The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has introduced full contactless payments on Metrobus, marking a significant expansion of the Tap. Ride. Go. system that first debuted on Metrorail earlier this year. Beginning Tuesday, riders across the region can use a contactless credit or debit card, as well as mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, to pay fares directly at the bus card reader. The update is designed to reduce friction for daily commuters and casual riders, particul

Cristiano Ronaldo made an unexpected appearance at a White House state dinner hosted by United States President Donald Trump in honour of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The high-profile gathering, held in the East Room, brought together political leaders, top executives and international guests, adding a notable sporting figure to an already prominent list. The presence of the Portuguese football icon drew considerable attention, marking one of his rare visits to the Unite

The Kerala High Court has issued a strong warning to the state government and the Travancore Devaswom Board, stating that a disaster at Sabarimala is inevitable if the current level of crowd mismanagement continues. The court criticised authorities for failing to anticipate and control the massive influx of devotees during the pilgrimage season. Within just 48 hours of its opening on November 17, the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple saw nearly two lakh devotees arrive, overwhelming police and Devasw

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’

The long-pending CBI and ED cases involving Jagan have remained nearly inactive for many years, with hearings moving at a slow pace and the accused avoiding personal attendance. Over the past several years, Jagan has not appeared before the CBI court despite multiple hearings being scheduled, leading to increasing discussions over prolonged delays. Now, for the first time in years, Jagan has been directed to appear in person, bringing renewed attention to the long-standing cases. Reports indi

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made headlines as she attended the birth centenary celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh. The event was marked by the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, and several union ministers including Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and G Kishan Reddy. Before taking the microphone, Aishwarya touched the feet of PM Modi, who was seated on the stage, a gesture that sparked widespread conversations both at the venue and on

Bangladesh’s interim government led by Muhammad Yunus is moving forward with plans to seek Interpol’s assistance to extradite former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and ex-home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal from India. The move comes shortly after the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka sentenced both leaders to death in absentia for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the July–August 2024 unrest. Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim confirmed that preparations are underway to request a fre

A major breakthrough in Andhra Pradesh’s anti-Naxal operations unfolded on Tuesday as police arrested 31 Maoists hiding in Vijayawada, Kakinada and other parts of Krishna district. The arrests created a stir across the region, especially as several of those detained were senior Maoist leaders from Chhattisgarh who had quietly entered the state to escape intensified combing operations.  In a major strike, 27 Maoists were arrested from a four-storey building in New Autonagar, K

President Donald Trump has introduced a new fast-track visa system called the “FIFA Pass” for international fans attending the 2026 World Cup in the United States. Announced at the Oval Office alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the scheme offers ticket holders a prioritized visa appointment to ensure smoother travel ahead of the massive tournament. The US expects between five and ten million visitors, making streamlined entry a major focus for the administration. Despite

US President Donald Trump’s sudden decision to support the release of the Epstein Files marks a dramatic reversal from his earlier refusal, when he dismissed the move as a Democratic distraction. The shift reportedly began after Republicans suffered defeats in several gubernatorial and mayoral races, prompting advisers to push Trump toward a more transparent stance. In a Truth Social post, Trump insisted he had nothing to hide and encouraged House Republicans to vote in favour of the releas

The investigation into the Red Fort blast has taken a darker turn as the NIA uncovered evidence showing the accused had initially planned large-scale rocket bomb strikes across Delhi before turning to a car bomb. According to sources, the group was actively attempting to develop a Hamas-style drone system capable of launching rocket-based explosives into crowded and high-security zones. Investigators revealed that the module was modifying commercially available drones to carry and launch leth

As the NDA prepares to form the next government in Bihar after securing a sweeping mandate, intense negotiations have begun between the BJP and JD(U) over control of the crucial Assembly Speaker’s post. Senior leaders from both parties are meeting in New Delhi to finalise the structure of the new administration, including the allocation of major cabinet portfolios. According to sources, both parties are making a strong case for the Speaker’s position, with the BJP reportedly determined to

Bangladesh witnessed massive unrest on Monday as clashes broke out across Dhaka and several other regions following the International Crimes Tribunal’s death penalty verdict against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The ruling, linked to charges of incitement, killings and failure to prevent atrocities during the student-led uprising of 2024, triggered violent confrontations between Awami League supporters, rival groups, and security forces. Two people lost their lives as highways were b

More than six months after the four-day conflict between India and Pakistan, satellite imagery suggests that Pakistan is still struggling to repair critical military installations damaged during India’s Operation Sindoor. OSINT specialist Damien Symon, known for uncovering India’s strike on Pakistan’s Kirana Hills nuclear depot, has released new imagery showing reconstruction activity at key sites, raising doubts about Islamabad’s earlier claims of victory. Symon posted that

