hi INDiA | April 26, 2024 | The Community First

Columbia University extends talks with Gaza war protesters, averting another confrontation

NEW YORK (AP) — Columbia University averted another confrontation between students and police early Wednesday, but the situation remained tense with campus officials saying it would continue talks with pro-Palestinian protesters for another 48 hours.

University President Minouche Shafik had set a midnight deadline to reach an agreement on clearing an encampment of protesters on campus but the school extended negotiations, saying it was making “important progress.” Student protesters had committed to dismantling and removing a significant number of tents, the New York Ivy League university said in a statement. On Wednesday morning, the encampment appeared calm and a little smaller than the previous day. Standoffs also persisted at other universities across the country,

US Warns Pakistan Over Iran Trade Deal

Washington: The US on Tuesday warned Pakistan of "potential risk of sanctions," adding that they will continue to disrupt and take actions against proliferation networks considering business deals with Iran. Emphasising the US imposing sanctions on suppliers to Pakistan's Ballistic Missile Program, US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said "We're going to continue to disrupt and take actions against proliferation networks and concerning weapons of mass destruction procurement activities wherever they may occur... Just let me say, broadly, we advise anyone considering business deals with Iran to be aware of the potential risk of sanctions. But ultimately, the government of Pakistan can speak to their own foreign policy pursuits."

including California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, where protesters this week used furniture, tents, chains and zip ties to block a building’s entrance and barricade themselves inside. And new student encampments continued to pop up, including at Brown University in Rhode Island.

Police first tried to clear the encampment at Columbia last week, when they arrested more than 100 protesters. But the move backfired, acting as an inspiration for other students across the country to set up similar encampments and motivating protesters at Columbia to regroup. Students protesting Israel’s war with

TikTok vows to fight 'unconstitutional' US ban

TikTok says it will challenge in court an "unconstitutional" law that could result in it being sold or banned in the United States.

President Biden has signed into law a bill which gives the social media platform's Chinese owner, ByteDance, nine months to divest the app or it will be blocked in the US.

The law has been introduced because of concerns TikTok might share user data with the Chinese governmentclaims it has always denied.

"We believe the facts and the law are clearly on our side, and we will

ultimately prevail," TikTok said in a statement.

"The fact is, we have invested billions of dollars to keep U.S. data safe and our platform free from outside influence and manipulation," it continued. "This ban would devastate seven million businesses and silence 170 million Americans."

The measure was passed as part of a package of four bills which also included military aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and other US partners in the Indo-Pacific region. It had widespread support from lawmakers, with 79 Senators voting for it and 18 against.

"For years we've allowed the Chinese Communist party to control one of the most popular apps in America... that was dangerously short-sighted," said Senator Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the Intelligence Committee.

War in Ukraine: US to send new aid right away, Biden says

US President Joe Biden has signed a $95bn (£76bn) package of aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

"It's going to make America safer, it's going to make the world safer," he said after signing the bill into law.

The president said the US would "right away" send fresh weapons and equipment to Ukraine to help Kyiv fend off Russian advances. He spoke a day after the US Senate approved

the aid package following months of congressional gridlock.

Ukraine has recently stepped up its calls for Western assistance as Russia makes steady gains in its invasion. Included in the package is $61bn in military aid for Ukraine. It passed the

Senate in a bipartisan vote of 79-18.

Tuesday evening's approval came after the measure passed the US House of Representatives on Saturday.

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said: "After more than six months of hard work and many twists and turns in the road, America sends a message to the entire world: we will not turn our back on you."

Reacting to the vote, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said it "reinforces America's role as a beacon of democracy and leader of the free world".

Hamas are demanding schools cut financial ties to Israel and divest from companies enabling its monthslong conflict. Dozens have been arrested on charges of trespassing or disorderly conduct. Some Jewish students say the protests have veered into antisemitism and made them afraid to set foot on campus.

China says US meddling in its affairs

Beijing: (IANS/DPA) Just ahead of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's trip to China, Beijing has accused Washington of repeatedly interfering in its internal affairs and undermining China's interests. "The United States continues pushing forward the strategy of containing China, keeps adopting erroneous words and actions that interfere in China's internal affairs, smear China's image and undermine China's interests," the state news agency Xinhua quoted an unnamed representative of the ministry as saying before Blinken's arrival in China on Wednesday.

Boeing Reports Quarterly Loss Of $343 Million Amid Safety Troubles

New York: Troubled aviation giant Boeing reported a firstquarter loss of $343 million on Wednesday, reflecting recent safety troubles that have slowed production and deliveries.

Boeing said it tempered production in the 737 program following a January nearcatastrophic incident on an Alaska Airlines jet. The company is implementing a "comprehensive action plan" following a federal audit of the program, Boeing said.

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UN rights chief 'horrified' by mass grave reports at Gaza hospitals

The UN's human rights chief has said he is "horrified" by the destruction of Gaza's Nasser and al-Shifa hospitals and the reports of "mass graves" being found at the sites after Israeli raids.

Volker Türk called for independent investigations into the deaths.

Palestinian officials said they had exhumed 283 bodies at Nasser, some with their hands tied. It is not clear how they died or when they were buried. Israel's military said claims that it buried bodies there were "baseless".

But it did say that during a two-week operation at the hospital in the city of Khan Younis in February, troops "examined" bodies buried by Palestinians "in places where intelligence indicated the possible presence of hostages".

Ten hostages who have now been released have said that they were held at Nasser hospital for long periods during their captivity.

The head of the UN Human Rights Office for the Palestinian territories also said he did not have "solid evidence" that bodies were found in the graves

Sydney Raids: 7 Teens Arrested for Alleged Extremism

Australian police have arrested seven teenagers as part of a wave of counter-terrorism raids across Sydney, claiming it was "likely" the youths may have been plotting an attack.

The suspects are believed to share a "religiously motivated violent extremist ideology", say police.

The raids are linked to last week's stabbing of an Assyrian bishop, which police declared a "terrorist act".

Police say the offenders were "juveniles" aged from 15 to 17.

Investigators allege that the teenagers belong to the same network as the 16-year-old boy who has been charged with a terror offence in relation to the stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, which occurred during a livestreamed sermon.

At least four people suffered "non threatening" injuries after the attack in the western Sydney suburb of Wakeley. The 16-year-old was also hurt.

"From that initial [Wakeley] incident, a number of associates were identified that we believe warranted further close attention and investigation,"

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson told media on Wednesday.

with their hands tied. Ajith Sunghay told the BBC that while he had seen some photographs of bodies with hands tied, the evidence did not meet the standard of proof required by the UN and so could not be stated as a fact. Prior to the Israeli operation at Nasser, staff there had said they had been forced to bury bodies in the hospital's courtyard because nearby fighting prevented access to cemeteries,

and videos were posted on social media showing burials taking place there. There were similar reports from alShifa before the first Israeli raid on the hospital took place in November.

The Israeli military has said it has raided a number of hospitals in Gaza during the war because Hamas fighters have been operating inside them - a claim Hamas and medical officials have denied.

Russian deputy defence minister

Timur Ivanov accused of taking bribes

Russia's deputy defence minister Timur Ivanov, left, alongside President Vladimir Putin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu

A Russian deputy defence minister has been accused of taking bribes and remanded in custody by a court in Moscow.

Timur Ivanov, who denies the charges,

is accused of accepting bribes "on a particularly large scale". Appointed to the defence ministry in 2016, Mr Ivanov, 47, has been responsible for Russia's military infrastructure projects. Activists have long criticised the levels of alleged corruption in Russia. However, such high profile cases have been rare since the start of Russia's fullscale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Mr Ivanov is considered an ally of Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and has worked with him for many years. He was previously deputy prime minister of the Moscow region, where Mr Shoigu briefly served as governor.

China Sending 3 Astronauts to Tiangong Station, part of its ambitious program

JIUQUAN SATELLITE LAUNCH

CENTER, China (AP) — China’s space agency is making final preparations to send a new crew to its space station on Thursday as part of its ambitious program that aims to put people on the moon by 2030. The three-member crew of the Shenzhou-18 spacecraft will relieve the current team who have been manning

'Lost' Gustav Klimt painting sells for €30m

A painting by the Austrian artist Gustav Klimt that was believed lost for the past 100 years has been sold at auction in Vienna. The unfinished work, Portrait of Fraulein Lieser, fetched €30m (£26m; $32m). It was commissioned by a family of Jewish industrialists in 1917, a year before Klimt's death. However, there are many unanswered questions about the painting and debates about who the woman in the portrait is, as well as what happened to the painting during the Nazi era.

Kenya: Floods cause widespread devastation in Nairobi

Roads have turned into rivers in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, as a top official said flooding had "escalated to extreme levels". Heavy rain has pounded Kenya in recent days, causing widespread devastation. The UN says that at least 32 people have lost their lives and more than 40,000 have been forced from their homes because of the rain and flooding.

Edwin Sifuna, who oversees Nairobi county, posted footage showing an entire neighbourhood flooded.

China’s Tiangong space station since last October.

China built its own space station after being excluded from the International Space Station, largely due to the United States’ concerns over the People’s Liberation Army’s — the Chinese Communist Party’s military arm’s — involvement in the program. This year, the station is slated for two cargo spacecraft missions and two manned spaceflight missions.

In a press conference on Wednesday, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) introduced the three astronauts: Commander Ye Guangfu, 43, a veteran astronaut who was part of the Shenzhou-13 mission in 2021; and astronauts Li Cong, 34, and Li Guangsu, 36, who will go to space for the first time.

Stadium ban for women to be reintroduced in Iran

Tehran: (IANS/DPA) A stadium ban for women is to be reintroduced in Iran, multiple local news reports said on Wednesday. The reports said that the Iranian FA has ordered the ban to be imposed in the north-western city of Tabriz in the wake of "repulsive incidents" at a home game of local top flight club Tractor-Sazi. It was not clear whether the stadium ban only applies in Tabriz or for all matches.

Palestinian workers are exhuming bodies at Nasser hospital with shovels because they have no heavy machinery

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RBI Curbs On Kotak Mahindra Bank

New Delhi: Citing data security concerns and deficient IT infrastructure, the Reserve Bank of India has barred Kotak Mahindra Bank from onboarding new customers online and issuing new credit cards with immediate effect. The bank can, however, continue to serve its current customers, including those holding credit cards.

Mamata Banerjee's Stark Message: 26,000 Teachers

Jobless

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's response to the Calcutta High Court order scrapping the job of 26,000 teachers, was a resounding election message. "Not one vote for the BJP or CPM or Congress, not from teachers, not from any government worker," the Chief Minister thundered today. The BJP, she added, has purchased the court -- the High Court, not the Supreme Court, she hastily clarified, "I still hope for justice from the Supreme Court". Then she expanded on it. "They (the BJP) have bought the High Court. They have bought the CBI. They have bought the NIA. They have bought the BSF. They have bought the CAPF. They have turned the colour of Doordarshan saffron -- they will only talk about the BJP and Modi ka baat. Don't watch it. Boycott it," Ms Banerjee said.

"We Can't Control Polls": SC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court today said it is not the controlling authority for elections and cannot dictate the functioning of Election Commission, a constitutional authority. The remarks came during the hearing on petitions seeking thorough cross-verification of votes cast on EVM with paper slips generated through the VVPAT system. The court has reserved the judgment for now. The bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta questioned if it can act on mere suspicion.

Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav To Contest Lok Sabha Polls From UP's Kannauj

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav will contest the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Uttar Pradesh's Kannaujthe seat that sent him to Parliament thrice and also voted for his wife, Dimple Yadav, and Mulayam Singh Yadav, the late SP patriarch - his party said Wednesday in a post on X. Mr Yadav, a former UP Chief Minister, will file his papers at noon tomorrow, the SP said. He also won the Azamgarh seat in 2019, but quit after he was elected to the UP Assembly from Karhal in 2022. Speculation the SP leader will return to the Lok Sabha battlefield had been doing the rounds. Earlier

Kannauj was a Samajwadi Party stronghold - it was won by Akhilesh Yadav's father, Mulayam Singh in 1999, by Mr Yadav in 2000, 2004, and 2009, and his wife, Dimple in 2012 and 2014 - till the BJP's Subrat Pathak won it for his party in the 2019.

today SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav was quoted as saying the decision had been taken.

Mr Yadav's proverbial homecoming will mean SP leader Tej Pratap Singh Yadav, who was named as the candidate earlier this week - will not contest. Tej Pratap Yadav is Akhilesh Yadav's nephew; he is the grandson of Mulayam Yadav's brother Ranveer, and won the Mainpuri seat in the 2014 election. Sources said the switch was the result of discontent among SP workers on the ground, who were keen that the party boss contest the family seat. Mr Yadav had originally opted against contesting this election since he wanted time to plan the overall strategy. Kannauj was a Samajwadi Party stronghold till the BJP's Subrat Pathak won it - by fewer than 14,000 votes - in 2019. The seat was won by Akhilesh Yadav's wife in a bypoll in 2012. She retained it in the 2014 election, but lost it to Mr Pathak five years later. Mrs Yadav was later fielded from Mainpuri in the 2022 bypoll due to the death of Mulayam Singh Yadav. She won by nearly three lakh votes.

Amitabh Bachchan, A.R. Rahman honoured at 3rd Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Awards

Mumbai: (IANS) It was an evening worth remembering as many distinguished artistes from the Hindi, Marathi, and Tamil film industries were honoured at the 3rd Late Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award ceremony in Mumbai's Vile Parle area on Wednesday. Veteran Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan was feted with the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award for his exemplary contributions to the field of cinema in a career spanning over five decades and running.

BJP Minority Morcha Leader Criticises PM Modi's Remarks, Gets Expelled

Jaipur: Bikaner BJP Minority Morcha district president Usman Ghani, who expressed displeasure with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent

remarks in Rajasthan, was today expelled from the party for "tarnishing" its image.

Mr Ghani, while talking to a news channel recently in New Delhi, had said that the BJP was going to lose threefour Lok Sabha seats out of 25 seats in Rajasthan. He also condemned PM Modi's remarks regarding Muslims during election rallies in the state. When asked about the remarks of PM Modi regarding Muslims, Mr Ghani had said that being a Muslim, he was disappointed at what the Prime Minister said.

10 BJP Leaders Lining Up for Trinamul Congress: Abhishek Banerjee

Senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday asserted ten top BJP leaders are keen on switching over to the TMC, a claim dubbed baseless by the saffron party.

While conducting a road show in a Murshidabad Lok Sabha constituency, Banerjee said the party will open its doors at the right moment and the "BJP will be wiped out of the state."

