hi INDiA | June 9, 2023 | The Community First

Wildfire Smoke from Canada Impacts 100 Million Americans with Air Quality Alerts

Smoke from wildfires in Canada has drifted down into the U.S. on Wednesday, leading to extremely poor air quality across much of the eastern U.S., with alerts in effect all the way from New England to the Southeast. In all, more than 100 million Americans were affected by air quality alerts, the Environmental Protection Agency said. In fact, New York City's air quality was the worst among the world's major cities for a time Tuesday morning, according to IQAir, an air quality monitoring website. As of Wednesday afternoon, IQAir said New York City's pollution was fourthworst in the world, behind New Delhi, India; Dhaka, Bangladesh; and Toronto. New York City Mayor Eric Adams said that the city's air quality index on Wednesday climbed up to 484 out of a scale of 500, more than double the level that was reached Tuesday night. He said the city's air quality health advisory has been extended through Thursday night. Due to the unhealthy air, Major League Baseball postponed Wednesday night's games in New York and Philadelphia. It's the first such postponement since September 2020, when two games

between the Seattle Mariners and the San Francisco Giants were moved from Seattle to San Francisco due to wildfire-related smoke. Also, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul tweeted Wednesday that the state is making 1 million N95 masks available to the public due to the ongoing poor air quality from the Canadian wildfires. "We are living in the era of extreme weather. Last summer, New York experienced extremely dry conditions and we had wildfires pop up across the state," Hochul said. "While continuing our fight against climate change, we need to recognize that this is a new reality we have to be prepared for."

The poor air quality on Wednesday even made it as far south as Atlanta, where the National Weather Service said: "particularly sensitive groups may be affected in north Georgia."

Sara Adar, from the University of Michigan's School of Public Health, said "as many people in the Midwest and East Coast are learning right now, wildfire smoke can travel very far distances and impact large populations. To best protect health, people should avoid spending too much time outdoors right now, especially young children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with heart or lung disease," she said.

India, US discuss high-tech joint production ahead of PM Modi's visit

Washington: (IANS) India and the US have held the first strategic trade dialogue under the recently-launched cooperation in critical and emerging technologies such as semiconductors, space, AI and defense with the goal of "enabling co-production, codevelopment and enhanced industrial collaborations" in these sectors.

The meeting was held here on Tuesday. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra led the India delegations and Undersecretary of State Victoria Nuland and Undersecretary of Commerce Alan Estevez co-led the US side.

The delegations met ahead of a highlyanticipated summit meeting of Prime

NY, Hong Kong among 20 most expensive cities for expats: Study

Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden here on June 22 which will include a state dinner and a joint address by the Indian leader to the US Congress, his second.

The India-US Strategic Trade Dialogue is being called a "key mechanism" to take forward cooperation under the

India-US initiative on Cooperation in Emerging Technologies (iCET) launched earlier this year by Ajit Doval and Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisers of the two countries. They were following up the announcement of this initiative by Modi and Biden in May 2022.

At the ICET meeting, the US side had given an assurance that it would fasttrack the review and approval process of an application from General Electric to co-produce jet engines in India that could "power jet aircraft operated and produced indigenously by India".

The two sides could announce the project during the Prime Minister's visit, recent reports said, although neither party has officially given any indication.

Two Indians in Florida for allegedly steal $80,000 in phone scam

Parth Patel and Jayarami Kuruguntla –two men in Florida have been arrested for allegedly scamming a 69-year-old woman out of $80,000 over the phone. The scam happened with the elderly woman initially receiving a pop-up message on her iPad claiming her bank had been compromised. The scam message gave a number that she needed to call. When she called the number, the scammer told her she was a suspect in a child pornography case and posed as her financial institution.

The scammer then told the woman that

a $30,000 purchase of child pornography was made in China and she needed to pay that money back, in order to resolve the issue. The woman did as she was told out of fear of being arrested. The next day, the scammer contacted her again, this time demanding $50,000 more. But she refused as she didn’t feel safe carrying that

much money. The scammer told her he would come to her house to collect it. After giving the money, the victim then called 911, and said she only gave the money because she was scared she would be killed if she didn’t. When the scammer contacted the victim again the next day to ask for an additional $50,000, the police arrested both men. Patel faces charges for organized fraud of $50,000 or more and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. Kuruguntla faces charges for larceny and fraud/swindle to obtain property of $50,000 or more.

New Delhi: IANS) New York has been ranked the most expensive city for expatriates, overtaking Hong Kong, which held the top spot for four years but was pushed to second place in a 2023 global cost-of-living study. London held its position at number four in the annual study conducted by ECA International, which compared costs faced by expatriates in 207 cities around the world.

In North America, rankings for all US cities have risen this year, primarily driven by the strength of the US dollar, the study said.

New York edged past Hong Kong, in particular, due to significant rise in rental costs as demand soared post the Covid pandemic. Barring London, all UK cities dropped in global rankings despite the ongoing cost of living crisis felt locally.

Donald Trump told he could face charges over classified documents

Donald Trump has been told he faces a criminal investigation over the handling of classified files after he left Washington, US media report. A move by federal prosecutors to notify the ex-president of a criminal probe suggests he could soon faces charges.

If that happened, it would be the second indictment of Mr Trump, who is campaigning once again to be president.

Prosecutors have been looking into the transfer of files to Mr Trump's Mar-a-Lago Florida estate since last year. The beachside property was searched last August and 11,000 documents were seized, including around 100 marked as classified. Some of these were labelled top secret. In an interview on Wednesday, Mr Trump denied he had been told he faces an indictment over his handling of the documents. When asked by the New York Times if he had been told he is a target of a federal investigation, he said "you have to understand" that he was not in direct touch with prosecutors.

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Li Shangfu: War with US would be unbearable disaster, says China defence minister

China's defence minister has said war with the US would be an "unbearable disaster" for the world in his first major speech since taking on the role. At a security summit, General Li Shangfu said "some countries" were intensifying an arms race in Asia.

But he said the world was big enough for both China and the US, and the two superpowers should seek common ground. Earlier, the US accused a Chinese warship of carrying out "unsafe" manoeuvres in the Taiwan strait. The US Navy said a Chinese destroyer had sailed near one of its destroyers on Saturday and forced it to slow down to avoid a collision. A Canadian ship was also sailing nearby. China criticised both countries for "deliberately provoking risk". The US and Canada said they were sailing where international law allows. In his speech, Gen Li, who became defence minister in March, accused the US of a "Cold War mentality" and said this was "greatly increasing security risks". He said China

Pak court grants protective bail to Khan till June 21

A Pakistani court on Wednesday granted protective bail to former prime minister Imran Khan till June 21 after a fresh FIR was registered against him for committing forgery in selling the state gifts.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Pakistan government registered a case of fraud and forgery against former prime minister Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi and their close aides for allegedly preparing and submitting fake and forged receipts regarding Toshakhana gifts.

Eric Garcetti: 1 in 5 US Student Visas Issued in India

One out of every five US student visas was issued in India in 2022, which is more than the proportion of Indian population in the world, US Ambassador Eric Garcetti said on Wednesday.

The US Mission in India held its seventh annual Student Visa Day countrywide on Wednesday with Consular Officers from New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai interviewing almost 3,500 Indian student visa applicants.

China's defence minister has said war with the US would be an "unbearable disaster" for the world in his first major speech since taking on the role.

would not allow naval patrols by the US and its allies to be "a pretext to exercise hegemony of navigation". Asked about the incident in the Taiwan Strait, he said that countries from outside the region were raising tensions. He was speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, the Asia-Pacific region's only annual security meeting. Beijing has rejected a US request for direct military talks in protest at sanctions placed on Gen Li by the US in 2018 over weapons purchases from Russia.

Putin 'may try to blow up largest nuclear plant in Europe', warns Ukraine

London,:(IANS) Russia may be plotting to blow up the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, Ukraine has warned, after explosions at a major dam and hydroelectric plant caused mass flooding in the Kherson region and sparked a humanitarian disaster, the media reported.

A series of blasts caused the critical Nova Kahkovka dam, which lies along the Dnieper river in Russian-held territory, to partially collapse and led to 'catastrophic' floods, the Daily Mail reported.

Around 24 towns were overrun by the deluge with shocking footage from the region showing how entire villages

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of detonating an 'environmental bomb of mass destruction', saying authorities expected up to 80 settlements to be flooded and urging the world to 'react'.

Nepal PM Defends India's 'Akhand Bharat Map' in New Parliament Building

Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and other top leaders.

were submerged and houses swept away, Daily Mail reported.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of detonating an 'environmental bomb of mass destruction', saying authorities expected up to 80 settlements to be flooded and urging the world to 'react'.

"This crime carries enormous threats and will have dire consequences for people's lives and the environment," Zelensky said, while US security officials warned there would likely be 'many deaths' as a result of the floods. The Kremlin, meanwhile, has blamed Ukraine for the blast, claiming it was a ploy by Kyiv to distract from the launch of a major counteroffensive Moscow says is faltering, the Daily Mail reported.

Iran hails 'new era' as embassy reopens in Saudi Arabia

Kathmandu: (IANS) Amid ongoing criticism by the Opposition in Nepal, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Wednesday came to India's defence over the 'Akhand Bharat Map' placed in the new Parliament building. Nepal's opposition parties, including the CPN ML, have opposed the map which shows Nepal as part of the ancient Indian landmass and asked the government in Kathmandu to take up the matter with India. Addressing the National Assembly on Wednesday, Prachanda, as the Prime Minister is popularly known, said that the map is not political and he had raised the issue during his recently-concluded India visit during which he met his

"We raised the issue of the new Indian map which is placed in Parliament. We have not made a detailed stud but as reported in the media, we raised this issue on a serious note. But in its response, the Indian side said that it was a cultural and historic map and not a political one. This should not be seen as a political way. It needs to be studied. But I have raised it," he said.

Prachanda has been facing ire from opposition parties on his India visit which they termed as not successful and productive as the Prime Minister has been claiming otherwise. Several agreements and understandings were reached during the visit. Opposition party leaders have been mocking the bringing of 15 Murrah buffalos from India for breeding purposes and termed it as only one successful agreement done in the visit. Prachanda is also facing strong opposition for his proposal to swap land with India in order to resolve the boundary dispute.

Iran has reopened its embassy in Saudi Arabia, seven years after the regional rivals severed diplomatic ties.

Representatives of the Iranian and Saudi foreign ministries attended the ceremony in Riyadh, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV reported. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Alireza Bigdeli, said it was a sign that co-operation was "entering a new era". It comes three months after the Gulf countries agreed to restore ties in a deal brokered by China. Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran in 2016 following the storming of its embassy in Tehran by crowds protesting against the kingdom's execution of a prominent Shia Muslim cleric.

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China's Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu

50% Of Rs. 2,000 Notes In

Have

Circulation

Come Back, Says RBI RBI opts for pause 2nd time in a row, keeps repo rate unchanged at 6.5 per cent

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The Reserve Bank of India on Thursday opted for a pause for the second time in a row, maintaining the key benchmark policy rate at 6.5 per cent as inflation moderates.

