Name: 85-year-old Israeli captive woman: Hamas 'treated me gently and met all my needs'
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Description: 85-year-old Israeli captive woman: Hamas 'treated me gently and met all my needs'

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman landed in Dhaka on Thursday after more than 17 years in self-exile, amid political unrest and ahead of Bangladesh’s February general elections.

Tarique Rahman Returns to Dhaka Amid Political Turmoil

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman landed in Dhaka on Thursday after more than 17 years in self-exile, amid political unrest and ahead of Bangladesh&rsquo;s February general elections.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman landed in Dhaka on Thursday, ending more than 17 years of self-exile in the UK.
Rahman&rsquo;s return comes amid a fresh wave of unrest and political instability that has been gripping the country following the killing of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who played a key role in the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The BNP Standing Committee members received him at the airport. He was accompanied by wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman.
Rahman, the 60-year-old son of ailing former premier Khaleda Zia, has emerged as a leading contender for prime minister in the upcoming February general elections.
BNP emerged as the forerunner in the changed political landscape after toppling of Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s Awami League government in a student-led violent movement dubbed the July Uprising on August 5, 2024.
The party's partner during its 2001-2006 tenure in power, Jamaat-e-Islami and its Islamist allies, now appeared as BNP&rsquo;s main rival as the interim government disbanded Awami League under the country&rsquo;s tough Anti-Terrorism Act through an executive order.
Rahman&rsquo;s return to Bangladesh also assumes significance as Jamaat has been trying to expand influence in Bangladesh's fractured political landscape.
BNP announced Rahman&rsquo;s return on December 12, sparking speculations as in a Facebook post on November 29, Rahman said, &ldquo;like any child,&rdquo; he longs to be near his critically ill mother at her &ldquo;moment of crisis&rdquo;.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman returned to Dhaka on Thursday after 17 years in self-exile in the UK, ending a long wait for party leaders and activists ahead of February general elections.

Tarique Rahman Ends 17-Year Exile, Returns to Dhaka with Political Aspirations

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman returned to Dhaka on Thursday after 17 years in self-exile in the UK, ending a long wait for party leaders and activists ahead of February general elections.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman is scheduled to land in Dhaka on Thursday, ending more than 17 years of self-exile in the UK.
Rahman, the 60-year-old son of ailing former premier Khaleda Zia, has emerged as a leading contender for prime minister in the upcoming February general elections.
Rahman, the Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and heir to the influential Zia family, is set to return home on Thursday. After 17 years in exile, Rahman has left London for Bangladesh, returning home with his family and ending a long wait for the BNP leaders and activists, BDnews24 reported.
Rahman boarded a Biman Bangladesh flight at 12:15 am Bangladesh time on Thursday with his wife Zubaida Rahman, and daughter Zaima Rahman, the report added.
The flight carrying Rahman has landed at Sylhet Osmani Airport at 9:59 am on Thursday. From here it will be reaching Dhaka's Shahjalal International Airport at 11:20 am, the Dhaka Tribune reported. Hafiz Ahmed, director of Sylhet Osmani Airport, confirmed the information to Dhaka Tribune.
After landing, Rahman, on his official Facebook account, posted a photo of himself with a caption: &ldquo;Back in Bangladesh skies after 6,314 days!&rdquo; Leaders and activists of the UK unit of the BNP accompanied him to the airport and saw him off up to the security cordon.
"This will be a defining political moment,&rdquo; BNP spokesman Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said while referring to the return of Rahman, who is the elder son of Zia.
The BNP has made extensive preparations to welcome its acting chairman. Party Standing Committee members are set to receive him at the airport, followed by a reception programme.
After arrival, Rahman will travel by road to Evercare Hospital. On the way, he will attend a brief reception arranged by the party, the report added.
Rahman&rsquo;s return comes as the BNP emerged as the forerunner in the changed political landscape after toppling of the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s Awami League government in a student-led violent movement dubbed the July Uprising on August 5, 2024.
The party's partner during its 2001-2006 tenure in power, Jamaat-e-Islami and its Islamist allies, now appeared as BNP&rsquo;s main rival as the interim government disbanded Awami League under the country&rsquo;s tough Anti-Terrorism Act through an executive order.
BNP announced Rahman&rsquo;s return on December 12, sparking speculations as in a Facebook post on November 29, Rahman said, &ldquo;like any child,&rdquo; he longs to be near his critically ill mother at her &ldquo;moment of crisis.&rdquo;

Flash floods occurred across Los Angeles and large parts of southern California after a powerful Christmas storm dumped heavy rain, triggering mudslides, power outages and widespread travel disruptions.

Flash floods occur across southern California as powerful Christmas storm hits

Flash floods occurred across Los Angeles and large parts of southern California after a powerful Christmas storm dumped heavy rain, triggering mudslides, power outages and widespread travel disruptions.

