Salma Hayek's shocking 1995 casting photo goes viral Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.com By SHARON MAI FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 23:35 EST, 29 December 2024 | Updated: 23:37 EST, 29 December 2024 e-mail 3 View comments Salma Hayek 's casting photo from 1995 has gone viral nearly three decades later. The actress, 58, was praised by fans after social media sleuths unearthed a Polaroid photo of her at the beginning of her acting career when she was just breaking into Hollywood . The headshot was accompanied by her acting resume and appeared in Latina Magazine in 2018. In reaction to the photo, social media users gushed about how she looked nearly the same as she does now despite how much time has passed. The Desperado star — who showcased her chic sense of style while taking a smoke break and shopping last month — was lauded for her seemingly ageless beauty. She wore a nude-colored, low-cut T-shrit with a gold cross pendant as she showed off her sultry smolder and her signature, voluminous dark hair. Salma Hayek 's casting photo from 1995 has gone viral nearly three decades later. The actress, 58, was praised by fans after social media sleuths unearthed a Polaroid photo of her at the beginning of her acting career when she was just breaking into Hollywood Alongside the photo, there was an attached resume, which seemed to be from 1997, showing her breakout role as Carolina in Desperado and several other appearances. It showed her roles from the 1993 indie drama Mi Vida Loca all the way up to her breakout appearance in the 1997 romantic comedy Fools Rush In. Her various theater roles and three awards were also listed. Hayek began her entertainment career in 1989 and started making minor acting appearances before her breakout role in 1995. The casting materials provided a glimpse into the trajectory of her rise to superstardom. She went on to star in one of her most iconic roles as Frida Kahlo in the titular biopic Frida in 2002. Hayek's portrayal of the famous Mexican artist earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress. Since then, Hayek has gone on to become an acclaimed film producer in addition to an award-winning actress. In reaction to the photo, social media users gushed about how she looked nearly the same as she does now despite how much time has passed. The Desperado star was lauded for her seemingly ageless beauty Alongside the photo, there was an attached resume, which seemed to be from 1997, showing her breakout role as Carolina in Desperado and several other appearances including one of her most iconic ones in From Dusk Till Dawn; pictured 1996 in From Dusk Till Dawn still The casting materials provided a glimpse into the trajectory of her rise to superstardom. She went on to star in one of her most iconic roles as Frida Kahlo in the titular biopic Frida in 2002 Most recently, she starred opposite Channing Tatum in Magic Mike's Last Dance, which was released in February 2023. Read More Salma Hayek goes bargain hunting on Black Friday in Los Angeles Earlier this year, she talked about her decades-spanning resume and said her acting career improved after she turned 40. About her most iconic, breakout role, she told the Wall Street Journal in October: 'I don't think there was one that opened so many doors. 'I would think every time, "This is the one. Now, you know, people are gonna bring me the good roles." But it didn't happen like that for me,' she explained. 'Even after I was nominated for an Oscar, the type of roles that I got didn't change.' Hayek began her entertainment career in 1989 and started making minor acting appearances before her breakout role in 1995; pictured 1994 Since then, Hayek has gone on to become an acclaimed film producer in addition to an award-winning actress; pictured 1996 in Los Angeles Earlier this year, she talked about her decades-spanning resume and said her acting career improved after she turned 40; pictured November 1995 in Los Angeles About her most iconic, breakout role, she told the Wall Street Journal in October: 'I don't think there was one that opened so many doors; pictured August 1995 in Los Angeles Hayek added: 'What has opened the doors for me, it's been my tenacity, my consistency. I just wouldn't go away. 'And it's funny, just when they told me, like, "After a certain age, that's it, your career is over." That's when my career started getting better.' She continued: 'They said, "You stop working at 40 in Hollywood." 'And here we are, 58, I'm still working.' Channing Tatum Salma Hayek Share or comment on this article: Salma Hayek's shocking 1995 casting photo goes viral e-mail Add commentFormer PTI leader and Senator Faisal Vawda has expressed serious concerns over the safety of PTI founder Imran Khan, alleging that his life is at risk from members of his own party, including Bushra Bibi, Ali Amin Gandapur, Express News reported. In a statement on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Vawda reiterated his previous claims, saying, “I still stand by my statement that Khan’s life is in danger from Bibi, Gandapur, and their supporters.” Vawda further pointed to a tweet by former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Qasim Suri, as evidence of the threat. Suri, whom Vawda referred to as a “fugitive”, had posted a tweet suggesting that Khan had lost his mental stability, even implying that he was “mad.” “The first indication of the threat to Imran Khan’s life is the tweet from the absconding fugitive Qasim Suri, in which he started spreading the narrative that Khan has lost his mental balance,” Vawda said. The senator emphasised that the nation is now beginning to understand the implications of such statements and actions. “But we must protect Khan’s life and save the founder of PTI from these individuals,” Vawda stated. On the other hand, Aliya Khan, Imran Khan’s sister, publicly denounced Suri’s tweet, labelling it as baseless and irresponsible.
