Belleville Mayor Election Results Frank Velez defeated incumbent Michael Melham in the Belleville mayor election, ending Melham’s bid for a third term after a race shaped by local trust, school safety and the town’s response to a major warehouse fire. Unofficial results from the Essex County Clerk’s Office for Tuesday, May 12, 2026, showed Velez with 3,255 votes, or 59.47%, while Melham received 2,218 votes, or 40.53%, with all districts reporting.

Trump and Xi Jinping Meet in Beijing for Key Summit US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet in Beijing for a highly anticipated three-day summit. This is Trump’s first visit to China in nearly a decade, making the meeting particularly significant. The summit is expected to focus on critical global issues, including the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran, trade relations between the two nations, and the status of Taiw

Iraq and Pakistan Secure Oil and Gas Transport Deals Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Iraq and Pakistan have reached separate agreements with Iran to allow the transport of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) through the critical Strait of Hormuz. According to multiple sources, these agreements reflect Iran’s growing control over one of the world’s most important energy corridors, a situation that has intensified due to the ongoing

"Operation Epic Furious Strait to Hell" Game Installed at DC War Memorial A new arcade game titled “Operation Epic Furious Strait to Hell” has been installed at the District of Columbia War Memorial in Washington, D.C. The game, which features a ginger-haired Donald Trump, satirizes the U.S. administration’s handling of the Iran conflict and Trump’s often controversial social media presence. The game begins with a humoro

Trump’s Departure for Beijing President Donald Trump left Washington on May 12th for a high-stakes summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. As he boarded Air Force One for the trip, Trump addressed reporters, emphasizing that Iran is "under control" and that the United States either intends to make a deal or "decimate" Iran’s military capabilities. This rhetoric comes amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, with Trump reiterating his u

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Indians to avoid buying gold, reduce foreign travel and cut unnecessary fuel usage for at least a year as the ongoing United States-Israel conflict with Iran continues to shake global energy markets. The remarks quickly sparked discussions online because gold is deeply connected to Indian families, savings and traditions. Many people immediately began asking th

NJ Transit riders in New Jersey are getting an updated mobile app, real-time tracking upgrades and new fleet investments under a Rapid Action Plan announced by Gov. Mikie Sherrill. The updated NJ Transit app is designed to work around a rider’s location, helping commuters find nearby service details faster and reduce dependence on outdated schedule information. Real-Time GPS Tracking Planned for Riders Officials said NJ Transit will expand re

In a significant political milestone, Himanta Biswa Sarma has been sworn in as Assam’s Chief Minister for a second consecutive term, making history as the first non-Congress leader in the state to achieve this feat. Sarma's swearing-in ceremony took place on May 12, 2026, after the BJP-led NDA secured a record victory in the Assam Assembly elections, further solidifying the party's dominance in the state. The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Governor Lakshman Prasad

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are meeting in Beijing amid renewed efforts to prevent escalating tensions between the world’s two largest economies. The summit follows months of friction over tariffs, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, supply chains, and Taiwan, all of which have intensified competition between Washington and Beijing despite a temporary stabilisation agreement reached during the APEC summit in Busan, South Korea, in October 2025.

President Donald Trump is backing a temporary federal gas tax suspension as US drivers face sharply higher fuel prices linked to the Iran conflict. The proposal could cut up to 18.4 cents per gallon from gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon from diesel, but it cannot take effect without approval from Congress. How Much Could Drivers Save? Trump said on Monday, May 11, 2026, that he wants to remove the federal gas tax “for a period of time” and restore it once prices ease. The White House has not confirmed whether formal legislation has already been sent to lawmakers. The relief would be limited compared with the wider rise in pump prices. US gasoline prices have climbed sharply since the Iran conflict intensified, leaving many households paying more for commuting, deliveries and daily transportation. Congress Holds The Key The federal gas tax helps fund highways, bridges and public transit through the Highway Trust Fund. Any suspension could give drivers short-term relief but may raise concerns over road funding. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the administration supports steps to lower fuel costs. Some lawmakers have also backed a temporary gas tax holiday, while critics argue the savings may not fully reach consumers. For American families already dealing with inflation, even a small reduction at the pump could matter. But the plan’s real impact depends on Congress, fuel markets and whether gas stations pass the full tax cut to drivers.

