A 28-year-old Hindu auto-rickshaw driver was beaten to death in southeastern Bangladesh, marking the latest fatality in a continuing wave of violence targeting minority communities amid ongoing political unrest. The victim, identified as Samir Das, was attacked in the Daganbhuiyan area of Chittagong on the night of January 11, according to local reports. His death is the seventh reported killing of a Hindu individual since unrest intensified across the country in late December. The

As egret season approaches, city officials in Fort Worth are urging residents to prepare ahead of the annual migration to reduce the impact these birds can have on neighborhoods. Each year, large numbers of egrets arrive to nest, often settling in residential areas where their presence can create challenges for homeowners. To address concerns before the birds arrive, local animal care authorities have launched an outreach effort focused on education, prevention, and community cooperation.

Thousands of nurses across several major hospital systems in New York City went on strike Monday after labor negotiations failed to produce a new contract before the deadline. The walkout, which began early January 12, involves nurses from Mount Sinai Hospital and two affiliated campuses, as well as staff at New York-Presbyterian and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. Union officials say the action represents one of the largest nursing strikes in the city’s history, both in scale and i

Australia has moved India into its highest-risk category for student visa applicants, a decision that will result in stricter scrutiny and longer processing timelines for thousands of prospective students. The change, implemented under Australia’s Simplified Student Visa Framework, takes effect from January 8, 2026, and represents an out-of-cycle reclassification driven by concerns over emerging integrity risks in the student visa system. Under the revised framework, India has bee

Sergio Gor formally assumed charge as the United States Ambassador to India on Monday, marking the beginning of a new diplomatic chapter between the two countries. Speaking shortly after taking office, Gor described the relationship between India and the United States as the most consequential global partnership of the century, underlining its growing importance across economic, strategic, and technological domains. He confirmed that fresh trade negotiations between the two sides are schedule

The United Arab Emirates has approved significant amendments to its child care framework, allowing foreign residents to foster children of unknown parentage, a move that expands access to a system that was previously restricted to Emirati citizens. The changes, enacted under Federal Decree-Law No. 12 of 2025, revise provisions of the 2022 law governing child welfare and are aimed at strengthening institutional care while broadening social participation in foster services. The update

The United States considers India its most essential international partner, US ambassador-designate Sergio Gor said on Monday, as Washington and New Delhi prepare to restart a new round of trade negotiations beginning Tuesday, January 12. Speaking at the US Embassy in New Delhi, Gor underlined the depth of the bilateral relationship and expressed confidence that both sides could overcome existing challenges to advance cooperation across multiple sectors. Gor, who also serves as Spec

A strong earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia’s Talaud Islands on Saturday, triggering widespread concern across parts of the northern Sulawesi region but causing no immediate reports of damage or casualties, according to monitoring agencies. The tremor highlighted the country’s ongoing vulnerability to seismic events due to its location along one of the world’s most active tectonic zones. The German Research Center for Geosciences reported that the earthquake measured

A small passenger aircraft operating an IndiaOne Air service crashed in Odisha on Saturday, prompting an immediate emergency response from local authorities and aviation officials. The aircraft, a nine-seater, was en route from Rourkela to Bhubaneswar when it went down in a rural area approximately 10 to 15 kilometres from Rourkela. The incident has raised concerns over flight safety and led to the launch of a formal investigation to determine the cause of the crash. According to pr

A 24-year-old student from Andhra Pradesh pursuing a master’s degree in the US state of Texas has been reported missing after undertaking a solo winter trip to Alaska during the Christmas holiday period. The student, identified as Karasani Hari Krishna Reddy, is a native of Guntur district and had travelled to Alaska on December 22 with plans to return within two weeks, according to information shared by his friends. Reddy, who was studying in Texas, had informed his friends and r

Several airlines operating from the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Qatar suspended flights to Iran on Friday as widespread protests and communication disruptions continued to affect the country, leading to growing uncertainty across the regional aviation sector. The cancellations affected key routes linking major Gulf and Turkish hubs with Iranian cities, underscoring the broader impact of the unrest on international travel. According to information published on the Dubai Airports

India on Friday said it was concerned about the fatal shooting in Minneapolis, citing the presence of a large Indian community in the United States and the broader implications of the incident. The reaction came amid growing scrutiny of immigration enforcement practices in the US following the death of a woman during a federal operation. Responding to questions on the incident, the Ministry of External Affairs said India was closely following developments related to the Minneapolis

Federal immigration authorities arrested more than 280 immigrants across Ohio during a multi-day enforcement operation conducted in mid-December, according to officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The arrests took place between Dec. 16 and Dec. 21 as part of what officials described as a targeted effort known as Operation Buckeye, which focused on Columbus and other parts of the state. The announcement of the arrests came amid growing public attention and protests

A once-unadorned parking garage wall in downtown Dallas has been transformed into a striking five-story mural, marking a significant addition to the city’s growing public art landscape. The new artwork now spans the west-facing exterior of The Adolphus Hotel’s parking structure, introducing a vivid and imaginative presence along Commerce Street. The mural, titled “The Time Keeper,” was officially unveiled this week as part of the Downtown Dallas Mural Initiative, an effort a

The proposed India–US trade deal failed to materialise because Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not personally call US President Donald Trump, according to claims made by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Speaking on a podcast, Lutnick said the final step required to close the agreement was direct communication between the two leaders, which did not happen, leading to the collapse of the negotiations. Lutnick stated that the framework of the deal had been completed and was rea

Iran witnessed a dramatic escalation in nationwide unrest as anti-Khamenei protests intensified following a rallying call by exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi. Demonstrations entered their 12th consecutive day, with residents across Tehran and other cities chanting slogans from homes and marching through streets despite heavy restrictions imposed by authorities. Late Thursday, internet connectivity and telephone services were abruptly cut across the country, triggering what monitorin

Kavitha, daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, has officially begun preparations to launch her own political party in the state, setting the stage for a fresh political chapter ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections. The move has sparked significant interest in Telangana’s political circles, as it signals a potential shift in leadership dynamics within the region. According to sources, Kavitha has already initiated the foundation-level planning for her par

New Jersey political leaders are weighing in after a fatal shooting involving an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer that has triggered protests and intensified national debate over federal enforcement practices. The incident, which occurred Wednesday, resulted in the death of a Minnesota resident and has drawn sharp reactions from elected officials across party lines. According to video footage captured at the scene, ICE officers approached a sport utility vehicle that was

ADELPHI, Md. — Thelma Beall, co-founder of the Maryland-based restaurant institution Ledo Pizza and a defining figure in the region’s culinary history, died on New Year’s Eve at the age of 101. Her passing marks the end of an era for a brand that began as a small neighborhood restaurant and grew into one of the most recognizable names in Maryland-style pizza. Beall was born in 1924 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and spent her early years rooted in Prince George’s County. After