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ERUPTS AT CAMPUSES

Here is where arrests have been reported as the authorities try to break up protests or encampments:

• Columbia University:

• Yale University in New Haven, Conn.:

• New York University in Manhattan:

• University of Minnesota in Minneapolis:

• University of South Carolina in Columbia:

It is important that students and communities feel safe here and at the same time, we are going to be really forceful here and continue to underscore how anti-semitism is hateful speech. It is wrong. It is important and we're going to continue to call that out."

Karine Jean-Pierre White House Press Secretary

• University of Southern California in Los Angeles:

• University of Texas at Austin:

• Emerson College in Boston:

• Ohio State University in Columbus:

• Emory University in Atlanta:

• Indiana University Bloomington:

• Princeton University in New Jersey:

• University of Connecticut in Storrs:

• California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt:

• Auraria Campus in Denver:

• University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign:

• Arizona State University in Tempe:

• Northeastern University in Boston:

• Washington University in St. Louis:

• Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond:

• Tulane University in New Orleans:

• University of Utah:

• University of Georgia in Athens:

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill:

• University of South Florida:

• University of New Mexico:

• Florida State University in Tallahassee:

• City College of New York in Manhattan:

• University of Wisconsin, Madison:

• North Carolina State University in Raleigh:

• Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland

NYPD clear Columbia campus protest; police break into occupied Hamilton Hall

Hundreds of NYPD officers acted after the school’s president said there was no other way to ensure safety and restore order on campus and sought help from the department. The occupied building had expanded the demonstrators' reach from an encampment elsewhere on the Ivy League school's grounds.

The scene unfolded shortly after 9 p.m. as police, wearing helmets and carrying zip ties and riot shields, massed at the college's entrance. Scores of officers climbed through a window to enter the occupied building, streaming in over a ramp raised from the top of a police vehicle to get inside. Multiple protesters were taken into custody and taken away from campus on buses. Video showed officers climbing into a window at Hamilton Hall, a university building occupied by protesters earlier Tuesday. Occupying protesters had insisted they would remain in Hamilton Hall until

New Florida six-week abortion ban will be felt beyond the state

Florida's six-week abortion ban has come into force, closing the door - for now - on the last major abortion access point in the US South. Anti-abortion campaigners have celebrated the new legislation - which replaces an existing 15-week law - as the gold standard of abortion policy and a major victory in the country's battle over abortion access. But pro-choice campaigners say the ban will push an overstretched system to the brink. They worry the new law in Florida, which had been the last state in the region without a near-total ban, will effectively cut off abortion access for more than 21 million women of reproductive age across nearly a dozen states.

the university agreed to three demands — divestment, financial transparency and amnesty. Protesters were heard chanting "NYPD KKK" and "Shame on you" as officers broke windows to make their way into the university building. FOX 5 NY confirmed that arrests were made, and video showed several protesters being

by police in handcuffs.

The university, in a statement issued after the police entered the campus, described its decision to seek NYPD aid as a last resort.

The police department had previously said officers wouldn't enter the grounds without the college administration’s request or an imminent emergency. Now, law enforcement will be there through May 17,

Blinken meets Israeli President to push for Gaza ceasefire

Tel Aviv: (IANS/DPA) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Tel Aviv on Wednesday at the start of a fresh round of talks aimed at bringing about a ceasefire in the Gaza war.

The release of the hostages held by the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement was currently a top priority, Herzog said at the meeting, according to his office.

"We’re determined to get a ceasefire that brings the hostages home, and to get it now. And the only reason that that wouldn't be achieved is because of Hamas," Blinken said.

Blinken said there was a proposal on the

table: "And as we've said, no delays, no excuses. The time is now."

"At the same time, even as we're working with relentless determination to get the ceasefire that brings the hostages home, we also have to be focused on people in Gaza who are suffering in this crossfire of Hamas's making, and so focused on getting them the assistance they needthe food, medicine, the water, the shelter - is also very much on our minds and in the work that we're doing."

Blinken said he planned to discuss these issues with Herzog.

A meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planned for later in Jerusalem.

Blinken had previously spoken of a "very, very generous" proposal from Israel for a deal with Hamas.

As part of mediation efforts in Cairo, a response from Hamas is now being awaited. Israel has announced a rapid start to the controversial offensive in Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip if no agreement is reached.

the end of the university's commencement events. "After the University learned overnight that Hamilton Hall had been occupied, vandalized, and blockaded, we were left with no choice," the school's statement said, adding that school public safety personnel were forced out of the building and one facilities worker was "threatened."

Trump

calls Columbia police raid 'a beautiful thing

to watch'

Donald Trump addressed campus protests a short while ago at a campaign rally in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

He described last night's police raid at Columbia as "a beautiful thing to watch". "New York was under siege last night," the former president said, with university leaders "afraid" to take action.

He said police "did an incredible job" taking back Hamilton Hall, the academic building that protesters were occupying. "You know, you're supposed to take care of those buildings. It took a beating. But the police came in and, in exactly two hours, everything was over.

US Reacts To Washington Post's India Claim In Terrorist Pannun Killing

The Washington Post, citing unnamed sources, has named a Research and Analysis Wing officer in connection with the alleged plot to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil last year.

Washington: The United States is "regularly working" with India in its investigation into the allegations related to the plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US State Department official has said.

The remarks by US State Department Principal Deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel came after The Washington Post, citing unnamed sources, named a Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer in connection with the alleged plot to kill Pannun on American soil last year.

India on Tuesday strongly rejected the claims, saying that the report made "unwarranted and unsubstantiated" imputations on a serious matter and that an investigation into the case was underway.

Addressing his daily news conference on Tuesday, Mr Patel said, "We continue to expect accountability from the Government of India based on the results of the Indian inquiry committee's work, and we are regularly working with them and enquiring for additional updates."

"We'll also continue to raise our concerns directly with the Indian Government

at senior levels, but beyond that, I'm not going to parse into this further and will defer to the Department of Justice," Mr Patel said when asked about The Washington Post report, which identified the RAW officer as Vikram Yadav and alleged that he was involved in the plot to assassinate Pannun. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Tuesday slammed the report by the US daily.

"The report in question makes unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations on a serious matter," he said in New Delhi.

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US-based Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun

escorted

UK Confirms First Migrants Held For Rwanda Deportation Flights

London: British authorities have started to detain migrants in preparation for them to be sent to Rwanda in the next nine to 11 weeks, the government said on Wednesday, laying the groundwork for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's flagship immigration policy.

A law to pave the way for sending asylum seekers to Rwanda

Pakistan Senator Reports Forced Conversion of Hindu Daughters to Islam

Islamabad, May 1 (IANS) Danesh Kumar, a Senator in Pakistan's upper house has gained the attention of all during the ongoing Senate session for highlighting the forced abductions and conversions of Hindu girls in Pakistan's Sindh province.

"Daughters of Hindus are not a booty that someone should forcibly change their religion. Hindu girls are being forcibly converted to Islam in Sindh. It has been two years since innocent Pooja Kumari was abducted. The government does not take action against these influential people," Danesh said while addressing the Senate session.

Colombian military loses millions of bullets, says president

Colombia's military has lost millions of bullets, thousands of grenades and several missiles, the nation's president has said. Gustavo Petro said the disappearance of the items had come to light during recent inspections of military bases.

He blamed it on internal corruption, saying military personnel sold weapons to arms traders. His defence minister said investigations into the disappearances were under way.

At Tolemaida, there was a shortfall of more than 808,000 bullets and nearly 10,000 fewer grenades than the inventory listed on official records.

A law to pave the way for sending asylum seekers to Rwanda if they arrived in Britain without permission was approved by parliament in April, and Rishi Sunak wants the first flights to take off in July.

if they arrived in Britain without permission was approved by parliament in April, and Sunak wants the first flights to take off in July. More than 7,500 migrants have arrived in England on small boats from France so far this year, and the government says the policy will deter people from making dangerous journey across the Channel. Five people died trying to make the crossing last week.

Human rights charities and unions opposed to the policy are expected to launch fresh legal challenges to stop the flights from taking off after the UK Supreme Court declared the policy unlawful last year.

Images released by Britain's interior ministry on Wednesday showed a man being put in a van by immigration enforcement officials, and another being led out of his house in handcuffs.

Turkey Joins South Africa in Genocide Case Against Israel: Minister

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Wednesday that Turkey would join in South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

"Upon completion of the legal text of our work, we will submit the declaration of official intervention before the ICJ with the objective of implementing this political decision," Fidan said in a joint press conference with Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in Ankara. "Turkey will continue to support the Palestinian people in all circumstances," he said. The ICJ ordered Israel in January to refrain from any acts that could fall under the Genocide Convention and to ensure its troops commit no genocidal acts against Palestinians, after South Africa accused Israel of state-led genocide in Gaza.

UK Reports Sharp Decline in Student Dependents After Visa Crackdown

The UK government has welcomed a “significant fall” in the number of dependents, or close family members such as a spouse and children, accompanying overseas students after its crackdown on student visas effective from early this year.

In an update issued on Tuesday for the period of January to March this year compared to the same period in 2023, the Home Office said that dependents had drastically fallen by almost 80 per cent amid over 26,000 fewer student visa applications made.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement on social media that the figures mean that his changes to the country’s visa system were working.

“The number of students bringing family members and dependants to the UK was too high. This wasn't fair,” he said.

“Our changes are working - student dependant numbers are now down by 80

Ghana Celebrates Display of BritishLooted 'Crown Jewels'

Looted artefacts from the Asante kingdom are finally on display in Ghana, 150 years after British colonisers took them.

Ghanaians flocked to the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi, the capital of Asante region, to welcome the 32 items home."This is a day for Asante. A day for the Black African continent. The spirit we share is back," said Asante King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. At this stage the items have only been loaned to Ghana for three years. However, this loan can be extended.

Australian PM Says Violence Against Women A "National Crisis"

Sydney: Australia's prime minister on Wednesday declared violence against women a "scourge" and a "national crisis", days after protests in several major cities.

According to official statistics from February, between 2019 and 2023 the number of Indians granted study visas rose by 85,849 – making up the highest cohort of international students in the UK

per cent,” he said. Under rules effective from January, most international students except those on research courses cannot bring along family members. They can no longer switch their visa either before completing their course, which the government claimed misused the student visa as a “backdoor” to work in the UK amid a wider Home Office clampdown on institutions “selling immigration not education”. Indians have led the international student visa tally in recent years and these figures indicate that a downward trend noted earlier this year is likely to mean fewer Indian students choosing UK universities. “Ever-spiralling numbers were eroding the British people’s confidence in our immigration system, burdening public services and suppressing wages,” said UK Home Secretary James Cleverly, whose office released the interim data to highlight the impact of his visa crackdowns.

Meeting state premiers, Anthony Albanese announced a raft of measures and funding to tackle "toxic male extremist views", curb deep fake pornography and fund help for victims.

Albanese told Australians that "we all have to take responsibility" for stamping out violence.

5 Killed In Russian Strike On Eastern Ukraine

Ukraine: Five people were killed Wednesday as Russia struck Ukraine's eastern Kharkiv and Donetsk regions, local officials said.

In the northeastern Kharkiv region bordering Russia, a guided bomb attack killed two people, the region's governor said. The region -- large parts of which were occupied by Russian forces for months after they invaded in February 2022 -- is under near-constant bombardment from Russian artillery.

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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

Congress Never Dared To Stop Triple Talaq: PM Modi

Himmatnagar (Gujarat): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday questioned the Congress's respect for the Constitution and said Muslim women have suffered under its rule as he referred to the Rajiv Gandhi government overturning the Supreme Court judgment in the Shah Bano case in 1985. He said the Congress never dared to ban the practice of instant triple talaq due to vote-bank politics. Hitting back at the Congress for claiming the BJP will change the Constitution in its third term in office, PM Modi said the opposition party could not implement the statute book in the entire country during its decades-long rule.

Accused In Salman Khan House Firing Case Dies By Suicide In Jail

Mumbai/New Delhi: One of the two arms suppliers in the firing case outside actor Salman Khan's house died by suicide today while in police custody, sources said.

Anuj Thapan, 32, who was arrested from Punjab on April 26, went to a toilet attached to the police lock-up at 11 am and took the extreme step, sources said. He stayed with 10 other inmates in the lock-up, guarded by fourfive policemen.

He and another accused, Sonu Subhash Chander, allegedly gave the weapons used in firing outside the 'Tiger Zinda Hai' actor's Mumbai home on April 14.

US Police Confirm Shooting Victim Not Goldy Brar

Washington, May 1 (IANS) The Fresno police department in California on Wednesday denied reports that one of the two persons attacked in a shooting incident was Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar. “If you are inquiring because of the online chatter claiming that the shooting victim is ‘Goldy Brar’, we can confirm that this is absolutely not true,” Lieutenant William J. Dooley said in an emailed statement in response to a query.

Congress Must Commit No ReligiousBased Reservation: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday claimed the Congress wants to give reservation on the basis of religion, and challenged the party and its INDIA alliance constituents to give a guarantee in writing that they will never do so.

Addressing a rally at Deesa town of Banaskantha district ahead of voting for the Lok Sabha elections in Gujarat, Modi said as long as he and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were around, reservation in jobs and education granted to SCs/STs/OBCs, and economically weaker sections will be safeguarded.

"I challenge the 'shehzada' (prince) of the Congress (referring to Rahul Gandhi), as well as his party and its supporters to announce they will never misuse reservation in the name of religion, nor will they play with the Constitution or grant reservation in the name of religion," emphasised the BJP stalwart.

"The Congress should give in writing

The Congress and its people should listen carefully that this is Modi. As long as Modi is alive, I will not let you play the game of reservation in the name of the Constitution, says the prime minister

that they would not give reservation based on religion," Modi said.

The PM asserted that as long as he is around, he will not allow anyone to "play the game of reservation".

"The Congress and its people should listen carefully that this is Modi. As long as Modi is alive, I will not let you play the game of reservation in the name of the Constitution," he said. Gujarat, the home state of Modi, will vote on May 7 in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

In 24 Hours

"Nobody Is Scared": Congress Says Decision On Amethi, Raebareli

New Delhi: The Congress is all set to end the suspense over Lok Sabha candidates for the prestigious Amethi and Raebareli constituencies in Uttar Pradesh. The party's Central Election Committee (CEC) has empowered Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to take a decision, which will be announced within 24 hours, party leader Jairam Ramesh said. "Nobody is scared, no one is running away," he said. The Congress has kept

The party's Central Election Committee has empowered Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to take a decision on Amethi and Raebareli candidates.

the suspense going for Amethi and Raebareli constituencies, not naming candidates for them in the latest list of names for the Lok Sabha polls released on Tuesday. Congress workers in Amethi held a protest yesterday over delay in the announcement. Slogans of "Amethi mange Gandhi parivar (Amethi demands the Gandhi family)" were raised by Congress workers sitting on a protest outside the party office. Speculation has been rife that the party would field its former president Rahul Gandhi - who lost the family bastion in a shock defeat to the BJP's Smriti Irani in 2019 - from Amethi again and he will contest both from there and Kerala's Wayanad like he did in the last Lok Sabha elections.

