ADELPHI, Md. — Thelma Beall, co-founder of the Maryland-based restaurant institution Ledo Pizza and a defining figure in the region’s culinary history, died on New Year’s Eve at the age of 101. Her passing marks the end of an era for a brand that began as a small neighborhood restaurant and grew into one of the most recognizable names in Maryland-style pizza. Beall was born in 1924 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and spent her early years rooted in Prince George’s County. After

A major health care provider headquartered in Columbus has expanded its real estate footprint with the purchase of a newly constructed industrial facility in Hilliard, reflecting its continued growth across central Ohio. OhioHealth acquired the property known as the Mill Run Innovation Center for $23 million in a transaction completed in late December, according to records from the Franklin County Auditor’s Office. The property is located at 3401 Mill Run Drive and includes a 130,

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is set to use his final State of the State address on Thursday to portray the state as a governing model for the nation, drawing a sharp contrast with what he describes as instability and dysfunction at the federal level under President Donald Trump. The Democratic governor plans to argue that California’s policy direction and values stand in opposition to those coming from Washington, positioning the state as both a counterweight and an alternative to the curre

Two Indian nationals working as truck drivers in the United States were arrested in Indiana following the discovery of a large quantity of cocaine during a routine highway inspection conducted earlier this month. Authorities said the seizure took place on January 3, when state police stopped a semi-truck traveling along Interstate 70 in Putnam County and uncovered approximately 309 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $7 million. According to law enforcement officials

Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez has accused the United States of using allegations related to drug trafficking, democracy, and human rights as a pretext to pursue control over the country’s vast oil resources. Speaking before the Venezuelan Parliament, Rodríguez said that external pressure on the country has long been driven by energy interests rather than genuine political or humanitarian concerns, while emphasizing that Caracas remains open to energy cooperation based on

The United States intercepted and seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic on January 7, marking a significant escalation in its global enforcement of sanctions linked to Venezuelan oil exports. The vessel, now identified as the Marinera and previously known as Bella 1, was boarded in international waters after a pursuit that extended for more than two weeks across ocean routes from the Caribbean. U.S. European Command confirmed that the operation was conduc

Speculation about fresh job cuts at Microsoft sparked widespread debate online after reports claimed the technology giant was preparing for another major round of layoffs in January 2026. According to the report, as many as 22,000 roles could be at risk, triggering concern across social media platforms and technology forums. The rumours gained momentum quickly, particularly because Microsoft has carried out significant restructuring in the recent past. However, the company has now firmly deni

Indian tourism is undergoing a quiet but significant shift as international travellers begin to look beyond the country’s most familiar destinations. While cities like Goa, Jaipur, Delhi, and Mumbai have long dominated travel itineraries, a new name is steadily gaining global attention. According to Agoda’s New Horizons Rankings, Thiruvananthapuram has emerged as the fastest-growing destination

India has ushered in a new phase of insurance regulation with Parliament clearing the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025, a move that comes at a time when trust between insurers and policyholders is increasingly strained. For millions of Indians, insurance is ultimately judged not by policy documents or premium receipts but by the ease and fairness of claim settlement. Delays, repeated document requests, late-stage exclusions, and opaque rejections have long plag

A fresh controversy around workplace control and employee autonomy has erupted online after a Reddit user alleged that their Indian manufacturing company imposed strict restrictions on employees’ LinkedIn activity. According to the viral post shared on the r/IndianWorkplace subreddit, the company has reportedly instructed staff not to like, comment on, or engage with posts from other companies on LinkedIn, regardless of whether they are competitors, clients, or unrelated organisations. The

The Union government has sought additional information from social media platform X regarding the steps taken to address obscene and sexually explicit content linked to its artificial intelligence tool, Grok, and the measures planned to prevent similar incidents in the future, according to sources familiar with the matter. The request follows a detailed response submitted by the platform, which officials have assessed as insufficient in addressing key regulatory concerns. Sources in

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order directing the United States to withdraw from 66 international organisations and treaties, marking one of the most extensive reversals of US participation in global institutions in recent history. According to a White House memorandum, the administration determined that continued involvement in these bodies was contrary to the interests of the United States, citing concerns over sovereignty, ideological alignment, and financial comm

United States President Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro have taken a step toward resetting strained bilateral relations following a period of heightened diplomatic tension. The two leaders spoke by phone on Wednesday, Jan. 7, in their first direct conversation since relations deteriorated sharply in early January amid wider regional developments. In a statement released by the White House, Mr. Trump said he invited President Petro to visit the White House in Washington for

Documents released under the United States Foreign Agents Registration Act have shed new light on Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts during India’s Operation Sindoor in April last year, revealing an extensive and urgent campaign to seek Washington’s intervention as tensions escalated between the two South Asian neighbors. The filings indicate that Islamabad repeatedly appealed to US officials for assistance, offering a range of economic and strategic incentives in return for diplomatic engag

A River North restaurant has earned national attention for its distinctive blend of design and cuisine, marking another milestone for Chicago’s evolving dining scene. Crying Tiger, which opened in October at 51 W. Hubbard St., has been named among the most beautiful new restaurants in America for 2025, according to a recently released national ranking highlighting standout hospitality spaces across the country. The restaurant was recognized for its ability to merge Chicago’s ind

The trial of a former Uvalde school police officer accused of failing to protect children during the 2022 elementary school shooting began with raw and emotional testimony, as families of the victims listened to frantic 911 calls played in open court. Relatives of those killed wept openly while recordings captured the desperate moments when teachers and students pleaded for help as the attack unfolded inside Robb Elementary School. Prosecutors told jurors that Adrian Gonzales, who w

A fatal shooting during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis has ignited political outrage, community protests, and renewed scrutiny of aggressive tactics being used by federal agents in major U.S. cities. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were conducting targeted enforcement actions when a 37-year-old woman allegedly attempted to strike officers with her vehicle. A DHS spokesperson said the woman “

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told American lawmakers on Wednesday that President Donald Trump is seeking to acquire Greenland through negotiations rather than through any immediate use of military force. The remarks were delivered during a closed-door briefing with congressional leaders, according to reports familiar with the discussion. Rubio attempted to reassure lawmakers that the administration’s current approach is centered on diplomacy, even as debate over Greenland has intensifi

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that Washington holds significant leverage over Venezuela’s interim authorities and is preparing to execute a plan that would place control of the country’s oil exports firmly in US hands. Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Rubio said the administration is finalising an arrangement to take possession of oil currently immobilised in Venezuela and sell it on global markets at full market prices. According to Rubio,