<p>In 2020, the Asian Indian population in the United States became the largest Asian-only group, marking a remarkable growth of over 50 per cent since 2010, with a total of 4,397,737 individuals. Chinese Americans still hold the top spot in overall Asian people.&nbsp;When considering individuals who identify as either a single race or multiracial, Chinese Americans (excluding Taiwanese) continue to hold the top spot as the most populous Asian identification, with a total of 5.2 million people.</p>

<p>The next four largest Asian alone or in any combination groups and their population growth from 2010 to 2020 are Filipino alone or in any combination, 4,436,992 (up 29.9 per cent), Vietnamese alone or in any combination, 2,293,392 (up 32.0 per cent), Korean alone or in any combination, 1,989,519 (up 16.6 per cent) and Japanese alone or in any combination, 1,586,652 (up 20.6 per cent).</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-where-does-hamas-acquire-its-weapons-understanding-the-sources-and-transit-routes-643953">From where does Hamas acquire its weapons? Understanding the sources and transit routes</a></p>

<p>While most Asian groups experienced population growth, the Japanese alone population and the Laotian alone population were exceptions, as they both saw a decrease in their numbers during the past decade.</p>

<p>"The Japanese alone population and the Laotian alone population were the only detailed Asian groups to experience a decrease during the decade but their alone or in any combination populations increased by 20.6 per cent&nbsp;and 9.5 per cent&nbsp;respectively."&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Nepalese Americans, fastest growing Asian group</strong></h2>

<p>The Nepalese population exhibited the most significant growth, surging by over 250 per cent. They were the fastest-growing Asian group, both in the Asian alone and Asian alone or in any combination categories, among populations exceeding 50,000 in 2010.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/isro-gently-steers-sun-study-mission-aditya-l1-as-it-cruises-to-its-destination-643931">ISRO gently steers Sun-study mission Aditya-L1, as it cruises to its destination</a></p>

<p>The Nepalese alone population increased by an astonishing 295.5 per cent, rising from 51,907 in 2010 to 205,297 in 2020.<br />
<br />
The Nepalese population, whether alone or in any combination, grew from 59,490 to 219,503, marking a 269.0 per cent increase over the decade.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-palestine-conflict-hamas-attack-lays-bare-intelligence-gaps-643947">Israel-Palestine Conflict: Hamas attack lays bare intelligence gaps</a></strong></p>

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<p>“It is momentous,” Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder of nonprofit group AAPI Data reportedly said.</p>

<p>“Americans’ perception of who is Asian is still very much informed by demographic patterns from a century ago. They think of East Asians as quintessentially Asian and are less likely to think of South Asians as Asian … Well, the demographic realities have shifted away from the stereotype.”</p>

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In 2020, the Asian Indian population in the United States became the largest Asian-only group, marking a remarkable growth of over 50 per cent since 2010, with a total of 4,397,737 individuals.

In 2020, the Asian Indian population in the United States became the largest Asian-only group, marking a remarkable growth of over 50 per cent since 2010, with a total of 4,397,737 individuals. Chinese Americans still hold the top spot in overall Asian people. When considering individuals who identify as either a single race or multiracial, Chinese Americans (excluding Taiwanese) continue to hold the top spot as the most populous Asian identification, with a total of 5.2 million people. The next four largest Asian alone or in any combination groups and their population growth from 2010 to 2020 are Filipino alone or in any combination, 4,436,992 (up 29.9 per cent), Vietnamese alone or in any combination, 2,293,392 (up 32.0 per cent), Korean alone or in any combination, 1,989,519 (up 16.6 per cent) and Japanese alone or in any combination, 1,586,652 (up 20.6 per cent). Also Read | From where does Hamas acquire its weapons? Understanding the sources and transit routes While most Asian groups experienced population growth, the Japanese alone population and the Laotian alone population were exceptions, as they both saw a decrease in their numbers during the past decade. "The Japanese alone population and the Laotian alone population were the only detailed Asian groups to experience a decrease during the decade but their alone or in any combination populations increased by 20.6 per cent and 9.5 per cent respectively." Nepalese Americans, fastest growing Asian group The Nepalese population exhibited the most significant growth, surging by over 250 per cent. They were the fastest-growing Asian group, both in the Asian alone and Asian alone or in any combination categories, among populations exceeding 50,000 in 2010. Also Read | ISRO gently steers Sun-study mission Aditya-L1, as it cruises to its destination The Nepalese alone population increased by an astonishing 295.5 per cent, rising from 51,907 in 2010 to 205,297 in 2020. The Nepalese population, whether alone or in any combination, grew from 59,490 to 219,503, marking a 269.0 per cent increase over the decade. Watch | Israel-Palestine Conflict: Hamas attack lays bare intelligence gaps × “It is momentous,” Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder of nonprofit group AAPI Data reportedly said. “Americans’ perception of who is Asian is still very much informed by demographic patterns from a century ago. They think of East Asians as quintessentially Asian and are less likely to think of South Asians as Asian … Well, the demographic realities have shifted away from the stereotype.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

US: Indian Americans surpass other Asian-alone groups in population

Conservative Party leader, Pierre Poilievre, on Wednesday said that PM Justin Trudeau needs to provide all the facts on his allegations connecting Indian government agents with the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

India-Canada Row: Indians urged to exercise caution in Canada

US green card backlog has git a record high of 1.8 million. 400,000 Indians will die before they ever get their green card. Is U.S' immigration system broken? Molly Gambhir tells you more

Gravitas: US green card backlog hits 1.8 million | Indians face waiting period of 134 years

<p>A new study has revealed that about 400,000 Indians who are in queue for an employment-based Green Card may not even get it before their death. They are among more than 1 million Indians who are waiting for the Green Card, officially known as Permanent Resident Card. It is a much sought-after legal document of permanent residency in the US. It grants the bearer the privilege of residing in the US permanently.</p>

<p>The employment-based Green Card backlog has reached a new record of 1.8 million cases, as per a study by David J Bier of the Cato Institute. It is an American libertarian think tank.</p>

<p>Out of 1.8 million cases, 1.1 million are from India. This is about 63 per cent. There is a pendency of 250,000 cases from Chinese applicants (14 per cent).</p>

<p>There a limit to number of applicants considered from Green Card from each country. It is called the country cap. No country receives more than 7 per cent of the green cards.</p>

<p>The study said that new applicants from India are likely to face a lifetime of wait and more than 400,000 will pass away before they get it.</p>

<p>The process starts when an employer files a petition for a worker. If no Green Card is available under the caps, the petition is wait-listed until a spot opens. Finally, a worker may file to adjust their status to permanent residence (the green card application) when a green card cap spot is available to them.</p>

<p>A similar staged process is there for investors and employment-based "special immigrants" that include Afghan interpreters as well.</p>

<p>The study said that in March 2023, a total of 80,324 employment-based petitions were pending. These represented about 171,635 people with spouses and minor children of the workers. Another 1.3 million were in the waitlist. There were also pending adjustment&nbsp;of status applications.</p>

<p>There were also some employment-based immigrants waiting for immigrant visa adjudications at consulates abroad, but the State Department provides no information about the number of these cases.</p>

<p>There are also some petitions in the backlog filed on behalf of the same person, leading to some double counting. There is also a backlog of 123,234 permanent labour certification applications, which is the start of the employment-based green card queue.</p>

<p>Over half of the backlog is in the EB-2 category. This is the category for employees of US businesses with advanced degrees.</p>

<p>Another 19 per cent are in the EB-3 category for employees with at least bachelor’s degrees. The EB-4 category for “special immigrants” (Afghan and Iraqi interpreters, others with various US government affiliations, and abandoned children) is about 13 per cent. Another 6 per cent are for EB-5 major investors.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A new study has revealed that about 400,000 Indians who are in queue for an employment-based Green Card may not even get it before their death. They are among more than 1 million Indians who are waiting for the Green Card, officially known as Permanent Resident Card.

A new study has revealed that about 400,000 Indians who are in queue for an employment-based Green Card may not even get it before their death. They are among more than 1 million Indians who are waiting for the Green Card, officially known as Permanent Resident Card. It is a much sought-after legal document of permanent residency in the US. It grants the bearer the privilege of residing in the US permanently. The employment-based Green Card backlog has reached a new record of 1.8 million cases, as per a study by David J Bier of the Cato Institute. It is an American libertarian think tank. Out of 1.8 million cases, 1.1 million are from India. This is about 63 per cent. There is a pendency of 250,000 cases from Chinese applicants (14 per cent). There a limit to number of applicants considered from Green Card from each country. It is called the country cap. No country receives more than 7 per cent of the green cards. The study said that new applicants from India are likely to face a lifetime of wait and more than 400,000 will pass away before they get it. The process starts when an employer files a petition for a worker. If no Green Card is available under the caps, the petition is wait-listed until a spot opens. Finally, a worker may file to adjust their status to permanent residence (the green card application) when a green card cap spot is available to them. A similar staged process is there for investors and employment-based "special immigrants" that include Afghan interpreters as well. The study said that in March 2023, a total of 80,324 employment-based petitions were pending. These represented about 171,635 people with spouses and minor children of the workers. Another 1.3 million were in the waitlist. There were also pending adjustment of status applications. There were also some employment-based immigrants waiting for immigrant visa adjudications at consulates abroad, but the State Department provides no information about the number of these cases. There are also some petitions in the backlog filed on behalf of the same person, leading to some double counting. There is also a backlog of 123,234 permanent labour certification applications, which is the start of the employment-based green card queue. Over half of the backlog is in the EB-2 category. This is the category for employees of US businesses with advanced degrees. Another 19 per cent are in the EB-3 category for employees with at least bachelor’s degrees. The EB-4 category for “special immigrants” (Afghan and Iraqi interpreters, others with various US government affiliations, and abandoned children) is about 13 per cent. Another 6 per cent are for EB-5 major investors. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

More than 400,000 Indians waiting for Green Card won't get it before death: Study

In 1960, at least 21 Indian-origin women were given radioactive chapatis as a part of a British experiment in London. Most of the women had newly immigrated to London and did not speak English. One British scientist roped them into a dangerous experiment. Molly Gambhir brings you the details.

Gravitas: Radioactive Rotis: Brits never treated Indians as human beings

<p>Police in the state of Gujarat in western India&nbsp;have unearthed a major scam perpetrated by a Chinese man who made an app and duped Indian users to the tune of USD 168 million. Woo Uyanbe, the Chinese national, visited Gujarat, and collaborated with local individuals to create a football betting app&nbsp;through which&nbsp;he later duped 1200 Indian users.</p>

<p>Gujarat Police were alarmed by the scale of the operation. It formed a Special Investigation Team in order to find the mastermind. The investigators followed a trail that led them to Woo Uyanbe who was in China's Shenzhen region. It has been reported in media that the scam was run from Patan and Banaskantha in Gujarat.</p>

<p>Central Investigation Department (CID) officials said that they came to know of the fraud last year in June. They observed that scamsters were targetting people in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh through the "Dani Data" app. An inquiry was initiated by police in Agra and then the CID team found links to several people in north Gujarat.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Are robots making a world a better place</strong></p>

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<p>"During our investigation, we learned that the Chinese national was in India between 2020 and 2022. He spent time in Patan and Banaskantha, where he met numerous locals and lured them with promises of wealth. He and his accomplices in Gujarat then launched the app in May 2022. It invited bets and promised substantial returns," said a police official quoted by The Times of India.</p>

<p>The huge scale of the scam means that Woo Uyanbe managed to steal USD 24 million per day. Those caught in the scam were aged 15-75</p>

<p>"The app was operational for nine days before suddenly becoming non-functional. It was then that people realised their invested money had been siphoned off," said the police official quoted by The Times of India.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-bengalurus-tech-savvy-auto-driver-flips-smartwatch-for-qr-code-payment-626390">India: Bengaluru's tech-savvy auto driver is going viral as he flips smartwatch for QR code payment</a></strong></p>

<p>The CID cyber cell apprehended nine individuals connected to the case. They allegedly helped Woo Uyanbe to funnel the money through hawala networks with the help of shell companies they set up.</p>

<p>An&nbsp;FIR for cheating and violations under IT Act was filed in Patan in August 2022.</p>

<p>Woo Uyanbe, however, managed to escape from India to China. The state is yet to go ahead with his extradition process. The report said that the mastermind continues to operate his network in Shenzhen in China and also from neighbouring regions like Hong Kong and Singapore. He has reportedly launched multiple such apps for fraud.</p>

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Police in the state of Gujarat in western India have unearthed a major scam perpetrated by a Chinese man who made an app and duped Indian users to the tune of USD 168 million.

