In a significant legal blow to actor Vijay, the Madras High Court has upheld a Rs 1.5 crore tax penalty imposed by the Income Tax Department and dismissed his appeal challenging the levy. The penalty is linked to the alleged non-disclosure of additional income derived from the 2015 film Puli. According to the Income Tax Department, during tax searches conducted in 2015, it was revealed that of Vijay’s total remuneration of around Rs 15 crore, nearly Rs 5 crore was paid in cash and

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts is preparing to introduce a Senate resolution that would formally condemn and seek the reversal of a proposed sale of 500,000 advanced artificial intelligence chips annually to the United Arab Emirates, arguing the transaction could threaten U.S. national security and raise serious ethical questions about conflicts of interest. The measure is expected to be brought to the Senate floor on Thursday, where Warren plans to call for lawmakers to block the exp

Six Flags Great Adventure has announced plans to hire more than 3,000 part-time and seasonal employees as it prepares for the launch of its 2026 operating season, offering thousands of job opportunities for students, first-time workers, and those seeking additional summer income. The New Jersey theme park confirmed that its season will officially begin on March 28, with hiring efforts starting well in advance to ensure adequate staffing across attractions, guest services, entertainment, and o

Tensions between Iran and the United States intensified this week after the US military shot down an Iranian drone that it said approached the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in an aggressive manner in the Arabian Sea. The incident came as both sides exchanged sharp warnings and cautious signals about a possible return to nuclear diplomacy, underscoring the fragile balance between confrontation and negotiation in the region. According to US officials, the drone was intercepted

The Bay Area is set to take center stage as Super Bowl LX arrives at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Sunday, Feb. 8, bringing a weeklong lineup of sports, music and community events that stretch across San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland and surrounding cities. Organizers say the region will host dozens of fan festivals, tailgates, concerts and interactive experiences designed to welcome visitors and provide entertainment for residents leading up to the championship game. A major hu

Green card holders will no longer be eligible for government-backed small business loans in the United States beginning March 1, 2026, following a policy change by the US Small Business Administration that tightens citizenship and residency requirements for borrowers. The revised rules limit access to key SBA lending programs exclusively to US citizens and nationals who maintain their principal residence within the country or its territories, effectively barring lawful permanent residents from participation. According to an official policy notice issued in early February, the agency updated its Standard Operating Procedure 50 10 8, the framework that governs lender and development company loan programs. The revision rescinds earlier procedural guidance that permitted limited ownership by foreign nationals or certain residents living outside the United States. Under the new language, every direct and indirect owner of a small business applicant must meet the citizenship criteria. The SBA said the updated rules require 100 percent of ownership interests in any applicant or borrowing entity to be held by eligible US citizens or nationals. As a result, even minority ownership by a legal permanent resident will disqualify a company from receiving SBA-backed financing. The policy applies broadly to applicants, operating companies, and entities tied to the loan structure, leaving little flexibility for mixed-ownership businesses. The change is expected to affect a wide range of small and early-stage firms that rely on SBA loans for working capital, equipment purchases, and expansion. Many startups and family-owned enterprises depend on these lending programs because they offer lower interest rates and government guarantees that make financing more accessible. With the new restrictions in place, businesses that include green card holders among their owners may need to reconsider ownership arrangements or seek alternative sources of credit from private lenders. Agency officials indicated that the revisions align loan eligibility standards with existing federal regulations and a recent executive directive emphasizing stricter residency compliance. The policy will take effect for all new applications submitted on or after the effective date. Existing and prospective borrowers are being advised to review their ownership structures carefully to ensure continued eligibility under the updated requirements. The move marks a significant shift in how federal small business lending programs define qualification, narrowing access to public funds and reshaping the financing landscape for immigrant entrepreneurs. As the implementation date approaches, legal and financial advisers expect increased demand for guidance from affected business owners who must evaluate their options within the new framework.

Peter Mandelson has announced that he will step down from the United Kingdom’s House of Lords following fresh disclosures connecting him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a development that has prompted a government review and renewed scrutiny from law enforcement authorities. The former British ambassador to Washington informed parliamentary officials of his decision to retire from the unelected upper chamber earlier this week. The move was confirmed by the Speaker of th

