Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders across parties paid solemn tribute to security personnel martyred in the 2001 Parliament terror attack. Remembering their bravery and sacrifice, the nation reaffirmed its unwavering stance against terrorism. The attack, which claimed 14 lives, was a stark reminder of the threats faced by the “temple of democracy.”

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday paid tribute to the security personnel who lost their lives in the 2001 Parliament terror attack.Prime Minister along with Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and other parliamentarians paid their tributes at Parliament.Leaders across parties joined the remembrance. Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi arrived at Parliament to honour the fallen personnel, while Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath remembered their sacrifice, calling the attack a brutal assault on the nation’s sovereignty.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari also saluted the security forces who protected the “temple of democracy”.“Saluting the brave who laid down their lives on 13 December 2001 to protect the temple of democracy during the terrorist attack on the Parliament House. Their sacrifice for the protection of the nation will always be remembered.” Gadkari said.The Central Reserve Police Force also paid tribute to Constable Kamlesh Kumari of the 88 Battalion on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack, remembering her courage and sacrifice.“Tribute to the Brave… On 13 December 2001, during the terrorist attack on the Parliament in Delhi, Constable Kamlesh Kumari of 88 Battalion, #CRPF, demonstrated indomitable courage and unparalleled valor by pursuing the terrorists amidst heavy firing and continuously providing information about their activities to her fellow personnel.” CRPF’s X post read.“Due to her courageous actions, all five terrorists were neutralized. During this incident, she sustained serious injuries and ultimately sacrificed her life on the altar of duty. For her indomitable courage and extraordinary bravery, she was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra. The brave ‘balidani’ receives the eternal salutations of CRPF,” the post said.Defence minister Rajnath Singh also paid his tributes in a post on X, in which he wrote:“Remembering and paying heartfelt tributes to the brave security personnel who stood as an unbreakable shield during the cowardly terror attack on Parliament House. They laid down their lives to protect the soul of our democracy. Their courage, supreme sacrifice and unwavering sense of duty will forever live in the nation’s conscience and inspire India’s resolve.”On December 13, 2001, five terrorists linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed stormed the Parliament complex, killing 14 people, mostly security personnel. Parliament reiterated its resolve to stand firm against terrorism. The terror attack took place around 40 minutes after Parliament was adjourned, and about 100 members were present in the building.

A coalition of 20 US states, led by California, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over a new $100,000 fee imposed on H-1B visas, arguing that the move is unlawful and threatens access to essential public services such as healthcare and education.The legal challenge, announced by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, targets a policy introduced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following a presidential proclamation issued in September. The fee applies to all new H-1B visa petitions filed after September 21, and represents an unprecedented increase from the existing charges, which typically range from under $1,000 to around $7,500.

In the lawsuit, the attorneys general argue that the Trump administration has exceeded its authority by imposing a fee far beyond what Congress has authorised. They say the policy violates the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) by bypassing mandatory notice-and-comment rulemaking and by setting a charge unrelated to the actual cost of processing visa applications.

Bonta said the measure runs counter to the purpose of the H-1B programme, which allows US employers to hire highly skilled foreign workers in “specialty occupations” requiring at least a bachelor’s degree. These include doctors, nurses, researchers, teachers and engineers.“California knows that when skilled talent from around the world joins our workforce, it drives our state forward,” Bonta said, warning that the fee would place “illegal financial burdens” on public employers and worsen existing labour shortages.The coalition, which includes states such as New York, Illinois, Washington and Massachusetts, is seeking to block the policy and have it declared unconstitutional.

Impact on schools, hospitals and public services

The states argue that the fee will hit public sector and non-profit employers hardest, particularly schools, universities and hospitals, many of which are exempt from the annual H-1B cap of 65,000 visas. These institutions, they say, cannot absorb an additional $100,000 cost per hire without cutting services or diverting funds from other programmes.The lawsuit highlights the scale of existing shortages. During the 2024–25 school year, nearly three-quarters of US school districts reported difficulties filling teaching posts, especially in special education, science and bilingual education. Educators are among the largest occupational groups using H-1B visas, with tens of thousands employed across the country.Healthcare is another major concern. In the 2024 fiscal year, almost 17,000 H-1B visas were issued for medical and health occupations, including physicians and surgeons. The US is projected to face a shortfall of up to 86,000 doctors by 2036, a gap that is already acute in rural and low-income areas, including parts of California.

