Sankara Nethralaya has appointed Indian American business leader Lakshmi Narasimha Vasan to its advisory board and recognized him as a major donor for supporting mobile eye surgery programs in Gwalior and Tamil Nadu. LOS ANGELES — Wednesday, July 15, 2026: Sankara Nethralaya has appointed Indian American business leader and philanthropist Lakshmi Narasimha Vasan to its advisory board, recognizing his support for programs designed to prevent avoidable blindness in

The Sanaa airport strike targeting an Iranian plane has sharply escalated Saudi-Houthi tensions. Yemen’s government said it hit the runway, while the Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia and launched missiles toward the kingdom. The Sanaa airport strike targeting an Iranian aircraft has triggered a dangerous escalation between Yemen’s Houthi movement and Saudi Arabia, threatening a period of relative calm that had largely held since 2022. The Iran-aligned Hout

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s decision to present engraved revolvers and live ammunition to visiting leaders at the 2026 NATO summit in Ankara has created an unusual diplomatic and legal issue. Several recipients now face strict national rules governing the import, storage and deactivation of firearms. Erdoğan NATO pistol gifts surprise summit leaders The personalized weapons were distributed to visiting lea

The US stock market increasingly supports household retirement savings as Social Security faces long-term financial pressure. Widespread stock ownership, 401(k) dependence and new investment accounts could make a prolonged market crash politically harder for Washington to tolerate. Stock ownership becomes a political force The American stock market is no longer limited to professional investors and wealthy traders. Million

Saudi Arabia’s latest oil price cut has turned attention back to Asia, where refiners are getting more room to negotiate as Gulf crude supply improves. Saudi Aramco has reduced the August official selling price of Arab Light crude for Asian buyers by $11 per barrel, placing the grade at a $1.50 discount to the Oman-Dubai benchmark. The sharp move shows how quickly the market has shifted from supply fear to buyer advantage. The cut is imp

Belgium is challenging FIFA’s decision to clear U.S. forward Folarin Balogun for the United States’ World Cup match against Belgium, escalating a disciplinary dispute before a knockout game with a quarterfinal place at stake. FIFA suspended Balogun’s one-match ban after he received a red card in the United States’ previous World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, allowing him to play against Belgium on Monday, July 6, 2026, in Seattle. Reuters reported that FIFA cited

Iran has thanked India after an official Indian delegation attended the funeral ceremonies of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. The Iranian Embassy in India described the visit as a gesture of friendship, respect and solidarity during a period of national mourning in Iran. India was represented by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain, who travelled to Tehran as part of New Delhi’s officia

Delhi govt ends work from home, restores normal office timings The Delhi government has withdrawn its work-from-home arrangement and staggered office timings for employees, citing an improvement in the geopolitical situation in West Asia. The decision brings an end to temporary fuel-saving measures introduced earlier this year amid concerns over global energy supplies and rising uncertainty linked to the conflict involving the United States and Iran. Chief

India-Japan summit reflects a broader strategic shift The India-Japan summit has drawn attention beyond New Delhi and Tokyo because its outcomes point to a wider realignment in Asia’s economic and security order. Japan’s plan to invest more than $61 billion in India over the next decade is the headline, but the deeper issue is why Tokyo is seeking stronger options outside China. Prime Minister Sanae Takai

Columbus Red, White & BOOM fireworks are set to draw a massive crowd to the Scioto Mile, with music, vendors, a parade and a major riverfront fireworks display planned. The full calendar date was not included in the source information, but the event is scheduled for the Friday referenced in the material. Organizers expect more than 400,000 people to gather in downtown Columbus, Ohio, making traffic, parking, heat and crowd movement key con

Workers and employers across the Chicago area will face different minimum wage rates beginning Wednesday, July 1, 2026, depending on the location of the job. Illinois’ statewide minimum wage will remain $15 per hour for workers age 18 and older, while the base rate for tipped employees will stay at $9 per hour. The statewide increases required under a 2019 law ended after those rates took effect on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Chicago Minimum Wage Rises to $17.05

A tragic road accident on the Bhestan bridge in Surat claimed the lives of a young woman and her three-year-old daughter after a speeding dumper allegedly collided with their bike. The family was returning home after a Muharram visit when the fatal crash occurred, leaving two survivors injured and sparking public outrage over reckless driving and heavy vehicle movement in the city. F

