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Blinken to visit Tel Aviv on Friday for talks on hostage deal, Rafah operation

Tel Aviv, March 21 (IANS) US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, will visit Israel on Friday and meet the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior leaders.

Blinken will also be meeting senior Egyptian and Saudi leaders on Thursday in Cairo and Riyadh respectively.

The visit of Blinken, the most powerful leader of the US, to the Middle eastern countries, including Israel, is to communicate to the concerned parties and mediators on the American viewpoint regarding the hostage deal as well as on the probable ground invasion of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Rafah area.

US President Joe Biden has recently spoken to Netanyahu not to push forward with the Rafah ground operations as it would lead to the death of a large number of Palestinian civilians, including women and children. An estimated 1.3 million civilian

Dan Schneider apologises for 'regretful' on-set behaviour

Dan Schneider worked on popular shows including iCarly, All That and The Amanda Show

Former Nickelodeon producer Dan Schneider has apologised for his "embarrassing" on-set behaviour while working on the children's channel. A new documentary released earlier this week alleged years of abuse and inappropriate behaviour at shows including iCarly and Drake and Josh.

Mr Schneider left Nickelodeon in 2018 after an investigation found that he was verbally abusive to staff members. He has now said he owes "some people a pretty strong apology".

Retired US generals describe chaos of Afghan exit

Two former generals who led the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 have testified to Congress. Mark Milley, former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, and Kenneth McKenzie, who led US Central Command, testified for the first time since retiring.

Republican lawmakers held President Joe Biden responsible for the disastrous exit, while Democrats blamed the Trump administration's deal with the Taliban.

population is living in Rafah area of the Gaza Strip and the idea of Israeli troops is to evacuate the civilian population to the north of afah.

However, Egypt has told the Israeli and American authorities of its strict opposition to the Rafah operation since it would lead to a huge refugee exodus to its territory in Sinai region bordering Rafah. Meanwhile, the indirect mediatory talk between Israel and Hamas is continuing in Doha, Qatar.

Israel is taking a tough stand and not agreeing to many of the demands put

forward by Hamas regarding the hostage deal and therefore, the mediatory talks are not progressing smoothly.

Sources in the Israel Defence Ministry told IANS that the talks would progress only on the terms put forward by the Israeli side.

Israel has demanded a two-step release of all the hostages in the custody of Hamas and has told the mediators that Palestinian prisoners kept in Israeli jails charged with heinous crimes cannot be released.

According to sources in Israel Defence Ministry, the Israel intelligence agencies, including the Mossad, Shin Bet and the military intelligence had informed the Israel government that Hamas has completely collapsed and the Rafah area is the key to defeat the remaining resistance of the militant outfit.

It has also reported that Hamas has only four army battalions remaining in the Rafah area and if they are also destroyed, then there was no other option for Hamas but only to surrender to Israel.

Trump unable to secure $464m guarantee in NY fraud case, lawyers say

Donald Trump cannot find a private company to guarantee the $464m (£365m) he has been ordered to pay in a New York civil fraud case. The former president must either pay the full amount in cash or secure a bond to avoid having assets seized.

If he is unable to do so by 25 March, he faces the prospect of some of his real estate assets being seized by the

state's attorney general. Mr Trump said that securing a bond of that size was "practically impossible".

For a fee, a bonding company would guarantee the full amount to the New York court.

They would then have to pay it if Mr Trump loses his appeal and cannot do so himself.

In his statement, Mr Trump said that the bond he was asked to pay would be "impossible for any company, including one as successful as mine".

"The bonding companies have never heard of such a bond, of this size, before," he said.

US court blocks strict new immigration law in Texas

A court has frozen Texas's controversial immigration law, one of the toughest of its kind, in a case being closely watched across the US.

The legislation would allow officials in Texas to detain and prosecute anyone they think has entered the country illegally, superseding federal powers.

MacKenzie Scott donates $640m to US non-profits

MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is giving $640m (£504m) to nonprofit organisations, more than double her previously planned donations for the year. The billionaire announced this week she would give the money to 361 small groups, out of the more than 6,000 organisations that applied for funding. She had initially planned to make 250 awards of $1m each this year. Ms Scott has given away $16.5b since divorcing Mr Bezos in 2019.

Biden Tightens US Car Emission Rules for EV Boost

President Joe Biden has announced the strictest regulation on vehicle exhaust emissions ever introduced in the US in a bid to accelerate the auto-industry's shift to electric cars.

It includes a goal for 56% of all new US vehicles sold to be electric by 2032 - a huge increase from current levels.

In a concession to car plants, the rule was softened from last year's draft.

But the Biden administration says it will still dramatically reduce planet-warming gases.

Wednesday's regulation will prevent 7bn tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over the next 30 years, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

The law briefly came into force on Tuesday for a few hours during a legal back and forth between courts. On Wednesday the US appeals court will hear the case.

The SB4 law in Texas was due to come into effect on 5 March but President Joe Biden's administration challenged it on the grounds that immigrant detention should remain in their hands.

Environmental groups broadly welcomed the measure, though some activists expressed disappointment that it was not stronger.

The US is taking a more moderate approach than the European Union and UK, which will ban all sales of petrolpowered cars from 2035.

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SB4 would give police officers in Texas broad powers to arrest migrants

MacKenzie Scott

Putin, Zelenskyy Invite PM Modi After Elections: "See India As Peacemaker"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in separate conversations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, amid the ongoing RussiaUkraine conflict following Putin's recent reelection.

The discussions underscored

India's role as a peacemaker in the conflict. Sources revealed invitations extended by both Zelenskyy and Putin for Prime Minister Modi to visit their nations post-Indian elections, reiterating Modi's last visit to Russia in 2018.

In his conversation with Putin, Modi congratulated him on his reelection and pledged to enhance the India-

During Modi's call with Zelenskyy, the focus was on bolstering the IndiaUkraine partnership, emphasizing a people-centric approach and advocating for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the crisis. Modi assured India's commitment to supporting a peaceful resolution, while Zelenskyy appreciated India's humanitarian aid to Ukraine, with both leaders agreeing to maintain communication.

Australian PM open to collaboration with China for mutual benefit

Canberra: (IANS) Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday said differences and disagreements should not define the Australia-China relations, and both countries should seek common interests as far as possible.

Anthony Albanese made the statement while meeting with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Canberra, Xinhua news agency reported.

Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, is currently on a tour from March 17 to 21 for an official visit to New Zealand and to Australia.

The Australian side is pleased to see that in the past two years, AustraliaChina relations have returned to the right direction, and Australia is willing to keep close high-level exchanges with China and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, Anthony Albanese said.

The Prime Minister's conversation with the two leaders comes in the backdrop of Putin's reelection as President and no sign of a de-escalation in the RussiaUkraine war.

Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. This reaffirmed India's diplomatic efforts to deepen ties despite

the conflict's escalation. India's stance on the conflict emphasizes dialogue and diplomacy, as reiterated by the Ministry of External Affairs, stressing the importance of continuous engagement for peace. Putin's landslide victory in the election solidifies his long-standing tenure, although criticized by the West for its undemocratic nature. Meanwhile, Ukraine's plea to the US Congress for a $60 billion aid package, stalled due to political disputes, underscores the urgency of support amid the ongoing crisis.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd J Austin highlighted the substantial economic toll of Russia's invasion, warning of broader implications if Putin succeeds in Ukraine. This further emphasizes the international community's concern over the conflict's escalation and its potential ramifications.

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif: Zero tolerance for cross-border terrorism

Shehbaz Sharif

Amidst a spike in terror attacks in Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday asserted that his government will not tolerate any acts

of cross-border terrorism and that his country would like to exist in peace with all its neighbours.

Days after what is now known as the Mir Ali attack in the restive northwest Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was addressing the first meeting of the apex committee – a top official civilmilitary body tasked to tackle militancy – since the new government came to power earlier in the month. Pakistan is facing a renewed threat by militancy. Over the weekend, two Pakistan Army officers and five soldiers were killed in a terror attack at Mir Ali in the troubled northwest of the country.

Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 31,923: Ministry

Gaza: (IANS) The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 31,923, with 74,096 others wounded, the Hamas-run

HK security law is final nail in coffin, say critics

Western leaders, the UN and rights groups have joined a chorus of criticism of Hong Kong's new security law, saying it further erodes freedoms.

Article 23, as it's known locally, was unanimously passed by the city's pro-Beijing parliament, targeting a range of offences deemed treasonous.

Officials say the law is essential for stability but opponents called it a "nail in the city's coffin". China has long pushed for the law and said "smears" by critics would fail.

Delhi world's 'most polluted' capital: report

Delhi was the most polluted capital city in the world in 2023, a Swiss-based air-quality monitoring group has found. India, of which Delhi is the capital, was also ranked as the world's third-most polluted country after neighbours Bangladesh and Pakistan, IQAir said. The country's air has worsened since 2022, when it was the eighth most polluted country, it added.

Air pollution is a serious problem in several Indian cities.

Gunmen breach Gwadar Port, open fire

Health Ministry said. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli army killed 104 Palestinians and wounded 162 others, the Ministry said on Wednesday in a press statement. Palestinian sources and eyewitnesses reported that over the period, Israeli aircraft launched dozens of raids in various areas from the far north of the enclave to its south, mostly targeting homes and apartments, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Israeli army continued its military operation in Al-Shifa Medical Complex for the third day in a row, which led to the killing of dozens and the arrest of others, according to the sources.

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Islamabad: (IANS) Unidentified gunmen forcibly entered Gwadar Port Authority Complex in Pakistan and opened firing, a security official said. A large contingent of police and security forces has reached the scene while the firing is going on Makran Commissioner Saeed Ahmed Umrani told Dawn. No casualties have been reported in the incident so far.Majeed Brigade of Baloch Liberation Army has claimed the responsibility for the attack.

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Halt 'Viksit Bharat' Messages : EC to Centre

Patanjali apologizes after Ramdev summoned by SC

New Delhi: Acharya Balkrishna, managing director of Patanjali Ayurved and an aide of Yoga guru Ramdev, has apologised to the Supreme Court for the company's misleading claims about its products and their medicinal efficacy.

In an affidavit filed in the court, Mr Balkrishna has said he has the highest regards for the rule of law. Extending an "unqualified apology", he said the company will "ensure that such advertisements are not issued in the future".

China: Border issues with India unrelated to US

New Delhi, March 21 (IANS)

Expressing strong dissatisfaction with the US remarks on Arunachal Pradesh, China on Thursday said that the border issues between Beijing and New Delhi have nothing to do with Washington. The response came after the US said on Wednesday that it recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and strongly opposes any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims across the Line of Actual Control (LAC). "China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firmly opposes the US' move," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said in response to a question at a media briefing, according to a Global Times post on X. "Zangnan has always been Chinese territory, and border issues between China and India have nothing to do with the US, which uses all measures to stir up trouble to serve its own geopolitical interests," Lin said.

New Delhi: Taking a strong step to ensure compliance with the model code of conduct, the Election Commission has directed the Union government to "immediately halt" Viksit Bharat messages being sent over WhatsApp. The poll panel has also instructed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to immediately submit a compliance report.

Ruturaj Gaikwad replaces Dhoni as CSK captain

In a surprising turn of events, Ruturaj Gaikwad has been appointed as the new captain of the Chennai Super Kings, taking over from M.S. Dhoni. The announcement comes just a day before the team's first game of the season against Royal Challengers Bangalore, making waves as the IPL 2024 kicks off.

SBI submits affidavit to Supreme Court: Withholds account details

SBI said that it has provided all details of electoral bonds in its possession to the ECI, except complete bank account numbers and KYC details of political parties for cyber security reasons

"Recognise Arunachal Pradesh As Indian Territory": US On China's Claim

Washington: The United States recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory and strongly opposes any attempts made to advance territorial claims across the Line of Actual Control, an official spokesperson has said, days after the Chinese military reiterated its claim over the state following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit there. Speaking at his daily press conference on Wednesday, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said, "The United States recognises Arunachal Pradesh as Indian territory

and we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to advance territorial claims by incursions or encroachments, military or civilian, across the Line of Actual Control."

The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said it has noted the latest comments made by the spokesperson of the Chinese Defence Ministry "advancing absurd claims" over the territory of Arunachal Pradesh and asserted that the state "was, is and will always be" an integral and inalienable part of India.

Australia tightens student visa rules as migration hits record high

Australia will begin enforcing tougher visa rules for foreign students this week as official data showed migration hit another record high, which is likely to further exacerbate an already tight

rental market.

From Saturday, English language requirements for student and graduate visas will be increased, while the government will get the power to suspend education providers from recruiting international students if they repeatedly break rules.

"The actions this weekend will continue to drive migration levels down while delivering on our commitments in the migration strategy to fix the broken system we inherited," Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said in a statement.

New Delhi: After being rapped by the Supreme Court, the State Bank of India has submitted all the details on electoral bonds to the Election Commission. The data includes the all-important serial numbers for the bonds, which will help match the donors with the political parties that were the recipients.

