New York City’s Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani made his first major political visit to Puerto Rico, days after his historic election victory. He is attending the annual Somos conference in San Juan, a key event for New York’s political leaders, lobbyists, and policymakers. The three-day event mixes strategy sessions with social meetings. Mamdani, 34, will join top officials, including Attorney General Letitia James, at receptions and workshops. His visit signals his growing influence beyond New York. Mamdani’s win, with over two million votes, has energized Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterms and drawn strong reactions from Donald Trump. (PC: HT)

Former International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo has said recent US air strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific are crimes against humanity. He told the BBC the attacks were “planned and systematic” and targeted civilians during peacetime. The Trump administration says the strikes are part of an armed conflict against drug cartels. At least 66 people have been killed in the past two months. The White House said President Trump acted under international law to protect Americans from “narcoterrorists.” Critics say the attacks were unlawful and lacked clear evidence. (PC: BBC)

Bangladesh's Yunus administration scrapped plans to recruit music and physical education teachers in primary schools after Islamist groups, including Hefazat-e-Islam and Islami Andolon Bangladesh, called these posts "un-Islamic" and threatened street unrest. Teachers and students from Dhaka University and Jagannath University protested Thursday, calling the decision "cultural fascism." The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education quietly dropped music and PE posts from recruitment advertisements that originally included general, religion, music, and physical education positions. Protesters gathered at Aparajeyo Bangla statue and Sculpture Square, demanding reinstatement through songs and human chains. Critics argue the policy undermines child development and Bangladesh's secular identity, warning the army-installed Yunus administration is repeatedly bowing to Islamist pressure. (PC: X)

Pakistani forces allegedly fired projectiles into Afghanistan on Thursday evening, violating a ceasefire agreement while delegations from both nations met in Turkey for peace negotiations. An Afghan military official confirmed Pakistan used light and heavy weapons targeting civilian areas, but Afghanistan refrained from retaliating to respect ongoing talks. The ceasefire, mediated by Qatar in Doha, followed weeks of border skirmishes along the Durand Line last month. Relations between the neighbors have deteriorated significantly, with Pakistan accusing Kabul of sheltering militant groups conducting attacks on Pakistani soil, claims the Taliban government denies. Conversely, Afghanistan alleges Pakistan harbors Islamic State affiliates responsible for attacks within Afghan territory. The Thursday talks aim to stabilize the fragile ceasefire and prevent hostilities from resuming. (PC: JK News Today & NDTV)

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has filed charges after being groped by a man while out among the public in Mexico City, and has urged that sexual harassment be made a criminal offence nationwide. Sheinbaum underscored the broader danger: “If this happens to the president, what does it mean for all women in our country?” She emphasised that only about half of Mexico’s 32 states currently classify harassment as a crime, and has asked her Women’s Ministry to review local laws to ensure uniform criminalisation across the country. (PC: AFP)

Maya Handa, a rising leader in progressive politics, was appointed campaign manager for Zohran Mamdani in July, replacing Elle Bisgaard-Church, and has been credited with steering his victory over former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican contender Curtis Sliwa. Handa previously worked on Mamdani’s state assembly team and managed State Senator Zellnor Myrie’s mayoral bid; she has also collaborated with national figures such as Jamaal Bowman and Elizabeth Warren. Forming alliances with the progressive Working Families Party and grassroots community groups, her strategy helped Mamdani flip working-class Black and Latino neighbourhoods in Brooklyn and the Bronx from primary defeats into general-election victories. (PC: X)

US President Donald Trump claimed America "lost sovereignty" after Democrat socialist Zohran Mamdani won New York's mayoral election. Trump warned New York will become "communist Cuba" or "socialist Venezuela," forcing residents to flee to Florida. The 34-year-old Mamdani promised government-funded programs through taxing the wealthy. Trump called Mamdani's victory speech "very angry" and said the Mayor-elect should be "respectful of Washington" for approvals. Mamdani's fiery address challenged Trump, declaring New York will be "powered and led by immigrants." He vowed to hold "bad landlords" accountable and end corruption benefiting billionaires like Trump. Trump compared Mamdani's vision to Democrats' nationwide plan, criticizing former mayor Bill De Blasio as "probably the worst mayor in history."

Democrat Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayoral election, becoming the city’s first Muslim mayor and youngest leader in over a century. Speaking at his first press conference, Mamdani promised to stand up for New York and said a “new era” has begun. President Donald Trump reacted, saying Americans face a choice between “communism or common sense.” The election night also saw Democratic wins in Virginia and New Jersey governor races. Meanwhile, California voters approved new congressional maps favoring Democrats. Experts say Mamdani faces major challenges ahead, with his policies and performance under close public scrutiny. (PC: X)

Zohran Mamdani, NYC's first Muslim mayor at 34, represents everything MAGA fears: young, brown, Muslim, democratic socialist, and immigrant. Trump responded to his victory with "AND SO IT BEGINS!" Mamdani defeated Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa with progressive policies including free childcare, public buses, and city-run grocery stores. He declared NYC will remain "a city of immigrants...led by an immigrant," directly challenging Trump. His Palestine stance, calling Israel's Gaza actions "genocide" and pledging to enforce ICC warrants against Netanyahu infuriates Trump-aligned Republicans. Trump previously mocked Mamdani's appearance, calling him "TERRIBLE" and "not very smart," but Mamdani won decisively, refusing to apologize for any identity.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Moscow could restart nuclear tests if the United States does so. “If Washington starts testing, we will respond in kind,” Putin said at a security council meeting in Moscow. He ordered defence and foreign ministry officials to “gather information” and prepare “proposals” for possible test preparations. His remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that America would begin nuclear testing “on an equal basis.” Putin said Russia’s nuclear deterrent was “at the highest level,” stronger than any other nation’s. The last full nuclear test in the world was by North Korea in 2017. (PC: Reuters)