US embassy in India issues fresh advisory after visa appointments rescheduled
The United States embassy in India has issued a new advisory urging all visa applicants to strictly adhere to the updated appointment dates communicated through recent rescheduling emails. The mission clarified that individuals who arrive on their previously scheduled dates will not be granted entry into any embassy or consulate facility. The reminder follows a series of appointment modifications across multiple visa categories prompted by internal adjustments to scheduling systems, and aims
Belgium’s top court rejects Mehul Choksi’s final appeal against extradition to India
Belgium’s Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal filed by fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, marking a critical step forward in India’s long-running efforts to secure his extradition in connection with the Punjab National Bank fraud. The ruling, delivered on Tuesday by the Court of Cassation, upheld the earlier order of the Antwerp Court of Appeal, which had declared India’s extradition request lawful and enforceable. With this decision, Choksi’s attempt to overturn one of the final le
AI market faces shakeout as Bill Gates warns of overvalued companies
The rapidly expanding artificial intelligence sector may face a significant reshuffling as Bill Gates warned that not all high-valued companies will survive in what he described as an increasingly “hyper competitive” market. Speaking at an event in Abu Dhabi, Gates said that although AI represents one of the most transformative technologies of the era, it does not guarantee universal success for companies riding the wave of investor enthusiasm. His remarks come at a time when global marke
Large blaze destroys Southeast Austin housing project under construction
AUSTIN, Texas – Authorities are investigating a large overnight fire that erupted at an affordable housing development under construction in Southeast Austin, causing widespread damage and prompting concern among nearby residents. The Austin Fire Department reported that the intensity of the flames forced crews to take a defensive approach, battling the blaze from the outside due to rapidly growing heat and structural instability. The incident occurred at a building site along Sou
Water main break shuts Totowa’s US 46 ramp as crews battle freezing conditions
Crews in Passaic County spent Tuesday addressing a significant water main break that forced the closure of the US 46 westbound ramp from County Route 640 and Riverview Drive in Totowa. Local officials confirmed that the rupture sent large amounts of water across the nearby Home Depot parking lot, where temperatures hovered around 18 degrees. The combination of high water flow and freezing winter weather created a sheet of ice that quickly transformed the area into a safety hazard for drivers
New Takoma Park pilot to deploy AI stop sign enforcement for safer streets
Takoma Park will introduce a four-year pilot program deploying artificial intelligence-assisted stop sign cameras beginning early next year, marking a significant step in the city’s ongoing efforts to curb dangerous driving and improve pedestrian safety. The initiative focuses heavily on school zones, where officials say stricter oversight is essential to protecting children and reducing the risk of severe crashes. The program supports Maryland’s Zero Deaths strategy and aligns with Montg
Trump signals new tariffs on Indian rice and Canadian fertiliser amid farmer concerns
US President Donald Trump indicated that his administration is prepared to examine new tariffs on a range of agricultural imports, including Canadian fertiliser and Indian rice, after American farmers raised concerns that low-priced foreign goods were eroding their competitiveness. The comments came during a roundtable discussion at the White House, where the President unveiled a $12 billion support package intended to cushion farmers from mounting price pressures and market volatility. Througho
Paramount Skydance launches hostile bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery
Paramount Skydance has escalated its long-running pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery by launching a hostile takeover bid valued at $30 per share, moving directly to shareholders after earlier attempts failed to gain traction. The all-cash offer matches the proposal that Warner Bros. Discovery declined last week and places the company’s enterprise value at approximately $108.4 billion. Paramount’s decision to bypass company leadership signals its determination to remain a central contender
Bart service disrupted across multiple lines after major power issue
Bart experienced significant service disruptions on Monday morning after a power issue halted regular operations across several major lines, affecting thousands of commuters throughout the Bay Area. According to early information from the transit agency, a major delay was reported on the San Francisco line in all directions as crews responded to a power problem detected between the Powell Street and Embarcadero stations. The issue restricted train movement in one of the system’s busiest cor
Trump plans executive order to set single national rule for artificial intelligence