The SBI submitted an affidavit of compliance to the Supreme Court on Thursday. One of the points of the affidavit reads, "It is respectfully submitted that SBI has now disclosed all details and that no details [other than complete account numbers & KYC details] have been withheld from disclosure." The details given by the bank are expected to be uploaded by the Election Commission on its website shortly.

Delhi HC denies Kejriwal interim protection

New Delhi, March 21 (IANS) Delhi

High Court on Thursday refused to grant interim protection to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on his plea for "no coercive action" by the ED in connection with the money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam. A division bench of Justices Suresh Kumar Kait and Manoj Jain, after hearing arguments from both sides, declined to pass any order granting interim relief at this juncture.

Gujarat mandates punishment for not reporting ragging

The victims of ragging or its witnesses who do not report such incidents shall also be punished suitably, the Gujarat government has said in its resolution to curb the menace of ragging in higher educational institutions. The punishment for ragging shall range from suspension from attending classes and academic privileges to expulsion, as well as dismissal to an extent that a student cannot be admitted in any educational institution for a period of five years, the government resolution (GR) said.

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Indian American Real Estate Owner Accused of Wire Fraud

SAN FRANCISCO – A federal grand jury in San Francisco has indicted Vikram Srinivasan on charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with an alleged fraudulent real estate investment scheme. This announcement was made by United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Tripp.

The indictment, filed on February 29, 2024, and unsealed today, outlines Srinivasan’s alleged actions. According to the indictment, Srinivasan, 31, of Fremont, operated and controlled Paragon Holdings, LLC, a San Francisco Bay Area-based company implicated in the fraud. The indictment alleges that in August 2019, a victim identified as “R.K.” provided funds for a real estate purchase in San Francisco. Concerned that the funds were obtained fraudulently, R.K. met with Srinivasan, who purportedly claimed he could salvage the deal but instead exacerbated

Vikram Srinivasan, 31, from Fremont, orchestrated and had partial ownership of Paragon Holdings, LLC, a company based in the San Francisco Bay Area, which served as a vehicle for perpetrating the fraud

the situation. Srinivasan allegedly transferred some of the victim’s money to his own account and provided false documentation regarding the funds. Furthermore, Srinivasan allegedly solicited additional funds from the

TAGC's Glamorous Magazine Cover for International Women's Day!

CHICAGO, IL- The Telugu Association of Greater Chicago (TAGC) hosted a remarkable event on March 9th, 2024, at the Shalimar Banquets in Addison, IL, to celebrate International Women’s Day. Over 600 women from diverse backgrounds in Chicagoland gathered for a glamorous evening, marking a pan-world celebration.

The event commenced with esteemed dignitaries lighting the ceremonial lamp, including TAGC President 2024, Sri. Santhosh Konduri, and Women’s Day Chair Smt. Prasanna Kandukuri. Attendees seized the opportunity to network and connect, fostering new relationships.

Emcee Veena Yelamanchali infused the event with energy, captivating the audience with her charm. The main stage spotlighted women’s

achievements, while thrilling games and raffles added excitement. Participants engaged in lively contests and a Stride of Empowerment Fashion Show, showcasing unity and talent.

Guest speakers Dr. Radhika Chimata and Police Officer Sobanski shared insights on mental health awareness and self-defense. The event honored pioneering women leaders and supported the Vaidehi Seva Samithi, reflecting TAGC’s commitment to community service. Generous sponsors and dedicated volunteers ensured the event’s success, while exquisite decor and photography captured enchanting moments. A dance party with DJ Sandeep provided a fitting finale, celebrating the power and resilience of women across diverse communities.

victim for a real estate purchase in Pleasant Hill, promising to facilitate the transaction through Paragon. The indictment asserts that Srinivasan misrepresented the sale of the property and diverted some of the

funds for personal use. Additionally, Srinivasan is accused of unlawfully using the identities of two other victims, identified as “B.R.” and “A.S.,” in relation to the fraud.

The indictment charges Srinivasan with one count of wire fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft. If convicted of wire fraud, he could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, plus restitution. Each count of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year prison term, to be served consecutively to any sentence for wire fraud. Sentencing, however, would be determined by the court in accordance with federal guidelines.

Srinivasan appeared before Chief Magistrate Judge Donna M. Ryu for his initial appearance and is scheduled for further proceedings, including a bail review, on March 20, 2024.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert David Rees is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Katie Turner and Kay Konopaske. The investigation was conducted by the FBI.

Asfan, killed in Russia after duped by agents, buried in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: (IANS) The last rites of Mohammed Asfan, who died in the Russia-Ukraine war after being duped into working as a helper for the Russian Army, were performed in Hyderabad on Sunday.

Asfan, 30, whose body was brought to Hyderabad late on Saturday, was laid to rest at the graveyard adjacent to Masjide-Qutub Shahi in Bazar Ghat.

AIMIM President and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi attended the funeral prayers of Asfan and consoled the family members. Relatives, friends and other residents of the Bazar Ghat area participated in the last rites. The mortal remains of Asfan were

brought to his home in the Bazar Ghat area 10 days after the Indian Embassy in Moscow confirmed his death. He is survived by his wife and two children – an eight-month-old daughter and a two-year-old son.

Asfan, who was working in a readymade garment shop, was duped by a job agent based in Dubai. He and two others went to Moscow via Sharjah in November last year after they were promised jobs as helpers in the Russian Army. They were promised Rs 30,000 per month initially, and the agent had also told them that they would later get Rs.1.5 lakh.

Asfan’s family grew suspicious after they were unable to contact him. They lodged a complaint with Hyderabad police and later approached Asaduddin Owaisi. The AIMIM President had on February 21 appealed to the Centre to take steps to bring back 12 Indians who were forced to fight Ukraine alongside the Russian Army. They included two youths from Telangana, three from Karnataka, two from Kashmir, and one each from Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.

Hamil Mangukiya, 23, from Gujarat was killed in an airstrike on February 21 in the Donetsk region on the RussiaUkraine border.

Owaisi had said three agents cheated unemployed youth by sending them to Russia to fight against Ukraine.

Faisal Khan, one of the agents, is in Dubai while Sufiyan and Puja are from Mumbai. Ramesh and Moin are Indian agents in Russia.

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Full Disclosure of Electoral Bond Details by March 21: SC Orders SBI

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said there is 'no manner of doubt' that the SBI is required to disclose complete details of the bonds

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the State Bank of India to make a complete disclosure of all details related to electoral bonds, including the unique bond numbers that would disclose the link between the buyer and the recipient political party, by March 21. A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said there is "no manner of doubt" that the SBI is required to disclose complete details of the bonds.

It directed the SBI chairman to file an affidavit before it by 5 pm on March 21 indicating that the bank has disclosed all the details.

During the hearing, the bench, also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai, J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, observed that the SBI can't be selective and has to disclose all "conceivable" electoral bond details in its possession, including unique bond numbers that would disclose the link between the buyer and the recipient

political party.

The bench said the apex court had, in its verdict in the electoral bonds case, asked the bank to disclose all the details of the bonds and it should not wait for further orders on this aspect.

"We had asked all details to be disclosed by the SBI which includes electoral bond numbers as well. Let SBI not be selective in disclosure," the bench orally said during the hearing.

Last week, the top court issued a notice to the country's largest bank to explain the reasons for the nondisclosure of unique alphanumeric numbers in compliance with its directions, saying the SBI was "duty bound" to reveal them.

On April 12, 2019, the apex court issued an interim order directing that the information about the donations received and donations which will be received must be submitted by political parties to the EC in a sealed cover.

MP's Company Buys Rs.45

Crore Poll Bonds After Winning Sunni Dam Contract

A company founded by BJP Rajya Sabha MP from Andhra Pradesh, C.M. Ramesh, purchased electoral bonds worth ₹5 crore weeks after it bagged the ₹1,098-crore Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for the Sunni hydroelectric project in Himachal Pradesh. This tranche was purchased just ahead of the Assembly elections in Tripura, Meghalaya, and Nagaland. Two months later, the company again purchased bonds worth ₹40 crore.

OPINION

Raid to electoral bond pipeline:

How companies raided by central agencies went on to purchase electoral bonds

Bajaj Group Leads Donations to AAP in Electoral Bond Disclosure

New Delhi: The Bajaj group is the largest donor of electoral bonds to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) according to the party’s submission to the Election Commission of India (ECI) which subsequently went to the Supreme Court and was published by the poll body on its website on Sunday (March 17). The list includes the names of the donors of electoral bonds worth Rs 5.75 crores received by the party between April 23, 2018 to May 25, 2019. According to Supreme Court mandated data published by the EC earlier this week, the AAP has received a total of Rs 65.45 crores between April 18, 2019 to July 26, 2023.

At Rs 509 crore, ‘Lottery King’ Santiago Martin is DMK’s biggest donor through electoral bonds

‘Lottery King’ Santiago Martin’s company Future Gaming and Hotel Services Private Ltd was the biggest donor to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.

As per numbers filed by the DMK to the Supreme Court in a sealed cover, the party received Rs 656.5 crore through electoral bonds between April 2019 and November 2023, out of which Rs 509 crore was donated the Coimbatore-based Future Gaming. Project Electoral Bond’s detailed profile of Santiago Martin had revealed his ties with the DMK. The disclosures made by the Election Commission earlier revealed that Martin topped the list of electoral bonds buyers, purchasing bonds worth Rs 1,368 crore. Who received the remaining bonds worth Rs 859 crore given by Martin is not known yet.

Electoral Bonds Blow Giant Holes in Modi's Anti-Corruption Plank

rime Minister Narendra Modi's assertion of a corruption-free government faces severe scrutiny following the Supreme Court's ruling against the electoral bonds scheme, labeling it "illegal" and "unconstitutional."

The scheme, purportedly aimed at bringing white money into politics, has come under fire for facilitating anonymous contributions, particularly benefiting the BJP.

Former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's claims of corporate support for the scheme stand debunked, as evidenced by the disproportionate contributions from obscure companies, potentially serving as fronts for larger entities.

The revelation prompts questions about potential money laundering and quid pro quo arrangements, echoing Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud's concerns during the case hearing.

Allegations of institutionalized extortion by investigative agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax department further tarnish the government's

anti-corruption image. Instances of companies contributing substantial sums via electoral bonds following investigations raise suspicions of coercion and misuse of power.

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi accuses Modi of orchestrating the "biggest extortion racket" through electoral bonds. The opposition vows to escalate the campaign against Modi, highlighting the skewed distribution of funds, with the BJP receiving the lion's share.

The removal of donation limits and anonymity in electoral contributions under the electoral bond scheme exacerbates corruption risks, contrasting with the previous transparency measures. Revelations of major contributors like Vedanta amid ongoing investigations raise questions about their involvement in government projects and potential conflicts of interest. As the electoral bond scandal unfolds, it promises to dominate the discourse in the lead-up to the Lok Sabha elections. Despite potential distractions from the government, the opposition finds a potent issue to challenge Modi's credibility, signaling a turbulent political landscape ahead.

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Gambhir's Bold Message to KKR Bosses

"I'm a very tough guy to handle. I have to thank SRK (Shah Rukh) and (Venky)

Mysore (Managing Director of KKR) for putting up with my tantrums all these years." Gambhir, an elected MP from East Delhi, known for his straight-talk, said the day he joined KKR, Shah Rukh gave him a free hand. "He (SRK) told me the same thing.

Empire State Building Lights Up for T20 World Cup Trophy Tour

New York, March 19 (IANS)

West Indies legend and one of the most renowned players in white-ball cricket, Chris Gayle along with the USA’s Ali Khan lit up New York’s Empire State Building to launch the Trophy Tour for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. The Global Trophy Tour will visit 15 countries, including all nine host venues in the countdown to the historic ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 hosted in the West Indies and USA.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Trophy Tour started on Monday with two-time champion Chris Gayle and USA star Ali Khan lighting up the iconic skyscraper as fans countdown to the biggest global T20 cricket event ever. An official ceremony to launch the Trophy Tour was held at the Empire State Building, where Gayle and Khan had the honour of pulling the lever down to light up New York’s most iconic building in the navy and pink colours of the event. Sitting atop the 381-metre skyscraper was the prize all 20 teams will be competing for across the West Indies and USA from 1-29 June, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy, the ICC informed in a release on Tuesday.

Following the huge demand of more than 3 million ticket applications in the public ballot, additional tickets have been released to 51 of 55 matches, including to fixtures where allocations were previously exhausted.

Big Blow For Mumbai Indians

Star batter Suryakumar Yadav is certain to miss Mumbai Indians' IPL opener against Gujarat Titans on March 24 as he is yet to get fitness clearance from the National Cricket Academy (NCA). The world No 1 T20 batter Suryakumar has been stationed at the NCA in Bengaluru for his recovery and rehabilitation following a surgery for sports hernia.

WPL Victory Elevates Skipper Smriti Mandhana

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There’s still time for the Women’s T20 World Cup, which begins in September in Bangladesh. But it’s safe to assume that Smriti Mandhana, who led the Royal Challengers Bangalore to their maiden Women’s Premier League triumph, will play a bigger role in the national team’s leadership group in the World Cup.