Prajwal Revanna to Return Within Week Amid Sex Scandal Accusations: Lawyer

Janata Dal Secular leader Prajwal Revanna -- accused of raping multiple women -- will return within a week and cooperate with the investigation, his lawyer Arun G told NDTV in an exclusive interview today. The grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and the MP from family turf Hassan, has left the country after the videos surfaced on social media, triggering a huge row in the middle of the general election.

Washington Post Demands Full Investigation into Sikh Separatist Assassination Plot

The Washington Post has reiterated its accusations against the Indian government regarding the failed plot to assassinate Khalistani activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. In an editorial, the newspaper called for a thorough investigation into the matter, urging both India and the United States to take decisive action.

cooperation in addressing the alleged conspiracy, suggesting involvement at the highest government levels. It also referenced Freedom House's classification of India among countries engaging in "transnational repression," along with autocratic regimes like Russia, China, and Iran.

Newspaper lumps India among nations attempting 'transnational repression' like Russia, China,Turkey, Iran; asks US government to make clear that it 'will not tolerate such crimes on its territory'

Citing a detailed story published earlier, The Post implicated India's intelligence agency R&AW and its former chief Samant Goel in orchestrating the plot. Despite US efforts to seek updates on the investigation during a recent visit to New Delhi, little progress was reported, raising concerns about transparency and accountability. The editorial highlighted India's lack of

Drawing parallels with the murder of Sikh separatist activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, The Post underscored Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's assertion of credible evidence implicating India in the killing. The timing of the alleged plot coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the White House raised further questions about diplomatic relations and accountability.

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We Weren't Born To Commit Sin Of Changing Constitution: PM

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Launching an acerbic attack on the Congress on his home turf of Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the party is a "fake factory" and accused it of using doctored videos to mislead the people during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

In the backdrop of a deepfake video of Home Minister Amit Shah in which he purportedly advocates for the abolition of reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), which was allegedly shared by some Congress social media handles, PM Modi claimed on Wednesday that the party's videos, words and promises are all fake.

Addressing a rally in Banaskantha, the Prime Minister said in Hindi, "The Congress has opened a market of fake videos. They know that whatever they are saying isn't working in the elections so they are now making fake videos. Think about it, a party that has ruled the country for 60 years, that has had so many Prime Ministers, can't speak the truth to people."

Taking a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his oft-stated call for a "mohabbat ki dukaan (shop of love)" in a market of hate, the PM added, "What they used to call a 'mohabbat ki dukaan'

is actually a fake factory. Their videos, words, promises, slogans and intentions are all fake. Modi is a tea-seller, the son of poor people... if you want to fight, come let's have a bout ("aao do-do haath kar lo"). This rice-daal eater will show you what he's capable of. If you have the courage, launch a frontal attack. Stop this game of fake videos."

Asserting that people will eventually realise they are being misguided and punish the Congress for it, the PM said the party has been trying to say that the BJP is seeking 400 Lok Sabha seats to change the Constitution and tinker with reservation. "Don't they know that with the support of the Biju Janata Dal and the YSR Congress Party, who were not part of the NDA, I already had 400 MPs for five years? But we were not born to commit this sin, nor is this the road we want to take. We will maintain the purity of the Constitution given by Babasaheb Ambedkar and the other

Poll Body Revises Protocol To Handle EVM Units After SC Order

The poll authority, in a statement on Wednesday, said all state chief electoral officers have been directed to create necessary infrastructure and provisions to implement the new protocols for handling and storage of the symbol loading units (SLUs).

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The Election Commission has tweaked the protocol for handling and storage of SLU, symbol loading units, following the directions of the Supreme Court which had ordered that the machines should be sealed and secured in a container and stored in a strongroom along with the EVMs at least for 45 days post the declaration of results.

An EVM has three components - the ballot unit, control unit, and VVPAT. An SLU is used to upload the name and symbol of the candidates contesting on a particular seat on VVPAT or paper trail machines. The poll authority, in a statement on Wednesday, said all state chief electoral officers have been directed to create necessary infrastructure and provisions to implement the new protocols for handling and storage of the SLUs. "As mandated by the Supreme Court, the revised protocols are applicable in all cases of completion of the symbol loading process in the VVPATs undertaken on or after May 1, 2024," the Commission said. Before the Supreme Court order, the SLUs were handed over to local poll officials.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said people will eventually realise that they are being misguided by the Congress and punish the party for it.

framers and protect it. Till Modi is alive, I will not allow the Congress to play the game of reservation based on religion," he said. The Prime Minister assured his audience that the reservations given to SCs, STs, OBCs and the poor among the general category were given based on the Constitution and that nobody could change it. Repeating the "shehzade" (prince) jibe against Rahul Gandhi, PM Modi said the Congress wanted to snatch reservation from Dalits, tribals, OBCs and the poor and give it to Muslims on the basis of religion.

"They have started an experiment in Andhra Pradesh, in Karnataka, they want to take away reservation for their vote bank. In Karnataka, they declared Muslims OBCs and looted the reservation given to OBCs. This is why they are misleading people," he claimed, adding that the INDIA alliance should declare that they will not give reservation based on religion. All 26 seats in Gujarat will vote in the third phase on May 7. Results will be declared on June 4.

TV Star Rupali Ganguly Joins BJP, Says Impressed By PM Modi's Work

Kolkata: Actor Rupali Ganguly, known for her roles in the series 'Anupama' and 'Sarabhai vs Sarabhai'. joined the BJP ahead of the thirdphase of the Lok Sabha elections. The event took place at the party's headquarters in Kolkata and was attended by several senior BJP leaders, including national general secretary Vinod Tawde. The actor said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his work had attracted her towards the party. "Seeing the 'Mahayagya' of development (development push) around me (under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi), I felt that I should also be a part of it," Ms Ganguly told the media. "I wish to follow in the footsteps of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-ji and serve fellow citizens in whichever role I am entrusted with. I intend to work under the guidance of Amit Shah-ji and make all of my leaders and cadres proud of me," she added.

"I Have Become An Extrovert" : Dimple Yadav

Lok Sabha Election 2024: Dimple Yadav has been nursing the Mainpuri constituency since 2022. She won the by-election after the death of father-in-law Mulayam Singh Yadav, who was the sitting MP.

Dimple Yadav, three-time MP and wife of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, is contesting for the fourth time, defending the family bastion of Mainpuri. The 46-year-old, who had married into a political family back in 1999, told NDTV today that she has grown into the role.

"Since I am from an army background, I never thought I'll be in politics," she told NDTV in an

exclusive interview. Ms Yadav's father was a Colonel in the Indian army.

Asked how she has changed over the last 15 years, Ms Yadav laughed.

"I have grown in the last 15 years I think. Everybody grows with time. I can do much better now. I have become an extrovert, standing on a different pedestal," she added.

Dimple Yadav has been nursing the Mainpuri constituency since 2022. She won the by-election after the death of father-in-law Mulayam Singh Yadav, who was the sitting MP.

Earlier, she was a two-time MP from Kannauj. She won the constituency in 2012 after her husband resigned to contest the assembly election.

This time, the Samajwadi Party is contesting 62 seats in Uttar Pradesh -- the most crucial state in the country on account of its 80 seats. Its alliance partner, the Congress, is contesting 17 seats.

To help with her campaign in Mainpuri, Dimple Yadav has found a new hand -- her daughter Aditi Yadav, who is studying in London, is home on a break and has joined her mother's team with much enthusiasm.

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Targeting the Congress party over the fake video case, he said it was being done to mislead people and create tension in the society

India’s squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 announced

Guterres Urges Global Action Against Israel in Rafah

United Nations, May 1 (IANS)

As Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood firmly by his determination to send troops into Rafah, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres appealed for international pressure to stop the attack on the area where more than 1.2 million Palestinians are sheltering from Israeli invasion that has rolled across most of Gaza.

"I appeal for all those with influence over Israel to do everything in their power to prevent it," he said on Tuesday.

No Religious Reservations for Muslims While I'm Alive: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday tore into the Congress saying as long as he was alive he won't allow reservation for Muslims, on the basis of religion, at the cost of SC, ST and OBCs. Addressing a poll rally in Medak district, Modi exuded confidence that he will celebrate 75 years of the Constitution on a grand scale in his third term.

In a veiled attack on Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Modi alleged that the money collected in the state through “double R (RR) tax” is being channeled to Delhi.

He made these comments while referring to blockbuster Telugu film titled 'RRR', which received global accolades.

Targeting the Congress party over the fake video case, he said it was being done to mislead people and create tension in the

society.Alleging that the Congress would impose 55 per cent inheritance tax if voted to power, Modi said when the whole world was economically progressing, India was suffering from policy paralysis under the previous UPA government.

“If Congress comes to power, they will bring inheritance tax. Congress is planning to collect more than half- 55 per cent as tax on inheritance (received from parents),” he claimed.

Taking a dig at the Congress, he said whenever the grand old party is in power, it has five political symbols-- first, false promises; second, vote bank politics, third, supporting mafia and criminals, fourth dynastic politics and fifth is corruption.

Modi further alleged that first it was BRS, which looted Telangana and now it is Congress.

Women Paraded, Raped In Manipur Were Driven To Mob By Cops: CBI Chargesheet

New Delhi: In a shocking charge, the CBI has alleged that personnel from the Manipur Police allegedly drove the two women to a mob of around 1,000 people, which stripped and paraded them before they were gang-raped, in an incident that shook the nation. The crime, which occurred on May 4 last year - just a day after ethnic violence broke out between the Meiteis and the Kukis - had come to light after videos began being circulated in July.

In its chargesheet filed in October, which has come to light a few days before the anniversary of the start of the violence, the central agency has also said that the mob had attacked a third

The chargesheet was filed in October but details have emerged a few days before the anniversary of the start of the violence in Manipur.

woman belonging to the same family and tried to strip her, but failed because she was holding on tightly to her young granddaughter.

She managed to escape the clutches of the mob after the group attacking her went towards the first two survivorsone in her 40s and the other in her 20s - who were being attacked in some paddy fields. All three women had sought the help of police personnel present at the spot, but were left at the mob's mercy, the agency said in the chargesheet.

Speculation: Gandhis May Skip Traditional Strongholds

In the vibrant tapestry of Indian politics, one burning question dominates: will they or won't they?

The short answer seems to be “no.” Right now, it looks like the Gandhis will be playing safe and not taking any bold gambles.

The political landscape is abuzz with talk that the Gandhis won’t contest in their traditional strongholds, depriving the country of some much-needed political drama in an otherwise lacklustre general election campaign.

Just days ago, it seemed inevitable that Rahul Gandhi was gearing up for a political showdown in his one-time bastion of Amethi. It also seemed likely that Priyanka Gandhi was poised to make her political debut in Rae Bareli, the Nehru-Gandhi bastion.

US Teacher, 26, Arrested For Sexually Abusing Teenager She Met In Church

A teacher from the United States has been arrested for sexually abusing a teenager she met at an Arkansas church, as per a report in the New York Post. Twenty-sixyear-old Reagan Gray was arrested earlier this month after it became apparent that she had been abusing the 15-year-old since 2020 while volunteering at the Little Rock Immanuel Baptist Church.

According to court documents, the boy's parents reported the woman to a senior pastor at the church after finding several text messages on their son's phone at the time. She "bombarded" the teen with nude photos, according to the investigation.

While receiving counselling, the woman,

A church leader told the Federal Bureau of Investigation that Gray had confessed during a counselling session in 2023 that "the relationship was sexual."

who worked as a teacher at Little Rock Christian Academy, was suspended from her volunteer role for telling church officials

that the relationship was not "physical." Later, in February this year, it emerged that the 26-year-old had been texting the 15-year-old on Snapchat.

According to court records, the teenager told the federal officials that Gray had given him oral sex but that they avoided intercourse so he could "stay pure." Gray's car or house was the scene of the alleged abuse, which the victim claimed happened about a dozen times.

Amid the probe, Gray, who is still employed at Sylvan Hills Middle School, was put on administrative leave in February. Following the issuance of an arrest warrant, she was charged with sexual assault. Later, she was released on a $20,000 bail.

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Uttarakhand Suspends 14 Patanjali products, Criminal Complaint Against Ramdev

The Uttarakhand government has suspended the licences of 14 products of Patanjali by an order dated April 15. A criminal complaint has also been filed against Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna and Patanjali for violating the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act.

The action comes amidst a hearing in the Supreme Court against Ramdev and Patanjali’s managing director Balkrishna on disobeying court orders that forbade Patanjali Ayurved from running misleading advertisements on health cures.

Amit Shah to campaign in Gujarat today

Ahmedabad, April 30 (IANS)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday will campaign in Gujarat's Naroda in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections in the state for the crucial Ahmedabad East Parliamentary constituency. Home Minister Shah will campaign for the incumbent BJP candidate from the Ahmedabad East seat, Hasmukh Patel, at a public meeting in Naroda at 7 p.m.

Hasmukh Patel is pitted against Congress candidate Himmatsinh Patel, the 58-year-old MLA from Bapunagar.

PM Modi Tells

Puneites: Bullet Train Travel on Horizon

Pune (Maharashtra), April 29 (IANS) PM Modi on Monday assured Punekars that it is his guarantee to the citizens of Maharashtra that the day is not far when they will travel in a bullet train. "This is Modi's guarantee to Maharashtra's brothers and sisters, that the day is not far away when you all will be traveling in a bullet train. During Manmohan Singh's 'remote' government, the amount they spent on infrastructure, we have spent that much on infrastructure in one year," PM Modi said in Pune.

Khalistan Slogans At Event Attended

By Trudeau

India Summons Canada Envoy

New Delhi on Monday summoned Canadian Deputy High Commissioner over raising of separatist slogans on 'Khalistan' at an event addressed by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, underlining that it impacts the relations between the two countries and

encourages "climate of violence".

"The Government of India's deep concern and strong protest was conveyed at such disturbing actions being allowed to continue unchecked at the event. This illustrates once again the political space that has been given in Canada to separatism, extremism and violence," said the Ministry of External Affairs

SC's Strong Remarks On Arvind Kejriwal's Appeal Against Arrest

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's challenge to his arrest despite his refusal to give a statement to the Enforcement Directorate in the Delhi liquor policy case was questioned by the Supreme Court on Monday. "If you do not go for recording of Section 50 statements, you cannot take the defence that his statement was not recorded," said Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who was part

of the two-judge bench hearing the case. Section 50 of the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) deals with the power of ED officials to issue summons and production of documents, evidence and other materials.

