1200 evacuated as Eiffel Tower catches fire

PARIS, Dec 24: The Eiffel Tower in Paris was evacuated on Tuesday morning after a fire broke out in one of its elevator shafts between the first and second floors, euronews reported.

Around 1,200 tourists were evacuated following reports of the blaze, which was caused by an overheating cable in the lift shaft. Firefighters struggled to access the flames, but the fire was extinguished by midday.

The iconic landmark, which attracts between 15,000 and 25,000 visitors daily, had its access restricted during the operation.

The evacuation occurred just hours after a separate fire broke out at a building near the St Lazare train station, caused by an accident at a construction site.

This fire incident reminds of the 1956 blaze in the Eiffel Tower's TV control room, which caused severe damage and required a year for repairs.

It also follows the catastrophic 2019 fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. On December 8, the archbishop of Paris symbolically reopened the restored 12th-century landmark by knocking on its doors and stepping inside.

Shyam Benegal, India's Parallel Cinema Pioneer, Dies At 90

MUMBAI, Dec 23: Shyam Benegal, who heralded the Indian parallel cinema movement in the 1970s and 1980s with a body of work known for its realism and social commentary, breaking away from the conventions of mainstream Indian cinema - has died at 90.

The legendary filmmaker is survived by wife Nira Benegal and daughter, Pia Benegal.

He was admitted to the intensive care unit at Mumbai's Wockhardt Hospital, just days after he turned 90 on December 14.

His daughter Pia Benegal said her father was suffering from chronic kidney disease.

"He passed away at 6.38 pm at Wockhardt Hospital Mumbai Central. He had been suffering from chronic kidney disease for several years but it had gotten very bad. That's the reason for his death," Ms Pia said.

On his 90th birthday, Shyam Benegal said he had been working on two-three projects.

"We all grow old. I don't do anything great (on my birthday). It may be a special day but I don't celebrate it specifically. I cut a cake at the office with my team," he had said.

Despite the physical challenges that come with age, including frequent hospital visits for dialysis three times a week, Shyam Benegal was committed to his passion for filmmaking till the very end.

"I'm working on two to three projects; they are all different from one another. It's difficult to say which one I will make. They are all for the big screen," he said on December 14.

His most recent film was the 2023 biographical 'Mujib: The Making of a Nation'.

In his prolific career, Shyam Benegal made films on diverse issues, documentaries and television serials, including 'Bharat Ek Khoj' and 'Samvidhaan'. His films include 'Bhumika', 'Junoon', 'Mandi', 'Suraj Ka Satvaan Ghoda', 'Mammo' and 'Sardari Begum', most counted as classics in Hindi cinema.

He was born in Hyderabad to Sridhar B Benegal, a prominent photographer. He was also the second cousin of the legendary Indian auteur Guru Dutt.

Shyam Benegal started his career as a copywriter, and made his first documentary film in Gujarati, 'Gher Betha Ganga' in 1962. His first four feature films 'Ankur' (1973), 'Nishant' (1975), 'Manthan' (1976) and 'Bhumika' (1977) made him a pioneer of the new wave film movement of that period.

He also served as the Director of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) from 1980 to 1986.

His film 'Mandi' (1983), is known for its satire on politics and prostitution. The film starred Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil. Later, working from his own story, based on the last days of Portuguese in Goa, in the early 1960s, Shyam Benegal explored human relationships in 'Trikal'.

US announces new rules to streamline H-1B visa appointments

NEW DELHI, Dec 19: The US Embassy in India, beginning from January 1, 2025, will implement new regulations for scheduling and rescheduling non-immigrant visa appointments, including those for H-1B visas, aimed at streamlining the process and reducing wait times.

This announcement on the US embassy's official Instagram post, comes soon after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unveiled new rules to modernize the US H-1B visa process, allowing applicants to fill job vacancies in critical sectors swiftly.

Under the new visa appointment rules, applicants can reschedule their appointments once without paying additional fees. However, if they miss their rescheduled appointment or need to reschedule more than once, they must book a new appointment and pay the fees again.

