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To restrict migrants, Biden leans on Trump’s favorite immigration law

Looking for a way to shut down the southern border in 2018, President Donald Trump found a 73-word provision in the asylum law that he said gave him “magical authorities” to keep migrants out of the country.

President Joe Biden turned to that same provision Tuesday as he took executive action to temporarily close the border to asylum-seekers, suspending longstanding guarantees that anyone who steps onto US soil has the right to ask for protection in America.

“The simple truth is, there is a worldwide migrant crisis,” Biden said in remarks at the White House, “and if the United States doesn’t secure our border, there’s no limit to the number of people who may try to come here.”

Biden’s announcement is a stunning reversal for a president and a party that spent years arguing that America was a country of immigrants. When President Barack Obama wanted to shore up his chances of reelection in 2012, he issued a sweeping executive order

US embassy in Lebanon targeted with gunfire

An attacker opened fire on the US Embassy in Lebanon early Wednesday and was injured before being arrested, the Lebanese army said. A security guard was wounded during the attack, according to the embassy. The embassy did not say how the guard had been wounded or how seriously. Earlier, it had said that all its staff members were safe.

Lebanese security forces and the embassy’s security team responded to “small-arms fire” near the entrance of the fortified compound, which overlooks the Lebanese capital, Beirut, the embassy said in a statement.

Trump raises $141 million in May, bolstered by guilty verdict

Donald Trump 's campaign and the Republican National Committee say they raised $141 million in May, a massive fundraising haul that includes tens of millions of dollars raised in the aftermath of his guilty verdict in his criminal hush money trial. Trump's campaign is not required to publicly disclose its fundraising to the Federal Election Commission until later this month.

Biden’s announcement is a stunning reversal for a president and a party that spent years arguing that America was a country of immigrants.

on immigration — one that allowed millions of immigrants to stay in the country legally. A dozen years later,

with the number of people crossing the border illegally at historic highs, the next Democratic president moved entirely in the other direction. Critics say Biden is adopting the tactics of Trump and Stephen Miller, Trump’s immigration czar, to end asylum, even using the same clause in the Immigration and Nationality Act that Trump cited to try to justify a travel ban on Muslim countries.

Sunita Williams' Historic Space Flight After 2 Aborted Launch Attempts

New Delhi: Indian-origin NASA

astronaut Sunita Williams finally flew into space this evening on the Boeing's Starliner spacecraft she helped design on the third launch attempt. A series of technical issues had forced the launch to be aborted twice just minutes before liftoff with Ms Williams and her colleague Butch Wilmore

With two launches called off, the Starliner is much delayed and way over budget. Some say that the problems plaguing Boeing's aviation business may also be spilling into its space business.

strapped in and seated inside Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, attempting its maiden space flight with humans. Now, the US space agency is making every effort to ensure a safe flight despite the setbacks.

The last launch scheduled for June 1, 2024, was scrubbed less than four minutes before liftoff as one of the ground computers flagged a technical issue in the rocket. The ULA said it has replaced the faulty computer parts that put a hold on the mission.

Trump Says Sending Him To Prison Would Be "Breaking Point" For Supporters

Washington: Donald Trump has suggested that sending him to prison could prove a "breaking point" for his supporters -- a warning that will fuel concerns of political violence around the US presidential election on November 5.

In an interview aired Sunday on Fox News, the former president and current Republican White House hopeful acknowledged the possibility of jail time or house arrest following his historic

Biden border plan attacked by Republican rivals

US President Joe Biden's Republican rivals, and some of his Democratic allies, have criticised his new executive order aimed at curbing record migrant arrivals at the USMexico border. Under the order, which took effect at midnight, officials can quickly remove migrants entering the US illegally without processing their asylum requests. Leftwing Democrats, activists and the UN have voiced concerns, while Republicans have criticised the plan as an election-year ruse, arguing for tougher action. But Mr Biden says his Republican opponents stood in the way of a bipartisan border security deal that failed in Congress earlier this year.

US Tests Hypersonic Missile

The United States Air Force successfully launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) early Tuesday morning from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This test marks the first of two scheduled for this week. Air Force Global Strike Command, responsible for maintaining the nation's nuclear deterrent, conducted the launch in collaboration with Space Force guardians.

criminal conviction in a hush money trial. "I'm ok with it," Trump said, but added he was "not sure the public would stand for it."

"I think it would be tough for the public to take. You know at a certain point there's a breaking point," he said.

The warning will resonate in a country already concerned about the prospect of civil unrest and political harassment in the run-up to the November election. Trump will now be running as a felon, and he has repeatedly refused to commit to accepting the result should he lose to President Joe Biden.

A New York jury on Thursday convicted Trump on all 34 felony charges of falsifying business records late in the 2016 presidential campaign to cover up a sex scandal involving adult film star Stormy Daniels.

Heat dome's tripledigit temperatures fry US south-west

Firefighters are on standby to submerge heat-stroke victims in ice and some popular hiking trails have closed in Arizona as tens of millions of people across the south-western US swelter in record-breaking, triple-digit temperatures. Two weeks before summer even officially starts, excessive heat warnings were in effect across parts of California, Nevada, Arizona and Texas. Forecasters see no relief for several more days.

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US blackmailing China by threatening sanctions over exports to Russia: Kremlin

The Kremlin on Wednesday described comments by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen that Washington would not tolerate China increasing its exports of "dual-use" goods to Russia, and would respond with sanctions, as "blackmail".

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Washington's tone was completely unacceptable and that Moscow stood in solidarity with Beijing.

"We are well aware that our Chinese comrades do not accept such language, do not accept such messages and such threats, such blackmail," Peskov told reporters. The United States says that by providing dual-use goods - which have both civilian and military applications

Slovak PM: 'No Hatred' After Assassination Attempt

Bratislava: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico spoke in a video posted on Wednesday for the first time since being shot and wounded in an assassination attempt against him last month.

In the video on Facebook, Fico said he forgave the attacker who shot him four times and announced he would be ready to gradually resume his duties starting later this month.

"I feel no hatred towards the stranger who shot me," Fico said, according to an English translation on the video, looking calm but speaking with long pauses.

"I forgive him and let him sort out what he did and why he did it in his own head," he added. Fico was shot four times at close range on May 15 as he greeted supporters after a government meeting in the central town of Handlova.

Japan’s birth rate falls to a record low

Japan’s birth rate fell to a new low for the eighth straight year in 2023, according to Health Ministry data released on Wednesday. A government official described the situation as critical and urged authorities to do everything they can to reverse the trend.

The data underscores Japan's longstanding issues of a rapidly aging and shrinking population, which has serious implications for the country's economy and national security — especially against the backdrop of China's increasingly assertive presence in the region.

Peskov said China's economic power in the world was such that "even the United States can hardly afford to speak in such a tone. (Reuters)

- China is powering Russia's war effort in Ukraine.

"China is the top supplier of machine tools, microelectronics, nitrocellulose, which is critical to making munitions and rocket propellants, and other dualuse items that Moscow is using to ramp

up its defence industrial base," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a visit to Beijing in April.

Yellen said on Tuesday that the U.S. Treasury had seen an increase in Chinese exports of dual-use goods and was very concerned about it.

"I have been extremely clear at the highest levels of the Chinese government that this is something we will not tolerate, and that we intend to sanction this activity," Yellen said.

Peskov said China's economic power in the world was such that "even the United States can hardly afford to speak in such a tone. Perhaps not everyone in America's leadership has understood this at the moment, but over time they will understand it.

Russia jails US-Russian citizen for 3.5 years for ‘rehabilitating Nazism’

A man with dual US-Russian nationality was sentenced by a Russian court on Wednesday to three-and-a-half years in prison on charges of "rehabilitating Nazism". Yuri Malev was arrested last December over social media posts in which he was alleged to have denigrated the Saint George's ribbon, a symbol of Russian military valour. One contained obscene language and the other showed a picture of a corpse wearing the ribbon

with a caption saying "how to wear the Saint George's ribbon correctly".

The court in St Petersburg, where Malev was tried, said this showed disrespect for society and insulted the memory of the Great Patriotic War, as Russians refer to World War Two.

Malev admitted guilt, the court said. A spokesperson for the US Embassy in Moscow did not immediately reply to a request for comment on his conviction.

The independent SOTA news outlet said Malev was a graduate of the law faculty of St Petersburg University and had lived in the United States since 1991.

Baza, a Telegram channel with links to Russian law enforcement, said Malev was a resident of Brooklyn, New York. It said he had entered Russia by bus from Estonia two weeks prior to his arrest.

World Has 80% Chance Of Surpassing Temperature Increase Target: UN

New York: Humanity now faces an 80 percent chance that Earth's temperatures will at least temporarily exceed the key 1.5-degree Celsius mark during the next five years, the UN predicted Wednesday. The 2015 Paris climate accords, which set the ambitious target of limiting the world to a temperature increase of 1.5 C over pre-industrial levels, meant to refer "to long-term temperature increases over decades, not over one to five years", the UN's World Meteorological Organization said.