"Need Little Bit More Of That In US": JP Morgan CEO Praises PM Modi

New Delhi: JP Morgan Chase chief executive officer (CEO) has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for doing an "unbelievable job".

Speaking at an event hosted by the Economic Club of New York on Tuesday, Jamie Dimon praised the economic reforms implemented by the Narendra Modi government and said some of them could be introduced in the US as well.

"PM Modi has done an unbelievable job in India. I know the liberal Press here, they beat the hell out of him when he's taken 400 million people out of poverty," Dimon said.

Jamie Dimon said PM Modi has done an unbelievable job in India

A lot of US government officials in India are "fantasizing... how we think they should be running their country", Dimon said.

The video of the event was shared on X - earlier known as Twitter - by Union Minister Piyush Goyal.

The leading banker referred to PM Modi as a "tough" administrator for breaking outdated bureaucratic systems in the country. "We need a little bit more of that here (in the US)," he said.

The global banking giant's CEO also said that the country has an "unbelievable education system" and "unbelievable infrastructure"

Dimon also praised the country's indirect tax regime which he said has removed corruption by eliminating the disparity in tax systems in different states.

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Congress tried to give reservation for Muslims from Dalit quota, plans to 'redistribute wealth': PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the Congress has tried to extend reservation on the basis of religion and give it to Muslims, and accused the party again of hatching a "deep conspiracy" to snatch people's wealth and distribute it among a "select" group.

In a blistering attack on the opposition party, he charged that it is difficult to follow one's faith under the Congress rule and even listening to Hanuman Chalisa becomes a crime.

His remarks at an election rally in Rajasthan’s Tonk came on the day the country celebrated Hanuman Jayanti

has always been of appeasement and vote bank politics.

to legal hurdles and the awareness of the Supreme Court, it could not fulfil its intention," he claimed.

“In 2011, the Congress tried to implement it throughout the country. They played the game of snatching away the rights provided to the SC, ST and OBC and giving them to others for vote bank politics,” he said.

His remarks at an election rally in Rajasthan’s Tonk came on the day the country celebrated Hanuman Jayanti. "Modi is giving you a guarantee that reservation for Dalits and the backward tribals will neither end nor allowed to be divided in the name of religion," he said. He said the then prime minister Manmohan Singh had given a speech in which he had said Muslims have the first right on the country’s resources.

‘My Mother Has Sacrificed Her Mangalsutra For The Country’: Priyanka Gandhi

Bengaluru: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday (April 23) said that Sonia Gandhi has sacrificed her “mangalsutra” for the country and that Indira Gandhi has given her gold to the country in the war, while responding to the repeated allegations levelled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“My mother’s mangalsutra has been sacrificed for this country,” Gandhi said in a Congress rally in HSR Layout, which falls under the Bengaluru South constituency

Yogi Adityanath says Congress wants to impose Sharia law

New Delhi: The Congress wants to implement Sharia law across the country, Uttar Pradesh chief minister and BJP leader Yogi Adityanath said on Tuesday, days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed the party had promised to redistribute people's property to the Muslim community. "You tell me, will this country be run by the Constitution made by Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar or by Shariat?" he added.

"This was not a coincidence. This is not a single statement. The Congress ideology

“As soon as the Congress formed the government at the Centre in 2004, one of the first things it did was to reduce the SC/ST reservation in Andhra Pradesh and give it to Muslims," Modi said.

"This was a pilot project which the Congress wanted to try in the entire country,” he charged.

“Between 2004 and 2010, the Congress tried to implement Muslim reservation in Andhra Pradesh four times but due

PM’s ‘infiltrators’ remark: Complaint under consideration, say EC

The Election Commission has received a complaint against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's controversial 'infiltrators' remark at a rally in Rajasthan on Sunday, sources said, adding that it is under consideration.

In a scathing attack on the Congress, PM Modi, at a rally in Banswara, said, "The Congress manifesto says they will calculate the gold with mothers and sisters, get information about it and then distribute that property. They will distribute it to whom - Manmohan Singh's government had said that Muslims have the first right to the country's assets." "Earlier, when their (Congress) government was in power, they had said that Muslims have the first right to the country's assets. This means to whom will this property be distributed? It will be distributed amongst those who have more children."

"BJP Will Not Cross Even 220 Lok Sabha Seats": Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: Two days before half of the state's 28 constituencies vote in the second phase of the Lok Sabha polls on Friday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has claimed that, contrary to its aim of winning 400 seats, the BJP-led NDA will not cross even 220 and at least part of the reason for this will be that Prime Minister Narendra

Modi has not fulfilled his promises. Speaking exclusively to NDTV on Tuesday, the Congress leader also said that the alliance between the BJP and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda's Janata Dal (Secular) is an "unholy one". Responding to a question on people claiming that Siddaramaiah's personality is important in an Assembly election but PM Modi's image may have an edge in the Lok Sabha polls, the chief minister said, "What is the image that he (the PM) has? When he has failed to fulfil the promises he has made to the people of the country, how will the same image continue? I don't think there is a Modi wave in the entire country, and particularly in Karnataka."

“The Congress did this deliberately and without caring about the Constitution and B R Ambedkar," he added.

Modi's speech at a rally in Rajasthan's Banswara had triggered a political row Sunday when he referred to the Congress manifesto and charged that the party was set to redistribute people’s wealth to “infiltrators” and “those who have more children”.

Congress Pick 'Missing', 8 Others Withdraw: What's Behind BJP's Surat Win

Congress candidate

Surat Congress leader Nilesh Kumbhani, whose nomination as Lok Sabha candidate was rejected over alleged discrepancies, is missing and can't be reached over the phone, local media reported today. This comes a day after the BJP's Mukesh Dalal was declared winner from the BJP stronghold after all rival candidates withdrew from the contest. The Congress has approached the Election Commission, alleging that the ruling BJP in Gujarat exerted "wrong and undue influence", and demanded a restart of the poll process. Mr Singhvi claimed that in Surat, Congress candidate Kumbhani was nominated by four proposers, "but, suddenly all four stood up and denied their signatures".

Tesla Fires Entire US "Growth Team" Built Just 4 Months Ago

Tesla slashed a newly formed marketing team as part of companywide layoffs, reversing course from a traditional advertising push that Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk greenlighted less than a year ago.

The entire US "growth content" team, a group of about 40 employees overseen by senior manager Alex Ingram, was eliminated in the ongoing job cuts, according to people familiar with the matter. Ingram and Jorge Milburn, who led the global team, were dismissed, they said. The company still

The entire US "growth content" team, a group of about 40 employees overseen by senior manager Alex Ingram, was eliminated in the ongoing job cuts, according to people familiar with the matter.

has a small number of marketing staff in Europe, one person said. There were also significant layoffs in Tesla's design studio and staff located in Hawthorne,

California, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. In a post on X responding to Bloomberg's report, Elon Musk wrote of the content team's work: "The ads were far too generic - could've been any car." The cuts mark a pullback from Tesla's nascent advertising initiatives. The automaker had long eschewed television, radio, print, or online ads - and had built a formidable brand largely through word-of-mouthbefore Musk said last year that Tesla would "try a little advertising and see how it goes."

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Nilesh Kumbhani missing from his Surat home

Congress Asks ECI to Disqualify Modi Over Rajasthan Speech

New Delhi: The Congress today asked the Election Commission of India (ECI), which it said has stubbornly demonstrated its reluctance to act against Prime Minister Narendra Modi despite serious violations of the model code of conduct over the last decade, whether any other candidate can be accorded the same privilege.

In a petition seeking Modi’s immediate disqualification as a candidate in the election for his repeated violations – including an incendiary speech he made at Rajasthan’s Banswara on Sunday (April 21) – the Congress said, “The commission must ask itself if the same leeway would be granted to any other candidate if he so arrogantly and repeatedly defied the laws of our country.”

The petition said, “At the outset, it must be stated that Narendra Modi and the BJP have deliberately and repeatedly invoked religion, religious symbols and religious sentiments in its election campaign and the same is being done without any impunity. “These actions have been further bolstered by the commission’s inaction in penalising the prime minister and the BJP for their blatant and direct violations of electoral laws.”

J&K Government Employee Targeted and Shot Dead in Rajouri

A government employee was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in another targeted attack in Jammu and Kashmir this evening. Mohammad Razaq was shot soon after he came out of a mosque at Shadra Sharief area of Rajouri. He died of his injuries in a hospital.

The 40-year-old was an employee in the social welfare department. Security personnel rushed to the spot and launched a massive cordon and search operation to track down the terrorists, they said.

PM Doubles Down Amid Row: 'Congress Will Take Away Your Homes, Jewels'

Addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh, he said members of the INDIA Opposition bloc have lost all hope for the future.

New Delhi: Amid the massive row over his remarks at Rajasthan's Banswara, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today doubled down on his property redistribution charge at the Congress, alleging that the Opposition party is eyeing the property of citizens and wants to loot it.

Addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh, he said members of the INDIA Opposition bloc have lost all hope for the future. "They question why Modi talks of a developed India, why he talks of making India the world's

Rahul Gandhi "Lies, Conspires":

Now BJP Approaches EC

New Delhi: The BJP, in a tot-for-tat measure against the Opposition INDIA bloc, has also approached the Election Commission, flagging the comments of Congress's Rahul Gandhi and seeking "peaceful election" in West Bengal.The party has brushed away the Congress remarks, saying the party is desperate because it is unable to find candidates for elections.

BJP leader Tarun Chugh said, "The way Rahul Gandhi is conspiring to make (people) fight on the basis of language and

BJP leader Tarun Chugh said, "The way Rahul Gandhi is conspiring to make (people) fight on the basis of language and region, we complained about that (with the Election Commission)".

region, we complained about that (with the Election Commission)". "We told the Election Commission that he is a serial and habitual offender who lies, conspires and divert people's attention," he added. Earlier today, the Congress approached the Election Commission demanding action over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comment that the Congress, if voted to power, "will redistribute the nation's wealth to imposters". The Congress manifesto, PM Modi said, promises that if they come to power, "everyone's property will be surveyed, it will calculate gold belonging to mothers and sisters and then redistribute it.

New Schengen Visa Rules Bring Good News For Indians

New Delhi: Indian citizens can now apply for a multiple entry Schengen visa with longer validity, the European Union (EU) said in a statement today.

This new visa 'cascade' regime for Indian nationals residing in India who apply for Schengen (short-stay) visas in India will provide easier access to visas with multi-year validity for travellers with an established travel history, if the passport validity allows, the EU said.

Indian nationals can now be issued long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas valid for two years after having obtained and lawfully used two visas within the previous three years

The European Commission on April 18 adopted specific rules on issuing multiple entry visas to Indian nationals, which are more favourable than the standard rules of the Visa Code that applied to date. This decision comes in the context of strengthened relations under the EUIndia Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility, which seeks comprehensive cooperation on migration policy between the EU and India, with facilitation of people-to-people contacts being of key aspect due to the importance of India as a partner for the EU.

third-largest economy. These people don't do anything except for their families and their greed for power. They cheat people," he said. The Prime Minister said he wants to warn the country against Congress's manifesto. "Congress and INDI alliance are now eyeing your income, your property," he said. Apparently referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, he said, "Congress's prince has said that if they form the government, they will do investigate who earns how much, owns how much wealth and how many houses. He also says that the government will take control of your property and distribute it among everyone. Their manifesto says this."

BJP suspends rebel leader Eshwarappa from party for 6 years

Bengaluru, April 22 (IANS) Rebel BJP leader K.S. Eshwarappa, who is contesting the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka as an Independent nominee, was been suspended from the party for six years Monday.

An order in this regard was issued by the disciplinary committee of the BJP after Eshwarappa’s decision to not withdraw his nomination from the high-profile Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituency, which is also being contested by BJP's B.Y. Raghavendra, the son of former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa.

BJP opens account before counting as Surat candidate wins unopposed

Surat, April 22 (IANS) Even as campaigning for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 26 gains momentum, the BJP on Monday opened its account with Mukesh Dalal being declared winner from the Surat parliamentary constituency after several withdrawals and disqualifications of opposition candidates.

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Australian PM calls Elon Musk an 'arrogant billionaire'

Australia's leader has called Elon Musk an "arrogant billionaire" in an escalating feud over X's reluctance to remove footage of a church stabbing. On Monday, an Australian court ordered Mr Musk's social media firm - formerly called Twitter - to hide videos of last week's attack in Sydney. X previously said it would comply "pending a legal challenge". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's criticism followed Mr Musk using a meme to accuse his government of censorship. On Tuesday, Mr Albanese told ABC News that Mr Musk "thinks he's above the law but also above common decency". Last week Australia's eSafety Commissioner, an independent regulator, threatened X and other social media companies with hefty fines if they did not remove videos of the stabbing at the Assyrian Christ the Good Shepherd church, which police have called a terror attack.

US watchdog sues to block $8.5bn handbag takeover

The US competition watchdog has sued to block fashion accessory giant Tapestry's $8.5bn (£6.9bn) takeover of rival Capri. Tapestry owns handbag makers including Coach and Kate Spade, while Capri's brands include Michael Kors. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said if allowed, "the deal would eliminate direct headto-head competition between Tapestry’s and Capri’s brands". In response Tapestry said "the FTC fundamentally misunderstands both the marketplace and the way in which consumers shop".

Dating apps may sell your data: Report

San Francisco: (IANS) Most dating apps (80 per cent) might share or sell your personal data for advertising, a new report revealed on Tuesday. The developer of the Firefox Internet browser Mozilla examined 25 apps and labelled 22 of them as ‘Privacy Not Included’ -- the lowest rating in its parlance. The researcher only gave positive feedback to queer-owned and run Lex, while Harmony and Happn received adequate ratings.

US Senate approves potential TikTok ban

The US Senate has approved a controversial landmark bill that could see TikTok banned in America.

It gives TikTok's Chinese owner, ByteDance, six months to sell its stake or the app will be blocked in the United States.

The bill will now be handed over to US President, Joe Biden, who has vowed to sign it into law as soon as it reaches his desk.

If that happens, ByteDance will have to seek approval from Chinese officials to complete a forced sale, which Beijing has vowed to oppose.

The measure was passed as part of a package of four bills which also included military aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and other US partners in the Indo- Pacific.

It got widespread support from lawmakers with 79 Senators voting for it and 18 voting against it.

India showcasing innovative technologies at World Energy Congress

Rotterdam: (IANS) India is showcasing its innovative technologies and power generation practices at the 26th World Energy Congress, being held in the Netherlands from April 22 to 25.