In his petition, Mr Kejriwal has argued that his arrest is illegal and so is his custody. Its motive was political, made clear by the timing - ahead of the general elections. "The attempt is to decimate a political party and topple an elected government of the NCT of Delhi," his plea read. During Monday's hearing, his counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the court that one can be arrested only on evidence of guilt, "not mere suspicion". "This is also the threshold in Section 45 PMLA," he had said, pointing out that the investigating agency had not recoded the statement of the Delhi Chief Minister.

As PM Trudeau walked up to the stage for his address to mark Khalsa Day, the chants of 'Khalistan Zindabad' kept getting louder, showed a video released by Canada-based CPAC TV.

in a statement. "Their continued expressions not only impact IndiaCanada relations but also encourage a climate of violence and criminality in Canada to the detriment of its own citizens," the statement added. As PM Trudeau walked up to the stage for his address to mark Khalsa Day, the chants of 'Khalistan Zindabad' kept getting louder, showed a video released by Canada-based CPAC TV. It happened again when Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre walked up to the stage to begin his address. New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow were also present at the event. Thousands of people flocked to downtown Toronto on Sunday for one of the biggest yearly gatherings in the city. Days after Trudeau's allegations, India asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country to ensure parity. Subsequently, Canada withdrew 41 diplomats and their family members from India.

BCCI Selectors to Confer with Jay Shah on T20 World Cup Squad

The national selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar will meet BCCI secretary Jay Shah in Ahmedabad on Tuesday to finalise the 15-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup in the Americas but the official announcement might happen a day later. The BCCI secretary is the convenor of the senior selection committee (men) and with Shah busy with his political commitments, it is understood that the meeting will be held in Ahmedabad.

In Big U-Turn, AstraZeneca Admits Its Covishield Vaccine Can Cause Side Effect

New Delhi: British pharma giant AstraZeneca has admitted that its Covid vaccine can cause a rare side effect, The Telegraph (UK) has reported. Covishield can cause, in rare cases, a condition that leads to blot clots and low platelet count, the vaccine-maker has said in court documents.Covishield, developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University during the pandemic, was produced by the Serum Institute of India and widely administered in the country. AstraZeneca is facing a class action lawsuit in the UK over claims that its vaccine caused deaths and severe injuries in several cases. Victims in as many as 51 cases in the UK High

Court are seeking damages up to 100 million pounds.Jamie Scott, the first complainant in the case, had alleged that he had received the vaccine in April 2021 which caused him a permanent brain injury after a blood clot. This has prevented him from working and the hospital even told his wife thrice that he's going to die, he claimed.AstraZeneca has contested

the claims, but admitted in one of the court documents in February that Covishield can "in very rare cases, cause TTS", the report said. TTS (Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome) causes blood clots and a low blood platelet count in humans. "It is admitted that the AZ vaccine can, in very rare cases, cause TTS. The causal mechanism is not known...Further, TTS can also occur in the absence of the AZ vaccine (or any vaccine). Causation in any individual case will be a matter for expert evidence," AstraZeneca said. AstraZeneca made its admission in a legal defence to Scott's claim, which may lead to payouts to the victims and grieving relatives.

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Meta faces EU probe over Russian disinformation

The European Commission has opened formal investigation proceedings into Meta over its handling of political content, including a suspected Russian influence campaign.

With elections looming in the EU and elsewhere, officials said they would assess whether the company's approach to moderating disinformation on Facebook and Instagram breached EU law.

Among the Commission's concerns is Meta's oversight of its advertising tools, and whether they had been exploited by "malicious actors."

The probe will also examine whether Meta is being transparent enough over its moderation of political content and accounts.

“We have a well-established process for identifying and mitigating risks on our platforms," Meta said in a statement.

"We look forward to continuing our cooperation with the European Commission and providing them with further details of this work.”

The company is one of several tech firms designated "very large online platforms" (VLOPs) under the bloc's Digital Services Act (DSA).

Indian economy expected to achieve higher than 7% growth in 2024-25: NCAER

The Indian economy is expected to achieve “higher” than 7% growth in 2024-25, the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) on Monday said pointing at strong highfrequency indicators, an above normal monsoon forecast and a benign global outlook. The think tank’s outlook is a

Telegraph up for sale after takeover collapses

The Daily and Sunday Telegraph newspapers are back up for sale after an Abu Dhabi-backed bid to take them over collapsed.

The ownership of the papers was set to be transferred to the Gulf-backed RedBird IMI consortium before the government intervened in January. Legislation has since been put forward to ban foreign states from owning UK newspapers and news magazines.

RedBird said it would halt the takeover and put the media firm up for sale. The investment firm said its plans were "no longer feasible", adding it would now look to secure the "best value" for the titles, which include the Spectator magazine.

Godrej Group Splits Between 2 Branches Of Founding Family

New Delhi: The founding family of 127-year-old Godrej Group, which spans from soaps and home appliances to real estate, has reached an agreement to split the conglomerate, with Adi Godrej and his brother Nadir keeping Godrej Industries that has five listed firms, while cousins Jamshyd and Smita getting unlisted Godrej & Boyce and its affiliates as well as a land bank, including prime property in Mumbai.

The group has been split between two branches of the founding family, with Adi Godrej (82) and his brother Nadir (73) on one side and their cousins Jamshyd Godrej (75) and Smita Godrej Crishna (74) on the other, according to a statement issued by the group.

Adi Godrej and his brother Nadir will keep Godrej Industries that has five listed firms, while cousins Jamshyd and Smita will get unlisted Godrej & Boyce and its affiliates as well as a land bank, including prime property in Mumbai.

Godrej Enterprises Group -- comprising Godrej & Boyce and its affiliates that have a presence across multiple industries spanning aerospace and aviation to defence, furniture and IT software -will be controlled by Jamshyd Godrej as chairperson and managing director. His sister Smita's daughter Nyrika Holkar, 42, will be the executive director. Their families will control this arm that also will hold the land bank, including 3,400 acres of prime land in Mumbai.

Godrej Industries Group -- which includes the listed companies - Godrej Industries, Godrej Consumer Products, Godrej Properties, Godrej Agrovet and Astec Lifesciences -- will have Nadir Godrej as chairperson and will be controlled by Adi, Nadir and their immediate families.

Pirojsha Godrej, 42, son of Adi, will be the executive vice chairperson of GIG and will succeed Nadir as the chairperson in August 2026, the statement said.

The latest edition of EY Economy Watch released on Monday also has similar observations which said India’s FY25 growth continues the 7% plus post Covid.

bit more optimistic than the 7% real gross domestic product (GDP) growth projected by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its monetary policy review on April 5. While the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on April 11 projected India’s GDP growth for FY25 at 7%, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on April 16 raised India’s growth forecast the fiscal year to 6.8% from 6.5%. NCAER expects India to gain further boost from an improvement in the global GDP growth, which will create demands for Indian goods. IMF projected a resilient global economic outlook in its World Economic Outlook to 3.2% in 2025 from 3.1% in 2024. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has also projected that the global merchandise trade volume will grow by 2.6% in 2024, following a 1.2% decline in 2023.

US probes Ford hands-free driving tech after crashes

A US road safety agency is investigating Ford's BlueCruise driver assistance system following two fatal collisions.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wrote in both cases Ford Mustang Mach-E cars collided with stationary vehicles at night, while the system was engaged. BlueCruise is a driver assistance technology that allows hands-free driving on certain roads, typically motorways.Ford told the BBC that it was working with NHTSA "to support its investigation".

In February, a Ford Mustang Mach-E using BlueCruise hit the rear of a stationary Honda, killing the 56-year-old driver of the stopped car, Reuters reported.

UP Association Of Greater Chicago Hosts Hasya Kavi Sammelan

Poets from India delighted attendees at the Hashya Kavi Sammelan in Chicago. Arun Gemini, Shambhu Sikhar, and Mumtaz Naseem showcased their talents in comedy, poetry, and music. Organized by the UP Association, the event began with remarks by Dr. Subhash Pandey, highlighting the tradition's importance in promoting Hindi globally. Mrs. Uma Agrawal welcomed guests and poets, emphasizing the event's significance. Special guest Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Pal praised the Association's efforts in preserving Hindi in the USA. The evening featured Saraswati

Vandana and entertaining performances moderated by Mr. Gemini. A brief intermission allowed attendees to enjoy refreshments. Dr. Pandey thanked the Indian community for their support and the poets for their contribution. Over 300 attendees enjoyed the cultural exchange, affirming the event's enduring popularity.

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Dr. Subhash Pandey, the chairman board of trustees, Arun Gemini, Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Pal, Consul of cultural affairs, Consulate General of India, Shambhu Sikhar, Mumtaz Naseem & Mrs. Uma Agrawal, President

Days after India lost to England in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in Adelaide, the Board’s bigwigs got together to draw the blueprint for the game’s shortest format.

India’s brand of cricket was considered far from aggressive and fearless. In an attempt to make their foray into an unchartered territory, the national selectors picked a young side under Hardik Pandya which was supposed to crack the T20 code.

For more than a year the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi and Suryakumar Yadav were branded specialists who could pack enough firepower to meet the growing demands of the format. The move paid off with victories in New Zealand and Ireland besides series triumphs versus Australia and Sri Lanka at home.

But India’s glorious run in the ODI World Cup forced the Board to have a change of heart. The powers-that-be brought back captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli into the T20 fold against Afghanistan.

That India were taking a detour from their earlier approach and falling

Mumbai Indians penalized; Pandya fined most

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has been fined Rs 24 lakh after his team's second slow over-rate offence in the Indian Premier League during their match against Lucknow Super Giants. All the other players, including the Impact Player, were each individually fined either Rs 6 lakh or 25 per cent of their respective match fees, whichever is lesser. MI lost the match by four wickets at the Ekana Stadium on Tuesday.

ICC clause may enable Rinku Singh for T20 World Cup

The ICC had set May 01 deadline for the provisional squads to be released by all the boards. However, a clause in the ICC directive also suggests that boards are allowed to make changes with their teams by May 25. In the case of injuries or other issues with certain players, the Indian team can be altered, making way for the management to pick a player from the reserves. At present, the BCCI reserve list includes players like Rinku Singh, Shubman Gill, Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed.

Selectors keep faith in old guard for T20 World Cup

back on the old guns was evident. On Tuesday the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee picked nine of the 15 players from the 2022 campaign for the forthcoming edition in the US and the West Indies.

Slow batting by the top-order in the 2022

'Emotional'

semi-final was largely held responsible for their loss. Two of the top-3 from that playing XI will still make it this time following their exploits in the ODI campaign at home.

Rishabh Pant will make a return to the squad following his horrific car accident in December 2022 while Shivam Dube and Sanju Samson have made their maiden entry into a World Cup side. Yuzvendra Chahal, who didn’t get to play a match in the 2022 edition in Australia, returns on the back of his IPL form.

Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav and left-arm all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel are the other spin options in the 15-member squad.

Sources told The Telegraph that backing from influential quarters within the Board and outside helped Pandya retain his vice-captaincy despite an awful performance in IPL 2024.

Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh are the specialist pacers with Pandya and Shivam Dube, who hasn’t bowled in the IPL, as back-up

Rafael Nadal Knocked Out Of Madrid Open By Jiri Lehecka

Rafael Nadal bade an emotional farewell to the Madrid Open on Tuesday after crashing out in the last 16 to Jiri Lehecka in the Spanish star's last ever appearance at the tournament. The 37-year-old 22-time Grand Slam singles champion -- winner of a record five Madrid Open

titles -- bowed out 7-5, 6-4 to the 30thseeded Czech Lehecka. "I'm happy. It was a very special week for me, very positive and very emotional. I had the opportunity to play one more time here on this court," Nadal said in his on court interview.

A special ceremony was held on Manolo Santana Stadium after Tuesday's match, with banners suspended above the stands with the words "Gracias Rafa" and signifying the years in which he has won the Madrid tournament.

"This was a joke, because I'll be back next year," quipped Nadal, his family watching on from the stands. "All I can say is thank you to everyone that has helped me in my career. It hasn't finished yet.

Wasim Akram to train Sri Lankan bowlers for T20 World Cup

Colombo: (IANS) Ahead of ICC Men's T20 World Cup, Sri Lankan bowlers are to be trained by Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram.

The former seamer arrived in Sri Lanka on Wednesday to conduct a two-day training program for national players, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced. During his coaching session, starting from Thursday, Akram will also train SLC High Performance Coaches (HPC)

and the coaches of the major clubs.

“In total, Akram will conduct five sessions, covering the SLC pace academy, HPC, and major club coaches. He will also observe Sri Lanka’s national players’ preparation for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” the SLC stated.

The board noted that this program will mark Sri Lanka Cricket’s initiative to bring in the required expertise to enhance the coaching strength of the SLC High Performance Center and the Major Club system in the country.

options. The sluggish surfaces in the West Indies have prompted the thinktank to include four spinners. Dube is the lone power-hitter-cum-finisher in the squad in the absence of Rinku Singh. Samson has forced open the door this time after losing out to Dinesh Karthik in 2022. His glowing strokeplay, maturity and finesse in pulling off chases for Rajasthan Royals influenced the Agarkar-led panel. So much so that the think-tank’s favourite KL Rahul couldn’t make it despite displaying a sense of purpose.

The squad includes five lefthanders but only two could make the playing XI to provide the perfect balance. If Dube doesn’t find a place, Jaiswal would be the lone lefthander in the top-5.

The top-order still looks shaky. The captain hasn’t been consistent in the IPL and there are serious issues with Kohli’s strike-rate in the middle overs and when batting first. While some within the Board had been sceptical about his inclusion till a month back, Kohli’s golden run with the bat has put a stop to such discussions.

Can both Kohli and Rohit show the intent to end India’s ICC trophy drought? Therein lies the key to India’s chances.

England's Buttler, Salt, Ali to miss IPL playoffs

The likes of Jos Buttler, Phil Salt and Moeen Ali are set to miss the playoffs of the ongoing IPL as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will be calling all the England T20 World Cupbound players to feature in the four-match T20I home series against Pakistan beginning on May 22. The IPL playoffs begin on May 21 with the final on May 26.

Mayank Yadav uncertain for IPL 2024

Pace sensation Mayank Yadav's participation in the remainder of the IPL round-robin stage seems doubtful after he sustained a suspected abdominal muscle "tear" during the game against Mumbai Indians, making it his second injury breakdown in past four weeks. However, there is a silver lining for the 21-year-old Delhi man as he is all set to be given a pace bowling contract by the BCCI.

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AstraZeneca Admits Covishield Jab Has Rare Side-Effect. Should You Worry?

