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Category: Global

  • Indian doctor dies by suicide after US visa rejection

    Indian doctor dies by suicide after US visa rejection

    A 38-year-old doctor from Guntur district in India’s Andhra Pradesh reportedly died by suicide after her US visa was rejected, causing her severe emotional distress.

    According to police, a suicide note recovered from Dr. Rohini’s apartment mentioned depression and disappointment after the visa got rejected. 

    Her mother Lakshmi said Rohini was extremely excited about securing a medical job in the United States but fell into deep depression after the rejection. Rohini had been living in Padma Rao Nagar, Hyderabad, to stay close to nearby libraries.

    Lakshmi shared that her daughter completed her medical degree in Kyrgyzstan and always excelled in her studies. 

    She did not want to practice in India and aimed to work in the US, where she believed she would have more patients and better income opportunities.

    The incident came to light when family members, who lived in another part of the city, broke open the apartment door after she failed to respond to calls. A domestic worker had alerted them when Rohini did not open the door.

    Police said initial findings suggest she may have taken an overdose of sleeping pills or administered an injection. 

    The exact cause of death will be confirmed after an autopsy takes place. 

    Authorities have handed over the body to the family.

  • US, Ukraine to continue working on Russia peace plan

    US, Ukraine to continue working on Russia peace plan

    The United States (US) and Ukraine on Monday continued working on a plan to end the war with Russia, Reuters reported.

    According to reports, the two sides, in a joint statement, said they had drafted a “refined peace framework” after talks in Geneva on Sunday, although they did not provide specifics.

    The White House said the Ukrainian delegation had told them it “reflects their national interests” and “addresses their core strategic requirements,” although Kyiv did not issue a statement of its own.

    It was not clear how the plan – which comes after the two countries agreed to modify an earlier proposal that was widely seen as too favorable to Moscow – would handle a host of issues, including how to guarantee Ukraine’s security against ongoing threats from Russia.

    The US and Ukraine said they would continue “intensive work” ahead of a Thursday deadline, although Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led the American delegation during the talks, was flying back to Washington late on Sunday.

    President Donald Trump has kept up the pressure on Ukraine to reach a deal. On Sunday, he said Ukraine had shown “zero gratitude” for American efforts over the war, prompting Ukrainian officials to emphasize their thanks for Trump’s support.

    Trump previously set a Thursday deadline for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept a peace plan, but Rubio said on Sunday that deadline might not be set in stone.

    Zelensky could travel to the US as soon as this week to discuss the most sensitive aspects of the plan with Trump, Reuters quoted sources as saying.

    The initial 28-point proposal put forth by the United States last week called on Ukraine to cede territory, accept limits on its military and abandon its ambitions to join NATO. Those terms would amount to capitulation for many Ukrainians after nearly four years of fighting in Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.

  • Five dead, almost 100 others injured in deadly Bangladesh earthquake

    Five dead, almost 100 others injured in deadly Bangladesh earthquake

    At least five people, including a child, were killed and around 100 injured when a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck Bangladesh on Friday, Reuters quoted government as saying.

    According to reports, buildings were damaged in many areas, including the densely populated capital Dhaka, as tremors were felt in eastern states in neighbouring India that border Bangladesh.

    There were, however, no immediate reports of major damage there.

    Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, said the injured included students from Dhaka university, factory workers in the city of Gazipur and residents of Narsingdi, the epicenter of the earthquake.

    His statement gave no details of how the five died. Police said earlier three people had been killed when the railing of a six-storey building collapsed during the earthquake.

    Several of the injured taken to hospital from Narsingdi, about 40 km (25 miles) east of Dhaka, were in a critical condition, health adviser Nurjahan Begum told reporters.

    Dhaka residents rushed out of their homes as buildings shook and some makeshift structures collapsed, Reuters witnesses said.

    “We felt a strong jolt and buildings were shaking like trees,” Reuters quoted resident Suman Rahman as saying.

    “Staircases were jammed as people rushed down. Everyone was terrified, children were crying.”

  • Mexico’s Fatima Bosch Crowned Miss Universe 2025

    Mexico’s Fatima Bosch Crowned Miss Universe 2025

    Fatima Bosch of Mexico has been crowned Miss Universe 2025, triumphing in a competition overshadowed by controversy and internal drama. The 25-year-old humanitarian and volunteer emerged as a fan favorite after a public clash with a Thai pageant director sparked a walkout by fellow contestants.

    Bosch received the crown from last year’s winner, Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark, during Friday’s finale in Nonthaburi, Thailand. The event, often described as the “Super Bowl” of beauty pageants, drew millions of viewers worldwide and featured representatives from 120 countries.

    Thailand’s Praveenar Singh finished as runner-up, while Venezuela’s Stephany Abasali, the Philippines’ Ahtisa Manalo, and Ivory Coast’s Olivia Yacé rounded out the top five. In a historic first, Nadeen Ayoub represented the Palestinian people, advancing to the semifinal round of 30 before being eliminated.

    The finale, hosted by American comedian Steve Byrne and opened by Thai singer Jeff Satur, followed weeks of rehearsals and cultural showcases. Contestants competed in swimwear, evening gown, and national costume rounds, with Miss USA Audrey Eckert drawing attention for her elaborate bald eagle ensemble.

    Bosch impressed judges with her message of empowerment, telling the audience: “Believe in the power of your authenticity. Your dreams matter, your heart matters. Never let anyone make you doubt your worth.”

    This year’s pageant was marked by turbulence. At a pre-pageant meeting, Miss Universe Thailand director Nawat Itsaragrisil berated Bosch for not posting promotional content, allegedly calling her a “dumbhead.” Bosch resisted the remarks, prompting Nawat to call security. Contestants walked out in solidarity, and the incident drew condemnation from Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum, who praised Bosch’s composure.

    The Miss Universe Organization later restricted Nawat’s role and issued a statement condemning his behavior. Nawat apologized but declined further comment.

    Additional controversy erupted when former Miss Universe Alicia Machado made racist remarks in a livestream discussing the incident, sparking backlash online.

    Meanwhile, two judges resigned days before the finale. Composer Omar Harfouch alleged the contest was rigged, claiming an “impromptu” panel had pre-selected semifinalists. The organization rejected his claims as a mischaracterization of the judging process. Former French soccer star Claude Makélélé also stepped down, citing personal reasons.

    The competition unfolded under new leadership after Thai media tycoon Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip stepped down in June. Mario Búcaro was appointed CEO in October, just before delegates arrived. Jakkaphong, a transgender rights advocate, had purchased the organization in 2022 for $20 million, but her company later filed for bankruptcy.

    Despite the controversies, the pageant concluded with Bosch’s victory celebrated by fans across Mexico and beyond. The next Miss Universe competition is scheduled to take place in Puerto Rico in 2026.

  • Air India suffers with massive losses as Pakistan airspace closure hits operations

    Air India suffers with massive losses as Pakistan airspace closure hits operations

    Air India is experiencing increasing operational and financial challenges following the closure of Pakistan’s airspace to Indian airlines in late April. 

    Documents obtained by an international news agency indicate that the airline has requested the Indian government to secure alternative routing through China’s Xinjiang region to mitigate losses.

    The closure has compelled Air India to redirect long-haul flights, resulting in longer travel times and higher fuel consumption. 

    Some westbound detours have extended flight durations by up to three hours, causing fuel expenses to rise by as much as 29 percent. Flights from Mumbai and Bengaluru to San Francisco are some of the most significantly impacted. Under the present restrictions, Air India deems these routes unviable, while data reveals a trend of passengers opting for foreign airlines that still utilize Pakistan’s airspace.

    The airline anticipates that the airspace closure could lower its annual pre-tax profit by around $455 million. This amount surpasses the carrier’s reported loss of $439 million for the financial year 2024-25. 

    Air India has urged the government to investigate possible routing over Hotan, Kashgar, and Urumqi in Xinjiang. The airline’s internal analysis suggests that utilizing these corridors would decrease fuel consumption, regain roughly 15 percent of lost passenger and cargo capacity, and diminish weekly losses by about $1.13 million.

    Additionally, Air India has requested temporary financial aid from the government until Pakistan opens its airspace again. 

    The strain on cash flow has intensified due to outstanding tax liabilities totaling $725 million. This amount includes recovery notices amounting to $58 million, despite guarantees that were established when the airline transitioned to the Tata Group in 2022.

    Gaining access to Chinese airspace remains uncertain. The suggested route traverses challenging high-altitude terrains and falls within the jurisdiction of China’s Western Theatre Command. 