The India Pavilion at the Congress is reinforcing the country's commitment to environmental conservation on the global stage. Central Public Sector Enterprises under the Ministry of Power, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Ministry of Coal and Ministry

of Petroleum & Natural Gas are participating in the India Pavilion, giving a collective testimony to the

India's Internet Subscribers Hit 936.16 Million; Telephone Users Exceed 1.19 Billion: TRAI

New Delhi: (IANS) The number of Internet subscribers reached 936.16 million at the end of December 2023, registering a quarterly rate of growth 1.96 per cent from 918.19 million at the end of September, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) said on Tuesday. Out of 936.16 million internet subscribers, the number of wired internet subscribers is 38.57 million while wireless internet subscribers are at 897.59 million. The Internet subscriber base consists of broadband internet

subscriber base of 904.54 million and narrowband subscriber base of 31.62 million, the report mentioned. Monthly average revenue per user (ARPU) for wireless service increased by 1.93 per cent -- from Rs 149.66 in September to Rs 152.55 in December (year-on-year). According to the TRAI report, the number of telephone subscribers in India increased from 1,181.13 million at the end of September to 1,190.33 million at the end of December, registering a 0.78 per cent growth over the previous quarter.

country's leadership in global energy transition.

The Pavilion was jointly inaugurated by Secretary, Ministry of Power Pankaj Agarwal and Ambassador of India to the Netherlands Reenat Sandhu.

Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power, Srikant Nagulapalli and CMDs and other senior officials of participating organizations such as NTPC, POWERGRID, PFC, REC, NHPC, SECI, IREDA, ONGC, and World Energy Council India are attending the event.

China bubble tea chain plunges in Hong Kong debut

Shares in Chinese bubble tea chain Sichuan Baicha Baidao, which is also known as Chabaidao, have fallen by more than 26% in their first day of trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Chabaidao's market debut was the Asian financial hub's largest initial public offering (IPO) so far this year. The poor performance underscores the difficulties the city is facing in attracting investment. Chabaidao, which means 100 varieties of tea, is China’s third-biggest fresh tea drinks chain by retail sales. The Chengdu-based company raised about $330m (£267m) in the IPO even as the offering was met with tepid interest from investors.

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Elon Musk (pictured) has accused Anthony Albanese of censorship

IPL is the best domestic T20 competition in the world by a long way: Ricky Ponting

Australian batting great Ricky Ponting on Tuesday hailed the Indian Premier League as the world's best domestic T20 competition "by a long way", saying it is one of the best places to learn for talented youngsters such as Jake Fraser-McGurk. Ponting, Delhi Capitals' head coach, was in awe of Fraser-McGurk who sizzled with an 18-ball 65 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, even as his team lost the match by 67 runs.

"There is no doubt about it that he (FraserMcGurk) is a highly talented young man but he is by no means a finished product yet. There is a

lot of things to improve in his game and there are not many best places to learn than IPL because it is the best domestic T20 competition in the world by a long way," Ponting said.

"The other day he made 65 off 18 balls but it is important he learns from that. He needs to make a 100 like (Yashasvi) Jaiswal did last night.

"Top-order batsmen, when they get opportunity to make big scores, they should go and get it, that's the difference between winning and losing games," the World Cup-winning Australian skipper added.

A candidate for world crown: Dommaraju Gukesh shows creativity rules supreme

'I am 100 per cent ready': Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik was "happy" that nobody had asked him about his thoughts on finding a place in India's T20 World Cup squad till the question was finally put forward to him during the news conference ahead of Sunday's clash between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Eden on Sunday. It was ahead of the ongoing IPL that Karthik had indicated that the current edition could be his last. On Saturday, however, Karthik, 38, walked a different track. "At this stage of my life, it would be the greatest feeling for me to represent India. I’m very, very keen to do so. There’s nothing bigger in my life other than representing India in this T20 World Cup," Karthik, who also does commentary at present, said.

On November 15, 1989, a 16-year-old prodigy named Sachin Tendulkar walked up to the National Stadium, Karachi, to face a fearsome Pakistani bowling attack. He went on to conquer the world. After almost 35 years, a 17-year-old Dommaraju Gukesh has not just achieved a similar feat, but has arguably gone one step further.

Gukesh faced some of the best players in the world at the Candidates Chess tournament, which is an extraordinary feat in itself. But he didn’t just make his debut. He went on to win it! This is a staggering achievement that even chess greats like Bobby Fischer and Magnus Carlsen couldn’t achieve in their first attempt. Gukesh replaces Garry Kasparov as the youngest World Championship challenger.

Narsingh Yadav Named WFI Athletes' Panel Chairman

Former Commonwealth Games

gold-medallist Narsingh Pancham Yadav was elected chairman of the Wrestling Federation of India's Athletes' Commission here on Wednesday, completing a process that was mandated by the sport's world governing body. A total of eight candidates were in fray for the seven positions and after polling, conducted on ballot paper, seven members got elected. They then chose Narsingh as chairman of the commission.

Ahead of the 2016 Olympics, the Games-bound Narsingh had grabbed headlines when two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar, who missed the qualification event due to an injury, requested for a trial bout against him.

Sushil moved the Delhi High Court and only after his appeal was rejected, it was confirmed that Narsingh would go to Rio Olympics.

Ahead of the 2016 Olympics, the Games-bound Narsingh had grabbed headlines when two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar, who missed the qualification event due to an injury, requested for a trial bout against him

However, in a shocking turn of events, Narshingh failed two dope tests prior to the Games and was banned for four years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport even though the National AntiDoping Agency (NADA) had cleared him on the plea that his failed test was the result of sabotage.

The CAS decision came a day before his opening bout, forcing him to leave Rio de Janeiro without competing. The ban came to an end in July 2020 and he has maintained that the entire episode was a case of sabotage.

The other elected members of the athletes commission were Sahil (Delhi), Smitha AS (Kerala), Bharti Bhaghei (UP), Khushboo S Pawar (Gujarat), Nikki (Haryana), and Sweta Dubey (Bengal).

United World Wrestling (UWW), the international body for the sport, while lifting suspension of WFI had stated that the move was subject to the Sanjay Singh-led national federation constituting an athletes' commission to resolve the grievances of the grapplers.

Gambhir calls Narine 'greatest bowler in IPL history'

Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir says Sunil Narine is perhaps the greatest bowler in IPL and he had an inkling that the West Indian will develop into a legend of T20 cricket when he made his ODI debut against India way back in 2011. The former Kolkata Knight Riders skipper and now team mentor has revealed that he decided to rope Narine for the IPL after seeing the West Indian during his debut series in 2011. "I must have faced seven or eight deliveries and I thought this is the guy who is going to go out there and become the legend of the game, especially in T20 cricket," Gambhir said in KKR Knights Dugout Podcast

Novak Djokovic, Aitana Bonmati Crowned At Laureus Awards

Novak Djokovic was named World Sportsman of the Year for a recordequalling fifth time at the Laureus Awards ceremony on Monday, while Spanish footballer Aitana Bonmati won individual and team awards. Tennis great Djokovic, a record 24-time Grand Slam champion, equalled his former rival Roger Federer's tally at the prestigeous ceremony in Madrid. Djokovic, 36, won three Grand Slams last year along with the ATP Finals.

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Narsingh Yadav.

India Now Second-Largest Source Country For New Citizens In US: Report

Washington: As many as 65,960 Indians officially became US citizens, making India the second-largest source country for new citizens in America after Mexico, according to a latest Congressional report.

An estimated 46 million foreignborn persons resided in the United States in 2022, approximately 14 per cent of the total US population of 333 million, according to American Community Survey data from the US Census Bureau.

Of these, 24.5 million, about 53 per cent, reported their status as naturalised citizens.

In its latest “US Naturalisation Policy” report of April 15, the independent Congressional Research Service in the fiscal year 2022, 969,380 individuals became naturalised US citizens. “Individuals born in Mexico represented the largest number of naturalisations, followed by persons from India, Philippines, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic,” it said. Based on the latest available data, CRS said in 2022, as many as 128,878, Mexican nationals became American citizens. They were followed by Indians (65,960), the Philippines (53,413), Cuba (46,913), Dominican Republic (34,525), Vietnam (33,246) and China (27.038).

According to CRS as of 2023,

An estimated 46 million foreign-born persons resided in the United States in 2022, approximately 14 per cent of the total US population of 333 million, according to American Community Survey data from the US Census Bureau.

2,831,330 foreign born American nationals were from India, which is the second largest number after Mexico's 10,638,429. Mexico and India are followed by China with 2,225,447 foreign-born American nationals.However, as many as 42 per cent of the India-born foreign nationals living in the US are currently ineligible to become US citizens, CRS

Meet Jigar Shah, Indian-American Named In TIME Most Influential List

TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People list of 2024 includes a diverse array of Indians making waves across different domains. This prestigious annual compilation recognises people globally for their significant impact on society. One name that stood out on the list was Jigar Shah, Director of the US Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office.

Some facts about Jigar Shah Jigar Shah is the Director of the Loan Programs Office at the US Department of Energy. He has over

25 years of expertise in clean energy and is also an expert in project finance, clean technology, and entrepreneurship.

Mr Shah studied at Sterling High School and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1996. He later went to the University of Maryland - Robert H. Smith School of Business, where he earned his MBA in Finance, Strategy, and Entrepreneurship in 2001. He made significant strides in the clean energy sector before his time at the Department of Energy. He served as the President of Generate Capital, which he also co-founded. He also authored the book Creating Climate Wealth: Unlocking the Impact Economy.

Mr Shah was also the founder and CEO of SunEdison in 2003 in Maryland. The company introduced the "solar as a service" model, transforming the solar industry. Following his success with SunEdison, Mr Shah ventured into other successful projects, such as Generate Capital.

He currently oversees more than "$200 billion in government loans" aimed at driving energy innovation to the market, leading one of the largest economic development programs globally.

report said. As of 2023, as many as 290,000 India-born foreign nationals who were on Green Card or Legal Permanent Residency (LPR) were potentially eligible for naturalisation. CRS said in recent years, some observers have expressed concern over USCIS processing backlogs for naturalisation applications. Although there continues to be

a backlog of naturalisation applications, since FY2020 the agency has reduced the number of applications pending completion by more than half. As of the end of FY2023, USCIS had approximately 408,000 pending naturalisation applications, down from 550,000 at the end of FY2022; 840,000 at the end of FY2021; and 943,000 at the end of FY2020. In FY2023, 823,702 LPRs submitted naturalisation applications. The number of individuals who have recently applied for citizenship remains well below the estimated population of 9 million LPRs who were eligible to naturalise in 2023. The percentage of foreign-born individuals who are naturalized varies by several factors, including country of origin.

Immigrants from Honduras, Guatemala, Venezuela, Mexico, El Salvador, and Brazil have the lowest percentages of naturalized foreign born, while those from Vietnam, the Philippines, Russia, Jamaica, and Pakistan have the highest. To be eligible for naturalisation, an applicant must fulfill certain eligibility requirements set forth in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The requirements generally include being a lawful permanent resident (LPR) for at least five years.

Born In India, Now In Pakistan: Indian Heart Gives Pak Teen New Life

Chennai: An Indian heart has given new life to a young woman from Karachi in Pakistan, and her family, after a transplant surgery at Chennai's MGM Healthcare. And that is only half of this remarkable story; the surgeons, and the hospital, performed the procedure free, thanks to the city-based Aishwaryan Trust.

19-year-old Ayesha Rashan, the transplant recipient, wants to study fashion design. Her family said they could not have afforded the operation without the support of the trust and the Chennai doctors.

"I feel good after the transplant," Ms Rashan told NDTV as her mother thanked the doctors, the hospital,

The surgeons and the hospital - Chennai's MGM Healthcare - performed the procedure free, thanks to a city-based medical trust.

and the medical trust. Ms Rashan's condition is stable, and she can return to Pakistan.

According to the doctors, Ms Rashan was admitted with severe heart dysfunction. Following heart failure, she was put on ECMO, which is a form of life support for people with life-threatening illness or injury that affects the function of their heart or lungs.

However, her heart pump then developed a leak in a valve, necessitating a full heart transplant.

A heart transplant can cost over Rs. 35 lakh. In Ms Rashan's case, this bill was covered by the doctors and the trust. The donor heart came from Delhi, and the young girl was lucky, Dr KR Balakrishnan, Director (Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant), and Dr Suresh Rao (Co-Director (Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant), told NDTV. They said Ms Rashan received the heart rapidly since there were no competing claims as otherwise a foreigner can't get an organ.

"She is like my daughter... every life matters," the doctors said, underlining Chennai's status as the "capital of organ donation and transplant surgery".

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Ayesha Rashan is 19 years old

Congress is in grip of ‘Urban Naxals’: PM Modi

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Jaipur, April 21 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that Congress is in the "grip" of “Urban Naxals” and is “trapped” in the “clutches” of Leftists. “Those who are leaving Congress these days tell us one thing. They say that Congress is now under the control of Urban Naxals. Congress is trapped in the clutches of the Leftists,” PM Modi said while addressing an election gathering in Banswara in support of BJP candidate Mahendrajit Singh Malviya. PM Modi said that if the Congress government is formed at the Centre again then everyone's property will be surveyed and then distributed to those who have more children and to the infiltrators.

Pro-China Party Sweeps Maldives Parliamentary Vote

Male: The party of Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu won control of parliament in a Sunday election landslide, results showed, with voters backing his tilt towards China and away from regional powerhouse and traditional benefactor India. Muizzu's People's National Congress (PNC) won 66 of the first 86 seats declared, according to the Elections Commission of Maldives results, already more than enough for a super-majority in the 93-member majlis, or parliament. The vote was seen as a crucial test for Muizzu's plan to press ahead with closer economic cooperation with China, including building thousands of apartments on controversially reclaimed land.

Congress will hand private wealth to Muslims: PM Modi

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New Delhi, April 21 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the Congress would distribute the country's wealth, if voted to power, "to those who have more children".

During a rally in Rajasthan's Banswara, PM Modi said that the Congress, if voted to power, could distribute the nation’s wealth among "intruders" and "those who have more children".

He was referring to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement that the minority community should have priority access to the nation's resources.