Iran has officially ended its one-way visa-free entry for Indian citizens, a policy shift that will take effect from November 22. The new rule requires Indians to hold a valid visa not only for visiting Iran but also for transiting through its airports. The Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi issued a fresh advisory urging Indian travellers to exercise caution, citing a surge in incidents where Indians were deceived with fraudulent job offers and onward travel promises and then kidnappe

US President Donald Trump announced that the United States will move forward with selling F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, marking a significant shift in defence cooperation just as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prepares for his first Washington visit in more than seven years. Trump described Saudi Arabia as a strong ally and confirmed that the kingdom’s request for the world-class stealth aircraft will be fulfilled. The crown prince is expected to arrive with clear priorities, includi

Emirates has placed an order for 65 additional Boeing 777-9 aircraft valued at $38 billion, marking one of the largest commercial agreements announced during the opening day of the Dubai Airshow 2025. The deal increases the airline’s total Boeing orderbook to 315 wide-body aircraft, strengthening its position as the manufacturer’s largest customer for long-range passenger jets. Emirates described the decision as a major commitment to United States aerospace production, saying that future manufacturing work tied to the order will support hundreds of thousands of high-value jobs over the lifespan of the program. The new agreement also expands the airline’s partnership with GE Aerospace, which supplies the GE9X engines that power the Boeing 777-9. With this order, Emirates now has commitments for 540 GE9X engines in addition to its existing fleet powered by GE90 and GP7200 engines. According to GE Aerospace, the continued growth of this partnership demonstrates the airline’s confidence in the long-term reliability and efficiency of the company’s engine portfolio. GE executives stated they are prepared to support Emirates with maintenance and performance solutions as deliveries are completed. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said the new jet order reflects a long-standing strategic relationship with Boeing and GE. He added that the agreement reinforces the airline’s plan to modernize its fleet as passenger demand continues to rise across international markets. Emirates has relied heavily on the Boeing 777 platform for long-haul operations and views the next-generation 777-9 as a key component of its future capacity. However, the announcement comes as Boeing continues to face production and certification delays for the 777X program. The aircraft was originally scheduled to enter service several years earlier, but revised delivery targets now extend into 2027. These setbacks have forced Emirates to invest billions of dollars retrofitting existing aircraft to sustain operations until the new deliveries begin. The carrier has publicly expressed frustration with the delays, urging Boeing to accelerate progress and meet contractual commitments. Industry analysts note that the agreement may add renewed pressure on Boeing’s leadership, including chief executive Kelly Ortberg, who has been tasked with restoring production stability. The company remains under heightened scrutiny as it works through supply chain constraints and regulatory requirements that have affected multiple aircraft programs. For Emirates, the latest order underscores confidence in the long-term viability of the 777-9 but also highlights the operational challenges posed by delays. Despite those uncertainties, the deal reinforces the airline’s view that large, efficient twin-engine jets remain essential for global carriers operating high-density long-haul routes. As international travel continues to recover, Emirates expects the new aircraft to support expanded schedules and improved fuel performance across its network. The company plans to integrate the incoming jets alongside ongoing cabin upgrades and service expansions intended to maintain its competitive position in the long-haul market. The agreement represents one of the most significant commercial announcements of the year for the aviation industry and signals the continued demand for next-generation wide-body aircraft, even as manufacturers face production constraints. Emirates says it will continue working closely with Boeing and GE to ensure that the aircraft and engine programs remain on track as delivery timelines develop over the next several years.    

A large-scale cargo theft network operating out of a Dallas repair shop has been dismantled after an extensive police investigation led to the arrest of five suspects and the recovery of nearly one million dollars in stolen products. Authorities reported that the operation had been functioning for several years and was tied to multiple theft cases affecting businesses across the Dallas-Fort Worth region. The discovery has revealed the depth of coordination behind the thefts and highlighted the i

Emergency teams in Round Rock are actively responding to a gas leak that has led officials to issue a public warning asking residents and commuters to avoid the affected area. The leak is located in the 4100 block of Chert Drive, between Sam Bass Road and FM 1431, an area that includes residential homes and roadways frequently used by local traffic. Authorities have not disclosed the cause of the leak, but crews are focused on securing the site and preventing any potential hazards while ensuring

Melick's Town Farm in Oldwick, located in the heart of Hunterdon County, has long been recognized as a place where fall flavors are deeply rooted in everyday life rather than limited to a short seasonal window. With its beginnings tracing back to 1728, the farm stands as one of New Jersey’s oldest continuously operated family farms. Across nearly three centuries, it has grown from a modest plot of land into the state’s largest apple-growing operation, known for producing more than twenty var