Pakistan, US move closer to finalising reciprocal trade framework

Residents across Crimea are facing growing hardship after repeated Ukrainian attacks on energy infrastructure disrupted electricity and fuel supplies across the peninsula. Long power outages have forced many families to rely on community kitchens for hot meals as daily life becomes increasingly difficult. Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, has experienced months of pressure on its energy network following Ukrainian strikes targeting power plants and other strategic facilities. Ukrainian officials say the campaign is aimed at weakening Russia’s military capabilities and bringing the effects of the war closer to Russian controlled territory. The attacks come as Ukraine continues to endure regular missile and drone strikes on its own cities since Russia launched its full scale invasion in 2022. In the town of Massandra, local authorities have organised public meal services for residents who are unable to cook because of prolonged electricity cuts. Large pots of buckwheat and reheated canned beef are prepared each day and distributed to around 200 people. Officials say many households depend entirely on electric stoves, leaving them without a way to prepare food when the power goes out. Massandra town administration head Oksana Madyud said the community kitchens were set up to support families facing ongoing disruptions. She explained that many residents have no alternative cooking methods and need access to hot meals until electricity supplies become more stable. Local workers continue preparing food every day to help elderly residents and vulnerable families cope with the difficult conditions. The prolonged outages have created serious challenges for many people, particularly those living in high rise apartment buildings. Marina, a local resident, said she was forced to search for a gas stove and fuel cylinders after losing electricity in her apartment. She explained that climbing down from her tenth floor flat has become painful because of a leg injury, yet she had little choice because her home has only an electric cooker that cannot be used during blackouts. Another resident, Alexandra, said she had spent ten days without electricity before power was finally restored. She joined the queue for a hot meal after being drawn by the smell of freshly prepared food. Although electricity had returned that afternoon, she remained uncertain whether the supply would continue once she reached home, reflecting the uncertainty many families now face. Fuel shortages have added to the difficulties across towns and cities in Crimea, making transport and everyday activities more challenging. The continuing disruption has increased pressure on local authorities to provide emergency support while residents adjust to frequent interruptions in essential services. As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues, civilians on both sides are increasingly feeling the consequences. While Ukraine says its strikes are intended to weaken Russia’s military infrastructure, residents in Crimea are left dealing with power shortages, limited fuel supplies and an uncertain daily routine as the war continues to affect civilian life far from the front lines.

Indian law enforcement authorities have suspended a police constable in the eastern state of Bihar after social media footage revealed him discharging an AK-47 assault rifle into the air to disperse a student demonstration in the city of Siwan. Senior Bihar police official Nilesh Kumar confirmed that the officer, who was carrying the weapon as part of a specialised intelligence unit, acted without justification or authorisation when firing live rounds above the crowd, adding that formal disciplinary proceedings have been initiated despite no injuries being reported. The incident marks the latest escalation in weeks of nationwide youth demonstrations sparked by question paper leaks in the NEET national medical entrance examination. Fueled further by broader anxieties surrounding high youth unemployment and technological job displacement, the persistent protests recently forced the resignation of Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The police crackdown has drawn intense condemnation from opposition lawmakers and legal authorities alike. In parliament, Congress party chief Mallikarjun Kharge denounced the deployment of assault rifles against unarmed students as a grave assault on democratic norms and demanded clear governmental accountability. The harsh crowd-control measures also prompted rare public criticism from Supreme Court Judge Ujjal Bhuyan, who warned against the steady erosion of fundamental freedoms and the public space required for peaceful demonstration.

US President Donald Trump has named Will Scharf as the incoming White House counsel and assistant to the president, succeeding David Warrington on September 1, 2026. Warrington, who previously served as general counsel for Trump’s campaign and managed initial administration legal affairs, will be departing for the private sector. Scharf currently serves as the White House staff secretary, a role where he manages the daily flow of papers and documents reaching the president’s desk. In addition to these duties, he chairs the National Capital Planning Commission, where he helped fast-track approvals for a controversial $400 million White House ballroom project. A former federal prosecutor and appellate law clerk, Scharf joined Trump’s personal legal team in 2023. He played a central role in defending Trump across several high-profile legal battles, including the federal election interference case and the landmark presidential immunity ruling before the US Supreme Court. In his new post, Scharf will lead the administration’s legal strategy. His responsibilities will include overseeing executive privilege, managing judicial nominations, liaising with the Department of Justice, and preparing for potential congressional inquiries ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.