"Congress manifesto indicates they plan to evaluate the gold holdings of mothers and sisters, gather information about it, and subsequently distribute that property. To whom will they distribute it? Manmohan Singh's administration had asserted that Muslims should be given precedence in accessing the country's assets,” PM Modi said. The Congress condemned the statement

“That means the property will be distributed among those who have a large number of children… and among the intruders. Is it acceptable to you?” the Prime Minister says during a campaign rally in Rajasthan

and said the Prime Minister through his "lies" was again dividing Hindu-Muslims. Congress leader Pawan Khera accused PM Modi of spreading falsehood and

As Summer Intensifies, Temperature Crosses 40 Degree Mark In Many States

New Delhi: Intense heat swept large swathes of India on Sunday, with maximum temperatures settling four to six degrees Celsius above normal in many areas.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), maximum temperatures hovered between 42 and 45 degrees Celsius in parts of Odisha and Rayalaseema, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Parts of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil

Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh registered a high of 44 degrees Celsius and Washim in Vidarbha 43.6 degrees.

Nadu, Puducherry and Uttar Pradesh recorded maximum temperatures between 40 and 42 degrees Celsius. Maximum temperatures settled 4 to 6 degrees Celsius above normal in many parts of Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha; and 2 to 4 degrees above normal in parts of subHimalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Telangana, the IMD said. The ongoing heat wave is the second heatwave spell this month. The first spell scorched parts of Odisha, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

Indian student's death in US possibly linked to Blue Whale suicide game

The Blue Whale Challenge involves participants completing increasingly difficult tasks over a 50-day period, with the final tasks often involving self-harm

In a tragic incident, a 20-year-old Indian student studying at the University of Massachusetts took his own life in March, believed to be linked to the notorious "Blue Whale Challenge," an online dare game associated with suicides. The student, whose identity remains undisclosed out of respect for his family's wishes, was found dead on March 8, prompting an investigation by the Bristol County District Attorney's office. The Blue Whale Challenge involves participants completing increasingly difficult tasks over a 50-day period, with the final tasks often involving self-harm. The Indian government had previously issued advisories about the dangers of the game,

which preys on vulnerable individuals, particularly those struggling with depression. While this appears to be the first reported instance of a Blue Whale Challenge-related fatality for India, similar deaths have occurred globally, notably in Russia from 2015 to 2017. The game typically operates on social media platforms, with an administrator assigning tasks to participants. Despite efforts to combat its spread, the game continues to pose a serious risk to the mental health and safety of young people. Authorities await the medical examiner's final conclusions as the investigation into the student's death continues.

claimed that the manifesto has no Muslim-Hindu references.

In a video message shared on Sunday, Khera challenged the Prime Minister to provide evidence to support his claim.

"In the Congress manifesto, there is no mention of Hindu-Muslim. We challenge the Prime Minister to show us if the word Hindu or Muslim is written anywhere in our manifesto," he said.

After Khera’s clarification, the BJP hit back at the Congress, sharing on its official X handle a video of the then PM Dr Manmohan Singh’s speech of December 9, 2006, in which he said: "We will have to devise innovative plans to ensure that minorities, particularly the Muslim minority, are empowered to share equitably in the fruits of development. They must have the first claim on resources."

The BJP has asked: "The Congress doesn’t trust their own Prime Minister?" Dr Singh had made these remarks at the 52nd meeting of the National Development Council in New Delhi.

Israel urges US to reconsider sanctions on Israeli military unit

Jerusalem, April 22 (IANS) Israeli war Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz urged US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a phone call to reconsider potential sanctions against an Israeli military unit, his office said. The call with Blinken came after Israeli media reported on Sunday that the US State Department might sanction the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)'s Netzah Yehuda battalion, accused of human rights violations in the West Bank, Xinhua news agency reported. Gantz told Blinken that the move would "harm Israel's legitimacy in time of war," asserting that "it has no justification because Israel has a strong and independent judicial system".

Iraqi fighters fire rockets at US base in Syria

Baghdad/Damascus, April 22 (IANS) Five rockets were fired from Iraq toward a US military base in neighbouring Syria, an Iraqi security source told the media.The attack occurred when unidentified fighters launched the rockets from an Iraqi village near the town of Zummar, northwest of Mosul, the provincial capital of Nineveh, toward northeastern Syrian territories, the unnamed source from the provincial police said on Sunday.

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Badshah Parties with Pakistani Actress Hania Aamir in Dubai

Mumbai: (IANS) Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, who is known for 'Mere Humsafar', had a gala time with her friend, the Indian rapper Badshah in Dubai. The actress took to her Instagram and shared pictures and videos from their meet-up in the Middle Eastern city of the UAE. The first picture featured Hania and Badshah in it whereas the second picture was of a food spread.Lastly, there was a video, which showed Hania enjoying a drink as she posed for the camera.

Ranveer Singh Files FIR Over Deepfake Political Endorsement

The video, while using genuine footage from Singh's visit to Varanasi, had his voice replaced with an AI-generated replica. The situation has taken a serious turn as reports confirm that Singh has filed a police complaint. A First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged with the Cyber Crime Cell. Issuing the statement, the spokesperson said, “Yes, we have filed the police complaint and an FIR has been lodged against the handle that was promoting the AI-generated deepfake video of Mr. Ranveer Singh.”

Embracing Age, Rejecting Glamour

Lara Dutta

Actress and former Miss Universe Lara Dutta, who is gearing up for her upcoming web series 'Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond', has shared that with age, she is shedding the notion of being glamorous.

Instead, she aims to focus on roles that make a lasting impression on the audience.

The actress expressed her desire to explore the psychological crime genre, stating that she would readily portray a negative character without hesitation.

Elaborating on the same, Lara said: "As I grow older, I'm breaking free from the idea of being glamorous or just seen as a pageant winner. Instead, I'm finally delving into the kind of work I've desired for a while. It's important to recognise the women who came before us, making space for us to succeed. Nowadays, women are leading the way in all sorts of roles, from making movies to writing scripts."

Zakir Khan Promises Emotional Mix in 'Chacha Vidhayak Hain Humare 3'

Mumbai: (IANS) Stand-up artiste and actor Zakir Khan is set to make a comeback with the third season of his hit streaming series, 'Chacha Vidhayak Hain Humare'. Ahead of the new season's release, Zakir revealed that it promises an adventurous journey of emotions, filled with unexpected twists and turns.

The upcoming season continues the story of Ronny, who finds himself entangled in a series of comical misadventures after reluctantly agreeing to steer clear of politics, following the firm insistence of Ashwini (Chacha Ji), portrayed by Abhimanyu

Singh. Despite his best efforts to avoid political entanglements, Ronny's destiny repeatedly intersects with Ashwini's, resulting in a chain of hilarious incidents and crazy encounters. Expressing his excitement about the upcoming season, Zakir shared: "Bringing the third season of 'Chacha Vidhayak Hain Humare' feels like a homecoming. The love and support we've received from fans has been truly humbling. Their enthusiasm fuels our passion for storytelling, and it's an honour to entertain and connect with them through our work.

Vikrant Massey starrer 12th Fail wins Best Film at the Toulouse Film Festival 2024

The award was received by Yogesh Ishwar Dhabuwala, the co-producer of the film who stated that 12th Fail is an honest film made with all the right intentions and emotions as the audience take a meaningful message with them back home. With the film recently completing 25 weeks in theatres, it is also all set to release in China. Sharing his excitement about the film releasing in China, Vidhu Vinod Chopra had said in a statement earlier, "As a filmmaker, I believe storytelling transcends borders. Bringing 12th Fail to China is not just about reaching a new audience, but about sharing universal human experiences that resonate regardless of geography. 12th Fail is based on a story of honest people, and I am sure that people everywhere will relate to the struggles and perseverance of the characters.

Bigg Boss OTT Season 3 Confirmed for June, with a Catch: Reports

Unlike the previous two seasons, which were free to stream on JioCinema, Bigg Boss OTT Season 3 will be a paid service. This means viewers will need to subscribe to a specific plan on JioCinema to access the live feed and episodes. The official announcement regarding the paid model is expected on April 25, alongside JioCinema's content slate for the year.

While details about the exact subscription cost and plan options remain undisclosed, the news has generated excitement among fans. Construction of the Bigg Boss OTT set is already underway, but there's no confirmation yet on whether Salman Khan will return as the host.

Speculations are rife about the potential contestants for Bigg Boss OTT Season 3. Names like Vicky Jain, Maxtern, Thugesh, Shehzada Dhami, Pratiksha Honmukhe, Sreerama Chandra, Sheezan Khan, and Arhaan Behll are doing the rounds. However, the official list remains under wraps.

Having said that it is worth mentioning here that the producers of Bigg Boss OTT 3 have removed their announcement post about the upcoming season after the house firing incident. For the unversed, on April 14, gunshots were fired outside Salman's residence at Galaxy Apartments in Bandra. Endemol Shine India, the production company behind Bigg Boss, used their official Instagram to share news of the new season.

I wanted to feel confident Rajkummar Rao

Rajkummar Rao, who is currently excited about the love the trailer of his upcoming Srikant: Aa Raha Hai Sabki Aankhein Kholega, has been receiving, left paps surprised with his recent appearance. The actor along with many B-town celebs, attended the much popular Diljit Dosanjh’s concert, where he was captured by the paparazzi present to cover the event. However, the photos of the actor doing the rounds on social media platform left his fans merely surprised when they saw that the actor’s face looked quite different from his usual self. During a recent interview, not only did Rajkummar Rao assert that he hasn’t done any plastic surgery recently but

also maintained that the photo doing the rounds is just a bad click and that skin isn’t as flawless as shown in the picture. He said, “I have not done any plastic surgery guys. It is just a bad photo. That is just a touch-up photo. I wish I had such clean and flawless skin because it looks like that. I was not wearing any makeup. But I must say it looks weird even for me. It was just a bad moment caught on camera. I have not done any plastic surgery”. Rajkummar recalled doing some filler work about half a decade ago. He continued, “Having said that, about eight years ago, I did some filler work on my chin because I wanted to look confident. My dermatologist suggested it and I did. Do I feel confident after that? Yes. Have I done better films after that. It has changed the perception. Acting is a visual media. I am not against it. If somebody wants to boost their confidence and the science is available, then why not.” However, he also added, “But no to plastic surgery. It is too expensive and time-consuming.”

'Jai Hanuman' poster promises epic showdown: Lord Hanuman takes on a dragon

Mumbai: (IANS) Director Prasanth Varma, who earned praise for his film 'Hanu-Man', unveiled the poster of his upcoming film 'Jai Hanuman' on Tuesday on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti. The new poster shows Lord Hanuman standing strong opposite a dragon, perhaps the first time when dragons will be seen in a mythological film in India. Keeping to his promise to make the film a true spectacle, Prasanth is going big with his decision to bring dragons on the screen, while also promising his audience to provide a stellar experience in IMAX 3D.

Following the poster release, fans are eagerly waiting to see what the director has in store with the second installment in the 'Hanu-Man' series.

'Hanu-Man' also marked the beginning of the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU). Prasanth's vision for PVCU is to make it a superhero universe from India. For the same, Prasanth intends to tell stories of mythological figures and bring them on the big screen on a grand scale. 'Jai Hanuman' is also expected to be a global experience for the masses in IMAX 3D and on the 70mm.

Maybe I will now make an action film : Randeep Huda

Randeep Hooda shared that he won't confine himself to one theme and will explore various genres.The actor also hinted at his next project as a filmmaker, possibly an action film. When asked about the topics he plans to explore in his next project, Randeep told IANS: "Even as an actor, I have jumped genres and I have jumped roles and characters. So similarly, as a filmmaker, I’ll be jumping genres, and topics. Maybe the next one I will be making an action film.

Randeep made his Bollywood debut in 2001 with 'Monsoon Wedding'. Over his two-decadelong journey in Hindi cinema, the actor has delivered some iconic characters and films, including 'Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster', 'Murder 3', 'Highway', and 'Sarbjit'. Does he feel there’s an oligarchy that keeps natural talents at bay?

“The industry is not one person or a group of people. It’s different islands trying to do their own thing. As I am one.

With a successful return to the big screens after seven years in a disrupter movie that challenges a lot of narratives, the love I have gotten from the audience as an actor and director has reinstated my belief that ultimately it’s the audience that decides the worth of a talent.”

The actor added: "I’m not the one to crib about what I should have gotten, instead, I believe in working harder to keep winning the audience's love."

Randeep made a comeback as a solo lead after seven years on the silver screen with 'Swatantrya Veer Savarkar', which also marked his directorial debut. For the role, he shed almost 32 kg. This isn't the first time he underwent a physical transformation for a film. Randeep lost 18 kg for his role in the 2016 film 'Sarbjit'.

On social media, the actor has been compared to Hollywood star Christian Bale, known for his extensive transformations for various roles. Responding to this, Randeep said: "Well, he's a great actor, whose work and work ethic I've always admired." “To be compared to him is a matter of great satisfaction to me personally, as I have been ploughing on in the same vein as an artiste in an industry that doesn’t encourage or facilitate that kind of approach to one’s work.”

Big B is shrouded in mystery in new 'Kalki 2898 AD' poster

Mumbai: (IANS) A new poster from the upcoming sci-fi film 'Kalki 2898 AD' was unveiled on Saturday. The poster features veteran Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in a new avatar. In the poster, Big B is seen fully covered in bandages with not even his face visible. The new poster of the cinema icon has now been shared in different languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. The actor is looking up to a light source in front of a pillar inside an ancient temple.

Gurinder Chadha's Bollywood Twist on Dickens Classic

Mumbai: (IANS) 'Bend It Like Beckham' helmer Gurinder Chadha is all set to start shooting for her next production, 'Christmas Karma', a Bollywood musical set in contemporary London and inspired by Charles Dickens's 'A Christmas Carol'. Kunal Nayyar, who is best known for his role in the popular sitcom 'The Big Bang Theory', is the lead actor in a star-studded global cast, which includes Eva Longoria, Boy George, Billy Porter, Hugh Bonneville, Leo Suter, Charithra Chandran, Pixie Lott, Danny Dyer, Allan Corduner, Bilal Hasna, TracyAnn Oberman, Rufus Jones, Eve and Nitin Ganatra.

Mithun Chakraborty conferred with Padma Bhushan

Veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty was conferred with the country’s thirdhighest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan, by President Droupadi Murmu on Monday. Mithun received the prestigious award in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi.

Great Response, People Voting For NDA In Record Numbers": PM On Phase 1

New Delhi: Prime Minister

Narendra Modi today said the BJP has received a "great response" in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, which saw a national average voter turnout of 60 per cent. In a post on the microblogging website X, PM Modi said the people of India are voting for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in record numbers. "First phase, great response! Thank you to all those who have voted today. Getting EXCELLENT feedback from today's voting. It's clear that people across India are voting for NDA in record numbers," PM Modi said.