A moderate earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale struck Myanmar late Tuesday evening, sending noticeable tremors across parts of eastern India and neighbouring Bangladesh. The seismic activity, recorded by international monitoring agencies, caused brief panic among residents but did not result in any immediate reports of damage or injuries. According to data released by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the epicentre of the Myanmar quake was located approximately 70 miles east of Akyab. The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) reported that the earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, a factor that often increases the intensity of shaking felt at the surface. The tremors were strong enough to be experienced in several areas of West Bengal, including Kolkata, as well as multiple regions across Bangladesh. Residents living in high-rise buildings and office complexes in Kolkata said they felt buildings sway for a few seconds shortly after 9 pm. Many people temporarily evacuated their homes and workplaces as a precaution. The shaking subsided quickly, and normalcy returned soon after. Authorities confirmed that no structural damage or casualties had been reported at the time of writing. Seismologists noted that this was the third felt earthquake in Myanmar within the past 71 hours, highlighting a period of heightened seismic activity in the region. Experts continue to monitor the situation for possible aftershocks, though no significant follow-up events have been recorded so far. Bangladesh also experienced another tremor earlier the same day. The National Centre for Seismology stated that a separate earthquake of magnitude 4.1 struck the country at a depth of about 150 kilometres. While deeper earthquakes generally produce less surface impact, residents in some districts still reported mild shaking. Scientists explain that earthquakes occur frequently around the globe, with minor seismic events happening roughly every 30 seconds. Most are too weak to be detected without instruments. However, the energy released increases sharply with each step on the logarithmic Richter scale, meaning a 5.9 magnitude quake releases substantially more energy than lower-intensity events. Officials have advised residents to remain alert and follow basic safety protocols during any future tremors. Disaster management teams continue to assess the situation while reassuring the public that there is currently no cause for alarm.

Voters in Tarrant County delivered a significant political upset on Saturday by electing Democrat Taylor Rehmet to represent Texas Senate District 9 in a special runoff election, flipping a seat that had been controlled by Republicans for decades. Rehmet defeated Republican opponent Leigh Wambsganss with 5

Nvidia shares declined on Monday as uncertainty surrounding the chipmaker’s potential investment in OpenAI weighed on investor sentiment. The stock slipped in early trading after reports suggested that previously announced plans involving a massive financial commitment to the artificial intelligence company may not yet be finalized. The market reaction underscored growing sensitivity around large-scale AI investments and the evolving relationships among major technology players. T

United States President Donald Trump and his two sons have filed a $10 billion civil lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service and the US Treasury Department, alleging systemic failures that allowed the unlawful disclosure of their confidential tax information. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Miami and accuses federal authorities of negligence in preventing internal misconduct that resulted in the release of sensitive financial records. According to the court filing, Tr

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to travel to Turkey on Friday for high-level talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, as the two neighboring countries seek to strengthen cooperation across security, economic and regional issues. The visit comes amid heightened regional tensions and renewed diplomatic efforts to manage sensitive developments affecting the Middle East. According to Turkish Foreign Ministry sources cited in media reports, Fidan is expected

A former sheriff’s deputy in Illinois has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, a Springfield woman who had called 911 seeking help after reporting a possible prowler near her home. The sentence was handed down Thursday, concluding a case that has drawn national attention and renewed debate over police use of force during emergency responses. Sean Grayson, 31, was convicted in October in connection with the July 6, 2024, shooting death of Mas

Apple is scheduled to report its fiscal first-quarter earnings after the market closes on Thursday, with investors closely monitoring whether strong holiday demand for iPhones can offset rising costs and uncertainty around artificial intelligence investments. The company’s fiscal first quarter, which concludes in December, is traditionally its most important period of the year due to seasonal consumer spending. According to consensus estimates compiled by LSEG, analysts expect App

Shares of German software company SAP fell sharply on Thursday after the company reported weaker-than-expected growth in its cloud contract backlog for the fourth quarter, unsettling investors and triggering its steepest one-day decline in more than four years. The stock dropped as much as 16% during the session, marking its largest daily fall since October 2020, when the company suffered a sharp sell-off following disappointing quarterly results. By the close of trading, SAP shares were at t

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday held talks with United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor in New Delhi, days ahead of his scheduled visit to Washington, D.C., for a high-level engagement on critical minerals. The meeting focused on multiple aspects of the India-US relationship, reflecting the breadth and depth of cooperation between the two countries across strategic, economic and defence domains. Following the meeting, Jaishankar said the discussions covered

