A short primer guide to Diwali and those who celebrate it

Ohio homeowner ordered to pay contractor $45,806 despite cosmetic defects in basement walls

An Ohio homeowner was ordered to pay a contractor $45,806 for a concrete foundation with cosmetic flaws. The court found that structural integrity was maintained, despite visible surface defects. The homeowner had initially refused payment, claiming that the imperfections reduced property value. The appeals court upheld the lower court decision, emphasizing the importance of structural safety over cosmetic issues.

Trump says US took ‘giant step back in history’ after Democrats’ midterm victory

Updated pact expected to open more Taiwan jobs for OFWs

MANILA, Philippines — A updated agreement between the Philippines and Taiwan is expected to create more employment opportunities for qualified Filipino workers, particularly in the hospitality sector, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). In a statement on Saturday, the DMW welcomed the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Manila

North Dakota woman loses $110,000 home improvement claim after breakup with partner

After her relationship concluded, Mary Roth pursued the return of over $110,000 she invested in home enhancements. However, the North Dakota Supreme Court determined that she could not secure restitution through an unjust enrichment claim. The ruling underscored that Roth needed to demonstrate an actual financial benefit to the property owner, something her receipts failed to do when it came to increasing the property's market value.

What we know so far after Krakow gun attack

Six people were killed in a random shooting in Krakow's main square, and three bodies were later found at the home of the attacker.

Rare Altdorfer landscape hidden for 70 years after 1957 acquisition could fetch £5 million

An undiscovered masterpiece by Albrecht Altdorfer, the renowned German Renaissance painter, is set to hit the auction block at Sotheby's this December. This exquisite work, featuring a stunning forest scene crowned by a rainbow, has been held privately since 1957. With Altdorfer's oil landscapes being incredibly scarce, this auction represents a rare chance for collectors, the first of its kind since 1980, including viewings in New York and London beforehand.

Egypt train collision: Several injured as train derails after hitting another train

Queen Elizabeth II’s final days at Balmoral Castle: Inside her 53,000-acre Scottish sanctuary

Queen Elizabeth II spent her final days at Balmoral Castle, her beloved Scottish retreat spanning 53,000 acres. The royal estate held decades of cherished family memories, offering her peace and comfort amid nature. From royal summer holidays to her final moments, discover why Balmoral remained one of the Queen’s most treasured places throughout her life.

A €20 flea-market lamp sells for €251,000 after hidden signature is discovered

Poland in shock after 6 die in Krakow mass shooting

KRAKOW — A Polish gunman likely influenced by far-right ideology killed six people in the main square of the southern city of Krakow before police shot and arrested him, officials said on Saturday, adding that three more bodies were found in his home. The scenes of blood and bodies strewn across the historic heart of one of Poland's main tourist attractions shocked a nation that has long viewed itself as safer than western European neighbours that have witnessed such attacks in the past. The mass shooting of unprecedented scale adds to the sense of unease built by a string of school stabbings in October which authorities said was influenced by violent and extremist content online. "Everything points to the fact that the shooter was influenced by far-right ideology, a matter that will also be subject to investigation," Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski told a news briefing. "Police officers are on-site, as are agents from the Internal Security Agency, both here at the scene and at the individual's family home." Polish authorities have said four women and two men were killed in the atta

Trump says he wants UFC chief Dana White for White House press secretary

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday said he had asked mixed martial arts promoter Dana White to serve as White House press secretary and called on him to bring some fighters along as assistants "even though some are not from our country." White, chief executive of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, is a "violent Fighter and Warrior," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. Trump also asked for six current or former UFC titleholders to join White, including two athletes from Russia's Dagestan region, Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov; Americans Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier and "Kayla Harris," likely a reference to Kayla Harrison; and Amanda Nunes, a Brazilian native who became a U.S. citizen last year. "We need these people to defend us against the Lunatic Left," Trump wrote. White and UFC's parent company, TKO Group Holdings, did not immediately return requests for comment. The White House press secretary role has been vacant since Katie Zacharia's tenure ended last month after less than a week. Zacharia replaced Karoline Leavitt, who left the role at the end of A

Strong earthquake shakes central Japan, shattering store windows and injuring at least 22

TOKYO — A strong earthquake shook central Japan early Sunday, shattering store windows, causing people to flee buildings and leaving at least 22 people injured, according to local media. Japan’s Meteorological Agency put the quake’s magnitude at 5.7, while the U.S. Geological Survey reported it at magnitude 5.5. Smaller aftershocks were reported. A wide area near Aichi Prefecture was affected, including the city of Hamamatsu, the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara and nearby prefectures of Yamanashi, where Mount Fuji is located, as well as Gifu. Japanese TV footage showed shattered store windows and scattered shards of glass on the streets. A bookstore was left with mounds of books that had flown off the shelves. The injuries included people who fell from stairs while they were trying to flee. The quake, which struck at 1:04 a.m., was located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) below the earth's surface in Shizuoka Prefecture. Aichi and Shizuoka are neighboring regions. They are far enough from Tokyo that the quake was not felt there. The most violent shaking was felt in Aichi, accordin