India on Friday issued a firm response to a message written by Zohran Mamdani, stating that elected representatives in democracies should respect the independence of judicial institutions in other countries and refrain from commenting on ongoing legal matters. The reaction followed the circulation of a handwritten note addressed to jailed activist Umar Khalid, who is accused in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots case. At a regular press briefing, the Ministry of External Affairs underscored that public office carries responsibilities that require restraint, particularly on sensitive judicial issues. Responding to questions on the matter, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said India expects public representatives to be respectful of the independence of the judiciary in other democracies. He added that expressing personal views or prejudices on such matters does not befit those holding public office and that attention should instead remain on the duties entrusted to them by their constituents. The remarks came after a photograph of the note written by Mamdani was shared publicly by a close associate of Khalid. The message, written on the day Mamdani was ceremonially sworn in as mayor of New York City, conveyed personal sentiments and support for Khalid. According to those familiar with the interaction, the note was handed to Khalid’s parents during their visit to the United States in December 2025. The development has drawn attention in India amid ongoing legal proceedings related to the violence that erupted in parts of the national capital in February 2020. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court of India declined to grant bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, observing that the two stood on a qualitatively different footing compared with other accused, given the nature of the allegations and the evidence cited by the prosecution. In the same order, the apex court granted bail to several other accused, including Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmad, noting that their alleged roles appeared limited in scope. The court, however, made it clear that similar relief could not be extended to Khalid and Imam at this stage. Officials indicated that India’s response was rooted in principle rather than politics, emphasizing the need for mutual respect among democratic institutions across borders. The government maintained that judicial processes in India are governed by law and evidence, and external commentary by foreign public figures on active cases is neither appropriate nor constructive. The episode has also highlighted the sensitivities surrounding international commentary on domestic legal matters, particularly in high-profile cases. Indian officials reiterated that while democratic societies value free expression, elected representatives are expected to exercise caution and uphold the norms of diplomatic and institutional respect when addressing issues beyond their jurisdiction.

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

German lawmakers are widely expected to approve a defense procurement package exceeding 50 billion euros on Wednesday, marking one of the most significant military spending decisions in the country’s post-war history. The move reflects a broader shift in Germany’s security policy as the government seeks to strengthen national and allied defense capabilities following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Agenda documents for the Bundestag’s Budget Committee indicate that members are

The Occupational English Test, widely known as OET, has become one of the most recognised English-language examinations for healthcare professionals aiming to work, study or qualify in English-speaking countries. Designed specifically for the medical and health sectors, the test evaluates candidates on the type of language skills they will need in real clinical environments rather than in general communication. Managed by the Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment Trust, a collaboration betwee

Veteran producer AVM Saravanan, one of the most respected figures in Tamil cinema and a cornerstone of Indian filmmaking, passed away on Thursday at the age of 86 due to age-related ailments. His demise marks the end of an era for the Tamil film industry, which owes several milestones to his vision, production leadership and long-lasting creative contribution. His body will be kept for public homage until 3:30 pm at AVM Studios in Chennai, allowing colleagues, admirers and fans to pay their f

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh has issued a clear warning to all companies supplying military platforms and equipment to India, stating that any vendor—domestic or international—will face termination of contracts if they fail to deliver within stipulated deadlines. The announcement comes as delays in defence procurement continue to impact operational planning for the armed forces, including setbacks flagged earlier by Air Force Chief Amar Preet Singh, who acknowledged that delivery

Several foreign-born spouses of United States citizens have been detained during routine green card interviews at the San Diego immigration office, according to recent reports. The detentions, which began on November 12, have affected dozens of couples who arrived for scheduled appointments intended to advance the process of obtaining lawful permanent residency. Instead, the interviews ended with federal agents escorting the foreign spouse away, often in handcuffs, on allegations of violating

Two United States National Guard soldiers were critically injured on Wednesday in a targeted shooting just a short distance from the White House, in what authorities have described as one of the most serious security incidents near the presidential district in recent years. The attack occurred at the Farragut West metro station, a busy transit hub situated only two blocks from the presidential complex, heightening concerns about public safety and the vulnerability of high-profile locations in

