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Wednesday, February 25, 2026

National Hindu Conference hosted by VHP to prioritise South Africa’s challenges

Johannesburg, Feb 25 (PTI): The National Hindu Conference to be hosted by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad South Africa in Pretoria on Saturday will discuss ways of addressing the various challenges facing the country. The conference will bring together spiritual leaders, academics, professionals, youth representatives and community organisations from across South Africa under the theme: “The National Reset – A Vision for a Progressive South Africa”. The conference follows the success of the inaugural national gathering held in 2024, which united dozens of Hindu organisations in a shared call for greater cohesion, advocacy and representation. This year’s event aims to move beyond dialogue into structured action, outlining practical steps for community development and national contribution. According to VHP South Africa Secretary-General Pravesh Hurdeen, the theme reflects both “urgency and optimism”. “South Africa is at a crossroads. Communities across the country are grappling with economic uncertainty, youth unemployment, social fragmentation and mental health challenges. The concept of a ‘National Reset’ calls on us to draw from the timeless wisdom of Sanatana Dharma while actively contributing to solutions in the present,” Hurdeen said. The conference programme will include plenary sessions, panel discussions and breakout workshops focusing on cultural identity, ethical leadership, social wellness and civic participation. The organisers have indicated that discussions will explore how Hindu philosophical principles and spiritual values such as “dharma (duty), seva (selfless service) and ahimsa (non-violence) can inform ethical governance, community upliftment and interfaith harmony”. The conference comes at a time when the government of national unity led by President Cyril Ramaphosa is facing many challenges, including revelations over the past few months that corruption is rampant among senior officials in government and the police services. The country is also facing huge water shortages due to decades of infrastructure not being maintained. In addition to spiritual and cultural discussions, the conference will address practical concerns such as representation in public institutions, the promotion of holistic health practices like yoga and Ayurveda, and strategies to strengthen collaboration between Hindu organisations and broader civil society. The event will conclude with a strategic framework aimed at strengthening unity among Hindu bodies and enhancing coordinated engagement with national development initiatives. PTI FH GSP GSP(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/national-hindu-conference-hosted-by-vhp-to-prioritise-south-africa-s-challenges-1828806

PM Modi Receives Knesset’s Highest Honour, First Indian PM To Be Awarded

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the “Speaker of the Knesset Medal” by Israel’s Parliament on Wednesday, becoming the first Indian prime minister to receive the legislature’s highest honour. The medal was awarded in recognition of his exceptional contribution to strengthening strategic ties between India and Israel. He is the first recipient of the medal, the highest honour conferred by the Knesset. <h2>Among Few Leaders Honoured By Israel And Palestine</h2> Modi is among the few global leaders to have received top civilian honours from both Israel and Palestine. In 2018, he was conferred the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine, the highest Palestinian award granted to foreign dignitaries. <h2>Netanyahu’s Warm Welcome</h2> Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Modi ahead of his address to the Knesset, describing him as “a great friend of Israel, a great champion of the Indian-Israeli alliance, a great leader on the world stage.” “I have to tell you, Narendra, my dear friend, I am deeply, deeply moved by your visit here today. I've never been more moved than by your visit here with us, a great friend of Israel, a great champion of the Indian-Israeli alliance, a great leader on the world stage. Welcome to Jerusalem, my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and your distinguished delegation,” he said. He added: “I would almost venture to say, more than a friend, a brother. Now, when you were last here, we, the two of us, were on the Mediterranean coast, and I said, why don't we take off our shoes and go into the water?... We didn't walk on water, but we did perform miracles since then. Because what we have done is we've doubled our trade, tripled our cooperation, quadrupled our understanding.” <h2>Expanding Strategic Partnership</h2> The honour highlights the growing partnership between India and Israel across defence, cybersecurity, agriculture, water management and innovation. Bilateral ties have expanded significantly over the past decade through high-level political exchanges, rising trade and collaboration in emerging technologies. Modi’s engagement with Israeli leaders and lawmakers during the visit underscored a shared emphasis on security cooperation, investment and people-to-people ties. Observers view the award as symbolic of the steady elevation of India–Israel relations into a broad-based strategic partnership marked by converging regional and global interests.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/pm-modi-awarded-speaker-of-the-knesset-medal-israel-tel-aviv-israel-palestine-1828796

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

US Moves Toward Tougher H-1B, Green Card Wage Norms After Review Clearance: What It Means For Indians

