Multiple people were killed after a small private jet crashed shortly after takeoff near Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, according to local law enforcement officials. The incident occurred late Thursday morning and prompted an immediate response from emergency crews and federal aviation authorities. Iredell County Chief Deputy Bill Hamby said the crash took place shortly after 10:15 a.m. local time. While authorities confirmed fatalities, officials said the exact num

Taiwan experienced a moderate 5.1 magnitude earthquake on Thursday, briefly shaking buildings across the capital city of Taipei. According to reports citing the island’s weather administration, the quake struck off the eastern coast, with its epicentre about 18 km from Hualien city at a depth of nearly 31.6 km. While the tremor was noticeable enough to cause concern among residents, officials confirmed that there were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage. Taipe

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been awarded the Order of Oman, the Sultanate’s highest civilian honour, by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik in recognition of his contribution to strengthening India-Oman relations. The award was presented during PM Modi’s ongoing visit to Muscat, the final stop of his three-nation tour that included Jordan and Ethiopia. This recognition adds to his record of over 28 prestigious civilian honours from nations around the world, including recent distinctions such as

Pakistan’s request to reduce the 18 percent GST on condoms and other contraceptives has been rejected by the International Monetary Fund, leaving the government unable to make birth-control products cheaper in a period of rising population and financial pressure. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had asked the Federal Board of Revenue to approach the IMF for immediate approval to remove the tax, but the lender made it clear that such changes cannot be made mid-year and may only be considered du

A migratory seagull carrying a Chinese-made GPS tracking device was found along Karnataka’s Karwar coast, raising questions due to the location’s proximity to the strategic INS Kadamba naval base. Locals first spotted the bird near Timmakka Garden in Uttara Kannada district and alerted the marine division of the forest department. The discovery drew attention because INS Kadamba hosts key Indian Navy assets and is undergoing expansion that will make it one of the largest naval bases in th

Karnataka deputy chief minister and senior Congress MLA DK Shivakumar has stirred a new political flashpoint by challenging the BJP-led central government to remove Mahatma Gandhi’s image from Indian currency notes. His remarks came during a protest against the Centre’s decision to alter the rural employment scheme named after Gandhi, a move Congress leaders argue undermines the legacy of the Father of the Nation. Shivakumar accused the BJP of playing with constitutional values

The Telangana Panchayat elections revealed two major political trends shaping the state’s future. Congress, under the leadership of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, has solidified its position as the dominant force across the state. With over 52 percent of the seats, the party’s rural and semi-urban appeal has clearly expanded. These results reflect continued voter trust since the 2023 Assembly victory, confirming Congress as the strongest political presence in Telangana. On the ot

President Donald Trump has introduced a strikingly unconventional transformation to the White House’s historical displays, turning a traditional walkway honoring former presidents into a sharply worded political statement. Along the West Colonnade near the Rose Garden, newly installed plaques beneath presidential portraits present blunt assessments of Trump’s predecessors while offering an expansive portrayal of his own record in office. The changes have drawn immediate attention from vis

Norovirus infections are increasing earlier than expected this season across the United States, with particularly elevated activity being detected in parts of the Bay Area, according to recent wastewater monitoring data. Public health experts say the early rise is being driven in part by a new variant of the virus, leaving many people without prior exposure or immunity. Data collected from wastewater surveillance systems show especially high levels of norovirus in the South Bay, Red

A children’s costume sold through Amazon has been recalled after federal safety officials determined it contains prohibited toxic chemicals, prompting an urgent warning to parents and caregivers. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall on Dec. 11, advising consumers to immediately remove the costume from children’s access and destroy it to prevent potential harm. The recall involves SKCAIHT-branded costumes designed to resemble mermaid or princess outfit

The Union government has asked Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to return a large collection of letters and papers belonging to India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, asserting that the documents are part of the nation’s documentary heritage and cannot be treated as private family property. The clarification was issued by the Ministry of Culture amid a political row over claims that Nehru-related papers were missing from the Prime Ministers Museum and Library in New Delhi. A

India has closed the Indian Visa Application Centre in Dhaka following growing security concerns and escalating diplomatic tensions with Bangladesh. The decision was taken after intelligence inputs warned of threats from extremist elements and provocative statements made by certain Bangladeshi political leaders. The closure reflects India’s increasing concern over the safety of its diplomatic missions and personnel in the neighbouring country. The Indian Visa Application Centre lo

Scientists have achieved a historic medical breakthrough by successfully curing a form of blood cancer that was long considered incurable. Researchers from University College London and Great Ormond Street Hospital have used a revolutionary technology known as DNA base editing to treat T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a rare and aggressive cancer that primarily affects children and young adults. This marks the first time base-edited cells have been used in humans to achieve long-term can

The Akkineni family once again earned widespread appreciation for its continued commitment to education and social responsibility. Veteran actor Akkineni Nagarjuna made a generous donation of ₹2 crore to ANR College in Gudivada, Andhra Pradesh, marking a significant contribution during the institution’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The donation will be used primarily to provide scholarships to deserving students, helping them pursue higher education without financial burden.

Thousands of cases of popular salad dressings distributed across the United States have been recalled after federal regulators identified the presence of foreign material in certain products, according to a recent enforcement report issued by the Food and Drug Administration. The recall involves products manufactured by California-based Ventura Foods and includes several well-known brands and private-label dressings sold through retail and food service channels. The recall was first

The United States has paused a multi-billion-pound investment programme in British technology, dealing a significant setback to relations between Washington and London amid ongoing trade disagreements. The decision places the £31bn tech prosperity deal on hold, halting a package that had been presented by the UK government as a cornerstone of its economic and diplomatic strategy with the US. The agreement, unveiled during Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK, was described by Pri

The Telangana electoral landscape is witnessing a significant development through the ongoing Panchayat elections, which are progressing smoothly across the state. The verdict being delivered by the rural electorate is proving to be a strong indicator of the prevailing political scenario in Telangana. Statistical trends emerging from the results clearly suggest a commanding lead for the ruling Congress party over its rivals, BRS and BJP. Congress has secured 4,538 seats

US President Donald Trump issued a controversial response on Monday following reports of the deaths of veteran filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner, as authorities in California continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. The comments, posted on Trump’s social media platform Truth Social, quickly drew attention for their political tone and for linking the tragedy to long-standing ideological disputes. In his statement, Trump referred

Illinois has joined a growing number of states allowing medical aid in dying after Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation authorizing physician-assisted death for certain terminally ill patients. The governor’s office announced Friday that the measure, formally known as the Medical Aid in Dying Act, will take effect on Sept. 12, 2026, giving state health officials time to establish oversight procedures and implementation protocols. The law permits eligible adults diagnosed with termi