hi INDiA | May 26, 2023 | The Community First

Prominent Expert: Biden Administration Invites Modi for State Visit, Plays Long Game

The Biden administration has decided to play the long game by inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on an official state visit next month despite some existing challenges in bilateral ties, a prominent expert on India has said. Prime Minister Modi will embark on his first state visit to the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden in June. The US president and the First Lady will also host Modi at a state dinner on June 22.

“It's terrific to see (the prime minister being invited on an official state visit),” Rick Rossow, senior Adviser and Chair in US-India Policy Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies told PTI on Wednesday.

India has been on the hot seat a little bit in Washington, he noted.

“Partially because of its reluctance to take a stronger stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, for a lot of people in Washington, that's become a defining moment. But (for) the Biden administration, it hasn't. They have decided to play the long game,” he said. The Biden administration realises that the strategic importance of this relationship is India's deepening

Russian court extends detention of US journalist

commercial bonds with the US, he said. "The partnership with the US on some of the more dangerous areas amid the rise of China. So, at the top level, this is an indication that despite some challenges and some headwinds we've got on Russia and other things, we're willing to move ahead,” Rossow said.

“India is in the middle of G-20, you just had a QUAD summit.... it's also pretty significant that the leaders are able

Apple strikes major US-made semiconductor deal

to carve out this kind of time to pull something together when they're already seeing each other, on pull asides and such at so many other international forums,” he said. The Biden administration is trying to take the relationship, which has done really well across different administrations in both governments, forward and look for ways to bring it to a new level, both in terms of commercial relations and security relations, Rossow said.

US distances itself from Belgorod incursion into Russia

abandoned or damaged Western military vehicles, including US-made Humvees.

The US insisted it did not "encourage or enable strikes inside of Russia".

Apple says it has struck a multi-billion dollar deal with chipmaker Broadcom to use more US-made parts. Under the multi-year agreement, the two US companies will develop components for 5G devices that will be designed and manufactured in America. Apple says the deal is part of a plan it announced in 2021 to invest $430bn (£346bn) in the US economy. The move comes as a trade row centred on the technology industry intensifies between Washington and Beijing.

US Warns Bangladesh: Visa Restrictions for Election Interference

Russia has extended by three months the pre-trial detention of US journalist Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested in March on espionage charges.

A court ordered that Mr Gershkovich's detention be extended until 30 August, Russia media reports.

US officials have called for the immediate release of the Wall Street Journal correspondent.

The US has distanced itself from an incursion into Russia - which Moscow says ended in the defeat of armed insurgents who entered from Ukraine. Parts of the border region of Belgorod came under attack on Monday, in one of the largest cross-border raids since Russia invaded its neighbour last year. Russia later released pictures of

A state department spokesman acknowledged reports "circulating on social media and elsewhere" that USsupplied weapons had been used, but said his country was "sceptical at this time of the veracity of these reports".

In a news briefing on Tuesday, Matthew Miller added: "it is up to Ukraine to decide how to conduct this war."

Villages in Belgorod near the border were evacuated after coming under fire. Russia says 70 attackers were killed, and has insisted the fighters were Ukrainian.

The US has issued an unprecedented official warning to Bangladesh saying it would restrict visas to anyone involved in preventing a free and fair election in that country. The tough warning issued by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken could apply to thousands of government officials and police officers and anyone who interferes with elections in India’s eastern neighbour. Elections are due in Bangladesh in January 2024. India has always been on extremely good terms with the Sheikh Hasina-led Bangladesh government.

White House: Excitement Level High as Requests for Narendra Modi's State Dinner Invite Flood In

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President Joe Biden receiving a large number of requests to the state dinner he is hosting for Prime Minister Narendra Modi shows the excitement level, the White House has said.

“I think that is a good thing. That shows the excitement of the prime minister being here on June 22,” White House Press Secretary Karine jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference on Tuesday.

She was responding to a question on President Biden receiving a large number of requests from Indian-

A large number of requests from Indian-Americans across his administration, lawmakers and corporate sector leaders seeking an invitation to the much sought after state dinner

Americans across his administration, lawmakers and corporate sector leaders seeking an invitation to the much sought after state dinner he and First Lady Jill Biden are hosting for Modi next month.

“I think that is a good thing, to get those requests. I think that is important and show why it is critical to continue growing that partnership that we have with India,” Jean-Pierre said.

“The president and the first lady looking forward to welcoming Prime Minister Modi for the official state visit, which is as we announced, is going to happen on June 22nd,” she said.

“This will be an opportunity to reaffirm the deep and close partnership between the United States and India, and the warm bonds of family and friendship that link Americans and clearly Indians together,” the press secretary said. “That is very important to the president. The visit will also strengthen our two countries' shared commitment to a free, open, prosperous, and secure IndoPacific and shared resolve to evaluate our strategic technology partnership, including in defense, clean energy, and space,” the official added.

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Concerns rise in Russia over rare border incursion, call to expend more resources

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As attacks by Ukrainian-aligned insurgents in Russian territory stretched into a third day on Wednesday, concerns were rising in Russia that the rare border incursion could create new battlefield problems — and it has increased calls for the military to expend more resources defending against such assaults.

A group composed of anti-Kremlin Russian fighters, the Free Russia Legion, claimed responsibility for the attack that began on Monday, which has produced the most intense fighting on Russian territory since the war began.

The Russian defence ministry said on Tuesday that the attackers had been pushed back across the border into Ukraine. But the violence in the Russian border region, Belgorod, continued

overnight, with “a large number of attacks” by drones and an attack that

Noam Chomsky Criticizes G20 Meet in Occupied Jammu & Kashmir

damaged a gas pipeline and caused a small fire, according to the regional governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov.

Defence Minister: Government Considers Possible Ban on Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja

Asif on Wednesday said the government is mulling a possible ban on Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party following the attacks by his supporters on military installations after the former prime minister's arrest.

On May 9, violent protests erupted after the arrest of 70-year-old Khan by paramilitary Rangers. His party workers vandalised a dozen military installations, including the Lahore Corps

First Arab female astronaut reaches space station

The first female Arab astronaut to go to space has arrived at the International Space Station (ISS).

Rayyanah Barnawi is one of two Saudis on Axiom Space's second private mission, which took off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the US on Sunday. During her scheduled 10 days in orbit on the ISS, the 34-year-old biomedical scientist plans to carry out stem cell and breast cancer research. She hopes to inspire women from all backgrounds in the Middle East. In a video filmed in space before she reached the ISS, she said: "To the people around the world, the future is very bright. I would like you to dream big, believe in yourselves and believe in humanity." Ms Barnawi is joined on Axiom Mission 2 by fellow Saudi mission specialist Ali Alqarni, the second male astronaut from the Gulf kingdom to go to space, and two Americans, commander Peggy Whitson and pilot John Shoffner.

Noam Chomsky

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The G20 delegates wrapped up their three-day tour of Srinagar with a visit to some scenic spots in the city on Wednesday, hours after American academic Noam Chomsky questioned the conscience of the grouping for holding such a meeting in “brutalised” Kashmir.

Commander house, Mianwali airbase and the ISI building in Faisalabad. The Army headquarters in Rawalpindi was also attacked by the mob for the first time. Police put the death toll in violent clashes to 10. Talking to the media here, Asif said that Khan was still reluctant to condemn the attacks by his supporters on military and civilian installations. "A decision (to ban PTI) has not been taken yet, but a review is surely underway,” he told reporters.

UK Tightens Overseas Student Visa Rules for Family Dependents

visas were granted to dependants of sponsored students in the year ending December 2022 – a more than eight-fold increase from 16,000 in 2019. “This package includes: removing the right for international students to bring dependants unless they are on postgraduate courses currently designated as research programmes,” Braverman’s statement notes. Removing the ability for international students to switch out of the student route into work routes before their studies have been completed and reviewing the maintenance requirements for students and dependants are listed among the other new measures.

The UK government on Tuesday announced a new immigration crackdown targeted at overseas students, including Indians, and their visa right to bring dependant family members to the country while enrolled at a British institution.

In a written statement to the House of Commons, UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman said that only international students on postgraduate courses currently designated as research programmes will be allowed to bring in their family members, including children and elderly parents, as their dependants.

The Indian-origin minister said the new package of measures was necessary after it emerged that around 136,000

The minister also pledged steps to clamp down on unscrupulous education agents “who may be supporting inappropriate applications to sell immigration not education”.

Improved and more targeted enforcement activity is also listed within the new package. “The terms of the graduate route remain unchanged... We are committed to attracting the brightest and the best to the UK. Therefore, our intention is to work with universities over the course of the next year to design an alternative approach that ensures that the best and the brightest students can bring dependants to our worldleading universities while continuing to reduce net migration,” she said.

The G20 meeting had started on a controversial note on Monday after three member countries — China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey — and guest country Egypt boycotted the event. It was the first major international event in Kashmir after the 2019 scrapping of its special status.

In a video released on Tuesday night, Chomsky said it was “unconscionable for the G20 to hold any kind of a meeting, let alone a tourism meeting” in Kashmir.

Debating the Ethics of Remote Work: Elon Musk's Lesson

Elon Musk doesn’t like people working from home. A year ago he declared the end of remote work for employees at car maker Tesla. Now he has called the desire of the “laptop classes” to work from home “immoral”.

“You’re gonna work from home and you’re gonna make everyone else who made your car come work in the factory?” he said in an interview on US news network CNBC: It’s a productivity issue, but it’s also a moral issue. People should get off their goddamn moral high horse with that work-from-home bullshit. Because they’re asking everyone else to not work from home while they do. There’s a superficial logic to Musk’s position. But scrutinise it closer and the argument falls apart. While we have a duty to share workload with others, we have no duty to suffer for no reason.

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UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman

Ro Khanna wants Indian PM Modi to address US Congress

PM’s Veiled Dig After Opposition Decides To Boycott New Parliament Opening

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today took a veiled swipe at the opposition for their decision to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building.

The PM arrived in Delhi today after concluding a three-nation visit to Japan, Papua New Guinea and Australia. Referring to his community event in Sydney recently that saw a crowd of over 20,000 people turn up to hear him, PM Modi said that not only the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, was in the audience, but also the country’s former PM and opposition MPs who were together for the sake of their nation.

party. All of them took part in the community event,” the PM said. The PM also slammed the opposition for questioning Centre for exporting Covid vaccine to foreign countries during the peak of the pandemic.

the land of Gandhi! We care even for our enemies, we are the people inspired by compassion!” PM Modi said.

The new parliament building will be inaugurated by the PM on Sunday, however, the event will see nearly zero representation from the opposition. As many as 20 parties have announced that they will be boycotting the inauguration.

Congressman Ro Khanna is hopeful that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would address a joint meeting of the US Congress. Ro Khanna wrote to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy urging him to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a joint meeting.

Khanna along with Michael Waltz, a Republican, also met the house speaker on Wednesday. Modi will be travelling to Washington DC on June 22 for a state visit.

It may be noted that PM Modi had addressed the US Congress during his visit back in 2016.

India-born Attorney Named California Superior Court Judge

“The former Prime Minister was also present in that function. There were MPs from the opposition and the ruling

“In times of crises, they asked why Modi was giving vaccines to the world. Remember, it’s the land of Buddha, it’s

NYC Mayor honours India-born woman for promoting cultural literacy

Sehgal, founder and president of The Culture Tree, was honoured on Tuesday at the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Reception 2023 in New York, which was attended by 800 prominent members of the diaspora and Asian communities.

“We’re applauding you for your effort to foster cross-cultural exchange while uniting our vibrant South Asian community together, we look forward to the many ways you have helped the AAPI New Yorkers and you will continue to make a positive difference,” Mayor Adams said.

“Prime Minister Modi’s decision to inaugurate the new parliament building by himself, completely sidelining President Murmu, is not only a grave insult but a direct assault on our democracy... This undignified act insults the high office of the President and violates the letter and spirit of the constitution. It undermines the spirit of inclusion which saw the nation celebrate its first woman Adivasi President,” the opposition parties said in a statement.

MK Stalin Writes to Amit Shah Over AmulAavin Milk Row

New York: (IANS) An IndianAmerican attorney is among 27 new superior court judge appointees announced by California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Sweena Pannu, a Democrat, who will serve as a Judge in the Stanislaus County Superior Court, fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Thomas D. Zeff.

