In November 2017, India, Japan, the US, and Australia gave shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the Quad to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence
to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence.
“The United States and India have a strong bilateral relationship and that’s including trade as well, trade relationship,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference on Wednesday.
“We are committed to continuing working together and in groups like the Quad to advance economic growth for our two countries and expand cooperation of our shared priorities. That is a commitment that you can know that is coming from the United States,” Jean-Pierre said.
Fox News has settled a defamation lawsuit from the voting machine company, Dominion, over its reporting of the 2020 presidential election.
In a last-minute settlement before trial, the network agreed to pay $787.5m (£634m) - about half of the $1.6bn initially sought by Dominion.
In November 2017, India, Japan, the US, and Australia gave shape to the long-pending proposal of setting up the Quad
US President Joe Biden hosted the first-ever summit of the Quad leaders in the virtual format in March 2021 and vowed to strive for an Indo-Pacific region that is free, open, inclusive, anchored by democratic values, and unconstrained by coercion, sending a subtle message to China.
Dominion argued its business was harmed by Fox spreading false claims the vote had been rigged against Donald Trump.
The deal spares Fox executives such as Rupert Murdoch from having to testify. The judge in the case is not required to give his approval for the agreement. Fox said Tuesday’s settlement in one of the most anticipated defamation trials in recent US history reflected its “commitment to the highest journalistic standards”.
A Russian woman has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for attempting to kill her lookalike in a bizarre identitytheft plot in New York City.
Viktoria Nasyrova gave her beautician, Olga Tsvyk, a slice of poisoned cheesecake on 28 August 2016 before stealing her passport and work permit. As she learned her fate, Nasyrova, 47, directed an expletive at the judge at the court in the borough of Queens. A prosecutor called her a “ruthless and calculating con artist”. Ms Tsvyk was allowed to speak in court before the sentence was read.
US authorities have imposed a $300m (£241m) penalty on tech firm Seagate for allegedly violating export controls of hard disk drives to China’s Huawei.
Seagate Technology shipped more than $1.1bn worth of goods to Huawei after export controls were introduced in 2020, the Department of Commerce said. The penalty is the latest move by
Friday (0400 GMT Saturday).
The initial stay came after the Justice Department filed an emergency appeal asking the court to block the lower court rulings that would have banned or limited use of mifepristone, which accounts for more than half of the abortions in the United States.
the US government to stop sales of sophisticated technology to China. US authorities have said such equipment may be used by China’s military. Seagate shipped 7.4 million drives to Huawei for about a year after the rule was imposed by the administration of former President Donald Trump, according to the Commerce Department.
Microsoft Corp. said its social media planning and scheduling tools for advertisers will no longer support Twitter, after the Elon Musk-owned social network started charging for access to its programming interface. Musk responded to the announcement by accusing Microsoft of using Twitter data “illegally” and threatening a lawsuit. The billionaire, who bought Twitter last year, is changing the company’s policy to charge businesses for access to its stream of data.
Hill attack on January 6, 2021. The attack on the Congress resulted in his suspension from major social media platforms, as per a report in The Guardian.
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Washington: The US Supreme Court on Wednesday temporarily preserved access to a widely-used abortion pill, delaying its decision on lower court rulings placing restrictions on the drug. Without commenting on the merits of the case, the nation’s highest court extended an administrative stay freezing the lower court decisions until midnight
That stay had been scheduled to expire at midnight Wednesday and the court, in an order signed by Justice Samuel Alito, opted to extend the hold on the rulings for two more days.
The extension gives the court more time to decide what to do with the divisive case, the most significant on reproductive rights since it tossed out the constitutional right to abortion last year in an opinion penned by Alito, a conservative.
Mr Trump used the platform to sell a second edition of his digital trading cards. The project, which was heavily ridiculed when it was first launched in December 2022, sold out an edition of 44,000 in less than a day and made profits of $4.5 million.
It is also to be noted that Mr Trump has already benefited from fundraising this month as a result of his arrest in New York on 34 counts of falsifying business records, which are connected to his hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
At least 78 people have been killed in a crush at a school in the Yemeni capital Sanaa during a distribution of charity for Ramadan, officials say.
Islamabad, April 20 (IANS) The Pakistan Foreign Office on Thursday announced that Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari will a meeting of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) slated to be held in India next month.
Confirming the development to mediapersons at a news briefing, FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahrah Baloch said: “Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari will be leading the Pakistan delegation to the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) being held on May 4-5 in Goa,” Dawn news reported.
She said Bilawal will be attending the meeting at the invitation of the current chairman of SCO CFM, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. “Our participation in the meeting reflects Pakistan’s commitment to the SCO Charter and processes and the importance that Pakistan accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities,” Baloch said.
“Pakistan continues to participate in SCO meetings in keeping with our longstanding commitment to SCO.”
The FO spokesperson also highlighted that Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman had represented the country in the fourth SCO meeting of heads of ministries on environmental protection.
“The meeting was held in online format in New Delhi April 18.” in January, India had invited Pakistan’s Foreign Minister to the SCO meeting in May, reports Dawn news.
TV footage shows a crowd of people unable to move and many in distress in the Bab al-Yemen area of the city. Hundreds of people reportedly crowded into the school late on Wednesday to receive donations amounting to about $9 (£7; €8) per person.
The rebel Houthi movement has controlled Sanaa since 2015.
Video posted on social media shows people screaming with dozens of bodies on the ground, some of which are not moving. Other people are seen trying to help.
Two local businessmen who arranged the event had been arrested and an investigation was under way, the
interior ministry said. A spokesman for the ministry blamed the crush on the “random distribution” of funds without co-ordination with local officials. Many people were also injured with 13 in a critical situation, a health official in Sanaa said.
“Women and children were among the dead,” a Houthi security official told AFP news agency on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to journalists.
The Associated Press news agency
Russia Ukraine war: The International Criminal Court warrant against Putin stems from accusations that Russia unlawfully deported Ukrainian children.
quoted two eyewitnesses who said Houthi fighters had fired into the air in an attempt at crowd control, apparently striking an electrical wire which resulted in an explosion. This caused panic that led to the crush, they added.
The rebels are said to have then sealed off the school and barred people, including journalists, from approaching. The Houthis have reportedly agreed to pay $2,000 (£1,600) to each family who lost a relative, while the injured would get around $400 (£322).
Johannesburg: A Ukrainian Nobel peace prize winner on Wednesday called on South Africa not to allow Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend a BRICS summit in the country in August. Oleksandra Romantsova, the head of an NGO that became the winner of Ukraine’s first ever peace prize last year, urged the South African government to “show us that they care”.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant against
Putin in March meaning Pretoria, due to host the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa bloc summit this year, would have to detain him on arrival. “For us South Africa is a place where people are fighting for freedom, for equality for dignity,” Romantsova, who was in South Africa to garner support for Ukraine, told a media briefing in Johannesburg. If Putin were to come here and not be arrested it would “be a great disappointment,” she said.
London: A new report by an independent think tank based in London has exposed the extent of discrimination and bullying faced by Hindu students in UK schools. The report from the London-based Henry Jackson Society, commissioned by Charlotte Littlewood, a PhD candidate in Arab and Islamic Studies with the University of Exeter, surveyed 988 Hindu parents and found that 51 per cent of them reported that their children had faced discrimination at school. Despite the high prevalence of discrimination reported by parents, the study found that fewer than 1 per cent of schools with Indian pupils reported any hate incidents. Additionally, only 19 per cent of Hindu parents surveyed believed that schools were able to identify antiHindu hate.
The report surveyed 988 Hindu parents and found that 51 per cent of them reported that their children had faced discrimination at school.
Despite the rollback of China’s onechild policy, and even after more recent incentives urging families to have more children, China’s population is steadily shrinking — a momentous shift that will soon leave India as the world’s most populous nation and have broad rippling effects both domestically and globally. The change puts China on the same course of both ageing and shrinking as many of its neighbours in Asia, but its path will have outsize effects not just on the regional economy, but on the world at large as well.
The incidents reported by parents included “anti-Hindu slurs” directed at students, with some children experiencing such bullying for years.
Littlewood spent five months on the report, during which she encountered one case in which a student in East London had to change schools three times due to such bullying.
“We know this happened in an East London school which has many South Asian pupils. That is disturbing in a
country like ours,” said Ms Littlewood. “We are asking for a change in the policy on bullying that schools in the UK have, through this report. They have to have an annual report of incidents and how they were tackled.”
The report also detailed incidents involving students up to the age of 22 in colleges across the UK. In March, Karan Kataria, an Indian student studying for a master’s degree in law at the London School of Economics, alleged that he had faced discrimination during his campaign for the post of General Secretary in the school.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a decline in public perception of routine childhood vaccines with nearly 67 million children missing out on one or more potentially life-saving vaccines, according to a UNICEF report titled The State of the World’s Children 2023. “More than a decade of hardearned gains in routine childhood immunization have been eroded,” the report said, adding that the data indicates a worrying trend of rising vaccine hesitancy amidst political polarization, misinformation.
New Delhi: Are two spouses who belong to a binary gender essential for marriage, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud asked on Thursday, as the Supreme Court heard arguments on legalising same-sex marriages.
Fugitive radical preacher Amritpal Singh’s wife Kirandeep Kaur was stopped at the Amritsar airport by immigration officials while she was trying to board a flight to London, sources said on Thursday. She was learnt to have been questioned by the immigration authorities, they said. More than a month after a police crackdown against Singh and his aides, the radical preacher continues to remain elusive even as a manhunt to nab him is underway.
“We see these [same-sex] relationships not just as physical relations but something more of a stable, emotional relationship,” Justice Chandrachud said on the third day of the hearing by a fivejudge bench that is being live-streamed on the court website and YouTube.
“[Legalising same-sex marriage] requires us to redefine the evolving notion of
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud asked on Thursday.
marriage. Because is the existence of two spouses who belong to a binary
gender a necessary requirement for marriage?” he asked.
He noted that the law has evolved significantly in the last 69 years since the enactment of the Special Marriage Act in 1954, which provided a form of civil marriage for people who did not want to follow their personal laws.
“And by decriminalizing homosexuality, we have not just recognised treating relationships between consenting adults of the same gender, but we’ve also recognised that people who are of the same sex would even be in stable relationships,” he said, referring to the landmark 2018 order.
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New Delhi: India recorded 12,591 new Covid cases in a day, the highest in around eight months, while the active case burden increased to 65,286, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.
HiIndia Newsdesk
Industrialist Gautam Adani met NCP chief Sharad Pawar at the latter’s residence in Mumbai on Thursday, party sources said.
The meeting follows Pawar’s recent statement that he is not opposed to a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the charges made by Hindenburg Research against the Adani group, but a Supreme Court committee will be more useful and effective.