Future innovators develop real-world sustainable solutions at AI hackathon hosted by QF’s QSTP
LONDON -- At 4-0 down after just 36 minutes, there was a danger that Julen Lopetegui was going to be the only person connected to West Ham left in the stands. The Hammers boss, serving a one-match touchline ban after picking up three yellow cards this season, watched on from a high vantage point as fans streamed out of London Stadium all around him before half-time, shaking their heads in disbelief at the havoc wreaked below. And yet, four minutes later, out of nowhere, West Ham had scored twice. Hope was revived. Just when the Hammers were getting themselves in a position from which to mount a second-half comeback, goalkeeper punched to concede a penalty that converted to send the Gunners in 5-2 up at the break. It was, quite simply, absolute madness -- a glorious advert for the brilliantly chaotic, implausibly unpredictable product, which ranks as one of the United Kingdom's most successful global exports in any field. In the end, the seven first-half goals tied a league record with three other games, the last of which came between Reading and in December 2012. Judging by the relative lack of empty seats -- most of those beleaguered West Ham fans returned anyway -- it was amusing that just when it seemed like more of the same would follow after the break, the second was goalless and uncompetitive. It felt like the proverbial early night in bed after the happy-hour hedonism. So, with about 15 minutes left, they started to leave again. It is, as ever, the hope that kills you as a sports fan and West Ham's had long been extinguished. Meaningful conclusions from games like this are ill-advised, but it should nevertheless be noted that after Arsenal needed a set-piece to break the deadlock, some of their football was a combination of divine and deadly. Gabriel Magalhães' 10th-minute header was the final act of a set-piece routine that will earn Arsenal fresh praise even given their well-documented strength in those situations. Running from far post to near, the Gunners were a blur of movement, in which perhaps the most cunning act was 's gentle nudge on to ensure Saka's delivery found Gabriel unmarked. If dark arts helped break the deadlock, Arsenal then well and truly stepped into the light. had a 17th-minute effort correctly ruled out for offside but West Ham were then overrun, Martin Ødegaard and Saka combining superbly to lay on a simple finish for . Saka then jinked into the box, and Paqueta could do nothing other than bring him down. Ødegaard converted. Trossard then released who finished low past Fabianski to cue the first mini-exodus. West Ham were the heavyweight knowing they were losing on points and therefore reduced to hopeful haymakers; inexplicably, they started landing. was given too much space in the Arsenal defensive third, though his pass was superbly executed through for to slot home. Wan-Bissaka had scored twice in 182 Premier League appearances, but now has two in six days. Because why not? Perhaps even more improbably, conceded a dubious free kick awarded for a challenge on Paqueta, and Emerson Palmieri curled a stunning 25-yard free kick in off the crossbar. It was the left-back's second goal in 20 months. Just as the visitors' sudden loss of composure sparked memories of Arsenal's 4-4 draw at Newcastle in February 2011 -- the only time a Premier League team has failed to win a game in which they led by four first-half goals -- Fabianski mistakenly floored Gabriel trying to meet a corner and Saka slotted home the penalty to conclude the scoring. Mercifully for them, the three-goal cushion proved sufficient. Arteta took pleasure in the restoration of the flow in Arsenal's game, triggered most significantly by Ødegaard's return to the starting lineup; it is no coincidence the Norway playmaker's reintegration has come in a week when the Gunners scored 13 goals including five in the Champions League for the first time since 2008. There was one note of caution after that game, which proved prophetic here too. "Before and after half-time you need to get through those 10-15 minutes in a different way," Arteta said after Tuesday's 5-1 win in Lisbon. "We gave so many balls away, and that doesn't allow you results." There was a similar sloppy spell here and there might come a time when that becomes the talking point. But not today, not after a 45-minute spell that ranks among the most tumultuous in recent memory.
