through a parent. Families may need a CRBA, foreign birth certificate, proof of the parent’s citizenship and U.S. residence history, plus the standard minor passport documents. A child born outside the United States may qualify for a U.S. passport if the child acquired U.S. citizenship at birth through one or both U.S. citizen pare

Proof of U.S. citizenship for a child is required when applying in person for a U.S. passport. Depending on where and how the child acquired citizenship, families may use a U.S. birth certificate, prior passport, CRBA, Certificate of Citizenship or other qualifying evidence. Parents applying in person for a child’s U.S. passport must provide evidence that the child is a U.S. citizen. The acceptable document depends largely o

If one parent cannot attend a child’s U.S. passport appointment, the State Department may accept Form DS-3053, sole-custody evidence or special family-circumstance documents. This guide explains what parents of children under 16 should prepare before applying. For a U.S. passport application involving a child under 16, both parents or legal guardians generally must approve issuance of the passport. However, the State Department provides alternatives when one paren

Documents needed for a child’s U.S. passport include citizenship evidence, proof of the parent-child relationship, parent identification, Form DS-11, consent records and a passport photo. Parents should also bring photocopies, fees and any custody documents required for special cases. Parents applying for a U.S. passport for a child under 16 should prepare both original documents and required photocopies before going to a pa

A U.S.-born child can generally qualify for a U.S. passport when the child is recognized as a U.S. citizen, even if the parents are not citizens. Parents must prove the child’s citizenship and relationship, follow consent rules, and watch for pending policy changes. A child born in the United States can generally apply for a U.S. passport if the child is recognized as a U.S. citizen, even when one or both parents are not U.S. citizens. For passport purpo

A U.S. passport for a child under 16 requires an in-person Form DS-11 application, proof of U.S. citizenship, evidence of the parent-child relationship, parental identification and consent. This guide explains the documents, fees, validity and special cases parents should know. Parents applying for a U.S. passport for a child under 16 must follow a different process from adult applicants. The child must appear in person, and the application requires proof of U.S. ci

Ram temple trust CEO Jeetendra Mishra, a retired Indian Air Force officer, has been appointed to lead administration in Ayodhya. His selection followed 5,585 applications as the Trust strengthens governance, financial oversight and long-term temple management. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust appointed retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra as its first full-time CEO on September 2, 2026, placing a veteran military

The US State Department is considering new passport procedures that could require parents or legal guardians to provide proof of their own citizenship or immigration status when applying for a passport for a child. The possible change is linked to the Trump administration’s efforts to implement new rules surrounding birthright citizenship and prevent what officials describe as misuse of US citizenship laws. The proposal has not yet been finalized, meaning families should continue