Many Indian professionals are left with no way to return to the US after Trump administration began strict social media checks of applicants. This has prompted many US firms to rethink travel and work out plans to bring back employees stranded in India due to prolonged delays in visa stamping. Immigration experts said that while some companies have approached consultants to secure earlier interview appointments, other employers have permitted affected staff to continue working remotely from India until the process is completed, ET reported. At the same time, employees whose visas are nearing expiry are being asked to fly back to the US immediately. Under US immigration rules, H-1B visa holders can legally live and work in the country even if the visa stamp in their passport has expired, provided they have a valid immigration status and I-94 arrival record. However, anyone travelling out of the US must obtain fresh visa stamping from a US embassy or consulate before re-entering. Indian professionals, many of whom are on H-1B visas, often schedule visa renewals alongside December holidays spent in India. That plan has been disrupted after the US began strictly enforcing social media reviews from December 15, according to ET. As a result, a large number of visa interviews have been deferred to next year, with available dates now ranging from March to June. Industry experts said the delays are affecting staffing decisions, project timelines and client obligations, particularly across the technology sector. “US employers are exploring possibilities of earlier appointments or giving them (employees) the option of remote working,” said Rajneesh Pathak, founder and chief executive of investment advisory firm Global North. He said several companies have reached out to his firm for assistance in managing employees stuck in India. The impact has been immediate in some cases. An immigration attorney described how one Indian H-1B holder, whose visa stamp was valid until December 18, 2025, and who had an approved extension through 2027, returned to the US just two days after arriving in India. “This was after he realised that his visa-stamping appointment was abruptly rescheduled to June 2026 and his employer advised an immediate return,” the attorney said. According to Sukanya Raman, country head at immigration firm Davies & Associates, companies are urging employees to re-enter the US before their existing visas lapse. “Employers are asking employees to urgently re-enter the US before their current visas expire, while others whose visas have already expired are unfortunately stranded abroad,” she said. Raman added that firms are now advising Indian employees currently in the US to avoid travelling to India altogether. “There is significant stress for H-1B visa holders as careers are placed on hold, families are separated, and financial planning is disrupted,” Raman said. The expert further highlighted a noticeable rise in interest around EB5 investor visas as uncertainty around the H-1B programme grows. Beyond visa stamping delays, travellers are also encountering tougher checks at US ports of entry. Immigration experts said additional questioning and inspections have become more common, particularly for Indian students on F-1 visas, especially first-time travellers and those enrolling in STEM programmes. Indian professionals on H-1B and L-1 visas, as well as frequent visitors travelling on B-1 and B-2 visas, are also facing increased scrutiny.Prachi Shah, who runs an eponymous law firm in the US told ET that most of these issues are not because of wrongdoing, “but because of careless, inconsistent, or misunderstood online activity.”

When temperatures drop, many of us turn to humidifiers with a thought to deal with symptoms like sore throat or sinus dryness. Humidifiers do offer relief to people suffering from chronic conditions like asthma or COPD, making breathing easier. However, when not used properly, these same humidifiers can trigger lung related complications, and lead to a condition called ‘Humidifier lungs’. Let’s understand what the condition is, and how to prevent it.

What are humidifiers and why are they used

Humidifiers are electrical devices designed to increase humidity levels indoors, especially during winter months when cold air and indoor heating can dry out the air. These devices release water vapours in the air that helps prevent dryness of the throat.

However studies warn that the added moisture in the environment can worsen the very same symptoms.

When does the risk arise

Standing water in humidifiers can become a breeding ground for bacteria, amoeba and fungi. When these particles interact with aerosols, they can cause symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle aches, chest tightness and fatigue. This condition is called humidifier lung, which is a subtype of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is a well-documented condition caused by repeated inhalation of environmental antigens, including those originating from contaminated humidifiers.

Complications HP can cause

Studies suggest that prolonged or chronic exposure to triggering antigens can lead to persistent lung inflammation, which can eventually lead to the scarring of the lung tissue, which can cause chronic breathlessness and long term decline in lung function. HP has also been associated with pulmonary hypertension and in severe situations respiratory failure. Studies suggest regular cleaning of the humidifiers, use of clean water and proper humidity control can help reduce these lung-related risks .

In a moment that has electrified the Indian domestic circuit, Virat Kohli has officially begun his final preparations for the  Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. On December 20, 2025, a viral video captured the 37-year-old batting maestro grinding in the nets, looking sharp and purposeful as he readies himself to don the Delhi jersey once again.

Virat Kohli intensifies training for historic domestic Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 stint

The viral footage of Kohli at the Arun Jaitley Stadium has offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at the technical discipline that defines his career. As he prepares for his first Vijay Hazare Trophy match in 15 years, Kohli’s net session was a masterclass in focused repetition. He was seen exclusively facing high-intensity pace, likely simulating the challenge he will face against Andhra Pradesh’s Nitish Kumar Reddy on December 24.

