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  McKesson now claims top spot in North Texas after Exxon's move to Houston area   DALLAS — Read this story and more North Texas business news from our partners at the Dallas Business Journal   Dallas-Fort Worth has 21 companies on the latest Fortune 500, published June 4. That was down slightly from last year, when the list featured 24 companies from the region, and there were several notable changes to the ranking. The highest-ranked DFW company on the list is now No. 9 McKesson Corp. (NYSE: MCK), based on 2023 revenue of $276.7 billion, after No. 7 Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) last summer completed its move to the Houston area from North Texas. McKesson, a pharmaceutical distribution and health care services and supplies company, moved to North Texas from California in 2019.   The change might elicit a shrug from readers, since the Exxon move has been widely covered. But it speaks to the hole left by the relocation. Exxon is a Fortune 500 stalwart: ...

  Why Getting an H-1B Visa is Tricky and What’s Changing in Future The H-1B lottery registration window and selections are fast approaching. H-1B selections are by chance, but last year’s success rate was particularly hard. We will talk about why in a minute — since then, some changes have been made by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to “improve” the process ahead of the 2024 selections.   A Quick H-1B Recap H-1B is an employer-sponsored visa that allows a person who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. to work in a “specialty occupation” for up to six (6) years. It is a non-immigrant visa category in the United States that allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in “specialized occupations.” It is one of the most popular/sought-after visas for foreign professionals dreaming or planning to work in the U.S. The demand, stringent requirements, and a limited annual cap make it difficult to obtain. As we approach Marc...

  Brain-Machine Interface (BMI) technologies, championed by companies like Neuralink, are at the forefront of transforming how humans interact with technology. Founded by Elon Musk, Neuralink aims to develop sophisticated brain-computer interfaces that promise to revolutionize communication, enhance human capabilities, and push the boundaries of artificial intelligence (AI). However, as with any groundbreaking technology, BMIs come with a host of ethical, societal, and practical concerns that need careful consideration.   Neuralink: A Leading Player in BMI Technology   Neuralink stands out as a pioneer in the field of brain-machine interfaces. The company’s ambitious goals extend beyond medical applications, aspiring to enhance human capabilities and integrate AI seamlessly with human cognition. The vision includes enabling people to communicate sensations, emotions, and memories through targeted neural stimulation, potentially transforming our interaction with ...

A $16,000 American-Made EV? The U.S. Government Wants a Competition to Build One The electric vehicle (EV) market is rapidly evolving, with China currently leading the charge in producing affordable, high-quality EVs. The sub-$10,000 BYD Seagull is a prime example of this trend, showcasing China's ability to manufacture cost-effective EVs that are accessible to a broader audience. In contrast, the U.S. market sees EVs like the Nissan Leaf priced at three times the cost of the Seagull before tax credits. This disparity has prompted U.S. officials to seek innovative solutions to level the playing field. One such initiative is a proposed competition aimed at developing an American-made EV that can retail for approximately $16,000.   The Inspiration Behind the Competition The BYD Seagull's success is no accident. It results from substantial local and national subsidies, an extensive manufacturing scale, and a firm grip on the battery supply chain. BYD's high degree of v...

In a significant development, UK Home Secretary Priti Patel is set to unveil a new visa scheme that offers five-year work visas to skilled refugees fleeing war and conflict. This initiative aims to fill critical job vacancies in the UK while providing sanctuary to those in dire need. The scheme, dubbed the 'displaced talent mobility scheme', will operate under a stringent points-based system, similar to those in Australia and Canada.   Addressing Skill Shortages The visa will be offered to highly skilled refugees living in refugee camps in Lebanon and Jordan, with eligibility extending to those fleeing conflict in Syria, Gaza, and Iraq. Initially, the program will provide visas to 100 refugees and their families, allowing them to reside and work in the UK for up to five years.   Points-Based Selection Under the points-based system, applicants must demonstrate they have the skills to fill roles listed on the UK’s Shortage Occupation List (SOL). This list includes es...

  New Delhi: Passengers on an Air India flight to San Francisco endured a harrowing experience after a delay of over 20 hours. The flight, initially scheduled to depart on Thursday afternoon, was rescheduled to leave at 11 am the following day. The delay not only caused significant inconvenience but also led to a highly uncomfortable situation where passengers were made to sit in an aircraft without air-conditioning, resulting in some people fainting due to the heat.   A Chaotic Sequence of Events The ordeal began when flight No. AI 183 was delayed by over eight hours at Delhi airport. Shweta Punj, a journalist, highlighted the distressing conditions in a post on X (formerly Twitter). According to Punj, passengers were boarded onto the plane and left to sit without air-conditioning, despite Delhi experiencing a severe heatwave, with temperatures soaring to a record 52.9 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.   Passengers Made to Board and Then Deplane "People were made...

  As the Indian IT services sector grapples with a slowdown in the US and global macroeconomic uncertainties, industry experts predict a muted hiring environment despite a robust pipeline of deals. Research firm ICRA recently noted that hiring is expected to remain slow over the next two to three quarters, indicating a continued slowdown into the first quarter of FY25.   Hiring Trends and Statistics Between Q2 FY2023 and Q2 FY2024, companies sampled by ICRA experienced a net decrease of 49,606 employees, in stark contrast to a net increase of 245,248 employees from Q2 FY2022 to Q2 FY2023. This decline is attributed to companies not fully backfilling attrition and focusing on improving employee utilization amid weakened demand.   Kamal Karanth, co-founder of Xpheno, highlighted the subdued campus hiring trend, suggesting that the IT sector may collectively onboard far fewer than 100,000 freshers and entry-level employees this fiscal year. “Every 10,000 freshers...