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
FDA issues major update on shredded cheese recall over metal contamination risks
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has released an updated notice regarding a nationwide recall of shredded cheese products distributed to several major retail chains, including Aldi, Target, and Walmart. According to the agency, more than 260,000 cases of shredded cheese may contain metal fragments, prompting officials to elevate their advisory and urge consumers to take immediate precautions. The update follows recent concerns in the dairy sector, including a separate recall involving Pr
Freezing fog and icy roads create hazardous Tuesday commute in Chicago
Patchy and freezing fog settling over parts of the Chicago area early Tuesday led to difficult travel conditions during the morning rush, with officials cautioning motorists about sudden visibility drops and the potential for slick roads. The National Weather Service noted that the rapidly forming fog created visibility of half a mile or less in several communities, particularly in areas south and west of the city. The agency added that the combination of frozen surfaces and lingering moistur
Russia says India’s reduced oil imports are temporary as Moscow plans higher supplies
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that the recent dip in India’s imports of Russian oil is expected to be short-lived, adding that Moscow plans to increase the volume of supplies to New Delhi in the coming months. He stated that Russia understands the external pressures faced by India, particularly in light of tariffs and policy constraints linked to its continued purchase of Russian crude. According to Peskov, Moscow views India’s approach toward its energy partnerships as
US H-1B debate intensifies as Krishnamoorthi pushes expansion plan
The debate over the H-1B visa programme in the United States has sharpened significantly, exposing a deep political divide over the future of skilled immigration. The issue has grown increasingly contentious in recent months, with former president Donald Trump and several Republican leaders intensifying allegations of fraud and misuse within the system. Their claims have focused heavily on Indian applicants, with some prominent voices asserting that a vast majority of submissions from India a
White House defends admiral’s authority in controversial Caribbean strike
The White House said on Monday that Admiral Frank Bradley acted within the scope of his legal authority when he ordered a second strike on individuals who survived an initial attack on what officials described as a drug-trafficking vessel. The confirmation followed rising scrutiny of the operation and renewed questions about whether US forces conducted a “double-tap” strike, a tactic typically associated with targeting survivors following an initial assault. Press Secretary Karoline Leavi
Russia halts crewed launches after major damage to Baikonur launch pad
Russia is confronting an unexpected challenge in its human spaceflight program after significant damage was discovered at the country’s primary crewed launch facility in Kazakhstan. The incident occurred moments after the successful liftoff of the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft, which departed from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on November 27 carrying two Russian cosmonauts and a NASA astronaut to the International Space Station. Although the mission reached orbit without complications, the condition of
IndiGo flight makes emergency Mumbai landing after bomb threat
An IndiGo aircraft operating on the Kuwait–Hyderabad route made an emergency landing at Mumbai Airport on Tuesday morning after authorities received an email warning of a potential bomb threat. Officials said the message, which referred to a “human bomb,” was sent to Hyderabad Airport authorities shortly before the flight was diverted. The aircraft was immediately directed to Mumbai, where it landed safely and was taken to an isolated bay for further inspection. Security agenc
El Chapo’s son pleads guilty in major U.S. drug trafficking case
A son of convicted Mexican drug trafficker Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges in the United States, marking another significant development in the government’s long-running effort to dismantle key factions of the Sinaloa cartel. Joaquin Guzman Lopez entered his plea in a Chicago federal courtroom, months after his brother Ovidio Guzman Lopez agreed to a separate deal with prosecutors. The two siblings, known in Mexico as the “Chapitos,”
Woman dies after stabbing in Alvin home; iPhone crash alert prompts police response
An iPhone crash alert prompted deputies to respond to a home in Brazoria County on Saturday night, ultimately uncovering a fatal stabbing inside the residence. The incident occurred in the 14700 block of Susie Lane, CR 442, in Alvin, Texas, where authorities were initially dispatched for what appeared to be a potential crash-related welfare concern. As they were en route, additional information suggested that the situation may have involved a disturbance and possible violence, raising immedia
Appeal court blocks Alina Habba from serving as New Jersey’s acting U.S. attorney
A federal appeals court has ruled that Alina Habba, previously an attorney for former President Donald Trump and later positioned by the administration to continue serving as New Jersey’s acting U.S. attorney, is legally disqualified from holding the post. The decision, issued Monday by a three-judge panel of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia, upholds a lower court’s conclusion that Habba’s appointment did not comply with federal law governing interim federal prosecu
Texas prepares for new education, health and public safety laws
State lawmakers in Texas are preparing for a significant policy shift as dozens of new laws take effect across December and January, adding to the more than 800 measures already implemented earlier this year. The latest round of legislation, passed during the regular session and the second special session, is set to influence major areas including education, public health, redistricting, immigration enforcement and criminal justice. Each law reflects ongoing political debates in the state and
Arctic outbreak grips U.S. as subzero temperatures spread from the Plains to the East
A powerful surge of arctic air is sweeping across the United States as meteorological winter begins, sending temperatures plunging far below seasonal norms and placing much of the country under a deep freeze. Weather officials report that more than 235 million people will experience below-freezing conditions through the end of the week as the cold mass pushes steadily south and east. The early-season outbreak marks one of the most widespread cold events so far this year, fueled by a dip in the j
Global Call for Stronger Biosecurity as Jaishankar Warns Against Rising Bioweapon Threats
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has delivered a strong caution that the threat of diseases and dangerous pathogens being exploited by non-state actors is no longer a distant or hypothetical concern. Speaking at a major gathering marking fifty years of global commitment to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), he warned that bioterrorism has evolved into a credible danger that the world must be fully prepared to confront. He stressed that recent scientific advancements, though beneficia
Putin to visit India for annual summit as S-400 defence talks gain momentum
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to travel to India on December 4 and 5 for the 23rd Annual Summit, marking his first visit since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and India’s Operation Sindoor. The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin is expected to place significant emphasis on strengthening defence cooperation, including discussions on a potential new S-400 air defence system contract. The visit comes at a critical time, as both countries reassess the
Maruti Suzuki achieves highest-ever monthly sales on export and UV surge
Maruti Suzuki India Limited recorded its highest-ever monthly sales performance in November 2025, supported by robust domestic demand and the strongest export tally in the company’s history. The automaker reported total sales of 2,29,021 units for the month, reflecting continued momentum in both passenger vehicles and utility models as the broader auto sector experiences sustained growth. In the domestic market, Maruti Suzuki delivered 1,74,593 units, a sharp rise from 1,44,238 un
