As hurricane season officially begins, Houston residents are urged to revisit their storm preparedness plans. While many long-time Houstonians are familiar with the protocols, each year presents unique challenges, especially for new residents. Preparation is the key to staying safe when tropical storms or hurricanes hit the Gulf Coast. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help residents stay informed and protected.

Indian-American student Megha Vemuri, who served as president of MIT’s Class of 2025, has been banned from participating in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s undergraduate commencement ceremony. The decision came after she delivered a strongly worded pro-Palestine speech during a campus event held just one day prior to graduation. Vemuri was set to play a prominent role as marshal during the cer

Thunderstorms sweeping across the Houston area are expected to persist until at least Friday, bringing multiple rounds of heavy rainfall, hail, and potential flooding. The slow-moving weather system has already delivered up to 3–4 inches of rain in some parts of the region between Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the Harris County Flood Warning System. Meteorologist Hayley Adams with the National Weather Service’s Houston/Galveston office noted that while a brief paus

More than 59,000 Austin Energy customers were left in the dark on Wednesday night as powerful storms rolled across Central Texas, bringing damaging wind, hail, and intense lightning. According to Austin Energy's website, the outages began after 9:30 p.m. and affected numerous areas in the Austin metro due to broken tree limbs and storm-damaged electrical infrastructure. The energy provider reported no estimated timeline for power restoration, stating on its outage map, “We

Zinedine Zidane has declared his eagerness to take over as head coach of the French national football team, calling it a “dream job” and expressing that he “can’t wait” to begin. The 52-year-old football legend, who captained France to their iconic 1998 FIFA World Cup win and Euro 2000 triumph, is widely expected to succeed current manager Didier Deschamps after the 2026 World Cup. Speaking at a promotional event in France organized by Adidas, one of hi

Virat Kohli has etched his name deeper into Indian Premier League (IPL) history by becoming the first-ever batter to score over 9000 runs for a single team in Men’s T20 cricket. Representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Kohli reached the landmark during his match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2025, achieving the feat when he crossed 24 runs. The milestone also included a brisk half-century in 27 balls, ultimately ending his innings at 54. Kohli now stands at 9004 runs

A new COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1, originally identified in China, has now reached the United States, prompting concern among health officials due to its rapid spread and high transmissibility. Detected first in travelers arriving between March and April in states including California, New York, Washington, Virginia, and Hawaii, the variant has since appeared in Ohio and Rhode Island, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The variant has become dominant i

As Covid-19 cases see a resurgence across India and the early monsoon ushers in a spike in flu infections, many are struggling to distinguish between the two. With overlapping symptoms like fever, sore throat, cough, body aches, and fatigue, it’s easy to misdiagnose or delay treatment. Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, an internal medicine specialist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in New Delhi, shares how to spot the differences and why testing is key to correct diagnosis and care. T

If you’ve got big home improvement plans this season, you’re not alone—and Memorial Day 2025 is the perfect time to check off those to-do lists while saving money. Home Depot’s Memorial Day sale is now live, offering significant discounts across major categories, including power tools, grills, home appliances, mattresses, and gardening supplies. Whether you're diving into a DIY renovation, upgrading your outdoor kitchen, or simply restocking essentials, now is a gr

In a groundbreaking scientific discovery, researchers have uncovered evidence that Earth’s core is leaking gold and other precious metals to the surface, challenging long-held beliefs about the planet’s interior and its level of geological isolation. A team from the University of Göttingen in Germany conducted an isotopic analysis of Hawaiian volcanic rocks, revealing trace elements that likely originated from deep within the Earth's core. According to th

The streets of San Francisco’s Mission District came alive with vibrant colors, rhythmic beats, and joyful energy as thousands of people gathered to celebrate the 47th annual Carnaval San Francisco. This two-day cultural celebration transformed the neighborhood into a living mosaic of heritage and community, as dancers, musicians, families, and visitors joined together for one of the city’s most iconic events. With the theme “Afro Mundo,” the 2025 edition of the festival

A new COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1, is now emerging in the United States after becoming dominant in China and causing a significant rise in cases across Asia. U.S. health officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are monitoring the variant closely as scientists continue to analyze whether NB.1.8.1 poses greater risks in terms of transmission, severity, and resistance to existing vaccines. The variant was initially identified in Asia, particularly in Ch

A former California police officer has been charged with defrauding the workers’ compensation system by falsely claiming a disability while leading an active lifestyle that included skiing, running, and attending music festivals. Nicole Brown allegedly collected more than $600,000 in tax-free workers’ compensation benefits after reporting an injury sustained while on duty in March 2022. Despite claiming she was unable to work due to a traumatic brain injury, Brown was seen engaging i

The Supreme Court of India has come down hard on the Enforcement Directorate (ED), accusing the central agency of “crossing all limits” during its recent raids on Tamil Nadu’s TASMAC – the state-run liquor distribution corporation. These raids, conducted in March and again in May, have drawn sharp criticism from the judiciary for targeting a government-owned monopoly and allegedly overstepping legal protocols. A Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice BR Gav

The Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) has officially intervened in the growing conflict between Tollywood producers and theatre exhibitors, urging both parties to reach an immediate resolution to avoid a potential shutdown of theatres across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Over the past week, tensions have escalated over the revenue-sharing model, with exhibitors demanding a shift to a percentage-based system for film collections. In a bold move, theatre owners warned they would shut down

An off-duty rookie officer with the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), 28-year-old Ryan Kwong, was arrested early Saturday morning for allegedly driving under the influence, resulting in a severe two-car collision that injured five people — one of them critically. The crash occurred at approximately 1:59 a.m. at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Rivera Street in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset neighborhood. Authorities confirmed that Kwong was behind the wheel of one of t

San Francisco’s beloved Bay to Breakers race once again brought color, laughter, and energy to the streets, continuing a tradition that has endured since 1912. The annual event, known as much for its wild costumes and festive atmosphere as for its athleticism, transformed the city into a moving celebration of community spirit and lighthearted fun. Participants gathered early in downtown San Francisco at the starting point near Main and Folsom, ready to make their way across the city in

A recent event involving Miss World 2025 contestants has ignited a political and cultural firestorm in Telangana. The controversy erupted after a video surfaced showing women volunteers washing and wiping the feet of international beauty pageant participants before their entry into the historic Ramappa temple, located in Mulugu district. This act, which was meant as a ceremonial welcome, has been widely criticized by political parties and social groups who view it as a blow to the dignity and

The BJP has launched a sharp political attack on the Congress after senior party leader Union Minister P Chidambaram publicly raised doubts over the cohesion and future of the INDIA opposition bloc. His candid remarks, made during the launch of a book co-authored by Congress leader Salman Khurshid and Mrityunjay Singh Yadav, gave the ruling party fresh ammunition ahead of critical state elections and the looming 2029 general polls. At the event on Thursday, Chidambaram remarked

As summer heats up and Americans continue searching for affordable entertainment, AMC Theaters is stepping up with a massive midweek offer. Beginning July 9, the theater chain is rolling out “50% Off Wednesdays,” slashing movie ticket prices in half every Wednesday for members of its AMC Stubs rewards program. Already known for its popular “Discount Tuesdays,” AMC is now doubling down on value-driven moviegoing to increase weekday attendance. This bold new pr