India remains on the US list of major drug transit or illicit drug-producing countries for fiscal year 2027, but President Donald Trump has also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anti-opium efforts and called for continued cooperation under the US-India Drug Policy Framework. Trump praises Modi’s anti-opium drive US President Donald Trump welcomed India’s efforts to curb illicit opium poppy cultivation while issuing his admini

A new Israel settler poll has exposed a sharp divide over violence in the West Bank as the October 27 election approaches. The JPPI survey on Qusra, growing diplomatic pressure over settlements and Gaza’s humanitarian strain are all shaping a tense campaign. Qusra poll shows split over settler violence The Jewish People Policy Institute surveyed Israelis from September 1 to 3 after violence in Qusra, where dozens of masked Israeli civi

The Mecca drone row has intensified Saudi-Houthi tensions after Riyadh said its air defenses intercepted a drone approaching the holy city. The Houthis denied targeting Mecca and separately claimed they shot down a Saudi F-15 over Yemen’s Marib province. Mecca drone row raises security concerns Saudi Arabia condemned what it described as an attempt by Yemen’s Houthis to target Mecca after t

The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate to 3.75%-4.00% on September 16, 2026, its first increase since July 2023. Inflation remains above the 2% goal, while new Fed projections imply another quarter-point increase could follow before the end of this year. The Federal Reserve raised the target range for the federal funds rate by 0.25 percentage point on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, to 3.75%-4.00%. T

Indian Oven Columbus has closed its longtime East Main Street restaurant and plans to relocate to Delaware, Ohio. The Indian restaurant, which began in Old North Columbus in 1996, has not announced a new address or confirmed reopening date, while its website lists it as temporarily closed.

A San Jose Safeway in the Willow Glen neighborhood reopened after Santa Clara County inspectors found rodent contamination inside the Hamilton Avenue supermarket. A follow-up inspection cleared the store after pest control work addressed the violation. A Safeway supermarket in San Jose's Willow Glen neighborhood has reopened after Santa Clara County health officials temporarily closed the store following the discovery of r

The US Supreme Court has declined to allow a new Postal Service rule affecting mail ballots to take effect ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, leaving existing state vote-by-mail procedures in place for the approaching election. The court said the federal government was unlikely to succeed in its challenge to a lower-court injunction and that the circumstances did not justify emergency relief. Mail ballot procedures remain unchanged The disputed rule wo

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is scheduled to visit Varanasi on September 17 to participate in the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan being held on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday. The programme is part of a month-long campaign marking 25 years since Modi first assumed elected executive office as Gujarat Chief Minister in October 2001.

Sridevi Chennai property dispute has reached the Supreme Court as petitioners challenge a Madras High Court ruling. The Kapoor family land dispute involves 2.7 acres on East Coast Road, limitation claims and court-ordered mediation.   The Sridevi Chennai property dispute has reached the Supreme Court after MC Sivakami challenged a Madras High Court order dismissing her suit over 2.7 acres of land on East Coast Road. The property was sold to Sr

Veteran actor Ambika has shared her views on the public attention surrounding actor Trisha Krishnan and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay after the two were seen at a motorsport event at Silverstone in the United Kingdom on September 12. Vijay and Trisha were present at the venue where actor Ajith Kumar participated in a racing event with his team. Videos and photographs showing the two at Silverstone later circulated widely on social media, leading to considerable discussion among fa

Western disturbance rain in North India is set to intensify on September 16 and 17, with Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh facing rain, thunderstorms and isolated heavy showers under the latest IMD weather forecast.   A western disturbance is expected to keep weather conditions unsettled across parts of North India on September 16 and 17, bringing rain, thunderstorms, lightning and isolated heavy showers to several areas.

UPI charges from October 15 2026 will mainly affect eligible merchant payments above Rs 2,000. Person-to-person UPI transfers remain free, while fuel, rail, insurance and utility payments get special MDR rates.   UPI charges from October 15 2026 will introduce a revised fee structure for certain merchant payments, while most everyday users will continue to make personal UPI transfers without charges. Under the n

When an Indian citizen dies in the US, the appropriate Indian Consulate can help the family with death registration, documentation, coordination with local authorities and repatriation formalities. In qualifying cases, financial assistance may also be considered. When an Indian citizen dies in the United States, the Indian Consulate responsible for the state where the death occurred can b

The cost to repatriate a body from the US to India varies by funeral home, departure city, airline, preparation requirements and destination. Private providers commonly quote several thousand dollars, with funeral services, embalming, casket preparation and air cargo forming major expenses. Families arranging international repatriation after a death in the United States can face expenses running into several thousand dollars. There is n

When an Indian dies in the US, the family may need to coordinate with local authorities, a funeral home and the appropriate Indian Consulate. This guide explains the basic repatriation process, required documents, transportation arrangements and where families can seek assistance. When an Indian dies in the US, bringing the deceased person's mortal remains back to India can involve several agencies. Families may need to work wi

Mohammed Jaber Hussain, a 27-year-old Hyderabad native living in Lowell, Massachusetts, died on September 14, 2026. His family is seeking assistance to repatriate his mortal remains to India, prompting appeals for support from authorities and the Indian community. Hyderabad family seeks urgent assistance International transportation of mortal rem

Trump joined Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang by phone during the All-In Summit and strongly backed America’s expanding AI industry. US President Donald Trump made an unexpected appearance at the All-In Summit in Los Angeles after placing a phone call to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang while the technology executive was speaking onstage. Huang answered the cal

Russia and Ukraine intensified attacks on industrial, transport and energy infrastructure in mid-September, with Moscow saying it struck Ukrainian steel facilities and cargo vessels while Kyiv reported drone attacks on Russian industrial sites. The exchanges underline how both sides are increasingly targeting economic assets beyond the front line. Russia Ukraine industrial strikes hit major steel facilities

Ukrainian drones reportedly targeted the Syzran Oil Refinery in Russia's Samara region overnight on September 15, extending Kyiv's campaign against Russian energy and industrial infrastructure. Monitoring channels reported fires at several points inside the complex, although the full scale of damage was not immediately independently confirmed. Ukraine Syzran refinery strike targets Russian energy

Israel is facing widening diplomatic pressure over Gaza, settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank and its relations with traditional allies. The debate intensified after Jared Kushner said the Trump administration used Israel's isolation following the Doha strike to help advance a Gaza deal.    Doha strike Gaza deal increased diplomatic pressure Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and s