The report came alongside another by the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service announcing that last month was the hottest May on record, pointing to human-induced climate change -- and spurring UN chief Antonio Guterres

The Taliban publicly flogs 63 people including women

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan on Wednesday condemned the public flogging of more than 60 people, including more than a dozen women, by the Taliban in northern Sari Pul province. At least 63 people were lashed on Tuesday by Afghanistan’s de facto authorities, UNAMA said in a statement on social platform X. The UN office condemned corporal punishment and called for respect for international human rights obligations.

Taliban’s supreme court in a statement confirmed the public flogging of 63 people including 14 women who had been accused of crimes including sodomy, theft and immoral relations. They were flogged at a sports stadium.

Thousands of Israeli police deployed in Jerusalem

The chance of temporarily exceeding the limit in the next five years ahead has been rising steadily since 2015, when such a chance was estimated to be close to zero, the UN's weather and climate agency noted.

to compare humanity's impact on the world to "the meteor that wiped out the dinosaurs". The chance of temporarily exceeding the limit in the next five years ahead has been rising steadily since 2015, when such a chance was estimated to be close to zero, the UN's weather and climate agency noted.

"There is an 80 percent likelihood that the annual average global temperature will temporarily exceed 1.5C above preindustrial levels for at least one of the next five years," WMO said.

In 2023, the risk of temporarily breaching the limit within five years was estimated at 66 percent. Already, dramatic climate shifts have begun taking a heavy toll worldwide, fuelling extreme weather events, flooding and drought, while glaciers are rapidly melting away and sea levels are rising.

Thousands of Israeli police deployed in the streets of Jerusalem on Wednesday ahead of the annual Flag Day procession that marks Israel's capture of East Jerusalem in 1967 and has in the past led to clashes between marchers and Palestinians.

The march this year takes place as the war in Gaza approaches the start of its ninth month, adding to concerns of wider violence.

Tens of thousands of marchers carrying blue and white Israeli flags are expected to parade through the narrow streets of the Old City, where many Palestinian shopkeepers shutter their businesses for fear of racist violence. A police spokesperson said more than 3,000 police would be on duty to "maintain the routine of life as much as possible". "Israelis proceeding through Israel with Israeli flags is not incendiary, it's just a national holiday that's going to be taking place," he said.

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NDA allies seek their pound of flesh

Unfamiliar terrain for Modi, hard bargaining begins

An NDA meeting on Wednesday endorsed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the alliance leader as hard bargaining by partners for key portfolios and concessions for their states played out in the background, sources said.

A BJP statement released after the afternoon meeting at the Prime Minister’s residence said Modi had been “unanimously” chosen leader, with the partners hailing his “hard work and efforts (at) nation-building”. Modi will be formally elected leader of the NDA at a meeting of the newly elected MPs on Friday, and is likely to be sworn in for a third term on Saturday, BJP leaders said.

Sources within key partners Telugu Desam Party and JDU, however, revealed the hard bargaining — the hallmark of a coalition government — that lay behind the leaders’ smiling faces at the meeting, thereby indicating the unfamiliar pressures Modi 3.0 is up against.

Desam boss Chandrababu Naidu, a master at extracting his pound of flesh in a coalition government, wants the Lok Sabha Speaker’s post for his party in addition to “special category status” for his state Andhra Pradesh, his party sources said. They added that Naidu had also demanded the home and defence portfolios, held by Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, respectively, in the outgoing government.

Will Support All Moves To Stop PM Modi In Power: Asaduddin Owaisi

Hyderabad: Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM chief and candidate from Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat, expressed his openness to supporting a prime ministerial candidate other than Narendra Modi.

Mr Owaisi said to ANI, "I cannot talk about ifs, buts, and possibilities. I had said during the elections that if there is a chance that someone else can become the PM instead of Modi, then we will support them."

PM Modi Gets Written Support From C Naidu, Nitish Kumar, Oath On Saturday

New Delhi: The BJP-led National Democratic Alliancewhich won 293 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha election to push past the majority mark of 272 - will form the new government Saturday, when Narendra Modi will be sworn in as the Prime Minister for a historic third consecutive term, sources told NDTV Wednesday.

Mr Modi was unanimously chosen as the leader of the alliance this afternoon, and was congratulated for his "leadership" and "strides our nation has made under him". They also appreciated his hard work and efforts in nation-building. The

TDP boss Chandrababu Naidu and the Janata Dal (United)'s Nitish Kumar - whose 28 Lok Sabha seats are crucial for the BJP-led NDAwill accompany outgoing PM Narendra Modi.

NDA partners said Mr Modi had a vision for 'Viksit Bharat', and they remain partners in this goal. They lauded his role in increasing India's status in the world.

Earlier today NDA leaders met at Mr Modi's residence to review the election result and discuss government formation, after which a delegation of senior figures from the BJP and its NDA partners was supposed to meet President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan to stake claim to power.

That delegation was to include Telugu Desam Party boss Chandrababu Naidu and Janata Dal leader Nitish Kumar, whose combined 28 seats are needed to ensure the BJP's coalition stays above water.

Mr Naidu's TDP won 16 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh (and a simultaneous Assembly election to return as Chief Minister) and Nitish Kumar's JDU picked up 12 seats in Bihar. There has been speculation Mr Naidu and Nitish Kumar could be approached by the opposition INDIA bloc, which finished with 232 seats (40 shy of majority) and is exploring a government formation bid.

After INDIA Meet, Mallikarjun Kharge's 'Right Step At Right Time' Promise

New Delhi: The Opposition INDIA bloc, for now, will sit in the opposition benches, even though Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP are "subverting the will of the people," Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said today. But there was a caveat. "The INDIA bloc will continue to resist the fascist rule... We will take appropriate

"We

Mallikarjun Kharge said, "The INDIA bloc will continue to resist the fascist rule... We will take appropriate steps at the appropriate time to realise the people's desire not to be ruled by the BJP"

steps at the appropriate time to realise the people's desire not to be ruled by the BJP," he added, reading out a statement adopted by all the alliance partners after a strategy session at his Delhi residence. The thinly veiled reference was to the Opposition's initial idea of prising away Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Telugu Desam Party chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Ministerelect Chandrababu Naidu. But the two erstwhile allies signed up the NDA earlier today with formal letters of support, pouring cold water on the Opposition's hopes of a realignment that would put the INDIA bloc on the driver's seat.

New Delhi: Chandrababu Naidu, who has emerged as one of the kingmakers after the recent elections, has asserted that his Telugu Desam Party is part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. His assertion came amid a buzz that Opposition leaders are trying to woo him into the INDIA bloc

PM Modi's Oath: Top Neighbors Invited

New Delhi: India is likely to invite leaders of a number of its neighbouring countries, including Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, to the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the weekend, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. The people cited above said top leaders of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal and Mauritius are likely to be among the foreign leaders to be invited for PM Modi's oath-taking ceremony. PM Modi is likely to take oath on June 8.

Chandrababu Naidu was among the NDA partners who attended a key NDA meeting in Delhi yesterday to discuss government formation.

even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to form the NDA government on Saturday.

Mr Naidu was among the NDA partners who attended a key meeting at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence yesterday to discuss government formation. It was a good meeting, he said while leaving.

"How can we contest elections if we are not a part of the NDA? We fought this collectively. I don't know why you have a doubt," he asserted on being asked if he's still a part of the NDA. Chandrababu Naidu of the TDP and Janata Dal United boss Nitish Kumar, both coalition-era veterans, have emerged kingmakers at this crucial juncture. Their participation in the NDA meeting was a green signal to the BJP ahead of Saturday's oath ceremony.

It is learnt that they have also given written support to PM Modi amid speculations that the Opposition leaders could approach them in a bid to stake claim.

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We salute the people of UP for coming forward to save democracy and the Constitution

Sharad Pawar: Lok Sabha Polls Show Change is Possible

The NCP (SP) chief, however, also said that the Opposition bloc was not likely to form a government at the Centre

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said the Lok Sabha election results showed the situation was favourable in the country for political change, and added that the INDIA bloc leaders are likely to meet in Delhi on Wednesday to decide the future course of action. He, however, also said that the opposition bloc was not likely to form a government at the Centre. Addressing a press conference, Pawar said, "I spoke to Mallikarjun Kharge and Sitaram Yechury. The INDIA alliance meeting is likely to be held in Delhi tomorrow. Final decision is expected to be taken by this evening. Accordingly, I will be in Delhi." To a question who would be the next prime minister, he said, "We have not given it a thought." "I am not sure if the INDIA alliance can form government. We will meet tomorrow and take a decision unanimously on the future course of action," he said.

PM Set For Historic 3rd Term

"Victory Of Biggest Democracy"

New Delhi: A third term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears certain with the NDA hovering around the 300 mark. But the day belongs to the resurgent Opposition, which performed way over the modest expectations raised by exit polls.

Here are the Top 10 points in this big story:

Addressing the nation from the BJP's HQ in Delhi after it became apparent the party will form the new government - albeit with much-needed support from NDA partners - Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked voters and said, "Today's victory (is) a victory of world's biggest democracy."

