The Times of India

Centralia, Pennsylvania, once a thriving town, now stands as a ghost town due to an unending underground coal fire. Decades of abandonment have allowed nature to reclaim the land. Grasses, shrubs, and young trees cover former neighborhoods. Insects, birds, and small mammals have returned. This unintended nature reserve shows life's resilience even in a place deemed unsafe for human return.

Megyn Kelly faces widespread criticism for her lack of sympathy towards Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse fatally shot by federal agents. Kelly stated she doesn't feel sorry for Pretti, arguing that interfering with law enforcement operations escalates danger. Her remarks have drawn sharp condemnation from across the political spectrum, with critics questioning her empathy and religious beliefs.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's viral video shows him speaking Hindi during a severe snowstorm. The informal clip, captured during the January 2026 winter event, features Mamdani urging residents to stay informed. A brief, unscripted Hindi remark at the end resonated with viewers globally, sparking conversations about representation and relatability.

Minnesota National Guard troops were seen distributing coffee and hot chocolate to anti-ICE protesters amid heightened tensions following a fatal shooting. Wearing reflective vests to avoid confusion with federal agents, their presence aimed to manage crowds and de-escalate the volatile situation, creating a striking contrast that fueled online debate.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asserts that tobacco companies, seeking new markets after facing smoking regulations, applied their addiction science to the ultra-processed food industry. He claims these companies engineered foods to maximize cravings and repeat consumption, contributing to America's obesity and chronic disease crisis. This perspective shifts the focus from individual choice to corporate influence and product design.

Texas A&M faces criticism for spending over $3.25 million on H-1B visas for hundreds of foreign workers, including non-teaching roles. Critics question this amid tech job pressures, while supporters highlight the need for specialized talent to maintain research and operations. The university's spending is compared to UT Dallas, fueling the debate.

Indian-origin tech leader Jigar Thakkar has been appointed Vice President of Amazon Quick Suite, spearheading Amazon's agentic AI workspace. With a distinguished career at Microsoft, including founding engineering for Teams, and a recent role at MSCI, Thakkar brings extensive experience to this pivotal AI initiative. His appointment highlights the growing influence of Indian talent in global tech leadership.

Florida's state university system is proposing a one-year freeze on new H-1B visa hiring, aiming to prioritize American workers and reduce reliance on foreign labor. This move, set for a January 2026 Board of Governors meeting, would impact recruitment for the fall 2026 semester, sparking debate over talent acquisition and immigration policy.

A Kansas City man faces 14 felony counts for allegedly running a Facebook Marketplace scam, selling vehicles to multiple buyers and then stealing them back. Prosecutors say Mamadou Diallo used forged paperwork, convincing victims to pay thousands before the cars disappeared. The scheme reportedly occurred across at least eight sales in May and June 2025.

Texas Republican AG candidate Aaron Reitz faced backlash for a social media post comparing Texas counties to Indian cities, sparking accusations of targeting a specific community. A Community Note highlighted a major donor, a Pakistani-American doctor indicted in a healthcare fraud case, raising questions about Reitz's campaign funding and alleged hypocrisy.