By LOLITA C. BALDOR and MATTHEW LEE WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is expected to announce that it will send $1.25 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Friday, as the Biden administration pushes to get as much aid to Kyiv as possible before leaving office on Jan. 20. The large package of aid includes a significant amount of munitions, including for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and the HAWK air defense system. It also will provide Stinger missiles and 155 mm- and 105 mm artillery rounds, officials said. The officials, who said they expect the announcement to be made on Monday, spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public. The new aid comes as Russia has launched a barrage of attacks against Ukraine’s power facilities in recent days, although Ukraine has said it intercepted a significant number of the missiles and drones. Russian and Ukrainian forces are also still in a bitter battle around the Russian border region of Kursk, where Moscow has sent thousands of North Korean troops to help reclaim territory taken by Ukraine. Earlier this month, senior defense officials acknowledged that that the Defense Department may not be able to send all of the remaining $5.6 billion in Pentagon weapons and equipment stocks passed by Congress for Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in. Related Articles National News | Bird flu virus likely mutated within a Louisiana patient, CDC says National News | A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says National News | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National News | US homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people National News | Most Americans blame insurance profits and denials alongside the killer in UHC CEO death, poll finds Trump has talked about getting some type of negotiated settlement between Ukraine and Russia, and spoken about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin . Many U.S. and European leaders are concerned that it might result in a poor deal for Ukraine and they worry that he won’t provide Ukraine with all the weapons funding approved by Congress. The aid in the new package is in presidential drawdown authority, which allows the Pentagon to take weapons off the shelves and send them quickly to Ukraine. This latest assistance would reduce the remaining amount to about $4.35 billion. Officials have said they hope that an influx of aid will help strengthen Ukraine’s hand, should Zelenskyy decide it’s time to negotiate. One senior defense official said that while the U.S. will continue to provide weapons to Ukraine until Jan. 20, there may well be funds remaining that will be available for the incoming Trump administration to spend. According to the Pentagon, there is also about $1.2 billion remaining in longer-term funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which is used to pay for weapons contracts that would not be delivered for a year or more. Officials have said the administration anticipates releasing all of that money before the end of the calendar year. If the new package is included, the U.S. has provided more than $64 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.