The rate increase cycle was paused in April after six consecutive rate hikes aggregating to 250 basis points since May 2022.

New Delhi: The Reserve Bank of India said today that 50 per cent of the ₹ 2,000 notes in circulation have come back, around 20 days after their withdrawal was announced. The value of the notes that have been returned is ₹ 1.8 lakh crore.

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said 85% of the notes have come back as bank deposits. As of March 31, 2,000-rupee notes worth ₹ 3.62 lakh crore were in circulation.

The RBI Governor also made an appeal to avoid the last-minute rush in December. The notes can be deposited or exchanged in banks until September 30. He added that the central bank has enough currency available for exchange. RBI opts for

Indian-American Ritu Kalra named Harvard’s VP finance, CFO

Announcing the bi-monthly monetary policy, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) unanimously decided to keep the rate unchanged at 6.5 per cent. While keeping the interest rate intact, Das said headline inflation still remains above RBI’s target of 4 per cent and expected to remain so during the rest

Central bank slashes inflation projection marginally to 5.1 per cent from earlier estimate of 5.2 per cent for current financial year, governor Shaktikanta Das says retail inflation has remained below the upper band of 6 per cent for the last two years

of the year.

Inflation projection has been slashed marginally to 5.1 per cent from the earlier estimate of 5.2 per cent for current financial year. He said retail inflation has been below the upper band of 6 per cent for the last two years. The MPC meeting took place against the backdrop of consumer price-based (CPI) inflation declining to a 18-month low of 4.7 per cent in April.

The Reserve Bank governor recently indicated that the May print would be lower than the April numbers. The CPI for May is scheduled to be announced on June 12.

The government has mandated RBI to ensure CPI inflation at 4 per cent with a margin of 2 per cent on either side.

“Canadian System Fair”: S Jaishankar On Students Facing Deportation

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the high commission are working to address the matter of 700 Indian students, primarily from Punjab, facing deportation from Canada due to fraudulent admission offers. Mr Jaishankar’s statement comes after Punjab’s NRI Affairs Minister Kuldip Singh Dhaliwal’s appeal for intervention. These students are at risk of deportation after Canadian authorities discovered that their admission offer letters to Canadian educational institutions were

fake. This issue surfaced in March when the students applied for permanent residency in Canada. Mr Jaishankar said, “From the very start, the MEA and the high commission have taken up their case. The culpable parties should be punished. The latest report is that

US Lawmakers Call on Biden Administration to Tackle India’s Visa Wait Time Urgently

New York: (IANS) Ritu Kalra, an Indian-American investment banking and financial management expert, has been named Harvard University’s vice president for finance and chief financial officer. Kalra currently serves as Harvard’s assistant vice president of finance and treasury and special projects adviser.

In her new role beginning July, she will oversee all aspects of financial management, including longrange planning, annual budgeting, endowment fund spending policy, treasury, and financial accounting and reporting.

Overall, she will lead multiple financial departments with a fulltime workforce of more than 200 people, a University statement released on Tuesday said. “Harvard’s ability to forge collaborations within and beyond the University, across a breathtaking breadth of disciplines, doesn’t happen by accident.

Describing India as an important partner where people-to-people relationship plays a significant role, top US lawmakers have urged the Biden administration to address the visa wait time issue in the country on a priority basis.

Senator Bob Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Congressman Michael Waltz, CoChair of the House India Caucus, during two separate Congressional hearings on Consular Affairs Budget asked top State Department officials why people in India were facing visa wait time up to 600 days. “The United States enjoys strong people to people ties with India. India is now part of the QUAD. We are constantly engaging it in geostrategic interests that we have. New Jersey is home to a great number of Indian Americans and their

families. I appreciate and applaud the department’s heightened focus towards reducing wait times for first time B1-B2 applicants in India,” Menendez said. “But despite that progress this past year, India continues to face the longest wait times globally with average wait times for an appointment for the first time B1B2 applicant ranging between 450 and 600 days. Could you please speak to me as to why that is the case? Why does it take up to 600 days for an adjudication?” Menendez asked during a hearing at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Menendez said that the Indo-US relationship was one of the most consequential economic diplomatic security relationships we have in the 21st century. “I’m the co-chair of the US India Caucus. I think it’s one of the most consequential economic diplomatic security relationships we have in the 21st century. However, one of the consistent and painful complaints that I receive from Indian Americans and from our Indian colleagues is the wait time, despite the fact that in India, I believe you have the second or third most consular affairs officers,” Congressman Waltz said.

Canadians accept that it would be unfair if the student has done no wrong, they accept the idea that they have to find a solution to it. I feel the Canadian system is fair in that regard.”

In his letter to Mr Jaishankar, Mr Dhaliwal underscored the innocence of these students, indicating that they had been duped by fraudsters. He wrote, “I shall be highly grateful if you again look into the matter personally and take up the matter with concerned agencies including the High Commission of Canada and the government of Canada so that these students can be saved from being deported.”

Monsoon Onset Declared in Kerala: IMD

The southwest monsoon hit India on Thursday with its onset over Kerala, a week later than normal, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced. Meteorologists earlier said Cyclone ‘Biparjoy’ had been impacting the intensity of the monsoon and that its onset over Kerala would be “mild”.

In a statement on Thursday, the IMD said, “The southwest monsoon has set in over Kerala today, June 8.” “The monsoon has advanced into remaining parts of south Arabian Sea and some parts of central Arabian Sea, entire Lakshadweep area, most parts of Kerala, most parts of south Tamil Nadu, remaining parts of Comorin area, Gulf of Mannar and some more parts of southwest, central and northeast Bay of Bengal today,” it added.

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India among nations interfering in Canada: PM Trudeau's NSA

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Toronto, June 6 (IANS) Canada's National Security Adviser, Jody Thomas, has identified India as one of the top sources of foreign interference in the country, alongside Russia, Iran, and China. Speaking at a conference organized by the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, Thomas emphasized that China was the most significant actor in terms of foreign interference. The inclusion of India in the list has raised eyebrows and could impact the close ties between India and Canada.

The remarks by the National Security Adviser come after the Canadian government highlighted India as part of its Indo-Pacific strategy and expressed interest in strengthening economic and scientific relations. However, Thomas acknowledged that certain diaspora politics and local issues in Canada could influence the relationship with India. While federal agencies in Canada have indirectly warned of India exerting improper influence in the country in recent years, they have rarely mentioned

London Mayor Criticizes "Cruel" Migration Bill

London,: (IANS) Calling the Illegal Migration Bill "cruel" and "unworkable", London Mayor Sadiq Khan told the UK's Home Secretary Suella Braverman that more than 50,000 people will be at risk of homelessness in the British capital if it becomes a law. In a letter to the Indianorigin Home Secretary, Khan said the bill "would do significant damage to vulnerable people seeking sanctuary and put already-stretched services in London on crisis footing", the Evening Standard reported. Proposals under the Illegal Migration Bill, introduced in Parliament this year, would stop people entering the country in unauthorised boats across the English Channel.

India by name. On the other hand, India has raised concerns with the Canadian government regarding radical Khalistani elements organizing referendums and interfering in India's domestic affairs, particularly the farmers' protests. It is worth noting that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority government relies on the support of the New Democratic Party (NDP), led by Jagmeet Singh, who has sympathies towards the

Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus National Security Adviser Jody Thomas has said that India is among the top sources of foreign interference in Canada.

Khalistani movement. Singh's party holds 24 seats in parliament, making their support crucial for the survival of the Trudeau government. Singh has faced criticism on social media for allegedly meddling in Indian affairs and maintaining connections with Khalistani and Kashmiri separatist groups based in different countries of Europe.

The statement by Canada's National Security Adviser has sparked discussions about the potential implications on the India-Canada relationship, which has been improving rapidly on the diplomatic front. However, it remains to be seen how these remarks will impact bilateral ties between the two countries going forward.

Indian-origin professor awarded 'Dutch Nobel Prize'

New Delhi: (IANS) Indian-origin professor Joyeeta Gupta has been awarded the Spinoza Prize, the highest distinction in Dutch science, for her scientific work focusing on a "just and sustainable world".

Gupta, Professor of Environment and Development in the Global South at the University of Amsterdam since 2013, was chosen by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) selection committee for her "incredibly broad and interdisciplinary" research.

Also referred sometimes as the 'Dutch Nobel Prize', the award will give Gupta 1.5 million euros to spend on scientific research and activities related to knowledge utilisation.

Harsimrat

Kaur

Badal Aims to Save Deported Students' Future in Canada

Union minister, said the emphasis should be on taking action against dubious institutions as well as authorised agents who had played with the future of the students.

"Unsuspecting students who are victims to this scam should be treated sympathetically as they have fulfilled all needed criteria for securing permanent residency after up-skilling themselves and should be granted the same without any hindrance."

Chandigarh: (IANS) Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Monday urged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to save the future of hundreds of Punjabi students who were facing deportation from Canada after being duped by an unscrupulous education services agent by taking up their case with Canadian authorities.

Harsimrat Kaur, in a missive to the

She said while 700 students had faced action on the same ground earlier, now it had come to light that 200 more students had been served deportation orders by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) after it was revealed that they had been given fake admission letters by an authorised agent -- Education Migration Services in Jalandhar.

Gupta's research involves solution to issues arising from climate change through good governance. At the core of her research is an attempt to unravel the connections between the climate crisis, global water challenges, possible solutions and justice, a University of Amsterdam statement read.

"Justice for both people and the planet is the common thread in Joyeeta's work. She is relentlessly committed to climate justice, always looking beyond the boundaries of disciplines, realising that this is the only way to approach the climate issue," said Peter-Paul Verbeek, Rector Magnificus of the University of Amsterdam.

Gupta, who is the twelfth researcher from the University of Amsterdam to receive the award, will be officially honoured on October 4 at a presentation ceremony. She studied at Delhi University, Gujarat University and Harvard Law School, and obtained her PhD from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. She is also a professor at the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education.

UK post office scandal: Pregnant British Indian wrongly jailed, racially classified, says report

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London, June 6 (IANS) Prosecution documents released to campaigners reveal that an eight-month pregnant British-Indian woman, Seema Misra, was among over 700 former UK Post Office staff who were wrongly accused, imprisoned, and categorized using a racial slur. The documents, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, show that Misra and others were grouped based on their racial features, with Misra being classified as "Indian/Pakistani Types... ie Asian, etc." Other categories included "N*****d Types," "Chinese/Japanese types," and "Dark Skinned European Types."

Misra, who ran a post office in Surrey, was wrongfully accused of theft and false accounting between 1999 and 2015 due to a faulty computer system called Horizon. In 2010, she was sentenced to 15 months in prison for theft, but her

conviction was overturned by the Court of Appeal in April 2021 after it was discovered that the missing funds were due to flaws in the Post Office's IT system.

Misra expressed her anger at the revelations, stating that her case may have been different if she wasn't of Indian descent. She believes that the document is evidence of corruption and that the Post Office was institutionally racist. The Post Office admitted that the use of a racist slur to describe suspects in the Horizon scandal was abhorrent.