Police in the state of Gujarat in western India have unearthed a major scam perpetrated by a Chinese man who made an app and duped Indian users to the tune of USD 168 million. Woo Uyanbe, the Chinese national, visited Gujarat, and collaborated with local individuals to create a football betting app through which he later duped 1200 Indian users. Gujarat Police were alarmed by the scale of the operation. It formed a Special Investigation Team in order to find the mastermind. The investigators followed a trail that led them to Woo Uyanbe who was in China's Shenzhen region. It has been reported in media that the scam was run from Patan and Banaskantha in Gujarat. Central Investigation Department (CID) officials said that they came to know of the fraud last year in June. They observed that scamsters were targetting people in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh through the "Dani Data" app. An inquiry was initiated by police in Agra and then the CID team found links to several people in north Gujarat. Watch | Are robots making a world a better place × "During our investigation, we learned that the Chinese national was in India between 2020 and 2022. He spent time in Patan and Banaskantha, where he met numerous locals and lured them with promises of wealth. He and his accomplices in Gujarat then launched the app in May 2022. It invited bets and promised substantial returns," said a police official quoted by The Times of India. The huge scale of the scam means that Woo Uyanbe managed to steal USD 24 million per day. Those caught in the scam were aged 15-75 "The app was operational for nine days before suddenly becoming non-functional. It was then that people realised their invested money had been siphoned off," said the police official quoted by The Times of India. Also Read | India: Bengaluru's tech-savvy auto driver is going viral as he flips smartwatch for QR code payment The CID cyber cell apprehended nine individuals connected to the case. They allegedly helped Woo Uyanbe to funnel the money through hawala networks with the help of shell companies they set up. An FIR for cheating and violations under IT Act was filed in Patan in August 2022. Woo Uyanbe, however, managed to escape from India to China. The state is yet to go ahead with his extradition process. The report said that the mastermind continues to operate his network in Shenzhen in China and also from neighbouring regions like Hong Kong and Singapore. He has reportedly launched multiple such apps for fraud. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Chinese man makes football betting app, scams Indians of $168 million, flees to China

<p>About 70 Indian nationals have initiated legal proceedings against the United States government, claiming that their H1-B visa applications were rejected on the basis of fraudulent activities by their employers and that they, as individuals, had nothing to do with it, media reports said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The affected individuals were employed under a programme designed for foreign graduates of US educational institutions. Now, they maintain their innocence and deny any involvement in misconduct and fraud carried out by their employers. These Indian nationals are facing adverse consequences related to their affiliations with these companies and reports said that the visas have been denied without giving them the opportunity to tell their side of the story.</p>

<h2><strong>Lawsuit accusations</strong></h2>

<p>The lawsuit was officially filed in a federal district court located in the state of Washington.</p>

<p>In their complaint, the plaintiffs accused the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of denying them H-1B specialty occupation visas, even though they were lawfully employed by reputable companies.</p>

<h2><strong>Presumption of guilt&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The plaintiffs are represented by Jonathan Wasden, an attorney from Wasden Law. “The agency assumed that anybody who had touched these companies was somehow guilty of fraudulent misrepresentations to the US government in an attempt to get a visa or immigration benefit,” said a Wasden Law attorney Jonathan Wasden, who is representing the plaintiffs.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fresh-cases-of-bubonic-plague-detected-in-china-625031">Fresh cases of bubonic plague detected in China</a></p>

<p>The primary aim of the lawsuit is to reverse the visa application decisions made by the DHS and ensure that the plaintiffs have the opportunity to address the fraud allegations before any conclusions are drawn about their eligibility to enter the US.</p>

<h2><strong>Procedural flaws</strong></h2>

<p>The lawsuit asserted that the DHS violated the Administrative Procedure Act by exceeding its authority and categorising the plaintiffs as inadmissible without substantial evidence to support such claims.</p>

<p>Moreover, the agency's actions are deemed procedurally flawed, as it failed to inform visa applicants about the actions taken against them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The plaintiffs were reportedly employed by four IT staffing companies: Andwill Technologies, AzTech Technologies LLC, Integra Technologies LLC, and WireClass Technologies LLC. These firms were authorised to participate in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme and were certified through the E-Verify employment verification system.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/maui-wildfires-death-toll-climbs-to-93-hundreds-still-missing-top-points-625038">Maui wildfires: Death toll climbs to 93, hundreds still missing | Top points</a></p>

<p>The lawsuit further stressed that the DHS, instead of safeguarding the students, treated them as if they were complicit in the alleged fraudulent activities.</p>

<p>Siddhartha Kalavala Venkata, one of the individuals named in the lawsuit,&nbsp;told his ordeal after being denied entry to the US. Despite his employment at Integra through the OPT programme and his attempts to transition from an F-1 visa to an H-1B visa, he reportedly said that his H-1B application was rejected due to suspicion&nbsp;of fraud or intentional misrepresentation.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Pakistani senator Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar is Pak's transitionary PM</strong></p>

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<p>According to media reports,&nbsp;the plaintiffs argued&nbsp;that the&nbsp;DHS&nbsp;allegedly violated&nbsp;the Immigration and Nationality Act by failing to provide notice of actions like visa sanctions and neglecting to grant them the opportunity to respond with evidence.</p>

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About 70 Indian nationals have initiated legal proceedings against the United States government, claiming that their H1-B visa applications were rejected on the basis of fraudulent activities by their employers and that they, as individuals, had nothing to do with it, media reports said.

About 70 Indian nationals have initiated legal proceedings against the United States government, claiming that their H1-B visa applications were rejected on the basis of fraudulent activities by their employers and that they, as individuals, had nothing to do with it, media reports said. The affected individuals were employed under a programme designed for foreign graduates of US educational institutions. Now, they maintain their innocence and deny any involvement in misconduct and fraud carried out by their employers. These Indian nationals are facing adverse consequences related to their affiliations with these companies and reports said that the visas have been denied without giving them the opportunity to tell their side of the story. Lawsuit accusations The lawsuit was officially filed in a federal district court located in the state of Washington. In their complaint, the plaintiffs accused the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of denying them H-1B specialty occupation visas, even though they were lawfully employed by reputable companies. Presumption of guilt The plaintiffs are represented by Jonathan Wasden, an attorney from Wasden Law. “The agency assumed that anybody who had touched these companies was somehow guilty of fraudulent misrepresentations to the US government in an attempt to get a visa or immigration benefit,” said a Wasden Law attorney Jonathan Wasden, who is representing the plaintiffs. Also Read | Fresh cases of bubonic plague detected in China The primary aim of the lawsuit is to reverse the visa application decisions made by the DHS and ensure that the plaintiffs have the opportunity to address the fraud allegations before any conclusions are drawn about their eligibility to enter the US. Procedural flaws The lawsuit asserted that the DHS violated the Administrative Procedure Act by exceeding its authority and categorising the plaintiffs as inadmissible without substantial evidence to support such claims. Moreover, the agency's actions are deemed procedurally flawed, as it failed to inform visa applicants about the actions taken against them. The plaintiffs were reportedly employed by four IT staffing companies: Andwill Technologies, AzTech Technologies LLC, Integra Technologies LLC, and WireClass Technologies LLC. These firms were authorised to participate in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme and were certified through the E-Verify employment verification system. Also Read | Maui wildfires: Death toll climbs to 93, hundreds still missing | Top points The lawsuit further stressed that the DHS, instead of safeguarding the students, treated them as if they were complicit in the alleged fraudulent activities. Siddhartha Kalavala Venkata, one of the individuals named in the lawsuit, told his ordeal after being denied entry to the US. Despite his employment at Integra through the OPT programme and his attempts to transition from an F-1 visa to an H-1B visa, he reportedly said that his H-1B application was rejected due to suspicion of fraud or intentional misrepresentation. WATCH | Pakistani senator Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar is Pak's transitionary PM × According to media reports, the plaintiffs argued that the DHS allegedly violated the Immigration and Nationality Act by failing to provide notice of actions like visa sanctions and neglecting to grant them the opportunity to respond with evidence. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

70 Indians file lawsuit against US over H1-B visa rejections amid employer fraud

<p>Indians are getting serious about their comfort. A recent survey by Indeed shows that 71 per cent of Indian jobseekers prefer flexibility when looking for a job. They go for working from home and choosing their own hours, claiming that flexility is important for them, as it helps with work-life balance and productivity.</p>

<h2><strong>Hustle no more</strong></h2>

<p>Based on data from more than 1,200 Indian jobseekers, the survey found that 70 per cent of working professionals look for options&nbsp;like working from home or working remotely. Another 67 per cent look for salary and benefits like health insurance, family leave and others.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Are they getting what they want?</strong></p>

<p>Unfortunately, despite jobseekers increasingly looking for flexibility, employers aren't offering it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In June, only about 6.5 per cent of job postings mentioned "work from home" or "remote work".</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/survival-and-climate-change-scientists-identify-deadly-heat-and-humidity-combo-623987">Survival and climate change: Scientists identify 'deadly' heat and humidity combo</a></strong></p>

<p>Compared to two years ago, in 2023 remote work options have increased slightly. However, they are&nbsp;still not as prevalent. Despite this, as per the survey, over 10 per cent of job searches were for remote or hybrid working.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The survey revealed that a huge number of people prefer hybrid working, where they have the option of working from an office some days and choosing to work from home on others. About 51 per cent of employers are open to this option over fully remote working.</p>

<h2><strong>Covid and working habits</strong></h2>

<p>During the more than two years that the Covid pandemic kept everybody quarantined inside their homes, working habits have undergone a drastic change.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cyprus-to-use-human-covid-vaccine-to-save-cat-population-from-fatal-coronavirus-strain-624303">Cyprus to use human Covid vaccine to save cat population from fatal coronavirus strain</a></strong></p>

<p>In the recent past, there have been reports of people quitting their jobs to find a remote working opportunity.</p>

<h2><strong>Long commute</strong></h2>

<p>Another problem plaguing workers is long commute time. In Delhi, a man reportedly left his job on the first day of the job because of the distance he had to travel to get to his office.</p>

<p>Taking to Reddit, the man wrote that he quit his job at a decent company that offered him decent pay, but the 36 kilometres travel that would take him over one and a half hours irked him. His post has triggered a discussion on social media with some people applauding his decision and others labelling it a "Silly reason to quit your job."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Indians are getting serious about their comfort. A recent survey by Indeed shows that 71 per cent of Indian jobseekers prefer flexibility when looking for a job.

Indians are getting serious about their comfort. A recent survey by Indeed shows that 71 per cent of Indian jobseekers prefer flexibility when looking for a job. They go for working from home and choosing their own hours, claiming that flexility is important for them, as it helps with work-life balance and productivity. Hustle no more Based on data from more than 1,200 Indian jobseekers, the survey found that 70 per cent of working professionals look for options like working from home or working remotely. Another 67 per cent look for salary and benefits like health insurance, family leave and others. Are they getting what they want? Unfortunately, despite jobseekers increasingly looking for flexibility, employers aren't offering it. In June, only about 6.5 per cent of job postings mentioned "work from home" or "remote work". Also read | Survival and climate change: Scientists identify 'deadly' heat and humidity combo Compared to two years ago, in 2023 remote work options have increased slightly. However, they are still not as prevalent. Despite this, as per the survey, over 10 per cent of job searches were for remote or hybrid working. The survey revealed that a huge number of people prefer hybrid working, where they have the option of working from an office some days and choosing to work from home on others. About 51 per cent of employers are open to this option over fully remote working. Covid and working habits During the more than two years that the Covid pandemic kept everybody quarantined inside their homes, working habits have undergone a drastic change. Also read | Cyprus to use human Covid vaccine to save cat population from fatal coronavirus strain In the recent past, there have been reports of people quitting their jobs to find a remote working opportunity. Long commute Another problem plaguing workers is long commute time. In Delhi, a man reportedly left his job on the first day of the job because of the distance he had to travel to get to his office. Taking to Reddit, the man wrote that he quit his job at a decent company that offered him decent pay, but the 36 kilometres travel that would take him over one and a half hours irked him. His post has triggered a discussion on social media with some people applauding his decision and others labelling it a "Silly reason to quit your job." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Indians get serious about comfort, choose work flexibility over hustle and high salary

In pics: British Indians celebrate national handloom day with saree walkathon in London

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<p>In a significant move, Russia launched an e-visa programme on Tuesday, August 1, to improve tourism and facilitate travel. It will grant easy visa access to travellers from 55 countries. Indian passport holders are also eligible to apply for the Russian e-visa.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The e-visa will have a 60-day validity&nbsp;and travellers can stay up to 16 days in Russia. According to the government portal, Russian e-visa holders can get a tourist visa for up to six months if they have a hotel reservation.</p>

<p>The application process is fast and easy. Applicants are not required to submit any invitations or confirmations. They can conveniently fill in the application form on the official website,&nbsp;which is open 24/7. It eliminates the need to visit a consular agency during specific business hours. The facility will process the e-visa within four calendar days, including weekdays and bank holidays.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |<a href="www.wionews.com/trending/racy-chinese-restaurant-closed-after-videos-surface-waiters-feeding-women-mouth-to-mouth-621307">&nbsp;'Racy' Chinese restaurant closed after videos surface waiters feeding women 'mouth-to-mouth'</a></strong></p>

<p>Here's everything you need to know about the application process for Russian e-visa.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>How to Apply for a Russian E-Visa</strong></h2>

<p>1. Open the newly-launched official website for the Russian e-visa, https://electronic-visa.kdmid.ru/.</p>

<p>2. Scroll down to find the "fill in an e-visa application form" option and click on it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>3. Read all the information on the official website before filling out the unified electronic visa application form.</p>

<p>4. Once you accept all the terms and conditions and click on "Fill out a new application form," a new page will appear.</p>

<p>5. Click on "Register as a new user." When you successfully register yourself, you can log in and move ahead to fill out the application form.&nbsp;</p>

<p>6. After completing the application form, the next step is paying the consular fee of $40 (₹3,290).</p>

<p>7. Approved applicants will receive a notification for the e-visa. The applicant has to get a printout of the verification mail and carry it on their trip to Russia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>8. Travellers will show the printed notification on their arrival to Russia to the immigration authorities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per a report from the Border Guard Service of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, the tourist flow to the nation plunged by 96.1 per cent in 2022. Russia launched the e-visa initiative to attract international visitors, promote cultural exchange, and enhance economic ties between the countries involved. The programme is a boon for Indians who frequently travel to Russia.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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In a significant move, Russia launched an e-visa programme on Tuesday, August 1, to improve tourism and facilitate travel. It will grant easy visa access to travellers from 55 countries.

