US tech firms advise H-1B visa holders to avoid travel amid rule changes
Several major technology companies in the United States have advised employees working on H-1B visas to avoid international travel or return to the country immediately, as uncertainty grows around new immigration rules, higher application costs, and prolonged delays in visa interview appointments. The guidance reflects mounting concern among employers and workers about potential re-entry complications and extended periods of disruption caused by recent policy changes. In recent mont
Brookfield zoo offers free admission on most days in january and february
Brookfield Zoo is offering Chicago-area residents and visitors an excellent opportunity to explore one of the region’s most popular attractions without paying an admission fee, as the zoo has announced free entry on most days throughout January and February. The expanded winter free admission schedule gives families, students, and animal enthusiasts a chance to enjoy a meaningful outdoor experience during the colder months while keeping expenses low. With a wide variety of exhibits and thousan
Frozen shrimp recalled at Jewel-Osco over potential radioactive contamination
Frozen shrimp sold at Jewel-Osco grocery stores in Illinois are being recalled following a federal investigation that raised concerns about possible contamination during handling and storage, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Federal officials said the affected shrimp may have been packaged, prepared, or held under insanitary conditions and could potentially contain trace amounts of radioactive material. The recall was issued Friday by Direct Source Seafood LLC, a
Indian H-1B visa holders stranded as US consulate interviews face mass cancellations
Thousands of Indian H-1B visa holders who traveled to India in December for routine visa renewals are facing serious uncertainty after US consulates unexpectedly canceled or postponed their interview appointments. What was planned as a short visit during the holiday season has turned into a prolonged ordeal for many professionals, with several applicants now being told that their next available interview dates could be as late as October 2026. The sudden changes have left thousands stranded in I
Chicago Bears fans can use digital Illinois IDs at Soldier Field for age checks
Fans attending Chicago Bears games at Soldier Field will now have a new option for verifying their age when purchasing alcohol, as the stadium begins accepting digital Illinois driver’s licenses and state identification cards stored in Apple Wallet. The update takes effect starting Saturday, coinciding with the Bears’ matchup against the Green Bay Packers, marking a significant step in the expansion of mobile identification use at major sporting venues. Illinois Secretary of Sta
Chicago Bears debut Malort-infused hot chocolate at Soldier Field rivalry game
Fans attending Saturday night’s primetime matchup at Soldier Field will have a new way to stay warm as the Chicago Bears introduce a distinctly local twist on a classic cold-weather beverage. A Chicago-style hot chocolate, crafted specifically for the game against the Green Bay Packers, will make its debut inside the stadium, offering supporters a combination of comfort and regional character. The beverage blends traditional hot cocoa with Jeppson’s Malört and Amaretto, creatin
Powerful winds, snow and flooding impact travel nationwide in the U.S.
Severe weather conditions continued to affect large portions of the United States over the holiday weekend, with approximately 72 million people remaining under wind alerts across the High Plains, Rocky Mountains and the Northeast. Powerful wind gusts and winter storms disrupted travel by air and road, prompting safety warnings from federal and state agencies as conditions evolved across multiple regions. The most intense winds were reported across the High Plains, where gusts reach
US court clears Elon Musk’s $56 billion Tesla pay package, boosting his net worth
The world’s richest individual added significantly to his fortune after a major legal reversal in the United States. The Delaware Supreme Court on Friday cleared Elon Musk’s long-disputed $56 billion compensation package from Tesla, overturning a lower court ruling that had invalidated the 2018 pay plan. The decision marked a pivotal moment in a case that has drawn global attention to executive compensation, corporate governance, and shareholder rights at one of the world’s most valuabl
Trump name added to Kennedy Center after board vote to rename institution
Workers on Friday added President Donald Trump’s name to the exterior of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, marking the latest visible step following a recent decision by the institution’s board to adopt a new name. The change comes one day after the board voted to rename the landmark venue as the “Trump-Kennedy Center,” a move that has quickly drawn attention in Washington and beyond due to the center’s national prominence and its statutory ties to Congress. The r
Erika Kirk endorses JD Vance for 2028 presidential race at AmericaFest
Erika Kirk, chief executive officer of Turning Point USA and widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, has publicly endorsed US Vice President JD Vance for the 2028 presidential election, marking a notable moment in the early shaping of the next presidential race. The endorsement represents the first major institutional backing for Vance from within the conservative grassroots movement and signals growing consolidation of support among influential Republican-aligned organizations.
Trump administration suspends diversity visa lottery after Brown and MIT shootings
The Trump administration on Thursday ordered an immediate suspension of the United States’ diversity visa lottery programme, citing national security concerns following deadly shootings at Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The directive was issued by the Department of Homeland Security after authorities confirmed that the suspect in the attacks had entered the country through the diversity visa programme, also known as the green card lottery. Homeland Security
Bill Gates, Woody Allen seen in newly released images from Jeffrey Epstein estate
A fresh batch of images released from the estate of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein has once again drawn public attention to the wide network of influential figures who interacted with him over the years. The newly disclosed photographs feature several well-known personalities, including Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, filmmaker Woody Allen, Google co-founder Sergey Brin, philosopher Noam Chomsky, and former adviser to US President Donald Trump, Steve Bannon. Lawmakers overseeing the releas
Extended US visa checks disrupt H-1B holders, threaten jobs and re-entry prospects
Fresh delays in H-1B visa interviews following expanded social media screening by the United States government have left hundreds of Indian professionals stranded outside the country, creating serious uncertainty around their employment and legal status. Immigration attorneys say the extended checks have slowed consular operations significantly, pushing interview appointments months into the future and placing workers at risk of losing their jobs while waiting abroad. The US Department of St
Trump signs executive order to reclassify marijuana under federal drug law
US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he has signed an executive order initiating a significant change in federal marijuana policy, directing that cannabis be reclassified as a less dangerous drug under US law. The move represents one of the most notable shifts in national drug policy in recent years, although it stops short of legalizing marijuana for recreational use at the federal level. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said the order would begin the process of
Bangladesh youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi dies after Dhaka shooting
A prominent youth leader from Bangladesh, Sharif Osman Hadi, has died in Singapore after succumbing to severe injuries sustained during an assassination attempt in Dhaka earlier this month, officials confirmed on Thursday. His death has sent shockwaves through political circles in Bangladesh and has raised renewed concerns over political violence targeting emerging leaders. Sharif Osman Hadi served as the spokesperson of Inqilab Mancho, a youth-oriented political platform that has g
Japan central bank eyes rate increase amid inflation and weak growth
Japan’s central bank on Thursday began its final policy meeting of the year, with markets widely expecting a further increase in benchmark interest rates as officials continue the gradual shift away from years of ultra-loose monetary policy. The decision, scheduled to be announced on Friday, could mark the highest borrowing costs Japan has seen in three decades, underscoring the Bank of Japan’s determination to normalize policy amid persistent inflation pressures. Market pricing
Jersey City Bangladeshi restaurant earns national recognition
A small family-run restaurant in Jersey City has become a standout success story in the local dining scene, driven by determination, cultural pride, and an unlikely culinary journey. Korai Kitchen, the city’s first Bangladeshi restaurant, is operated by a mother-daughter duo whose path to national recognition began without formal training or professional kitchen experience. Chef and owner Nur-E Gulshan Rahman opened Korai Kitchen alongside her daughter, Nur-E Farhana, in February
