Indiatimes

"India is now the largest source country for foreign students in the United States, as well as many other visa categories. That's a very important one for us," says Julie Stufft, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Visa Services. The US issued more than 1,40,000 visas to Indian students last year. It is thus no surprise that there has been a 35% increase in the number of Indian students moving to the US for education, according to the Open Doors Report (ODR) released recently. "We are really proud of what we have done in India this year. I think for the first time in history, we set a goal to issue one million visas in India, and not only did we accomplish that, but it was done several months in advance. So, the number will go way beyond that," said Stufft. "There are record-setting numbers this year for workers, crew members, and students applying in India to come to the United States," she added. With the recent increase in the number of Indian students…

It is a happy homecoming for the 41 construction workers after they were rescued from the Silkyara tunnel after being trapped there for 17 days. The world came crashing down for Viswajit Kumar, Subodh Kumar, Rajendra Bedia, Sukram, Tinku Sardar, Gunodhar, Sameer, Ravindra, Ranjeet, Mahadev, Bhukttu Murmu, Jamra Oraon, Vijay Horo, Ganapati - all from Jharkhand, Gabbar Singh Negi, and Pushkar - both from Uttarakhand, Saba Ahmed, Sonu Sah, Virendra Kiskoo, and Sushil Kumar - all from Bihar, Manir Talukdar, Sevik Pakhera, and Jaydev Parmanik - all from West Bengal, Akhilesh Kumar, Ankit, Ram Milan, Satya Dev, Santosh, Jai Prakash, Ram Sundar, and Manjit - all from Uttar Pradesh, Tapan Mandal, Bhagwan Batra, Viseshar Naik, Raju Naik, and Dhiren - all from Odisha, Sanjay and Ram Prasad from Assam, and Vishal from Himachal Pradesh on the morning of November 12, when a portion of the under-construction Silkyara tunnel collapsed, trapping them. After the initial shock…

As the air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region improved from severe to 'very poor', several restrictions, including restrictions on construction and polluting vehicles, have been eased. On Tuesday, the Centre ordered the revocation of restrictions under Stage III of GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect. The move paves the way for removing restrictions on the operation of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar. On Tuesday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Sub-Committee noted that the AQI of Delhi has improved about 83 points below the threshold for invoking the GRAP Stage-III actions. It further said that the AQI will likely remain in the 'very poor' category in the next few days. "Keeping in view the disruptive nature of restrictions under Stage-III of GRAP impacting a large number of stakeholders and public as well as considering the significant improvement…

Wedding invitations have come a long way. With digital versions replacing the traditional invitations, an even more bizarre approach to the wedding card has taken the internet by storm. The wedding invitation mentioned the names of the bride and groom, woven with academic finesse. The invitation belonged to Sanjana and Imon from Dhaka, Bangladesh, according to the image of the invitation going viral on the internet. In a delightful twist to the conventional wedding invitation, a vibrant Bangladeshi couple crafted a wedding announcement that's far from ordinary. Embracing their playful spirit, these lovebirds ingeniously transformed their invitation into an elaborate “research paper.” Picture this: sections titled with academic flair—title, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and references—all seamlessly integrated into the revelation of their much-anticipated wedding date. This witty presentation has not only captivated the hearts of their…

People on the internet throughout the country are praising a delivery agent who went the extra mile, physically and metaphorically, to deliver a late-night order. On Sunday, journalist Tamal Saha said that he bought lunch from Swiggy in Hyderabad after a long day. However, because he is unfamiliar with the city, Saha entered the incorrect location in the app. As a result, the delivery guy was unable to reach him; nevertheless, rather than cancelling the delivery, the agent named Mohammad Azam communicated with Saha and ensured that he received his lunch despite having to drive more than 12 kms further. The order was later delivered around 3 am by Azam. In a post on X, Saha praised Azam's professionalism and kindness, writing, "A big shout out for the agent. His name is Mohammad Azam. He restored my faith in humanity, that there are still nice people in the world. He is camera shy, yet he has captivated my heart. It will always be my favorite recollection…

A housing society ticked off people on the internet when someone posted a bizarre warning stuck beside a lift in the society. The notice stirred a heated debate on the internet as commenters started weighing in on the morality behind the actions of the housing society. The origins of the controversial notice are still unclear. However, an image of the laminated notice has been circulated far and wide on the internet. The upsetting notice was a reminder for all non-resident employees, delivery personnel, and house help frequenting the housing society. It warned them not to use the passenger lift in society and apparently asked them to stick to using the assigned lift for them. Not only that, it notified the people who did not follow this rule that they would be levied a fine of Rs 1000 if they were caught not following the instructions. According to reports, the notice was put up in a housing society in Hyderabad. However, the exact location of the society…