In a significant move, Russia launched an e-visa programme on Tuesday, August 1, to improve tourism and facilitate travel. It will grant easy visa access to travellers from 55 countries. Indian passport holders are also eligible to apply for the Russian e-visa. The e-visa will have a 60-day validity and travellers can stay up to 16 days in Russia. According to the government portal, Russian e-visa holders can get a tourist visa for up to six months if they have a hotel reservation. The application process is fast and easy. Applicants are not required to submit any invitations or confirmations. They can conveniently fill in the application form on the official website, which is open 24/7. It eliminates the need to visit a consular agency during specific business hours. The facility will process the e-visa within four calendar days, including weekdays and bank holidays. ALSO READ | 'Racy' Chinese restaurant closed after videos surface waiters feeding women 'mouth-to-mouth' Here's everything you need to know about the application process for Russian e-visa. How to Apply for a Russian E-Visa 1. Open the newly-launched official website for the Russian e-visa, https://electronic-visa.kdmid.ru/. 2. Scroll down to find the "fill in an e-visa application form" option and click on it. 3. Read all the information on the official website before filling out the unified electronic visa application form. 4. Once you accept all the terms and conditions and click on "Fill out a new application form," a new page will appear. 5. Click on "Register as a new user." When you successfully register yourself, you can log in and move ahead to fill out the application form. 6. After completing the application form, the next step is paying the consular fee of $40 (₹3,290). 7. Approved applicants will receive a notification for the e-visa. The applicant has to get a printout of the verification mail and carry it on their trip to Russia. 8. Travellers will show the printed notification on their arrival to Russia to the immigration authorities. As per a report from the Border Guard Service of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, the tourist flow to the nation plunged by 96.1 per cent in 2022. Russia launched the e-visa initiative to attract international visitors, promote cultural exchange, and enhance economic ties between the countries involved. The programme is a boon for Indians who frequently travel to Russia. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Russia launches e-visa for Indians: Check step-by-step application process, benefits & other details

<p>A group of US lawmakers has urged the Joe Biden and his administration to take executive action to make priority dates current for Green Card applicants from India to reduce the long wait period and backlog which has left them in a constant state of limbo.</p>

<p>Led by Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi and Larry Bucshon, the bipartisan group of 56 lawmakers sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas requesting the administration take executive action to provide relief to high-skilled employment-based visa holders.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/melting-swiss-glacier-coughs-up-body-remains-of-hiker-who-went-missing-in-1986-620545">Melting Swiss glacier coughs up body remains of hiker who went missing in 1986</a></p>

<p>In their letter, the US lawmakers also appealed to the administration to mark all dates for filing of employment-based visa applications in the Bureau of Consular Affairs' published Employment-Based Visa Bulletin as "current".</p>

<p>A Green Card, known officially as a Permanent Resident Card, is a document issued to immigrants to the US as evidence that the bearer has been granted the privilege of residing permanently.</p>

<p>The current situation surrounding the seven per cent country cap on employment-based Green Card allocation is causing severe repercussions, particularly for countries such as India, where the backlog has reached an astonishing 195 years, said Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS USA) in a separate appeal to the US President Joe Biden.</p>

<p>This backlog disproportionately affects Indian tech professionals, who constitute a significant portion of the highly skilled STEM talent and US-educated graduates, playing a crucial role in maintaining the United States' competitive edge in the technology industries, it said.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asian-masalanomics-for-spice-trade-spiced-up-in-vietnam-2000-years-ago-reveals-study-620534">Asian masalanomics for spice trade spiced up in Vietnam 2000 years ago, reveals study</a></p>

<p>STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.</p>

<p>However, the backlog has created a significant barrier, hindering these talented individuals from contributing meaningfully to the country's growth and innovation, the FIIDS observed.</p>

<p>This year, the FIIDS has made several efforts in addressing the concerns of the immigrant Indian community, in particular those related to Green Card and H-1B visas.</p>

<p>"We started efforts to get relief to Indian H-1Bs who are stuck in Green Card processing. We launched a change petition, we are approaching representatives, various other organisations and influencers. We are reaching out to the Bureau of consular services in the state department as well as the USCIS in the DHS to take administrative action to make the priority dates current for green card applicants," Khanderao Kand from FIIDS said.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Rains soak Northern China as Doksuri makes its way to Beijing</strong></p>

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<p>The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.</p>

<p>Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.</p>

<p>The lawmakers in their letter said that marking all dates as "current" would allow employment-based applications to be filed regardless of applicants' country-based priority date. This would provide relief to thousands of individuals attempting to legally navigate the US immigration system and could potentially also make some eligible for employment authorisation documents to change jobs, start businesses, and travel abroad to visit family without penalty, it said.</p>

<p>Without this administrative action, which was also used during the administration of President George W Bush, individuals are left in a constant state of limbo and, in some cases, are punished for utilising a pathway of legal immigration by being forced to stay with one company or organisation due to their Green Card status, they said in the letter.</p>

<p>"I'm proud to join my colleagues in urging the Biden administration to address bureaucratic delays in our legal immigration system that are holding back our economy while leaving so many families in limbo," Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said.</p>

<p>"By using its authority under the existing law, the administration can ease this burden while strengthening our economy and helping to create jobs," he said.</p>

<p>Congressman Bucshon said, unfortunately, due to bureaucratic red tape in "our nation's legal immigration system, they are caught in the visa backlog and don't have the flexibility to change jobs, start businesses, and travel abroad without penalty".</p>

<p>"I believe that it's important for the administration to act within the current law to make it easier for these legal immigrants to navigate our immigration system and continue making a positive contribution to our nation and our economy," Bucshon said.</p>

<p>President of Immigration Voice Aman Kapoor said that "this commonsense measure proposed in the letter by Congressmen Krishnamoorthi and Bucshon would be an absolute game changer to provide basic human rights such as the ability to change jobs and travel for nearly one million high skilled immigrants whose status in the US can end at any moment and is entirely dependent upon the whims of their employer".</p>

<p>The entire basis for this problem is a "discriminatory" immigration system that requires Indian nationals to have to wait "200 years for a Green Card while people from 150 other countries have no wait at all", Mr Kapoor said.</p>

<p>"We now call on the Biden administration to do the right thing and heed the call of this rare bipartisan letter and give high-skilled immigrants here for over a decade the same rights to work and travel that people being paroled into the US for the first time just this week have," he said.</p>

<p>"We are no less deserving of basic human rights and fairness than anyone else and we hope the Biden administration will agree," Mr Kapoor said.</p>

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A group of US lawmakers has urged the Joe Biden and his administration to take executive action to make priority dates current for Green Card applicants from India to reduce the long wait period and backlog which has left them in a constant state of limbo.

A group of US lawmakers has urged the Joe Biden and his administration to take executive action to make priority dates current for Green Card applicants from India to reduce the long wait period and backlog which has left them in a constant state of limbo. Led by Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi and Larry Bucshon, the bipartisan group of 56 lawmakers sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas requesting the administration take executive action to provide relief to high-skilled employment-based visa holders. Also Read | Melting Swiss glacier coughs up body remains of hiker who went missing in 1986 In their letter, the US lawmakers also appealed to the administration to mark all dates for filing of employment-based visa applications in the Bureau of Consular Affairs' published Employment-Based Visa Bulletin as "current". A Green Card, known officially as a Permanent Resident Card, is a document issued to immigrants to the US as evidence that the bearer has been granted the privilege of residing permanently. The current situation surrounding the seven per cent country cap on employment-based Green Card allocation is causing severe repercussions, particularly for countries such as India, where the backlog has reached an astonishing 195 years, said Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS USA) in a separate appeal to the US President Joe Biden. This backlog disproportionately affects Indian tech professionals, who constitute a significant portion of the highly skilled STEM talent and US-educated graduates, playing a crucial role in maintaining the United States' competitive edge in the technology industries, it said. Also Read | Asian masalanomics for spice trade spiced up in Vietnam 2000 years ago, reveals study STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects. However, the backlog has created a significant barrier, hindering these talented individuals from contributing meaningfully to the country's growth and innovation, the FIIDS observed. This year, the FIIDS has made several efforts in addressing the concerns of the immigrant Indian community, in particular those related to Green Card and H-1B visas. "We started efforts to get relief to Indian H-1Bs who are stuck in Green Card processing. We launched a change petition, we are approaching representatives, various other organisations and influencers. We are reaching out to the Bureau of consular services in the state department as well as the USCIS in the DHS to take administrative action to make the priority dates current for green card applicants," Khanderao Kand from FIIDS said. Watch | Rains soak Northern China as Doksuri makes its way to Beijing × The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. The lawmakers in their letter said that marking all dates as "current" would allow employment-based applications to be filed regardless of applicants' country-based priority date. This would provide relief to thousands of individuals attempting to legally navigate the US immigration system and could potentially also make some eligible for employment authorisation documents to change jobs, start businesses, and travel abroad to visit family without penalty, it said. Without this administrative action, which was also used during the administration of President George W Bush, individuals are left in a constant state of limbo and, in some cases, are punished for utilising a pathway of legal immigration by being forced to stay with one company or organisation due to their Green Card status, they said in the letter. "I'm proud to join my colleagues in urging the Biden administration to address bureaucratic delays in our legal immigration system that are holding back our economy while leaving so many families in limbo," Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said. "By using its authority under the existing law, the administration can ease this burden while strengthening our economy and helping to create jobs," he said. Congressman Bucshon said, unfortunately, due to bureaucratic red tape in "our nation's legal immigration system, they are caught in the visa backlog and don't have the flexibility to change jobs, start businesses, and travel abroad without penalty". "I believe that it's important for the administration to act within the current law to make it easier for these legal immigrants to navigate our immigration system and continue making a positive contribution to our nation and our economy," Bucshon said. President of Immigration Voice Aman Kapoor said that "this commonsense measure proposed in the letter by Congressmen Krishnamoorthi and Bucshon would be an absolute game changer to provide basic human rights such as the ability to change jobs and travel for nearly one million high skilled immigrants whose status in the US can end at any moment and is entirely dependent upon the whims of their employer". The entire basis for this problem is a "discriminatory" immigration system that requires Indian nationals to have to wait "200 years for a Green Card while people from 150 other countries have no wait at all", Mr Kapoor said. "We now call on the Biden administration to do the right thing and heed the call of this rare bipartisan letter and give high-skilled immigrants here for over a decade the same rights to work and travel that people being paroled into the US for the first time just this week have," he said. "We are no less deserving of basic human rights and fairness than anyone else and we hope the Biden administration will agree," Mr Kapoor said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Biden urged to make priority dates current for Indian Green Card applicants

<p>On day two of the Monsoon session of the Indian Parliament, Indian External Minister Dr. S Jaishankar apprised the lower house Lok Sabha Friday that 87,026 Indians have given up their citizenship till June this year, reported PTI news agency.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a written reply to Lok Sabha, the foreign minister said over 17,50,000&nbsp;people have renounced their Indian citizenship since 2011.&nbsp;Jaishankar laid out detailed data on the number of Indians who gave up their citizenship over the years since 2011.</p>

<p>He said 2,25,620 Indians renounced their citizenship in 2022, 1,63,370 in 2021, 85,256 in 2020, 1,44,017 in 2019, 1,34,561 in 2018, 1,33,049 in 2017, 1,41,603 in 2016, 1,31,489 in 2015, 1,29,328 in 2014, 1,31,405 in 2013, 1,20,923 in 2012 and 1,22,819 in 2011.</p>

<p>"The number of Indian nationals exploring the global workplace has been significant in the last two decades. Many of them have chosen to take up foreign citizenship for reasons of personal convenience," the minister said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/terrorist-threatens-to-target-indias-foreign-minister-jaishankar-home-minister-amit-shah-618078">Terrorist threatens to target India's foreign minister Jaishankar, home minister Amit Shah</a></p>

<p>In addition, the Minister of External Affairs also hailed the actions taken by the Indian government to connect with the Indian diaspora abroad. He said that the government has implemented transformational changes to engage with the Indian diaspora.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At the same time, the minister also appreciated the overseas Indian community and called it an asset to the nation. "A successful, prosperous, and influential diaspora is an advantage for India and our approach is to tap diaspora networks and utilise its reputation for national gain," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/manipur-women-paraded-naked-was-spontaneous-act-say-authorities-618069">Manipur women paraded naked was 'spontaneous act', say authorities</a></p>

<p>From time to time, India has implemented policies to make the lives of Indians abroad easy.&nbsp;Recently, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his address to the Indian diaspora in Washington DC, made a major announcement for the H1B visa holders. Giving relief to the professionals, he said that now people will not have to travel abroad to renew their work visas.</p>

<p>"America's new consulates will be opened in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. It has now been decided that the H1B visa renewal can be done in the US itself," PM Modi said while addressing the Indian diaspora at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington DC.</p>

<p>India, under the leadership of prime minister Modi, has given an impetus to people-to-people connect and a deeper engagement with the Indian diaspora, placing it as one of the top priorities in India's foreign policy.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Rainfall in India and Pakistan</strong></p>

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<p>Moreover, the Indian PM, during his visits abroad, always receives a rousing welcome, a significant reminder of the popularity of the prime minister among Indians overseas.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Parliament monsoon session&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Indian Parliament's monsoon session comes amid a major incident in the Indian state of Manipur. A viral video of the two women being paraded naked by a group of men went viral. The incident caused a major uproar among India's opposition quarters who continue to blame the government for failing to tackle the issue.&nbsp;Amid these protests, both houses of the Indian Parliament were unable to conduct any proceedings.</p>

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On day two of the Monsoon session of the Indian Parliament, Indian External Minister Dr. S Jaishankar apprised the lower house Lok Sabha Friday that 87,026 Indians have given up their citizenship till June this year, reported PTI news agency.