Being deputy to Harmanpreet Kaur, Mandhana, in any case, has a leadership role assigned to her. But following this WPL crown, where her captaincy stood out alongside her batting, Mandhana’s tactical inputs will surely hold greater

significance in the showpiece event this September-October.

“Of course, that will be of good help for Harmanpreet, while (head coach) Amol Muzumdar also has to take good care of things (in the T20 Cup). The calmness and quietness with which Smriti handled everything in this WPL should be a fine assist to the skipper,” agreed former India Women’s captain Diana Edulji. “Besides that, Smriti’s decision to go back to domestic cricket and play a few matches there (last season) also paid dividends for her,” Edulji added.

BCCI to introduce Smart Replay System in IPL 2024: Report

New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to introduce the Smart Replay System in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 to increase the accuracy and speed of decision-making, said a report on Tuesday.

The Smart Replay System will allow the TV umpire to refer to more visuals than he previously had access to, including split-screen images, according to a report in ESPNcricinfo.

In the Smart Replay System, the TV umpire will receive inputs directly from two Hawk-Eye operators who will be sitting in the same room as the umpire and provide him with images captured by eight of Hawk-Eye's high-speed cameras across the ground.

Rishabh Pant Named Delhi Capitals Captain IPL 2024

Rishabh Pant missed cricketing action for 14 months after suffering a horrific car accident in December 2022

Rishabh Pant was on Tuesday appointed as the captain of Delhi Capitals for the upcoming edition of the IPL, marking a wonderful chapter in his miraculous comeback saga. The keeper-batter missed cricketing action for 14 months after suffering a horrific car accident in December 2022.

"We are delighted to welcome Rishabh back as our captain. Grit and fearlessness have always dictated his brand of cricket, and not surprisingly, even his road to recovery.

Sidhu Returns to IPL Commentary After Decade

“The TV broadcast director, who until now was a conduit between the third umpire and the Hawk-Eye operators, will no longer be involved under the new system,” the report said.

ESPNcricinfo also reported that BCCI conducted a two-day workshop on the new system in Mumbai on Sunday and Monday for select umpires. It is learned that about 15 umpires, comprising both Indian and overseas umpires, will work with the Smart Replay System during IPL 2024 which starts on March 22.

There are eight Hawk-Eye cameras present at every match -- two on each side of the square leg and two on each side of the pitch along the straight boundaries. Before IPL 2023, ball tracking and Ultra Edge were the primary uses for HawkEye cameras. Therefore, for any on-field referral, the broadcaster mostly used footage from their own cameras, except for reviewing LBWs and edges.

Under the new Smart Replay System, referrals for stumpings, run-outs, catches, and overthrows will be included in that. When a stumping referral occurs, the TV umpire will request to see the split screen from the Hawk-Eye operators via the Smart Review System.

After a decade-long stint in the unforgiving world of politics, Sidhu and his 'Sidhuisms' will be back on air starting with the IPL, which precedes the T20 World Cup in June. "The IPL will set the tone for the World Cup. There is no other cricket happening. The eyes of the world are on IPL. This is where you can snatch a berth for the T20 World Cup, not only Indians, even the foreign players," Sidhu told PTI in an interview facilitated by the IPL's official TV broadcaster 'Star Sports'. "Boss, cricket is my first love. If your hobby becomes your profession there is nothing better than that. A duckling would never forget how to swim, I will take to commentary like a fish takes to water," . "From Rs 60-70 lakh for the the whole tournament, I was taking Rs 25 lakh per day in IPL. The satisfaction was not with money, the satisfaction was that time would fly. It was beautiful."

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Smriti Mandhana-led Royal Challengers Bangalore Women lift the WPL trophy on Sunday.

Closing Soon: H-1B Visa Registration Ends Friday

Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train to be launched in 2026

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Tuesday that the Ahmedabad- Mumbai bullet train will be launched in 2026.

“India's first bullet train will be ready in 2026, and will run in one section from Surat,” the minister said. He said significant progress has been made in the construction of various stations and work has begun on the sea tunnel through which the train will reach Mumbai from Thane.

Chanda do, dhanda lo

Bhupesh Baghel

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

Washington: The initial registration period for the most sought-after H-1B visas for foreign guest workers for fiscal 2025 closes at 12 noon Eastern Time on March 22, a federal agency has said. During this period, prospective petitioners and legal representatives must use an online account of US Citizenship and Immigration Services to register each beneficiary electronically for the selection process and pay the associated registration fee for each beneficiary, US Citizenship and Immigration Services said on Monday.

Indian Death in US: Family Claims Murder, Police Dismiss Crime

New Delhi: A 20-year-old Indian student was found dead in the US with his family alleging that he was murdered.

According to his family, he was murdered by unidentified persons on the university campus on March 11 and left his body in a car in a forest.

Terming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's '400 paar' claim as "hollow", senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday said the BJP's Ram temple pitch "would not make much of a difference" in the Lok Sabha polls and exuded confidence that the INDIA bloc will get a clear majority to form the next government. In an interview with PTI, the former Chhattisgarh chief minister also claimed that the Lok Sabha polls will be Narendra Modi versus the "whole of India".

Baghel also raised the issue of the Supreme Court verdict in the electoral bonds case and hit out at the prime minister.

"He (Modi) used to say that I will end corruption, this is the biggest scam that is out in the open. They are censoring it in the media, it was not published in any Hindi newspapers. The more you want to hide it the more people would seek out that information," he said. If one hides it, the more it spreads on social media, Baghel added.

No Stay On CAA Top Court Asks Centre To Respond

To Petitions In 3 Weeks

Under this CAA, migrants from Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian communities, from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, who are fleeing religious persecution can seek citizenship.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday afternoon refused to stay implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act, or CAA. The court also gave the government three weekstill April 8 - to respond to 237 petitions challenging the law that was notified last week, days before the Lok Sabha election. In addition, the petitioners were given leave to approach if citizenship is granted to any individual before that date; senior lawyers Kapil Sibal and Indira Jaising both made that request, as Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta (appearing for the government) said, "I am not making any statement". Mr Mehta had originally sought four weeks' time to respond to the petitions.

Indian Consulate Coordinates with US Authorities After

New Delhi, March 18 (IANS) The Indian Consulate in New York said on Monday that initial investigations into the death of an Indian student, reportedly found dead in a forest in the US state of Massachusetts last week, have ruled out foul play.

Abhijeeth Paruchuru, from Andhra Pradesh, was a student of Boston University, and his body was found inside an abandoned car by the police,

Student's Death

according to local media reports. Stating that it is "deeply saddened" to learn about Paruchuru's "unfortunate demise", the Consulate wrote on X: "Mr. Puruchuru’s parents, based in Connecticut, are in direct touch with detectives. Initial investigations rule out foul play". It said it rendered assistance in the documentation and transportation of Puruchuru’s mortal remains to India.

"We remain in touch with local authorities and Indian-American community in the matter," the Consulate posted. Beginning this year, a series of mysterious deaths have put the focus on the security and safety of Indian students across the US, with the latest incident taking the toll to nine.

The Ministry of External Affairs said earlier this month that its consulates in the US have reached out to Indian students and assured them of all possible assistance in case of any trouble.

Javed Miandad Acknowledges Family Link to Dawood Ibrahim

New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) Former Pakistani cricketing legend Javed Miandad has openly accepted his association with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, citing it as an honour. The unexpected disclosure came to light during an interview in Pakistan where Miandad confessed to having known Dawood for a significant period and talked about his first meeting in Dubai. "It's an honour for me that his daughter is married to my son," Miandad expressed.

Former Indian Ambassador to U.S. Taranjit Singh Sandhu joins BJP

Former US Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu—one of the most experienced Indian diplomats on US affairs—on Tuesday, March 19, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the national capital city, Delhi.

The former ambassador joined the saffron party at its headquarters in New Delhi's Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg in the presence of party general secretaries Vinod Tawde and Tarun Chugh. The Saffron party may field

Sandhu against Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal of the Aam Aadmi Party AAP from the Amritsar constituency in Punjab in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024, newswire PTI reported. Speaking about the growth of the India-US relationship and development as the focus area of the Modi government, Sandhu thanked the BJP president JP Nadda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah who encouraged him for the “new path of service to the nation".

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Corrupt will not be spared, warns PM Modi at Telangana rally

Nagarkurnool (Telangana), March 16 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the corrupt will not be spared and sought support of the people of Telangana in punishing them. In an apparent reference to the arrest of BRS leader, K Kavitha, in the Delhi liquor case, the PM told a public meeting here that it was his promise to the people of Telangana that the corrupt would not be spared.

“The BRS has partnered with corrupt parties outside the state. Its truth is coming out every day,” he said.The PM said that the BRS was following in the footsteps of the Congress.

“KCR says India needs a new Constitution. Is this not an insult of Babasaheb,” he asked.

India hits out at Pakistan

India has slammed Pakistan and described it as a “broken record” that remains stagnant while the world progresses after Islamabad’s envoy here made references to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and Citizenship Amendment Act during remarks to the UN General Assembly.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj said this while responding to comments made by Pakistan’s Ambassador Munir Akram during the plenary meeting on Friday where the resolution ‘Measures to combat Islamophobia’, introduced by Pakistan, was adopted by the 193-member UN General Assembly. "One final point concerns a delegation (and its remarks) that, much like a broken record, remains sadly stagnant while the world progresses,” she said.

Akram made references to the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya as well as to the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act.

Kamboj said it is “unfortunate indeed to witness this delegation’s limited and misguided perspective on matters relating to my country, the more so, when the General Assembly considers a matter that demands wisdom, depth, and a global outlook from the entire membership – perhaps not the forte of this delegation.”

Lok Sabha Elections From April 19 In 7 Phases, Results On June 4

Simultaneous election for Lok Sabha and assembly will be held in four states -- Sikkim, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. Jammu and Kashmir, which has been under President's Rule since 2018, was not on the list.

New Delhi: The 2024 general election for 543 Lok Sabha seats will be held in seven phases that will begin from April 19 and continue till June 1, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said today, announcing the commencement of the world's largest democratic exercise in which the BJP would attempt to win a third consecutive term in power. The results of the election will be announced on June 4.

Simultaneous election for Lok Sabha and assembly will be held in four states -- Sikkim, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.

Jammu and Kashmir, which has been under President's Rule since 2018, was not on the list.

Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held soon after the Lok Sabha polls, Mr Kumar said. Simultaneous election was not viable due to shortage of security personnel,

he added, pointing out that the Commission has to provide security to every member who would contest in the

sent out a strong message on the circulation of fake news on social media, saying political parties should ensure

assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir. By-elections will also be held for 26 assembly seats across multiple states, including Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.

Mr Kumar, announcing the dates,

S. Jaishankar Urges India to Maintain "Patient yet Persistent" Approach Towards China

New Delhi, March 16 (IANS) Asserting that India has a 'very challenging' and 'competitive neighbour' in China, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar said on Saturday that New Delhi needs to be patient but persevering while dealing with the East Asian nation.

Speaking at a media conclave, the

Minister agreed that the relationship became much more complicated after 2020 but said that "it was building up over a period of time".

"I agree (that) since 2020, the relationship has become much more complicated. I accept that. But it was building up over a period of time... We weren't honest about it even to ourselves. We weren't really articulating it, and frankly, even strategising accordingly," Jaishankar added.

On being asked how he intends to tackle the challenge as the country gears up for its April-May general elections, the EAM said that the first thing India needs to do vis-a-vis China is to "stop pretending that everything is nice, stop being worried to express what we feel, and stop using terminology, which doesn't work for us".

responsible social media behaviour -"verify before you amplify".

"Fake news will be dealt with severely as per existant laws.. Section 79 (3)(B) of the IT Act empowers nodal officers in each state to remove unlawful content,"

"IPL Won't Be Moved Overseas": BCCI Secretary Jay Shah

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has secretary Jay Shah has confirmed in an interview that the Indian Premier League (IPL) will not be moved overseas. This comes after reports claimed apart of the cash-rich T20 league might be shifted to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to the General Elections in India. The General Election dates were announced on Saturday.

Indian-Origin Couple, Daughter Burnt To Death At Canada Home. What Cops Say

An Indian-origin family tragically perished in a mysterious fire that ravaged their home in Canada's Ontario province on March 7. The victims, identified as 51-year-old Rajiv Warikoo, his 47-year-old wife Shilpa Kotha, and their 16-year-old daughter Mahek Warikoo, were discovered deceased in their Brampton residence on Big Sky Way and Van Kirk Drive.