The public inquiry into the Post Office scandal, also known as the Horizon scandal, began in 2022. It is considered the most widespread miscarriage of

justice in UK history, with many wrongfully accused individuals facing imprisonment, bankruptcy, and even suicides. So far, 85 wrongfully prosecuted people have had their convictions quashed. The inquiry was initiated following a High Court ruling in December 2019, which identified numerous bugs, errors, and defects in the Horizon system.

The Post Office spokesperson condemned the abhorrent language used and stated that the organization does not tolerate racism in any form. They expressed full support for investigations into the Post Office's past wrongdoings.

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Indian-origin professor Joyeeta Gupta

K'taka to exclude lessons on RSS founder from school syllabus

Free power to all including tenants, says K'taka CM

B'luru police launch hunt for Delhi man over girlfriend's murder

Bengaluru: (IANS) Congress-led Karnataka government is all set to drop lessons on RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar for the students this academic year. It has also been decided to issue directions to teachers not to teach other lessons included during the tenure of the BJP government.

Sources explained that the Congress government would issue a circular soon in this regard. The lessons on the right-winger Chakravarthy Sulibele and scholar Bannanje Govindacharya will also be dropped. Since the textbooks of the 2023-24 academic year have already been published, the government would not order republication, but ask teachers to exclude the lessons.

It was decided on Tuesday at the meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and attended by Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa and progressive thinkers, according to sources.

Bengaluru: (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday announced that 200 units of free electricity will be provided to all domestic consumers, including those living in rented accomodations in the state.

While interacting with reporters after garlanding the statue of former Chief Minister D. Devraj Urs on his 41st death anniversary, Siddaramaiah stated "There is no need to pay for the electricity bills up to 200 units. This will apply to even those who live on rent. It will not be applicable to commercial buildings," he reiterated.

The guidelines for availing the benefit for Gruha Jyothi scheme, under which free electricity will be provided, specified that the beneficiary must mandatorily link the Customer ID and Account ID with the Aadhaar card. The guideline also mentioned that if the consumer has more than one connection in his

“Re Think Day” to be organised in all ULBs on every Saturday

management and recycling initiatives would take place at the planning level in every ward.

As per the order, the RRR will be made part of the Self Help Group(SHG) group meeting agenda . The ULBs will take steps to ensure that operation of permanent RRR Centers continues and records of the contribution of used items by citizens and recycling items are maintained.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday announced that 200 units of free electricity will be provided to all domestic consumers, including those living in rented accomodations in the state.

name, only one connection would be considered. These guidelines created confusion and raised a question mark over the majority of people who live in rented accommodations across the state and electricity connections to their houses will be in the name of their house owners who own multiple properties.

K.J. George, Minister for Energy explained that since the majority of the people who live in rented accommodations have voted the Congress to power, the government will protect their interests and ensure that even they get the benefit of Gruha Jyothi scheme.

Bengaluru, (IANS) Police in Bengaluru have launched a hunt for a man from Delhi who allegedly murdered his girlfriend here and tried to make it appear like suicide. The case came to light in the limits of Jeevan Bheema Nagar in Bengaluru on Monday night.

Akanksha Vidyasagar (23), a native of Hyderabad, was found dead under suspicious circumstances. The accused has been identified as Arpit from New Delhi.

Police said the two were living together for a while but had recently developed differences. They fought and decided to separate.

An argument between the couple turned violent on Monday evening and in a fit of rage, Arpit strangled Akanksha to death.

In a statement on Tuesday, Additional Commissioner (East) M. Chandrashekar said that Akanksha worked at a private company, adding that "we are suspecting the role of her friend. The police have formed four teams to nab the accused".

Ambati Rayudu keeps political parties in Telugu states guessing

the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). Earlier, he had praised Jagan Mohan Reddy through a tweet.

Reacting to the Chief Minister’s speech at a meeting, the former cricketer had stated: “Great speech ..our chief minister@ysjagan garu.. everyone in the state has complete belief and trust in you sir..”

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Hyderabad: In order to promote the reuse and recycling of waste materials in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) “Re Think Day” will be organised on every Saturday in the State.

The State government on Tuesday issued orders directing the ULBs to promote and sustain the “Reduce Reuse Recycle” (RRR) programme in their respective jurisdictions.

The ULBs will take up various initiatives to create awareness among people about the RRR programme on every Saturday between 8 to 11 am. During the programme discussions on waste

People can deposit used items such as plastic, old books, clothes and footwear at the RRR centres. The deposited items will be further refurbished, reused or recycled through a network of NGOS, Startups, recyclers or MSMEs by “ReThink knowledge hub”. Currently, there are 1,962 RRR centres in 142 ULBs in the State.

Municipal and Urban Development

Minister KT Rama Rao during the inauguration of the Rethink RRR Centre and Environmental Surveillance Lab at the ASCI campus on Monday, announced that “Re Think Day” will be organised on every Saturday in all the ULBs across the State. Following this, the MAUD Department issued orders on Tuesday.

Hyderabad: Former cricketer Ambati Rayudu, who has already announced his plans to enter politics, is keeping political parties in the two Telugu states guessing.

There is a buzz in political circles that Rayudu, who announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) last week, is likely to join the Congress and contest for Lok Sabha from Telangana.

Former Indian captain and Telangana Congress working president Mohammad Azharuddin is reportedly holding talks with Rayudu in this regard. Rayudu, however, has still not made up his mind which party he will be joining.

He met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy last month, setting off speculations that he may join

The 37-year-old, who was playing for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), announced on May 28 that he is retiring from IPL.

The announcement came on the eve of the IPL 2023 final between the CSK and Gujarat Titans. He scored 19 off 8 deliveries in his last appearance and signed off on a happy note as his team bagged the fifth title with last ball victory over Gujarat Titans. According to Congress sources, the party leadership has given Azharuddin, a former MP, the task of holding talks with Rayudu and to invite him to join the party.

The party is reportedly offering him a ticket for the Malkajgiri Lok Sabha seat. Malkajgiri constituency comprising suburbs of Hyderabad has a sizeable number of voters from Andhra Pradesh who are settled in Telangana capital.

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Rahul Gandhi’s Visit to America At a Glance

The three-city trip to California, Washington DC and New York can be termed a Success as the Indian Opposition Leader’s tour included lectures at prestigious universities and a press-conference in Washington DC

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Just ahead of Indian PM Narendra Modi’s much-awaited visit to the White House as a state guest later this month, Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi set-off his ambitious three-city tour of the United States. The trip concluded on Monday June 5 at New York where he addressed the Indian diaspora.

At a time when a large part of the Indian American community was preparing for the PM’s visit, Gandhi’s tour did seem to attract attention. While many people wanted to know the agenda of his visit as well as the reception he receives, for many others, it served as an interesting spectacle to see how the opposition leader presents himself just before the official visit of the Indian PM, where he will be hosted by none other than US President Joe Biden.

During his visit, Gandhi held a number of discussions and meetings with the Indian-American community, entrepreneurs, students and think tanks. His various engagements across a spectrum of professions and platforms did seem to convey the progressive and inclusive image Gandhi seems to be portraying. During his various interactions, his 146 days long Bharat Jodo Yatra remained a topic of much interest and intrigue. Gandhi on various occasions was seen sharing touching anecdotes and lessons he learnt during the yatra.

The Gandhi scion arrived in the US on May 31 and landed at San Francisco, his first stop for his whirlwind tour where he engaged with business leaders. The former President of Indian National Congress, held a talk at the Stanford University, where he spoke about his Lok Sabha disqualification. Addressing the crowd, Gandhi said how his disqualification as an MP gave him a huge opportunity.

He also spoke to the students at University of California in Santa Clara. Amongst some of the fiery comments Gandhi made during the talk, he also said that Indian democracy and free expression sustained a massive blow in 2014, referring to BJP’s election in India. During his visit, Rahul Gandhi also addressed a gathering on artificial intelligence in Silicon Valley.

After California, Rahul Gandhi’s next pit-spot was Washington D.C. Here he held a press conference at the National Press Club. During the conference he spoke about the upcoming general elections in India and also stressed on the importance of the relationship between India and the U.S.

On the last day of his visit, Rahul Gandhi was in NY. His NYC trip can be called as one held amidst fanfare, as the leader was featured on a NY Times billboard just ahead of his speech at the Javits Center in Manhattan where he addressed the Indian American community. Here he stressed upon the need for India to be more inclusive.

Chatham House Study:

Chinese Presence in Aksai Chin Poses Increased Strategic Threat to India

Connected PLA bases can now be seen leading up from the site of the 2020 clash, says the UK-based think-tank

Arecent study by London-based think-tank Chatham House reveals that China shows no signs of relinquishing its hold on the disputed territory of Aksai Chin. Despite the completion of the 18th round of talks between China and India on demarcating the border in Ladakh, the Chinese are firmly entrenched and pose an increased strategic threat to India, according to authors John Pollock and Damien Symon. The study highlights the construction of long-term military infrastructure, including heated barracks and roads, in the previously desolate and uninhabited region. This reality is starkly visible in the Galwan Valley, where multiple bases connected by roads have been established by the People's Liberation Army (PLA). The study emphasizes that these frontline structures, supported by extensive road networks and helipads, enable swift troop movements during potential conflicts. Moreover, newly built heliports in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) further reinforce China's presence.

The study suggests that India's response to China's strengthening positions in Aksai Chin was initially slow. The PLA had already established temporary positions at key sites before the Indian Army could respond effectively. Speculations arose in the Indian media that vital intelligence had failed to reach local commanders, while senior officials allegedly underestimated the PLA's intentions.

Of particular concern to India is China's long-term plan to complete the G695 highway by 2035, traversing the entire length of Aksai Chin. The study interprets this road construction as a statement of intent from Beijing, signaling that Aksai Chin will remain part of China. Indian analysts perceive China's increased aggression along the border as part of a larger strategy to assert dominance over neighboring countries.

The study highlights that the Chinese approach towards India began intensifying

What is a serious worry for India is that the Chinese have a long-term plan to build the G695 highway to be completed by 2035 through the length of Aksai Chin. The road could also be read as a statement of intent from Beijing to New Delhi, signalling that Aksai Chin will remain part of China

as early as 2015-16 when the PLA reorganized its military commands, particularly the formation of the Western Theatre command, which encompasses the Indian border. The reorganization preceded the Doklam standoff in 2017 and coincided with the development of Chinese border villages near Arunachal Pradesh.

The Depsang Plains, near Daulat Beg Oldi, home to the world's highest airstrip, have become a potential conflict hotspot, with recent military talks focusing intensively on the region. India aims to avoid direct military confrontation with China, but the study warns of the present danger of accidental clashes escalating into a SinoIndian crisis, given the nuclear capabilities of both countries.

Chatham House emphasizes that India's leadership recognizes the significant challenge posed by China and its modernized armed forces. India has responded with a multi-faceted approach, seeking to reciprocate Chinese actions. However, it is likely that India's armed forces will need to match China's substantial presence in Aksai Chin for an extended period.

