Costa Rica received a second group of migrants deported from the United States on Friday as part of a bilateral agreement that allows the Central American nation to accept third-country nationals expelled under U.S. immigration policy. The group notably included one Indian national among deportees from multiple countries, underscoring the global scope of the program. Under the agreement, signed in March by Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves and U.S. Special Envoy Kristi Noem, Costa

A deepening power crisis in Pakistan has come under scrutiny after a surgeon highlighted disparities in electricity supply at a major hospital, raising concerns about the prioritisation of essential services. According to the surgeon, operation theatres at Services Hospital reportedly experienced a power outage during ongoing surgeries due to a shortage of gene

A 53-year-old Indian-origin woman, Meenu Batra, who has lived in the United States for more than three decades, has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while traveling for a professional assignment, raising concerns about the enforcement of longstanding deportation orders under current immigration policies. Batra was taken into custody on March 17, 2026, at Valley

A nationwide recall has been issued for a specific lot of the widely prescribed anxiety medication Xanax after federal regulators identified a potential quality issue that could affect how the drug performs in patients. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, pharmaceutical company Viatris initiated a voluntary recall on Monday, March 17, 2025. The recall involves one lot of extended-release tablets that failed to meet required dissolution specifications, a standa

An undercover investigation by the BBC has uncovered alarming medical negligence at a government hospital in Taunsa, Punjab province, Pakistan, which is believed to be linked to a deadly HIV outbreak among children. Between November 2024 and October 2025, at least 331 children in Taunsa tested positive for HIV, sparking serious concerns about the hospital’s unsanitary practices, including the reuse of syringes and improper handling of medical waste. The shocking footage captured d

The BJP is gearing up to unveil its much-anticipated West Bengal manifesto on April 10, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah expected to lead the event in Kolkata. This manifesto is being presented as a comprehensive development agenda that will focus on addressing key concerns of various sections of society, including women, farmers, and youth. The BJP’s strategy for the upcoming elections is centered around offering welfare benefits, promoting industrial growth, and enhancing sectors like h

An immigration judge in the United States ruled on Thursday, April 2, 2026, that Subramanyam “Subu” Vedam, an Indian-origin legal permanent resident, can remain in the country, offering relief after he faced deportation despite a decades-old murder conviction being overturned. The decision followed a four-hour hearing held on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Vedam participated remotely from the Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, where he remains in custody.

Applications for the H-1B visa program for skilled non-immigrant workers have dropped sharply this year, with immigration experts estimating a decline of nearly 50 percent compared with the previous year. The fall in filings follows significant changes to the US immigration framework that have altered the dynamics of employer participation in the work visa program. Experts say the decline is linked largely to policy adjustments that introduced a steep increase in registration costs

The large-scale immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota is set to conclude, according to border czar Tom Homan. Speaking at a press briefing, Homan confirmed that he had proposed ending the intensified operation and that the decision had been approved. A significant drawdown of federal personnel has already begun and is expected to continue over the next week, signaling the gradual end of the enhanced enforcement effort in the state. While the surge operation is ending in Minnesota

Job growth at the start of 2026 exceeded expectations, offering reassurance that the U.S. labor market remains resilient despite months of subdued hiring and broader economic uncertainty. Fresh data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed nonfarm payrolls increased by 130,000 in January, well above economists’ forecasts of 55,000 and marking a notable improvement from December’s revised gain of 48,000. The stronger hiring figures were accompanied by a modest decline in the un

Major US technology companies are increasingly turning to the H-1B visa programme to recruit skilled foreign professionals as they accelerate investments in artificial intelligence and related digital infrastructure. New data show that a large share of visa petitions filed by leading firms are tied directly to AI-driven roles, underscoring how access to global talent has become central to their long-term strategy. An analysis of labour condition applications indicates that more than

Cancer remains one of the most significant global health challenges, with incidence rates varying dramatically across countries. The Age-Standardised Incidence Rate (ASIR) of cancer is influenced by various factors, including lifestyle habits, healthcare infrastructure, population age, and access to screening and prevention programs. On World Cancer Day 2026, experts highlight the top 10 countries with the highest cancer rates, shedding light on the impact of these factors on global cancer pr

US First Lady Melania Trump issued a rare public political statement as protests intensified across Minnesota following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal border patrol agents. Speaking amid growing unrest in Minneapolis, Melania Trump called for unity and urged demonstrators to express their anger through peaceful means as tensions surrounding federal immigration enforcement continued to rise. In an interview with Fox News, the First Lady emphasized the need for calm and

A public school district north of Minneapolis has reported that federal immigration enforcement actions in recent weeks have resulted in the detention of four enrolled students, including a 5-year-old child, prompting concern among educators, families, and community members. Zena Stenvik, superintendent of Columbia Heights Public Schools, said during a Wednesday news conference that the in

The United States has begun implementing a new visa facilitation programme known as FIFA Pass as part of its preparations for hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The initiative is designed to help international football fans secure visa interview appointments more quickly as demand for travel to the tournament is expected to surge in the months leading up to kickoff. According to US officials, FIFA Pass is intended to reduce long wait times for non-immigrant visas by prioritising inter

Indian passport holders are facing new travel restrictions in 2026 despite an improvement in the passport’s global ranking. India’s passport rose from 85th in 2025 to 80th in the Henley Passport Index for 2026, reflecting enhanced global mobility. However, the number of countries Indian citizens can visit without a prior visa has decreased from 57 to 55. This reduction is due to updated entry rules in two countries that previously offered visa-free or visa-on-arrival access: Iran and Bolivia

Applications for the EB-1A employment-based immigrant visa, commonly known as the Einstein visa, have increased sharply as long backlogs continue to affect the broader US immigration system. The EB-1A category, which allows individuals with extraordinary ability to self-petition for permanent residency without employer sponsorship, has attracted growing interest from professionals seeking a faster path to a green card amid delays in other visa routes. The surge comes at a time when

The United States State Department is preparing to pause visa processing for applicants from approximately 75 countries beginning January 21, according to an internal departmental directive. The measure instructs consular officers to deny visa applications under existing immigration law while the department conducts a broad reassessment of screening and vetting standards. The pause is described as indefinite, with only very limited exceptions expected during the review period. The c