WASHINGTON — One year after President Donald Trump returned to the White House and began a far-reaching expansion of executive power, his influence is again being tested — this time through state and local elections held across the United States on Tuesday. These contests, marking the first general election of Trump’s second term, are viewed as a critical measure of how voters perceive his leadership and political agenda. With more than half of U.S. states holding elections, t

Every year on November 1, several Indian states and union territories mark their foundation day, celebrating the day they were officially reorganized or granted statehood. The date holds unique historical significance as it marks the outcome of India’s post-independence administrative restructuring — a process that reshaped the nation’s map to reflect linguistic and cultural identities. While most people associate November 1 with Kannada Rajyotsava, commemorating the birth of Karnataka,

Pakistan has offered Bangladesh the use of its Karachi port for exporting jute and other goods, marking a significant geopolitical move amid deteriorating India-Bangladesh relations. The offer comes shortly after India banned the import of jute products through land routes, a major blow to Bangladesh’s export sector. The development was formalized during the Pakistan-Bangladesh Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting in Dhaka, held after a gap of nearly 20 years, signaling a thaw in relatio

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a significant package of new laws crafted by Silicon Valley legislators, focusing on improving transparency in law enforcement, strengthening labor rights, and increasing wildfire resilience across the state. The legislative actions, finalized earlier this month, mark another step in the state’s ongoing efforts to modernize government accountability and strengthen protections for both workers and communities. Most of the new laws will take effect on

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has sharply criticised the United Nations, saying the global body has become increasingly ineffective and paralysed by internal divisions. Speaking in New Delhi at the release of a commemorative postage stamp marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, Jaishankar said the organisation’s decision-making has failed to reflect the realities of its membership or the priorities of the modern world. He emphasised that meaningful reforms are

In a major geopolitical development, Taliban-ruled Afghanistan has decided to restrict Pakistan’s access to cross-border river water by constructing a dam on the Kunar River. The directive came from Supreme Leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, who ordered the Ministry of Water and Energy to begin construction “as fast as possible.” This move comes just weeks after deadly border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan that claimed hundreds of lives and amid heightened tensions followin

The Texas Education Agency has announced that it will assume control of Fort Worth Independent School District, marking one of the state’s most significant education interventions in recent years. TEA Commissioner Mike Morath confirmed Thursday that a board of managers will be appointed to replace the district’s elected school board, citing chronic academic underperformance as the driving factor behind the decision. Under state law, the appointed board will have the same powers

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has ordered a large-scale deployment of state security forces, including personnel from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas National Guard, to the state capital in anticipation of a planned demonstration that officials say may involve groups linked to antifa. The governor’s directive, issued Thursday, aims to safeguard residents, businesses, and public property amid concerns that the protest could lead to unrest. According to t

WASHINGTON — Virginia’s attorney general race is drawing national attention as Republican incumbent Jason Miyares and Democratic challenger Jay Jones prepare to face off in their only scheduled debate. The event, set for Thursday night at the University of Richmond, comes amid heightened scrutiny and controversy surrounding Jones’ recently leaked text messages. The debate, open to the public but now sold out, will be streamed live from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on October 16. It marks th

Heavy fighting has erupted once again between Pakistani forces and Taliban fighters along the volatile border separating Pakistan and Afghanistan, leaving dozens dead and escalating one of the most serious confrontations between the two sides since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. The clashes, centered around Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, have plunged relations between Islamabad and Kabul to a new low, with both governments trading accusations over who initiated the latest round

The State Fair of Texas has introduced a new change this year by allowing free student ticket vouchers to be used on weekends, giving families more flexibility to attend together. For the first time, students in Pre-K through 8th grade who receive complimentary tickets will be able to visit the fair on any day, including weekends. This adjustment is designed to make the event more accessible and family-friendly, especially for parents who found it difficult to attend on weekdays. In p

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 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

President Donald Trump has directed the deployment of 400 members of the Texas National Guard to Illinois, Oregon, and other states, according to an announcement from Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker on Sunday night. The decision has drawn strong criticism from Pritzker and other state officials, who accuse the administration of overstepping its authority and disregarding state sovereignty. The governor revealed that the federal government did not coordinate with Illinois before the decision w

Indian climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has found himself at the center of controversy following allegations linking him with Pakistani intelligence operatives. These claims have been firmly rejected by his wife, Gitanjali J Angmo, who described them as baseless and damaging. She argued that attending a United Nations–organized climate summit, even if reported by international outlets including those from Pakistan, cannot be twisted into evidence of anti-national behavior. According to her,

The State Fair of Texas has officially opened its gates for the 2025 season, bringing with it a mix of exciting new attractions, traditional events, and the kind of festive atmosphere that has made it a landmark in Dallas culture for decades. The fair began its three-week run on Friday morning when Fair Park opened at 10 a.m., followed by the opening day parade at noon. To mark the start of the season, an evening ceremony took place on the steps of the Hall of State at 6:30 p.m., drawing crowds

The state of Ohio is once again at the center of a debate over religion and government after an online petition was launched to remove its official motto, “With God, all things are possible.” The phrase, drawn directly from the Bible’s Gospel of Matthew 19:26, has been a fixture of Ohio identity since 1959 but has faced challenges over the years from those who believe it promotes a specific religion in violation of the principle of separation of church and state. T

Saudi Arabia’s decision to sign a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement with Pakistan has stirred debates across South Asia and the Middle East. The pact, which promises that an attack on one country will be treated as an attack on both, resembles a NATO-style commitment. For Pakistan, struggling with economic and diplomatic challenges, this deal is seen as a significant political win and a potential deterrence against India. Yet, beneath the surface, exper

At the Doha emergency summit attended by leaders from over 40 Muslim countries, the idea of an Islamic Nato gained momentum, with Pakistan aggressively pitching for an Arab-Islamic task force. The meeting followed Israel’s strike in Qatar and brought together Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and others under one forum. Pakistan, represented by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Is

The emergency Arab-Islamic summit held in Doha on Monday has triggered renewed calls for a NATO-style military alliance of Muslim nations. The push, spearheaded by Egypt, comes in the wake of Israel’s strike in Doha that killed Hamas operatives and a Qatari officer. While leaders differed on concrete action against Israel, the summit may have set in motion the groundwork for an Arab-Islamic defense pact. Egypt,