‘I don’t find any value in these trophies’

Naseeruddin Shah

admits to using Filmfare awards to craft door handles for his farmhouse

Naseeruddin Shah stands out amidst the Bollywood celebrity crowd by consistently articulating his viewpoints and opinions, particularly on political matters. During a recent interview, Shah candidly discussed his indifference towards awards and revealed what he did with the ones he had been presented with.

“I don’t find any value in these trophies. I was happy when I received the initial ones. But then, trophies started piling up around me. Sooner or later I understood that these awards are a result of lobbying. One is receiving these awards not necessarily because of their merit. So I started leaving them behind. After that, when I received Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, it reminded me of my deceased father who used to always be worried about my job and said things like ‘if you do this useless work, you will become a fool’. So, when I went to Rashtrapati Bhavan to collect the awards, I looked up and asked my dad if he was seeing all this… He was… and I am sure he was happy… I was happy to receive those awards. But I can’t stand these competitive awards,” the actor pointed out.

During an interview the veteran actor was asked about the rumours surrounding his use of the awards he had received to craft door handles for his farmhouse near Mumbai.

'The Night Manager 2' trailer: Chase to find mole in weapon empire gets serious

The new trailer of 'The Night Manager: Part 2' was unveiled on Monday. It opens with the shots of fighter planes in action raining the inferno and the testing of weapons, belonging to Anil Kapoor's character, being carried out during the night hours in an arid landscape. The trailer is under 2 minutes in length and opens with the dialogue by Aditya Roy Kapur saying: "Ravan ki lanka jalaane ke liye aag toh lagani padegi par kahin us aag mein main khud hi na jal jaaun (I need to set Ravan's lanka on fire but what if I get burnt in the same fire)?"

The trailer features several high-octane sequences with body shots of Aditya's build that will leave the girls swooning over him. The stakes get higher as Anil's character of Shelly Rungta tries to find the mole within his empire.

Anil Kapoor, who plays the role of an ammunition baron, said: "Playing Shelly Rungta in 'The Night Manager' has been an absolute delight. It's fascinating to see how Shelly has become one of the classiest and most beloved villains. In this second part, get ready for new secrets to unravel and take you by surprise."

Big B mourns 'gentle' mother Sulochana's death: 'She had been ailing for some time'

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has mourned the loss of "another great of our Cinema World" Sulochana Latkar, who passed away aged 94 on June 3.

Amitabh took to his blog and wrote that the veteran star had played a caring and generous mother to him in several films.

"We have lost another great of our Cinema World - Sulochana ji .. the gentle, generous, caring Mother that played in several films with me .. she had been ailing for some time .. and this afternoon she left for her heavenly abode," Amitabh wrote.

He added: "I had been monitoring here condition with her family .. but finally the sad news !"

"We can only pray in such unforgiving circumstances .."

Amitabh and Sulochana worked in films such as 'Reshma Aur Shera', 'Yaarana', 'Muqadddar Ka Sikander' and 'Roti Kapada Aur Makan' to name a few.

Born on July 30, 1928 at Khadaklat village of Belagavi (now in Karnataka), she made her film debut in 1946.

Vicky Kaushal and Sara Ali Khan starrer mints Rs 17.1 crore nett over the weekend

Vicky Kaushal and Sara Ali Khan-starrer

Zara Hatke Zara Bachke passed the crucial first-weekend test with flying colours, minting Rs 22.59 crore nett in three days since its release, the makers claimed on social media on Monday.

Taking to Instagram, Maddock Films, the producers of the film, wrote, “The weekend was filled with love! Audience, thank you for loving this hatke kahani. hai ek hatke kahani from the makers of Luka Chuppi and Mimi. Book your tickets sahparivaar! #ZaraHatkeZaraBachke in theatres now.”

The Laxman Utekar-directed romantic comedy, which released on June 2, registered an opening day collection of Rs 5.49 crore nett. The film earned Rs 7.20 crore nett on Saturday, followed by Rs 9.90 crore nett on Sunday, taking its total three-day collection at the domestic box office to Rs 22.59 crore nett.

Despite mixed reviews from critics and stiff competition from SpiderMan: Across The Spider-Verse, Vicky and Sara’s romantic drama attracted audiences to the theatres. Trade analysts attribute the reason to the unique ticket-selling strategy of ‘Buy 1 Get 1 Free’, which was valid till Sunday.

'Sacred Games', 'Mirzapur' among 50 all-time most popular Indian web series

One of India's second generation of streaming shows 'Sacred Games' and 'Mirzapur' have emerged as the table toppers on the list of IMDb top 50 all-time most popular Indian web series. Interestingly, both the shows belong to the genre of crime thrillers, a space that the OTT platforms aim to leverage and rightly so given the audience response to titles that have a good mix of crime and thrill. Crime genre occupies 30 out of 50 slots on the list.

Vikramaditya Motwane, showrunner and co-director of 'Sacred Games', said: "I'm absolutely honoured and delighted by the fact that 'Sacred Games' has been ranked at No. 1 by IMDb users. A huge thanks to all the amazing people who've loved the show and, as always, an even bigger thanks and congratulations to the incredible cast and crew."

Pankaj Tripathi has played prominent roles in three out of the top 10 web series on the list in titles such as 'Sacred Games', 'Mirzapur', and 'Criminal Justice'. Karan Anshuman, who co-created 'Mirzapur' with Puneet Krishna said: "This recognition from IMDb truly reflects the transformative journey of content available to Indian viewers via the internet. As for what's next, we're all set to keep the momentum going, with a dash of unpredictability and a sprinkle of surprisejust like any binge-worthy series." Other shows that have found a place in the top 5 of the IMDb top 50 all-time most popular Indian web series are Hansal Mehta's 'Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story', the hugely popular 'The Family Man', which stars Manoj Bajpayee as a secret service agent, and 'Aspirants' which shows the world of UPSC preparations.

Actor Shreyas Talpade, who is known for his work in 'Kaun Pravin Tambe', 'Iqbal', 'Om Shanti Om' and the 'Golmaal' franchise, shared how all of his roles were given to him as a second choice after someone else had said no to them.

He made the revelation recently on his YouTube channel Ninerasas.

In the video, Shreyas thanked the stars for rejecting these roles as that paved a way for these opportunities to reach him. He said: "I am so happy that I have got these opportunities, and I don't think that who was the first choice matters. If it's written in my destiny, it is bound to come to me, and I keep this positive outlook towards everything in life."

of my films

Shreyas Talpade

Shreyas is currently looking forward to being seen in upcoming movies Emergency, Kartam Bhuktam, and Single Salmaa. Another one of his amazing series is Majhi Tujhi Reshimgaath.

Actor Shreyas Talpade, who is known for his work in 'Kaun Pravin Tambe', 'Iqbal', 'Om Shanti Om' and the 'Golmaal' franchise, shared how all of his roles were given to him as a second choice after someone else had said no to them.

Remo D'Souza says new season of 'Dance +' will showcase 'future of dance'

Filmmaker and dance choreographer Remo D'Souza is gearing up for the new season of 'Dance+'. He said that the reality show will showcase the "future of dance". The popular dance reality show will only stream on Disney+ Hotstar. Remo will return as the super Judge.

Talking about the season of Dance+, Remo D'Souza said, "Dance+ is like my second home and I am happy to be back here each time. Every year, the talent we get on the show grows phenomenally and it makes me proud to see this level of love and passion for the art of dance in today's generation."

He added: "In this new season on Disney+ Hotstar, we will showcase the future of dance and I am confident that what India imagines as the dance of tomorrow is what Dance + will showcase today."The new season of Dance+ is set to stream soon on Disney+ Hotstar.

Munawar drops maiden album 'Madari', says it has song for everyone

Singer-comedian Munawar Faruqui on Tuesday dropped his debut album titled 'Madari'. Having made a mark for himself with singles like Alag BT, Khwasish and Noor, Munawar said: Today is very special for us since our album Madari is finally out for people to listen."

"It's been a unique journey and we were eagerly waiting to release it in its due time. In Madari, we have a song for everyone and I really hope everyone enjoys it," he added.

The album has a total of eight songs which are sung, written and composed by Munawar.Talking about the sound texture and the elements used in the album, Munawar told IANS: "The sound texture of the album is unique and expansive as there is equal proportion of melody, hip-hop and rap. We have incorporated diverse elements in creating the album, deviating from the conventional expectations of a rap song which usually focuses on the rap part or a hook line. We have explored various possibilities and experimented with different musical elements."

Bhojpuri smash hit 'Lollipop Lagelu' recreated for OTT series 'UP 65'

The hit Bhojpuri song 'Lollipop Lagelu' has been recreated for the upcoming webseries 'UP 65'. The song has been sung and recreated by Diptarka Bose with original composition by Vinay Vinayak. The song encapsulates the essence of the lead characters' college life which will surely make everyone reminisce about their own college days.

Set in Varanasi, 'UP 65' takes viewers on a humorous and heart-warming journey through the other side of student life at IIT Varanasi. It explores the hidden side of student life at IIT Varanasi, presenting a delightful concoction of everlasting friendships, sweet romances and everyday masti of the intriguing "geniuses" from hinterland India.

The story for the web series has been adapted by the writer of the eponymous book - Nikhil Sachan. Presented by Jio Studios, produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Akash Chawla and Arunava Joy Sengupta (Fresh Lime Films), the series has been directed by Gaganjeet Singh. The series will drop on Jio Cinema on June 8.

Prateik Babbar pays tribute to mother Smita Patil, adds Patil to his name

Actor Prateik Babbar, who is known for his work in films like 'Mulk', 'Chhichhore', 'India Lockdown' and several others, has changed his name to Prateik Patil Babbar as a heartfelt homage to his late mother, Smita Patil -- one of the finest actresses of Hindi cinema, who was the recipient of two National Awards and a Padma Shri.

The late actress was one of the flag-bearers of the New Wave Movement in Hindi cinema.

The actor also changed his name on all his social media handles. Prateik's relationship with his mother has always been one of love and inspiration. Talking about his decision, Prateik told IANS, "With the blessings of my father and my entire family.. my late maternal grandparents & my late mother. I have decided to add my mother's last name as my middle name, giving birth to my new screen name 'Prateik Patil Babbar', part superstitious and part sentimental, when my name appears in film credits or anywhere for that matter. I want it to be a reminder to myself, the people and the audience, of her extraordinary and remarkable legacy, of my legacy, a reminder of her brilliance and greatness"

I was the second choice for most

Odisha Railway Accident: Death Toll Rises to 278

India is a vibrant democracy, go to Delhi and see for yourself: White House

India is a vibrant democracy and anybody who happens to go to New Delhi can see that for themselves, the White House said Monday, as it appeared to dismiss concerns about the health of democracy in India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a state visit to the US later this month.

“India is a vibrant democracy. Anybody that, you know, happens to go to New Delhi can see that for themselves. And certainly, I would expect that strength and health of democratic institutions will be part of the discussion,” John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic

The remarks came as it appeared to dismiss concerns about the health of democracy in India

Communications at the National Security Council in the White House, told reporters at a news conference here. “Look, we never shy away. And you can do that with friends. You’re supposed to do that with friends. You never shy away from expressing concerns that we might have with anyone around the world. But this (State) visit is really about advancing what is now and what we hope will be a deeper, stronger partnership and friendship going forward,” Kirby said in response to a question.