Trump tightens grip on H-1B visas with higher fees, deeper vetting

The Trump administration has sharpened its focus on the H-1B visa programme as part of a broader immigration crackdown, signalling tougher scrutiny, higher costs and expanded data collection. A new proposal seeks five years of social media history from all visitors to the US, including those from visa-waiver countries such as the UK, Japan and Australia. While not yet final, the measure reflects a wider push towards deeper vetting that goes well beyond tourists and directly affects skilled migrants.For H-1B applicants, social media vetting is already mandatory from December 15, alongside stricter compliance checks. The impact is magnified by structural bottlenecks. The H-1B cap remains frozen at 85,000 visas despite soaring demand, while Indians account for over 70% of approvals. Even those who secure visas face decades-long green card backlogs due to per-country limits.

White House defends move amid wider backlash

The Trump administration has defended the fee as part of a broader effort to reform the H-1B system and prioritise American workers. A White House spokesperson said the policy would discourage abuse of the programme and protect domestic wages, insisting the action was lawful.Critics, however, say the measure risks damaging the US economy and international relationships. Lawmakers have warned that the fee disproportionately affects Indian professionals, who hold an estimated 70 per cent of H-1B visas, and could strain US–India ties while driving skilled workers towards countries with more welcoming immigration systems.

‘Failed To Flag Crew Shortfall Under New Rules’

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has removed from their positions four flight operations inspectors (FOIs) who were the principal operations inspectors (POI) for oversight on IndiGo.Designated specifically for an airline, these FOIs (senior pilots) are supposed to keep a close watch on the airline’s requirements and also see if they have the required resources in terms of crew for their operations. Airline pilots go as FOIs to the short-staffed DGCA for some years. In this case, the four have been sent back to their airline before their term got over.In IndiGo’s case, officials said, despite new flight duty time limitation (FDTL) or crew rostering rules scheduled to come into effect from July 1, 2025, and then Nov 1, which would have increased pilot requirement, the airline did not hire for the same. The FOIs failed to flag the issue, they said.This led to a shortage, with IndiGo unable to operate as per new FDTL, which was then put on hold for Airbus A320 aircraft till Feb 10, 2026, to avoid the sort of mass cancellations seen earlier this month.“IndiGo was in discussion with DGCA on the new FDTL and was aware of the increased pilot requirement. Yet they did not hire pilots,” said an official in the know.Even after the fiasco, IndiGo maintains there is no pilot shortage. DGCA has directed the airline to step up its pilot hiring. Meanwhile, IndiGo’s operations are nearly back to normal, with over 2,050 flights Friday across 138 destinations.Management faced growing rift with IndiGo pilots: OfficialThere is a complete disconnect and mistrust between the pilots and the management. The operations control centre (OCC) of the airline is severely disliked by IndiGo pilots. An extra payment was made for night landings which was stopped for a while and so pilots started refusing night flights. New contract had capped flying. A number of things happened that only widened the gulf between pilots and management,” an official said.The discontent in IndiGo pilots has arisen not merely for deferring FDTL implementation, but also on other fronts like tweaking salary components, medically unfit and sick report policy. Things got worse recently when some Indian carriers wanted restriction on their pilots going abroad to work for foreign airlines, mainly in the Gulf. “It is okay for Indian carriers to hire expat top management people like CEOs and COOs but they have a problem with us going abroad to work. If you want to retain us, then have better relations with employees, better work environment and pay package. Instead, airlines only want to arm-twist us. Maybe things will change now after the IndiGo fiasco,” added a pilot.