Hindenburg has alleged stock manipulation and accounting fraud in firms belonging to billionaire Adani.
The death toll has increased to 5,31,230 with 40 fatalities, which includes 11
reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. The total tally of Covid cases was recorded at 4.48 crore. The daily positivity rate was 5.46 per cent and the weekly positivity rate was 5.32 per cent. Active cases now comprise 0.15 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was 98.67 per cent, according to the health ministry website. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has surged to 4,42,61, 476 while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent. According to the ministry’s website, 220.66 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive.
New Delhi:
In a massive setback for Rahul Gandhi, a court in Gujarat today rejected his request to pause his conviction in a defamation case over his 2019 “Modi surname” remark.
This means Rahul Gandhi cannot be reinstated as Member of Parliament for now. Rahul Gandhi had requested that his conviction be paused pending his appeal against a court order sentencing him to two years in jail. The trial court, said the Congress leader, had treated him harshly, overwhelmingly influenced by his status as an MP.
The Delhi High Court on Thursday restrained several YouTube channels from publishing misleading content on the health of Aaradhya Bachchan, daughter of actors Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, saying spreading misinformation about a child reflects “morbid perversity”.
The court, while dealing with a lawsuit by the minor child and her father, directed Google to take down from its platform certain videos which claimed that Aaradhya Bachchan was “critically ill” and “no more”. Justice C Hari Shankar said every child is entitled to be treated with honour and respect and dissemination of misleading information in respect of a child’s health was “completely intolerable in law”.
At least 78 people were killed in a stampede in the Yemeni capital Sanaa as hundreds gathered in a school to receive aid, witnesses and Houthi media said on Thursday. Several people were injured including 13 who were in critical conditions, Al Masirah TV television news outlet run by the Iran-aligned Houthi movement reported, citing the director of health in Sanaa.
Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar has asked US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to expand the legal pathways for immigration, including by raising the cap for H-1B visas - the most soughtafter by IT professionals from India.
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.
Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. “We must expand legal pathways for immigration, including
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise
by raising the cap for H-1B visas,”
Thanedar told Mayorkas during a Congressional hearing by the House Committee on Homeland Security on
the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request for the Department of Homeland Security.
The H-1B visa allocations are capped at 85,000 visas per year, with 20,000 of those set aside for workers holding advanced degrees from US institutions.
Thanedar, a Democrat, said that the fact is that the US border security challenges are a symptom of the broader failure to overhaul the immigration system of the country. During the hearing, he was the only lawmaker to raise the issue of H-1B before the Homeland Security Secretary.
Thanedar said the Department of Homeland Security has a broad range of missions beyond the border that are critical to securing the homeland that deserves our attention.
“[Legalising same-sex marriage] requires us to redefine the evolving notion of marriage,”
rules relating to the declaration of interests, understood to be related to his links to a childcare firm in which his wife is an investor, media reports said on Monday.
The Commissioner, Daniel Greenberg, opened an investigation into the Prime Minister on Thursday last week, an update on the Commissioner’s website said, The Guardian reported.
The entry says only that it relates to paragraph six of the updated code of conduct for MPs, which states they “must always be open and frank in declaring any relevant interest in any proceeding of the house or its committees”.
budget to incentivise people to become childminders, with 1,200 pounds offered to those who train through the agency, The Guardian reported.
On 28 March, Sunak did not mention his wife’s interest when speaking about the childcare changes before the liaison committee. He was asked by Labour MP Catherine McKinnell whether he had anything to declare. “No, all my disclosures are declared in the normal way,” he told McKinnell.
It later emerged that bosses from the company attended a Downing Street reception hours after Sunak’s committee appearance, The Guardian reported.
London: (IANS) UK Prime Minister
Rishi Sunak is being investigated by UK Parliament’s commissioner for standards over a potential breach of
Sunak’s wife, Akshata Murty, is listed as a shareholder in Koru Kids, which is among six private childcare providers likely to benefit from a pilot scheme proposed in last month’s
It is understood that McKinnell raised the issue with the commissioner.
Sunak does not list his wife’s shareholding on his register of interests as an MP, which MPs are required to update promptly.
A Sikh temple in the UK has issued warnings after fraudsters impersonating as its members tried to trick people in India by making false job and visa promises with an intent of extracting money from them, media reports said.
London: (IANS) A Sikh temple in the UK has issued warnings after fraudsters impersonating as its members tried to trick people in India by making false job and visa promises with an intent of extracting money from them, media reports said. The Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Gravesend placed warnings on its social media pages after they were alerted to fake advertisements titled, “urgently needed in the UK”, offering free food and travel tickets for job opportunities at the Sikh temple, the Kent Online reported.
Ireland granted the highest number of work permits, approximately 40 per cent, to Indian nationals
New Delhi: (IANS) Ireland granted the highest number of work permits, approximately 40 per cent, to Indian nationals, according to data released by the Irish Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for the first three months of 2023.
Of the total of 7,264 work permits issued to third-country citizens, 2,894 went to Indian nationals from the beginning of January to March 31. The month of January alone saw 2,525 of these permits issued, out of which almost half of them -- 1,059 -- went to Indian nationals.
After India, Brazil and the Philippines in the second and third spot with 734 and 663 permits issued to its nationals in the first quarter of 2023.
Out of the total 494 rejected applications, the highest number was also from India at 113, followed by Brazil at 80.
Toronto: (IANS) Gurbax Singh
Malhi, the first turban-wearing Sikh elected to the House of Commons in Canada, was awarded the Key to the City of Brampton for his outstanding achievements as a trailblazer for the Sikh and South Asian community. The Key to the City is a symbolic honour that the City of Brampton bestows upon a highly valued member of the community, or a celebrated or dignified guest of the City who has made an impact on the lives of people. The honour for Malhi coincides with the Sikh Heritage Month, and it was presented to him by Mayor Patrick Brown at a ceremony in The Rose Brampton, Ontario.
“We are grateful for the outstanding contributions of Gurbax Singh Malhi, and his unwavering commitment to inclusive policy making and community building.
We are so very lucky to have this advocate in our city and we must celebrate those, like Malhi, who go above and beyond to create supportive, vibrant communities where all can be their best,” Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said in a statement.
“We had somebody come into the gurdwara last week who is here but her father is in India and she wanted to see if he could come over,” General secretary of the gurdwara, Jagdev Singh Virdee, said.
“Her father had been alerted to this ad and asked if it was a job so she came to check whether it’s genuine or not, and that’s how we first found out about it,” Virdee told Kent Online. Following this, nearly a dozen people got in touch with the gurdwara authorities to enquire about the advertisement, which has been circulated on the internet, and asked people to get in contact via WhatsApp.
According to the news report, some have already gone through the process of exchanging passport information and personal details.
Virdee said that the fraudsters have set up a website domain and email address similar to the gurdwara’s.
“They are faking letters as if it’s a job offer from the gurdwara, then they’re saying to them, ‘you’ve had the job offer now so if you pay over so much money, then we’ll arrange a travel ticket and visa’,” Virdee told Kent Online.
“Please be aware that the following flyer is being used to fraudulently obtain funds from individuals with a false promise of securing a UK visa and job at the Gurdwara Sahib. Please do not exchange any documents or money with this individual,” the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara posted on its website.
“Though the image shows Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara, Gravesend, this is no way affiliated to GNDG Gravesend,” it added.
Virdee said that the crime has been reported to both Kent Police and the National Home Office of Action Fraud.
A Kent Police spokesperson said they “received a report on March 29 that an unknown person had falsely purported to represent the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Gravesend online, in an attempt to defraud victims”.
“Officers have been in contact with representatives at the Gurdwara and are investigating the circumstances,” the spokesperson said. Gravesend is home to more than 15,000 Sikhs.
Colombo,: (IANS) A 68 year-old Indian-origin woman from Australia was killed and her daughter injured when a car in which they were travelling fell off a cliff in Sri Lanka, police said.
Prakash Sharita Devi from Sydney was rushed to the Gampola General Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries, the Colombo Page reported. Her daughter as well as the cab driver are being treated for injuries at the same hospital. The car was traveling from Gampola towards Hemmathagama when the driver lost control of the vehicle due to high speed and it ran off the road and rolled down the cliff, preliminary investigations revealed.
New Delhi: After big exits from the BJP in Karnataka by sulking Lingayat leaders like Jagadish Shettar, former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa says the community remains “101 percent” with his party.
The veteran leader, who quit electoral politics but remains the BJP’s tallest leader in Karnataka as the party preps for the May 10 election, also said Jagadish Shettar, his one-time loyalist, “made a mistake” by quitting the BJP.
Mr Shettar joined the Congress earlier this week, upset at being dropped as a candidate by the BJP.
“We had promised him Rajya Sabha membership and we would make him a minister at the Centre. Amit Shah himself spoke to Shettar. I think he made a mistake leaving the party. We wholeheartedly supported him almost
Hyderabad: Four persons of a family allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison in their apartment located in the Kushaiguda area in Hyderabad city, the police said on Saturday. The dead were identified as Satish, his wife Vedha, and their two children Nishiketh (9) and Nihal (5). It is suspected that the incident happened on Friday night, but the police received the information on Saturday afternoon, officials said. Upon receiving information, the police reached the scene and registered a case.
BS Yediyurappa
BS Yediyurappa remains the BJP’s tallest leader in Karnataka as the party preps for the May 10 election.
every time,” Mr Yediyurappa told. “We made him Speaker, minister, gave him almost all important opportunities. I told him not to leave the party.”
Mr Yediyurappa, 80, spoke in an exclusive interview in his constituency Shikaripura, where his son BY Vijayendra filed his nomination to contest the election. Mr Yediyurappa has won from the constituency since 1983.
Mr Shettar is a prominent Lingayat leader like Mr Yediyurappa. So was Laxman Savadi, who also quit after being dropped by the BJP. Would the Lingayats still back the BJP like before? “101% - there is no doubt about it. And wherever there is any misunderstanding, we will convince them... on what happened with Shettar,” the former Chief Minister said. The BJP has dropped several senior leaders from its list of candidates this time, opting for younger leaders and “fresh faces” in an attempt to offset antiincumbency.
Secunderabad Railway station. He boarded the stationary train at the railway station and interacted with school children. The train will reduce the travel time between Secunderabad in Telangana and Tirupati in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, by almost three-and-a-half hours and will be particularly beneficial for pilgrims.
Bengaluru: Soon after the Election Commission of India announced the schedule for the Karnataka Assembly elections, Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Wednesday alleged that the ruling BJP has made the election system corrupt and hoped that the Election Commission would conduct free and fair elections.
“BJP has made the election system corrupt. They have started “Operation Lotus”. They spend lots of money. The Election Commission should conduct the election in a free and fair manner. We hope they will do it,” Siddaramaiah said.
Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today flagged off the Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express train in Hyderabad. PM Modi, who arrived in the city, flagged off the service from Hyderabad’s
On January 15, PM Modi had virtually flagged off the Vande Bharat train service between Secunderabad and the port city of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, which was the first such service connecting the two Teluguspeaking states.
Unhappy with his personal life, an Assistant Professor at an engineering college became a porter.
Hyderabad: (IANS) Unhappy with his personal life, an Assistant Professor at an engineering college became a porter.
The bizarre incident occurred at Abdullapurmet on the outskirts of Hyderabad. A youth, working as an Assistant Professor at a private college, went missing on April 7 from the college hostel where he was staying. The college authorities thought that he might have gone to his native place in Khammam district in Telangana and contacted his family. However, the family members informed them that he had not come there.
Bengaluru: Heavy rain in Bengaluru yesterday evening resulted in waterlogging at the Nallurhalli metro station, days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 13.71 km phase II of the Bengaluru Metro.
The new metro line, which runs from Whitefield (Kadugodi) to Krishnarajapuram, was inaugurated by the PM on Saturday. It was built at a cost of ₹ 4,249 crore. Visuals of the inundated Nallurhalli metro station were shared by several users on Twitter. Whitefield Rising, a citizen forum of Bengaluru, tweeted photos showing water
on the platform and near the ticketing counter. “Inside the brand new Nallurhalli Metro station. Water on the platform as well near the ticketing counter. @cpronammametro one rain, and water has seeped inside fully,” it wrote. Some distressed commuters lashed out at the government and questioned whether the metro infrastructure was ready for inauguration. One Twitter user questioned if this is the case after a bout of light rains, what will happen in the monsoons “One light rain, and water has seeped inside fully. What will happen in rainy season?,” he wrote.
After waiting for a few days, the family lodged a complaint with the police, which took up the investigation. The family members told police that in the past he had left home without informing them and was later found working as a porter in a market.
Abdullapurmet inspector Sunil Kumar and his team kept a watch at a local fruit market in Abdullapurmet. On Tuesday morning, the police noticed the youth arriving there to work as a porter. They took him into custody and handed him over to his family.
The right to personal autonomy does not include a right for the recognition of same-sex marriage and that too by way of judicial adjudication, the Centre said.
The Uttar Pradesh Police has formed a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf in Prayagraj, a senior official said on Monday.
Citing a statement issued by Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police R K Vishwakarma, Special Director General of Police (Law and Order)
Prashant Kumar said the SIT was formed on the instructions of the Commissioner of Police of Prayagraj. In order to ensure qualitative investigation and time-bound action, a three-member team of supervisors has also been formed.
New Delhi: Calling marriage an “exclusively heterogenous institution”, the Centre today again opposed granting legal sanction to same-sex marriage, and said the question of considering it equal to the existing concept of marriage “seriously affects the interests of every citizen”. A court order recognising same-sex marriages would mean a virtual judicial rewriting of an entire branch of law, the government argued, adding that the Court must refrain from passing such “omnibus orders”. It’s not discrimination to grant recognition to the “heterogenous institution of marriage alone” to the
exclusion of same-sex marriage, the government argued, saying that this is because conventional and universally accepted socio-legal relationships like marriages across all religions, are “deeply rooted in the Indian social
‘There are speculations in political circles about what would be the future move of Ajit Pawar and the senior NCP leader should himself clarify’
context and indeed is considered a sacrament in all branches of Hindu law. Even in Islam, though it is a contract, it is a sacred contract and a valid marriage is only between a biological male and a biological woman”.
An Indian American man has been missing from his Germantown, Maryland, home since Sunday morning after he was seen at a medical facility. Ankit Bagai left a treatment center in Milestone Plaza on April 9 and has been missing since then. Relatives feel he could be in Virginia or D.C. by now.
Montgomery County Police are asking for the public’s help in locating Bagai, who was last seen around 11:30 am in the 12000 block of Panthers Ridge Drive. The police have not released any further details around his missing status. His family is deeply distressed and his mother was particularly distraught. The Montgomery Police are investigating the disappearance of Ankit Bagai. They are urging anyone who may have information to contact them as soon as possible.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday claimed NCP chief Sharad Pawar recently told Uddhav Thackeray that his party will never join hands with the BJP even if anyone takes an individual decision to do so. Raut made the comments in his weekly column ‘Rokhthok’ in the party mouthpiece Saamana in the wake of speculations that senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar may break ranks to join hands with the ruling BJP in the state, amid a plea seeking disqualification of 16 MLAs of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena pending before the Supreme Court. However, Ajit Pawar, who is the leader
of opposition in the state Assembly, dubbed such speculations as baseless and denied meeting Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah in Mumbai on Saturday night. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress are constituents of the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in the state.
Raut in the Marathi publication claimed, “(Sharad) Pawar told Uddhav Thackeray during their meeting (on Tuesday) that nobody wants to switch over. But, family is being targeted. If anyone takes a personal decision to leave, it is their individual issue. But we as a party will never go with the BJP.” “There is tremendous anger among people of Maharashtra against the present state government. Any one joining the BJP will be committing political suicide.
an iftar meal for their neighbours, a media report has said.
Rijesh Kalangadan, 38, and his wife Jeshi Kandamangalath, 32, both from Kerala, were preparing Vishusadhya, a Hindu harvest festival meal, for their Muslim neighbours to end their fast on Saturday evening.
India recorded 9,111 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases increased to 60,313, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.
The death toll increased to 5,31,141 with 27 deaths. While six deaths were reported from Gujarat, four were from Uttar Pradesh, three each from Delhi and Rajasthan, two from Maharashtra, one each from Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and three reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.
HiIndia Newsdesk
Dubai: An Indian couple who died in a major fire at an apartment in Dubai, which killed 16 people, were preparing
At least 16 were killed and nine others were injured in the blaze in the Al Ras area, which Dubai Civil Defence attributed to a lack of compliance with building security and safety requirements.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX made final preparations early on Monday to launch its powerful new Starship rocket system to space for the first time, on a brief but highly anticipated uncrewed test flight from the Gulf Coast of Texas. The two-stage rocketship, standing taller than the Statue of Liberty at 394 feet (120 m) high, was due for blastoff from the SpaceX facility at Boca Chica, Texas, during a two-hour launch window that opens at 8 am EDT (1200 GMT).
Why do India’s political parties field candidates with criminal charges? Why do the voters favour them despite their tainted past?
Political scientist Milan Vaishnav has been studying links between crime and democracy in India for many years now. His upcoming book When Crime Pays offers some intriguing insights into what is a disturbing feature of India’s electoral democracy. The good news is that the general election is a thriving, gargantuan exercise: 554 million voters queued up at more than 900,000 stations to
landslide 2014 polls, but even this was vastly lower than, say, the average margin of victory in the 2012 US Congressional elections (32%) and the 2010 general election in Britain (18%). Almost all parties in India, led by the ruling BJP and the main opposition Congress, field tainted candidates. Why do they do so?
cast their ballots in the last edition in 2014. The fortunes of 8,250 candidates representing 464 political parties were at stake.
The bad news is that a third (34%) of 543 MPs who were elected faced criminal charges, up from 30% in 2009 and 24% in 2004.
Some of the charges were of minor nature or politically motivated. But more than 20% of the new MPs faced serious charges such as attempted murder, assaulting public officials, and theft. Now, India’s general elections are not exactly a cakewalk.
Over time, they have become fiercely competitive: 464 parties were in the fray in 2014, up from 55 in the first election in 1952.
The average margin of victory was 9.7% in 2009, the thinnest since the first election. At 15%, the average margin of victory was fatter in the
For one, says Dr Vaishnav, “a key factor motivating parties to select candidates with serious criminal records comes down to cold, hard cash”.
The rising cost of elections and a shadowy election financing system where parties and candidates underreport collections and expenses means that parties prefer “self-financing candidates who do not represent a drain on the finite party coffers but instead contribute ‘rents’ to the party”. Many of these candidates have criminal records.
There are three million political positions in India’s three-tier democracy; each election requires considerable resources.
Many parties are like personal fiefs run by dominant personalities and dynasts, and lacking inner-party democracy - conditions, which help “opportunistic candidates with deep
pockets”.
“Wealthy, self financing candidates are not only attractive to parties but they are also likely to be more electorally competitive. Contesting elections is an expensive proposition in most parts of the world, a candidate’s wealth is a good proxy for his or her electoral vitality,” says Dr Vaishnav, who is senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Political parties also nominate candidates with criminal backgrounds to stand for election because, simply put, they win.
Politics also offers a lucrative careera 2013 study showed that the average wealth of sitting legislators increased 222% during just one term in office. The officially declared average wealth of re-contesting candidates - including losers and winners - was $264,000 (£216,110) in 2004 and $618,000 in 2013, an increase of 134%.
Now why do Indians vote for criminal candidates? Is it because many of the voters are illiterate, ignorant, or simply, ill-informed?
Dr Vaishnav doesn’t believe so. Candidates with criminal records don’t mask their reputation. Earlier this month, a candidate belonging to the ruling party in northern Uttar
By Soutik Biswas
Politics also offers a lucrative career - a 2013 study showed that the average wealth of sitting legislators increased 222% during just one term in office. The officially declared average wealth of re-contesting candidates - including losers and winners - was $264,000 (£216,110) in 2004 and $618,000 in 2013, an increase of 134%.
Pradesh state reportedly boasted to a party worker that he was the “biggest criminal”. Increasing information through media and rising awareness hasn’t led to a shrinking of tainted candidates.
Dr Vaishnav believes reasonably well-informed voters support criminal candidates in constituencies where social divisions driven by caste and/or religion are sharp and the government is failing to carry out its functionsdelivering services, dispensing justice, or providing security - in an impartial manner.
“There is space here for a criminal candidate to present himself as a Robin Hood-like figure,” says Dr Vaishnav.
Clearly, crime and politics will remain inextricably intertwined as long as India doesn’t make its election financing system transparent, parties become more democratic and the state begins to deliver ample services and justice.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has suggested state funding of polls to help clean up campaign financing. Earlier this month, he said people had the right to know where the BJP got its funds from. Some 14% of the candidates his BJP party fielded in the last elections had faced serious charges. (More than 10% of the candidates recruited by the Congress faced charges). But no party is walking the talk yet.
Coachella, a popular music and arts festival which is held in California, had an interesting lineup of some of the most renowned artists from the world which included Puerto Rican musician Bad Bunny, K-pop sensations BLACKPINK and musician Frank Ocean. Amidst them, we had also reported earlier that Diljit Dosanjh is one such artist who will performing along with them. Creating history by becoming the first Punjabi singer-musician to be a part of the film festival, Diljit seems to have won hearts at his latest concert.