Kirby said India is a strong partner with the United States on many levels.

Railways put the official death toll in the Odisha triple train crash at 278, stating that three more people have succumbed to their injuries. The state government’s revised toll, however, remained unchanged at 275. Khurda Road Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Rinkesh Ray said on Monday that apart from 278 deaths, 1,100 people were injured in the June 2 accident.

On the state government’s toll remaining at 275, he said, “Figures do change with time.” The toll was earlier put at 288, which the state government revised to 275 on Sunday, claiming some bodies were counted twice.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, also a former Railway Minister, questioned the figures, stating that 61 people from her state have died and 182 others are still missing.

Wrestlers’ Protest:

Police Record Statements of Federation Members

Looking forward to host PM Modi on June 22, says US

Pakistan May Pull Out Of Asia Cup After ‘Hybrid Model’ Is Rejected: Report

New Delhi, June 6 (IANS) The US administration has said that it is looking forward to host Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 22. During a press briefing on Monday when asked about Modi’s upcoming official state visit, the State Department’s Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said: “We are very much looking forward to hosting Prime Minister Modi for the state visit later this month. Our partnership with India is one of our most consequential relations and we are looking forward to deepening our collaboration on a number of issues.

Left with no option after Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan backed out of their proposed ‘Hybrid Model’, hosts Pakistan may pull out of the Asia Cup in September. According to the ‘Hybrid Model’ proposed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Najam Sethi, Pakistan were to conduct 3 to 4 games of the Asia Cup in their country, while the rest of the matches involving India could be held at a neutral venue. The idea was floated after India refused to travel to Pakistan because of security concerns. However, it has become clear now that Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan have all backed the BCCI’s push for moving the tournament out of Pakistan. “It is just a formality now that the Asian Cricket Council executive board members meet virtually or a proper meeting is called later this month. “But the PCB is now aware that Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are not backing their hybrid model proposal for the Asia Cup,” said a well-informed source aware of the developments.

Indian American 19-year-old from California

Earns PhD Degree

New Delhi: The Delhi Police has recorded statements of three to four Wrestling Federation of India members in the sexual harassment case against the federation chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, sources said. Some staff members at Mr Singh’s Delhi residence have also been called in for questioning by the police, they added.

Earlier today, the Bharatiya Kisan Union said they have postponed their plan to head to Jantar Mantar on June 9 to protest the alleged inaction against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. “Talks are ongoing with the government. They (protesting wrestlers) have met the Home Minister. We have paused the June 9 protest demonstration on their request. We will support them in whatever future date they decide,” Rakesh Tikait said.

The average age for anyone to complete a PhD is early 30’s; but an Indian American teenager has managed this feat just a 19-years-of-age. Tanishq Abraham earned his doctorate in biomedical engineering at 19, making him one of the youngest PhD holders in the world.

Born and raised in Sacramento, California, Tanishq’s father Bijou Abraham, is a software engineer and mother Dr. Taji Abraham, a veterinary researcher.

When Tanishq was 14, his passion led him to pursue a PhD in biomedical

Vikram Patel is the new Global Health Chair at Harvard Medical School

engineering at University of California, Davis. Tanishq also has founded Medical AI Research Center (MedARC), a research center which is dedicated to advancing medical AI technology. As CEO, he leads a team of collaborators from Stanford University, Princeton University and international research organizations.

Tanishq comes from an academically illustrious family. His sister, Tiara Abraham, at 17, is a student in Master of Music degree at Indiana University. His grandmother Thankam Mathew, became the first Indian woman veterinarian to receive a PhD.

He is currently the Pershing Square Professor of Global Health in HMS’ Blavatnik Institute. Patel will be succeeding Paul Farmer, who led the department until his death in February 2022, from Sep 1, 2023. Patel has served on several World Health Organization advisory committees.

In 2015, he was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people of the year and, in 2019, he was awarded the John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award, considered the most prestigious global health prize.

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Zofeen Maqsood

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Kumar Barve sworn in Maryland Public Service Commissioner

India has been raising issue of climate justice as poor nations have suffered: PM

Kumar P. Barve

New York,: (IANS) Kumar P. Barve, the first Indian-American elected to a state legislature in the US, has officially been sworn in as a member of the Maryland Public Service Commission.

A resident of Rockville, Barve is expected to take his seat on the bench in the next week, and was named by Governor Wes Moore to succeed Commissioner Patrice M. Bubar, who has served in the post since May 18, 2022.

Mukhtar Ansari Gets Life Sentence in 32-Year-Old Murder Case

New Delhi: Jailed gangster Mukhtar Ansari was today convicted by a court in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi in a 32-year-old murder case and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was also fined ₹ 1,00,000. Ansari has been charged with the murder of a Congress leader in 1991, when he was starting to gain political prominence. On August 3, 1991, Congress leader and brother of former MLA Ajay Rai, Awadhesh Rai, was shot dead outside Ajay Rai’s house in Varanasi.

New Delhi, June 5 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that India has been raising the issue of climate justice, as due to the “wrong policies” of a few developed nations, poor and developing countries are paying the price. In a video message at a World Environment Day event, Modi emphasised that all the nations should rise above their selfish interests and think towards protecting the world climate. “For a long time, the model of development in big and advanced countries was contradictory. In this developmental model, the thinking was that we first develop our country then we can think about the environment,” the Prime Minister said. “With this, they achieved the goals of development but the world’s environment had to pay the

price for their development. Today also, the developing and poor countries of the world are paying the price for the wrong policies of some developed countries,” Modi added. The Prime Minister went

Bridge Over Ganga River Collapses in Bihar, Government and Opposition Trade Charges

fashion under expert advice as it had design flaws, claimed state government officials.

on to add that for decades no one was there to object against this attitude of the developed countries, however he was happy that India has managed to raise the question of climate justice.

Biden will ‘at some point’ meet Xi: US NSA

An under-construction bridge over the Ganga river collapsed in Bihar on Sunday, portions of which were deliberately destroyed in a planned

The bridge was supposed to connect Khagaria district with Bhagalpur. Images of the bridge collapse that took place in Khagaria evoked immediate criticisms from the opposition, prompting Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav and Additional Chief Secretary of Road Construction Department, Pratyay Amrit, to hold a hurried press conference.

Washington, June 5 (IANS) US NSA Jake Sullivan said that President Biden will “at some point” meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping as the world’s two biggest economies work to resolve strained bilateral ties. Sullivan said: “We will, I hope, soon see American officials engaging at senior levels with their Chinese counterparts over the coming months to continue that work. And then, at some point, we will see President Biden and President Xi come back together again.

“Favourites On Paper But...”: Ravi Shastri’s Interesting WTC Final Prediction

The Australian team on paper holds slight advantage on a bouncy Oval track but both Ravi Shastri and Ricky Ponting feel that the Indians are better prepared for the World Test Championship final beginning Wednesday with IPL game-time under their belt. “I would say if you look at pace attack, if Bumrah was there, I would say it was equal with an attack of Mohammed Shami,

Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. But that Aussie attack with Starc, Cummins, may be the match fitness will come into play,” Shastri said at the ICC’s ‘Afternoon with Test Legends’ event. “Match fitness might come into play,” Shastri reckoned. “You need some cricket behind you and staying on the park for six hours for five days is different from bowling in nets for two hours every day,” he said.

Indian-American dies rescuing son from California beach waters

New York, June 5 (IANS) An IndianAmerican father of two, who had taken his family for an outing at a beach in California, died while rescuing his child from a riptide.

Srinivasa Murthy Jonnalagadda, who did not know how to swim, was enjoying with his family at Panther Beach in Santa Cruz last week when the tragedy struck, according to a fundraiser set up by family and friends seeking help.

“Unexpectedly a large wave came and knocked his son down and subsequent large waves began to drag him into the ocean,” the GoFundMe page read. He ran to save his son when he realised that the child was struggling to get out

Srinivasa Murthy Jonnalagadda

of the water.

While Srinivasa was able to rescue his son with help from a samaritan, he was unfortunately dragged into deeper waters by the riptide as his family screamed and helplessly watched him drown.

Emergency personnel who rushed to the

Gufi Paintal Dies At 79

site were able to retrieve Srinivasa and CPR was initiated on him, following which he was boarded onto a California Highway Patrol helicopter and taken to the hospital. He succumbed to his injuries, and was pronounced dead at Stanford Hospital. According to Kion 46 news channel, Srinivasa was rescued by members of multiple law enforcement agencies, including State parks, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office and Santa Cruz Fire.

GoFundMe has called for donations to assist Srinivasa’s family with immediate expenses such as funeral costs, medical bills, and other unforeseen financial obligations.

Mumbai: Actor Gufi Paintal, best known for playing Shakuni mama in the epic TV serial Mahabharat, died on Monday at a hospital here due to age-related issues, his nephew Hiten Paintal said. He was 79. The veteran actor was admitted at a hospital in suburban Andheri. “Unfortunately, he is no more. He passed away at the hospital at around 9 am. His heart gave up. He passed away peacefully in his sleep,” Hiten told PTI.

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Uttarakhand Samaj Of Chicago Hosts Annual Board Meeting

Indo-Canadian Charged With Laundering $24 Million Of Bitcoin

CHICAGO, IL- Uttarakhand Samaj of Greater Chicago (USOGC) recently concluded their annual executive board meeting, marking a significant transition in leadership. The meeting commenced with a heartfelt farewell to the outgoing President, Mr. Chandan Singh Khati, acknowledging his invaluable contributions during his tenure. Additionally, the board members elected the new executive board for the term 2023-24, ensuring the organization’s continuity and progress.

The newly elected executive board members are as follows:

• President: Smita Pant • Vice President:

Vikram Singh Negi • Treasurer: Rashmi Joshi Mohan • Secretary: Rahul Sharma

• Joint Secretary: Mohan Rawat

Having orchestrated a highly successful Holi celebration, USOGC is now preparing for its upcoming flagship event, the USOGC Summer Picnic. This eagerly awaited gathering will take place on June 18th at Busse Woods in Elk Grove Village. Furthermore, the organization is eagerly anticipating the grand Uttarakhand Diwali celebration, which will be held with great fanfare in November.

USOGC remains steadfast in its commitment to support charitable initiatives in Uttarakhand. Assisting small and local organizations engaged

in exceptional work in remote areas of Uttarakhand has consistently been one of the primary objectives of the organization.

Since its establishment in 2015, USOGC has successfully completed eight years of fostering the rich traditions and customs of Uttarakhand in the United States. While significant accomplishments have been achieved during this time, the organization recognizes that there is still much work to be done in the years ahead.

Driven by their unwavering motto and commitment, USOGC is determined to forge ahead, proudly showcasing the cultural diversity of India within the most multicultural country in the world.

Hindu Mantras To Begin The Day Of Utah’s Spanish Fork City Council

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UTAH- Hindu invocation will open the Spanish Fork City Council in Utah on June 6th, featuring verses from the world’s oldest extant scripture. Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who is the President of the Universal Society of Hinduism, will deliver the invocation in both Sanskrit and English.

