Australia’s political landscape saw a significant shift on Thursday after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the launch of a royal commission into last month’s deadly shooting at Bondi Beach. The decision came after weeks of sustained pressure from victims’ families, community leaders, and public figures, who had called for the country’s most powerful form of independent inquiry. The

High political drama unfolded in Kolkata after the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids linked to an alleged money laundering case at locations associated with the Indian Political Action Committee. The situation took an unprecedented turn when West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally arrived at the residence of I-PAC head Prateek Jain while the search operation was still underway. S

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

Former White House physician and retired US Navy doctor Ronny Jackson has emerged as a central figure in negotiations that led to a $500 million mining and rare earths agreement between American and Pakistani entities, according to recent disclosures filed with the US Department of Justice. The filings, submitted under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, outline Jackson’s direct engagement with Pakistani officials and detail his involvement in shaping the deal at multiple stages.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned Republican lawmakers that failure to secure victories in the 2026 congressional midterm elections could lead to renewed impeachment efforts by Democrats. Speaking at a closed-door Republican retreat in Washington, Trump emphasized the political stakes of the upcoming vote, telling party members that maintaining control of Congress was critical to protecting his presidency. He said Democrats would seek grounds for impeachment if Republicans lost thei

A powerful earthquake measuring magnitude 6.4 struck offshore near the town of Baculin in the southern Philippines on Wednesday, January 7, underscoring the persistent seismic risks faced by communities in the region. The earthquake occurred at sea, approximately 58.5 kilometers from the nearest coastline and around 27 kilometers east of the town of Santiago on the island of Mindanao. The tremor was felt across parts of eastern Mindanao, prompting heightened monitoring by authorities, though

U.S. Representative Doug LaMalfa, a Republican who represented California’s 1st Congressional District, has died at the age of 65, according to an announcement released Tuesday morning by the National Republican Congressional Committee. His death brings an abrupt end to a political career that spanned more than two decades in state and federal office and leaves a significant vacancy in a district already facing major political uncertainty. LaMalfa represented a vast and predominan

Drivers crossing major Port Authority bridges and tunnels are facing higher travel costs as new toll rates officially take effect with the start of the year. The increase, set at 3 percent, applies to eastbound traffic and affects all motorists regardless of whether they use E-ZPass or pay by plate, adding another financial consideration for daily commuters and occasional travelers alike. For drivers who rely on these crossings for work, the change is being felt immediately. Many co

San Jose firefighters responded to a three-alarm fire early Monday morning at a Buddhist temple on Foss Avenue that had already sustained significant damage during a major blaze last year, according to fire officials. Crews were dispatched at approximately 5:37 a.m. to the 90 block of Foss Avenue after reports of a structure fire at Chua Duyen Giac, a large, two-story mixed-use Buddhist temple located in the Alum Rock area. Firefighters arriving on scene encountered heavy fire condi

In a deeply emotional moment at the Telangana Legislative Council, senior political leader and former BRS member Kavitha broke down in tears while delivering a powerful speech that sent shockwaves across the state’s political landscape. Speaking with visible anguish, Kavitha made serious allegations against the ruling establishment and her own party, stating that she had been selectively targeted

An iconic feature of Newark’s industrial skyline is being dismantled as ownership of the city’s longtime Anheuser-Busch brewery changes hands. Crews arrived at the sprawling factory complex early Friday morning, signaling the start of work to remove the illuminated eagle that has stood above the brewery for decades. The towering sign, visible from surrounding neighborhoods and major roadways, has long been associated with the facility and has become a familiar sight for generations of res

A 25-year-old student from Telangana lost his life in Germany after attempting to escape from a fire that broke out in his apartment building on December 31, turning what should have been the start of a new year into a moment of deep grief for his family and community. The student, Hruthik Reddy, hailed from Malkapur village in Jangaon district and had been residing in Brandenburg, near Berlin, while pursuing higher studies. According to information provided by his family, a fire er

Mass transit agencies across the tri-state area have announced special service schedules for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, with adjustments aimed at accommodating holiday celebrations while maintaining essential transportation access. Riders are advised to plan ahead and review schedules carefully, as service levels will vary by mode and day. In New York City, subway service will largely operate on a regular schedule on New Year’s Eve, with additional overnight service on

As the calendar turns to a new year, New Year’s Day remains a federal holiday across the United States, bringing widespread closures for government offices, schools, banks and financial markets. At the same time, many major retailers and grocery chains plan to welcome customers on January 1, 2026, often with adjusted hours and post-holiday discounts aimed at clearing older inventory. Shoppers and consumers are encouraged to confirm local schedules in advance, as operating hours can vary by

Chinese President Xi Jinping used his annual New Year’s Eve address to reaffirm Beijing’s long-standing position on Taiwan, declaring that reunification with the self-governing island was inevitable. Speaking in Beijing on Wednesday, Xi said that bringing Taiwan under China’s control was “a trend of the times” that could not be stopped, reiterating a pledge that has become a central pillar of his leadership. The speech came just one day after the conclusion of large-scale

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board on Wednesday temporarily suspended registration for the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage following an unprecedented surge of devotees during the New Year period. Officials said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure after crowd density reached critical levels at the Katra

Eurostar suspended all of its train services on Tuesday after a power supply failure in the Channel Tunnel forced operations to a halt during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The disruption came as thousands of passengers were travelling between Christmas and New Year, with services to and from London particularly affected. The sudden suspension triggered widespread delays and uncertainty for travellers relying on high-speed rail connections between the United Kingdom and mainla

India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar is scheduled to attend the state funeral of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka on December 31, marking a significant diplomatic gesture at a time of strained relations between the two neighbouring countries. The decision comes amid heightened political uncertainty in Bangladesh and a broader reassessment of regional alignments in South Asia following last year’s dramatic change of government in Dhaka. Kha