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‘Deranged’ gunman shoots 26 dead in Texas church, Trump says not a ‘guns situation’

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8 years ago

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The Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas where 26 men were killed, 20 others injured in a gun attack on Sunday. Photo credit: CBC

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Gunman identified as 26-year-old Devin Patrick Kelley was found dead in his vehicle shortly after the attack, investigators still ascertaining his motive

A former US Air Force airman sporting tactical gear and using an assault rifle opened fire on worshippers during a Sunday morning service at a small Baptist church in the tiny, non-descript hamlet of Sutherland Springs in rural Texas. The horrifying incident left 26 people dead while 20 others parishioners were injured in this latest gun- related massacre even as US President Donald Trump sought to claim that the incident isn’t “a guns situation.”[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]The gunman was identified as 26-year-old Devin Patrick Kelley, two law enforcement officials told mediapersons in Texas on condition of anonymity; stating that  because the investigation in the tragedy was continuing. Kelley, who lived in New Braunfels, Texas, was found dead in his own vehicle shortly after the attack and several weapons were recovered from the spot.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]The motive behind Kelley – who was reportedly discharged from the US Air Force in 2014 – going on the shooting spree is yet to be ascertained though President Donald Trump declared the shooter to be a “very deranged individual” with a “mental health problem at the highest level”.

According to media reports, Kelley carried out the assault with a Ruger military-style rifle. The victims ranged in age from 5 to 72, and among the dead were several children and a pregnant woman. The Sutherland Springs tragedy has been described by the American media as “the deadliest mass shooting in Texas history.”[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Police said the gunman crossed the street in his vehicle, got out and began firing on the church goers. He then moved to the right side of the church, continuing to fire and then into the building. As he left, he was confronted by a resident who grabbed his rifle and then began to fire at him as he fled. The resident then chased the shooter who left the scene in his vehicle before leaving the road at the border with Guadalupe County.

“The exact circumstances of the gunman’s death are still under investigation. The wounded individuals were transported to San Antonio Medical Centre and University Hospital in San Antonio,” the Texas Department of Public Safety said in a statement said.

In a brief statement, the Pentagon said the suspect was an airman “at one point”. Media reports later quoted US Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek as saying that Kelley was previously a member of the US Air Force and served at the Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico from 2010 until his discharge. The Air Force did not provide a date for or condition of Kelley’s discharge from Air Force service. However, some media outlets reported that he was dishonourably discharged and court martialled in May 2014 but did not cite the grounds on which this was done.

US officials said Kelley doesn’t appear to be linked to any organised terrorist groups though investigators were in the process of looking at social media posts he may have made in the days prior to the Sutherland Springs attack.

Less than a thousand people live in Sutherland Springs and officials believe that the number of people who are injured and killed make up about ten per cent of the hamlet’s entire population.

“While the details of this horrific act are still under investigation… I want to send our sincerest thoughts and prayers to all those who have been affected by this evil act,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott said during a media briefing.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Sunday’s attack is the fifth deadliest incident of mass shooting in modern US history.

The shooting comes just a month after a gunman in Las Vegas opened fire on an outdoor music festival, killing 58 people and wounding hundreds in the deadliest mass shooting in recent US history.

On June 12, 2016, a heavily-armed gunman had opened shooting inside a nightclub in Orlando. 49 people were killed in the shooting with the attacker pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group, which later claimed its responsibility.

(With Agencies)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Bangladesh student leader killing sparks allegation against Yunus-led interim government over February polls

The killing of Bangladesh student leader Sharif Osman Hadi has led to protests and serious allegations against the Yunus-led interim government over the February national election.

Published

5 hours ago

on

December 24, 2025

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The killing of Bangladesh student leader Sharif Osman Hadi has triggered sharp political allegations, with his family accusing elements within the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of attempting to derail the country’s upcoming national election scheduled for February.

Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Moncho — a cultural platform that emerged from the July 2024 uprising — was shot at close range in Dhaka on December 12. He was later airlifted to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries on December 18. His death led to violent protests in parts of the capital, including attacks on offices of newspapers and cultural organisations.

Brother alleges political motive behind killing

At a protest gathering in Shahbagh, Sharif Osman Hadi’s brother, Sharif Omar Hadi, accused a section of the interim government of orchestrating the killing to disrupt the election process.

“You had Osman Hadi killed, and now you are trying to foil the election by using this as an issue,” Omar said while addressing protesters. He claimed that his brother was firm on holding the national election by February and did not align himself with any agency or “foreign masters”.

Omar demanded a swift and transparent trial, warning that delays would damage the election environment. He alleged that the authorities have failed to show any visible progress in the investigation so far.

“If justice for Osman Hadi is not delivered, you too will be compelled to flee Bangladesh one day,” Omar said, drawing an apparent reference to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who left the country following last year’s nationwide protests that resulted in a change of regime.

Claims of wider conspiracy surface

Leaders of Inquilab Moncho also alleged that the killing was part of a broader conspiracy to undermine the gains of the July uprising and weaken Bangladesh’s sovereignty. They claimed that international intelligence agencies and their local collaborators were involved in the murder.

The group demanded that the government identify and present the accused through an investigation meeting international standards within a fixed timeframe. They warned that protests would intensify if their demands were not met.

Protesters said demonstrations would continue until justice is delivered for Sharif Osman Hadi.

