Singaporeans will head to the polls on May 3, 2025, for a landmark general election that will test Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s leadership amid increasing global economic uncertainty and domestic political shifts. This marks the first election under Wong, who succeeded Lee Hsien Loong, ending decades of leadership under the influential Lee family. The ruling People's Action Party (PAP), in power since 1959, is expected to retain its majority, but with growing opposition strength a

Sandy Spring Friends School, a long-standing independent Quaker institution in Montgomery County, Maryland, announced on Monday that it will permanently close at the end of the 2024-2025 academic year. The school’s leadership, including Board of Trustees members and top administrators, shared the difficult news in a letter addressed to families, faculty, students, and the local community. In the letter, school officials cited an unsustainable financial situation as the drivi

In a ruling that could significantly influence the tax liabilities of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) investing in Indian mutual funds, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Mumbai bench, has determined that capital gains earned by NRIs on the redemption of mutual fund units are not taxable in India. This decision was delivered in a case involving a Singapore-based NRI who had declared short-term capital gains from mutual fund investments but claimed exemption under the Double Taxation Avoidance

A quiet Sunday morning in Northwest Austin turned into chaos and devastation after a powerful house explosion shook the Double Spur Loop neighborhood just before noon on April 13. According to the Austin Fire Department, the two-story home was completely leveled by the blast, and the effects of the explosion were felt and seen miles away. Initial emergency calls came in around 11:30 a.m., with witnesses reporting a massive boom and visible smoke plumes. Emergency crews arr

A devastating early morning fire ripped through a four-story apartment building on Monticello Avenue in Jersey City, leaving more than 30 residents displaced and prompting an ongoing arson investigation. The fire, which erupted just before 6 a.m. on Wednesday, is believed to have started in the building’s basement, quickly sending heavy smoke through every floor and forcing residents, including children and pets, to flee using fire escapes. The cause of the blaze remains

The City of Dallas has officially named Justin Ball as the next Chief of Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR), making him the 18th person to hold the position in the department’s long-standing history. Ball, who has been serving as interim chief since June 2024, was selected from a competitive pool of 32 candidates and is set to formally take over as chief on April 23, 2025. A native of northeast England, Chief Ball brings with him nearly three decades of experience within the Dallas Fire-Rescue De

Austin Independent School District (AISD) is facing mounting pressure from both performance and leadership crises as parents, students, and community members raise concerns about the future of local campuses. Thursday night’s board meeting revealed deep-seated challenges within the district, including the uncertain status of Dobie Middle School and the sudden resignation of a principal at a renowned all-girls school. One of the most pressing concerns is Dobie Middle School, wh

Mark Shankar, the youngest son of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, was injured in a fire accident that occurred at his school in Singapore. According to preliminary reports, the incident led to burn injuries on his hands and legs and smoke inhalation, necessitating immediate medical attention. Mark is currently being treated at a local hospital in Singapore, and his condition is being closely monitored. News of the accident prompted Pawan Kalyan to make urgent changes to his

A tragic incident unfolded at Memorial High School in Frisco, Texas, as 16-year-old student Austin Metcalf was fatally stabbed during a school track and field event. The Frisco Police Department has identified 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony as the suspect in this shocking act of violence, which occurred on the morning of Wednesday at approximately 10:00 a.m. on the 6900 block of Stadium Lane. According to authorities, an argument between the two teenagers quickly escalated into violence, culmina

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — A massive explosion rocked the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday morning after a gas pipeline operated by Malaysia’s state energy company, Petronas, caught fire. The incident occurred near residential areas in Selangor state and has led to the evacuation of nearby homes as emergency services continue their efforts to control the blaze. According to fire officials, at least 33 people sustained injuries, with six requiring hospitalisation. No fatalities h

South Texas has faced a severe and historic weather event this week, as officials report record-breaking rainfall that caused significant flooding in multiple cities, including Harlingen, Alamo, and Weslaco. Harlingen, which received over 21 inches of rain, experienced the heaviest downpour on Thursday. This intense weather event prompted emergency rescues of more than 200 residents, with hundreds more still waiting for assistance. The storm’s impact was felt across the region, with aut

In a significant move aimed at reshaping the American education system, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday directing the closure of the Department of Education. This bold move aligns with long-standing Republican ambitions to transfer educational authority to individual states and reduce federal involvement in schools. The signing ceremony took place in the East Room of the White House, where Trump, surrounded by schoolchildren, proudly displayed the signed order.

Heathrow Airport in London, one of the busiest airports in the world, has been closed till midnight following a massive power outage caused by a fire at an electrical substation in the western part of the city. The power failure has left over 16,000 homes without electricity, causing significant disruption for residents and travelers alike. The fire broke out at the North Hyde substation located in Hayes in London’s Hillingdon borough. Emergency services, including 10 fire engines and a

Health officials in Prince George’s County are urging families to take extra precautions as flu cases continue to rise in schools, leading to the tragic deaths of two students. The district confirmed the fatalities on Friday night, emphasizing the need for flu vaccinations and proactive measures to prevent further outbreaks. Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) reported a significant increase in flu cases across the district, with multi

Garena is celebrating Ramadan in Free Fire with a special month-long giveaway, allowing players to unlock exclusive rewards and experience an updated Bermuda map. Running until March 31, the Ramadan: Season of Blessings update introduces themed locations, free items, and new in-game challenges for players to explore.   Ramadan-Themed Updates and Free Rewards New Ramadan Bermuda Map: The latest update features a desert-th

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency as wildfires rage across the Carolinas and Georgia, scorching thousands of acres and forcing evacuations. The fires, fueled by unusually dry conditions and strong winds, have led to widespread damage and firefighting efforts involving hundreds of personnel. As the blazes continue, authorities are working around the clock to prevent further destruction, with a cold front expected to bring relief by Tuesday. According to t

Firefighters in North and South Carolina are battling multiple wildfires, forcing evacuations and leading to a state of emergency declaration in parts of South Carolina. The fires, fueled by dry weather, strong winds, and high temperatures, have quickly spread across forests and residential areas, prompting urgent firefighting efforts.The largest wildfire in the region has already burned 1,200 acres near Myrtle Beach, while North Carolina is dealing with multiple blazes in different forests.

  Fire Destroys Buildings on Vosseller Avenue, Causes Road Closures and Displaces Families A massive fire erupted on Vosseller Avenue late Friday morning, severely damaging multiple buildings and forcing the evacuation of several residents. The fire, which started around 10:30 a.m. between two structures, prompted an immediate emergency response as flames quickly spread.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has laid off hundreds of weather forecasters and federal employees, a move that has sparked widespread concern over public safety, disaster preparedness, and the future of extreme weather warnings in the U.S.. The job cuts primarily targeted probationary employees, including those working in National Weather Service (NWS) offices nationwide, where meteorologists provide crucial local forecasts and severe weather alerts.  

Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lunar lander is on track to achieve a historic landing on the Moon, marking a significant milestone in NASA’s lunar exploration efforts. As part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, Blue Ghost will play a key role in gathering scientific data to support future lunar missions under the Artemis program.The spacecraft has been steadily lowering its orbit around the Moon, performing a crucial engine burn to reduce its altitud