As people across the globe prepare to welcome the New Year with countdowns, fireworks, and celebrations across different time zones, a small group of astronauts orbiting far above Earth will experience the arrival of the new year in a way unlike anyone on the planet. Aboard the International Space Station, astronauts currently in orbit will celebrate the New Year an astonishing 16 times, highlighting the extraordinary reality of life in space and the unique way time is experienced beyond Earth.

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

Residents across the Chicago metropolitan area awoke Monday morning to snow-covered roads, sharply colder temperatures and powerful winds following the rapid passage of a cold front through northeast Illinois overnight. Wind gusts climbed as high as 60 miles per hour in some locations, creating hazardous travel conditions and significantly reducing visibility during the morning commute. Weather officials issued a wind advisory for the entire Chicago area, while a winter weather advi

Two young women from Telangana’s Mahabubabad district lost their lives in a tragic road accident in the United States after the car they were travelling in plunged into a gorge along a mountainous stretch of road in California. The incident occurred at a sharp curve on Alabama Hills Road, a scenic but challenging route known for its winding terrain. The deaths have sent shockwaves through their hometowns in Telangana, where families and residents are struggling to come to terms with the sud

Tensions in Bangladesh have escalated sharply following the killing of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, triggering widespread protests and renewed anti-India sentiment across the country. A radical student outfit linked to Hadi, Inqilab Moncho, has issued a strong ultimatum to the interim Yunus administration, demanding sweeping action within strict deadlines, including the suspension of work permits issued to Indian nationals. The group announced its demands during a protest gathe

With just days left before the December 31, 2025 deadline, taxpayers across India are being urged to check whether their PAN is linked with Aadhaar. The warning comes from the Income Tax Department, which has made it clear that failure to complete the linking process on time could lead to serious financial and tax-related disruptions. PAN Aadhaar linking is the process of connecting an ind

India’s housing finance sector is witnessing a strategic shift as lenders begin treating defence personnel as a separate borrower category rather than grouping them under standard salaried profiles. With urban housing demand cooling and competition intensifying in metro markets, lenders are increasingly turning to defence families as stable, long-term borrowers who require customised solutions rather than generic home loan products. This change in approach has been highlighted by

For nearly a century, humanity has imagined a future where cars drive themselves. From early cinematic visions to ambitious lab experiments, the idea of autonomous vehicles has fascinated engineers, filmmakers, and everyday commuters alike. In 2025, that long-standing dream has finally reached public roads at scale. Driverless robotaxis are no longer experimental concepts hidden behind research labs. They are active, revenue-generating services operating in major global cities, marking a majo

Fresh details have emerged in the death of 24-year-old Tripura student Angel Chakma, who succumbed to severe injuries sustained during a violent racial attack in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun. A medical report issued by Graphic Era Hospital has revealed the extent of the trauma he endured, including complete pa

One passenger was killed after a fire broke out in two coaches of the Tatanagar–Ernakulam Express in the early hours of Monday in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalli district. The incident occurred around 1 am near Elamanchili railway station when the locomotive pilot noticed flames emerging from one of the co

The winter session of the Telangana Legislative Assembly has begun on a dramatic and politically charged note, drawing statewide attention as Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao come face to face on the Assembly floor. This moment is being closely watched as it mark

WASHINGTON — The first day of Kwanzaa was observed in Southeast Washington with a gathering that brought together multiple generations to reflect on culture, history, and community. Nearly 150 people filled two rooms of the Anacostia Community Museum as families assembled to mark the start of the weeklong celebration, which runs from December 26 through January 1. The event centered on storytelling led by Mama Ayo, a longtime cultural educator who has spent decades teaching the pr

Mickey Lee, a former contestant on the reality television series Big Brother, has died at the age of 35 after suffering multiple cardiac arrests linked to complications from the flu, according to a statement released by her family. The announcement was shared publicly on Friday through Lee’s official Instagram account, one day after her death on Thursday. In their message, Lee’s family reflected on her impact both on and off television, describing her as a person whose authentic

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

The Ohio Department of Agriculture has released the official schedule for the 2026 fair season, giving communities across the state an early look at one of Ohio’s most anticipated summer and fall traditions. The announcement confirms dates for fairs in all 88 counties, along with independent fairs, bringing the total number of events scheduled statewide to nearly 100. The calendar allows families, exhibitors, and fair organizers to begin planning months in advance for a season rooted in agr

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