The United States has announced a major overhaul of its H-1B visa programme, scrapping the long-running lottery-based selection system in favour of a wage-weighted model that prioritises higher-paid and higher-skilled foreign workers. The new rule, issued by the Department of Homeland Security, will come into effect on February 27, 2026, and will apply to the FY 2027 H-1B cap registration cycle, with registrations expected to open in March 2026 for jobs beginning on October 1. While

TikTok’s parent company ByteDance is preparing a major overhaul of its employee compensation strategy, with plans to increase bonuses and incentives by as much as 50 percent in 2026. The move, revealed through an internal memo, reflects the company’s effort to retain top talent and maintain stability as it navigates regulatory pressure and corporate restructuring, including the planned spin-off of TikTok’s US operations. According to internal communications reviewed by media r

A shocking incident has sent ripples through the Indian diaspora in Canada after a 30-year-old Indian-origin woman was found murdered in Toronto. Canadian police have confirmed that the case is being investigated as a homicide, with strong suspicion of intimate partner violence. Authorities have issued a Canada-wide arrest warrant for a man believed to have been known to the victim. The woman has been identified as Himanshi Khurana, a resident of Toronto. Police are actively searchi

India’s space journey reached another landmark moment as Indian Space Research Organisation successfully launched the heaviest foreign satellite ever placed into orbit from Indian soil. The mission was carried out using the powerful LVM3 launch vehicle from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, reinforcing India’s growing reputation as a reliable and competitive space launch destination

YouTuber Adam the Woo, a well-known travel and theme park content creator, has died at the age of 51 after being found unresponsive at his home in Celebration, Florida, authorities confirmed. The creator, whose legal name was David Adam Williams, was pronounced dead on Monday, Dec. 22, at his residence in the Orlando-area suburb. According to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, deputies initially responded to Williams’ home earlier in the day for a well-being check. At that tim

The administration of US President Donald Trump has announced a new financial incentive aimed at encouraging undocumented immigrants to voluntarily leave the country, offering cash payments and paid travel as part of a broader effort to accelerate deportations and reduce enforcement costs. The initiative, introduced ahead of the holiday season, is being framed by federal officials as a cost-effective alternative to traditional immigration enforcement measures. According to the Depar

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced a major financial support initiative for pastors across the state, declaring that Rs 50 crore will be credited directly into their bank accounts on December 24. The announcement was made during the Semi Christmas celebrations organised by the Andhra Pradesh State Government in Vijayawada, marking a significant pre-Christmas gesture tow

Japan is preparing for one of the most significant changes to its foreign labour policy in decades as the country struggles with a rapidly ageing population and a shrinking workforce. According to government plans currently under review, Japan is expected to accept more than 1.2 million foreign workers by March 2029 through a restructured visa and skill development framework. The move reflects a gro

The United States briefly slipped behind the rest of the world in timekeeping after a powerful storm struck Colorado last week, disrupting operations at the country’s official timekeeping facility. Following the incident, American time was recorded as lagging by 4.8 microseconds compared to the global standard, a tiny difference that nevertheless raised serious concerns about the resilience of critical infrastructure systems. The disruption occurred at the National Institute of St

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has publicly criticised the recently concluded India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, describing it as a low-quality deal that undermines New Zealand’s economic and labour interests. His remarks come just days after India and New Zealand announced the successful conclusion of FTA negotiations, which both governments claim could significantly boost bil

US President Donald Trump has announced an ambitious plan to revive American naval dominance with the creation of a new class of heavily armed battleships named after himself. The announcement was made from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, where he introduced what he called the Golden Fleet, a sweeping initiative aimed at modernising and expanding the US Navy through large-scale shipbuildi

In a major development for obesity treatment, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved the first oral version of Wegovy, marking a significant shift in how weight-loss medications can be administered. The approval was announced by Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, which described the tablet

US President Donald Trump stirred fresh controversy during a campaign-style rally in North Carolina after revisiting the FBI’s August 2022 search of his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida. While recounting the episode to a cheering crowd, Trump unexpectedly shifted attention to First Lady Melania Trump

Several major technology companies in the United States have advised employees working on H-1B visas to avoid international travel or return to the country immediately, as uncertainty grows around new immigration rules, higher application costs, and prolonged delays in visa interview appointments. The guidance reflects mounting concern among employers and workers about potential re-entry complications and extended periods of disruption caused by recent policy changes. In recent mont

Frozen shrimp sold at Jewel-Osco grocery stores in Illinois are being recalled following a federal investigation that raised concerns about possible contamination during handling and storage, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Federal officials said the affected shrimp may have been packaged, prepared, or held under insanitary conditions and could potentially contain trace amounts of radioactive material. The recall was issued Friday by Direct Source Seafood LLC, a

Thousands of Indian H-1B visa holders who traveled to India in December for routine visa renewals are facing serious uncertainty after US consulates unexpectedly canceled or postponed their interview appointments. What was planned as a short visit during the holiday season has turned into a prolonged ordeal for many professionals, with several applicants now being told that their next available interview dates could be as late as October 2026. The sudden changes have left thousands stranded in I

Sheikh Hasina has accused the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of losing control of Bangladesh as the country faces growing unrest, rising extremism, and weakening ties with India. The former Prime Minister said that violence has become routine and that the current administration appears unable to stop attacks targeting civilians, minorities, and institutions. Sharif Osman Hadi, a radical student leader, was shot in Dhaka on December 12 and later died from his injuries. His dea

Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir issued a direct warning to Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers, urging them to choose between maintaining ties with Islamabad or supporting the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. Addressing religious scholars at the National Ulema Conference in Islamabad on December 10, Munir alleged that a large portion of militants entering Pakistan were Afghan nationals. His remarks, shared on local broadcasts over the weekend, highlighted rising tensions b