Actress Radhika
Madan spoke about how the show ‘Saas Bahu aur Flamingo’ pushed her limits as an actor and gave her creative freedom to experiment as an artist. She said that the show is all about giving a new dimension to a motherin-law and daughter-inlaw relationship, which has not been thought of before.
She said: “Action has fascinated me ever since my first film ‘Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota’, wherein I tried my hand at
the genre. It is an exhilarating experience to feel the adrenaline rush that comes with action and the world that Homi Adajania has created with ‘Saas Bahu aur Flamingo’ really excites me.”
Radhika further shared that she enjoyed playing an unapologetic and audacious character on screen.
She added: “You know, being a badass is more than just a state of mind; it means being totally unapologetic and uninhibited in all the choices in your life. I had a blast doing these action sequences and being a part of this gutsy and authentic mad world. It has truly been an empowering experience. Produced by Maddock Films, the series is directed by Homi Adajania and stars Dimple Kapadia, Radhika Madan, Angira Dhar, and Isha Talwar in pivotal roles along with Ashish Verma, Varun Mitra, Udit Arora, Deepak Dobriyal and Monica Dogra.
‘Saas Bahu aur Flamingo’ releases on May 5 on Disney+ Hotstar.
15;
Mumbai: (IANS) Director Umesh Shukla of ‘OMG: Oh My God!’ fame is set to start rolling the cameras for his film based on the book ‘A Don’s Nemesis’ by retired IPS officer Amar Kumar Pandey. ‘A Don’s Nemesis’ is his second book, and tells the story of one of his prominent operations of catching don Ravi Pujari. At the launch of the book, director and producer Umesh Shukla announced that he will be creating a film on the chase story. He said: “’A Don’s Nemesis’ is an insightful journey of Dr Amar Kumar Pandey and it’s a story which I think every Indian should know about. It is an inspiration and showcases the dedication of our Indian Police Force to bring justice at any cost.”
The book is about the single-hand pursuit of Ravi Pujari by the top cop across the globe and finally locating, identifying, arresting
and extraditing him from the west African country of Senegal to India. The don was unseen for twentysix years but continued serious criminal activities across the country. Talking about the book, Amar Kumar Pandey said: “’A Don’s Nemesis’ talks about the journey of getting Ravi Pujari to face the law in India and make him answerable to the citizens of the proud nation.
It is an important case in my service as a Police officer and I think the journey needs to reach everyone to understand the diligent work of Indian Police officers and the unshakeable faith in the fact that the wrong-doers would always be brought to justice.”
The project will be produced under the banner Merry Go Round Studios and Seeta Films & Productions PVT LTD backed by Rakesh Dang, Umesh Shukla, Ashish Wagh and Madhukar Verma.
Mumbai: (IANS) The popular show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ with megastar Amitabh Bachchan is all set to return with its 15th season.
The makers have dropped the promo making an announcement that registration for the show will start from April 29.
In the promo, Big B can be seen sitting on the host’s seat while a woman looks at the map to find a way to reach the hotseat. Finally, she reaches the hotseat by digging into the ground. She asks Big B to play the game to which he responds, “hotseat par pahuchne ke liye ulool-julool haathkande
mat apnaayiye”.
He says just pick up the phone as this is the only way with registration starting from 9 p.m. on April 29.
“Answer my question and your registration will begin,” says the host.
The 14th season had started on August 7, 2022 which marked the celebration of 75 years of Independence. It was attended by Aamir Khan, sports icons including Mary Kom and Sunil Chhetri along with Mithali Madhumita, the first female officer to win the Gallantry Award and Major D.P. Singh, India’s first blade runner.
The popular show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ with megastar Amitabh Bachchan is all set to return with its 15th season.
Salman Khan’s Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ka Jaan co-star Palak Tiwari, who featured in headlines earlier this week for revealing Salman Khan’s dress code rules on his film’s set, says that her comment was “misunderstood.” Palak Tiwari clarified, “It’s really been misunderstood.” She added, “All I wanted to say is that I have put certain guidelines for myself as to how to dress around people who are way senior to me, who have I pretty much grown up idolising. Salman sir is, of course, one of them,” she was quoted by ETimes as saying.
Here’s a little background for those who require one. In an interview with Siddharth Kannan earlier this week, the actress has revealed the one rule that Salman has for all the female members of the film on the sets. She stated that the superstar is very strict about the dress code and he has asked women associated with his film to “be covered, like good, proper girls” when on the sets. She said during the interview, “When I was AD-ing with Salman sir on Antim, Salman sir had a rule: ‘every girl on my set, the neckline should be here, all the girls should be covered, like good proper girls’.”
Palak Tiwari, daughter of Kasautii Zindagii Kay star Shweta Tiwari, became an Internet sensation after starring the music video Bijli Bijli in 2021. She will make he Bollywood debut with Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ka Jaan, co-staring Salman Khan, Pooja Hegde, Venkatesh, Shenaaz Gill and Raghav Juyal.
Mumbai: Sushmita Sen is happy to be back in Jaipur where she will unleash her Aarya avatar one more time. The actor will resume the shoot of season 3 of the Disney Plus Hotstar series Aarya which came to a halt as Sushmita suffered cardiac arrest in February. Taking to Instagram on Saturday, the actor hosted a live session for her fans and followers on her way to a Jaipur hotel by car. Sharing an inside detail of the flight, the former Miss Universe said, “I was seated next to Pankaj Udhas Sir in the flight. The energy this man has... I was shameless to ask him, Sir do line gaa dijiye (Sir, please sing a couple of lines) It makes me feel that I am surrounded by good people and good energy...”
Director and producer Vipul Shah spoke about his show ‘Crimes Aaj Kal’ and what makes it different from other crime dramas. He also shared his experience working with Vikrant Massey. He said: “’Crimes Aaj Kal’ is very different from other crime shows because it targets youth and focuses on their issues and crimes. The show addresses the people who get influenced by social media, lose their path in the dark world of crime. It holds their perception and temperament and also the host is very vulnerable, coming in front of an audience as a brother and friend. The role of the host which is majorly different from other shows is what makes ‘Crimes Aaj Kal’ a unique concept.”
Arti Singh, a popular Indian television personality, is set to make her debut in a negative role in the upcoming family drama Shravani produced by Shemaroo Umang. The show is expected to capture the hearts of viewers with its heartwarming journey, while Arti’s inclusion in the cast adds an intriguing element to the plot. The show promises to be a high-octane family drama with its talented cast and crew.
The much-awaited film, Pathaan, was finally released this year, on January 25. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and John Abraham, this action entertainer carried humongous expectations due to the casting, scale, grandeur, and chartbuster songs. A huge opening was expected by all. Yet, no one expected the Siddharth Anand directorial to record earth-shattering collections of Rs. 57 crores on Day 1. The collections went higher the next day and then maintained steadily. In its lifetime, it ended up having recordbreaking collections of Rs. 545 crores in India while overseas, it grossed Rs. 396.02 crores.
Shehnaaz Gill, who rose to fame with ‘Bigg Boss 13’, and is recently making headlines for her stint in actor Salman Khan starrer ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’, talked about her working experience with the Bollywood superstar. Speaking to media here on Sunday, the actress also shared the difference she found in the Hindi film industry after being part of Punjabi industry and the advice she got from Salman for her career. After working in the Punjabi industry, Shehnaaz experienced an altogether new atmosphere in Bollywood. She said: “These are big-budget films. In fact, most Bollywood films are made with huge budgets and that can be seen on sets -- they are so big. I just hope the Punjabi industry also grows in the same way and similarly, big-budget films are made.”
“All I wanted to say is that I have put certain guidelines for myself as to how to dress around people who are way senior to me,” said Palak
New Delhi: No mafia or criminal can threaten industrialists in Uttar Pradesh anymore, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said today, days after the shocking murders of gangster Atiq Ahmed and his brother prompted a wave of criticism over the state’s law and order situation.
The Chief Minister was addressing an event to mark the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for setting up textile parks in Lucknow and Hardoi districts. The textile parks are being set up under the PM Mega Integrated Textiles and Apparel (PM Mitra) scheme.
“Now, a professional criminal or a mafia cannot threaten an industrialist over the phone,” he said as the audience broke into a round of applause. “Uttar Pradesh was notorious for riots. Just the names of many districts scared people. Now there
Iconic consumer technology company Apple’s first retail store in the country became operational on Tuesday with chief executive Tim Cook opening its doors for customers.Excitement levels were already very high over the last fortnight since the Cupertino, US-based company announced its store opening at a mall in the Bandra Kurla Complex business district here. Amid loud cheering by the 100-odd staff members and others, Cook emerged from inside the shop to open the doors and personally welcomed guests. The launch of the store in Mumbai will be followed by another one in New Delhi’s Saket on Thursday.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on April 24 a plea seeking an independent probe into the killing of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj. The duo were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in the middle of a media interaction on Saturday night while police personnel were escorting them to a medical college in Prayagraj for a checkup. A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud took note of the submissions of advocate Vishal Tiwari who mentioned the matter seeking urgent hearing.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s remarks come in the aftermath of the shocking murders of Atiq Ahmed and brother Ashraf Saturday night
is no need to be scared,” the Chief Minister said. Taking a swipe at the previous Akhilesh Yadavled government, Mr Adityanath said the state witnessed over than 700 riots between 2012 and 2017. “But not a single riot broke out in UP between 2017 and 2023, no curfew was imposed. That situation did not arise. And this is the most conducive opportunity to invest and set up industries,” he said.
Mr Adityanath said Uttar Pradesh now “guarantees effective law and order arrangements”.
The Chief Minister’s remarks came in the aftermath of the shocking murders of Atiq Ahmed and brother Ashraf outside a Prayagraj hospital Saturday night. The two accused in the February 24 Umesh Pal murder case had been brought to the hospital for a medical check up when three shooters rained bullets on them, killing them on the spot.
the incident Thursday night in which Andrew Lester twice shot 16-year-old Ralph Yarl. Lester was charged with armed criminal action and first-degree assault, which carries up to a life sentence if convicted. Hate crimes, which were not filed, carry lesser penalties in Missouri. Yarl’s parents had sent him to pick up his twin younger brothers, but he approached the wrong house. According to the prosecutor, Lester came to the door, shot Yarl in the head, and then shot him in the arm. Lester was detained last week but then released after about an hour.
NCP leader Ajit Pawar on Tuesday dismissed as “baseless” the rumours of him joining hands with the BJP and said he will remain a part of the Sharad Pawar-led party. He said there was not an “iota of truth” about him breaking ranks with the NCP and joining hands with the BJP, according to media reports. “I am with NCP. I will remain with NCP. Whatever NCP decides, I will be there,” Ajit Pawar told reporters outside Maharashtra Assembly.
Prayagraj: A letter by Atiq Ahmad with instructions to send it to the Uttar Pradesh chief minister and the chief justice of India in case of his death is being dispatched to them, the late gangster-turned-politician’s lawyer said on Tuesday.
