Breaking News Live: US stops immigration requests from Afghan nationals following National Guard troops shooting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil a 77-feet-tall bronze statue of Lord Ram at Shree Samsthan Gokarn Jeevottam Mutt in South Goa district on Thursday, a mutt representative has said as per PTI. The PM will arrive at the venue at 3.45 pm. Sculptor Ram Sutar, who designed the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, has made the statue of Shree Ram, Goa Public Works Department minister Digambar Kamat said. This would be the tallest statue of Shree Ram in the world, the minister said.

Security forces have arrested three militants, including a woman, for allegedly threatening to trigger explosions during the ongoing Sangai tourism festival in Manipur, police said on Thursday according to PTI.

Effective immediately, processing of all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals is stopped indefinitely pending further review of security and vetting protocols. The protection and safety of our homeland and of the American people remain our singular focus and mission, posted USCIS on X.

As India is set to host Centenary Commonwealth Games 2030 in Ahmedabad, boxing coach Hitesh Deswal says, "It is a matter of pride and honour for us. I would like to thank PM Modi for making this possible. At the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Sagar Ahlawat competed and won a medal for the country. So far, we have prepared 27 international players from this stadium. We are practising and training here with the aim of winning medals at the upcoming Commonwealth Games."

Around 41 flights at Kempegowda International Airport have been delayed since 5.30 am due to dense fog, told airport spokesperson to news agency ANI.

The US officials have announced a temporary halt on processing immigration requests from Afghan nationals following the shooting that left two National Guard members injured near the White House. US President Donald Trump came down heavily after two troops were shot at point-blank range in the national capital on the eve of the thanksgiving holiday. Calling it an act of terror, he said swift and certain action would be taken and shared that the suspect was an Afghan as per information by the Homeland security.

The Enforcement Directorate has arrested online money gaming platform WinZO founders – Saumya Singh Rathore and Paavan Nanda – on money laundering charges, officials told news agency PTI on Thursday. They were arrested in Bengaluru on Wednesday following their questioning at the zonal office of the federal probe agency, they said.

According to the police, the fire may have been spread by unsafe scaffolding and foam materials used during maintenance work, reported Reuters.

Firefighters battled one of Hong Kong’s deadliest modern blazes for a second day on Thursday as thick smoke continued to pour from the Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po, where a mid-Wednesday fire spread across seven of eight towers, leaving four under control by morning. At least 44 people -- including one firefighter -- were confirmed dead, 62 injured, and three construction company workers were arrested as rescue efforts continued, according to Associated Press.