Initially presumed to be a residential fire, Peel Police's preliminary investigation suggested the fire might not have been accidental. Constable Taryn Young labeled the incident as "suspicious," highlighting ongoing efforts to scrutinize all available evidence.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion preceding the inferno, further

The victims have been identified as 51-year-old Rajiv Warikoo, his wife 47-year-old Shilpa Kotha, and their 16-year-old daughter Mahek Warikoo.

adding to the perplexing nature of the tragedy. Neighbor Kenneth Yousaf recounted the distressing scene as the house became engulfed in flames shortly after the reported explosion. Following the fire's containment,

authorities discovered what appeared to be human remains within the charred remains of the house. Subsequent investigations, conducted in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Coroner, confirmed the identities of the deceased as Rajiv Warikoo, Shilpa Kotha, and Mahek Warikoo.

Rajiv Warikoo, a former volunteer with the Toronto Police, concluded his term in 2016. Mahek Warikoo, described as a talented football player, had promising prospects for securing scholarships at prestigious universities. Peel Police emphasized an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, urging individuals with pertinent information or video footage to assist homicide detectives in their inquiries.

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Is America Becoming Unsafe for Indian Students?

20-Year-Old Indian Student Found Dead in US, 9th Tragic Incident This Year

Paruchuri Abhijit, a 20-something engineering student from Boston University is the ninth Indian to be found dead under unnatural circumstances in the recent past near his university campus.

Aspate of unnatural deaths amongst students of Indian-origin in the United States has left the Indian community grappling with the anxiety. The untimely death of promising youth has left Indians questioning the safety of kids who often travel thousands of miles away from their families to study and secure a better career. But with a host of factors leading to short-circuiting of promising young lives, a growing number of parents are becoming wary of sending their kids to the US.

Avantika Singh, an educator based in New Delhi is mother to two high-school going kids studying in prestigious schools in India. As part of their academic journey, the family has recruited an academic counsellor for their kids to direct them the passage to securing admission in a reputed university in the United States. However, the family admits that every time news of an unfortunate incident involving college kids surfaces, they are struck with anxiety on whether it may be a good idea to send kids abroad.

Singh shares with Hi India on a phone call from Delhi, “While parents in India have always held American universities in high esteem, especially for STEM education and it is traditionally seen as a mark of great esteem if a kid gets through a top or Ivy League university in America but the recent events have been unnerving. While the American gun culture has always been a concern for people in India sending kids abroad this new series of tragedies is definitely scary. Every time something like this happens my parent WhatsApp group that we have for parents like us considering a US education for kids pops up with concerned messages.

I wish we had more clarity on security for students while abroad.”

Alarmingly, it is not just the Indians back in the country worried about sending their kids all the way to America; many Indian-American parents are also considering the possibility of having their kids choose colleges within the city they stay. Nisha Shah, an IT professional from Illinois says, “My son is all set to graduate from high school and we have been urging him to look at a college within Illinois so that he can stay with us. The thought of sending him away, even though

he was born and brought up in the US and is very accustomed to student life in America, still the recent events have been alarming to say the least.”

It is understandable to feel the concerns of thousands of Indian-origin parents with kids studying at various universities across the US. Even though none of the recent events are related or have any connection to the racial demography of the students affected, psychologically when a series of events occur in a short time within a community they are bound to have an impact.

The death of Boston University student Paruchuri Abhijit marks the ninth such case involving an Indian-origin student within a short span of time. As the investigations are ongoing more details are awaited on the case. The Indian Consulate has expressed sorrow over the death of the students and also posted on X that initial investigations rule out foul play in the case. But preceding Abhijit’s case, there have been some other similar incidents too that have rocked the community both within the US as well as in India.

Akul Dhawan found Dead in University of Illinois 18-year-old student from India, Akul Dhawan was found dead in the university campus of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He was found dead on the back porch after his roommate reported him missing and a search was conducted. An autopsy on the student found that there was evidence of hypothermic skin changes due to absence of a coat and the bonechilling weather hovering around -20F and -14 F that night in Illinois. Dhawan’s parents live in California.

Neel Acharya found dead at Purdue University, Indiana

Indian student Neel Acharya was found dead on Purdue's campus. Acharya was pursuing a double major in computer science and data science at the John Martinson Honors College of Purdue University. Officials were called around 11:30 am for a possible dead body. An autopsy revealed there were no signs of trauma on the body. Asphyxia, cold exposure and alcohol intoxication were contributing factors to the death according to investigations.

Shreyas Reddy Beniger found dead at Lindner School of Business in Ohio

Last month in February Shreyas Reddy, a student of Indian origin in Ohio was found dead in the campus. Police investigations revealed that no foul play was suspected. Even though his parents lived in India, Reddy held a US passport and had an OCI card.

Sameer Kamath found dead by self-inflicted gun-shot in Indiana

Indian-American student Sameer Kamath was found dead in a nature preserve in Indiana. He was pursuing mechanical engineering from Purdue University. Kamath’s body was found at the Crow’s Grove Nature Preserve. A forensic autopsy revealed that the preliminary cause of death is a gunshot wound and it was a death by suicide.

Vivek Saini Hammered to Death in Georgia

In January this year, 25-year-old Indian graduate student Vivek Saini was beaten to death in the store where he worked in Lithonia, Georgia. He was enrolled in a masters’ degree course in Alabama University. A homeless, drug-addict hammered him to death and he was struck up to 50 times during the assault. His body was returned to India in Chandigarh where his parents live.

2 Graduate Students Found

Dead in Hartford Apartment

On January 14 this year, two Sacred Heart University Graduate students, 21-year-old Sai Nikesh Rakoti and 22-year-old Gattu Dinesh, were found dead in their apartment in Hartford, Conn. Both were found dead. It was suspected they died in their sleep. The students had come to the United States from India just two weeks earlier to pursue a master’s degree in computer science from Sacred Heart.

Varun Manish Chheda murdered by roommate last year

Last year in 2022, Varun Manish Chheda, a 20-year-old Indian-origin student studying at Purdue University was murdered by his 22-yearold Korean student Ji Min ‘Jimmy’ Sha. Sha, an international student, was arrested on murder charges. Chheda succumbed to multiple sharp force traumatic injuries.

Zofeen Maqsood

Amarnath Ghosh Sameer kamath

Vivek Saini Neel Acharya Shreyas Reddy Beniger Akul B Dhawan Paruchuri Abhijit

‘I am surprised’

Varun Dhawan’s ‘honest’ acceptance speech

As the News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2024 were announced in Mumbai on Saturday, many were taken aback by some of the choices. However, the acceptance speech of Varun Dhawan, awarded Best Actor award for the controversial Bawaal, is now going viral as the actor himself sounds a little surprised. Varun defeated Ranbir Kapoor (Animal) and Sunny Deol (Gadar 2), among others, to clinch the award.

“When the nominations were announced, Bhushan ji very sweetly told me, tumhi jeet rahe ho isiliye toh aae ho (of course you are winning the award, that’s why you showed up),” Varun said in his speech as the audience laughed. Emcees for the evening, Neha Dhupia and Aparshakti Khurana, called it a Bawaal speech and urged him not to disclose more ‘secrets’. Since the award was based on voting, Varun said he could not believe that he would receive it when nominated in the same category as Salman Khan and Sunny Deol. “My vote would go to them,” he said.

Addressing the criticism Bawaal received on release, Varun said that the film remained special in his career. “When it was released, it was met with a lot of controversy and people had a mixed response to whether it was politically correct or not correct. But ass the year has ended, it was the most watched film on OTT. We won a lot of awards, various people loved the movie… obviously people have a lot of views. Since the dust has cleared, we know the movie has stood the test of time. I think that is what a great movie, one that stands the test of time. It has been a while since Bawaal released, so I am also surprised that I am getting this award now.”

‘Big films is about access and I don’t have that’

Taapsee Pannu reveals ‘harsh reality’ of

Bollywood

camps

Taapsee Pannu highlighted how her disinterest in attending late-night parties diminishes her opportunities to secure roles in major productions.

Taapsee Pannu has solidified her presence in the film industry with her unique selection of roles. Presently engrossed in promoting her upcoming film, Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba, the actor delved into the challenges she faces in accessing Bollywood’s inner circles. In a recent interview, she highlighted how her disinterest in attending late-night parties diminishes her opportunities to secure roles in major productions.

Speaking to Zoom, Taapsee said, “Bollywood camps are there. The nepotism debate that we talk about is the problem of getting access. If a big budget films is being made, I am sure nobody would disrespect me by saying I am not fit for the role, but I might not get the part because my name will not be brought up as other actors, who are part of camps, they would be recommended for the part. The harsh reality is that big films is about access and I don’t have that access to make it into that room.” She added, “Parties is also a way to

Ajay Devgn’s horror film crosses Rs 54 cr mark, earns Rs 20 cr on Sunday

With no major competitors in the box office arena, Vikas Bahl’s supernatural horror thriller Shaitaan, starring Ajay Devgn, Jyotika, and R Madhavan in the lead roles, continues to show improvement in its performance day by day. It achieved its highest single-day collection to date at the domestic box office on Sunday.

Having started its theatrical run earning Rs 14.75 crore on its premiere day on Friday, the film saw a spike of 27 per cent on Saturday, collecting Rs 18.75 crore. On its third day in theatres on Sunday, Shaitaan recorded an India nett collection of Rs 20.5 crore, bringing its total domestic collection to Rs 54 crore. On Sunday, Shaitaan saw an overall occupancy of 36.24 per cent in the Hindi market on Sunday, with varying rates throughout the day. While morning shows had 21.35 per cent occupancy, this increased to 37.61 per cent in the afternoon and 48.58 per cent during the evening shows.

get into camps. You socialize with people, you become friends and then you work with them. That’s fine but to get to that position you have to go through this process of partying after 10 and that is so draining for me. I can’t sustain it. That’s not me. So, I might as well chose the harder way to do a lot of films and a lot of good work.”

In addition to Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba, Taapsee will grace the screen in Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan? alongside Pratik Gandhi and Khel Khel Mein with Akshay Kumar and Vaani Kapoor.

'Ae Watan Mere Watan' makers release Emraan Hashmi's first look as Ram Manohar Lohia

Mumbai: (IANS) Actor Emraan Hashmi is set to don a neverseen-before avatar of the freedom fighter -- Ram Manohar Lohia, in the upcoming historical thriller drama 'Ae Watan Mere Watan', starring Sara Ali Khan in the lead. The makers on Monday shared the official poster of Emraan, who features in a guest appearance in the film. The film pays homage to freedom fighter Usha Mehta (played by Sara), who at the age of 22 used an underground radio to broadcast news exposing the British Raj during the 1942 Quit India Movement.

Cena in the buff presents Best Costume Design to 'Poor Things'

Los Angeles: (IANS) Wrestler and actor John Cena was the driver of surprise and shock at the ongoing 96th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. He appeared naked on the Oscars stage as he presented the award for Best Costume Design to 'Poor Things', reports 'Variety'. John's bit paid homage to one of the craziest moments in the history of the Academy Awards back in 1974 when a naked man ran on stage at the 46th Oscars while David Niven was introducing Elizabeth Taylor.

John

Women can do comedy very well Kriti Sanon

At the trailer launch of Crew, Kriti Sanon shared that the film is not about male bashing, this film is very different and that women can do comedy very well.

Kareena Kapoor Khan, Tabu, and Kriti Sanon are poised to light up the big screen with their next flick Crew. The trailer and music of the movie have already piqued the audience’s interest. During the trailer launch, Kriti spoke about her experience of being part of a femalecentric comedy film. “We usually get to work with men mostly. It was very very refreshing to work with women. These women are so talented, and I have admired them for years. We all look up to them in what they bring to the table and the fact that they have been reinventing themselves and how,” she said.

Kriti Sanon also discussed women’s potential in comic roles and the fact that Crew is not about male bashing. “The way this film was written, the way these characters are, there’s so much life and chemistry between these

Randeep Hooda BTS: Body transformation for 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar

Mumbai: (IANS) Actor Randeep Hooda, who is gearing up for the release of his directorial debut ‘Swatantrya Veer Savarkar’, shared a picture of his physical transformation for the film on Monday. The actor, who essays the titular role in his upcoming film, took to his X on Monday and shared a monochromatic mirror selfie. He wrote, “KAALA PAANI #SwatantryaVeerSavarkar #WhoKilledHisStory #VeerSavarkarOn22March #BTS #behindthescenes #VeerSavarkar #Savarkar (sic)”. The picture shows the actor having shed weight to suit the part of his character when the latter is sentenced to punishment in cellular jail

in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Randeep looks lean with a receding hairline in the picture.

Randeep’s journey in the film has been a testing one. However, he found strength in his perseverance. He earlier told IANS in an interview: “The journey was honestly quite testing given that it’s my first film as a director. However, I invested my energy in making the story more detailed. Normally, anyone would start with a film on a smaller scale or a short film for their directorial debut but, it was really not in my hands and it was not my intention to become a director of the movie but it happened as the film took its own course.”

three. I believe what people love, or at least what I feel, is the whole chemistry. I feel, jab bhi koi women wali film aati hai, ladkiyan hain, to sab sochte hain ki serious hai bahot, ya phir kuch mudda hoga, ya phir men bashing hogi, all that. Aisa kuch bhi nahi hai as you can see women can do comedy very very well (I feel that whenever any womenoriented film comes and it is about girls, everyone thinks that it is very serious, or then there will be some issue, or then there will be men bashing, all that. There is nothing like this as you can see women can do comedy very very well).”