New Delhi: Thrombosis

Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS)

-- a blood clot disorder -- is a rare side effect of AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine, and the risks far outweigh the benefits of the jab, doctors said today. This comes after reports said that AstraZeneca has for the first time accepted in court documents that its vaccine, developed in partnership with Oxford University, can raise the risk of a rare and serious blood clot.

The Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine, sold as Covishield in India and Vaxzevria in Europe is a viral vector vaccine developed using the modified chimpanzee adenovirus ChAdOx1.

Covishield manufactured and marketed in India in partnership with Serum Institute of India (SII), was widely administered in the country -- to almost 90 per cent of the Indian population.

"Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Syndrome (TTS) is one of the rare but very serious adverse effects that has happened as part of Vaccineinduced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (VITTP). The incidence has been as low as one in 50,000 (0.002 per cent), but in a huge population, the number becomes sizeable," infectious disease expert Dr. Ishwar Gilada, told IANS.

"TTS is a very rare condition resulting from an abnormal immune response. Although it has several causes, it has also been linked with adenovirus vector vaccines and the WHO published a report on May 27, 2021 about it," Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, co-chairman of the Indian Medical Association's National Covid-19 Task Force, told news agency IANS. What is the case? The British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical company has admitted for the first time in the UK court documents that its Covid vaccine can cause a rare blood clot risk, the Telegraph reported. About 51 cases have been lodged in the UK High Court against the pharmaceutical giant over claims that its Covid vaccine caused death and serious injury.

The victims and grieving relatives have sought damages, estimated to be worth up to 100 million pounds, the report said.

Although AstraZeneca is contesting the claims "it has accepted, in a legal document submitted to the High Court in February that its Covid vaccine 'can, in very rare cases, cause TTS'", the report said.

TTS causes people to have blood clots and a low blood platelet count.

AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine and link to TTS? In India, almost 90 per cent of people who received Covid vaccine, received the AstraZeneca vaccine which in India is called Covishield. It is made from a harmless cold virus, which is from chimpanzees and it is called adenovirus.

"Once this virus is genetically

Researchers tasked with investigating the adverse reaction believe it occurs due to the modified cold virus lurking in the jab acting like a magnet to a type of protein in the blood called platelet factor 4. Platelet factor 4 is normally used by the body to promote coagulation in the blood, in case of injury. Then, in rare instances, the body's immune system confuses platelet factor 4 with a foreign invader and releases antibodies to attack it in case of 'mistaken identity'. These antibodies then clump together with platelet factor 4, forming the blood clots that have become so heavily linked with the jab, according to their theory

The OxfordAstraZeneca Covid vaccine, sold as Covishield in India and Vaxzevria in Europe is a viral vector vaccine developed using the modified chimpanzee adenovirus ChAdOx1.

modified or engineered to match the SARS-CoV-2, a causative organism for Covid-19, this works on a spike protein. So, the vaccine is incorporated with the S spike protein genetic sequence," said Dr. Ishwar, Secretary General People's Health Organisation-India, Mumbai.

Explaining the mechanism of potential TTS risk, he said that the vaccine is injected in the arm which is in the deltoid muscle. However, "sometimes instead of just getting into muscles, it also enters the bloodstream. Once it enters the bloodstream, the adenovirus in the vaccines acts like a magnet, with a special affinity to a type of protein in the blood called platelet factor 4 (PF4)," the doctor said.

"While PF4 is normally used by the body to promote coagulation in blood, in rare instances, the body's immune system confuses it as a foreign body or foreign invader and then releases antibodies to attack it -- called mistaken identity.

"It is theorised that such antibodies then react and clump together with PF4, forming the blood clots that have become so heavily linked with the vaccine. Such clots in the brain and heart can cause disastrous adverse effects," the doctor said.

Should all Covishield vaccine takers be worried?

"No, we need not because it has happened to a very few people," Dr. Ishwar said.

"The difficulty is to distinguish between the complications that are caused by Covid itself or longCovid or the vaccine. That remains debatable and indistinguishable for the scientific community as also the legal fraternity," he added.

Importantly, Dr. Rajeev said,

"People who are vaccinated have an overall lower risk of death from Covid as well as complications such as post-Covid heart attacks and strokes afterward".

"Although there are extremely rare serious side effects for vaccines, the benefits far outweigh the risks. Covid vaccines have prevented hundreds of thousands of people from dying. For example, in the US, 232,000-318,000 people have died from Covid, due to refusal to vaccinate from disproportionate fear of vaccination," he added.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is a genetically engineered common cold virus that used to infect chimpanzees. It has been modified to make it weak so it does not cause illness in people and loaded up with the gene for the coronavirus spike protein, which Covid-19 uses to invade human cells

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Kejriwal's

Wife Urges Vote Against Dictatorship

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita on Sunday appealed to the public as a "daughter of Mother India" to vote against "dictatorship" and save democracy. As she sought support for AAP candidate Mahabal Mishra in the West Delhi constituency, she called her husband a "lion" whom nobody can break.Sunita, standing through the sunroof of a vehicle, greeted voters as she was showered with flower petals. She said Kejriwal was jailed because he built schools, provided free electricity, and opened Mohalla Clinics.

Physics Wallah Urges Indian Students Abroad to Return

On Friday, Mr Pandey shared a post on Instagram, revealing that he was recently invited to “Harvard University, Stanford University and University Of California”, as a guest speaker. He shared this in a detailed note attached to a series of pictures of his time on the campus of prestigious universities.

The opening frame shows Mr Pandey posing outside the Harvard Business School. In another picture, he is seen posing with Indian students.

Missing 'Taarak Mehta' Actor Gurucharan Singh

New Delhi: 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah' fame actor Gurucharan Singh, who played the role of Roshan Singh Sodhi in the hugely popular Indian sitcom, has been missing for six days. Police have now registered a kidnapping case based on a complaint filed by Gurucharan Singh's father and several teams have been formed to trace the 50-year-old actor. Initial investigation revealed that the actor was soon to get married and had been facing a financial crisis, sources said.

PM Modi to address six poll rallies in two days in Maharashtra

Mumbai, April 29 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address six campaign rallies for the MahaYuti alliance in Maharashtra on Monday and Tuesday.

Prime Minister Modi will address poll rallies in Solapur, Karad and Pune on Monday and in Malshiras, Dharashiv and Latur on Tuesday, said state BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule.

On Monday, the Prime Minister will address a rally at 2:15 p.m. in Solapur for BJP nominee Ram Satpute, who is pitted against Congress' Praniti Shinde. At 4:30 p.m., he will hold a rally in Karad for party nominee Udayanraje Bhosale who is fighting against the NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar candidate Shashikant Shinde from Satara constituency. Prime Minister Modi's third rally of the day is slated

for 6:30 p.m. at Race Course ground in Pune's Hadapsar, where he will campaign for BJP nominee from Pune, Murlidhar Mohol; Shiv Sena candidate from Maval, Shrirang Barne; NCP nominee from Baramati, Sunetra Pawar; and NCP candidate from Shirur, Shivajirao Adhalarao Patil. Mohol is fighting against Congress' Ravindra Dhangekar, Barne against Shiv

3 Indian Women Killed In US As Speeding SUV Goes Airborne, Lands In Trees

Three women from Gujarat were killed in a horrific car accident in the US today. Rekhaben Patel, Sangitaben Patel, and Manishaben Patel, all residents of Gujarat's Anand district, died as their SUV careened off the road, hurtling over a bridge in Greenville County, South Carolina.

According to the Greenville County Coroner's Office, the SUV, traveling northbound on the highway, veered across all lanes, ascended an embankment, and soared at least 20 feet into the air before crashing into trees on the opposite side of the bridge.

US car accident: The car veered across all lanes, ascended an embankment, and soared at least 20 feet into the air before crashing into trees.

"It is obvious they were traveling above the posted speed limit," Chief Deputy Coroner Mike Ellis told news channel WSPA. He also clarified that no other cars were involved.

The car was found stuck on a tree, shattered into multiple pieces, a testament to the velocity at which it collided with the surroundings.

"Very seldom do you see a vehicle that leaves the roadway at such a high rate of speed that it jumps 4-6 lanes of traffic and lands in the trees approximately 20 feet," Mr Ellis said, describing the unprecedented accident.

"Right now, it appears the vehicle is on its wheels, but when the vehicle jumped all four lanes of traffic, it probably struck trees at least 20 feet above the ground," he told local media.

Elon Musk visits China as Tesla seeks self-driving technology rollout

Tesla (TSLA.O), CEO Elon Musk arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a surprise visit, where he is expected to meet senior officials to discuss the rollout of Full Self-Driving software and permission to transfer data overseas, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.

The U.S. electric vehicle maker rolled out Full Self-Driving, or FSD, the most autonomous version of its Autopilot

Sena-UBT nominee Sanjog Waghere, Sunetra Pawar against her sister-inlaw and NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar nominee Supriya Sule, and Patil against NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar nominee Amol Kolhe.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi will address a campaign rally at 11:45 a.m. in Malshiras for BJP nominee from Madha constituency Ranjeetsingh H. Naik Nimbalkar, who is in a direct contest against NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar nominee Mohite Patil Dhairyasheel Rajsinh. Thereafter, the Prime Minister will hold a rally in Dharashiv at 1:30 p.m. for the NCP nominee Archana Patil who is pitted against Shiv Sena-UBT nominee Omraje Nimbalkar. Prime Minister Modi's last rally for the day in Maharashtra is slated for 3 p.m. at Latur for BJP nominee Sudhakar Shringare who is contesting against Congress' Shivaji Kalge.

Virat Kohli lashes out at strike rate critics

RCB star Virat Kohli tore into his critics in a strongly-worded statement after matchwinning 70 off 44 balls against Gujarat. "Not really, I think all the people who talk about strike rates and me not playing spin well are the ones who love talking about this stuff. But, for me, it's about winning the game for the team. And there is a reason you have done this for 15 years," Virat Kohli said after his match-winning knock against Gujarat. "You have done this, day in and day out. You have won games for your team. And I am not quite sureâ€æ if you have not been in that situation yourself, to sit and speak about the game from a box.

Pakistani Boat Seized Off Gujarat Coast, Rs 600 Cr Drugs Found

Musk's itinerary on Sunday afternoon includes a meeting with Ren Hongbin, a government official who heads the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the organiser of the Beijing auto show currently underway, reports state media

software, four years ago but has yet to make it available in China, its second-largest market globally, despite customers urging it to do so.

Musk said this month Tesla may make FSD available to customers in China "very soon", in response to a query on social media platform X.

Rival Chinese automakers such as Xpeng (9868.HK), have been seeking to gain an advantage over Tesla by rolling out similar software.

The Indian Coast Guard has seized 86 kg of drugs worth Rs 600 crore from a Pakistani boat and arrested 14 persons on board the vessel off the Gujarat coast, the maritime security agency said on Sunday. The overnight operation in the Arabian Sea was carried out in coordination with the Gujarat Anti-terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), it said.

“In a breathtaking overnight operation, Indian Coast Guard undertook an intelligence-based antinarcotics operation at sea on 28 Apr 24. Approx 86 kg of narcotics worth Rs 600 crore has been apprehended along with 14 crew from the Pakistani boat,” the agency said in a release.

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Raja Kumari teams up with Guru Randhawa for 'In Love'

Rapper Raja Kumari is teaming up with singer-composer Guru Randhawa for the first time for their upcoming track, 'In Love'. The song has been penned by Guru Randhawa, and it marks Raja Kumari's debut in Punjabi music. Talking about the track, Raja Kumari said, "Collaborating with Guru on 'In Love' has allowed me to explore new horizons in my musical journey. Music knows no boundaries, and I believe that by blending our unique styles, we've created something truly special that resonates with audiences on a profound level. I've always admired his work, and being able to lend my voice to his composition in Punjabi has been both challenging and rewarding."

'Pure nostalgia': Ayushmann Khurrana reacts after watching 'MJ the Musical' in NYC

Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana recently watched 'MJ the Musical', the Broadway musical based on the life of the King of pop, Michael Jackson, in New York City.

On Tuesday, the actor took to the Stories section of his Instagram and shared an image from outside of the theatre which hosted the Broadway musical. Ayushmann was struck by a huge wave of nostalgia watching the musical unfold live. He wrote on the picture, "From dancing to MJ's tunes as a kid to witnessing his musical live, this night at @mjthemusical at Broadway in NYC was pure nostalgia."

Ayushmann also recently attended the Time 100 Gala where he clicked pictures with Dua Lipa, Uma Thurman and Dev Patel. 'MJ the Musical' features Jackson's music with a book by Lynn Nottage, and choreography by Christopher Wheeldon.

I was broken, didn’t want to live anymore Adhyayan Suman

The Diamond Bazaar is a delectable package of many surprises. In his maiden web series, Sanjay Leela Bhansali has brought together an eclectic bunch of actors. While Farida Jalal returns to screen after a decade, it also features Fardeen Khan, who was last seen in Dulha Mil Gaya (2010). Among other things, it also stars father-son duo Shekhar and Adhyayan Suman together on screen. Shekhar plays the flamboyant Nawab Zulfiqar, who is in love with Manisha Koirala’s character Mallikajaan, and his son steps into the shoes of Zorawar, a mean, brutal nawab. Netflix’s ambitious series is centred on six female actors—Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh and Sharmin Segal—but Shekhar asserts that the male characters aren’t ornamental. “The dynamics between the tawaifs and the nawabs were intimate. It is quintessentially the story of the courtesans and how they wielded power, but these women derived their power from the men. Nawabs were skilled mercenaries, who allied with the British to get power and titles. My character has a hint of arrogance. He adds to the politics of Heeramandi. He is in love with Mallikajaan, but doesn’t shy away from [threatening] her when she doesn’t bow to him,” says the actor.

Lara Dutta was initially offered Bipasha Basu's role in 'No Entry'

Lara Dutta Bhupathi has had some notable roles in her acting career. She's currently portraying a powerful character in the web series 'Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond.' In a recent interview with Indianexpress. com, Lara discussed how her decision to take on comedic roles helped reshape how people viewed her in the industry. She also mentioned being offered two roles in Anees Bazmee's 'No Entry,' one of which was eventually played by Bipasha Basu. When discussing the turning point in her career, Lara Dutta opened up about a significant moment that altered her life, “That moment came when I did No Entry. It gave me the opportunity to first step into the comic genre and maybe realise that it was something I was really good at. It gave me the chance to consciously break away from a certain image.”

Vishal-Sheykhar, Armaan Malik, Shirley Setia team up for new 'Pokemon' series

Music composer duo Vishal and Sheykhar have teamed up with playback singers Armaan Malik and Shirley Setia for the upcoming anime series 'Pokemon Horizons: The Series'.

The original opening and ending soundtracks, created by the duo, were unveiled at a five-star property in the Juhu area of Mumbai on Tuesday. These tracks capture the spirit of our childhood and promise to warm our hearts.

series introduces new characters along with an engaging storyline, featuring Pikachu at the helm of an airship.

