Iran begins formal mourning for Khamenei Iran opened major funeral ceremonies for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, nearly four months after he was killed in US-Israeli strikes on February 28. The ceremony in Tehran became a major moment of public mourning and political symbolism, with President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf seen visibly emotional as senior officials gathered to pay their final respect

A founding document shaped by debate The United States Declaration of Independence is one of the most important political documents in American history. While Thomas Jefferson is widely known as its primary author, the declaration was not the work of one person alone. It was shaped through committee review, congressional debate and approval by representatives of the thirteen colonies. In June 1776, the Second Continental Congress appointed a

Report questions control of America250 events A congressional report has accused President Donald Trump of reshaping the United States’ 250th birthday celebration into a politically charged project focused on his personal image, policy priorities and business interests. The report, released by House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman, examines

France adjusts regional maritime deployment France has deployed mine countermeasures assets to West Asia as part of efforts to support safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime routes. President Emmanuel Macron said the deployment includes two minehunters, supported by two frigates and a maritime patrol aircraft, with t

Funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei began in Tehran on Friday, July 3, 2026, ahead of a planned burial in Mashhad on Thursday, July 9, 2026, as Iran opened a week of state mourning for its former supreme leader. Khamenei, who led Iran from 1989 until he was killed in a reported U.S.-Israeli airstrike on February 28, 2026, is lying in state at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla. Coffins of family members killed alongside him were also displayed during the ceremonies.

Germany EU Blue Card 2026 rules allow qualified non-EU professionals to live and work in Germany if they have an eligible job offer, recognized qualifications and the required salary. The residence permit also provides easier family reunification and a faster route to a German settlement permit, commonly described as permanent residence. Germany EU Blue Card 2026 salary thresholds The standard minimum salary is €50,700 gross per year in 2026.

Indian students admitted to U.S. universities for Fall 2026 are facing a shortage of F-1 visa appointment slots, raising concerns that some may miss August program start dates or be forced to defer enrollment. Many applicants have already completed admissions requirements and received Form I-20 from their universities. However, students say the U.S. visa scheduling portal has shown few or no available interview appointments for weeks.

Rupeeflo is targeting a reduction in NRI account opening time from about 60 days to 24 hours. The digital onboarding effort covers bank, demat and trading accounts used by Non-Resident Indians investing in India. The company says the faster process could address paperwork and verification delays that cause applicants to abandon plans to invest in Indian stocks or deposits. Rupeeflo targets faster NRI account opening Zerodha founder and CEO Nith

Kavitha arrest in Boduppal protest sparks political row Kalvakuntla Kavitha’s arrest during a protest at Boduppal on Thursday has turned into a major talking point in Telangana politics. The protest was held in support of Telangana Udyamakarulu and their demand for long-pending grants and recognition from the state government. What began as a political demonstration soon became a tense confrontation after police intervened t

Balogun red card overshadows USA’s knockout win over Bosnia The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between United States men's national soccer team and Bosnia and Herzegovina ended 2-0 in favor of the USA, but the result was heavily overshadowed by a VAR-driven red card

A Garner father faces an attempted murder charge and multiple felony child abuse counts after authorities said his 2-year-old son suffered life-threatening brain, eye and spinal injuries. The charges against 44-year-old Kiran Netha Pasunuri were announced in Garner, North Carolina, on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, according to the Garner Police Department and court documents. Attempted murder charge follows severe toddler injuries Pasunuri is charge

ALEXANDRIA, La. — Tuesday, June 30, 2026 — Oakdale Subway owner Chandrakant Patel pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit visa fraud and money laundering in a Louisiana U-Visa fraud scheme involving fabricated police reports, federal prosecutors said. Patel, 40, entered his plea on Friday, May 29, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. Prosecutors said the scheme operated from December 2015 through July 2025. Lo

Sharran Srivatsaa’s janitor-to-CEO story highlights how he used free Tony Robbins audio tapes to improve his communication while working nights in the United States. The Indian entrepreneur, now described as the U.S.-based CEO of Acquisition, said criticism of his accent became an early obstacle as he tried to build a career. Sharran Srivatsaa’s Janitor-to-CEO Journey Srivatsaa shared the account in a post on X after entrepreneur and author