During the invocation, Zed will recite verses from the Rig-Veda, which is considered the oldest scripture in the world still in common use. He will also include lines from the Upanishads and the Bhagavad-Gita, both of which are ancient Hindu scriptures. The prayer will begin and end with the sacred syllable “Om,” which holds great significance in Hinduism as a mystical representation of the universe and is commonly used to introduce and conclude religious ceremonies.

One of the verses that Zed plans to recite is from the Brahadaranyakopanishad, which states, “Asato ma sad gamaya, Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya, Mrtyor mamrtam gamaya.” He will interpret this verse as “Lead us from the unreal to the real, Lead us from darkness to light, and Lead us from death to immortality.”

Zed also intends to include a message from the Bhagavad-Gita, urging the council members and attendees to

always keep the welfare of others in mind.

Rajan Zed is a globally recognized Hindu and interfaith leader, and he has received the World Interfaith Leader Award. He holds various positions such as Senior Fellow and Religious Advisor to the Foundation for Religious Diplomacy and serves on the Advisory Board of The Interfaith Peace Project. Zed has

also been involved in prominent interfaith discussions and publications, including participating as a panelist for “On Faith,” an interactive conversation on religion produced by The Washington Post. Hinduism, the oldest and thirdlargest religion in the world, has approximately 1.2 billion followers globally, with around three million Hindus residing in the United States. Spanish Fork, established in 1855 and known for its tagline “Pride & Progress,” is a city in Utah. It is considered to be the “safest city in Utah” and hosts events like Icelandic Days and the Holi festival on an annual basis. Mike Mendenhall serves as the Mayor of Spanish Fork, and Seth Perrins holds the position of City Manager.

An Indo-Canadian entrepreneur by the name of Firoz Patel, 48, faces charges of laundering 450 Bitcoin (BTC), valued at about $24 million at the time of the transaction in 2021. The District Court Judge ordered that Patel be detained pending trial. The two-count indictment charges Patel with money laundering and engaging in monetary transactions from unlawful activity. Earlier Patel, his brother, Ferhan, and their company Payza, were prosecuted for operating an Internet-based unlicensed money service business that processed more than $250 million in transactions. The brothers pleaded guilty. In 2020 2020, Patel was sentenced to 36 months in prison and was given a reporting date. He laundered $24 million in Bitcoin from the Payza Conspiracy while waiting to report to prison in 2021.

Indian American Coinbase Product Managers Get Over 2 Years In Jail

The brothers engaged in an insider trading scheme regarding at least nine crypto asset securities. An SEC complaint, filed in 2022, in Washington, alleged that while employed at the crypto platform, coordinated the platform’s public listing announcements that included what crypto assets would be made available for trading. Coinbase treated such information as confidential.

Ishan however kept tipping about upcoming listing announcements to Nikhil and an Indian American friend, Sameer Ramani of Houston.

Firoz Patel

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Newly elected executive board members

Cleveland Community Unites To Support Missing Children: Join The Effort By Sharing Tips With Police

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CLEVELAND, OH- Alarming Trend: Cleveland Faces Increasing Number of Missing Juveniles

In a concerning development, the Cleveland police have recorded a significant rise in the number of reported missing juveniles under the age of 18. Between May 2 and May 16, a total of 27 cases were reported, shedding light on a growing problem that often goes unnoticed.

While it is more likely that the majority of these cases involve runaways rather than abductions, authorities warn that young teenagers are particularly vulnerable to predators who disguise themselves as trustworthy individuals.

These “wolves in sheep’s clothing” take advantage of the naivety of these adolescents.

Regrettably, the disappearances of these young individuals rarely make the news unless an Amber Alert is issued. Their stories often fail to garner attention on social media platforms as well. This silent crime unfolds right under our noses, making it even more challenging to address.

Major issues arise due to the lack of

Prajapati Parivar's 'Sneh Milan 2023' Event Makes Historic Debut in USA

Cleveland Police Report 27 Cases of Missing Juveniles Under 18 in Two-Week Period

available photos for these missing persons. On Cleveland’s missing persons page, the number of blank squares with the words “Photo not available” far exceeds the number of actual pictures. This poses significant challenges for law enforcement officials, as identifying

these individuals becomes an arduous task unless someone personally knows them.

In contrast, if families possess photographs, law enforcement can utilize social media to spread messages to the public. This has proven to be law enforcement’s most potent tool in missing persons cases, enabling them to accumulate tips and leads. Compounding the issue is the fact that Cleveland and its surrounding suburbs

Wisconsin Unveils Enhanced Driver's License Security Features

are facing a cycle of crime. Desperate teenagers, seeking protection, often resort to joining gangs, which leads to initiation crimes like carjackings and robberies. Some may even fall victim to drug addiction or become entangled in drug trafficking networks. The gravity of the situation is not lost on the community. Cleveland has a unique nonprofit organization called Cleveland Missing, founded by Sylvia Colon and her cousin Gina DeJesus. The organization is dedicated to supporting families of missing persons, aiding in search efforts, and providing emotional assistance. Their work is informed by personal experience, as Gina herself was abducted by Ariel Castro in 2004 at the age of 14.

Every family’s experience is unique, yet they often share similar emotions and questions. The initial disbelief and blame eventually give way to an overwhelming sense of uncertainty and the ongoing search for answers. Cleveland Missing strives to offer solace and guidance throughout this trying journey.

Cleveland Missing can be contacted at 2937 West 25th St. in Cleveland or reached by phone at 216-232-6470.

California Officials Probing Influx of Migrants in Sacramento

CHICAGO, IL- The “Prajapati Parivar of USA” is excited to announce their first-ever event in the United States, the ‘Sneh Milan Year 2023,’ which will be held at the Ashyana Banquet in Downers Grove, Illinois. I had the opportunity to speak with the officials of “Prajapati Parivar of USA,” who informed me that they are expecting an impressive turnout of around 700 to 800 members from across the entire USA. The primary objective of this gathering is to unite the entire Prajapati community. On July 29 and 30, attendees will have the chance to get acquainted with one another during the Saneh Milan event. The organizers have planned a variety of activities to make this event memorable. One of the highlights is the ‘Hasya Program,’ which promises to provide entertainment and laughter for all. Additionally, there will be a lively Raas Garba performance, a Deep Pragatya ceremony to illuminate the gathering, and an exhibition showcasing the talents of the Prajapati kids.

MADISON, WI- The Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has announced the introduction of new driver’s licenses and identification (ID) cards with enhanced security features. These new cards have been designed to be more resistant to fraud and counterfeiting. Here are the key features of the new cards:

• Beautiful, artistic, hard-to-replicate designs: The cards now showcase handcrafted artwork of prominent Wisconsin landmarks such as the Wisconsin State Capitol and state flag. These unique designs are woven throughout the card, making it more secure and personalized.

• Transparent windows: The new cards incorporate transparent windows on the right edge and back bottom edge. The advanced manufacturing process enables the clear ribbon to flow seamlessly off the card’s edge, integrating it with the cardholder data.

Wisconsin is the first state to introduce this innovative security feature.

• Distinct ‘flipping effect’: Above the ribbon, there is an embossed feature on the card. When the card is angled in a particular way, a secondary photo becomes visible. At another angle, the month and year of birth can be seen. This unique feature is difficult to duplicate or counterfeit, enhancing the card’s security.

• Orange DONOR dot: For individuals participating in the organ donation registry, the familiar orange dot now resides within a larger sugar maple leaf that can be felt. This helps to easily identify those who are registered as organ donors.

• Vertical format for individuals under age 21: The cards for individuals under the age of 21 continue to have a vertical format. They also incorporate blue/red color themes for rapid visual recognition. On the other hand, cards for individuals over the age of 21 have a horizontal format with a blue/gold theme.

SACRAMENTO, CA- Sixteen migrants from Venezuela and Colombia were transported by a private chartered jet to California and left outside a church in Sacramento. Officials accused a contractor for a Florida program of luring the migrants from a Texas migrant center with false promises of jobs in California.

The migrants had been approached in broken Spanish and asked to sign documents, but not all understood the destination or signed. The incident resembled a tactic used by Republican governors to protest President Biden’s immigration policies. California’s attorney general is investigating the episode and pledged to pursue possible criminal or civil charges. The migrants met with California officials who promised to assist them. The migrants had been offered help securing jobs and other necessities but were dropped off in Sacramento without proper information or support. Several nonprofit organizations in Sacramento have been assisting the migrants.

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Missing kids between May 2 and May 16

U.S. Border Patrol Urges Migrants: Don't Swim Across U.S./Mexico Maritime Boundary Line

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IMPERIAL BEACH, CA – U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) agents at the Imperial Beach Station have reported an increase in migrants illegally entering the United States by swimming through the Pacific Ocean. In May alone, there were five recorded incidents involving migrants swimming across the maritime boundary line. During these events, seven migrants were apprehended, while nine managed to swim back to Mexico before being caught.

The first incident occurred on May 3 when a scope operator observed five swimmers heading north along the Imperial Beach coastline. The U.S. Coast Guard responded, but the swimmers turned back upon realizing they had been spotted and swam back into Mexican waters.

On May 21, a swimmer was observed crossing the U.S./Mexico maritime boundary line approximately one mile offshore. Border Patrol agents searched for and apprehended the individual. Another incident took place on May 24 when a Remote Video Surveillance System operator detected two swimmers crossing the maritime boundary line about 200 yards off the coast. Despite

the response from the U.S. Coast Guard, the swimmers managed to swim back to Mexico.

Lastly, on May 25, two separate smuggling attempts occurred before sunrise. In the first event, a group of six swimmers was detected crossing the maritime boundary line. Later, the group was found on the shore about three miles north of the border. Four of the six swimmers were apprehended, while the other two returned to Mexico. The second event involved two swimmers detected by camera operators from the Joint Harbor

New Survey Says Indian American Voters in US Lean Democratic

Operations Center (JHOC). A Border Patrol unit responded and apprehended the two subjects who were found hiding in the rocks on the beach. To address transnational maritime threats along the Southern California coast, the U.S. Border Patrol collaborates with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies through the Regional Coordinating Mechanism (ReCoM). The ReCoM’s mission is to enhance homeland security by combating transnational crime along the coast. The JHOC serves as the tactical command center for the

ReCoM and is located in San Diego. All apprehended individuals were taken to the Imperial Beach Border Patrol Station for processing, and fortunately, no injuries were reported. Swimming has historically been a dangerous method of illegal entry into the United States. Migrants are exposed to the harsh forces and dangers of the ocean, putting their lives at risk. Smugglers often mislead migrants into believing that the journey will be short and easy, disregarding their physical condition and swimming abilities. Migrants usually swim at night to avoid detection, but this poses additional risks as the temperature drops, the water becomes frigid and rough, and dangerous rip currents are present along the coast near the border. San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke emphasizes the extreme danger of swimming across the maritime boundary line, stating that smugglers show no regard for the lives they endanger. He urges migrants not to expose themselves or their families to the perils of the Pacific Ocean. If you have any information about maritime smuggling or notice suspicious activity along the California coast, please contact the JHOC at 1-800-854-9834.