Pragya Misra, OpenAI's 1st Employee In India

New Delhi: Sam Altman-run OpenAI has hired Pragya Misra as its first employee in India. Sources confirmed to IANS on Friday that Ms Misra has been appointed to lead public policy affairs and partnerships in the country. She has served as the Director of Public Affairs for Truecaller, where she has collaborated closely with government ministries, investors, key stakeholders, and media partners.

Prior to that, she worked for three years with Meta Platforms. She also led WhatsApp's campaign against misinformation in 2018 and has worked with Ernst & Young as well as the Royal Danish Embassy in Delhi. Ms Misra received her MBA from the International Management Institute in 2012. She graduated in commerce from Delhi University and holds a Diploma in Bargaining and Negotiations from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

She is also a podcaster and Instagram influencer with a follower base of 35,000.

India Records 64% Polling As Millions

Vote In Round 1 Of General Election

New Delhi: The massive exercise to elect

the 18th Lok Sabha started today with elections on 102 seats across 21 states and Union Territories. By the end of Phase 1, around 60.03% people voted. Sporadic violence was reported from Manipur and Bengal.

Poll body Election Commission, which is conducting the seven-phase exercise over the next 43 days, said in a statement, "The Election Commission is working strenuously to ensure a smooth, transparent, and inclusive electoral process in the subsequent phases of General Elections 2024".

Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, two states which also elected their assemblies today, recorded 68 and 68.3 per cent turnout. In 2019, 81.4 per cent people voted in Sikkim, 65.1 per cent in Arunachal Pradesh.

Tamil Nadu, one of the rare states that had a single-day election, saw 67.2 per cent voting, down from 72.4 per cent in

2019. Rajasthan, which along with Tamil Nadu accounts for half of the 102 seats that went to polls today, recorded 57.3 per cent voting -- down from 64 per cent. At 7 pm, Uttar Pradesh recorded 59.5 per cent voting and Madhya Pradesh 66.7 per cent. One of the biggest turnouts, 77.6 per cent, was recorded in Bengal, where the BJP is hoping to close the gap with Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress. In 2019, the BJP won 18 of the state's 42 seats. The BJP-dominated northeastern states saw high turnout -Assam 72.3 per cent, Meghalaya 74.5 per cent, Manipur 69.2 per cent Arunachal Pradesh 67.7 per cent and tiny Tripura a whopping 80.6 per cent.

Congress, INDIA bloc against development & farmers: PM Modi

Wardha (Maharashtra), April 19 (IANS)

Criticising the Congress and the INDIA bloc, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the unwavering faith of the people in 'Modi's Guarantee' is giving sleepless nights to the Opposition alliance leaders.

"Every vote of the family members who came to Wardha to bless me will inspire me to work harder. The Congress and

the INDIA bloc are against development and the farmers and, because of that, the condition of farmers is quite miserable. It takes courage to give guarantees as it is not just words, but efforts made for every moment," PM Modi said here at a rally amid thundering applause and slogans like 'Modi Modi' and 'Jai Shri Ram'.

The rally was organised in Wardha to garner support for BJP candidate Ramdas Tadas and another nominee, Navneet Kaur-Rana from the Amravati constituency. "In 10 years, we have lifted 25 crore people out of poverty. Water connection was provided to 11 crore people, 4 crore people benefited from Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. More than 50 crore people were connected with the bank and the government worked to deliver electricity to every village. Before 2014, there was an atmosphere of depression in the country but the situation has changed drastically in the last 10 years," PM Modi said.

Man sets himself on fire outside Trump's Manhattan hush money trial

Max Azzarello set himself on fire outside of the NYC courthouse where Trump trial jurors were selected, police said.

A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place, witnesses said. A witness on the scene said he first heard the man throwing pamphlets into the air, then saw him douse himself from a can and light himself on fire. "At that point,

I said, 'Oh shoot, what am I going to see?'" the witness told Reuters. The witness, who declined to give his name, said the man burned for several minutes. CNN reporters said they saw a man engulfed in flames for more than three minutes. "I see a totally charred human being," one of them said on air. The shocking development came shortly after jury selection for the trial was completed, clearing the way for prosecutors and defense attorneys to make opening statements next week in a case stemming from hush money paid to a porn star.

The downtown Manhattan courthouse, heavily guarded by police, drew a throng of protesters and onlookers on Monday, the trial's first day, though crowds have dwindled since then.

US not involved in Israeli attack against Iran: Blinken

Washington, April 20 (IANS) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that he can't speak to media reports about the details of an Israeli attack against Iran Friday overnight, stressing that the US was not involved in any offensive operations by Israel.

"The reports that you've seen, I'm not going to speak to that, except to say that the US has not been involved in any offensive operations," Blinken told a press conference on Friday in Italy as he concluded a meeting with Foreign Ministers of the G7 countries. He was responding to a reporter's question seeking confirmation of media reports, saying Washington received advance warning from Israel on Thursday of an imminent strike against Iran in retaliation for Tehran's assault on Israel last week, Xinhua news agency reported.

Elon Musk Says "TikTok Should Not Be Banned In US"

San Francisco: Elon Musk on Friday came out against banning TikTok in the United States, even if it would mean less competition for his social media platform X, formerly Twitter, as the initiative sees fresh bipartisan momentum in Congress. The US House of Representatives is set to vote on Saturday on a bill that would force TikTok to divest from Chinese parent company ByteDance or face a nationwide ban. The measure, which has the vocal backing by many Democrats and Republicans, has also been written into a massive aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, which could ease its passage in both chambers of the US Congress.

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Indian Students Arrested for Shoplifting: What VisaHolders Need to Know When Caught in Similar Situations

Immigration Consultant Netra Chavan says, “If it is a first-time petty theft or shoplifting case, in most cases the person can continue their studies or work on the current visa. As per the court guidance they have to complete community service and education programs. But when they leave the country they must go for visa stamping.”

Recently a case emerged in New Jersey where two young Indian students were arrested in an alleged shoplifting case at a grocery store. Both girls in their early twenties had entered the US to pursue higher studies and had a good academic background. The students namely Bhavya Linganagunta and Yamini Valkalpudi were both studying at the Stevens Institute of Technology. They were apprehended by the Hoboken, NJ police as it appeared that they had failed to pay for certain items during their visit to a local Shoprite. According to reports the two paid for two items but were trying to exit the store with 27 unpaid for items totaling a value of about $155. It is suggested that after they were caught they offered to pay the full amount and even offered to pay double the amount. They also apologized and said they would not repeat the mistake. There are also claims that the girls were repeat offenders. A video where the girls are being questioned by the police and handcuffed has since gone viral and created a panic in the community. While social media was full of reaction with some claiming that the punishment was too harsh for young students just committing a petty theft, others think that incidents such as these tarnish the name of the community. Some other community members felt that the girls who were Indian got a very heavy-handed treatment when in America robbing stores is a common occurrence and not every time the preparators are penalized.

In any circumstance, the incident did bring to the spotlight how a seemingly “minor offence” can also have a debilitating effect on your career and reputation. The situation becomes even more complicated if the offender is in the country on temporary work, student or visitor visa.

Keeping in light the many questions that the incident gave rise to especially in the Indian American community Hi India spoke to an immigration consultant and got some legal advice on what to do if caught in an unfortunate incident such as this. For many students who first come to the US from other countries it is common not to know the laws and rules of the place. While youngsters can sometimes act reckless and carry their mischievous fun too far, it may be underlined that shoplifting can never be regarded

Legal and Emotional Advice on What to do when you are found on the Wrong side of Law in a new country

The students namely

and

Valkalpudi, Pay for Two Items, Attempt to Leave Store with 27 Unpaid Items Worth $155

as a minor mistake. Netra Chavan a California based immigration consultant who founded one of the first social media communities for India visa holders in the US, says, “I keep on emphasizing to all those who come to the US as students or on visas to be extra careful and stay away from any act that can be regarded as

misdemeanor.” She says, “While it is never okay to shoplift no matter what your visa status is, it is also important to keep in mind that sometimes even playing a prank or showing daredevilry and trying to challenge the norms can cost you a lot. So, steer clear of any minor, major offences.” It may also be noted that in the US

Legal experts say that any criminal charges that can be brought against you can have an impact on your visa and in worst cases you can be sent home after your visa is revoked. Netra Chavan says, “It is important to know the laws in the state where the offence is committed. Often the retail worth of the items stolen play a role in determining the severity of charges.” According to lawyers when a person is issued an immigrant visa by the US authorities they are expected to follow all federal and state laws. While you will be charged even if it is a first-time offence, Chavan says, “If caught a second time then usually it becomes a deportation situation.”

Netra says, “While if it’s a small theft it may not affect your visa status but keep in mind that once the court case is expunged or dismissed then the visa issues can arise related to visa stamping.” One precaution she suggests definitely taking is – saving all the documents, even the smallest receipts for records.”

shoplifting charges are taken much more seriously as compared to some other countries where shoplifting crimes are not prosecuted very seriously. So, keep in mind that even though a minor offence, shoplifting can lead to serious repercussions.

What to do if charged

Netra Chavan says, “There have been times where I have got distress calls from visa holders who have been caught in such a circumstance. The number one thing I do is to connect them with a local criminal defense lawyer. A criminal lawyer in such a case serves as their guide and helps them navigate the situation.” She adds, “I also tell them not to panic. Depending on the degree of the theft the criminal lawyer will guide them through the court case.” It must be noted that most stores do call upon the officers in case of shoplifting. The law enforcement report is generated on the spot. At times the shoplifter is detained or arrested depending on the degree of theft and amount of the goods involved.”

What not to Say

Chavan says, “Most of the stores in the US have cameras installed and if one has actually tried to commit this crime there is not much they should say in their defense apart from an apology.” The alleged guilty party does have a right to let their lawyer talk on behalf of them. Talking to the police about how their future visa may get affected is not advised as these matters should be addressed to their lawyers. Chavan advises, “It is best to say the truth and apologize.”

Can it affect the immigration status?

Legal experts say that any criminal charges that can be brought against you can have an impact on your visa and in worst cases you can be sent home after your visa is revoked. Netra Chavan says, “It is important to know the laws in the state where the offence is committed. Often the retail worth of the items stolen play a role in determining the severity of charges.” According to lawyers when a person is issued an immigrant visa by the US authorities they are expected to follow all federal and state laws. While you will be charged even if it is a first-time offence, Chavan says, “If caught a second time then usually it becomes a deportation situation.”

Netra says, “While if it’s a small theft it may not affect your visa status but keep in mind that once the court case is expunged or dismissed then the visa issues can arise related to visa stamping.” One precaution she suggests definitely taking is – saving all the documents, even the smallest receipts for records.”

Bhavya Linganagunta

Yamini

Bhavya and Yamini caught on Surveillance camera

Zofeen Maqsood

We are not even half-way through the year 2024 and the past few months have proven to be especially trying for some of the Indian-origin families in the United States and in India. This year has seen some of the largest reported deaths of Indian students in America in such a short span of time. Up until now there are about a dozen cases of Indian students meeting an untimely death in the past four months in the country. While the latest tragedy comes in the form of a head-on collision road accident in Arizona where two 19-yearold Indian students from Arizona State University died on the spot, the other deaths have ranged from unexplained tragedies to death due to exposure to cold or a brutal murder. In many cases the investigations are ongoing.

The community is still recovering from the scary circumstances in which 25-yearold Mohammed Abdul Arfath, a student at Cleveland State University was found dead. After going missing for about 10 days, his family back in India received the worst call any parent who has sent their kid to study overseas could receive. An unidentified caller demanded a ransom of $1200 claiming that Arfath had been kidnapped. The caller threatened to sell Arfath’s kidneys if the money was not provided. The situation got even more tragic when the police informed the family a few days later that their son’s body was found in Lake Erie near Cleveland. It becomes almost unbearable for families to make sense of their loss in such cases especially if they are hundreds or thousands of miles away from their kids, clueless of the circumstances leading up to their death. With the young lives snatched away, their only plea remains that investigations are carried out swiftly to bring justice to their lost loved ones. Washington DC based non-profit, Foundation for India and Indian Diasporic Studies (FIIDS) that aims at engaging South Asian diaspora in the US said in a press release: “Over a span of 4-5 months, a spike in tragic deaths of Indian students in the United States have raised significant concerns among the Indo-American community as well as Indian population. Dr Lakshmi Thalanki from Boston who collected data on deaths of more than 10 students noted, “The sudden surge of deaths among Indian students is alarming and suspicious.”

Khanderao Kan, Chief of Policies and Strategy, analyzing the data said, “Indian origin students, according to Open Doors Report (ODR) are over 275k, making 25% of total foreign students and bringing in $9B per year in terms of fees and expenses. However, the recent increase in their deaths is concerning and, if not addressed, would impact their confidence in the safety in US universities, potentially impacting the inflow of students further.”

The Safety Issue

The number one concern that most families Hi India spoke to who are considering sending their kids to America from India for higher studies remains –“Will our kids be safe?” A fear of paranoia has gripped the Indian community as they consider the US being unsafe because of its gun laws. The distance between India and America also is acting as a deterrent as some families feel that high travel costs and long flights prevent both the kids or their parents from frequently traveling to the US so as to assess and feel assured about the circumstances the kids are living in the

The Unfortunate Deaths of Indian-Origin Students in America

Who is to be Blamed?

Zofeen Maqsood

In less than five months about a dozen Indian students have met with untimely, unnatural deaths in the US. While the incidents remain isolated, the fear paranoia has gripped the community. Swift investigations, deterrence towards crimes and a need for mental health support are some of the areas that the community wants authorities to address United States. Students who just arrive in the United States are often not aware of the immediate risks or the areas that they should avoid. Parents increasingly

feel that universities or consulates should hold orientation programs to familiarize students with their new environments

Hi India has been in touch with the Consulate General of India in Chicago regarding the mounting concerns in the community about a spate of deaths that have shaken the community. Hi India spoke to CGI Chicago about fears in the community and asked about steps taken to avoid future mishaps. The Consulate has come up with an online advisory. Eminent persons, such as Ms. Indra Nooyi came up with special video message addressed to Indian students and prospective students planning their studies in USA — CGI Chicago

Hi India: In the recent past we had heard of about ten cases of young Indian students meeting tragic death across America. In times such as these, what would you say to the anxious community? Some of the incidents also occurred in the Illinois area, how did the Indian consulate respond to tragic events such as these.

