Indian applicants planning travel to the United States for study, employment or tourism are experiencing notable changes in visa wait times, with several US consulates across the country reporting shorter delays. According to the latest data from the US State Department’s Global Visa Wait Times portal, appointment backlogs for student, work and visitor visas now vary widely by location but show meaningful improvement compared with previous months. Applicants are being encouraged to monitor

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a major update to its operational framework, outlining clear legal grounds for when temporary resident documents—such as visitor visas, study permits, work permits, and electronic travel authorizations (eTAs)—may be cancelled. The revised policy, which came into effect on November 4, 2025, aims to standardize how immigration officers handle document revocations and close long-standing gaps in the Immigration and Refugee Pro

San Francisco is welcoming a new addition to its outdoor spaces with the grand opening of Cityside Park on Treasure Island, a project designed to reimagine the neighborhood and provide residents and visitors with breathtaking views of the city skyline. The park officially opens its gates at 11 a.m. Saturday, inviting the public to explore a destination that blends recreation, relaxation, and urban design innovation. Cityside Park is part of a broader redevelopment effort on Treasure

Oakland continues to see significant benefits from its tourism sector, with the city reporting an economic impact of $779 million from visitor activity in 2024. Despite persistent concerns about public safety and a long-standing negative narrative surrounding crime, tourism leaders and city officials are working to reshape Oakland’s image and highlight the many positives the city offers to travelers. In 2024, the city welcomed 3.4 million visitors who spent approximately $58

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to make a historic 50th visit to his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, since taking office in 2014. The Prime Minister’s visit, which reaffirms his deep connection with the holy city, is packed with the inauguration and foundation stone-laying of 44 development projects valued at a cumulative ₹3,880 crore. These initiatives cover a wide array of sectors including rural upliftment, education, law enforcement, power, infrastructure, and urban beau

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a three-day diplomatic visit to Southeast Asia, beginning with Thailand where he is attending the 6th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit. Following his engagements in Thailand, PM Modi will travel to Sri Lanka to further deepen bilateral relations with the island nation. Upon his arrival in Thailand, PM Modi was warmly received by members of the Indian community, highlighting the strong c

Tulsi Gabbard, the US Director of National Intelligence (DNI), emphasized the growing strength of US-India relations during her visit to New Delhi. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Gabbard highlighted the close ties between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump, underscoring their shared commitment to defeating Islamic terrorism and ensuring global security. “The ties between the US and India go very far back,” Gabbard stated. “In Trump's second ter

US Vice President JD Vance is set to visit India later this month, marking his second international trip since assuming office. Accompanying him on this visit will be Second Lady Usha Vance, who will visit her ancestral homeland for the first time in her official capacity. This visit follows JD Vance’s recent diplomatic trips to France and Germany, where he attended the Munich Security Conference and made headlines with his sharp critique of European governme

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited Mauritius, marking a nostalgic return to the island nation where he had previously set foot in October 1998 as the BJP general secretary. This visit brought back memories of his earlier trip when he actively engaged with the Mauritian community and participated in key cultural events.   A Historic Connection: Modi's 1998 Visit to Mauritius Mauritius, often called ‘mini India’ due t

The Indian government has strongly condemned the security breach that took place during External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar’s visit to the United Kingdom. A statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday denounced the "provocative activities" carried out by a small group of "separatists and extremists" and called on the UK government to meet its diplomatic obligations.The breach occurred when a group of Khalistani extremists gathered outsi

Sri Lanka’s cricket team pulled off a stunning 174-run win over Australia in the second and final ODI in Colombo, securing a series sweep with a 2-0 victory. Australia, chasing 282, were bowled out for a paltry 107, their lowest-ever total in Asia. The collapse was dramatic, as they lost their final seven wickets for just 28 runs.   Australia made several changes in their lineup, experimenting ahead of next week’s Champions Trophy. Despite using a variety of

Australia’s latest Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle is set to feature a new face in the squad, with 21-year-old left-arm spinning allrounder Cooper Connolly making his Test debut. The match comes after Australia’s dominant win in the first Test, where they triumphed by an innings and 242 runs. Connolly, who has yet to claim a wicket in his first-class career, will provide an additional spin option on a dry surface expected to produce significant turn. He replaces offspinner T

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to embark on a two-day visit to the United States starting February 12, where he will engage in extensive talks with US President Donald Trump. The visit will take place shortly after Modi's two-day trip to Paris, marking the prime minister's first bilateral visit to the US since Trump's second term in office. The trip will provide an opportunity to strengthen ties between India and the US and discuss key issues, including trade, security,

Adani Group has issued a statement refuting claims that its 484 MW wind power projects in Sri Lanka, located in Mannar and Pooneryn, have been cancelled. The company clarified that the recent decision by the Sri Lankan Cabinet to reevaluate the tariff approved in May 2024 is part of a routine review process, especially with the new administration in place. The reevaluation aims to align the terms with the country’s evolving energy policies. The company emphasized its commitmen

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has finalized a hybrid model for next year's Champions Trophy, allowing India to play its matches in Dubai, while Pakistan will co-host the event in the UAE. The decision, reached after informal discussions between ICC President Jay Shah and the Board of Directors, including Pakistan's representatives, is a major step toward resolving venue concerns in international cricket. The 2025 Champions Trophy will be held in the UAE and Pakistan, with In

Sri Lanka has committed to completing its foreign debt restructuring by the end of December 2023, aiming to address its $46 billion external debt. After defaulting on debt in April 2022, the country has been working on rebuilding its finances with help from an IMF bailout. Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando confirmed that debt restructuring, which has been delayed for over two years, is critical for the country's economic recovery. The restructuring includes international sovereign bo

In a surprising turn of events, Sri Reddy, once a controversial figure in Andhra Pradesh politics for her abusive attacks on leaders from the TDP (Telugu Desam Party) and JSP (Jana Sena Party), has issued a public apology to key political figures, including Chandrababu Naidu, Lokesh, and Pawan Kalyan. Known for her harsh and often vulgar social media posts and videos aimed at these leaders, Sri Reddy's past actions were part of a broader wave of hostility from the YSR Congress Party (YSRC

The sudden visit of Jana Sena Party president and Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan to New Delhi on Wednesday to meet Union home minister Amit Shah created a lot of buzz in the mainstream as well as social media. The visit assumed significance in the wake of his latest strong comments against his cabinet colleague home minister Vangalapudi Anitha over the failure of law and order and rising crimes in the state. There were reports that Shah had called Pawan Kalyan to Delhi to k

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Sri Lanka's newly elected Marxist President, is charting a careful course in the midst of geopolitical tensions between India and China. With the country grappling with a severe financial crisis since 2019, which culminated in a sovereign default in 2022, Dissanayake's administration is focused on rebuilding ties with various global partners while avoiding being "sandwiched" between the two regional powers. In a recent interview with T

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a three-day visit to the United States, which includes significant engagements such as the Quad Leaders' Summit and an address at the United Nations General Assembly's 'Summit of the Future.' The visit aims to strengthen international ties and foster collaborations on various global issues. The Prime Minister will participate in the sixth Quad Leaders' Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, hosted by US President Joe Biden on