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Through his organisation, Sons of Liberty international, VanDyke claimed to train communities fighting terrorism and authoritarian regimes

Mercenary. Terrorism suspect. Spy. Documentary filmmaker. Security analyst. Pro-democracy revolutionary. Self-styled American freedom fighter who fought in Libya’s 2011 war against Muammar Gaddafi. A resume built in war. Matthew Aaron VanDyke, 46, built a life that blurred every line. Now that life sits under lock and key in India. In NIA custody after a last-minute airport interception in Kolkata this month, the Baltimore-born adventurer faces terrorism-related allegations tied to cross-border movement, drone warfare training, and suspected links with armed groups fighting the junta in Myanmar. His journey into conflict began as a camera story. It did not stay that way. VanDyke first travelled to Libya as a filmmaker during the Arab Spring. He soon joined rebel fighters battling Gaddafi’s forces. Captured and held for nearly six months, he later escaped during Tripoli’s fall — an episode that cemented his image as a man who did not just document war but stepped into it.Syria followed. So did controversy.He acknowledged on social media advising rebel factions on tactics and weapons, drawing criticism for collapsing the boundary between journalism and combat. His academic grounding — a master’s degree in security studies with a West Asia focus from Georgetown University — fed into a persona that fused analysis with action.Over time, VanDyke crafted a public identity around conflict. Through his organisation, Sons of Liberty International (SOLI), he claimed to train communities fighting terrorism and authoritarian regimes. Social media posts and his website depict operations in Iraq, Venezuela, the Philippines, and Ukraine. In one post, he wrote: “My organization SOLI is training a new unit to fight against terrorists… from never holding a firearm before to becoming good shooters.”He later claimed involvement in covert missions in Venezuela, writing: “You’ve read about our missions… nobody knew who did it.”Authorities in India alleged a far darker turn. Investigators said VanDyke and six Ukrainian associates entered Mizoram without required permissions, crossed into Myanmar, and conducted “pre-scheduled training” for ethnic armed groups opposing the junta. The training allegedly included advanced drone warfare — assembly, deployment, and jamming systems. Security officials said that such capabilities could spill across borders, amplifying insurgent threats in the Northeast.His arrest came minutes before departure. On March 12, VanDyke had cleared immigration at the Kolkata airport and was about to board a flight to Dubai, en route to Poland. His bags were already loaded. Intelligence alerts triggered a last-second stop. “He had cleared immigration and was about to depart when he was stopped,” an official said. He spent two days being questioned before being handed to the NIA. Investigators traced his movements from New Delhi to Kolkata, then to Mizoram, and allegedly across to Myanmar’s Chin state.All seven foreigners now face charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. A Delhi court has granted NIA custody for further interrogation.VanDyke insists SOLI operates independently, without govt backing. Yet his footprint tracks closely with global conflict zones — Libya, Syria, Iraq, Ukraine, Venezuela. Diplomatic channels are active. The US has acknowledged awareness of the case. Ukraine is tracking the status of its citizens.For a man who made a career out of choosing his wars, the next chapter will not be his to script.

NEW DELHI: The rapid rise in heat in the first half of March, leading to the spectre of an early and long summer in north India, appears to have halted for at least the next two weeks. While an ongoing weather system is bringing rain to north India, two more are expected to impact the region this month, ensuring that temperatures remain normal to below normal, the met department said.The wet spell, which began around March 14 with a western disturbance, marks a sudden turn in the weather after a particularly dry winter in the region and high temperatures since mid-Feb. It’s bringing not just rain but also much needed snow in the higher hills ahead of summer. Among other things, the forest fire season in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh is expected to be pushed back by weeks. Delhi is set to experience the unusual likelihood of the second half of March being cooler than the first.There’s an ongoing western disturbance that’s going to impact northwest India till around March 21. Another active western disturbance is likely to start impacting the region from around March 23 and a third one from around March 27. We expect temperatures to be in the normal to below-normal range. The heatwaves have subsided,” said Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, chief of India Meteorological Department.

If IMD’s forecast of two more active WDs affecting north India holds true, it would take the number of these wet-weather systems in the second half of March to four. The current WD caused widespread rain and snow, is expected to continue impacting the region for the next two-three days.The chill has returned in the hilly regions, which bear the maximum impact of the weather disturbances.The maximum temperature in Srinagar dropped from 19.4 degrees C on March 14 to a forecasted 11 degrees C on Wednesday as fresh snow-fall in Gulmarg and Sonamarg brought unexpected bonanza for tourists. Last month, Srinagar had logged its warmest Feb on record.The higher reaches of Himachal recorded fresh snowfall while the low and midhills saw light to moderate rain. An alert has been issued for heavy rain and snow on Thursday. Tabo in Lahaul Spiti recorded a minimum temperature of -2.8 degrees C.In Delhi, the day temperature had on March 11 hit a peak of 36.8 degrees C, 8.4 notches above normal. By March 15, the maximum had dropped to 30.1 degrees C. It’s expected to dip to around 27 degrees C by Friday.

Former Miss India Universe and Bollywood actor Celina Jaitly had traded the chaos of city life for the calm of the Austrian mountains. Best known for her roles in films like ‘No Entry’ (2005) and ‘Apna Sapna Money Money’ (2006), Celina led a life far removed from the film industry’s glamour. Nestled in the breathtaking Austrian Alps, her home reflected a lifestyle rooted in peace, nature, and introspection.Set in a picturesque village in Central Austria, Celina’s residence offers sweeping views of snow-covered peaks, dense forests, and crystal-clear streams. She used to live with her husband, Austrian entrepreneur Peter Haag, and their three sons. The actor has often shared that living in the Alps allows her to enjoy clean air, a slower pace of life, and a nurturing environment for her children, something she found missing during her years in Mumbai.