Red tape and fine print won't make the world a better place for not for profitsProtective Eyewear Market Size, Trends 2031 By Key Players- 3M, Kimberly Clark, UVEX, Lincoln Electric Holdings, Smith & Wesson, Miller Electric 11-23-2024 06:36 PM CET | Advertising, Media Consulting, Marketing Research Press release from: Verified Market Research USA, New Jersey: According to Verified Market Research analysis, the global Protective Eyewear Market size is reached a valuation of USD 0.80 Billion in 2023, with projections to achieve USD 1.07 Billion by 2031, demonstrating a CAGR 4.12% from 2024 to 2031. What is the current outlook for the Protective Eyewear Market? The protective eyewear market is experiencing steady growth due to increased awareness of eye safety, especially across industries like construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and sports. Rising concerns about eye injuries in the workplace and the growing demand for high-performance eyewear have driven this market. As per recent reports, the market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 6-7% from 2023 to 2030. Additionally, advancements in lens technology and the growing trend of fashionable yet functional eyewear are boosting market growth. The COVID-19 pandemic also heightened demand for protective eyewear in healthcare settings, pushing the adoption of safety glasses. Geographically, North America holds the largest market share, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific, with rapid industrialization in emerging economies further contributing to market expansion. https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/download-sample/?rid=59728&utm_source=OpenPR&utm_medium=386 What factors are driving the growth of the Protective Eyewear Market? Several factors are fueling the growth of the protective eyewear market. Firstly, increased industrial activities across construction, manufacturing, and oil & gas sectors have led to a higher need for personal protective equipment (PPE), including eyewear. Secondly, stringent regulations on workplace safety, particularly in high-risk industries, are making protective eyewear mandatory. The surge in sports participation, where eye protection is critical, also adds to the demand. Technological innovations such as anti-fog, anti-scratch, and UV-resistant lenses are making eyewear more functional and appealing. Moreover, the shift towards eco-friendly materials, such as recyclable plastics, and growing consumer preference for stylish yet protective eyewear is attracting more users, including in the fashion and retail industries. These factors, combined with rising awareness around the importance of eye safety, are expected to continue driving market growth. What is the investment potential in the Protective Eyewear Market? The protective eyewear market presents a promising investment opportunity, with its expanding applications and the rise of both industrial and consumer-driven demand. Investors can benefit from the steady market growth projected through 2030. As companies in the eyewear industry invest in R&D to develop advanced features like smart eyewear, including augmented reality (AR) capabilities, this opens new opportunities for long-term growth. Furthermore, the rising adoption of protective eyewear in emerging markets, fueled by industrial growth and government regulations, offers significant untapped potential. Strategic investments in startups innovating in the field of eye safety and protective lenses could yield substantial returns. Market players who invest in partnerships with healthcare and sports companies could also benefit from broader distribution channels. Overall, the protective eyewear market is expected to offer favorable returns with both short-term and long-term growth potential. Major companies 3M, Kimberly Clark, UVEX, Lincoln Electric Holdings, Smith & Wesson, Miller Electric, Carhartt, MCR Safety, Wiley X, Inc. and Pyramex Safety Products, LLC. Trends Global Market Expansion: As markets continue to globalize, numerous enterprises in the Protective Eyewear sector are actively exploring opportunities in emerging markets. Leveraging their expertise and resources, these companies are strategically expanding their footprint and reaching out to new customer segments, thereby capitalizing on evolving market dynamics. Sustainable Practices: There's a noticeable surge in prioritizing sustainability within the market, spurred by both consumer preferences and regulatory mandates. This shift is manifesting in heightened adoption of eco-friendly materials, implementation of energy-efficient processes, and proactive initiatives aimed at waste reduction. Digital Transformation: The Protective Eyewear market is swiftly embracing digital transformation, incorporating cutting-edge technologies like AI, IoT, and blockchain. This transition is significantly enhancing operational efficiency, fostering product innovation, and elevating customer experiences through personalization. Health and Wellness: Consumers are placing a growing emphasis on health and wellness, catalyzing the introduction of functional and nutritious products in the Protective Eyewear market. Additionally, there's a notable trend towards integrating health-focused attributes into existing offerings to meet evolving consumer expectations. Key Segments Are Covered in Report Protective Eyewear Market, By Product • Anti-Scratch • Anti-Fog • Anti-Scratch • Anti-Fog • Others Protective Eyewear Market, By Application • Industrial Protection • Military Protection • Medical Protection • Daily Protection • Other Get a Discount On The Purchase Of This Report @ https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/ask-for-discount?rid=59728&utm_source=OpenPR&utm_medium=386 Barriers to Entry Strong Brand Loyalty: Established brands enjoy strong customer loyalty and trust, making it difficult for new entrants to capture market share without substantial investment in brand building and marketing campaigns. Economies of Scale: Existing players benefit from economies of scale, which enable them to lower production costs per unit and offer competitive pricing, posing a barrier for new entrants to achieve similar cost efficiencies. High Capital Requirements: Entry into Protective Eyewear Market requires substantial initial investment in manufacturing facilities, distribution networks, and marketing, making it challenging for new entrants to compete effectively. Regulatory Hurdles: Compliance with Protective Eyewear industry regulations and standards adds complexity and cost to market entry, especially for startups or smaller firms lacking resources to navigate regulatory requirements effectively. Regional Analysis North America (USA and Canada) Europe (UK, Germany, France and rest of Europe) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, and Rest of Asia Pacific) Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and Rest of Latin America) Middle East and Africa (GCC and Rest of the Middle East and Africa) The report offers analysis on the following aspects: (1) Market Penetration: Comprehensive information on the product portfolios of the top players in the Protective Eyewear Market. (2) Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on the upcoming technologies, R&D activities, and product launches in the Protective Eyewear market. (3) Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of the market strategies, geographic and business segments of the leading players in the market. (4) Market Development: Comprehensive information about emerging markets. This report analyzes the market for various segments across geographies. (5) Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new products, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the Protective Eyewear Market. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 1. What are the present scale and future growth prospects of the Protective Eyewear Market? Answer: The Protective Eyewear Market size is reached a valuation of USD 0.80 Billion in 2023, with projections to achieve USD 1.07 Billion by 2031, demonstrating a CAGR 4.12% from 2024 to 2031. 2. What is the current state of the Protective Eyewear market? Answer: As of the latest data, the Protective Eyewear market is experiencing growth, stability, and challenges. 3. Who are the key players in the Protective Eyewear market? Answer: 3M, Kimberly Clark, UVEX, Lincoln Electric Holdings, Smith & Wesson, Miller Electric, Carhartt, MCR Safety, Wiley X, Inc. and Pyramex Safety Products, LLC. are the Prominent players in the Protective Eyewear market, known for their notable characteristics and strengths. 4. What factors are driving the growth of the Protective Eyewear market? Answer: The growth of the Protective Eyewear market can be attributed to factors such as key drivers technological advancements, increasing demand, and regulatory support. 5. Are there any challenges affecting the Protective Eyewear market? Answer: The Protective Eyewear market's challenges include competition, regulatory hurdles, and economic factors. For More Information or Query, Visit @ https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/product/protective-eyewear-market/ Inquiry: Mr. Edwin Fernandez Verified Market Research USA: +1 650 781 4080 APAC: +61 485 860 968 EMEA: +44 788 886 6344 Website:- https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/ About us: Verified Market Research Verified Market Research is a leading global research and consulting firm with over 10 years of experience providing advanced analytical research solutions, tailored consulting and in-depth data analysis to individuals and companies seeking accurate, reliable and timely research. Data and technology consulting. It provides insights into strategic and growth analysis, the data you need to achieve business goals, and helps you make key revenue decisions. Our research works as partners to provide our clients with accurate and valuable information to help them make better data-driven decisions, understand market forecasts, capitalize on future opportunities and help optimize efficiency. The industries we cover span a wide range of industries including technology, chemicals, manufacturing, energy, food and beverage, automotive, robotics, packaging, construction, mining and gas. etc. Verified Market Research help you understand comprehensive market indicator factors as well as current and future market trends. Our analysts have extensive expertise in data collection and management, using industry methodologies to collect and examine data at every step. They are trained to combine the latest data collection techniques, superior research methodologies, specialized knowledge, and years of collective experience to produce informative and accurate research results. Having served over 5,000 clients, we provide trusted market research services to over 100 global Fortune 500 companies, including Amazon, Dell, IBM, Shell, Exxon Mobil, General Electric, Siemens, Microsoft, Sony and Hitachi. We provided it. We work with some of the world's leading consulting firms, including McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group and Bain & Company, delivering customized research and consulting projects for companies around the world. This release was published on openPR.