Flash flood warnings were in effect in Los Angeles and most of southern California on Wednesday as one of the worst Christmas storms in recent memory brought heavy rain and fears of deadly mudslides.
Driven by an atmospheric river known as "the Pineapple Express," which moves heavy moisture from the tropical climes of Hawaii to rain on the West Coast, the storm is expected to deliver months' worth of rain over the next few days.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in several counties, including Los Angeles, to facilitate the rapid mobilization and allocation of resources if needed.
"Life-threatening flash flooding continues over Southern California today and tomorrow; heavy mountain snow and high winds also ongoing," the National Weather Service (NWS) said, adding that "lives and property are in great danger."
The first burst of heavy rain hit the region Tuesday night, leaving Los Angeles with fallen trees and some debris in the streets, as well as minor flooding that hampered traffic.
The rainfall intensified early Wednesday, leaving thousands of people in southern California without power due to downed lines caused by the fury of the Christmas storm.
Late Wednesday the first storm moved out of the Los Angeles area, "but another storm is expected to move in later tonight into Christmas Day," weather officials warned.
Some communities already received 10 inches (25.4 centimeters) of rain in the first storm, forecasters said.
Across the state, some 80,000 homes and businesses had no electricity heading into Christmas Eve, according to tracking site Poweroutage.us.
Fire burn scars and the communities near them across the state are under special alert, including the coastal areas of Pacific Palisades and Malibu, as they are still recovering from the devastating wildfires in January.
Due to fire damage, the terrain is susceptible to mudslides from heavy rain.
While many were still hoping to drive to spend the holidays with family, transportation officials were busy announcing road and freeway closures due to flooding, fallen trees and mud flows across Southern California.
The Red Cross opened shelters in several communities as some residents in Southern California received immediate evacuation orders.
Authorities were responding to a series of accidents Wednesday, and several major roads were closed due to flash flood warnings.
Ariel Cohen, an NWS meteorologist, warned that from Wednesday afternoon through Friday, "many areas will likely experience significant flooding, along with rockslides and mudslides, especially in the higher elevations."
"If you were planning to travel on the roads during Christmas, please reconsider your plans," he added.
 - 'Doesn't feel safe' -
However, many Angelenos were still out and about Wednesday, buying last-minute gifts, grocery shopping, even jogging.
For some though, Christmas travel was upended.
"We decided to stay home," said Jim Lewis, who opted against going to his cousins in nearby Pasadena and was doing last-minute shopping in the city instead.
"We've been receiving all these alerts, it doesn't feel safe, I don't feel like driving there at dark," he told AFP.
Larissa Peet, who was planning a party, said her celebration was still on.
"Nothing that we're doing differently. Just hanging out, eating, drinking and having a good time," she said.
In addition to the threat of flooding, meteorologists are forecasting wind gusts up to 80 miles per hour (nearly 130 kilometers per hour) in the mountains and deserts of Los Angeles County.
Some Californian communities are still reeling from thousands of wildfires that killed 31 people across the state during 2025, including residential neighborhoods of Los Angeles.
In the Sierra Nevada range along the eastern border of California, more than a foot (30 centimeters) of snow had already fallen this week, with up to five feet forecast before the storm is through.

Pakistan concludes historic privatisation of national carrier PIA, selling 75% stake to Arif Habib Group for Rs 4,300 crore, marking a major milestone in airline reform.

Pakistan sells national carrier PIA for Rs 4,300 crore after competitive bidding

Pakistan concludes historic privatisation of national carrier PIA, selling 75% stake to Arif Habib Group for Rs 4,300 crore, marking a major milestone in airline reform.

Pakistan on Tuesday finalised the privatisation of its national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), marking a major milestone in the government&rsquo;s efforts to exit the loss-making airline.
The deal, concluded after a competitive bidding process in Islamabad, saw PIA sold for Rs 4,300 crore.
The ceremony was attended by the three pre-qualified bidders: investment firm Arif Habib, Lucky Cement, and private airline Airblue. Each participant submitted sealed bids into a transparent box as part of the formal procedure.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar praised the sale, saying, &ldquo;Alhamdulillah, the successful privatisation of PIA marks a historic milestone. Congratulations to the Arif Habib Group on this achievement. This milestone reflects the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for reforming state enterprises, restoring PIA&rsquo;s glory, and making air travel accessible and reliable for all Pakistanis and international travellers.&rdquo;
Dar added, &ldquo;I had the privilege of supporting this process through chairing the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation. I commend the Privatisation Commission for conducting a professional, transparent, and highly competitive process, and thank the Federal Government and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, for their full support in successfully concluding the transition.&rdquo;
Competitive Bidding
In the second phase of bidding, Arif Habib emerged as the top contender with an initial offer of PKR 115 billion (around Rs 3,680 crore). Lucky Cement bid PKR 105.5 billion (Rs 3,376 crore), while Airblue placed PKR 26.5 billion (Rs 848 crore).
Following government rules, the two highest bidders&mdash;Arif Habib and Lucky Cement&mdash;entered an open auction. Bids were raised in stages until Arif Habib offered PKR 135 billion (approximately Rs 4,320 crore), a bid Lucky Cement did not match. &ldquo;We congratulate Arif Habib group,&rdquo; a Lucky Cement representative said after withdrawing.
Deal Structure
The privatisation initially covered a 75% stake in PIA. The successful bidder now has 90 days to purchase the remaining 25% shares. Of the funds from the 75% sale, 92.5% will be reinvested in the airline, with the remainder going to the government.
Additionally, the investor is required to commit PKR 80 billion (around Rs 2,560 crore) over the next five years to upgrade operations, fleet quality, and service standards.
To make PIA more attractive to buyers, the government assumed responsibility for its liabilities, which stood at PKR 654 billion (about Rs 20,928 crore) last year.
Transparency and Government Statements
The entire bidding process was broadcast live on local television channels to ensure openness and public trust. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked officials and the Privatisation Commission, calling it &ldquo;the largest transaction of its kind in Pakistan&rsquo;s history&rdquo; and praising the transparent manner in which it was conducted.
Background
Once among the world&rsquo;s leading airlines, PIA has suffered years of mismanagement, rising losses, and declining service quality. Attempts to revive the carrier failed repeatedly, leaving the government with little choice but to privatise it.

