WASHINGTON — The State Department will launch a six-month B1/B2 visa interview pilot on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, allowing a limited number of applicants to pay $750 for an interview appointment within 10 business days at selected U.S. embassies and consulates overseas. The paid option will be tested through Thursday, December 31, 2026. It is designed to measure demand for faster interview scheduling at consular posts where regular appointment waits can exceed one

The Statue of Liberty is one of the most famous monuments in the world and stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. This statue of liberty history begins with a gift from France to the United States, but its meaning is much bigger than a gift. It is a symbol of freedom, democracy, hope and immigration. For visitors, the statue of liberty location is important because it stands near Ellis Island, where millions of immigrants once arrived in America. Today, the site remains a major tourist

Trump's Historic Visit to Beijing During his address from Beijing, US President Donald Trump praised the enduring strength of the relationship between the United States and China, emphasizing the mutual respect that exists between the citizens of both nations. Trump expressed his gratitude for the "magnificent welcome" he received upon his arrival, acknowledging the warmth and hospitality extended to him during his historic visit. Trump and Xi Jinping As part

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Pawan Kalyan at his Jubilee Hills residence in Hyderabad on Saturday, May 10, following the actor-politician’s recent surgery and ongoing recovery. The visit quick

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has firmly rejected calls to resign following the defeat of her party, Trinamool Congress (TMC), in the recent West Bengal Assembly Elections. Despite the electoral setback, Banerjee has declared that she will not step down, describing the demand for her resignation as a "symbolic protest." The TMC leader made these remarks during a closed-door party meeting with senior party leaders and newly elected MLAs on May 6. Banerjee added that she would not

Indian applicants planning travel to the United States for study, employment or tourism are experiencing notable changes in visa wait times, with several US consulates across the country reporting shorter delays. According to the latest data from the US State Department’s Global Visa Wait Times portal, appointment backlogs for student, work and visitor visas now vary widely by location but show meaningful improvement compared with previous months. Applicants are being encouraged to monitor

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a major update to its operational framework, outlining clear legal grounds for when temporary resident documents—such as visitor visas, study permits, work permits, and electronic travel authorizations (eTAs)—may be cancelled. The revised policy, which came into effect on November 4, 2025, aims to standardize how immigration officers handle document revocations and close long-standing gaps in the Immigration and Refugee Pro

A horrific bus accident on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru route claimed 12 lives when a Volvo bus caught fire near Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh during the early hours of Friday. The Kaveri Travels bus, carrying around 40 passengers, began its journey from Hyderabad at midnight. Around 3:30 am, it collided with a two-wheeler near Ullindakonda on NH-44, leading to a spark that quickly engulfed the vehicle in flames. Within minutes, the fire spread throughout the AC bus, leaving passengers trapped as many

San Francisco is welcoming a new addition to its outdoor spaces with the grand opening of Cityside Park on Treasure Island, a project designed to reimagine the neighborhood and provide residents and visitors with breathtaking views of the city skyline. The park officially opens its gates at 11 a.m. Saturday, inviting the public to explore a destination that blends recreation, relaxation, and urban design innovation. Cityside Park is part of a broader redevelopment effort on Treasure

In a swift and significant move, Delhi Police Commissioner SBK Singh has been replaced by Satish Golcha, a 1992 batch IPS officer, just a day after Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was attacked during a public meeting at her residence. The attack, which saw the CM slapped and her hair pulled, raised serious questions about the security arrangements provided to top political figures in Delhi. SBK Singh, who had been given additional charge as the Delhi Police Commiss

In a move that has ignited a political storm in India, Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, which has sparked widespread controversy and heated debates. The Bill proposes that any Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or minister who is arrested and remains in custody for more than 30 days due to charges carrying a jail term of five years or more should be removed from office. This legislation has led to

Oakland continues to see significant benefits from its tourism sector, with the city reporting an economic impact of $779 million from visitor activity in 2024. Despite persistent concerns about public safety and a long-standing negative narrative surrounding crime, tourism leaders and city officials are working to reshape Oakland’s image and highlight the many positives the city offers to travelers. In 2024, the city welcomed 3.4 million visitors who spent approximately $58

In a scathing attack on Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, YSR Congress Party President and former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy accused the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief of dragging politics in Andhra Pradesh to a new low. Speaking at a high-level meeting with party observers for Parliament constituencies, Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that the current coalition government, led by Naidu, is steeped in corruption, mismanagement, and betrayal of public trust. Jagan did not mi

In a landmark moment for Andhra Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the capital city of Amaravati, describing it as a "Shakti" a force of transformation and aspiration for the people of the state. Speaking at a grand public event attended by lakhs, PM Modi said that Amaravati was more than just a city; it was a dream turning into reality, representing the ambitions of a state ready to lead in the future. The Prime Minister highlighted the ci

Andhra Pradesh stands on the cusp of a major transformation as it witnesses the grand inauguration of Amaravati 2.0, a revival and expansion project that is expected to shape the future of the state for decades to come. In a high-profile event today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi joins Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan to lay the foundation for this visionary venture. The inauguration has garnered national attention, with lakhs of people expected

The launch event of Mindset Shift, a motivational book authored by Dr. Sharani, took place on Thursday at the SS Convention Centre in Vijayawada, drawing a prestigious audience. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu and Padma Vibhushan awardee and Megastar Shri Chiranjeevi graced the occasion as chief guests, making it a memorable and inspiring event. Dr. Sharani, the daughter of Andhra Pradesh Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister Ponguru Narayana

The Andhra Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has proposed an ambitious plan to honour the legacy of legendary actor and former CM of united Andhra Pradesh, Nandamuri Taraka Ramarao (NTR), by erecting India’s tallest statue in the state capital, Amaravati. This monumental project is expected to surpass the current tallest statue in the country — the Statue of Unity in Gujarat — which stands at 597 feet and is dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

In a move reminiscent of the landmark decision that brought Microsoft to Hyderabad in 1998, Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister has announced a major step toward turning Visakhapatnam (Vizag) into the next big IT destination. With the recent allocation of land to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) for a sprawling new campus, the state government is laying the groundwork for a transformation that could parallel the tech revolution that once took off in Hyderabad. Back in 1998, it was a revoluti

The City of Dallas has officially named Justin Ball as the next Chief of Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR), making him the 18th person to hold the position in the department’s long-standing history. Ball, who has been serving as interim chief since June 2024, was selected from a competitive pool of 32 candidates and is set to formally take over as chief on April 23, 2025. A native of northeast England, Chief Ball brings with him nearly three decades of experience within the Dallas Fire-Rescue De

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to make a historic 50th visit to his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, since taking office in 2014. The Prime Minister’s visit, which reaffirms his deep connection with the holy city, is packed with the inauguration and foundation stone-laying of 44 development projects valued at a cumulative ₹3,880 crore. These initiatives cover a wide array of sectors including rural upliftment, education, law enforcement, power, infrastructure, and urban beau