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In a sweeping move set to impact millions of Americans, the U.S. Department of Education announced it will resume collections on approximately five million defaulted federal student loans starting May 5. This marks the first time since the pandemic-era pause that collections will be enforced, ending a five-year period of relief that shielded borrowers from wage garnishments and federal benefit offsets. The action targets borrowers who had already defaulted on their student loan

  Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Tuesday, reflecting investor caution after a turbulent session on Wall Street. The instability stemmed from renewed political pressure by U.S. President Donald Trump on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. Trump's latest comments criticizing Powell’s leadership and calling for lower interest rates reverberated through global markets, reigniting concerns about central bank independence and its role in shaping monetary policy.

Commuters across New Jersey who rely on public transit are raising concerns about prolonged inaccessibility at major stations, especially for those with disabilities. While plans and funding are finally in place to address longstanding infrastructure issues, riders say the pace of progress leaves many struggling to access essential services safely and independently. At Hamilton Station, escalators that serve the westbound platform have been out of service for extended periods — one since S

Washington, DC experienced a troubling surge of violence during Easter weekend, as numerous fights broke out across the city. The incidents, which involved large crowds and groups of young individuals, sparked concern among residents and business owners and prompted a police response. One of the most notable altercations occurred early Saturday morning inside a popular chicken wing restaurant located along the 1000 block of U Street. A chaotic scene unfolded just after 1:30 a.m

The tornado watch issued for several regions has officially been lifted, bringing some relief to residents. However, weather officials warn that the threat of storms is not entirely over, as conditions remain favorable for additional severe weather overnight. Thunderstorms, strong wind gusts, and hail are still possible in the hours ahead. Earlier in the day, a tornado watch had been in place for multiple counties due to the possibility of rotating storms capable of producing torn

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 17, 1936, passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. The Vatican confirmed his death in a statement read by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, at 7:35 a.m. local time. The announcement was made from the Casa Santa Marta, the residence where Pope Francis had lived since the beginning of his papacy. Cardinal Farrell described the pope as having "dedicated his entire life to th

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has embarked on a significant 11-day official tour to the United States and Peru to deepen India's role in global economic policy, strengthen bilateral relationships, and lead India’s presence at key multilateral forums. Her visit, taking place during a time of growing international economic uncertainty, aims to project India’s strategic interests in trade, finance, and development partnerships. Beginning in San Francisco, Sithar

US Vice President JD Vance began his four-day visit to India on Monday, launching a strategic mission to deepen trade, defense, and energy partnerships with the South Asian nation. Arriving in New Delhi with his wife Usha and their children, Vance is engaging in high-level meetings and cultural visits, underscoring the personal and diplomatic importance of the trip. At the center of this visit is a scheduled meeting between Vance and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders are expected to

In a sweeping move targeting individuals living in the United States under humanitarian parole, the Department of Homeland Security sent a mass email with the subject line “Notice of Termination of Parole.” The message carried a stark warning: recipients were ordered to depart the U.S. immediately or face possible law enforcement action leading to deportation. It also emphasized that any benefits tied to their parole, such as work authorization, would be revoked. The email further wa

The Texas House is poised for a pivotal vote that could redefine education funding across the state. Lawmakers are set to decide on two major education bills: one that introduces a $1 billion private school voucher program, and another that aims to invest $8 billion into public school funding. These bills represent two of the most consequential education initiatives of the current legislative session. The voucher proposal is a significant development in Texas politics, especially

Portillo's, the renowned Chicago-based chain known for its hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches, has embarked on a new culinary venture by introducing a breakfast menu at select locations. This marks a significant expansion in the brand's offerings, aiming to cater to early risers and breakfast enthusiasts in the Chicago area. Starting April 15, 2025, five Portillo's locations began serving breakfast daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The participating locations includ

Amid rising egg prices, Stop & Shop is launching a promotion to provide some relief to its customers. From April 18 to April 20, 2025, shoppers who spend $100 or more in a single transaction will receive a free dozen large white eggs. This offer is available at all Stop & Shop locations and is redeemable through a digital coupon. To take advantage of this promotion, customers can access the digital coupon in several ways. Shoppers may visit the in-store kiosk and scan thei

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a series of weather advisories for mid-April 2025, highlighting severe heatwave conditions in parts of North and West India, while forecasting heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in several Eastern and Northeastern states. In Delhi, the minimum temperature on Wednesday settled at 23.4°C, which is 1.8 degrees above the seasonal average. The maximum temperature is expected to reach 37°C, with humidity levels recorded at 50% at 8:30 am. The

After nearly a decade of uninterrupted growth, the flow of Indian students to top international study destinations—Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom—has seen a significant and unexpected downturn in 2024. For the first time in over five years, all three countries have reported a simultaneous drop in student visa approvals for Indian applicants. The decline comes amidst changing immigration policies and growing domestic pressures in host countries, raising concerns amo

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is under intense scrutiny following reports of multiple factual errors in the JEE Main 2025 Session 2 examination papers. Students and educators, particularly from Kota, Rajasthan—a hub for engineering aspirants—have identified at least nine disputed questions across physics, chemistry, and mathematics. These concerns emerged after the release of the provisional answer keys and response sheets on April 11. In physics, four questions ha

In a series of intense deliberations, the Texas House of Representatives has embarked on finalizing the state's budget, with debates centering around Attorney General Ken Paxton's backpay, healthcare costs associated with undocumented immigrants, and the future of the Texas Lottery. The budget process, typically procedural, took an unexpected turn when discussions arose about compensating AG Ken Paxton for the period he was suspended during his impeachment proceedings in 2023. Represe

Wink Martindale, the iconic American game show host and radio personality, passed away on April 15, 2025, at the age of 91. He died at Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage, California, after a year-long battle with lymphoma. Martindale's death marks the end of a remarkable career that spanned over seven decades, during which he became a beloved figure in American entertainment. Born Winston Conrad Martindale on December 4, 1933, in Jackson, Tennessee, he began his broadcastin

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has formally filed a chargesheet against senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in connection with its ongoing money laundering investigation into the National Herald case. This marks the first time that both leaders have been officially charged in this high-profile case, which has been under scrutiny for several years. The chargesheet, submitted to a special court in Delhi on April 9, 2025, also names five other individuals, including Indian Overs

  India's organic food exports have witnessed a significant surge, registering a 35% increase to reach $665.96 million (approximately ₹5,700 crore) in the financial year ending March 31, 2025. This growth underscores the rising global demand for Indian organic products and the country's expanding footprint in the organic food sector. In terms of volume, exports grew by 41%, totaling 0.37 million tonnes in 2024-25, up from 0.26 million tonnes in the previous fiscal year. The

India and the United States are preparing to open formal discussions this week on a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement, taking advantage of a 90-day pause in escalating tariffs. The two nations, long-standing economic and strategic partners, are moving to resolve trade tensions and explore deeper commercial engagement at a time when global trade is under pressure from protectionist trends and economic uncertainty. The initial discussions will be conducted virtually, with officials from both