Diwali 2025 Overview Diwali, also called Deepavali, is one of the most celebrated Hindu festivals across India and the Indian diaspora globally. In 2025, the main Lakshmi Puja (Diwali Day) falls on: Date: Monday, October 20, 2025 Diwali is observed over five days, starting from Dhanteras (Oct 18) and ending with Bhai Dooj (Oct 22). Amavasya Tithi (New Moon)

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump issued a stark public warning aimed at Hamas on Thursday, saying that if the group continues to carry out killings in parts of the Gaza Strip “we will have no choice but to go in and kill them.” The statement, delivered on social media and reiterated in later remarks, marked a notable hardening of tone after earlier comments by the president that suggested he had permitted a period of internal violence targeting criminal elements within Gaza.

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal judge in San Francisco has temporarily barred the Trump administration from firing federal employees during the ongoing government shutdown, delivering a legal setback to the White House’s plan to reduce the federal workforce amid a tense budget standoff in Washington. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston issued the emergency order on Wednesday, October 15, following lawsuits filed by labor unions representing thousands of federal employees. The judge’s

WASHINGTON — Virginia’s attorney general race is drawing national attention as Republican incumbent Jason Miyares and Democratic challenger Jay Jones prepare to face off in their only scheduled debate. The event, set for Thursday night at the University of Richmond, comes amid heightened scrutiny and controversy surrounding Jones’ recently leaked text messages. The debate, open to the public but now sold out, will be streamed live from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on October 16. It marks th

NEW JERSEY — Residents across New Jersey may soon notice changes in their mail delivery services as the United States Postal Service (USPS) rolls out a new generation of delivery vehicles and facility upgrades ahead of the busy holiday season. The transformation comes as part of the Postal Service’s sweeping $40 billion nationwide investment aimed at improving delivery speed, safety, and overall efficiency. The new delivery step vans, equipped with advanced technology and safety

TERRELL, Texas — Ten dogs were rescued from a property in Terrell, Texas, on Thursday, October 9, 2025, after their owner passed away and no one came forward to care for them. The SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations (ACI) Unit acted swiftly to remove the animals, preventing what officials described as a potentially fatal situation caused by neglect and lack of access to food, water, and veterinary care. According to the SPCA of Texas, the ACI Unit was notified on October 8

At least 20 people lost their lives and several others were injured after a private bus travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire on Tuesday afternoon in Rajasthan. The tragic incident occurred on the Jaisalmer–Jodhpur highway when the vehicle, carrying 57 passengers, was engulfed in flames shortly after smoke was seen emerging from its rear section. According to local authorities, the bus had departed Jaisalmer around 3 p.m. and was en route to Jodhpur when the driver noti

India Post will resume all categories of international postal services to the United States beginning Wednesday, following the successful implementation of a new customs-compliant system that aligns with recent US import regulations. The Ministry of Communications confirmed the development, marking a major restoration of cross-border mail services that had been suspended since August 22 due to changes in the United States’ shipping policy. The temporary suspension came after the U

A devastating fire broke out on Tuesday, October 14, in Bangladesh’s capital city, Dhaka, engulfing a garment factory and a nearby chemical warehouse, killing at least nine workers and injuring eight others, according to officials. The inferno began in the chemical storage facility before rapidly spreading to the adjacent garment production unit, authorities from the Fire Service and Civil Defence confirmed. Fire Service Media Wing representative Talha Bin Jasim stated that initia

Thousands of health care professionals across California and Hawaii have walked off the job in what is being called the largest strike in the history of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP). Beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday, more than 31,000 registered nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, rehabilitation therapists, speech-language pathologists, and other advanced care providers are participating in the five-day strike against Kaiser Perm

Residents of The Mercantile, a historic high-rise apartment building in Downtown Dallas, are being forced to vacate permanently after severe flooding and electrical damage rendered the building unsafe for habitation. One week after a water line burst on the 20th floor, tenants learned on Thursday that the property will remain uninhabitable for an extended period, effectively terminating all current leases. The incident began when a water line ruptured in the early morning hours, flo

India has announced the reopening of its diplomatic mission in Afghanistan, marking a significant step in restoring engagement with the Taliban-led government. The decision, revealed during a bilateral meeting between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi on October 10, represents the first high-level diplomatic dialogue between the two nations since the Taliban took power in August 2021. India had shut

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), an initiative under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has announced its Winter Internship Programme for 2025, aimed at students who wish to gain practical experience in cybersecurity, digital forensics, and cybercrime investigation. The programme offers aspiring professionals a platform to learn directly from experts engaged in safeguarding India’s digital infrastructure. Applications must be submitted by October 17, 2025. The in

An 85-year-old physician from California died after allegedly choking on food served during a Qatar Airways flight, triggering a wrongful death lawsuit that could test airline responsibilities in handling special meal requests and mid-air emergencies. According to the complaint filed by his son, Asoka Jayaweera was a committed vegetarian and had specifically requested a vegetarian meal. During the long leg from Los Angeles to Sri Lanka, however, he was told that vegetarian options h

As Karwa Chauth 2025 draws near on Friday, October 10, millions of married women in India and across the Indian diaspora in the U.S. prepare to observe the sacred day-long fast. The fast concludes only when the moon is sighted, so knowing the precise moonrise time is crucial to ensuring the vrat is completed properly. Below are moonrise timings for selected cities in India and the U.S., compiled based on available astronomical sources and lunar calendars.

  More than 250 flights were delayed Thursday across Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway International Airports as the ongoing federal government shutdown continued to affect staffing levels nationwide. According to data from the Chicago Department of Aviation’s flight-tracking portal, FlyChicago, delays began mounting early in the morning and grew steadily through the day, causing widespread frustration among passengers and airlines. As of 11:30 a.m., O’Hare Internat

A developing coastal storm forming over the Southeast Coast is expected to move northward and could bring significant impacts to New Jersey on Sunday and Monday. The exact outcome depends on where the center of the storm forms and how close it travels to the shoreline, but early forecasts show a high potential for strong winds, heavy rain, and coastal flooding. There are currently three main scenarios being considered. In the first and most impactful scenario, the storm would move clo

A tragic incident in Brazil has reignited global discussions about the dangers of cosmetic enhancement trends promoted on social media. Adair Mendes Dutra Junior, a 31-year-old fashion influencer, died last week after developing a severe infection following a “fox eyes” cosmetic surgery — a procedure designed to give the eyes a lifted, elongated look. According to reports, Dutra underwent the popular surgery but soon began experiencing swelling, pain, and breathing difficultie

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The city of Circleville is gearing up to welcome thousands of visitors to one of Ohio’s most beloved autumn traditions. The 118th annual Circleville Pumpkin Show will officially begin on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, continuing through Saturday, October 18, and bringing with it a celebration of pumpkins, parades, contests, and community spirit. Known as “The Greatest Free Show on Earth,” this long-standing event will once again fill do

WASHINGTON — Basketball fans in the nation’s capital are facing yet another challenge in keeping up with their hometown team. After the recent removal of Monumental Sports Network from major streaming platforms like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV, many Washington Wizards fans already felt limited in how they could follow the season. Now, another wave of frustration has arrived — skyrocketing ticket prices ahead of the team’s upcoming game against the Los Angeles Lakers, fueled by none