Google has asked some of its employees in the US to not travel abroad amid the H-1B visa row. According to a report by Business Insider, the company’s outside counsel, BAL Immigration Law has sent an internal memo which says that workers who require a new visa stamp to re-enter the US risk being stuck overseas for months because many embassies and consulates are experiencing severe appointment backlogs. The memo said that U.S. embassies and consulates are reporting visa stamping delays of up to 12 months, and recommend that affected employees avoid international travel unless absolutely necessary. The advisory affects workers on H-1B, H-4, F, J, and M visas.“Please be aware that some US Embassies and Consulates are experiencing significant visa stamping appointment delays, currently reported as up to 12 months,” the memo read. I

US Visa delays linked to new social media vetting rules

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of State enforced the new social media screening rules. The department confirmed to Business Insider that it is now conducting “online presence reviews for applicants,” adding that embassies may reschedule appointments as resources shift, and applicants can request expedited processing in limited situations.The publication quotes a a spokesperson for the Department of State who said that consulates worldwide, including in India, are placing greater emphasis on detailed vetting over speed, resulting in longer wait times. Immigration firms have also reported postponed visa appointments in countries such as Ireland and Vietnam.“While in the past the emphasis may have been on processing cases quickly and reducing wait times, our embassies and consulates around the world, including in India, are now prioritizing thoroughly vetting each visa case above all else,” the State Department spokesperson told the publication.

What is new social media screening rules

The department has started social media screening of H-1B applicants and family members on dependent visas. Social media reviews is the latest attempt by the Trump administration to investigate violations connected to employment of foreign workers on the visas. In September this year, the US introduced a $1,00,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applications.“The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission,” the State Department then said in its announcement.

NEW DELHI: In stark contrast to politicians and activists using Article 32 rights to approach the Supreme Court directly, the SC acted promptly to respond to the tearful pleas of a poor young advocate, who lost her father in her childhood, tormented by her paternal uncle eyeing her share in ancestral property.She was incoherent when she interjected into a proceeding on Thursday afternoon before a three-judge bench led by CJI Surya Kant, who calmed her down and told her to place her grievances in Hindi. Tearfully she narrated how her uncle has slapped false cases on her and her widowed mother and is attempting to alienate her share in the ancestral property.What forced her to unceremoniously appear before the court was the police of Bulandshahr, allegedly hand-in-gloves with her monied uncle, issuing a bailable warrant in a case accusing her of throwing acid on him and his family members.CJI Kant asked the SC Legal Services Committee to immediately assign a competent lawyer to help her draft a petition overnight and ordered that the petition be listed for hearing on Friday. Her advocate Dushyant Parashar told the court that her father passed away in 2002 and since then her father’s younger brother has been attempting to deprive her and her mother of their share in the ancestral property by foisting cases on them.“Both were arrested sometime ago and had spent a month in jail. The local lawyers came to their rescue. After they were out on bail, she pleaded with the local SHO and Bulandshahr Superintendent of Police to provide her protection, but to no avail. She was abducted once,” Parashar said.The bench of CJI Kant, and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi directed the local police SHO and Bulandshahr SP to ensure that the young woman and her mother do not come to any harm and provide them with security if need be. It directed the UP police not to register any fresh FIR or take coercive action against the daughter-mother duo without SC’s prior permission.It restrained the girl’s uncle and his family members not to alienate the ancestral property and passed pre-emptive restraint orders. It asked the Bulandshahr SP to investigate into the matter and file a report on the genesis of the family dispute and the allegations of the young advocate.When asked what motivated him to entertain oral pleas of the young advocate, CJI Kant told TOI, “Poor have the first right over judicial time, and the courts must listen to their grievances on priority. Article 32 is meant to help mitigate the woes of the poor.” The case epitomized Dr Ambedkar’s words – “Article 32 is the heart and soul of the Constitution.”Before parting, the CJI told the young advocate – “Patience and perseverance is key to success in the legal profession.”