On day two of the Monsoon session of the Indian Parliament, Indian External Minister Dr. S Jaishankar apprised the lower house Lok Sabha Friday that 87,026 Indians have given up their citizenship till June this year, reported PTI news agency. In a written reply to Lok Sabha, the foreign minister said over 17,50,000 people have renounced their Indian citizenship since 2011. Jaishankar laid out detailed data on the number of Indians who gave up their citizenship over the years since 2011. He said 2,25,620 Indians renounced their citizenship in 2022, 1,63,370 in 2021, 85,256 in 2020, 1,44,017 in 2019, 1,34,561 in 2018, 1,33,049 in 2017, 1,41,603 in 2016, 1,31,489 in 2015, 1,29,328 in 2014, 1,31,405 in 2013, 1,20,923 in 2012 and 1,22,819 in 2011. "The number of Indian nationals exploring the global workplace has been significant in the last two decades. Many of them have chosen to take up foreign citizenship for reasons of personal convenience," the minister said. Also Read | Terrorist threatens to target India's foreign minister Jaishankar, home minister Amit Shah In addition, the Minister of External Affairs also hailed the actions taken by the Indian government to connect with the Indian diaspora abroad. He said that the government has implemented transformational changes to engage with the Indian diaspora. At the same time, the minister also appreciated the overseas Indian community and called it an asset to the nation. "A successful, prosperous, and influential diaspora is an advantage for India and our approach is to tap diaspora networks and utilise its reputation for national gain," he said. Also Read | Manipur women paraded naked was 'spontaneous act', say authorities From time to time, India has implemented policies to make the lives of Indians abroad easy. Recently, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his address to the Indian diaspora in Washington DC, made a major announcement for the H1B visa holders. Giving relief to the professionals, he said that now people will not have to travel abroad to renew their work visas. "America's new consulates will be opened in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. It has now been decided that the H1B visa renewal can be done in the US itself," PM Modi said while addressing the Indian diaspora at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington DC. India, under the leadership of prime minister Modi, has given an impetus to people-to-people connect and a deeper engagement with the Indian diaspora, placing it as one of the top priorities in India's foreign policy. Watch | Rainfall in India and Pakistan × Moreover, the Indian PM, during his visits abroad, always receives a rousing welcome, a significant reminder of the popularity of the prime minister among Indians overseas. Parliament monsoon session Indian Parliament's monsoon session comes amid a major incident in the Indian state of Manipur. A viral video of the two women being paraded naked by a group of men went viral. The incident caused a major uproar among India's opposition quarters who continue to blame the government for failing to tackle the issue. Amid these protests, both houses of the Indian Parliament were unable to conduct any proceedings. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

More than 87,000 Indians gave up citizenship till June this year, says Jaishankar

<p>Indian Americans in 20 major cities across the United States are organising the 'India Unity Day' march ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to the country from June 20-24. The marches, taking place in cities like New York and Washington, aim to extend a warm welcome to the Prime Minister.&nbsp;Engaging with the Indian Diaspora has become a prominent aspect of Modi's foreign visits. He often dedicates time to interact with the diaspora during his visits while displaying special gestures like taking selfies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bharat Barai, chairman of the Indian American Community Foundation, said, "Narendra Modi is the most popular Indian prime minister for the global Indian diaspora. Now he is the most popular world leader."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Modi's highly anticipated state visit to the US, commencing this week, will feature a relatively modest gathering in Washington DC due to his tight schedule. This has disappointed community leaders who had envisioned a grand event to match the enthusiastic welcomes Modi received in previous visits, such as at Madison Square Garden in 2014 and in Houston in 2019.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/microsoft-outages-in-early-june-due-to-cyberattacks-605731">Microsoft outages in early June due to cyberattacks</a></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">VIDEO | Indian Americans hold 'India Unity Day' march in New York, welcoming PM Modi on his upcoming state visit to the USA. The 'India Unity Day' march is being held in 20 major cities across America today. <a href="https://t.co/EE3695HnPN">pic.twitter.com/EE3695HnPN</a></p>
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1670448022558474242?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Despite the scaled-down gathering, Indian diaspora members still hold immense pride and regard for PM Modi.</p>

<h2><strong>Significant outcomes expected from PM Modi's state visit</strong></h2>

<p>External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasised that Prime Minister Modi's state visit to the US will yield significant outcomes. Speaking to reporters, he highlighted that this visit will mark the first time an Indian Prime Minister addresses the US Congress twice.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Minister Jaishankar stressed on the significance of PM Modi's address to the US Congress, noting that very few individuals have had this privilege. Only a select few world leaders, including Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela, have addressed the US Congress twice. This distinction reflects the high level of honour and recognition accorded to PM Modi during his state visit.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-schoolgirls-poisoning-state-sanctioned-committee-tries-to-downplay-poisoning-attacks-says-report-605671">Iran schoolgirls poisoning: State-sanctioned committee tries to downplay poisoning attacks, says report</a></p>

<p>During his visit, PM Modi will also be hosted by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at a State Dinner on June 22, with an address to the Joint Session of Congress scheduled for the same day.</p>

<p>On June 21, Prime Minister Modi will mark the 9th International Day of Yoga by leading a yoga session at the UN Headquarters for the first time.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Russia's latest space agency mission: Raising a militia for the war in Ukraine?</strong></p>

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<p><br />
PM Modi's trip to the United States is regarded as a significant event in India's bilateral engagements, particularly as a precursor to the G20 Summit scheduled for September, where President Biden is anticipated to visit New Delhi.</p>

<p>The visit holds the promise of unveiling crucial agreements, such as the acquisition of 31 weaponised drones by India. Modi's visit to the US holds great significance in fostering strong ties between the two nations and providing a platform for fruitful discussions and collaborations.</p>

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Indian Americans in 20 major cities across the United States are organising the 'India Unity Day' march ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to the country from June 20-24.

Indian Americans in 20 major cities across the United States are organising the 'India Unity Day' march ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to the country from June 20-24. The marches, taking place in cities like New York and Washington, aim to extend a warm welcome to the Prime Minister. Engaging with the Indian Diaspora has become a prominent aspect of Modi's foreign visits. He often dedicates time to interact with the diaspora during his visits while displaying special gestures like taking selfies. Bharat Barai, chairman of the Indian American Community Foundation, said, "Narendra Modi is the most popular Indian prime minister for the global Indian diaspora. Now he is the most popular world leader." Prime Minister Modi's highly anticipated state visit to the US, commencing this week, will feature a relatively modest gathering in Washington DC due to his tight schedule. This has disappointed community leaders who had envisioned a grand event to match the enthusiastic welcomes Modi received in previous visits, such as at Madison Square Garden in 2014 and in Houston in 2019. Also Read | Microsoft outages in early June due to cyberattacks VIDEO | Indian Americans hold 'India Unity Day' march in New York, welcoming PM Modi on his upcoming state visit to the USA. The 'India Unity Day' march is being held in 20 major cities across America today. pic.twitter.com/EE3695HnPN — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 18, 2023 × Despite the scaled-down gathering, Indian diaspora members still hold immense pride and regard for PM Modi. Significant outcomes expected from PM Modi's state visit External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasised that Prime Minister Modi's state visit to the US will yield significant outcomes. Speaking to reporters, he highlighted that this visit will mark the first time an Indian Prime Minister addresses the US Congress twice. Minister Jaishankar stressed on the significance of PM Modi's address to the US Congress, noting that very few individuals have had this privilege. Only a select few world leaders, including Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela, have addressed the US Congress twice. This distinction reflects the high level of honour and recognition accorded to PM Modi during his state visit. Also Read | Iran schoolgirls poisoning: State-sanctioned committee tries to downplay poisoning attacks, says report During his visit, PM Modi will also be hosted by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at a State Dinner on June 22, with an address to the Joint Session of Congress scheduled for the same day. On June 21, Prime Minister Modi will mark the 9th International Day of Yoga by leading a yoga session at the UN Headquarters for the first time. Watch | Russia's latest space agency mission: Raising a militia for the war in Ukraine? × PM Modi's trip to the United States is regarded as a significant event in India's bilateral engagements, particularly as a precursor to the G20 Summit scheduled for September, where President Biden is anticipated to visit New Delhi. The visit holds the promise of unveiling crucial agreements, such as the acquisition of 31 weaponised drones by India. Modi's visit to the US holds great significance in fostering strong ties between the two nations and providing a platform for fruitful discussions and collaborations. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

WATCH | Indian-Americans organise 'India Unity Day' march across US ahead of PM Modi's visit

<p>A total of 15 Asians, including Indian expatriates, were hurt in a hit-and-run accident on Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street in Kuwait on Sunday, according to media reports. No information is yet known as to how many Indians were hurt in the accident. The bikers were not given patrol security because they lacked authorization to use the route, media reports said quoting a senior official of the Kuwaiti government.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netherlands-over-1500-arrested-in-protests-by-extinction-rebellion-climate-group-597390">Netherlands: Over 1,500 arrested in protests by Extinction Rebellion climate group</a></p>

<p>According to the Khaleej Times, the accident took place on Friday in Kuwait City when a group of Filipino cyclists had congregated to practise the sport. Indian cyclists had subsequently joined them. A vehicle&nbsp;drove over a bunch of cyclists while they were riding on the main road.</p>

<p>"The accident, which occurred on Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, caused several injuries to a group of Asian cyclists that included Indian expats who were using the main road. The driver of the vehicle initially escaped after running down the cyclists, and surveillance camera footage was being reviewed to find the perpetrator. However, later he turned himself in," the report said.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-first-homegrown-passenger-jet-c919-embarks-on-maiden-commercial-flight-597356">China's first homegrown passenger jet C919 embarks on maiden commercial flight</a></p>

<p>Given that this has happened before, the police authorities asked locals to get the required permission before engaging in sports in public areas so that security patrols may be dispatched to stop events like this.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per another Kuwait local media report, Times Kuwait, the bikers were riding in the opposite direction as to the vehicle with which they were hit. Appropriate legal action will be taken against the car's driver for failing to pay attention while driving, the report said adding the cyclists were cycling in the opposite direction on purpose so that they could see the cars approaching from the front. Action will be taken despite the fact that the road was not originally intended for bicycle use without authorization.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch | India's new Parliament: PM Modi to inaugurate new Parliament on Sunday | Details</strong></p>

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<p>The media reports citing sources reaffirmed that aid was provided to all who suffered injuries in the accident. A few were also hospitalised to receive appropriate treatment.</p>

<p>Security Information Department at the Ministry of the Interior announced a run-over accident about 15 people of Asian nationalities on Gulf Road.&nbsp;In a statement, the administration said surveillance cameras are being reviewed to find and apprehend the driver and a case of hit and run has been registered while necessary legal measures are being taken, the report said.&nbsp;</p>

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A total of 15 Asians, including Indian expatriates, were hurt in a hit-and-run accident on Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street in Kuwait on Sunday, according to media reports.

A total of 15 Asians, including Indian expatriates, were hurt in a hit-and-run accident on Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street in Kuwait on Sunday, according to media reports. No information is yet known as to how many Indians were hurt in the accident. The bikers were not given patrol security because they lacked authorization to use the route, media reports said quoting a senior official of the Kuwaiti government. Also Read | Netherlands: Over 1,500 arrested in protests by Extinction Rebellion climate group According to the Khaleej Times, the accident took place on Friday in Kuwait City when a group of Filipino cyclists had congregated to practise the sport. Indian cyclists had subsequently joined them. A vehicle drove over a bunch of cyclists while they were riding on the main road. "The accident, which occurred on Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, caused several injuries to a group of Asian cyclists that included Indian expats who were using the main road. The driver of the vehicle initially escaped after running down the cyclists, and surveillance camera footage was being reviewed to find the perpetrator. However, later he turned himself in," the report said. Also Read | China's first homegrown passenger jet C919 embarks on maiden commercial flight Given that this has happened before, the police authorities asked locals to get the required permission before engaging in sports in public areas so that security patrols may be dispatched to stop events like this. As per another Kuwait local media report, Times Kuwait, the bikers were riding in the opposite direction as to the vehicle with which they were hit. Appropriate legal action will be taken against the car's driver for failing to pay attention while driving, the report said adding the cyclists were cycling in the opposite direction on purpose so that they could see the cars approaching from the front. Action will be taken despite the fact that the road was not originally intended for bicycle use without authorization. Watch | India's new Parliament: PM Modi to inaugurate new Parliament on Sunday | Details × The media reports citing sources reaffirmed that aid was provided to all who suffered injuries in the accident. A few were also hospitalised to receive appropriate treatment. Security Information Department at the Ministry of the Interior announced a run-over accident about 15 people of Asian nationalities on Gulf Road. In a statement, the administration said surveillance cameras are being reviewed to find and apprehend the driver and a case of hit and run has been registered while necessary legal measures are being taken, the report said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Indian expats among injured cyclists in Kuwait hit-and-run tragedy

<p>The withdrawal of INR 2,000 currency notes from circulation may actually boost India’s economy temporarily. As per economists, consumers in India might use Rs 2,000 notes to&nbsp;snap up costly products, such as jewellery and real estate, in order to quickly get rid of them.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Reserve Bank of India to withdraw ₹2000 notes from circulation</strong></p>

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<p>People might also resort to buying other household items like air conditioners and refrigerators. Ankita Pathak, an economist at DSP Investment Managers, was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times, “It is expected to help growth a bit because consumption is expected to go up.”</p>

<h2><strong>Panic buying already visible among customers</strong></h2>

<p>Earlier, The Times of India reported that the decision on&nbsp;Rs 2,000 currency notes has prompted panic buying among Indian customers. People even complained that store owners were quoting higher prices for gold when paid with Rs 2,000 notes. However, it must be noted that high-value cash transactions will attract the attention of tax authorities as pan card details are mandatorily registered with the sellers.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/what-rbi-will-do-with-your-out-of-use-rs2000-currency-note-595116"><strong>Also Read |&nbsp;What RBI will do with your out-of-use ₹2000 currency note</strong></a></p>

<p>Gnansekharan Thiagrajan, director at Commtrendz Research, said, “There is some knee-jerk reaction here. When cash is involved, one of the things you use it for is to buy gold. Definitely, it will push up demand for now and it may make up for the lost demand during Akshay Tritiya when prices reached a peak. It will be a gradual increase in demand as there is time to exchange notes."</p>

<h2><strong>People also rushing to petrol pumps</strong></h2>

<p>The usage of Rs 2,000 notes for cash purchases of fuel at petrol pumps has significantly increased to nearly 90 per cent of daily sales. This surge occurred as buyers hurried to utilise the withdrawn currency notes.</p>

<p>Prior to the unexpected announcement of the withdrawal of Rs 2,000 notes, cash sales at petrol pumps accounted for only 10 per cent. However, after the announcement, customers began using the withdrawn note for smaller purchases of Rs 100 or Rs 200, anticipating that petrol pumps would provide change.</p>

<h2><strong>10.8 per cent of notes removed from circulation</strong></h2>

<p>The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that citizens have until September 30 to deposit or exchange Rs 2,000 notes as part of a "clean note policy." The decision aims to manage the country's currency effectively. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das reiterated this stance, stating that there has always been reluctance in accepting Rs 2,000 rupee notes, which may have increased further following the notification.</p>

<p>This move will result in approximately 10.8 per cent of the notes being taken out of circulation. It is worth noting that this measure is different from the previous demonetisation exercise, which removed 86 per cent of the currency from the system.</p>

<h2><strong>Surge expected in conspicuous spending</strong></h2>

<p>Experts also noted that people’s reluctance to disclose their cash holdings may lead to conspicuous spending in the coming days. The decision of banning Rs 2,000 notes is also expected to improve liquidity in the country.&nbsp;</p>

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The withdrawal of INR 2,000 currency notes from circulation may actually boost India’s economy temporarily. As per economists, consumers in India might use Rs 2,000 notes to snap up costly products, such as jewellery and real estate, in order to quickly get rid of them.

