Phillipsburg officials say repair work on several large sinkholes could take days or even weeks as crews continue to assess the extent of the damage and investigate the underlying cause. Local authorities are working closely with engineers and utility providers to determine whether additional ground failures could occur in the affected area. Mayor Randy Piazza Jr. said the town is taking the situation seriously, noting that while the region sits on a substantial limestone deposit wh

Oil prices climbed sharply on Wednesday, rising more than 4% as investors reacted to escalating tensions between the United States and Iran following the latest round of nuclear negotiations. Market sentiment shifted after U.S. Vice President JD Vance indicated that Tehran had failed to address key American demands and warned that military options remain under consideration. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude settled up $2.86, or 4.59%, at $65.19 per barrel, while global benchmark B

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday publicly criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the United Kingdom’s handling of the strategically important island of Diego Garcia, warning that London could be making a significant strategic error. In a post on Truth Social dated February 18, Trump said he had advised Starmer that entering into a 100-year lease arrangement concerning Diego Garcia was a “big mistake.” The island, located in the Indian Ocean and part of the Chagos Arc

Denmark’s King Frederik X arrived in Nuuk on Wednesday for his second visit to Greenland within a year, a trip widely viewed as reinforcing unity between Denmark and the semi-autonomous Arctic territory at a time of renewed international attention. The visit comes amid heightened geopolitical interest in Greenland and ongoing diplomatic efforts involving the United States. The royal visit follows talks launched late last month between Greenland, Denmark and the United States aimed

A 22-year-old Sikh nurse has alleged that he was subjected to a brutal racially motivated assault at a gym in Geelong, near Melbourne, late on February 17, prompting renewed concerns about hate crimes in Australia. The victim, identified as Harmanpreet Singh, said the incident occurred while he was working out at a gym in Corio at around 11 pm, when he was confronted by a group of three men. According to Singh, the men approached him without provocation and began hurling racial slurs before

Poland has formally prohibited Chinese-made cars and other technologically advanced vehicles from entering the country’s military facilities, citing concerns over potential data security risks. The decision, announced by the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, is intended to reduce the possibility of uncontrolled acquisition and use of sensitive information by modern automotive systems. According to the Polish military, the move follows a detailed risk assessmen

A fresh political spat has erupted between Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh and Sakshi, reigniting their long-standing rivalry. Over the years, Sakshi has frequently published critical reports targeting Lokesh, while he has consistently responded with sharp counterattacks. The latest controversy surrounding his private trip to Sri Lanka has once again placed both sides in the spotlight. The issue began after Lokesh traveled to Sri Lanka to watch the high-voltage India vs Pakis

Actor Shia LaBeouf was arrested in New Orleans early Tuesday following an alleged altercation outside a Royal Street business during Mardi Gras festivities, according to local police. Authorities said the incident unfolded after the 39-year-old actor was removed from the establishment for reportedly causing a disturbance. In a statement, the New Orleans Police Department said the situation escalated shortly after LaBeouf was escorted out of the venue. Investigators reported that one

Gold and silver prices saw a sharp correction on February 17, rattling investors after weeks of strong gains. Gold dropped by Rs 2,561 or 1.65% to Rs 1,52,199, while silver fell by Rs 6,241 or 2.6% to Rs 2,33,650 at the time of writing. The sudden decline comes amid reduced global trading activity and rising volatility in the bullion market. A major reason behind the decline is low participation from key global markets. Chinese markets remain closed from February 15 to February 23 f

India is set to further restrict water flow to Pakistan ahead of the summer season with the completion of the Shahpur Kandi barrage on the Ravi River by March 31, 2026. The move comes at a time when tensions between the two neighbours remain high and follows India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty after last year’s Pahalgam terror attack. With the new infrastructure in place, surplus water that previously flowed unused into Pakistan is now expected to be diverted for irrigatio

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended a warm invitation to Bangladesh’s newly sworn-in Prime Minister Tarique Rahman following the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) electoral victory, signaling India’s intent to deepen engagement with Dhaka’s new leadership. In a congratulatory letter sent soon after the swearing-in ceremony in Dhaka, PM Modi expressed confidence that bilateral relations would grow stronger under Rahman’s leadership and emphasized the importance of shared dev

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron elevated bilateral ties to a new level by signing more than 20 agreements across defence, artificial intelligence, trade, skilling, health and critical technologies during high-level talks in Mumbai. The agreements were announced during President Macron’s three-day visit to India from February 17 to 19, where he is also attending the AI Summit 2026 in New Delhi. Addressing a joint press conference, Prime Minister Na

Veteran civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, one of the most influential Black political figures in modern American history, died on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, prompting an outpouring of tributes from political leaders and activists across the globe. He was 84. While the exact cause of death has not been officially confirmed, Jackson had been living for several years with progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological condition that affects movement and speech. Jackson rose to national p

The tragic death of actress Pratyusha, one of the most debated incidents in Telugu cinema history, has finally reached legal closure after 23 years. The Supreme Court delivered its long awaited verdict, ruling out allegations of rape and murder while upholding the conviction of Siddharth Reddy for abetment of suicide. The judgment marks the end of a prolonged legal battle that has remained a topic of public discussion since 2002. Pratyusha, who was just 20 years old at the time, was

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday warned that Russia is expected to continue launching large-scale strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, citing fresh intelligence assessments. The warning comes amid ongoing hostilities in the Ukraine war, now approaching its fourth year, and underscores growing concerns in Kyiv about the resilience of the country’s power grid during continued missile and drone attacks. Speaking about the latest intelligence findings, Zelensky

Authorities said the collision occurred at approximately 2 a.m. in the southbound lanes of the tollway near Royal Lane. Preliminary findings from DPS troopers indicate that a Hyundai Tucson was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes when it collided head-on with a Land Rover Velar. The impact caused significant damage to both vehicles and prompted an immediate emergency response. The driver of the Hyundai Tucson was transported to a local hospital following the crash but was l

Apple announced on Monday that it plans to introduce a new integrated video podcast experience within Apple Podcasts later this spring, marking a significant step as video consumption continues to reshape the global podcast industry. The update is designed to give listeners and viewers greater flexibility while providing creators with expanded tools to distribute and monetize their content more effectively. The company’s move comes amid strong growth in video podcast viewership. According

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to begin a three-day visit to India on Tuesday, with high-level discussions expected to focus on artificial intelligence cooperation and a potential multibillion-dollar agreement involving Dassault Aviation Rafale fighter jets. The visit underscores the growing India-France relations and reflects both countries’ efforts to strengthen their strategic partnership across defence, technology, and economic sectors. Macron, accompanied by his wife Brigitte

President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to those responsible for the alleged kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, stating that federal authorities will pursue the “most severe” penalties if she is harmed. The 84-year-old mother of television host Savannah Guthrie was reported abducted from her residence on February 1, 2026, triggering a nationwide law enforcement response and heightened public concern. In remarks during a recent interview, Trump said the perpetrators would face extrem