The compensation for each of these 27 positions is $231,174, according to a press release from the Governor’s office. Pannu has served as a Deputy County Counsel in the Stanislaus County Counsel’s Office since 2020. From 2006-2020, she served as a Deputy Public Defender at the Stanislaus County Public Defender’s Office. She was an attorney at ML SARIN from 1996 to 2004, and earned a Master of Laws degree from the University of Aberdeen School of Law after graduating from Punjab University.

Anu Sehgal

New York: (IANS) India-born entrepreneur and author Anu Sehgal has been honoured by New York City Mayor Eric Adams for promoting South Asian cultural literacy in the US.

The Mayor added that he is pleased to recognise the accomplishments of Sehgal, “a proud Indian-American who has strengthened New York for nearly two decades”.

The Meerut-born author has lived in America for over two decades, having moved to New York from Delhi in 1995, post her graduation.

Indians Should Not Suffer From “Slave Mentality”: PM After 3-Nation Tour

World leaders know that what he says is the voice of the 140 crore people of India, the prime minister added. India, he said, faces the challenges of strengthening its roots while also working its way to a new high as the world expects it to.

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to direct Gujarat-based dairy giant Amul to desist from milk procurement in the southern state with immediate effect. Writing to Mr Shah, Mr Stalin drew the Centre’s attention to the issues arising out of milk procurement by the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union (Amul) in the Tamil Nadu milk shed area.

Former Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain Collapses in Tihar Jail

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asserted that he used every moment during his six-day tour across three countries for India’s good as BJP workers and supporters accorded him a warm welcome on his return. Addressing people who had gathered to welcome him outside the Palam airport here, PM Modi said he speaks confidently of India and its people’s strengths abroad and the world listens because people here elected a majority government.

“Challenges are big. But it is in my nature to challenge the challenges,” the prime minister said, exuding confidence in front of a cheering crowd that his government will succeed in meeting these expectations in time.

Global expectations from the country have been rising, he added.

PM Modi spoke about the respect accorded by the people of Pacific island countries during the visit, and said they were thankful to India for the COVID-19 vaccines sent to them during the pandemic. Taking a swipe at his critics, the prime minister said they questioned him for sending the vaccines.

AAP leader and former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain, who has been in Tihar Jail since May last year, was hospitalised and put on oxygen support on Thursday after he collapsed at the prison due to dizziness, the party said.

The Aam Aadmi Party said Jain was first admitted to the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital and later, shifted to the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital due to breathing problems.

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Sweena Pannu

Congressman Ro Khanna Zofeen Maqsood

PM's Announcement: Fulfilling Indian Community's Demand in Brisbane

Aus city's newly-elected Indian-origin Mayor to meet PM Modi: Report

Just hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's touch down in Australia, the City of Parramatta in western Sydney elected its first Indian-origin Lord Mayor on Monday.

Indian community at the Qudos Bank Arena Stadium.

UK's Coventry gets its 1st Indian-origin turbanwearing Lord Mayor

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced that India will open a consulate in Brisbane to actualise the long-pending demand by the diaspora.

PM Modi made the announcement while addressing a packed stadium at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena. It was attended by his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese.

India currently has three consulates in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Brisbane currently has an Honorary Consulate of India.

"A new Indian Consulate will be opened soon in Brisbane," said PM Modi.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2016 census, 619,164 people in Australia declared that they were of ethnic Indian ancestry. This comprises 2.8 per cent of the Australian population. Among those, 592,000 were born in India.

"An absolute delight connecting with Indian diaspora at community programme," PM Modi said.

Melbourne: (IANS) Just hours before

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's touch down in Australia, the City of Parramatta in western Sydney elected its first Indian-origin Lord Mayor on Monday.

Councillor Sameer Pandey, who was first elected to City of Parramatta Council in September 2017, has been serving as Deputy Lord Mayor since January 2022.

"Parramatta is home to a vibrant and diverse community and I'm excited to lead the City as it cements itself as Sydney's second CBD and the focus of some of its most exciting opportunities," Pandey said in a statement.

He will reportedly meet Modi in Sydney, where the Prime Minister will address more than 20,000 members of the

According to a Daily Telegraph report, Pandey will "discuss the 'Little India' precinct" at Harris Park, a suburb in Sydney, which has 45 per cent of its residents tracing their roots to India, and is home to many popular small and medium Indian businesses.

The Sydney precinct is reportedly on its way to be officially known as 'Little India' after the Indian community ramped up its efforts for the name change ahead of Modi's visit.

The Parramatta Council voted last month to support a scaled-back proposal, which will see Marion Street, Wigram Street, and Station Street East in Harris Park named as 'Little India'. The Council's earlier attempts hit a roadblock after Australia's Geographic Names Board (GNB) told Parramatta Council to stop using the term in marketing material because it "creates confusion". Parramatta City councillor Paul Noack told SBS News that he expects the name to be official by the end of this year. The Parramatta Council has also formally extended an invitation to Modi to visit Harris Park this time.

Diaspora wants India-Australia ties to grow stronger: Ex-Consul General

The eight lakh-plus strong Indian diaspora in Australia wants the bilateral relationship to grow stronger and has no major expectations from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to the country after eight years, says India's former consulate-General to Sydney.

of India to Sydney from 2009 to 2012, told IANS.

"A transformation in the relationship occurred during the Prime Minister's first visit and since then, all we have seen is a rapid growth in the bilateral relationship cutting across multiple verticals."

In 2014, Modi became the first Indian prime minister to visit Australia after Rajiv Gandhi, where he addressed 20,000 people at the Sydney SuperDome at Olympic Park and said that in coming years more Indian leaders would be visiting Down Under.

An Indian-origin Sikh councillor has made history after being appointed as the new Lord Mayor of Coventry, a city in the West Midlands, England. As a Lord Mayor, Punjab-born Jaswant Singh Birdi will be the Chairman of the City Council, and as Coventry's first citizen, he will be the nonpolitical, ceremonial head of the city. "I am so proud to become Lord Mayor of my adopted home city. It has given so much to myself and my family over the years and I will be honoured to show why I love it so much and to promote the city and the wonderful people who live here," Birdi said in a statement. Birdi was presented with the Chains of Office, worn as an official regalia by the Mayor, at an annual general meeting of Coventry Cathedral last week.

Indian-origin woman jailed for delivering cash, drugs in UK

New Delhi: (IANS) The eight lakh-plus strong Indian diaspora in Australia wants the bilateral relationship to grow stronger and has no major expectations from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to the country after eight years, says India's former consulate-General to Sydney.

After attending key multilateral summits as part of his threenation tour, Modi will land in Australia on May 23 to address more than 20,000 members of the Indian community at the Qudos Bank Arena Stadium in Sydney.

"There are no major expectations that the diaspora has from the visit, apart from seeing the bilateral relationship grow stronger. They feel a sense of pride at the honour bestowed on the prime minister by the Australian side," Amit Dasgupta, Consul-General

"The prime minister's visit is a significant event, especially because he ensures special time in his schedule for interaction with the diaspora, and demonstrates, thereby, the importance he attaches to them," Dasgupta, the Honorary Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia, said.

The visit comes at a crucial juncture when the Indian community faces the brunt of rising Khalistani extremism with their temples and establishments targeted and vandalised with anti-India graffiti. While India has time and again registered a strong protest with the Australian government asking it to take swift action and bring perpetrators to the book, the attacks have continued, most recently with vandals attacking the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple with "declare Modi terrorist" graffiti.

London,: (IANS) A 41-year-old Indianorigin woman from London has been sentenced to more than four years in prison for acting as a money and drug courier for a Buckinghamshire-based organised crime group. Mandeep Kaur of Pocklington Close, London, was arrested in June 2020 with 50,000 pounds in cash, following an investigation by the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU). She was found guilty last week by a majority jury of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and a unanimous jury of conspiracy to possess criminal property at Aylesbury Crown Court, following a two-week trial. The court heard that Kaur, who is said to have delivered a kilo of cocaine three days before her arrest, had undertaken a number of journeys for a criminal group who were responsible for supplying cocaine across the country.

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Jaswant Singh Birdi

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Will not allow anyone to take law into their hands, says K'taka DYCM Shivakumar

Bengaluru: (IANS) In an apparant dig at former CM Basavaraj Bommai's statements supporting saffronisation of police force and moral policing, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday asserted that his government will not allow anyone to take law into their hands. While interacting with reporters at Vidhana Soudha here, Shivakumar said, "The former Chief Minister had stated why not saffronisation? Why not moral policing? But we will not allow anyone to take law into their hands."

"Be it a Congressman or any other political party worker, no one should take law into their hands. The law should be protected by police. What I mentioned yesterday (in the meeting of police officers) was, at three or four places, the entire staff of the police department had worn clothes representing political agenda instead of uniform and posed for photographs. This is not what the Constitution says

YSR Congress to attend inauguration of new Parliament building

Amaravati, :(IANS)

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) led by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy will not join the Opposition parties in boycotting the inauguration of the new Parliament building. Sources in YSRCP confirmed that the party MPs will attend the inaugural event.YSRCP parliamentary party leader V. Vijayasai Reddy and party MPs will attend the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28.

and this is not according to the law. Police department has a big image in Karnataka," Shivakumar explained. He, however, refused to comment on a statement by former Home Minister Araga Janendra that he has started dominating over the police officers. "People have given Araga Janendra and his government a befitting answer in the elections. I don't have time to reply to his statements," he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister recalled that cabinet minister Priyaka Kharge, who holds a big position in the party, was

summoned when he raised the issue of corruption. "How many people are summoned? Why not others? Was he targetted because he is a Dalit? Congress MLA? The police have to work as per law, country comes first," Shivakumar stated.

Shivakumar, on Tuesday, rapped Karnataka police officials and questioned them that they are trying to saffronize the state police department. "Are you all set to saffronise the police department? We will not allow it under our government," he asserted. "We know how police officers came to the police station wearing saffron shawls in Mangaluru, Bijapur (Vijayapura), Bagalkot and insulted the department," he said. "You should have come to this meeting wearing a saffron shawl," Shivakumar taunted the police officers. If it was to be patriotism, then they should have come to work wearing the nation flag. "We will not allow saffronisation of the police department," Shivakumar reiterated.

'Kalaignar' Karunanidhi architect of modern Tamil Nadu, says Stalin

the government's centenary celebrations of the late Karunanidhi, Stalin said that Karunanidhi had introduced numerous welfare schemes in the state with a visionary approach and hence the yearlong birth centenary should focus on reminding people of his initiatives.

Gold valued over Rs 1.81 cr seized at Hyderabad Airport

Chennai: (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday termed his father and former Chief Minister, the late 'Kalaignar' Karunanidhi the architect of modern Tamil Nadu.

In his address at a consultative meeting of

The Chief Minister said that Kalaignar was Chief Minister for five terms and was a legislator for 13 terms. He said that Karunanidhi was not only a tall leader from the state but also decided the political direction of the country and was instrumental in several leaders emerging as Prime Ministers. Stalin said that social reforms, development, and equality were the main focus of the rule of Karunanidhi and called upon the officials and people to remind of his welfare activities.

Kerala Police registers 133 cases of child pornography, arrest 8

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Thiruvananthapuram, May 22 (IANS)

The Kerala Police's special wing probing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on Monday said they have arrested eight persons and registered 133 cases after 449 suspect locations were identified and raided across the state.

The special probe team probing these cases have named it 'P-Hunt' and the raids were conducted on Sunday. In a statement issued here on Monday night, the Kerala Police said the information collected was passed on to 449 teams under the district police chiefs, having members of cyber cells, technical experts, and women. "The raids were highly successful and as a part of the operation, the teams were able to seize 212 devices - which include mobile phones, modems, hard disks,

memory cards, laptops, computers etc with graphic and illegal videos and pictures of children, and register 133 cases, under Section 67 B of IT Act. The distressing part of the same is that many of the videos/pictures appear to be of local children, ranging in age group of 5 years to 16 years," it said.