The BJP, which was aiming for 370 seats, and set the NDA a target of 400-plus, appears to be running way behind, let down by Uttar Pradesh, which sends

Nitish Kumar, Chandrababu Naidu Give Support Letters In NDA Meet: Sources

New Delhi: After a marathon six-week, seven-phase voting, results were declared yesterday for the Lok Sabha elections 2024. The BJP-led NDA won 292 seats and prevailed over the Opposition alliance - INDIA, which bagged 232 seats.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take oath on Saturday evening (June 8).

Both NDA and INDIA bloc will be holding key meeting today on the way forward. The contest between the BJP and INDIA alliance is a reflection of a broader ideological battle. PM Modi has called the poll results a "victory of the world's largest democracy".

The BJP had set itself an ambitious target of 370 seats, but they were pegged back by the opposition alliance - the Congressled INDIA bloc. The opposition has 232 seats after a stellar performance that saw it defy exit pollsters and slash the BJP's advantage in key states.

Cocaine Worth Rs. 130 Crore Seized Off Gujarat's Kutch Coast, Probe Launched

Gandhidham, Gujarat: Thirteen unclaimed packets of cocaine, valued at Rs. 130 crore in the international market, were recovered from a creek area near Gandhidham town in Gujarat's Kutch district in the early hours of the

morning today, police said.

A preliminary probe suggested the smugglers had hidden the contraband at the sea shore to avoid getting caught, Kutch-East division Superintendent of Police Sagar Bagmar said, adding this is the second major drug recovery from the same creek area in eight months.

"A joint team of the ATS and the Special Operations Group recovered 13 unclaimed packets of cocaine valued at Rs. 130 crore from the creek area passing from Mithi Rohar village near Gandhidham town," he said.

a whopping 80 lawmakers to the Lok Sabha. At 11 pm, the BJP was ahead on 241 seats, the NDA on 294. The INDIA bloc is ahead on 231 seats, the Congress on 100. The BJP applecart appears to have been upset by the heartland state of Uttar Pradesh, which has pushed the INDIA bloc -- Samajwadi Party and the Congress -- ahead in 44 of 80 seats at 7 pm. The BJP is leading on 32. The BJP had swept Uttar Pradesh in 2014 and held its ground in 2019. This time most exit polls had predicted an edge for the party.

Two of the other battleground states have also not gone the BJP's way. In Bengal, the party's big hope, it could fare worse than in 2019, leading in only 12 seats at 11 pm. Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress appears to have recovered much of the lost ground and is ahead in 29 seats.

Devendra Fadnavis Wants To Quit As Deputy Chief Minister

Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has offered to resign after claiming responsibility for the BJP's poor showing in the Lok Sabha election in the state. "Whatever loss we suffered in Maharashtra... I take full responsibility. I urge top leadership to relieve me of my ministerial duties..." The senior BJP leader said issues affecting farmers - who have emerged, some believe, as a problematic voter base for the saffron party since the national protests of 2020/21 - had affected the results.

Stock markets rebound after bloodbath

Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty made a strong comeback on Wednesday, rallying over 3 per cent each after facing heavy drubbing in the previous trade on below-expectation poll results.

Bouncing back from Tuesday's debacle, the 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 2,303.19 points or 3.20 per cent to settle at 74,382.24 on value buying in banking, auto and oil shares. During the day, it zoomed 2,455.77 points or 3.40 per cent to 74,534.82.

PM Modi Thanks Allies Chandrababu Naidu, Nitish Kumar In Victory Speech

"I assure the people of the four states that went to assembly polls that the Centre will not leave any stone unturned for their development... Under Nitish babu, the NDA fared well in Bihar," PM Modi said

New Delhi: The third consecutive victory of the NDA in the Lok Sabha election is a "victory of the people," Prime Minster Narendra Modi said this evening, as the counting of votes continued across the country. Today, PM Modi thanked not only Mr Kumar, but also Andhra Pradesh ally Chandrababu Naidu. Neither have been the most steadfast of partners. Both Mr Kumar and Mr Naidu had been part of the Opposition, walking out of the

NDA over various issues. Mr Kumar, in fact, has acquired a reputation for his frequent back-and-forths. But now, together, they can add 28 seats to the NDA tally -- seats crucial to maintain majority.

"I assure the people of the four states that went to assembly polls that the Centre will not leave any stone unturned for their development... Under Nitish babu, the NDA fared well in Bihar," PM Modi said.

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Why Modi Fell Short of an Outright Majority?

Indian PM Narendra Modi has secured a third consecutive term in a surprisingly tight general election, with his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) falling short of a majority in the 543-seat parliament. Despite being India's largest party, the BJP's coalition partners will be crucial to forming a government.

The results are a personal setback for Modi, who has previously won majorities both as Gujarat’s chief minister and India’s prime minister. This election marks a revival for the Congress Party-led INDIA opposition alliance, which defied predictions and exit polls.

Over 640 million people voted in this marathon seven-week election, with nearly half being women. Modi's BJP remains the single largest party, but the significant seat loss, especially in Uttar Pradesh, dims the triumph of a third term. Modi’s campaign slogan, "Ab ki baar, 400 paar," aiming for over 400 seats, may have backfired, creating fears of constitutional changes among the poor.

The BJP's decline is attributed to issues like joblessness, rising prices, growing inequality, and controversial policies such as army recruitment reform. Modi's divisive campaign targeting Muslims also possibly alienated voters in some regions.

Despite the setback, Modi's supporters

Coalition government would be 'litmus test' for Modi

Be it as Gujarat state chief minister or as prime minister in his last two terms, Narendra Modi has run a full majority BJP government. Coalition partners did come along to give a hand, but the government’s future was never in their hands. Current numbers clearly indicate the BJP is falling short of majority which means Mr Modi will seek support from allies. He has got used to running a centralised government and party under him which will have to change keeping the new reality in mind.

He will need to be a lot more mindful of the concerns and sensitivities of coalition partners and that doesn’t come easy to him, one analyst noted. India is not new to coalition politics, but coalition governments are often prone to instability. So it would be a litmus test for both Mr Modi and the BJP over their adaptability to a changed scenario.

credit his stable governance, welfare programs, and enhanced global image for securing a third term. His Hindu nationalist base is satisfied with key manifesto promises fulfilled, such as revoking Kashmir's autonomy and building the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Key takeaways from the election include:

Brand Modi Dented: Modi’s once-invincible image has shown vulnerability to anti-incumbency, offering hope to the opposition.

Return to Coalition Politics:

The BJP must now rely on allies, requiring a more consultative approach and making it vulnerable if allies feel neglected.

Jolt to Dominant BJP: Modi's decade-long dominance underscores India's shift back to coalition politics, resembling earlier eras of shared power.

Resurgent Opposition:

The Congress-led INDIA alliance, energized by the results, is poised to challenge the BJP in upcoming state elections. Looking ahead, India’s economy needs more private investment and consumption, and job creation is crucial to appease the younger population. Modi's government faces criticism for marginalizing Muslims and stifling dissent, with third terms historically presenting unpredictable challenges for leaders.

down'

Mr Modi projected himself as the voice of the Global South – a leader who acted as a bridge between the developing and the developed world.

The Indian PM’s global heft was grounded in the massive support he had at home. He provided a sense of continuity to global leaders and alliances.

Mr Modi will now head a coalition government. He is likely to have bipartisan support on foreign policy, but he will have to take allies into confidence before taking crucial decisions that affect global politics. That might force him to slow down, and adopt a more consultative decision making policy. So far India has defiantly practised its policy of strategic autonomy in foreign affairs, and that might not change. But what will change is Mr Modi’s ability to take quick decisions on global affairs – something he often did without consulting his own allies or the opposition.

Back To Coalition Politics

NDA Survives, INDIA Revives

At 3 Lakh, Rahul Gandhi's Winning Margin From Raebareli Highest In UP

The N Factor: Nitish, Naidu

"Nitish Kumar might change alliances for social justice." Nitish has a history of switching sides. In such a situation, it is being said that if Nitish Kumar leaves the NDA, it will become difficult for the BJP

Investors Lose Rs. 30 Lakh Crore in Biggest 4-Year Market Fall

Mumbai, June 4 (IANS) Jitters of counting day led the Indian indices to experience their biggest fall in the last four years on Tuesday with the investors losing nearly Rs 30 lakh crore in a single season. As the counting for the Lok Sabha polls entered the final phase, Sensex closed 4,389 points down, or 5.74 per cent, at 72,079, while Nifty shed 1,379 points, or 5.93 per cent, to close at 21,884 on Tuesday.

Maharashtra:

Uddhav Thackeray,

Sharad Pawar Stand Tall

Mumbai: Their parties were split, symbols taken, names changed, but Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray and Sharadchandra Pawar have proven that they lead the real Shiv Sena and the real Nationalist Congress Party. Nine hours into the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha polls, Team Thackeray is leading on 9 Maharashtra seats and Mr Pawar's NCP on 7.

