Indian-origin venture capitalist Asha Jadeja Motwani has asserted that she played a role in shaping former President Donald Trump’s recent shift in tone on the H-1B visa program, a move that has triggered debate among his political supporters. The program, which enables United States companies to hire skilled foreign workers, has long been a focal point in policy discussions involving the technology sector. Motwani said she spoke directly with both Trump and Vice President JD Vance about th

Illinois residents can now use digital driver’s licenses and state identification cards on their iPhones, marking a significant technological shift in how individuals verify their identity at airports, bars, restaurants, and select venues across the state. The program officially began Tuesday morning following the implementation of a new state law that authorizes digital IDs and enables their integration into mobile devices. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced the launch

Google chief executive Sundar Pichai has urged caution as global enthusiasm for artificial intelligence continues to fuel record valuations and intense competition across the technology sector. In an interview, Pichai described the present moment as remarkable for innovation, yet marked by clear signs that investor expectations may be stretching beyond what the industry can sustain. His comments arrive at a time when comparisons to previous periods of market exuberance, particularly the late

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made headlines as she attended the birth centenary celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh. The event was marked by the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, and several union ministers including Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and G Kishan Reddy. Before taking the microphone, Aishwarya touched the feet of PM Modi, who was seated on the stage, a gesture that sparked widespread conversations both at the venue and on

India has begun rolling out its next generation of e-passports equipped with advanced digital and physical security layers designed to strengthen identity verification and eliminate fraud. The upgraded system is part of Passport Seva Programme 2.0, which introduces new standards in passport security, digital integration, and citizen services. All new passports issued henceforth will be e-passports, while existing non-electronic passports will continue to remain valid until their expiry, with

President Donald Trump has introduced a new fast-track visa system called the “FIFA Pass” for international fans attending the 2026 World Cup in the United States. Announced at the Oval Office alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the scheme offers ticket holders a prioritized visa appointment to ensure smoother travel ahead of the massive tournament. The US expects between five and ten million visitors, making streamlined entry a major focus for the administration. Despite

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

US President Donald Trump announced that the United States will move forward with selling F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, marking a significant shift in defence cooperation just as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prepares for his first Washington visit in more than seven years. Trump described Saudi Arabia as a strong ally and confirmed that the kingdom’s request for the world-class stealth aircraft will be fulfilled. The crown prince is expected to arrive with clear priorities, includi

Warren Buffett has long admitted that one of his biggest investing oversights was failing to buy shares of Google in its early years. Two decades later, that regret has turned into action. Berkshire Hathaway has disclosed a new position in Alphabet Inc valued at approximately 4.3 billion US dollars, marking one of the most notable shifts in the firm’s long-standing investment philosophy. The announcement immediately boosted market sentiment around Alphabet, with shares rising after the fili

A large industrial fire at a decommissioned power plant in Texas City was contained Sunday evening after an extensive multi-agency firefighting response that began in the early morning hours. Officials confirmed that although the flames were no longer spreading, the site would continue to smolder well into the night, and residents would likely see smoke for several more hours. No injuries were reported, and authorities said air quality remained safe for nearby neighborhoods despite heavy smok

San Jose Mineta International Airport temporarily evacuated Terminal B on Friday night after a fire alarm caused what officials later confirmed to be a false alert. The unexpected activation of the alarm prompted an immediate response and the rapid clearing of the terminal as safety protocols were implemented. Airport authorities emphasized that the evacuation was precautionary and that no actual fire or safety threat was present at any time. According to airport officials, the alar

A powerful explosion struck an industrial zone on the outskirts of Buenos Aires on Friday, sending shockwaves across the city of Ezeiza and triggering a sprawling fire that authorities struggled to contain for hours. Local officials reported that at least 22 people were injured as thick smoke and flames consumed multiple factories in the area, raising concerns about long-term environmental and operational impact on surrounding communities. The incident prompted a major emergency response, wit

Elon Musk pushed back Wednesday against reports that his artificial intelligence company xAI had raised $15 billion in new capital, calling the claim false shortly after sources familiar with the matter indicated the funding round had closed. The initial reports suggested that investors had added $5 billion to an earlier $10 billion round disclosed in September, which placed the company’s valuation at roughly $200 billion. According to individuals close to the fundraising efforts, much of t

Interviews have always been nerve-wracking, but in 2025, the process has become even more complex. With companies increasingly relying on AI screening tools, virtual panels, and automated assessments, candidates must adapt to a new kind of interview environment. Feeling anxious before a job interview is completely normal, but learning how to manage it effectively can make all the difference. Understanding the modern hiring process, preparing strategically, and practicing emotional control can

In the run-up to the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the Congress has begun seeking a greater share of seats from its ally, the DMK, while simultaneously warming up to actor Vijay’s Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). According to sources, senior Congress leaders in Tamil Nadu have been trying to convince the party high command in Delhi to explore an understanding with Vijay, leveraging his growing popularity not only in Tamil Nadu but also in Kerala and Puducherry. The DMK, which

Delhi woke up to another morning covered in thick smog, with air quality remaining in the ‘severe’ category for the third consecutive day. The Supreme Court expressed deep concern over the worsening air pollution and advised senior lawyers to attend hearings virtually, stressing that wearing masks alone would not provide sufficient protection against the toxic air. Justice PS Narsimha questioned why lawyers were appearing in person despite the availability of virtual hearing fac

The longest government shutdown in United States history has finally come to an end, but the deep wounds it has inflicted across the economy and federal systems will not heal anytime soon. Though President Donald Trump signed a funding bill to reopen the government after a record 43 days, the aftershocks continue to ripple through essential sectors. With another possible shutdown looming on January 30, the reprieve may be only temporary, leaving the nation bracing for renewed political and econo

OpenAI has officially launched GPT-5.1, the latest upgrade to its popular AI chatbot, ChatGPT. The new version promises a smarter, more conversational AI with enhanced personality features. GPT-5.1 comes in two versions: GPT-5.1 Instant and GPT-5.1 Thinking. Instant is optimized for everyday tasks like planning trips, coding assistance, and casual conversations, with a warmer and slightly cheeky tone. GPT-5.1 Thinking caters to complex or abstract questions, offering clearer, jargon-free resp