Sharing their thoughts on the collaboration, Vishal and Sheykhar said: "We were thrilled to receive the call to collaborate with ‘Pokemon’.

We've crafted tracks that capture the essence of fun and adventure synonymous with the brand, infusing them with a distinct Indian flair to deeply resonate with our local audience. We hope these tracks will keep reminding people of the animated series even when they are away from their TV sets.”

For Armaan, it’s surreal to think that the Pokemon cards he traded as a kid would lead him to sing the opening track for 'Pokemon Horizons' in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.

Prabhas to play 'Bhairava' in 'Kalki 2898 AD'

Mumbai: Telugu superstar Prabhas will be seen essaying the role of Bhairava in the upcoming sci-fi epic 'Kalki 2898 AD'. The actor appeared in a video during the IPL match between Lucknow Super Giants vs Mumbai Indians. Donning Bhairava's persona, Prabhas delivered a powerful message likening cricket to warfare.

Gratitude to Daring Filmmakers for Casting Me Unconventionally Sonakshi

In a career spanning over a decade, Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha has fearlessly explored roles outside the box. The actress is thankful to filmmakers, who have taken the "risk" of showcasing her in a different light. Reflecting on her journey from being in talks for her character in 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar' to becoming Fareedan, Sonakshi told IANS: "It was a beautiful journey, from actually meeting him, discussing the project, listening to the story, and witnessing how he developed my character as we went along. It was a beautiful process.”

Sonakshi was thrilled when she was informed that she would be playing a negative character.

Mani Ratnam, Kamal Haasan, Ali Fazal in New Delhi to shoot for ‘Thug Life’

Filmmaker Mani Ratnam, along with stars Kamal Haasan and Ali Fazal, have arrived in the national capital to commence shooting for the next schedule of their upcoming film 'Thug Life'.

A source close to IANS shared that the filmmaker and the actors arrived in New Delhi on Sunday evening. The source added: "They will be shooting for a month in Delhi… For the entire month of May, they will be shooting. It will be an all-outdoor shoot. They will be shooting in some prominent locations in New Delhi.” 'Thug Life', a Tamil film, is an action drama co-written by Ratnam and Kamal. The film features Kamal in a triple role, alongside Trisha, Abhirami, Nassar, Gautham Karthik, Joju George, and Aishwarya Lekshmi.

Diljit Dosanjh

Predicting Success in Film or Song Impossible

Popular actor-musician Diljit Dosanjh emphasised that the success of a film or song cannot be guaranteed solely based on the presence of a specific individual. Asked Diljit, who has given blockbusters including his recent release 'Chamkila' and chartbuster hit songs, if he feels that it is his golden period since everything he does turns into gold. Diljit responded to IANS, stating: “Nobody can declare that if someone's film or a song will be a sure shot hit. It is God's grace. No actor or director can say, 'I am there, that is why the film is a hit'. There is nothing like that, it is all because of God.”

Relatability plays a crucial role in attracting audiences to Diljit's work. "I think like this too. Sometimes people say that the audience would like it, but I feel that I am the audience myself. If I like it, then the audience will like it too. I feel like I am the audience too. I always see films and songs through the perspective of the audience."

Diljit's mindset aligns closely with his audience. "I feel whatever questions they have, I have the same in my mind too. I have never felt disconnected… that the audience is someone else and I am someone else."

The actress added: "I have been waiting for a director to see and portray me to the audiences in a different light, and who better than Sanjay sir to do it."

Sonakshi is thankful to filmmakers like Vikramaditya Motwane for 'Lootera', A.R. Murugadoss for 'Akira', and Reema Kagti for 'Dahaad', among others.b"Very few people have taken that sort of risk with me, and whoever has done it, I am truly thankful to them. Vikramaditya Motwane with 'Lootera', 'Akira' Murugadoss, Reema Kagti in 'Dahaad', and now this,” she said. “For an actor, it really is a dream to push yourself and present to the audience a side they haven't seen before. Fareedan is something I have been waiting to do for the longest time.”

Playing shades of grey has been on Sonakshi’s bucket list. “I have always wanted to play a slightly negative character on screen… You don’t hate the character for any reason. She has her own reason to behave the way she behaves.” The show will air on Netflix from May 1.

My children read books about life hacks

Actress Shefali Shah, who earned a lot of acclaim for her work in ‘Three of Us’, has shared her parenting secrets as she opened up about the reading habits of her two kids. Shefali said while her children were not avid readers when they were young, over the years they have developed a taste for reading books. She also said that their reading habits are very different from hers.

Shefali, who launched the Dish TV Smart+ services in Delhi on Monday, said, “There is a very nice thing I read somewhere - ‘The most important thing you give your children is roots and wings’. "Now, to accept that my children have grown up and are going to make their own decisions is a little difficult for parents. But it is a fact. 'Mene bachpan mein unhne sikhaya, padhaya'. However, what they will do will depend on them as they grow up. And whether they listen to me or not, they will accept what they want." She added, “I kept telling my children - ‘You must read, you will love it’. Both the children were not into reading, which was very sad for me. But then, as they grew up, suddenly they started reading. And not the stuff that I read. I read everything. But they started reading a lot of stuff which tells them life hacks. You know, my older one wants to be a businessman. My younger one wants to do something else.

EC seeks responses to complaints against Modi, Rahul Gandhi

NEW DELHI, April 25 (Reuters)

- India's Election Commission said on Thursday it has sought responses from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress on alleged violations of poll rules by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi. India is holding the world's largest election over seven phases, with votes due to be counted on June 4.

India inspects plants of spice makers MDH, Everest

BENGALURU, April 24 (Reuters)

- India is inspecting facilities of spice makers MDH and Everest for compliance with quality standards after Hong Kong halted sales of some of their products for allegedly containing high levels of a cancer-causing pesticide.

Hong Kong this month suspended sales of three MDH spice blends and an Everest spice mix for fish curries. Singapore ordered a recall of the Everest spice mix, saying it contains high levels of ethylene oxide, which is unfit for human consumption and a cancer risk with long exposure.

Yogi Adityanath: Muslim Quota Promotes Islamisation

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath on Thursday alleged that the Congress' attempt to give reservations to Muslims from the OBC quota in Karnataka was part of its agenda to push the country towards "Islamisation and division".

The firebrand BJP leader claimed that the Congress wanted to deprive the people belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other backward classes of their constitutional rights.

2nd Phase Polling On 88 Seats Today, Key Seats Include Mathura And Wayanad

New Delhi: 88 constituencies across 13 states and Union Territories will go to poll today amid a furious row between the Congress and the BJP over manifesto and inheritance tax. Election will be held on all seats of Kerala, a chunk of Rajasthan and UP. Elections for the second phase will be held for 20 seats of Kerala, 14 seats in Karnataka, 13 in Rajasthan, eight each in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, seven in Madhya Pradesh, five each in Assam and Bihar, three each in Bengal and Chhattisgarh and one each in Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur and Tripura.

Earlier, 89 constituencies were expected to vote in this phase. But polling in Betul, Madhya Pradesh, was rescheduled after the death of a candidate from Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party. Betul will now vote in the third phase, due on May 7.

Key candidates for this round include the BJP's Union minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar -- up against Congress's Shashi Tharoor from Thiruvananthapuram; actors Hema

Earlier, 89 constituencies were expected to vote in this phase. Polling in Betul, Madhya Pradesh, was rescheduled after the death of a candidate from Mayawati's BSP

Malini, and Arun Govil from 1980s iconic serial Ramayan, senior BJP leader Tejasvi Surya and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Congress's Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, Bhupesh Baghel. and Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav Gehlot.

For both BJP and the Opposition, the most crucial states in this phase will be Karnataka and Kerala. Karnataka is the only BJP bastion in the south, where the Congress won in the last assembly

India dismisses US human rights report as 'deeply biased'

NEW DELHI, April 25 (Reuters)New Delhi said on Thursday it does not attach any value to a U.S. State Department report critical of human rights in India, and called it deeply biased.

The annual human rights assessment released earlier this week found "significant" abuses in India's

northeastern Manipur state last year and attacks on minorities, journalists and dissenting voices in the rest of the country. Asked about it, Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jasiwal told journalists on Thursday that the report "as per our understanding, is deeply biased and reflects a very poor understanding of India."

"We attach no value to it and urge you to also do the same," Jaiswal said. Responding to a question about the growing protests on U.S. university campuses against Israel's offensive in Gaza that has killed more than 33,000 people, Jaiswal said that "there has to be the right balance between freedom of expression, sense of responsibility and public safety and order".

election. The party is hoping to do well amid concerns about delimitation and the disadvantage southern states could face after it.

Further south, the BJP is trying to break into the bipolar politics of Kerala. The party is hoping to open its account in the state having fielded Union ministers Rajiv Chandrasekhar and V. Muraleedharan. In Wayanand, a Congress bastion for over 20 years, it has fielded its state unit president K Surendran against Rahul Gandhi. For the Opposition, Kerala is a big shining hope. Even though the Left and the Congress are competing against each other in the southern state, victory by either will add to the tally of the Opposition bloc INDIA. Kerala is one of the few states that have never sent a BJP member to parliament.

US Sanctions Over Dozen Companies, 3 From India, For Trade With Iran

Washington: The United States slapped on Thursday sanctions on over a dozen companies, individuals and vessels, including three from India, for facilitating illicit trade and UAV transfers on behalf of the Iranian military. While Sahara Thunder has been identified as the main front company that oversees Iran's commercial activities in support of these efforts, the three India-based companies to have been slapped with sanctions for supporting Sahara Thunder are Zen Shipping, Port India Private Limited, and Sea Art Ship Management (OPC) Private Limited.

2 Indian Restaurants In Colorado Duped Investors Of $3,80,000: Officials

Two Indian restaurants in Colorado, Bombay Clay Oven and Saucy Bombay, are accused of defrauding investors of $380,000, as per state regulators. Allegations suggest the owners misled investors with promises of nationwide expansion but diverted the funds for rent, operating costs, and Ponzi-like payments. The lawsuit, reported by "BusinessDen," involves The Bombay Group (TBG), which partnered with securities broker Michael Bissonnette. Both defendants reportedly refused to address the allegations.

TBG, like many in the restaurant industry, aimed for nationwide expansion, owning Bombay Clay Oven for over two decades and launching Saucy Bombay in 2014. Their strategy included franchising Saucy Bombay to capitalize on the fast-

The Colorado Division of Securities alleged that owners of Indian restaurants Bombay Clay Oven and Qand lies" to sell investors on their grandiose plans for a nationwide expansion.

casual dining trend.

Tung Chan, the state's securities commissioner, highlighted investor trust in TBG and Saucy Bombay. However, he noted investors weren't informed truthfully and are yet to receive repayment. Chan urged affected investors to contact the Securities Division promptly.

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Kapil Sibal slams Election Commission

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Friday said the Election Commission seeking a response from the BJP instead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the opposition charge that he gave a divisive speech in Rajasthan showed that it is a "helpless puppet".

Taking cognisance for the first time of a model code violation complaint against a prime minister, the EC on Thursday issued the notice to BJP president J P Nadda seeking his response to complaints filed by Congress, CPI, CPI (ML) and civil society groups regarding the remarks made by Modi on April 21 in Banswara.

Delhi HC: Kejriwal Prioritizes Politics Over Nation

The Delhi High Court on Friday pulled up the city government over the issue of non-supply of books to the children studying in MCD schools, saying the continuation of Arvind Kejriwal as the chief minister even after his arrest puts political interest over national interest.

The court said the Delhi government was "interested in appropriation of power".

Jonny Bairstow starred as Punjab Kings registered a world record against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Friday. The opener anchored the PBKS innings with an unbeaten 108 off 48 as the side scripted history with the highest-ever successful chase in T20s.

PM Modi Thanks Voters for Strong NDA Support in Second Phas

New Delhi, April 26 (IANS) Thanking voters, who came out in large numbers to exercise franchise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that "unparalleled support" for the NDA is going to disappoint the Opposition even more.

"Gratitude to the people across India who have voted today. The unparalleled support for NDA is going to disappoint the Opposition even more. Voters want the NDA's good governance. Youth and women voters are powering the strong NDA support," PM Modi posted on X.

After polling for 102 seats in the first phase was completed in a smooth and peaceful manner on April 19, people in 88 constituencies across 13 states and UTs voted on Friday during the second

In VVPAT Case, Supreme Court's 2 Big Directions On EVMs, Symbol Units

New Delhi: In a significant development this morning - as the country votes in the second phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha election - the Supreme Court has given Electronic Voting Machines, or EVMs, a big vote of confidence. A two-judge bench rejected petitions seeking 100 per cent verification of votes cast on EVMs using the VVPAT, or Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail.

"We have discussed, elaborately, all protocols and technical aspects (and) we reject all pleas. Blindly distrusting a system can lead to unwarranted suspicions," Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Sanjiv Khanna said, while

A two-judge Supreme Court bench rejected petitions seeking 100 per cent verification of votes cast on EVMs using the VVPAT, or Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail.

also rejecting a plea to return to paper ballots. The court did, however, pass two directions to the Election Commission in this regard.

The first was that after completing loading of symbols into the machine, the SLU, or symbol loading unit, should be sealed and stored for a period of at least 45 days. Specifically, the court said "on completion of symbol loading process in EVM, undertaken on or after June 1 (the final phase of polling), the SLU should be sealed and secured..."

The SLU storage containers must be sealed and the seal is to be signed by candidates. "The sealed containers containing the SLUs shall be kept in storerooms, with the EVMs, (for) at least for 45 days post declaration of results," the court explained.

Gratitude to the people across India who have voted today. The unparalleled support for NDA is going to disappoint the Opposition even more. PM Modi has been calling upon voters to turn out in greater numbers at polling stations and vote with responsibility and pride. "Urging everyone in constituencies voting today, in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, to participate in record numbers. A high voter turnout strengthens our democracy. I especially urge our young voters and women voters to turn out in great numbers. Your vote is your voice," PM Modi posted on social media, earlier in the day.

Massive crowd greets PM Modi in Bareilly roadshow

April

The BJP has replaced sitting MP Santosh Gangwar, who won the seat for the party eight times, with former Uttar Pradesh minister Chhatrapal Gangwar.

PM Modi was joined by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the BJP candidate in an open flowerbedecked vehicle as the roadshow started from Damru crossing.

US Cop Pins Down Black Man, Killing Him, Then Brags About Bar Fights

New Delhi: "I always wanted to be in a bar fight," said a US police official after pinning a Black man down on the ground and kneeling on his neck. The man later died at a hospital.

Ohio Police have come under intense scrutiny following the release of body camera footage showing officers pinning a Black man to the ground in a bar, reminiscent of the events that led to George Floyd's death in 2020.

