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An Ohio motel fire killed three members of an Indian family from Gujarat after flames broke out at the Econo Lodge in Wooster, Ohio, officials said. The fire was reported at about 1:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at the motel, located about 60 miles south of Cleveland. Ohio Motel Fire Kills Gujarat Family in Wooster The victims were identified as Hiteshbhai Suthar, his wife Hinaben Suthar, and their 20-year-old daughter Ishani S

More than 130 Hindu Americans gathered on Capitol Hill for CoHNA Advocacy Day on Saturday, July 4, 2026, using the U.S. 250th anniversary to highlight civic participation, religious freedom and concerns over anti-Hindu hate. The fifth annual advocacy day, organized by the Coalition of Hindus of North America, brought participants from 15 states to Washington, D.C. Delegates included students, veterans, entrepreneurs, researchers and community

Indian passport visa-free destinations remain a key travel option even after India slipped two places to 80th in a July update of the Henley Passport Index. Indian citizens still have access to 56 destinations through visa-free entry, visa on arrival or electronic travel authorization, according to the access categories cited in the update. Indian passport visa-free destinations remain open The easier tra

The match ball from Argentina’s 1986 World Cup quarterfinal win over England, remembered for Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal, is heading back to auction as one of soccer’s most famous collectibles returns to the market. Heritage Auctions has listed the ball with a starting bid of $2.5 million. The same ball previously sold for nearly $2.4 million in 2022, while Maradona’s shirt from the match sold that year for about $9.2 million, setting a major benchmark for soccer

Bay Area Fourth of July events 2026 include fireworks, parades, concerts, drone shows and family festivals across Northern California. The roundup, updated at 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, lists events scheduled around Independence Day on Saturday, July 4, 2026. All event times listed are local Bay Area time. Bay Area Fourth of July events 2026 San Francisco’s Fourth of July fireworks are scheduled for 9:30 p.m., with recommended viewi

Columbus Red, White & BOOM fireworks are set to draw a massive crowd to the Scioto Mile, with music, vendors, a parade and a major riverfront fireworks display planned. The full calendar date was not included in the source information, but the event is scheduled for the Friday referenced in the material. Organizers expect more than 400,000 people to gather in downtown Columbus, Ohio, making traffic, parking, heat and crowd movement key con

Costco is closed on July 4 for Independence Day, while many major retailers and grocery stores are expected to remain open with possible reduced holiday hours. The holiday closure may affect shoppers planning last-minute grocery runs, party supplies or pharmacy visits. Costco is among the major retailers that close for Independence Day, along with Heinen’s, according to the store-hour information provided. Costco July 4 Ho

Washington, D.C., is preparing for a major July Fourth fireworks show on Saturday, July 4, 2026, as Freedom 250 marks America’s 250th birthday with a large Independence Day celebration on the National Mall. The Freedom 250 fireworks display is scheduled for about 10:30 p.m. ET at the Washington Monument Grounds, following an evening program that includes remarks by President Donald Trump at 9:45 p.m. ET. Organizers describe the fireworks show as a roughly 40-minute display tied to

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.

India’s passport ranking stands at 80th in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, giving Indian passport holders access to 56 destinations without obtaining a traditional visa before travel. The ranking, current as of Friday, July 3, 2026, places India alongside Mauritania and Senegal. Henley’s index covers 199 passports and 227 travel destinations and is updated monthly using International Air Transport Association data. India

Aravind Srinivas’ Perplexity AI journey began with a goal that once represented success for his family: securing an engineering job at Google. In an interview clip shared on X by the account @entreprneursonx, Srinivas said his lower-middle-class upbringing in India shaped both his ambitions and his willingness to take risks. Aravind Srinivas’ Perplexity AI journey started with a Google dream “I came from noth

A viral Revlimid price comparison between the United States and India has renewed discussion about cancer drug costs, generic medicines and patient access. In an Instagram video posted by the account Spicy Gori, an American woman claimed that one Revlimid pill costs about $900 in the United States. She said she found options in India ranging from approximately Rs 35 to Rs 300 per pill, which she estimated at about 30 cents to $3. In an

A viral post claims an F-1 student was denied entry at Atlanta airport after U.S. border officers examined his phone and reviewed WhatsApp conversations. The account has not been independently verified, and the post does not establish that group membership caused the reported decision. F-1 Student Reportedly Denied Entry at Atlanta Airport The post, discussed in a Times of India report pub

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.

India has launched an e-OCI card for more than 5 million Overseas Citizen of India cardholders, giving them a digital credential for immigration and airline verification while keeping existing physical OCI cards valid. Readers unfamiliar with the program can review our explainer on what an OCI

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

The UAE Green Visa gives qualifying skilled workers, freelancers, self-employed professionals, investors and business partners five years of residency without sponsorship from a single employer. Introduced in 2022, it also permits family sponsorship and provides a grace period of up to six months after cancellation. UAE Green Visa eligibility requirements Skilled workers Applicants must have a valid employment contract and ei

Thailand’s 60-day visa-free entry for Indian travelers remains in effect despite Thailand’s approval of wider immigration changes. The Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi states that Indian ordinary passport holders may continue entering Thailand without a visa for tourism and short-term business stays of up to 60 days until a further announcement. and visa-free entry for Indians remains active

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