CGI Chicago: Since the beginning of 2024, we have lost two Indian students within the jurisdiction of CGI Chicago – one was shot at by miscreants, another a suspected case of drug overdose. Some other cases of death of Indian-American students happened. However, the deceased being not Indian, the Consulate had no consular access for these cases. Each case of fatality, particularly involving a youth, irrespective of their identity and nationality, is a cause of deep pain, anguish and concern. In each of the above cases, the Consulate got in touch with the respective university for doing the needful, expressed deep condolences, concerns and unhappiness and offered all possible support to the next of kin. In both the cases of Indian students, mortal remains were sent to India in coordination with an NGO. In case of murder by gunshot, the Consulate is following up the investigation. It is understood that some arrests of suspects have been made.

Hi India: Back in India such incidents have once again raised questions about safety for students, especially students of color in America. What would you say Number of students from India has increased in an unprecedented manner. From the feedback of students and the community in general, it seems that academic standards, facilities available and future prospects offered by some of the institutes are not satisfactory. Also, students face psychological and emotional issues, resulting from cultural differences, financial stress, lack of opportunities to work (internship, OPT) etc. Alcoholism, and use of narcotics in some sections seemed to have increased. While the vast majority of students study well and are reasonably free of major problems, career and financial concerns remain.

Hi India: Even though most of these incidents are isolated and bear no connection to one another, are the authorities or the consulate considering helplines or mental and emotional well-being sessions or something of the sort for students who may be coming to study hundreds or even thousands of miles away from their homes.

CGI Chicago: Consulate is constantly in touch with the student community and university authorities for best support, security and well-being of students. Consulates often help students financially to organize cultural events and opportunities to meet together. Consulate officials regularly meet students. Given the increasingly large number of students at different places, it is impossible for the Consulate alone to reach out to all the students. Consulate has its own helpline number and officials are in touch with the student leaders. The Consulate intervenes on each of the individual issues that come up.

and what precautions they must take.

Are the Investigations Swift?

Another area of grave concern remains –are the authorities conducting thorough and quick investigations into such cases. In majority of the cases parents and guardians of the victims are either overseas or in another state, leading them to totally depend on the updates from concerned authorities. While in each emerging case in the recent past, the authorities have promptly issued statements about carrying out investigations, in some cases parents have expressed dissatisfaction at the rate the search was carried out.

Case in point being the death of Akul Dhawan, a student at University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. When the 18-year-old was found dead on January 19, just a few steps away from where he went missing on campus, his parents filed a complaint against the school’s police department for negligence. His parents – Ish and Ritu Dhawan maintained that their son was found just 400 feet from where he was reported missing based on location-tracking data on their son’s phone. His father was quoted in the newspaper saying: "This is bizarre, that a kid is never found who was just less than a block, like a minute away, sitting there, dead, frozen to death."

In some other cases, after the tragedy the family is left grappling with financial debts. For Hyderabad’s Mohammed Abdul Arfaths’ family the prospect of repaying the education loan of43 lakhs INR (about $50,000) looms large.

Mental Health Awareness and Authority Support

Student life can be tough especially when youngsters find themselves in newer, unfamiliar settings. Added to the fact that mental-health or depression remain issues that are still swept under the carpet by most South Asian households, it is imperative that a sound counselling is offered to students. A post -trauma help that is often offered to friends of students by universities is an important tool for youngsters to come to terms with tragedies that they see so early on in their lives.

The Indian Consulate in the US plays an important role especially in case of Indian nationals. For families living far away in their home country, they look up to the consulates for support such as ensuring the deceased bodies reach their families and investigations are duly conducted by local police and investigative authorities. The Consulates have been updating the community about these unfortunate incidents and assisting families to transport the mortal remains ensuring they get a chance to bid farewell to their loved ones.Recently officials from the Indian Consulate in New York met with Indian students at Southern New Hampshire University and discussed issues with them concerning Indian students at the university. The consulate in NY wrote on X: “@IndiainNewYork officials met with Indian students at @SNHU Southern New Hampshire University. Discussed issues concerning Indian students and assured them of the Consulate's support. Encouraged them to keep in touch with @IndiainNewYork Many feel that such interactions would further give confidence to kids as well as their parents that the local authorities would promptly be looking after the needs of students in case they are caught in unfortunate circumstances.

Indian Students Bag NASA Awards For Human Exploration Rover Challenge

HiIndia Newsdesk

Washington: Two Indian students' teams from the New Delhi area and Mumbai have won awards from the NASA for the Human Exploration Rover Challenge.

The KIET Group of Institutions, Delhi-NCR has won the award in the "Crash and Burn" category of the annual Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC) award, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced on Monday.

The Kanakia International School from Mumbai was given the "Rookie of the Year" award.

More than 600 students with 72 teams from around the world participated as the HERC celebrated its 30th anniversary as a NASA competition. Parish Episcopal School from Dallas in the United States secured the first place in the high school division and the University of Alabama in Huntsville captured the college/university title. The annual engineering competition -- one of the NASA's longest-standing challenges -- held its concluding event on April 19 and April 20 at the US Space and Rocket Centre in Huntsville, Alabama, near the NASA's Marshall Space Flight Centre. The participating teams represented 42 colleges and universities and 30 high schools from 24 US states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 13 other countries, including India, from around the world. The teams were awarded points based on navigating a half-mile obstacle course, conducting missionspecific task challenges and completing

JANUARY

G Dinesh and Nikesh, Hartford, Connecticut

On January 15, two Indian roommates were found dead in their home. They arrived from India less than a month ago for higher studies. The possible cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning from room heaters.

Akul Dhawan, Illinois

On January 20, Dhawan, a student of University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign was found dead very close to where he went missing due to hypothermia.

Vivek Saini, Georgia

On January 22, Saini was murdered by a homeless man near the food mart he was working part-time. The man stabbed Saini 50 times with a hammer

Neel Acharya, Indiana

On January 28, Purdue University student, Neel Acharya was found dead near his campus after an Uber dropped him. Cause of death was asphyxia due to cold exposure and ethanol intoxication.

FEBRUARY

Shreya Reddy Beniger, Ohio

On Feb 1 Beniger, a student at Lindner School of Business was found dead in his university campus. Authorities ruled out any foul play and the potential cause could be mental health issues leading to suicide.

The KIET Group of Institutions, Delhi-NCR has won the award in the "Crash and Burn" category of the annual Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC) award, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced on Monday

multiple safety and design reviews with NASA engineers, a media release said. "This student design challenge encourages the next generation of scientists and engineers to engage in the design process by providing innovative concepts and unique perspectives," said Vemitra Alexander, HERC activity lead for the NASA's Office of STEM Engagement.

"While celebrating the 30th anniversary of the challenge, HERC also continues NASA's legacy of providing valuable experiences to students who may be

responsible for planning future space missions, including crewed missions to other worlds," Alexander added. The HERC is one of the NASA's eight Artemis Student Challenges reflecting the goals of the Artemis programme, which seeks to land the first woman and first person of colour on the Moon while establishing a long-term presence for science and exploration. The NASA uses such challenges to encourage students to pursue degrees and careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Who is to be Blamed?

Young Lives Lost!

The Cases that Shook the Community

Syed Mazahir Ali, Chicago attacked by robbers

On Feb 4, a CCTV camera capturedthree miscreants attacking

Indian-Origin Man, 40, Gets 20 Years Jail For Beating Girlfriend To Death

Singapore: An Indian-origin married man was sentenced to 20 years in jail on Monday for culpable homicide not amounting to murdering his girlfriend for having relationships with other men. Upset about her relationships with other men, M Krishnan punched and kicked Mallika Begum Rahamansa Abdul Rahman, 40, who died on January 17, 2019.

Krishnan, 40, pleaded guilty in the High Court last week, "TODAY" newspaper reported on Monday. His sentence was backdated to the date of his arrest. Justice Valerie Thean noted that Krishnan had promised he was a reformed individual in 2018 in his mitigation (for another offence of abusing police officers), but continued to abuse his wife and girlfriend. She also noted during the sentencing that although Krishnan's intermittent explosive disorder had some contribution to his violent actions, alcohol had also influenced the way he acted. Justice Thean added that even though he was diagnosed with the disorder after the offence, "the accused knew he was susceptible to showing his temper in socially unacceptable ways" through his past brushes with the law.

A student at Purdue University, Kamath on Feb 5 was found dead from a gunshot wound. It was said to be a possible self-inflicted gunshot due to mental health issues

Amarnath Ghosh, St Louis

On Feb 27, Ghosh had gone for a job in an unknown area where a drug peddler shot him. He was doing his masters’ in performing art from Washington University

MARCH

Abhijeet Paruchuru, Boston

him near his home as he walked by. The motive was robbery, Ali thankfully escaped with injuries. Sameer Kamath, Indiana

An engineering student at Boston University, Paruchuru was found dead in a car. While the family alleged he was murdered by an unidentified person on March 11 who left his body in the car inside a forest, the police ruled out foul play.

APRIL

Uma Satya Sai Gadde, Ohio

On April 5, Gadde who was studying in Cleveland, Ohio was found dead in mysterious circumstances. The details still remain unclear as the case is under investigation

Muhammed Abdul Arafat, Ohio Arafat went missing in March and was found dead on April 8. He was possibly kidnapped as his parents received a ransom call threatening that his kidneys would be sold if the money was not paid. He was studying at Cleveland University.

Neel Acharya Shreya Reddy G Dinesh Akul Dhawan Vivek Saini

Syed Mazahir Ali

Sameer Kamath Amarnath Ghosh Muhammed Abhijeet

Zofeen Maqsood

HiIndia Newsdesk

Celebrating 75 years of Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society

New Delhi, April 18 (IANSlife) As the Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society (SIFAS) commemorates its 75th year of enriching Singapore's cultural landscape, the muchanticipated SIFAS Festival of Arts, continues to captivate audiences till May 1, 2024, in Singapore. The celebration by SIFAS is jointly organised with SIFAS Productions Limited (SPL) and will feature enthralling performances by leading Indian classical artistes Ranjani and Gayatri (RaGa Sisters), Jayateerth Mevundi, Abhishek Raghuram and dance drama by Kalakshetra Foundation in collaboration with SIFAS.

Established in 1949, SIFAS has been a cornerstone of Indian cultural heritage in Singapore, fostering art and cultural appreciation through its diverse disciplines.

2024 marks SIFAS' Diamond Jubilee, a significant milestone for the non-profit organisation committed to nurturing talent and promoting Indian fine arts in the region. As Singapore transitions into a global arts hub, SIFAS continues to uphold

its mission of preserving and promoting Indian cultural heritage while embracing multiculturalism. The SIFAS Festival of Arts 2024, an iconic event in SIFAS' cultural calendar, celebrates the institution's legacy as the heart and hub of Indian arts in Singapore. Themed 'Virasata: Celebrating a Timeless Legacy of Arts,' this year's festival also serves as a curtain-raiser to SIFAS' 75th anniversary celebrations that will extend throughout the year.

With over 75 programmes of classical Indian music, dance, and visual arts, the festival promises a mesmerising journey through the rich tapestry of Indian arts. From traditional Kathak and Bharatanatyam performances

and soul-stirring renditions of Hindustani and Carnatic vocals and instrumentals to a visual arts exhibition and arts and craft workshops, the festival showcases the depth and diversity of Indian cultural heritage.

"We are thrilled to present the SIFAS Festival of Arts as a tribute to SIFAS' illustrious journey over the past 75 years," said K V Rao, President, SIFAS. "This festival not only celebrates our heritage but also embraces the future of Indian arts, showcasing the talents of both emerging artists and iconic maestros."

"The 75th Anniversary milestone is being celebrated with SIFAS collaborating with organisations as well as leaders in the arts industry, both locally and globally, especially from India," said Menaka Gopalan, Executive Director, SIFAS. "We have also made a conscious effort with our outreach towards different communities, including the underrepresented, to promote arts and mental well-being."

Scheduled at the SIFAS Stage and Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay, the festival promises an unforgettable experience for art enthusiasts of all ages. Through its immersive programmes and vibrant performances, the SIFAS Festival of Arts 2024 invites audiences to celebrate the enduring legacy of Indian arts and culture in Singapore. Air India is the official carrier for the SIFAS Festival of Arts, enhancing the cultural journey for attendees from around the world.

In addition to the milestone anniversary, SIFAS also celebrates 20 years of the SIFAS Festival of Arts this year. The SIFAS Festival of Arts has been an eminent platform for showcasing the best in Indian fine arts in Singapore. Evolving with each year since 2003, they have collaborated with Esplanade since 2005 to bring both internationally renowned and emerging local talent to the forefront. This year, the festival marks two decades of cultural brilliance and community engagement. Through the festival, a year-long celebration from May 19, 2024, to May 19, 2025, and a series of events and activities, SIFAS aims to underscore its enduring legacy and its vision for the future of Indian fine arts in Singapore.

Aries

Author Bio:

Chirag Daruwalla is the best celebrity astrologer who is one of the most famous names in the astrology world. Chirag Daruwalla has more than 18+ years of experience. You can ask for any advice related to career, health, finance, business, money, and love marriage. He has complete knowledge, solutions, and guidance to all the problems related to life. If you want to avail his astrological services then you can visit his website chiragdaruwalla.com. For guidance on problems related to your life, you can talk to Astrologer Chirag Daruwalla on Call/ Whatsapp: +91 8141566266 or also mail: info@ chiragdaruwalla.com

26th April 2024 to 2nd May 2024

Ganesha says that this week is going to be mixed for the people of Aries zodiac sign. At the beginning of the week, you will be seen struggling to save your position and reputation. During this time, you may have to face the conspiracies of your opponents in your workplace along with neglect of your loved ones.

Taurus

Ganesha says that people of the Taurus sign will need to control their speech and behavior this week. At the beginning of the week, there may be a dispute with family members over some issue. Ideological differences arising over some issues can last a long time.

Gemini

Ganesha says that this week will bring happiness and good fortune to the people of the Gemini zodiac sign. This week your planned tasks will be completed on time. The week will start with some auspicious or auspicious work. Those who have been searching for employment for a long time may get better opportunities.

Cancer

Ganesha says that people of the Cancer zodiac will face some obstacles at the beginning of the week but you will be able to overcome them with your intelligence and discretion. During this time, you will be successful in facing the toughest challenges with your courage and the help of friends.

Leo

Ganesha says that this week will prove to give mixed results for the people of the Leo zodiac sign. At the beginning of the week, you will feel sad due to the indifference of a loved one. The effect of which will be visible on your work also.

