• U.S. unveils new terrorism alerts, scraps colors
• Wildfires spread across Texas
• India successfully launches three satellites into space

• Gaddafi retakes Brega, Libyan rebels flee
• Japan reactors may take three decades to decommission
• Poll: President Obama's approval hits new low

• Just imagine if you got to the Super Bowl, and they didn’t have a seat to match the ticket you bought from their lottery! Here’s a first-person account of an SMU journalism professor who was part of the Super Bowl’s XLV’s ticketgate.
• People are immigrating illegally from India via Brownsville?
• There’s an opera about Anna Nicole Smith opening in London?

• Mohamed ElBaradei: 'We Could Experience an Arab Spring'
• Obama to propose break for states on jobless aid
• Phasing out Freddie and Fannie?

• Amber Alert for 12-year-old Houston boy missing since Christmas Eve.
• India issues nationwide terror alert upon word of possible planned attack on New Year's.
• On the faulty investigation into the death of a Russian human rights advocate.

• Cheney told Bush: "I can't believe you're going to leave a soldier on the battlefield."
• Obama backs India for permanent seat on UN Security Council
• Keith Olbermann will return to MSNBC Tuesday after two-show suspension

• Barney Frank says abolish Freddie and Fannie
• NY Governor Paterson to discuss relocating Muslim center
• U.S. may sue Arizona's Sheriff Arpaio for not cooperating in investigation

• National Tea Party Federation bags Tea Party Express following racist satire
• At least 60 dead, 92 injured in India train crash
• Clinton unveils an array of projects during visit to Pakistan

• University of Texas getting Cronkite's papers and photographs
• Leslie's condition continues to improve; now at rehab hospital
• Underworld in shock as hitman quits Mafia and tells court he's gay

• Civilian goals still unmet in Afghanistan
• Two Americans share Nobel economics prize; this is the first year a female has been awarded the prize for economics.
• Insurance industry advocacy group claims premiums will rise under healthcare reform

The (almost) annual Bollywood Bash has condensed the larger than life world of Mumbai’s film industry for Austin natives since 2002. The event celebrates Hindi movies and its colorful dance, clothing, and culture, and benefits SAHELI (“friend” in Hindi), an organization devoted to helping Asian families with domestic issues. more ›

The death toll from the cyclone that hit Bangladesh is over 3,000 now; the UN says a million people have been left homeless. We're (*cough*) so surprised: Austin named the fall allergy capital of the nation. Alberto Gonzales didn't have an easy time speaking at the University of Florida last night. After child workers were found at one of their factories in India, Gap is determined to improve working conditions there. US Military calls... more ›

Stay away from the Denver International Airport. Major anti-abortion group endorses that Law & Order guy. Ship spills more than 1.3 million gallons of oil into the Black Sea. As if Russia's environment wasn't effed up enough... New studies show that children who are identified as troubled in kindergarten might end up doing fine in elementary school. So give the kids a chance, okay? Having good friends at work makes you less stressed out.... more ›

La Luz is having a Halloween fiesta tomorrow. The new-ish South Austin boutique is inviting the public out for live music by The Early Tapes, refreshments, a spooky photo booth, games, prizes and activities. The fun starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. at 2009 S. 1st St. Explore the treasures of India with Marigold's Fall Festival today at 6 p.m. If you've never heart the rhythms of tabla and sitar, check... more ›

And you thought hipsters tried too hard. Soon taking over the space vacated by the Alamo Drafthouse is Pangaea, Austin's very own safari-themed nightclub in the Warehouse District. The so-called "ultra-lounge" will come decked out with various and sundry adornments meant to evoke visions of the Dark Continent and intrepid desert expeditions — we're guessing mounted zebra heads, tribal hunting gear, and the like. Unabashedly exotic and — if its London sibling is any indication... more ›

Violent crime goes up in the US; so do arrests for pot. Apparently, nobody in Iran is gay. Even gay people. It's been fifty years since Little Rock, and now we have Jena. Progress... If Microsoft buys Facebook, will it become lame? Or don't the corporate kids care? India gets meta with the outsourcing. Kiefer Sutherland arrested for DUI. Maybe he's drinking to drown the guilt over his torture-show? Newest sex tape scandal features...Meg... more ›