"Based on the recovery of the devices with the CSAM material, eight arrests

were made and which includes youth working in good professional jobs and most of them are IT savvy, which is the reason why they were using all kinds of encrypted handles to upload and download the material. Some are suspected to be involved in the trafficking of children also, as there are many chats to this effect in their devices. The details of rest of the people involved in circulating these images and videos are being further collected. Strong action will be taken against all the individuals involved in this racket, continuing our policy of zero tolerance in these matters," the statement added. According to the current law, viewing, distributing or storing of any child pornographic content is a criminal offence that can result in, up to five years imprisonment and up to Rs 10 lakh fine.

Hyderabad: Customs officials at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad seized gold valued at over Rs 1.81 crore from a passenger who had arrived from Dubai on Wednesday. Acting on specific information, the Air Intelligence unit of Hyderabad Customs, RGIA intercepted a male passenger who arrived from Dubai on Emirates flight EK-524 at 3 a.m. On checking the person and baggage, Customs officials found an emergency light. On thorough checking of the emergency light, gold in the shape of a battery having the weight of 2,915 grams was found to be concealed in the battery portion of the emergency light.

Tension prevails in Madannapet over funeral rituals of Muslim woman

Tension prevailed for some time at Darab Jung colony, Madannapet over the performance of the funeral rituals of an elderly woman. The police said that the elderly woman was staying with her daughter for the last 12 years and she was being taken care of by her daughter who had converted to Islam 20 years back. The daughter has claimed that her mother had also accepted Islam and had asked her to perform the last rites as per Islam. She showed a video to police where her mother was reciting ‘kalma’ and accepting Islam. However, the grandchildren of the elderly woman who continue to practice Hinduism objected to the last rites as per Islamic rituals and demanded the dead body be handed to them to perform her last rites as per Hindu Rituals.

It resulted in tension in the Madannapet area. Heavy police were deployed in the area. DCP Southeast Chennuri Rupesh and other police officials reached the spot and sorted out the issue through dialogue.

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Australia to Open Consul-General in Bangalore, PM Albanese Confirms

19 Opposition Parties to Boycott New Parliament Building Inauguration

Nineteen opposition parties, including the Congress, Left and TMC, on Wednesday collectively announced their decision to boycott the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, terming it as an “undignified act” that insults the high office of the president.

In a joint statement, they said the inauguration of the Parliament building is a momentous occasion but despite our belief that the government is threatening democracy, and our disapproval of the “autocratic manner” in which the new Parliament was built, we were open to sinking our differences and marking this occasion.

“However, Prime Minister Modi’s decision to inaugurate the new

‘PM Modi’s decision to inaugurate the new Parliament building by himself, completely sidelining President Murmu, is not only a grave insult but a direct assault on our democracy which demands a commensurate response’

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday announced that Australia will now open a new Consul-General in Bengaluru this month, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India will open a consulate in Brisbane as part of the efforts of the two countries to enhance bilateral ties. In his media statement after holding talks with Prime Minister Modi here, Prime Minister Albanese said the opening of the new diplomatic mission in Bengaluru will help in connecting the country’s businesses to India’s booming digital and innovation ecosystem.

WHO Warns of Deadlier Potential in Next Pandemic

Indian-Origin Teen Crashes Truck into White House Barrier, Targeting President Biden

Parliament building by himself, completely sidelining President Murmu, is not only a grave insult but a direct assault on our democracy which demands a commensurate response,” the opposition parties said.

The Congress, Trinamool Congress, DMK, Janata Dal (United), AAP, CPI-M, CPI, SP, NCP, SS (UBT), RJD, IUML, JMM, NC, KC (M), RSP, VCK, MDMK, RLD are the signatories of the joint statement. Modi will inaugurate the new Parliament building on May 28 following an invitation by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The opposition parties noted that the President is not only the Head of State in India, but also an integral part of Parliament as she summons, prorogues, and addresses Parliament.

Actor Nitesh Pandey Dies At 50

Geneva: The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, issued a warning that the world must get ready for the next pandemic, which might be “even deadlier” than the COVID-19 pandemic, at a time when COVID cases are somewhat stabilising around the world.

“The end of COVID-19 as a global health emergency is not the end of COVID-19 as a global health threat,” Mr Tedros said.

“The threat of another variant emerging that causes new surges of disease and death remains, and the threat of another pathogen emerging with even deadlier potential remains.”

The head of the WHO said this as he presented his report to the 76th World Health Assembly. Furthermore, in the face of overlapping and converging crises, “pandemics are far from the only threat we face”, he added, underscoring the need for effective global mechanisms that address and respond to emergencies of all kinds.

A 19-year-old Indian-origin teen accused of deliberately crashing a rented U-Haul truck into a White House barrier told authorities that he wanted to get inside the mansion to “seize power” and “kill” US President Joe Biden, according to media reports. US Park Police arrested Sai Varshith Kandula after he crashed the truck into the security barriers on the north side of Lafayette Park shortly before 10 pm on Monday, sending multiple pedestrians running from the scene, The Washington Times reported. The crash was a good distance from the White House gates, but the incident prompted road and sidewalk closures, and the nearby Hay-Adams hotel had to be evacuated. No one was

injured in the crash.

Kandula, of Chesterfield, Missouri, rented the truck on Monday night immediately after flying from St Louis to Dulles International Airport on a oneway ticket, a Secret Service agent said in a statement of facts filed in federal district court in Washington DC, NBC News reported.

He drove the vehicle onto a sidewalk outside the White House and into a metal barrier just north of the White House, according to the document. Kandula put the truck in reverse and crashed into the barrier a second time before United States Park Police officers took him into custody, according to the document.

New Delhi: Popular actor Nitesh Pandey was found dead at a hotel in Igatpuri near Nashik in Maharshtra. He was 50. Mr Pandey, who was shooting in Igatpuri, appeared to have suffered a heart attack. Police are at the hotel and are investigating - a post-mortem report is awaited. Hotel staff and others close to Nitesh Pandey are being questioned. Nitesh Pandey was best-known for the film Om Shanti Om in which he played the assistant to Shah Rukh Khan’s character.

Nitesh Pandey’s brother-in-law Siddharth Nagar told, “My brother-inlaw is no more. My sister Arpita is in a state of shock,” adding, “We have gone absolutely numb.” Nitesh Pandey “was a very lively person,” Siddharth Nagar said, “I don’t think he had a history of any heart ailment.”

Nitesh Pandey was a familiar face from TV and films. He began as a theatre actor in the 90s and then played a detective in a short-lived TV show called Tejas.

Vinesh Phogat at Jantar Mantar: India wrestlers risk Olympic dream for ‘#MeToo’ protest

Phogat is among a group of India’s most accomplished wrestlers who have been protesting after they accused their federation’s top official of sexual harassment and abuse of female wrestlers. The wrestlers, including Olympic medallists, are demanding the resignation and arrest of the federation’s president, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Mr Singh, who has been questioned by the Delhi Police, has denied the allegations and

called the protests politically motivated. “It’s not a wrestler’s job to speak out. Our job is to train, play and win. But speaking out is our responsibility and we’ll keep at it,” says Malik. For Phogat though, it will still be a hard pill to swallow. “Because we could’ve done it, won that medal,” she says. “We were at our best and not getting to play at our peak will leave us all a little dead inside.”

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India and Australia have announced a migration deal as they aim to strengthen their economic cooperation.

The announcement came after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his counterpart Anthony Albanese in Sydney on Wednesday.

The deal aims to "promote the twoway mobility of students, graduates, academic researchers and business people".

They also discussed regional security amid rising tensions in the region.

India and Australia are part of the four-member Quad group, which also includes Japan and the US.

A scheduled meeting of the group in Sydney was cancelled last week after US President Joe Biden had to return to Washington for debt ceiling talks.

Mr Modi, however, continued his planned visit to Sydney after attending the G7 summit in Japan and travelling to Papua New Guinea.

This is Mr Modi's first visit to Australia since 2014, and comes two months after Mr Albanese visited India in March. Negotiations for the migration agreement had been going on for a couple of years. Australia already has a significant number of people who have migrated from India - census data shows that of more than a million people who moved to Australia since 2016, almost a quarter were from India.

Modi in Australia: Albanese announces migration deal with India

Talented Early Professionals Scheme), which has been "specifically created for India".

On Tuesday, the Indian prime minister said the two countries had also discussed increasing cooperation on mining and critical minerals and made progress in establishing an Australia-India Green Hydrogen Taskforce.

India and Australia are also working towards a comprehensive economic cooperation deal for which negotiations began more than a decade ago.

On Tuesday, thousands of people from the country's Indian diaspora had turned up at one of Sydney's biggest indoor stadiums, where Mr Modi was speaking at a rally.

"The last time I saw someone on this stage was Bruce Springsteen and he did not get the welcome that Prime Minister Modi has got," Mr Albanese said at the event.

India and Australia have announced a migration deal as they aim to strengthen their economic cooperation

India makes cough syrup testing mandatory for exports

According to a statement, the finalised migration agreement will also lead to the creation of a new scheme called MATES (Mobility Arrangement for

Mr Modi called the Indian community in Australia "a living bridge" between the two countries.

"The relationship between India and Australia is based on mutual trust and respect," he said.

From mangoes to luxury watches, Indians look to offload Rs 2,000 notes

The Indian government has made it compulsory for cough syrup makers to get samples tested before exporting their products. Starting 1 June, these companies will have to get a certificate of analysis from a government-approved laboratory. The rule change comes after some Indian-made cough syrups were linked to deaths in The Gambia and Uzbekistan. The controversies had cast a pall over India's pharmaceutical industry, which makes a third of the world's medicines. The announcement was made by the Director General of Foreign Trade, which said in a notification that cough syrups would be permitted to be exported "subject to the export sample being tested".

It also mentioned a list of central and state government laboratories across the country where samples could be tested. Last week, Reuters had reported that India was considering a policy change after domestic cough syrups were linked to child deaths abroad.

Many Indian pharma companies have come under scrutiny for the quality of their drugs, with experts raising concerns over their manufacturing practices.

Many Indian pharma companies have come under scrutiny for the quality of their drugs, with experts raising concerns over their manufacturing practices. In March, India's drug regulator cancelled the manufacturing licence of Marion Biotech, whose cough syrups were linked to 18 child deaths in Uzbekistan.The World Health Organization also issued an alert in October linking four Indianmade cough syrups to child deaths in The Gambia.

India later said that the medicines complied with specifications when tested at home, but the WHO responded that it stood by "the action taken".

Indians are stepping up purchases of daily essentials, and even premium branded goods, using the soonto-be-withdrawn Rs 2,000 notes as they aim to sidestep the need to exchange or deposit them at banks. The Indian central bank announced on Friday the country's largest denomination note will be withdrawn from circulation by the end of September. While it did not specify the reason for the move, it comes ahead of state and general elections in the country when, analysts said, cash usage typically spikes, often in unaccounted deals.

The currency exchange is expected to be far less disruptive than a 2016 move to demonetise 86% of the country's currency in circulation overnight. Since the weekend, people have thronged outlets to spend using the 2000-rupee note to avoid the hassle of queuing up at banks to exchange them or invite scrutiny from the tax

department by depositing large sums. Indian shops, for their part, eagerly accepted the note, using it as an opportunity to increase sales, several of them said on Tuesday, the first day the exchange was allowed.

"A lot of people are using 2,000-rupee notes to pay for mangoes since Saturday," said Mohammad Azhar, 30, a mango seller near the Crawford Market area in India's financial capital of Mumbai.

"On a daily basis, I get 8-10 notes now. I accept it. I have no option, it's my business. I will deposit everything at once before Sept. 30. There is no fear since the note is valid."

Michael Martis, store manager at a Rado store in a mall in central Mumbai, said his store had seen a 60 per cent-70 per cent increase in 2000-rupee notes since the withdrawal was announced.

"That has increased our watch sales to 3-4 pieces per day from 1-2 previously," said Martis.