By LOLITA C. BALDOR and MATTHEW LEE WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is expected to announce that it will send $1.25 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Friday, as the Biden administration pushes to get as much aid to Kyiv as possible before leaving office on Jan. 20. The large package of aid includes a significant amount of munitions, including for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and the HAWK air defense system. It also will provide Stinger missiles and 155 mm- and 105 mm artillery rounds, officials said. The officials, who said they expect the announcement to be made on Monday, spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public. The new aid comes as Russia has launched a barrage of attacks against Ukraine’s power facilities in recent days, although Ukraine has said it intercepted a significant number of the missiles and drones. Russian and Ukrainian forces are also still in a bitter battle around the Russian border region of Kursk, where Moscow has sent thousands of North Korean troops to help reclaim territory taken by Ukraine. Earlier this month, senior defense officials acknowledged that that the Defense Department may not be able to send all of the remaining $5.6 billion in Pentagon weapons and equipment stocks passed by Congress for Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in. Related Articles National News | Bird flu virus likely mutated within a Louisiana patient, CDC says National News | A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says National News | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National News | US homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people National News | Most Americans blame insurance profits and denials alongside the killer in UHC CEO death, poll finds Trump has talked about getting some type of negotiated settlement between Ukraine and Russia, and spoken about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin . Many U.S. and European leaders are concerned that it might result in a poor deal for Ukraine and they worry that he won’t provide Ukraine with all the weapons funding approved by Congress. The aid in the new package is in presidential drawdown authority, which allows the Pentagon to take weapons off the shelves and send them quickly to Ukraine. This latest assistance would reduce the remaining amount to about $4.35 billion. Officials have said they hope that an influx of aid will help strengthen Ukraine’s hand, should Zelenskyy decide it’s time to negotiate. One senior defense official said that while the U.S. will continue to provide weapons to Ukraine until Jan. 20, there may well be funds remaining that will be available for the incoming Trump administration to spend. According to the Pentagon, there is also about $1.2 billion remaining in longer-term funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which is used to pay for weapons contracts that would not be delivered for a year or more. Officials have said the administration anticipates releasing all of that money before the end of the calendar year. If the new package is included, the U.S. has provided more than $64 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.Meta to build $10 billion AI data center in Louisiana as Elon Musk expands his Tennessee AI facilityDefiant Adani says committed to compliance after US indictment
A delegation of Samajwadi Party leaders will visit Sambhal on Monday to meet the families of those affected by the November violence and provide them with cheques of Rs 5 lakh each. The visit was delayed due to a ban on outsiders, which has now been lifted. Sambhal : A delegation of Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders will visit Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday to meet the families affected by the violence that took place in the area in November. The delegation will include several leaders from the party. Mata Prasad Pandey, leader of opposition in Uttar Pradesh Assembly, and Lal Bihari Yadav, leader of opposition in legislative council, will visit Sambhal. They will be accompanied by a few SP MPs, including Harendra Malik, Ruchi Veera, Iqra Hasan, and Ziaur Rahman Barq, as well as local leaders like MLA Kamal Akhtar, MLA Nawab Iqbal Mahmood and others. Purpose of visit The main purpose of the visit is to meet the families of those who lost their lives in the violence in Sambhal. SP leaders have announced that they will give cheques of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the victims on behalf of the party. The violence took place on November 24 during a survey at Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, which resulted in the deaths of four people and left several others injured. Why delay in visit? Following the incident, the Sambhal administration imposed a ban on the entry of outsiders into the district, which prevented the SP delegation from visiting the area until the ban was lifted on December 10. Mata Prasad Pandey said that the entire delegation would be present during the visit and expressed confidence that there were no plans to stop them. The SP leaders have already spoken to the District Magistrate (DM) of Sambhal and confirmed that there have been no objections to their visit. Click for more latest India news . Also get top headlines and latest news from India and around the world at News9. Dimple Singh is a journalist by profession and an accomplished author. Currently serving as a Senior Sub-Editor at News 9, she brings with her 5 years of valuable experience in digital journalism from her previous company Times Of India. Her expertise lies in writing about crime and political news, where she skillfully combines her digital news writing abilities with a deep understanding of AI technology.In the realm of literature, Dimple has authored five compelling fictional books. Her writing reflects a passion for powerful storytelling, capturing the imaginations of readers with every word. Dimple is known for her workaholic nature, dedicating herself wholeheartedly to her profession and her love for words.