Bangladesh interim government aims to improve ties with India, separating economic interests from political rhetoric, approving 50,000 tonnes of rice import to benefit trade and diplomacy.

Yunus is working to improve ties with India, says Bangladesh's finance adviser

Bangladesh interim government aims to improve ties with India, separating economic interests from political rhetoric, approving 50,000 tonnes of rice import to benefit trade and diplomacy.

Bangladesh interim government's finance adviser Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has taken steps to ease strained ties with New Delhi while his administration was working to develop economic relations with India by separating economic interests from "political rhetoric."
"The chief adviser is working to improve diplomatic relations with India, and he himself has also been speaking to various stakeholders on the issue," he told reporters after a meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase at his office.
Asked if Yunus directly spoke to India, Ahmed said the chief adviser "has not" but he did speak to those associated with the matter.
"Our trade policy is not driven by political considerations. If importing rice from India is cheaper than sourcing it from Vietnam or elsewhere, then it makes economic sense to buy the staple from India," he said.
The adviser, an economist, however, expressed optimism that bilateral relations would not decline further. Ahmed said Bangladesh on Tuesday approved a proposal to purchase 50,000 tonnes of rice from India, "as a means to seek good relations."
He said importing this rice would benefit Bangladesh, as sourcing rice from Vietnam, a major alternative, instead of India, would cost BDT 10 (USD 0.082) more per kilogram.
Ahmed's comments came as diplomatic analysts said the Dhaka-New Delhi relation was now at its lowest ebb since Bangladesh's 1971 Independence from Pakistan, with repeated summoning of their envoys in both countries and protests in front of Bangladeshi and Indian missions in both capitals and elsewhere in the two countries.
But the adviser said, "The situation has not reached such a bad stage."
"From the outside, it may sound like many things are happening...However, there are some statements that are difficult to shut out," Ahmed said.
Asked if "people or external forces" were making anti-India statements, he said, "We do not want any bitterness between the two nations. If anyone from outside is trying to instigate problems that is not in the interest of either country."
But, he said, these incidents did not represent the "national expression" and were rather "creating complicated situations for Bangladesh."

A group of US lawmakers expressed concern over Bangladesh’s total ban on the Awami League party, calling for free and fair elections and restoration of political rights ahead of 2026 polls.

US Lawmakers Urge Bangladesh to Reconsider Awami League Ban

A group of US lawmakers expressed concern over Bangladesh&rsquo;s total ban on the Awami League party, calling for free and fair elections and restoration of political rights ahead of 2026 polls.

A group of US lawmakers has expressed concern over the total ban of the Awami League political party ahead of elections scheduled in Bangladesh early next year.
The lawmakers have said that the Bangladeshi people deserve to be able to choose an elected government in a free and fair election.
Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Representative Gregory Meeks, Chairman of the Subcommittee on South and Central Asia Representative Bill Huizenga, Ranking Member Subcommittee on South and Central Asia Sydney Kamlager-Dove, and Member of Congress Julie Johnson on Tuesday sent a letter to Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh Mohammed Yunus expressing concern over the total ban of a political party ahead of elections in February.
The letter&rsquo;s cosigners include Representative Tom Suozzi.
The lawmakers said that it is vital that the interim government work with parties across the political spectrum to create the conditions for free and fair elections that allow the voice of the Bangladeshi people to be expressed peacefully through the ballot box, as well as reforms that restore confidence in the integrity and nonpartisanship of state institutions.
&ldquo;We are concerned that this cannot happen if the government suspends activities of political parties or again restarts the flawed International Crimes Tribunal,&rdquo; they said.
They pointed out that the Department of State and many other international observers have noted that the 2018 and 2024 General Elections in Bangladesh were not free or fair.
In a February fact-finding report, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights estimated that security services killed 1,400 people during the protests in July and August last year.
&ldquo;Genuine accountability for these acts and others should model the values of Bangladesh&rsquo;s democracy, rather than continue a cycle of retaliation," the lawmakers said.
"Freedom of association, as well as the principle of individual rather than collective criminal responsibility, are fundamental human rights. We are concerned that the decision to fully suspend the activity of any one political party, rather than focus on persons determined to have committed crimes or gross violations of human rights through the due process of law, is inconsistent with those principles,&rdquo; the lawmakers added.
They expressed hope that the Yunus government or an elected successor will revisit the decision to suspend the activity of any one political party.
&ldquo;Ultimately, the Bangladeshi people deserve to be able to choose an elected government in a free and fair election in which all political parties can participate so that their voices are represented,&rdquo; they said.
Bangladesh has banned all activities of deposed premier Sheikh Hasina&rsquo;s Awami League party under an overnight revised anti-terrorism law. Awami League and its affiliated organisations were banned under the Anti-Terrorism Act 2025 until Bangladesh&rsquo;s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) completed the trial of its leaders and activists.

Bangladesh interim government pledges support for the family of Dipu Das, a Hindu worker lynched over blasphemy charges, vowing financial and welfare assistance and reaffirming commitment to rule of law.

Bangladesh to Support Lynched Hindu Worker's Family

Bangladesh interim government pledges support for the family of Dipu Das, a Hindu worker lynched over blasphemy charges, vowing financial and welfare assistance and reaffirming commitment to rule of law.