The air quality in Delhi improved slightly to 'very poor' on Tuesday morning, a day after the national capital received light rains. The 24-hour average AQI of Delhi was 354 at 9:00 am on Tuesday, which falls under the 'very poor' category. On Monday, the average AQI was above 400, which is categorised as severe. The national capital has recorded 10 severe air quality days this November so far. The city recorded just three severe air quality days in November last year, while it experienced 12 such days in 2021, the maximum in the month since the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) began monitoring. There were nine such days in November 2020, seven in 2019; five in 2018; seven in 2017; 10 in 2016, and six in 2015, according to CPCB. On Monday, parts of Delhi had witnessed thundershowers and hailstorms. The Safdarjung Observatory, the national capital's primary weather station, recorded 7.2 mm of rainfall till 8:30 pm on Monday. The wind speed improved…

A team of rat-hole mining 'experts' from Uttar Pradesh have joined the efforts to rescue the 41 construction workers who have been trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, since November 12. The team of 12 rat-hole mining experts has been involved in the manual drilling at the Silkyara tunnel site since Monday, after the American-made Auger machine broke down and got stuck in the drill hole on the weekend, further delaying the rescue. Rat-hole mining experts are involved in the horizontal excavation through the last 10 or 12 metres of debris. But the manual drilling through the rubble is likely to take much longer, and if the rescuers encounter any hurdle during excavation, which has often been hampered by something or the other, the operation could be delayed further. Rat-hole mining is a controversial and hazardous procedure in which miners in small groups go down narrow burrows to excavate small quantities of coal. The practice was…

Unexpectedly, scientists worldwide are struggling to understand a puzzling and unheard-of finding: an extraordinarily high-energy particle that fell to Earth. Scientists are baffled by the nature and origin of this particle, which calls into question accepted beliefs about cosmic phenomena. This surprising discovery opens up new lines of inquiry for science and poses new questions. When Toshihiro Fujii, an associate professor at Osaka Metropolitan University in Japan, first discovered the particle, he believed there "must have been a mistake." "It showed an energy level unprecedented in the last three decades," he stated. Astronomers have seen a rare, incredibly high-energy particle descend to Earth. Scientists claim that this cosmic ray, which bears the name of the Japanese sun goddess Amaterasu, is among the highest energy ever discovered. With an energy greater than 240 extra-electron volts (EeV), the Amaterasu particle is only second in history to…

If you're seeking travel inspiration for the upcoming year, Conde Nast Traveler has unveiled its selection of the best places to visit in 2024. The CNT's list encompasses diverse destinations worldwide, featuring Canada's largest province, Quebec, which earned notable recognition. Quebec stood out among the 24 highlighted places, each receiving equal ranking and individual acclaim. The list was released on 15 November 2023 by Conde Nast Traveler. Quebec's attractions are highlighted by a range of Indigenous-led experiences, including a Mohawk-operated brewery and expeditions for polar bear watching. The article specifically mentions Nunavik, Quebec's northernmost region inhabited by the Inuit. via Instagram https://instagr.am/p/C0HTA6IJV8o/

This year, about one in six students at IIM Bangalore could not secure placements - a first for IIM Bangalore. The interviews held between November 6 and November 11, 2023 for summer internships during April-May saw only 490 students securing placements - this is just over 80% of the batch. In contrast, during the previous year, all 529 students of the batch successfully secured an internship. An eight-week summer internship at the end of the first year is mandatory for the MBA Programme at IIT Bangalore, for advancing into the second year. Students with with over 34 months of past work experience can opt out of the internship, however, those students too seek internships as the opportunity involves some remuneration while also boosting their CV, and helping in their training. "As you know summer internships are in April-May. For convenience and to avoid clashes with the academic schedule, we try to complete the summer internship selection process within…

June Armstrong, a 77-year-old woman, faced a 3300 Australian dollars (Rs 1.8 lakh) fine for carrying an untouched chicken sandwich into Australia during her trip from Christchurch, New Zealand, to Brisbane. The incident occurred on May 2, as she aimed to spend time with her family. At Christchurch airport, she purchased a muffin and a gluten-free chicken sandwich. "I sat down and ate some of my muffins, and I really didn’t feel like it, so I threw the rest away, but I put the sandwich in my small backpack. I just clearly forgot. I am very forgetful, but not forgetful enough to be diagnosed with dementia," Armstrong said. The woman had planned to enjoy the chicken sandwich onboard the plane but unintentionally dozed off. Upon arrival in Brisbane, an official discovered the forgotten sandwich in her backpack during the luggage inspection. The woman, realizing her lapse, requested that the official discard the sandwich. "I said, 'Oh, I forgot about that; I’m…

After being stuck on the ocean floor for over 30 years, the world's largest iceberg, A-23a, is moving! This iceberg broke away from the Antarctic coastline in 1986 and was stuck in the Weddell Sea. However, it has finally broken free and is floating toward warmer waters. The iceberg covers an area of 4,000 square kilometers, which is nearly the same as Dubai's emirate, spanning 4,114 square kilometers. Dr. Andrew Fleming, an expert in remote sensing from the British Antarctic Survey, informed the BBC that "I asked a couple of colleagues about this, wondering if there was any possible change in shelf water temperatures that might have provoked it, but the consensus is the time has just come." "It has been grounded since 1986, but eventually it was going to decrease (in size) sufficiently to lose grip and start moving. I spotted the first movement back in 2020." According to the Guinness World Record, unlike many large icebergs that break away from Antarctica…

