As the New Year’s Eve ball descends in Times Square, New York City will mark more than the arrival of 2026. The iconic moment will also serve as the opening signal for a nationwide commemoration of the United States’ upcoming 250th anniversary, blending tradition with a forward-looking tribute to the country’s founding ideals. Organizers say this year’s celebration will feature a distinctly patriotic theme, with the ball illuminated in red, white and blue and an additional confetti re

New Jersey officials have declared a statewide state of emergency in advance of a major winter storm expected to impact travel, power infrastructure, and public safety across the region. Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State Tahesha L. Way announced the declaration as forecasts indicate the storm could bring significant snowfall, freezing rain, and hazardous road conditions beginning late Friday afternoon. Meteorologists project that northern portions of the state could receive up to 10

Israel has become the first member of the United Nations to officially recognise Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, marking a significant diplomatic development for the self-declared republic in the Horn of Africa. The announcement ends decades of international non-recognition for Somaliland, which has operated as a separate political entity since breaking away from Somalia in 1991 following a prolonged civil conflict. The recognition was formalised on Friday when Isr

Five people were taken to area hospitals late Christmas night after a three-vehicle crash on Indian Head Highway in Accokeek, Maryland, according to officials from the Prince George’s County Fire and EMS Department. Firefighters said the injured individuals suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries following the collision, which occurred along the 14250 block of the highway. Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Christmas D

At least 14 people were injured in a violent incident at a factory in central Japan on Friday afternoon, after a suspected attacker carried out a stabbing and liquid spray attack at the Yokohama Rubber Mishima Plant in Mishima City, located in Shizuoka Prefecture. Authorities have confirmed that the suspected attacker has been taken into custody, and an investigation is currently underway to determi

A night of celebration often feels harmless until the next morning brings headaches, nausea, acidity, fatigue and mental fog. Heavy drinking and overeating place stress on multiple systems in the body at once. While many people turn to coffee, greasy food or another drink for relief, doctors warn that these shortcuts usually worsen dehydration and gut irritation. Safe recovery is about supporting the body as it resets, not forcing quick fixes.

A light-hearted White House Christmas tradition took an unexpectedly awkward turn after US President Donald Trump was gently cut short by First Lady Melania Trump during a live holiday call, creating a moment that quickly went viral across social media platforms. The exchange occurred during the annual Chr

Newly released diplomatic transcripts have revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had expressed serious concerns to the United States as early as 2001 over Pakistan’s nuclear weapons programme, questioning why the West appeared largely unconcerned about a country without democratic governance possessing nuclear arms. The remarks were made during a private meeting with then US President

The killing of a 20-year-old Indian student near a major Canadian university has sparked widespread shock, fear, and concern among international students, particularly those from India studying in Canada. Shivank Avasthi, an Indian doctoral student, was shot dead in a fatal incident close to the University of Toronto Scarborough campus, an area that students routinely use for commuting and recreation. According to the

The United States has carried out a series of airstrikes in Nigeria targeting Islamic State terrorists, following what US President Donald Trump described as escalating attacks against Christians in the region. The strikes, which Trump said were conducted on his direct orders, were aimed at extremist groups operating in northwest Nigeria and were described as both numerous and deadly.

Thailand has defended its military’s decision to remove a Hindu statue located along its border with Cambodia, stating that the action was necessary to establish control over a disputed frontier area. The move, which took place on December 25, has sparked criticism and renewed debate over border management and cultural sensitivity in the region. According to Thai authorities, the statue was situated in an area that remains contested between Thailand and Cambodia. Officials said th

China has strongly criticised a recent Pentagon report, calling it irresponsible, misleading, and an attempt to create divisions between Beijing and New Delhi while exaggerating the so-called China threat narrative. Responding sharply, Chinese officials accused the United States of distorting China’s defence policy and interfering in its internal affairs to justify Washington’s continued military dominance. Speaking at a media briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokes

As Christmas Day approaches, shoppers across central Ohio are adjusting their plans as many retailers prepare to close early on Christmas Eve and shut their doors entirely on Christmas Day. This year, the holiday falls on a Thursday, prompting widespread schedule changes as businesses balance customer demand with time off for employees to spend with family and friends. For consumers making last-minute purchases or gathering ingredients for holiday meals, knowing store hours ahead of

The holiday season took on a deeper meaning at a restaurant in Naples, Florida, where a routine staff meeting turned into a moment of collective generosity that has since captured widespread attention online. What began as an announcement about the cancellation of a holiday party quickly became an emotional surprise centered on compassion, teamwork, and support for family. During the gathering, general manager Brandon Newton informed employees that the restaurant would not be holdin

Illinois will see a significant expansion of public safety and criminal justice reforms in 2026, as hundreds of new laws approved by the General Assembly take effect across the state. Among the most consequential measures are new requirements for firearm storage, expanded protections for crime victims, and updated procedures for law enforcement reporting and investigations. Lawmakers said the package of legislation reflects growing concerns about gun safety, violent crime, and gaps in service

Texas Original has opened a new medical cannabis facility that significantly expands its operational capacity as Texas continues to broaden access under the state’s Compassionate Use Program. The newly launched site, located along FM 969, represents a major step forward for the company, consolidating every stage of production under a single roof and positioning the organization for long-term growth as patient demand increases. The 75,000-square-foot facility is nearly ten times la

An investigation by The New York Times has revealed that the Donald Trump Presidency raised an unprecedented $2 billion in donations during 2025, making it the most heavily funded second-term presidency in American history. Among the hundreds of donors were at least six Indian-origin Americans or the companies they lead, many of whom reportedly benefited from decisions taken by the Trump administrat

Pakistan’s recent diplomatic and military outreach to Bangladesh has triggered fresh speculation about a potential defence agreement that could significantly reshape regional security dynamics in South Asia. Over the past few months, several senior Pakistani military officials, including the chairperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the Navy chief, and ISI head Lt General Asim Malik, have made repeated visits to Dhaka. These developments come as Bangladesh’s interim leadership u

The United States has announced a major overhaul of its H-1B visa programme, scrapping the long-running lottery-based selection system in favour of a wage-weighted model that prioritises higher-paid and higher-skilled foreign workers. The new rule, issued by the Department of Homeland Security, will come into effect on February 27, 2026, and will apply to the FY 2027 H-1B cap registration cycle, with registrations expected to open in March 2026 for jobs beginning on October 1. While

TikTok’s parent company ByteDance is preparing a major overhaul of its employee compensation strategy, with plans to increase bonuses and incentives by as much as 50 percent in 2026. The move, revealed through an internal memo, reflects the company’s effort to retain top talent and maintain stability as it navigates regulatory pressure and corporate restructuring, including the planned spin-off of TikTok’s US operations. According to internal communications reviewed by media r