On July 22, 2025, a significant Sister City Partnership was formed between Dallas, Texas, USA, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, through a signing ceremony led by Dallas Mayor Eric L. Johnson and Dar es Salaam Mayor Omary Kumbilamoto. This partnership is designed to enhance the commercial, cultural, and educational connections between the two cities, with an eye toward fostering economic growth, trade, and cross-cultural understanding.

The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), launched under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative in January 2015, is one of India's most popular government-backed savings schemes for daughters. The scheme is designed to provide parents with an excellent way to save for their daughter's higher education and marriage, ensuring a secure financial future. By making regular contributions, parents can accumulate a significant amount by th

As the devastating flooding on July 4 continues to impact Kerr County, Texas, newly revealed FEMA records are raising critical questions about the county's emergency response. According to official data, local officials did not utilize FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) to send cell phone alerts with safety instructions during the crucial early hours of the flooding. The lack of direct wireless alerts, which could have reached thousands of residents, has promp

The United States government has taken urgent steps to safeguard its citizens and diplomatic personnel in response to rising tensions in the Middle East, particularly following its recent military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. In anticipation of potential retaliation from Iran, the State Department has doubled the number of emergency evacuation flights available for American citizens wishing to depart from Israel. This move reflects growing concern over the rapidly deteriorating secu

June 21 marks the 11th International Yoga Day, a global celebration of yoga’s profound impact on physical, mental, and emotional health. Initiated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015, this day recognizes yoga as a powerful tool for promoting global wellness. For 2025, the theme announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi “Yoga for One Earth, One Health” highlights yoga’s unifying and healing power across huma

Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, over 1,500 Indian students, predominantly from Jammu and Kashmir, find themselves caught in the crossfire. The Indian government has announced efforts to relocate these students to safer areas within Iran as missile strikes and military retaliation continue unabated. This situation arises following Israel's surprise offensive, dubbed "Operation Rising Lion," which targeted Iran’s military co

  A disturbing incident at Newark Liberty International Airport has triggered widespread concern after an Indian student was reportedly handcuffed and deported, prompting a response from both the US Embassy in India and the Indian Consulate in New York. The controversy began after a video posted on social media by Kunal Jain, a non-resident Indian (NRI) and social entrepreneur, went viral. Jain described witnessing a young Indian student in visible distress being

Amazon, the company that once revolutionized the book industry, is now downsizing its very own Books division. The tech giant has laid off fewer than 100 employees from units that include the Kindle e-reader business and the Goodreads review platform. This marks the latest in a string of layoffs intended to streamline operations and align with Amazon’s new business roadmap. A spokesperson confirmed that the dec

In a startling cross-border espionage case, Indian intelligence agencies have uncovered how a Lahore-based businesswoman, Noshaba Shehzad, also known by her ISI codename ‘Madam N’, used her travel agency as a front to lure Indian social media influencers into spying for Pakistan. Shehzad, who owns Jaiyana Travel and Tourism in Lahore, facilitated travel and visa arrangements for Indian nationals under the guise of religious tourism and cultural exc

In a heartbreaking tragedy that has reverberated through diplomatic communities across the world, two young Israeli embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were gunned down just outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night. The two, who had recently begun a relationship and were planning a life together, died after attending a Young Diplomats reception hosted by the American Jewish Committee. Lischinsky, aged 30, had purchased an engagement ring days

Amazon has confirmed that it is laying off 100 employees from its Devices and Services division in a strategic move aimed at streamlining operations and improving team efficiency. The affected units include some of Amazon’s most recognizable brands such as the Alexa voice assistant, Echo smart speakers, Ring video doorbells, and Zoox, the company’s autonomous vehicle initiative. The announcement was made by Amazon spokesperson Kristy Schmidt, who explained that the decis

The US Embassy in India has officially announced that student visa (F-1) appointments for the Fall 2025 intake will begin opening from May 20, 2025. This announcement comes as a welcome move for thousands of Indian students planning to begin their studies in the United States later this year. The appointments will be released gradually across various consulates in India, including those in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, and will be offered in phases over the summer months.

In a continuing effort to protect its citizens from job scam networks in Southeast Asia, the Government of India has successfully repatriated four more Indian nationals trapped in the notorious Myawaddy cyber-scam compounds along the Myanmar–Thailand border. The Embassy of India in Yangon announced that it worked closely with Myanmar authorities to facilitate exit permits and bring the individuals safely from Hpa-An to Yangon, before flying them back to India. These individu

More than 250 passengers, including several Indian nationals, have been stranded for over 30 hours at Diyarbakir Airport in southeastern Turkey following an emergency landing by a Virgin Atlantic flight. The aircraft, operating under flight number VS358, had departed London’s Heathrow Airport at 11:40 a.m. local time on April 2 and was due to arrive in Mumbai at 1:40 a.m. IST on April 3. However, a medical emergency on board forced the aircraft to divert and land unexpectedly at Diyarba

The United States Embassy in Romania has announced an important procedural change for all nonimmigrant visa applicants. Effective April 7, all applicants must present a printed copy of their DS-160 confirmation page with a barcode to confirm that the same DS-160 form was used to schedule their visa appointment. Before attending their visa interview, applicants must ensure that the barcode number on the DS-160 form exactly matches the one used to book their appointment on USTrav

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) recently confirmed the successful repatriation of over 500 Indian nationals who had fallen victim to fake job offers in Myanmar and Thailand. According to the MEA, 266 Indians were repatriated on Tuesday by an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft, following the return of 283 Indians on Monday. These individuals were reportedly rescued from cybercrime scam centres operating along the Myanmar-Thailand border. The MEA, through its spokesperson Randhir Jai

India’s focus has largely been on strengthening its ties in the east, particularly under the Act East policy. While the global attention often centers on the Middle East and Europe, India has quietly turned its focus to the Korean Peninsula, particularly North Korea. This effort has been marked by caution, with diplomatic relations being conducted discreetly and behind the scenes. In July 2021, India temporarily closed its embassy in Pyongyang due to COVID-19, and the entire staff was r

In a significant update for Indian nationals in China, the Indian Embassy in Beijing has mandated that all citizens residing in the country must register with the mission to avail themselves of future consular services. This advisory, issued on Thursday, is particularly important for students and other expatriates who require assistance from the embassy. To streamline the process, the embassy has provided multiple options for registration. Indians can reg