refugee status

Nine Punjab residents were deported from Australia on a special flight due to criminal charges and immigration breaches. Seven men faced allegations including drug possession and assault, while one woman overstayed her visa. Their disruptive behavior on prior commercial flight attempts necessitated the chartered Nauru Airlines aircraft for their removal.

Today’s immigration battles in the US echo older fights over race, labour, security and belonging. How have these waves reshaped the country across nearly 250 years?

Electoral analysts estimate that Matua voters influence outcomes in 60 to 65 assembly seats. In the second phase alone, they are a key factor in 21 constituencies. In tightly contested elections, this scale of influence gives the community leverage that political parties cannot ignore. This is evident in recent electoral trends.

Canada is tightening its international student program with new rules. These include higher financial requirements and possible country-based caps. Indian students, the largest group, may be significantly affected. The changes aim to address system strain and improve oversight. Stricter monitoring and institutional accountability are also proposed. These reforms signal a move towards a more selective system for international education.

New York City hosts the United Nations Headquarters, a globally significant diplomatic hub on the East River. This complex, established in the 1950s, serves as the venue for crucial international discussions on peace, climate, and human rights. While not technically international territory, it possesses exclusive legal status, allowing independent functioning.

Chile's far-right President Jose Antonio Kast is scheduled to meet with his Argentine counterpart in Buenos Aires on Monday, marking his first trip abroad since taking office in March. The visit continues the tradition of Chilean presidents making Argentina their first official state trip.

A Canadian audit has laid bare an uncomfortable truth: even after red flags over fraud and weak oversight, an India-heavy fast-track visa route kept receiving unusually high approvals. Now that Canada is tightening the system, the burden may not fall on those who exploited the loopholes, but on genuine Indian students walking into a colder, more suspicious regime.

Tennessee lawmakers advanced a bill requiring public schools to collect data on students' immigration status. Originally allowing enrollment denial, the revised version focuses solely on aggregate data. Critics fear this could discourage immigrant families and lead to future exclusionary policies, despite assurances it's just a 'data bill'.

Britain is piloting a scheme offering up to £40,000 per family to failed asylum-seekers to leave voluntarily. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated this aims to save taxpayer money, as hotel accommodation costs are substantial. Families have seven days to decide, or face forced removal. The government is also making refugee status temporary and introducing new legal routes.

Decades of delay by the Tamil Nadu government in implementing a 1969 Act have led to widespread encroachments on vital elephant corridors in Gudalur. This policy paralysis, stemming from unresolved land classification disputes, fuels human-elephant conflict and environmental degradation. Despite recent reviews, the issue of Janmam lands remains critically unresolved, impacting thousands.

Nowruz, the ancient Persian festival celebrating the vernal equinox, arrives on March 20, 2026, amidst geopolitical turmoil. Despite historical attempts to suppress it, from Arab conquests to the Islamic Republic, the festival endures, symbolizing resilience and cultural identity. Families worldwide observe its traditions, a testament to its deep roots and enduring spirit.

Brace for the rallies, slogans and breathless predictions. The real story may lie elsewhere