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Ektaa Kapoor is 'extremely proud' as 'Yeh Hai Chahatein' clocks up 1k episodes

The television show 'Yeh Hai Chahatein', which has a gripping story and plot at its core, has reached the milestone of 1,000 episodes, and producer Ektaa Kapoor can't be prouder. The show, which started airing in 2019, showcased the love story between a famous rockstar, Rudraksh Khurana and a gynaecologist, Preesha Srinivasan before the leap of 20 years. Despite the new experiments done with the show, it is well accepted by the audience and they have showered love on the show. Commenting on the occasion, Ektaa said: "I have invested myself a lot in each piece of content we have developed so far. Each show is like our baby and the journey has been extremely beautiful and fulfilling. When I first heard the story of 'Yeh Hai Chahatein', I was certain that we would do this show, and today, it achieved the milestone of 1,000 episodes and I am extremely proud." In the show, Abrar Qazi and Sargun Kaur Luthra essay the roles of Samrat and Nayantara respectively. The show has been showered with love by the viewers and the Jodi is being well accepted by the audience. In order to keep the audience hooked on to the television screens, another leap of twenty years was witnessed when Pravisht Mishra and Shagun Sharma entered the show.

Can't wait to showcase my passion for cinema

Actress Mouni Roy is all set to make her debut at the ongoing prestigious Cannes Film Festival and said that she "cannot wait to showcase her passion for cinema" at the global platform.

Speaking on the occasion, Mouni, who has collaborated with eyewear brand Lenskart for the event, said: "I am exhilarated to announce my debut at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Representing Lenskart at Cannes and being a part of this iconic celebration of creativity is my greatest honour."

"I am grateful for this incredible opportunity and cannot wait to showcase my unique style and passion for cinema on this global platform."

On the work front, Mouni will be seen in 'The Virgin Tree'. It also stars Sanjay Dutt and Palak Tiwari among many others.

'The Night Manager' creator Sandeep Modi: The response to the first part was stupendous

'The Night Manager' managed to woo the audiences and leave them wanting for more. The palatial, thrilling drama proved that audiences approve of a gripping drama always. Very few makers succeed in striking a chord with the audiences. One of them is Sandeep Modi. Basking in the success of the much-celebrated show 'The Night Manager,' starring Anil Kapoor, Aditya Roy Kapur, and Sobhitha Dhulipala, Sandeep is currently gearing up for the launch of the second part of the series which is an adaptation of a BBC show of the same name.

Tina Datta lends her voice for a sequence in 'Hum Rahe Na Rahe Hum'

Actress Tina Datta, who plays the role of Surili in 'Hum Rahe Na Rahe Hum', has lent her vocal prowess for a sequence in the TV show and enjoyed the process. She said: "It was a highly challenging task for me as I had to balance multiple emotions simultaneously. I was pleading for help and crying, yet anxious about Shivendra's condition. The only way to keep him awake was through my singing." She said: "Incorporating three to four different emotions into my singing was an incredibly challenging aspect. However, as an actress, it was equally fascinating." Speaking about how she is a music lover, she added: "There is power in music. A light tune can make you happy, a sad tune can bring you pain. I love listening to music on the go; it lifts my spirits and it makes me happy to sing along with the songs I like." "When this opportunity was presented to me, I was sceptical because I don't consider myself to be a good singer.

Randeep Hooda becoming a super cop, 101

Priya Bapat on rejigging her character in 'City of Dreams'

When making a series based on a real-life character, one has to maintain a fine balance between authenticity and dramatisation. That was Randeep Hooda and director Neerraj Pathak’s top priority as they set out to create Inspector Avinash, which chronicles police officer Avinash Mishra’s efforts in the ’90s to curb the mafia dominance and illegal arms trade in Uttar Pradesh. The duo, eager to offer an entertaining yet honest depiction of the cop in JioCinema’s maiden web series, roped in Mishra in the early stages of the project.

Pathak says that regular meetings with Mishra allowed him to delve into his world and incorporate his traits into the script. “Avinash-ji gave me complete freedom [when it came to scripting]. He said, ‘I have told you my story. Now, you write the reel story that you want to tell.’

Despite her popularity in Marathi cinema over the last 15 years, Priya Bapat has always approached the Hindi film industry with the dedication of a newcomer.

“You just work and give auditions. For me, this is the only path. Someone will believe in my talent, like how City of Dreams happened,” says the actor, ahead of the third instalment’s release.

Nagesh Kukunoor’s political drama, which premièred in 2019, marked Bapat’s debut in Hindi entertainment, 20 years after a cameo in Rajkumar Hirani’s Munna Bhai MBBS.

She was also seen in the subsequent sequel to the film in 2006. Bapat claims that the ride in the Hindi film industry was not easy, even after the show dropped its first season.

Dimple Kapadia: We have done our own stunts

In Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo, a scene of two ill-informed men commenting on the fragility of their mother (played by Dimple Kapadia) is juxtaposed with clips of her beating to pulp the goons who had invaded her home. And while the action sequences do not see her kick and punch in the manner that the younger women who helm the series do, Kapadia packs sufficient meat into the scenes to come across as a menacing head that isn't to be messed with. This Disney +Hotstar outing is a hardcore action thriller about the matriarch Savitri or Rani Ba (Dimple) who runs her drug cartel in the guise of a Corporative with the help of her daughter (Radhika), an adopted son (Udit Arora) and her daughters in laws Angira Dhar and Isha Talwar. Kapadia has had a golden run this year, following up the mammoth success of Pathaan with this. Headlining her own series at 65 was a high Dimple couldn't refuse.

"At this stage in life, I do think twice before extending myself physically. But Rani Ba's adrenaline got to me," she says of her character in Homi Adajania's series Kapadia has had a golden run in 2023. Following her acclaimed act as Shah Rukh Khan's boss in Pathaan, she finds herself frontlining her own series at 65. "Shows like Saas, Bahu aur Flamingo are rare, the perfect chemistry of characters, narratives, and a mould-breaking vision. Homi has that knack to him where he can see stories in every little thing and cement its connection with society. So, whenever I get a whiff that Homi is working on a project, I know I have to be a part of it, no choice there. He conceptualized Savitri to be a woman pushed to her limits and eventually learning to become fearless. You see, her journey from Savitri to Rani Ba is what appealed to me and I think only Homi could've seen it that way."

Ali Fazal's 'Kandahar' to release in over 2,000 screens in the US alone

Indian actor Ali Fazal's next Hollywood project 'Kandahar' is set to release on over 2,000 screens in the U.S. Ali said: "Very excited with this development. A release that wide in the U.S. alone is massive and being an action spy thriller, there is a wide audience for the film."

He added: "A wide release coupled with a major weekend in the U.S., I'm hoping for this to be a banger. The film has all the elements to be a complete entertainer."

Ali's latest international project, Kandahar, which stars top international actors like Gerard Butler, Travis Fimmel and Navid Negahban, is set to be released on May 26 in the U.S. and eventually will release across the globe.

Indian American content creator Shivani Bafna walks Cannes red carpet

Indian-American content creator Shivani Bafna recently made her Cannes debut at the ongoing edition of the prestigious Film Festival.

Indian-American content creator Shivani Bafna recently made her Cannes debut at the ongoing edition of the prestigious Film Festival.

She chose a statement gown as her outfit for the event. Designed by Vaishali S, the stunning red creation combined elegance, grace, and a touch of boldness. Her dress exhibited classic sophistication while also reflecting a modern twist. Shivani styled herself with the help and input of her friends, family, and colleagues.

One of the unique elements of Shivani's ensemble was a DIY-ed clutch featuring a QR code. When scanned, the code took audiences to a letter she wrote. In the letter, she shared her feelings about being on the red carpet and hopes that her message resonates with the audience, going beyond surfacelevel fashion.

Robert De Niro calls Donald Trump 'stupid"

The starstudded saga 'Killers of the Flower Moon' received much admiration at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival with a nine-minute-long standing ovation at its world premiere. Veteran actor Robert De Niro who plays a pivotal role in the film in a recent media interaction compared his character with former US President Donald Trump. Robert drew a parallel to what occurred with the Osage nation to the recent George Floyd tragedy during the Donald Trump administration. He said, "I don't know a lot about my character. People do things. He has to be charming. He has won people. Why he betrays them all? After George Floyd with systemic racism -that's what it is- what happens there; what we never knew of the Black Street Massacre, it's the banality of evil. It's the things we have to watch out for."

Sana Khan, Sharad Malhotra's 'Dil Nisaar Hua' celebrates love and passion

The song 'Dil Nisaar Hua' featuring Sharad Malhotra, Sana Khan, and Jaya Nandi hit the airwaves on Monday. Crooned by Javed Ali, the song is the first chapter from the three chapters of the timeless musical trilogy. Shot in Antaleya, Turkey, the song blends melody, emotions and soulful vocals with music composed by music director Prateek Gandhi, and the music video directed by Faisal Miya Photuwale. Actor Sharad Malhotra shared: "The song exudes immense love through its enchanting music, heartfelt lyrics, and beautifully shot visuals. Every aspect of the song contributes to its exceptional nature, but the presence of talented artists, including myself and the stunning faces alongside me, and the breathtaking locations, truly make it extraordinary. The song is a true celebration of love and connection which will transport us to a realm of deep, intense, and pure emotions."

Modi’s Investment Call in Sydney

The prime minister held bilateral meetings with Hancock Prospecting Executive Chairman

Gina Rinehart, Fortescue Future Industry Executive Chairman Andrew Forrest, and AustraliaSuper CEO

Paul Schroder

PM’s Address in Sydney: Australian PM Attending

Sydney: Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese will today attend a special community event here to celebrate the country’s dynamic, diverse Indian diaspora.

PM Modi is visiting Australia as a guest of the Australian Government. He will address the community members at the event at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena.

“The Indian-Australian community is excited to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi after nine years. He visited Australia in 2014 and was greeted by a large crowd at Sydney’s community reception,” Jay Shah, one of IADF’s directors, told the Special Broadcasting Service, an Australian hybrid-funded public service broadcaster.

Meta Fined $1.3B: Data Transfer Restrictions Imposed

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met business leaders of top Australian companies here and called for enhancing cooperation with the Indian industry in areas such as technology, skilling, and clean energy.

Modi arrived in Sydney on Monday for the third and final leg of his three-nation tour during which he will hold talks with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese and attend a community event to celebrate the country’s dynamic, diverse Indian diaspora. He is visiting Australia as a guest of the Australian Government. Modi held bilateral meetings with

Hancock Prospecting Executive Chairman Gina Rinehart, Fortescue Future Industry Executive Chairman Andrew Forrest, and AustraliaSuper CEO Paul Schroder.

During his meeting with Rinehart, the prime minister highlighted the reforms and initiatives being undertaken in India and invited her to partner in technology, investment and skilling in the mining and minerals sector, a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi said. In a meeting with Schroder, he said that India is one of the most preferred major economies for foreign investments in the world and invited AustralianSuper to partner with India, it said.

India’s Digital Innovation: Thriving Economy

Speaking at inaugural ceremony of US-India 5G and next generation networks workshop, Garcetti said India and the US through their shared values recognise that technology is not only about faster speeds or better connectivity, but also a gateway to progress, and reflection of development.

Indians In Australia Charter Flight To Sydney For PM Event

“Modi Airways”

Melbourne/Sydney: About 170 Indianorigin people took a chartered flight from Melbourne to Sydney to attend an event of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Qantas flight arrived in Sydney this morning.

The members of the Indian Australian Diaspora Foundation (IADF), sporting tri-colour-themed turbans and waving national flags, danced their way to the flight named by the Prime Minister’s supporters as “Modi Airways”. The Sydney event is being organised by IADF to celebrate Australia’s dynamic and diverse Indian community, “a core part of our multicultural community”, the Australian government said in a statement. Dr Amit Sarwal, cofounder of IADF, said, “a lot of people are waiting outside the event venue also, where they will be cheering for PM Modi.”

Sharad Pawar: Focused on Opposition Unity, Not PM Race

Meta on Monday was fined a record €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion) and ordered to stop transferring data collected from Facebook users in Europe to the US, in a major ruling against the social media company for violating European Union data protection rules. The penalty, announced by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission, is potentially one of the most consequential in the five years since the EU enacted the landmark data privacy law known as the General Data Protection Regulation.

India with its vast population, thriving digital economy and technology use is poised to leverage transformative power of 5G, and in future 6G, to catapult itself to the forefront of digital innovation, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said on Tuesday.

“India, with its vast population, its thriving digital economy, the use of technology that in some ways is leapfrogging other nations around the world, is poised to leverage the transformative power of 5G and 6G... to catapult itself to the forefront of the digital revolution,” the US Ambassador said at the workshop organised by the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).

