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,

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

For decades, the United States has presented itself as a global guardian of democracy and international law, drawing legitimacy from its own origins in resistance to unchecked authority. Its constitutional structure was designed to restrain executive power, particularly in decisions involving war and foreign intervention. Yet the conduct of contemporary US foreign policy increasingly reflects a different reality, one in which strategic interests and economic leverage often shape moral languag

Gunfire was reported late Monday night in the vicinity of Venezuela’s presidential palace, unsettling residents in central Caracas just days after former leader Nicolas Maduro was captured in a dramatic United States military operation. Witness accounts indicated that the shots were fired around 8:00 pm local time near the Miraflores Palace, a location that has long served as the symbolic center of political authority in the country. According to sources cited by AFP, the incident

Emergency crews were dispatched around 5:45 a.m. to a site in the 900 block of North Crowley Road, where officials reported an incident at the ChampionX Artificial Lift location. First responders arrived to find evidence consistent with an industrial explosion and began providing medical care and securing the area, officials said. The initial response involved multiple agencies and focused on ensuring the scene was safe while assessing the extent of the damage and any ongoing hazards at the f

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

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly referred to a 19th-century foreign policy principle while addressing media questions about recent US actions in Venezuela, drawing renewed attention to the Monroe Doctrine and its historical significance. Speaking on Saturday, Trump described the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as a modernized extension of the doctrine first articulated in 1823. He characterized the move as an assertion of American authority in the Western Hemis

Greenland has returned to the center of international attention following remarks by US President Donald Trump, who said the United States needs Greenland from a national security standpoint. The comments triggered concern in Denmark and Greenland, reviving debate over the Arctic island’s growing geopolitical importance at a time of rising global tensions and strategic competition.   Denmark and Greenland reject takeover rhetoric Denmark, which is responsibl

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has firmly rejected accusations and threats made by US President Donald Trump, following remarks in which Trump alleged that Petro was linked to drug trafficking and suggested he could be targeted in a United States operation. The exchange has further strained diplomatic relations between the two countries and prompted a strong public response from Colombia’s head of state. In a series of posts published on social media platform X on Sunday, Petro

US President Donald Trump on Saturday described a US military mission in Venezuela as a “brilliant operation” after announcing that President Nicolás Maduro and his wife had been captured and removed from the country. In brief remarks during a telephone interview, Trump credited detailed planning and the performance of US personnel for what he portrayed as a decisive and successful action. According to Trump, the operation was the result of months of preparation and coordination involvi

Chicago’s newly approved budget is now in effect, introducing a series of tax changes that will be rolled out in stages throughout the year. While some measures began immediately on Jan. 1, others are scheduled to take effect in the coming weeks and months, gradually reshaping costs for consumers and businesses across the city. Among the changes that began with the start of the new year is an increase in the checkout bag tax. Shoppers now pay 15 cents per grocery bag, up from the

Zohran Kwame Mamdani formally began his term as mayor of New York City on Thursday, outlining an ambitious and progressive vision for governing the nation’s largest city during his first public address after being sworn in. Speaking to a crowd of thousands gathered outside City Hall, the 34-year-old Democrat positioned his administration as a response to what he described as long-standing failures of the political establishment, particularly in addressing the needs of working-class and vulnerable residents. In a 24-minute speech delivered shortly after taking office, Mamdani pledged to lead what he called an expansive and audacious government, signaling a break from incremental approaches to policymaking. He emphasized that his administration would not lower expectations of what municipal government can achieve, particularly in the face of rising costs of living that have placed increasing strain on households across the city. Mamdani said his focus would remain on affordability, housing stability, and public services that reflect the realities faced by everyday New Yorkers. Addressing skepticism about progressive leadership, Mamdani framed his election as a broader test of whether left-leaning policies can deliver tangible results. He told the crowd that many residents are watching closely to see whether government can effectively address issues that have shaped their daily lives, including economic insecurity and access to opportunity. He added that New York City has a responsibility to demonstrate how inclusive governance can function at scale and set an example beyond its borders. Mamdani also highlighted protections for immigrant communities as a central priority of his administration. He warned that federal immigration policies under President Donald Trump pose significant risks for undocumented residents and pledged that the city would continue to serve as a place of refuge and support. His remarks drew sustained applause from attendees, reflecting the strong backing he has received from advocacy groups and progressive organizations throughout his campaign. The inauguration event featured remarks from prominent national figures aligned with Mamdani’s political outlook, including Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Both praised the new mayor’s victory as a sign of growing demand for economic and social reforms. Sanders thanked New Yorkers for advancing a vision of government that serves the broader public rather than concentrated wealth, prompting chants from the crowd calling for higher taxes on the wealthy. Mamdani’s transition into office began just after midnight, when he took the oath of office at a closed subway station beneath City Hall, a symbolic location tied to the city’s infrastructure and history. He placed his hand on the Quran during the ceremony, marking a historic first for the city and underscoring the diversity of New York’s leadership. The oath was administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The public inauguration later in the day drew approximately 4,000 ticketed attendees, reflecting the high level of interest surrounding Mamdani’s ascent to City Hall. As he begins his tenure, expectations remain high among supporters who see his leadership as an opportunity to reshape urban governance around equity, affordability, and social protection, while critics await evidence that his bold promises can translate into effective administration.