Aditya Dhar‘s ‘Dhurandhar’ is showing no signs of stopping at the box office. The film has been earning big since its release in theaters. While performances of every actor received appreciation, Akshaye Khanna‘s character Rehman Dakait went viral on the internet. Recently, R. Madhavan, who is also part of the film, was asked to share his views on Khanna grabbing all the attention. Let’s take a look at what Maddy has to say.

Is R Madhavan envious of Akshaye Khanna getting all the hype for ‘Dhurandhar’

In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, R. Madhavan was asked if, according to the netizens, he is unhappy with Akshaye Khanna going viral for his role as Rehman Dakait from ‘Dhurandhar’. The actor, who played the character of Ajay Sanyal in the film, said, “Not at all! I cannot be happier for Akshaye. He deserves every bit of the adulation he is getting.”R Madhavan further called Akshaye a “talented” and “grounded” actor. Maddy said, “He could be giving a million interviews. But he is sitting in his new home enjoying the silence that he has always cherished.”

R Madhavan calls Akshaye Khanna an ‘underplayer’

In the same interaction, R. Madhavan shared that he always thought of himself as an “underplayer.” He said, “I thought I was the underplayer when it came to public attention. But Akshaye Khanna is on another level. He just doesn’t care. Success, failure are all the same to him.”Talking about being envious of Akshaye, Madhavan expressed that just being a part of ‘Dhurandhar’ is “enough.” He added that the movie is making history, and he is glad to be part of it. R Madhavan concluded, saying, “Neither Akshaye nor the director, Aditya Dhar, is interested in cashing in on the success.”

More about ‘Dhurandhar’

‘Dhurandhar’ has been raking in big numbers at the box office. The film starring Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Rakesh Bedi, and Sara Arjun has earned Rs 483 crore at the box office. It was released in theaters on December 5, 2025. The next part is scheduled to hit cinemas on March 19, 2026.

IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi on December 15, 2025, saw franchises splurge ₹215.45 crore on 77 players, filling all slots with intense bidding wars. Rajasthan Royals (RR) entered with a ₹16.05 crore purse after retaining a strong core and making strategic trades, spending ₹13.40 crore (now listed as ₹122.35 crore total outlay) to buy nine players and complete a 25-member squad with eight overseas stars. This smart spending left RR with ₹2.65 crore remaining, positioning them as playoff contenders under their balanced rebuild strategy.​

RR’s approach blended youth, experience, and firepower, targeting mystery spinners, pace options, and uncapped finishers to complement their retained hitters. Key auction highlights included outbidding Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi at ₹7.20 crore from a ₹2 crore base, adding middle-overs control after his release from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). They also secured New Zealand pacer Adam Milne for ₹2.40 crore (base ₹2 crore) for death-over bite and South African quick Nandre Burger at ₹3.50 crore for swing, bolstering a varied attack alongside Jofra Archer‘s return.​

Rajasthan Royals stick with core and make smart additions for IPL 2026

Rajasthan Royals built their IPL 2026 foundation around explosive opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, retained at a massive ₹18 crore for his consistent T20 firepower and international pedigree. The franchise locked in all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (₹14 crore via trade), keeper-batter Dhruv Jurel (₹14 crore), and rising star Riyan Parag (₹14 crore), creating a dynamic top order with IPL breakout performer Vaibhav Suryavanshi (₹1.10 crore) for depth. Shimron Hetmyer stayed on at ₹11 crore as a proven finisher, while Jofra Archer‘s ₹12.50 crore retention signals high expectations from his raw pace.​

Trades brought Sam Curran (₹2.40 crore) for seam-bowling all-round utility and Donovan Ferreira (₹1 crore) for middle-order muscle. RR targeted bowling reinforcements amid spin-friendly pitches expected in 2026 venues, snapping Tushar Deshpande (₹6.50 crore), Sandeep Sharma (₹4 crore), and young guns like Kwena Maphaka (₹1.50 crore) and Kuldeep Sen (₹0.75 crore, base-matched). Uncapped buys such as Ravi Singh (₹0.95 crore from ₹0.30 crore base), Sushant Mishra (₹0.90 crore), and domestic pacers Vignesh Puthur, Yash Raj Punja, Brijesh Sharma, and Aman Rao (all ₹0.30 crore base) added squad balance at minimal cost

Also READ: IPL 2026 Auction: Complete list of sold players with their price

Salaries of RR Players in IPL 2026

Rajasthan Royals have filled all 25 slots for IPL 2026, spending a total of ₹122.35 crore with ₹2.65 crore left in their purse. Here’s the full breakdown:

Also READ: IPL 2026 Auction: Full list of unsold players along with their base price

KALYAN: “The Congress will contest the seats allotted to it if the alliance is finalised, otherwise the party is fully prepared to contest all 122 seats on its own,” said District Congress president Rajabhau Patkar, making the party’s stand clear as preparations for the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) elections gather pace.With the civic election bugle sounding, political activity in Kalyan-Dombivli has intensified, marked by sharp allegations and counter-allegations between the ruling parties and the opposition. Amid this churn, the Congress has signalled its intent to enter the elections with renewed vigour and organisational strength.According to party leaders, the Congress has received an encouraging response from aspirants, with around 50 aspirants from Dombivli and 76 from Kalyan seeking party tickets. Patkar said the party machinery is fully geared up for an aggressive campaign, adding that seat-sharing discussions under the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) are still underway and will determine the final strategy.The run-up to the elections has also seen political realignments and internal criticism. Former Congress corporator Ratnaprabha Mhatre accused former district president Sachin Pote of weakening the party by blocking the rise of new leadership. Pote recently joined the Shinde-led Shiv Sena in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, following which the Congress addressed the issue at a press conference. Mhatre said the party was compelled to respond after Pote made remarks against the Congress.Senior Congress leader Mama Pagare has once again come into focus ahead of the elections. Pagare had earlier sparked controversy over a social media post related to Prime Minister Narendra Modi resulting BJP workers forcefully had made him to wear saree in full public view on road, an incident that drew statewide criticism attention and was even acknowledged by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. In a move aimed at strengthening the organisation, the party has appointed Pagare as a vice-president.Meanwhile, Congress Maharashtra secretary Navin Singh expressed confidence about the party’s prospects in the KDMC polls. “The Congress will perform much better in the upcoming elections. We will give the people of Kalyan-Dombivli strong and capable candidates,” he said.In the 2015 civic elections, the Congress had won four corporator seats, but all four later switched parties, raising questions about its grassroots strength. However, Congress leaders maintain that the party has regrouped and is ready to test its strength—either within the alliance or independently—in the forthcoming civic elections.

KALYAN: Following the announcement of the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) elections, Maharashtra BJP president Ravindra Chavan addressed a public meeting in Dombivli on Friday, calling upon voters to give the BJP a decisive mandate in the upcoming civic polls. Emphasising governance and development, Chavan urged citizens to support the BJP to ensure effective administration at the local level.Addressing the gathering, Chavan said that voters should give the BJP one opportunity and assured that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis would take full responsibility for the city’s progress over the next five years. “Devendra Fadnavis is the only Chief Minister who openly tells people—give us one chance and we will take responsibility for the next five years,” he said. Chavan stressed that for Maharashtra to continue on the path of development, local self-governing bodies must also move forward under the leadership of a party with a strong and clear ideology, which, according to him, is the BJP.

The rally was held in the Dombivli assembly from where Chavan is MLA which is also part of Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency, an area that has witnessed considerable political friction between the BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde) over the past few months. While BJP leaders have consistently spoken about securing the mayor’s post, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde has been advocating the Mahayuti alliance. This rivalry escalated to the point of leaders and corporators switching sides, prompting senior leaders from both parties to intervene and restore balance by agreeing not to induct leaders from each other’s camp.Clarifying his position, Chavan said he was not there to criticise any individual or party, but to appeal for governance in the hands of a party with the right ideology. He said the BJP is best placed to resolve long-standing civic issues in Dombivli. Warning voters against being misled during elections, he said some leaders appear only at election time and remain disconnected from the public. “Do not forget those who stay among you 24 hours a day,” he remarked.Chavan also indirectly targeted leaders who have switched parties, stating that voters should support ideology over individuals or influence. He cited Kerala as an example where people moved away from Left ideology and supported the BJP for development. He appealed to voters to remember that they get an opportunity to choose their local self-governing representatives once every five years and should exercise their right carefully.During his speech, Chavan criticised the Congress and former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan over controversial remarks related to Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam attack. He also attacked the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government, alleging that Maharashtra regressed during its tenure, while asserting that the state has made significant progress in the past year under the Fadnavis-led government.Concluding his address, Chavan urged voters to support the BJP, saying that voting for the lotus symbol means voting for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and a development-oriented future.

Hardilk Pandya immediately walked up to check on the cameraman’s well-being after his innings (Image credit: BCCI)

NEW DELHI: India all-rounder Hardik Pandya produced a blistering display of power-hitting to lead India to a commanding 30-run victory over South Africa in the fifth and final T20I in Ahmedabad on Friday, sealing the five-match series 3-1. Pandya’s explosive knock set the tone as India piled up a daunting 231 for 5.Pandya smashed a 16-ball half-century — the second-fastest by an Indian in T20 internationals — on his way to a stunning 63 off just 25 deliveries. His innings was laced with five boundaries and five towering sixes.

The carnage was complemented by Tilak Varma, who continued his rich vein of form with a fluent 73. Together, the duo stitched a punishing 105-run partnership for the fourth wicket that completely wrested momentum away from the visitors.One of Pandya’s massive sixes led to an unexpected moment off the field when the ball struck a cameraman stationed near the boundary. Showing concern beyond the contest, Pandya immediately walked up to check on the cameraman’s well-being after his innings, ensuring he was attended to and even helping apply an ice pack. Pandya also hugged the cameraman, a gesture that quickly went viral and earned widespread praise from fans.In reply, South Africa began positively and remained in the chase as long as Quinton de Kock was at the crease. The left-hander scored a fighting 65, but once he was dismissed, the innings unravelled rapidly. Varun Chakravarthy spun a web around the middle order, claiming four wickets as South Africa lost seven wickets for 81 runs to finish on 201 for 8.Pandya’s all-round impact and match-defining innings earned him the Player of the Match award.“Winning games is what you play for and it’s always exciting when your contribution helps the team get over the line. No, I actually didn’t know (he has the second fastest fifty for India) until I got out and went back. Our social media guys told me I was the second-fastest,” Pandya said. Watch the video here“My first reaction was, “Ah, I missed the top spot!” But happy that Yuvi pa holds that record. Today I just felt it. I actually told my partner beforehand that I was going to step out first ball and try to hit it for six. I was confident it would come off,” he said. “The situation suited my style; I backed myself and it worked. I took a calculated risk and thankfully it went my way. I’ve always enjoyed the challenge. No matter how many setbacks you face, the aim is to come back stronger, better, and make a bigger impact. When it all comes together, it feels satisfying. But the journey continues – the preparation, the planning, the hard work never stops,” Pandya said.

Guwahati airport gets new terminal!

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the new terminal building of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport in Guwahati today. On Friday, he shared striking images of the facility ahead of the event. Calling it a major boost to Assam’s infrastructure, the Prime Minister said the upgraded airport will improve ease of living while giving a push to commerce and tourism.

What PM Modi said ahead of the inauguration

In a post on X, PM Modi said he would reach Guwahati today and inaugurate the new terminal in the afternoon. “This is a major boost to Assam’s infrastructure. Increased capacity means better ‘Ease of Living’ and a boost for commerce as well as tourism,” he said. He also shared additional glimpses of the terminal, offering a preview of the new facility.

Why the new terminal matters

As per PTI, the integrated new terminal building spans nearly 1.4 lakh square metres and is designed to handle up to 1.3 crore passengers annually.

The project is being seen as a transformative step for Assam’s connectivity, economic growth and global engagement.

India’s first nature-themed airport terminal

The Guwahati airport terminal is India’s first nature-themed airport facility, designed around the concept of “Bamboo Orchids.” The architecture draws from Assam’s biodiversity and cultural heritage, using about 140 metric tonnes of locally sourced Northeast bamboo.

Visual elements include Kaziranga-inspired green landscapes, traditional japi motifs, the rhino symbol and 57 orchid-inspired columns inspired by the kopou flower.

What is the ‘Sky Forest’ feature?

One of the most eye-catching elements of the newsly built facility is the “Sky Forest,” which houses nearly one lakh indigenous plants.

This feature is intended to give passengers an immersive, forest-like experience as they arrive at the terminal.

How passenger experience is being upgraded

The terminal introduces several modern and digital features aimed at smoother travel.

These include full-body scanners for faster security screening, DigiYatra-enabled contactless travel, automated baggage handling systems, fast-track immigration and AI-driven airport operations to ensure secure and efficient passenger movement.

Panaji: Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have formally asked the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to grant them the rights to “operate, manage, and commercially exploit” India’s top-tier football league for a fee of Rs 10 crore annually from 2026-27.For this season, due to the “extraordinary transitional circumstances” and the need to ensure uninterrupted continuity of the football season, the clubs – except for East Bengal — said they won’t be able to pay any fee for the rights to the top tier league. If approved by the AIFF general body which meets on Saturday in the Capital, the participating clubs will collectively hold a permanent majority shareholding, while AIFF will have one special share, safeguarding sporting integrity, regulatory authority, and statutory compliance.The clubs said they can get the league running within 45 days.“We have had four meetings with the AIFF, two with the sports ministry, and at the end of it, the clubs are the only group to put a concrete proposal on the table,” a senior club official told TOI on Friday. “We have acted out of responsibility, not convenience. The aim is to ensure Indian football does not come to a complete halt. For Indian football to move forward, we need leadership, collaboration and decisive action. The clubs have done their part, now the ecosystem needs to come together.”In its tender for the commercial rights that found no takers, the AIFF had sought a minimum of Rs 37.5 crore annually for the commercial rights.For the first time since 1996 when India moved from a tournament to semi-professional league structure, the top tier league has failed to kick off because of AIFF’s inability to find a commercial partner.According to the new AIFF constitution, the “senior most top division league” should be owned, operated, and recognised by the AIFF. The clubs have sought help from the sports ministry to engage constructively with all stakeholders and assist in placing before the Supreme Court “the necessity and rationale for amending the required constitutional clauses to enable a modern, transparent, and globally aligned league governance framework.”In its virtual meeting with the sports ministry and AIFF on Thursday, the clubs had raised the need for a realistic financial framework to ensure that the upcoming league season can go ahead in the absence of a commercial partner and amid a drastically altered revenue landscape. This season, the clubs will have limited sponsors and no central revenue, which forms a major part of their income.“We discussed the broader economic reality facing Indian football. Salaries form the largest portion of expenditure for every team, and any long-term solution will require collaboration from all stakeholders. We have not issued any directive to players,” said another official.The official said they have paid players so far and honoured their commitment, even when the league itself remains uncertain.“This is not clubs versus players. Any discussion on contracts must be lawful, consensual and handled with sensitivity. The point made in the meeting was that, globally, football resets in crisis years. India cannot be an exception, but it has to be done responsibly,” said the official.