CM Murad decides to transform Sindh PPP Unit into private limited company

For decades, support for Israel was one of the few foreign policy issues that united both major political parties in the United States. That long standing consensus is now showing signs of breaking down as growing criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, the conflict with Iran and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s close relationship with Republican leaders reshape opinion within the Democratic Party. Public support for Israel among Democratic voters has fallen sharply in recent years. More Democratic candidates are openly criticizing Israeli government policies and several have built successful election campaigns around calls to reassess Washington’s military and diplomatic support for its longtime ally. The shift has become increasingly visible in Congress, where many lawmakers who once backed military assistance without question are now calling for restrictions or major changes. The change was highlighted this month when nearly half of House Democrats voted in favor of an amendment that sought to block military aid to Israel. Although the proposal ultimately failed, the level of support marked a significant departure from previous years when similar measures would have attracted little backing. Israel receives $3.8 billion in annual US military assistance and has also secured billions of dollars in additional emergency funding over the past several years. Democratic leaders remain divided over the issue. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries opposed the amendment, arguing that it was too broad. However, senior party figures including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark voted in support of it. The differing positions reflect an increasingly difficult debate within the party over whether military assistance should continue without conditions, be limited to defensive equipment or be suspended altogether. Senator Chris Coons, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed hope that Israel’s upcoming elections could improve relations between the two allies. He suggested that new political leadership in Israel might help restore bipartisan support in Washington and move beyond the current period of tension. Coons also argued that Netanyahu has prolonged conflicts for political reasons, a claim that adds to the growing criticism from within the Democratic Party. Recent polling shows how public opinion has shifted. A Quinnipiac University survey conducted in June found that nearly half of all American voters believe the United States is too supportive of Israel. Among Democrats, that figure rose to 66 percent, a dramatic increase compared with the results recorded when the question was first asked in 2017. Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, dismissed concerns that bipartisan backing is disappearing. He said that despite intense political debate, support for Israel continues to remain strong across large sections of both major parties. The issue has become especially important in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, where voters are choosing between candidates with sharply different positions on Israel. Representative Haley Stevens has defended close ties with Israel and argues that the relationship strengthens economic growth and national security. Her opponent, Abdul El-Sayed, has strongly criticized continued military support and says American resources should be invested at home rather than funding Israel’s military campaign. The debate follows nearly three years of conflict that began after Hamas launched its October 2023 attack on Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking hundreds hostage. Since then, Gaza health authorities say more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel’s military operations. Israel rejects accusations of genocide and maintains that it is fighting Hamas while taking measures to reduce civilian casualties. Political analysts say the war has significantly influenced younger Democratic voters, many of whom have become more critical of Israeli government policies. Campus protests and growing public demonstrations have increased pressure on Democratic leaders to reconsider traditional positions on military aid. Some observers also believe the issue contributed to divisions within the party during the 2024 presidential election campaign. The debate is spreading beyond Michigan into congressional races across states including New York, Florida and Colorado, where candidates are increasingly making Israel a central campaign issue. Progressive organizations argue that opposition is directed mainly at Netanyahu’s government rather than Israel itself, while more traditional pro-Israel groups continue to defend the alliance. Despite the growing disagreement, many Democratic lawmakers continue to support Israel’s right to exist and defend itself. However, an increasing number are questioning the policies of the current Israeli leadership and calling for greater humanitarian assistance to Palestinians, signaling that the party’s approach to one of America’s closest allies is undergoing a significant transformation.

Global sales of electric vehicles rose sharply during the second quarter of 2026 as soaring fuel prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East encouraged more consumers to switch away from petrol and diesel powered cars, according to a new report by the International Energy Agency. The agency said electric vehicle sales increased by 35 percent between April and June compared with the first three months of the year. Record sales were reported across 50 countries despite a slowdown in the overall global automobile market. According to the IEA, the renewed interest in electric vehicles was largely driven by the sharp rise in oil prices following the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. The report said the resulting energy crisis reminded governments and consumers of the economic risks associated with dependence on imported oil. Oil prices climbed dramatically during the year after Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest energy shipping routes, in response to military strikes carried out by Israel and the United States. Crude prices rose from around 60 dollars per barrel at the beginning of the year to nearly 120 dollars, increasing fuel costs around the world and putting additional pressure on households and businesses. The IEA said the situation has brought energy security back to the centre of government policy discussions. Since road transport accounts for nearly half of global oil consumption, the agency noted that expanding the use of electric vehicles can reduce reliance on imported fuel while protecting consumers from sudden increases in fuel prices. The report said electric vehicles are now being viewed as an important tool for improving national energy security, particularly in countries that rely heavily on imported oil. By reducing dependence on global oil markets, governments hope to make their economies more resilient during periods of international instability. Several countries in Southeast Asia that were particularly affected by rising fuel costs responded by introducing temporary tax incentives to encourage people to buy electric vehicles. Similar government support measures have also been expanded in parts of Latin America and Europe as officials seek to accelerate the transition to cleaner transport. Based on the strong performance in the second quarter and continued policy support in many regions, the IEA expects global electric vehicle sales to increase by around 10 percent over the full year. If that forecast is achieved, electric cars are expected to account for approximately 29 percent of all new vehicle sales worldwide in 2026. The agency also predicted that the overall global car market will shrink this year, meaning electric vehicles are continuing to gain market share even as total vehicle demand weakens. The report noted that the year began on a slower pace for the electric vehicle industry. Sales dropped during the first quarter, mainly because of weaker demand in China and the United States, the world’s two largest EV markets. In the United States, the removal of government subsidies reduced consumer demand, while China’s slowing economy and reductions in financial incentives also affected purchases. Because China represents the largest electric vehicle market in the world, weaker sales there had a significant impact on global figures despite healthy growth in many other regions. Europe recorded the strongest performance during the first half of the year. According to the IEA, electric vehicle sales across the continent rose by more than 30 percent as supportive government policies, expanding charging infrastructure, and higher fuel prices encouraged more drivers to choose electric cars over conventional vehicles. The agency believes these trends could continue if governments maintain incentives and energy prices remain elevated.