NJ based IT Firm Fined $25,500 for Seeking Job Applicants Only from India

Zofeen Maqsood

A US based IT recruitment company has been slapped with a fine for its discriminatory advertising which invited job applicants only from India.

Between July 2021 and August 2021, Infosoft Solutions Inc, the IT recruiting and contracting company posted at least six job advertisements inviting applications only from applicants who wanted sponsorship to work in the United States or who already had an employment-based temporary visa. One of the six advertisements also required the candidates to be from India

According to the Justice Department, The Immigration and Nationality Act’s anti-discrimination provision generally prohibits employers from recruiting or refusing to hire workers based on their citizenship status or national origin. With such an advertisement the company deterred workers with permission to work in the United States without sponsorship (such as asylum seekers, lawful permanent residents, US nationals and citizens) from applying to the job advertisements and being fairly considered for the employment opportunities.

Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar has said he is not in the race to become prime minister and asserted the Opposition wants a leadership that would work for the betterment of the country. Pawar said opposition parties might face a little task of projecting one person as the prime ministerial candidate if they come together.

Rahul Gandhi’s US Trip: Fostering Shared Values

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the United States in June, during which he is slated to address public meetings and interact with university students, is aimed at promoting shared values and vision of “real democracy”, Indian Overseas Congress chairperson Sam Pitroda has said. Gandhi is scheduled to visit San Francisco, Washington DC and New York, where he is planning to address two public meetings with Indian Americans.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Hancock Prospecting Executive Chairman Gina Rinehart in Sydney.

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Indian American Doctor Survives Tesla Cliff Tragedy: New Details Emerge

PASADENA, CA- California radiologist

Dharmesh Patel, who was reportedly experiencing depression, has been accused of purposefully driving his Tesla off a cliff with his family inside. His wife, Neha Patel, revealed this information to investigators during the January incident. Dharmesh Patel, 41, from Pasadena, has been charged with three counts of first-degree attempted murder after allegedly driving himself, his wife, and their two children—a 4-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl—off Devil’s Slide near California Highway 1 in his Tesla.

According to Neha Patel’s statement to investigators, Dharmesh deliberately drove off the cliff due to his depression and explicitly mentioned his intention to do so as a physician. The affidavit containing her statement has recently been unsealed. Dharmesh, on the other hand, claimed at the time that he had pulled off the road to check a flat tire. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officer Mark Andrew stated on January 3 that he did not believe the Tesla was operating on autopilot at the time of the crash off the Devil’s Slide cliff, which is located south of the Tom Lantos tunnels on State Highway 1.

When first responders arrived at the scene on January 2, they observed the white Tesla approximately 250 feet down the cliff and noticed movement

inside the vehicle, indicating that the occupants were still alive. Rescuers utilized the “jaws of life” tool to extract the couple’s two children from the vehicle, while Patel and his wife were pulled out through the car’s windows. The 4-year-old boy did not sustain any physical injuries, as reported by Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe. The 7-year-old girl, who was also in a child seat, suffered

“significant” injuries but was released from the hospital relatively quickly and is not expected to experience long-term physical complications, according to the DA’s office. Neha Patel, however, suffered the most serious injuries. Witness accounts and video footage from the Tom Lantos Tunnel, which Patel drove through before the crash, indicated that the Tesla drove straight off the cliff without braking or attempting to steer to safety, according to the District Attorney. California officials believe that Dharmesh Patel’s actions were intentional.

Authorities are appealing to additional witnesses to come forward and provide information by contacting the CHP-San Francisco Area at 415-557-1094.

US Supreme Court Upholds Illinois’ Ban On Sale Of Rapid-Fire Assault Weapons

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In a recent development, the US Supreme Court has chosen not to hear an appeal regarding the Second Amendment, specifically related to an Illinois law that prohibits the sale of rapid-fire assault weapons commonly used in mass shootings. The court's decision to reject the emergency appeal does not constitute a ruling on the broader constitutional issue but suggests a favorable outcome for nine other states with similar assault weapon bans. Traditionally, the Supreme Court would halt the enforcement of a new law if it found it unconstitutional. However, in this case, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago is scheduled to hold arguments on the constitutional matter in late June, and the Supreme Court may have opted to await their ruling before making a decision.

It is worth noting that the Supreme Court has yet to directly address whether an AR-15-style rifle is protected under the Second Amendment. Previously, challenges to similar state and local laws based on the Second Amendment have been turned away. However, gun-rights advocates celebrated a more conservative court's ruling last year, which struck down laws in New York and other places that limited law-abiding citizens' ability to carry concealed weapons in public.

In a 6-3 majority opinion authored by Justice Clarence Thomas, it was stated

Ahead Of Modi Visit, US Slams India For Attacks On Minorities

State Department’s 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom talks about “continued targeted attacks against religious communities” in India. The report highlights “a targeted – continued targeted attacks against religious communities, including Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindu Dalits, and indigenous communities.”On Monday, a background briefing was held ahead of the release of the report by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. A senior state department official said, “What we outline in today’s report is a targeted – continued targeted attacks against religious communities, including Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindu Dalits, and indigenous communities; dehumanizing rhetoric, including open calls for genocide against Muslims; lynching and other hate-fueled violence, attacks on houses of worship and home demolitions, and in some cases impunity and even clemency for those who’ve engaged in attacks on religious minorities – we’re also continuing to see, at the state level, some restrictions on religious attire.”

CBP Officers Seize Hard Narcotics Worth Over $270K

Gun rights advocates argued that millions of AR-15s have been legally sold in the country and contended that the Second Amendment protects firearms commonly used by law-abiding citizens.

that gun restrictions can only be upheld if they align with the historical tradition of firearms regulation in the nation. However, following this decision, a tragic incident occurred in Highland Park, Illinois, where a shooter armed with a semiautomatic AR-15 rifle and high-capacity magazines opened fire during an Independence Day parade, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. In response, the city of Naperville and the state of Illinois enacted new laws banning the sale and possession of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. While the sale ban was immediately enforced, a gun

store owner and multiple gun-rights groups filed a lawsuit challenging these measures as violations of the Second Amendment.

Gun rights advocates argued that millions of AR-15s have been legally sold in the country and contended that the Second Amendment protects firearms commonly used by law-abiding citizens. On the other hand, state attorneys argued that these rapid-fire rifles were designed and marketed as military-style offensive weapons, rather than for selfdefense purposes, thereby supporting the ban. A federal judge agreed with the state's position and allowed the Naperville ban to take effect.

The 7th Circuit Court has declined to block the implementation of both laws while considering the appeal made by the gun owners. This decision implies that the assault weapon and highcapacity magazine bans will remain in effect until the constitutional matter is resolved.

EAGLE PASS, TX—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers seized hard narcotics that totaled over $270,000 in street value. “Our CBP officers’ knowledge of concealment methods, combined with their use of available assets and technology played a key role in the discovery,” said Acting Port Director Pete Beattie, Eagle Pass Port of Entry.

The seizure occurred on May 13th at the Camino Real International Bridge, after CBP officers encountered a passenger bus traveling from Mexico. The bus was referred for further examination. Following non-intrusive inspection system and K-9 inspection, CBP officers discovered packages containing a total 20.6 pounds of alleged cocaine hidden within a water reservoir of the bus.

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Packages containing nearly 21 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Eagle Pass Port of Entry.

The 4-year-old boy did not sustain any physical injuries, as reported by Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.

Chasing The Crown: Ajay Arora’s Journey To Glory In The US National Carrom Tournament

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Ajay Arora, a skilled and stylish lefthanded carrom player, emerged as the triumphant champion in the highly anticipated XXVII US Nationals Carrom Championship held in Cleveland, Ohio. Facing off against the formidable Saravan Chandrababu, an 11-time champion in the Singles event, Arora secured his spot after defeating Louis Fernandes of Canada. Currently holding the top ranking in the United States, Arora aspired to etch his name among the esteemed carrom champions. Despite a setback in the first match with a score of 6-25, Arora showcased his resilience and mounted a fantastic recovery, winning the second match with a commanding score of 25-9. Undeterred, he confidently dominated the third and decisive match, securing victory over the renowned Carrom icon of the United States.

Although Arora held the coveted top ranking in the United States, the

anticipation was that Louis Fernandes or Preeti Jakhotia would be the contenders against Saravanan Chandrababu.

Arora had previously represented the United States National Carrom team in international tournaments, a

Arora held the coveted top ranking in the United States, the anticipation was that Louis Fernandes or Preeti Jakhotia would be the contenders against Saravanan Chandrababu.

testament to his unwavering commitment, relentless dedication, and unwavering determination to claim the singles Carrom championship.

An exuberant Arora shared his insight in a television interview following his Singles win, stating, “Hard work paves the path to success. I dedicated myself to this tournament, and my efforts have paid off.”

Elated by his achievement, Arora added, “Becoming the Singles champion has been my lifelong dream, and I am thrilled to have realised it.”

The US Nationals Carrom Championship marked several historic milestones.

Notably, it was the first time in US Carrom

Upper Iowa University Consolidates Operations, Closes Six WI Regional Centers

In a strategic move driven by declining enrollment and financial challenges, Upper Iowa University, based in Fayette, Iowa, has announced the closure of six of its regional education centers in Wisconsin.

The affected centers include those in Milwaukee, Madison, Janesville, Wausau, Prairie du Chien, and Racine/ Kenosha/Elkhorn. The decision comes as small institutions in the Midwest grapple with similar issues.

Upper Iowa University had a total of 217 students enrolled at the Wisconsin locations, with most centers already operating fully online. The university plans to assist students in transitioning to online courses and maintain partnerships to continue enrolling new students from the region.

The closure of the Rockford, Illinois

location will also impact approximately 15 jobs.

This closure reflects a broader trend in the region, as small institutions like Iowa Wesleyan University and Cardinal Stritch University have recently faced closures, while the University

of Wisconsin-Platteville Richland is discontinuing in-person degree programs after the spring semester. The challenges of declining enrollment and budget constraints continue to pose significant difficulties for higher education institutions in the Midwest.

history that a major tournament relied entirely on a paperless scoring system, made possible by the newly developed Tech Platform 2.0 by the United States Carrom Association. The technology streamlined various time-consuming processes, including registration, checkin, matchups, standings, and score entry, allowing players to handle these tasks using their mobile phones conveniently. Additionally, select matches were broadcast on Willow TV, further expanding the reach of the championship. Another first was a “pitch report” on the status of Carrom boards, highlighting the potential imperfections and personality of Carrom boards.

Continuing a tradition established at the 2019 US Nationals, a Carrom 101 session took place to introduce the sport to local children. Headed by coach Sam Mallisetti, the hour-long program engaged 40 kids, who received certificates and tournament-grade strikers as souvenirs of the experience.

Indian American from California guilty of killing 3 teenage boys in 2020

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In an unbelievably brutal incident that took place in 2020, Anurag Chandra of Riverside County in California has been found guilty of murdering three 16-year-old boys. 3 boys rang Chandras’ doorbell as a prank playing ding-dong-ditch. But Chandra, who was down with 12 beers, followed the boys’ car and rammed it off the road which then slammed into a tree. The driver and two 13-year-old passengers survived while 3 others died.

Bipartisan America's CHILDREN Act Introduced to Protect Documented Dreamers from Self-Deportation

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) has joined forces with U.S. Representatives Deborah Ross (D-NC), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and Young Kim (R-CA), along with Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Rand Paul (R-KY), to reintroduce the bipartisan America's CHILDREN Act. The legislation aims to prevent children of long-term visa holders, known as Documented Dreamers, from being forced to self-deport when they turn 21 years old.

Currently, Documented Dreamers, many of whom have grown up in the United States, age out of the system at 21

and are compelled to leave the country, depriving them of their future and livelihoods in America. The America's CHILDREN Act seeks to rectify this by providing a pathway for these young individuals to continue contributing to the nation while building their lives in the U.S. Supporters of the bill emphasize that Documented Dreamers are integral members of American communities, attending schools and embodying the best of America. They believe it is crucial to reform the broken immigration system and grant these individuals the opportunity to remain in the country they call home. The America's CHILDREN Act would

prevent Documented Dreamers from aging out of their parents' visa at 21 and create additional green card opportunities for them. It addresses the plight of over 250,000 children and young adults living in the U.S. as dependents of long-term nonimmigrant visa holders who have maintained legal status but are not eligible for protection under DACA or associated work authorization.