Several people are feared dead and multiple others were injured after a powerful explosion struck a popular bar in the luxury Alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana in southwestern Switzerland early Thursday, according to local police. Authorities said the blast occurred during New Year celebrations, when the venue was crowded with revellers welcoming the start of the year. Police in Wallis canton confirmed that the explosion took place at approximately 1:30 a.m. local time at Le Conste

A century ago, the notion of restoring lost senses or detecting ancient life beyond Earth belonged firmly to science fiction. In 2025, such ideas moved decisively into reality as a series of scientific breakthroughs reshaped long-standing assumptions across medicine, space science, climate research, and artificial intelligence. These advances did not arrive as distant promises or speculative theories, but as working solutions that delivered measurable results and altered how science interacts

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.

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

Vaikuntha Ekadashi is often observed with fasting, temple visits and devotional practices, but traditional sources describe it as far more than a symbolic religious occasion. Ancient Hindu texts and yogic teachings present the observance as a carefully timed alignment of cosmic movements, biological rhythms and human consciousness, established long before the emergence of modern scientific terminology. The day is traditionally observed during Dhanur Masa, in the bright fortnight of Margashirsha, immediately preceding Makara Sankranti, when the Sun begins its northward journey known as Uttarayana. While many temples ceremonially open a northern gate on this day, classical interpretations clarify that the reference is not primarily architectural. Yogic literature describes Vaikuntha as a state beyond limitation and suffering, and Dvara as a gateway. Together, the term points toward an internal transition rather than a physical passage. According to yogic physiology, this gateway corresponds to the Sushumna Nadi, the central energy channel that runs along the spinal axis. Texts such as the Shiva Samhita state that liberation is experienced when prana, or vital energy, flows freely through this central channel without obstruction. Vaikuntha Ekadashi is observed on Ekadashi tithi, a lunar phase traditionally associated with reduced digestive activity in the human body. Yogic science holds that on this day the digestive system operates at a minimum, making fasting less stressful on the body. Through fasting, the downward-moving energy known as Apana Vayu is restrained, allowing prana to move upward more naturally. This upward movement is believed to balance the Ida and Pingala nadis, often described as the lunar and solar energy channels, creating conditions favorable for the activation of the Sushumna Nadi. Contemporary scientific research into fasting has begun to recognize restorative processes that align with these ancient observations. Classical yogic texts further explain this mechanism. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika notes that when food intake and sensory distractions are restrained, prana is more likely to enter the central channel. The timing of Vaikuntha Ekadashi coincides with the Sun’s transition toward Uttarayana, symbolically mirroring the upward movement of consciousness described in yogic practices. This phase is traditionally associated with the awakening of higher centers of awareness, moving from the lower chakras toward Ajna and Sahasrara. Hindu scriptures also describe cosmic time in a distinctive way, defining a single day of the devas as consisting of six months of Uttarayana and six months of Dakshinayana. In this framework, one human year equals one full day and night for celestial beings. Vaikuntha Ekadashi is therefore regarded as marking a cosmic dawn within this larger cycle. Devotional practices on this day traditionally include the recitation of the Dwadashakshari mantra, Om Namo Narayanaya, as a form of japa. Beyond ritual observance, the day is understood as an opportunity for internal alignment, where seasonal astronomy, lunar dynamics and human physiology converge. Ancient seers embedded this observance into the calendar as a reminder of harmony between the cosmos and the individual. The invocation Hari Om, often associated with Vaikuntha Ekadashi, reflects this integrated vision. Hari signifies the principle that removes sorrow, ignorance and bondage, while Om represents the primordial sound identified with ultimate reality. Together, they express an aspiration toward clarity and balance within the larger cosmic order. Viewed through this lens, Vaikuntha Ekadashi stands as a structured convergence of spiritual practice and natural rhythms, emphasizing introspection, restraint and alignment rather than mere ritual formality.