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Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
3 men dump 15-yr-old Odisha girl after gang-rape, then truck driver rapes her
Bhubaneswar: A 15-year-old school girl returning home from a friend's birthday party in south Odisha's Malkangiri was abducted by three men and raped on Sunday evening, police said on Tuesday. Ac (Getty Images/iStockphoto) The traumatised girl was trying to come back home when a truck driver picked her up on Malkangiri-Jeypore highway at Bijaghati and sexually assaulted her. She was eventually rescued by some local people and filed a police complaint. The four suspects, including the truck driver, have been arrested, police said on Tuesday. The girl, a resident of Malkangiri Sadar block, had gone to attend a birthday party of her friend. While she was coming back home late on Sunday, she was abducted by three individuals and taken to a place 10 to 15 kilometres from Malkangiri town. The three allegedly tortured and took turns to rape her. Malkangiri superintendent of police (SP) Vinodh Patil said four persons involved in the crime, including the truck driver, have been arrested. They are Manoj Harijan, Rohit Kumar Hial, Bira Bhartia and driver Sobham Singh. Former chief minister Naveen Patnaik said the rise in sexual assaults against women in the state was horrifying. 'A disturbing wave of crimes against women is gripping Odisha... This surge in sexual assaults reflects a troubling erosion of law enforcement. When the various ranks of the police face interference and political pressure, accountability weakens—and women and girls pay the price first. Adding to this concern, the US government last month issued a Level 2 travel advisory that listed Odisha among six Indian states where American employees must seek special approval to travel beyond capital cities. Without urgent and decisive police action and political will backing it, this problem will only grow. The BJP government must act immediately to restore safety and rebuild women's trust in the system sworn to protect them. BJD will continue to raise its voice for the protection of our mothers and sisters in every forum,' he said in a post on X.
The Herald Scotland
5 hours ago
- Science
- The Herald Scotland
What is the world's oldest snake? Jurassic reptile found in UK
But the UK is also thought to be the home of the world's oldest snake, which dates back 167 million years to the Jurassic period. Native wild animals in the UK What is the oldest snake in the world? The oldest snake in the world is the Eophis underwoodi, according to BBC Wildlife Magazine. Fossil remains of the snake, primarily jaw fragments, were found in the Forest Marble Formation at Kirtlington Quarry in Oxfordshire. Eophis underwoodi dates back around 167 million years to the Bathonian Age during the Middle Jurassic era. BBC Wildlife Magazine said: "Prior to 2015, the oldest known fossil snakes were ~100 million years old. "The discovery of Eophis extended the known geological range of snakes by more than 60 million years and suggested they may have originated at a similar time to most other major groups of scaly reptiles." The snake is believed to have been alive around the same time as the Megalosaurus - a 6-metre long, meat-eating dinosaur, which also called a similar part of southern England home. BBC Wildlife Magazine added that the Eophis was "far from a giant", only measuring around 25cm. This is a far cry from the Titanoboa, which is the largest snake ever, at around 13m in length (which dates back to around 60 million years ago). The Eophis underwoodi was much smaller than the Titanoboa (pictured), which is the largest snake ever. (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) The BBC experts continued: "Eophis is thought to have lived in swamps, hunting tiny fish, insects, and tadpoles. "It's also believed it had tiny hind limbs, like many other ancient snakes." RECOMMENDED READING: How long do the UK's native snakes live for? The three snakes that can currently be found in the UK have a lifespan ranging from 15 to 25 years, according to The Wildlife Trusts. The adder has an average lifespan of up to 15 years, while the smooth snake can live for around 20 years. The grass snake has the longest average lifespan of the UK's native species, as it can live for up to 25 years.
