The Defence Procurement Board has cleared a proposal to acquire 114 additional Rafale fighter aircraft, marking a major step forward in India’s effort to strengthen its air combat capabilities. The clearance, granted after an initial examination of the case, advances one of the Indian Air Force’s most significant modernisation plans aimed at addressing long-standing operational gaps and preparing for future security challenges. The proposal is intended to narrow the difference b

A Franklin County grand jury has returned an indictment in the high-profile double homicide case involving the deaths of a north Columbus couple, formally charging a Chicago-area physician with multiple felony offenses connected to the December killings. Court records show that Michael McKee, 39, has been indicted on four counts of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated burglary in connection with the deaths of his ex-wife, Monique Tepe, and her husband, Spencer Tepe. The vic

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia is set to mark a historic milestone on Saturday as Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger is sworn in as the Commonwealth’s first woman to hold the state’s highest office. The inauguration ceremony will take place in Richmond, drawing state leaders, invited guests, and residents to an event that underscores a significant shift in Virginia’s nearly 250-year political history. Spanberger will officially assume office during a midday ceremony outside the Vir

Oakland has activated 18 new speed cameras across the city as part of a broader effort to address speeding and improve traffic safety on local streets. The cameras are now operational, though drivers will not immediately receive citations. City officials have implemented a 60-day grace period during which warnings will be issued instead of fines, allowing motorists time to adjust to the new enforcement system. Mayor Barbara Lee is scheduled to outline additional details of the initi

Bo Bichette has reached an agreement with the New York Mets on a three-year contract valued at $126 million, according to people familiar with the negotiations. The agreement was finalized Friday and is pending the completion of a successful physical examination. The terms reflect one of the most significant free-agent signings of the offseason and bring a proven offensive presence to the Mets’ infield as the club continues to reshape its roster. The contract includes opt-out clau

US President Donald Trump on Friday renewed his push for greater American control over Greenland, warning that countries opposing the idea could face economic consequences. Speaking at a White House event, Trump said he was prepared to use tariffs as leverage against nations that do not support what he described as a national security necessity for the United States. His remarks underscored a continued escalation in rhetoric surrounding the strategically important Arctic territory, which is a

The Bharatiya Janata Party is set to announce the name of its new national president on January 20, marking a significant moment in the organisational leadership of the ruling party. The formal election process will begin a day earlier, on January 19, when nominations for the post are scheduled to be filed, according to an official statement from the party. Party sources have indicated that the position is likely to be taken over by BJP national working president Nitin Nabin, whose

China and Canada have announced a significant reduction in tariffs and signalled a broader reset in their bilateral relationship following high-level talks in Beijing, marking a notable shift after years of strained diplomatic and trade ties. The agreement was confirmed after a meeting on Friday between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the first Canadian leader to visit China in nearly a decade. Under the deal, China is expected to reduce tariffs on Canad

India has confirmed that it is actively engaging with the United States to ensure the continuity of its operations at Iran’s Chabahar Port under an existing sanctions waiver that remains valid until April 26, 2026. The discussions come amid the strategic significance New Delhi attaches to the port as a key gateway for regional connectivity, trade, and humanitarian assistance. Speaking on the matter,

Bank of India’s Mumbai North Zone recently organised an NRI Meet titled “Pravasi Sampark” as part of its ongoing efforts to deepen engagement with Non-Resident Indian customers and better understand their evolving banking, investment, and remittance requirements. The initiative reflects the bank’s focus on strengthening long-term relationships with the global Indian diaspora by offering customer-centric and technology-driven financial solutions. The event was attended by sen

The opening weeks of 2026 have delivered a series of dramatic geopolitical developments tied to the United States, ranging from the capture of Venezuela’s president to sharp rhetoric surrounding Iran’s handling of domestic unrest and renewed discussion of using force to secure Greenland. Yet, in contrast to the gravity of these headlines, global equity markets have continued to post steady gains, raising questions about why investors appear largely unfazed by rising international tensions

China’s record-breaking trade surplus is increasingly reshaping global financial markets as export earnings that once accumulated primarily in state reserves are now being redirected into private investments overseas. The shift marks a notable departure from Beijing’s traditionally centralized management of foreign exchange inflows and introduces new dynamics into global capital movements at a time of heightened sensitivity over trade imbalances and financial stability. Last yea

Verizon acknowledged a widespread disruption to its wireless network on Tuesday after customers across the United States reported problems with voice and data services. The company confirmed that its engineering teams are actively working to identify the cause of the outage and restore full service as quickly as possible. In a statement shared on social media, Verizon said it was aware of issues affecting some customers’ ability to place calls and access mobile data. The company e

Amid ongoing geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, and armed conflicts across multiple regions, China quietly achieved two major economic milestones in 2025, underscoring its continued influence over global manufacturing and trade. Official data released this month shows that the country recorded the largest annual trade surplus in its history while further consolidating its position as the world’s leading automobile producer and seller. These achievements came despite persistent pressures

At least 22 people were killed and more than 30 others injured after a construction crane collapsed onto a passenger train in northeast Thailand on Wednesday morning, derailing multiple coaches and triggering a fire, local authorities said. The incident occurred during peak travel hours, turning a routine commute into one of the deadliest rail disasters the country has seen in recent years. Police officials confirmed that the accident took place at around 9:00 am local time in Nakho

Global K-pop sensation BTS has officially announced its highly anticipated return to live performances with a massive world tour scheduled across 2026 and 2027. This will be the group’s first major tour in several years, drawing excitement from fans worldwide and marking the largest tour of their career. The tour will include more than 70 stops across multiple continents, with Chicago confirmed as one of the major North American dates, highlighting the group’s enduring global appeal.

Hundreds of homeowners in the Berkeley Hills are being directed to remove vegetation surrounding their homes as part of a newly enforced wildfire prevention measure that took effect at the beginning of the year. The regulation, which became active on January 1, requires properties to maintain a clear buffer zone to reduce the risk of fire spreading in residential areas prone to wildfires. Under the new fire safety rules, all combustible vegetation and growth must be cleared within f

Microblogging platform X, formerly known as Twitter, experienced a widespread global outage on Tuesday, January 13, disrupting access for users across several regions. The platform, which hosts a wide range of content spanning news, entertainment, sports, and general discussion, saw users report significant difficulty in accessing both its mobile application and website. Complaints began surfacing as users encountered loading issues, delayed responses, and intermittent service interruptions.