“That letter in a sealed envelope is neither with me nor sent by me. It is kept somewhere else and being sent by some other person. I don’t know the contents of the letter,” said his lawyer Vijay Mishra. Atiq Ahmad (60) and his brother Ashraf were shot dead at point-blank range by three men posing as journalists in the middle of a media interaction on Saturday night while police personnel were escorting them to a medical college in Prayagraj for a checkup.
“Atiq Ahmad had said that if there were
The brothers, both jailed in Prayagraj, were in handcuffs when they were killed in full view of camera crews.
any mishap or if he was murdered, the letter in the sealed envelope should be sent to the chief justice of India and Uttar Pradesh chief minister,” Mr Mishra told PTI.
The brothers, both jailed in Prayagraj, were in handcuffs when they were killed in full view of camera crews. The horrifying visuals were circulated widely on social media platforms and television channels. The last rites of Ahmad’s son Asad, who was gunned down in a police encounter in Jhansi on April 13, were performed here just hours before the shooting.
They were brought to Prayagraj from Gujarat and Bareilly prisons for interrogation in connection with the killing of Umesh Pal and his two police security guards earlier this year. Ahmad had moved the Supreme Court for protection, claiming that he and his family have been falsely implicated in the Umesh Pal murder case and he might be killed in a fake encounter by the Uttar Pradesh Police.
HiIndia Newsdesk
Technology company Larsen & Toubro has agreed to pay $9,928,000 in order to resolve allegations that it underpaid visa fees between 2014 and 2019. According to a press release from the office of US Attorney for the District of South Carolina, the company did so by acquiring inexpensive B-1 visas, rather than more expensive H-1B visas, in alleged violation of the False Claims Act. At that time, fees for B-1 visas were between $200 to $300, and there was no limit on the number of B-1 visas that could be issued. The H-1B visa fees were between $4,000 to $6,000. Additionally, such visas are more difficult to obtain, because they are limited by an annual cap. The investigation was initiated through the filing of a whistleblower complaint in the US District Court in Charleston, South Carolina.
COMPTON, CA- On Sunday morning, an incident took place at the ARCO gas station in Compton, California, where a group of individuals gathered around the entrance of the convenience store and broke down its glass door to gain access. The incident was captured on video, which showed the individuals taking items off the shelves, including packages of condoms and cigarettes. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported that several products worth thousands of dollars were stolen, and the store sustained significant damage. The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. after a large group of people blocked an intersection as part of a street takeover. Video footage showed cars drifting in circles and screeching, creating a chaotic
MILWAUKEE COUNTY, WI – The Brown County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a man who has been involved in multiple financial crimes in Brown County and Milwaukee County. The suspect was last seen wearing a black winter cap, a black “Carhartt” jacket, a black “Champion” sweatshirt, jeans, and black/white “Airwalk Grip” shoes. If you have any information regarding the identity or whereabouts of the individual, please contact Sgt. Marc Shield at 920-448-4404 or email him at marc.shield@browncountywi. gov. You can also report anonymously and may be eligible for a reward by contacting Green Bay Area Crime Stoppers, a non-profit, non-police affiliated, civilian-run organization, at 920-432-7867, through their website at www.432stop.com, or through the P3 Tip App.
scene. Despite responding to multiple incidents throughout the night, the Compton station deputies were unable to intervene with the large groups taking over the store due to limited staffed personnel and safety concerns. They were outnumbered by the crowd.
As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident. However, the investigation is ongoing, and law
enforcement officials are actively seeking information about the individuals involved. The incident is a reminder of the dangers of street takeovers and the importance of public safety measures to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. One person was arrested at the scene, according to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Compton station.
NEW YORK, NY-A four-story parking garage located in Lower Manhattan collapsed on Tuesday, April 18th, causing one death and five injuries. The incident took place on Ann Street between William and Nassau Streets, and the street remained closed the next day. Officials rescued at least six parking garage workers from the rubble, with one person pronounced dead on the scene and five others sustaining injuries. Four of the injured were in stable condition while one refused medical treatment.
One worker was trapped on an upper floor, calling for help and was rescued by firefighters. Another worker fell from the second floor to the first, but was able to walk away.
One worker was in an elevator and was protected from the falling debris. The FDNY utilized robot dogs and drones
to assess the situation and search for any other survivors.
The Pace University building located next to the collapsed garage was evacuated and classes were held remotely the next day to ensure the safety of faculty and students. The building remains unstable and firefighters have not been able to enter until it is stabilized.
Crews are working to determine which
businesses and city agencies used the garage and to account for all employees. There was one open hazardous violation from 2003 for cracks in the concrete, according to the New York City Department of Buildings records. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud boom before the collapse, and people were seen running from the scene in fear. The upper levels of the building collapsed around 4:15 p.m., causing cars to fall onto the lower levels. Officials have no reason to believe anyone is still trapped inside but are continuing to conduct searches with the help of robot dogs. Councilmember Christopher Marte raised questions about the stability of other buildings near the garage and is working with the Department of Buildings to hold agencies accountable for any violations. The cause of the collapse is under investigation.
New York: (IANS) The body of a 30-year-old Indian American software engineer, who went missing on April 9, has been recovered from a small lake in Maryland, police said.
The deceased, Ankit Bagai, was found in Lake Churchill on Tuesday by officers who were called to the area after a body was reportedly seen in the water.
“The body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and identified as that of Bagai of Germantown,” Montgomery Police said in a release, adding that no foul play was suspected.
According to his family, Bagai walked away from a medical facility in Germantown, Maryland, and was last seen in the 12000 block of Panthers Ridge Drive.
The family told NBC 4 that Bagai had been on several life-saving medications. “The way law enforcement considers the situation, they believe there was some crisis that led him to walk out that front door,” Gobind Singh, Bagai’s brotherin-law, told NBC 4. Bagai’s family had also announced a reward of $5,000 for anyone who provided any leads. A Facebook page, which was set up to locate Bagai, announced his funeral service at Fairfax, Virginia.
HiIndia Newsdesk
NEW YORK, NY- Indian-origin academic Neeli Bendapudi has been appointed as one of five co-chairs of an Association of American Universities (AAU) task force focused on the expansion of research and academic partnerships among higher education institutions in the US and India.
Seen as a “natural fit” for the task force, Bendapudi, who is the president of the Pennsylvania State University, comes with a 30-year career as a leader in higher education and business, a Pennsylvania State University release said.
“I am honored to be selected to co-chair this talented and dedicated team — tasked by the White House — to strengthen interdisciplinary partnerships between American and Indian universities to advance innovations in areas such as semiconductor technology, nuclear energy, unmanned vehicles, space exploration, AI and digital infrastructure,” Bendapudi said.
“Our participation reflects the valuable role Penn State plays in American
higher education, and I look forward to building on Penn State’s existing partnerships with universities in India, and bringing our research and academic expertise to the forefront to support this impactful collaboration,” she said in a statement.
AAU created the national task force in coordination with the Biden administration’s US-India initiative on critical and emerging technology, which seeks to grow technological and industrial collaboration between the
two nations.
The task force will meet monthly to determine focus areas for bilateral research and education cooperation, to identify existing programs that could provide blueprints for future partnerships, and to formulate strategies on how best to move forward.
Given the growing population of collegeage students in India, Penn State will be carefully considering how best to handle articulation agreements and transfer credits from Indian institutions in the
HiIndia Newsdesk
MILWAUKEE, WI – Wisconsin
Republicans are considering legislation to tighten the state’s unemployment benefit requirements. The proposed changes would make it more difficult for unemployed individuals to receive benefits and would limit the amount of time they could receive them.
months ahead, a University statement said.
Bendapudi was president of the University of Louisville, where she oversaw a series of transformative efforts spanning academics; finance; the health enterprise, philanthropy; athletics; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and more.
Born and raised in India, she received a bachelor’s degree and MBA from Andhra University before earning her doctorate in marketing from the University of Kansas — following her father’s footsteps to advance her education at an American university. She has served as provost and executive vice chancellor at the University of Kansas, dean of the School of Business at the University of Kansas, and as founding director of the Initiative for Managing Services at the Ohio State University.
In addition to consulting for some of the world’s largest companies and organisations, she was the executive vice president and chief customer officer for Huntington National Bank.
Zofeen Maqsood
Under the proposed legislation, individuals would be required to submit four job applications per week in order to receive benefits. This is an increase from the current requirement of two job applications per week. Additionally, individuals would be required to accept any job offer that pays at least 90% of their previous wage, regardless of the job’s duties or qualifications. The legislation would also limit the amount of time individuals could receive unemployment
Democratic Gov. Tony
benefits. Currently, Wisconsin’s maximum benefit period is 26 weeks. The proposed legislation would reduce this to 12 weeks, making it one of the shortest benefit periods in the country. Proponents of the legislation argue that it would encourage individuals to find work more quickly and reduce fraud in the unemployment system. However, opponents argue that the changes would harm vulnerable populations, such as those with disabilities or limited job opportunities in their area. The legislation is still being drafted and has not yet been introduced in the Wisconsin legislature. However, with Republican majorities in both the state assembly and senate, it is likely to receive serious consideration.
At a CEOs roundtable organized by the Consulate General of India in New York on Tuesday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams lauded the Indian American community and encouraged them to join the American landscape. Addressing the CEO’s of leading Indian companies from diverse sectors such as banking, finance, pharmaceuticals, retail, diamond and IT Adams told PTI, “It is very important that we understand the role that the Indian community plays in the prosperity of the city. I want to encourage them to participate in the political landscape, that should be part of their business plan.”
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) issued the following statement in response to the news that the United States has surpassed the People’s Republic of China in becoming India’s biggest trading partner: “The rapid growth of trade between the United States and India is a testament to the ties between our democracies growing stronger as our partnership increases both the prosperity and the security of our nations and the broader world. Even as the United States has become India’s largest trading partner, it is essential that we continue to recognize the enormous potential for further growth to strengthen both of our economies and create American jobs.”
CHICAGO, IL- The Chicago Public Library Foundation has received a $2 million grant from the Mellon Foundation to support the Renaissance Project, aimed at providing access to Black history-related archives across library branches in Chicago. The project will promote equity, uplift marginalized voices, and contribute to educational and cultural development,
as well as racial healing. The grant will be used to digitize critical documents related to Black history and bring high-quality research materials and programming to every branch across the city. The project will also create new open-source curricula and tools to inform teaching of Black history in public schools. The project is expected to be completed by March 2027.