US President Donald Trump (AP photo)

US President Donald Trump on Friday announced that Thailand and Cambodia, two Southeast Asian neighbours locked in a long-running territorial dispute, had agreed to halt all hostilities with immediate effect.Trump said he had a “good conversation” with the prime ministers of both nations about their “long-running war”, after which they agreed to “cease all shooting” and return to the “original peace accord”. He also credited Malaysia’s prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, for his role in the negotiations.In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “I had a very good conversation this morning with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, and the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Manet, concerning the very unfortunate reawakening of their long-running War. They have agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord made with me, and them, with the help of the Great Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim. The roadside bomb that originally killed and wounded numerous Thai Soldiers was an accident, but Thailand nevertheless retaliated very strongly. Both Countries are ready for PEACE and continued Trade with the United States of America. It is my Honor to work with Anutin and Hun in resolving what could have evolved into a major War between two otherwise wonderful and prosperous Countries! I would also like to thank the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, for his assistance in this very important matter.”The announcement comes amid escalating violence along the disputed 800-kilometre border, where both Thailand and Cambodia claim ownership of several historic temples. The colonial-era demarcation has fueled periodic clashes for years.Fighting surged again on Thursday, with explosions reported near centuries-old temple complexes ahead of Trump’s phone calls with both leaders. At least 20 people have been killed since the latest round of border violence erupted last week, officials said.Around 600,000 people, mostly in Thailand, have fled areas near the frontier, where jets, tanks and drones have been used in combat. The ongoing confrontation is the deadliest since five days of fighting in July left dozens dead before a fragile truce was reached following intervention by Trump.

NEW DELHI: House Oversight Committee Democrats on Friday released a set of photographs obtained from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate, revealing images of several high-profile figures who had interacted with the disgraced financier over the years, including President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, Steve Bannon, Bill Gates, Richard Branson and others.The photos, 19 in total, were part of a larger cache of more than 95,000 images the estate turned over to congressional investigators. While many of the individuals shown had previously been linked to Epstein, the newly released images offered additional glimpses into their associations. None of the photographs depicted sexual misconduct or involved underage girls, and it remained unclear when or where they were taken.Among the images was a bowl of novelty condoms featuring a caricature of Trump labelled “Trump condom 4.50,” with each packet printed with the phrase “I’m HUUUUGE!” Another showed Trump with a group of women whose faces were redacted. Additional photos included Epstein and Steve Bannon posing in a mirror, Bill Clinton alongside Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, Bill Gates with the former Prince Andrew, and images of former Harvard President Larry Summers and attorney Alan Dershowitz.The Republican-led committee had obtained the images as part of its ongoing probe into Epstein’s network and influence. Lawyers for the estate told the panel in a letter that the materials spanned photos and videos taken at any property owned or used by Epstein between 1990 and 2019. They added that only minimal redactions had been applied for nudity. Democrats said the production included “over 95,000 photos, including images of the wealthy and powerful men who spent time with Jeffrey Epstein” as well as thousands of images of women and Epstein properties.Rep Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the committee, said, “It is time to end this White House cover-up and bring justice to the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and his powerful friends. These disturbing photos raise even more questions about Epstein and his relationships with some of the most powerful men in the world. We will not rest until the American people get the truth. The Department of Justice must release all the files, NOW.”Republicans pushed back, accusing Democrats of selectively releasing images to create a misleading narrative about Trump. A committee spokesperson said, “We received over 95,000 photos and Democrats released just a handful. Democrats’ hoax against President Trump has been completely debunked. Nothing in the documents we have received shows any wrongdoing. It is shameful Rep Garcia and Democrats continue to put politics above justice for the survivors.”CNN has reached out to representatives for Trump, Clinton, Bannon, Gates, Summers, Dershowitz, Richard Branson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Clinton has never been accused of wrongdoing related to Epstein, and his spokesperson has said he severed ties well before Epstein’s 2019 arrest. Gates’ representatives have also repeatedly denied that Epstein ever worked for him, and Gates has previously called his interactions with Epstein “a huge mistake.”Trump and his aides have portrayed the renewed focus on his past connection to Epstein as politically motivated. In earlier emails released by the committee, Epstein claimed that Trump “spent hours” with accuser Virginia Giuffre and “knew about the girls,” assertions Trump has dismissed as false, with White House officials calling the claims a “hoax.”The fallout from associations with Epstein has extended far beyond politics. Larry Summers stepped back from teaching at Harvard and left the OpenAI board, saying he was “deeply ashamed” of maintaining ties with Epstein. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor relinquished the use of his royal titles after public scrutiny intensified, though he has denied misconduct allegations.The latest disclosures add to the growing trove of documents, emails and images shaping the committee’s widening inquiry into the late financier’s network of influence, which continues to cast a shadow over figures across politics, academia, technology and global business.