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he expects to sign an executive order this week establishing a single nationwide standard for artificial intelligence, a move he argued is necessary to replace the growing web of state-level AI laws. The announcement marks a significant step in the administration’s effort to shape the national regulatory structure around rapidly advancing AI systems, and it comes amid intensifying debate over who should hold authority to set protections for co
Trump criticizes Zelenskyy over unread peace plan as Ukraine talks stall
Tensions between Washington and Kyiv escalated again after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly expressed disappointment with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of not yet reviewing a U.S.-supported peace proposal. Trump told reporters late Sunday that he believed Ukrainian officials were receptive to the plan, but insisted that their president had not personally examined it. His remarks added renewed pressure on Kyiv at a sensitive moment in negotiations intended to chart
Chicago weather forecast warns of more snow as another Arctic blast approaches
Chicago is preparing for another round of winter weather as the region transitions from a brief warm-up into a renewed surge of Arctic air. The active start to December continues to unfold with multiple chances for snow and a significant drop in temperatures expected over the coming days. The latest forecast follows a weekend in which several inches of snow accumulated across the city and surrounding suburbs, adding to the large piles already lining neighborhood streets after recent plowing o
OET test: what healthcare workers need to know about this global English exam
The Occupational English Test, widely known as OET, has become one of the most recognised English-language examinations for healthcare professionals aiming to work, study or qualify in English-speaking countries. Designed specifically for the medical and health sectors, the test evaluates candidates on the type of language skills they will need in real clinical environments rather than in general communication. Managed by the Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment Trust, a collaboration betwee
India asks China to ensure safe transit for citizens after airport detention
The Ministry of External Affairs issued a firm message to China after an Indian national was reportedly singled out and detained for nearly 18 hours at Shanghai airport. The statement, released on Monday, underscored India’s expectation that its citizens travelling through Chinese airports must not be selectively targeted or subjected to arbitrary detention, and urged Beijing to ensure that international air travel regulations are respected without exception. The incident has intensified di
Japan issues tsunami alert after powerful 7.6 earthquake strikes Misawa region
Japan issued a tsunami alert on Monday evening after a powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck off the northeastern coast, underscoring once again the intense seismic activity that defines the region. According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake was recorded 73 kilometres east-northeast of Misawa city. The tremor occurred at 7:45 pm local time and was measured at a depth of 53.1 kilometres, placing it within the shallow earthquake category that often results in stronger g
China denies Japan's interference claims amid rising regional strain
China has firmly rejected Japan’s claims regarding recent aerial encounters, escalating a diplomatic dispute that has widened to include political, economic, and regional security dimensions. A spokesperson for the Chinese navy, Colonel Wang Xuemeng, stated that Japanese aircraft had repeatedly approached Chinese vessels as they carried out previously announced carrier-based flight training east of the Miyako Strait. According to Wang, the operations were routine and transparent, and China
Rubio warns global expansion of radical Islamic movements poses rising security threat
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Wednesday that radical Islamic movements represent a growing and consequential threat not only to the United States but to global security as a whole. Describing these organisations as revolutionary in nature, Rubio said their objectives extend far beyond holding limited territory, and instead involve expanding their influence across regions and cultures. He noted that the ideological framework guiding these groups envisions a broad reach
New Delhi and Chennai show significant improvement in US visa appointment timelines
Indian applicants planning travel to the United States for study, employment or tourism are experiencing notable changes in visa wait times, with several US consulates across the country reporting shorter delays. According to the latest data from the US State Department’s Global Visa Wait Times portal, appointment backlogs for student, work and visitor visas now vary widely by location but show meaningful improvement compared with previous months. Applicants are being encouraged to monitor
Spotify Wrapped 2025 reveals India’s top artists, songs and albums
Spotify has released its Wrapped list for 2025, offering detailed insight into India’s most-streamed artists, songs and albums over the past year. The data shows a mix of consistent favourites, resurgent classics and the accelerating influence of independent musicians and podcasts on the country’s listening habits. Arijit Singh continued his long-standing dominance as India’s most-streamed artist for the seventh year in a row. Pritam and Shreya Ghoshal followed in second and third place