“These changes will make it easier and faster for everyone to get appointments,” the embassy stated in their post, requesting all applicants to attend their scheduled appointments to ensure that the process remained smooth and efficient.

Another move taken to make the visa process faster and curb misuse has been the revamped H-1B visa regulations under the Biden administration, which will also come into effect on January 17, 2025.

Applicants for H-1B visas will now have to show that their degree is directly related to their job, to ensure that there is no misuse of the programme.

The new rules have also authorised immigration officials to process extension requests based on prior approvals, to streamline the process. They will also have the power to conduct compliance checks in the workplace more often.

One of the new rules also allows people with previous applications to avoid in-person interviews and use their earlier records through the Interview Waiver Programme, which also makes the process much quicker for applicants.

Tabla Maestro Zakir Hussain passes away at 73

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec 16: Tabla Maestro Zakir Hussain has passed away at the age of 73 in San Francisco from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an official statement from his family confirmed on Monday.

The legendary Tabla virtuoso leaves behind a legacy that is cherished and respected by countless music lovers across the world, with an influence that will be reflect in generations to come.

Hussain is survived by his wife, Antonia Minnecola, his daughters Anisa Qureshi and her family, Isabella Qureshi and her family, his brothers Taufiq and Fazal Qureshi, and his sister Khurshid Aulia.

Earlier on Sunday, Hussain's friend and flautist Rakesh Chaurasia had said that the Tabla legend was admitted to the San Francisco hospital's ICU with heart-related problems.

In the official statement on Hussain's passing on Monday, his family said, "His prolific work as a teacher, mentor and educator has left an indelible mark on countless musicians. He hoped to inspire the next generation to go further. He leaves behind an unparalleled legacy as a cultural ambassador and one of the greatest musicians of all time."

Notre Dame reopens 5 years after fire

PARIS, Dec 8: The Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, struck the doors of Notre Dame Cathedral three times with his crozier on Saturday, reopening the restored building. Inside, a psalm was sung in response to the ritual.

Minutes before, the cathedral's bells rang out. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed guests, including US President-elect Donald Trump, at the ceremony held five-and-a-half years after a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 860-year-old structure.

The restoration of Notre Dame has brought the cathedral back to its former state. The new spire, rib vaulting, flying buttresses, and carved stone gargoyles have been carefully restored. The white stone and gold decorations now shine once again.

One of the most poignant moments of the ceremony came when the crowd rose to their feet in a long, heartfelt standing ovation for the 160 firefighters who had risked everything to save Norte Dame.

As the 13-ton Emmanuel bell rang out across Paris, Macron began his address. “Tonight the bells of Notre Dame ring again,” he said, calling them “the bells that have accompanied our history”. He expressed the “gratitude” of the French nation to those who saved and rebuilt the cathedral.

Macron emphasised the “fraternity” required for the restoration. “Every bit of it was necessary,” he said. “We have rediscovered what great nations could do: achieve the impossible.” He added that the cathedral is a reminder of a history that can vanish at any moment.

He concluded his speech with: “Long live Notre-Dame de Paris, long live the French Republic, long live France.”

Trump, who sat next to Macron, greeted British Prince William and other heads of state and government as he made his way to the front of the cathedral.

Earlier, guests stood and applauded as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy entered. Among those attending were Tesla billionaire Elon Musk, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and former French presidents François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy.

Man, 100, Marries 102-Year-Old Woman, Become World's Oldest Married Couple

PHILEDELPHIA, Dec 8: A couple from Philadelphia has set a Guinness World Record by becoming the world's oldest newlyweds. Bernie Littman, aged 100, and Marjorie Fiterman, aged 102, got married earlier this year, with their combined ages totalling an extraordinary 202 years and 271 days, as confirmed on December 3 by the Guinness World Records.

The centenarian couple's love story began at a senior living facility in Philadelphia, where they both resided. They met nine years ago at a costume party held on their floor and quickly developed a romantic connection. Their journey together culminated in a wedding ceremony held on May 19, at the very same facility where their relationship began.