Bangladesh interim government's senior adviser has said that the state will take responsibility of the family of the Hindu worker who was lynched on blasphemy charges last week.
Education adviser C R Abrar on Tuesday met the bereaved family of 25-year-old Dipu Das, who was killed by a mob and his body set on fire on December 18 in Mymensingh.
&ldquo;The state has taken the responsibilities of taking care of Dipu Das&rsquo; child, wife and parents,&rdquo; Abrar said, calling the killing of the garment factory worker a &ldquo;brutal crime which has no excuse&rdquo;.
Abrar said ahead of meeting the family, he held talks with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, who asked him to convey to them the government&rsquo;s &ldquo;profound sorrow and deepest condolences&rdquo;.
According to newspaper reports, Das&rsquo; father Rabi Chandra Das demanded justice for his son&rsquo;s killing, describing the condition of the family to the adviser. Yunus&rsquo;s office, meanwhile, reconfirmed that financial and welfare assistance would be provided to Das&rsquo; family, and relevant authorities would remain in close contact with them in the coming period.
Twelve people have been held so far for their alleged involvement in the murder. Yunus&rsquo; press wing in a statement on Tuesday said, &ldquo;allegations, rumours or differences of belief can never excuse violence, and no individual has the right to take the law into their own hands&rdquo;.
&ldquo;The government reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the rule of law, noting that the authority to investigate alleged offences and ensure justice through due process rests solely with the state,&rdquo; it said.
Das&rsquo; killing sparked widespread protests by factory workers, students and rights groups in Dhaka and elsewhere in Bangladesh, while India expressed its concerns as well.
The mob attack coincided with the death of a radical right-wing cultural group Inqilab Mancha leader Sharif Osman Hadi at a Singapore hospital six days after he was shot by masked gunmen in Dhaka. Hadi was a prominent face in the anti-government protests last year that toppled Sheikh Hasina's government.
Following his death, Bangladesh witnessed a fresh wave of unrest, with a mob setting alight the offices of the mass circulation Daily Star and Prothom Alo and two leading cultural groups, Chhayanot and the Udichi Shilpi Goshti, which were founded in the 1960s.

Law student Viraansh Bhanushali from Mumbai gained global attention for his Oxford Union speech, countering claims that India’s policy towards Pakistan is populist and highlighting terror attack experiences.

Oxford Union debate: Indian law student calls out Pakistan's terror politics, video goes viral

Law student Viraansh Bhanushali from Mumbai gained global attention for his Oxford Union speech, countering claims that India&rsquo;s policy towards Pakistan is populist and highlighting terror attack experiences.

Mumbai-born law student Viraansh Bhanushali has gained significant attention after his speech at an Oxford Union debate went viral on social media, with clips accumulating millions of views.
The debate was held on the motion: &ldquo;This House believes that India&rsquo;s policy towards Pakistan is a populist disguise for security policy.&rdquo; Bhanushali spoke against the motion, emphasizing that India&rsquo;s stance has been guided by genuine security concerns rather than populist motives.
Founded in 1823, the Oxford Union is a student-run debating society at the University of Oxford, globally renowned for hosting debates with prominent political leaders and thinkers.
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<h3>Participants and Context</h3>
The Pakistani side was led by Pakistan-born Oxford Union president Moosa Harraj, who supported the motion. Harraj is the son of Pakistan&rsquo;s federal defence production minister, Muhammad Raza Hayat Harraj.
Other participants included Devarchan Banerjee, Siddhant Nagrath (former secretary and chief of staff of the Oxford Union), Israr Khan, and Ahmad Nawaz, former Oxford Union president representing Pakistan.
<h3> Opening With 26/11: Personal Account</h3>
Bhanushali opened his speech with a vivid recollection of the November 26, 2008 Mumbai terror attacks:
&ldquo;One of those targets was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), the very station that my aunt passed through almost every evening. By chance or by providence she took a different train home that night, narrowly escaping the fate of the 166 souls that did not...&rdquo;
&ldquo;I was a schoolboy then, glued to the television as my city burnt. I remember the fear in my mother&rsquo;s voice on the phone, the tension in my father&rsquo;s clenched jaw. For three nights, Mumbai did not sleep and neither did I.&rdquo;
He noted that he shared this account not to darken the mood, but to ground the debate in reality.
<h3> Growing Up Amid Terror Attacks</h3>
Reflecting on the 1993 serial blasts, Bhanushali highlighted that a suburban railway station just 200 metres from his home was among the targets:
&ldquo;I grew up under the shadows of these tragedies. So when someone claims that India&rsquo;s tough stance towards Pakistan is merely populism masquerading as security policy, you might understand why I bristle.&rdquo;
<h3> Challenging the Populism Argument</h3>
Bhanushali addressed claims that India&rsquo;s responses were politically motivated:
&ldquo;To win this debate, I do not need to use rhetoric. I simply need to use a calendar.&rdquo;
He cited the March 1993 blasts to demonstrate that attacks occurred independently of elections:
&ldquo;Was there an election in March 1993? No. That election was 3 years away... Terror did not come because we needed a vote. It came because Dawood and the ISI wanted to fracture India's financial spine. That was not populism. That was an act of war.&rdquo;
<h3> India&rsquo;s Response After 26/11</h3>
Bhanushali described the aftermath of 26/11:
&ldquo;What would a populist government do after 26/11? The public rage was nuclear. A populist leader would have just launched the jets to win the next election.&rdquo;
Instead, he said:
&ldquo;The government of the day, the Congress party, chose strategic restraint. Did the non-populist approach buy us peace? No. It bought us Pathankot. It bought us Uri. It bought us Pulwama.&rdquo;
<h3> Reference to Pahalgam Attack</h3>
He also referenced the April 22 attack in Pahalgam:
&ldquo;They didn&rsquo;t ask who they voted for. They executed them.&rdquo;
Bhanushali emphasized that India&rsquo;s general elections had already concluded, countering claims that military action was electoral populism.
<h3> Operation Sindoor and Military Restraint</h3>
Explaining the naming of Operation Sindoor, he said:
&ldquo;The vermilion mark of a Hindu wife, was chosen for the widows left behind by that massacre. The operation involved a precise dismantling of nine launchpads. We punished the perpetrators. And then what? We stopped. We did not invade. We did not occupy. That is not populism. That is professionalism.&rdquo;
<h3> Sharp Exchange on Terror and Accountability</h3>
Bhanushali addressed Pakistan&rsquo;s actions directly:
&ldquo;You cannot shame a state that has no shame,&rdquo; referencing terror attacks including Pathankot, Uri, Pulwama, and Pahalgam.
&ldquo;Defending your citizens from being murdered is popular? That does not make it a trick.&rdquo;
<h3> Pak denies bread to its people, serves them war circus: Bhanushali</h3>
Bhanushali made a striking observation about populism in Pakistan:
&ldquo;But if you want to see real populism dressed up as security, look across the Radcliffe Line. You cannot give your people bread, so you give them the circus. That is the alchemy of turning public poverty into private power with the spectre of war.&rdquo;
He added:
&ldquo;We want to be boring neighbours. We want to trade onions and electricity. But until the state that defends itself stops using terror as an instrument of foreign policy, we will keep our powder dry. If that is populism, then I am a populist.&rdquo;
<h3> About Viraansh Bhanushali</h3>
Bhanushali is pursuing BA Jurisprudence (LLB), English Law with Law Studies in Europe at St Peter&rsquo;s College, Oxford, as part of the 2026 batch. Originally from Mumbai, he completed his schooling at NES International School before moving to the UK for higher studies.

