San Francisco state and city leaders announced a proposed legislative change Monday aimed at expanding the use of court-ordered assisted outpatient treatment as part of an effort to confront the city’s ongoing mental health crisis. The announcement was made during a morning press conference outside San Francisco City Hall, where officials described the proposal as a significant shift in how treatment for severe mental illness is handled in California. Mayor Daniel Lurie joined mem

The Virginia Department of Health has confirmed the state’s second case of measles reported so far this year, prompting an investigation into potential exposure sites and renewed public health guidance for residents. Health officials said the case involves a preschool-aged child who recently traveled internationally with family members, a factor that continues to play a significant role in measles transmission within the United States. According to the department, the child visite

The Internal Revenue Service has announced that the 2026 tax filing season will officially begin on Monday, Jan. 26, giving taxpayers the green light to submit their 2025 individual income tax returns. The agency expects to process approximately 164 million returns during the upcoming season, with the vast majority filed electronically. Officials say new tax law provisions could lower tax liabilities for some filers and potentially increase refund amounts, while operational changes may alter

As egret season approaches, city officials in Fort Worth are urging residents to prepare ahead of the annual migration to reduce the impact these birds can have on neighborhoods. Each year, large numbers of egrets arrive to nest, often settling in residential areas where their presence can create challenges for homeowners. To address concerns before the birds arrive, local animal care authorities have launched an outreach effort focused on education, prevention, and community cooperation.

The protest movement against the Iranian regime is growing stronger and more vocal with each passing day. What began as domestic unrest has now expanded beyond the country’s borders, evolving into a global expression of dissent. Demonstrations are increasingly visible in Europe, the United States, and neighboring regions, highlighting the determination of Iranians and their supporters to draw international attention to long-standing political and social grievances. The expanding reach of these

Iran’s exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi has intensified his appeal to former United States president Donald Trump, urging immediate action against Iran’s leadership as nationwide protests continue to grip the country and reports of fatalities mount. In a series of statements issued on Monday, Pahlavi portrayed the Iranian government as severely weakened and argued that decisive international support could help protesters bring an end to the current political system. Pahlavi soug

Thousands of nurses across several major hospital systems in New York City went on strike Monday after labor negotiations failed to produce a new contract before the deadline. The walkout, which began early January 12, involves nurses from Mount Sinai Hospital and two affiliated campuses, as well as staff at New York-Presbyterian and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. Union officials say the action represents one of the largest nursing strikes in the city’s history, both in scale and i

Veteran character actor T.K. Carter, whose career spanned nearly five decades across film, television, and voice acting, has died at the age of 69. Carter was best known to audiences for his role as Nauls in John Carpenter’s 1982 cult-classic horror film The Thing, a performance that secured his place in genre cinema history and continues to resonate with fans decades later. Authorities discovered Carter’s body on Friday at his home in Duarte, California, after a welfare check w

Melissa Gilbert publicly reflected on the lasting impact of child exploitation in the entertainment industry weeks before her husband, actor and director Timothy Busfield, became the subject of an arrest warrant linked to allegations of sexual misconduct involving minors in New Mexico. According to an arrest warrant issued by the Albuquerque Police Department on January 9, authorities allege that Busfield, 68, engaged in unlawful sexual contact with two 11-year-old twin boys. The identities of the minors have not been released. One of the children reportedly told investigators that the alleged conduct began when he was seven years old. The warrant outlines two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. The warrant was issued following a lengthy investigation that began in November 2024, after a physician at the University of New Mexico Hospital contacted law enforcement regarding possible sexual abuse. Investigators were informed that the boys were child actors who had met Busfield while working on the television series The Cleaning Lady, where he served as a director during its production run from 2022 through 2025. The children’s parents told police that medical professionals raised concerns that the boys may have been groomed. At the time, officials determined the case did not meet the criteria for further action. The matter resurfaced in October 2025, when the children’s mother filed a formal police report and contacted Child Protective Services, stating that both boys disclosed abuse allegedly occurring between November 2022 and spring 2024. She was later informed that without evidence of physical injury, additional steps could not be taken at that stage. During interviews with investigators, Busfield reportedly denied the allegations and suggested the parents were motivated by frustration after their children were replaced by another actor. Shortly thereafter, he was notified by a studio that an internal inquiry had been initiated following a complaint. The warrant also notes that Busfield had been accused of sexual assault in a separate matter in 1994, though no charges were filed at that time. Weeks before the warrant became public, Gilbert, 61, shared a personal message on social media reflecting on her own experiences as a minor working in television. In the post, she described revisiting images from her teenage years and confronting the reality that she had been expected to portray romantic scenes with significantly older co-stars. Writing through a modern lens, Gilbert emphasized that she was a child at the time and expressed gratitude that trusted adults were present to protect her, while acknowledging that many young performers are not afforded similar safeguards. Her comments were part of a broader response to public discourse surrounding the minimization of child sexual exploitation. Gilbert cautioned against language that downplays abuse and urged greater care when discussing crimes involving minors. Gilbert and Busfield have been married since 2013 and have spoken publicly about their long relationship, which began after reconnecting in 2012. In April of last year, Gilbert marked their wedding anniversary with a social media tribute highlighting their family life and creative partnership. Representatives for both Gilbert and Busfield have not issued public statements regarding the arrest warrant. The investigation remains ongoing, and no arrest had been made as of the warrant’s issuance. Authorities have emphasized that the allegations are claims and that Busfield is entitled to due process as the legal proceedings move forward. Law enforcement officials continue to encourage anyone with information related to child abuse to report concerns to appropriate authorities, noting that early reporting can be critical in protecting vulnerable individuals.