CHICAGO, IL- The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) has elected a new team of leadership for the year 2023-24. Dr. Anjana Samadder will serve as the incoming President of AAPI, with Dr. Satheesh Kathula as the President-Elect. The other elected members of the executive committee include Dr. Amit Chakrabarty as the Vice President, Dr. Sumul Raval as the Secretary, Dr. Sreeni Ganagasani as the Treasurer, and Dr. Lokesh Edara as the Chair, Board of Trustees. Dr. Syamala Erramilli, Dr. Hetal Gor, and Dr. Mahendra Maheshwari have been elected to
the AAPI’s Board of Trustees for a three-year term. Dr. Vijay Gunuganti has been elected as the South West Central Regional Director of AAPI, and Dr. Anuradha Mann will be the new Regional Director of AAPI’s South East Central Region.
The physicians of Indian heritage continue to play a significant role in healthcare, academic, research, and administrative positions in the US and globally, shaping the landscape of healthcare and the Indo-US relationship. The AAPI aims to be the united voice for physicians of Indian origin, with a mission to promote excellence in patient care, research, and education.
PATERSON, NJ-Mohamad Bekheet, a man from Paterson, New Jersey, is facing serious charges of vandalizing a public school. He has been accused of using feces to write the word ‘Allah’ on a sign in front of South Paterson Elementary School. The incident has shocked the community and has sparked outrage across the country.
Bekheet is being charged with several criminal offenses, including bias intimidation, criminal mischief, and harassment. These charges carry significant penalties, including jail time and fines. The authorities are taking this case very seriously and are investigating the incident thoroughly.
In the wake of the vandalism, the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is calling for a hate crime probe. The group has expressed concern that the incident was motivated by religious or ethnic bias, and they are urging the authorities to investigate the matter as a hate crime.
The use of feces to deface the sign has added an extra level of revulsion to the incident. This type of vandalism is not only illegal but also deeply offensive and disrespectful. The community has come together to denounce this act of hatred and to support the school and its students.
New York: (IANS) Police have arrested 17 Sikh men from rival criminal syndicates for their alleged involvement in mass shootings across Northern California, including Sikh temples in Stockton and Sacramento, which occurred between 2022 and 2023.
In a joint law enforcement operation, 41 firearms were seized from suspects responsible for numerous violent crimes and shootings, including five attempted murders, in Sutter, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, Yolo, and Merced counties. The joint law enforcement effort culminated on Monday in a large-scale operation with agents executing search warrants at 20 locations, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Yuba City Police Chief Brian Baker, and Sutter County District Attorney Jennifer Dupre announced. Dupre said two syndicates, mostly members of the local Sikh community, were responsible for multiple shootings where 11 people were shot, including five people at a Sikh temple in Stockton in August 2022 and two at a temple in Sacramento on March 23, 2023.
According to ABC News, Karandeep Singh,
Pardeep Singh, Pavittar Singh, Husandeep Singh, Sahajpreet Singh, Harkirat Singh, Tirath Ram, Dharamvir Singh, Jobanjit Singh, Gurvinder Singh, Nitish Kaushal, Gurminder Singh Kang, Devender Singh, Karambir Gill, Rajeev Ranjan, Jobanpreet Singh and Singh Dhesi, were arrested for felony.
Police are yet to arrest Amandeep Singh, Harmandeep Singh, Gursharn Singh, Grucharan Singh and Jaskaran Singh, Dupre told ABC News, adding that the feud among groups “was fueled by intense personal connections”.
“No family should ever have to worry about driveby shootings or other forms of gun violence in the neighbourhoods where their children live and play. As a result of this joint law enforcement effort, we’re taking guns off the street and putting suspected gang members and their associates behind bars,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a press release.
During the investigation, which began in February 2023, the law enforcement was able to prevent two additional shootings from occurring.
CHICAGO, IL — A technology problem caused more than 1,700 Southwest Airlines flights to be delayed on Tuesday morning, according to reports. The airline experienced intermittent issues and had to implement a ground stop. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that Southwest had requested a pause of its departures nationwide around 9:30 a.m. However, by 10 a.m., the FAA said that the pause had been fully canceled.
As of 10:20 a.m. on Tuesday, over 1,700 Southwest flights nationwide had been delayed, accounting for about 41% of the airline’s flights, according to Flight Aware, a flight-tracking website. The airline apologized for the inconvenience caused by the technology issue and
offered assistance to affected passengers.
Southwest Airlines, which is the dominant airline at Midway International Airport in Chicago, reported that 115 flights were delayed at Midway as of 10:20 a.m. on Tuesday, out of a total of 1,930 flights, with only four cancellations. This is not the first time that technology issues have impacted Southwest’s operations. Last December, widespread winter weather and outdated staffing technology resulted in the cancellation of thousands of Southwest flights during the peak of the holiday travel season. Last month, the airline released an action plan in response to the travel disruptions, which includes investments to update its technology.
ST LOUIS, MO- Bal Vihar continues to give back to the community, one CAN at a time. Every year, Balvihar leads a CANstruction project where we gather hundreds of cans and create a structure out of it. Everyone comes together for a night of community service, team building, and fun.
This year again, Bal Vihar partnered with the Magic House of St. Louis for its CANstruction project to construct a mural representing their hope of a world beyond what is known, a “World Full of Love”
The CANstruction event took place on February 27th at the Magic House, a Children’s Museum in St. Louis, where Balvihar youth created a structure with the theme of Holi, the festival of colors. Besides building the mural, the students participated in a discussion where they talked about the significance of color
in society and how it is important to recognize that every human is capable of good and bad, regardless of the color of their skin. Holi is a festival of color where we acknowledge and celebrate all the color in our world.
Another part of the evening was spent on a small team building project where students were encouraged to think and creatively put their minds together to create a structure that would easily provide food and water.
Throughout the evening, Bal Vihar students worked diligently on building the actual structure out of cans, which would stay at the entrance of the Magic House for people to admire. This year’s mural was created with over 2000 CANs that will be donated to Operation Food Search when the structure is taken down. These cans will feed nearly 600 people for a day.
Bal Vihar has done a CANstruction project almost every year as a way to donate food, reduce the food shortage, and give back to the community. It’s a great project that helps students be a part of something significant in their community and realize how lucky they are to have what they have. The students of Bal Vihar are constantly involved in community service, whether it be creating cards for veterans or hospitals, making dog toys, or making sandwiches for the homeless.
JACKSON, MS- The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) has been designated as the Mississippi Burn Center by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH). This designation was granted after MSDH officials reviewed UMMC’s application and assessed their compliance with the rules and regulations of the Mississippi Trauma Care System and standards of care during a visit to the campus on March 21. The new burn unit at UMMC was established in response to the closure of the burn center at Merit Health Central, which was previously the only accredited burn center in Mississippi. The closure of the burn center at Merit Health Central was due to the COVID-19 pandemic and staffing challenges. UMMC will provide care for burn patients with a team of specialists in emergency medicine, trauma surgery, plastic surgery, critical care, laboratory medicine, mental health, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
SCHAUMBURG, IL- The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) celebrated the Festival of Holi on April 16, 2023, at the Schaumburg Indian Grill in Schaumburg, Illinois. The festival is a popular cultural event that brings together people of Indian origin and other communities to celebrate the rich
The FIA Chairman and Founder President, Sunil Shah, welcomed the attendees and thanked the sponsors for their support. He also recognized the Grand Sponsor, Chintan Patel of Indiaco, and the Guest of Honor, Dr. Parag Doshi. FIA President Vinita Gulabani reminded the attendees that Holi is an important part of India’s cultural heritage and is celebrated by people of all ages and backgrounds. The festival was marked by the playing of colors, where people smeared each other with colored powders and water. A colorful cultural program was organized, featuring dances by students of Chicago Dance Varsity, Maharashtra Mandal Shala Dhol Tasha Group, and the ISCKON group. The grand finale dance was performed by the members of the Board of the FIA.
cultural heritage of India.
The event was hosted by emcees Vijay Muralidaran and Suchitra Kukreja, and was attended by over 400 people. It was graced by the presence of important dignitaries, including Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, State Senator Laura Murphy, President Elect Oak Brook President Larry Herman, and State Representative Michelle Mussman.
The festivities then moved outside, where DJ Saif and Dholi Sagar provided the perfect backdrop for the crowds to celebrate Holi with colors and dancing. The event was a huge success, and the FIA hopes to continue this tradition of celebrating the Festival of Holi for years to come, bringing together communities and promoting the rich cultural heritage of India in the United States..
CALEDONIA, OH- A school district in Ohio has implemented a new policy that allows teachers and staff to carry guns on campus due to concerns about response times to active shooters. The River Valley Local School District joins 22 other districts in the state that permit approved staff members to carry weapons. The superintendent of the district, Adam Wickham, stated that “most active-shooter events occur in areas of ‘gun-free zones’ or with minimal safety measures in place,” and that the use of armed staff can potentially save lives by providing a more immediate response to a threat. Each of the school district’s four buildings will have an armed staff member in addition to the school resource officer. The policy has received mostly positive feedback from the community, despite some misgivings from parents regarding the training and selection process. The district requires a total of 50 hours of training for armed staff, which is more than the state’s recommended amount. Ohio’s House Bill 99, signed by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine in 2022, allows school districts across the state to authorize teachers, principals, and other staff to carry guns into classrooms with 24 hours of training.
CHICAGO, IL: The United Punjabis of America (UPA) hosted a highly successful Vaisakhi Mela at the Mall of India on April 15th. The event was attended by over 700 people who came to enjoy the festivities, which included a cultural program, dance performances, and shopping at the various booths. Congressman Bill Foster and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi were among the dignitaries who offered greetings and congratulations to UPA for organizing such a successful event.
UPA also recognized five community members for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the community. The awards were presented to Mr. Sudhir Dureja, Dr. Anuja Gupta, Dr. Vijay Prabhakar, Mrs. Ratna Kapur, and Mrs. Neha Sobti. The dance performances were a highlight of the event, with the Neha Sobti
Dance Academy taking first place, followed by Rhythms and Grace Dance Studio and Dwance Academy. The entertainment was rounded off with a Dhol Tasha performance by a group of talented young performers. The UPA Vaisakhi Mela was made possible through the support of various levels of sponsorships, including International Fresh Market, Mr. Anil Loomba, Home Mortgage Solutions Inc., Mr. Amrit Mittal, New York Life, and several other bronze, silver, and gold level sponsors. UPA is a non-profit community service organization that has been serving the community since 2013 and offers various cultural and social events, food donations, and scholarships for community service. Overall, the UPA Vaisakhi Mela was a resounding success, bringing people together in friendship and celebration.
ANAHEIM, CA- The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) with the Customs Administrations of Guatemala and Colombia. The MRA was signed at the Trade Facilitation and Cargo Security Summit in Boston and aims to enhance trade and economic security by establishing a unified and sustainable security posture through cooperation with regional partners.