The US will end the random H-1B visa lottery and introduce a weighted system prioritising higher-paid, skilled foreign workers, effective from February 2026.

Trump administration moves to overhaul how H-1B visas are granted, ending lottery system

The US will end the random H-1B visa lottery and introduce a weighted system prioritising higher-paid, skilled foreign workers, effective from February 2026.

The US Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday it was replacing its longstanding lottery system for H-1B work visas with a new approach that prioritises skilled, higher-paid foreign workers.
The change follows a series of actions by the Trump administration aimed at reshaping a visa program that critics say has become a pipeline for overseas workers willing to work for lower pay, but supporters say drives innovation.
&ldquo;The existing random selection process of H-1B registrations was exploited and abused by US employers who were primarily seeking to import foreign workers at lower wages than they would pay American workers,&rdquo; said US Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesman Matthew Tragesser.
Earlier this year, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a USD 100,000 annual H-1B visa fee on highly skilled workers, which is being challenged in court. The president also rolled out a USD 1 million &ldquo;gold card&rdquo; visa as a pathway to US citizenship for wealthy individuals.
A press release announcing the new rule says it is &ldquo;in line with other key changes the administration has made, such as the Presidential Proclamation that requires employers to pay an additional USD 100,000 per visa as a condition of eligibility.&rdquo;
Historically, H-1B visas have been awarded through a lottery system. This year, Amazon was by far the top recipient, with more than 10,000 visas approved, followed by Tata Consultancy Services, Microsoft, Apple and Google. California has the highest concentration of H-1B workers.
The new system will &ldquo;implement a weighted selection process that will increase the probability that H-1B visas are allocated to higher-skilled and higher-paid&rdquo; foreign workers, according to Tuesday's press release.
It will go into effect Feb 27, 2026, and will apply to the upcoming H-1B cap registration season.
Supporters of the H-1B program say it is an important pathway to hiring healthcare workers and educators. They say it drives innovation and economic growth in the US and allows employers to fill jobs in specialised fields.
Critics argue that the visas often go to entry-level positions rather than senior roles requiring specialised skills. While the program is intended to prevent wage suppression or the displacement of US workers, critics say companies can pay lower wages by classifying jobs at the lowest skill levels, even when the workers hired have more experience.
The number of new visas issued annually is capped at 65,000, plus an additional 20,000 for people with a master's degree or higher.

Libya’s armed forces chief Mohammed al-Haddad and four senior officers died after their business jet crashed near Ankara shortly after takeoff, prompting a Turkish investigation.

Libya's top military chief killed in plane crash in Turkey

Libya&rsquo;s armed forces chief Mohammed al-Haddad and four senior officers died after their business jet crashed near Ankara shortly after takeoff, prompting a Turkish investigation.

