At least 25 people have died after a massive winter storm swept across large portions of the United States, unleashing heavy snowfall, dangerous ice accumulation and extreme cold that crippled infrastructure and disrupted daily life across multiple regions. The powerful system affected states from the South through the Midwest and into the Northeast, leaving a trail of fatalities, widespread power outages and major travel disruptions. The storm delivered significant snowfall across

Air travel across North Texas remained heavily disrupted Monday as a prolonged winter storm continued to impact operations at major Dallas-area airports. Snow, sleet, and persistent freezing temperatures have forced airlines to cancel hundreds of flights and adjust schedules, leaving travelers facing ongoing uncertainty at both Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field. According to flight-tracking data, cancellations remained widespread as of Monday morning, wit

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is leading the United States in flight disruptions as North Texas prepares for a powerful winter storm bringing snow, ice and dangerously cold temperatures. Airlines operating in the region have proactively reduced flight schedules as a Winter Storm Warning and an Extreme Cold Warning remain in effect. The developing weather system is expected to significantly impact air travel through the weekend, prompting widespread cancellations across the region’s t

Spain has formally joined India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, marking a significant diplomatic development that strengthens India’s expanding leadership role in the Indo-Pacific region and deepens cooperation with European partners. Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares handed over Spain’s Declaration of Accession to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi earlier this week, officially confirming Spain’s entry into the India-led framework launched in 2019. The m

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 prolonged delay in H-1B visa stamping that began in December has continued into the new year, with no signs of immediate relief for thousands of skilled workers dependent on timely consular processing. No new interview slots have been opened at US consulates in India, and applicants are now receiving notifications that their previously scheduled appointments are being deferred as far as 2027, intensifying anxiety among visa holders and employers alike. Immigration attorneys and

A powerful and expansive winter storm is forecast to sweep across large portions of the United States from Friday through Monday, bringing a dangerous mix of heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain to millions across the South, Midwest and Northeast. The system, known as Winter Storm Fern, is expected to impact more than 180 million people as it stretches from New Mexico and Texas to parts of New England, creating hazardous travel conditions and raising the risk of widespread power outages.

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

The 2026 Solar Eclipse will occur on February 17, and it is set to be a remarkable celestial event. This eclipse will be an annular solar eclipse, often referred to as the Ring of Fire eclipse. Here's everything you need to know about this rare event: Eclipse Type: The eclipse will be an annular solar eclipse. In this type of eclipse, the Moon will cover about 96% of the Sun, but due to the Moon being farther from Earth, it will appear slightly smaller than the Sun. As a

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

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has made a major announcement that has brought fresh hope to Telugu NRIs living across Europe. Speaking during an interaction with Europe’s Telugu diaspora, the minister assured that the central government is actively exploring the possibility of launching direct international flights from Europe to Andhra Pradesh. Proposed destinations include Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and other major cities in South India. If implemented, this move would signi

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

A large-scale traffic crash involving as many as 100 vehicles forced the complete shutdown of a major western Michigan highway on Monday, stranding motorists amid hazardous winter weather and prompting emergency response efforts across the region. Authorities said the multi-vehicle pileup occurred on Interstate 196 near 64th Avenue in Zeeland Township, roughly 25 miles southwest of Grand Rapids, as snow and blowing winds significantly reduced visibility. According to the

Air travelers who arrive at airport security checkpoints without a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or a valid passport will soon face an additional cost to proceed through screening. Beginning Feb. 1, the Transportation Security Administration will assess a $45 fee for passengers who rely on an alternative identity verification process to board domestic flights. Under the new policy, travelers who lack an acceptable form of identification will have the option to verify their id

A snow squall warning was issued for parts of the Chicago metropolitan area during the morning rush hour as drivers encountered rapidly worsening conditions marked by near whiteout visibility and sudden bursts of heavy snow. Visibility dropped sharply across several locations, creating hazardous travel conditions in a matter of minutes. Officials urged motorists to delay travel whenever possible as the fast-moving system swept through the region during peak commute hours. Weather auth

The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday issued a renewed travel advisory advising Indian citizens to refrain from travelling to Iran, citing the deteriorating security situation amid widespread anti-government protests across the country. The warning comes as unrest in Iran enters its third consecutive week, with the capital city of Tehran remaining one of the focal points of the demonstrations. In an official statement, the ministry said that Indian nationals are being “onc

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

The Virginia Department of Health has confirmed the state’s second case of measles reported so far this year, prompting an investigation into potential exposure sites and renewed public health guidance for residents. Health officials said the case involves a preschool-aged child who recently traveled internationally with family members, a factor that continues to play a significant role in measles transmission within the United States. According to the department, the child visite

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