Virgo

Ganesha says that this week is going to be full of hustle and bustle for the people of the Virgo zodiac sign, however by doing this you will get the desired success. There will be excellent opportunities for business profits at the beginning of the week.

Libra

Ganesha says that this week will

prove to be moderate for Libra people. At the beginning of the week, you may have to face problems due to some changes in your workplace or getting additional responsibilities. During this period, your mind will also be worried about domestic problems.

Scorpio

Ganeshasays that for Scorpio, the week will start with some good news that you have been waiting for a long time. A big achievement related to a dear member will be a big reason for the happiness of the family. Employed people will get full support of good fortune during this period.

Sagittarius

Ganesha says that this week will prove to be mixed for Sagittarius. At the beginning of the week, you may have to run around more to resolve any family-related issues. During this time, there will be an additional burden of work on your head, due to which not only mental but also physical fatigue will persist.

Capricorn

Ganesha says that compared to last week, this week is going to be more auspicious and successful for Capricorn people. At the beginning of the week, some religious or auspicious program may take place at home, in which you will get an opportunity to spend time happily with the family.

Aquarius

Ganesha says that people of the Aquarius zodiac sign will have to avoid doing any work hastily or carelessly this week, otherwise, you may have to give up. It would be better to do any work in the workplace yourself instead of leaving it to others.

Pisces

Ganesha says that this week the good fortune of Pisces people will increase. At the beginning of the week, some influential person will solve your problem. Differences arising with family members will be resolved and relations with family members will improve. For those who have been thinking of buying permanent property or vehicle etc. for a long time, this work can be completed this week.

( Celebrity Astrologer Chirag Daruwalla)

Exercise can help stop the buildup of lipids -- a type of fat that accumulates as the body’s tissue gets older -- and thus aid in reversing ageing, revealed a study Friday. A team of scientists from Amsterdam University Medical Center (UMC), in the Netherlands, conducted the study on both humans and mice. Their results, published in the journal Nature Aging, revealed the presence of specific lipids that indicate tissue ageing and which can be decreased through exercise. "The idea that we could reverse ageing is something that was long considered science fiction, but these findings do allow us to understand a lot more about the ageing process,” said Riekelt Houtkooper, Professor at the laboratory Genetic Metabolic Diseases of Amsterdam UMC.

"Everyone says that 'it's just part of getting older,' but this doesn't actually have to be true. By understanding more about the ageing process, we can also look into new ways of intervening," added Georges Janssens, Assistant professor at Amsterdam UMC.

For the study in mice, the team investigated how the composition of fats caused changes in muscles, kidneys, liver, and heart. They

Oat milk is a non-dairy milk alternative made from oats and water. It has gained popularity in recent years due to its creamy texture, mild flavour, and suitability for those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies. However, while oat milk can be a nutritious option for many people, there are some aspects to consider that may make it less ideal as a milk substitute in certain situations. In this article, we discuss various ways in which oat milk may not be the best milk alternative.

why oat milk may not be a healthy milk alternative:

1. High in carbohydrates

Oat milk is naturally higher in carbohydrates compared to other milk alternatives like almond or soy milk. This can be a concern for individuals following low-carb diets or those managing conditions like diabetes.

2. Added sugars

Many commercially available oat milk brands contain added sugars to enhance flavour. Excessive consumption of added sugars can contribute to various health issues, including weight gain and increased risk of chronic diseases.

3. Potential for gluten contamination

While oats are naturally glutenfree, they may be processed in facilities that also handle glutencontaining grains like wheat, barley, and rye. This can lead to crosscontamination and pose a risk for individuals with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

Scientists decode how exercise can reverse ageing

found a type of lipid, the bis (monoacylglycero) phosphates (or BMPs), were elevated in all tissues from the older animals. The team also found a similar accumulation of BMP in muscle biopsies of older adults. But biopsies

after one hour of exercise daily revealed a decrease in the level of BMPs, stressing the importance of exercise.

However, further studies are needed to ascertain the role of physical activity in reversing the process of ageing, the team said.

Is Oat Milk A Healthy Milk Alternative?

4. Lower protein content

Oat milk generally contains less protein compared to cow's milk and some other plant-based milk alternatives like soy milk. Protein is essential for muscle repair, immune function, and overall health.

5. Potential for additives and preservatives

Some commercially produced oat milk may contain additives, stabilisers, or preservatives to enhance shelf life and texture. These additives may not be desirable for individuals seeking minimally processed foods.

6. May contain phytic acid

Oats naturally contain phytic acid, an anti-nutrient that can inhibit the absorption of certain minerals like iron, zinc, and calcium. Consuming large amounts of oat milk may potentially affect mineral absorption.

7. Not suitable for individuals with oat allergies

Oat milk is not suitable for individuals

Remove Bournvita from category of ‘health drinks

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued an advisory to the e-commerce companies, directing them to remove all drinks and beverages including Bournvita from the category of ‘health drinks’, on their portal and platforms. “National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), a statutory body constituted under Section (3) of the Commission of Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005 after its inquiry under Section 14 of CRPC Act 2005 concluded that there is no ‘health drink’ defined under FSS Act 2006, rules and regulations submitted by FSSAI and Mondelez India Food Pvt Ltd,” the ministry said in a notification, dated April 10. The advisory comes on the back of an investigation by the NCPCR that found the Bournvita contains sugar levels, much above the acceptable limits.

Hospital sinks harbor most multidrugresistant bacteria

with oat allergies as can cause allergic reactions ranging from mild to severe.

8. Environmental considerations

While oat milk may have a lower environmental impact compared to dairy milk, the production of oats still requires water, land, and energy resources. Additionally, some oat milk brands may use unsustainable farming practices or contribute to deforestation indirectly.

9. Potential for gastrointestinal issues

Some individuals may experience digestive discomfort, such as bloating or gas, after consuming oat milk due to its fibre content or other factors.

10. Nutritional variability

The nutritional content of oat milk can vary depending on the brand, fortification, and processing methods used. Some oat milk products may be fortified with vitamins and minerals, while others may not.

The risk of spread of multidrugresistant bacteria is highest in hospital sinks, said a study on Thursday.

The findings are based on a multispecies outbreak of superbug carbapenemaseproducing Enterobacterales (CPE) that occurred in a paediatric ward at the Toho University Omori Medical Center in Tokyo in 2017.

In the paper, published in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), the team detailed that the first case of CPE was detected in a one-year-old boy hospitalised with cardiac disease in June 2016.

Nine months later in March 2017, a 15-year-old boy became the second to be infected with the deadly superbug.

Subsequently, the outbreak spread to 19 paediatric patients.

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FIA Chicago Celebrates Holi, – Festival Of Colors, With Fervor And Enthusiasm

The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) Chicago orchestrated a vibrant Holi celebration at the Mall of India, Naperville, Illinois, on April 21, 2024. Maharashtra Mandal kicked off the festivities with a spirited performance titled 'Dhol Tasha', engaging the crowd and enticing mall visitors to join in. Mayor Scott Wehrli of Naperville even joined in the traditional dance, showcasing his enthusiasm.

Emcees Nilabh Dubey and Sanskriti Sharma guided the event, welcoming dignitaries including FIA Chairman Sunil Shah, President Pratibha Jairath, and Past President Vinita Gulabani. Mayor Scott Wehrli commended Naperville's recognition and praised the Indian diaspora's contributions.

Mayor Larry Herman emphasized shared cultural experiences, while Congresswoman Michelle Mussman praised FIA's role in cultural bridging. Consulate General Somnath Ghosh lauded the vibrancy of the Indian community and its economic impact.

The cultural extravaganza continued with performances by various schools and dance academies, including Prerna, Kabita, Trusha, Bollywood Beatz, and Suhani Dance Academy.

FBI Launches Trauma Notification Training for Crime Victims' Rights Week

The FBI, alongside our partners, commemorates National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, observed from April 21 to 27, 2024, and is pleased to announce the initiation of the Trauma Notification Training program.

Under the theme “How Would You Help? Options, Services, and Hope for Crime Survivors,” the FBI’s Victim Services Division (VSD) diligently aids victims of crimes daily, ensuring they receive the support and services entitled to them by law.

This week, we introduce VSD’s Trauma Notification Training, an enhanced version of the online death notification training program established in 2015 for first responders. As of March, the training has been completed over 40,000 times, with participants receiving certificates upon completion.

The launch incorporates eight new videos focusing on cultural competencies, challenges, and best practices for trauma notification.

Moreover, the training is now accessible to all, not restricted to law enforcement professionals, and can be accessed at fbi. gov/TraumaNotification.

FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized, “Victims are at the heart of the FBI’s mission, and the Trauma Notification Training offers resources, support, and hope to anyone who needs it. We are proud to unveil this training during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and expand its accessibility—a call to action for everyone to aid crime victims.”

Though victim specialists are stationed in all 56 field offices, VSD trains Trauma Notification Teams as force multipliers. These teams, available to assist with death and other traumatic notifications post-crisis or mass casualty events, are designated groups. Thirty FBI field offices host a Trauma Notification Team, comprising approximately 900 trained FBI special agents, task force officers, victim specialists, linguists, and employee assistance personnel.

Since its establishment in 2001, the FBI’s Victim Services Division has rendered services like crisis intervention, emergency travel assistance, referrals for counseling, and housing to over 2 million victims. In fiscal year 2023 alone, VSD provided over 250,000 services to victims and their families. For more insights into how the FBI aids victims, visit fbi.gov/VictimServices.

FIA directors also surprised the audience with an energetic dance performance. Attendees enjoyed Garbha singing and participated in hit songs like 'Dholida Pankhida'. The entertainment segment culminated in a dynamic duet by Chairman Sunil Shah and Executive Director Rita Shah.

Thandai and Indian snacks were distributed by Executive Vice President Anu Malhotra and others, adding to the festive atmosphere. The highlight of the event was the color play, with Sunil Shah, Pratibha Jairath, Vinita Gulabani, and Sudhir Agrawal showering colors 25 feet into the air, accompanied by spirited music.

FIA expressed gratitude to attendees, guests, sponsors, supporters, and media partners for their unwavering support. The event showcased the richness of Indian culture and the unity within the community, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.

Two Indian Students Killed in Head-on Collision in Arizona

In a tragic accident, two Indian students were killed on the spot in Arizona in a multiple-vehicle collision. The two Indian students were -- Goutham Parsi and Nivesh Mukka. Both were 19-yearold and were enrolled in Arizona State AThe incident happened on April 20 just north of state route 74 when the police got the call about a collision involving two vehicles -- a White Kia and a Red Ford. The two cars collided head-on. Both the young boys died on the spot. The car they were riding in was driven by another person who sustained serious injuries. The Peoria Police Department said:

"Our thoughts are with the victimes, their families and everybody who rendered aid during this tragic incident. The Arizona State University said that the International students and Scholars Center is working with the dean of students, counselling services and housing representatives to identify the student groups, friends and roommates of the victims so they can be offered any needed support

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Presenting the traditional shawl to the Mayor of Naperville Scott Wehrli : by past President Vinita Gulabani, alongside Founder Chairman Sunil Shah and President Pratibha Jairath

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Oakton College Student & Alumnus Create Buzz For Bees In Community

SKOKIE, IL- Oakton student Anas

Ahmed and Oakton College alumnus

Abdullah Motiwala are passionate about spreading awareness and appreciation for bees. Recently, they installed five hives at the community apiary on the College’s Skokie campus. Both residents of Niles, Ahmed and Motiwala invite community members to join them in learning more about beekeeping and the crucial role bees play in our ecosystem. “Our aim is to educate others on the vital importance of bees and their invaluable contributions to our ecosystem,” said Ahmed.

“We also aspire to give back to the community and inspire the next generation of beekeepers,” added Motiwala. Ahmed and Motiwala are dedicated to supporting aspiring beekeepers by offering guidance and assistance. Furthermore, they aim

Bomb Threat Forces

Closure Of Marlboro, NJ Schools

MARLBORO, NJ — Marlboro

Township Public Schools will be closed on Thursday due to a bomb threat received by the district, officials have announced.

Initially, a two-hour delay was planned after the threat was received via email, specifically targeting Marlboro Memorial Middle School and the Board of Education buildings, as reported by Marlboro Township police.

The decision to close the schools was made as a precautionary measure to allow authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure the safety of all individuals on the premises, according to a statement posted on social media by the district. Updates will be provided as new information becomes available from the police. Although Marlboro police and other law enforcement agencies are diligently checking the buildings with explosive-detecting canines, they have classified the threat as “low risk and low credibility.”

to educate individuals on the types of flowers they should cultivate in their gardens to attract bees and help conserve these essential pollinators. Ahmed discovered the community apiary at the Skokie campus while pursuing his studies in computer information systems (CIS) at Oakton. He promptly reached out to his longtime friend Motiwala, the proprietor of Heaven’s Honey. Motiwala specializes

in selling 100% pure, raw, unfiltered honey, which he harvests in Illinois and procures from local farmers. He envisions making honey produced from his hives at the Oakton campus apiary available for sale in the future. Although Motiwala disliked honey as a child, his interest in beekeeping was sparked after learning about the medicinal benefits of honey and propolis, a resin-like substance produced by bees. “Many people underestimate the nutritional value of honey,” remarked Motiwala. “As a food enthusiast, I discovered the deliciousness of freshfarm honey. Unfortunately, much of the honey found in stores is not pure and contains added sugars.” Committed to ethical beekeeping practices, Ahmed and Motiwala prioritize the well-being of their bees, providing them with exclusive honey feed and conducting weekly hive

CBP Officers Seize $85K In Unreported Currency At Pharr International Bridge

PHARR, TX – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Hidalgo/ Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry made a significant discovery over the weekend, seizing $85,000 in unreported currency concealed within a vehicle during an outbound examination.

Port Director Carlos Rodriguez emphasized the officers’ unwavering vigilance, dedication to duty, and expertise, which were instrumental in uncovering this substantial currency seizure. He underscored the impact of such seizures, often tied to illicit activities, highlighting CBP’s steadfast commitment to border security. The incident took place on Sunday,

April 14, at the Pharr International Bridge, where a southbound vehicle, operated by a 19-year-old male U.S. citizen, was referred by a CBP officer for a secondary examination. Through meticulous scrutiny, including the use of nonintrusive inspection technology, CBP officers unearthed $85,000 in unreported currency concealed within the vehicle.

Subsequently, CBP officers confiscated the currency, and Homeland Security Investigations special agents apprehended the driver, launching a criminal investigation. While it’s not illegal to transport sums exceeding $10,000, federal law mandates the declaration of currency or monetary instruments totaling $10,000 or more to a CBP officer upon entry or exit from the U.S. Failure to declare or concealing it to evade reporting requirements constitutes a federal offense, potentially resulting in currency seizure and/or arrest. Individuals may petition for the return of seized currency, provided they can establish its legitimacy in terms of source and intended use.

