The Times of India News

A seemingly innocuous comment about a hackathon's smell ignited a firestorm on X, exposing a racist meme targeting Indians and South Asians. Despite the commenter's claims of harmless intent, the phrase carries a long history of demeaning stereotypes. The incident highlights the crucial difference between intent and impact, urging a deeper understanding of how words accumulate meaning and cause harm.

Elon Musk has publicly criticized Governor Gavin Newsom. This followed a comment from Newsom's office about Musk's transgender child. Musk accused Newsom of pushing a 'woke mind virus' on children. The dispute highlights a political clash over transgender rights and parental involvement. Musk's child has publicly distanced herself from him.

A computational biologist's planned postdoctoral position at Harvard was halted by a new US travel ban, which expanded restrictions to 19 countries including Iran and removed student/scholar visa exemptions. This policy has impacted thousands of prospective students and scholars, forcing many to reroute their careers to Canada or Europe.

A 15-year-old boy is in custody after allegedly committing a brutal triple homicide in Odessa, Texas, killing his ex-girlfriend's mother and two younger siblings. The teen reportedly changed his plans from targeting the ex-girlfriend to attacking her family at their apartment. The motive remains unclear as the community reels from the shocking violence.

The US Department of Homeland Security is acquiring six Boeing 737 aircraft for nearly $140 million, enabling Immigration and Customs Enforcement to operate its own deportation fleet. This significant investment, funded by a record enforcement budget, aims to boost deportation flights and operational efficiency. The contract was awarded to a new firm, Daedalus Aviation, raising questions about cost-effectiveness and logistics.

A federal judge has ordered the immediate release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from US immigration detention. He was wrongfully deported to El Salvador and later re-detained without lawful authority. The judge ruled his custody had no legal basis as he lacks a valid removal order and deportation plans are unworkable. The government condemned the ruling and plans to appeal.

Several US states are providing tax relief payments before the end of 2025 to help residents cope with rising living costs. Alaska, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania are distributing rebates, dividends, and property tax reductions. These state-run programs offer financial support to eligible individuals and families facing economic strain.

Two Indian-origin innovators, Karandeep Anand and Sriram Krishnan, are recognized by TIME as Architects of AI. Anand leads Character.AI, revolutionizing consumer AI interaction, while Krishnan shapes US AI policy as a White House advisor. Their inclusion underscores the significant influence of Indian leadership in steering AI's global trajectory and its societal impact.

P&O Cruises Iona lost a full day of its two-week itinerary after 16 cargo containers, many filled with bananas and other produce, toppled from a passing vessel in the Solent, prompting a precautionary delay in Southampton. Most containers later washed ashore in West Sussex, drawing curious onlookers and official warnings to report all wreck material under UK maritime law.

A wrongful death lawsuit against Royal Caribbean alleges a California man died after a violent restraint by ship security following severe intoxication. His body was reportedly kept in a refrigerator for the remainder of a three-day cruise. The autopsy ruled his death a homicide due to mechanical asphyxiation associated with restraint.

White House correspondent Brian Glenn found himself in a difficult position when his partner, Marjorie Taylor Greene, faced public criticism from Donald Trump. Glenn, a staunch Trump supporter, had to navigate his professional loyalty to the president with his personal relationship. He has since decided to leave his White House beat and relocate to Georgia with Greene.

Former CIA Director John Brennan's resurfaced interview reveals how instructors used financial leverage to pressure foreign agents into continued espionage. Brennan questioned the ethics, but was told it served national security, not blackmail. Agents' signed acknowledgments of payments could be used to ensure cooperation, a tactic resembling historical intelligence manuals.

Billionaire MacKenzie Scott has generously donated nearly $7.2 billion in the past year, pushing her lifetime contributions past $26 billion. Her latest wave of 225 grants supports vital areas like education, climate action, and community well-being, with significant funding directed towards organizations aiding underserved populations and expanding opportunities for students.

New York's mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist focused on housing justice, is set to move into the historic Gracie Mansion. This transition from his modest Queens apartment has sparked debate, with Mamdani citing safety and governance needs. The mansion, a symbol of political tension, will now host his efforts to tackle the city's housing crisis.

Early airport body scanners were far more revealing than most travellers realised. In the early 2010s, Rapiscan X-ray machines produced highly detailed, near-nude images that sparked outrage and were ultimately removed over privacy concerns. Experts tell Readers Digest that todays millimetre-wave scanners work very differently, generating only a generic avatar and flagging possible threats without exposing anyones actual body.

The US Justice Department has launched a new Second Amendment Rights Section, elevating gun rights to a core civil right. This unit will scrutinize state and local gun laws, challenging those that may infringe on constitutional protections. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated this move ensures equal importance for firearm ownership alongside other fundamental rights, aiming for consistent federal oversight.