Today in History (May 29th,1953)
On this day, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers to successfully reach the summit of Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain at 29,032 feet (8,849 metres), after many previous failed attempts.
Summary of Today’s News
Fresh U.S. visa appointments for students put on hold.
The U.S. Embassy in India has paused new student visa interview appointments, awaiting guidance from the State Department. This follows a cable from Secretary Marco Rubio, urging stricter social media checks for applicants. Platforms like X and Instagram will be scrutinized, potentially delaying visas, especially for Indian students. Online applications remain open, but interview slots are frozen. Since 2019, social media details have been required. The pause could affect admissions for September 2025, with no timeline for resumption announced.
Tharoor faces flak from his own party for remarks on LoC breach.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor sparked backlash by claiming India crossed the LoC for the first time during the 2016 surgical strike. Udit Raj, head of the Unorganised Workers Congress, criticized him on X, calling Tharoor the BJP’s “super spokesperson.” Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera supported Raj’s view, citing earlier cross-border strikes in 1965, 1971, and under the UPA. Khera quoted External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, noting 2016 was the first time such strikes were publicly acknowledged.
‘Social media vetting’: students hopeful of studying in U.S. now looking at colleges in other countries.
Reports of increased U.S. visa screening, including social media checks, have worried students in Delhi-NCR. Many now consider studying in the U.K., Australia, or Europe due to visa cancellations, interview delays, and uncertain policies. An 18-year-old accepted in the U.S. is leaning toward the U.K. after long delays. Parents express stress over last-minute visa changes, with some students, including a 16-year-old aspiring Harvard student, shifting plans to Australia amid growing uncertainty
Apex court orders probe into Assam ‘fake’ encounters.
The Supreme Court of India has ordered the Assam State Human Rights Commission to investigate over 170 alleged fake police encounters in Assam from May 2021 to August 2022. Led by Justice Surya Kant, the court directed that victims be notified and heard as a right. It emphasized the need for fair, impartial probes, noting some cases may violate Article 21 (Right to Life). This follows a petition challenging a dismissed PIL, with Assam admitting some cases need re-examination.
