The US Department of Labor has opened 175 investigations into possible misuse of the H-1B visa program. The move is part of Project Firewall, launched in September to ensure companies hire qualified American workers first. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer said she is personally certifying these probes to stop visa abuse and protect US jobs. The department also released a social media ad accusing firms of replacing Americans with foreign workers, naming India as the largest beneficiary. The Trump administration recently introduced a $100,000 one-time fee for H-1B applications as part of its crackdown on immigration. (PC: HT)

More than 2,000 flights across the United States were delayed or cancelled on Friday after the government shutdown hit air traffic control operations. The Federal Aviation Administration said staff shortages forced airlines to reduce flight numbers at 40 major airports. Many air traffic controllers are working without pay or calling in sick during the shutdown. The FAA plans to cut flights by up to 10% next week if the crisis continues, which could affect as many as 4,000 flights per day. Airlines like United and Delta have promised full refunds to passengers whose flights were cancelled. (PC: BBC)

To fight rising winter pollution, the Delhi government will begin staggered office timings from November 15. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said government offices will work from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm, while municipal offices will run from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm till February 15, 2026. The move aims to reduce traffic congestion and vehicle emissions that worsen Delhi’s air during winter. Officials said the plan will help spread vehicle movement through the day and improve air quality. This comes as Delhi’s Air Quality Index crossed 400 in several areas, touching the “severe” category this week. (PC: NDTV)

The Trump administration issued new guidelines allowing US visa officers to deny visas and permanent residency to foreign nationals with health conditions including diabetes, obesity, heart disease, cancer, and mental health issues. The State Department directive, sent to embassies worldwide, instructs officers to flag applicants whose conditions may require "hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of care," deeming them potential "public charges." Officers must assess whether applicants can independently cover medical expenses without government assistance and consider dependents' health conditions affecting employment. While medical exams already screen for communicable diseases, the new guidance extends scrutiny to chronic illnesses. Immigration attorney Charles Wheeler criticized officers making medical projections without proper training, calling it "troubling." (PC: Mint & India Today)

The Russian Embassy in Pakistan accused The Frontier Post newspaper of spreading "anti-Russian propaganda" and serving Western political interests. The Embassy claimed the publication, with its global news service headquartered in Washington, runs articles by "ardent Russophobes" and never portrays Russia positively. Moscow criticized the newspaper for ignoring the Moscow Format of Consultations on Afghanistan held October 7, 2025, despite dedicating an entire section to Afghan news. The Embassy defended Russia's economic resilience, citing 4.1% GDP growth in 2024, 2.5% unemployment, and manufacturing sector growth of 8.5%. It also highlighted successful testing of Burevestnik cruise missiles and Poseidon underwater vehicles, urging Pakistanis to seek diverse information sources.

An explosion triggered during Friday prayers at a mosque located within a school complex in the Kelapa Gading area of North Jakarta injured at least 54 people, mostly students, including several with serious burns and glass-fragment injuries. The blasts—heard as two loud bangs just as the sermon began—occurred near the mosque loudspeaker, officials say. An anti-bomb unit found toy rifles and a toy gun near the scene; investigations are ongoing to determine motive and cause. (PC: Reuters)

Russia's Embassy in Pakistan sharply criticized The Frontier Post newspaper, accusing it of publishing anti-Russian propaganda and serving Western political interests rather than practicing press freedom. The Embassy claimed the publication's Washington-based global news service promotes a "Russophobic" agenda, exclusively featuring critics of Russian foreign policy and President Vladimir Putin. It alleged the newspaper ignored the Moscow Format of Consultations on Afghanistan held October 7, 2025, despite extensive local media coverage. Defending Russia's economic strength, the Embassy highlighted 4.1% GDP growth in 2024, 2.5% unemployment, and manufacturing sector growth of 8.5%, dismissing Western narratives of economic vulnerability. The statement urged Pakistanis to seek diverse information sources.

New York City’s Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani made his first major political visit to Puerto Rico, days after his historic election victory. He is attending the annual Somos conference in San Juan, a key event for New York’s political leaders, lobbyists, and policymakers. The three-day event mixes strategy sessions with social meetings. Mamdani, 34, will join top officials, including Attorney General Letitia James, at receptions and workshops. His visit signals his growing influence beyond New York. Mamdani’s win, with over two million votes, has energized Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterms and drawn strong reactions from Donald Trump. (PC: HT)

Former International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo has said recent US air strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific are crimes against humanity. He told the BBC the attacks were “planned and systematic” and targeted civilians during peacetime. The Trump administration says the strikes are part of an armed conflict against drug cartels. At least 66 people have been killed in the past two months. The White House said President Trump acted under international law to protect Americans from “narcoterrorists.” Critics say the attacks were unlawful and lacked clear evidence. (PC: BBC)

Bangladesh's Yunus administration scrapped plans to recruit music and physical education teachers in primary schools after Islamist groups, including Hefazat-e-Islam and Islami Andolon Bangladesh, called these posts "un-Islamic" and threatened street unrest. Teachers and students from Dhaka University and Jagannath University protested Thursday, calling the decision "cultural fascism." The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education quietly dropped music and PE posts from recruitment advertisements that originally included general, religion, music, and physical education positions. Protesters gathered at Aparajeyo Bangla statue and Sculpture Square, demanding reinstatement through songs and human chains. Critics argue the policy undermines child development and Bangladesh's secular identity, warning the army-installed Yunus administration is repeatedly bowing to Islamist pressure. (PC: X)