The head of Libya's armed forces and four other high ranking military officials died late Tuesday when their business jet crashed shortly after taking off from Ankara, officials in Turkey's capital and Tripoli said.
The wreckage of their Falcon 50 aircraft was located by Turkish security personnel in the Haymana district near Ankara, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said. Three crew members were also killed.
Libya's Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah said on his Facebook page: "It is with deep sadness and great sorrow that we learnt of the death of the Libyan army's chief of general staff, Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Haddad."
Haddad earlier Tuesday held talks in Ankara with Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler, and his Turkish counterpart, Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, and was returning to Tripoli.
Yerlikaya said on X that Haddad's jet took off from Ankara's Esenboga airport at 1710 GMT, and "contact was lost" 42 minutes later.
The aircraft issued an emergency landing notification near Haymana -- 74 kilometres (45 miles) from Ankara -- but contact could not be reestablished, the minister said.
A senior Turkish official said the plane requested an emergency landing because of electrical failure 16 minutes after it took off.
The jet carried eight passengers including Haddad, four members of his entourage and three crew members "reported an emergency to the air traffic control centre due to an electrical failure, asking for an emergency landing," Burhanettin Duran, head of the presidency's communications directorate, said on X.
Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said the Ankara chief prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into the incident.
-'Like a bomb'-
Several Turkish media outlets broadcast images showing the sky lit up by an explosion not far from the location where the aircraft sent a signal.
Burhan Cicek, a local in Haymana, recalled the moment when the plane crashed.
"I heard a big sound of explosion. It was like a bomb," he told AFP.
Libya's ambassador to Ankara was also at the site.
Walid Ellafi, Libyan minister of state for communication and political affairs, told local television channel Libya al-Ahrar that the Turkish government informed his government of the incident.
"We received a call from the Turkish authorities immediately after the incident, reporting that contact with the aircraft had been lost," the minister said.
"All contact with the aircraft was lost about half an hour after takeoff from Ankara airport due to a technical problem," he said.
"We are awaiting the conclusions of the Turkish investigation, and it appears that the plane crashed."
The minister said the others on the aircraft were Haddad's advisor, Mohammed Al-Assawi, as well as Major General Al-Fitouri Ghraibil, Major General Mohammed Jumaa, and their escort, Mohammed Al-Mahjoub.
Haddad had been the army's chief of general staff since August 2020 and was appointed by then-prime minister Fayez al-Sarraj.
Libya is split between a UN-recognised government in Tripoli, led by Dbeibah, and commander Khalifa Haftar's administration in the east.
The North African country has been divided since a NATO-backed revolt toppled and killed longtime leader Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.
Turkey has close ties with the UN-backed government in Tripoli, to which it provides economic and military support and there have been frequent visits between both sides.
But Ankara has recently also reached out to the rival administration in the east, with the head of Turkey's intelligence agency, Ibrahim Kalin, meeting with Haftar in Benghazi in August.

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85-year-old Israeli captive woman: Hamas 'treated me gently and met all my needs' 

Yocheved Lifshitz asserted that Israel didn't take the Hamas threat seriously.&nbsp;

An elderly Israeli hostage who was released by Hamas has said that she was taken into tunnels inside Gaza which looked like &lsquo;spiderwebs. Yocheved Lifshitz said that the Hamas &ldquo;treated us gently and met all our needs.&rdquo; Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, was one of two women freed late Monday, leaving around 220 hostages still in the hands of Hamas.

China has denounced the US Pentagon report accusing Beijing of leveraging India-China border tensions and deepening defence ties with Pakistan. Chinese officials called the report biased, misleading, and interfering in internal affairs

China hits out at Pentagon report alleging bid to weaken US-India ties

China has denounced the US Pentagon report accusing Beijing of leveraging India-China border tensions and deepening defence ties with Pakistan. Chinese officials called the report biased, misleading, and interfering in internal affairs.

China on Thursday denounced a Pentagon report, which accused Beijing of leveraging reduced border tensions with India to undermine US-India ties while deepening defence ties with Pakistan, calling it an attempt to sow discord with false narratives.
"The Pentagon's report distorts China's defence policy, sows discord between China and other countries, and aims at finding a pretext for the US to maintain its military supremacy," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a media briefing here when asked about the US Department of War report submitted to the American Congress.
China firmly opposes the report, Lin said.
Separately, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang denounced the Pentagon report, which also highlighted the cooperation between China and Pakistan in sectors such as defence and space, with plans to set up a military base.
The US releases such reports year after year, grossly interfering in China's internal affairs, Zhang told a separate media briefing.
The US report maliciously misinterpreted China's national defence policy, made unfounded speculations about China's military development, slandering and smearing the normal actions of the Chinese military, he said, declining to directly respond to a question on the report alleging China&rsquo;s expanding defence and cooperation with Pakistan.
The report is full of erroneous understandings of China and geopolitical biases, exaggerating the so-called "Chinese military threat" to mislead the international community, Zhang said.
"We express our strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this,&rdquo; he said and urged the US to stop fabricating false narratives and provoking confrontation and antagonism.
In his response to the Pentagon report on India-China ties, Lin stated that Beijing views and handles its relations with New Delhi from a strategic height and a long-term perspective.
"We stand ready to strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, promote cooperation, and properly handle differences with India, and advance a sound and stable bilateral relationship,&rdquo; he said.
On the references to the Line of Actual Control in the US report, Lin said, &ldquo;the boundary question is a matter between China and India, and the current border situation between the two countries is generally stable with smooth communication channels&rdquo;.
&ldquo;China opposes relevant country&rsquo;s groundless and irresponsible comments,&rdquo; he said.
In its annual report to Congress on Tuesday on 'Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2025', the US Department of War said China probably seeks to capitalise from the deescalating tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India to stabilise bilateral relations and to prevent the deepening of US-India ties.
The report referred to a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in October 2024. Two days before their meeting, the agreement was to disengage from the remaining standoff sites along the LAC.
The Xi-Modi meeting marked the onset of monthly high-level engagements between the two countries, where parties discussed border management and next steps for the bilateral relationship, including direct flights, visa facilitation, and the exchange of academics and journalists, it said.
"China's leadership has extended the term 'core interest' to cover Taiwan and China's sovereignty claims amid territorial disputes in the South China Sea, the Senkaku Islands, and the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh,&rdquo; the report said.
It also highlighted the cooperation between China and Pakistan in sectors such as defence and space, adding that Beijing "likely also considered" setting up a base in Pakistan.
It said China is actively considering and planning for additional military facilities. Pakistan is one of the countries where China has likely considered setting up a base, it said.