The video, released by the Canton Police Department, captured the moments leading up to the death of Frank Tyson, a 53-year-old man suspected of leaving the scene of a single-car accident on April 18.

In the footage, officers are seen confronting Tyson inside a bar, where an altercation quickly ensues. Despite Tyson's pleas

for help and his repeated cries of "I can't breathe," officers wrestle him to the ground and handcuff him, with one officer applying

pressure to his back near his neck while saying, "You're fine."

Tyson continues to plead for relief while lying on the floor. After several minutes, officers notice his lack of responsiveness and proceed to administer CPR. Paramedics arrive on the scene and transport Tyson to a local hospital, where he later dies.

In the body cam footage, one police officer can be heard bragging about how he always wanted to be in a "bar fight" with one of the patrons of the establishment.

The circumstances surrounding Tyson's death draw chilling parallels to George Floyd's fatal encounter with Minneapolis Police in 2020 which sparked global outrage.

The officers involved in Tyson's case, identified as Beau Schoenegge and Camden Burch, have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

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phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The remaining five phases will continue till June 1 with counting of votes scheduled for June 4.

Ohio Police have come under intense scrutiny following the release of body camera footage showing officers pinning a Black man to the ground in a bar.

Bareilly,

26 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a massive roadshow in Bareilly to garner support for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Chhatrapal Gangwar.

‘Gamtilu Gujarat’ Music And Poetry Concert Raises Over $50,000 For Ritesh Shah Charitable Pharmacy

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RED BANK, NJ- On Saturday, April 27, 2024, The Vogel in Red Bank illuminated with the spirit of Gamtilu Gujarat, hosting an evening of cultural celebration for a noble cause. Ohmkara, a cultural organization in New Jersey dedicated to preserving and promoting Indian heritage, orchestrated the event, featuring the esteemed poet Ankit Trivedi and his ensemble, weaving together melodies and verses into an unforgettable experience.

The focal point of the evening resonated with altruism as funds were raised in support of the Ritesh Shah Charitable Pharmacy (RSCP), New Jersey’s beacon of compassion. RSCP stands as a bastion of hope, bridging the gap for uninsured and underserved patients, providing access to medications, health education, and essential pharmacy services. The concert rallied overwhelming support, with donations surpassing $50,000, a testament to the community’s solidarity in championing health equity.

Amidst laughter and applause, dignitaries including Red Bank Mayor Billy Portman, NJ State Senator Vin Gopal, and Joe Howe graced the occasion with heartfelt speeches, acknowledging the pivotal role of RSCP in fostering well-being within the community. Mayor Billy Portman honored Ritesh and Asha Shah with a proclamation, recognizing their unwavering dedication. Additionally, accolades

RSCP, expressed profound gratitude to the attendees, emphasizing their collective impact in amplifying the pharmacy’s mission.

were bestowed upon Dr. Sumul Raval, Dr. Atul Shah, Atul N. Shah, and Jay Dhaduk for their noble contributions, alongside commendations for Ohmkara and Ankit Trivedi for their unwavering support.

Ritesh Shah, the visionary behind

Indian American Doctor Found Guilty In $5.4M Medicare Fraud Case

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SEWELL, NJ- A New Jersey doctor, Adarsh Gupta, 51, of Sewell, was found guilty by a federal jury for orchestrating a scheme that resulted in over $5.4 million in fraudulent Medicare claims for orthotic braces. Court records and trial evidence revealed that Gupta, in collaboration with telemarketers, prescribed orthotic braces to over 2,900 Medicare beneficiaries, many of whom did not require them. Gupta’s involvement included prescribing braces after brief telephone conversations, even in cases where the necessity was dubious, such as prescribing a knee brace for an amputee. The evidence demonstrated Gupta’s lack of proper diagnosis or medical necessity determination during these interactions. Convicted on three counts of health care fraud and two counts of false statements, Gupta faces a maximum sentence of 10 years for each fraud count and five years for each false statement

New Jersey Doctor, Adarsh Gupta, 51, Sentenced to Maximum of 10 Years for Fraud Counts and 5 Years for False Statement Counts

count. The announcement was made by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, along with officials from the FBI and HHS-OIG.

Gamtilu Gujarat Event: Celebrating Indian Heritage with Esteemed Poet Ankit Trivedi and Ensemble, Crafting a Memorable Fusion of Melodies and Verses

RSCP, expressed profound gratitude to the attendees, emphasizing their collective impact in amplifying the pharmacy’s mission. “Tonight’s gathering for Gamtilu Gujarat embodies the spirit of compassion,” remarked Ritesh Shah. “Your presence here speaks volumes, igniting hope for countless individuals in need. Together, we forge pathways to accessible healthcare, enriching lives and fostering community resilience.” As the melodies faded and the applause resounded, the success of the evening illuminated the community’s commitment to championing organizations like RSCP, ensuring vital healthcare services reach those who need them most.

New Survey Names Immigration Top US Problem

The case was investigated by the FBI and HHS-OIG, with prosecution led by Trial Attorneys Darren C. Halverson and Sarah E. Edwards of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section. The Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, spearheaded by the Fraud Section, continues to combat health care fraud, having charged over 5,400 defendants since March 2007, totaling more than $27 billion in fraudulent billing.

27% of Americans think that the single most problem facing the country is – Immigration. These findings are based on the latest Gallup survey, conducted from April 1-22. Since 2000, immigration has topped Gallup’s most important problem list four times. However, what remains significant is that in 2024, it is the first time that immigration has remained the top issue for multiple successive months. But if you thought immigration has been the most frequently occurring issue then that is not the case. According to a Gallup survey report, “ Other issues -including the economy in general, the government, the Iraq War, inflation, COVID-19, unemployment and terrorism -- have held the top spot more often than immigration.”The economy has been the top problem far more often than any other issue (, while the government has held the top spot 85 times and the Iraq War registered 50 top appearances.

Zofeen Maqsood

Go for Gold: Malabar Opens Swanky New Showroom in Naperville

HiIndia Newsdesk

As spring gives way to summer, the time is just right to show-off your pretty jewelry pieces. If you are looking at updating your precious jewelry collection or have an upcoming summer wedding, there’s a new store in town that can take care of all your glittery needs. This weekend, Malabar Gold & Diamonds opened a swanky new showroom in Naperville, Illinois. This is the brands’ fourth showroom in the US. Saturday noon saw Consul General of India in Chicago, Somnath Ghosh, who came aptly dressed in Indian ethnic wear for the occasion, inaugurating the showroom.

Shamlal Ahamed, MD-International Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Rakesh Patel of Patel Brothers, Mr. Joseph Eapen, President of North America operations of Malabar Gold & Diamonds, community leaders, representatives from government and other authorities were also present at the occasion. With this new opening the jewelry brand’s showroom count globally went to 350. They boast of 5 showrooms in North America and have extensive retail presence across the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, India, UAE,

Malabar Gold & Diamonds has launched its 350th Global outlet and 4th showroom in the USA at Naperville, Illinois. The new showroom was inaugurated by HE. Somnath Ghosh, Consul General of India in Chicago in the presence of Mr. Shamlal Ahamed, MDInternational Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds; Mr. Rakesh Patel of Patel brothers; Mr. Joseph Eapen, President of North America operations of Malabar Gold & Diamonds, community leaders, representatives from government and other authorities, management team members from Malabar Gold & Diamonds, customers and well-wishers.

Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, KSA, Malaysia & Singapore.

Located in Naperville, which boasts of a diverse population and a booming Indian as well as South Asian presence, the showroom is a much-needed luxury shopping stop for the community. The showroom is spread across 6,400+ sq. ft The new outlet houses over 30,000 designs across 25 exclusive brands and

Tragic Car Accident Claims Lives Of Indian Family In California

PLEASANTON, CA – In a heartwrenching tragedy that has left a community reeling, a Malayali family of four, including two young children, met a tragic end in a devastating car accident here. The family, identified as Tarun George, his wife Rinsi, and their two beloved sons, were unexpectedly taken from this world.

The harrowing incident unfolded when the electric vehicle they were traveling in collided with a post, careening into a tree along Foothill Road near Stoneridge Drive. The impact was catastrophic, leading to a fire that engulfed the vehicle and claimed the lives of all four family members, leaving behind a scene of utter devastation.

The Pleasanton Police Department swiftly responded to the scene, their hearts heavy with the weight of such a profound loss. Addressing the public via social media, they conveyed

their commitment to a meticulous investigation, promising to share updates as their inquiry progresses, though the pain of the moment was palpable in their words.

Tarun and Rinsi, both valued members of a South Bay Tech Company, were cherished by colleagues and friends alike, their absence leaving a void in both their professional and personal spheres.

Meanwhile, the school community where the children were students is grappling with the incomprehensible loss, as counselors extend their support to help the young minds navigate the profound grief that has touched their lives. In the wake of such profound tragedy, a community stands united in mourning, their hearts heavy with sorrow yet bound together by shared memories and the enduring legacy of a beloved family taken far too soon.

collections in gold, diamond & precious gem jewelry. The new store will also showcase an extensive collection of bridal jewelry, alongside a wide range of options for occasional wear, daily wear & office wear. The other 3 showrooms of Malabar Gold & Diamonds are in Chicago, New Jersey & Dallas.

Shamlal Ahamed, MD-International Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds

The new outlet houses over 30,000 designs across 25 exclusive brands and collections in gold, diamond & precious gem jewelry.

said at the occasion, “The USA is one of the largest jewelry markets in the world in terms of both buying power and population, and I am very excited to launch our 4th showroom in the country. The large segment of the Indian subcontinent diaspora in the USA is an opportunity for us to expand our offerings to a base of consumers who truly appreciate the artistry of Indian jewelry. Our future initiatives in North America include expansion into Los Angeles, Atlanta, San Francisco, Seattle, Austin, Tampa & Virginia in the USA and in Canada, we have plans covering British Columbia & Alberta.”

Abdul Salam K.P, Vice Chairman of Malabar Group, said: “With 5 showrooms in the region, Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ success in North America speaks volumes about the growing demand for Indian-made jewelry in the western hemisphere.”

Malabar Gold & Diamonds was established in 1993 and is the flagship company of Malabar Group, a leading diversified Indian business conglomerate. With an annual turnover of $6.2 billion, the company currently ranks as the 6th largest jewelry retailer globally.

AAPI Foundation, Indian Embassy in Guatemala Host Healthcare Camps

The Embassy of India in Guatemala, in partnership with the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin Charitable Foundation (AAPICF), COOITZA, Krishpar Healthcare

S.A, the Santa Cruz Naranjo Health Center, and Municipalities of Santa Cruz Naranjo and Santa Rosa Lima, jointly organized medical camps in Santa Rosa Lima on Friday, April 26, and Santa Cruz Naranjo on Saturday, April 27, 2024.

These camps aimed to provide specialized and complimentary medical services to local communities, including consultations, diagnoses, and treatments across various specialties such as Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology, Gastroenterology, Urology, Gynecology, and Dermatology. Approximately 1050 patients (400 in Santa Rosa Lima and 650 in Santa Cruz Niranjo) received free medical consultations from these specialists.

The AAPI Charitable Foundation signed an MoU with COOITZA on April 26th, 2024, in Santa Rosa Lima to organize similar health camps in

the future, with a focus on promoting health equity and enhancing access to quality care.

The AAPI-CF delegation included specialists such as Dr. Ajeet Singhvi, Dr. Gaurav Singhvi, Dr. Kishan Agarwal, Dr. Madhu Agarwal, Dr. Shashi Shah, Dr. Ravi Jahagirdar, Dr. Raj Bhayani, Dr. Shweta Singhvi, Dr. Mamta Singhvi, and Dr. Brahma Sharma.

The AAPI Charitable Foundation, founded by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), demonstrates compassion and service, channeling resources towards meaningful projects and initiatives, both locally and globally.

.Ambassador Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra emphasized India’s commitment to healthcare support globally, including Guatemala, through capacity-building, provision of medical supplies, and collaborative projects. The Embassy aims to ensure accessible healthcare, reflecting the vision of India’s Prime Minister. Collaborative health camps with AAPI-CF, COOITZA, and Krishpar in Guatemala have positively impacted the local population,

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Tarun George, his wife Rinsi, and their two beloved sons

Cargo pants v skinny jeans – Gen Z and millennials fight it out

"Four lads in skinny jeans" think it's over for tight trousers – but surprisingly, Gen Z are now into them. Where are you on your "trouser journey"?

This spring is not about florals, The Devil Wears Prada's Miranda Priestly would be pleased to hear. Instead, according to Vogue, GQ and Cosmopolitan, it's the season of the cargo pant. A view further bolstered by the UK's "four lads in skinny jeans", who four years after that viral photo, recently gathered once again for a picture, but this time, instead of wearing ankle-crushing denim, they were sporting a selection of baggy trousers and cargoes. In an interview, the "lads" predicted it would be a few years at least until the skinny jean made its return. But if Lila Moss and Emily Ratajkowski's recent outfits are anything to go by, they're already back on the circuit – perhaps inspired by brands like Miu Miu and Louis Vuitton who featured them heavily in their autumn/winter 2024 collections.

lockdowns we dressed casually and that casualisation of everyone's wardrobe still exists, except now, everyone wants to look good. Wide trousers allow you both comfort and style".

The 29-year-old says the wide-leg look for men has been slowly creeping into the mainstream over the past two years, but only became accessible when streetwear brands embraced it. "I've seen wide-leg jeans and cargoes on runways for a while with brands like Gucci and Prada," he says, "but when Off White and Kanye's Yeezy collection pioneered the wide leg, it took off." He also credits influential celebrities including Harry Styles and Luka Sabbat who have been on their own "trouser journey". "They used to wear skinny jeans, and we all watched their journey to wearing a baggier look," he jokes. "Ultimately, we're all on that journey and we all get there at some point!"

The baggy v skinny fit is a debate that persists – only more so now that voluminous cargo pants have become popular again. Historically skinny jeans have been favoured by millennials, whilst Gen-Z have embraced the baggier look, but is that changing? Before we delve into the debate, it's worth asking why there's so much chat about trousers in the first place.

For Chicago-based stylist and content creator Jabari Sandifer, trousers are now the garment to style your outfit around. He believes the trend is born from a desire to make the most of a whole fit, unlike the pandemic when many were dressing purely for Zoom. The cargo pants trend Jabari points out the pandemic was a time of dressing comfortably and, on the other side, we didn't want to let that go, hence why many men embraced the baggy pant. "Wide-leg trousers are the most comfortable style of pant to wear outside of the house," he tells the BBC. "During

Aries

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

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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

Historically men's fashion cycles have lasted longer than women's, but Jabari thinks that's changing because of social media. He explains that with TikTok, individuals don't have to seek out fashion content by following accounts or scrolling on the sites of publications like GQ or Vogue. Instead, it's served to them by algorithms and it's on apps like TikTok that skinny jeans don't seem to be welcome. The past six months have seen "For You" pages full of the "POV: you stopped wearing skinny jeans" trend – a collection of videos where men compare before and after pics of life with and without skinny jeans.