The withdrawal of INR 2,000 currency notes from circulation may actually boost India’s economy temporarily. As per economists, consumers in India might use Rs 2,000 notes to snap up costly products, such as jewellery and real estate, in order to quickly get rid of them. Watch: Reserve Bank of India to withdraw ₹2000 notes from circulation × People might also resort to buying other household items like air conditioners and refrigerators. Ankita Pathak, an economist at DSP Investment Managers, was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times, “It is expected to help growth a bit because consumption is expected to go up.” Panic buying already visible among customers Earlier, The Times of India reported that the decision on Rs 2,000 currency notes has prompted panic buying among Indian customers. People even complained that store owners were quoting higher prices for gold when paid with Rs 2,000 notes. However, it must be noted that high-value cash transactions will attract the attention of tax authorities as pan card details are mandatorily registered with the sellers. Also Read | What RBI will do with your out-of-use ₹2000 currency note Gnansekharan Thiagrajan, director at Commtrendz Research, said, “There is some knee-jerk reaction here. When cash is involved, one of the things you use it for is to buy gold. Definitely, it will push up demand for now and it may make up for the lost demand during Akshay Tritiya when prices reached a peak. It will be a gradual increase in demand as there is time to exchange notes." People also rushing to petrol pumps The usage of Rs 2,000 notes for cash purchases of fuel at petrol pumps has significantly increased to nearly 90 per cent of daily sales. This surge occurred as buyers hurried to utilise the withdrawn currency notes. Prior to the unexpected announcement of the withdrawal of Rs 2,000 notes, cash sales at petrol pumps accounted for only 10 per cent. However, after the announcement, customers began using the withdrawn note for smaller purchases of Rs 100 or Rs 200, anticipating that petrol pumps would provide change. 10.8 per cent of notes removed from circulation The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that citizens have until September 30 to deposit or exchange Rs 2,000 notes as part of a "clean note policy." The decision aims to manage the country's currency effectively. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das reiterated this stance, stating that there has always been reluctance in accepting Rs 2,000 rupee notes, which may have increased further following the notification. This move will result in approximately 10.8 per cent of the notes being taken out of circulation. It is worth noting that this measure is different from the previous demonetisation exercise, which removed 86 per cent of the currency from the system. Surge expected in conspicuous spending Experts also noted that people’s reluctance to disclose their cash holdings may lead to conspicuous spending in the coming days. The decision of banning Rs 2,000 notes is also expected to improve liquidity in the country. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Indians rush to jewellery stores, petrol pumps after Rs 2,000 note withdrawal

Ukraine's defence ministry tweeted a controversial meme on Sunday. The tweet has hurt the religious sentiments of Indians. Many have labelled it Hinduphobic. The meme has now been taken down, but Indians are demanding an apology from Ukraine. Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: Indians call out Ukraine for its tweet | Meme hurt religious sentiments of Indians

<p>Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan stated that 1250 Indians have been brought to Jeddah from Port Sudan under the ongoing Indian government evacuation efforts, Operation Kaveri.</p>

<p>Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal from Jeddah, Minister Muraleedharan said,'' the government of India will be to bring every Indian safe and secure back to India and we will continue the effort to bring them out of the conflict zone."</p>

<p>The minister is on the ground in the Saudi city which has been the nerve center of Indian evacuation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudanese-army-rsf-agree-to-extend-truce-by-72-hours-586826">Sudanese army, RSF agree to extend truce by 72 hours</a></p>

<p>According to Indian govt estimates, around 3400 Indians are in the conflict-torn country, with ongoing evacuation efforts focusing on evacuation by road, sea and air.</p>

<p>During the interview, he was joined by General Abdullah, the commander and the chief of the King Abdullah air base where Indians are being brought, and explained, "It is our duty towards our friends. I hope we did the right thing."</p>

<p><em><strong>Here's the full interview:</strong></em></p>

<p><strong>WION:</strong> If you can detail the evacuation efforts of the Indian government?<br />
<strong>V Muraleedharan: </strong>I am here in Jeddah, King Abdullah air base where the C130 Flight from port Sudan has landed. You can see my background, the Indians from Karnataka who have come from port Sudan. They have reached here and after immigration and they will be accommodated in a transit facility and take them back to India.</p>

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<p><strong>WION: </strong>The challenges faced by you in the evacuation efforts?<br />
<strong>V Muraleedharan: </strong>This evacuation that is happening. I will term it as happening in four stages. The first stage is bringing all those who are in the conflict zones to comparatively safer zones in Khartoum. Then the road travels which amounts to around 800 kilometres from Khartoum to Port Sudan. And from there, both the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy are involved. Indian Air Force has deployed 2 C130 planes, as well as Indian Navy's INS Sumedha and INS Teg. They have done one trip each and we have INS Tarkesh also. So this is the facility that we are utilizing to bring the Indians from the Port Sudan to Jeddah. In Jeddah, we have a control room functioning for almost a week where the transit facility is here. All the Indian air force planes are landing at the King Abdullah air base of the Saudi Royal Air Force. Here all the arrangements are being done by the Saudi authorities for immigration, for even refreshments. From here they are being taken to the transit facility. So the most crucial part is the almost 800-kilometer journey from Khartoum to Port Sudan where without any problems, and issues they need to be brought in by road. We have been successful, till now 1250 Indians have reached Jeddah. Maybe tomorrow we'll be able to transport the rest of those who are in the transit facility.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Gravitas: This Canadian chef sold poison to suicidal youngsters</strong></p>

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<p><strong>WION: </strong>If you can give details of the Indian nationals who are still in Sudan? How many Indians are still in Sudan that need to be evacuated?<br />
<strong>V Muraleedharan:</strong> &nbsp;As per our estimate, the number of Indians who have either registered with the Indian embassy or the Indian Embassy is in touch with them. The number amounts to around 3400 of which now, almost 1250 have reached Jeddah. Rest of them, I would say are either in Port Sudan or are on there way from Khartoum to port Sudan. Of course, that number altogether would be around 2000. The rest of them, effort is on to bring them also back to Port Sudan, to Jeddah and then India.</p>

<p><strong>WION: </strong>So when it comes to all the coordination efforts with foreign countries, if you can give details, role of the Saudi government?<br />
<strong>V Muraleedharan: </strong>Saudi Arabia is extremely helpful, supportive. I have with me General Abdullah, the commander and the chief of the King Abdullah air base here. He has personally been with us during the last three days and nights. The whole night we had to stay awake. He was with us throughout, extending all assistance. And I would say that the India-Saudi partnership during this period of evacuation is on full display. The Saudi authorities have been extending all help and support to the Indians who are coming over to provide all the facilities here in the King Abdullah airbase and the External Affairs Minister has personally thanked the Saudi authorities, the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia for the assistance and support that they have been providing in this evacuation.</p>

<p><strong>General Abdullah:</strong> It is our duty towards our friends. I hope we did the right thing. What you need for your people. All we have done is done by the order of our king, the crown prince and also the directions of our commander. We are happy to do it, a duty for our brothers. Inshallaha, hope this crisis will finish and this operation will be successful. Anything you want, most welcome for everybody, and all capabilities we have are for you. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WION: </strong>What is the message you will send to Indians, and their families still stranded in Sudan.<br />
<strong>V Muraleedharan: </strong>As you know, the Prime Minister has already mentioned the effort of the government of India will be to bring every Indian safe and secure back to India and we will continue the effort to bring them out of the conflict zone. Bring them back safely to India.</p>

<p><strong>WION: </strong>Are you in touch with any Sudanese Generals?<br />
<strong>V Muraleedharan: &nbsp;</strong>I'm focusing on the evacuation efforts. I'm in Jeddah, and that's my mandate. So I'm trying to coordinate these efforts with the Indian authorities, with the Indian Embassy here as well as in Khartoum, as well as the Saudi authorities here the Foreign Ministry of Saudi, the Air Force, the Air Force Base, which is here. So the rest of the things I think we will discuss later.</p>

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Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan stated that 1250 Indians have been brought to Jeddah from Port Sudan under the ongoing Indian government evacuation efforts, Operation Kaveri.

Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan stated that 1250 Indians have been brought to Jeddah from Port Sudan under the ongoing Indian government evacuation efforts, Operation Kaveri. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal from Jeddah, Minister Muraleedharan said,'' the government of India will be to bring every Indian safe and secure back to India and we will continue the effort to bring them out of the conflict zone." The minister is on the ground in the Saudi city which has been the nerve center of Indian evacuation. Also Read | Sudanese army, RSF agree to extend truce by 72 hours According to Indian govt estimates, around 3400 Indians are in the conflict-torn country, with ongoing evacuation efforts focusing on evacuation by road, sea and air. During the interview, he was joined by General Abdullah, the commander and the chief of the King Abdullah air base where Indians are being brought, and explained, "It is our duty towards our friends. I hope we did the right thing." Here's the full interview: WION: If you can detail the evacuation efforts of the Indian government? V Muraleedharan: I am here in Jeddah, King Abdullah air base where the C130 Flight from port Sudan has landed. You can see my background, the Indians from Karnataka who have come from port Sudan. They have reached here and after immigration and they will be accommodated in a transit facility and take them back to India. Also Read | Germany may restrict export of semiconductor supplies to China: Report WION: The challenges faced by you in the evacuation efforts? V Muraleedharan: This evacuation that is happening. I will term it as happening in four stages. The first stage is bringing all those who are in the conflict zones to comparatively safer zones in Khartoum. Then the road travels which amounts to around 800 kilometres from Khartoum to Port Sudan. And from there, both the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy are involved. Indian Air Force has deployed 2 C130 planes, as well as Indian Navy's INS Sumedha and INS Teg. They have done one trip each and we have INS Tarkesh also. So this is the facility that we are utilizing to bring the Indians from the Port Sudan to Jeddah. In Jeddah, we have a control room functioning for almost a week where the transit facility is here. All the Indian air force planes are landing at the King Abdullah air base of the Saudi Royal Air Force. Here all the arrangements are being done by the Saudi authorities for immigration, for even refreshments. From here they are being taken to the transit facility. So the most crucial part is the almost 800-kilometer journey from Khartoum to Port Sudan where without any problems, and issues they need to be brought in by road. We have been successful, till now 1250 Indians have reached Jeddah. Maybe tomorrow we'll be able to transport the rest of those who are in the transit facility. Watch | Gravitas: This Canadian chef sold poison to suicidal youngsters × WION: If you can give details of the Indian nationals who are still in Sudan? How many Indians are still in Sudan that need to be evacuated? V Muraleedharan: As per our estimate, the number of Indians who have either registered with the Indian embassy or the Indian Embassy is in touch with them. The number amounts to around 3400 of which now, almost 1250 have reached Jeddah. Rest of them, I would say are either in Port Sudan or are on there way from Khartoum to port Sudan. Of course, that number altogether would be around 2000. The rest of them, effort is on to bring them also back to Port Sudan, to Jeddah and then India. WION: So when it comes to all the coordination efforts with foreign countries, if you can give details, role of the Saudi government? V Muraleedharan: Saudi Arabia is extremely helpful, supportive. I have with me General Abdullah, the commander and the chief of the King Abdullah air base here. He has personally been with us during the last three days and nights. The whole night we had to stay awake. He was with us throughout, extending all assistance. And I would say that the India-Saudi partnership during this period of evacuation is on full display. The Saudi authorities have been extending all help and support to the Indians who are coming over to provide all the facilities here in the King Abdullah airbase and the External Affairs Minister has personally thanked the Saudi authorities, the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia for the assistance and support that they have been providing in this evacuation. General Abdullah: It is our duty towards our friends. I hope we did the right thing. What you need for your people. All we have done is done by the order of our king, the crown prince and also the directions of our commander. We are happy to do it, a duty for our brothers. Inshallaha, hope this crisis will finish and this operation will be successful. Anything you want, most welcome for everybody, and all capabilities we have are for you. WION: What is the message you will send to Indians, and their families still stranded in Sudan. V Muraleedharan: As you know, the Prime Minister has already mentioned the effort of the government of India will be to bring every Indian safe and secure back to India and we will continue the effort to bring them out of the conflict zone. Bring them back safely to India. WION: Are you in touch with any Sudanese Generals? V Muraleedharan: I'm focusing on the evacuation efforts. I'm in Jeddah, and that's my mandate. So I'm trying to coordinate these efforts with the Indian authorities, with the Indian Embassy here as well as in Khartoum, as well as the Saudi authorities here the Foreign Ministry of Saudi, the Air Force, the Air Force Base, which is here. So the rest of the things I think we will discuss later. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. 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Exclusive: 1250 Indians evacuated to Jeddah from Sudan, Minister V Muraleedharan to WION