His preparation centered on two specific pillars: steadiness of the head and intent in the stride. Observers noted that his eyes were exceptionally still, a technical hallmark that Robin Uthappa recently praised as the key to his longevity. Kohli spent significant time working on his signature cover drive, but more importantly, he practiced his front-foot defense against deliveries moving away, ensuring his hands stayed close to the body. This wasn’t a session for flamboyant hitting; it was a methodical ‘reps in the middle’ approach designed to build the mental sharpness required to anchor an innings for Delhi.

This return is not merely a cameo; it is a calculated move to maintain his red-hot form, following two centuries in the recent ODI series against South Africa, ahead of India’s upcoming assignment against New Zealand in January. With the BCCI now mandating domestic participation for centrally contracted stars, Kohli’s presence in the Delhi camp has transformed the tournament’s profile, turning a regional competition into a global focal point for cricket fans.

Here’s the video:

Virat Kohli during Net Session at Alibaug. pic.twitter.com/tUBRDFyB3X

— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Trend_VKohli) December 20, 2025

Also READ: Rishabh Pant to captain Delhi as Virat Kohli makes historic Vijay Hazare Trophy return; squad announced for first two games

Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26: Kohli and Rishabh Pant headline Delhi’s powerhouse squad

When Kohli steps onto the field on December 24, it will mark the end of a staggering 15-year absence from India’s premier domestic 50-over competition. Kohli last featured in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in February 2010 against Services, and his return to Delhi’s colors, this time under the leadership of Rishabh Pant, signals a massive boost for a side looking to reverse its recent fortunes.

The Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) confirmed that Kohli will be available for at least the first two matches in Bengaluru, specifically the high-voltage opener against Andhra Pradesh. The squad is a literal ‘Who’s Who’ of Indian talent, featuring veteran pacer Ishant Sharma, speedster Navdeep Saini and rising star Harshit Rana, who will join after concluding his T20I duties in Ahmedabad. By playing under Pant’s captaincy, Kohli isn’t just fulfilling a requirement; he is providing invaluable mentorship to a dressing room that is eager to soak up the wisdom of a modern-day great who continues to treat every practice session like a World Cup final.

The 2025 Vijay Hazare Trophy has become a unique stage where India’s aging legends and emerging prodigies converge, as Rohit Sharma is also set to make a selective return for Mumbai. While Rohit will feature in two matches for the Shardul Thakur-led Mumbai side (facing Sikkim and Uttarakhand in Group C), Kohli’s focus remains strictly on Group D’s battles at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. These matches are serving as the ultimate ‘tune-up’ for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting January 11 in Vadodara.

Also READ: Mumbai announces squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy; Rohit Sharma makes historic return

AUS vs ENG Live Score, 3rd Ashes Test Day 5: The Ashes contest in Adelaide moved towards a gripping climax at lunch on the final day of the third Test, with the equation finely poised. Australia stood just three wickets away from retaining the Ashes, while England needed 126 runs to keep the five-match series alive. What once appeared an impossible pursuit had slowly turned into a tense standoff.

Australia began Day 5 needing four wickets, with England resuming on 207 for six, still 228 runs short of the daunting victory target of 435. A world record chase seemed out of reach, but England responded with resilience and patience during a stop-start morning session that tested both sides.

Will Jacks anchored England’s resistance, negotiating difficult conditions and long spells of pressure. He showed grit after rolling his ankle early in the day when his foot landed in a rut on the pitch. Despite hobbling through for a single and clearly struggling with movement, Jacks continued, remaining unbeaten on 38 from 120 deliveries at lunch. He was joined by Brydon Carse, who offered support with an unbeaten 13 as England reached 309 for seven.

Jamie Smith played a vital role in keeping England’s hopes alive. Batting with controlled aggression, he scored 60 from 83 balls and featured in a seventh-wicket partnership of 91 runs with Jacks. Smith struck boundaries off both Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, including four in succession, before losing patience and lofting Starc to Cummins at wide mid-on. His dismissal reduced England to seven wickets down, but not before the target was cut significantly.

Rain added further disruption, forcing players off the field when England were 241 for six. The match later resumed, with the session extended by half an hour to compensate for lost time.

Australia also suffered a setback when Nathan Lyon was ruled out of the remainder of the match with a right hamstring injury. The veteran spinner was injured while diving in the outfield, a day after his three-wicket burst had swung momentum Australia’s way.

With two sessions remaining, the atmosphere was electric. England supporters filled the ground with chants and songs, while Australia pressed relentlessly, knowing that only three more wickets stood between them and the Ashes.

Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Saturday he hopes the massive free-trade deal between South American bloc Mercosur and the European Union will be signed in January. Protests on Friday by European farmers and opposition from France and Italy threatened to quash an agreement that has been under negotiation for more than 26 years. Top EU officials had hoped to sign the EU-Mercosur deal in Brazil this weekend, but instead, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Friday after a tense EU summit that the signature will be delayed ”a few extra weeks to address some issues with member states.” Lula told other South American leaders attending a summit in the Brazilian city of Foz do Iguacu, on the three-way border with fellow Mercosur members Argentina and Paraguay, that the meeting was only taking place because European negotiators had earlier signaled they would eventually sign the deal, and that did not happen. He added the delay was due to Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni requesting more time. Von der Leyen needs the backing of at least two-thirds of EU nations to secure the deal. Italy’s opposition would give France enough votes to veto von der Leyen’s signature. “Without political will and courage from leaders, it won’t be possible to finish a negotiation that has dragged for 26 years,” Lula, who spoke to Meloni on the phone on Friday and received a letter from EU leadership aiming for a deal in January, told his peers. “Meanwhile, Mercosur will continue to work with other partners.” “The world is eager to make deals with Mercosur,” the Brazilian president added. “Many countries want that. And we certainly we will be able to finish the deals that were not finished during my presidency (of the bloc, due in the end of December).” If signed, the trade deal would cover a market of 780 million people and a quarter of the globe’s gross domestic product, and progressively remove duties on almost all goods traded between the two blocs. France has led opposition to the deal between the EU and the five active Mercosur countries – Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia. French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday at an EU summit he wouldn’t commit to supporting the deal next month either. Macron added he has been in discussions with Italian, Polish, Belgian, Austrian and Irish colleagues among others about delaying it to address farmers’ concerns. Lula argued Macron alone can’t block an agreement. “Let’s hope that things happen for the good of our Mercosur, multilateralism and the development of our countries,” the Brazilian president said.

Ten people have been arrested in connection with the brutal killing of a 27-year-old Hindu man in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district, as authorities face mounting pressure to act against mob violence amid wider unrest in the country.Seven suspects were detained by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), while three others were arrested by the police for their alleged role in the murder of Dipu Chandra Das, who was a garment worker. The arrests were confirmed by Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, in a post on X.“10 arrested in the Mymensingh Hindu Youth Beating Murder Case,” Yunus said, referring to the incident that took place in Bhaluka, a sub-district of Mymensingh.Those taken into custody by RAB have been identified as Md. Limon Sarkar (19), Md. Tarek Hossain (19), Md. Manik Mia (20), Ershad Ali (39), Nijum Uddin (20), Alomgir Hossain (38) and Md. Miraj Hossain Akon (46), as per ANI. Police separately arrested Md. Azmol Hasan Sagir (26), Md. Shahin Mia (19) and Md. Nazmul. Security forces carried out coordinated operations at multiple locations to track down the suspects.‘RAB and police conducted operations in various locations to apprehend the aforementioned individuals’, Yunus added.Dipu Chandra Das was beaten to death by a mob on the night of December 18 over accusations of blasphemy. His body was later set on fire, triggering outrage across the country. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council strongly condemned the killing, describing it as a deliberate act that threatened communal harmony.In a statement cited by news agency ANI, the minority rights body said the attackers beat Das to death around 9 pm before hanging his body from a tree and setting it alight. The council demanded swift arrests and exemplary punishment for those responsible.Police officials quoted by BBC Bangla said that the victim was assaulted in the Dubalia Para area of Bhaluka and that officers recovered the body and sent it to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examination.The killing took place against the backdrop of nationwide tension following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, whose shooting earlier this month sparked protests and violence in several parts of Bangladesh. The interim government has condemned the lynching in strong terms, stating there was “no space for such violence in new Bangladesh” and warning that the perpetrators would not be spared, as per ANI.