The bipartisan effort seeks to establish a fair, humane, and compassionate legal immigration system that allows immigrant children to pursue their American Dream without the threat of self-deportation due to a broken immigration system.

XXVII US Nationals Carrom champion Ajay Arora

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Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi

Florida Farmworkers Apprehensive About New Immigration Legislation

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Florida's recently signed immigration law, approved by Governor Ron DeSantis, has ignited fear and uncertainty within the immigrant community and among employers in the state. Scheduled to go into effect in July, the law introduces several requirements and restrictions that have far-reaching implications.

Under the new law, businesses in Florida will be obligated to use the federal E-Verify system to verify employees' work authorization. Additionally, driver's licenses issued in other states will no longer be recognized for undocumented drivers, and local governments will be restricted from funding organizations that provide identification cards to immigrants without legal status. Hospitals accepting Medicaid will be required to include a citizenship question on forms, potentially discouraging immigrants from seeking medical care. The law's impact is particularly significant for agricultural workers in Homestead and Immokalee, where many year-round residents lack legal immigration status. Both workers and employers who rely on immigrant labor are concerned about the potential consequences of the law and are considering their options, including leaving the state.

Immigrant advocates and religious leaders are actively addressing the concerns and questions raised by the

Sandeep Mathrani Quits WeWork As CEO To Join Sycamore Partners

Farmers and growers are also worried about a new state law that will require businesses with over 25 employees to verify their workers' legal employment status.

new law, offering support and legal advice to affected individuals and communities. However, the fear and uncertainty persist as the law takes effect.

Governor DeSantis, known for his firm stance on immigration, signed the bill amid the lifting of Title 42, a policy facilitating the quick expulsion of migrants at the southern border. The law aligns with DeSantis' immigration stance, catering to conservative voters as he prepares for a potential presidential candidacy.

While some Latino Republican legislators supported the law, citing concerns about human trafficking and unauthorized identification cards,

Tragic Fire Claims Indian American Woman and Beloved Dog

Indian American Chairman, CEO and director of WeWork, Sandeep Mathrani is stepping down. The executive is leaving the global flexible space provider, to join Sycamore Partners as a director. Mathrani will be leading its real estate activity. WeWork credited him in a statement saying: “Under Mathrani’s leadership, in the face of a global pandemic and challenging macroeconomic environment, WeWork has made significant progress in cutting costs, growing revenue across all business segments and establishing additional lines of revenue through new products.”

there are also voices advocating for its reconsideration. The law has already impacted the availability of farmworkers, with challenges in finding labor to harvest crops. However, some growers remain hopeful, recognizing the crucial role immigrant labor plays in Florida's economy and anticipating minimal disruption. In summary, Florida's new immigration law has generated an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among immigrant workers and employers. The potential ramifications have prompted individuals to seek guidance from advocacy groups and religious organizations while contemplating their future in the state.

Salt Lake City Tragedy: Indian American Father and Son Lost

in Apparent Murder-Suicide

In a heart-wrenching incident on Long Island, New York, a courageous Indian American woman lost her life while attempting to rescue her beloved dog during a devastating house fire. Kashmira Patel, 60, had been visiting her family in Williston Park when the fire broke out early Tuesday morning. Patel, who was staying at the residence with three other individuals, had recently attended her father's funeral and refused to abandon her home due to her deep concern for her trapped dog. Despite the rapidly spreading flames, she valiantly reentered the burning house after ensuring her mother's safety.

Tragically, both Patel and her loyal dog perished in the fire. First responders arrived to find the house fully consumed by flames, making rescue efforts extremely challenging. Seven survivors managed to evacuate the premises but suffered from smoke inhalation and required medical treatment.

Indian-American Student Sentenced to Probation in Attempted Rape Case

Parth Gandhi, 49

SALT LAKE CITY, UT- Shocking Tragedy Unfolds as Father Kills Son in Salt Lake City Murder-Suicide

The Salt Lake City community was left in shock when news broke of a tragic incident in which a father took the life of his teenage son before ending his own. The distressing event unfolded within the premises of a Salt Lake City office building, where the bodies of the two victims were discovered several days later. Authorities were alerted by a concerned community member on Saturday, who had come across a lifeless body inside an office complex located at 2936 South Highland Drive. Responding swiftly, officers arrived at the scene to

find two deceased individuals within the building.

The father, identified as Parth Gandhi, 49, was revealed as the perpetrator of this horrific act. His 16-year-old son’s name was withheld by the police. According to the police report, Gandhi murdered his son within the office complex before taking his own life. Gandhi had an office in the complex where he worked as a neuropsychologist. In the course of their investigation, authorities conducted a welfare check at Gandhi’s residence near Sunnyside Park. However, specific details about the findings during the welfare check were not disclosed. The office complex, primarily occupied by medical and health-related professionals, was deeply affected by the tragic incident.

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New York: (IANS) An IndianAmerican former Indiana University student facing attemped rape charges, pleaded guilty to criminal confinement and has been sentenced to more than a year of unsupervised probation, a media report said.

Kalp Patel, 22, was arrested in January 2022 for attempting to rape his female residential assistant in his dorm room inside the university's Bloomington campus.Patel was also charged with strangulation, sexual battery, battery resulting in injury, resisting law enforcement and minor in possession of alcohol.

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Sandeep Mathrani

Kashmira Patel, 60

Kalp Patel

Javed Akhtar's Stunning Live Performances in Chicago

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Renowned poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar enthralled the audience at the Yellow Box theater in Chicago with his mesmerizing live performance titled "Main Koi Aisa Geet Gaoon." The event, organized by AB Entertainment and Aarush Entertainment, showcased Akhtar's illustrious career and the captivating stories behind his two thousand songs and dialogues in Hindi cinema. Accompanied by talented singers Jahnavi Shrimankar and Meiyang Chang, as well as a gifted team of musicians, the evening celebrated India's rich musical heritage and paid tribute to Akhtar's profound contributions.

The event kicked off with an enchanting dance performance by students from the Shirlzar Dance Company, captivating over 1000 attendees from Chicago and neighboring states. The interaction between Javed Akhtar and the singers added an extra layer of liveliness to the event, creating a memorable

experience for music enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Event organizers Altaf Bukhari, Manoj Rathod, and Sarik Bukhari expressed their gratitude to Javed Akhtar, the singers, and the audience for the overwhelming response. They also extended their appreciation to

the sponsors and partners for their unwavering support.

Ankit Mahajan, a member of the organizing team, described the event as a unique and unforgettable musical experience that would be cherished for years to come. Sariq Bukhari, the event's anchor, commended Meiyang

Hindu Mandir Of Lake County Honors Mother’s Day With Special Celebration

GRAYSLAKE, IL -On May 14th, 2023, the Hindu Mandir of Lake County in Grayslake, IL celebrated Matru Divas (Mother’s Day) with great enthusiasm. More than 150 devotees gathered to honor mothers and motherhood. The event aimed to recognize and appreciate the sacrifices that mothers make throughout their lives to ensure the well-being and development of their children.

The temple priests, Pt. Anil Joshi Ji, Pt. Radha Krishna Ji, and Pt. Balaji Gopal Ji, performed the Abhishekam and Pujan rituals of Lord Ganesh, the Trinity (Ma Saraswati, Ma Gauri, Ma Lakshmi), along with Jagat Janani, Janma Janani, Pritvi, Gau Mata, Ganga Mayya, and Gayatri Ma (another mother of Kali Yuga). They chanted Devi Mantras with deep devotion. After the Abhishekam, a group of 10 young children, aged 6 to 12 years, honored approximately 50 Matru Shakti (mothers) in the traditional Hindu way. The children washed the feet of the mothers, offered them Tilak, Akshata, Pushpam, Vastram, and gifts, and finally performed Arati and touched the feet of all the mothers. The celebration followed Indian traditions in its entirety.

Melodious Bhajans were sung by Rita Patel, Athul Soni, and Kamalesh Dasai. Pt. Anil Joshi Ji gave a brief discourse on the importance of Mother’s Day in our lives. He emphasized that in Hinduism, every day is a Mother’s Day. The celebration was established to provide an opportunity for children to bond with their mothers, acknowledge their struggles and efforts, express

their love, and convey how much their mothers mean to them. Additionally, it aimed to instill respect for all other mothers, including those of friends and neighbors. Joshi Ji further explained

Chang and Jahnavi Shrimankar for their remarkable contributions to Bollywood and beyond. He highlighted Chang's journey from dentist to singer and actor, as well as Jahnavi Shrimankar's Filmfare Award-winning performance in the song "Dholida" from the movie Gangubai Kathiawadi. The evening also featured a recitation of Javed Akhtar's poem "Banjara" from the book Tarkash by Chicago-based poet Rakesh Malhotra. The event was graced by the presence of dignitaries and community leaders, including Consul Ranjit Singh, Pinky Thakkar, Sunil Shah, and Prachi Jaitly.

The show promoters, Ashwani Mahajan, Ankit Mahajan, Chetan Pandya, Mukesh Patel, Mohammed Ajaz, and Amira Ajaz, expressed their admiration for the event's success. "Main Koi Aisa Geet Gaoon" truly showcased the genius of Javed Akhtar and the immense talents of the performers, leaving an indelible mark on the audience and reaffirming the power of music and storytelling.

IACFNG Hosts Fourth Annual Spring Festival

that this perspective helps children develop stronger spirituality, social bonds, and become active members of the global community.

The Grayslake Temple regularly observes all Hindu festivals to preserve Indian traditions and culture. It actively involves children in various activities, fostering enthusiasm and pride in their parents. The celebration concluded with Maha Mangalarati performed by all the devotees and the distribution of Maha Prasadam, which was prepared by the Temple Kitchen team led by Pramila Datt and Madhu Sharma, to all the devotees.

NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ- The Indo-American Cultural Foundation of Central Jersey (IACFNJ), in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Plainsboro, South & North Brunswick, Indus TV, and Ohmkara, held their fourth annual Spring Color and Cultural Festival on May 21, 2023, at Woodlot Park in South Brunswick, NJ. The event aimed to bring the community together to welcome spring, celebrate the Indian color festival of Holi, and honor the cultural diversity during Asian Pacific Islanders Month in May. The festival, attended by 250 people, featured captivating cultural dance performances by local groups and talented individuals, as well as authentic Indian cuisine from Perces Indian Grill. Local vendors showcased and sold clothing, jewelry, and costumes, while live entertainment and Holi songs added to the festive atmosphere.

The event was organized by the dedicated and enthusiastic executive committee, trustees, committee members, and volunteers of IACFNJ, led by President Dr. Tushar Patel. The organization has a long-standing tradition of hosting various cultural celebrations, including Navratri Garba, picnics, Independence Day festivities, and more, to foster unity and preserve Indian heritage.

Javed Akthar with Chicago team

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Garien Gatewood Promoted to Deputy Mayor for Community Safety

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CHICAGO , IL Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the appointment of Garien Gatewood as the City of Chicago’s Deputy Mayor of Community Safety. Gatewood, the first-ever Deputy Mayor of Community Safety, will lead crossgovernment initiatives to eliminate the underlying causes of crime and violence, while promoting a comprehensive and healing-centered approach to public safety.

According to Mayor Johnson, “Building a safer Chicago means addressing the root causes of crime with a comprehensive approach. As my Deputy Mayor for Community Safety, Garien Gatewood will help advance that vision and create safer neighborhoods throughout our city by investing in people, especially our youth. Garien’s extensive experience in supporting at-risk young Chicagoans will be vital in achieving our goal of a safer city and in fostering a holistic and healing-centered government response to violence.”

Gatewood expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “I am humbled by this opportunity to promote a holistic and comprehensive approach to community safety. Having worked with the young people of Chicago for years, I am confident that together we

can realize a vision of a stronger, safer city that addresses the root causes of violence, offers support to both youth and adults, and uplifts every neighborhood.”