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The MRA provides a platform for the exchange of membership information and recognizes the compatibility of the respective supply chain security programs of the two customs administrations. The MRA was reached after a Joint Work Plan (JWP) was agreed upon during the 2022 Trade Facilitation and Cargo Security Summit in Anaheim, California. The JWP outlines the steps towards the MRA between the two customs administration’s Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programs.
Toronto,: (IANS) Canada needs 30,000 permanent immigrants over the next decade to either start up their own farms, or take over existing ones, to address a looming labour crisis in the agriculture industry, says a new study. According to a Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) research, 40 per cent of Canadian farm operators will retire by 2033, placing agriculture on the cusp of one of the biggest labour and leadership transitions in the country’s history.
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ESCANABA, MI – Ninety-seven cases of blastomycosis have been confirmed or deemed probable by the local health department in Delta and Menominee counties in Michigan. It is believed that the cases are linked to a paper mill in Escanaba. Unfortunately, one death has been reported in connection with the outbreak. The deceased individual was a contractor who recently worked at the Escanaba Billerud Paper Mill and died from blastomycosis.
The health officer of Delta and Menominee counties, Michael Snyder, expressed condolences and sympathies to the family, friends, and co-workers of the deceased individual in a news release. Brian Peterson, vice president of operations at Escanaba Billerud Paper Mill, also expressed his condolences and stated that anyone who works at the
facility is part of the team.
Blastomycosis is a fungal infection caused by Blastomyces, which is found in the environment, particularly in moist soil, and decomposing matter like wood or leaves. Blastomycosis is most commonly found in the Midwest and the South, particularly around the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and the Great Lakes.
Blastomycosis is a reportable condition, and there are only one or two cases per 100,000 people each year in states where it is reported. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that people can inhale microscopic fungal spores, and some may develop symptoms like fever or cough three weeks to three months later. Other symptoms may include chest
pain, trouble breathing, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, muscle or joint pain, and, in rare cases, the infection can spread outside the lungs to places like the skin, bones, brain, and spinal cord. Blastomycosis is not contagious and is treated with antifungal medication that must be taken for six months to a year, depending on the severity of the illness and the person’s overall health.
Of the 97 cases linked to the mill, 21 have been confirmed by culture or microscope, and 76 are deemed probable. Twelve individuals have been hospitalized, and all cases are either employees, contractors, or visitors to the mill. The company has announced the temporary shutdown of the mill to facilitate additional cleaning. The source of the outbreak has not yet been established, and health officials are investigating the situation.
Rafael Nadal’s preparation for a tilt at a record-extending 15th French Open title suffered a further blow when he announced Friday his withdrawal from the ATP Barcelona tournament. The 36-year-old Spaniard said he had still not recovered full fitness from the hip flexor injury he sustained in the Australian Open in January and which saw him miss this week’s Monte Carlo Open.
title suffered a further blow when he announced Friday his withdrawal from the ATP Barcelona tournament. The 36-year-old Spaniard said he had still not recovered full fitness from the hip flexor injury he sustained in the Australian Open in January and which saw him miss this week’s Monte Carlo Open.
Madrid
Real
Betis legend Joaquin Sanchez has announced he will retire at the end of the current season, putting an end to a 23-year career in elite football. The 41-year-old, who has made 680 La Liga appearances, as well as a further 49 for Italian side Fiorentina, released a video statement on Wednesday, saying “life is a constant evolution, the key is putting a bit of art into everything. The road is full of emotions.”
“During 23 years, I have tried to make football and art and for it to be remembered from generation to generation,” he said in the video. Joaquin made his first team debut for Betis in September 2000 and continued with the club where he began his career until 2006 when he joined Valencia. He spent five campaigns at Valencia before moving to Malaga, helping the club reach the quarterfinal of the Champions League, reports Xinhua. The winger played two seasons in Serie A with Fiorentina before returning to Betis in 2015, helping them win last season’s Copa del Rey after beating Valencia in a penalty shoot-out. Joaquin also played 54 times for Spain, forming part of their squad for the 2002 and 2006 World Cup finals.
Rafael Nadal’s preparation for a tilt at a record-extending 15th French Open
“I am still not ready and so I continue my preparation process for the return to competition,” he tweeted. The Barcelona tournament starts on Saturday.
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Harmanpreet Kaur, captain of the Indian women’s team, has achieved the great distinction of being named one of Wisden’s “Five Cricketers of the Year”. It is stressed she is “the first India Women’s cricketer to be named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year”.
Meanwhile, Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack 2023, which runs to 1,616 pages and costs £57 in the UK, has picked India’s Suryakumar Yadav as “The Leading Twenty20 Cricketer in the World”.
Explaining its choice of the Indians, the new Wisden said: “India’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, led her country to their first ODI series win in England since 1999, with her world-class batting at the heart of a resounding 3-0 triumph. The highlight of her series tally of 221 runs for once out was an unbeaten 143 off 111 balls at Canterbury. Earlier in the summer, she inspired India to a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, top-scoring with 65 off 43 deliveries in the final against Australia.”
Wisden also said: “In 2022 alone, India’s Suryakumar Yadav hit 68 sixes in all T20 matches, from just 621 deliveries. His trademark blitzes included a 48-ball century against England at Trent Bridge, and a 49ball century against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui. He was only the second to top 1,000 T20 international runs in a calendar year, thrashing 1,164 at the astonishing strike-rate of 187.”
Among the other “Five Cricketers of the Year” are Tom Blundell and Daryl Mitchell of New Zealand, and England players Ben Foakes and Matthew Potts.
R Madhavan is one proud dad. The actor has shared that his son Vedaant has won five gold medals for India in swimming at a championship in Malaysia. On the happy occasion, Madhavan shared the development with his fans on social media and added several images of Vedaant at the championship as well as images of the medals. In the caption, he wrote, “With God’s grace and all your good wishes Vedaant gets 5 golds for India ( 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, and 1500m) with 2 PBs at the Malaysian invitational age group championships, 2023 held this weekend in Kuala Lumpur. Elated and very grateful.”
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New Delhi: Indian climber Anurag Maloo, who went missing while descending Nepal’s Mount Annapurna last week, has been found alive, but is in a critical condition. “He is found alive. He has been taken to the hospital in critical condition, but he is still alive,” Sudhir, his brother said. Anurag Maloo, 34, set out to climb Mount Annapurna last week; but fell down from an altitude of 6,000 metres while descending on April 17. Mount Annapurna is the world’s 10th highest mountain. Rescuers found him in a crevasse that he had fallen into as he was descending. A team of six Sherpa climbers led by Chhang Dawa conducted a ground search and found him in some 300m deep crevasse on Thursday morning.
CHICAGO, IL-
Chicago community’s spirited interfaith crusader Iftekhar Shareef in partnership with entrepreneur Aftab Baig hosted a grand Iftar Banquet – this splendid interfaith celebration was marked by the convergence of people of all faiths joining the Chicago’s Muslim community in celebrating one of their most momentous pre-festival Ramadan at the Monty’s Banquet in Elmhurst, Illinois on April 16, 2023. This grand Iftar Banquet was hosted traditionally in its march towards a grand festival celebration of Eid al-Fitr. Taking to the podium, Iftekhar Shareef welcomed the gathering of guests of all faiths and outlined the significance of interfaith Iftar celebration which he added seeks to foster a sense of unity and build bridges of friendship and unity with all communities of faith and work together to make our communities, our society, our nation and indeed our world a better place. Iftekhar Shareef said it is my humble aspiration to promote interfaith camaraderie that offers
Iftekhar Shareef highlighted the importance of interfaith harmony and promoted greater understanding of the significance of Ramadan. Chief Guest U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi praised the celebration, stating that it is a testament to the diversity of the community coming together to strengthen bonds of friendship and deepen understanding among diverse faiths.
opportunity for greater understanding of what Ramadan truly represents and ways to promote and strengthen interfaith harmony. Iftekhar Shareef said based on our religious tenants, I feel so grateful and honored to host this interfaith banquet to celebrate friendship, unity, brotherhood and deepen the engagement of interfaith appreciation.
Chief Guest United States Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi in his remarks
Chicago community’s interfaith crusader Iftekhar Shareef and entrepreneur Aftab Baig hosted a grand Iftar Banquet on April 16, 2023, to celebrate Ramadan with over 500 people from various faiths. The event took place at Monty’s Banquet in Elmhurst, Illinois, and was aimed at fostering unity and building bridges of friendship among different religious communities
Lalmalani, Lincolnwood Mayor Jesal Patel, Raes Yawar, VP Board of Commissioners of Streamwood Park District, Dr. Hanumanth Reddy, American Telugu Association Founder, Dr. Vijay Prabhakar, Keerthi Kumar Ravoori, Ajeet Singh, Sohan Joshi , Dr Tajjamul Hussain a leading oncologist who also spoke about interfaith.
Community’s leading stalwart Mr. Niranjan Shah was the honored guest who took to the podium paying glowing admiration to Iftkehar Shareef for taking the lead in hosting Iftar celebration, and said that the spirit of interfaith harmony must continue to work towards deepening our interpersonal relations. He was joined by his wife Pratima Shah. Mrs. Raes Yawar, VP Board of Commissioners for Streamwood Park District said Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection and devotion; while Keerthi Kumar Ravoori described Iftekhar Shareef is an interfaith champion who is relentless in his pursuit of fostering peace, love and goodwill among people of all faiths.
extolled the virtuous interfaith celebration in observance of Ramadan and said the presence of Hindus, Christians and other faiths present at the celebration is a shining testament to the diversity of the community coming together with the shared interest to celebrate and complement each other’s faith. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said Ramadan is a time when people of all faiths come together in unity to strengthen the bonds of friendship and united in their efforts to deepen greater understanding among diverse faiths. Congressman thanked Iftkehar Shareef and Aftab Baig for taking the lead on hosting grand interfaith banquet with the purpose of bringing people of all faiths together to celebrate oneness, goodwill
and unity. Following Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi’s remarks, host Iftekhar Shareef fed him with a date a tradition commemorating the breaking of fast and honored him with a shawl and flower bouquet to showcase appreciation for his presence.
Azam Nizamuddin a leading lawyer and who promotes interfaith world wide spoke of the importance of interfaith events and brotherhood amongst community. Dr Sabeel Ahmed of Gain Peace foundation also spoke of the importance of hosting this kind of interfaith events .