Munmun Dutta and Raj Anadkat deny engagement rumors as 'ridiculous' and 'fake'

New Delhi: Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah

Chashmah actors Munmun Dutta and Raj Anadkat dismissed rumours of their alleged engagement in Vadodora hours after the news surfaced online. On Wednesday, Raj wrote on his Instagram Stories and wrote, "Hello Everyone, Just to clear things up, the news you've been seeing on social media is false and baseless. Team Raj Anadkat.” Munmun told Times of India, “This news is ridiculous, fake and ludicrous. Zero ounce of truth in it. And frankly, I don't want to give my energy to this fake thing that keeps coming up again and again.”

Take a look at Raj's Instagram post: The clarification came hours after a source close to the couple told News18 that Munmun, who played the role of Babita

and Raj who featured as Dilip Joshi's son Tappu in the popular sitcom, exchanged rings earlier this month in the presence of their respective families. Talking about the ceremony, the source noted, "The engagement took place just a few days back. The two apparently exchanged rings in Vadodara (Gujarat). Munmun and Raj's families have accepted their relationship and they were also present at the ceremony.”

“They have been dating ever since Raj joined Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. It was very evident. Everyone on the sets knew about it. In fact, some people were certain that Munmun and Raj would get married eventually. Therefore, it is not shocking that they are engaged now,” the source added.

US Global Happiness Ranking Drops Due to Youth's Unhappiness and Loneliness

BJP Govt Printed Rs 8,350 Cr EBs After SC Reserved Verdict: RTI

London: Rising unhappiness among younger people has caused the United States and some large western European countries to fall down a global wellbeing index, while Nordic nations retain their grip on the top spots. The annual World Happiness Report, launched in 2012 to support the United Nations' sustainable development goals, is based on data from U.S. market research company Gallup, analysed by a global team now led by the University of Oxford. People in 143 countries and territories are asked to evaluate their life on a scale from zero to 10, with 10 representing their best possible life. Results from the past three years are averaged to create a ranking.

India to lead world in AI: PM Modi

The bonds worth Rs 8,350 crore printed this year are more than Rs 8251.8, or what the Bharatiya Janata Party has amassed through the scheme since its inception.

New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government printed 8,350 electoral bonds of Rs 1 crore each in 2024 alone, after the Supreme Court had already reserved its verdict on the constitutionality of the scheme in November 2023.

The information was revealed in State Bank of India’s (SBI’s) response to transparency activist Commodore Lokesh Batra’s Right to Information (RTI) query.

The bonds worth Rs 8,350 crores printed this year are more than what the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has amassed through the scheme since its inception.

Sonam Wangchuk Vows March to Border Over China's Land Takeover

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New Delhi: Ladakh climate activist Sonam Wangchuk who is in a 21-day fast in Leh has said that 10,000 Ladakhis will march to draw attention to the two issues of Chinese intrusion in the area and the alleged takeover of land by corporates. Wangchuk is on day 15 of his fast, which he has noted, could be extended till his death. The Telegraph has reported that Wangchuk is aiming to march to the China border on March 27, when the 21-day period of his fast will end. It could be delayed if he falls ill.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India will lead the world in AI capabilities, and exhorted young entrepreneurs and startups to work on 'Indian solutions for global applications' to solve challenges faced by nations across the world.

Addressing the Startup Mahakumbh, Modi said the three missions on AI, semiconductors and quantum, launched by the government earlier, will generate jobs for youth and investment opportunities for

Asks startups to work on Indian solutions for global challenges

global investors. "We are in a new era of AI technology, and world acknowledges that India will have an upper hand in AI. It is now our priority to ensure that we do not let go of this opportunity," he said. AI offers limitless possibilities for young innovators and global investors. "The leadership of AI capabilities will and should remain in hands of India...I am confident that spirit of `Indian solutions for global applications' will be a force...solutions by Indian innovators will solve problems for many countries," Modi said.

Addressing the Startup Mahakumbh, Modi said the three missions on AI, semiconductors and quantum, launched by the government earlier, will generate jobs for youth and investment opportunities for global investors

PM Modi Calls Putin After Election Victory, Agrees to Cooperation

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday rang up Russian President Vladimir Putin, congratulating him again on his reelection to the top office.

During their telephonic conversation, both leaders agreed to intensify efforts towards expanding the India-Russia 'Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership'. Sharing details of his conversation with the Russian President on X, PM Modi posted, "Spoke with President Putin and congratulated him on his reelection as the President of the Russian Federation. We agreed to work together to further deepen and expand the IndiaRussia Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership in the years ahead."

Hyderabad Parents Receive $1,200 Ransom Call for Missing Indian Student in US

Abdul Mohammed's family claims he has not spoken to them since March 7.

Hyderabad: Indian student's parents in US receive ransom demand of nearly a lakh rupees after his disappearance. Abdul Mohammed, 25, left for Cleveland University, Ohio, last May, but hasn't contacted family

The unidentified caller informed them their son had been kidnapped by drug sellers, who threatened to sell his kidney if they didn't pay up.

since March 7. Caller claims he's kidnapped, threatens to sell kidney unless $1200 paid. Family alerts US relatives, files missing complaint with Cleveland police. Mohammed described as wearing white T-shirt, red jacket, and blue jeans. Family reaches out to Indian Council in Chicago for help. Incident follows death of Abhijeeth Paruchuru, 20, engineering student in Boston, found dead in forest. Consulate General of India in New York initially finds no foul play.

Over 1 million girls barred from school by Taliban

The ban on girls' education remains the Taliban's biggest obstacle to gaining recognition as the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan

The school year in Afghanistan started Wednesday but without girls whom the Taliban barred from attending classes beyond the sixth grade, making it the only country with restrictions on female education. The U.N. children's agency says more than 1 million girls are affected by the ban. It also estimates 5 million were out of school before the Taliban takeover due to a lack of facilities and other reasons. The Taliban's education ministry marked the start of the new academic year with a ceremony that female journalists were not allowed to attend. The invitations sent out to reporters said: “Due to the lack of a suitable place for the sisters, we apologize to female reporters.”

During a ceremony, the Taliban's education minister, Habibullah Agha, said that the ministry is trying “to increase the quality of education of religious and modern sciences as much as possible.”

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All the listed Adani group stocks ended in the red and its dollar bonds took a hit on Monday following reports that US authorities have widened their probe of bribery charges against the Indian conglomerate.

Investors also reacted negatively to the Supreme Court dismissing a plea of Adani Power Rajasthan Ltd seeking over Rs 1,300 crore as late payment surcharge from the Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd, a Rajasthan government-owned power distribution company.

The news also had its impact on some of the group’s overseas bonds.

A Bloomberg report said a debt paper of Adani Ports due in 2041 fell 2.4 cents, the most since August, to 79.1 cents.

Another bond from Adani Renewable Energy RJ Ltd due in 2039 fell 2.3 cents to 83 cents, reportedly its worst drop since February 2023.

The debt papers had recently hit their highest levels since 2022 as investors took comfort from the group recovering from the damaging Hindenburg report that was released last year.

According to the Bloomberg report, US investigators are looking into whether an Adani group firm, or people linked to the company including Gautam Adani, were involved in paying officials

Dr Reddy's launches cancer drug in the UK

Chennai: (IANS) Pharma major Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd on Tuesday announced the launch of its cancer drug Versavo (bevacizumab) in the UK. Versavo, its first biosimilar product to be approved and launched in the UK, is a biosimilar of Avastin and indicated for the treatment of several types of cancers, including metastatic colorectal cancer, advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, recurrent glioblastoma, metastatic renal cell carcinoma, advanced cervical cancer, ovarian cancer and metastatic breast cancer, the company said. It is available in strengths of 100mg and 400mg single-use vials.

Adani Stocks Plummet as US Bribery Probe Expands

Investors also reacted negatively to the Supreme Court dismissing a plea of Adani Power Rajasthan Ltd seeking over Rs 1,300 crore as late payment surcharge from the Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd, a Rajasthan government-owned power distribution company

in India for favourable treatment on an energy project.

The probe is being handled by the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the Justice

Department’s fraud unit in Washington, the report said.

However, the Adani group said in a statement that it was not aware of any investigation against its chairman.

United Airlines addresses air travel safety fears

The head of United Airlines is seeking to directly reassure travellers that his company's flights are safe, after recent mishaps have spooked customers.

In a letter to the airline's millions of passengers, chief executive Scott Kirby said "safety is our highest priority". Last week, a panel from a plane's body fell off mid-flight and earlier this month a plane engine caught fire. United is reviewing what happened, Mr Kirby wrote.

"I want you to know that these incidents have our attention and have sharpened our focus," wrote Mr Kirby, adding that safety is at the centre of "everything we do". He said the company was already planning to expand training for pilots and new maintenance technicians and would increase resources to manage its network of suppliers. United carried a record 165 million passengers on its planes last year and brought in $2.6 bn (£2 bn). The company is counting on strong demand for travel to continue. Mr Kirby said the incidents - which also included a plane that lost a tire after take-off, among others - were all "unrelated". But it comes amid elevated attention on air travel incidents large and small. In January, an emergency exit door on a nearly brand new Boeing plane blew off in mid-air, reviving wider questions about the quality of the jets produced by the company, one of the world's two major jet-makers.

Zomato Introduces 'Pure Veg Mode' with Vegetarian Riders

New Delhi: (IANS) Zomato Co-founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal on Tuesday announced a ‘Pure Veg Mode’ along with a ‘Pure Veg Fleet’ on his platform for customers with 100 per cent vegetarian dietary preference. He said the ‘Pure Veg Mode’ or the fleet doesn't “serve or alienate any religion or political preference”.

The 'Pure Veg Mode' will consist of a curation of restaurants that serve only vegetarian food and exclude all restaurants that serve nonvegetarian items.

“India has the largest percentage of vegetarians in the world, and one of the most important feedback we’ve got from them is that they are very particular about how their food is cooked and handled,” Goyal posted in a thread on X. The ‘Pure Veg Fleet’ will only serve orders from pure vegetarian restaurants. “This means that a non-veg meal, or even a veg meal served by a non-veg restaurant, will never go inside the green delivery box meant for our ‘Pure Veg Fleet',” said Goyal.

Mike Lynch: Autonomy founder's fraud trial begins in US

Mike Lynch arriving at federal court in San Francisco on Monday

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British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch is appearing in court in the US, as his trial on fraud charges gets under way.

Once dubbed "Britain's Bill Gates", Mr Lynch is accused of overinflating the value of his software firm when he sold it to Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2011. The 58-year-old, who faces 16 charges, faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted. He denies the claims. He was extradited to the US last year, after a UK judge ruled in favour of HP in a similar civil fraud case.

In opening arguments, Mr Lynch's attorney Reid Weingarten said the tycoon was preparing to take the stand at trial, as he seeks to defend a record that has been severely battered since the sale of the firm Autonomy for more than $11bn (£8.6bn).

Satya Nadella Welcomes Mustafa Suleyman as Microsoft AI CEO

Mustafa Suleyman

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New Delhi : (IANS) Microsoft

Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella on Tuesday welcomed Mustafa Suleyman as CEO of the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) venture. As CEO of Microsoft AI, Suleyman will lead consumer AI products and research, including Copilot, Bing and Edge. "Welcome to Microsoft. Thrilled to have you lead Microsoft AI as we build consumer AI, like Copilot, that is loved by and benefits people around the world,” Nadella posted on X. Suleyman was the co-founder and former head of applied AI at DeepMind, an AI company acquired by Google. After leaving DeepMind, he co-founded Inflection AI, a machine learning and generative AI company, in 2022. “My friend and long-time collaborator Karen Simonyan will be Chief Scientist, and several of our amazing teammates have chosen to join us,” Suleyman also posted on X.

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Biggest Electoral Bond Donor

India Dismisses US Criticism of CAA

Earlier today US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller was asked if the CAA could affect religious freedom in India, to which he said, "We are concerned..."

"Misplaced, Misinformed, Unwarranted" : MEA

New Delhi: The government on Friday rejected the United States' "will closely monitor" comment on India's implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act, or CAA, calling out the remarks as "misplaced, misinformed, and unwarranted" and interference in New Delhi's internal matters.

"The Citizenship Amendment Act is about giving citizenship, not about taking away citizenship. It addresses the issue of statelessness, provides human dignity and supports human rights," the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said at a scheduled press briefing this afternoon.

"As regards the US State Department's statement on the implementation of the CAA, we are of the view that it is

Indian-Americans Alert FBI to Terrorist Activity on US Soil

Washington: A group of eminent Indian-Americans in Silicon Valley has held a special meeting with senior officials of the Department of Justice, FBI and police and told that the US

soil is being used for terrorist activities against India.

The group held the meeting with senior officials of the Department of Justice, FBI and local police this week on increasing hate crimes against Hindus in California.

