Drivers crossing major Port Authority bridges and tunnels are facing higher travel costs as new toll rates officially take effect with the start of the year. The increase, set at 3 percent, applies to eastbound traffic and affects all motorists regardless of whether they use E-ZPass or pay by plate, adding another financial consideration for daily commuters and occasional travelers alike. For drivers who rely on these crossings for work, the change is being felt immediately. Many co

A historic milestone was achieved for North Andhra as the first aircraft successfully landed at the Bhogapuram Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Vizianagaram district. An Air India flight from Delhi touched down as part of a crucial trial run, signaling that the long-awaited airport is nearing operational readiness. The moment carried strong emotional significance for the region, which has been awaiting a major aviation hub for decades. Onboard the flight were Union Civil Aviation

Tensions in Bangladesh have escalated sharply following the killing of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, triggering widespread protests and renewed anti-India sentiment across the country. A radical student outfit linked to Hadi, Inqilab Moncho, has issued a strong ultimatum to the interim Yunus administration, demanding sweeping action within strict deadlines, including the suspension of work permits issued to Indian nationals. The group announced its demands during a protest gathe

India on Monday strongly rejected Pakistan’s allegations of mistreatment of religious minorities, asserting that Islamabad lacks the moral authority to comment on such matters given its own record. Responding to remarks from Pakistan’s Foreign Office, New Delhi said attempts to highlight alleged incidents in India cannot mask Pakistan’s well-documented history of systemic discrimination and persecution of minorities. The response came after Pakistani Foreign Affairs spokespers

Former Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi has issued a public apology after facing widespread criticism over a viral video showing him celebrating with fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya in London. The video, which quickly spread across social media platforms, showed the two men referring to themselv

China has strongly criticised a recent Pentagon report, calling it irresponsible, misleading, and an attempt to create divisions between Beijing and New Delhi while exaggerating the so-called China threat narrative. Responding sharply, Chinese officials accused the United States of distorting China’s defence policy and interfering in its internal affairs to justify Washington’s continued military dominance. Speaking at a media briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokes

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced a major financial support initiative for pastors across the state, declaring that Rs 50 crore will be credited directly into their bank accounts on December 24. The announcement was made during the Semi Christmas celebrations organised by the Andhra Pradesh State Government in Vijayawada, marking a significant pre-Christmas gesture tow

The United States briefly slipped behind the rest of the world in timekeeping after a powerful storm struck Colorado last week, disrupting operations at the country’s official timekeeping facility. Following the incident, American time was recorded as lagging by 4.8 microseconds compared to the global standard, a tiny difference that nevertheless raised serious concerns about the resilience of critical infrastructure systems. The disruption occurred at the National Institute of St

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has publicly criticised the recently concluded India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, describing it as a low-quality deal that undermines New Zealand’s economic and labour interests. His remarks come just days after India and New Zealand announced the successful conclusion of FTA negotiations, which both governments claim could significantly boost bil

India’s workplaces are undergoing a silent cultural shift as Gen Z employees withdraw emotionally from their jobs without formally resigning. Unlike trends in the West, where burnout and dissatisfaction have led to open resignations, young workers in India are staying employed but disengaged, creating a new pattern described by experts as silent resignation or resenteeism. A recent survey by Youngstown State University found that 46 percent of Gen Z workers in the United States pl

President Droupadi Murmu has given assent to the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, marking a landmark moment for the country’s atomic energy sector. The legislation opens India’s civil nuclear domain to private companies for the first time, signaling a major shift in national energy policy. The SHANTI Bill was approved during the Winter Session of Parliament and formally notified by the government, clearing the way for private i

The Mahayuti alliance recorded a sweeping victory in the Maharashtra local body elections, winning 207 municipal president posts across the state and establishing strong control over urban local governance. Results from the State Election Commission showed the Bharatiya Janata Party leading the tally with 117 seats, making it the single-largest party in the polls. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena followed with 53 posts, while the Nationalist Congress Party secured 37, giving the ruling allianc

Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, denounced the lynching of Hindu garment worker Dipu Chandra Das, who was beaten to death in Mymensingh after being accused of making derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad. The government said there is no place for violence in a New Bangladesh and assured that those responsible for the killing will face strict legal action. The attack took place on Thursday night in Dubalia Para, where residents allegedly confronted Dipu before fata

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

Tension in Bangladesh has sharply escalated after India closed its visa centres in Rajshahi and Khulna, prompting violent protests and warnings of further unrest. Demonstrators clashed with security personnel near the Assistant High Commission of India in Rajshahi after attempting to march toward the compound. Protesters accused India of injustice and went so far as to threaten bloodshed, saying they would use swords or other weapons if necessary. The situation has alarmed authorities on both

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 debate surrounding censorship on OTT platforms in India has intensified in recent years, with discussions rising over the language, visuals, and narrative formats used in digital entertainment. As the popularity of online streaming surged, so did public and political scrutiny, raising questions about whether OTT content would come under the same certification framework as theatrical releases. For a period, there were reports hinting at the possibility of the Central Board of Film Certific

Crews from Veolia Water and the New Jersey Department of Transportation are continuing repair operations following a water main break that disrupted traffic along Route 17 North in Mahwah. The incident occurred near milepost 4.7, where damage to the underground water line forced the closure of two travel lanes and led to significant traffic slowdowns in the area. According to officials on scene, the left lane of Route 17 North remains heavily impacted as multiple service and support

Crews in Passaic County spent Tuesday addressing a significant water main break that forced the closure of the US 46 westbound ramp from County Route 640 and Riverview Drive in Totowa. Local officials confirmed that the rupture sent large amounts of water across the nearby Home Depot parking lot, where temperatures hovered around 18 degrees. The combination of high water flow and freezing winter weather created a sheet of ice that quickly transformed the area into a safety hazard for drivers