The United States is a step closer to revising wage norms linked to H-1B visas and employment-based Green Cards — a development that could reshape prospects for thousands of Indian professionals. A draft regulation from the United States Department of Labor has cleared review at the Office of Management and Budget, the final administrative checkpoint before it is released for public feedback. Although the proposed language has not yet been made public, immigration experts anticipate tighter prevailing wage standards that may raise the financial bar for employers sponsoring foreign workers. <h3>Why Prevailing Wage Benchmarks Are Crucial</h3> Prevailing wages determine the minimum salary U.S. companies must offer foreign professionals based on role and geographic location. Any recalibration in how these wages are computed could increase compensation thresholds across industries. Higher wage floors would directly affect H-1B filings and the PERM labor certification process — a mandatory step in most employment-based Green Card applications. Employers may be required to budget significantly more for sponsorship, potentially influencing hiring strategies and workforce planning, reported Times Now. The numbers underscore the potential scale of impact. In fiscal year 2024, Indian nationals accounted for roughly 71% of all approved H-1B petitions — around 280,000 approvals — according to government data. Chinese applicants followed far behind at approximately 12%. <h3>Proposal Still In Regulatory Pipeline</h3> The measure has not yet become law. Once formally published, it will enter a public comment phase, allowing businesses, advocacy groups, and individuals to submit feedback. Only after reviewing those submissions can the Department of Labor finalize or revise the regulation, reported Financial Express. Until then, uncertainty remains. Companies and applicants alike are closely monitoring developments to assess potential compliance costs and long-term implications. <h3>Ripple Effects For Indian Talent</h3> Indian professionals, who form the backbone of the H-1B program, may feel the impact most acutely. Employers have already grown cautious amid evolving visa policies and mounting compliance expenses. A separate proposal seeking to impose a $100,000 fee on select H-1B beneficiaries remains entangled in court proceedings, further complicating planning for companies. Green Card aspirants are equally attentive. Adjustments to prevailing wage formulas would directly influence PERM applications, particularly in EB-2 and EB-3 categories. In high-cost metropolitan areas, elevated salary requirements could make sponsorship considerably more expensive. Processing timelines add another layer of challenge. Expanded scrutiny in visa processing, including increased social-media vetting at U.S. consulates in India, has slowed adjudications. At the same time, highly skilled applicants continue exploring faster alternatives such as EB-1A petitions.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-tougher-h-1b-green-card-wage-norms-after-review-clearance-what-it-means-for-indians-1828639

India, Israel to upgrade relations to “special strategic partnership” during PM Modi's visit

Jerusalem, Feb 24 (PTI): India and Israel's relations will be upgraded to a “special strategic partnership” during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, marking a “significant leap ahead” similar to Jerusalem's ties with countries such as the US and Germany, sources said here Tuesday. Modi will undertake a two-day visit to Israel beginning Wednesday to shore up bilateral defence and trade cooperation. It will be Modi's second visit to Israel in nine years. The India-Israel relationship was elevated to the level of strategic partnership during Modi's first visit to that country in July 2017. The upgraded “special strategic partnership” agreement will allow for a further developed stage of ties that will lead to joint development of advanced defence systems and an understanding to stand by each other in times of need. “The two countries have been reliable partners over the years and it has been proven in hours of crises. This is only being formally recognised during PM Modi’s visit”, sources told PTI. Modi will be received by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara at the airport and the two leaders hold a one-to-one meeting there after a brief reception. Following that, Modi will head for the city. In Jerusalem, the Prime Minister would be meeting people from the Indian community and then go to the Knesset (Israeli parliament) to address the lawmakers, a rare honour extended to chosen world leaders. On Wednesday evening, Modi will attend an exhibition where Israel would showcase its technological advancement with top Israeli executives in attendance. Netanyahu is scheduled to host a private dinner for Modi on Wednesday night. The Indian leader would pay his respects to the victims of Holocaust at Yad Vashem on Thursday morning before meeting the Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Several MoUs are to be signed between the two countries with a much publicised one in the field of Defence cooperation. “As part of the agreement, a secrecy mechanism will be established that will open several new categories so far unavailable,” sources told PTI. Local media has reported that important understandings are being established in areas such as air defence systems, along with the integration of India into the laser-based air defence system (Or Eitan). Israel and India will also sign a series of memorandums of understanding for cooperation with an emphasis on disruptive technologies such as AI, quantum and cyber. In New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “This visit will reaffirm the deep and long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries and will present an opportunity to review the common challenges as well as realign efforts towards achieving their shared vision for a robust partnership between two resilient democracies.” There has been an upswing in the India-Israel ties in the last few years, including in the areas of defence, scientific research, cybersecurity and innovation. The defence cooperation has emerged as an important pillar of the partnership between the two sides with Israel supplying a plethora of military platforms and weapon systems to India. PTI HM NPK NPK(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/india-israel-to-upgrade-relations-to-special-strategic-partnership-during-pm-modi-s-visit-1828634

