Voting has started in the US presidential elections, with a close race anticipated between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris. Different polling times are observed across states due to six time zones. Voting is underway in Vermont, North Carolina, Ohio, and more states. Reports indicate 78.9 million early votes cast, with 270 electoral votes required for victory.

Iran’s Armed Forces’ final report on the helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage found no signs of sabotage. The crash, which occurred near the Azerbaijan border on May 19, claimed the lives of President Raisi, his foreign minister, and other senior officials. The report, released Sunday, confirmed that harsh weather conditions, including dense fog in northwestern Iran, were the primary cause of the incident.

A video shows Israeli forces entering the Bani Salih Mosque in northern Gaza, burning Quran copies during aggressive operations. Recorded with a body camera, the footage depicts soldiers desecrating and setting fire to Quranic manuscripts. Another circulating video shows the demolition of a 96-year-old mosque by Israeli forces in Gaza. These actions have sparked outrage, as reported by foreign media.

At least 30 Pakistani pilgrims were killed and 15 others sustained injuries after a bus carrying pilgrims met with an accident in Yazd, Iran. According to Iranian media reports, the ill-fated bus overturned and caught fire near the Taftan-Dehshir checkpoint. A total of 53 passengers were on the bus, most of whom were from Larkana, Ghotki, and other cities in Sindh.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier group to speed up its arrival in the Middle East, supporting Israel amid rising tensions. This move follows threats from Iran and Hezbollah to avenge the killings of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. The USS Georgia guided missile submarine was also deployed to the region, signaling strong US backing for Israel.

A passenger plane carrying 62 people crashed in Brazil on Friday, with all passengers presumed dead, as confirmed by the president. Social media videos showed the plane plunging behind trees, followed by a plume of black smoke. The airline, Voepass, stated that the flight had departed from Cascavel in Paraná, heading to São Paulo’s main international airport. The crash occurred in Vinhedo, about 80 kilometers northwest of São Paulo.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the country on Monday after deadly violence killed over 300 people. Media reports said she and her sister departed Ganabhaban, the Prime Minister’s official residence, for safety in India. A source told AFP Hasina wanted to record a speech but couldn’t. This violence is among the worst in Bangladesh since its independence over fifty years ago. 

At least 43 were killed and hundreds injured in Bangladesh as police dispersed protesters demanding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. The government declared an indefinite curfew from 6 PM Sunday and a three-day general holiday starting Monday. The unrest, causing internet shutdowns, poses the biggest challenge to Hasina since January’s deadly protests after her boycotted fourth consecutive election victory.

The United States (US) Senate has introduced a bill seeking to cut off aid to Pakistan if it takes action against India. The bill titled “US-India Defense Cooperation Act”, was tabled by Republican Senator Marco Rubio in the US Senate. The bill aims to strengthen ties with New Delhi, treating it like a key US ally, emphasizing technology transfers, and guaranteeing US security assistance to India.

Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis who traveled to Iraq for religious tourism have not returned, without specifying the period. Annually, thousands of Pakistani pilgrims visit shrines in Iran, Iraq, and Syria. During a Senate briefing, he mentioned a policy to streamline these visits, pending cabinet approval. A statement noted extensive discussions on the missing Pakistanis in Iraq.

A large protest erupted against a brutal assault on a Pakistani family by police at Manchester Airport. Male and female protesters demanded action against the involved officers. Two young Pakistani men were violently attacked in front of their family, with video footage showing police repeatedly punching and kicking them. The mother of one of the Pakistani tried to intervene and stop the violence but the policeman kept beating him.

At least 18 people died after a Saurya Airlines plane crashed during takeoff at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday. The Pokhara-bound flight, carrying 19 people, crashed at 11 am local time. The pilot, seriously injured, was taken to a hospital. News portal Khabarhub reported that the plane caught fire and released a significant plume of smoke.

Muslim teachers at Delhi’s Joint Mentor of Discipline tuition center were assaulted by Hindutva members over accusations of forcibly teaching Islamic texts. Headteacher Abrar Ali was critically injured and hospitalized. Despite witnesses, including students and parents, stating the allegations were false, the police registered an FIR against the teachers. The conflict reportedly arose from a fee dispute between the center’s head and a Hindu student’s parents.

Biden pulls out of US presidential race, endorses Kamala Harris Amid mounting pressure from his party, President Joe Biden ended his 2024 re-election bid on Sunday, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. Concerns about his mental acuity and ability to defeat former President Donald Trump led over 30 Democratic Congress members to call for his exit. Biden, the oldest sitting president, responded to these demands by stepping aside.

The Bangladeshi government enforced a nationwide curfew after deadly clashes in Dhaka resulted in over 100 deaths. Student protests against quota jobs for army veterans’ families escalated, prompting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to declare a curfew after an attack on Narsingdi prison. Some media claim over 100 deaths. A communications blackout has left mobile internet and phone lines down across the country of over 170 million.

In recent years, the alleged persecution of Uyghurs in China has made headlines. This Muslim community in northwest China is facing severe repression from the Chinese authorities. The Chinese government has imprisoned more than 1 million people since 2017 and subjected them to strict surveillance, religious restrictions, forced labor, and forced sterilization. In 2019, Ozil was expelled from China after denouncing China’s treatment of Uyghurs.