George Abraham, IOC USA Vice Chairman, Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

55 years in the U.S. and has remained dedicated to the ideals of the Congress Party.

A Pew Research Survey conducted from July 2022 to January 2023 finds out that Asian voters are more likely to affiliate with the Democratic Party. The survey revealed that that two-thirds of all registered voters who are Filipino (68%), Indian (68%) or Korean (67%) identify as Democrats. The survey also says that about six-in-ten Asian American registered voters (62%) identify as Democrats or lean to the Democratic Party, and 34% are Republicans. Indian Americans leaning towards Democrats is a phenomenon that has been talked about in the past too, and the new research confirms that the trend may be continuing. The survey also points out that the younger Asian registered voters are more likely than

older ones to tilt Democratic. 88% of those under 30 identify with or lean to the Democratic Party, compared with 67% of those ages 30 to 49, 51% of those 50 to 64 and 48% of those 65 and older. Interestingly, Asian registered voters born in the US are more likely than those who immigrated to the country to affiliate with the Democratic Party.

The majority of Asian American eligible voters (56%) live in just five states. The state with the highest share is California, which is home to 4.3 million Asian eligible voters – accounting for about a third (32%) of the total Asian eligible voter population.

The state with the second-largest share of Asian American eligible voters is New York (1.1 million), followed by Texas (960,000), Hawaii (575,000) and New Jersey (545,000).

George Abraham, Vice Chair of the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) and a co-founder of the Congress organization in America 25 years ago, was honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by Rahul Gandhi. The award ceremony took place at the IOC reception held in New York on June 3, preceding Rahul Gandhi's public meeting on June 4. The announcement of this remarkable recognition was made by Sam Pitroda, the IOC Global Chair, and was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience comprising over 300 party supporters. Abraham, who has been associated with the Congress Party since his school days, expressed immense pride upon receiving the award. He has maintained his Indian citizenship throughout his

Abraham's commitment to fostering a strong bond between the Congress Party and the Indian diaspora in the U.S. has been unwavering. He warmly extended hospitality to visiting Congress leaders, forging connections and building support for the party. In the late 90s, Abraham collaborated with fellow individuals from Kerala to establish an organization initially named the "Indian Overseas Congress," which later grew into a national organization known as the Indian National Overseas Congress (INOC). The organization was inaugurated by Sonia Gandhi during her visit to the U.S. in 2001. Subsequently, with the creation of an Overseas Congress Department under the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and the appointment of Sam Pitroda as Chairman, the organization reverted to its original name, IOC. Notably, George Abraham's contributions extend beyond his political involvement. He retired as the Chief Technology Officer at the United Nations, adding to his distinguished career. The Lifetime Achievement Award serves as a testament to his exceptional vision, unwavering dedication, and tireless efforts in advancing the ideals of the Congress Party. The acknowledgment of his accomplishments highlights his significant role in strengthening the relationship between the Indian diaspora in the U.S. and the Congress Party.

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Lona & George Abraham

Philadelphia CBP Officers Seize Nearly $15M In Counterfeit Currency

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – In May 2023,

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Philadelphia seized approximately $15 million in counterfeit currency, which could have been used to fund illegal activities and harm victims in financial fraud cases. The counterfeit currency closely resembled genuine U.S. currency, posing a threat to unsuspecting sellers and small businesses during fraudulent transactions.

The CBP officers made four significant seizures during the month. On May 26, they confiscated two shipments, each containing $1,804,800 of counterfeit currency. Prior to that, on May 5 and May 2, they seized $7,795,680 and $2,962,880 of counterfeit currency, respectively.

The seized currency was handed over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Secret Service agents in Philadelphia, who coordinated with their counterparts in Chicago to conduct an investigation. Counterfeiting currency is a highly profitable venture often used to finance illegal activities such as financial fraud, drug smuggling, terrorism, and attacks on the nation’s financial systems, according to the U.S. Secret Service.

To protect themselves from inadvertently receiving counterfeit currency, consumers and businesses are advised to learn how to quickly identify genuine Federal Reserve notes.

CBP is dedicated to collaborating with law enforcement partners to combat illicit activities that target vulnerable individuals, including seniors and small business owners, as well as the overall security of the U.S. economic system.

CBP plays a crucial role in ensuring

2 Indians arrested for swindling $80k from elderly woman in US

border security at Ports of Entry through the efforts of CBP officers and agriculture specialists from the Office of Field Operations. They screen international travelers and cargo, searching for illicit drugs, undeclared currency, weapons, counterfeit goods, prohibited agriculture, invasive pests, and other illicit items that could harm the American public, businesses, and the nation’s safety and economic wellbeing.

Rahul Gandhi Inspires Unity Among Indian Diaspora in New York

During a gathering of around 4,000 attendees at the Javits Center in New York, Rahul Gandhi delivered a powerful speech, highlighting the need to build a modern India based on love and affection rather than anger and hatred. Drawing a parallel between Mahatma Gandhi and Nathuram Godse, he portrayed the former as a symbol of modernity, forward-thinking, and open-mindedness, while depicting the latter as consumed by anger and unable to cope with life's challenges.

Gandhi criticized the RSS and BJP, accusing them of dwelling in the past and constantly blaming others instead of looking towards the future. He emphasized the importance of addressing issues like youth unemployment and fostering strong partnerships with countries such as the United States to effectively tackle the challenges posed by China. Furthermore, he underscored the significance of embracing advancements in mobility, data and connectivity, and the energy sector.

Expressing his concern over what he perceived as a comprehensive assault on India's democratic institutions, including the judiciary and media, Gandhi asserted that such attacks represented an assault on the fundamental idea of India itself. He stressed the need to defend the constitution and democracy, advocating for an India where love and mutual

of dwelling in the past and constantly blaming others instead of looking towards the future

respect prevail.

The event commenced with George Abraham, Vice-Chairman of the IOCUSA, lauding Rahul Gandhi as a beacon of courage for fearlessly speaking out despite threats and intimidation.

Mohinder Singh Gilzian, President of the IOCUSA, praised Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra (India Unite Journey) for inspiring millions and bridging communal divides. Sam Pitroda, the global chairman, addressed concerns regarding attempts to eliminate scientific teachings in education and

emphasized the necessity of working diligently towards a better future. Pradeep Samala, General Convenor of the meeting, expressed gratitude towards Rahul Gandhi, other esteemed guests, IOC officials, and volunteers for their invaluable contributions. Congress leaders from India also delivered speeches at the event, and Dilip Chouhan, the Deputy Commissioner of New York City, addressed the gathering. Numerous IOC leaders and Sophia Sharma, General Secretary of IOCUSA, were in attendance as well.

In summary, Rahul Gandhi's address in New York emphasized the importance of building a modern India rooted in love, affection, and forwardthinking. His speech resonated with the audience, inspiring unity and a renewed commitment to Indian values.

Ocala, Florida - Parth Patel (33) and Jayarami Kuruguntla (25), both Indian nationals, have been apprehended and charged for swindling $80,000 from a 69-year-old woman in a telephone scam. The incident occurred on May 23 when the victim received a deceptive message on her iPad, purportedly from her bank, indicating a security breach. Unaware of the fraud, she dialed the provided phone number and was connected to an imposter posing as a representative of her financial institution. The scammer, feigning authority, informed the victim that she was implicated in a child pornography case and demanded $30,000 to resolve the matter. To convince her further, the scammer redirected her to various illegitimate departments, including her bank, the Federal Communication Commission, and the Department of Treasury.

Driven by fear of arrest, the victim complied and withdrew the specified sum from her bank, following the scammer's instructions to transfer the funds to a cryptocurrency account using a Bitcoin ATM at a gas station. Disturbingly, the ordeal did not conclude there. The following day, the scammer demanded an additional $50,000 from the victim. Fearing for her safety, the victim refused to transfer the money as directed, leading the scammer to arrange for an individual to visit her residence for the collection.

A person described as an "Indian male" arrived at the victim's home in a car, where she handed over the money. Feeling threatened and alarmed, she promptly reported the incident to the police, expressing concern for her life. The scammer subsequently informed her that she would receive further contact the following day. Taking action, detectives stationed themselves near the victim's residence on May 25, and upon receiving notification of the scammer's call, they initiated a traffic stop when a vehicle arrived and parked outside the victim's house.

The occupants of the car were identified as Parth Patel and Jayarami Kuruguntla. Following their apprehension, both individuals were charged with multiple offenses related to organized fraud and larceny. Detectives recommended that they be held without bond, citing concerns regarding their potential access to significant funds through scamming activities and the possibility of flight. Despite the request, Patel and Kuruguntla managed to secure bail and were subsequently released from jail. The investigation into the phone scam remains ongoing, with the possibility of further legal action being taken against the suspects in the future.

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One of the four shipments of counterfeit currency that CBP officers seized during May

Gandhi criticized the RSS and BJP, accusing them

Top wrestlers agree to suspend protest till June 15 on government's request

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The protesting wrestlers on Wednesday agreed to suspend their protest for a week after the government asked them to wait till police completes its probe into sexual harassment allegations against WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh by June 15.

The wrestlers, after a nearly five-hour meeting with Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, said the government has also assured them that the police will withdraw the FIRs filed against them. The wrestlers were booked for violation of law and order on May 28 when they marched towards the new Parliament building without permission to hold 'Mahila Samman Mahapachayat'.

The meeting was attended by Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik,

WTC Final: It was short-sighted to drop Ravi Ashwin

The Delhi Police will withdraw FIRs filed against wrestlers on May 28, says Sakshi Malik

her husband Satyawart Kadiyan and Jitender Kinha.

Double world medallist Vinesh Phogat, a prominent face of the protest against

India wins silver in men's Rapid Fire Pistol team event

WFI chief, skipped the meet. "We were told that police investigation will be complete by June 15. Till then, we have been asked to wait and suspend the protest," Sakshi Malik told reporters after the meeting. "The Delhi police will also withdraw the FIRs filed against the wrestlers lodged on May 28," she added.

Lionel Messi to join Inter Miami after

PSG exit

Messi's move to MLS is expected to drive viewers to the Apple TV streaming platform, as the world's most recognisable soccer player

Should the deal with Miami go through, the 35-year-old Argentine will play outside Europe for the first time since he joined Barca's academy at the age of 13 and became the Spanish club's all-time record goalscorer with 672 goals.

The Oval (London) June 7 (IANS)

To omit the highest-ranked bowler in Test cricket from the playing XI is a big call. India took this major decision on Wednesday in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia by excluding offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin from the starting XI.

It is not merely his ranking, but the fact that Ashwin is an all-wicket exponent and therefore potent even on pitches favouring faster bowlers. India selected a side virtually for the first session of the match. The weather forecast was sunshine for the greater part of the game. Indeed, the second hour of the opening morning was sunny; and easier for batting than at the start of the Australian innings.

Once you win the toss with four quick bowlers in your pick, inserting the opposition is a no-brainer. Predictably, that is what Indian captain Rohit Sharma did. The Indians perhaps got carried away by the grass on the pitch and the temporarily overcast sky. Such conditions can be deceptive. While the track undoubtedly looked green, it was dry and there was no residual moisture underneath. This was because London, after a wet spring, hasn't experienced much rain in the past 2-3 weeks.