Glasgow Times
5 hours ago
- Science
- Glasgow Times
What is the world's oldest snake? Jurassic reptile found in UK
There are three snake species native to the UK - the adder, grass snake and smooth snake. But the UK is also thought to be the home of the world's oldest snake, which dates back 167 million years to the Jurassic period. Native wild animals in the UK What is the oldest snake in the world? The oldest snake in the world is the Eophis underwoodi, according to BBC Wildlife Magazine. Fossil remains of the snake, primarily jaw fragments, were found in the Forest Marble Formation at Kirtlington Quarry in Oxfordshire. Eophis underwoodi dates back around 167 million years to the Bathonian Age during the Middle Jurassic era. BBC Wildlife Magazine said: "Prior to 2015, the oldest known fossil snakes were ~100 million years old. "The discovery of Eophis extended the known geological range of snakes by more than 60 million years and suggested they may have originated at a similar time to most other major groups of scaly reptiles." The snake is believed to have been alive around the same time as the Megalosaurus - a 6-metre long, meat-eating dinosaur, which also called a similar part of southern England home. BBC Wildlife Magazine added that the Eophis was "far from a giant", only measuring around 25cm. This is a far cry from the Titanoboa, which is the largest snake ever, at around 13m in length (which dates back to around 60 million years ago). The Eophis underwoodi was much smaller than the Titanoboa (pictured), which is the largest snake ever. (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) The BBC experts continued: "Eophis is thought to have lived in swamps, hunting tiny fish, insects, and tadpoles. "It's also believed it had tiny hind limbs, like many other ancient snakes." RECOMMENDED READING: How long do the UK's native snakes live for? The three snakes that can currently be found in the UK have a lifespan ranging from 15 to 25 years, according to The Wildlife Trusts. The adder has an average lifespan of up to 15 years, while the smooth snake can live for around 20 years. The grass snake has the longest average lifespan of the UK's native species, as it can live for up to 25 years.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Changing aspirations of Indian students and the global education shift
Over the past decade, the aspirations of Indian students regarding higher education have undergone a quiet but profound transformation. Students today are navigating a dynamic and more complex educational ecosystem, both within India and across borders, shaped by globalisation, technology, policy reforms, and shifting social values. College (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Earlier, studying abroad was largely a privilege of the few—often driven by aspirations of Western exposure, a better quality of life, or job opportunities in developed economies. The destination countries were limited to a few Anglophone nations, and disciplines like engineering, medicine, and computer science dominated the choices. Today, the landscape has changed dramatically. Indian students are now considering a much wider range of countries—Germany, France, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan, Ireland, and even countries in Eastern Europe and Asia. This is not only because of affordability and policy shifts favouring international students but also due to the rising awareness of diverse career paths and better information access. Interestingly, the motivations behind studying abroad are evolving. While earlier generations pursued foreign education primarily as a springboard to permanent migration, today's students are more nuanced in their goals. Many seek short-term international exposure through exchange programmes, dual degrees, or professional certifications, intending to return to India with global skills. Others are drawn by specific research opportunities, entrepreneurial ecosystems, or social impact sectors rather than merely financial returns. The very concept of 'success' is being redefined—from high-paying tech jobs abroad to creative careers, sustainable development work, or contributing to social change back home. Simultaneously, the aspirations of Indian students within the country are also shifting. A growing number of students now prefer to stay in India due to the expanding scope and quality of domestic institutions. The emergence of Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), National Law Universities (NLUs), and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) has created world-class opportunities within national borders. This trend is partly a reflection of changing socio-economic dynamics. Education is no longer viewed only as a means to upward mobility but increasingly as a space for personal growth, innovation, and societal contribution. Urban youth, especially in metros and tier-1 cities, are exploring humanities, design, media studies, psychology, environmental studies, and gender studies—areas that were once dismissed in favour of science and commerce. The rigidity of 'doctor-engineer-CA' pathways is loosening, replaced by an openness to uncharted careers. This has been catalysed by a new