‘Economic fury’ on Iran: US seizes Tehran’s largest crypto network amid peace talks

'Economic fury' on Iran: US seizes Tehran's largest crypto network amid peace talks

After unleashing ‘epic fury’ on Iran, the United States has launched another front to increase its pressure on the country. The United States on Tuesday sanctioned Iran’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Nobitex, and several of its senior executives, accusing the platform of helping the Iranian government and sanctioned entities circumvent Western sanctions. The move, named ‘Economic Fury’, is part of the Trump administration’s efforts to increase economic pressure on Tehran amid the ongoing conflict between the US, Iran and Israel.According to the US Treasury Department, Nobitex processed more than half of Iran’s digital asset revenues last year and played a key role in the country’s sanctions evasion network. Treasury officials alleged that the exchange helped move assets and money out of Iran after the start of U.S. combat operations, allowing the regime to protect its funds despite Internet blackouts.Those sanctioned include Amir Hossein Raad, chairman and co-founder of Nobitex, the exchange’s chief executive officer, and brothers Syed Mohammed Ali Aghmir Mohammed Ali and Syed Mohammed Aghmir Mohammed Ali.

Iranian entities under sanctions

Several Iranian crypto exchanges and officials have been sanctioned by the US:Nobitex: Iran’s largest digital asset exchange, handling more than 50% of the country’s crypto flows in 2025. The US alleges that it facilitated transactions linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), helped it evade sanctions, and enabled regime insiders to access international crypto markets.Amir Hussain Raad: Chairman, co-founder and former CEO of Nobitex. The US says he helped restore the exchange’s operations after a major hack in June 2025 and sanctioned him for his leadership role in the company.Syed Mohammad Ali Aghmeer Mohammad Ali: Co-founder of Nobitex and member of the influential Kharrazi family. The US sanctioned him for allegedly supporting the exchange.Syed Mohammad Agmir Mohammad Ali: Co-founder and Head of Blockchain at Nobitex. He was approved for his senior role at the exchange.Syed Ali Khoi: Current CEO and former Product and Marketing Director of Nobitex. The US sanctioned him as a senior official of the company.Valeex: Iran’s second-largest crypto exchange is expected to account for about 12% of the country’s digital asset flows in 2025. The US alleges that it facilitated transactions involving the IRGC.Bitpin: An Iranian crypto exchange that received approximately 10% of Iran’s crypto flows in 2025. US officials say it processed transactions linked to the IRGC, while some investors are allegedly linked to sanctions-evasion efforts.Ramzinex: The Tehran-based crypto exchange was founded in 2018. It has processed more than $2.45 billion in transactions and has been accused by the US of handling transactions involving the IRGC and a government-backed financial institution, as well as facilitating sanctions evasion.

Why has the US imposed sanctions on Iranian crypto firms?

The sanctions were imposed following an investigation that identified Nobitex as a key hub in a parallel financial system used to process millions of dollars for Iran’s central bank and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The report also found that the exchange continued to operate during a government-imposed internet shutdown, facilitating transactions worth millions of dollars.In a statement, Treasury Secretary Scott Besant said, “While Iran’s economy remains in rapid decline, the regime has chosen to co-opt digital asset technologies for its own corrupt agenda, including evading sanctions and moving funds out of the country.”The Treasury Department said that Nobitex had provided “significant support” to the Iranian government and facilitated a “significant number” of digital transactions involving both the IRGC and Iran’s central bank.“After the start of U.S. combat operations in Iran, Nobitex played a role in moving assets and funds out of Iran to protect the regime’s assets despite Internet blackouts,” the department said.US officials have repeatedly argued that Iran relies heavily on cryptocurrencies and other digital assets to avoid sanctions. Speaking at the Reagan National Economic Forum earlier this month, Besant said, “We have seized almost a billion dollars of their cryptocurrency.”The latest sanctions are part of a broader economic pressure campaign against Iran. The administration has also imposed secondary sanctions on countries doing business with individuals, companies and vessels under Iranian control, including both allies and rivals. Banks have also been warned about handling Iranian funds.Meanwhile, Tehran has halted communications with mediators regarding a possible extension of the ceasefire in the conflict with the US and Israel. However, US President Donald Trump disputed the report and said discussions were ongoing.