According to a news report in The Hindu, party leaders said in an open forum that the agreement with the TDP goes against the BJP's ideological strength. In the current situation, TDP's support is crucial for the BJP. News has emerged that Modi has met with Naidu. It remains to be seen what conditions the TDP sets in exchange for their support in forming the government.

New Delhi: A third term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi appears certain with the NDA hovering around the 300 mark. But the day belongs to the resurgent Opposition, which performed way over the modest expectations raised by exit polls.

The BJP, which was aiming for 370 seats, and set the NDA a target of 400-plus, appears to be running way behind, let down by Uttar Pradesh, which sends a whopping 80 lawmakers to the Lok Sabha. Around 5 pm, the BJP is ahead on 241 seats, the NDA on 296. The INDIA bloc is ahead on 228 seats, the Congress on 100.

The BJP applecart appears to have been upset by the heartland state of Uttar Pradesh, which has pushed the INDIA bloc -- Samajwadi Party and the Congress -- ahead in more than 40 of its 80 seats at 3 pm. The BJP is in mid-thirties. The BJP had swept Uttar Pradesh in 2014 and held of its ground

Chandrababu Naidu, Nitish Kumar Hold Key

Trinamool and Samajwadi Party stop BJP’s juggernaut

Independents Engineer Rashid, Amritpal Singh, Indira Gandhi’s assassin’s son Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa close to electoral victory

in 2019. This time most exit polls had predicted an edge for the party.

Two of the other battleground states have also not gone the BJP's way. In Bengal, the party's big hope, it could fare worse than 2019, leading in only 11 seats at 3 pm. Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress appears to have recovered much of the lost ground and is ahead in 31 seats.

Maharashtra appears to have made its disapproval clear of the political manoeuvrings in Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party. The Uddhav Thackeray faction is ahead on 11 seats to Shinde Sena's 5. The Ajit Pawar faction of NCP is ahead on just one seat and his uncle Sharad Pawar on 7. The BJP and the Congress are neck on neck with 12 and 11 seats.

The BJP's losses, as expected, are being offset from Odisha, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and to an extent, Telangana.

'UP Ke Ladke' Works For INDIA, Ram Temple Doesn't For BJP: Trends

New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh, which had accounted for a lion's share of the BJP's tally since 2014, has proved to be a tough challenge for the party in the 2024 election. Nearly eight hours

into the counting, the INDIA alliance of Samajwadi Party and Congress had already taken a lead on 44 out of 80 Lok Sabha seats, comfortably more than the NDA tally of 35. In the 2014 and 2019 elections, the BJP scooped up 71 and 62 seats. Exit polls predicted a repeat of the trend this time, but the trends so far hold true to the warning - exit polls don't always get it right. Several rounds of counting are still left and the picture may change anytime. Trends show that Ayodhya failed to assert itself as the key factor even in Faizabad, the constituency it is part of.

Mocked by BJP, Gandhi Siblings Shine in INDIA's Show

New Delhi: From 'pappu' to 'shehzade', Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been the prime target of BJP's ridicule for years. Jabs at the Gandhi family have been the BJP leader's main line of attack at the main Opposition Congress in every election over the past decade. But as Congress inches towards a 100-seat tally in this Lok Sabha election -- its best show in a decade -- the Gandhi siblings have played a central role.

Geniben Thakor's Grand Victory in Banaskantha Seat

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BJP wins 23 seats in Gujarat, with two seats seeing intense competition. Meanwhile, Geniben Thakor secures a grand victory in Banaskantha. Gujarat Congress President Shaktisinh Gohil congratulates Geniben Thakor.

"Slip of Tongue": Congress on Aiyar's China Remarks

New Delhi: In response to the comments made by former Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar on Chinese aggression in 1962, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said that the former had said in a "slip of tongue" and he had also apologised for his statement.

"This is not a big issue. It was a slip of tongue and he has apologised. The Bharatiya Janata Party is continuously bringing up this issue after that. This shows their bankruptcy," Mr Khera said speaking to ANI on Wednesday.

SIT to Arrest JDS MP Prajwal Revanna at Bengaluru Airport

The special investigation team would arrest JDS MP Prajwal Revanna, accused in a sex scandal, upon his arrival from Munich at the Bengaluru airport early Friday, Karnataka home minister G. Parameshwara said on Wednesday. Prajwal had on Monday released a video saying he would appear before the special investigation team (SIT) at 10am on May 31, ending a long wait for some information on the absconding sitting JDS MP from Hassan accused in multiple sexual abuse cases.

PM Modi Concerned Over Naveen Patnaik's Health

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed concern over the deteriorating health of chief minister Naveen Patnaik. He said that after the BJP formed government in Odisha on June 10, a special committee would be formed to probe what led to the sudden deterioration in the chief minister’s health. Addressing rallies in Mayurbhanj, Balasore and Kendrapara ahead of the fourth phase of polling on June 1, Modi said people are concerned about the chief minister’s health and have the right to know its status.

Delhi Hits 52.3 Degrees, HighestEver Recorded Temperature In India

New Delhi: India reported its highestever temperature at 52.3 degree Celsius today. A temperature monitoring station in Delhi's Mungeshpur reported this figure at 2.30 pm.

Explaining the reason behind the rising temperature, India Meteorological Department (IMD) regional head Kuldeep Srivastava said the city's outskirts are the first areas to be hit by hot winds from Rajasthan.

"Parts of Delhi are particularly susceptible to the early arrival of these hot winds, worsening the already severe weather. Areas like Mungeshpur, Narela and Najafgarh are the first to experience the full force of these hot winds," he told news agency PTI. The temperature was more than nine degrees higher than expected, the second day of recordbreaking heat, and pushed up the mercury by more than degree from the 2002 record of 49.2 degree Celsius. It also rained in Delhi briefly on

A weather office in Delhi has recorded the highestever temperature the country has experienced at 52.3 degree Celsius today

Wednesday evening, which is likely to raise the humidity level.

Delhi's primary weather station Safdarjung observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 46.8 degree Celsius, highest in 79 years.

Kejriwal to Return to Jail June 2, Supreme Court Rejects Extension

The Supreme Court registry on Wednesday rejected Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plea for a seven-day extension of his interim bail, leaving him no option but to go back to Tihar jail on June 2. According to sources, the apex court registry refused to accept Kejriwal’s application, saying the plea was not maintainable as he was given the liberty to move the trial court for regular bail. Kejriwal was granted interim bail by a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta on May 10 and was asked to surrender at Tihar jail on June 2.

According to sources, the apex court registry refused to accept Kejriwal’s application, saying the plea was not maintainable as he was given the liberty to move the trial court for regular bail

The bench had on May 17 reserved its verdict on Kejriwal’s plea challenging the validity of his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money-laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.

On Tuesday, a vacation bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and K.V. Viswanathan had declined to direct an urgent listing of the bail extension plea. On senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi’s insistence, the bench placed the request for consideration by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud who is the master of the roster.

The registry, which acts on behalf of the CJI on the administrative side, declined to list the matter for hearing.

The IMD issued a red alert health notice for Delhi, with an estimated population of more than 30 million people. The alert warns there is a "very high likelihood of developing heat illness and heat stroke in all ages", with "extreme care needed for vulnerable people". India is no stranger to searing summer temperatures, but years of scientific research have found climate change is causing heatwaves to become longer, more frequent and more intense.

Delhi Lt Governor Suspends Health Minister's OSD Over Hospital Fire

Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena Wednesday suspended Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj's Officer on Special Duty (OSD) R N Das with immediate effect for his alleged involvement in irregular and illegal registration of private nursing homes, officials said. "The immediate cause for placing the officer under suspension is on account of reported misconduct with regard to unauthorized and illegal running of Jyoti Nursing Home, Shahadra beyond the valid registration period when he was also Medical Superintendent of Nursing Home Cell," an official said.

Modi: ‘No one knew Mahatma Gandhi before the Attenborough film.’ Rahul: ‘Really?’

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took a dig at Narendra Modi for the prime minister’s comment that the world got to know about Mahatma Gandhi after the 1982 film ‘Gandhi’.

“Only a student of Entire Political Science would have felt the need to see a film to know about Mahatma Gandhi,” Rahul wrote in Hindi on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday.

In an interview with the ABP channels aired on Tuesday, Modi, without naming the Congress, had accused the party of not projecting the Mahatma to global glory.

“Mahatma Gandhi was a great soul,” Modi said. “Wasn’t it our responsibility to get him that level of global recognition

during the last 75 years? Nobody knew about him. When the ‘Gandhi’ film was released, curiosity was generated across the world about who is this man. We didn’t do anything. If the world knew about Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Gandhi was no less than them and you have to accept that.” The film ‘Gandhi’, an India-UK co-production directed by

Richard Attenborough, had received 11 Oscar nominations, winning eight awards including best film in the same year that Steven Spielberg’s film ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ was in contention. ‘Gandhi’ was released in India on November 30, 1982, and in the following weeks in the UK and US.

“I don’t know in which world the outgoing Prime Minister lives where Mahatma Gandhi was unknown across the world before 1982,” Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote on X. “If anyone has destroyed the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, it is the outgoing PM himself. It is his government which destroyed the Gandhian institutions in Varanasi, Delhi and Ahmedabad.”

