Verizon acknowledged a widespread disruption to its wireless network on Tuesday after customers across the United States reported problems with voice and data services. The company confirmed that its engineering teams are actively working to identify the cause of the outage and restore full service as quickly as possible. In a statement shared on social media, Verizon said it was aware of issues affecting some customers’ ability to place calls and access mobile data. The company e

At least 22 people were killed and more than 30 others injured after a construction crane collapsed onto a passenger train in northeast Thailand on Wednesday morning, derailing multiple coaches and triggering a fire, local authorities said. The incident occurred during peak travel hours, turning a routine commute into one of the deadliest rail disasters the country has seen in recent years. Police officials confirmed that the accident took place at around 9:00 am local time in Nakho

Microblogging platform X, formerly known as Twitter, experienced a widespread global outage on Tuesday, January 13, disrupting access for users across several regions. The platform, which hosts a wide range of content spanning news, entertainment, sports, and general discussion, saw users report significant difficulty in accessing both its mobile application and website. Complaints began surfacing as users encountered loading issues, delayed responses, and intermittent service interruptions.

A new national study has identified the best and worst US states to raise a family in 2026, providing insight into how states compare on factors that matter most to households with children. The analysis, released by WalletHub, evaluated all 50 states using a broad set of indicators, including affordability, safety, job opportunities, education quality, health care access and recreational options. New Jersey ranked 14th overall in the study, placing it solidly in the upper half nationwide but trailing several nearby states. New York earned a sixth-place ranking, while Connecticut followed closely at seventh. Pennsylvania also ranked ahead of New Jersey at 12th, underscoring the strong performance of the Northeast region when it comes to family-related measures. Although its overall position was outside the top 10, New Jersey stood out in several individual categories. The Garden State ranked among the top five US states for median family income, reflecting strong earning potential for households. It also performed well on key family stability and health indicators, including infant mortality rates and divorce rates, both of which were among the nation’s best. At the top of the rankings, Massachusetts claimed first place, driven by consistently high scores in education, economic opportunity and health care. Minnesota and North Dakota followed closely, both benefiting from strong job markets, lower crime rates and accessible public services. In contrast, New Mexico ranked last among US states, facing challenges related to income levels, educational outcomes and health care access. The study offers a data-driven snapshot of how states stack up heading into 2026, serving as a reference point for families considering relocation, policymakers assessing quality-of-life issues and communities working to improve conditions for children and parents alike.

At least six people were killed in a series of shootings that occurred across eastern Mississippi, prompting an extensive law enforcement response and the arrest of a suspect, authorities confirmed on Saturday. Officials said the individual believed to be responsible has been taken into custody, and there is no ongoing threat to the public. The incidents unfolded in and around the town of West Point, located in Clay County near the Alabama border. Local and state law enforcement age

Several northbound lanes of Interstate 55 were closed for hours Thursday morning in the southwest suburbs after a high-speed crash sent a vehicle crashing onto the interstate, killing one person and injuring another. The incident triggered widespread traffic disruptions during the peak rush hour commute and prompted authorities to urge motorists to avoid the area while an investigation was underway. The crash occurred at approximately 4:23 a.m. along Frontage Road near Taylor Road i

Two Indian nationals working as truck drivers in the United States were arrested in Indiana following the discovery of a large quantity of cocaine during a routine highway inspection conducted earlier this month. Authorities said the seizure took place on January 3, when state police stopped a semi-truck traveling along Interstate 70 in Putnam County and uncovered approximately 309 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $7 million. According to law enforcement officials

Chinese intelligence services have penetrated email systems used by staff members working for key committees in the United States House of Representatives, according to officials familiar with the matter, marking one of the most significant congressional cyber intrusions disclosed in recent years. The operation, known internally as Salt Typhoon, is described as part of a long-running cyber-espionage campaign attributed to China’s Ministry of State Security. Sources with knowledge of the investigation said the breach affected email accounts used by congressional staff supporting the House China Committee, as well as aides associated with the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Intelligence Committee, and the Armed Services Committee. The unauthorized access was discovered in December, prompting federal authorities to begin a broader review of congressional digital security practices and potential exposure of sensitive communications. Officials emphasized that the compromised accounts belonged to staffers rather than elected lawmakers, and it remains unclear whether the personal email accounts of members of Congress were accessed during the intrusion. Nonetheless, the targeting of committees responsible for national security, foreign policy, and intelligence oversight has raised concerns about the scale and intent of the operation. Investigators are continuing to assess what data may have been viewed or extracted and whether the intrusion enabled further access to internal government systems. Salt Typhoon is believed to be part of a sustained cyber campaign that has targeted US communications infrastructure for several years. According to individuals familiar with the operation, the tools and methods linked to the campaign have allowed Chinese intelligence to exploit vulnerabilities in telecommunications networks, providing access to unencrypted phone calls, text messages, and voicemail traffic across the United States. In certain circumstances, the same infrastructure has reportedly been used to gain entry into email systems. Security officials have also indicated that communications involving senior US government figures may have been intercepted as part of this broader effort, underscoring the persistent nature of the threat. While the full scope of the intercepted material has not been publicly detailed, authorities view the campaign as a strategic intelligence-gathering effort rather than a short-term or isolated attack. The incident highlights ongoing challenges facing US institutions as foreign intelligence agencies increasingly rely on cyber tools to collect information. Lawmakers and security experts have repeatedly warned that congressional offices, which often operate with limited technical resources compared with executive branch agencies, can present attractive targets for sophisticated adversaries seeking insight into policy deliberations and legislative priorities. Federal agencies responsible for cybersecurity and counterintelligence are coordinating with congressional officials to strengthen defenses, review access controls, and improve monitoring of digital systems. The breach is expected to intensify calls for additional investment in cybersecurity protections for legislative offices and for closer cooperation between Congress and national security agencies in responding to advanced cyber threats. As investigations continue, officials have stressed that the episode serves as a reminder of the evolving nature of cyber espionage and the need for constant vigilance in protecting sensitive government communications.