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in the United States has announced that it will return three historic bronze sculptures to India after concluding that the works were illegally removed from temple sites in Tamil Nadu. The decision follows an extensive provenance review of the museum’s South Asian collection and marks a significant step in addressing the long-standing issue of illicit trafficking of cultural heritage. The most prominent of the sculptures slated for return is a bronze depiction of Shiva Nataraja, dating to around A.D. 990. Created during the Chola period, the sculpture represents the Hindu deity Shiva in his cosmic dance, symbolizing the cycle of creation and destruction. The figure shows Shiva dancing upon a demon that embodies ignorance, encircled by a ring of fire and standing on a lotus base. Art historians regard this form as one of the most visually powerful and symbolically rich representations in Indian art, revered both within India and among global audiences. Alongside the Shiva Nataraja, the museum will repatriate a Somaskanda sculpture from the 12th century, also from the Chola period. This bronze depicts Shiva seated with his consort Parvathy and their son Skanda, reflecting devotional traditions that were central to temple worship in medieval South India. The third work to be returned is a 16th-century bronze titled Saint Sundarar With Paravai, dating to the Vijayanagar period, which portrays the revered Shaivite saint with his companion. The museum stated that the return of these works reflects its commitment to ethical museum practices and responsible stewardship. A comprehensive review was initiated to determine whether any objects in the collection had been unlawfully acquired. During this process, researchers uncovered evidence that raised serious concerns about the origins of the three bronzes. The Shiva Nataraja entered the museum’s collection in 2002 through a New York art gallery. Subsequent investigation revealed inconsistencies in the documentation associated with the acquisition, including the inability to verify the gallery’s listed address. Researchers later established that the sculpture appeared in photographs taken at a Tamil Nadu temple during the 1950s, confirming that it had been removed from its original religious setting. Further inquiry connected the gallery to a network involved in the trafficking of stolen antiquities. Court records have shown that individuals associated with this network engaged in smuggling cultural objects from South Asia and falsifying provenance records to introduce them into the international art market. In recent years, other institutions have also returned comparable works linked to the same sources. The Somaskanda and Saint Sundarar With Paravai sculptures were donated to the museum in 1987 as part of a major private collection. Their provenance came under scrutiny after a tip prompted researchers to consult archival material held by the French Institute of Pondicherry. Photographs from the 1950s in the institute’s archives showed both sculptures installed in temples in Tamil Nadu, providing clear evidence that they had been stolen and exported illegally. Experts note that bronze sculptures from South Indian temples have been frequent targets of theft due to their artistic value and global demand. Replicas have circulated widely in tourist markets, while original works disappeared from sacred sites, often leaving communities without objects of worship that had been central to their cultural and religious identity for centuries. The Smithsonian’s decision is being viewed as part of a broader international movement toward repatriation and accountability in the museum sector. By returning these sculptures, the institution acknowledges the importance of restoring cultural heritage to its place of origin and reinforces growing global standards for transparency and ethical collecting practices.

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has launched an internal review following the upload of sensitive contracting documents to a public version of ChatGPT by its acting director, according to officials familiar with the matter. The incident, which occurred last summer, triggered multiple automated security alerts within the Department of Homeland Security and has renewed scrutiny around the use of artificial intelligence tools inside federal agencies. The documen

Residents of a Farmingdale apartment complex are expressing frustration and concern after a weekend snowstorm left a key parking area unplowed, creating ongoing access and safety issues for tenants. The situation unfolded at the Farmingdale Gardens Apartment complex located on West Main Street, where residents say snow removal efforts appeared incomplete days after the storm passed through the region. According to a resident who lives at the complex, the main drive-through areas within the property were largely cleared, allowing limited vehicle movement through the site. Several sidewalks were also reported to be passable, suggesting that some snow removal work had been completed. However, the parking lot itself remained covered with snow, making it difficult for residents to safely reach their vehicles. The resident said the unplowed parking lot has created challenges for people attempting to commute to work or school, particularly during early morning hours when icy conditions are more likely. Vehicles were seen navigating uneven snow buildup, raising concerns about potential slips, falls, or vehicle damage. Residents also voiced unease about how emergency responders would access the area if a medical or fire-related situation were to arise. Beyond daily inconvenience, the lack of timely snow removal has prompted questions about winter preparedness and property management responsibilities. Residents noted that while storms are common during the winter season, consistent and thorough snow clearing is critical in multi-unit housing complexes where large numbers of people rely on shared parking facilities. The resident said management informed tenants that the parking lot would be addressed sometime on Tuesday, several days after the storm. Until then, residents said they were left to navigate hazardous conditions on their own. Some residents reported altering their schedules or seeking alternative transportation due to concerns about safely exiting the lot. Efforts were made to contact the property’s management for comment regarding the delay in snow removal and the concerns raised by residents. As of the latest update, no response had been provided. As winter weather continues to affect the region, residents say they hope for improved communication and quicker responses to ensure safe living conditions. The situation highlights the broader challenges property managers face during severe weather events and the importance of timely action to maintain access, safety, and trust among residents.

European Council President Antonio Costa on Tuesday said the conclusion of a comprehensive trade agreement between the European Union and India carried special personal significance for him, citing his Indian heritage and long-standing connection to the country. The agreement was announced following high-level talks in New Delhi, where Costa addressed a joint press conference alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Speaki