The Union Health Ministry has said that India is closely monitoring the outbreaks of respiratory illness among children and H9N2 avian influenza in China. "The usual causes of respiratory illness in children have been implicated, and there has been no identification of an unusual pathogen or any unexpected clinical manifestations," the Health Ministry said on Friday. The development comes at a time when China has once again been in the spotlight over a mysterious illness outbreak. The timing and nature of the pneumonia, which has been affecting children, have similarities to what happened in the country four years ago - when COVID-19 struck. According to reports, pediatric hospitals in China are getting flooded with patients complaining about respiratory issues. The outbreak has been reported from Beijing, the northeastern Liaoning province, and other areas in China. Symptoms of the illness include fever, lung inflammation without a cough, and pulmonary…

The end of the year not only brings with it some of the biggest festivals into desi households but also the crackling onset of the wedding season. The end of November and December, every year, become the bedazzled months that bring along a host of celebrations with thousands of weddings being officiated around the country every single day. And with the celebrations come the inevitable processions (Baraats) that end up blocking traffic on the streets of India. Delhi residents might face a traffic nightmare in the upcoming three weeks, starting November 23. On Thursday alone, over 15,000 ceremonies are scheduled to take place, signalling potential congestion issues. As per the Confederation of All India Traders' estimation, approximately 38 lakh weddings are anticipated to be conducted nationwide. This substantial number is expected to generate an influx of about Rs 4.7 lakh crore through wedding-related purchases and the procurement of various services by individuals…

LinkedIn, a Microsoft-owned professional networking platform, has launched a new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered job report. According to the report Future of Work: State of AI @ Work, worldwide AI conversations increased by 70% between December 2022 and September 2023. According to the survey, applications to AI and AI-related job advertisements on social media for professionals have surged by 11% globally and 5.6% in India. LinkedIn has introduced a number of AI-powered capabilities to its platform. This includes Recruiter 2024, which automates hiring; LinkedIn Learning's AI-powered coaching; and an Accelerate feature, which uses AI to build an automated B2B marketing experience. LinkedIn has begun testing a new AI-powered premium experience with a small group of premium subscribers in the United States. This experience enables users to discover hidden opportunities, become more knowledgeable about vital topics, and profit from personalised professional…

How many drinks are too many drinks? Well, one man might have an answer to this musing. A 37-year-old man garnered widespread attention for enduring what might be the world's longest-recorded hangover, spanning an astonishing 28 days. We've all experienced those rough mornings: the pounding headache, the reluctance to open our eyes, the parched mouth, and the lingering scent of one drink too many from the night before. Now, picture that intensified by a factor of two, lasting a staggering 28 days. This was the reality for one man who endured a four-week hangover after consuming a whopping 34 litres of beer. Without a history of health problems or head injuries, the man sought medical help when his unusually prolonged hangover persisted. Doctors, initially conducting a CT scan, found the patient fully alert. The scan did not indicate any concerning abnormalities associated with his persistent headache and blurred vision. However, a spinal tap revealed a substantial…

A guy has perplexed doctors after they discovered a fly buzzing about his intestines. After performing a colonoscopy on the 63-year-old patient, doctors in Missouri, US, got more than they bargained for. Earlier this year, the man went to the hospital for a normal colon cancer check. As we all know, this entails the pretty unpleasant technique of inserting a camera into the intestines to look at and make sure everything is in order. Everything appeared to be fine until physicians noticed something unusual: an actual fly on the wall of his intestines. Stunned medics saw the totally intact insect as they reached his transverse colon. There is also photographic evidence of the fly relaxing inside the bloke's inside organs. To be honest, it's rather bleak. The fly did not move when prodded, despite miraculously making its way deep into the man's body. Experts at the University of Missouri School of Medicine clearly questioned the patient to try to figure out…

Study Shows Reducing Salt Intake by 1 Teaspoon *Has Same Effect As Blood Pressure Medicine* https://ift.tt/3MYA9Wf A recent study found that reducing your daily salt intake by just one teaspoon can be as effective as taking medication to lower blood pressure. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, involved researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Northwestern Medicine, and the University of Alabama. The study also discovered that participants experienced a drop in blood pressure in the week following their adherence to the low-sodium diet. She wrote: “It is particularly exciting that the products we used in the low-sodium diet are generally available, so people have a real shot at improving their health through improving their diet in this way.” While on the low-sodium diet, participants reduced their salt intake by approximately one teaspoon daily. The Ashchi Heart & Vascular Center says one teaspoon of salt…

Air quality in Delhi dropped to "severe" again on Friday morning before improving slightly to 'very poor'. Delhi's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) was 401 at 8 am, which falls under the severe category, but it improved to 387 at 11 am, which is categorised as very poor. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", 401 and 450 "severe", and above 450 "severe-plus". Delhi has been witnessing a gradual increase in AQI levels after a marginal improvement since Sunday. The increase in AQI levels came after the Centre removed stringent curbs on Saturday, including a ban on construction work related to linear projects and the entry of polluting trucks in Delhi, following a drop in pollution levels due to favourable wind speed and direction. According to the air quality early warning system developed by the Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology…