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

The White House has dismissed multiple administration officials following a meeting between President Donald Trump and far-right activist Laura Loomer. Among those ousted were at least three National Security Council (NSC) staffers, according to sources familiar with the matter. The decision came after Loomer reportedly provided Trump with a list of officials she deemed disloyal, urging their removal. Loomer, a controversial figure known for her extreme views, has gained influence

President Donald Trump is scheduled to convene a pivotal meeting at the White House on Wednesday to deliberate the future of TikTok's operations in the United States. This gathering comes as the deadline approaches for the Chinese-owned app to divest its U.S. operations or face a potential ban. Vice President JD Vance, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz are among the key

Washington: As anticipation builds over US President Donald Trump's so-called "Liberation Day" tariff announcement, the White House has confirmed there will be no exemptions in the new wave of reciprocal tariffs. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt made it clear that these tariffs are aimed at putting an end to what the administration calls decades of "unfair trade practices" against American exporters. President Trump has

US Vice President JD Vance is set to visit India later this month, marking his second international trip since assuming office. Accompanying him on this visit will be Second Lady Usha Vance, who will visit her ancestral homeland for the first time in her official capacity. This visit follows JD Vance’s recent diplomatic trips to France and Germany, where he attended the Munich Security Conference and made headlines with his sharp critique of European governme

Ottawa: Following his decisive victory in the Liberal Party leadership race, Mark Carney is set to become the next Prime Minister of Canada. With 85.9% of votes in his favor, Carney’s leadership marks the beginning of a new chapter for Canadian politics. Carney’s rise to power brings with it a promise to mend India-Canada ties, which reached their lowest point during Justin Trudeau’s tenure. The 59-year-old former banker has expressed his intent to rebuild diplomatic relatio

The first-ever White House crypto summit left some investors disappointed as Bitcoin prices dipped. While the event marked a shift in U.S. policy toward digital assets, the lack of strong commitments led to uncertainty. Crypto Industry Hopes for Stronger Support The White House hosted its first-ever cryptocurrency summit, bringing together top executive

Bangladesh’s interim government chief Muhammad Yunus has rejected concerns over strained relations between Bangladesh and India, asserting that the diplomatic ties between the two neighboring nations remain strong despite recent tensions. Yunus acknowledged that some conflicts have emerged but attributed them mainly to misinformation and propaganda rather than any fundamental changes in the relationship.In an interview with BBC Bangla, Yunus highlighted the historical, political, and ec

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed confidence that US-Ukraine relations can be repaired following an intense diplomatic confrontation with US President Donald Trump at the White House. Speaking from London after a European security summit, Zelensky emphasized the need for closed-door discussions and reaffirmed his stance that Ukraine would not concede any territory to Russia in exchange for peace.Zelensky’s remarks came just days after his tense meeting with Trump and

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Joint Base Andrews airbase in Maryland, United States, on Wednesday (local time) for a two-day visit at the invitation of President Donald Trump. This visit comes at a crucial time in international affairs, as both nations are looking to strengthen ties and address shared challenges on the global stage. The arrival at a key military and administrative facility underscores the significance of the trip, symbolizing not only a routine diplomatic vis

House Rent Allowance (HRA) is a component of an employee’s salary provided by employers to help cover rental expenses. Depending on various conditions, HRA may be partially or fully exempt from taxes. However, to benefit from this exemption, employees need to meet specific criteria. Is HRA Taxable? While HRA is part of an employee’s salary and is initially included in taxable income, it can be exempt under certain conditions. If the employee lives in a rented

On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will hold his first bilateral meeting with India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Washington. Jaishankar is visiting the US at the invitation of the US Government to attend the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States. Rubio’s meeting with Jaishankar is noteworthy, as it marks Rubio's first official bilateral engagement as Secretary of State and underscores the importance of strengthening US

On Sunday, US President-elect Donald Trump announced the appointment of Sriram Krishnan, an Indian American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and author, as the Senior White House Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Krishnan, who has held leadership roles at major tech companies such as Microsoft, Twitter, Yahoo!, Facebook, and Snap, will work alongside David O. Sacks, who will serve as the White House AI & Crypto Czar. Krishnan's role will involve ensuring that

India and China have reached a significant agreement on six points to resolve their long-standing border issues. This agreement was made during a meeting between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, marking the first Special Representative-level discussions since the 2020 border clashes. Key points of the agreement include maintaining peace at the border, cross-border tourism in Tibet, resuming Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and boosting Nathu La border trade.

Melania Trump will not be attending the traditional White House meeting on Wednesday with first lady Jill Biden, sources said. Traditionally, when the outgoing President hosts the incoming President-elect in the Oval Office, the first lady hosts her successor for tea in the residence. Michelle Obama hosted Melania Trump for tea in the Yellow Room after the 2016 election. However, Melania Trump did not meet with Jill Biden after the contentious 2020 race as Donald Trump repeatedly claimed he w

During a compelling interview at the  World Summit, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar shed light on the deteriorating diplomatic relations between India and Canada, which have faced significant strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations regarding India's involvement in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Jaishankar criticized what he termed "double standards" in diplomatic treatment, noting that while Canadian diplomat

The once-close relationship between Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy and his sister Sharmila has deteriorated dramatically, leading to a significant rift that has reverberated throughout the state's political landscape. Sharmila, who initially supported Jagan's rise in 2019, has turned into a formidable adversary, contributing to a historic decline in the YCP’s political fortunes. Analysts suggest that internal disputes, particularly over the distribution of prope

In a shocking file incident in the USA, a Telugu origin student has been found guilty in the case related to the attack on the White House.   Sai Varshith Kandula, a 20-year-old and a native of Hyderabad’s Chandanagar area and living in the United States on a Green Card, has admitted to charges of damaging federal property.  The incident occurred last year when Kandula embarked on a journey from St. Louis, Missouri, to Washington D.C. Upon reaching the