Both Bernie and Marjorie had lived rich and fulfilling lives, having been married to their respective spouses for more than six decades before becoming widowed. Despite attending the University of Pennsylvania simultaneously in their youth, they never crossed paths until fate brought them together in their later years. Bernie became an engineer, while Marjorie pursued a career as a teacher.

When announcing the centenarians' wedding, Littman's granddaughter, Sarah Sicherman, told the Jewish Chronicle, “With so much sadness (and) fear in the world, it's nice to be able to share something that brings people joy.”

She shared in a post: "Today my 100-year-old grandfather married his 102-year-old girlfriend! Bernie Littman and Marjorie Fiterman live on the same floor of a senior living facility in Philadelphia. They both had 60-plus years of marriage to their first spouses and found love again at 100 years old!”

Rabbi Adam Wohlberg, who officiated the wedding, told Fox News, “Most of the couples I marry these days met on some kind of dating app. I much prefer the old ways. You live in the same building, you bump into each other, and you fall in love.”

The couple's bond deepened over shared meals and their active participation in the community's events, including theatrical productions. Bernie attributes his longevity and happiness to his love of reading and staying informed, while Marjorie credits buttermilk as her secret to a long life.

The wedding ceremony was a personal affair, attended by four generations of Bernie's family. Held under a traditional Jewish chuppah at their senior living facility, the couple exchanged vows in the presence of loved ones and well-wishers. Both Bernie and Marjorie were escorted to the ceremony in their wheelchairs, beaming with joy as they began this new chapter together.

UK introduces grace period for eVisa transition until March 2025

LONDON, Dec 6: The UK on Wednesday introduced a grace period until March 2025, during which time expired physical documentation will be accepted for international travel as visa holders make the transition to an entirely online eVisa system.

As part of an ongoing Home Office drive, all visa holders – including many Indians – using a physical biometric residence permit (BRP), a passport containing a visa vignette sticker or ink stamp confirming their “indefinite leave to enter/remain” in the country, or biometric residence card (BRC) as evidence of their immigration rights, were given until the end of December to make the switch to an eVisa.

While the Home Office claims over 3.1 million people have already switched over to an eVisa, there are believed to be several others who have been unable to meet the year-end deadline – having encountered technical issues, among other reasons.

“For those who are yet to switch to an eVisa, a wide range of guidance and support is available,” said Seema Malhotra, UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship.

“I have been listening to feedback from visa holders, stakeholders and MPs, and we are continually streamlining and adapting to ensure this is a smooth transition. As part of that, I am pleased to confirm greater flexibility on carriers accepting expired documents to smooth the transition for those travelling internationally without compromising on border security,” she said.

A majority of the BRPs are set to expire towards the end of this year and are being automatically transitioned online in phases, to be accessed by creating and logging into a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) online account.

Now, as a “fallback” to help ensure a smooth transition to eVisas, airlines and other carriers will be able to accept BRPs and BRCs expiring on December 31, 2024, or later as evidence of permission to travel to the UK, provisionally until March 31 next year. The Home Office said this date will be kept “under review” and passengers will remain subject to the usual immigration checks and requirements.

“Anyone seeking to enter the UK whose underlying immigration status has expired will be liable for refusal of entry,” the Home Office said.

It issued another appeal this week for paper visa holders to access the eVisa network through the GOV.UK online system and make the switch.
Anyone with indefinite leave to remain who uses an ink stamp or vignette in a passport to prove their rights can continue to use their documents for another three months and are encouraged to make a “No Time Limit application” to access an eVisa.

“It is free and straightforward to switch to an eVisa, which offers greater convenience. An eVisa cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with, and allows visa holders to instantly and securely prove their immigration rights. Switching won’t change, impact or remove someone’s current rights or immigration status,” the Home Office said.

It flagged a series of support measures in place for anyone encountering any issues during the transition period, including a 24/7 chatbot and helplines.

