In 2025, highly-skilled workers in the US, mostly from India, will be able to renew their H-1B visas without leaving the country. This follows a successful pilot project by the US Department of State, which allowed 20,000 participants to renew visas within the US. The new process aims to make renewals faster and easier, eliminating the need for costly travel and long wait times. India has the highest number of H-1B visa holders, with most working in tech, medical, and research fields. The official start date of the new process is yet to be announced.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has resigned as the Liberal Party leader after 9 years, following mounting internal pressure. Despite stepping down, Trudeau, 53, will remain in office until a successor is chosen. Trudeau's resignation comes as polls predict a significant Conservative victory in the upcoming October election. Initially celebrated for restoring Canada's liberal identity in 2015, Trudeau's popularity has waned due to voter dissatisfaction over rising costs of food, housing, and immigration. Trudeau, the son of former PM Pierre Trudeau, leaves behind a political legacy shaped by both progress and growing challenges.

Winter Storm Blair has caused chaos across the US, leaving three people dead and over 400,000 without power. Two people died in a car crash in Kansas, and another fatality was reported in Missouri. Seven states, including Virginia and Kentucky, have declared emergencies. Snow, ice, and strong winds have made roads dangerous, with hundreds of accidents reported. Power outages are widespread, affecting states like West Virginia and Illinois. Schools and offices are closed, and over 1,000 flights have been cancelled. Authorities warn of more heavy snowfall and advise people to stay indoors and avoid travel until conditions improve.

9 people, including 8 policemen and a driver, died after Naxalites blew up a police vehicle with an IED in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on Monday. The attack occurred on the Bedre-Kutru Road as security personnel were returning from an anti-Naxal operation. Shocking visuals from the site showed severe damage and dismembered bodies. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai condemned the attack, calling it a desperate act by Naxalites. He assured that efforts to eliminate Naxalism by 2026 would continue. This incident follows recent encounters where security forces killed several Naxalites in operations across the region.

A major incident has been declared in Leicestershire, UK, due to severe flooding. Heavy rains have caused roads to flood and homes to be evacuated. The fire service has received over 200 emergency calls. Seventeen people have been rescued so far. Cars were found trapped in deep water, and residents were moved to safety. The public is urged to avoid flooded areas and stay safe. Leicestershire Fire and Rescue warned, "Flooding is dangerous and can risk lives." Weather alerts remain in place across the UK, with travel disruptions and school closures affecting many. Rescue efforts are ongoing.

Hamas has released a list of 34 hostages it says it is ready to free as part of a potential ceasefire with Israel. The group captured most of them during its 2023 attack on Israel. The list includes children as young as one and elderly people up to 86 years old. Israel denied receiving the list directly from Hamas, saying intermediaries shared it earlier. Families of hostages urged a swift agreement to release all captives. Ceasefire talks in Qatar are ongoing, but no major progress has been reported. Tensions remain high, with continued violence in Gaza.

The Union Health Minister, JP Nadda, assured the public there is no need to panic over the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV). Three cases have been reported in India, with two in Bengaluru and one in Ahmedabad. He explained that HMPV is not new and was first identified in 2001. It causes mild cold-like symptoms but can be severe for infants and people with weak immunity. The Health Ministry and ICMR are monitoring the situation closely. Nadda stated that India's health systems are prepared and urged citizens to stay calm while following basic hygiene measures.

The UK faces severe disruption as adverse weather closes hundreds of schools and halts travel. The Met Office issued multiple snow and ice warnings, affecting England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Manchester Airport briefly shut down, while railways in the East Midlands and roads nationwide reported closures. Aberdeenshire saw 91 schools close, while Bradford reported 175 closures. Flood alerts were issued for 166 areas in England. Ireland faces similar challenges, with 41,000 homes losing power and water shortages impacting healthcare. Experts predict icy conditions to persist, urging caution across affected regions.

Nine people, including eight security personnel and a driver, were killed after Naxalites detonated an IED on the Bedre-Kutru Road in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur. The attack targeted two vehicles carrying soldiers returning from an anti-Naxal operation. Visuals showed devastating scenes, including dismembered bodies. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai condemned the "cowardly attack" and reaffirmed plans to eradicate Naxalism by 2026. Deputy CM Arun Sao and other officials assured that the personnel's sacrifice will not be in vain, pledging intensified action against Naxal groups. The incident follows recent encounters in the Bastar region, where multiple Naxalites were killed.

Two Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases were reported in Bengaluru, involving infants aged 3 and 8 months. The Karnataka government issued an advisory emphasizing hygiene and caution to curb the virus, which causes flu-like symptoms and can lead to pneumonia in severe cases. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) detected the cases through routine surveillance. Citizens are advised to wear masks, wash hands frequently, and avoid crowded places if symptomatic. While there’s no vaccine or specific treatment, hospitals have been instructed to report cases and maintain essential medication supplies. Authorities reassured the public, stating the situation is under control.