Indian student killed in US, suspect held in Texas
HOUSTON, Oct 7: A 23-year-old Texas man, Richard Florez, has been arrested for the murder of Indian student Chandrashekar Pole, 28, at a Fort Worth gas station. Florez allegedly shot Pole before fleeing the scene and later attempted to fire at another vehicle and crashed into a gate. He was arrested shortly after, with a firearm recovered from his vehicle. The motive for the shooting remains unclear. Pole, who had recently completed a Master’s degree and worked part-time at the gas station, was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident has raised safety concerns for international students in the U.S., particularly those working late hours. The Indian Consulate is assisting in the repatriation of Pole’s remains, with a GoFundMe campaign initiated to support his family amid ongoing investigations and community fear regarding violence against Indian students. (PTI)
Pak pledges full security for Sikh pilgrims
LAHORE, Oct 7: Pakistani authorities are implementing comprehensive security arrangements for Sikh pilgrims visiting the country to celebrate the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev from November 4 to 14, with the main ceremony on November 5 at Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib. Key attendees at a meeting held by the Punjab government’s Home Department included Punjab’s first Sikh minister Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora and other officials, who discussed ensuring safety, medical services, transportation, and accommodation for the pilgrims. Around 3,000 Sikh pilgrims from India are expected under a bilateral agreement, despite travel restrictions due to recent tensions following an armed conflict in May. Arora has requested the Indian government to permit pilgrims’ travel to Pakistan and directed local departments to finalize arrangements in a timely manner, including increased immigration counters at the Wagah border. Additionally, measures will prohibit the sale of items contrary to Sikh religious principles in gurdwara areas. ETPB head Sajid Mahmood Chauhan emphasized hospitality towards Sikh guests and suggested local Sikh doctors volunteer for medical assistance during the celebrations. The yatrees will also visit Kartarpur Sahib and other gurdwaras in the Punjab region. (PTI)
Madrid building collapse injures three, number of others missing
MADRID, Oct 7: A building under renovation in central Madrid partially collapsed on Tuesday, injuring three construction workers and leaving an unknown number of others missing, Spanish emergency services said. None of the injured were in serious condition, according to emergency services. Firefighters said that “several floors” have collapsed. Police were also at the scene. In a video posted on X by emergency services, the building’s facade was covered by a huge green tarp typically used by construction crews when renovating older buildings. (AP)
