Times of India

American embassies worldwide, including in India, are facing up to a year-long wait for visa appointments due to enhanced screening. Tech giants like Google and Apple are now cautioning H-1B visa holders against international travel, fearing extended stays abroad. New social media checks are causing significant backlogs, impacting professionals and their families.

Hotels are significantly increasing New Year's Eve room rates by 10-20% for 2026, driven by robust demand in leisure and urban destinations. Guests can expect elaborate packages, from yoga and cocktail workshops to recovery brunches, with average daily rates up 10-12% year-on-year. Travel platforms report a substantial surge in bookings, indicating a strong festive season.

A 92-year-old man was tragically crushed to death in Gwalior when a gravel-laden dumper overturned while passing his house. The vehicle's rear wheel sank into the road, causing it to topple and trap the victim. Police have seized the dumper and are searching for the driver and cleaner who fled the scene.

Bollywood's 'Dhurandhar' continues its phenomenal box office journey, crossing Rs 500 crore net in its third week. Starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, the film is now the second-fastest to reach this milestone, surpassing 'Jawan'. With strong word-of-mouth and repeat viewership, its worldwide gross is nearing Rs 1,000 crore.

IndiGo has issued a travel advisory warning of potential flight disruptions due to early-morning fog in Delhi and northern India on Sunday. Reduced visibility may cause delays or schedule changes, with operations teams monitoring weather to minimize inconvenience. Passengers are advised to check flight status and rebook or seek refunds if affected.

The US Coast Guard, with Department of Defense backing, seized an oil tanker off Venezuela, citing its connection to sanctioned oil funding narco-terrorism. This follows a previous seizure and President Trump's threats of a blockade.

Patrick Mahomes’ season-ending knee injury has left the Chiefs in unfamiliar territory. While Brittany Mahomes has remained silent, his mother Randi publicly thanked fans for their prayers and support. As Mahomes begins a lengthy rehabilitation, the Chiefs face a rare playoff miss but remain optimistic about his full recovery and return in 2026.

James Cameron's 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' has crossed Rs 50 crore in India within two days, showing strong family entertainer appeal. Despite a modest 15% growth on Saturday, its Rs 22.35 crore Day 2 collection lags significantly behind its predecessor. The film's performance is being impacted by the continued success of 'Dhurandhar'.

Shubman Gill's surprising omission from India's 2026 T20 World Cup squad and Axar Patel's appointment as vice-captain have sparked debate. Sunil Gavaskar expressed shock, highlighting Gill's class despite recent struggles and attributing his T20 rhythm issues to a layoff and natural game suited to longer formats. Gavaskar offered personal advice, believing Gill will return with renewed rhythm and fortune.

A former culture ministry HR manager, Christian Negre, allegedly drugged around 200 women with diuretics during job interviews, forcing them into humiliating situations. Hiyam Zarouri recounts being made to walk for hours in pain after her coffee was spiked. Negre admitted to imposing humiliating situations and was fired, but victims fear he still poses a threat.

Event organizer Satadru Dutta was arrested following chaos during the Messi tour in Kolkata. Police seized Rs 22 crore from his accounts, suspecting black money use. Dutta claimed Rs 100 crore was spent, but investigators doubt his financial figures. He also blamed others for the event's disorder, citing pressures for increased access.

Aaron Rodgers has confirmed he is married but continues to keep his wife, Brittani, completely out of the public eye. His heartfelt comments describing her as “incredible” have fueled curiosity, especially with no photos or appearances to confirm her identity. Rodgers’ rare openness highlights a deeply private love story unfolding away from the spotlight.

Bangladesh's chief adviser Muhammad Yunus vowed to fulfill the dream of slain youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, whose death has sparked widespread protests and calls for justice. Hadi's sacrifice is being honored with a commitment to national progress and rejecting hatred ahead of upcoming elections and a referendum.

Young patients are increasingly using social media-derived psychological terms in therapy, presenting a new challenge for clinicians. While this vocabulary aids expression, it also leads to self-diagnosis and over-pathologizing normal experiences. Therapists are adapting to bridge this linguistic gap, validating feelings while reframing them accurately.

An Air India Express pilot allegedly assaulted a passenger at Delhi airport's Terminal 1 after a verbal altercation over queue jumping. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has ordered a probe and grounded the pilot, while the passenger claims he was pressured to not file a police complaint.

A racket charging relatives for legally free inmate meetings at Tihar Jail has been exposed. An inmate's tip-off led to an investigation where undercover officials were asked for money. As a precaution, 20-25 data entry operators were transferred while the probe into touts and system misuse continues. Biometric authentication is being introduced to enhance security.