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

A small passenger aircraft operating an IndiaOne Air service crashed in Odisha on Saturday, prompting an immediate emergency response from local authorities and aviation officials. The aircraft, a nine-seater, was en route from Rourkela to Bhubaneswar when it went down in a rural area approximately 10 to 15 kilometres from Rourkela. The incident has raised concerns over flight safety and led to the launch of a formal investigation to determine the cause of the crash. According to pr

India on Friday said it was concerned about the fatal shooting in Minneapolis, citing the presence of a large Indian community in the United States and the broader implications of the incident. The reaction came amid growing scrutiny of immigration enforcement practices in the US following the death of a woman during a federal operation. Responding to questions on the incident, the Ministry of External Affairs said India was closely following developments related to the Minneapolis

The Supreme Court did not issue a decision Friday on the legality of broad tariffs imposed during President Donald Trump’s administration, extending uncertainty for financial markets and trade policy observers who have been closely watching the case for its potential economic and fiscal implications. Expectations had grown that the ruling might be released before the end of the week, but the court issued only a single opinion on Friday, unrelated to tariffs or trade authority. The

Federal immigration authorities arrested more than 280 immigrants across Ohio during a multi-day enforcement operation conducted in mid-December, according to officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The arrests took place between Dec. 16 and Dec. 21 as part of what officials described as a targeted effort known as Operation Buckeye, which focused on Columbus and other parts of the state. The announcement of the arrests came amid growing public attention and protests

A large new T.J. Maxx store is set to open in one of Chicago’s most active retail districts, further strengthening Lincoln Park’s position as a major shopping destination. The off-price retailer will occupy a prominent 26,000-square-foot space at 939 W. North Avenue, located at the southeast corner of North Avenue and Sheffield Avenue, according to a recent announcement from the development team behind the project. The store will serve as a key anchor tenant within a renovated c

A once-unadorned parking garage wall in downtown Dallas has been transformed into a striking five-story mural, marking a significant addition to the city’s growing public art landscape. The new artwork now spans the west-facing exterior of The Adolphus Hotel’s parking structure, introducing a vivid and imaginative presence along Commerce Street. The mural, titled “The Time Keeper,” was officially unveiled this week as part of the Downtown Dallas Mural Initiative, an effort a

In a significant indication of easing tensions between Washington and Caracas, US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he has cancelled a planned second wave of military attacks on Venezuela, citing the release of political prisoners and increased cooperation on rebuilding the country’s oil and gas sector. The decision follows recent developments that the US president described as constructive gestures by Venezuelan authorities aimed at de-escalation. Trump said the mov

India on Friday issued a firm response to a message written by Zohran Mamdani, stating that elected representatives in democracies should respect the independence of judicial institutions in other countries and refrain from commenting on ongoing legal matters. The reaction followed the circulation of a handwritten note addressed to jailed activist Umar Khalid, who is accused in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots case. At a regular press briefing, the Ministry of External Affairs underscored that public office carries responsibilities that require restraint, particularly on sensitive judicial issues. Responding to questions on the matter, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said India expects public representatives to be respectful of the independence of the judiciary in other democracies. He added that expressing personal views or prejudices on such matters does not befit those holding public office and that attention should instead remain on the duties entrusted to them by their constituents. The remarks came after a photograph of the note written by Mamdani was shared publicly by a close associate of Khalid. The message, written on the day Mamdani was ceremonially sworn in as mayor of New York City, conveyed personal sentiments and support for Khalid. According to those familiar with the interaction, the note was handed to Khalid’s parents during their visit to the United States in December 2025. The development has drawn attention in India amid ongoing legal proceedings related to the violence that erupted in parts of the national capital in February 2020. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court of India declined to grant bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, observing that the two stood on a qualitatively different footing compared with other accused, given the nature of the allegations and the evidence cited by the prosecution. In the same order, the apex court granted bail to several other accused, including Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmad, noting that their alleged roles appeared limited in scope. The court, however, made it clear that similar relief could not be extended to Khalid and Imam at this stage. Officials indicated that India’s response was rooted in principle rather than politics, emphasizing the need for mutual respect among democratic institutions across borders. The government maintained that judicial processes in India are governed by law and evidence, and external commentary by foreign public figures on active cases is neither appropriate nor constructive. The episode has also highlighted the sensitivities surrounding international commentary on domestic legal matters, particularly in high-profile cases. Indian officials reiterated that while democratic societies value free expression, elected representatives are expected to exercise caution and uphold the norms of diplomatic and institutional respect when addressing issues beyond their jurisdiction.

​Warships from China, Russia and Iran arrived in South African waters on Friday to participate in a week-long multinational naval exercise off the coast of Cape Town, drawing attention amid heightened global tensions and renewed scrutiny of South Africa’s foreign policy positioning. The exercise, titled “Will for Peace 2026,” is being conducted under the framework of the BRICS group of emerging economies and is scheduled to continue until next Friday. South Africa’s armed forces sa

The proposed India–US trade deal failed to materialise because Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not personally call US President Donald Trump, according to claims made by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Speaking on a podcast, Lutnick said the final step required to close the agreement was direct communication between the two leaders, which did not happen, leading to the collapse of the negotiations. Lutnick stated that the framework of the deal had been completed and was rea