The District of Columbia has lifted the health advisory for the Potomac River following a prolonged sewage spill that began about a month and a half ago. Officials cited consistently normal E.Coli levels for the past three weeks as the primary reason for removing the advisory on Monday morning. The DC Director of Health emphasized that protecting the health and safety of residents remains a top priority and confirmed that conditions within the District’s portion of the river no longer pose an

Air travel operations in parts of the Middle East showed early signs of recovery after several airlines announced limited service resumption following widespread disruptions caused by recent regional strikes. Dubai-based Emirates confirmed it received approval from local authorities to restart a limited number of flights, with operations expected to begin Monday evening. The decision comes after thousands of flights were canceled over the weekend due to airspace closures across multiple countries in the region. Authorities in Dubai stated that only a small number of flights would be allowed to operate from Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport as a precautionary measure while the situation stabilizes. Travelers have been advised to check with their airlines before heading to the airport, as schedules may change at short notice depending on safety assessments and airspace availability. Emirates said priority would be given to passengers who already held confirmed bookings before the disruption. The airline also urged customers not to travel to the airport unless they had received direct confirmation that their flight would operate. According to the airline, most services remain suspended until further notice as authorities continue to monitor regional developments. The disruption followed military strikes involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which led to the temporary closure of large sections of Middle East airspace. The shutdown affected not only flights to the region but also international routes that normally pass through the area, leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded worldwide. Dubai, one of the busiest global aviation hubs, experienced significant delays as airlines were forced to reroute or cancel long-haul flights. Israeli carrier El Al announced that it is exploring alternative options to bring stranded citizens home, including the possible use of chartered aircraft from European locations to nearby destinations such as Taba in Egypt or Aqaba in Jordan. The airline said the plan would require approval from government authorities before it could proceed. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways also confirmed temporary suspension of commercial services, stating that flights to and from the city would remain halted until midweek. The airline noted that certain cargo and repatriation flights may continue under strict safety protocols as authorities gradually reopen regional airspace. Airlines across the region are continuing to assess conditions before fully restoring normal schedules, with officials emphasizing that passenger safety remains the primary concern while tensions in the region persist.

Indian badminton star PV Sindhu is likely to miss this year’s All England tournament after being stranded in Dubai due to major travel disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. With several flight routes affected by the escalating war situation, the former world champion has been unable to reach Birmingham in time for the prestigious competition scheduled to begin on March 3. Sources close to the player confirmed that Sindhu had raised concerns regarding her travel plans wel

As Holi 2026 approaches, there is a growing shift toward eco-friendly celebrations that embrace sustainability without compromising the fun and joy of the festival. Traditionally known for its vibrant colors and exuberant celebrations, Holi has often left behind significant environmental impacts, including water pollution, plastic waste, and chemical residues on skin and streets. However, with increasing environmental concerns, many families are opting for more responsible ways to celebrate.

Sanju Samson completed a remarkable turnaround story as India knocked out West Indies with a five-wicket win in a high-pressure Super Eights clash to enter the T20 World Cup semi-finals. At a packed Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the Kerala batter delivered an unbeaten 97 off 50 balls, steering the defending champions to their highest successful chase in T20 World Cup history and keeping alive hopes of retaining the trophy on home soil. Chasing 196 in a virtual knockout encounter, India l

Protesters gathered Saturday outside the federal building in San Francisco to denounce recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, assembling less than a day after the military action was announced. Demonstrators later marched through downtown streets, chanting anti-war slogans and calling for an end to U.S. involvement in the Middle East. Participants carried signs criticizing military spending, condemning both major political parties, and expressing opposition to immigration enforcement and forei

Chicago residents purchasing alcohol from local liquor stores will see a new tax added to their bills starting Sunday, as the city implements a revised taxation system on retail liquor sales. The Chicago Department of Finance confirmed that a 1.5 percent liquor tax will officially take effect after a two-month delay that was granted to allow retailers additional time to update billing systems and prepare for the change. The new Chicago liquor tax replaces the previous structure that

Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu is among several international travellers stranded in the Middle East after escalating military tensions between Iran, Israel and the United States led to widespread disruption of air travel across the Gulf region. The conflict intensified after combined strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets began on Saturday, triggering retaliatory attacks from Iran across multiple locations in the region. Following the exchange of strikes, se

City officials in Fremont, California, announced that DoorDash will begin rolling out its autonomous delivery robots in the city as part of a phased program expected to expand over the coming months. The initiative will introduce small robotic delivery units designed to operate safely on sidewalks, bike lanes, and neighborhood streets while completing short-distance food and package deliveries. The project marks another step in the growth of robot delivery and urban mobility technology in Cal