<p>The first aircraft carrying 360 Indians to Saudi Arabia from Sudan's conflict-torn region took off from Jeddah Airport and arrived in New Delhi&nbsp;at 9 p.m. on&nbsp;Wednesday (April 26).</p>

<p>Indian citizens are being transported by ship and plane as part of "Operation Kaveri" from Port Sudan to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, as reported by ANI.</p>

<p>On April 14, violence broke out in Sudan as a result of a power struggle between two generals, one in leadership of the Army and the other in charge of a paramilitary force.</p>

<p>The long-standing dictator of the nation, Omar al-Bashir, was deposed in a coup in 2021, which is also the root-cause of the conflict. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of the Sudanese Army and General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces collaborated to overthrow al-Bashir despite their rivalry. On power sharing, they haven't been able to reach an understanding.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">India welcomes back its own. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OperationKaveri?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OperationKaveri</a> brings 360 Indian Nationals to the homeland as first flight reaches New Delhi. <a href="https://t.co/v9pBLmBQ8X">pic.twitter.com/v9pBLmBQ8X</a></p>
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1651257875782615041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>After the two sides announced a 72-hour ceasefire that started at midnight on April 24, the evacuation of foreign nationals from Sudan accelerated.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/data-lab-un-warns-of-further-displacement-from-sudan-despite-ceasefire-586270">Data Lab | UN warns of further 'displacement' from Sudan despite ceasefire</a></p>

<p>Minister of state for external affairs V Muraleedharan, who is personally monitoring the evacuation efforts, tweeted, “Happy to see off 360 Indians at Jeddah Airport in a flight bound for New Delhi They will be reaching the motherland soon, reuniting with their families Under #OperationKaveri the Government is working relentlessly to evacuate Indian nationals from Sudan &amp; bring them home safely”.</p>

<p>A video of Indians on the first flight back to New Delhi was released by&nbsp;Muraleedharan.</p>

<p>In a video, an Indian&nbsp;citizen&nbsp;can be seen talking about how it was a riot situation in Sudan.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Happy to see off 360 Indians at Jeddah Airport in a flight bound for New Delhi<br />
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They will be reaching the motherland soon, reuniting with their families<br />
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Under <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OperationKaveri?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OperationKaveri</a> the Government is working relentlessly to evacuate Indian nationals from Sudan &amp; bring them home safely <a href="https://t.co/0kCIH35jyb">pic.twitter.com/0kCIH35jyb</a></p>
— V. Muraleedharan (@MOS_MEA) <a href="https://twitter.com/MOS_MEA/status/1651184810507812864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">While the Indian Air Force military planes have already performed three flights, some 278 Indian individuals have been evacuated by ship in total.</div>

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<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas : Sudan at risk of a biological hazard?</strong></div>

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<p>There are 4,000–5,000 Indians in Sudan, mostly in Khartoum, according to estimates. Since Indians have been instructed to travel independently to collecting locations where buses are waiting for them to depart for Port Sudan, the evacuation from Khartoum is still logistically difficult.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The first aircraft carrying 360 Indians to Saudi Arabia from Sudan's conflict-torn region took off from Jeddah Airport and arrived in New Delhi at 9 p.m. on Wednesday (April 26).

The first aircraft carrying 360 Indians to Saudi Arabia from Sudan's conflict-torn region took off from Jeddah Airport and arrived in New Delhi at 9 p.m. on Wednesday (April 26). Indian citizens are being transported by ship and plane as part of "Operation Kaveri" from Port Sudan to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, as reported by ANI. On April 14, violence broke out in Sudan as a result of a power struggle between two generals, one in leadership of the Army and the other in charge of a paramilitary force. The long-standing dictator of the nation, Omar al-Bashir, was deposed in a coup in 2021, which is also the root-cause of the conflict. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of the Sudanese Army and General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces collaborated to overthrow al-Bashir despite their rivalry. On power sharing, they haven't been able to reach an understanding. India welcomes back its own. #OperationKaveri brings 360 Indian Nationals to the homeland as first flight reaches New Delhi. pic.twitter.com/v9pBLmBQ8X — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 26, 2023 × After the two sides announced a 72-hour ceasefire that started at midnight on April 24, the evacuation of foreign nationals from Sudan accelerated. ALSO READ | Data Lab | UN warns of further 'displacement' from Sudan despite ceasefire Minister of state for external affairs V Muraleedharan, who is personally monitoring the evacuation efforts, tweeted, “Happy to see off 360 Indians at Jeddah Airport in a flight bound for New Delhi They will be reaching the motherland soon, reuniting with their families Under #OperationKaveri the Government is working relentlessly to evacuate Indian nationals from Sudan & bring them home safely”. A video of Indians on the first flight back to New Delhi was released by Muraleedharan. In a video, an Indian citizen can be seen talking about how it was a riot situation in Sudan. Happy to see off 360 Indians at Jeddah Airport in a flight bound for New Delhi They will be reaching the motherland soon, reuniting with their families Under #OperationKaveri the Government is working relentlessly to evacuate Indian nationals from Sudan & bring them home safely pic.twitter.com/0kCIH35jyb — V. Muraleedharan (@MOS_MEA) April 26, 2023 × While the Indian Air Force military planes have already performed three flights, some 278 Indian individuals have been evacuated by ship in total. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas : Sudan at risk of a biological hazard? There are 4,000–5,000 Indians in Sudan, mostly in Khartoum, according to estimates. Since Indians have been instructed to travel independently to collecting locations where buses are waiting for them to depart for Port Sudan, the evacuation from Khartoum is still logistically difficult. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

WATCH | Touchdown Delhi: 360 Indians evacuated from war-torn Sudan reach capital via flight

Another IAF C-130J flight under Operation Kaveri arrived at Jeddah with 128 Indians. The Indian Nationals reached Saudi Arabia's Jeddah. Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan received the Indian nationals in Jeddah. This is the sixth batch of Indians to be evacuated from Sudan.

Operation Kaveri: Incredible Indian Evacuation from Sudan to Saudi Arabia

India has evacuated at least 534 Indian nationals from Sudan and is looking to rescue more of its citizens from the strife-torn African nation before the end of a tenuous ceasefire between the regular army and a paramilitary force. Watch in External Affair Ministry's briefing on the ongoing Operation Kaveri.

Situation on the ground in Sudan remains volatile: Indian External Affair Ministry

India has begun evacuating its citizens who have been stranded in Sudan. First batch of stranded Indians leave Sudan under Operation Kaveri. Indian Navy's mission deployed warship INS Sumedha for the evacuation of stranded citizens. First batch of 278 Indians departed Port Sudan for Jeddah. About 3,000 Indians were estimated to be stranded in Sudan.

First batch of Indians leave Sudan under 'Operation Kaveri'

Migrant issue has always been one of the most important issues for the UK PM Rishi Sunak. A latest report shows that Indians have overtaken Albanians to become the second largest group crossing the English Channel. To know more, watch the video.

Indians takeover Albanians to become second largest migrant group in UK

<p>External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has plunged into a round of diplomacy to help resolve the Sudan crisis and protect Indians there, meeting Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and consulting several foreign ministers as international efforts ramped up on the eve of Ramadan.</p>

<p>"We, of course, have obviously a very strong interest in the matter because there are so many Indians there," he said on Thursday after his meeting with Guterres.</p>

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<p>Jaishankar, who was on his way to a series of visits to Guyana, Panama, Columbia and the Dominican Republic, made an unscheduled stopover in New York to meet Guterres because "you could immediately see that this (Sudan situation) was very serious and a lot of (our) people were trapped by the situation."</p>

<p>"The UN is at the heart of the efforts to establish a ceasefire. And that is really the key because at the moment, unless there is a ceasefire and unless there are corridors, it is not safe for people to come out," he told reporters.</p>

<p>Before meeting Jaishankar, Guterres appealed to the religious sentiments of the warring sides for an Eid al-Fitr ceasefire for three days to pave the way for a permanent ceasefire.</p>

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<p>Although two previous ceasefire efforts had failed, this time "there is a strong reason - all parties to the conflict are Muslim. We are living in a very important moment in the Muslim calendar. I think this is the right moment for a ceasefire to hold," he told reporters.</p>

<p>Fighting broke out on April 14 between the military controlled by General Abdel Fattah Burhan, who is also the country`s head, and the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo.</p>

<p>After a coup in 2021, they had been in a power-sharing arrangement that collapsed over differences on integrating the two forces.</p>

<p>WATCH | Have British schools become breeding grounds for Anti-Hindu hate?</p>

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<p>There are about 4,000 Indian citizens in Sudan, and according to the Indian embassy in Khartoum of them, about 1,500 are longtime residents.</p>

<p>An Indian ex-serviceman. Albert Augustine, who was working in Sudan, was killed by a stray bullet.</p>

<p>Jaishankar assured Indians trapped in Sudan that the government was making all-out efforts to get them to safety.</p>

<p>"Our team in Delhi is in continuous touch with Indian citizens in Sudan, advising them saying, you know, `It`s very difficult for everybody, but keep calm, don`t take unnecessary risk`," he said.</p>

<p>"I hope that the efforts, including that led by S-G (Guterres), will lead to something very soon, but we will have to wait and see", he added.</p>

<p>Jaishankar said that he had spoken about the Sudan situation with foreign ministers Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates and Sameh Shoukr of Egypt, and British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, as well as US diplomats.</p>

<p>He said that the focus of the diplomatic efforts first is to get a "workable, on-the-ground observed ceasefire."</p>

<p>The next step would be to create corridors for movement and assembly points for Indian citizens to be evacuated, he said.</p>

<p>Guterres called the situation "completely outrageous" and said that the "fighting in urban areas is particularly dangerous for civilians, including children, who have repeatedly been forced to shelter in schools and evacuate from hospitals under fire."</p>

<p>He said that humanitarian operations have become impossible because of attacks on and looting of properties of relief organisations.</p>

<p>He warned, "Targeting humanitarian workers and assets must end. I remind all parties of their obligations under international law, including ensuring the safety and security of humanitarian aid workers."</p>

<p>Guterres`s Deputy Spokesperson Farzan Haq said that more than 330 people have been killed in the fighting and 3,200 people have been injured according to World Health Organisation.</p>

<p>He added that according to the UN Children`s Fund (UNICEF), at least nine children have reportedly been killed and more than 50 children injured.</p>

<p>The RSF is a paramilitary organisation that is made up primarily of a militia known as Janjaweed that fought on behalf of the Sudan government against rebels in the Darfur region.</p>

<p>Burhan and Dagalo collaborated in ousting the reviled dictator Omar al-Bashir, who is now a fugitive after&nbsp;a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for atrocities in the Darfur region in 2019 and carried out a coup against Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in 2021.</p>

<p>The current civil war is a setback to moves to restore democracy that received a boost when the two signed a framework agreement in December with civil groups to transition to civilian rule.</p>

<p>Battered by decades of military coups and civil wars, Sudan`s economy and society have been extremely fragile requiring international assistance to stave off starvation and the latest conflict has made the situation worse.</p>

<p>Under-Secretary-General Martin Griffiths said that 15.8 million people were in dire need of humanitarian assistance.</p>

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External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has plunged into a round of diplomacy to help resolve the Sudan crisis and protect Indians there, meeting Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and consulting several foreign ministers as international efforts ramped up on the eve of Ramadan.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has plunged into a round of diplomacy to help resolve the Sudan crisis and protect Indians there, meeting Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and consulting several foreign ministers as international efforts ramped up on the eve of Ramadan. "We, of course, have obviously a very strong interest in the matter because there are so many Indians there," he said on Thursday after his meeting with Guterres. Also Read | North Korea hits back at G7, says position as nuclear state 'final and irreversible' Jaishankar, who was on his way to a series of visits to Guyana, Panama, Columbia and the Dominican Republic, made an unscheduled stopover in New York to meet Guterres because "you could immediately see that this (Sudan situation) was very serious and a lot of (our) people were trapped by the situation." "The UN is at the heart of the efforts to establish a ceasefire. And that is really the key because at the moment, unless there is a ceasefire and unless there are corridors, it is not safe for people to come out," he told reporters. Before meeting Jaishankar, Guterres appealed to the religious sentiments of the warring sides for an Eid al-Fitr ceasefire for three days to pave the way for a permanent ceasefire. WATCH | Russian recruitment ad calling for 'real men' to fight in Ukraine Although two previous ceasefire efforts had failed, this time "there is a strong reason - all parties to the conflict are Muslim. We are living in a very important moment in the Muslim calendar. I think this is the right moment for a ceasefire to hold," he told reporters. Fighting broke out on April 14 between the military controlled by General Abdel Fattah Burhan, who is also the country`s head, and the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo. After a coup in 2021, they had been in a power-sharing arrangement that collapsed over differences on integrating the two forces. WATCH | Have British schools become breeding grounds for Anti-Hindu hate? × There are about 4,000 Indian citizens in Sudan, and according to the Indian embassy in Khartoum of them, about 1,500 are longtime residents. An Indian ex-serviceman. Albert Augustine, who was working in Sudan, was killed by a stray bullet. Jaishankar assured Indians trapped in Sudan that the government was making all-out efforts to get them to safety. "Our team in Delhi is in continuous touch with Indian citizens in Sudan, advising them saying, you know, `It`s very difficult for everybody, but keep calm, don`t take unnecessary risk`," he said. "I hope that the efforts, including that led by S-G (Guterres), will lead to something very soon, but we will have to wait and see", he added. Jaishankar said that he had spoken about the Sudan situation with foreign ministers Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates and Sameh Shoukr of Egypt, and British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, as well as US diplomats. He said that the focus of the diplomatic efforts first is to get a "workable, on-the-ground observed ceasefire." The next step would be to create corridors for movement and assembly points for Indian citizens to be evacuated, he said. Guterres called the situation "completely outrageous" and said that the "fighting in urban areas is particularly dangerous for civilians, including children, who have repeatedly been forced to shelter in schools and evacuate from hospitals under fire." He said that humanitarian operations have become impossible because of attacks on and looting of properties of relief organisations. He warned, "Targeting humanitarian workers and assets must end. I remind all parties of their obligations under international law, including ensuring the safety and security of humanitarian aid workers." Guterres`s Deputy Spokesperson Farzan Haq said that more than 330 people have been killed in the fighting and 3,200 people have been injured according to World Health Organisation. He added that according to the UN Children`s Fund (UNICEF), at least nine children have reportedly been killed and more than 50 children injured. The RSF is a paramilitary organisation that is made up primarily of a militia known as Janjaweed that fought on behalf of the Sudan government against rebels in the Darfur region. Burhan and Dagalo collaborated in ousting the reviled dictator Omar al-Bashir, who is now a fugitive after a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for atrocities in the Darfur region in 2019 and carried out a coup against Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in 2021. The current civil war is a setback to moves to restore democracy that received a boost when the two signed a framework agreement in December with civil groups to transition to civilian rule. Battered by decades of military coups and civil wars, Sudan`s economy and society have been extremely fragile requiring international assistance to stave off starvation and the latest conflict has made the situation worse. Under-Secretary-General Martin Griffiths said that 15.8 million people were in dire need of humanitarian assistance. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Jaishankar intensifies diplomatic efforts, meets Guterres, to protect Indians in Sudan