Using a phased approach to implementing digital services, the Home Office intends that by 2025 most people will have a “secure and seamless digital journey” when interacting with the UK’s immigration system.

With an eVisa, it is also hoped that fewer people will need to leave their passports with the Home Office while awaiting a decision on their immigration status. eVisas also mean that migrants do not need to make trips to collect documents like BRPs or wait for these documents to be sent to them, saving them on renewal fees.

The process launched in April this year under the previous Conservative government, with BRP holders emailed directly with instructions on how to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa.

It has since been implemented by the Labour government, which has been warned by some digital rights experts of potential discrimination against those unable to prove their British residency rights as a result of glitches in the rollout of the eVisa system.

The government has dismissed the concerns and stressed that the three-month transition window until March 2025 would help address any small number of visa holders impacted.

British passport holders and Irish citizens, including those who previously held an immigration status but have since acquired British citizenship, are not impacted.

US Embassy, Consulates In India Hold 'Super Saturday' To Reduce Visa Wait Times

NEW DELHI, Dec 6: The United States Embassy in New Delhi and Consulates in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad will open consular operations on Saturday, December 7, to accommodate applicants requiring in-person visa interviews, officials said on Friday.

The US Mission in India launched a series of special Saturday interview days in January earlier this year as part of a larger effort to reduce wait times for first-time visa applicants.

According to an official statement this fourth 'Super Saturday' is an innovative way to keep pace with the growing demand for travel between the United States and India. The participating posts will employ the maximum resources to conduct the most visa interviews on the Super Saturday.

These additional interview days are just one component of a multi-pronged initiative to address the burgeoning demand in India for travel to the United States, the statement said. The Department of State has implemented remote processing of interview waiver cases for applicants with previous US visas and is also increasing the number of consular officers permanently assigned to the Embassy and Consulates.

Mark McGovern, Consul General at the US Embassy New Delhi said, "This year, we have already processed more than one million visas across India, and we are so excited to be here for the fourth 'Super Saturday'."

"But our work isn't just about the numbers; each visa means a family reunified, a business deal made, a new educational experience, or a tourist visiting America for the first time," McGovern said.

"The people-to-people ties between the United States and we certainly understand that so is the demand for visas," he added.

"That's why we're working overtime to keep the momentum going, even if it means coming in on a Saturday. Knowing that we can have that kind of impact makes this job so rewarding," he said.

10-year-old Indian-British boy, Krish Arora, scores IQ higher than Einstein and Hawking

LONDON, Dec 2: 10-year-old Krish Arora from Hounslow, West London, has stunned the world with an IQ of 162, surpassing the legendary minds of Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking, whose IQs are estimated to be around 160.

From a young age, Krish demonstrated exceptional abilities, reading fluently by four and solving complex math problems in a blink.

His parents Mauli and Nischal, both from engineering backgrounds. Recently accepted into Mensa, the top society for high-IQ individuals, Krish is a genius in extracurricular activities as well.

Krish Arora’s parents proudly share that their young prodigy is not only a whiz at chess and math puzzles but excels in virtually every area he turns his attention to—often besting them within minutes. When Krish was just 4, his parents began realizing that they had raised a genius.

“He was reading very early, so when he was four he was fluently reading and was doing complex decimal divisions around that time. His spellings were also really good for his age. So we did see the sparks,” his mother told My London.

Incredibly, despite having only played chess for four months, Krish was already able to defeat his mentor, a player with an impressive FIDE rating of 1600. Beyond chess, Krish also has a natural talent for the piano and is a frequent go-to tutor for his friends, who often seek his help with schoolwork. His teacher, recognising his exceptional skills, has even started assigning Krish to assist classmates, particularly in math lessons.

Krish recently shared his excitement with The Sun about being accepted into Mensa. He revealed that his IQ surpasses even Einstein's. Mensa uses the Cattell III B test to assess reasoning and mental agility, with scores above 160 indicating genius-level intelligence.