    The area accommodates significant military installations, and there have been no recent operations by non-Chinese airlines at Hotan. Aviation experts quoted in the news report suggest that obtaining approvals for the requested flight paths is improbable due to concerns related to terrain and security.

    This appeal coincides with the recent resumption of direct flights between India and China. Services restarted after a five-year hiatus that followed heightened tensions along the Himalayan border. 

    Air India has been striving to revive its international services and stabilize its schedule after a June incident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Gujarat, which led to the temporary suspension of multiple flights for inspections.

  • Indian media claims phone calls from Pakistan, Turkiye near New Delhi blast site

    Indian media claims phone calls from Pakistan, Turkiye near New Delhi blast site

    Authorities have traced calls from Pakistan and Turkiye near the site of the deadly New Delhi blast, Indian media reports have claimed.

    Although no official statement has so far been released by the Indian government, a report by india.com said that police found 68 suspicious mobile numbers active near Sunheri Bagh’s parking and the blast site, with calls traced from Pakistan and Turkiye.

    At least 15 people were killed and 20 others injured when a car exploded near the historic Red Fort in the Indian capital on Nov 10.

    Amid conflicting reports on the nature of the explosion, Indian government on Nov 12 declared the incident a terrorist act, however, it refrained from its usual practice of directly blaming Pakistan.

    Delhi Police said there were two to three people inside the car at the time of the explosion and preliminary police findings also indicated that the blast may have been a possible suicide attack.

    As probe continues, the report by india.com claimed that data from nearby towers revealed unusual activity before the blast, and phone mapping showed 187 phones active within 30 meters of the car that exploded after remining parked for over three hours.

    It merits a mention that this is not the first time India is reportedly linking a terror incident to neighbouring Pakistan, as earlier this year both countries engaged in military clashes after cross-border Indian aggression rooted in similar allegations following the Pahalgam attack.

    Experts, however, believe that India has this time cautiously steered away from its earlier practice of immediately blaming Pakistan for any terror activities because of the thrashing it took in May.

    “It took 48 hours for the Modi regime to admit that the Delhi blast that killed 10 was a terror attack. No more chest thumping, mo more crude jingoism, no more threats to Pakistan [sic],” Indian-Swedish Peace and Conflict expert Ashok Swain wrote in a post on X.


     
    The cost might have been the loss of six or seven fighter jets “but at least some sanity has come to India’s Hindutva crowd”, he went on to add in reference to the clashes that erupted in response to India’s cross-border aggression after the Pahalgam attack.


     
    At least six Indian jets were shot down by Pakistan on the night of May 7 in what was termed one of the biggest aerial confrontations since World War II. The beyond-visual-range battle had followed days of cross-border skirmishes that ended with a United States (US) brokered ceasefire as Pakistan destroyed several Indian military targets in retaliatory strikes.

  • Trump hosts MBS with red-carpet welcome for deal-making White House visit

    Trump hosts MBS with red-carpet welcome for deal-making White House visit

    President Donald Trump rolled out the red carpet for Mohammad Bin Salman on Tuesday, welcoming the Saudi crown prince to a pomp-filled, deal-making visit to the White House.

    Making his first White House visit in more than seven years, the crown prince was greeted with a lavish display, presided over by Trump on the South Lawn, complete with a military honor guard, a cannon salute and a flyover by US warplanes.

    The meeting underscores a key relationship – between the world’s biggest economy and the top oil exporter – that Trump has made a high priority in his second term as the international uproar around the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi insider-turned-critic, has gradually faded.

    Addressing the issue on Tuesday, MBS said the 2018 killing of the Washington Post columnist was a “huge mistake”.

    Talking about the killing, perpetrated by Saudi agents, the prince said: “it’s painful and it’s a huge mistake, and we are doing our best that this doesn’t happen again.”

    However, his host defended MBS, calling Khashoggi “extremely controversial”.

    Trump chided the reporter who asked about the scandal, ordering him to “leave it at that”. “You don’t have to embarrass our guest by asking a question like that,” he said, adding: “A lot of people didn’t like that gentleman that you’re talking about. Whether you like him or didn’t like him, things happened, but he (the prince) knew nothing about it”.

    Khashoggi was killed in 2018 inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkiye. The killing and dismemberment of the journalist, who’d been critical of the Saudi rulers, briefly caused a diplomatic crisis and prompted criticism from Trump, who was then serving his first term. Saudi officials later said his killing was a rogue operation, rather than something ordered by the leadership.