Source link

Europe’s most powerful queen discovered after 700 years: Archaeologists finally open Queen Elisenda’s tomb in Barcelona. world News

Europe's most powerful queen revealed after 700 years: Archaeologists finally open Queen Elisenda's tomb in Barcelona

The remains of one of medieval Europe’s most influential queens have been examined for the first time in nearly 700 years, after archaeologists opened her tomb in the royal monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes in Barcelona. Queen Elisenda of Montcada, a powerful royal figure who helped shape medieval Catalonia, was buried in an elaborate monument after her death in 1364. Recent investigations conducted as part of the monastery’s 700th anniversary celebrations revealed his skeletal remains, fragments of magnificent textiles, and new details about his life and burial. Researchers say the discovery offers a rare glimpse of female power, religious devotion and aristocratic life in 14th-century Spain.

who was the most powerful queen of Europe elisenda

Born around 1292 into the influential House of Montcada, Queen Elisenda belonged to one of the most powerful aristocratic families of medieval Catalonia. Her marriage to King James II of Aragon linked her to one of the major political powers of the western Mediterranean, whose territory extended into present-day eastern Spain and beyond.Yet Elisenda’s influence did not end with her husband’s death in 1327. While many royal widows of the time retreated from public life, she established herself in a palace next to the monastery she had founded and wielded social, political and economic authority for the next 37 years.Historical records show that he acquired extensive lands, privileges, and financial resources for the royal monastery of Santa María de Pedralbes, helping to transform it into one of the most prestigious religious institutions in medieval Catalonia. They acted as its patrons, protectors, and benefactors, overseeing its development while maintaining close ties with the royal court and regional elite.Her influence was so significant that she became one of the few medieval women able to exercise power independently of a reigning king. Historians consider her one of the most prominent female patrons of medieval Catalonia, the monastery she founded remains one of the best-preserved Gothic sites in the region.By the time of her death in 1364, Elisenda had spent nearly four decades shaping religious, political, and charitable life in Catalonia, and left behind one of the most enduring examples of women’s rights in medieval Europe.

Remarkable discovery inside his tomb

Archaeologists from the Barcelona Institute of Culture opened Elisenda’s tomb as part of a project to mark the 700th anniversary of the monastery’s founding.Inside, they found a wooden box containing his skeletal remains. Analysis revealed that the Queen was around 70 years old when she died and had likely suffered from osteoarthritis in her later years.Researchers also discovered gold-embroidered silk garments and traces of aromatic herbs along with the remains. Although Elisenda was buried under a simple religious habit, the luxurious clothing suggests that elements of her royal status were still incorporated into the burial.The findings provide rare physical evidence of how elite women were commemorated in medieval Catalonia and provide new insights into elite funerary customs.

Wooden box containing the skeleton of Queen Elisenda.

Wooden box containing the skeleton of Queen Elisenda.

Why is his grave different from any other?

One of the most extraordinary aspects of the discovery is the unique double tomb of Elisenda, which has fascinated historians for centuries.From inside the church, visitors see her presenting herself as a queen. She wears royal garb, displays the coat of arms of the Crown of Aragon and is accompanied by symbols of authority. Two small dogs appear near his feet, representing loyalty and faithfulness.However, from the cloister of the monastery, she appears as a modest religious woman dressed in simple clothes, with no outward signs of royal power.Recent investigations revealed that the monument is actually composed of two separate burial chambers divided by a wall. Historians previously believed that it was a single coffin protruding through the church wall.Researchers say this unusual arrangement was deliberately created to express her dual identity as both a sovereign ruler and a devout widow.