Protest plans and political developments

Leaders of Inquilab Moncho announced that they would not hold any programmes on December 25, the day when Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman is scheduled to return to the country. They expressed hope that Rahman would extend solidarity to their movement demanding justice.

The allegations and ongoing protests have added to political tensions in Bangladesh as the interim government faces growing scrutiny ahead of the proposed February election.

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H-1B visa renewal delays leave hundreds of Indian workers stranded amid US social media checks

Hundreds of Indian H-1B visa holders remain stranded after US consular interviews were delayed due to enhanced social media screening.

Published

2 days ago

on

December 22, 2025

By

visa apply

Hundreds of Indian professionals holding H-1B visas are facing unexpected uncertainty after travelling to India for routine visa renewals, only to find their US consular interviews postponed to next year due to a new social media vetting policy introduced by the US administration

Many of these workers had scheduled appointments between December 15 and 26, a window that coincided with the US holiday season. However, interviews planned for mid to late December have now reportedly been pushed to as late as March, leaving employees unable to return to their jobs in the United States.

Appointments postponed without clarity

Immigration law firms say they are dealing with a large number of affected clients. Some attorneys have described the situation as unprecedented, highlighting the lack of clarity around how long the delays may last. Workers who travelled for personal reasons, including family events, now face the risk of prolonged stays in India while their employment continues overseas.

In one reported case, a US-based professional who returned to India this month had two consular appointments scheduled in December, both of which have since expired. Experts have raised concerns over how long US employers may be willing to wait for employees whose return timelines remain uncertain.

US embassy advisory and vetting policy

Earlier this month, the US Embassy in India issued an advisory stating that applicants who arrive at a consulate on a previously scheduled interview date, after being informed of a reschedule, will not be allowed entry. Applicants have been asked to wait for their new appointment dates.

According to official communication, the delays are linked to enhanced social media screening. The policy requires visa applicants to keep their social media profiles public so authorities can assess whether any applicant poses a risk to national security or public safety. While such scrutiny earlier applied to students and exchange visitors, it has now been extended to H-1B and dependent H-4 visa applicants.

Impact on Indian professionals and tech firms

India accounts for nearly three-fourths of all H-1B visa holders, according to data released earlier this year by US immigration authorities. The current delays therefore have a disproportionate impact on Indian professionals working in the US technology and services sectors.

Some US-based technology companies have reportedly cautioned employees against international travel after learning that visa re-entry processing delays at American embassies and consulates could stretch for several months. Legal advisers have warned that overseas travel at this stage could result in extended stays outside the US.

Growing scrutiny of the H-1B programme

The social media vetting requirement is part of a broader tightening of the H-1B programme under the Donald Trump administration. The skilled worker visa pathway has faced increased scrutiny in recent months, including the imposition of a one-time fee on new H-1B visas. The US has also paused certain immigration applications from select countries following security-related concerns.

For now, affected workers and their employers are left waiting, as uncertainty continues over when regular visa processing timelines will resume.

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Hindu man lynched and set on fire in Bangladesh during anti-India protests

A Hindu man was lynched and set on fire in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district amid rising anti-India protests after the death of a radical student leader.

Published

5 days ago

on

December 19, 2025

By

Hindu man set to fire in Bangladesh

A disturbing incident of mob violence against a minority community has been reported from Bangladesh, where a Hindu man was lynched and his body set on fire amid escalating anti-India protests following the death of a radical student leader.

Mob lynching reported from Mymensingh district

A 30-year-old Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched by a mob in Bhaluka Upazila of Mymensingh district after allegations surfaced that he had insulted Islam. According to media reports, the incident took place on Thursday night at an industrial area where Das was employed.

Das was accused of making derogatory remarks about Islam and Prophet Muhammad during an event organised at his workplace to mark World Arabic Language Day. The allegations spread rapidly within the factory premises and nearby areas, leading to heightened tension.

Eyewitness accounts cited in media reports said Das was assaulted by an angry crowd and died on the spot. After his death, the mob allegedly tied his body to a tree, beat it while raising slogans, and later set it on fire.

Body burnt at multiple locations, traffic disrupted

The violence did not stop there. Reports suggest the mob later moved Das’s body to a nearby bus stand area and again set it ablaze. Subsequently, the body was taken to the Dhaka–Mymensingh highway, where it was burned once more, leading to panic among locals and a temporary disruption of traffic on the busy stretch.

Confirming the incident, the local administration said a person was killed following allegations of insulting the Prophet. Officials added that the body has been taken into police custody and the situation is being monitored.

Interim government condemns violence

The lynching took place against the backdrop of widespread protests across Bangladesh following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent leader linked to the July Uprising. The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government strongly condemned the killing, stating that there is no place for such violence in the country.

In an official statement, the government appealed to citizens to reject hatred and violence, stressing that those responsible for the crime would not be spared.

Anti-India sentiment intensifies after Hadi’s death

Tensions have been high in Bangladesh since Hadi’s death, with protests, vandalism and arson reported in several cities. Demonstrators targeted prominent media offices and symbolic locations linked to the country’s political history.

Hadi was known for his sharp criticism of India and the former prime minister, whose government was ousted during last year’s uprising. Groups formed after the political upheaval have been actively mobilising street protests and campaigns that fuel anti-India sentiment, particularly after the former premier went into exile in India.

The lynching of Dipu Chandra Das has further raised concerns over the safety of minority communities amid the ongoing unrest in the country.

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