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Kangana Ranaut wins Mandi

Mandi: Actor Kangana Ranaut, making her political debut as the BJP candidate from Himachal Pradesh' Mandi, has taken a huge lead as per initial trends by the Election Commission. With a lead of over 70,000 votes, Ms Ranaut seems headed towards a huge win. The 37-year-old Bollywood star took a jibe at rival Congress candidate Vikramaditya Singh saying that he might have to now "pack his bags and leave". The actor's remarks were directed at allegations that she will pack up and return after the elections to Mumbai leaving Mandi behind. "They will have to suffer the consequences of talking so low about a woman... And that is becoming clear today with the way we have got the lead.

Confirmed: Anil Kapoor to host Bigg Boss OTT Season 3

Just days before streaming the new season of Bigg Boss OTT, JioCinema took to its official social media handles to tease a new host. A 25 seconds long video features a man walking in style in red shoes while clips from previous seasons run in the background. Suddenly, this man, no points for guessing, Anil Kapoor whistles and says, “Kursi manga re…” Soon a voiceover is heard saying, “Kuch karte hai na jhakaas,” to which Anil Kapoor replies, “Bahaut hogaya re jhakaas, karte hain na kuch aur khaas.” The video also revealed that the show will start streaming in June. However, the premiere date is yet to be revealed. Sharing the promo, JioCinema wrote, “A new host for the new season of Bigg Boss OTT! Aur Bigg Boss ki tarha, inki awaaz hi kaafi hai. P.S. – No prizes for guessing.”

While Karan Johar hosted the first season of Bigg Boss OTT, Salman Khan turned host for the second season of Bigg Boss OTT. Soon after the announcement, fans took to the comments section of the promo to express their excitement. One of the fans wrote. “BB ka Nayak.” Others were just curious if JioCinema will continue to show the second season without subscription. This will be Anil Kapoor’s first time as a host. It will be interesting to see what new element he brings to the reality show. Though now the makers have confirmed that this time around Anil Kapoor will be hosting the controversial show, this was not the case in April.

In April, the production house Endemol Shine India took to its official Instagram handle to announce Bigg Boss OTT 3. The production house shared a poster in which not Anil Kapoor but Salman Khan was seen pointing towards the audience as he asked, “Who do you want to see in Bigg Boss OTT.” However, the post was deleted later.

Araddhana Sharma

reveals the 'most secure' actress on whom she has a 'huge crush'

"In the world of cutthroat competition, it’s good to be with actors like Nia because when you have a healthy atmosphere on set, your working atmosphere is healthy and productive too," concluded Aradhana.

Actress Araddhana Sharma shared that she has a huge crush on her 'Suhagan Chudail' co-star Nia Sharma, calling her one of the most secure actors that she has ever met. Opening up about her bond with Nia, who plays the lead in the fantasy thriller romance, Aradhana said: "I have a huge crush on Nia ever since I saw her work. When I see her work, I feel like she's one of the most secure actors I've ever met. And that’s a rare quality. Also, she has this deadly combination of being humble yet powerful."

"Her charisma is amazing. When she talks to someone,

she's polite, and people listen to her respectfully. She naturally draws people’s attention. She's never rude, and I truly admire her for that. I really look up to her and aspire to be like her. She's a star who has carved her own path, and she motivates me every day. She takes good care of her physique and has strong willpower," said Araddhana, who was last seen in the web series 'Video Cam Scam'. Araddhana, who is playing the character of Rachna in 'Suhagan Chudail', shared that Nia’s fashion game is unique.

"She owns her look. No wonder she has won awards for her fashionable outfits. Her acting skills are great," she said.

"In the world of cutthroat competition, it’s good to be with actors like Nia because when you have a healthy atmosphere on set, your working atmosphere is healthy and productive too," concluded Aradhana.

‘Suhagan Chudail’ airs every Monday to Friday at 10.30 p.m. on Colors.

to ‘Gaanth’

My character brings much-needed positivity

Monika Panwar

Actress Monika Panwar has talked about her character in the gritty thriller series 'Gaanth' and said that her character brings much-needed positivity to the project. Monika said: "It's always exciting to be part of stories that are different and also give you a chance to think and experiment. 'Gaanth' is special as I play a caring psychologist in a dark thriller. I feel my character brings much-needed positivity to the show.

"Life has been slightly unfair to her, and she willingly gets involved in a murder investigation while discovering sides of herself that were long hidden."

The show, which also stars Manav Vij and Saloni Batra, centres on a mysterious mass suicide in East Delhi. Disgraced Inspector Gadar Singh and psychiatric intern Sakshi Murmu join forces to unravel the case of seven bodies hanging in a house.

I gave my all to Alamzeb, we tend to fixate on negatives : Sharmin

In an interview, the actress said that there has been many positive responses as well, but people decided to focus only on the negative ones. She said, “I had given my all to Alamzeb’s character. We tend to fixate on the negatives but there are so many positives that have also come along, which we don’t talk about. It’s perhaps not interesting enough to talk about positives and we tend to look over them to some degree.” After avoiding all kind of conversations around her character Alamzeb and unabling comments on her posts, the 28-year-old actress thought to pay attention to what the viewers have to say.

Sonu Nigam receives prestigious honorary fellowship in London

Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam, who was in the UK for a concert series, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by a leading Indian diaspora students’ organisation for his worldwide impact in the field of music.

The National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK conferred Nigam with the Fellowship during his packed performance at Wembley Arena in London last weekend. It was presented on stage by veteran British Indian Labour MP Virendra Sharma and Professor Rachel Dwyer, Emeritus Professor of Indian Culture at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).

Netflix renews Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar for second season

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period drama Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar will return for a second season on Netflix, the streamer announced on Monday. A flash mob of 100 dancers, dressed in costumes similar to the outfits worn by the show’s characters, revealed the news through a spirited performance during a fan event at Carter Road, Mumbai. “Mehfil phir se jamegi, Heeramandi: Season 2 jo aa raha hai ,” the streamer wrote on X alongside a one-minute-24-second long video of the flash mob performance. Since its debut on May 1, Heeramandi has skyrocketed to the top of Netflix's global non-English TV chart in 43 countries, becoming the most-watched Indian series on the platform worldwide. Domestically, it has maintained its position at No. 1 on India's Top 10 chart since its premiere.

Mr and Mrs Mahi box office collection day 3: Rajkummar Rao-Janhvi Kapoor’s film earns Rs 16.85 cr

Rajkummar Rao and Janhvi Kapoor’s second collaboration after Roohi, Mr and Mrs Mahi, seems to be on the right track as it minted Rs 16.85 crore in the first weekend at the box office. The film received mostly positive reviews and exceeded expectations in terms of box office collections on day one, which was also celebrated as Cinema Lovers Day. According to early estimates by Sacnilk, it minted Rs 5.50 crore on Sunday, bringing its total domestic collection to Rs 16.85 crore.

Mr. and Mrs. Mahi box office collection got a big push on Friday as it was released on Cinema Lovers Day with ticket prices slashed to Rs 99. It exceeded expectations in terms of opening box office collections, earning Rs 6.75 crore on Friday. This was followed by a 32 percent dip in its collection, earning Rs 4.6 crore on Saturday. The film, however, picked up

Mr and Mrs Mahi box office collection day 3: Rajkummar Rao and Janhvi Kapoor's film maintained a steady momentum through the weekend. Its total domestic collection stands at Rs 16.85 crore.

pace on Sunday, raking in Rs 5.50 crore.

The Sharan Sharma directorial needs to maintain pace at the box office to recoup it’s estimated Rs 40 crore budget. It has been a largely underwhelming year for Bollywood with only a handful of films crossing the Rs 100 crore mark, and even fewer actually posting profit.

Varun Dhawan and Natasha Dalal welcome baby girl

Actor Varun Dhawan and wife Natasha Dalal, one of Bollywood’s most loved couples, have been blessed with their first child, a baby girl. Varun’s father, filmmaker David Dhawan shared the happy news with paparazzi stationed outside the Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai.

Known for his versatility and energy, Varun Dhawan has delivered hits like Badlapur, October, and the Dulhania series. Natasha, on the other hand, is a successful fashion designer with her own label, Natasha Dalal Label. Despite being in the limelight due to her association with Varun, Natasha has maintained a low profile, focusing on her career and personal life.

Pankaj Jha

Criticizes Anurag

Kashyap, Pankaj Tripathi Over Gangs of Wasseypur

Pankaj Jha was reportedly Anurag Kashyap's first choice for the role of Sultan Qureshi in Gangs of Wasseypur. However, the role eventually went to Pankaj Tripathi.

Days after he indirectly took swipes at Pankaj Tripathi, saying that some actors enjoy glamorizing their struggles of “stealing another actor’s slippers,” Panchayat actor Pankaj Jha doubled down and slammed those who engage in politics behind people’s backs, while also emphasising that such actions can’t break him.