Find more below the monastery

The project extended beyond the queen’s tomb and included the investigation of eight medieval tombs within the monastery complex.Archaeologists recovered the remains of 25 individuals, including a grave of nine people. Among the discoveries were men who appeared to have died from knife wounds and a woman who probably died during pregnancy.One of the most remarkable discoveries was a woman’s preserved braid which was still attached to her skull centuries after burial. Researchers also recovered fragments of parchment, written documents and medieval sheet music from the tombs.These discoveries provide an unusually detailed glimpse of the lives and deaths of people associated with the monastery during the Middle Ages.

What scientists hope to learn next

Researchers are now analyzing DNA of bone and tooth samples collected from the burial.The goals are to confirm the identities of the individuals, determine whether familial relationships existed between them, and better understand their ancestry, health, and lifestyle.Scientists believe the results could help reconstruct the social network that surrounded Queen Elisenda and provide one of the most detailed biological pictures of a medieval religious community in Catalonia.The team hopes the research will reveal not only who these people were, but also how they lived, how they died and how they are remembered.The opening of Queen Elisenda’s tomb provides historians with rare physical evidence of the role of elite women in shaping medieval royal burial practices and religious institutions. The excavations have also revealed new information about life at the Monastery of Pedralbes, including the people who lived, worked and were buried there.In addition to the queen, the project also uncovered evidence of medieval health conditions, violence, pregnancy, literacy and religious life. Combined with ongoing DNA analysis, the discovery could help researchers reconstruct one of the most detailed pictures yet of the 14th-century Catalan community.For archaeologists, the discovery presents a unique opportunity to study a remarkably well-preserved royal burial while gaining fresh insight into one of the most impressive monasteries of medieval Spain.

Source link

“Bitcoin is trash”: Clavicular’s brutal Bitcoin removal sparked outrage and ridicule in the crypto world

"bitcoin is garbage": Clavicular's brutal Bitcoin removal sparked outrage and ridicule throughout the crypto world
Controversial streamer Clavicular sparked widespread backlash after calling Bitcoin “trash” and a “terrible investment” during a viral livestream. He argued that the cryptocurrency lacks intrinsic value and claimed that its biggest gains are already behind it. His comments were criticized by crypto proponents, who defended Bitcoin’s growing institutional acceptance and long-term potential. The rant also revived discussion regarding Clavicular’s past disagreements with fellow streamer Sneekko and past crypto-related controversies.

Controversial streamer Clavicular’s past reopens with viral livestream clip, Bitcoin Harsh Criticism Soon his comments went viral on social media, drawing sharp reactions from fans and foes alike, as crypto enthusiasts rushed to refute his views.The debate was a sensitive moment for the crypto market. Bitcoin’s continued attraction to institutional interest and long-term investors, and Clavicular’s apparent dismissal of the world’s largest cryptocurrency, have reignited old debates about value, risk, and the future of the digital asset.

Clavicular’s Bitcoin rant divides the crypto community

During a recent livestream, Clavicular offered one of his strongest criticisms of Bitcoin to date, arguing that the asset offers little value to investors.“I think, ‘Bitcoin is absolutely worthless. Bitcoin, don’t trust this crap. It’s a terrible investment,'” Clavicular said.The streamer questioned the fundamentals of Bitcoin and claimed that its decentralized nature made it difficult to view it as a traditional asset.“It’s not a thing. It’s not a product. It’s not anything,” he said.Clavicular also argued that Bitcoin’s historical growth has already provided most of its potential profits, suggesting that future investors should not expect the same level of returns seen during previous market cycles.His comments immediately sparked reactions online. Some traders scoffed at the criticism, seeing it as a bullish sign for Bitcoin’s future performance. Others questioned whether the influencer fully understood the property he was criticizing.“Possibly the clearest bottom signal in the history of financial markets,” one social media user wrote, while others pointed to growing institutional adoption as evidence that Bitcoin continues to gain credibility.

