For decades, a recurring argument during periods of American involvement in the Middle East has been that such conflicts are driven by access to oil. However, the United States’ position in the global energy landscape has shifted dramatically over the past decade. Once heavily dependent on foreign imports, the country has transformed into one of the world’s largest producers of oil and natural gas, reshaping both global energy markets and geopolitical calculations. Recent figures from th

Iran’s Assembly of Experts has elected Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the new Supreme Leader of Iran. This transition, which occurred under significant pressure from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), marks a controversial father-to-son succession that goes against the Islamic Republic’s long-standing criticism of hereditary monarchy. Mojtaba, the second-eldest son of Ali Khamenei, has been long speculated as a potential successo

Farah Pahlavi has described the death of Ali Khamenei as historically significant but cautioned that it would not automatically dismantle Iran’s political system. Speaking to AFP on Tuesday, March 3, the former empress said that while Khamenei had been central to the architecture of power within the Islamic republic, the passing of a single individual does not necessarily signal the collapse of an entrenched system. Pahlavi, who has lived in exile in Paris since the 1979 revolutio

Federal authorities are investigating whether a deadly shooting at a bar in Austin, Texas, may have been an act of terrorism after two people were killed and 14 others injured in a late-night attack that has shaken the city. The violence unfolded within hours of US airstrikes against Iran, prompting questions about whether the timing was coincidental or connected to broader geopolitical tensions. Officials have cautioned that the investigation remains in its early stages and that conclusions sho

The 2026 Actor Awards, previously known as the SAG Awards, celebrated the finest performances in film and television, with a lively ceremony held in Los Angeles. Hosted by the ever-charismatic Kristen Bell, this 32nd edition of the awards show was livestreamed globally on Netflix, making it accessible to a larger audience. As always, the event was filled with star power and celebrated the best in the industry. Host and Livestreaming: The 2026 Actor Award

Shakira, the Latina pop sensation, is making her highly anticipated return to India after 19 long years, with concerts in Mumbai and Delhi scheduled for April 2026. The excitement surrounding her shows is palpable, and the ticket prices are reflecting this buzz, with prices soaring as high as Rs 32,000 for exclusive access. The last time Shakira performed in India was back in 2007 during her Oral Fixation tour, and her return is generating much excitement. On March 1, 2026,

Gold and silver prices surged sharply on Monday as rising tensions between Iran and the US rattled global markets. As the geopolitical crisis escalated, investors flocked to safe-haven assets, resulting in a significant spike in bullion prices on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX). By 11:45 AM, MCX Gold had risen by Rs 5,497, trading at Rs 1,67,601, while MCX Silver climbed by Rs 9,806, reaching Rs 2,92,450. The sudden surge in precious metal prices reflects growing concerns over geopolitical

Chicago residents purchasing alcohol from local liquor stores will see a new tax added to their bills starting Sunday, as the city implements a revised taxation system on retail liquor sales. The Chicago Department of Finance confirmed that a 1.5 percent liquor tax will officially take effect after a two-month delay that was granted to allow retailers additional time to update billing systems and prepare for the change. The new Chicago liquor tax replaces the previous structure that

Creekview Middle School in Fort Worth was closed Friday following a norovirus outbreak that sickened an unspecified number of students and staff, according to Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD officials. District leaders said the temporary school closure was necessary to allow for deep cleaning and campus sanitization after cases of a stomach virus continued to rise throughout the week. The first reports of illness surfaced Tuesday, when several students began experiencing symptoms consistent with

Google has unveiled its latest AI image generation model, Nano Banana 2, revolutionizing the way we create visuals with AI. This cutting-edge tool combines the high-speed capabilities of Gemini Flash with the high-fidelity imaging of Nano Banana Pro. The result is an AI model that can generate accurate, stunning visuals faster and more efficiently than ever before. Whether you’re working on a social media campaign, presentations, or marketing materials, Nano Banana 2 can quickly generate im

In a significant legal development, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia have been discharged from the Delhi excise policy case. A Delhi court ruled that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) failed to provide substantial evidence to support the serious charges against the two leaders. The court highlighted the lack of material evidence to substantiate the allegations against Kejriwal. It emphasized that serious charges, such as th

In a major development, Netflix has officially pulled out of the bidding war for Warner Bros. This comes months after the two companies announced a potential multi-million dollar deal. Netflix cited that the deal was no longer financially viable, especially after Paramount Skydance made a revised and higher bid. As a result, Paramount now has a clear path to acquire the iconic studio, ending a long period of drama and negotiations between the two streaming giants. The announcement c

AUSTIN, Texas — Primary elections across Texas are set for Tuesday, and newly released polling suggests several high-profile contests could extend into runoff elections as candidates vie for their party nominations in key statewide races. According to data from the Texas Politics Project, the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate remains highly competitive. The poll indicates that Attorney General Ken Paxton holds a narrow lead with 36% support among likely Republican primary vot

India has made two significant changes to their squad ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe. With a place in the semi-finals up for grabs, the Men in Blue have included Sanju Samson and Axar Patel in the playing XI, replacing Rinku Singh and Washington Sundar. Samson will take on wicketkeeping duties for India, while Axar Patel will bring his all-round capabilities to the side. India’s entry into the Super 8 was marred by a defeat to South Africa on Sunday

Sri Lanka’s captain, Dasun Shanaka, has made a heartfelt request to the government following his team’s disappointing exit from the 2026 T20 World Cup. After being knocked out of the Super Eights by New Zealand, Shanaka blamed the "negative environment created outside" for their underwhelming performances. He urged the government to help shield players from criticism to protect their mental health. Shanaka expressed his sorrow for not delivering a victory that would make Sri Lan

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Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 climbed to another record high on Thursday, extending its streak of gains as investor enthusiasm around the so-called Takaichi trade continued to fuel buying in domestic equities. The index rose 1.1 percent to close at an all-time high of 59,199.31, marking its third consecutive session of record finishes. The broader Topix index also advanced 1.45 percent, reaching a fresh peak as market sentiment remained buoyant. The rally in Japan stocks has been c

San Jose officials are calling on state regulators to withdraw newly approved gambling regulations that they say could significantly disrupt the city’s finances and threaten more than 1,000 local jobs. In a letter dated Feb. 19 and addressed to Attorney General Rob Bonta, city leaders warned that the new rules governing California’s card rooms would dramatically reduce tax revenue generated by the city’s two licensed casinos, Casino M8trix and Bay 101. According to city offici