Mohini Barman

In a first-of-its-kind move, the state of California has passed legislation banning the use of AI-generated content in political advertisements. The law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, is aimed at curbing misinformation and manipulation ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Under the law, political campaigns are prohibited from using synthetic videos, voices, or images that portray candidates in misleading ways. Violators can face heavy fines or disqualification of campaign materials. Lawmakers say deepfakes are a growing threat to democracy, especially when used to create false narratives on social media. Several Asian countries, including India and Bangladesh, have raised concerns about…

The city of Los Angeles has officially declared a housing emergency as rent prices continue to surge and homelessness reaches record levels. The city council approved an emergency plan to fast-track affordable housing construction and expand rental subsidies. Mayor Karen Bass stated that nearly 50,000 people are living without shelter in LA County, marking a 9% increase over the past year. The emergency declaration unlocks special funding and federal support. Urban planners in South Asian metros like Dhaka and Kathmandu are studying LA’s response to consider similar housing strategies, especially as their own cities face rapid population growth and income…

In a move to bridge the digital divide, New York City has launched a new initiative to provide free public Wi-Fi in low-income and underserved neighborhoods across all five boroughs. The project, known as "ConnectNYC," will install high-speed internet hubs in community centers, parks, and libraries, aiming to benefit over 1.5 million residents by mid-2026. City officials hope this will improve access to education, job portals, and telehealth services for marginalized groups. The initiative is being closely watched by digital policy makers in cities like Dhaka and Kathmandu, where public internet access remains a challenge for many communities.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that the Paris 2024 Olympics will host a larger-than-ever team of refugee athletes, including participants from conflict-affected regions in South Asia. Athletes from Rohingya camps in Bangladesh and Tibetan communities in India are expected to participate under the Olympic flag. A Bhutanese refugee table tennis player, training in Nepal, has also qualified for final trials. This inclusion highlights the Olympic spirit of unity and could raise awareness of refugee issues in the global spotlight, especially among youth in South Asia.

Silicon Valley companies are ramping up hiring in AI and machine learning sectors, with top firms like Google, Meta, and OpenAI posting thousands of new roles for research scientists and software engineers. Industry insiders confirm that a significant portion of this recruitment is targeting talent from India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, either through remote work contracts or U.S. visa sponsorships. In 2024 alone, Indian engineers accounted for over 40% of new AI-related H1B visa entries. With AI integration expanding to sectors like healthcare and education, the U.S. tech job boom is expected to draw skilled professionals from across South Asia, making…