India

US to Double EB-5 Investor Visa Fees Starting November 30

The United States will double the fees for its EB-5 Immigrant Investor Programme, effective November 30. The EB-5 programme offers permanent residency, commonly known as a Green Card, to foreign investors and their immediate family members. To qualify, applicants must invest capital in a US commercial enterprise and create at least 10 full-time jobs for American workers. The fee hike marks a significant cost increase for those seeking US residency through investment.

BJP's Farmer Recruitment Drive in Patiala Sparks Internal Dispute

The BJP announced that around 100 to 150 leaders from farmer organisations had joined the party in Patiala. However, the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Shadipur) has rejected this claim, contradicting the BJP's announcement. The denial has triggered an organisational dispute, undermining the party's outreach efforts among farming communities. The episode has drawn attention to tensions between the BJP and farmer groups in the region.

How to Build a Travel Fund: Choosing the Right SIP Strategy

Investing in a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is a popular way to save for short-term goals like holidays. However, financial experts caution that equity mutual fund SIPs carry market risk, making them less suitable for goals just 12 months away. A sharp market downturn close to the withdrawal date could significantly erode the accumulated corpus. For short-term travel goals, safer debt-oriented or liquid fund options may offer more predictable returns. Choosing the right fund category based on the investment horizon is key to protecting your holiday savings.

China Cuts Rates and Offers Mortgage Subsidies to Revive Struggling Property Sector

China has announced a series of economic measures aimed at revitalizing its struggling real estate sector. The country's central bank has reduced interest rates on its lending facility to encourage targeted bank loans to the property market. First-time homebuyers will also be eligible for mortgage interest subsidies on qualifying properties. The initiatives are particularly focused on stimulating housing demand in lower-tier cities facing economic difficulties. Analysts expect these combined policies to support a gradual recovery in the affected segments of the property market.

One-Third of World Population Exposed to Dangerous Ozone Levels, CAMS Finds

A new analysis by the European Union's Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) reveals that roughly one-third of the global population is exposed to high levels of ozone pollution. The report covers data from the first eight months of 2026. CAMS highlighted a strong link between rising climate change and worsening air quality. The findings underscore growing concerns about the public health impact of ozone pollution worldwide.

McDonald's AI Tool Quietly Shapes Menu Prices at Franchise Stores

McDonald's has been deploying artificial intelligence tools to influence menu pricing across its franchise locations. While the company officially states that franchisees have the freedom to set their own prices, a Reuters report tells a different story. Five franchise owners told Reuters they felt pressured by McDonald's to adopt the AI-driven pricing tools. The development raises questions about the degree of autonomy franchisees actually hold over their own business decisions.

Bihar Woman Blackmailed and Assaulted for 6 Months After Being Secretly Filmed

A woman in Bihar's Banka district has alleged that she was covertly recorded while bathing by two men. The accused used the footage to blackmail and sexually assault her repeatedly over a period of six months. After enduring the ordeal, the victim approached local police to file a formal complaint. Authorities have launched an investigation and are collecting forensic evidence to support her claims. Efforts are also underway to identify and apprehend the accused individuals.

US-Led Coalition Forces Complete Withdrawal from Iraq

Iraq has historically served as a contested arena where both the United States and Iran have exerted significant influence over political decisions and government formation. The US-led coalition troops have now exited Iraq, marking a significant shift in the country's security landscape. This withdrawal raises critical questions about the future role and activities of Iran-backed militia groups operating within the country. These pro-Iran factions have long wielded considerable power in Iraq, and their trajectory without a direct US military presence remains uncertain. The development is expected to reshape the regional balance of power between Washington and Tehran.

Hyderabad Bank Executive Found Dead in Hotel Room After Companion Fled

A 34-year-old bank executive named Sirisha was found dead in a hotel room in SR Nagar, Hyderabad. Her male companion, identified as A Srinivas, had left the premises at around 3:30 AM before her body was discovered. Police believe a late-night altercation escalated into a fatal assault by Srinivas. Hotel staff raised the alarm after repeated attempts to contact the occupant of the room went unanswered. Investigators have noted that Srinivas allegedly used a false identity during his relationship with the victim.