UChicago Campus Alert: Two Armed Robberies

Occur Minutes Apart, Police Issue Warning

CHICAGO, IL- Two University of Chicago students fell victim to armed robbery within minutes of each other on Wednesday afternoon, prompting a security alert from campus police.

At approximately 2:50 p.m., as two students crossed the street at 5640 S. University Ave., they were accosted by four individuals armed with handguns. The assailants demanded their belongings, to which the students complied. The suspects fled the scene in a black four-door Infiniti. Around five minutes later, another

student was walking off-campus at 1367 E. 56th St. when they were approached by two armed individuals who also demanded their property. The suspects then fled southbound on Dorchester Avenue in a black four-door vehicle. The Chicago Police Department is currently

investigating the incident. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries.

UChicago Police have issued the following advisory for individuals on campus: “Remain vigilant and mindful of your surroundings at all times. In the event of an armed robbery, prioritize your safety and avoid resistance unless absolutely necessary. Refrain from conspicuous use of electronic devices while out on the streets. Whenever possible, walk in groups or with a trusted companion, as there is strength in numbers.”

inspections. They ensure a nearby container is filled with water and pebbles where bees can safely rest without the risk of drowning. Presently, they oversee five hives on campus, each housing approximately 10,000 bees with one queen bee per hive.

“I find solace in observing bees as they diligently work and communicate with one another – it’s truly therapeutic,” expressed Ahmed.

“There’s a prevalent misconception that bees are dangerous or harmful, but this couldn’t be further from the truth,” added Motiwala. “Their preservation is of utmost importance.”

To arrange a session with Ahmed and Motiwala to learn more about bees and beekeeping, please contact them via email at heavenshoneyinc@gmail.com. For further information on how you can host a beehive at Oakton’s apiary, please visit: https://bit.ly/41Mz1Ln.

Chicago Hosts 2024 Jain Leadership Forum

Over 125 Jain leaders gathered in Chicago under the guidance of Dipak Jain, former Dean of Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, to chart the course of Jainism in North America. Facilitated by JAINA’s Long Range Planning (LRP) Committee, the event aimed to shape the future of the 200,000-strong Jain community.

Dr. Manoj Jain, chair of JAINA’s LRP Committee, emphasized the significance of the gathering as a platform for leaders to exchange ideas and forge a collective vision. Representing a spectrum of Jain organizations like JAINA, YJA, YJP, JITO, and various Jain Centers across North America, the diverse assembly showed commitment to addressing challenges from organizational to religious dynamics.

Keynote speaker Dr. Dipak Jain highlighted core Jain principles guiding his journey, resonating with the theme of boundless excellence and relentless growth. Throughout the event, attendees engaged in discussions spanning education, business, medicine, academia, and community leadership. Notable figures like US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and former US State Representative Dr. Amish Shah stressed Jain involvement in politics. The conference encouraged active participation, with attendees collaborating to identify challenges and solutions in eight roundtable discussions.

Prem Jain, a former JAINA president, stressed the importance of translating vision into action, igniting enthusiasm for immediate implementation.

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(L-R) Abdullah Motiwala and Anas Ahmed maintain five hives at the apiary on Oakton’s Skokie campus.

Asna Tabassum -- The Indian-American USC Valedictorian Student whose speech was Canceled

Indian-American student Asna Tabassum has gained a nation-wide spotlight after the University of Southern California cancelled her valedictorian speech. Tabassum was set to deliver her speech during the graduation ceremony next month. The university continues to maintain that this decision was taken due to fear of violence. However, indications suggest that it may have been taken due to her raising her voice against the attacks taking place in Gaza, which have been considered as plausible genocide by the International Court of Justice. Overnight the news caught like wildfire and Tabassum has been invited by several major news outlets.

The letter sent by the USC Provost Andrew Guzman cited “Over the past several days, discussion relating to the selection of our valedictorian has taken on an alarming tenor.,” he said. “The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement.”

During her online interviews Tabassum

has maintained that she remains committed to human rights and equal treatment. Tabassum came under radar when pro-Israel groups pointed to a link posted on her social media and labelled her as anti-semitic. In a statement issued by Tabassum to Council on AmericanIslamic Relations (CAIR) where she says she is both shocked by this decision and profoundly disappointed that the university is succumbing to a campaign of hate meant to silence her

voice. However, she is “not surprised by those who attempt to propagate hatred,” but she is “surprised that my own university—my home for four years—has abandoned me.” She says she “isn’t aware of any specific threats against her or the university,” because her “request for the details underlying the university’s threat assessment has been denied.” Additionally, USC is not providing “any increased safety to be able to speak at commencement.”

Oakton College & Skokie Village Plant Trees for Earth Month

SKOKIE, IL-Oakton College, the Village of Skokie, and the Skokie Park District leaders collaborated with community members to commemorate Earth Month by planting trees on the College’s Skokie campus on April 18. This event marked the inauguration of the Skokie Roots for Trees campaign, dedicated to enhancing the tree canopy in the Village. Skokie was awarded a $327,000 grant from the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program under the Inflation Reduction Act to bolster this initiative.

“A shining example of integrating native flora into suburban landscapes, Oakton’s Skokie campus not only promotes lowmaintenance native plants but also fosters a habitat for vibrant butterflies, birds, and other essential pollinators, often scarce in suburban areas,” stated Amanda Krause, Oakton’s naturalist. Oakton’s ongoing landscape master plan emphasizes the incorporation of trees and native species into the campus environment.

The substantial contribution from the Village will significantly expedite the College’s environmental sustainability endeavors.

The Skokie Roots for Trees campaign aims to introduce over 20 trees to Oakton’s Skokie campus. With support from the Village’s Beautification & Improvement Commission, the grant will facilitate the planting of 450 complimentary trees on non-Villageowned properties over a five-year period.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Oakton College in advancing the canopy coverage on campus as part of the Skokie

Roots for Trees initiative,” expressed Cathy Stevens, Village forester. “Trees offer countless environmental and community health benefits, enhancing the quality of life for students, residents, and visitors alike.”

The two bur oaks recently planted on the campus’ north side (Quercus macrocarpa) were cultivated from acorns sourced in Evanston, tailored to thrive in the Chicagoland climate. These trees will anchor newly established garden beds brimming with native wildflowers, part of a concerted effort to replace turf grass with indigenous plants. These gardens will support the on-campus community apiary, a collaboration between the Village of Skokie and Oakton, nurturing the resident honey bee population. In addition to the bur oaks, the Village intends to introduce a blend of oaks and hickories to Oakton’s campus. These

Indian National Awaiting Deportation Found Dead In Custody

A 57-year-old Indian national, by the name of Jaspal Singh who entered the US illegally in 2023 has died in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He was awaiting deportation to India. According to an ICE press release, an autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death. Singh passed away on April 15 at the Southeast Georgia Health System’s Camden Campus.

ICE also stated that it had notified the Indian Consulate in New York of the incident and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Atlanta, which in turn notified next of kin.

In 1992 Singh first entered the United States legally on Oct 25, 1992. On Jan 21, 1998, an immigration judge ordered Singh removed from the United States, and on an unknown date, Singh self-removed to India, according to ICE.

But June 29, 2023, he was arrested by US Border Protection’s Border Patrol officers while illegally trying to reenter the United States via the US-Mexico Border.Border Patrol transferred custody of Singh to Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), Atlanta. He was detained at a federal processing center in Atlanta where he continued his immigration proceedings.

H-2B Returning Worker Visas Cap Reached for FY 2024

selections not only complement the Oakton campus aesthetic, symbolized by the oak leaf in the Oakton logo, but also serve as native species and vital food sources for local insects and animals. Dubbed “the megamarts of the tree world,” oaks can sustain over 700 wildlife species, surpassing other tree species, which typically support between 50 to 200.

Oakton, with campuses in Des Plaines and Skokie, has emerged as a leader in environmental education and sustainability. The college’s Environmental Studies Concentration curriculum equips students to address complex environmental challenges at local and global levels. For more information on Oakton College’s Environmental Studies Concentration and sustainability initiatives, please visit Oakton.edu.

WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has reached the cap for the additional 19,000 H-2B visas available for returning workers during the early second half of FY 2024, with start dates falling between April 1 and May 14, 2024, under the H-2B supplemental cap temporary final rule. The final receipt date for petitions requesting supplemental H-2B visas under the FY 2024 early second half returning worker allocation was April 17, 2024.

However, we continue to accept petitions for H-2B nonimmigrant workers for the additional 20,000 visas allocated for nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador, and Costa Rica.

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(L-R): Martin Espinoza, Skokie Park District horticulture crew member, and Hannah Kosiek, Skokie Park District geographic information systems coordinator (GIS) and arborist, planted one of the bur oaks.

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$90,000 Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship Awarded to 6 Indian American Students

Among the 30 winners of the 2024 Paul & Daisy Soros Fellows are six Indian American fellows. The winners are chosen for their achievements and their potential to make meaningful contributions to the United States across fields of study. They each will receive up to $90,000 in funding to support their graduate studies at institutions across the country.

The Indian-origin fellows are: Aayush Karan: He’s been awarded the fellowship to support work towards a PhD in quantum science and engineering at Harvard University. Aayush is pursuing classical and quantum computational learning as a PhD student in the Quantum Science and Engineering program at Harvard. He hopes to be involved in advancing the frontier of artificially intelligent systems and ensuring their broadly transformative potential is safely and effectively realized.

Ananya Agustin Malhotra: Fellowship awarded to support a JD at Yale. Ananya Agustin Malhotra is the daughter of immigrants from Philippines and New Delhi, India. As a Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford, Ananya earned an MPhil in modern European history. She has authored and co-authored several policy briefs and has collaborated on projects with Princeton University’s Program on Science and Global Security.

Akshay Swaminathan:

Fellowship awarded to support an MD/PhD in biomedical data science at Stanford University

Born in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey to Indian immigrants from Tamil Nadu, India. As a data scientist, Akshay builds data-driven tools for patients, clinicians, and policymakers with a focus on real-world deployment. Akshay is an MD candidate and Knight-Hennessy Scholar at Stanford University and is now pursuing a PhD in biomedical data science. Akshay plans to become a physician who

NY Tech & H2M Launch Innovative Engineering Labs

NEW YORK, NY- H2M architects + engineers (H2M) and New York Institute of Technology (New York Tech) recently marked a significant milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Edward Guiliano Global Center (1855 Broadway) on the university’s New York City campus. The event celebrated the completion of the College of Engineering and Computing Sciences labs’ extensive renovations, spearheaded by H2M.

The renovations encompassed demolition, abatement, and fireproofing, resulting in a modernized space featuring cutting-edge electrical and electronics classrooms, along with

laser, biochemistry, and technology labs. Complementing the open floor plan is a glass-walled office, fostering collaboration. Additionally, H2M revamped support spaces like bathrooms and corridors, ensuring energy efficiency throughout.

Highlighted during the ceremony was H2M’s enduring partnership with New York Tech, which has yielded numerous talented graduates now integral to H2M’s leadership. Mike Lantier, P.E., LEED AP, Deputy Director of the Education Market and an Executive Advisory Board member at New York Tech, emphasized the project’s significance, underscoring the firm’s commitment to excellence and collaboration with esteemed educational institutions.

combines data science and medicine to strengthen health systems in lowresource areas.

Keerthana Hogirala:

Fellowship awarded to support an MBA/MPP at the University of Chicago

Keerthana Hogirala immigrated to the United States when she was six. Keerthana studied neuroscience at the University of Illinois, UrbanaChampaign where she focused on child development, trauma-informed care, and social welfare. Keerthana is pursuing an MBA and MPP dual

degree at the University of Chicago to explore how technology and crosssector collaboration can be leveraged to create effective, integrated systems of essential services.

Malavika Kannan:

Fellowship awarded to support an MFA in fiction

Malavika Kannan was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania and grew up in Central Florida. A senior at Stanford University, Malavika will graduate with a BA in comparative studies in race & ethnicity. Malavika will pursue an MFA in fiction to hone her literary craft and prepare for a career as a novelist and professor of literature.

Shubhayu Bhattacharyay:

Fellowship awarded to pursue an MD at Harvard University

Shubhayu Bhattacharyay was born in Kolkata, India and spent his early childhood in Thailand and Vietnam before settling in Los Angeles. At Johns Hopkins University, Shubhayu double majored in biomedical engineering and applied mathematics and statistics. In 2020, Shubhayu received a Gates Cambridge Scholarship to pursue a PhD in clinical neurosciences at the University of Cambridge. Shubhayu is currently an MD student at Harvard Medical School. He is researching sources of bias in medical AI to protect patient safety and equity in the clinical deployment of decision support systems for TBI care.

Goldman Sachs: Accurate Counting Of Illegal Immigration Would Reflect Higher US Unemployment

WASHINGTON, DC-The U.S. unemployment rate could be higher if the government properly factored in the recent surge in illegal immigration, according to a new analysis note from Goldman Sachs.

Led by chief economist Jan Hatzius, the Goldman strategists projected that the influx of immigrants has effectively increased the American labor force by about 1.1 million and household employment by 1 million. Taking these figures into account, they found that the unemployment rate in March would rise to 3.9% from the previously reported 3.8%.

The discrepancy in the data arises from the way immigration is accounted for. The Labor Department’s monthly employment report relies on two surveys. The establishment survey, which collects data from approximately

122,000 businesses and government agencies, is used to calculate monthly job additions in the U.S. The other survey is based on monthly interviews of around 60,000 households and determines the unemployment rate. However, the household survey depends on a population estimate from the Census Bureau as a benchmark, which has “failed to capture the recent immigration surge” because it utilizes a lagged migration estimate based on the 2022 American Community Survey, according to the economists. While the census indicates that the U.S. population grew by 0.5% in 2023 from the previous year, the Congressional Budget Office projects a 0.9% increase. This disparity stems from the CBO’s attempt to account for a wave of illegal immigration at the southwest border. Goldman estimated that approximately 64% of immigrants in 2023 were “unauthorized,” while about one-third applied for asylum, making them eligible to seek work authorization after 150 days. “As a result, the household survey, which uses the Census population estimate as a benchmark, has also likely underestimated the size of the labor force and employment,” they stated.

HiIndia Newsdesk

HiIndia Newsdesk

HiIndia Newsdesk

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