Lionel Messi will snub a lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia and move to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami as a free agent after parting ways with French champion Paris St Germain, the BBC reported on Wednesday.

Messi, who played his final game for PSG over the weekend, was also linked with a return to Barcelona but the Spanish club have had their hands tied due to LaLiga's financial fair play rules.

Messi had wanted to go to a club where he could eventually have an ownership stake, a source with knowledge of the negotiations told Reuters this week. He also wanted to maximise his existing deal with Adidas and MLS's relationship with Apple.

MLS earns a flat fee of about $200 million per year from Apple until it reach a certain threshold of subscriptions, after which point they will earn a share of the revenue from those subscriptions.

Suhl (Germany): (IANS) The Indian trio of Sameer, Rajkanwar Singh Sandhu and Jatin won the team silver in the mens 25m Rapid Fire Pistol (RFP) event on the penultimate day of the ISSF Junior World Cup, here on Wednesday. Sameer also won the individual silver in the event while Mahesh Anandakumar bagged the bronze as France's Yan Chesnel clinched the gold.

Pakistan Refuses to Play in Ahmedabad, Except for World Cup Final - Report

The Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Najam Sethi has intimated his ICC counterpart Greg Barclay about his apprehensions about playing the World Cup match against arch-rivals India at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, according to sources. As it was reported by PTI initially, PCB wants its matches to be scheduled in Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru. Barclay and ICC General Manager Geoff Allardice were recently in Karachi to seek assurance from PCB boss that they won't demand to play their ODI World Cup matches at a neutral venue since ACC is all set to reject its demand of playing Asia Cup on basis of 'Hybrid Model'.

Indian Chess Federation cancels Canadian Exposure Tour

Chennai: (IANS) The All India Chess Federation has cancelled the Indian team's Canadian Exposure Tour for lack of player confirmations, it is learnt. "The cancellation has nothing to do with the government. Seven out of 12 Indian chess players expressed their inability to be part of the tour and hence, the programme was scrapped," a person in the know of developments told IANS.

"Five male players and two female players had confirmed participation out of the 12," the person added. He refuted the view that the Central government declined to fund the tour programme as AICF is flush with funds.

Cricketer Ruturaj Gaikwad dazzles in a white sherwani as he ties the knot with Utkarsha Pawar

Indian cricketer Ruturaj Gaikwad, who recently played a pivotal role in Chennai Super Kings clinching its 5th IPL title, tied the knot with her long-term girlfriend Utkarsha Pawar on Saturday. Notably, Pawar is also a cricketer from Maharashtra who has represented the state in domestic cricket. Sharing the pictures from the ceremony, Gaikwad wrote: “From the pitch to the altar, our journey begins!”

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Sneakers From Charred Cigarette Butts

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

"Sneakers were specifically chosen as smokers light up cigarettes and after smoking, put it out with their shoes -- it completes a full circle," said Shriya Tripathi, a 2023 graduating student of Textile Design at Pearl Academy, Delhi

She may come across as any other design student, but what makes Shriya Tripathi stand out is her novel idea of making sneakers from discarded cigarette butts. If scaled up, she believes that her idea can help solve one of the biggest crises facing the environment — sustainably using charred cigarette butts, comprising the filter made of a type of plasticised cellulose acetate, that despite having a photodegradable nature continues to stay in the environment, polluting the land, air, and even water.

to bring this product to life,” shared Shriya, who presented her collection Repurposing Cigarette Butts into Usable Textile, at the institute’s annual platform Portfolio recently. Sharing more about her ‘raw material’, Shriya said that the presence of cellulose in cigarette butts makes them an ideal candidate for recycling. Further opening up about the process of making the sneakers, she shared that after chemically reducing the toxicity level and the pungent odour from the cigarette butts, she was left with detoxified cigarette butt

Aries

9th June to 16th June 2023

Ganesha says that this week is going to bring some ups and downs in life for the people of Aries. At the beginning of the week, there will be a possibility of a rift between the members of the family or in the field of work. In such a situation, it would be better not to give importance to small things during this time.

Taurus

Ganesha says that this week the people of Taurus need to be very careful with those people who often conspire to spoil your work. At the beginning of the week, your opponents will be active, so take any step carefully. During this, there will be more workload in the workplace.

Gemini

Ganesha says that the people of the Gemini zodiac will be burdened with work related to the office and home this week. In the process of dealing with this, your alreadymade plans can get spoiled. As a result, irritability will remain in your nature. There can also be a dispute with family members regarding something.

Cancer

zodiac. At the beginning of the week, the tasks planned will be completed on time, due to which you will have tremendous confidence.

Scorpio

Ganesha says that Scorpio people need to pay a lot of attention to both their health and relationships this week. At the beginning of the week, you may come under the grip of seasonal diseases. In such a situation, take special care of your daily routine and food habits.

Sagittarius

Ganesha says that the people of Sagittarius may have to take big decisions related to life this week. Transfer of employed people to an unwanted place or new responsibility in the workplace may make them worried.

Capricorn

Ganesha says that the people of Capricorn may have to put in extra hard work and effort to get success in a particular work this week. At the beginning of the week, your mind will be a little upset due to the hindrance in the planned work.

Aquarius

The student of Textile Design at Pearl Academy, Delhi, who came up with the ingenious idea after seeing a riverside in Himachal Pradesh’s Kasol littered with broken alcohol bottles and charred cigarette butts, said that while she may not be able to stop people from smoking, she can definitely recycle the waste filters into a usable textile and create something worthy. “So, when I realised that cigarettes are not only harmful to human health but also to our environment, I took it upon myself to come up with a solution to constructively use this ubiquitous waste. I discussed this topic with my college mentor, Paridhi Dhanuka, and she was more than happy to let me take this concept ahead. She guided me throughout the research

filaments which were then spun into yarn. “The yarn was then woven into fabric in a table loom. The repurposed textile was finally hand painted in grey colour resembling the smoke produced by cigarettes, and how it slowly fades away in the air,” she told. “People have seen many recycled products in the market, but the repurposing of charred cigarette butts is something which is significantly less heard and known of. To ascertain the viability of the product, I conducted a survey and realised that many of the respondents were concerned about the toxicity and odour of a charred cigarette butt. Their concern was taken care of by explaining to them about the extensive purification,” the 23-yearold explained.

Ganesha says that the people of the Cancer zodiac will get full support of good luck this week. At the beginning of the week, with the help of a dear friend, a long pending work will be completed. Will get to hear some pleasant news from the side of the children. Due to this, the atmosphere of happiness will remain in the house.

Leo

Ganesha says that if the people of the Leo zodiac avoid bringing stubbornness and arrogance in their nature this week, then they can get more benefits and success than they expected.

Virgo

Ganesha says that the people of the Virgo zodiac will get the full support of friends and relatives this week, due to which the planned work will be completed on time.

Libra

Ganesha says that this week has brought auspiciousness and good fortune for the people of the Libra

Ganesha says that the people of Aquarius can see many big changes at the beginning of the week. Some of which may also be unwanted. For example, you can be transferred to an unwanted place or you can get the responsibility of unwanted work.

Pisces

Ganesha says that the people of Pisces should avoid doing distant losses in favor of nearby gains this week. At the beginning of the week, your opponents may try to distract you from your goal. In such a situation, do not take decisions related to your career or business by getting carried away by emotions or by greed, otherwise, you may have to repent later. In the middle of the week, any family-related issue can become a major cause of your concern. Whether it is related to your love life or your family, instead of taking the help of others to solve it, if you try to solve it with your discretion, then you will be saved from the world’s laughter. During this, long or short-distance travel is possible in connection with business. Take care of both your health and your luggage during the journey.

Consuming an unhealthier diet is associated with a lower quality of deep sleep, according to a small-scale study. Deep sleep, the third stage of sleep, repairs and restores necessary functions such as memory, muscle growth, and immunity.

Researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden analysed how junk food affects sleep. Healthy participants consumed an unhealthier as well as a healthier diet in a randomised order.

The study, recently published in the journal Obesity, shows that after eating the junk food, the quality of the participants' deep sleep deteriorated, compared with those who followed the healthier diet.

"Both poor diet and poor sleep increase the risk of several public health conditions," said Jonathan Cedernaes, Associate Professor at

Chilli Takes

Eating junk food linked with reduced deep sleep quality: Study

Uppsala University. A total of 15 healthy normal-weight young men participated in two sessions of the study. Participants were first screened for aspects such as their sleep habits, which had to be normal and within the recommended range of seven to nine hours per night. The participants were randomly given both a healthier diet and an unhealthier diet. The two diets contained the same number of calories, adjusted to each individual's daily requirements. Among other things, the unhealthier diet contained a higher content of sugar and saturated fat and more processed food items. Each diet was consumed for a week, while the participants' sleep, activity and meal schedules were monitored at an individual level.

"What we saw was that the participants slept for the same amount of time when they consumed the two diets.

This was the case both while they were following the diets, as well as after they had switched to another, identical diet," said Cedernaes. The researchers looked at slow-wave activity, a measure that can reflects how restorative deep sleep is.

"Intriguingly, we saw that deep sleep exhibited less slow-wave activity when the participants had eaten junk food, compared with consumption of healthier food," Cedernaes said. This effect lasted into the second night, once participants switched to an identical diet. Essentially, the unhealthy diet resulted in shallower deep sleep, the scientist said.

Similar changes in sleep occur with aging and in conditions such as insomnia, the researchers said. It can be hypothesised, from a sleep perspective, that greater importance should potentially be attached to diet in such conditions, they added.

Some people eat spicy food almost every day. They love the taste and the tingle, but I often wonder: how is all that heat affecting their body. Eating spicy food can produce a variety of physiological reactions, such as a tingling in the tongue and lips, as well as sweating, said David Julius, who is a physiologist at the University of California, San Francisco in the US.

Sweat: Spicy food lovers are likely to be familiar with one immediate physical reaction — sweating. That’s because some of the spiciest foods contain compounds that bind to nerve receptors along the gastrointestinal tract, including the mouth, which are activatedby heat.

“Capsaicin fools your body into thinking the temperature has risen, and so your brain thinks it needs to shed heat,” Julius said. “In humans, we mostly do that by sweating.”

Gastrointestinal distress: Eating spicy food in moderation is generally safe for people who don’t already have stomach issues. However, it can cause inflammation to the areas that aid digestion and can sometimes lead to heartburn, stomachaches or diarrhoea.

People with gastritis, which occurs when the lining of the stomach is inflamed, may be especially susceptible to increased abdominal pain.

Health benefits: Studies have shown that consuming spicy foods can be associated with some health benefits. One study found that taking a daily supplement of capsaicin (containing the amount in four or five habanero peppers) sped up metabolism, where participants burned the equivalent of an extra 200 calories per day over a 14-week period. In a 2022 study involving more than 6,000 adults, scientists found that chilli intake was linked with a reduction in calcium buildup in the walls of the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart.

The researchers looked at slowwave activity, a measure that can reflects how restorative deep sleep is

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