Gunfire was reported late Monday night in the vicinity of Venezuela’s presidential palace, unsettling residents in central Caracas just days after former leader Nicolas Maduro was captured in a dramatic United States military operation. Witness accounts indicated that the shots were fired around 8:00 pm local time near the Miraflores Palace, a location that has long served as the symbolic center of political authority in the country. According to sources cited by AFP, the incident

Authorities in Maryland say a man accused of killing his former girlfriend inside a Columbia apartment may have left the United States shortly after the alleged crime, prompting an expanding investigation involving federal law enforcement. Police believe the suspect departed the country just days after the fatal incident, raising concerns that he may now be overseas as investigators work to secure his arrest. Howard County Police identified the suspect as 26-year-old Arjun Sharma. According to investigators, Sharma is charged with first- and second-degree murder in connection with the death of 27-year-old Nikhita Godishala of Ellicott City. Detectives say Godishala was found dead inside an apartment located in the 10100 block of Twin Rivers Road in Columbia after officers executed a search warrant at the residence. Police said Sharma had reported Godishala missing on Friday, telling officers that he had last seen her inside the Columbia apartment. Authorities later determined that Sharma had left the United States on a flight to India on the same day the missing person report was filed. Investigators now believe the killing occurred several days earlier, on New Year’s Eve, at approximately 7 p.m. Following the discovery of Godishala’s body on Saturday, police obtained an arrest warrant for Sharma. Officials said the warrant was active by Sunday, as detectives continued to piece together the timeline leading up to the woman’s death. Medical and investigative findings led authorities to conclude that Godishala died from stab wounds inflicted inside the apartment. Howard County Police stated that there is currently no publicly identified motive for the killing. Detectives described the case as an active and ongoing investigation, noting that they are coordinating with U.S. federal law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend the suspect. Efforts are underway to determine Sharma’s exact location and whether international assistance may be required to bring him into custody. Police have not released additional details about the relationship between the suspect and the victim beyond confirming that they were previously involved. Officials said further information would be shared as it becomes available and emphasized that the investigation remains a priority as authorities pursue the suspect across international boundaries. Anyone with information relevant to the case has been urged to contact law enforcement as the search continues.

San Jose firefighters responded to a three-alarm fire early Monday morning at a Buddhist temple on Foss Avenue that had already sustained significant damage during a major blaze last year, according to fire officials. Crews were dispatched at approximately 5:37 a.m. to the 90 block of Foss Avenue after reports of a structure fire at Chua Duyen Giac, a large, two-story mixed-use Buddhist temple located in the Alum Rock area. Firefighters arriving on scene encountered heavy fire condi

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has firmly rejected accusations and threats made by US President Donald Trump, following remarks in which Trump alleged that Petro was linked to drug trafficking and suggested he could be targeted in a United States operation. The exchange has further strained diplomatic relations between the two countries and prompted a strong public response from Colombia’s head of state. In a series of posts published on social media platform X on Sunday, Petro

The United States announced criminal charges against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, hours after what officials described as large-scale military strikes carried out early Saturday. According to US authorities, the couple has been indicted in the Southern District of New York on multiple counts related to drug trafficking and terrorism, marking a significant escalation in Washington’s long-running confrontation with the Caracas leadership. In a sta

U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday announced that the United States had carried out what he described as “large scale” strikes against Venezuela, triggering international attention and raising urgent questions about the status of the South American nation’s leadership. In a statement released on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been captured during the operation and removed from the country.

Victoria Jones, the daughter of Academy Award-winning actor Tommy Lee Jones, was found dead in a San Francisco hotel in the early hours of New Year’s Day. She was 34. Emergency responders were called to the Fairmont hotel shortly before 3 a.m. after reports of an unresponsive woman. Paramedics arrived at the scene and confirmed that Jones had died, according to officials familiar with the response. A spokesperson for the San Francisco Fire Department said emergency crews were disp

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Several people are feared dead and multiple others were injured after a powerful explosion struck a popular bar in the luxury Alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana in southwestern Switzerland early Thursday, according to local police. Authorities said the blast occurred during New Year celebrations, when the venue was crowded with revellers welcoming the start of the year. Police in Wallis canton confirmed that the explosion took place at approximately 1:30 a.m. local time at Le Conste

As the calendar turns to a new year, New Year’s Day remains a federal holiday across the United States, bringing widespread closures for government offices, schools, banks and financial markets. At the same time, many major retailers and grocery chains plan to welcome customers on January 1, 2026, often with adjusted hours and post-holiday discounts aimed at clearing older inventory. Shoppers and consumers are encouraged to confirm local schedules in advance, as operating hours can vary by

With just days left before the December 31, 2025 deadline, taxpayers across India are being urged to check whether their PAN is linked with Aadhaar. The warning comes from the Income Tax Department, which has made it clear that failure to complete the linking process on time could lead to serious financial and tax-related disruptions. PAN Aadhaar linking is the process of connecting an ind

Fresh details have emerged in the death of 24-year-old Tripura student Angel Chakma, who succumbed to severe injuries sustained during a violent racial attack in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun. A medical report issued by Graphic Era Hospital has revealed the extent of the trauma he endured, including complete pa