<p>With many Indians stranded in violence-hit Sudan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting on Friday to take stock of the situation.&nbsp;About 3,000 Indians are currently estimated to be in Sudan.</p>

<p>The meeting saw the presence of many senior ministers and diplomats. Among them were Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar, foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Indian Ambassador to Egypt Ajit Gupte, a representative from the Ministry of Defence and the Chief of Naval Staff.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During the meeting, the prime minister reviewed the latest developments in violence-hit Sudan. While he received a first-hand report of the conditions on the ground, he laid emphasis on the safety and security of over 3,000 Indian citizens stuck in the African nation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Modi expressed his condolences for the loss of an Indian national who died last week in the crossfire. He further ordered all concerned authorities to exercise extreme caution and keep track of the developments while constantly assessing the safety of Indians.</p>

<p>The Indian PM also urged the officials to provide the stuck Indians with any kind of aid they require.</p>

<p>PM Modi gave instructions for the creation of contingency evacuation plans and check for other options to ensure the safety of Indians in this volatile situation. He stressed the need for keeping strong ties with nations in the area that border Sudan and also with those that have a sizable diaspora of residents living there.</p>

<p>The Indian government has issued three advisories to warn citizens to take shelter and exercise caution.&nbsp;</p>

<p>External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar raised the matter with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York. During the talks, Jaishankar stressed the need to resolve the Sudan crisis and protect Indians there.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We, of course, have obviously a very strong interest in the matter because there are so many Indians there," Jaishankar said on Thursday following his meeting with Guterres.</p>

<p>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-hits-back-at-g7-says-position-as-nuclear-state-final-and-irreversible-584618">North Korea hits back at G7, says position as nuclear state 'final and irreversible'</a></p>

<p>Jaishankar made an unannounced visit to New York at a time when he was scheduled for visits to Latin American nations. "You could immediately see that this (Sudan situation) was very serious and a lot of (our) people were trapped by the situation," the EAM said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The UN is at the heart of the efforts to establish a ceasefire. And that is really the key because at the moment, unless there is a ceasefire and unless there are corridors, it is not safe for people to come out," he added while speaking to reporters in New York.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, in a significant development Friday, Sudan’s paramilitary agreed to a 72-hour “humanitarian truce” as the Muslim community marks Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which devotees fast from dawn to dusk.</p>

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<p>“The truce coincides with the blessed Eid al-Fitr...to open humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens and give them the opportunity to greet their families,” said the RSF, on Twitter. This comes as the Sudanese capital of Khartoum continued to be rocked by bombing and shelling on Friday, reported Reuters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“At this moment, when citizens are preparing to receive the first day of Eid al-Fitr, the neighbourhoods of Khartoum are waking up to the bombings of aircrafts and heavy artillery in a sweeping attack that is directly targeting residential neighbourhoods,” said RSF on Friday.&nbsp;Hundreds of people have lost their lives in the power struggle between RSF and the Sudanese Army.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Have British schools become breeding grounds for Anti-Hindu hate?</strong></p>

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<p>According to UN numbers, about 10,000 to 20,000 people took shelter in neighbouring Chad.&nbsp;“There was a strong consensus on condemning ongoing fighting in Sudan and calling for cessation of hostilities as an immediate priority,” said Guterres, following a meeting with the heads of the African Union, the Arab League and other organisations on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

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With many Indians stranded in violence-hit Sudan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting on Friday to take stock of the situation. About 3,000 Indians are currently estimated to be in Sudan.

With many Indians stranded in violence-hit Sudan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting on Friday to take stock of the situation. About 3,000 Indians are currently estimated to be in Sudan. The meeting saw the presence of many senior ministers and diplomats. Among them were Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar, foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Indian Ambassador to Egypt Ajit Gupte, a representative from the Ministry of Defence and the Chief of Naval Staff. During the meeting, the prime minister reviewed the latest developments in violence-hit Sudan. While he received a first-hand report of the conditions on the ground, he laid emphasis on the safety and security of over 3,000 Indian citizens stuck in the African nation. PM Modi expressed his condolences for the loss of an Indian national who died last week in the crossfire. He further ordered all concerned authorities to exercise extreme caution and keep track of the developments while constantly assessing the safety of Indians. The Indian PM also urged the officials to provide the stuck Indians with any kind of aid they require. PM Modi gave instructions for the creation of contingency evacuation plans and check for other options to ensure the safety of Indians in this volatile situation. He stressed the need for keeping strong ties with nations in the area that border Sudan and also with those that have a sizable diaspora of residents living there. The Indian government has issued three advisories to warn citizens to take shelter and exercise caution. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar raised the matter with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York. During the talks, Jaishankar stressed the need to resolve the Sudan crisis and protect Indians there. "We, of course, have obviously a very strong interest in the matter because there are so many Indians there," Jaishankar said on Thursday following his meeting with Guterres. Also Read | North Korea hits back at G7, says position as nuclear state 'final and irreversible' Jaishankar made an unannounced visit to New York at a time when he was scheduled for visits to Latin American nations. "You could immediately see that this (Sudan situation) was very serious and a lot of (our) people were trapped by the situation," the EAM said. "The UN is at the heart of the efforts to establish a ceasefire. And that is really the key because at the moment, unless there is a ceasefire and unless there are corridors, it is not safe for people to come out," he added while speaking to reporters in New York. Meanwhile, in a significant development Friday, Sudan’s paramilitary agreed to a 72-hour “humanitarian truce” as the Muslim community marks Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which devotees fast from dawn to dusk. Also Read | Russian recruitment ad calling for 'real men' to fight in Ukraine “The truce coincides with the blessed Eid al-Fitr...to open humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens and give them the opportunity to greet their families,” said the RSF, on Twitter. This comes as the Sudanese capital of Khartoum continued to be rocked by bombing and shelling on Friday, reported Reuters. “At this moment, when citizens are preparing to receive the first day of Eid al-Fitr, the neighbourhoods of Khartoum are waking up to the bombings of aircrafts and heavy artillery in a sweeping attack that is directly targeting residential neighbourhoods,” said RSF on Friday. Hundreds of people have lost their lives in the power struggle between RSF and the Sudanese Army. Watch | Have British schools become breeding grounds for Anti-Hindu hate? × According to UN numbers, about 10,000 to 20,000 people took shelter in neighbouring Chad. “There was a strong consensus on condemning ongoing fighting in Sudan and calling for cessation of hostilities as an immediate priority,” said Guterres, following a meeting with the heads of the African Union, the Arab League and other organisations on Thursday. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

PM Modi reviews situation of Indians stuck in Sudan, directs offcials to prepare contingency evacuation plans

<p>Those seeking an appointment for US B1 and B2 visa (travel and business) urgently and wanting to avoid long waiting periods in India can now travel to other countries to the US embassy or consulate.&nbsp;The US mission in New Delhi on Friday announced that this new facility has been opened in Thailand and will soon be made accessible in other countries.</p>

<p>"Do you have upcoming international travel? If so, you may be able to get a visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your destination. For example, @USEmbassyBKK has opened B1/B2 appointment capacity for Indians who will be in Thailand in the coming months," US embassy, India, tweeted.</p>

<p>On average, the waiting period in India’s northeastern Kolkata state is 589 days, and 638 days in Mumbai, as opposed to just 14 days in Bangkok.</p>

<p>The US has been accelerating work to reduce the longer waiting hours to process visas for Indians.</p>

<p>From arranging special interviews for first-time applicants and expanding the strength of consular workers, to holding "special Saturday interview days" on January 21, the US embassy has been implementing a multi-pronged approach to reduce the delays.</p>

<p>For applicants with prior US visas, the US State Department has also instituted remote processing of interview waiver instances.</p>

<p>More than 250,000 additional B1/B2 appointments were made public two weeks ago by the US mission in India.</p>

<p>A senior US visa officer told PTI news agency recently that the US is "putting every ounce of its energy" into reducing the lengthy visa wait time in India.</p>

<p>This includes sending a team of consular officers to the nation and making its other overseas embassies, including those in Germany and Thailand, open to Indian citizens seeking visas.</p>

<p>India has been one of the few countries where applications for US visas saw a major upswing after Covid-related travel restrictions were lifted.</p>

<p>India’s foreign minister S Jaishankar had raised this issue in September with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Those seeking an appointment for US B1 and B2 visa (travel and business) urgently and wanting to avoid long waiting periods in India can now travel to other countries to the US embassy or consulate.

Those seeking an appointment for US B1 and B2 visa (travel and business) urgently and wanting to avoid long waiting periods in India can now travel to other countries to the US embassy or consulate. The US mission in New Delhi on Friday announced that this new facility has been opened in Thailand and will soon be made accessible in other countries. "Do you have upcoming international travel? If so, you may be able to get a visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your destination. For example, @USEmbassyBKK has opened B1/B2 appointment capacity for Indians who will be in Thailand in the coming months," US embassy, India, tweeted. On average, the waiting period in India’s northeastern Kolkata state is 589 days, and 638 days in Mumbai, as opposed to just 14 days in Bangkok. The US has been accelerating work to reduce the longer waiting hours to process visas for Indians. From arranging special interviews for first-time applicants and expanding the strength of consular workers, to holding "special Saturday interview days" on January 21, the US embassy has been implementing a multi-pronged approach to reduce the delays. For applicants with prior US visas, the US State Department has also instituted remote processing of interview waiver instances. More than 250,000 additional B1/B2 appointments were made public two weeks ago by the US mission in India. A senior US visa officer told PTI news agency recently that the US is "putting every ounce of its energy" into reducing the lengthy visa wait time in India. This includes sending a team of consular officers to the nation and making its other overseas embassies, including those in Germany and Thailand, open to Indian citizens seeking visas. India has been one of the few countries where applications for US visas saw a major upswing after Covid-related travel restrictions were lifted. India’s foreign minister S Jaishankar had raised this issue in September with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Indians seeking American visa appointments can now go to US embassies abroad

<p>In the adventure novel by the French writer Jules Verne, two men circumnavigate Around the World in Eighty Days. Time changes and now it is 2023 where it took only about all seven continents in just three days one hour five minutes and 4 seconds. That is only 73 hours. Dr Ali Irani and Sujoy Kumar Mitra broke the world record by achieving this feat. Know everything about what came their way, their stories and the previous record.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sujoy and Dr. Ali, two ardent travellers, think that all records are meant to be broken. According to the Guinness World Records book's website, Sujoy Kumar Mitra and Dr. Ali Irani who are both from India completed the fastest round-the-world trip on December 7, 2022, in Melbourne, Australia, taking 3 days, 1 hour, 5 minutes, and 4 seconds.</p>

<p>After pulling off this incredible accomplishment, the pair predicted that while they might have broken a record today, someone else will likely do so the next day. On his Instagram page, Dr. Ali also posted the Guinness World Records certificate.</p>

<p><img alt="Record" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="781dadbd-1e8f-4539-a96f-bacca0cef37c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Indian%20Duo%20.png" /></p>

<h2><strong>Round-the-world trip&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The seven continents -- Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America, Antarctica, and Oceania, were all visited by Irani and Mitra in the course of about four days. The pair left Antarctica on 4 December and landed in Melbourne, Australia, on December 7, shattering the world records.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


In the adventure novel by the French writer Jules Verne, two men circumnavigate Around the World in Eighty Days. Time changes and now it is 2023 where it took only about all seven continents in just three days one hour five minutes and 4 seconds.

In the adventure novel by the French writer Jules Verne, two men circumnavigate Around the World in Eighty Days. Time changes and now it is 2023 where it took only about all seven continents in just three days one hour five minutes and 4 seconds. That is only 73 hours. Dr Ali Irani and Sujoy Kumar Mitra broke the world record by achieving this feat. Know everything about what came their way, their stories and the previous record. Sujoy and Dr. Ali, two ardent travellers, think that all records are meant to be broken. According to the Guinness World Records book's website, Sujoy Kumar Mitra and Dr. Ali Irani who are both from India completed the fastest round-the-world trip on December 7, 2022, in Melbourne, Australia, taking 3 days, 1 hour, 5 minutes, and 4 seconds. After pulling off this incredible accomplishment, the pair predicted that while they might have broken a record today, someone else will likely do so the next day. On his Instagram page, Dr. Ali also posted the Guinness World Records certificate. Round-the-world trip The seven continents -- Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America, Antarctica, and Oceania, were all visited by Irani and Mitra in the course of about four days. The pair left Antarctica on 4 December and landed in Melbourne, Australia, on December 7, shattering the world records.

