The collapse of Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel, a crucial part of the $1.5bn Char Dham project, has raised alarms over the safety of Himalayan infrastructure. Trapped workers face a perilous rescue, hindered by technical challenges and the region's seismic vulnerability. Experts highlight past neglect of environmental risk assessments and emphasize the need for a "terrain-specific approach" to future projects. With the Himalayas experiencing increased landslides and erosion, the incident serves as a critical wake-up call for reevaluating the impact of extensive tunnel construction on the region's ecology and safety. Environmentalist Hemant Dhyani underscores the need for disaster-resilient development. "This is a serious wake-up call for all of us," says Dhyani, highlighting concerns beyond immediate rescue efforts.

Nepal has achieved a landmark milestone, officially registering its first same-sex marriage, five months after the Supreme Court's groundbreaking legalization. Trans-woman Maya Gurung, 35, and her partner, 27-year-old gay man Surendra Pandey, secured their marriage certificate in Dordi Rural Municipality, Western Nepal. The move follows Nepal’s 2015 constitution, which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. Blue Diamond Society President Sanjib Gurung (Pinky) lauded the decision, emphasizing its significance for the third-gender community. The Supreme Court's interim order in June paved the way, with Pinky expressing hope for further legal recognition as laws evolve.

The US State Department achieved an unprecedented milestone by granting over 140,000 student visas to Indian nationals in the 2023 fiscal year alone, the highest number ever recorded. Indian students accounted for almost a quarter of the total 600,000 student visas issued globally. This surge comes as the Biden administration pushes policies to attract international students, who inject an estimated "$38 billion yearly" into the US economy. Beyond students, nearly 10.4 million total non-immigrant visas were approved last fiscal year, including close to 8 million for business and tourism visitors. The US aims to "facilitate travel while upholding security" through ongoing improvements to streamline visa processes.

Britons endured the coldest November night since 2010, with -8°C recorded in the Scottish Highlands and multiple areas dropping below -5°C. Snowfall reached as far south as Norfolk, England, while freezing fog threatened transport from Northern Ireland to Cumbria. More snow is forecast, especially in eastern Scotland and the southwestern England moors. Sleet and frost also create slip dangers as bitter Arctic winds flow from Scandinavia where nearly record lows prevail. The Met Office issued yellow warnings for snow and ice lasting into Friday that could also close roads and rails. With wintry temperatures and snow depth rivaling 2010, early winter maintains a harsh grip on the UK with three additional days of frigid, hazardous conditions ahead as more retaining snow accumulates widely.

Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon, 57, declared a hunger strike outside the White House, passionately appealing for a lasting ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. "Almost 15,000 Palestinian civilians, 70% children and women, killed in seven weeks – unprecedented and unacceptable," Nixon stated. Joined by five state representatives, they implored President Biden to act. Representative Zohran Mamdani emphasized, "We starve ourselves to shed light on Palestinians' suffering." Author Sumaya Awad added, "Biden must heed hundreds of thousands of Americans protesting." Nixon's hunger strike aims to spotlight the crisis's urgency, advocating for immediate relief from both violence and the threat of starvation.

Actors Randeep Hooda and Lin Laishram got married in a traditional Meitei wedding ceremony in Imphal, Manipur on Wednesday. The groom arrived dressed in white traditional Manipuri attire, surrounded by family and relatives. The bride stunned in a red Potloi skirt and traditional jewellery. Hooda said he wanted to respectfully experience his wife's culture by marrying as per Manipuri traditions. The wedding rituals took place at a resort in Imphal. The actors, who met years ago in theatre and have been friends since, announced their wedding last week on Instagram. The post included a card picture with a message written on it. The message read, "Taking a leaf out of the Mahabharata where Arjuna married Manipuri Warrior Princess Chitrangada." A Mumbai reception will follow the intimate Manipuri ceremony.

Google has laid out its strategy to combat deepfakes in India. The company is testing for synthetic media risks, using a combination of human reviewers and AI classifiers to enforce content policies. “There’s no silver bullet,” said a senior executive, emphasizing collaboration. Google is working with policymakers, researchers and experts to develop solutions. This includes a $1 million grant to IIT Madras for a Center on Responsible AI as well as partnering with the government on a multi-stakeholder discussion on responsible AI development. Google says a collaborative, multi-pronged approach is key to ensuring AI does more good than harm.

"I am senior-most... I will be the last to come out...", said Gabbar Singh Negi, the senior-most of the 41 workers trapped in Uttarakhand Tunnel for over two weeks. Mr. Singh's leadership and bravery kept the situation. from turning catastrophic as he taught yoga, played games, and kept spirits high underground. Negi kept his words as he was the last one to leave the collapsed tunnel. Prime Minister Modi and the rescued workers praised his calm and composure. "He put the lives of his colleagues first," his brother said. The group emerged smiling after 17 days, with no major injuries, thanks in large part to Mr. Singh's selfless courage.

Israel has received a list of hostages that Hamas will free today, Israeli media has reported, citing the prime minister's office. They are the last captives to be released under the 48-hour extension unless another one can be agreed upon before tomorrow morning. As per reports by Sky News, mediator Qatar's foreign ministry is seeking to negotiate additional ceasefire days and more releases. However, with fewer women and children in captivity, this may require negotiating to free at least some Israeli men for the first time, reports Sky News. Reports suggest that the chances of an extension are complicated by the fact that the whereabouts of some hostages remain unknown, as different terror groups entered Israel alongside Hamas on 7 October. Qatar said it is unsure of how many hostages Hamas is holding beyond today's list. At least 40 hostages are not in the hands of Hamas, Qatar has previously said. This includes 10-month-old Kfir Bibas, the youngest hostage, and his family being held hostage in Gaza. The Bibas family — parents Yarden, 34, and Shiri, 32, along with four-year-old Ariel and Kfir were transferred to another Palestinian terror group in Gaza, according to the Israeli military. Palestinian Islamic Jihad has claimed it is holding 30 hostages captive. Hans-Jakob Schindler, senior director at the transatlantic thinktank the Counter Extremism Project, told Sky News there was also a "well-developed smuggling economy" in Gaza. "So it's possible hostages are neither under the control of Hamas nor Islamic Jihad - but these crime organisations."

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office have jointly issued amber and yellow Cold-Health Alerts (CHAs) across England, effective until midday on December 5. The amber alert covers North East, North West, and Yorkshire and the Humber, with temperatures forecasted around 2°C, bringing wintry showers and icy conditions. The yellow alert spans East Midlands and West Midlands. Dr. Agostinho Sousa of UKHSA urges vigilance, especially for vulnerable populations, emphasizing the serious health risks associated with cold weather. The public is advised to stay informed, take preventive measures, and seek help if needed. Meanwhile The Met Office aslo issues a stark forecast, anticipating a polar blast affecting England and Scotland with -8°C conditions in Scotland and temperatures plummeting to -5°C in England. Snowfall is set to commence soon, lasting until December 11, marking a prolonged winter spell.