The death toll from the widespread floods and landslides triggered by days of heavy monsoon rain in Southeast Asia has risen to more than 400, according to updated assessments from regional authorities on Saturday. Rescue teams across Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia continued large-scale operations through the weekend as thousands of people remained stranded, many of them waiting on rooftops or in partially submerged homes for emergency assistance. The severe weather, intensified by a tropic

Amid heightened tensions in Latin America, the United States has issued a strong warning advising pilots, airlines, and operators to treat the airspace over and around Venezuela as closed. The statement was delivered by US President Donald Trump, who posted the alert during a period of intensified American counterdrug operations targeting trafficking networks operating near Venezuelan borders. His message underscored what officials describe as an increasingly unstable security climate, citing

India has been elevated to major power status in the Asia Power Index 2025, marking a significant milestone in New Delhi’s expanding global profile. The latest edition of the Index places India third in its overall ranking, behind only the United States and China, reflecting a steady enhancement of the country’s economic strength, military capability and regional influence. The ranking signals a turning point for India, which has long sought to consolidate its role as a central player in

A winter storm watch has been issued for the entire Chicago region as the area prepares for the possibility of significant snowfall during the weekend following Thanksgiving. Weather officials have included all of northern and central Illinois along with northwest Indiana in the alert, signaling that the system is expected to affect a large portion of the region. The watch will take effect at 3 a.m. on Saturday and remain in place through Sunday morning, covering a period during which travel con

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a sharp warning that the country cannot rule out the possibility of an all-out war with India, stating that Islamabad remains on full alert as tensions rise across the region. Speaking to Samaa TV, Asif said his analysis suggested India could adopt hostile strategies, including border incursions or coordinated attacks, and stressed the need for complete preparedness. His remarks follow Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi’

Tensions between China and Japan escalated sharply this week after Beijing delivered a series of unusually forceful warnings against any potential Japanese involvement in the Taiwan Strait. China’s defence ministry declared that Japan would face what it called a crushing defeat at the hands of the People’s Liberation Army if Tokyo attempted to intervene militarily in a Taiwan conflict. The warning, issued on Friday, followed a similar statement from China’s foreign ministry a day earlie

In a major geopolitical development, Taliban-ruled Afghanistan has decided to restrict Pakistan’s access to cross-border river water by constructing a dam on the Kunar River. The directive came from Supreme Leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, who ordered the Ministry of Water and Energy to begin construction “as fast as possible.” This move comes just weeks after deadly border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan that claimed hundreds of lives and amid heightened tensions followin

World leaders gathered in Sharm el-Sheikh for a high-level summit following a historic ceasefire in Gaza. The agreement, aimed at ending the recent conflict, was marked by the signing of a peace declaration to solidify a lasting ceasefire between the warring parties. This development came hours after a significant hostage and prisoner swap, providing momentum for regional stability. The leaders attending described the day as historic, emphasizing that humanitarian aid would now begin

India has announced the reopening of its diplomatic mission in Afghanistan, marking a significant step in restoring engagement with the Taliban-led government. The decision, revealed during a bilateral meeting between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi on October 10, represents the first high-level diplomatic dialogue between the two nations since the Taliban took power in August 2021. India had shut

Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a strong warning at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) centenary celebrations in New Delhi, stating that India’s greatest threat today is not infiltration by external forces but demographic changes that could destabilize social equality and national unity. Stressing that “unity in diversity” has always been the soul of India, he said that internal divisions caused by caste, language, regionalism,

In East San Jose, the trauma unit at Regional Medical Center is once again alive with activity. Doctors and nurses are back to doing the work they were trained for: cutting crash victims out of their clothes, replacing blood loss from torn arteries, and holding shattered bones together while shouting urgent instructions through the chaos of an emergency room. The noise and intensity may sound alarming to an outsider, but to those who work there, it represents a vital return to function after

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, 2025. This will be his first official trip to China since the Galwan clash in 2020, marking a significant step toward the normalization of bilateral ties between India and China. PM Modi's last visit to China was in 2019, though he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Ka

Indian cuisine is globally known for its rich spices, vibrant colors, and unforgettable flavors. While dishes like butter chicken, biryani, samosas, and paneer tikka have achieved international fame, there exists a treasure trove of lesser-known dishes that deserve the same spotlight. These underrated gems, rooted in regional traditions and passed down through generations, offer a delicious glimpse into the culinary diversity of India.

As of June 19, 2025, the United States is transitioning from spring into summer, with two distinct interpretations of seasonal timing offering different start dates. Meteorologically, summer began on June 1, while astronomically, the summer season officially starts on June 20. This variation often leads to the question: what season is it in the United States right now? The answer depends on whether one is looking through the lens of astronomy or meteorology. Both systems are valid and widely

In a significant move reflecting renewed military and diplomatic engagement, United States President Donald Trump hosted Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir for a private luncheon in Washington, signaling a rare high-level interaction between the leadership of the two countries. Held on Wednesday in the Cabinet Room, the meeting was closed to public and press coverage, but has drawn considerable international attention due to its rarity and timing. Field Marshal Asim Muni

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday lashed out at actor and filmmaker Kamal Haasan for his controversial comment claiming that “Kannada originated from Tamil.” During a hearing on his plea seeking protection for the release of his upcoming film Thug Life, the court expressed displeasure over his refusal to issue an apology, stating that the remark had "hurt the sentiments" of people across the state.

The release of Kamal Haasan's much-anticipated film Thug Life is now under threat in Karnataka due to a growing controversy over a remark the actor made regarding the Kannada language. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), along with Kannada organisations such as the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, is demanding a public apology from the veteran actor following his statement that “Kannada is born out of Tamil,” made during the audio launch event of the film in Chen

A new chapter in affordable housing begins this week as Dublin officials break ground on the Regional Street Apartments, a 113-unit housing community designed specifically for seniors. Developed by Eden Housing, the project will provide much-needed affordable housing to older adults in the Tri-Valley area. Located at 7750 St. Patrick Way, the 1.3-acre development site is close to the West Dublin/Pleasanton BART station and accessible via I-580 and I-680. The complex will include 55

Amid the backdrop of heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated India’s commitment to a measured and responsible response. Following a call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Jaishankar emphasized that India's policy remains focused on peace and strategic restraint under the framework of Operation Sindoor, India's ongoing diplomatic and defense posture in the region. "Had a