The Department of Education’s decision to exclude nursing from its updated definition of a “professional degree” has set off widespread concern among national nursing organizations, which argue the change could significantly restrict access to advanced nursing education and deepen the country’s ongoing workforce shortage. The redefinition comes as part of the federal government’s implementation of President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a sweeping measure that r

The long-pending CBI and ED cases involving Jagan have remained nearly inactive for many years, with hearings moving at a slow pace and the accused avoiding personal attendance. Over the past several years, Jagan has not appeared before the CBI court despite multiple hearings being scheduled, leading to increasing discussions over prolonged delays. Now, for the first time in years, Jagan has been directed to appear in person, bringing renewed attention to the long-standing cases. Reports indi

Iran has officially ended its one-way visa-free entry for Indian citizens, a policy shift that will take effect from November 22. The new rule requires Indians to hold a valid visa not only for visiting Iran but also for transiting through its airports. The Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi issued a fresh advisory urging Indian travellers to exercise caution, citing a surge in incidents where Indians were deceived with fraudulent job offers and onward travel promises and then kidnappe

The streets of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) are once again engulfed in protests, this time led by Gen Z students angered by rising tuition fees and a controversial digital evaluation system. What began as a small student-led protest over unfair exam results has evolved into a large-scale anti-government movement targeting the Shehbaz Sharif administration. Demonstrations first erupted in Muzaffarabad, where students voiced outrage over the newly introduced e-marking system. The i

Sandwich fans across the United States have plenty to celebrate as restaurants nationwide roll out exclusive offers for National Sandwich Day. The annual food holiday, dedicated to honoring one of America’s most beloved comfort foods, brings with it a wide range of discounts, special menu items, and loyalty rewards. From toasted favorites to creative new twists, major chains are offering deals that make it the perfect time to grab a bite. Jimmy John’s is kicking off the celebrat

A significant policy change by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is set to impact thousands of foreign professionals working across the country. Beginning October 30, 2025, the DHS will end the automatic extension of certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), a move that could temporarily leave many workers without legal permission to work while their renewal applications are processed. Until now, employees whose work permits had expired but whose renew

India is set to launch Trishul 2025, a major military exercise off the coast of Gujarat beginning October 30, focusing on the Rann of Kutch and the Sir Creek region. The Army has deployed tanks, armed helicopters, and missile units, while the Navy has stationed frigates and destroyers, and the Air Force has sent Su-30MKIs and Rafales. The exercise covers a swathe of north-west Gujarat and parts of Rajasthan until November 10, amid rising tensions with Pakistan, which has expanded military inf

Meta has unveiled a significant India-focused update for its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, introducing three major features tailored for local users: UPI Lite payment support, full Hindi language integration, and an AI voice inspired by Bollywood star Deepika Padukone. These enhancements aim to improve accessibility, boost engagement, and make the glasses more relatable to Indian consumers. As part of Meta’s broader localisation strategy, the update reflects a growing emphasis on cultural

Salesforce announced plans to invest $15 billion in San Francisco over the next five years to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence among businesses. The move reinforces the company’s goal to remain a leading force in enterprise software as AI-driven tools become an essential part of global business operations. The technology giant, founded and headquartered in San Francisco since 1999, has steadily integrated AI across its suite of cloud-based products, including the

Thousands of health care professionals across California and Hawaii have walked off the job in what is being called the largest strike in the history of the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP). Beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday, more than 31,000 registered nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, rehabilitation therapists, speech-language pathologists, and other advanced care providers are participating in the five-day strike against Kaiser Perm

Washington, D.C. — The ongoing federal government shutdown has disrupted many aspects of daily life across the nation, and in the District of Columbia, it has even put love on hold. With the federally funded court system temporarily suspending non-essential services, couples planning to marry in the nation’s capital have found themselves unable to obtain marriage licenses or schedule courthouse ceremonies. In response, the DC Council is expected to pass emergency legislation this

San Jose officials have approved a landmark labor agreement that will provide city police officers with a 15.7 percent pay raise spread out through 2029, a move aimed at strengthening recruitment and addressing ongoing staffing shortages. The unanimous decision by the city council ensures that officers under the new contract will receive significant wage increases over the next three years, with the financial impact to taxpayers estimated at about $46 million in raises alone, not including long-