Rush Hour 3: Don't Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker look dismayed to find themselves in the third installment of their never-ending Rush Hour franchise? If you find it hilarious to watch a BLACK GUY and an ASIAN GUY fighting crime--together!--then look out, because now they're fighting crime in France, the funniest place in the world! Which one of them do you think will be eye-rolling and making fish-out-of-water quips while dangling from the Eiffel Tower... more ›

Let's be honest: everyone loves SXSW week, but when it ends, you are secretly very ready to move on. Before we do, let's take a look at some of the isolated, crazy, and wonderful moments that make SXSW such an over-the-top sensory experience. – The dude at Girl Talk dancing with a broken pinata on his head. Then passing said pinata to someone else to dance with. – Isaac Hayes talking in his famous... more ›

SXSW has truly built a strong reputation around the world, and every year various countries send their top-notch artists to Austin to display their nation’s talent. Scandinavia is one such area with a booming music scene. Danish band Mew and Sverige’s own Loney, Dear (Emil Svanängen) will bring their best to the festival this year. Finland, too, is doing its bit, with the Finnish Moosic Tour. Featuring punk rock from Disco Ensemble and electro-pop from... more ›

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University of Texas students will soon have the opportunity to learn Hindi and Urdu as part of a Department of Defense initiative that focuses on global security. The National Security Education Program has awarded $700,000 to UT’s South Asia Institute to help implement the program that will “teach languages whose knowledge is considered critical to national security.” more ›

All India Radio formed in 1998 in Australia when Martin Kennedy decided to incorporate tranquility and turmoil into a platform of ambient backdrops. His inspiration stemmed from the chaotic street sounds of India as well as the British act, KLF, and in Kennedy’s hands (and studio), those varying sounds turned into serenity. The resulting organization of guitars, cellos, violins, electronic beats, and assorted exotic sounds provides the base for the band’s atmospheric recordings.
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Well shut our mouths and call us Uncle Tupelo! Austin roughnecks San Saba County have released a stellar new LP proving that Alt-Country is not only alive and well, it's rummaging through your liquor cabinets and throwing up on your cat. It's Not The Fall That Hurts is an ambitious bounty, bursting at the seams with great tracks. Released on India Records, the San Saba boys (and girl?) have crafted what is a worthy addition to the lexicon of subverted twang. more ›

Unemployed techies, it's time to start dusting off those resumes and polishing your interview skills. more ›

If you lost your ACL pass and – even after countless screaming matches with Front Gate Ticket employees and hours of scouring Craig’s List for scalpers – you’ve been left sans plans for the festival weekend (or maybe you’re just afraid of tourists/loathe sunshine/whatever), we’ve got an alternative suggestion. An air conditioned alternative suggestion. Go see a play. That’s right, don’t be a pussy about it. It’s just theatre. You might even like it... more ›

Poverty, famine, political corruption, a fragile ecosystem that is growing more fragile by the day. The world is facing some serious concerns and we must be very conscientious in the way we move forward if we want to have any hope of leaving it a better place for our children. Author, actor, filmmaker Turk Pipkin felt the weight of these pressing global concerns, so he went and found some of the world’s brightest people... more ›

Park Officials in Bastrop are busting out the big guns against the hundreds of black vultures that presently terrorize the local establishment. The new Texas State Highway 130 (under construction) may allow drivers to fly down the road at 85 mph. Unfortunately it took a violent death to push the Backyard music venue to address the dangers related to their parking situation. Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the deceased.... more ›

In what appears to be a trend, another large residential tower has broken ground in downtown Austin (at West and Fifth). In a break from the trend, this tower will be full of high-end rentals instead of high-end condos. more ›

Pervasive Software has become the first local high tech company to finally come to its senses. After just a few years of experimenting with offshoring software development, QA, IT, and more, they're throwing in the towel and moving jobs from India to Austin. (Yes, we're aware that several local companies have either hastily backed out of or withdrawn plans for offshored customer support work, but this is a first for dev, IT, and the like.) more ›