Prashant Sreekumar, a 44-year-old Indian-origin man, died of suspected cardiac arrest after waiting over eight hours for treatment in Grey Nuns Hospital’s emergency room.

Indian-Origin Man Dies in Hospital After 8-hour Wait

Prashant Sreekumar, a 44-year-old Indian-origin man, died of suspected cardiac arrest after waiting over eight hours for treatment in Grey Nuns Hospital&rsquo;s emergency room.

A 44-year-old Indian-origin man has died of suspected cardiac arrest after waiting for more than eight hours for treatment in a hospital's emergency room area, a media report has said.
Prashant Sreekumar began experiencing severe chest pains while at work on December 22, Global News reported on Wednesday.
A client drove him to the Grey Nuns Hospital in southeast Edmonton, where Prashant was checked in at triage and then took a seat in the waiting room.
His father, Kumar Sreekumar, soon arrived.
&ldquo;He told me, &lsquo;Papa, I cannot bear the pain,'&rdquo; Kumar said.
Kumar said his son told him and hospital staff the pain was a 15 out of 10.
They did an electrocardiogram (ECG) on him to check his heart&rsquo;s function, but the family said Prashant was told there was nothing of significance and to keep waiting.
Staff also offered Prashant some Tylenol for his pain.
He waited, and waited some more.
Kumar said as time passed, nurses would check Prashant&rsquo;s blood pressure.
&ldquo;It went up, up, and up. To me, it was through the roof.&rdquo;
More than eight hours went by before Prashant was called into the treatment area.
&ldquo;After sitting maybe 10 seconds, he looked at me, he got up and put his hand on his chest and just crashed,&rdquo; Kumar said.
Nurses called for help but it was too late. Prashant died of an apparent cardiac arrest, the report added.
Prashant leaves behind his wife, and three children ages three, 10 and 14. The family loved to travel together and said Prashant was a &ldquo;goofball&rdquo; with his kids.
&ldquo;He was for his family, for his kids, he was so nice. Anybody who talked to him said, &lsquo;We don&rsquo;t know a better than him,'&rdquo; Kumar said.
Family and friends want answers over how a man with severe chest pain could fall through the cracks in such a shocking way.
Family friend Varinder Bhullar, who would use Prashant&rsquo;s accounting services, said this is a huge loss for the community. He is devastated at what happened.
&ldquo;We expect better from the hospital and health-care system,&rdquo; Bhullar said.
The Grey Nuns Hospital is run by Covenant Health.
The organisation told Global News in an email that it wouldn&rsquo;t comment on the specifics surrounding patient care because of privacy, but did say the case is before the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
&ldquo;We offer our sympathy to the patient&rsquo;s family and friends. There is nothing more important than the safety and care of our patients and staff,&rdquo; the statement said.
As family try to remember Prashant for all the good he brought them, they say they will always be haunted by how he died in pain &mdash; in a hospital &mdash; without ever seeing a doctor.
&ldquo;They took my baby for nothing. For nothing,&rdquo; Kumar said.

A 20-year-old Indian doctoral student, Shivank Avasthi, was shot dead near the University of Toronto Scarborough campus. Toronto police are investigating the incident as a homicide, with no suspect identified yet.

Indian student shot dead near University of Toronto campus

A 20-year-old Indian doctoral student, Shivank Avasthi, was shot dead near the University of Toronto Scarborough campus. Toronto police are investigating the incident as a homicide, with no suspect identified yet.

A 20-year-old Indian doctoral student has been shot dead near the University of Toronto Scarborough campus, with authorities probing the case as a homicide, officials said.
The shooting took place on Tuesday, and the Toronto police on Wednesday identified the victim as Shivank Avasthi, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
Police were called to the area of Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road at about 3:30 pm on Tuesday for a report of an injured person lying on the ground, Duty Inspector Jeff Allington told reporters near the scene on Tuesday night.
When officers arrived, they found a person with a gunshot wound. That person was pronounced dead at the scene, the report added.
The police are probing the case as a homicide.
"Our immediate focus is on preserving evidence at the scene, determining what happened and notifying this individual's next of kin. Because of that, there is very little information that I am able to share with you tonight," Allington said.
Toronto police said the suspect fled the area prior to police arrival. No suspect description has been released.
Meanwhile, India's Consulate in Toronto expressed &ldquo;deep anguish&rdquo; over the student&rsquo;s &ldquo;tragic death&rdquo;.
"We express deep anguish over the tragic death of a young Indian doctoral student, Shivank Avasthi, in a fatal shooting incident near the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus. The Consulate is in touch with the bereaved family during this difficult time, and is extending all necessary assistance in close coordination with the local authorities," the Consulate posted on X.
A UTSC spokesperson said the university was &ldquo;extremely saddened&rdquo; to learn about the death near their campus, but did not confirm if he was a student, CP24 Television network reported.
&ldquo;We cannot comment on the identity of the victim at this time,&rdquo; the spokesperson said in a statement Wednesday evening.
"We are grateful to our Campus Safety team, Toronto Police Service and emergency medical service personnel for their immediate response and action.&rdquo;
The University of Toronto Scarborough campus (UTSC) issued a safety alert advising anyone in a building to stay inside and anyone outdoors to leave the area.
In a social media post, the school said the police investigation is in the Highland Creek Valley at UTSC. It said pathways into the valley remain closed, and people are advised to avoid the valley until police reopen it.