For the unversed, Jha was reportedly approached by director Anurag Kashyap, with whom he previously worked on films like Black Friday and Gulaal, for the role of Sultan Qureshi in the epic gangster black comedy Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) initially. However, the role eventually went to Tripathi, significantly boosting the latter’s Bollywood career. “I don’t care about the politics that happens behind my back. The person doing it wins only if it harms me. Those who engage in politics behind someone’s back are generally cowards, right? Otherwise, they would have come forward, upfront,” he said during an interview with Digital Commentary. Calling himself a “director-making actor,” Pankaj Jha also took jabs at Anurag Kashyap. “While films like Satya and Gulaal create actors, they also make directors. But there are so many timid and spineless people here that they can’t even keep their word,” he said with a smirk. “Later, I found out that the director himself was in a bad situation, getting no work, and was doing 36 different jobs on this project.”

McDonald's loses EU trademark for chicken Big Macs

McDonald's no longer has the exclusive right to use the label "Big Mac" in reference to chicken burgers sold in the European Union after a ruling by the EU's highest court. The American fastfood chain popularised the nickname for large burger sandwiches, registering it as a trademark in the EU in 1996.

But following a legal challenge from Supermac's, a rival chain in Ireland, other companies will now be free to use the name "Mac" to sell poultry products or in their chains' names.

The European Court of Justice found that McDonald's could not show it had made genuine use of the trademark for a continuous period of five years.

"McDonald's loses the EU trade mark 'Big Mac' in respect of poultry products," the judges ruled.

McDonald's noted in a statement that the court's decision did not affect its right to use the "Big Mac" trademark.

Google parent Alphabet appoints Anat Ashkenazi as new CFO

San Francisco,:(IANS)

Google parent Alphabet on Wednesday announced the appointment of Anat Ashkenazi as the company's new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Ashkenazi, 51, will start her new role at Alphabet on July 31, 2024, according to a US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing.

"Alphabet announced the appointment of Anat Ashkenazi, age 51, as the new Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Alphabet and Google LLC, effective July 31, 2024," the company wrote. Ashkenazi has served as Executive Vice President and CFO of the US-based pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly and Company, where she has worked for over 23 years.

Court rules Google must face £13.6bn advertising lawsuit

Google must face a £13.6bn lawsuit alleging it has too much power over the online advertising market, a court has ruled.

The case, brought by a group called Ad Tech Collective Action LLP, alleges the search giant behaved in an anticompetitive way which caused online publishers in the UK to lose money.

Google parent company Alphabet called the case "incoherent" in its attempts to get the legal action dropped.

But the Competition Appeal Tribunal, in London, has ruled the case can now go to trial.

“This is a decision of major importance to the victims of Google’s anti-competitive conduct in adtech," said former Ofcom director Claudio Pollack, now a partner

in Ad Tech Collective Action.

"Google will now have to answer for its practices in a full trial."

However, Google's legal director, Oliver Bethell, described the lawsuit as "speculative and opportunistic."

"We’ll oppose it vigorously and on the facts," he added in a statement.

The cases concerns advertising technology, usually shortened to adtech, which decides which online adverts people see, as well as how much they cost to publishers.

Hosting such adverts is a huge source of revenue for many websites - Ad Tech Collective Action says digital advertising spend reached $490 billion in 2021. It is also an extremely valuable industry for Google, because it dominates web search so heavily.

Air Canada announces non-stop flight service from Toronto to Mumbai

Air Canada on Tuesday announced a new non-stop flight service from Toronto to Mumbai and a new seasonal flight from Calgary to Delhi via London Heathrow as part of its winter schedule.

This expansion will bring the Canadian flag carrier's operations to 25 weekly flights to and from India.

Air Canada will operate 25 weekly flights this winter from Canada to India, offering a total of 7,400 seats each week. This includes up to 11 weekly flights

from Toronto to Delhi and Mumbai, daily flights from Montreal to Delhi, and daily flights to Delhi from Western Canada via London Heathrow, the airline said in a statement.

This strategic expansion into India will offer 40 per cent additional seat capacity during the winter schedule, Air Canada said. The winter schedule for airlines in India commences from the end of October and goes up to the end of March next year. "India is an important market for Air Canada, reflecting longstanding and growing family and trade ties between our two countries.

We are thrilled to expand our network to Mumbai and Delhi by building additional scale at our hubs in time for Diwali festivities this fall," said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President for revenue and network planning at Air Canada.

Toyota raided as safety testing scandal grows

Japan's transport ministry raided the headquarters of motor giant Toyota on Tuesday, as a scandal over faulty safety data escalated. The world's largest carmaker has apologised for providing incorrect or manipulated data for safety certification tests.

The scandal has shaken the Japanese car industry, with rivals Honda, Mazda and Suzuki also admitting to submitting faulty data. Toyota sold more than 11 million passenger vehicles in 2023. It has said the findings do not affect the safety of vehicles already on the road. The company has suspended the production of three car models - the Corolla Fielder, Corolla Axio and Yaris Cross.

British bank accused of helping to fund terrorists

A British bank that escaped prosecution for money laundering carried out billions of dollars of transactions for funders of terrorist groups, US court papers allege. Standard Chartered, one of the UK’s largest banks, avoided prosecution by the US Department of Justice after Lord Cameron’s government intervened on its behalf in 2012. New documents filed to a New York court claim thousands of transactions worth more than $100bn were carried out by the bank from 2008 to 2013 in breach of sanctions against Iran.

Ticketmaster confirms hack which could affect 560m

Ticketmaster owner Live Nation confirmed "unauthorised activity" on its database after a group of hackers said they had stolen the personal details of 560 million customers. ShinyHunters, the group claiming responsibility, says the stolen data includes names, addresses, phone numbers and partial credit card details from Ticketmaster users worldwide.

The hacking group is reportedly demanding a $500,000 (£400,000) ransom payment to prevent the data from being sold to other parties.

In a filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Live Nation said that on 27 May "a criminal threat actor offered what it alleged to be Company user data for sale via the dark web", and that it was investigating.

The number of customers affected by the data breach has not been confirmed by Live Nation.

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Donald Trump Becomes First Ex US President To Be Convicted Of A Crime

HOW CAN TRUMP BE PRESIDENT DESPITE THE CONVICTION?

The U.S. Constitution only requires that presidents be at least 35 years old and U.S. citizens who have lived in the country for 14 years.

Neither a criminal conviction nor a prison sentence would affect Trump's eligibility or his ability to become president. In theory, he could be sworn in from jail or prison if he were to unseat Democratic President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 election. Jailhouse presidential campaigns are not unprecedented in U.S. history. Socialist Eugene Debs unsuccessfully ran for president from prison in the 1920 election, though unlike Trump he was not a serious contender.

Unclaimed Money At Banks Rises 26%

Mumbai: Unclaimed deposits with banks have witnessed a 26 per cent jump year on year to Rs. 78,213 crore at the end of March 2024, as per the RBI Annual Report released today.

The amount with the Depositor Education and Awareness Fund stood at Rs. 62,225 crore at the end of March 2023.

Banks including cooperative banks transfer unclaimed deposits of account holders lying in their accounts for 10 or more years to RBI's Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund.

Trump Hush Money Trial: The verdict makes Trump the first criminally convicted former US president but does not prevent him from campaigning for another term.

In a landmark decision, Donald Trump has become the first former US president to be convicted of a crime. A New York jury found him guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. Trump faces a theoretical maximum of four years per count but is more likely to receive probation. Despite the conviction, he remains eligible to run for the presidency in the upcoming election.

The trial revolved around a $130,000 payment made to Daniels by Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, just before the 2016 election. Daniels alleged a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006, which could have jeopardized his campaign. Trump, who denied the encounter and did not testify, was found guilty of orchestrating the payment to silence Daniels and falsifying records to hide it. Judge Juan Merchan has scheduled sentencing for July 11, days before the Republican National Convention. Trump has been released without bail but now carries the stigma of being a convicted felon. He expressed defiance, claiming

innocence and branding the trial as "rigged" and a "disgrace." His campaign capitalized on the verdict, framing him as a political prisoner and rallying his base for support. President Biden's campaign emphasized that the trial underscored the principle that "no one is above the law" and highlighted the continued threat Trump poses to democracy. The jury’s unanimous decision came after over 11 hours of deliberation, with their identities kept secret due to the high-profile nature of the case. Trump faces additional federal and state charges, including conspiring to overturn the 2020 election results and mishandling secret documents, though these trials are unlikely to commence before the presidential election. Political analyst Keith Gaddie noted the potential marginal impact of the conviction on swing voters, suggesting it could influence tight races. An appeal from Trump is expected, but the legal process may extend over months. Even if Trump wins the presidency, he cannot pardon himself, as the conviction was state-based, and only New York’s governor holds the power to pardon.

Prajwal Revanna returns from Germany, arrested by SIT in sex crimes case

Suspended JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna, facing allegations of sexually abusing several women, was arrested on Friday by the SIT probing the case, minutes after he landed from Germany here past midnight. The 33 year-old MP was arrested at the Kempegowda International Airport by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), after he arrived from Munich and was taken to the CID office for interrogation.