For now, the cargo is having a moment, but Jabari doesn't know how long lived its future will be. "Skinny jeans lost their cool about four years ago, but I think we'll settle somewhere halfway. When I look at style icons whose looks never date, someone like Ralph Lauren comes to mind. He always wore Levi's 501s, which are the most classic jean and more straight leg." He adds, "I hope skinny jeans don't make a return".

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

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)

AstraZeneca cops to rare, deadly side effect of COVID jab as lawsuits mount

AstraZeneca has admitted that its COVID-19 vaccine could cause a rare but deadly blood-clotting condition, potentially exposing the UK pharmaceutical giant to tens of millions in lawsuits brought by loved ones of those injured or killed as a result of the jab, according to court documents.

Lawyers representing “dozens” of class-action claimants say some of their clients’ cases could be worth as much as $25 million, calling the Cambridge-headquartered pharma firm’s vaccine “a defective product,” according to the Daily Mail.

AstraZeneca, which is contesting the claims, acknowledged in a February legal document that its vaccine can “in very rare cases” cause a condition called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, or TTS. TTS can cause patients to suffer blood clots as well as a low blood platelet count, which in some cases have seriously harmed or even killed recipients of the company’s vaccine. The potential complication was listed as a possible side effect from the time of the vaccine’s release, but AstraZeneca’s acknowledgment in February marks the first time the pharmaceutical titan has admitted it in court, according to the Telegraph. So far, 51 cases have been filed

of the claimants is Jamie Scott (right), an IT engineer and father of two left with a permanent brain injury resulting from a blood clot after he received the vaccine in April 2021.

in London’s High Court, estimated to be worth around $125 million total, the outlet writes. Due to a bargain AstraZeneca struck with the UK government at the height of the pandemic to indemnify the drugmaker against potential lawsuits, taxpayers will be on the hook for any payouts resulting from the claims.

One of the claimants who filed suit is Jamie Scott, an IT engineer and father of two left with a permanent brain injury resulting from a blood clot after

Licenses Of 14 Patanjali Products Cancelled By Uttarakhand Authority

New Delhi: The Uttarakhand government, in an affidavit, told the Supreme Court that it has granted permission to file a complaint against Baba Ramdev's Divya Pharmacy and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. for repeated violations of the drug advertisements law and suspended manufacturing licenses for 14 of their products.

In the affidavit, the Uttarakhand government submitted that its State Licencing Authority has issued a public notice intimating that publication of advertisements contrary to the law would entail strict disciplinary and legal action, including fine, imprisonment, or both.

The affidavit filed by the State Licensing Authority, Ayurvedic and Unani Services, stated that it has granted permission on April 12 to the Drug Inspector, Haridwar for filing a complaint against Divya Pharmacy and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. for repeated violations of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.

"The SLA issued an order, dated April 15, 2024, to Divya Pharmacy and

Respondent No. 5-Patanjali Ayurved Ltd., stating therein that the manufacturing licenses for 14 of their products, namely 'Swasari Gold', 'Swasari Vati, Bronchom', 'Swasari Pravahi', 'Swasari Avaleh', 'MuktaVati Extra Power', 'Lipidom', 'Bp Grit', 'Madhugrit', 'MadhunashiniVati Extra Power', 'Livamrit Advance', 'Livogrit', 'Eyegrit Gold' and 'Patanjali Drishti Eye Drop', are suspended with immediate effect under Rule 159(1) of The Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945," it said.

"The District Ayurvedic and Unani Officer, Haridwar filed a criminal complaint before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Haridwar against Swami Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna, Divya Pharmacy and Patanjali Ayurved Limited under Sections 3, 4 and 7 of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954," the affidavit added.

The SLA said that it will continue to take all due and further steps against Divya Pharmacy and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd, as per the procedure prescribed in law and the directions issued by the Supreme Court. In an order passed on April 10, the top court had ordered the then Joint Director of the State Licencing Authority and all the officers holding the post of District Ayurvedic and Unani Officer, Haridwar from 2018 till date to file their respective affidavits explaining the inaction on their part.

he received the vaccine in April 2021. His wife, Kate, told the outlet she’s hopeful the company’s admission will accelerate the outcome of their case.

“We need an apology, fair compensation for our family and other families who have been affected. We have the truth on our side, and we are not going to give up.” In a statement, AstraZeneca expressed sympathy for anyone who was allegedly harmed by the vaccine, but defended it as a net positive and

pointed out that complications are exceedingly rare.

“Patient safety is our highest priority, and regulatory authorities have clear and stringent standards to ensure the safe use of all medicines, including vaccines,” the statement reads in part.

“From the body of evidence in clinical trials and real-world data, the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine has continuously been shown to have an acceptable safety profile and regulators around the world consistently state that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks of extremely rare potential side effects.”

The AstraZeneca COVID vaccine was first approved for emergency use in December, 2020. Of the 50 million doses administered in the UK during the crisis, 81 people have died from blood clots potentially linked to the jab, according to health data compiled by UK pharmaceutical watchdog the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

The odds of a recipient developing TTS as a result of the vaccine are calculated as somewhere in the range of 1 in 50,000, the outlet writes. In all, the AstraZeneca vaccine is credited with saving as many as 6 million lives globally during the pandemic, according to the University of Oxford, which partnered with the company in developing the jab.

MDH and Everest: US health officials probe Indian spice mix pesticide claims

The US Food and Drug Administration is looking into products made by two Indian spice makers for allegedly containing a cancer-causing pesticide.

Earlier this month, Hong Kong suspended sales of three spice mixes made by MDH and another by Everest over alleged high levels of ethylene oxide.

MDH and Everest products are among the most popular in India and worldwide. Everest has previously said its products are safe for consumption, while MDH has not commented.

"The FDA is aware of the reports and is gathering additional information about the situation," an FDA spokesperson told Reuters news agency.

Singapore has also recalled the Everest mix for fish curries, saying the alleged high levels of ethylene oxide posed a

cancer risk. India's Spices Board - the government's regulator for spice exports - said earlier this week that it was seeking information on both companies' exports in Hong Kong and Singapore, and was working with the, to find the "root cause" of the quality issues as inspections started at their plants.

Both companies' websites were offline on Saturday.

Ethylene oxide is used for several purposes in industry, including as a fumigating agent for spices. The US's Environmental Protection Agency says the chemical is carcinogenic to humans. "Evidence in humans indicates that exposure to ethylene oxide increases the risk of lymphoid cancer and, for females, breast cancer," the EPA wrote in 2018.

The BBC has contacted MDH and Everest for comment.

One

21st Solanki Lecture: "Empowering Innovation For All"

LONG BEACH, CA – On April 18, the Yadunandan Center for India Studies at California State University, Long Beach, welcomed attendees to the twenty-first annual Solanki Lecture, a hallmark event spotlighting the history and culture of South Asia and its diaspora in the US. Esteemed guest speaker, Dr. Shobita Parthasarathy, Professor of Public Policy and Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of Michigan, shared insights from her groundbreaking work.

Renowned for her influential books, “Building Genetic Medicine” and “Patent Politics,” Dr. Parthasarathy delved into the intricate dynamics of how experts shape public discourse and how social forces influence the trajectory of science and technology. Her latest research explores “inclusive innovation” in India, initiatives leveraging technology to address poverty and inequality. While lauding India’s innovative approaches, Dr. Parthasarathy cautioned that many projects overlook socio-cultural nuances, hindering their efficacy.

Through compelling examples, she highlighted the imperative of addressing underlying inequalities to truly achieve inclusive innovation’s lofty goals.

New York Consulate Abuzz With Vibrant Eid Festivities

NEW YORK, NY- The Indian Muslim Community of NY/ NJ/CT continued its tradition of showcasing unity by hosting the Eid Celebrations 2024 at the Consulate General of India. The event commenced with a moving Quran recitation and translation, setting the stage for a day brimming with cultural vibrancy and communal solidarity.

Dr. Varun Jeph, Acting Consul General, warmly welcomed the gathering, shedding light on the profound significance of Eid within India’s cultural tapestry. He emphasized how Eid epitomizes India’s ancient composite culture and unity in diversity, echoing the values cherished by both India and the eclectic city of New York.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer conveyed his heartfelt wishes through a video message, emphasizing the theme of unity in love and faith, particularly poignant in times marked by division and prejudice.

New York State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, the first Indian woman elected in the state, shared her profound bond with the Muslim community and her endeavors to uplift it. She spotlighted initiatives such as broadening halal food options in public schools and ensuring the allowance of the Muslim call to prayer in New York City.

Special commendations from the State of New York were bestowed upon IMC’s founding member Ilayas Quraishi

Scammers Lure Recent Graduates With Fake Job Listings

CHICAGO, IL- College students seeking part-time employment or virtual jobs with flexible hours are increasingly becoming targets for scammers aiming to steal money and personal information.

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a warning, urging vigilance against phony online job listings and emphasizing the importance of safeguarding personal information to prevent involvement in criminal activities. The FTC advises that if a new employer sends your first paycheck before you even start working, it’s likely a scam and should be halted immediately.

Here are common job scams targeting college students:

• Ads for personal assistants on reputable job platforms or social media.

• Unsolicited job proposals via college email addresses, seemingly sent from

faculty members or specific departments.

The FTC specifically highlights a scenario where students receive checks to deposit into their bank accounts. The checks are fake, and students are asked to transfer some of the money to another account. Ultimately, the scammer absconds with the funds, leaving the student liable for repaying the bank.

To stay safe:

• Research thoroughly. Investigate the legitimacy of the company by checking reviews and searching for related scams online.

• Verify directly with your college if the job offer came from a faculty member or department.

• Request detailed information about the job, including compensation and work hours. Refusal to provide such information indicates a potential scam.

• Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true.

• Never send money, checks, or gift cards to an employer.

Concerned about potential scams?

Chat with Scamio, an AI-powered scam detector, online or via Facebook Messenger, for recommendations and security measures.

and others, recognizing their invaluable contributions to the community. Quraishi expressed humility and gratitude for the unwavering support in upholding the tradition of celebrating Eid at the CGI in New York.

New York State Senator John Liu acknowledged the significant Muslim population in India and the flourishing Indian American community in New York, underlining the paramountcy of unity and solidarity.

Councilman Yusef Salaam underscored the symbolic essence of Eid, emblematic of gratitude, fraternity, and harmony among Muslims globally.

Deputy Public Advocate Kashif Hussain extended gratitude for the invitation and presented accolades from the New York Public Advocate to community members for their commendable endeavors.

The event also garnered messages of support from New York Governor Kathy Hochul and presentations from various community leaders, including Sibu Nair, Deputy Director of Asian American Affairs for New York State.

The festivities showcased a diverse array of cultural performances, encompassing elucidations of Eid’s significance, ghazal renditions, traditional drumming, and stand-up comedy, epitomizing the rich cultural heritage of the Indian Muslim communinity.

Divine Celebration Of Hanuman Jayanti At Hindu Mandir Of Lake County

GRAYSLAKE, IL- The Hindu Mandir of Lake County in Grayslake, IL, reverently celebrated Hanuman Jayanti, honoring the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman with profound devotion and enthusiasm. Over three hundred devotees congregated on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, coinciding with the Purnima Tithi, the auspicious full moon day of Shukla Paksha in the Chaitra Masa. This sacred gathering sought to commemorate Hanuman’s divine grace and beseech his blessings for happiness, prosperity, and spiritual fulfillment. Lord Hanuman, also known as the son of Anjana and Kesari, goes by various names including Vanara God, Bajrangbali, and Vayu Dev, with Anjaneya being another revered epithet.

The event commenced with the auspicious sponsor Sankalp, followed by reverent Pujas dedicated to Lord Ganesh, Hanuman Ji, and the Ram Parivar. Devotees fervently recited the Hanuman Chalisa, a hymn praising Hanuman, a hundred times led by Neera and Madhup Dhoan.

Temple priests Pt. Anil Joshi Ji, Pt. Balaji Gopal, and Pt. Radha Krishna, alongside sponsor devotees, conducted the Abhishekam of Lord Hanuman Ji with Saffron milk, accompanied by resonating Vedic Mantras and shlokas. A particularly delightful moment unfolded as Baby Hanuman Ji was ceremoniously welcomed into the shrine amidst fervent chants of “Ram Lakshman Janaki, Jai Bolo Hanuman Ki,” and “Shree Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram.”

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USCIS Launches Open Application Period For Citizenship And Integration Grant Program

HiIndia Newsdesk

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced the opening of the application period for the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program. This initiative provides financial support to citizenship preparation programs nationwide. Established 16 years ago, the program, including Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services, is allocating up to $10 million in grants. These grants aim to assist legal immigrants in their journey toward naturalization while fostering civic integration through enhanced English proficiency, understanding of U.S. history, and civics knowledge.

USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou expressed enthusiasm, stating, “The commencement of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program application period is always a pivotal moment for USCIS. Through this initiative, we empower organizations to guide legal

immigrants on the path to citizenship. Our focus this year is on ensuring that eligible organizations catering to remote, underserved, or isolated communities are aware of USCIS funding opportunities, thus extending assistance to historically underserved communities.”

Under the program, USCIS anticipates granting up to $300,000 each to approximately 40 organizations over a two-year period. These funds will facilitate the expansion of accessible, high-quality citizenship and integration services. Eligible recipients include public or nonprofit organizations offering citizenship instruction and

naturalization application services to lawful permanent residents. The deadline for applications is June 21. Since its inception in 2009, the USCIS Citizenship and Integration Grant Program has disbursed $155 million across 644 grants to immigrant-serving organizations. These recipients have supported over 300,000 immigrants in 41 states and the District of Columbia in their journey to citizenship. In fiscal year 2024, with support from Congress through appropriations, USCIS is making this funding opportunity available to communities. Award recipients are expected to be announced in September 2024.

Organizations interested in applying for this funding opportunity can visit www. grants.gov. USCIS encourages applicants to familiarize themselves with the platform before the application deadline to obtain the necessary registration information to complete the application process.

HindiUSA St. Louis Marks 2nd Annual Indian Cultural Extravaganza

ST LOUIS, MO- HindiUSA recently celebrated its 2nd annual cultural event on Sunday, April 14th, 2024, with resounding success and fervor. The event, meticulously organized by 85 people including volunteers and parents, welcomed over 400 attendees. The evening was brimming with Indian cultural immersion, devotional music, and artistic brilliance.