A homelessness prevention program that began in Santa Clara County is expanding nationwide with a goal of helping more than 10,000 families avoid eviction and remain stably housed. Nonprofit Destination: Home announced it is partnering with 10 organizations across the United States to replicate a rental assistance and case management model focused on preventing housing instability before it leads to homelessness. The expansion spans large and small cities, rural regions and tribal communities, including sites in Minnesota, Alaska, Atlanta, Georgia, and Asheville, North Carolina. Through the Right at Home initiative, Destination: Home will work with local partners to implement pilot programs based on its established homelessness prevention framework. The initiative is designed to demonstrate that eviction prevention and supportive services can be effectively scaled and adopted as part of broader housing policy. Destination: Home first launched its homelessness prevention program in 2017 after observing an increase in residents falling into homelessness in Santa Clara County. Backed by private funding, the nonprofit provided rental assistance, case management and supportive services to families at immediate risk of eviction. The approach aimed to stabilize households facing temporary financial crises, helping them maintain housing while addressing underlying challenges. In 2024, Santa Clara County formally incorporated the program into its countywide homelessness strategy and expanded it across the region. Since its launch, nearly 44,000 people in the county have avoided homelessness through the initiative, according to program data. A randomized control trial conducted by the University of Notre Dame’s Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities found that 90 percent of participants who received assistance remained housed two years later, highlighting the long-term impact of early intervention. The national expansion has raised $77 million to date. Under the plan, each participating community will receive at least $5 million over five years, with a target of serving approximately 1,500 households per location. The Lab for Economic Opportunities will collect and analyze data to measure outcomes such as housing stability and economic resilience. Funding partners include Cisco, Sobrato Philanthropies, the Valhalla Foundation and The Audacious Project. Researchers involved in the evaluation say prevention plays a critical role in addressing the affordable housing crisis and rising poverty. Eviction can trigger a chain of negative consequences, including job loss, financial hardship and increased reliance on emergency services. By providing eviction relief and community support before families lose their homes, the program seeks to reduce long-term social and economic costs. For some residents, the program has provided essential support during periods of instability. Desiré Campusano received rental assistance multiple times while navigating job transitions and significant rent increases. The assistance helped her remain housed and later move into an affordable apartment, with continued guidance from a case manager. Advocates argue that as unemployment and economic pressures affect households nationwide, homelessness prevention must be prioritized alongside emergency response systems. Supporters of the initiative say investing in rental assistance and case management before a crisis escalates offers a more stable and cost-effective solution to housing insecurity. By expanding its model nationally, Destination: Home aims to build momentum for broader federal funding dedicated to preventing homelessness before it begins.

Actor Vijay's wife, Sangeeta Sornalingam, has filed for divorce after 25 years of marriage, accusing him of infidelity and cruelty. The couple, who married in August 1999, share two children—Jason Sanjay and Divya Shasha. Sangeeta’s petition for divorce, filed under the Special Marriage Act of 1954, claims that Vijay's extramarital affair with an actress was the main reason for her decision to seek legal separation. In her petition, Sangeeta alleges that she discovered Vijay’s

Holi 2026, the festival of colors, will be celebrated across the globe on March 3 and 4, but the occurrence of a rare lunar eclipse on March 3 is causing confusion, particularly in India. Traditionally, Holi is celebrated on Phalguna Purnima, the full moon night, which in 2026 falls on March 3. However, the lunar eclipse that occurs on the evening of March 3 triggers the "sutak" period, which is considered inauspicious for performing religious rituals. Holika Dahan, the bonfire lighting cerem

Illinois voters are preparing to head to the polls for a series of high-profile races in the upcoming March 17 primary election, with contests ranging from U.S. Senate and governor to congressional seats and local judgeships. Although the standard voter registration period has closed across the state, eligible residents still have opportunities to register and cast their ballots before and on Election Day. The Illinois primary election will determine party nominees for several state

AUSTIN, Texas — Primary elections across Texas are set for Tuesday, and newly released polling suggests several high-profile contests could extend into runoff elections as candidates vie for their party nominations in key statewide races. According to data from the Texas Politics Project, the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate remains highly competitive. The poll indicates that Attorney General Ken Paxton holds a narrow lead with 36% support among likely Republican primary vot

India has made two significant changes to their squad ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe. With a place in the semi-finals up for grabs, the Men in Blue have included Sanju Samson and Axar Patel in the playing XI, replacing Rinku Singh and Washington Sundar. Samson will take on wicketkeeping duties for India, while Axar Patel will bring his all-round capabilities to the side. India’s entry into the Super 8 was marred by a defeat to South Africa on Sunday

Sri Lanka’s captain, Dasun Shanaka, has made a heartfelt request to the government following his team’s disappointing exit from the 2026 T20 World Cup. After being knocked out of the Super Eights by New Zealand, Shanaka blamed the "negative environment created outside" for their underwhelming performances. He urged the government to help shield players from criticism to protect their mental health. Shanaka expressed his sorrow for not delivering a victory that would make Sri Lan

Selena Gomez has seemingly addressed the social media backlash following her husband Benny Blanco’s viral “dirty feet” moment. The incident, which unfolded during the premiere episode of the new podcast Friends Keep Secrets, led to heated discussions online, especially regarding Blanco’s grooming and public image. In what many fans interpreted as a direct response, Gomez shared a heartfelt video on Instagram, featuring the couple in an intimate moment, with the caption, “I

Ohio lawmakers are advancing new leg

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 climbed to another record high on Thursday, extending its streak of gains as investor enthusiasm around the so-called Takaichi trade continued to fuel buying in domestic equities. The index rose 1.1 percent to close at an all-time high of 59,199.31, marking its third consecutive session of record finishes. The broader Topix index also advanced 1.45 percent, reaching a fresh peak as market sentiment remained buoyant. The rally in Japan stocks has been c

Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu received an enthusiastic welcome as she returned to the Bay Area this week, marking a celebratory homecoming for the Oakland native following her latest international triumph. The 20-year-old figure skating champion landed at San Francisco International Airport late Monday night after a lengthy trip from Italy, where she recently secured her gold medal performance. Fans gathered at the arrival gate to greet Liu with cheers and applause, underscoring t