US-Led Coalition Formally Ends 12-Year Military Mission in Iraq

The US-led military coalition has concluded its mission in Iraq after 12 years of operations in the country. The coalition's withdrawal marks a significant shift in the security landscape of the region. The Iraqi government views the departure as a positive development, hoping it will eliminate a key justification used by Iran-backed militant groups to hold onto their weapons. These powerful factions had long cited the foreign military presence as a reason to remain armed. Baghdad anticipates the exit could help reduce the influence of Tehran-aligned armed groups within Iraq.

Woman Raped at Knifepoint in Bihar Hotel, Suspect Held Near Nepal Border

A woman was allegedly raped at knifepoint at a hotel in Begusarai, Bihar, on September 27. The accused attempted to flee the country following the incident but was apprehended before crossing into Nepal. Local police made the arrest while the suspect was in transit toward the border. The case has been registered and an investigation is underway.

Google Launches Program to Help 25,000 Veterans Transition Into Skilled Trades

Google has announced a new initiative aimed at helping 25,000 US veterans and military families move into skilled trade careers. The program will provide hands-on pre-apprenticeships, personalized job coaching, and placement support. Google's data center head Tim Chadwick emphasized that veterans possess transferable skills well-suited to the hundreds of thousands of trade jobs available across the US. The push comes as demand for skilled trades continues to grow alongside technological advancement. Google.org is backing the effort as part of its broader commitment to vocational workforce development.

US Visa Interview Wait for Indians Stretches to 346 Days on Average

Indians applying for a US visa now face an average wait of 346 days to secure an interview appointment, according to available data. This figure represents a historical average and reflects the time taken to reach the interview stage, not the full processing time. The wait does not account for the additional period required to decide an application after the interview has taken place. The figure also does not necessarily reflect the current wait time for someone applying today, as conditions may vary.

Chinese AI agents display 'concerning' behaviour in safety tests, mirroring US systems

‘Wake up’: Iran releases 25-page letter urging US voters to reject Trump ahead of midterms

LeT terrorist Mohammad Asif killed in J&K, body recovered with war-like stores

White Tiger Tejas Arrives at Dehradun Zoo After 550 km Journey from Gwalior

Dehradun Zoo has welcomed Tejas, a rare blue-eyed white tiger transferred from Gwalior Zoo, located approximately 550 kilometres away. Upon arrival, Tejas has been placed under a mandatory 20-day quarantine to monitor his health and ensure a smooth transition. The zoo, which focuses on wildlife conservation and education, sees the addition as a boost to visitor engagement. Once the quarantine period concludes, Tejas will be housed alongside Bhola, a Royal Bengal tiger already residing at the facility. The pairing is expected to offer wildlife enthusiasts a closer look at two of India's most iconic big cats.

Uttarakhand Deploys Early Warning Systems at 13 High-Risk Glacial Lakes

Uttarakhand has installed early warning systems to help detect and respond to glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). The initiative targets 13 glacial lakes that have been classified as high-risk by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) along with technical institutions. Vasundhara Tal is one of the lakes included on this high-risk list. The move aims to improve disaster preparedness in a region that is particularly vulnerable to sudden and destructive glacial flooding.

Pakistan Denies Airspace Access for Bangladesh's Nuclear Fuel Shipment

Bangladesh is facing a delay in receiving uranium fuel intended for Unit 2 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. The fuel was scheduled to arrive on September 24 but has not yet been delivered. Pakistan has denied the use of its airspace for transporting the nuclear fuel, citing a technical issue. The airspace restriction has directly disrupted the planned shipment route for the consignment.

India News Live Updates, 30 September 2026: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar shot dead in Maharashtra