generation of Indian educators, ed-tech platforms, startup culture, and exposure to global trends via digital media. At the same time, India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has aimed to fundamentally reshape the higher education sector, encouraging multidisciplinary learning, skill integration, critical thinking, and global academic collaboration. The policy's long-term vision is to make Indian institutions globally competitive, reduce rote learning, and align curricula with the needs of the 21st-century workforce. For students, this opens up the possibility of getting an international-style education within India at a fraction of the cost. The pandemic further accelerated this dual transformation. On one hand, it disrupted traditional international student flows due to travel restrictions and uncertainties. On the other, it triggered a mass adoption of online and hybrid learning models, making international faculty, courses, and certifications accessible from one's bedroom in Mumbai or Patna. It levelled the playing field to an extent, allowing Indian students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds to participate in global knowledge systems. Institutions across the world began to offer online master's programmes, bootcamps, and micro-credentials, breaking the monopoly of physical mobility on international education. What stands out today is the rise of agency among Indian students. Empowered by technology, access to peer experiences, and social media, they are more informed, more vocal, and more strategic in their decisions than ever before. They consider cost-benefit analyses, visa regulations, cultural compatibility, work rights, and mental health support systems before choosing institutions—whether in India or abroad. Parental influence, once absolute, is increasingly balanced with personal vision and individual choice. Moreover, the global shift in education is not just about where students go, but also how and what they learn. Traditional lecture-based teaching is giving way to experiential learning, project-based curricula, and interdisciplinary approaches. There is a growing emphasis on skills like emotional intelligence, adaptability, digital literacy, and sustainability—attributes that transcend degrees and align with global citizenship. Indian students, whether studying in Bengaluru or Berlin, are gradually embracing these paradigms. Whether studying in India or abroad, students are redefining education as not just a ladder to prosperity but as a journey towards purpose. In this changing global educational scenario, India stands at a threshold—not only as a source of global talent but also as a rising hub of knowledge, innovation, and transformation. This article is authored by Vinu Warrier, founder and managing partner, eduVelocity Global.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
This is America's wealthiest suburb where annual household income tops $600K — and it's located in New York state
Big Apple commuter town. Seriously big bucks. Scarsdale has been named America's wealthiest suburb in a new study, with the mean household income exceeding an eye-popping $600,000 in 2023. The tony Westchester town, with a population of 17,723 residents, topped the rich list, compiled by GOBankingRates. The company analyzed suburbs with at least 5,000 households, using data from the US Census, 5-year American Community Survey and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to reach its findings. 3 Scarsdale, New York has been named as the wealthiest suburb in the United States. Getty Images/iStockphoto Scarsdale came out on top by a considerable margin, with the mean household income determined to be $601,193 — more than $150,000 above its closest competitor. Nearby Rye was named as the second wealthiest suburb in the US, with researchers revealing that the mean household income there was $421,259 in 2023. West University Place, a suburb of Houston, Texas, rounded out the top three with a mean household income of $409,677. Scarsdale and Rye were the only New York towns in the top 20. 3 The Westchester town of Rye is the second most expensive suburb in the US. Getty Images/iStockphoto California boasted a whopping 10 of the top 20 wealthiest suburbs in the United States, with many of them clustered around Silicon Valley. GOBankingRates also looked at the average property prices in the wealthiest suburbs, revealing that the swanky New York zip codes offer far better bang for your buck than those in the Golden State. In Scarsdale, for instance, the average home price is $1.2 million. In Los Altos, California (named as the fourth wealthiest suburb with a mean household income of $403,512) the average home price is now a staggering $4.5 million. 3 In Los Altos, California (named as the fourth wealthiest suburb with a mean household income of $403,512) the average home price is now a staggering $4.5 million. Getty Images Meanwhile, a handful of other towns in the tri-state area made the top 50 wealthiest suburbs. Tenafly, Summit and Westfield were the New Jersey towns that made the list, while Greenwich, Conecticut came in at 34th place on the list. There, the mean annual income for 2023 was determined to be $297,081.
