A 25-year-old student from Telangana lost his life in Germany after attempting to escape from a fire that broke out in his apartment building on December 31, turning what should have been the start of a new year into a moment of deep grief for his family and community. The student, Hruthik Reddy, hailed from Malkapur village in Jangaon district and had been residing in Brandenburg, near Berlin, while pursuing higher studies. According to information provided by his family, a fire er

Zohran Kwame Mamdani formally began his term as mayor of New York City on Thursday, outlining an ambitious and progressive vision for governing the nation’s largest city during his first public address after being sworn in. Speaking to a crowd of thousands gathered outside City Hall, the 34-year-old Democrat positioned his administration as a response to what he described as long-standing failures of the political establishment, particularly in addressing the needs of working-class and vulnerable residents. In a 24-minute speech delivered shortly after taking office, Mamdani pledged to lead what he called an expansive and audacious government, signaling a break from incremental approaches to policymaking. He emphasized that his administration would not lower expectations of what municipal government can achieve, particularly in the face of rising costs of living that have placed increasing strain on households across the city. Mamdani said his focus would remain on affordability, housing stability, and public services that reflect the realities faced by everyday New Yorkers. Addressing skepticism about progressive leadership, Mamdani framed his election as a broader test of whether left-leaning policies can deliver tangible results. He told the crowd that many residents are watching closely to see whether government can effectively address issues that have shaped their daily lives, including economic insecurity and access to opportunity. He added that New York City has a responsibility to demonstrate how inclusive governance can function at scale and set an example beyond its borders. Mamdani also highlighted protections for immigrant communities as a central priority of his administration. He warned that federal immigration policies under President Donald Trump pose significant risks for undocumented residents and pledged that the city would continue to serve as a place of refuge and support. His remarks drew sustained applause from attendees, reflecting the strong backing he has received from advocacy groups and progressive organizations throughout his campaign. The inauguration event featured remarks from prominent national figures aligned with Mamdani’s political outlook, including Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Both praised the new mayor’s victory as a sign of growing demand for economic and social reforms. Sanders thanked New Yorkers for advancing a vision of government that serves the broader public rather than concentrated wealth, prompting chants from the crowd calling for higher taxes on the wealthy. Mamdani’s transition into office began just after midnight, when he took the oath of office at a closed subway station beneath City Hall, a symbolic location tied to the city’s infrastructure and history. He placed his hand on the Quran during the ceremony, marking a historic first for the city and underscoring the diversity of New York’s leadership. The oath was administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The public inauguration later in the day drew approximately 4,000 ticketed attendees, reflecting the high level of interest surrounding Mamdani’s ascent to City Hall. As he begins his tenure, expectations remain high among supporters who see his leadership as an opportunity to reshape urban governance around equity, affordability, and social protection, while critics await evidence that his bold promises can translate into effective administration.

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

Congress adjourned for the year without renewing enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies, a decision expected to significantly affect health coverage across Ohio beginning in 2026. State health policy analysts warn that as many as 140,000 Ohio residents could lose insurance coverage as premiums rise sharply following the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits at the end of 2025. The Affordable Care Act has provided premium tax credits since 2014 to help eligible individuals a

Mass transit agencies across the tri-state area have announced special service schedules for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, with adjustments aimed at accommodating holiday celebrations while maintaining essential transportation access. Riders are advised to plan ahead and review schedules carefully, as service levels will vary by mode and day. In New York City, subway service will largely operate on a regular schedule on New Year’s Eve, with additional overnight service on

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

Chinese President Xi Jinping used his annual New Year’s Eve address to reaffirm Beijing’s long-standing position on Taiwan, declaring that reunification with the self-governing island was inevitable. Speaking in Beijing on Wednesday, Xi said that bringing Taiwan under China’s control was “a trend of the times” that could not be stopped, reiterating a pledge that has become a central pillar of his leadership. The speech came just one day after the conclusion of large-scale

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board on Wednesday temporarily suspended registration for the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage following an unprecedented surge of devotees during the New Year period. Officials said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure after crowd density reached critical levels at the Katra

Eurostar suspended all of its train services on Tuesday after a power supply failure in the Channel Tunnel forced operations to a halt during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The disruption came as thousands of passengers were travelling between Christmas and New Year, with services to and from London particularly affected. The sudden suspension triggered widespread delays and uncertainty for travellers relying on high-speed rail connections between the United Kingdom and mainla

Success stories in technology are often presented as clean narratives of vision, speed and inevitable triumph. An idea is born, a product is launched, and adoption follows. For students and young entrepreneurs trying to understand how innovation truly unfolds, these stories can feel motivating yet incomplete. The more useful insights frequently emerge not from success, but from missteps that expose the limits of confidence, timing and execution. That perspective was at the center of

India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar is scheduled to attend the state funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka on December 31, marking a significant diplomatic gesture at a time of strained relations between the two neighbouring countries. The decision comes amid heightened political uncertainty in Bangladesh and a broader reassessment of regional alignments in South Asia following last year’s dramatic change of government in Dhaka. Kha

Federal regulators have announced a sweeping recall affecting hundreds of commonly purchased consumer products sold in small grocery stores and markets across parts of the Midwest, citing serious sanitation concerns that may pose a risk to public health. The action follows an inspection of a Minneapolis-based distribution facility that supplies food, medication, and household goods to retailers in Minnesota, Indiana, and neighboring states. According to the Food and Drug Administrat

Two young women from Telangana’s Mahabubabad district lost their lives in a tragic road accident in the United States after the car they were travelling in plunged into a gorge along a mountainous stretch of road in California. The incident occurred at a sharp curve on Alabama Hills Road, a scenic but challenging route known for its winding terrain. The deaths have sent shockwaves through their hometowns in Telangana, where families and residents are struggling to come to terms with the sud

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

A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence was meant to focus on diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Instead, public attention quickly shifted to an unexpected detail captured in photographs taken ahead of the talk

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

Pakistan has, for the first time, publicly acknowledged that Indian drone strikes caused damage at the strategically sensitive Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi during Operation Sindoor, marking a significant shift from its earlier attempts to downplay or deny the impact of the attacks. The admission came during a year-end press briefing on December 27, when Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister

India’s housing finance sector is witnessing a strategic shift as lenders begin treating defence personnel as a separate borrower category rather than grouping them under standard salaried profiles. With urban housing demand cooling and competition intensifying in metro markets, lenders are increasingly turning to defence families as stable, long-term borrowers who require customised solutions rather than generic home loan products. This change in approach has been highlighted by

For nearly a century, humanity has imagined a future where cars drive themselves. From early cinematic visions to ambitious lab experiments, the idea of autonomous vehicles has fascinated engineers, filmmakers, and everyday commuters alike. In 2025, that long-standing dream has finally reached public roads at scale. Driverless robotaxis are no longer experimental concepts hidden behind research labs. They are active, revenue-generating services operating in major global cities, marking a majo