Round the world in the shortest time, two Indians achieve astounding world record feat

<p>Nearly 21 per cent of one million foreign students pursuing education in the USA are Indians. According to a report by Open Doors, nearly 200,000 Indian students chose the US as their education destination in the academic year 2021-22, thus marking a 19 per cent increase over the previous year.</p>

<p>The numbers for 2021-22 are only behind 2018-19 &nbsp;when more than 202,000 students went to the US for higher education.</p>

<p>However, Chinese students continue to top the list of foreign students that are enrolling for higher education in the US. Nearly 300,000 Chinese students have been choosing the US as their higher education destination, every year, over the last several years.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trending-on-wion-us-students-reappear-for-test-after-answer-sheets-fly-out-of-truck-532273"><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Trending on WION | US: Students reappear for test after answer sheets fly out of truck</strong></a></p>

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<p>In 2021-22, more than 290,000 Chinese students took up their higher education in the US.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Institute of International Education (IIE) publishes the Open Doors report. IIE conducts an annual statistical survey on international students in the United States since its founding in 1919 and in partnership with the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs since 1972.&nbsp;</p>

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Nearly 21 per cent of one million foreign students pursuing education in the USA are Indians. According to a report by Open Doors, nearly 200,000 Indian students chose the US as their education destination in the academic year 2021-22, thus marking a 19 per cent increase over the previous year.

Nearly 21 per cent of one million foreign students pursuing education in the USA are Indians. According to a report by Open Doors, nearly 200,000 Indian students chose the US as their education destination in the academic year 2021-22, thus marking a 19 per cent increase over the previous year. The numbers for 2021-22 are only behind 2018-19 when more than 202,000 students went to the US for higher education. However, Chinese students continue to top the list of foreign students that are enrolling for higher education in the US. Nearly 300,000 Chinese students have been choosing the US as their higher education destination, every year, over the last several years. WATCH | Trending on WION | US: Students reappear for test after answer sheets fly out of truck × In 2021-22, more than 290,000 Chinese students took up their higher education in the US. The Institute of International Education (IIE) publishes the Open Doors report. IIE conducts an annual statistical survey on international students in the United States since its founding in 1919 and in partnership with the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs since 1972. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

200,000 Indians chose US for higher education in 2021-22; up 19% from last year: Report

<p>Facebook parent company Meta has let go around 13 per cent&nbsp;of its workforce. In a letter to his employees,&nbsp;Zuckerberg explained how he had&nbsp;hired aggressively during the pandemic and had anticipated quick growth&nbsp;even after the pandemic ended.&nbsp;The mass layoffs, which are the first in Meta's 18-year existence, came shortly after&nbsp;massive job&nbsp;cuts at Microsoft Corp. and Twitter, now owned by Elon Musk. But, why did Meta fire so many employees in the first place? What are the ramifications of this move for its Indian employees? How does it reflect on the larger structural problems of the company? We explain the same in-depth.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What is Meta exactly doing?</strong></h2>

<p>As it struggles with rising costs and plummeting ad revenues, Meta has adopted various cost-cutting strategies&nbsp;in addition to firing almost 11,000 employees. By extending its freeze on fresh recruitment until the first quarter, the firm intends to reduce discretionary spending. However, it hasn't mentioned the areas that would be affected by the transfers or the estimated cost cuts. Before the firings, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/facebook-parent-to-combine-voice-video-unit-with-messaging-teams-533587">Meta</a> had been indirectly hinting at cost-cutting measures by reducing its real estate holdings and doing away with some of the benefits it provided to its employees, such as free laundry&nbsp;and dry cleaning services,&nbsp;dinners they were permitted to pack&nbsp;home to their families and avail&nbsp;free valet services.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Gravitas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Gravitas</a> | Mark Zuckerberg is set to pull off an <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a>. His company<a href="https://twitter.com/Meta?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Meta</a> is about to unleash its biggest round of layoffs in history.<br />
<br />
Thousands of Meta employees are set to be sacked. Why? <a href="https://twitter.com/PriyankaSh25?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PriyankaSh25</a> reports <a href="https://t.co/IQtfiVyxHq">pic.twitter.com/IQtfiVyxHq</a></p>
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<blockquote>
<h5><strong>“Unfortunately, this did not play out the way I expected,” Zuckerberg wrote. “Not only has online commerce returned to prior trends, but the macroeconomic downturn, increased competition, and ads signal loss have caused our revenue to be much lower than I’d expected. I got this wrong, and I take responsibility for that.”</strong></h5>
</blockquote>

<h2><strong>Reasons behind downsizing</strong></h2>

<p>There are&nbsp;two key factors at play.&nbsp;First, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, social media companies&nbsp;embarked on a recruiting spree.&nbsp;The reason being that more people stayed indoors&nbsp;during the pandemic lockdown and spent more time on the internet.&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote>
<h5><strong>&nbsp;Second, investors are concerned about Meta's massive $10 billion investment in the "metaverse."</strong></h5>
</blockquote>

<p>However, once the lockdowns ended and people resumed venturing outdoors, the upward trend faded.&nbsp;“In its earnings report last month, Meta disclosed that Reality Labs, the part of the company working on the metaverse, had $3.67 billion in operating losses. Reality Labs also experienced its lowest revenue since the final quarter of 2020. The company expects the operating losses for Reality Labs to increase next year,”&nbsp;The New York Times<em>&nbsp;</em>reported.</p>

<p><strong>Also WATCH |&nbsp;Twitter, Meta: Tech 'bloodbath' continues as tech giants on firing spree</strong></p>

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<p>The United States' economic slump made everything worse. This past summer, Meta recorded its first-ever quarterly sales decrease, which was followed by a larger decline in the following season.</p>

<h2><strong>What next for Meta?</strong></h2>

<p>A impending&nbsp;recession has Meta and its advertisers on high alert. The difficulty of using Apple's privacy settings, which make it harder for social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Snap to monitor users without their permission and target them with adverts, is another issue. As more young people choose TikTok over Instagram, which Meta also owns, competition from TikTok is becoming a greater concern.</p>

<blockquote>
<h5><strong>“We’ve cut costs across our business, including scaling back budgets, reducing perks, and shrinking our real estate footprint,” Zuckerberg said. ”We’re restructuring teams to increase our efficiency. But these measures alone won’t bring our expenses in line with our revenue growth, so I’ve also made the hard decision to let people go.”</strong></h5>
</blockquote>

<p>More cost cuts at Meta will be rolled out in coming months, Zuckerberg said.&nbsp;However, Zuckerberg has made it clear&nbsp;that his commitment&nbsp;to the metaverse&nbsp;is unwavering.</p>

<h2><strong>What happens to the Indians who got fired?</strong></h2>

<p>Many affected Indians have expressed their concern on social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn. These affected Indians are on H1B visas and must find jobs within 60 days of the termination date. Any H1B visa holder who is unable to obtain employment within 60 days will have to return to their country of origin. In this situation, Indians who are jobless after the grace period must go&nbsp;back. The original employer will need to bear the cost of&nbsp;their return ticket in accordance with H1B visa policy.</p>

<p>Unlike Musk, Zuckerberg said that he will assist migrant employees with their immigration.</p>

<blockquote>
<h5><strong>“I know this is especially difficult if you’re here on a visa. There’s a notice period before termination and some visa grace periods, which means everyone will have time to make plans and work through their immigration status. We have dedicated immigration specialists to help guide you based on what you and your family need. Outside the US, support will be similar, and we’ll follow up soon with separate processes that take into account local employment laws,”&nbsp;Zuckerberg said in a letter addressing the employees.&nbsp;</strong></h5>
</blockquote>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-dream11-co-founder-offers-jobs-to-people-fired-from-twitter-meta-and-others-533728">Fantasy platform Dream11 co-founder offers jobs to people fired from Twitter, Meta and others</a></p>

<p>Employees in the United States will get 16 weeks of severance compensation in addition to two&nbsp;"additional weeks for every year of service, with no cap." All remaining Paid time off leave, or PTO (an employee leave policy under which the company sanctions a pool of leaves for its employees) vesting on 15 November,&nbsp;2022, the cost of healthcare for them and their families for six months, and three months of career support from an outside vendor will be provided to laid-off staff.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Facebook parent company Meta has let go around 13 per cent of its workforce. In a letter to his employees, Zuckerberg explained how he had hired aggressively during the pandemic and had anticipated quick growth even after the pandemic ended.

Facebook parent company Meta has let go around 13 per cent of its workforce. In a letter to his employees, Zuckerberg explained how he had hired aggressively during the pandemic and had anticipated quick growth even after the pandemic ended. The mass layoffs, which are the first in Meta's 18-year existence, came shortly after massive job cuts at Microsoft Corp. and Twitter, now owned by Elon Musk. But, why did Meta fire so many employees in the first place? What are the ramifications of this move for its Indian employees? How does it reflect on the larger structural problems of the company? We explain the same in-depth. What is Meta exactly doing? As it struggles with rising costs and plummeting ad revenues, Meta has adopted various cost-cutting strategies in addition to firing almost 11,000 employees. By extending its freeze on fresh recruitment until the first quarter, the firm intends to reduce discretionary spending. However, it hasn't mentioned the areas that would be affected by the transfers or the estimated cost cuts. Before the firings, Meta had been indirectly hinting at cost-cutting measures by reducing its real estate holdings and doing away with some of the benefits it provided to its employees, such as free laundry and dry cleaning services, dinners they were permitted to pack home to their families and avail free valet services. #Gravitas | Mark Zuckerberg is set to pull off an @elonmusk. His company@Meta is about to unleash its biggest round of layoffs in history. Thousands of Meta employees are set to be sacked. Why? @PriyankaSh25 reports pic.twitter.com/IQtfiVyxHq — WION (@WIONews) November 8, 2022 × “Unfortunately, this did not play out the way I expected,” Zuckerberg wrote. “Not only has online commerce returned to prior trends, but the macroeconomic downturn, increased competition, and ads signal loss have caused our revenue to be much lower than I’d expected. I got this wrong, and I take responsibility for that.” Reasons behind downsizing There are two key factors at play. First, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, social media companies embarked on a recruiting spree. The reason being that more people stayed indoors during the pandemic lockdown and spent more time on the internet. Second, investors are concerned about Meta's massive $10 billion investment in the "metaverse." However, once the lockdowns ended and people resumed venturing outdoors, the upward trend faded. “In its earnings report last month, Meta disclosed that Reality Labs, the part of the company working on the metaverse, had $3.67 billion in operating losses. Reality Labs also experienced its lowest revenue since the final quarter of 2020. The company expects the operating losses for Reality Labs to increase next year,” The New York Times reported. Also WATCH | Twitter, Meta: Tech 'bloodbath' continues as tech giants on firing spree The United States' economic slump made everything worse. This past summer, Meta recorded its first-ever quarterly sales decrease, which was followed by a larger decline in the following season. What next for Meta? A impending recession has Meta and its advertisers on high alert. The difficulty of using Apple's privacy settings, which make it harder for social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Snap to monitor users without their permission and target them with adverts, is another issue. As more young people choose TikTok over Instagram, which Meta also owns, competition from TikTok is becoming a greater concern. “We’ve cut costs across our business, including scaling back budgets, reducing perks, and shrinking our real estate footprint,” Zuckerberg said. ”We’re restructuring teams to increase our efficiency. But these measures alone won’t bring our expenses in line with our revenue growth, so I’ve also made the hard decision to let people go.” More cost cuts at Meta will be rolled out in coming months, Zuckerberg said. However, Zuckerberg has made it clear that his commitment to the metaverse is unwavering. What happens to the Indians who got fired? Many affected Indians have expressed their concern on social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn. These affected Indians are on H1B visas and must find jobs within 60 days of the termination date. Any H1B visa holder who is unable to obtain employment within 60 days will have to return to their country of origin. In this situation, Indians who are jobless after the grace period must go back. The original employer will need to bear the cost of their return ticket in accordance with H1B visa policy. Unlike Musk, Zuckerberg said that he will assist migrant employees with their immigration. “I know this is especially difficult if you’re here on a visa. There’s a notice period before termination and some visa grace periods, which means everyone will have time to make plans and work through their immigration status. We have dedicated immigration specialists to help guide you based on what you and your family need. Outside the US, support will be similar, and we’ll follow up soon with separate processes that take into account local employment laws,” Zuckerberg said in a letter addressing the employees. Also read | Fantasy platform Dream11 co-founder offers jobs to people fired from Twitter, Meta and others Employees in the United States will get 16 weeks of severance compensation in addition to two "additional weeks for every year of service, with no cap." All remaining Paid time off leave, or PTO (an employee leave policy under which the company sanctions a pool of leaves for its employees) vesting on 15 November, 2022, the cost of healthcare for them and their families for six months, and three months of career support from an outside vendor will be provided to laid-off staff. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Meta layoffs EXPLAINED: Why did Meta fire 13% of its employees? What next for the Facebook parent company?

UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman has said she has reservations about the UK's trade deal with India believing bolstering trade ties could lead to an increase in immigration to the UK which goes against the goals of Brexit.

UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman objects to increasing visas for Indians

Do you consume antibiotics without a prescription? You could be weakening your immune system. A study says Indians consume antibiotics at will, making themselves ill-equipped for future illnesses. Molly Gambhir tells you why self-medicating could be dangerous.

Gravitas Plus: Why self-medicating is dangerous

As India celebrates 75 years of independence, here are 5 Indians who have done India proud internationally.

India@75 - 5 Indians who have done India proud internationally

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