During the meeting, Indian-Americans expressed their displeasure and dissatisfaction that the law enforcement agencies in the US have not been able to take any action against those who are espousing terrorism activities in India, according to multiple persons present in the meeting.

misplaced, misinformed, and unwarranted," the ministry spokesperson stressed. In a sharp response, the government also said, "Lectures by those who have a limited understanding of India's pluralistic traditions, and the region's post-partition history are best not attempted. "Partners and well-wishers of India should welcome the intent in this step."

Earlier today US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller was asked if the American government is concerned that the CAA could affect religious freedom in India. "We are concerned... we are closely monitoring this law (and) how it will be implemented," Mr Miller responded..

Indian American Amit Patel Gets Six Months Prison for Embezzling $22 Million

Amit Patel, a former employee of the Jacksonville Jaguars, has been sentenced to six years and six months in federal prison for wire fraud and illegal monetary transactions. U.S. This was following Patel’s guilty plea in December, 2023. In addition to prison time, Patel has been ordered to forfeit $22,221,454.40, the proceeds of his fraudulent activities, and pay full restitution to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

According to court documents, Patel siphoned approximately $22 million from the Jaguars acting as the administrator for the team’s virtual credit card (VCC)

program. He made hundreds of unauthorized purchases and transactions lacking any legitimate business purpose. He also fabricated accounting files with false entries, which he then submitted to the Jaguars’ accounting department. The fraudulent activities began in 2019 and persisted until Patel’s termination from the Jaguars in February 2023. Patel used the gains for gambling, purchasing real estate, luxury vehicles, and electronics, as well as acquiring cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens. He did not report any of this income on his tax returns. The case was a joint investigation by the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service

US Man Shoots Subway Rider in Self-Defense

As the train stopped at HoytSchermerhorn station in Downtown Brooklyn, commuters rushed out of the coach in all direction.

A man was seriously injured when a passenger on wrestled a gun from him and shot him in the head on a subway train in Brooklyn. According to New York Times (NYT), the incident took place during the Thursday evening rush hour. Quoting police department's Chief of Transit Michael Kemper, the outlet said that the violence erupted when a 32-year-old man was confronted by a 36-yearold passenger in an "aggressive and provocative" manner after boarding the train at Nostrand Avenue station at 4.45 pm (local time).

A verbal confrontation started and soon turned into a physical fight, with the 36-year-old flashing a razor blade of knife and eventually pulling out a gun, Mr Kemper said.

A New York Post report said that the 36-year-old abused the man even issuing a threat, "I'll beat you up!"

"Come on, there's babies on here," one woman can be heard pleading in the video, which was posted on social media platform X.

But that didn't stop the 36-year-old, who pounced on the other man, pushing him onto a two-seater and delivering several blows. Other passengers threw themselves on the floor of the train.

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Al Larson, Schaumburg’s Longest-Serving Village President, Honored In Remembrance

Obituary and Service Arrangements: The official obituary of Al Larson can be viewed on the Ahlgrim & Sons website. Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 22, at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, located at 201 Schaumburg Court. Additional details will be provided once available.

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The Village of Schaumburg mourns the loss of its longestserving former Village President, Al Larson, who passed away on March 19, 2024, at the age of 85. Larson's legacy is deeply ingrained in Schaumburg's history, marked by 44 years of dedicated service to the community.

During his tenure from 1987 to 2019, Larson spearheaded numerous development projects that transformed Schaumburg into a vibrant hub. His leadership was instrumental in elevating the village's profile both locally and nationally, fostering significant growth, and enhancing its overall quality of life.

Remembering Mayor Al Larson

Village President Tom Dailly, who served alongside Larson for over 25 years, fondly remembers him as a visionary leader who constantly pushed Schaumburg to strive for greatness beyond mere infrastructure. Larson's passion for the village was

unparalleled, leaving an indelible mark on its progress and development. Brian Townsend, Village Manager, echoed similar sentiments, praising Larson's foresight and dedication to realizing Schaumburg's potential. Larson's impact will be felt for generations to come, as he leaves behind a legacy of innovation and community service.

Larson's journey in public service began in 1975 as a Village Trustee, where he advocated for the preservation of historic buildings and championed environmental conservation efforts. Over the years, he played a pivotal role in key initiatives such as the establishment of the Spring Valley Nature Sanctuary and the acquisition of the Schaumburg Airpark.

His commitment to fostering cultural

enrichment in Schaumburg was exemplified through initiatives like the Prairie Arts Festival and the establishment of youth-oriented arts programs, leaving a lasting imprint on the village's cultural landscape.

Even after his tenure as Village President, Larson remained actively involved in community affairs, serving on various boards and commissions. His dedication to Schaumburg's advancement continued unabated until his passing.

The passing of Al Larson leaves a profound void in the hearts of Schaumburg residents, but his legacy of service, vision, and unwavering dedication will forever endure as a beacon of inspiration for generations to come.

Qawwali and Gospel Come Together in Chicago

To explore this cultural exchange between South Asian and Black communities, musicians

There is scarcely anything more powerful than music to bring together two different cultures, nuances, traditions or forms in a coherent symphony. Often this remarkable coming together goes on to show us how our similarities are more striking than our differences.

On March 24, Mandala South Asian Performing Arts, Chicagobased organization promoting performing arts from South Asia will be collaborating with musician Sonny with Riyaaz Qawwali along with gospel artist Markeyta Sconiers. The two deeply rich forms of music will showcase the world premiere of Qawwali and Gospel: Singing Together. In perhaps a never before coming together of the two art forms, the performance and workshop series will be combining gospel music with Qawwali. Qawwali is a devotional musical tradition which finds its roots in Sufi Islam. The performance also features guitarist Fareed Haque and bansuri player Chethan Ananton.

To explore this complex history of cultural exchange between South Asian and Black communities,

Sonny and Sconiers along with Mandala Performing Arts collaborated with South Asian community members in culturally diverse Devon neighborhood of Chicago musicians Sonny and Sconiers along with Mandala Performing Arts collaborated with South Asian community members in the culturally

Gospel with Qawwali; Bansuri with Guitar – an evening highlighting the rich South Asian and Chicago's Chicago’s North and South Sides in a rare musical symphony cultures

diverse Devon neighborhood of Chicago. They also worked with IndoAmerican Center, schools, the regal Foundation on Chicago’s North Side and Black Community groups and a church on Chicago’s South Side. The idea behind the project is to create new music that puts into spotlight the parallels that can be seen between the two genres while

also underlining and celebrating the historic roots behind the tradition thus bringing together communities. The musicians coming together bring with them a wealth of experience. Sonny with Riyaz Qawwali has been spreading awareness about Qawwali for about three decades now and has been a cultural ambassador for taking this folkart form and the associated poetry to Western audiences and the younger South Asian generations. He has also conducted lectures and talks at universities and museums.

Markeyta L. Sconiers became a member of Walt Whitman’s Soul Children of Chicago Choir at the age of 14, traveling across the U.S. and to Sweden, Denmark, and Norway and at the White House and with music icons from Stevie Wonder to Neil Diamond. From the Chicago Gospel Fest to the COGIC Holy Convocation, she has sung on many stages and TV shows like Oprah and Jerry Springer. The event is on March 24 at 3 p.m. at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 East 60th Street, Chicago. Tickets at events.uchicago.edu/ event/229996-mandala-south-asianperforming-arts-presents.

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4 tips women must consider while investing

In today's dynamic financial landscape women emerge as influential investors, reshaping conventional perceptions and forging a path to economic empowerment. Despite encountering challenges like financial literacy gaps and gender biases, women demonstrate resilience and skill in navigating the intricacies of the marketplace. From managing household finances to exploring equity markets, they bring a unique perspective driven by emotional intelligence and long-term vision.

Recognizing the significance of financial planning, there is a growing call to address barriers and create inclusive opportunities. By embracing the financial journey as a nurturing process, women can craft portfolios aligned with values, aspirations, and risk tolerance.

Through informed decision-making and strategic planning, women can unlock the full potential of investments, ensuring a prosperous future for themselves and future generations. Here are four essential tips women must consider while investing outlined by Swati Saxena, Founder and CEO of 4 Thoughts Finance. Improve financial literacy: Comprehending the complexities of financial products calls for strong financial literacy to avoid pitfalls. It is vital to possess knowledge of investing measures, stock types, industrial and economic cycles, and management ethics. Proficiency with digital banking and AIpowered financial tools helps in today's environment. The ability to obtain up-todate market data online and understand the basics of it is essential. A proficient level of financial literacy will aid the navigation of asset classes and maximize profits in an increasingly competitive environment.

Prioritizing needs and creating a comprehensive financial plan: Investments must have a rationale. They must be linked to objectives like retirement planning, economic independence, and resolving societal inequalities like the gender wealth gap. It's also essential to save and increase income

Aries

from investment because disposable income from static sources determines wealth. A clear understanding of risk and personal risk tolerance aids confident investing. Safer options like high-interest savings accounts and riskier ones like individual stocks must be prioritized based on understanding the risk as it suits the investor. It is also essential to review and monitor investments regularly.

Strategize and diversify investments:

Investing across a broad range of assets reduces risk by reducing the effect of market volatility. Include mutual funds (note that mutual funds are a basket representing assets, but are themselves not an asset class), stocks, bonds, and insurance. Consult financial professionals to make wellinformed judgments and avoid hurried investments. Customization is essential, including a wide choice of inexpensive, tax-efficient investments based on one's financial condition, risk tolerance, goals and ambitions. Gains and stability are balanced by reducing overall portfolio risk through diversification across asset classes, industries, and geographies. This approach uses market possibilities for optimum returns and resilience against economic fluctuations, even as it synchronizes investments with longterm goals.

A guide for financial well-being: Handling market fluctuations while making the best of investments takes knowledge and expertise that involves effort. An experienced financial advisor provides objective fiduciary guidance to minimize conflicts of interest. Longterm economic success is protected by an understanding of logical, researchbacked methodologies and tax-efficient strategies. Advice from experts is crucial in complex circumstances or in optimizing efficiency. Costs and giving up control could be difficult for a person who likes to be in charge but having a professional can provide customized solutions and sound decision-making. Wise investment management to achieve financial objectives is eased by qualified financial experts.

Author Bio:

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22nd March 2024 to 28th March 2024

Ganesha says that this week will be generally pleasant for the people of Aries. At the beginning of the week, students may get distracted from their studies. The workload in the workplace may increase. The mind will be troubled if the cooperation of senior and junior is also less.

Taurus

Ganesha says that the people of Taurus will start the week by discharging some big responsibility in the family, in which you will get the support and cooperation of all the members including your parents. During this, you may have to visit the court in connection with the land-building dispute.

Gemini

Ganeshasays that the people of Gemini will have to manage time and energy this week to complete their planned work on time. This week you will have more responsibilities and less time to fulfill them. To accomplish this, you will have to take the help of your well-wishers and colleagues.

Cancer

Ganesha says that the people of Cancer will have to remember the great mantra ‘Hariye na Himmat, Bisariye na Ram’ all the time this week. This week, suddenly a big problem may come in front of you. However, you will be able to overcome it with the help of your discretion and friends.

Leo

Ganesha says that Leo people may have to face mental stress, family disputes, and financial difficulties at the beginning of this week. To avoid all these complications, you have to manage your time, money, and energy.

Virgo

Ganesha says that the people of Virgo will need extra effort and hard work this week to achieve the desired success. At the beginning of the week, you may have to travel long distances in connection with work. The journey will be beneficial but tiring. Some risks may have to be taken to get profit in business this week.

Libra

Ganesha says that this week will

prove to be very auspicious for the people of Libra. This week you will get happiness and good fortune at every step. This week you will be able to give your best in your workplace. Due to this not only your juniors but also seniors will not get tired of praising you.

Scorpio

Ganesha says that this week has brought auspiciousness and good luck for the people of Scorpio zodiac. At the beginning of the week, the weight of the people wandering for livelihood will end. Religious-manglik programs will be held at home at the beginning of the week.

Sagittarius

Ganesha says that this week will prove to be mixed for Sagittarius. At the beginning of the week, when there will be some hindrances in your work, your friends themselves will go ahead and extend a helping hand. During this time, you will heave a sigh of relief after finding a solution to a major problem related to your family.

Capricorn

Ganesha says that the beginning of the week will not be auspicious for Capricorn people. At the beginning of the week, you may have to suffer physical pain due to any seasonal disease or chronic disease. Due to not being healthy, your work can also be affected.

Aquarius

Ganesha says that this week the people of Aquarius will have to take full care of the fact that their words will only make matters worse. In such a situation, control your speech and behavior and avoid speaking unpleasantly to anyone. At the beginning of the week, you may have to travel long distances in connection with work.

Pisces

Ganesha says that this week is going to be happy and sometimes sad for the people of Pisces. At the beginning of the week, the obstacles coming into your work or business will be removed, while your mind may remain a little worried about your health.