A large number of policemen were deployed at the airport to ensure he was taken safely for investigation. The MP, wearing what seemed like a hoodie, returned to Bengaluru a month after the

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has served a show-cause notice to Prajwal asking why his diplomatic passport should not be cancelled as sought by the Karnataka government in view of allegations of sexual abuse against him

scandal broke out, only to be taken into custody by the Central Industrial Security Forces sleuths, who later handed him over to the SIT. A court warrant was pending against him. After the formalities, the SIT took him under its custody, sources said. According to officials, police escorted him through a different exit, keeping in mind his security. Exactly a month after he left the country, Prajwal Revanna, who is facing charges of sexually abusing several women, had on May 27 released a video stating he will appear before the SIT on May 31. The 33-year-old Prajwal, grandson of JD(S) patriarch and former PM H D Deve Gowda and the BJP-JD(S) alliance candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha segment, is facing charges sexually abusing many women.

10 People Die Of Suspected Heatstroke In Odisha

Rourkela: Ten people died of suspected heatstroke in Odisha's Rourkela city on Thursday, as the mercury shot up in most parts of the eastern state, officials said.

The director-in-charge (DIC) of Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH), Dr Sudharani Pradhan, said the deaths occurred within a span of six hours from 2 pm onwards.

"Eight people were dead by the time they reached the hospital, while the rest died while undergoing treatment here. This was likely due to the intense heatwave," she said.

12-Year-Old Indian-American Wins National Spelling Bee Contest In US

Washington: Bruhat Soma, a 12-yearold Indian-American seventh-grade student from Florida, has won the Scripps National Spelling Bee after he spelt 29 words correctly in the tiebreaker, maintaining the dominance of the children from the small ethnic community in the prestigious competition.

Bruhat emerged victorious in the Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday, earning more than $50,000 in cash and other prizes.

This year's contest came down to a tiebreaker in which Bruhat spelt 29 words correctly in 90 seconds, beating

Faizan Zaki, who managed to correctly spell 20 words in the lightning round. His championship word was “abseil”, which is defined as “descent in mountaineering by means of a rope looped over a projection above.” Bruhat went first in the tiebreaker, and after he got through 30 words, it appeared he

would be impossible to beat. Faizan's pace was more uneven at the outset. He attempted 25 words but flubbed four of them.

“Bruhat Soma rules the word! The Champion of the 2024 Scripps National Spelling Bee! The boy with the unbelievable memory doesn't miss a word all week and takes home the Scripps Cup!” the organisers said.

"Bruhat Soma correctly spelt 29 out of 30 words attempted to earn the coveted champion title and beat the standing spell-off record set by Harini Logan in 2022. Logan spelt 22 out of 26 words correctly during the competition's firstever spell-off," the organisers said.

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Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 7: Punjab's 13 Seats, 44 Others Go To Polls In Last Phase Today

New Delhi: The long-drawn 7-phase election in the world's largest democracy -- in which the BJP is hoping for a historic third term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- comes to a close today, with voting on 57 seats. The counting will take place on Tuesday.

Of the 57 seats going to polls today, nine are from West Bengal, 13 from Uttar Pradesh, eight from Bihar, six from Odisha, four from Himachal Pradesh, three from Jharkhand, and the lone seat of Union Territory Chandigarh.

All 13 seats of Punjab are also on today's list. The election is expected to be triangular, with INDIA allies Congress and Aam Aadmi Party having a "friendly" contest that is expected to split the nonBJP vote and play into BJP hands. Polling will also take place for the remaining 42 assembly seats and six Lok Sabha seats in Odisha. The BJP, which has replaced the Congress as the main

Amit Shah visits Rajkot days after game zone fire tragedy

Rajkot, May 31 (IANS) Home Minister Amit Shah visited Gujarat's Rajkot city on Friday, days after a game zone fire tragedy here in which at least 28 people, including children, were killed.

HM Shah arrived at Hirasar Airport in Rajkot, where he stayed for 40 minutes.

During his stopover at the airport, the Home Minister sought updates on the investigation into the fire incident from Rajkot City Police Commissioner Brijesh Kumar Jha, Collector Prabhav Joshi, and Municipal Commissioner D.P. Desai.

Adani Group Profit Jumps 55% In 2023-24

New Delhi: Adani group saw a 55 per cent profit surge in the fiscal year ended March 2024 as the apples-to-airport conglomerate is back on an expansion spree and eyeing a USD 90 billion capex over the next decade.

Emerging from a damning report of a US short seller, which hit market value of its listed companies, Adani group in 2023-24 (April 2023 to March 2024) fiscal focused on containing debt, reducing founder share pledge and consolidating business in core competencies.

All 13 seats of Punjab are also on today's list. The election is expected to be triangular, with INDIA allies Congress and Aam Aadmi Party having a "friendly" contest

Opposition party, is hoping to corner Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal. By-elections are being held on six

assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh, which will also have a bearing on the fortunes of the state's Congress government. All six seats were held by Congress but the MLAs had turned rebel and cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha election, resigned and joined the BJP. Varanasi, the constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also votes today. PM Modi had won the seat first

Kejriwal to Surrender on June 2; Urges Supporters to Care for Ailing Parents

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Friday that he will be surrendering on June 2 and, in an emotional appeal, asked the people to take care of his old and ailing parents after he is gone.

"I will leave my house around 3 pm (on Sunday) to surrender. It is possible that this time they will torture me more, but I will not bow down," he said.

He assured the people of Delhi that all the facilities available to them will

continue even in his absence.

"You take care of yourself, I worry a lot about you in jail. If you are happy, your Kejriwal will also be happy.

"I will not be among you, of course, but you don't worry, all your work will continue... And after returning, I will also start giving Rs 1000 every month to every mother and sister," he said in a virtual press conference. Making an appeal to the Delhiites who stood by him in difficult times to look after his aged and ailing parents, he said he has always fulfilled his duty as a son "of your family".

"Today I want to ask something from you for my family. My parents are very old, my mother is very ill. I will worry a lot about her in jail.

"Take care of my parents after I am gone, pray for them, pray to God. Prayers have great power. If you pray for my mother daily, she will definitely remain healthy," he said. Kejriwal said his wife Sunita is very strong and has supported him in every difficult phase of life.

in 2014. The Congress has fielded Ajai Rai, who finished third in the two last Lok Sabha elections.

The other prominent leaders in fray include the BJP's Union Minister Anurag Thakur, who is contesting from Hamirpur, Junior finance minister Pankaj Chaudhary from Maharajganj, actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut, who is contesting against Congress's Vikramaditya Singh in Mandi, the other actor-politician Ravi Kishan from Gorakhpur.

NDA leaders like RLM chief Upendra Kushwaha from Karakat, Apna Dal (Sonelal)'s Union Minister Anupriya Patel from Mirzapur are also in fray. From the Opposition, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew and Trinamool Congress candidate Abhishek Banerjee is contesting from Diamond Harbour; Misa Bharti, daughter of Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad from Pataliputra, and Congress's Charanjeet Singh Channi from Jalandhar.

Influencer Bobby Kataria Scammed 33 with Fake Job Offers: Cops

Gurugram: Social media influencer Balwant alias Bobby Kataria, who has been arrested in a human trafficking case, sent 33 people abroad on the pretext of helping them secure jobs, police here said on Friday. Kataria, who was arrested by the Gurugram police on Monday, was produced in a city court on Friday on the expiry of his three-day police remand and was sent to judicial custody, they added.

Criticism Of Trump Verdict Is "Dangerous, Irresponsible": Biden

Washington: President Joe Biden said on Friday that it was "dangerous" for people to question the integrity of the guilty verdict in Donald Trump's hush money jury trial.

In his first public comments since a New York jury on Thursday found Trump guilty on 34 counts over a payment to silence a porn star ahead of the 2016 election, Biden, a Democrat, struck out hard at Trump and other Republicans who have criticized the verdict.

"Donald Trump was given every opportunity to defend himself." Biden said. He noted that the case against

Trump in New York was brought by the state, that it was not a federal case, and that the verdict was delivered by "a jury of 12 citizens, 12 Americans, 12 people

like you."

The U.S. justice system has endured for nearly 250 years, Biden said, and he criticized Trump and his supporters for attempting to tear it down with false allegations.

"It's reckless, it's dangerous, it's irresponsible for anyone to say this was rigged just because they don't like the verdict," Biden said.

In rambling remarks earlier on Friday at the Trump Tower lobby in Manhattan, Trump repeated his complaints that the trial was an attempt to hobble his comeback White House bid and said it showed that no American was safe from politically motivated prosecution.

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SKM Wins Sikkim, BJP Takes Arunachal

New Delhi: Both Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh voted in incumbents as votes cast in the Himalayan states' Assembly elections were counted today

Ten BJP candidates in Arunachal have been elected unopposed. So, the counting was done for 50 out of 60 Assembly seats. The BJP posted a comfortable victory, winning 46 seats. Its ally, Conrad Sangma's National People's Party, won five seats.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the BJP's win in Arunachal. "Thank you Arunachal Pradesh! The people of this wonderful state have given an unequivocal mandate to politics of development. My gratitude to them for reposing their faith in @BJP4Arunachal yet again. Our Party will keep working with even greater vigour for the state's growth," he posted on X. He also praised BJP workers for their hard work.

