WESTERN BUREAU: Hundreds of children and parents still grappling with the trauma left by Hurricane Melissa were offered a measure of respite on Tuesday as the Jamaica Regiment of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) mounted a major psychosocial and...

Congress leaders Rashid Alvi and V Hanumantha Rao on Thursday launched a sharp attack on RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat over his recent remarks, accusing him and the BJP of pushing divisive agendas, imposing Hindi, and attempting to undermine India's secular character.

The Home Minister's remarks come amid an alleged ongoing power tussle within the Karnataka Congress, with the Chief Ministership emerging as a contentious issue after the government reached its halfway mark. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, and Home Minister G Parameshwara are seen as key figures in the unfolding political churn.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday extended greetings for the DRDO Day to scientists, personnel, and their families, lauding their «commitment and scientific excellence.»

India and China have resumed high-level engagements and reopened trade channels after years of frosty relations, a move driven by mutual necessity rather than trust. While diplomatic and commercial ties see a surface thaw, deep-seated rivalries and unresolved border disputes persist, raising questions about the sustainability of this fragile detente.

Meanwhile, the Russian Investigative Committee has launched a criminal investigation based on Article 205 of the Russian Criminal Code, committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko announced

The ceremony was administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James

Air raid sirens went off in the region last night; local media outlets reported explosions in the town of Lutsk

Ministers have privately raised the prospect of the new technology being issued to children at birth alongside the 'red book' of health records given to new parents.

An estimated 100,000 partygoers from across the country - and further afield - flocked to Londonas they eagerly anticipated the famed fireworks display on the Thames.

Anthony Joshua was discharged from hospital late on New Year's Eve and paid an emotional visit to a funeral home to pay his respects to two pals killed in a car crash.

The governor pointed out that the attack had come right about midnight

Kenner Elias Jones, 75, of Caernarfon, North Wales become one of the world's most infamous fraudsters and moved across continents under a string of false identities.

Donald Trump went off on the ongoing Minnesota migrant fraud scandal and revealed where his administration believes its found even worse corruption.

Besides, Russian forces destroyed 19 Ukrainian warplanes, over 50 missile systems, more than 67,000 drones, and over 6,500 tanks and other armored combat vehicles in 2025

TASS has prepared this factbox on the project dubbed The New Year’s Capital of Russia

A van was allegedly involved in multiple hit-and-run accidents on Wednesday (Dec 31) along Towner Road and Lavender Street, before crashing into a signpost along Raffles Avenue.In three separate posts uploaded to Facebook groups SGRV and SGRV Front Man, the same orange Nippon Paint van was seen involved in multiple road incidents, all of which occurred on different roads.In the first post, the driver of the Toyota Hiace is alleged to have been involved in a hit-and-run accident near Block 149A Towner Road, before being accused of fleeing the scene.An uploaded video showed the van ramming through a car park barricade in the process of doing so. According to the post, the van crashed through the barricade after attempting to flee the scene, along Towner Road. PHOTO: Screengrab/Facebook/SGRV According to SGRV, the incident occurred at 1.32pm.

The difference between the Sun's diameters in January and July will be most noticeable when professional photographs are placed side by side, astronomers noted

According to the press service of the head of Belarus, Lukashenko noted that he would be glad to see Fico on Belarusian soil to discuss strategic issues of interstate cooperation

In what appears to be another attempt to resolve their ongoing estrangement, the former Manchester United footballer included Brooklyn in his latest round-up of family photos.

The Tory leader said growing calls by some ministers for the UK to rejoin the European customs union showed the Government has no plan or new ideas.

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have arrived at the commander-in-chief's annual New Year's Eve party at Mar-a-Lago.

Could Ed Miliband be a secret Tory, or even an undercover agent for Reform UK? Of course, the notion is absurd. The Energy Secretary is a paid-up socialist and Net Zero zealot.

Shops and eateries in Eltham, south-east London, claim the so-called 'pigeon boys' have been wreaking havoc for several months.

[New Times] Rwanda is exploring large-scale conversion of fuel-powered motorcycles into electric models to reduce air and noise pollution.

[New Times] Knowing one's country, its history and its issues is the first act of patriotism, according to Tito Rutaremara.

Singapore ushered in the new year with multiple firework displays across the island, some of which were held in heartland areas like Boon Lay and Woodlands.However, based on multiple videos posted online, Tampines residents reportedly started the new year witnessing flames shooting from the roof of Our Tampines Hub (OTH) shortly after the fireworks display.In a TikTok video by @38mlow posted on Jan 1, smoke could be seen rising from the back of the roof of OTH, while multiple ambulances were seen entering the vicinity of the building. Ambulance sirens could also be heard. 

Adrienne Arsenault and Ian Hanomansing host New Year's Eve celebrations live across Canada's six time zones.

A sessions court in North Goa sentenced Sandeep Verlekar to 6 years and 6 months in prison for culpable homicide not amounting to murder after he assaulted his bed-ridden mother. The court considered his alcoholism and lack of intent to kill, ordering his release after accounting for time already served.

India has firmly rejected China's claim of mediating its conflict with Pakistan. New Delhi reiterated that military action ceased after a request from the Pakistani DGMO to his Indian counterpart.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu conveyed New Year wishes for 2026. They prayed for peace, good health, and happiness across society. The nation welcomed the year with vibrant celebrations. Fireworks lit up cities as people gathered to mark the fresh beginnings of 2026 with enthusiasm and cheer.

The mass introduction of the digital ruble for all categories of users is planned from September 2026

According to the US Southern Command, intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes and were involved in drug smuggling