FIA Chicago Sets Records at Now Arena with Indian Heritage Celebration During Windy City Bulls Game

CHICAGO, IL – In a breathtaking showcase of culture and athleticism, the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) Chicago soared to unparalleled heights, reshaping the narrative of the Indian Heritage Celebration at the Now Arena. The atmosphere crackled with excitement as Founder Chairman of FIA, Sunil Shah, inaugurated the event, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening. Led by President Pratibha Jairath, the FIA ensemble including Sunil Shah (Founder, Chairman FIA), Niel Khot (Vice Chairman), Vinita Gulabani (Past President), and Richa Chand (Performance Coordinator and Vice President FIA), commenced proceedings with a stirring rendition of the Indian national anthem. This was followed by a heartfelt tribute to the stars and stripes, the American National Anthem, led by Nishika Dubey and Sahiba Siddu. The crowd erupted in a chorus of cheers, symbolizing the unity and spirit encapsulated in both anthems.

As the Windy City Bulls clashed with the Grand Rapids Gold on the court, the energy surged during breaks with the arrival of Indian dance troupes. With pulsating beats and mesmerizing

Ravi Bhalla Joins Lawsuit

To Eliminate ‘County Line’ Primaries In New Jersey

HOBOKEN, NJ -On March 12, Mayor Ravi Bhalla of Hoboken announced his collaboration with Jersey City Councilman James Solomon and several others to file an amicus curiae brief in support of Congressman Andy Kim’s lawsuit. The lawsuit aims to end the practice of the “county party line” and seeks injunctive relief before the June primary election. Mayor Bhalla emphasized the undemocratic nature of ballot favoritism towards candidates endorsed by county political parties, stating that it not only dissuades potential candidates but also deprives voters of genuine choices.

choreography, the arena transformed into a symphony of rhythm and joy. Embodying the Olympic motto of “Faster, Higher, Stronger,” under the visionary guidance of Sunil Shah and President Jairath, FIA shattered all previous records. This year witnessed an unprecedented surge in participation across all demographics. FIA boasted the highest number of

the tireless efforts led by Vice President Sonia Luther and Secretary-General Nilabh Dubey.

The evening’s performances, curated by renowned groups such as Laya, Suhani, Neha, Atarva, and Chicago Varsity Dance, showcased the seamless fusion of Indian heritage with global appeal, infusing the audience with a taste of Bollywood spice. The grand finale saw

performers, exceeding 85, the highest number of dance groups (5 groups), the highest number of community appreciation certificates distributed (90+), and maximum participation and involvement of the Indian diaspora in Chicagoland (400+), covering all age groups, from 3-year-olds to senior citizens aged 80 and above. With ticket sales eclipsing the count of the past five years combined, it was a testament to

spectators on their feet, swept away by the infectious rhythms permeating the aisles.

Amidst the halftime excitement, the Windy City Bulls took a poignant pause to honor the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) with a prestigious ‘Certificate of Appreciation’, recognizing the profound significance of cultural exchange within the realm of sports. With humility and pride, Chairman and

Founder Sunil Shah and President Pratibha Jairath graciously accepted the accolade on behalf of the hardworking FIA team, underscoring the transformative strength inherent in fostering unity through the celebration of Indian Heritage. But the festivities didn’t end with the final buzzer. Post-game revelry continued with a sumptuous dinner hosted by India Foodie Lounge’s illustrious owner, Yagnesh Patel. Amidst culinary delights, Mr. Patel lauded the leadership of FIA, recognizing Sunil Shah, Pratibha Jairath, Niel Khot, and Vinita Gulabani for their unwavering commitment to excellence. As the night drew to a close, it was evident that time had indeed stood still, encapsulating a momentous celebration of culture, community, and camaraderie. The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) Chicago truly made history with an electrifying Indian Heritage Celebration night at the Now Arena, surpassing all previous records. Led by visionary leaders and featuring sensational performances, the event showcased the power of cultural unity and left an indelible mark on both sports enthusiasts and spectators alike.

Illinois Rep. Krishnamoorthi Secures $850K for IAM Apprenticeship

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) has successfully secured $850,000 in funding for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Mechanics Union Local 701 apprenticeship facility in Aurora, Ill., as part of the recent bipartisan government funding package.

The allocation will support the development and expansion of the Local 701 apprenticeship facility in Aurora. Opened in July 2023, the new facility opened with its inaugural cohort comprising 94 automotive and diesel mechanic apprentices.

Due to the hard work of the IAM Local 701 staff, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi secured funding for the training facility.

Staff and members attended community meetings, office visits, and congressional events to advocate for additional funding for the facility. This funding was granted

because of IAM Local 701’s outstanding track record in creating highly skilled technicians and their commitment to advancing technicians’ education. “This program is a tremendous success, and we appreciate Rep. Krishnamoorthi’s belief in this program,” said Mark Grasseschi, IAM Directing Business Representative and Chairman of the Local 701 Training Fund. “This facility empowers our students with vital trades education, securing debt-free graduation and union employment. By meeting industry needs, we’re fostering highly skilled technicians. With this funding, we can further expand our facilities and elevate our training to another level.”

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Raja Krishnamoorthi

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Indian Seniors In Chicago Celebrate Birthday, Mahashivratri, And Musical Program With Joy

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CHICAGO, IL- On March 9, 2024, the vibrant community of the Indian Seniors of Chicago, comprising approximately 320 members, gathered to commemorate their monthly birthday celebration and musical extravaganza. Commencing promptly at 1:00 PM, the event unfolded its array of festivities under the adept management of Shri Bhupendra Suthar.

The proceedings commenced with a solemn prayer led by esteemed members Bhupendra Suthar, Geeta Suthar, Saroj Patel, and Manjula Modi, invoking blessings for the auspicious occasion.

The resonance of devotion echoed as the collective recital of the revered Shri Hanuman Chalisa reverberated through the hall, infusing the atmosphere with spiritual fervor.

In a momentous announcement, Mr. Bhupendra Suthar revealed the unanimous election of Mr. Dilipbhai Patel as the new president, met with resounding applause from the assembly, signifying unity and support within the organization.

The meticulous financial stewardship of Treasurer Mr. C. V. Desai was acknowledged as he presented the accounts for February 2024, alongside recognition for the generous donors. Additionally, he reminded attendees of the impending daylight saving time

Three Indians Illegally Enter US by Jumping from Moving Train from Canada

In true Bollywood style, four people -- two men and one woman from India have been arrested by the US Border Patrol. The group were attempting to enter the United States on a freight train entering the United States from Canada.

US Border Patrol agents at the Buffalo Station spotted four people jumping off a moving freight train on the International Railroad Bridge in the city of Buffalo. The woman from the group became immobile due to an injury and the men left the scene but were caught shortly after a foot pursuit. The injured woman received first aid by Erie County Sheriff’s deputies and US Customs and Border Protection officers (CBP) and post treatment was transported by ambulance to a local medical center. While the woman and two men are from India and the third man is from the Dominican Republic. The investigation concluded that all four people were undocumented non-citizens of which the three men are being processed for removal and detained in Batavia Federal Detention Facility awaiting a deportation hearing. The woman is still in the local medical center.

change, ensuring everyone was wellinformed.

A jubilant birthday celebration ensued, honoring members born in March, with President Shri Dilipbhai Patel extending warm wishes and distributing heartfelt greeting cards amidst shared camaraderie.

The significance of Maha Shivratri was eloquently elucidated by Shri Bipinbhai Shah, highlighting its profound symbolism in Hindu cosmology, depicting the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati in the cosmic dance of creation, preservation, and destruction. The Executive Committee announced

Achyuta Rajaram Wins Prestigious Regeneron Science Talent Award

Achyuta Rajaram, 17

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WASHINGTON, DC – Achyuta Rajaram, 17, hailing from Exeter, NH, has clinched the top honor in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2024, America’s oldest and most esteemed science and math competition for high school seniors. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, in collaboration with the Society for Science, revealed that forty finalists, including Achyuta, were celebrated on March 12 during an awards ceremony hosted by American Broadcaster Soledad O’Brien. Over $1.8 million in awards were distributed to the finalists, selected through a comprehensive evaluation process from the largest pool of entrants since the 1960s.

Achyuta secured first place and a $250,000 prize for his groundbreaking work in developing an automated method to

discern the decision-making components of computer models. His research sheds crucial light on understanding the cognitive processes of these algorithms, potentially enhancing their effectiveness, fairness, and safety.

Achyuta, the son of Nivedita Chevvakula and Rajaram Ramaswamy Kumaraswamy, is a student at Phillips Exeter Academy, where he holds leadership positions in the physics, chemistry, and chess clubs. Beyond academics, his ardor for jazz drumming has seen him perform in various ensembles, ranging from intimate combos to symphonic orchestras. Among the finalists, Arnav Chakravarthy, 18, from Cupertino, CA, clinched ninth place and a $50,000 award for his research on the genetic origins of macrophages, a type of immune cell, across the brain, liver, and bone marrow. Arnav’s findings, indicating potential replenishment of certain brain cells from bone marrow as individuals age, offer promising insights for future targeted therapies in agerelated ailments like Alzheimer’s. Furthermore, Aditi Avinash, 17, representing Highlands Ranch, CO, was honored with the Seaborg Award, granting her the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Regeneron Science Talent Search Class of 2024. Aditi was chosen by her peers as the epitome of their class and the exceptional qualities embodied by nuclear chemist Glenn T. Seaborg, a Nobel Prize laureate in Chemistry (1951) and a stalwart member of the Society’s Board of Trustees for three decade.

the name of the new president of the group, Mr. Dilipbhai Patel, who was unanimously elected.

Melodious renditions filled the air as members participated in a soulstirring program of song and bhajan, featuring performances by esteemed individuals including Durgesh Shah, Nalini Chudasma, Arvind Patel, Jyoti Vyas, Jayanti Oza, and more, captivating the audience with their musical prowess.

A poignant moment of reflection ensued as attendees observed a reverent silence, paying homage to departed members Bhanuben Pandaya and Suresh Shah, honoring their enduring legacy within the community. The event further enriched attendees’ knowledge as Rishit and Nupur Shah shared insights on financial planning and will-making, engaging members in an informative discourse and addressing their inquiries with expertise.

Culminating the festivities on a gastronomic note, attendees partook in a sumptuous meal, accompanied by the chanting of the sloka “Sahana Vavatu Sahanau Bhunaktu,” fostering a sense of communal harmony and gratitude for the cherished bonds shared within the Indian Seniors of Chicago.

Indian American Nithya Raman Re-Elected To LA City Council

Nithya Raman

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Indian American Nithya Raman has won re-election to her seat on the Los Angeles City Council. Raman is an urban planner and was the only immigrant on the City Council. She won, surpassing 50% in the Mar 5 election and avoiding the need for a November runoff, according to the latest vote tally.

Raman came to the US as a 6-year-old. She is a first-generation immigrant and her family relocated from Kerala, India. She became the first challenger to unseat an incumbent.

An LA resident, Raman started as a community volunteer where she focused on homelessness, helping to found a nonprofit that delivered food, hygiene kits and other supplies to unhoused residents in her part of Los Angeles. She then became the chair of the council’s homelessness committee.

All members whose birthdays fell in the month of March

ISC Member Shri Jayanti Oza performing movie song

The Executive Committee announced the name of the new president of the group, Mr. Dilipbhai Patel, who was unanimously elected.

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Who Is Siddharth Jawahar, The Indian American Indicted In Multi-Million Dollar Ponzi Scheme

ATexas-based former investment advisor was in the news for all the wrong reasons recently. According to the US Attorney’s Office in Missouri, Jawahar has been indicted by a grand jury in a Ponzi scheme, worth tens of millions of dollars. Now the FBI is urging victims of the investment adviser in Texas to come forward.

Jawahar is ordered imprisonment until sentencing by the court. The FBI on Wednesday said it is seeking potential Miami-area victims of Jawahar who has been accused of running a multimillion-dollar Ponzi scheme. But who is this man who ran a multi-millions dollar Ponzi scheme before getting into the radar of lawmakers?

36-year-old Jawahar began in 2015 by investing the majority of client funds in a single investment, Philip Morris Pakistan (PMP). Eventually, 99 per cent of client funds were consolidated into the PMP investment. Jawahar did not tell investors of a sharp decline in the value of PMP. But went on to mislead investors about the share price and their profits.

From July 2016 through roughly December 2023, Jawahar took in more than $35 million from Swiftarc investors but spent about $10 million on investments in companies. All this while, Jawahar used the money from new investors to repay older investors and to fuel an extravagant lifestyle including flying on private planes, luxury hotel stays and expensive outings at exorbitant restaurants.

Jawahar also known as Sid is the founder and managing partner of Swiftarc Group which focuses on the Consumer and consumer health industries. He founded Swiftarc along with two other co-founders. According to his profile he started his career at Morgan Stanley. Jawahar’s name came in the news when, back in June 2022, the Texas State Securities Board issued an order revoking Swiftarc Capital’s investment adviser registration and ordering Jawahar “to cease and desist from engaging in fraud”.

