Articles

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

A new Covid-19 subvariant, NB.1.8.1, is drawing the attention of global health agencies due to its rapid spread and apparent ability to partially evade immune defences. This Omicron lineage strain is now spreading across multiple regions including India, China, Thailand, and several European countries, prompting increased surveillance by the World Health Organization (WHO). NB.1.8.1 has been categorized as a “variant under monitoring” by WHO, which means it carries genet

The release of Kamal Haasan's much-anticipated film Thug Life is now under threat in Karnataka due to a growing controversy over a remark the actor made regarding the Kannada language. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), along with Kannada organisations such as the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, is demanding a public apology from the veteran actor following his statement that “Kannada is born out of Tamil,” made during the audio launch event of the film in Chen

In an incident straight out of a movie script, Odisha’s capital Bhubaneswar witnessed a dramatic scene when a senior government engineer allegedly attempted to dispose of illicit wealth by throwing bundles of cash out of his apartment window during a raid. The man in question, Baikuntha Nath Sarangi, is a Chief Engineer in the State’s Rural Development Department. A massive operation by the vigilance department led to the recovery of over Rs 2.1 crore in unaccounted cash.

In a landmark verdict that stirred memories of a crime that shook the nation, a Kotdwar court in Uttarakhand on Friday sentenced Pulkit Arya, son of a former BJP leader, and two others to life imprisonment for the 2022 murder of 19-year-old receptionist Ankita Bhandari. Arya, along with resort manager Saurabh Bhaskar and employee Ankit Gupta, was found guilty after a 14-month-long trial that drew widespread media and public attention. Ankita was employed at Vanantara Resort in the Y

During a high-level visit aboard INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh issued a powerful statement underscoring the unmatched capabilities of the Indian Navy. Speaking from the Arabian Sea, Singh remarked that if the Indian Navy had joined active combat during Operation Sindoor, Pakistan could have faced consequences far more severe than in 1971, potentially splitting into four parts. Referring to the Navy’s role i

In a heartwarming moment at Patna airport, 14-year-old IPL prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his breakout season with Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025. The young cricketer, who became an overnight sensation after smashing a 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans, touched the Prime Minister's feet as a traditional gesture of respect. The encounter drew admiration from across the nation, symbolizing a proud moment for Bihar and Indian cricket. PM M

Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan has addressed the political buzz surrounding his image on posters projecting him as the “next Chief Minister of Bihar.” In an interview, Paswan said that such posters reflect the emotions of his party workers and not an official declaration from him. Speaking candidly, the Hajipur MP said, “Many times, the sentiments of workers are so strong that you cannot stop them even if you want to.&rdq

Actor-politician Kamal Haasan found himself at the center of a heated linguistic controversy after stating that “Kannada was born out of Tamil” during the Thug Life audio launch in Chennai on May 24. The comment sparked backlash from pro-Kannada groups, with calls for a boycott and demands for an apology. Despite mounting pressure, several celebrities, including actors Divya Spandana and Vinodhini Vaidyanathan, have stepped up to support him and clarify the context of his statemen

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has imposed a one-year stock market trading ban on Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi, his wife Maria Goretti, and his brother for their involvement in the manipulation of Sadhna Broadcast Ltd shares, now known as Crystal Business System Ltd. The regulatory body has fined the trio ₹5 lakh each and ordered the return of ₹1.05 crore in illegal gains. According to Sebi, the group was part of a “pump and dump” scheme that artif

Hyderabad is all set to host the glittering finale of the Miss World 2025 pageant, bringing the eyes of the globe to the Convention Centre at HITEX this Saturday, May 31. The grand event, which will begin at 6:00 PM, concludes three weeks of celebrations and competitive rounds that have drawn global attention to the city. Organisers have been working nonstop to perfect the venue and logistics, aiming to deliver one of the most memorable events in the history of the pageant. The main

 In a striking admission, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that India’s BrahMos missile strikes, carried out under Operation Sindoor, hit several targets across Pakistan before Islamabad’s military could respond. The attacks, executed on the intervening night of May 9 and 10, were India’s retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. Sharif, speaking during a visit to Azerbaijan, said Pakistan had

 Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed disappointment over Colombia's reaction to the recent Indian military operation against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Reacting to Colombia’s message of condolence for the lives lost in Pakistan following Operation Sindoor, Tharoor emphasized that there can be no moral equivalence between a nation dispatching terrorists and a nation defending itself from terror. Mr. Tharoor, currently visit

Indian-American entrepreneur and Republican politician Vivek Ramaswamy recently took to social media to share a heartfelt message celebrating his 10th wedding anniversary with wife Apoorva. However, what should have been a touching tribute to their love story quickly turned into a target for online hate, as users posted a barrage of racist and anti-immigrant remarks, many of them telling the couple to “go back to India.” In his anniversary post on X , Ramaswamy shared tw

The majority of Livermore residents are satisfied with their quality of life, according to the results of the 2025 National Community Survey. The survey, conducted by the National Research Center at Polco, randomly selected 3,000 households in Livermore, with 374 responding. The results were carefully weighted to ensure diversity across age, gender, race, ethnicity, housing status, and geography. According to the findings, 95% of residents expressed satisfaction with living in Liver

San Ramon residents and others in Contra Costa County are being asked to help shape the future of local mental health and behavioral services. As the county prepares to redesign its Behavioral Health system for the 2026–2029 cycle, officials are inviting the public to participate in a survey and virtual town hall forums to gather input. The initiative is led by Contra Costa Health Services, which is seeking input on topics such as access to mental health care, substance use tr

For the first time, Emerald High School students are bringing their creativity to the public stage with a weekend art showcase at the Stoneridge Shopping Center. The exhibition will feature a variety of artwork by students enrolled in the school's drawing, sculpture, and ceramics programs. The showcase is scheduled for Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The community can visit the exhibit in the space between Sheikh Shoes and Swarovski inside the mall. I

As summer vacation begins and school cafeterias close, the Houston Food Bank is stepping in to ensure that children don’t go hungry during the break. Beginning June 2, the organization is launching its annual Summer Food Service Program, which provides free, nutritious meals to children across the Houston area. The program serves all children aged 18 and younger, as well as students with disabilities up to age 21. This initiative is vital for many families who rely on school m

The Austin Fire Department (AFD) was inundated with emergencies following a powerful storm that swept through the region on Wednesday. From rescuing people trapped in floodwaters to handling over 700 storm-related calls, AFD crews were on high alert as neighborhoods like Shoal Creek faced the brunt of the storm. As intense rain, gusty winds, and hail pounded the area, multiple swift water rescues were initiated across the city. Among the most serious incidents was a tragic rescue at

A 13-year-old student from Allen, Texas, has won national fame and a $50,000 cash prize after emerging victorious in the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Faizan Zaki, a seventh-grade student at C.M. Rice Middle School in Plano ISD, correctly spelled the challenging word “éclaircissement” to take the top spot during the final round held Thursday night. The word, which means “a clearing up of something obscure,” perfectly summed up Zaki’s commanding clari