North Korea has sharply criticized the latest US-South Korea military drills, calling them an open threat to its security even after President Donald Trump ordered a reduction in their scale. The response from Pyongyang shows that the deeper dispute on the Korean Peninsula remains unchanged, with mistrust still shaping every military and diplomatic move. Trump drill cut Pyongyang’s reaction c

Iran is demanding a permanent end to its conflict with the United States rather than another temporary ceasefire. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran wants lasting guarantees, even as the US-Iran deal stalls, Trump Iran talks remain off the table and Gulf security concerns grow. Iran permanent peace Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has rejected the idea of another temporary truce

Trump’s India voter ID remarks have renewed debate over the SAVE America Act as India conducts its SIR 2026 exercise. While Trump praised India’s voter identification system, voter roll exclusions in Maharashtra, Delhi and West Bengal have raised concerns over electoral access and voting rights. Trump India voter ID e

Former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust General Secretary Champat Rai and former trustee Anil Mishra have received a clean chit from the Special Investigation Team probing alleged theft and irregularities involving donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. According to an official statement cited on August 18, the Uttar Pradesh Home Department submitted the SIT's final report and forwarded it to the temple trust for further consideration.

US envoy Jared Kushner says the Gaza peace plan could begin showing progress within 30 days, with early steps focused on Hamas disarmament and closing militant tunnels. His comments followed talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leaders as Washington tries to revive a stalled roadmap. Hamas disarmament Kushner said he hoped the first visible progress could involve remov

US President Donald Trump has renewed his push for the SAVE America Act, citing India’s voter ID system while arguing for stricter eligibility rules in American federal elections. His latest remarks put India’s massive election process at the center of a renewed debate over voter identification, citizenship checks and mail voting in the United States. SAVE

President Donald Trump says Iran wants an agreement with the United States, but the Trump Iran deal remains out of reach because Tehran is not prepared to accept the terms Washington considers necessary. His comments come as Iran nuclear talks remain stalled and tensions around the Strait of Hormuz continue. Iran nuclear talks remain stalled Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, T

Higgsfield AI support is drawing closer attention as the fast-growing video startup reaches a $5.4 billion valuation and expands beyond 30 million users. The company has scaled revenue and funding at exceptional speed, but some customers continue to raise questions about billing, refunds and how quickly support problems are resolved. AI video growth pushes Higgsfield valuation to $5.4 billion

Shristi Selvan won the USTA Girls’ 16s national title in San Diego, defeating Aarini Bhattacharya in three sets after a comeback in the final. The victory gave Selvan her third national singles Gold Ball of 2026 and a main-draw wild card into the US Open Junior Championships. Shristi Selvan rallies for USTA Girls’ 16s title SAN DIEGO — Fifteen-year-old Indian-American tennis player Shrist

The U.S. visa interview for minors in India generally requires children to appear in person, including newborns and teenagers. The U.S. Embassy in India reiterated the rule as State Department interview-waiver standards remain narrower than in earlier years. The U.S. Embassy in India has reminded parents that minor applicants generally must appear in person for a U.S. visa interview, including newborns and teenagers approaching age 18. Sending only a parent or guar

USS Abraham Lincoln mental health concerns are drawing scrutiny after its unusually long deployment, prompting CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper to defend the crew's resilience. Cooper said the carrier has among the Navy's lowest number of reported mental health cases while acknowledging the strain of prolonged service at sea. CENTCOM response addresses menta

US President Donald Trump has ordered a substantial reduction in US participation in joint military exercises with South Korea, citing their cost and his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Seoul, however, says the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise has begun as scheduled. US-South Korea drills face Trump-ordered reduction Trump

Former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami has urged a more measured diplomatic approach as the Iran war continues to strain daily life, governance and the economy. His remarks add to a widening Iran war debate between hardliners seeking prolonged resistance and officials who see negotiations as part of an eventual exit. Khatami Iran diplomacy call focuses on cost of war Khatami warned that Iran

America's US open-weight AI push is accelerating as Meta and Nvidia introduce new models within days of each other. The releases arrive as Chinese developers, led by Moonshot AI and its massive Kimi K3 model, have gained significant momentum in downloadable and customizable AI. Meta AI model puts open weights back at center Meta launched M

Four Renaissance artworks attributed to Antonello da Messina have been stolen in a daring Sicily museum theft during Ferragosto. The Antonello art heist targeted works of enormous cultural importance, including three surviving panels from the celebrated San Gregorio Polyptych. Sicily museum theft targets Renaissance treasures Thieves enter

The India-Mauritius DTAA Protocol has moved closer to implementation after Mauritius approved its ratification, offering investors greater clarity on the PPT rule and legacy investments. The move also seeks to reinforce Mauritius FDI links with India while tightening safeguards against treaty abuse. PPT rule brings greater clarity to the tax treaty Mauritius' Cabinet on July 17 approved ratific

India will celebrate India Independence Day 2026 on Saturday, August 15, marking the country's 80th Independence Day and 79 completed years of freedom. The national ceremony at the Red Fort in Delhi will highlight Vande Mataram, Viksit Bharat and India's freedom history while looking toward the country's future. 80th Independence Day: Why India Completes 79 Y

A new Pew Research Center survey shows the India-Pakistan threat perception remains deeply rooted. Rivalry, China’s role, Russia ties, mistrust and public opinion reveal how decades of tension continue to shape South Asia despite major changes in the global order. Rivalry India and Pakistan continue to see each other as their biggest geopolitical threat nearly eight decades after Partition. A

Ifest 2026 Schaumburg will bring culture, creativity and community service together on Saturday, August 15, at National India Hub in Schaumburg, Illinois. The free cultural fest will feature dance, music, fashion and multilingual performances while creating opportunities for people to connect. Schaumburg event celebrates cultures together Ifest 2026: A Celebration of Culture, Unity & Commun

US Vice President JD Vance says Vance Iran war goals now place affordable oil and gasoline for Americans at the top of Washington’s priorities, followed by preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. His remarks also put renewed focus on the Strait of Hormuz and its impact on energy markets. Oil price goal moves to top of Vance’s priorities Speaking in a Fox News interview on August 13