US President Donald Trump says American forces carried out deadly Christmas Day airstrikes on ISIS militants in northwestern Nigeria, with Nigerian authorities confirming precision attacks on terrorist targets.

US launches Christmas Day strikes on IS targets in Nigeria

US President Donald Trump says American forces carried out deadly Christmas Day airstrikes on ISIS militants in northwestern Nigeria, with Nigerian authorities confirming precision attacks on terrorist targets.

President Donald Trump said US forces conducted "powerful and deadly" strikes Thursday against Islamic State militants in northwestern Nigeria, weeks after he warned against any systemic assault on Christians in the country.
The Nigerian foreign ministry early Friday confirmed the air strikes, describing them as "precision hits on terrorist targets" in the country.
The Department of Defense's US Africa Command said "multiple ISIS terrorists" were killed in an attack in Sokoto state conducted at the request of Nigerian authorities, but few details were provided and it was not clear how many people died.
The strikes hit IS targets on Christmas Day, according to Trump.
"I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was," he said in a post on his Truth Social platform.
<iframe class="truthsocial-embed" style="max-width: 100%; border: 0;" src="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/115782683955516402/embed" width="600" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
&nbsp;
"May God Bless our Military," he said, adding provocatively, "MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, including the dead Terrorists, of which there will be many more if their slaughter of Christians continues."
The attacks mark the first by US forces in Nigeria under Trump, and come after the Republican leader unexpectedly berated the west African nation in October and November, saying Christians there faced an "existential threat" that amounted to "genocide" amid Nigeria's myriad armed conflicts.
That diplomatic offensive was welcomed by some but interpreted by others as inflaming religious tensions in Africa's most populous country, which has seen bouts of sectarian violence in the past.
Nigeria's government and independent analysts reject framing the country's violence in terms of religious persecution -- a narrative long used by the Christian right in the United States and Europe.
But Trump, spotlighting what his administration says is global persecution of Christians, stressed last month that Washington was ready to take military action in Nigeria -- with "guns-a-blazing" -- to counter such killings.
 - 'Grateful' for cooperation -
The Nigerian foreign ministry said the country was engaged with international partners against terrorism.
"Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism," the ministry said in a statement on Friday.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth took to X to say he was "grateful for Nigerian government support &amp; cooperation."
The United States this year placed Nigeria back on the list of countries of "particular concern" regarding religious freedom, and has restricted the issuance of visas to Nigerians.
Trump last month also threatened to stop all aid to Abuja if it "continues to allow the killing of Christians."
Nigeria is almost evenly divided between a Muslim-majority north and largely Christian south.
Its northeast has been in the grip of jihadist violence for more than 15 years by the Islamist Boko Haram group, which has claimed more than 40,000 lives and displaced two million people.
At the same time, large parts of the country's northwest, north and center have been hit by criminal gangs known as "bandits" who attack villages, killing and kidnapping residents.
On Wednesday an explosion ripped through a mosque in the northeastern city of Maiduguri, killing at least seven worshippers. No armed groups immediately claimed responsibility.

A Hindu man was lynched in Bangladesh’s Rajbari district over alleged extortion, days after another minority killing. The interim government condemned the incident, saying it was not communal and promised strict legal action.

Another Hindu man lynched in Bangladesh over alleged extortion, government denies communal angle

A Hindu man was lynched in Bangladesh&rsquo;s Rajbari district over alleged extortion, days after another minority killing. The interim government condemned the incident, saying it was not communal and promised strict legal action.

A Hindu man was lynched in Bangladesh over alleged extortion, media reports said on Thursday, days after another man from the minority religion was lynched in the country.
The incident took place on Wednesday in Rajbari town's Pangsha upazila, The Daily Star newspaper quoted police as saying. The deceased, identified as Amrit Mondal, had allegedly formed a criminal gang and was involved in extortion and other criminal activities.
The interim government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus "strongly condemned" the killing while asserting that it was not a communal attack.
On the day of the incident, Mondal was beaten up by locals when he, along with his group members, tried to extort money from a resident's house, the report said.
Upon receiving information about the incident, police rushed to the spot and rescued Mondal in a critical condition. He was taken to a hospital where doctors declared him dead around 2:00 am, Assistant Superintendent of Police (Pangsha Circle) Debrata Sarkar said, according to the report.
Mondal's body was sent to Rajbari Sadar Hospital morgue for an autopsy, Sarkar said. Most of his associates fled after the incident, but police arrested one man and recovered firearms from his possession.
According to the police, Mondal had at least two cases filed against him, including a murder case.
Condemning the killing, the interim government said in a statement that it "does not support any kind of illegal activities, mass beatings or violence,&rdquo; the state-run BSS news agency reported.
In a statement, the government said that the incident was not a communal attack but one stemming from a violent situation arising from extortion and terrorist activities. Legal action will be taken against everyone directly or indirectly involved in the incident, it said.
The incident comes a week after another Hindu man, Dipu Das, was lynched and his body set on fire over blasphemy allegations in Mymensingh. Police and other law enforcement agencies have made 12 arrests in the case so far.
Das&rsquo; killing sparked widespread protests by factory workers, students and rights groups in Dhaka and elsewhere in Bangladesh, and India expressed its concerns as well.
The interim government has said it would take care of Das' minor child, as well as his wife and parents.
The Hindu population in Bangladesh has been affected by a series of incidents against minority communities in the country after the ouster of then-prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August last year.

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