Bitcoin debate revives clavicular crypto controversies

The latest comments also drew attention to Clavicular’s previous public disagreements with fellow streamer Sneekko. Earlier this year, the two debated the future of Bitcoin amid market volatility.While Clavicular maintained his skepticism, Sneekko defended cryptocurrencies and encouraged diversification.“Fiat currency is not based on anything. Bitcoin is decentralized. You can’t create more Bitcoin than that,” Sneekko said.He added, “I think you should diversify.”“You must have gold, you must have silver, you must have bitcoin, you must have crypto, you must have real estate.”The renewed attention has also brought back the discussion surrounding Clavicular’s response to a failed meme coin project involving another content creator. At the time, his comments about receiving advance notice of token launches drew criticism from those who felt influencers were treating speculative crypto projects too casually.Overall, these controversies highlight the growing divide between internet celebrities and crypto investors. While outspoken creators continue to make headlines with provocative opinions, the digital asset community remains quick to challenge claims they deem misleading or uninformed. For Clavicular, the latest Bitcoin debate has once again put him at the center of an argument that shows no signs of fading.

Source link

A mathematical model tells you how ambitious you should be. This is not what conventional wisdom says

A mathematical model tells you how ambitious you should be. This is not what conventional wisdom says
Mathematical models show how ambitious you should be.

A mathematical model has now figured out to what extent a person should be ambitious and contrary to conventional wisdom, it says ‘don’t look for the stars’. Researchers at the University of Wyoming, Stanford University and the University of Colorado-Boulder came up with a mathematical model to show that ambition is in the middle – above average but limited.“Conventional wisdom tells people not to compromise, but it also tells us not to let the perfect be the enemy of the good,” says lead author Kath Landgren, a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford’s Doerr School of Sustainability. “We wanted to see if the mathematics actually supports that intuition. It does, with some interesting twists.”

What is the ambition model or model ambition?

The researchers studied a model of searching for the best available strategy – where a strategy could represent anything from a job to a business idea, a romantic partner, a public policy or a political campaign.In their study ‘Optimal Ambivalence in Business, Politics and Life’, researchers proved that people get the best results when they use a satisfaction threshold that is above average but not over the moon. The limit should neither be too high nor too low. But if it is too much, it is even worse.“We hear this contradictory advice where, on the one hand, we don’t want to settle for what we have, but on the other hand, we don’t want to chase the unattainable and be disappointed,” said Matt Burgess, an economist at the University of Wyoming.“The key insight of our work is that generally, if you try to do better than average, but not infinitely well, you will be the best.”

Key findings of the ambition study

  • A study led by Dr. Kath Landgren of Stanford’s Doerr School of Sustainability shows that being a perfectionist is detrimental to your success.
  • Tech entrepreneurs should be less ambitious relative to their market average. Some companies and billionaires push mathematical averages to sky-high heights, far higher than is normal or realistic. If you set that increased average as your ambition, you set yourself up for immediate disappointment.
  • Seeing highly successful people on social media drives change decision making efficiency. The model shows that when you look at successful people and compare yourself to them, your ability to make smart decisions decreases.

Source link

MisterBeast’s viral pilot Jabari Brown faces international investigation linked to alleged 577-pound cannabis seizure

MisterBeast's viral pilot Jabari Brown faces international investigation linked to alleged 577-pound cannabis seizure
Jabari Brown and MisterBeast (Image via Getty)

Jabari Brown, the young pilot who became famous online after winning a private jet in a MisterBeast challenge video, has now been arrested in Paraguay in a major drug trafficking investigation. Paraguayan authorities said Brown was detained in Asuncion after investigators found about 261.6 kilograms, or about 577 pounds, of cannabis allegedly belonging to a private plane that arrived from Miami. The case immediately attracted online attention as Brown had gained a large following after appearing in one of MisterBeast’s viral aviation videos.Brown became the fourth person arrested in the investigation, according to Paraguay’s National Anti-Drug Secretariat, also known as Senad. The plane landed at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, where agents allegedly discovered cannabis hidden inside several suitcases being taken off the plane, authorities said. The story becomes even more shocking for many fans as Brown was once seen as an up-and-coming young pilot after winning MisterBeast’s 2025 video “100 Pilots Fight for a Private Jet”, where he reportedly earned a Hawker 400XP aircraft worth approximately $2.4 million.

