The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that it has received enough H-1B visa petitions to meet the annual cap. The cap includes 65,000 visas for regular applicants and an additional 20,000 for individuals holding US advanced degrees. With the lottery system in place for processing petitions once the cap is exceeded, many applicants will be notified if they were not selected. USCIS will send out non-selection notices through online accounts, with the

On December 5, the Union Railway Minister shared an exciting update on India's high-speed transportation ambitions, announcing the completion of the country's first 410-meter Hyperloop test track. Located at IIT Madras' Discovery Campus in Thaiyur, this test track marks a significant milestone in the development of Hyperloop technology, a futuristic transportation system that promises to revolutionize travel. This project is the result of a collaborative effort between I

 After the passing of his mentor, the legendary Ratan Tata, Shantanu Naidu, the young manager and confidant of the billionaire philanthropist, has embarked on a new journey with his passion project, Bookies. This initiative, originally started in Mumbai, aims to reignite the joy of reading among people in today’s digital age. With successful editions already in Pune and Bengaluru, Mr. Naidu is now ready to bring Bookies to Jaipur. The launch event will be held on

On Thursday, Syrian insurgents claimed to have entered parts of the central city of Hama after intense clashes with government forces that had lasted for three days on the city’s outskirts. While Syrian state media confirmed violent clashes in the eastern areas of Hama, they denied that insurgents had breached the city itself. The city of Hama has remained under full government control throughout the ongoing civil war, which began in March 2011. Its capture would be a significant blow t

In response to improved air quality in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has eased pollution curbs. The CAQM announced the revocation of Stage-4 and Stage-3 measures of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the entire NCR, effective immediately. This decision comes after the Supreme Court allowed the relaxation, following consistent improvement in the air quality index (AQI) since November 29, with AQI levels falling below 300. Howev

The Supreme Court of India has reprimanded senior bureaucrats in Delhi, including the Chief Secretary, for the delayed payment of dues to construction workers impacted by the city's construction ban aimed at reducing pollution. The court had ordered that workers should be compensated during the ban, which was imposed on November 18, but only partial payment had been made. The government had promised ₹8,000 to over 90,000 workers, but many had only received ₹2,000 as an immediate relie

Sri Lanka has committed to completing its foreign debt restructuring by the end of December 2023, aiming to address its $46 billion external debt. After defaulting on debt in April 2022, the country has been working on rebuilding its finances with help from an IMF bailout. Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando confirmed that debt restructuring, which has been delayed for over two years, is critical for the country's economic recovery. The restructuring includes international sovereign bo

During the 15th VTB Russia Calling Investment Forum, President Vladimir Putin praised India’s economic progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, particularly the "Make in India" initiative. Putin emphasized how this initiative has helped strengthen India’s manufacturing sector and attracted foreign investments, which have significantly contributed to India’s growing global economic position. He drew parallels between India's Make in India

Public health officials in California have announced a voluntary recall of all raw milk and cream products from Raw Farm, LLC after bird flu was detected in the dairy's raw milk. The recall affects all Raw Farm raw milk and cream currently available on retail shelves statewide. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued the recall after samples from the Fresno-based dairy tested positive for bird flu on November 21. This broader recall follows earlier, limited reca

Mangal, a plumber from Khairpur in Haryana’s Sirsa district, had his life transformed overnight after winning ₹1.5 crore in a lottery. His family, who had been living in a rented home for several years, erupted in celebration as Mangal returned home with the good news. Neighbors joined the festivities, with music and sweetmeats adding to the joy of the moment. For Mangal, this victory marks the realization of a dream. He has been buying lottery tickets for over five years, a

Brian Thompson, the CEO of US-based UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot outside the New York Hilton Midtown hotel on Wednesday morning. Thompson, 50, was walking toward the hotel to deliver a keynote address at an investor conference when a gunman ambushed him. Surveillance footage captured the suspect, a white male wearing a hooded jacket and a black mask, approaching Thompson from behind and firing several shots with a semi-automatic handgun fitted with a silencer. Thompson was str

In a major move, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma declared a statewide ban on the serving and consumption of beef in restaurants, hotels, and public spaces. The decision was made following a state cabinet meeting, which included an amendment to the existing laws surrounding beef consumption. Although the consumption of beef itself is not illegal in Assam, the Assam Cattle Preservation Act of 2021 already regulates cattle transportation, slaughter, and the sale of beef in the state. Un

The Bombay High Court recently condemned the rising number of frivolous petitions filed to stall redevelopment projects, calling it the "cheapest method" to delay legitimate work. In this case, a 67-year-old tenant, Khimjibhai Patadia, filed a petition claiming tenancy rights to resist eviction from the 83-year-old Bubna bungalow in Kandivali, Mumbai. The property was set for redevelopment, with all other tenants already vacating. Patadia's claims were rejected by the court, whi

Hansika Nasanally, a remarkable 13-year-old from Wanaparthy, India, has captured attention and admiration by winning the National All-American Miss Junior Teen title. Competing against 117 contestants from across the United States, Hansika’s dedication, talent, and grace set her apart. This title is not her first achievement; over the past two years, she has won several awards, including National Level Actress for two consecutive years and Academic Achievement Winner for her outstanding

The Gauhati High Court has directed the Assam government to respond to a petition challenging the legality of the Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages and Divorces Act, 2024. The petition, filed by the All Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registrar and Kazi Association, contests the newly enacted law, which replaces the Assam Moslem Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935. The court has given the state government four weeks to respond and has stated that the issue of int

In a significant statement made in the Rajya Sabha, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the need for peace and tranquility in the border areas as a prerequisite for improving bilateral ties with China. He emphasized that both nations will engage in discussions on de-escalation and managing activities in these areas in the near future. Jaishankar shared that disengagement has been fully completed in eastern Ladakh, particularly in the regions of Depsang and Demchok. J

This morning, an attempted assassination of Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal took place at the Golden Temple, but quick action by security personnel prevented any harm. Badal, who was performing sewadar duties after being punished by Akal Takht for mistakes during the Akali Dal's tenure, was approached by a man identified as Narain Singh. Singh, who had concealed a firearm in his pocket, tried to shoot Badal but was stopped just in time. Alert sewadar personnel noticed the sh

A 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck Telangana's Mulugu district early Wednesday morning, with tremors felt in Hyderabad and parts of Andhra Pradesh. The earthquake occurred at 7:27 AM, causing panic among residents. Authorities have reported no immediate casualties or significant damage. Experts have advised residents to remain alert and avoid unsafe structures during aftershocks. “EQ of M: 5.3, On: 04/12/2024 07:27:02 IST, Lat: 18.44 N, Long: 80.24 E, Depth: 40 Km

On Monday, the Biden administration informed Congress about its decision to approve the sale of MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters and related equipment to India, valued at approximately $1.17 billion. This move is aimed at boosting India’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities, enabling the country to better deter current and future security threats. The sale includes advanced systems such as Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Joint Tactical Radio Systems (MIDS-JTRS), infrared

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law on Tuesday, accusing opposition lawmakers of undermining the state and threatening the stability of the nation’s governance. This move comes amid a fierce parliamentary conflict over the budget bill for the next fiscal year. The opposition Democratic Party has slashed key portions of the budget, including funds for national security, law enforcement, and Yoon's office, in a dispute that has paralyzed the legislative