Panaji: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) will not amend its constitution to hand ownership and operations of the top-tier league to the participating clubs. Instead, it will come up with a proposal of its own.The Indian Super League (ISL) clubs, except East Bengal, had proposed forming a consortium to run the league with AIFF getting a guaranteed income of Rs 10 crore from 2026-27 for grant of ISL rights perpetually. The second-tier I-League clubs suggested an 18-team Indian Premier Football League (IPFL) with Rs 50 crore to be paid to the AIFF over 15 years. The first five years would yield Rs 2.75 crore annually, with Rs 3.25 crore for the next five and Rs 4 crore for the last five years.Neither of the proposals found favour with the AIFF executive committee or the general body that met on Saturday.“Due to mixed reactions from the general body regarding the clubs’ request to manage the league in perpetuity, the federation appointed a three-member committee to seek a resolution,” the AIFF said in a statement after the conclusion of the annual general body meeting (AGM). Their objective is to reach an agreement that adheres to the AIFF constitution laid out by the Supreme Court. If necessary, AIFF will consult with FIFA and AFC to review how similar situations in other nations were handled as precedents.”According to the new AIFF constitution, the “seniormost top division league” should be owned, operated, and recognised by the AIFF,” and implement the principles of promotion and relegation.To come up with a proposal that is acceptable to all stakeholders, the AIFF formed a three-member committee comprising Kerala Football Association president Navas Meeran, Goa Football Association president Caitano Fernandes, and Indian Football Association secretary Anirban Datta, along with AIFF deputy secretary general M. Satyanarayan as the ex-officio member. The panel will hold discussions with representatives from five clubs, Chennaiyin FC, Mumbai City, Delhi SC, NorthEast United, and Mohun Bagan from Dec 22 to 29.“The constitution clearly states that the top league should be owned and operated by the AIFF, and that is the unanimous opinion of the general body. When vice president NA Haris made this clear during the AGM, everyone applauded,” said a member who attended the meeting.The panel is expected to have its first meeting on Monday and will work towards ensuring that the top league kicks off around Feb 7-8 next.According to one official, the AIFF could even dip into its fixed deposit of Rs 50 crore, if necessary, to ensure that the top league is held with whichever teams show interest in accepting its proposal.“The clubs want top league rights for perpetuity and there are conditions which are not in accordance with our constitution. We will come up with a proposal within seven days,” said another official.

Melbourne Renegades host Hobart Hurricanes in the 8th match of Big Bash League 2025-26 at Simonds Stadium, Geelong, on December 21. Both teams seek a second win after mixed starts to the season. Renegades hold an edge with home advantage and recent momentum.

Renegades won their opener and boast a strong top order led by Tim Seifert‘s recent century, Josh Brown, and Mohammad Rizwan. Captain Will Sutherland anchors the all-round effort, backed by Jason Behrendorff‘s powerplay threat and Adam Zampa‘s spin.​ Hobart Hurricanes struggled wicketless with the ball in their last game and have never won at this venue. Nathan Ellis leads a pace-heavy attack with Riley Meredith and Billy Stanlake, while Tim David provides middle-order firepower. Matches remain competitive, with recent games often close or rain-affected. Renegades hold venue dominance, unbeaten against Hurricanes here. Toss favors bowling first due to chasing trends.

MR vs HH, BBL|15: Match details

• Date and Time: December 21 (Sunday); 1:45 pm IST / 8:15 am GMT / 7:15 pm Local
• Venue: Simonds Stadium, Geelong
• Head-to-Head Record in BBL: Matches played: 21 | Melbourne Renegades won: 09 | Hobart Hurricanes won: 12 | No result/Tied: 0

Simonds Stadium Pitch Report

Simonds Stadium in Geelong is set to offer a pace-friendly track for the Big Bash League 2025–26 opener between the Melbourne Renegades and Brisbane Heat. Across 13 BBL matches at the venue, chasing teams have enjoyed greater success, winning 8 of the 13 completed games. Under lights, first-innings scores typically range between 130 and 150, though totals can rise if batters find rhythm. The surface provides consistent bounce early on, aiding fast bowlers who can extract movement with the new ball, especially in evening conditions expected to hover around 22–24°C with partly cloudy skies. As the match progresses, spinners are likely to come into play with extra grip from the pitch. Batting remains rewarding, with boundaries coming at a strike rate of 118.4, allowing scores of 170–180 when set batters capitalize. Overall, a closely fought contest is on the cards, with the outcome likely hinging on execution in the death overs.

Squads:

Melbourne Renegades: Will Sutherland (c), Tim Seifert, Adam Zampa, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Caleb Jewell, Jason Behrendorff, Josh Brown, Harry Dixon, Brendan Doggett, Nathan Lyon, Hassan Khan, Ollie Peake, Mohammad Rizwan, Tom Rogers

Hobart Hurricanes: Nathan Ellis (c), Tim David, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Billy Stanlake, Matthew Wade, Beau Webster, Jake Weatherald, Chris Jordan, Rishad Hossain, Rehan Ahmed, Mac Wright, Iain Carlisle, Nikhil Chaudhary, Fergus O’Neill, Ollie Peake

Also READ: Fans go berserk as Matt Renshaw and Jack Wildermuth guides Brisbane Heat to a record chase against Perth Scorchers in BBL|15 thriller

MR vs HH, BBL|15: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Hobart Hurricanes wins the toss and bowls first
• Melbourne Renegades’ powerplay score: 45-55 (6 overs)
• Melbourne Renegades’ total score: 170-180

Case 2:

• Melbourne Renegades wins the toss and bowls first
• Hobart Hurricanes’ powerplay score: 55-65 (6 overs)
• Hobart Hurricanes’ total score: 180-190

Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest

Also WATCH: Finn Allen launches a colossal 105-metre six off Jack Wildermuth in BBL|15