Jabari Brown’s MisterBeast success story takes unexpected turn after Paraguay investigation

For many fans, Brown’s arrest came as a complete surprise. After winning the MisterBeast contest, the then 20-year-old pilot talked about using the plane to start a charter aviation business. His online popularity grew rapidly after the video and many viewers saw him as one of the personalities to emerge from the challenge.However, his name is now being linked to one of Paraguay’s largest international trafficking investigations. SENAD officials described the seized cannabis as a “premium” variety with high THC levels. Officials also claimed that the shipment may have been destined for the Brazilian market, where the drugs could reportedly be sold for around $14,000 per kilogram.Paraguayan authorities said three other US citizens, Marisol Rivas, Anthony Vasquez and David Thomas Wise, were also arrested following the search. Investigators have not identified Brown as the owner of the aircraft involved in the case.According to SENAD, the aircraft was allegedly owned and operated by Keith Silats, an Estonian national who was reportedly associated with Bolt Mobility in the United States. Paraguayan newspaper Ultima Hora reported that Silat was believed to have left the country before his arrest.So far, neither MrBeast nor Brown’s representatives have commented publicly on the investigation. The investigation into the case continues in Paraguay.

Source link

Jailed Augusta middleman’s son demands release; Questions on additional allegations, Nirav Modi case cited

Jailed Augusta middleman's son demands release; Questions on additional allegations, Nirav Modi case cited

TOI correspondent from London: family of a British citizen Christian MichelThe alleged middleman was lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail for more than seven years. AgustaWestland helicopter scam In the case, efforts to secure his freedom have been stepped up, with his son Alois Michel calling on India to “follow its own extradition laws” and release his father. He compared his father’s case to that of fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, who is accused of defrauding PNB of Rs 13,000 crore before fleeing to Britain.Speaking to TOI over phone from Madrid, Alois (28) said the Indian government had secured Modi’s extradition from Britain by promising that he would not be interrogated in India or face additional charges. Yet, in his father’s case, they were doing the opposite, he said.Extradited from the UAE in December 2018, Michel has been behind bars for longer than the maximum sentence given under Indian laws for the crime of bribing officials to secure a helicopter supply contract for AgustaWestland in 2010. However, Indian authorities have imposed an additional charge of counterfeiting valuable security, which carries a life sentence.Michel (64) is opposing it and alleging that it is a violation of Section 21 of India’s Extradition Act, which states that no additional charges can be brought against the person for whom he has been extradited. His petition challenging the move was rejected by the Delhi High Court in April, which ruled that Article 17 of the India-UAE extradition treaty allows the addition of “related offences”. The Supreme Court will hear this matter in July.“If they complied with Section 21 (Extradition Act), my father should have been released last year because he is not charged with anything else and he had served the maximum sentence for that charge (bribery) until last July,” Alois said. “My father has asked for exactly what India is promising to Nirav Modi. Just that India has to follow its own laws. That’s all. No special treatment. No political favouritism. Just to respect its own laws and hence, enforce the same guarantees that India is giving to a British court (in Modi’s case).Alois said the family had been seeking a meeting with Indo-Pacific Minister Seema Malhotra for months. He said his brother Alaric was meeting him on Wednesday after he finally made his availability known.Michelle is also angry with the British government. Alois said his father was “fed up with the UK government not taking any action”.However, a spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “The UK Government is committed to resolving Christian Michel’s case as quickly as possible. We will continue to provide consular assistance to Mr Michel and his family and have consistently raised his case directly with the Government of India.”