What Does Muharram Mean? The word "Muharram" comes from the Arabic term "Al-Muharram," which means "forbidden" or "sacred." The month derives its name from the prohibition of warfare and bloodshed during this sacred period. Islam recognizes four sacred months in the lunar calendar: Muharram Rajab Dhul Qa'dah Dhul Hijjah These months are considered especially holy, and Muslims are encour

Things to do in Columbus June 25-28 include ComFest, major concerts, collector-car auctions, free movies and family activities across the city. The four-day lineup runs from Thursday, June 25, through Sunday, June 28, 2026. Things to Do in Columbus June 25-28, 2026 Collector Cars, Movies and Soccer The Barrett-Jackson Columbus Auction brings collector cars and automobilia to the Ohio Expo Center from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Th

The UK has updated two temporary work routes, reducing the overseas employment requirement for Secondment Workers and changing how the absence period is calculated for certain Seasonal Worker applicants. The changes affect overseas employees entering the UK for major commercial assignments and workers returning for seasonal horticulture jobs. UK Secondment Worker Visa Requirement Cut to Six Months Since Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Khaan Quest 2026 has officially begun at the Five Hills Training Area near Ulaanbaatar, marking one of the largest annual UN peacekeeping training exercises in the region. The drill brings together troops from 18 nations, with a focus on improving coordination in complex peace support environments. More than 1,000 personnel are taking part in structured field training designed to replicate real-world mission conditions under United Nations mandates. India strengthens peacekeeping engagement through participation The Indian Army has deployed a 40-member contingent for the exercise, including personnel from a battalion of the JAT Regiment along with supporting arms. Their participation reflects India’s continued operational commitment to global peacekeeping frameworks. Indian troops are actively engaged in tactical drills such as area domination, checkpoint operations, search procedures, and controlled movement scenarios that simulate volatile environments. Training designed for real-world mission readiness The exercise is structured around practical peacekeeping scenarios where multinational forces must operate under unified command conditions. Activities include convoy protection, casualty evacuation drills, and humanitarian response simulations. A strong emphasis is placed on interoperability, ensuring that forces from different countries can communicate and operate seamlessly during international deployments. Women, Peace and Security module gains importance A dedicated training segment on Women, Peace and Security is a key feature of this year’s exercise. It focuses on improving gender awareness in operational settings, strengthening civilian protection measures, and encouraging greater participation of women in peacekeeping roles. The module is designed to reflect evolving global expectations in modern conflict management. Exercise highlights growing global coordination Khaan Quest began as a bilateral initiative between Mongolia and the United States in the early 2000s and has since expanded into a multinational platform co-sponsored by US Indo-Pacific Command. Over the years, it has evolved into a key training ground for preparing forces for UN peace operations. The 2026 edition reinforces international cooperation, operational readiness, and shared security practices among participating nations. Strategic relevance of Khaan Quest 2026 The exercise serves as more than just a training event—it acts as a platform for military diplomacy and operational alignment among partner countries. By working together in simulated peace missions, participating forces strengthen trust, improve tactical compatibility, and enhance readiness for future UN deployments in conflict and post-conflict zones.

A preliminary magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck near Redwood Valley in Mendocino County at approximately 8:10 a.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, triggering earthquake alerts across parts of Northern California, including the San Francisco Bay Area. The Redwood Valley earthquake on June 24, 2026, was centered north of Ukiah at a depth of approximately 5 miles, according to preliminary information from the U.S. Geo

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A federal judge has kept the Trump administration’s proposed $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund on hold after senior officials declined to provide sworn assurances that the program had been abandoned. U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema issued a preliminary injunction on Friday, June 12, 2026, barring the Justice and Treasury departments from creating, financing or operating the fund. The order

Grocery Outlet is Ohio’s fastest-growing brand in Yelp’s 2026 analysis, placing ahead of 7 Brew, Wingstop, Smoothie King and Paris Baguette. Yelp released the report on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, after comparing business and consumer activity in 2025 with 2024. The ranking combined net new business openings, changes in Yelp searches and consumer activity, including business-page views, photo uploads and reviews. Why Grocery Outlet ranked No. 1 in Ohio

Andy Burnham Makerfield Win Puts Starmer Under Pressure Andy Burnham’s return to Westminster after a decisive Makerfield win has strengthened his political position and added fresh pressure on Keir Starmer’s Labour leadership. Burnham’s Comeback Raises Labour Leadership Questions Andy Burnham’s return to Parliament after a commanding