In 2023, foreign tourist arrivals in India grew 43.5% to 9.3 million from 6.4 million in 2022. However this was still significantly below the 2019 pre-pandemic peak of 10.9 million. In the first half of 2024, some 4.8 million foreign tourist arrivals have been registered. But though tourism typically peaks in the latter half of the year, it is unlikely to touch 10 million this year. India ranks 39 out of 119 countries in World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index. The US, Spain, Japan, France and Australia are the top 5 with India placed below China, Indonesia and Malaysia. Also read | Global tourism took a significant hit during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 but recovered sharply thereafter. In 2023, international tourism reached 89% of pre-pandemic levels and in the first half of this year, it has gone up to 96% according to the UN. India’s tally during the same period was 9% more than in 2023 but was still around 10% less than in the first half of 2019. India faces strong competition from countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka that are perceived to be more tourist-friendly. Law and order, air pollution, and modest public infrastructure are some factors keeping tourists away. Bangladesh and the US are the top source countries accounting for nearly 40% of all foreign tourist arrivals, followed by the UK, Canada, and Australia. Nearly 45% visit India for leisure and recreation, while over a quarter belong to the large Indian diaspora. The national capital, New Delhi, is by far the biggest entry point accounting for 30% of tourists every year. Also read | Tourism is a big contributor to foreign exchange earnings. In 2023, it generated revenue of 2.3 trillion, higher than the 2.1 trillion of 2019 even as footfall lagged, which means per capita spending of travellers has gone up. In the first half of this year, 1.27 trillion has been generated which is 29% more than the same period in 2019. According to Crisil, the spend per foreign tourist has gone up from 2 lakh to 2.7 lakh in 2024. Higher earnings are due to higher hotel tariffs and airline ticket prices, plus a weaker rupee. Also read | Steps being taken include facilitating easy availability of e-visas and reducing the cost, promoting adventure and niche tourism and launching a 24X7 multilingual helpline. Over the past few years, around $1 billion has been spent to improve the tourist experience and upgrade infrastructure. Yet a lot more needs to be done, especially in simplifying and expanding visa-on-arrival, where South-east Asian countries have an edge and improving air connectivity with other parts of the world. Also read |Jimmy Carter, former US president and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, dead at 100
Some tech industry leaders are pushing the incoming Trump administration to increase visas for highly skilled workers from other nations. Related Articles National Politics | In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families National Politics | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National Politics | New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns National Politics | Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen National Politics | Exhausted by political news? TV ratings and new poll say you’re not alone The heart of the argument is, for America to remain competitive, the country needs to expand the number of skilled visas it gives out. The previous Trump administration did not increase the skilled visa program, instead clamping down on visas for students and educated workers, increasing denial rates. Not everyone in corporate America thinks the skilled worker program is great. Former workers at IT company Cognizant recently won a federal class-action lawsuit that said the company favored Indian employees over Americans from 2013 to 2022. A Bloomberg investigation found Cognizant, and other similar outsourcing companies, mainly used its skilled work visas for lower-level positions. Workers alleged Cognizant preferred Indian workers because they could be paid less and were more willing to accept inconvenient or less-favorable assignments. Question: Should the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers? Caroline Freund, UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy YES: Innovation is our superpower and it relies on people. Sourcing talent from 8 billion people in the world instead of 330 million here makes sense. Nearly half our Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. Growing them also relies on expanding our skilled workforce. The cap on skilled-worker visas has hardly changed since the computer age started. With AI on the horizon, attracting and building talent is more important than ever. Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Institute for Economic Research YES: After years of openly allowing millions of undocumented entrants into the country, why is there controversy over legally increasing somewhat the number having desirable skills? Undocumented immigration significantly impacts lower skill level jobs and wages competing with domestic workers at every skill level. Why should special cases be made against those having higher skills? Could they just not walk across the border anyway, why make it more inconvenient to those with desirable skills? James Hamilton, UC San Diego YES: Knowledge and technology are key drivers of the U.S. economy. Students come from all over the world to learn at U.S. universities, and their spending contributed $50 billion to U.S. exports last year. Technological advantage is what keeps us ahead of the rest of the world. Highly skilled immigrants contribute much more in taxes than they receive in public benefits. The skills immigrants bring to America can make us all better off. Norm Miller, University of San Diego YES: According to Forbes, the majority of billion-dollar startups were founded by foreigners. I’ve interviewed dozens of data analysts and programmers from Berkeley, UCSD, USD and a few other schools and 75% of them are foreign. There simply are not enough American graduates to fill the AI and data mining related jobs now exploding in the U.S. If we wish to remain a competitive economy, we need highly skilled and bright immigrants to come here and stay. David Ely, San Diego State University YES: Being able to employ highly skilled workers from a larger pool of candidates would strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. companies by increasing their capacity to perform research and innovate. This would boost the country’s economic output. Skilled workers from other nations that cannot remain in the U.S. will find jobs working for foreign rivals. The demand for H-1B visas far exceeds the current cap of 85,000, demonstrating a need to modify this program. Phil Blair, Manpower YES: Every country needs skilled workers, at all levels, to grow its economy. We should take advantage of the opportunity these workers provide our employers who need these skills. It should be blended into our immigration policies allowing for both short and long term visas. Gary London, London Moeder Advisors YES: San Diego is a premiere example of how highly skilled workers from around the globe enrich a community and its regional economy. Of course Visa levels need to be increased. But let’s go further. Tie visas and immigration with a provision that those who are admitted and educated at a U.S. university be incentivized, or even required, to be employed in the U.S. in exchange for their admittance. Bob Rauch, R.A. Rauch & Associates NO: While attracting high-skilled immigrants can fill critical gaps in sectors like technology, health care and advanced manufacturing, increasing high-skilled immigration could displace American workers and drive down wages in certain industries. There are already many qualified American workers available for some of these jobs. We should balance the need for specialized skills with the impact on the domestic workforce. I believe we can begin to increase the number of visas after a careful review of abuse. Austin Neudecker, Weave Growth YES: We should expand skilled visas to drive innovation and economic growth. Individuals who perform high-skilled work in labor-restricted industries or graduate from respected colleges with relevant degrees should be prioritized for naturalization. We depend on immigration for GDP growth, tax revenue, research, and so much more. Despite the abhorrent rhetoric and curtailing of visas in the first term, I hope the incoming administration can be persuaded to enact positive changes to a clearly flawed system. Chris Van Gorder, Scripps Health YES: But it should be based upon need, not politics. There are several industries that have or could have skilled workforce shortages, especially if the next administration tightens immigration as promised and expected. Over the years, there have been nursing shortages that have been met partially by trained and skilled nurses from other countries. The physician shortage is expected to get worse in the years to come. So, this visa program may very well be needed. Jamie Moraga, Franklin Revere NO: While skilled immigration could boost our economy and competitiveness, the U.S. should prioritize developing our domestic workforce. Hiring foreign nationals in sensitive industries or government-related work, especially in advanced technology or defense, raises security concerns. A balanced approach could involve targeted increases in non-sensitive high-demand fields coupled with investment in domestic STEM education and training programs. This could address immediate needs while strengthening the long-term STEM capabilities of the American workforce. Not participating this week: Alan Gin, University of San DiegoHaney Hong, San Diego County Taxpayers AssociationRay Major, economist Have an idea for an Econometer question? Email me at phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com . Follow me on Threads: @phillip020