Source link

DabernutPeanut: DabernutPeanut Responds to Fortnite Collab Rumors After Epic Teaser Sparks Debate

The BurntPeanut Responds to Fortnite Collaboration Rumors After Epic Teaser Sparks Debate

Popular streamer TheBurntPeanut has finally answered several questions about the rumored Fortnite collaboration. The discussion started after Epic Games shared the first image of Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 3 on May 31. Fans immediately noticed a tiny peanut-sized sidekick in the photo who looked very similar to DurbanPeanut.The image immediately got people talking online. While many fans were excited about the potential crossover, others were unhappy. Some players shared old clips which they claimed showed the streamer using a homophobic slur while playing Escape from Tarkov. Because of this, some Fortnite players asked Epic Games to cancel the rumored collaboration.

TheBurntPeanut says he knows nothing about Fortnite collaboration rumors

After the teaser was released, viewers repeatedly asked TheBurnPeanut about a possible Fortnite crossover during one of his livestreams. However, the streamer declined to confirm whether he would appear in the game or not.“I don’t know anything about Fortnite, stop asking me. I don’t know anything,” he said several times as viewers kept bringing up the topic in the chat.The streamer also joked with his viewers and talked about other projects he is working on. He told the audience that he is always busy creating new things behind the scenes for his community.“Guys, I’m always working on cool things behind the scenes for you guys. I have 100 things going on at once behind the scenes,” He said. “Bangulator takes care of you boys, I have stuff ready at all times.”Fans also noticed another interesting thing. During the stream, The BurntPeanut’s avatar wore a hat similar to the peanut-shaped sidekick shown in the teaser image for Fortnite’s Chapter 7 Season 3. This gave further fuel to the rumours.Even though TheBurntPeanut continued to say that he knows nothing about Fortnite, another comment further strengthened the rumors. Senior Director of Fortnite “Epictofu Chris” It has reportedly been confirmed that the character shown in the teaser image was indeed based on TheBurntPeanut.Because of that statement, many fans believe that the streamer will appear in Fortnite when the new season launches. Neither Epic Games nor TheBurnPeanut have officially revealed full details about the crossover yet.For now, players will have to wait for more information. While TheBurntPeanut is denying any information about the project, the teaser image and comments from Epic Games have convinced many fans that a collaboration is on the way.

Source link

Lottiergod: Lottiergod has reportedly secured a restraining order against the mother of his child

Lottiergod has reportedly secured a restraining order against the mother of his child

Popular fighting game streamer LottierGod, also known as LTG, has reportedly received a restraining order against the mother of his child following a recent civil court hearing. Reports say the streamer attended the hearing without a lawyer and was still able to convince the judge to grant the order. The news quickly spread online and became a major topic of discussion among fans and critics.The court case was reportedly about harassment and unwanted contact. According to reports, Lottiergaud argued that the mother of his child was connected to people online who criticized and targeted her for years. After hearing the case, the judge decided there was enough evidence to grant the restraining order, although full details have not yet been made public.

Lottiergod reportedly granted restraining order after civil court hearing

Although the court granted a restraining order, important details about it remain unknown. The exact type of the order, how long it will last and what restrictions it includes have not been confirmed. In general, restraining orders prevent a person from contacting someone directly, communicating through other people, interacting online, or getting physically close to them.Reports said the hearing was not related to any child support or child custody dispute. The fact that Lottiergod and the woman share a child was mentioned only as part of the background to the case.During the hearing, the judge reportedly made comments about some of Lottiergaud’s previous public statements regarding his daughter. However, despite those comments, the judge still found enough evidence to grant a protective order.LottierGod has been a well-known figure in the fighting game community for many years. He is known for playing Street Fighter, sharing strong opinions online, and being involved in many viral moments. Over the years, he has also worked with a large group of online critics who regularly follow, clip, and discuss his content.The court hearing attracted online attention because civil court records are often available to the public. In many places, hearings are live streamed or uploaded online, making it easy for viewers to know about the proceedings immediately after them.At present, many issues still require clarification as the case records have not yet been properly examined. However, based on the information available so far, all that can be said about the case is that Lottiergod has won a restraining order against the mother of his child.