In the gracious spirit and tradition of Ramadan, Iftekhar Shareef honored several leading elected officials and community’s prominent leaders including Oakbrook Mayor Dr. Gopal
Earlier, precisely at 6:34 pm, after the call to prayer, the fasting members of the Muslim community broke their fast by eating dates. Following the initial breaking of the fast, they went into prayer hall to offer post-fasting prayer before the formal celebration began. The religious significance of Ramadan was explained as to how fasting serves a variety of spiritually and socially based purposes including the human frailty and greater reliance on God for sustenance; to show hunger and thirst to enable compassion for the poor and the responsibility to support them and to rebuild relations with God through prayer and abstinence. Some of the prominent community guests include Rakesh Malhotra, Altaf Bukhari, Sainath Reddy Boyapalli, Mir Khan (ZIa) , Dr Muzzafar Mirza a leading Dentist , Dr Imaad Sheikh , Kishore Padma Mehta, Abdul Siddiqui, Rajani Akurati, Syed Khurram, Bhanu Swargam, Falguni Rana, Veteran Chris Chrilstian, AR Saleem , Samiuddin Khaja and many more .
The evening celebration of Interfaith Iftar featured a lavish expansive dinner spread and the guests savored its finest traditional cuisine specially created by Co-Host Aftab Baig.
Author Bio:
Celebrity Astrologer Chirag Daruwalla is the son of famous astrologer Bejan Daruwalla. He is known for his detailed astrological predictions on career, health, love, finance, and business. You can visit their website bejandaruwalla.com for guidance on problems related to your life and solve your problem with the help of expert astrologer Chirag Daruwalla. For guidance on problems related to your life you can talk to Astrologer Chirag Daruwalla on Call/Whatsapp: +91 9825470377 or also mail on: info@bejandaruwalla.com
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New Delhi: (IANSlife) With nearly a six-decade-long famed legacy of transforming the lives of young talented women and changing the landscape of glamour and the fashion industry of India, VLCC & Trends co-present Femina Miss India 2023 hosted by Manipur Tourism, copowered by ORRA Fine Jewellery, makeup partner Colorbar Made for Magic & co-powered by Rajnigandha Pearls, vows to continue its tradition of creating influential beauty ambassadors, and supporting young women in their quest to explore their potential and empowering them to become a positive force for change.
The Times Group entered into a firstever partnership with the Department of Tourism, Government of Manipur, to host the grand finale of Femina Miss India 2023 in the capital of Manipur, a first of it’s kind initiative in the history of the pageant. The 30 state winners arrived in Imphal on April 7 to a warm reception and
felicitation. In an attempt to prompt and experience the state’s rich culture, the state winners visited various tourist attractions of key significance and showcased its unique heritage and history during their stay in the capital city, Imphal.
The grand finale ceremony held on April 15 was a star-studded affair and celebrated the ethos of beauty in diversity. The evening kickstarted with a breathtaking performance by the former winners of the pageant, Sini Shetty, Rubal Shekhawat, Shinata Chauhan, Manasa Varanasi, Manika Sheokand, Manya Singh, Suman Rao and Shivani Jadhav - dressed in exquisite and finely crafted lehengas from Mohey. Moving onto the show, the audience were entertained by the highly anticipated performances by Bollywood’s heartthrob Kartik Aaryan followed by the gorgeous Ananya Panday. The evening’s proceedings were led by the dynamic duo Manish Paul and Bhumi Pednaker who kept the audience engaged with their wits and improvisations.
Eating the Present, Tasting the Future ventures ‘off the plate’ to journey through India’s contemporary foodscape to discover the myriad forces transforming what, how, and where Indians are producing, trading, and eating their food. At a time when food and our relationship with it are topics of increasing global interest, this is a timely, and important, work, offering a unique insight into a complex society.
Alavi
This definitive book on the Sultans of Oman is a thrilling historical account of their action-packed battles, daring expeditions, epic triumphs, and ingenious politics in the long nineteenth century. It puts the optic of ‘micro-history’ on their fascinating lives as they navigated the geopolitics of their time and propelled the politics of the Western Indian Ocean. Keeping a sensitive finger on the specific temporal and spatial moments in the maritime space that they navigated, it explores their key role in shaping the politics of the Ocean and nurturing the Omani Sultanate on their terms.
Aries
21st April to 27th April 2023
Ganesha says that the people of Aries should not trust others quickly this week. Do not leave any of your work in the hands of others, otherwise, even the work done you may get spoiled. At the beginning of the week, the workload in the workplace will be high and during this time your opponents will also be active.
Taurus
Ganesha says that this week can prove to be favorable and beneficial for the people of Taurus. From the beginning of the week, there will be strength and enthusiasm within you. This week you will be successful in achieving your set goals. This success will be a cause of happiness for you and your family.
Gemini
Ganesha says that the people of the Gemini zodiac need to think carefully before taking any major decision this week. If possible, take the advice of your well-wishers. If you are in a state of confusion in taking a decision, then postpone that decision further. By the second half of the week, positive changes will be seen in your situation.
Cancer
Ganesha says that this whole week will be full of ups and downs for the Cancerians. This week it would be better to ignore small things at home and outside. Do not lose your temper in any situation and face the challenges fiercely while waiting for the good times to come.
Leo
Ganesha says that this week will prove to be mixed for the people of the Leo zodiac. This week, you will sometimes see things being made easier and sometimes the work done getting spoiled. At the beginning of the week, long pending work can be completed with the help of a woman.
Virgo
Ganesha says that the natives of Virgo can get great success in their workplace or business this week. This week your confidence will increase and luck will be with you. You will have special blessings on your senior in the workplace. .
Libra
Ganesha says that the people of the Libra zodiac need to be very careful this week. Do not take any kind of negligence in the workplace, otherwise, you may have to bear the brunt of your mistakes. During this time your known-unknown enemies will remain active, from whom you need to be careful.
Scorpio
Ganesha says that the people of the Scorpio zodiac will have to take special care of both their health and relationships this week. During this, drive the vehicle very carefully. Be it at home or your workplace, you will have to have complete control over your mind and anger.
Sagittarius
Ganesha says that this week there will be a lot of busyness in the life of Sagittarius people. At the beginning of the week, there will be an extra load of work in the workplace. However, you will be able to manage your time and energy and get it done on time. Your friends will help you to ease your difficulties and will get their full support.
Capricorn
Ganesha says that this week is going to be mixed for the people of Capricorn. At the beginning of the week, health can become a major cause of your concern. During this, you have to take special care of your routine and food habits.
Aquarius
Ganesha says that the people of Aquarius will have to avoid haste in any work this week. At the same time, you have to avoid taking any major decision by getting carried away in emotions, otherwise, you may have to repent later.
Pisces
Ganesha says that this week will be favorable for Pisces and will prove to be a great success in a particular work. At the beginning of the week itself, any good news related to the child side will be the reason for the enthusiasm of the whole family. There are chances of getting big money from the investments made in the past. Desired progress will be seen in career business.
World Liver Day is commemorated every year on April 19th to raise awareness about liver diseases and their management. The day is an opportunity to educate the public about the causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment of liver conditions.
History & importance
World Liver Day was established by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to emphasise the need for liver disease awareness and the investment of resources in liver disease research. It was officially celebrated for the first time on April 19, 2012, and has gained traction ever since. Every year, numerous health organisations, hospitals, and liver treatment centres organise various programs and activities to commemorate World Liver Day. The liver is a vital organ that performs various essential functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, regulation of blood sugar, production of bile, and storage of vitamins and nutrients. However, it is vulnerable to various diseases, including hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure.
Liver disease is a severe and lifethreatening condition that can result in the liver’s complete failure if not
diagnosed and treated early. It causes severe complications, including ascites, jaundice, gastrointestinal bleeding, and hepatic encephalopathy. Therefore, the importance of World Liver Day lies in providing the public with knowledge about liver disease and its management.
Theme
This year’s World Liver Day theme is “Be Vigilant, Do Regular Liver CheckUp, Fatty Liver Can Affect Anyone.” The topic emphasises the importance of routine liver exams because anyone can develop fatty liver, regardless of risk factors like obesity, diabetes, and excessive alcohol intake. Recent studies conducted in India have revealed that patients with low body mass indices (25 kg/m2) account for 75% of cases of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD; liver disease caused in people who drink little to no alcohol).
Now that we understand the importance of this day and this year’s theme. Let’s take the time to educate ourselves on ways in which we can take better care of our liver. Drinking lemon water first thing in the morning is an effective way to detoxify your liver. Lemon water provides a boost of vitamin C and helps the liver produce more bile, which aids in digestion.
6 Homemade drinks that will help detox your liver:
1. Lemon Water
Drinking lemon water first thing in the morning is an effective way to detoxify your liver. Lemon water provides a boost of vitamin C and helps the liver produce more bile, which aids in digestion.
2. Green tea
Green tea contains antioxidants that can help protect the liver from damage caused by free radicals. It also helps promote weight loss, which lowers the risk of developing fatty liver disease.
3. Beetroot Juice
Beetroots are rich in antioxidants and nitrates that can help improve liver function. Drinking beet juice regularly can help detoxify the liver, reduce inflammation, and lower the risk of liver disease.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Drinking diluted apple cider vinegar
can help liver detoxification by improving digestion, promoting bile flow, and reducing inflammation.
5. Turmeric tea
Turmeric is a potent antiinflammatory and antioxidant that can help protect the liver from damage. Drinking turmeric tea regularly can aid in liver detoxification and improve liver function.
6. Cranberry Juice
Drinking cranberry juice can help protect the liver from damage caused by alcohol and toxic substances. Cranberry juice aids in liver detoxification and helps reduce inflammation.
World Liver Day is an essential day for creating awareness about liver diseases and their prevention, early detection, and treatment. By taking steps to maintain optimum liver health, such as maintaining a healthy diet, avoiding alcohol, and staying physically active, we can reduce the risk of liver diseases.
Milk contains 60 calories per 100 ml. So, if a child requires 2,000 calories per day and needs to get this from milk alone, they require 30 glasses daily. This is not practical. The milk fills up the stomach. Feeling full, the child will not eat solid foods. As a result, they will not get the necessary calories. Therefore, they wind up looking thin and underweight.
There are many people who cannot tolerate milk. There are two adverse reactions to milk: milk allergy and milk intolerance. In milk allergy, the person reacts to the proteins found in milk. It can cause sneezing, wheezing, red rashes or even fatal anaphylaxis. Breast milk does not appear to cause milk allergy. Milk allergy usually appears when cow’s milk is introduced. It can occur at any time, from six months to five years. Additionally, South Asians do not have enough of the gene which digests milk, unlike Scandinavians. Thus, they cannot drink as much milk as Scandinavians. As they age, they develop milk intolerance.
Almost 65 per cent of adults are lactose intolerant. This may be genetic and primary, where many family members are affected. It may be secondary due to damage to the intestines due to infections or autoimmune diseases.
Milk intolerance can occur at any age. Some children may have it in a mild form and develop severe abdominal pain, bloating and vomiting as soon as they are given a glass of milk from mammals such as cows, sheep and goats. Milk intolerance may be a temporary phenomenon and disappear after the disease causing it is cured. Recovery may then occur. Even if it is genetic, children who initially could not tolerate milk at all may eventually be able to consume small quantities of milk later.
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