Google warned on Monday, May 12, 2026, that hackers attempted to use artificial intelligence tools to plan a large-scale zero-day cyberattack capable of bypassing two-factor authentication systems. The company’s Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG) said it has “high confidence” that cybercriminals used advanced AI models to identify and exploit an undisclosed software vulnerability before developers became aware of it. Officials said Google’s proactive discovery may have stopped what could have become a “mass vulnerability exploitation operation.” AI Security Threats Raise Industry Alarm The report highlights growing fears that AI-powered hacking tools are accelerating cyber threats against businesses, government agencies, and critical digital infrastructure worldwide. Google clarified that its own Gemini AI model was not involved. However, investigators found evidence that hackers were using publicly available AI systems, including OpenClaw, to discover software flaws, develop malware, and automate cyberattacks. Security analysts say AI-driven vulnerability discovery could dramatically reduce the time hackers need to launch sophisticated attacks. OpenAI and Anthropic Also Tighten Security The findings come as major AI companies increase restrictions on powerful cybersecurity-focused models. Last week, OpenAI announced limited access to GPT-5.5-Cyber for vetted security teams, while Anthropic previously delayed the release of its Mythos model over fears criminals could exploit older software vulnerabilities. According to Google, cyber groups linked to China and North Korea showed “significant interest” in using AI for vulnerability discovery and cyber operations, signaling a rapidly evolving global cybersecurity threat landscape.

May 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on companies to adopt work-from-home policies and reduce unnecessary travel as the Iran war continues to affect global fuel supplies and economic stability. Following the Prime Minister’s appeal, IT employee body NITES has written to the labour ministry seeking an official advisory for remote work in the IT and IT-enabled services sector. The request

China on Monday confirmed that US President Donald Trump will visit Beijing from May 13 to May 15 for high-level talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Trump China visit will be the first trip to China during Trump’s second term and is expected to focus on improving strained trade relations between the world’s two largest economies. The meeting comes at a time when global tensions, tariff disputes and concerns over economic stability continue to affect international markets and poli

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran’s conflict with Israel is still ongoing and warned that Tehran’s nuclear program continues to remain a major concern. Netanyahu also claimed that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive and believed to be hiding in a secret bunker after taking power following the reported death of Ali Khamenei during a US-Israeli airstrike. Netanyahu said Iran still possesses enriched uranium and nuclear facilities that must be dismantled befor

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a dramatic two-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians on the final ball of their IPL clash in Raipur on Sunday,May 10th, with Krunal Pandya delivering a decisive all-round performance under pressure. Despite an outstanding four-wicket spell from Corbin Bosch, Mumbai Indians failed to defend their total as RCB completed another memorable last-ball chase against their long-time rivals. The result officially ended the playoff hopes of both Mumbai Indians

Putin Signals Possible Ukraine Peace Talks as Ceasefire Begins Vladimir Putin has hinted that the Russia-Ukraine war could be nearing an end, raising hopes of a possible peace agreement after years of conflict. Speaking during Russia’s Victory Day events in Moscow, Putin said the situation appeared to be “coming to an end” as

Deadly Ohio Intersection Finally Gets Safety Upgrade A dangerous central Ohio intersection linked to more than 40 crashes in five years will soon become a four-way stop after a fatal accident renewed pressure on local officials. County commissioners approved the traffic change this week for the intersection of County Road 24 and County Road 228 near the border of Ohio

How Japan Keeps Election Campaigns Short and Quiet Japan’s election system is drawing global attention for its unusually strict campaign rules that limit election periods to just 12 days and ban door-to-door canvassing entirely. The model stands in sharp contrast to the high-decibel political culture seen in countries like India and the United States. Under Japan’s Public Offices Election Law, candidates are not allowed to personally visit homes aski

Belleville Warehouse Fire Recovery Costs Continue to Rise Officials in New Jersey are seeking state aid as the massive Belleville warehouse fire continues straining emergency resources, leaving dozens of residents without power and forcing costly cleanup operations. Gov. Mikie Sherrill toured the fire zone Thursday alongside Belleville Mayor Michael Melham as f

The Golden Globes has set new guidelines for the 2027 awards, drawing a distinct line on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in film submissions. In an effort to adapt to rapidly advancing technology, the organisers clarified that while AI tools can be used during production, human creativity must remain at the core of any entry for it to be eligible. Announced on Thursday, these updated rules stipulate that the use of AI, including generative AI, will not automatically disquali