Bangladesh is experiencing deadly clashes and disrupted internet and mobile services following intense protests over government job allocations. International reports state that 32 people have died this week amid widespread unrest, which intensified after Sheikh Hasina’s re-election as PM for a fourth term. In response to Thursday’s violence and students’ push for a nationwide shutdown, the government imposed an internet blackout.

Bangladesh will indefinitely close all universities starting Wednesday after student protests against government job quotas turned deadly, with at least six killed and scores injured. Protests erupted over a 30% job reservation for families of 1971 War of Independence veterans. High youth unemployment exacerbated tensions. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s refusal to meet demands and labeling protesters as “razakar” further fueled the unrest.

NEW YORK – Former President Donald Trump was shot in the ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The attacker and one civilian are dead, and two attendees were injured. Investigators said the gunman fired multiple shots from an elevated position outside before being shot by Secret Service. He was on a rooftop with a clear view of Trump. Clips show Trump being quickly escorted away by security with blood on his face.

According to the interior ministry, Iran’s reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian won a runoff presidential election against ultraconservative Saeed Jalili on Saturday. Pezeshkian received over 16 million votes, while Jalili got more than 13 million out of about 30 million cast. Voter turnout was 49.8 percent, with over 600,000 spoiled ballots. Pezeshkian thanked supporters for voting “with love and to help” the country.

The Labour Party has won the early general elections in the UK, ending the Conservative Party’s 14-year tenure. Sir Keir Starmer is set to become the new prime minister. With 533 out of 650 seats counted, Labour secured 364 seats, surpassing the 326 needed for a majority. The Conservatives have 87 seats, and the Liberal Democrats 50. Exit polls predicted Labour would win 401 seats.

Indian PM Narendra Modi’s coalition neared aslim majority as vote counting progressed, a surprising setback from the anticipated landslide win. Trends suggested Modi’s BJP lacked a majority in the 543-member parliament, possibly introducing policy uncertainties relying on allies. The BJP secured a majority on its own in 2014, ending India’s era of unstable coalition governments, and repeated this feat in 2019.

Former US President Donald Trump has been found guilty and sentenced for falsifyingbusiness records. Convicted of 34 crimes related to concealing payments to a pornographic actress before the 2016 election, he is the first president sentenced. Nearly two dozen witnesses testified, and the jury took two days to reach a verdict. Prosecutors argued Trump concealed records to boost his election chances.

After the binding International Court of Justice ruling ordering Israel to halt the Rafah operation, Israel’s war cabinet minister, Benny Gantz said Israel would continue the operation wherever required including in Rafah. “The State of Israel is committed to continue fighting to return its hostages and promise the security of its citizens – wherever and whenever necessary – including in Rafah,” said Gantz.

Iran stands at a critical juncture following President Ebrahim Raisi’s untimely death. The public turnout at his Tehran funeral displayed mourning, solidarity, and political continuity. Arab leaders’ attendance signaled Iran’s strategic repositioning in Middle Eastern diplomacy. Globally, Iran’s responses are monitored amid internal challenges and escalating regional conflict, especially the Gaza war.

Russian forces, under President Vladimir Putin’s directive, commenced exercises simulating preparations for launching tactical nuclear weapons, reported the Defence Ministry on Tuesday. Moscow attributes these drills to “militant statements” by Western officials, including French President Emmanuel Macron, citing them as security threats. Analysts interpret it as Putin’s caution on Ukraine involvement.

According to media reports, Ireland’s government was expected to move towards formally recognizing a Palestinian state on Wednesday. The leaders were set to hold a news conference at 8:00 am (0700 GMT) after indicating that Ireland would recognize Palestinian statehood by the end of the month. National broadcaster RTE and the Irish Times reported the decision would be announced at the news conference.

The presidential election in Iran will be held on June 28, confirmed by the state-run news agency on Tuesday. The decision was made during an emergency meeting of the heads of branches of power, chaired by interim president Mohammad Mokhber. The meeting set the election for June 28, with candidate registration from May 30 to June 3 and the campaign period from June 12 to 27.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was declared dead on Monday morning after his helicopter crashed during a visit to the northwest. Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and East Azarbaijan Province Governor Malek Rahmati were also on board. Raisi traveled to Tabriz City after inaugurating a dam near the Azerbaijan border. Rescuers spotted the crashed chopper 1.25 miles away Monday.

Donald Trump will refuse to accept the results if he loses the US election this year, Joe Biden said Wednesday. The two men, who fought for the White House in 2020, are set for a rematch in November that polls show the American public is unenthusiastic about. In an interview with CNN, Biden raised the prospect of Trump not accepting the outcome of the ballot. “I promise you he won’t, which is dangerous.”

At least three Pakistani students were reportedly killed, and hundreds injured in a targeted attack by violent mobs amid a standoff between locals and Egyptian students in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s capital. International media reported overnight police deployment as large crowds protested an alleged altercation. Barrister Saif, Advisor for Information in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, confirmed the deaths of three Pakistani students.

The US Institute of Peace warns that terrorist groups are using Afghan territory to target Pakistan, with support from the Afghan Taliban. The report highlights the growing threat from groups like Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, which attack Pakistan despite repeated warnings. The Taliban reportedly provides these groups with financial support, arms, weapons, and secret hideouts, exacerbating regional instability.