A tense 35-minute hostage crisis unfolded in Mumbai’s Powai area when Rohit Arya, a 38-year-old man, trapped 19 people—17 of them children—inside an audition room at RA Studio. The standoff began when Arya, armed with an air gun, chemicals, and a lighter, threatened to set the room ablaze if police intervened. Swift action by the Mumbai Police Quick Reaction Team (QRT) led to a heroic rescue that prevented a major tragedy. The team of eight commandos entered the audition room

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that federal food assistance under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will not be distributed beginning November 1, as the federal government shutdown extends with no resolution in sight. The announcement intensifies concerns across the country as millions of Americans who rely on SNAP face the prospect of losing their primary means of purchasing food. According to the USDA’s notice, the agency will not tap into th

Washington — In a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump characterized the idea of supplying Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine as premature, stating that diplomatic avenues toward peace with Russia should be exhausted first. The meeting follows a lengthy phone call Trump held with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and precedes a planned Trump–Putin summit in Budapest. Zelenskyy arrived in Washington on Fri

Austin, Texas — The Austin Independent School District (AISD) is confronting a budget deficit exceeding $19.7 million and the looming possibility of state intervention if it fails to stabilize its finances and improve underperforming campuses. While no final decisions have been made, district officials have begun a series of public meetings to address community concerns, explain their financial situation, and present a preliminary plan aimed at long-term sustainability. The distri

The San Jose metropolitan area has topped a national ranking — but for reasons that signal growing trouble for California’s housing market. According to a recent HomeAbroad report analyzing U.S. Census Bureau data, the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara region recorded the steepest drop in residential construction permits among the country’s 100 largest metro areas, with a staggering 68% decline over five years. In July 2020, the region issued 1,949 building permits. By July 2025,

  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

Austin Independent School District has unveiled a sweeping consolidation and boundary change proposal that could reshape public education in the city for years to come. Facing persistent enrollment decline, a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall, and accountability requirements, district leaders have laid out a plan that includes closing 13 schools, redrawing boundaries across nearly every campus, and repurposing several facilities to new academic programs. The plan, released Friday, immediately

A critical moment has arrived in the ongoing conflict as a final deadline has been issued for Hamas to agree to a peace deal and release all hostages. The ultimatum signals the most forceful warning yet that refusal to comply could bring severe consequences. The current terms are being presented as a last opportunity to secure both the release of captives and the prospect of a ceasefire that could allow humanitarian relief into affected areas. The language of the ultimatum was stark and uncompro

President Donald Trump reportedly informed Congress through a confidential Pentagon memo that the United States is now engaged in what is described as a “non-international armed conflict” against Latin American drug cartels. Among the groups named are Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, and Venezuelan organizations like Tren de Aragua and the Cartel de los Soles. The memo designates these cartels as terrorists and their members as unlawful combatants,

Eight civilians were killed on Wednesday after Pakistan’s security forces opened fire during the third consecutive day of violent protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The unrest, led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), has seen widespread demonstrations across Muzaffarabad, Bagh, and Mirpur, where locals accuse Islamabad of denying them fundamental rights for decades. According to local sources,

Washington is on the edge of crisis as the US government faces its first shutdown in six years. With funding set to expire at midnight, Senate lawmakers rejected a last-ditch attempt to keep government operations running. The rejection followed a heated standoff between Democrats, Republicans, and President Donald Trump, whose return to the Oval Office has intensified political battles in Congress. Despite frantic ne

The District of Columbia is facing a budget crisis after the collapse of a continuing resolution in Congress, which many hoped would restore $1.1 billion in local tax revenue. With the fiscal year deadline approaching, city leaders are working under mounting pressure to close funding gaps and prepare for the possibility that the blocked money may never be released. The issue began in March when Congress approved a resolution to keep the federal government funded. Buried in the mea

Despite Western sanctions on Russian oil, Europe continues to rely heavily on Russian gas more than three years into the Ukraine war. While leaders like Donald Trump criticize Europe for oil purchases, they rarely mention gas — a vital lifeline for heating homes, powering industries, and ensuring energy security. In 2024, Europe imported over 50 billion cubic metres of Russian gas, making up nearly 19% of its total

US Congresswoman Haley Stevens announced on Thursday, September 25, that she will introduce articles of impeachment against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. The move marks an escalation of her opposition to Kennedy’s policies, which she described as creating “healthcare chaos” across the country. In her post, Stevens stated that the time for patience has ended, declaring “enough is enough” and pledging to pursue formal impeachment proceedi

In a significant security development, the United States Secret Service announced on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, that it had successfully dismantled a massive network of more than 100,000 SIM cards that posed a serious threat to New York’s telecommunications infrastructure. The timing of this discovery is critical as world leaders are in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly, where debates on Palestinian statehood and the Gaza crisis dominate the agenda. Accor

The United States has taken a strong stand against the illegal fentanyl trade by revoking and denying visas to several Indian corporate executives and their families over alleged links to trafficking of fentanyl precursors. The move was confirmed by the US Embassy in New Delhi, which described the measure as part of Washington’s intensified efforts to combat the flow of synthetic opioids into America. Although the statement did not name the individuals or companies involved, it signaled

US President Donald Trump on Monday (September 15) announced that his administration had reached a preliminary agreement with a “certain company,” which he described as the one “young people” in the US “very much wanted to save.” While he did not directly name TikTok, it was evident from the context of his comments. The US Treasury later confirmed that Washington and Beijing had agreed on a framework deal regarding TikTok. Trump also revealed that he would

Santa Clara County has opened a new facility aimed at addressing the growing challenges of substance use disorders at a time when federal health care cuts threaten to strain local resources. The Compassionate Addiction Services and Support (COMPASS) Clinic officially launched on September 2 and is already being recognized as a major step forward in providing immediate, accessible care to those struggling with addiction. The clinic is funded through a combination of federal grants and opioid s

Nepal is facing a historic political moment as Gen Z protesters, who have been leading violent demonstrations that left at least 31 dead and over 1,400 injured, push for wholesale change in leadership. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was forced to resign, and the question now is who will head the interim government. Initially, reports from Kathmandu suggested that former Chief Justice and anti-corruption crusader Sushila Karki had been chosen to lead the transit

Parenting is challenging on its own, but when a health emergency strikes—whether it involves a parent, child, or another family member—the stress can feel overwhelming. Balancing the responsibilities of caring for children while managing medical needs requires strength, planning, and emotional resilience. With the right approach, parents can provide stability for their children while navigating uncertain times. The first step is to stay calm and organized. Children quick