    Trump began his remarks in the Oval Office by lauding MBS as a “very good friend” and saying he’d done an “incredible” job on “human rights, and everything else”.

    He said the US had reached a defence deal with Riyadh, without providing details, adding that he was working to approve the sale of advanced American AI chips to Saudi Arabia. The US president also said he had spoken to MBS about the Abraham Accords, adding that he believes he got a positive response.

    MBS said his country wanted to normalise relations with Israel through Trump’s Abraham Accords, but first needed a “clear path” to Palestinian statehood.

    “We want to be part of the Abraham Accords. But we want also to be sure that we secure a clear path of two-state solution,” the prince said in the Oval Office alongside Trump. “We’re going to work on that, to be sure that we can prepare the right situation as soon as possible,” he added.

    Trump also denied that he had any conflicts of interest in negotiating with MBS, after his sons signed a major real estate deal in that country. During a day of White House diplomacy, MBS will have lunch in the Cabinet Room and attend a formal black-tie dinner in the evening, giving it many of the trappings of a state visit.

  • Hamas rejects UN Security Council Gaza resolution

    Hamas rejects UN Security Council Gaza resolution

    Hamas has rejected the UN Security Council resolution on Gaza, saying it does not meet the rights and demands of the Palestinian people.

    According to reports, a Hamas spokesperson said the resolution imposes international supervision over Gaza and the deployment of an international force would prevent it from remaining neutral. 

    The spokesperson added that all forms of resistance against Israel are legitimate and Hamas rejects laying down arms.

    The resolution, backed by 13 countries including Pakistan, was adopted in support of former President Trump’s Gaza plan. Russia and China did not participate in the voting.

    The resolution includes the deployment of an international stabilization force in Gaza and the establishment of an interim government.

    According to reports, the force will include Muslim countries such as Indonesia and Azerbaijan and operate under unified command to maintain peace, protect civilians, and oversee aid corridors.

    Israel will gradually withdraw from Gaza while trained Palestinian police will take responsibility in border areas.

  • Ex-Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina awarded death sentence

    Ex-Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina awarded death sentence

    A court in Bangladesh has sentenced deposed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to death, concluding a months-long trial that found her guilty of ordering a deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising last year.

    The ruling by the International Crimes Tribunal – Bangladesh’s domestic war crimes court located in Dhaka – was delivered amid tight security and in Hasina’s absence after she fled to India in August 2024.

    It comes months ahead of parliamentary elections expected to be held in early February, which Hasina’s Awami League party is not allowed to contest.

    While the verdict has added to fears of fresh unrest ahead of the vote, reports said it can be appealed in the Supreme Court.

    Hasina’s son and adviser Sajeeb Wazed, however, told Reuters that they would not appeal unless a democratically elected government took office with the Awami League’s participation.

    Earlier, prosecutors told the court that they had uncovered evidence of her direct command to use lethal force to suppress a student-led uprising in July and August 2024.

    According to a United Nations (UN) report, up to 1,400 people may have been killed during the protests between July 15 and August 5, 2024, with thousands more injured — most of them by gunfire from security forces. 

    Hasina was represented by a state-appointed defence counsel who told the court that the charges against her were baseless and pleaded for her acquittal.

    Ahead of the verdict, Hasina dismissed the accusations and the fairness of the proceedings, asserting a guilty verdict was “a foregone conclusion”.

  • Nine dead as stockpile of confiscated explosives detonates inside Held Kashmir police station

    Nine dead as stockpile of confiscated explosives detonates inside Held Kashmir police station

    At least five of the injured people are thought to be in critical  condition.

    The cache of explosives detonated late on Friday night in the Nowgam area near Srinagar. 

    Government sources told foreign news agencies that some bodies were completely burnt, delaying the identification process. 

    One police official told news reporters that the explosion was so powerful that some body parts were recovered from surrounding houses 100 meters to 200 meters away. 

    Authorities believe that the dead are mostly police officers and forensic experts who were examining the material when the explosion took place. Two government officers are thought to be among the dead.

    Indian journalists tweeted out that their sources have confirmed that the explosion was not a terror attack.

    The blast took plays days after another explosion in New Delhi was categorised a “terror attack” by the Indian government. At least 12 people died when a car caught fire near the historic Red Fort.