The Virginia Department of Health has confirmed the state’s second case of measles reported so far this year, prompting an investigation into potential exposure sites and renewed public health guidance for residents. Health officials said the case involves a preschool-aged child who recently traveled internationally with family members, a factor that continues to play a significant role in measles transmission within the United States. According to the department, the child visite

The United States considers India its most essential international partner, US ambassador-designate Sergio Gor said on Monday, as Washington and New Delhi prepare to restart a new round of trade negotiations beginning Tuesday, January 12. Speaking at the US Embassy in New Delhi, Gor underlined the depth of the bilateral relationship and expressed confidence that both sides could overcome existing challenges to advance cooperation across multiple sectors. Gor, who also serves as Spec

Norovirus infections are increasing earlier than expected this season across the United States, with particularly elevated activity being detected in parts of the Bay Area, according to recent wastewater monitoring data. Public health experts say the early rise is being driven in part by a new variant of the virus, leaving many people without prior exposure or immunity. Data collected from wastewater surveillance systems show especially high levels of norovirus in the South Bay, Red

American authorities have unveiled a proposal that would require foreign tourists from dozens of countries, including the United Kingdom, to provide a five-year record of their social media activity before entering the United States. The measure, introduced by Customs and Border Protection, seeks to significantly expand the personal information collected from travellers who qualify for the visa waiver programme. Forty-two countries currently participate in the programme, which allows short-te

Indian-origin venture capitalist Asha Jadeja Motwani has asserted that she played a role in shaping former President Donald Trump’s recent shift in tone on the H-1B visa program, a move that has triggered debate among his political supporters. The program, which enables United States companies to hire skilled foreign workers, has long been a focal point in policy discussions involving the technology sector. Motwani said she spoke directly with both Trump and Vice President JD Vance about th

In a landmark step toward strengthening bilateral defence ties, India and the United States on Friday signed a 10-year defence framework agreement aimed at deepening strategic cooperation and expanding technological collaboration between the two nations. The agreement was formalised during a meeting between India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth in Kuala Lumpur. The new framework, extending over a decade, underscores both countries’ commitment to p

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California has joined several other states in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration, accusing it of unlawfully refusing to provide federal food assistance benefits during the ongoing government shutdown. Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the legal action Tuesday, stating that the decision by the administration to withhold funds under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, will leave millions of residents without

Columbus drivers are seeing noticeable relief at the gas pumps this week as fuel prices decline across central Ohio. The city’s average gasoline price has fallen by nearly seven cents per gallon over the past week, now averaging $2.94 per gallon. This marks a welcome break for motorists after months of uneven pricing and modest increases that have reflected broader supply and demand changes across the region. While the latest drop provides short-term savings, prices in Columbus rema

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that federal food assistance under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will not be distributed beginning November 1, as the federal government shutdown extends with no resolution in sight. The announcement intensifies concerns across the country as millions of Americans who rely on SNAP face the prospect of losing their primary means of purchasing food. According to the USDA’s notice, the agency will not tap into th

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A major private donation aimed at supporting U.S. military personnel during the ongoing federal government shutdown has been revealed to come from Timothy Mellon, heir to the prominent Mellon family fortune. Mellon, the grandson of former Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon and great-grandson of Mellon Bank founder Thomas Mellon, has contributed $130 million to the U.S. government to help fund service members’ pay amid the political impasse. President Donald Trum

City officials in Frisco, Texas, have confirmed that two mosquito pools collected within city limits have tested positive for the West Nile Virus (WNV), prompting immediate action from local authorities to control the spread of infected mosquitoes. The discovery marks the twenty-first confirmed mosquito pool in Frisco this year, underscoring ongoing public health concerns across North Texas during mosquito season. No human infections linked to the virus have been reported in Frisco at this ti

Washington, D.C. — City transportation officials are urging caution as pressure mounts to approve autonomous food delivery robots on District sidewalks. Despite growing interest from technology firms eager to deploy their devices across Washington, the D.C. Department of Transportation (DDOT) says it will not rush to authorize the new technology without first addressing safety, accessibility, and regulatory concerns. At a Wednesday hearing before the D.C. Council’s Committee on

US President Donald Trump has reignited debate over the influence of the BRICS bloc, claiming that the group represents “an attack on the dollar” and warning that countries joining it could face tariffs from the United States. Trump made the remarks during a bilateral lunch with Argentine President Javier Milei at the White House, reiterating his stance on protecting the dominance of the US dollar in global trade. Speaking to reporters, Trump asserted that the United States woul

President Donald Trump is earning rare praise from across the political spectrum for brokering a landmark peace agreement between Israel and Hamas, but the president is directing his ire toward Time magazine for what he described as an “unflattering” cover photo. In a post early Tuesday on his Truth Social platform, President Trump complained about the image featured on Time’s upcoming November 10 issue, which includes an in-depth story on the Gaza peace deal. “Time Magazine

Residents on Columbus’ west side are voicing growing concerns that emergency response times are lagging behind the city’s rapid pace of development. In neighborhoods such as Scioto Woods, once a quiet residential area off Trabue Road, new apartment complexes are springing up at a record rate — and so are fears that police, fire, and ambulance services are struggling to keep up when every second counts. The transformation of the west side has been particularly visible near The

Every year on October 8, marine enthusiasts, conservationists, and nature lovers around the globe come together to celebrate World Octopus Day — a day dedicated to one of the ocean’s most fascinating and intelligent creatures. First observed in 2014, this annual event highlights the extraordinary abilities of octopuses while calling attention to the growing environmental and ethical challenges they face in the modern world. The octopus, with its eight flexible arms, keen intelli

President Donald Trump reportedly informed Congress through a confidential Pentagon memo that the United States is now engaged in what is described as a “non-international armed conflict” against Latin American drug cartels. Among the groups named are Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, and Venezuelan organizations like Tren de Aragua and the Cartel de los Soles. The memo designates these cartels as terrorists and their members as unlawful combatants,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed US President Donald Trump’s new initiative aimed at ending the Gaza conflict, describing it as a comprehensive pathway toward long-term and sustainable peace. Modi’s support comes after Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed on Washington’s 20-point proposal during talks at the White House. In a statement posted on X, Modi said, We welcom

Central Ohio has welcomed a new addition to its dining scene with the arrival of Hummus Republic, a fast casual Mediterranean chain known for its fresh falafel, signature hummus, and highly customizable menu. The restaurant officially opened its first central Ohio location in Delaware, located at 1710 Columbus Pike, after hosting a successful grand opening in August. The launch marks another step in the expansion of the California-based chain, which has been steadily growing across the United

Gold, the most closely watched safe-haven asset, slipped from its record peak this week, sparking fresh debate among investors and traders. The decline in 22-carat and 24-carat gold prices has been tied to three key factors: the strengthening US dollar, cautious Federal Reserve signals, and anticipation around upcoming economic data. Despite the retreat, gold remains under the spotlight as global uncertainty keeps demand resilient.