Illinois drivers will not face the scheduled 1.3-cent motor fuel tax increase in 2026. The Illinois gas tax will remain at 48.3 cents per gallon through Thursday, December 31, 2026, before rising to 49.6 cents on Friday, January 1, 2027. Illinois Gas Tax Increase Delayed for Six Months The scheduled increase was suspended beginning Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The temporary pause does not reduce the existing gasoline tax. It postpones only the inflation-link

Jagan Turns MAVIGUN Vs Amaravati Into 2029 Poll Agenda Andhra Pradesh politics is heading toward another major capital-centric debate as former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has sharpened his stand on MAVIGUN as an alternative to Amaravati. With the ruling NDA government firmly backing Amaravati, Jagan’s latest comments suggest that the capital issue may once again become one of the central political themes in the 2

The Indo-Pacific strategy is increasingly moving away from traditional security frameworks toward digital infrastructure control. Japan and India are emerging as key drivers in this transition, focusing on secure data movement, resilient communication systems, and long-term technological independence from concentrated global networks. The shift reflects a broader attempt to reduce vulnerabilities in cross-border data flows and critical digital assets.

A rare handwritten copy of the Sikh sacred scripture linked to Punjab’s royal-era history has been identified in long-held academic archives in Scotland. The document, preserved for decades without public attention, is believed to date back roughly three centuries and is associated with collections once connected to Sikh aristocratic custodianship during the pre-colonial and colonial transition period. From forgotten record to verified heritage object Researchers examining archival holdings in Edinburgh traced the manuscript during a wider study of South Asian religious texts preserved in British institutions. Initial catalog entries did not clearly reflect its significance, but further examination confirmed it as a complete or near-complete handwritten version of the revered Sikh scripture. This reassessment changed its status from overlooked archival material to a culturally significant heritage object. Careful restoration and preservation process Specialist conservators in Scotland undertook detailed restoration work to stabilize the fragile pages and ink. Centuries of storage had weakened the manuscript, making handling risky. Preservation efforts focused on ensuring structural stability while maintaining original integrity, allowing the text to be viewed without causing further deterioration. The process took an extended period due to the delicate condition of the material. Journey across continents and historical custody Historical records suggest the manuscript left Punjab during a turbulent period when royal and religious collections were dispersed under colonial administration. Over time, it entered institutional custody in Britain, eventually becoming part of academic archives. Its journey reflects a broader pattern of cultural objects from South Asia being relocated and stored in European collections, often with limited documentation of their origins. Public darshan at Glasgow gurdwara The restored manuscript has now been placed for controlled public viewing at a Sikh place of worship in Glasgow. Devotees are being allowed to observe the scripture under strict preservation guidelines that balance respect for religious practice with conservation requirements. The arrangement enables spiritual engagement while ensuring the artifact remains protected. Community response and cultural significance Members of the Sikh community in Scotland have described the display as emotionally meaningful, viewing it as a reconnection with historical identity and heritage. The presence of the manuscript has also sparked interest among researchers and visitors, highlighting the importance of rediscovering and reassessing archival collections that may hold significant cultural and religious value.

A stable administration depends heavily on capable senior officials who can understand public policy, guide departments and ensure that government decisions are implemented effectively. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has often been seen as a leader who works closely with the bureaucracy, and this administrative style has helped him maintain control over governance issues. Pawan Kalyan’s recent remarks indicate that he too is looking for

Revanth’s Pasupathi Remark On KCR Sparks Political Debate Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s sharp political attack on BRS chief and former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has triggered a fresh debate in state politics. Known for his aggressive speeches and strong political vocabulary, Revanth once again targeted KCR by comparing him to Pasupathi, the villain character from the Telugu film Arundhati. Revanth’s Aggressive Politics Re

Workers and employers across the Chicago area will face different minimum wage rates beginning Wednesday, July 1, 2026, depending on the location of the job. Illinois’ statewide minimum wage will remain $15 per hour for workers age 18 and older, while the base rate for tipped employees will stay at $9 per hour. The statewide increases required under a 2019 law ended after those rates took effect on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Chicago Minimum Wage Rises to $17.05