Gatewood currently serves as the Director of the Illinois Justice Project, where he has played a central role in developing strategies to empower youth and adults, provide support for returning residents, and shape policies in line with the Illinois SAFE-T Act. In his new role, he will play a critical part in implementing Mayor Johnson’s public safety vision, with a specific focus on community engagement and diversion

programs. Additionally, Gatewood was appointed by Governor J.B. Pritzker to serve on the board of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, a state agency responsible for directing the development and coordination of programs aimed at enhancing public safety.

Prior to his position as Director of the Illinois Justice Project, Gatewood served as the Director of Policy at the Juvenile Justice Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to legislation and policy reform for youth in Illinois. Gatewood holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Jackson State University and a law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law.

The role of Deputy Mayor for Community Safety was established by Mayor Johnson on his first day in office through his initial four executive orders. EO 2023-17 specifically designates the Deputy Mayor as responsible for coordinating and facilitating communication among all relevant City departments and officials in relation to the City’s endeavors to eliminate the root causes of crime, violence, and harm, while promoting a holistic and comprehensive approach to community safety.

Anxious Migrants Seek Routes to Escape Florida's Climate of Fear and Uncertainty

$577,000 Worth of Fake Designer Watches Seized by Cincinnati CBP

MIAMI , FL How do undocumented migrants in Florida, who lack valid government identification to drive, fly, or take trains, manage to travel to other states? Immigration advocates report that groups affected by uncertain state immigration policies provide assistance.

According to Thomas Kennedy of the Florida Immigration Coalition, an organization that collaborates with 50 partner organizations to create a welcoming environment for immigrants, migrants are experiencing a level of fear that hasn’t been seen in a decade.

“These are individuals who have often journeyed on foot from Central America, figuring out ways to come here, and trust me, leaving Florida is a last resort,” Kennedy said. “It’s challenging, but if they feel it’s necessary, our community is incredibly resourceful.”

Construction workers we spoke to last week mentioned that some of their peers had left for other states without valid identification.

“Yes, it’s very difficult,” said Maria, an undocumented worker. The Florida Immigration Coalition connects migrants

with resources, Kennedy explained. Sometimes, migrants come across organizations in other states that assist with finding employment and educational opportunities for undocumented immigrants.

While the Florida Immigration Coalition is not directly involved in transportation, Kennedy acknowledged that migrants face significant risks when leaving Florida.

“There are always risks associated with packing up your belongings, uprooting your life, and starting anew,” he said.

“As I mentioned before, they are searching for a place that doesn’t want them here in Florida, a place that actively opposes them. At a certain point, why would they stay here? They reach a breaking point and decide to go somewhere else.”

This sentiment arises shortly after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed comprehensive immigration reforms that require certain employers to verify their workers’ citizenship. The governor stated that this measure ensures Florida taxpayers are not burdened with the costs of illegal immigration.

CINCINNATI—U.s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Cincinnati seized a shipment containing multiple watches on May 3. The watches, which came from Hong Kong, would have had a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $577,800 had they been legitimate. Officers inspected the shipment and discovered four luxury branded watches in their boxes. Based upon country of origin and inferior quality, officers suspected all were counterfeit. The watches were marked with trademarks owned by Jacob & Co, Audermars Piguet, and Rolex and were copies of the Astronomia Oak, Royal Oak, and Oyster Perpetual models, respectively. The shipment had an ultimate destination to an address in Miami, Florida.

“CBP promotes legitimate trade and travel,” said Cincinnati Port Director Richard Gillespie. “Counterfeit goods negatively impact consumers and businesses. Officers are trained to identify illicit shipments and work diligently for American consumers by stopping the flow of unlawful trade.” All of the watches were determined to be counterfeit by CBP’s Centers for Excellence and Expertise (CEEs), the agency’s trade experts.

“CBP protects the country in a multitude of ways, including enabling fair and compliant trade,” said Director of Field Operations for the Chicago Field Office, LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke. “Our officers and specialists intercept threats before they reach the consumer, which provides safety to our nation.”

There are several ways consumers can protect themselves from spending their money on fakes:

Purchase goods directly from the trademark holder or from authorized retailers.

Know what price the product should be selling for. If the item is priced well below a reasonable value, it could be counterfeit. If a price seems too good to be true, this it is.

Look for legitimate web sites that offer customer service contact information and return policies.

Review CBP’s E-Commerce Counterfeit Awareness Guide for Consumers. If you have any information regarding suspected fraud or illegal trade activity, please contact CBP through the e-Allegations Online Trade Violations Reporting System or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT -IPR violations can also be reported to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center at https://www. iprcenter.gov/referral/ or by telephone at 1-866-IPR-2060.

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Garien Gatewood

These are individuals who have often journeyed on foot from Central America, figuring out ways to come here, and trust me, leaving Florida is a last resort,” Kennedy said.

Athletics rankings: Neeraj Chopra rises to world No. 1 in men's javelin throw

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Mumbai: (IANS) India's Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Neeraj Chopra on Monday surged to the top of the latest men's javelin throw and is the new World No.1 in the rankings issued by the World Athletics.

Chopra was leading the ranking with 1455 points, 22 ahead of Grena'a's Anderson Peters. Chopra had been at the No.2 position since August 30, 2022, but overtook Peters, the reigning world champion, this week.

Czech Republic's Jakub Vadlejch is placed third with 1410 points with Julian Webber of Germany in fourth with 1385 points and Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem at fifth on 1306 points.

The No. 1 ranking will come as a boost for Chopra, who will next compete at the FBK Games 2023 on June 4 in the Netherlands. He also confirmed his participation at the Paavo Nurmi Games

Badminton Great Chen Long Retires at 34, Full of Emotion

2023 in Turku, Finland, on June 13.

The 25-year-old from Haryana has risen to the top of the rankings based on superb performances since September last year, when Chopra won the Diamond League 2022 finals in Zurich, becoming the first Indian athlete to win the prestigious Diamond League trophy. However, he was out of action with an injury following the triumph in Zurich. Chopra, who holds the Indian national record in men's javelin throw, returned to action at the season-opening Doha

India's Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Neeraj Chopra on Monday surged to the top of the latest men's javelin throw and is the new World No.1 in the rankings issued by the World Athletics.

Diamond League on May 5 this year and finished first with a throw of 88.67m.

Anderson Peters managed 85.88m to finish third at the Doha meeting. Chopra's surge to the top is a pointer to his brilliant form ahead of next year's Paris Olympics.

Rohit Yadav, world No. 15, and DP Manu, world No. 17, are the other Indian javelin throwers in the top 20. In Men's 3000m steeplechase, India's Avinash Sable is in the top 20, placed 14th with 1286 points in the rankings led by Soufiane EL Bakkali of Morocco.

Tennis Player Tsurenko Urges Ukrainians To Beat Russians 'On Any Field'

or Belarusian in the French Open which starts on Sunday. However, she also sounded a defiant note. "My message for the French Open is it is like what I said about other sports - we just have to go and beat them on any field," she said.

"There is no sense for Ukrainian sportsmen to give up. What sort of message does that give?

"In tennis we tried so many things to ban them and the tennis organisations do not want to listen to us."

Hardik Pandya: Hating MS Dhoni Requires Devilish Nature

Ahead of the Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2023, Gujarat Titans skipper Hardik Pandya has paid tributes to Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and said he will always be a Dhoni fan, adding that one needs to be a proper devil to hate the former India captain. Hardik's GT will lock horns against Dhoni's CSK in the first playoff on Tuesday evening at Chepauk. Both teams have shown consistency in picking the same XI and played good cricket throughout the season.

"A lot of people think Mahi is serious and all that. For me, I crack jokes and I don't see him as Mahendra Singh Dhoni," Hardik said in a video posted by Gujarat Titans on social media.

"Obviously, I have learned a lot of things from him, a lot of positive things, which I've learned from him just while watching, not even much talking. But for me, he's just my dear friend, dear brother, who I do pranks, who I chill with.

Chinese badminton great Chen Long has announced his retirement aged 34, ending a decorated career that included Olympic gold and two world titles. The former world number one won the Olympic crown at Rio 2016 and followed it up with silver at the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021. He has not played since and has now officially called it quits, following in the steps of legendary Chinese player and teammate Lin Dan, who retired in 2020.

Ukrainian tennis player Lesia Tsurenko says she and her compatriots' only resort is to beat their Russian and Belarusian rivals "on any field" as she is resigned to sports organisations not taking tougher action. Russian and Belarusian players have been competing on both the ATP and WTA tours under a neutral flag since Vladimir Putin launched Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 with the assistance of Belarus.

Tsurenko, 33, told AFP in an interview she was feeling "big stress" as she waits to see if she is drawn against a Russian

Tsurenko is frustrated by the lack of support, even in private, she and her fellow Ukrainians have received from Russian and Belarusian rivals even though some "used to be very good friends".

Tsurenko -- ranked 63 in the world having reached a career-high 23 -- had a well-publicised panic attack which forced her to withdraw from playing Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus in the third round of the Indian Wells tournament in April.

Virat Kohli Pens Heartfelt Note After RCB's Bitter Exit From IPL 2023

I'll always be a Mahendra Singh Dhoni fan, and for so many fans out there and so many cricket lovers. You need to be a proper devil to hate MS Dhoni," he added.

Sourav Ganguly: Brand Ambassador of Tripura Tourism

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Cricket icon Sourav Ganguly was appointed the brand ambassador of Tripura tourism, Chief Minister Manik Saha announced on Tuesday. The announcement came after Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury met Ganguly at his residence in Calcutta along with state officials, and discussed the proposal. The chief minister said he also spoke to Ganguly over the phone, and was confident that his participation in the campaigns would give an impetus to the state's tourism sector.

"It's a matter of great pride that former captain of Indian cricket team Sourav Ganguly has accepted our proposal to be the Brand Ambassador of Tripura Tourism," Saha said in a Facebook post.

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"A season which had it's moments but unfortunately we fell short of the goal. Disappointed but we must hold our heads high. To our loyal supporters, grateful for backing us every step of the way. A big thank you to the coaches, management and my teammates. We aim to be back stronger," he wrote on Instagram

Rock star Reception Narendra Modi gets wherever he goes, says Australian Prime Minister Albanese

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday that his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi gets a "rock star reception" wherever he goes, as he welcomed his “dear friend” at an event here and compared him to American singer Bruce Springsteen.

Albanese pitched for greater cooperation between India and Australia as he welcomed Modi to a roaring 21,000-strong crowd at the Qudos Bank Arena here, one of the city's biggest indoor stadiums. He gave Modi a bear hug when the Indian prime minister arrived at the venue to address the audience before introducing him as someone who “gets a rock star reception wherever he goes”.

"The last time I saw someone on this stage was Bruce Springsteen and he did not get the welcome that Prime Minister Modi has got. Prime Minister Modi is the boss," Albanese said at the event. He thanked his "dear friend" Modi for “bringing the spirit of the world’s biggest democracy to Australia”, saying he had helped "make our democracy stronger and more inclusive." He described the cheering audience, made up mainly of members of the

Australian-Indian community, as friends and said he was proud they had made Australia their home.

“You make our nation and our shared communities better. You make Australia stronger,” he said.

Playing up India and Australia’s connections, Albanese said he wanted to see the relationship between the two countries continue to grow, including in the business and education sectors. “We want to see more connections. More Australian and Indian students living and studying in each other’s countries, and bringing those experiences home,” he said.

“More business leaders and artists and families sharing your experiences and your knowledge and your ideas,” he added.

Albanese said he was reminded of his earlier visits to India as a 28-year-old when he returned to the country earlier this year as prime minister.

“It was a trip full of unforgettable moments: celebrating Holi in Gujarat, laying a wreath for the great Mahatma Gandhi in New Delhi, and doing a lap of the incredible stadium at Ahmedabad on Day 1 of the fourth test,” he said.

“Everywhere I went, I felt that deep sense of connection

between the people of Australia and the people of India. It’s a warmth I felt when I backpacked around India for 5 weeks in 1991 – if you want to understand India, travel by train and video bus,” he said.