Mumps Outbreak Spreads Across Additional New Jersey Counties

NEW JERSEY – A recent report indicates a total of eleven mumps cases have been identified across four counties in New Jersey since January.

Last week, Hunterdon County reported eight suspected cases linked to international travel, while the remaining three cases were spread across different counties. Specifically, in January, Hudson and Ocean counties each reported one case, followed by a case in Somerset County in February, also linked to international travel.

The New Jersey Department of Health is advising individuals, particularly parents, guardians, and caregivers, to remain vigilant about the symptoms of highly contagious viruses and to ensure they are up to date with measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations. Additionally, one case of measles, another vaccine-preventable virus, has been confirmed in the state. It’s crucial for children to receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, with the first

Reported Cases of Suspected Mumps Linked to International Travel Emerge Across Four Counties: Details Inside

administered at 12 to 15 months old and the second at 4 to 6 years old.

Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Kaitlan Baston emphasizes the contagious nature of these viruses and advises individuals to contact their physicians in advance if they suspect infection.

The number of suspected mumps cases in 2024 is approaching the total reported in 2023. Last year, thirteen cases were reported by the New Jersey Department of Health, with the majority

Budget Cuts Force Most NYC Libraries Will Only Open 5 Days

NEW YORK, NY— The heads of New York City’s three library systems issued a dire warning on Tuesday during a City Council budget hearing, stating that the majority of libraries in the city will only operate five days a week if Mayor Eric Adams’ $58.3 million in cuts are not reversed. This potential reduction in operating hours comes amidst wider potential rollbacks of services that millions of New Yorkers rely on.

Since Mayor Adams announced sweeping mid-year budget cuts in November, many libraries across the city have already lost their seven-day service. However, the library leaders cautioned that the impact could deepen further if the cuts remain in place.

Binaifer Nowrojee, of Indian Descent, Appointed Head of Soros' Open Society Foundations

clustered in Passaic, Monmouth, and Middlesex counties. Notably, there were eight mumps cases in 2022 and seven in 2021. Symptoms of mumps typically begin with fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite, progressing to swelling of the salivary glands, puffy cheeks, and a tender, swollen jaw. Swollen glands may lead to complications such as brain inflammation, deafness, or infertility later in life.

For measles, symptoms manifest approximately one to two weeks postexposure, initially presenting as a high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery or red eyes. A measles rash typically follows three to five days after the onset of symptoms. Measles can also result in neurological or brain complications later in life. Rubella symptoms are mild and resemble those of measles. However, rubella poses significant risks to pregnant individuals, potentially leading to birth defects, miscarriage, or infant mortality shortly after birth.

Lawyer Binaifer Nowrojee

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NEW YORK, NY – Kenyan human rights lawyer of Indian descent, Binaifer Nowrojee, will become the first woman from the Global South to head the Open Society Foundations, concluding a three-year period of restructuring for the pro-democracy organization.

Nowrojee has been appointed as the president of Open Society Foundations (OSF) following a unanimous decision by its Board of Directors, succeeding Mark MallochBrown. Presently serving as the vice-president for programs at OSF, Nowrojee joined the organization in 2004 after working at Human Rights Watch. George Soros, the founder of OSF, emphasized that this appointment is part of efforts to make the organization “truly global.”

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Siddharth Jawahar (Facebook photo)

Doctors question science behind blood sugar diet trend

Doctors are cautioning against the use of blood sugar monitors for individuals without diabetes, warning of potential risks, including the exacerbation of eating disorders. Companies like ZOE have been promoting personalized diet trends, utilizing social media platforms to market their services. However, NHS national diabetes advisor Prof Partha Kar emphasizes the lack of substantial evidence supporting the efficacy of these gadgets for non-diabetic individuals.

ZOE's program, priced around £300, involves participants logging their food intake while wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) for two weeks.

The company claims to identify individual responses to food, guiding personalized dietary choices. Yet, critics argue that the implications of blood sugar fluctuations within the non-diabetic range remain poorly understood.

While ZOE points to some evidence suggesting potential health outcomes associated with blood sugar variations, particularly in prediabetic or diabetic levels,

The company claims to identify individual responses to food, guiding personalized dietary choices. Yet, critics argue that the implications of blood sugar fluctuations within the non-diabetic range remain poorly understood.

concerns persist regarding the interpretation of these results. Additionally, direct-to-consumer testing of gut microbiome, another aspect of ZOE's program, is deemed problematic due to the complexity of this science.

Dr. Nicola Guess from the University of Oxford underscores that high blood sugar is a symptom, not a direct cause, of diabetes. Despite ongoing research, uncertainties remain regarding the long-term implications of ZOE's program on health outcomes.

Ways to improve your sleep according to science

WDr. Ran Crooke acknowledges the potential benefits of CGMs as motivational tools for dietary changes but stresses the need for caution. There are concerns that an obsessive focus on numbers, facilitated by CGMs, could lead to detrimental behaviors, particularly in susceptible individuals.

ZOE has defended its approach, citing its rigorous scientific methodology and dedication to evidencebased advice. However, concerns persist regarding the potential consequences of over-reliance on blood sugar monitors and personalized dietary recommendations. Critics, including Dr. Guess, argue that without robust evidence supporting the efficacy of ZOE's program, the high price tag may not be justified. While some of ZOE's advice aligns with common sense dietary recommendations, skeptics question whether this justifies the significant investment.

As debates continue surrounding the utility and potential risks of blood sugar monitors and personalized dietary programs, the need for further research and scrutiny remains paramount.

orld Sleep Day prompts reflection on improving sleep quality, amidst widespread struggles with insufficient rest. Simple adjustments, informed by both scientific research and historical practices, offer potential solutions.

The concept of biphasic sleep, characterized by two distinct sleep periods separated by waking intervals, has historical precedence. Historian Roger Ekirch notes its prevalence in pre-industrial societies, suggesting a reevaluation of insomnia experiences. Seasonal variations in sleep needs further underscore the importance of adapting sleep patterns with changing environmental cues. Research reveals increased REM and deep sleep during winter months, aligning with human circadian rhythms.

Napping emerges as a beneficial practice, with habitual naps potentially delaying brain aging and boosting cognitive performance. However, caution is warranted against microsleeps, which pose risks, especially for drivers. Understanding the balance between adequate sleep and microsleep occurrences highlights the broader importance of overall sleep quality.

Historical perspectives shed light on communal sleeping practices, contrasting with modern individualized sleeping arrangements. Acknowledging past norms offers insights into contemporary sleeping habits and preferences. While modern bedding offers comfort, historical innovations demonstrate evolving attitudes towards sleep. Quality of sleep, rather than mere duration, emerges as a crucial determinant of overall well-being. Syncing sleep patterns with natural circadian rhythms optimizes the glymphatic system's waste-clearance function, essential for brain health. Reflecting on past sleeping conditions underscores the luxury of modern bedding comforts. In conclusion, leveraging historical insights alongside contemporary scientific findings offers a holistic approach to improving sleep quality. Embracing biphasic sleep patterns, adapting to seasonal variations, and prioritizing sleep quality over quantity are key strategies for enhancing overall well-being. As individuals navigate modern sleeping challenges, incorporating historical wisdom may pave the way for a more restful and rejuvenating slumber.

Four Arrested for Illegal Entry into US via NY Railroad Bridge

The three men were brought to the Buffalo Station for processing, during which it was determined that the woman and two men were of Indian nationality, while the third man hailed from the Dominican Republic.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehended three men and one woman attempting to enter the United States aboard a freight train originating from Canada.

On March 12, agents stationed at the Buffalo Station observed four individuals disembarking from a moving freight train on the International Railroad Bridge in Buffalo. Subsequently, the men fled, leaving behind a woman who had sustained an injury and was unable to move. Following a brief pursuit, the men were apprehended. The injured woman received immediate medical attention from Erie County Sheriff’s deputies and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers (CBP) before being transported to a local medical facility via ambulance.

Chief Patrol Agent Thomas G. Martin of U.S. Border Patrol Buffalo Sector commended the collaborative efforts of Border Patrol agents, CBP officers, and local law enforcement in safeguarding Western New York. The three men were brought to the Buffalo Station for processing, during which it was determined that the woman and two men were of Indian nationality, while the third man hailed from the Dominican Republic.

An investigation confirmed that all four individuals were undocumented non-citizens. Consequently, the three men are undergoing processing for deportation and are currently detained at the Batavia Federal Detention Facility, awaiting deportation hearings under Section 212 and 237 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Meanwhile, the woman remains hospitalized for further medical treatment.

The Buffalo Sector, responsible for securing the border between ports of entry in New York and Pennsylvania, spans 341 linear maritime border miles. The sector emphasizes the importance of community involvement in their border security efforts and encourages individuals to report any suspicious activities to 1-800331-0353.

USCIS Ensures Refugee Work Permits in 30 Days

Washington, DC - USCIS has unveiled a swift work authorization system for refugees in the U.S., aiming to slash wait times for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) from months to just 30 days post their entry into the country. Under this initiative, USCIS will digitally generate Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) for refugees upon their arrival, with approved EADs expected to reach recipients within one to two weeks via mail. Additionally, USCIS will electronically provide the Social Security Administration with necessary information to issue Social Security numbers and cards, facilitating refugee workforce integration.

All eligible refugees admitted from December 10, 2023, onwards will benefit from this accelerated process. Previously, refugees encountered delays due to a cumbersome paper-based application system. The automated approach eliminates these obstacles, expediting Form I-765 processing and EAD distribution. Immigration advocates praise the updated guidelines, emphasizing the importance of timely work authorization and Social Security information for refugee integration. USCIS affirms its commitment to enhancing efficiency and customer experience through immigration process modernization and digitization.

Family Dollar, Dollar Tree to Close Around 1,000 Stores

Around 1,000 Family Dollar and Dollar Tree stores are set to close following an announcement by parent company Dollar Tree, Inc. The closures were disclosed in Dollar Tree’s fourth fiscal quarter results report for 2023.

Approximately 600 Family Dollar stores will shut down this year, with an additional 370 Family Dollar and 30 Dollar Tree stores to follow in the coming years. With over 8,000 stores nationwide, Family Dollar comprises a significant portion of Dollar Tree’s retail presence, which spans over 15,000 stores in the United States.

This move follows Dollar Tree’s decision to review and optimize its store portfolio due to underperforming locations.

Rick Dreiling, Dollar Tree’s chairman and CEO, cited persistent inflation and reduced government benefits as ongoing challenges affecting their primarily lower-income customer base.

Indian American Businessman Threatens Over Yacht Parking Dispute

Ajay Thakore created a shameful scene and threaten 21 year old dockworker | Thakore is the CEO of medical advertising firm Doctor Multimedia.

SAN DIEGO, CA- Ajay Thakore

an Indian-origin businessman in San Diego, California created a shameful scene after he was refused parking for his $4.5 million Lamborghini yacht. According to reports, a 21-year-old dockworker denied him parking. This led to Thakore becoming aggressive. The incident captured on video shows Thakore yelling “I’ll kill you,” to the dockworker. The incident happened at Seaforth Boat Rental. According to Daily Mail, Thakore went on to expose his genitals while threatening to kill the dockworker. Thakore is also known as Ace Rogers on social media.

The video begins with Thakore saying: “I’ll kill you! I will kill you! You know I’ll kill you!”

The announcement led to a more than 13 percent drop in Dollar Tree’s shares, marking their lowest level for the year. Despite the closures, Dollar Tree remains optimistic about its performance, noting positive traffic trends, market share gains, and margin improvements in the fourth quarter of 2023. The company opened 219 new stores during this period, contributing to a total of 641 store openings throughout the year.

Family Dollar, known for its affordable range of household essentials, food items, health and beauty products, toys, and clothing, was acquired by Dollar Tree in 2015. However, the discount retail sector has faced significant challenges in recent years, with Family Dollar announcing closures in 2019 and facing a record $42 million fine last month for unsanitary storage conditions, including a rodent-infested distribution center, according to federal officials.

“Yeah, I doubt it! Ace Rogers, call me! Time and place!” The employee responds: “Yeah, I doubt it! Ace Rogers, call me! Time and place!” Then, Thakore goes on to pulls down his pants, exposes his genitals, and makes inappropriate gestures towards the dockworker. Thakore also then throws some money in the river, exhorting the worker to swim after it. After the incident gained some momentum and the video went viral, Thakore wrote on his Instagram page that there are two sides to every story. He also said: “It’s easy to paint a picture with edited video clips… but it is hard to explain context and look at the situation from all sides. He also wrote: “Successful people become so for a reason…If you want to f*ck around, you are going to find out.”

Thakore is not new to controversy. In 2021 he had an argument with a pizza shop named Take n Bake pizza over parking. He then went on to show his retaliation by flying a plane over the shop with the slogan: “Carinos Pizza is better than Take n Bake.” After the incident, the pizza company launched a $10million lawsuit against Thakore.

Thakore is the CEO of medical advertising firm Doctor Multimedia.

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