The festivities commenced with a gracious welcome by HindiUSA Saint Louis founders, Mr. Mayank Jain and Dr. Anshu Jain, setting the tone for an unforgettable night. The chief guest of the event was Consul for Press, Information & Cultural Affairs Mr. Sanjeev Pal from the Consulate General of India, Chicago. Special guests, including Parkway Schools board President Jeff Todd, Board member Deborah Hopper, and Parkway School Superintendent Mr. Keith Martin, alongside Rockwood School District Vice President Tamarah Rhomberg and Board director Kary Bachert, graced the occasion with their presence.

& MidRivers News Magazine, President Progress 64 West & VP Enterprise Bank & Trust Debbie Shaw, Laura Sagger from West Newsmagazine, and Council members from City of Chesterfield, MO Mr. Gary Sriperumbudoor & Merrell Hansen.

Acknowledgments were extended to other guests including Riz Khan from Little Angels Foundation, President of African Chamber of Commerce, St. Louis Dr. Linda Ogbah Faas, Project Manager for World Trade Center/St. Louis Mosaic Project Annie Mable, Sharon Huber owner of West Newsmagazine

The heart of the event was a lively showcase of Indian culture through 21 captivating performances by 130 talented HindiUSA students. Their dedication and hard work shone through each flawless performance, representing diverse religions and festivals such as Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Jainism, Deepavali, Holi, Mahashivratri, Navaratri, Sankranti, Krishn Janmashtami, Gangaur, and Baisakhi. The retelling of ancient epics like Holika & Ramayana left the audience spellbound.

Attendees immersed themselves in the cultural experience, enjoying vibrant shopping for jewelry, clothing, and savoring delectable Indian street food. The event was skillfully hosted by emcees Meghna Lunkad ji and Shuchi Khandelwal ji, who ensured a lively and engaging atmosphere throughout the evening.HindiUSA’s 2nd annual cultural event was not just a celebration but a testament to the rich tapestry of community spirit and cultural diversity. The collective effort and enthusiasm of all participants and supporters made it a resounding success, leaving lasting memories and fostering greater cultural understanding.

Border Patrol, Sheriff's Deputies Intercept $300K Smuggled Tobacco

smuggled

THERESA, NY – U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Wellesley Island Station Anti-Smuggling Unit collaborated with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office during a recent traffic stop, resulting in the confiscation of over one million smuggled cigarettes.

On April 14, Border Patrol agents responded to a traffic stop initiated by sheriff’s deputies on State Route 411. Through investigative procedures, Border Patrol agents and sheriff’s deputies uncovered more than fifty cardboard boxes containing 1,025,000 non-compliant loose cigarettes. Further investigation by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, determined that the loose cigarettes were not manufactured in the United States and had an estimated retail value of over $336,000.

“The seizure of over $300,000 in smuggled tobacco products underscores our commitment to combating illicit activities that threaten our communities and nation,” stated Patrol Agent in Charge Andrew Regan. “The collaboration between the Border Patrol and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is instrumental in preventing criminal organizations from profiting off the trafficking of potentially harmful tobacco products.”

The confiscated cigarettes and vehicle were seized for destruction/forfeiture by the U.S. Border Patrol, in line with state and federal laws prohibiting the trafficking of smuggled tobacco products in New York.

The Buffalo Sector is tasked with securing the border between ports of entry in New York and Pennsylvania, covering 341 linear maritime border miles. They emphasize the importance of citizen involvement in their border security efforts and encourage community members to report suspicious activities at 1-800-331-0353.

For more information on Customs and Border Protection’s mission at the nation’s ports of entry and along U.S. borders, including the work of CBP officers and Border Patrol agents, please visit the Border Security section of the CBP website.

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More than one million

cigarettes not manufactured in the United States were seized by U.S. Border Patrol agents.

State Department Officials Pay Visit To Jain Temple In Buena Park, CA

BUENA PARK, CA – Assistant Secretary of South and Central Asia, Donald Lu, along with State Department Senior Advisor for Domestic Outreach, Jennifer Miller, and Marissa Morales, Administrative Support Specialist to the Assistant Secretary, recently connected with members of the Jain community at their temple in Los Angeles. This engagement reflects the State Department’s ongoing commitment to strengthening relations through cultural exchanges. Lu expressed gratitude for the opportunity to engage with the local Jain community, acknowledging their significant contributions to the diverse tapestry of Los Angeles. “Indian Americans play an integral role in fostering strong ties between the US and India,” remarked Lu. “I am privileged to interact with the Jain community in Southern California and gain insights into their impactful work across Los Angeles.”

Alert: Attempted Robbery on Libertyville Nature Trail

LIBERTYVILLE, lL. – Police in Libertyville are issuing a warning to residents in the wake of an attempted robbery that took place on Sunday. According to authorities, at approximately 9:24 a.m., a male jogger was heading northbound on Libertyville Nature Preserve Trail, roughly 500 feet southwest of Newgate Court. As he jogged, two men positioned themselves near a trail bench, blocking the victim’s path and demanding he empty his pockets. When the victim refused, one of the men punched him in the face. A scuffle ensued, during which the victim managed to gain the upper hand and retreat southbound from the assailants, as reported by the police.

Democratic Party activist from Northern California, Ajay Bhutoria, emphasized that the US-India relationship is at its strongest under President Joe Biden and Secretary Antony Blinken. Also present were the Jain temple’s leadership team,

including JAINA past president Mahesh Wadher, temple president Sameer Shah, and executive team members, who shared insights into their faith and community initiatives.

Illinois State Police Issues

Warning About Phone Scam

There have been numerous reports of individuals receiving fraudulent calls from individuals claiming to be ISP investigators, falsely alleging identity theft. ISP strongly advises the public to exercise caution in such situations. Should you receive a call from someone purporting to be an ISP investigator, it is imperative to request the caller’s

Indian Man With Bipolar Disorder Shot Dead By Police After He Struck A Woman

SAN ANTONIO, TX- In a whirlwind of a case, a 42-year-old Indian-origin man was shot dead by the police as they chased him in connection to an assault the man had committed. The incident happened in San Antonio on April 21, when Sachin Sahoo also hit two police officers attempting to arrest him. The whole drama unfolded on the evening of April 21, when at about 6:30 pm the police got a call from a home in

Cheviot Heights, San Antonio about a report involving aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Once the officers responded at the spot they found a woman deliberately hit by a vehicle that Sahoo drove. The woman was 51-year-old roommate of Sahoo and was transferred to the hospital in a critical condition. Meanwhile the police arrived with an arrest warrant for felony against Sahoo. While Sahoo initially managed to flee the scene, the neighbors informed the police of his return to the crime scene in the evening. When the officers arrived to arrest him, Sahoo went ahead and struck the two police officers worth his vehicle. Soon after this commotion one of the officers discharged his weapon and Sahoo was pronounced dead on the scene. Of the two officers Sahoo struck with his vehicle one had to be taken to the hospital and the other was offered treatment on the site.

Violent Armed Robbery Spree Strikes Downtown Chicago Overnight

CHICAGO, IL- A spree of violent armed robberies shook downtown Chicago early Thursday morning, leaving three victims hospitalized in less than 30 minutes.

The first incident occurred around 12:25 a.m. in Streeterville’s 600 block of North Fairbanks Court. A 66-year-old woman was accosted by two armed men while walking along the sidewalk. One assailant opened fire while the other forcibly took her belongings, dragging her before fleeing the scene. The victim, fortunately, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in stable condition. The perpetrators made their escape in a gray sedan.

name, badge number, and contact details before terminating the call. To authenticate the legitimacy of a caller alleging to be an ISP special agent, individuals are encouraged to contact one of the seven investigative regions listed on the ISP website. In the event that personal or financial information has been divulged to a scam caller, or if there are suspicions of identity theft, ISP recommends promptly contacting the three major credit bureaus to implement a complimentary security freeze on credit reports. This measure can effectively thwart unauthorized individuals from initiating credit under the victim’s name.

Moments later, in the South Loop’s 700 block of South Clark Street, a man and a woman fell prey to another armed robbery. Confronted by two assailants demanding their possessions, the 46-year-old woman suffered injuries from being pistol-whipped as she attempted to intervene. The culprits fled in a silver sedan, not reported stolen. Around 12:30 a.m., in the 200 block of East Randolph Street, two individuals were accosted by two handgunwielding men who demanded their belongings. During the confrontation, the 36-year-old victim sustained a gunshot wound to the cheek, while the 34-year-old woman was relieved of her property. The assailants fled the scene without further incident.

Fatal Stabbing Claims Life Of Indian Man At White Rock, B.C., Waterfront

WHITE ROCK, B.C.- Police in White Rock, B.C., have announced increased patrols along the city’s waterfront following a fatal stabbing on Tuesday night, which occurred just two days after another stabbing left a man injured while sitting on a bench in the same area. The victim of the fatal stabbing has been identified as 27-year-old Kulwinder Sohi of Surrey, according to family members. White Rock RCMP responded to a report of a man with stab wounds around 9:30 p.m. PT in the 15400 block of Marine Drive, a few blocks east of the White

Rock Pier. Unfortunately, the man succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Although officers arrived promptly, the suspect eluded capture, said RCMP Staff Sgt. Rob Dixon. Sohi’s friend and former roommate, Gagan Singh, described him as a recently certified plumber who immigrated to Canada around 2018. Singh expressed shock and disbelief, noting that he had spoken to Sohi just the day before and found him in good spirits. Singh remembered Sohi as a friendly, sociable individual who never seemed to engage in conflicts. “He’s very young, talented, and skilled, and it’s tragic that he’s no longer with us,” Singh lamented. Following Sohi’s death and a separate stabbing incident on Sunday involving 28-year-old Jatinder Singh, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, concerns about safety have escalated. Both incidents involved a similar suspect description: a Black man, approximately five-feet-11-inches tall, wearing a hat and a grey hoodie.

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Sachin Sahoo

Kulwinder Sohi, 27

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Majority Of Americans See Illegal Immigration As Genuine Crisis, Not Just Media Hype: Axios Survey Reveals

WASHINGTON, DC- A recent poll revealed that almost two-thirds of Americans perceive illegal immigration as an authentic crisis rather than a media construct. The Axios survey, conducted by The Harris Poll, disclosed that 51% of respondents would endorse mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, including 42% of Democrats, 46% of independents, and 68% of Republicans. As illegal immigration remains a pivotal concern leading up to the impending election, blame for the border situation largely falls on the Biden administration, with 32% of those surveyed deeming it “most responsible.”

Since President Biden’s inauguration, approximately 7.3 million migrants have

unlawfully crossed the southwest border, surpassing the population of 36 individual states. This surge underscores a widespread call for action, with Chairman of The Harris Poll, Mark Penn, emphasizing that politicians, particularly Biden, should heed the public’s demand for control. Despite efforts to shift responsibility to Trump, the urgency for effective border management persists. The debate encompasses various concerns, including increased crime rates, taxpayer burdens, and national security risks, while emphasizing continued support for legal immigration pathways and asylum protection for legitimate cases. The White House’s response to these issues remains awaited amidst a deeply polarized landscape.

New Report Uncovers New Jersey’s Lowest-Performing Schools

NEW JERSEY-The latest School Performance Report by the New Jersey Department of Education provides a comprehensive overview of school districts across the state, evaluating them on various metrics such as standardized test scores, academic growth, graduation rates, and more. While there are notable achievements, such as a record-high four-year graduation rate and a strong ranking nationally for schools offering AP courses, there are also concerning trends, particularly regarding proficiency rates in math and English Language Arts (ELA) assessments, which have declined over the past two years.

Schools are categorized based on grade levels served and compared within these categories. Elementary schools exclusively serving children under grade three are exempt from state testing. The Department assesses schools based on factors including graduation rates, proficiency in ELA and math, academic growth, progress in English language

proficiency, and chronic absenteeism, with a focus on performance within underserved subgroups.

The scores and ratings assigned to schools serve as indicators of their overall performance and peer comparison. Summative scores range from 1 to 99, with higher scores indicating better performance. Summative ratings, percentile rankings from 1 to 100, compare schools within their respective grade-level categories.

Several schools received low summative ratings, signaling areas for improvement: • Freedom Prep Charter School (Camden

County) – Summative Rating:

• Bayonne Alternative High School (Hudson County) – Summative Rating: 0

• Paulsboro Junior High School (Gloucester County) – Summative Rating: –

• Thomas Jefferson Intermediate School (Mercer County) – Summative Rating: 0.06

• Forest Hill School (Camden County) –Summative Rating: 0.12

• Yorkship Elementary School (Camden County) – Summative Rating: 0.18

• Sojourner Truth Middle School (Essex County) – Summative Rating: 0.24

• Daylight/Twilight High School (Mercer County) – Summative Rating: 0.28

• Ulysses S. Grant School (Mercer County) – Summative Rating: 0.3

• Thomas H. Dudley Family School (Camden County) – Summative Rating: 0.36

These ratings highlight areas where interventions and support may be needed to enhance educational outcomes for students attending these institutions.

USCIS Enhances T Visa Program for Trafficking Victims

DHS and USCIS announce a final rule to strengthen the T visa program for human trafficking victims, ensuring timely access to protection. USCIS Director Jaddou highlights the commitment to victim safeguarding, aiming to reduce barriers to assistance. The rule establishes a robust regulatory framework, aligning with its victim-centered purpose. It clarifies eligibility, simplifies application requirements, and enhances program integrity by reducing hurdles for victims and aiding law enforcement. Key provisions include defining terms, streamlining reporting, and simplifying adjudication while maintaining fraud prevention measures. Building on a 2016 interim rule and public feedback, this underscores DHS's commitment to combatting trafficking, demonstrated through initiatives like the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking and the Blue Campaign, involving law enforcement, victim support, and public awareness efforts.

CBP Officers Continue Recovering Stolen Vehicles At Charleston And Savannah Seaports

SAVANNAH, GA. – During the 2024 federal fiscal year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers intercepted 18 stolen vehicles valued at around $1.1 million during outbound enforcement operations and container inspections in Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia. These vehicles were bound for countries like Ghana, Libya, Jordan, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. In contrast, in the 2023 fiscal year, officers recovered 59 stolen vehicles at ports of entry in Charleston and Savannah, with an estimated domestic value exceeding $7.5 million. These vehicles, ranging from sedans to luxury

SUVs, were obtained through various fraudulent means, including using stolen credit cards and fraudulent identities or stealing them from rental car companies. CBP’s efforts have significantly disrupted the operations of Transnational Criminal Organizations, aiding victims in reclaiming their property and impeding the financial flows of criminal enterprises. The recovered vehicles were handed over to the Georgia Port Authority Police and South Carolina Law Enforcement Divisions for proper disposition. CBP remains committed to its border security mission, safeguarding American businesses and citizens while combating illicit activities that threaten national safety and economic well-being.

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2022 Dodge truck recovered by CBP officers at Charleston seaport.

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