Albanese and Modi on Tuesday night announced the inaugural advisory board for the Centre for AustraliaIndia Relations, which the federal government announced its plans to establish earlier this year. Headquartered in Parramatta, the centre’s mission is to work across government, industry, academia and the community to further foster ties between the two countries and encourage businesses to “seize the opportunities” of their economic partnership, news. com.au reported. Albanese said the centre’s location in western Sydney was a “testament to the vitality of the Indian-Australian experience”, giving a shout-out to the new Parramatta Lord Mayor — Sameer Pandey. Pandey was elected to the position just a day earlier, becoming the first Lord Mayor in Australia to be born in India. Modi’s trip to Australia comes after he met with Albanese, US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima on the weekend.

"PM Modi Is 'The Boss'": Australian PM's Bruce Springsteen Comparison

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "The Boss", his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese said today at a grand community event in Sydney for the Indian diaspora. In his introductory remarks, Mr Albanese referred to the vast audience and compared PM Modi's popularity to that of legendary rockstar Bruce Springsteen, who is also known by fans as "The Boss".

"The last time I saw someone on this stage was Bruce Springsteen and he did not get the welcome that Prime Minister Modi has got. Prime Minister Modi is The Boss," said the Australian PM, drawing a grin from the Prime Minister and cheering and applause from the tens of thousands gathered at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. When the two Prime Ministers arrived at the venue, PM Modi was given a traditional welcome. The event began with cultural performance by Indian dancers. Speaking before PM Modi, Mr Albanese spoke about his bilateral meeting with PM Modi scheduled after the event.

HiIndia Newsdesk

PM Modi with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Sydney

The street style highlights at Milan Fashion Week Men’s AW20

Aries

The absence of Versace – which plans to go co-ed, combining men’s and womenswear for AW20, showing in February instead – hasn’t gone unnoticed, but Milan Fashion Week debuts from British brand A-Cold-Wall* (fresh from its installation in London

Paris’s iconic department store Galeries Lafayette is coming to Mumbai and Delhi

Ever made a pit stop at the bucket-list worthy Galeries Lafayette in Paris? We certainly have, and it's a must-visit, regardless of whether you’re looking to shop or not. Situated on Boulevard Haussman, this 125-year-old luxury departmental store is home to hundreds of brands that offer not just couture but also ready-to-wear options. The art nouveau-style architecture of the building is a sight to behold, with the restaurant and bar located in the dome area that offers panoramic views of the Eiffel Tower, the Montparnasse Tower, Invalides, and Opera Garnier. Galeries Lafayette has grown to become Europe’s biggest departmental store chain, with over 290 stores worldwide. And now, they’re set to adding two more to the roster, with new stores opening in Mumbai and Delhi as well as a dedicated e-commerce site launching in India.

last week) and Danish streetwear label Han Kjøbenhavn add to the interest this season.

Capturing the best off-runway action, Vogue’s street style photographer, Jonathan Daniel Pryce, presents the looks to inspire – and wear – now.

Sahib Singh becomes Burberry Children’s first Sikh model

There is a consensus that fashion’s days of tokenism need to be left in the past. Representation and a celebration of diversity are the only forward, and Burberry Children’s Autumn-Winter ’22 collection won the Internet for this very reason, as its corresponding campaign went live on Instagram last evening. The reason? The British heritage brand’s choice of casting four-year-old Sahib Singh, making him the first model to be wearing a patka — the turban worn by boys in the Sikh community, before they graduate to the pagri — in the iconic label’s official imagery. This isn’t the first time that Burberry has featured South Asian faces in their campaigns.

Back in 2013, British-Punjabi Londoner Neelam Gill was the brand’s first-ever Indian model, cast alongside actor Jamie Campbell Bower and teen aristocrat Lady Jean Campbell.

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

26th May to 1st June 2023

Ganesha says that for the people of Aries, the beginning of the week can be due to some problems at work and a rift in the family. During this time, you should avoid giving weight to anything and there will be a need to be careful of opponents in the workplace. They may find it difficult to balance between home and office. Students may get upset.

Taurus

Ganesha says that the people of Taurus will need to pay attention to both their bodies and minds this week. At the beginning of the week itself, you may have some healthrelated problems. During this, you should be very cautious about seasonal and chronic diseases.

Gemini

Ganesha says that the people of the Gemini sign need to pay attention to both their health and relationships this week. At the beginning of the week, you will be burdened with work and family responsibilities.

Cancer

Ganesha says thatat if the aspect of health is left aside for Cancerians, then overall this week is for happiness, prosperity, and success. Those who were wandering for employment for a long time may get the desired opportunity by the end of this week.

Leo

Ganesha says that at the beginning of the week for the people of Leo zodiac sign, you will get appreciation from seniors for your work. Those who are associated with politics can get desired positions or important responsibilities.

Virgo

Ganesha says thatthe people of the Virgo zodiac need to be very cautious about both their health and work this week. Whether you are an employed person or you have your own business, avoid blindly trusting anyone, otherwise, you may suffer a long injury in terms of both money and respect.

Libra

Ganesha says that for the people of the Libra zodiac, your long pending

work will be completed this week. For those who have been waiting for their desired promotion or transfer to their desired place for a long time, their wish can be fulfilled this week.

Scorpio

Ganesha says that the people of the Scorpio zodiac keep in mind that your words will make things better and your words will spoil things. In such a situation, while conversing with anyone, do not make the mistake of using the wrong language or behavior in anger or passion.

Sagittarius

Ganesha says that at the beginning of the week for the people of Sagittarius, you will have a little more workload. You may get additional responsibility in the workplace, fulfill which you will have to spend extra labor and time. For those who wish for transfer or promotion at the desired place, the wait may increase slightly.

Capricorn

Ganesha says that the people of Capricorn will have to avoid doing any such work this week, in which there is any kind of risk, insult, or loss. This week, you have to avoid getting involved with anyone or taking any big decision in anger or passion, otherwise, you may have to give up.

Aquarius

Ganesha says that the people of Aquarius will have to refrain from bragging about their action plan in front of others this week, otherwise your opponents may put obstacles in it. At the beginning of the week, the obstacle in a particular work can be a major cause of your concern, but by the second half of the week, it will go away with the help of a well-wisher or an influential person.

Pisces

Ganesha says that at the beginning of the week, due to any auspicious news, there will be an atmosphere of happiness in the house. During this, you will see the stuck tasks being completed. There will be an increase in mutual cooperation between family members, which will help in solving problems.

We all experience moments of indulgence that lead to overeating. If it happens once in a while, it's nothing to worry about. If it happens frequently, you may wonder if you have an overeating problem or "food addiction." Before you worry, know that neither of those is considered an official medical diagnosis. In fact, the existence of food addiction is hotly debated. "If it exists, food addiction would be caused by an actual physiological process, and you'd experience withdrawal symptoms if you didn't have certain foods, such as those with sugar. But that's a lot different than saying you love sugar and it's hard not to eat it," notes Helen Burton Murray, a psychologist and director of the Gastrointestinal Behavioral Health Program in the Center for Neurointestinal Health at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.

Many people unconsciously overeat and don't realize it until after they finish a meal. That's where mindfulness exercises can help you stick to reasonable portion sizes. But she urges you to seek professional help if your thoughts about eating are interfering with your ability to function each day. Your primary care doctor is a good place to start.

What is mindful eating?

Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment, and observing the inputs flooding your senses. At meal time: "Think about how the food looks, how it tastes and smells. What's the texture? What memories does it bring

What does the warmup do?

Warm-up activities accomplish several tasks:

They get blood pumping, which sends oxygen and energy to your tissues and muscles, so they're ready for activity. They put muscles and joints through their range of motion, gently stretching them so they can accommodate broad movements. They prepare the joints for forward and backward movement, side-to-side movement, and rotation.

For moderate-intensity activity

The type of warm-up you need depends on your activity. For a strengthening routine or moderate-intensity activity (such as brisk walking or riding a bike on level ground), marching in place for a few minutes makes an effective warmup. Swing your arms as you march. "Alternating leg activity can quickly raise the heart rate, which is important in a warm-up," Ruggeri says. "Marching also works your leg and buttock muscles. The leg you lift works the hip flexor. Your stationary leg works the gluteal muscles [in the buttocks] and the quadriceps [in the thighs]."

For more intense activity

For vigorous physical activity, such as swimming or playing tennis, or for activity involving strenuous physical movements, such as golf, you'll need a

Overeating? Mindfulness exercises may help

• Focused breathing. "Breathe in and breathe out slowly. With each in breath, allow your belly to go out. With each out breath, allow your belly to go in," Burton Murray explains. "This engages the diaphragm, which is connected to the nerves between the brain and gut and promotes relaxation."

• Progressive muscle relaxation. In this exercise, you tighten and release one major muscle group at a time for 20 seconds. As you release a contraction, notice how it feels for the muscles to relax.

• Take a mindful walk, even if it's just for five minutes. "Use your senses to take in your surroundings," Burton Murray suggests. "What colors are the leaves on trees? Are there cracks on the ground, and where are they? What does the air smell like? Do you feel a breeze on your skin?"

• Practice yoga or tai chi. Both of these ancient martial arts practices include deep breathing and a focus on body sensations.

up? How does it make you feel?" Burton Murray asks.

By being mindful at meals, you'll slow the eating process, pay more attention to your body's hunger and fullness cues, and perhaps avoid overeating.

"It makes you take a step back and make decisions about what you're eating, rather than just going through the automatic process of see food, take food, eat food," Burton Murray says. Set yourself up for success in being mindful when you eat by:

• Removing distractions . Turn off phones, TVs, and computers. Eat in a peaceful, uncluttered space.

• Pacing yourself for a 20-minute meal. Chew your food slowly and put your fork down between bites.

More mindfulness exercises to try

Practicing mindfulness when you're not eating sharpens your mindfulness "muscles." Here are exercises to do that.

The best exercises for your warm-up

• Keep a journal. Write down the details of your day. Try to include what your senses took in — the sights, sounds, and smells you experienced, and the textures you touched.

• Don't worry about trying to be mindful all day long. Start with a moment here and there and build gradually. The more mindful you become throughout your day, the more mindful you'll become when you eat. And you may find that you're better able to make decisions about the food you consume.

staircase, take one full step up and then step back down. Repeat the exercise 10 times, take a break, then do another 10 step-ups. "This targets your quadriceps muscles when you step up, and your gluteal muscles when you step down. When you step up with one leg at a time, you also activate your core and back muscles to help keep your body upright," says Ruggeri.

A warm-up is essential before a workout. Sometimes, just marching in place and moving your arms around for a few minutes is enough to prepare your body for what it's about to endure. At other times, it takes more work to get your body ready for activity. "Many people think that a warm-up before playing golf, pickleball, or tennis means taking a couple of practice swings with the club or racquet. In reality, it should include five to 10 minutes of warm-up activities," says Christina Ruggeri, a physical therapist specializing in sports medicine at Harvard-affiliated Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.

more extensive warm-up. For example: "Golf requires that you swing your arms and turn your trunk. Tennis and pickleball require those movements, plus lateral shuffles. So you'll want to prepare the muscles for that," Ruggeri says.

One way to warm up is by practicing moves you'll perform later. "Do the movement repeatedly, in a slow and controlled manner, to allow the body

to adjust to the activity," Ruggeri says. "For example, for tennis, stand in place and slowly perform a backhand swing to warm up the shoulder and core muscles." Other warm-up activities to perform before vigorous exercise include marching in place, arm sweeps (sweeping your arms overhead), torso rotations (turning your torso left and then right), and the following moves. Step-ups. Facing the lowest step in a

Arm circles. Put your arms out to the sides and move them in circles of varying size (small, medium, and then large). Move them in forward circles for 30 seconds, then backward circles for 30 seconds. "This helps the shoulder muscles and the rotator cuff, a group of muscles and tendons at the shoulder," Ruggeri says. "The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, and these circles allow for the full range of shoulder movement."

Air punches. Punch the air in front of you, alternating right and left arms, for 30 seconds. Then do 30 seconds of cross-body punches: punch your right hand to the left, and then your left hand to the right. Try some uppercuts, too (punching upward). "Punches increase your heart rate and get more blood flowing through the arm," Ruggeri says. Stretching after activity

After the warm-up, do your workout. Finish the activity with stretches — gently holding each stretch for about 30 to 60 seconds. Ruggeri recommends stretching the shoulders, buttocks and hip muscles, upper leg muscles (the hamstrings and quadriceps), and calves. This will keep muscles long and supple, and ready to respond the next time you call on them for a workout or everyday activity.

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