Bank of America vice-president Erin Piacenti was fatally stabbed in New York City’s Times Square in what authorities described as a random and unprovoked attack.

Piacenti, 32, was among two people stabbed in the incident near West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue on August 31. She was taken to a hospital but later died from her injuries. The other victim, a 68-year-old man, survived and was reported to be in stable condition.

Who was Erin Piacenti?

Piacenti worked as a vice-president at Bank of America in its business selection and conflicts unit. She was also a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Fordham Law School.

According to reports, Piacenti was a new mother and had recently returned to work following maternity leave. She had also recently marked her second wedding anniversary with her husband.

Bank of America expressed shock and sadness over her death, describing Piacenti as a valued colleague and extending condolences to her family and loved ones.

What happened in Times Square?

The stabbing took place at around 4:24 pm local time, according to the New York Police Department.

Police identified the alleged attacker as 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros. Authorities said she was carrying two large knives and attacked two people before confronting responding officers.

Police attempted to stop Cisneros, including using Tasers, but she continued advancing towards officers with the knives. Officers then opened fire, and Cisneros was later pronounced dead.

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the attack appeared to be random and unprovoked. Police also said Cisneros had a documented history of mental health issues. The motive remains under investigation.

Bank of America reacts to employee’s death

Bank of America said it was “shocked and deeply saddened” by Piacenti’s death and said she would be greatly missed.

The bank’s security teams are also supporting the police investigation and addressing security concerns involving its offices and employees.

Piacenti’s death has left her family, colleagues and friends mourning the loss of a young professional who had recently returned to work after becoming a mother.

The United States has begun strikes against Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets in Iran, following what the US military described as attempted attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and American service members deployed in the Middle East.

US Central Command said US forces began the strikes at 12 pm ET on Tuesday, which was 9:30 pm IST. The announcement came as tensions continued to rise between Washington and Tehran.

Iranian state media, meanwhile, reported that four projectiles hit areas in the Chabahar and Konarak counties, east of the Strait of Hormuz. No information about damage from those projectiles was specified.

Iran warns of retaliation

IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebi warned that Washington would regret the latest attacks and said severe punishment awaited the aggressors.

The Strait of Hormuz remains closed, while the US continues its counter naval blockade of Iranian ports, according to the report.

The latest US strikes followed an earlier attack on Iran’s Larak Island on Sunday. The US said it targeted Iranian rocket launchers there to prevent Iran from planting further mines in the shipping lane.

Iran subsequently launched missiles at US bases in Jordan, which were intercepted. The United Arab Emirates also said it had stopped an Iranian drone over its waters.

Trump warns of ‘biggest attack’

US President Donald Trump warned Iran against retaliating for the latest strikes.

Trump said Iran would face attacks at a “much harder and higher” level if it responded, adding that the latest action would not be the biggest attack planned by the US.

Trump had earlier said that US and Israeli bombardment had left Iran’s leadership dead, its military devastated and its economy in ruins. He nevertheless indicated that further strikes could be carried out.

US weighs economic pressure on Iran

The renewed fighting comes after Trump had shifted attention last month towards economic pressure on Iran.

The US president had announced an “economic D-Day” strategy involving sanctions against Iran, with his administration arguing that targeting the country’s economy could push Tehran towards a breaking point.

At the same time, the report noted concerns over diminishing US stockpiles of advanced weapons and the domestic political impact of the war ahead of the November midterm elections.

The US government has proposed removing employment authorisation for certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B visa holders, a move that could significantly affect Indian families living in the country.

The proposal seeks to reverse a rule introduced in 2015 that allowed eligible H-4 spouses to obtain an Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) and work legally in the US. However, the proposal has not yet become a final rule.

Indian H-4 spouses could be among the hardest hit

Data on H-4 EAD applications from 2014 to 2017 showed that 93 per cent of approvals went to Indian nationals, while 94 per cent of those Indian beneficiaries were women.

Indian families could therefore face a significant impact if the proposal eventually takes effect. Indian nationals accounted for about 71 per cent of approved H-1B petitions in fiscal year 2024, according to data cited in the report.

What does the US proposal say?

The plan, listed on the US government’s regulatory information website, is titled “Removing H-4 Dependent Spouses From the Classes of Noncitizens Eligible for Employment Authorisation.”

The Department of Homeland Security has included it in its long-term regulatory agenda. No date has yet been set for its release as a formal proposed rule.

The proposal would reverse changes made under the 2015 rule that extended employment authorisation eligibility to certain H-4 dependent spouses.

H-4 work permits will not end immediately

The proposed change does not immediately take away the right to work from H-4 spouses.

For the proposal to become effective, the Department of Homeland Security would first have to publish a formal Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register. It would then have to allow public comments before issuing a final rule.

Until that process is completed, H-4 spouses holding valid EADs can continue working under the existing rules.

What is an H-4 visa?

An H-4 visa allows eligible spouses and children of H-1B visa holders to live in the US. The visa itself does not provide work authorisation.

Eligible H-4 spouses need a separate EAD to work legally. Under the current rules described in the report, this employment authorisation is available to spouses whose H-1B partners meet certain green-card-related requirements.

The latest proposal would seek to remove H-4 dependent spouses as a category eligible to request this employment authorisation.

Not the first attempt to change H-4 work rules

The US government had previously attempted to remove employment authorisation for certain H-4 spouses during Donald Trump’s first term.

That proposal was not finalised and was ultimately withdrawn in 2021. The latest proposal represents another attempt to reverse the H-4 EAD policy.