Artist Swapan Kumar Das draws a portrait of Argentine footballer and 2022 FIFA World Cup winning captain Lionel Messi ahead of his visit, in Kolkata, West Bengal. (PTI Photo)

Lionel Messi is returning to India after his first visit in 2011, but this trip will not involve any competitive football. His 2011 appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium drew more than 85,000 people who watched Argentina beat Venezuela 1-0 in a FIFA friendly. This time, his schedule under the ‘GOAT India Tour 2025’ is limited to events and appearances, beginning on Saturday in Kolkata and ending on Monday in New Delhi.Messi will not play a match during the tour. The event is promotional and commercially planned. Kolkata, which has welcomed football icons including Maradona, Pele, Dunga and Ronaldinho, will host him again.Organisers have opened 78,000 seats at the Salt Lake Stadium, with ticket prices going up to Rs 7,000 for a 45-minute appearance on Saturday morning.Messi will be in India for less than 72 hours and will travel to Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi. His schedule includes meetings with chief ministers, business leaders, film personalities and a planned meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, who has spoken about admiring Messi, is also expected to meet him after the Dharamshala T20I on December 14.Messi’s last India trip on September 3, 2011, remains a key memory for fans who watched him lead Argentina in a friendly.

Events planned across cities

The main event of the tour is a 45-minute charity fashion show in Mumbai on Sunday with Messi, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul.“There will be celebrity models, cricketers, Bollywood celebrities, millionaires, founders. Tiger and Jackie Shroff, John Abraham among others,” said Satadru Dutta, promoter of the tour.The organisers have requested Messi to bring “some memorabilia” of his trophy-winning 2022 World Cup campaign which will be auctioned during the Mumbai leg. Before the Mumbai event at Wankhede Stadium, there will be a Padel Cup at the CCI.Kolkata will welcome Messi on Saturday. He will stay at a hotel on EM Bypass and attend a sponsor-only event in the morning. A new ‘Messi landmark’, a 70-foot statue near the Sreebhumi Clock Tower, will be inaugurated virtually from his hotel after police declined permission for a public event. A Messi mural, 25ft x 20ft, planned for next year’s Durga Puja, will also be unveiled and later handed to him at Salt Lake Stadium.Messi will fly to Hyderabad at 2 pm. The stop was added after a planned friendly in Kochi was cancelled. In Hyderabad, he will attend the GOAT Cup, supported by Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy, which will include a 7v7 celebrity match, penalty shootouts, a masterclass for young players and a musical event.The final stop is Delhi, where he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Young players from Minerva Academy, who won the Gothia Cup, Dana Cup and Norway Cup this year, will be honoured in his presence. A nine-a-side celebrity match is also planned.

Kolkata’s long football history

Messi’s visit adds to Kolkata’s long record of hosting major football names. In 1977, Pele and New York Cosmos played a 2-2 exhibition against Mohun Bagan. Pele returned in 2015 and told the crowd: “You can never have another Pele.”Other past visitors include Dunga, Bebeto, Mauro Silva and Colombia’s Rene Higuita, who showed his ‘scorpion kick’ in 2012. Oliver Kahn’s farewell match in 2008 drew more than one lakh spectators.Diego Maradona’s visits in 2008 and 2017 brought large crowds, and Diego Forlan was welcomed in 2010 soon after his Golden Ball-winning World Cup performance.

Criticism over a ‘handshake visit’

Some former Indian footballers have criticised the tour and expressed disappointment over not being invited.Former India and Mohun Bagan midfielder Gautam Sarkar, who marked Pele in 1977, said, “These are nothing but gimmicks. Messi is coming only to do a handshake… Pele had come here and actually played with us.”He added, “Instead of bringing Messi, our focus should be on how to improve football in the country. We must give utmost priority to Indian football and bring back the glory of the past.”Former India defender Subrata Bhattacharya also said he felt “insulted”.