Source link

Indian man deported from New Zealand after being caught in underage sex ring says he will face stigma upon returning home

Indian man deported from New Zealand after being caught in underage sex ring says he will face stigma upon returning home
Indian man will be deported from New Zealand after being caught in an underage sex ring. (Photo: NZ Herald)

An Indian man, Nishant Parakudiyil Prahaladan, is facing deportation from New Zealand after he pleaded guilty to having sex with a 13-year-old girl he thought was 19. The 25-year-old migrant worker contacted the girl once in 2023 and paid her $250. He tried to call the girl again by sending a message but could not find her. As soon as the gang was busted, he was arrested and charged with contracting a minor to provide sexual services, to which he pleaded guilty.In 2025, he asked for release without conviction because it would affect his visa status. But he was convicted and sentenced to six months and two weeks of home detention. As a result of that conviction, Immigration New Zealand served him a deportation liability notice. After the review was refused, Prahladan appealed to the Immigration and Protection Tribunal on humanitarian grounds.Prahladan filed an appeal and said that he confessed to his crime without understanding. He said he was sending money for his mother’s cancer treatment in India. He also said that if he returned to India he would face stigma and boycott. He may become a victim of vigilante groups and will struggle to find work in India.The tribunal decided that these factors were not strong enough to cancel his deportation and decided that he would be repatriated to India. The tribunal said he could face stigma if his conviction in India became known, but said he could relocate elsewhere in India to make a fresh start.The Tribunal ruled, “Leaving New Zealand earlier than he planned would be distressing and disappointing for the Appellant, but the Tribunal considers that he has not established circumstances which, individually or cumulatively, reach the high threshold of exceptional circumstances of a humanitarian nature.” “Furthermore, the return to India would be a return to a country with which he is familiar and maintains close family and cultural ties.However, the tribunal granted a six-month work visa to allow Prahladan to stay in New Zealand temporarily to organize his affairs and continue supporting his family before returning to India. “There are clear indications that the appellant is unlikely to re-offend. Therefore, he is unlikely to pose a risk to the public in the further period in which he will be able to reside.”

Source link

Good news for Indian travelers: Transit visa not required for stopover at airports in Germany

Good news for Indian travelers: Transit visa not required for stopover at airports in Germany
Indian travelers will not require transit visa for stopover at any German airport from June 3.

Germany announced that Indian citizens will no longer require a transit visa while traveling to another country with a stopover at a German airport. The new rule will come into effect from June 3. “This implements the outcome of Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to India in January this year. It underlines the commitment of the federal government to deepen German-Indian relations, facilitate the movement of people and further strengthen economic ties,” the German Embassy said in a statement.

What is a transit visa? What does this mean for Indian travelers?

When you travel from country A to country B and stop in country C in between, you may need a visa only for the stop in country C. This is called transit visa.Before Germany, France had removed the transit visa requirement for India. It came into effect on April 10, 2026. France became the first Schengen country to completely abolish transit visas for Indian citizens, although Germany was the first to announce the same in January. France announced this decision after President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to India in February. During Macron’s visit, France announced a six-month pilot scheme to allow Indian passport holders to transit through French airports without ATVs. The pilot was effective immediately. The pilot bailed out successfully. Airlines updated boarding systems, Paris CDG reported no compliance issues, and transit bookings by Indian passengers through French airports increased significantly. In April, France lifted the transit visa requirement.

Removal of transit visa does not mean visa-free entry

Removing transit visas does not mean travelers can enter the country. They are allowed to stay only in the transit zone. They cannot go out of the airport.

Source link