Merriam-Webster has added 1,400 new words and definitions in its latest dictionary update, bringing terms such as looksmaxxing, vibe coding, meme coin and parasocial into its online collection as internet culture, AI and everyday speech continue to reshape English. Merriam-Webster new words reflect changing English Merriam-Webster announced the update on September 15, saying the new entries represent words and meanings that have demonstr

India remains on the US list of major drug transit or illicit drug-producing countries for fiscal year 2027, but President Donald Trump has also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anti-opium efforts and called for continued cooperation under the US-India Drug Policy Framework. Trump praises Modi’s anti-opium drive US President Donald Trump welcomed India’s efforts to curb illicit opium poppy cultivation while issuing his admini

A new Israel settler poll has exposed a sharp divide over violence in the West Bank as the October 27 election approaches. The JPPI survey on Qusra, growing diplomatic pressure over settlements and Gaza’s humanitarian strain are all shaping a tense campaign. Qusra poll shows split over settler violence The Jewish People Policy Institute surveyed Israelis from September 1 to 3 after violence in Qusra, where dozens of masked Israeli civi

The Russia sanctions bill has raised fresh concerns for India and other major buyers of Russian energy, with the legislation giving President Donald Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% under specified conditions. The move comes as India-Russia ties remain strong in energy and strategic cooperation. Russia sanctions bill clears US House The US House of Representatives has passed the

The Mecca drone row has intensified Saudi-Houthi tensions after Riyadh said its air defenses intercepted a drone approaching the holy city. The Houthis denied targeting Mecca and separately claimed they shot down a Saudi F-15 over Yemen’s Marib province. Mecca drone row raises security concerns Saudi Arabia condemned what it described as an attempt by Yemen’s Houthis to target Mecca after t

Anant Nag has been named the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 recipient, honoring a five-decade career across Indian cinema. The veteran Kannada actor will receive the award at the 72nd National Film Awards in Kevadia, Gujarat, on September 22, 2026, recognizing his lasting contribution to film. Veteran actor Anant Nag has been named the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2024, India’s highest honor in cinema. The Go

The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate to 3.75%-4.00% on September 16, 2026, its first increase since July 2023. Inflation remains above the 2% goal, while new Fed projections imply another quarter-point increase could follow before the end of this year. The Federal Reserve raised the target range for the federal funds rate by 0.25 percentage point on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, to 3.75%-4.00%. T

Indian Oven Columbus has closed its longtime East Main Street restaurant and plans to relocate to Delaware, Ohio. The Indian restaurant, which began in Old North Columbus in 1996, has not announced a new address or confirmed reopening date, while its website lists it as temporarily closed.

A San Jose Safeway in the Willow Glen neighborhood reopened after Santa Clara County inspectors found rodent contamination inside the Hamilton Avenue supermarket. A follow-up inspection cleared the store after pest control work addressed the violation. A Safeway supermarket in San Jose's Willow Glen neighborhood has reopened after Santa Clara County health officials temporarily closed the store following the discovery of r

JoJo’s ShakeBAR Highland Park pop-up will bring Biggie Shakes to Michael’s Grill & Salad Bar from September 17-30, 2026. The limited run features Chocolate Nirvana, The Wonder Years and an exclusive Birthday shake with a cake-batter flavor on Chicago’s North Shore. JoJo’s ShakeBAR is bringing its oversized Biggie Shakes to Michael’s Grill & Salad Bar in Highland Park, Illinois, for a limited-time collabor

The US Supreme Court has declined to allow a new Postal Service rule affecting mail ballots to take effect ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, leaving existing state vote-by-mail procedures in place for the approaching election. The court said the federal government was unlikely to succeed in its challenge to a lower-court injunction and that the circumstances did not justify emergency relief. Mail ballot procedures remain unchanged The disputed rule wo

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is scheduled to visit Varanasi on September 17 to participate in the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan being held on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday. The programme is part of a month-long campaign marking 25 years since Modi first assumed elected executive office as Gujarat Chief Minister in October 2001.

Sridevi Chennai property dispute has reached the Supreme Court as petitioners challenge a Madras High Court ruling. The Kapoor family land dispute involves 2.7 acres on East Coast Road, limitation claims and court-ordered mediation.   The Sridevi Chennai property dispute has reached the Supreme Court after MC Sivakami challenged a Madras High Court order dismissing her suit over 2.7 acres of land on East Coast Road. The property was sold to Sr

Oracle India layoffs 2026 could affect about 3,000 employees, even as GCC hiring in India is expected to grow. The shift highlights rising demand for AI jobs in India, cloud, cybersecurity and specialised technology skills.   Oracle has started another round of workforce reductions, with industry analysts estimating that up to 3,000 employees in India could be affected. If the estimate is accurate, Oracle’s India headcount could fall from ar

India’s women’s kabaddi team will head into the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with the goal of defending its continental title, with captain Pushpa Rana describing the pressure of expectations as a source of motivation rather than a burden. Rana has been named captain of the 12-member squad and will lead India in a campaign beginning on September 21. The team has focused on match-specific practice, video analysis and correcting weaknesses identified by the coaching staff as part

Veteran actor Ambika has shared her views on the public attention surrounding actor Trisha Krishnan and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay after the two were seen at a motorsport event at Silverstone in the United Kingdom on September 12. Vijay and Trisha were present at the venue where actor Ajith Kumar participated in a racing event with his team. Videos and photographs showing the two at Silverstone later circulated widely on social media, leading to considerable discussion among fa

India is considering stricter front-of-pack red warning labels for packaged foods after the Supreme Court questioned whether the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s proposed system could allow too many products to avoid health warnings. The FSSAI had proposed a two-phase system in which a red hexagonal warning would initially appear only when a product exceeded limits in at least two of three categories — added sugar, salt or saturated fat. A stricter second phase was

Western disturbance rain in North India is set to intensify on September 16 and 17, with Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh facing rain, thunderstorms and isolated heavy showers under the latest IMD weather forecast.   A western disturbance is expected to keep weather conditions unsettled across parts of North India on September 16 and 17, bringing rain, thunderstorms, lightning and isolated heavy showers to several areas.

UPI charges from October 15 2026 will mainly affect eligible merchant payments above Rs 2,000. Person-to-person UPI transfers remain free, while fuel, rail, insurance and utility payments get special MDR rates.   UPI charges from October 15 2026 will introduce a revised fee structure for certain merchant payments, while most everyday users will continue to make personal UPI transfers without charges. Under the n

When an Indian citizen dies in the US, the appropriate Indian Consulate can help the family with death registration, documentation, coordination with local authorities and repatriation formalities. In qualifying cases, financial assistance may also be considered. When an Indian citizen dies in the United States, the Indian Consulate responsible for the state where the death occurred can b