Bangladesh’s new govt re-equips president with press wing

Dhaka, Feb 24 (PTI): Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s new government on Tuesday re-equipped President Mohammad Shahabuddin with a press wing at his office. The president's press wing was abolished by immediate past regime of Interim chief Muhammad Yunus. A Public Administration Ministry statement said Mohammad Sarwar Alam was re-appointed as the press secretary at the Bangabhaban presidential palace and he “will serve in the role for a period of one year from the date of his joining.” Alam was serving as the press secretary when the regime change took place in 2024 and Yunus' interim government scrapped his contractual appointment. The posts of president’s deputy press secretary and assistant press secretary too were withdrawn simultaneously and two photographers, who had served at Bangabhaban for 30 years, were removed as well. In subsequent months, ceremonial photos requiring the president to pose for photographs when foreign envoys presented their credentials or army, navy and air force chiefs met him were released by respective foreign embassies or the armed forces. Shahabuddin was sworn in as the 22nd president of parliamentary form of unitary Bangladesh on April 24, 2023 during the Awami League rule. Earlier on Sunday, Shahabuddin alleged that Yunus attempted to remove him from office several times. In an interview with leading Bangla newspaper Kalerkantha, the president said during the 18 months of interim government rule, he was “nowhere in discussion but several plots were hatched against me.” PTI AR NPK NPK(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/bangladesh-s-new-govt-re-equips-president-with-press-wing-1828633

Russian Agency Alleges UK, France Planning Secret Nuclear Transfer To Ukraine

Moscow: A Russian intelligence agency on Tuesday claimed that the UK and France are covertly planning to transfer nuclear weapons to Ukraine. The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) made this claim in a report it issued on Tuesday as Moscow's military operation in the former Soviet republic of Ukraine entered its fifth year. Without providing any evidence to support its claims, the agency said: “The British and French realise that their designs imply a gross violation of the international law, first of all the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and carry the risk of destroying the global non-proliferation system.”  “The Westerners’ main efforts are focused on making Kiev’s possession of a nuclear weapon look like it was developed by Ukrainians themselves,” the report added. Reacting to the report, the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov underlined that non-nuclear Ukraine is one of the conditions of the settlement of the crisis as Moscow strives for a negotiated end to fighting.   “Undoubtedly, this information about Paris and London’s intention to arm Kyiv with a nuclear bomb is extremely important. It is important from the point of view of the threat it poses to the entire non-proliferation regime, especially in the context of active hostilities unfolding in Europe, on the European continent,” he said, briefing the press.  Peskov said Russian President Vladimir Putin had outlined the conditions for a Ukrainian settlement back in June 2024 at a meeting with Foreign Ministry officials.  "We will certainly take this information into account during the ongoing negotiations. Because this is potentially extremely dangerous information," he said. The next round of peace talks with US mediation is expected in Geneva on February 27, according to local reports.   (This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/russian-agency-alleges-uk-france-planning-secret-nuclear-transfer-to-ukraine-1828629

Monday, February 23, 2026

Donald Trump Says ‘Don’t Know How Long I’ll Be Around’ After Armed Man Shot Dead At Mar-a-Lago Estate

A day after a gunman was shot dead while attempting to force his way into the security perimeter of Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, the U.S. President publicly addressed the episode, mixing sobering reflection with characteristic levity. Speaking at a White House event with angel families on Monday, Donald Trump reacted to the incident for the first time. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were in Washington when the breach occurred at the Palm Beach property. Trump remarked during the gathering that he did not know how long he would be around. He went on to say that many people seemed to be gunning for him. His comments highlighted the persistent risks tied to holding high office, though he delivered them with a touch of humor. <h3>A Stark Reminder Of Presidential Risks</h3> The United States has witnessed multiple presidential assassinations and attempts over its history. Four presidents — Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley and John F. Kennedy — were killed while in office. Several others survived attempts on their lives. Trump himself faced two assassination attempts during the 2024 campaign. In July that year, gunfire erupted at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, with one bullet grazing his right ear before Secret Service agents secured the scene. Reflecting on that history, Trump suggested that attackers tend to focus on leaders they view as impactful. He pointed to Lincoln and Kennedy as examples, stating that such figures were targeted because of their significance. “They only go after consequential. So maybe I want to be a little bit less consequential,” he quipped, adding, “Let’s be a normal president for a little while”, as per a report on India Today. <h3>Details Of Mar-a-Lago Intrusion</h3> Authorities identified the individual involved in the Mar-a-Lago breach as 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin from North Carolina. According to investigators, he drove through the estate’s north gate around 1:30 a.m. armed with a shotgun and carrying a petrol canister. Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said officers instructed Martin to drop the weapon, but he instead raised it. Secret Service personnel and a sheriff’s deputy then opened fire, fatally shooting him, as per Times Now. Officials later disclosed that Martin had been reported missing by his family days earlier. Investigators believe he traveled from North Carolina to Florida and obtained the shotgun during the journey. A firearm box was recovered from his vehicle. Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that Trump was not at the estate when the confrontation unfolded.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/trump-speaks-after-mar-a-lago-security-breach-says-i-don-t-know-how-long-i-ll-be-around-lincoln-kennedy-1828477