Responding to the verdict, incumbent Chief Minister Pema Khandu said, "This is a mandate for 10 years of development with huge support from the centre. You all know Arunachal Pradesh is the land of rising sun. BJP's victory here shows (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi ji will become PM for the third term."

Donald Trump

Joins TikTok

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has joined TikTok, the short video social media platform that is owned by China-based tech giant ByteDance and that he tried to ban as president, ahead of the US elections in November.

Politico, which first reported the news, said he posted a launch video on his account on Saturday night. The video showed Trump greeting fans at an Ultimate Fighting Championship fight in Newark, New Jersey.

The account, President Donald J Trump with the address @ realdonaldtrump, had more than 450,000 followers by 0800 GMT.

Massive Jump In Stock Market After Exit Polls Predict Big BJP Win

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The share market has posted a massive jump in the early trade, banking on the hopes of political stability as predicted by the exit polls. The 30-share Sensex rallied over 2,000 points this morning while the 50-stock Nifty recorded its biggest jump in four years during the market opening.

Both Sensex and Nifty, the indexes of the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange, hit their record high levels today. All Sensex and Nifty stocks are now in the green.

At pre-open, Nifty surged over 800 points or 3.58% to 23,227.90 while the Sensex jumped 2,621.98 points or 3.55% to 76,583.29.

Adani Ports, Adani Enterprises, Power Grid, Shriram Finance, and NTPC are among the top performers that led the market rally with significant gains. The latest GDP data suggesting a robust 8.2% fiscal growth also bolstered the market sentiment.

Sensex rallied over 2,000 points this morning while the Nifty recorded its biggest jump in four years during the market opening.

"Buoyant sentiments are driven by India's impressive Q4FY24 GDP growth of 7.8 per cent, surpassing expectations, with the fiscal year's growth standing at 8.2 per cent," said Varun Aggarwal, founder and managing director of Profit Idea. He also cautioned that the market will remain volatile in anticipation of the results pending tomorrow.

Mamata Dismisses Exit Polls Predicting BJP Gains in

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Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said she did not believe the exit poll numbers projecting substantial gains for the BJP in Bengal and stressed that the Trinamool Congress would bag double the number of seats that some pollsters have predicted.

“What they are showing about our state... I don’t believe it, I don’t believe it, I don’t believe it. This is fake,” said the Bengal chief minister in her only official reaction to the exit polls during a telephone interview with TV9.

Bengal

Several exit polls on Saturday predicted that the BJP would be comfortably ahead of the TMC — both in terms of vote share and seats — in the Lok Sabha polls in Bengal.

“What they have shown in the exit polls, we would get double the number,” Mamata said but refused to share any specifics.

Out of the 42 seats in Bengal, the TMC had got 22 in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The BJP’s tally stood at 18 while the Congress bagged two seats. Some pollsters predicted a gain of 8-10 seats for the BJP and a loss of 5-7 seats for the ruling party in Bengal.

“I have seen the exit polls in 2016, 2019 and 2021.... Not a single exit poll predicted the actual outcome,” Mamata said. “I don’t agree with this calculation presented in the exit polls.... I urge my workers of the Trinamool Congress to stay strong and be at the counting centres with full enthusiasm,” she said, sending out a message to the party’s rank and file.

An aggregate of 12 exit polls on Saturday predicted the BJP will return to power with the ruling NDA alliance with 365 seats. A party or an alliance needs at least 272 seats to form government in the country. The market prefers political stability and a change in government usually risks volatility in the share market, according to analysts. The exit polls have also predicted that the BJP is set to break ground in Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the south, and make large gains in Odisha and Bengal in the east. There is, however, a health warning: exit polls do not always get it right.

While the BJP has welcomed the exit poll predictions, the Opposition has dismissed the forecast and said the counting day will throw a completely different picture. Following a meeting of the Opposition leaders part of the INDIA bloc, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge Saturday said that the bloc will win at least 295 seats out of the total 543

INDIA Bloc, BJP Raise Counting Day Concerns with EC

Delegations from the INDIA bloc and the BJP met the Election Commission one after the other on Sunday raising concerns about counting day. The INDIA bloc delegation went first to point out that a rule to complete the counting of postal ballots before those of the electronic voting machines appears to have been done away with by the EC in 2019. The memorandum said: “However, as per ECI letter number 470/2019/ SDR , your commission considered the fact that the counting of postal ballots would require additional time — due to the introduction of ETPBS, casting of postal ballot by election duty staff etc. and requirement of mandatory QR code reading for ETPBS.

Indian Student, 23, Goes Missing In US, Was Last Seen In Los Angeles

Houston: A 23-year-old Indian student is missing in the US state of California since last week and police have sought the public's help in finding her, the latest case in the country as the community grapples with a string of such incidents involving students.

Nitheesha Kandula, a California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) student, went missing on May 28, according to the police.

She was last seen in Los Angeles and was reported missing on May 30, John Guttierez, Chief of Police, CSUSB, said in a post on X on Sunday. "#MissingPersonAlert:

California State University, San Bernardino Police along with our partners in #LAPD, is asking anyone with information on the whereabouts of @CSUSBNews Nitheesha Kandula, to contact us at: (909) 537-5165," the police said.

Kandhula was described as 5 feet 6 inches tall, and around 160 pounds (72.5 kgs)

Nitheesha Kandula, a California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) student, went missing on May 28, according to the police.

in weight with black hair and black eyes, police said in a written statement. She was possibly driving a 2021 Toyota Corolla with a California license plate, the colour of which was unknown, according to the statement.

Urging people with information on her whereabouts to contact authorities, police said, "Anyone with information is urged to contact the CSUSB Police Department at (909) 538-7777, or the LAPD's Southwest Division at (213) 485-2582."

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How often should you wash your jeans? Stylists share their top tips

Washing jeans less frequently helps in preserving the colour and the fabric, accordingto celebrity stylist Jhanvi Pallicha.

Worried about the longevity of your denims? How often should you be washing your favourite pair to make sure it lasts you a good couple of years?

Stylists share some of the denim ground rules they absolutely swear by.

Fashion stylist Isha Bhansali recommended washing your jeans after seven wears at the very least.

“The denim fabric is durable and can

Pallicha.

Points to Note

“Washing denims less frequently definitely helps in preserving the colour and fabric. However, I would recommend turning it inside out and using cold water to maintain its appearance,” Pallicha said. She also suggested using a gentle cycle and detergent to reduce the wear and tear. Basic detergent is sufficient and effective in removing dust and

go long durations without a wash. Unless the clothes have dust, dirt or stains on them, seven wears should be minimum for your pair of jeans.” Washing them in detergent with a basic fabric conditioner is the way to go, she said.

“For ripped and acid wash jeans which are chemically treated, the principle is to make the fabric look as distressed and worn out as possible. Therefore the more washes, the better,” Bhansali said.

“Generally, three to 10 wears is recommended. This frequency helps with maintaining fabric’s integrity and colour while keeping it clean! You can also air out the jeans after wearing them to extend the time between washes. And if you’re in a city like Mumbai which is hot and humid, the recommended range would be three to five wears before washing,” said celebrity stylist Jhanvi

7th

Author Bio:

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

odours.

Pallicha is of the opinion that fabric conditioners should be used in moderation. It can keep the denim soft and reduce static. Overuse may reduce the longevity of your jeans.

Things to avoid

“Generally you should avoid storing denims without washing them, especially if you’re planning to store them for a long time. Also, don’t place heavy items on top of your denims or use wire hangers as they can leave marks and damage the waistband,” Pallicha pointed out. She suggested using padded or wooden hangers instead.

According to her, air drying is one of the best ways to maintain the quality of denim. She recommends storing them in a cool, moisturefree environment away from direct sunlight to prevent the fading and deterioration of the fabric.

Aries

Ganesha says that for the people of Aries, the beginning of the week can be due to some problems at work and a rift in the family. During this time, you should avoid giving weight to anything and there will be a need to be careful of opponents in the workplace.

Taurus

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

Gemini

Ganesha says that the people of the Gemini sign need to pay attention to both their health and relationships this week. At the beginning of the week, you will be burdened with work and family responsibilities. Longdistance travel is also possible in connection with business.

Cancer

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

Leo

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

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

Libra Ganesha says that for the people

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

Scorpio

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

Sagittarius

Ganesha says that at the beginning of the week for the people of Sagittarius, you will have a little more workload. You may get additional responsibility in the workplace, fulfill which you will have to spend extra labor and time.

Capricorn

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

Aquarius

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

Pisces

Ganesha says that at the beginning of the week, due to any auspicious news, there will be an atmosphere of happiness in the house. During this, you will see the stuck tasks being completed.

( Celebrity Astrologer Chirag Daruwalla)

Weight loss rarely leads to type 2 diabetes remission in real-world settings

The number of people with type 2 diabetes rose nearly fourfoldTrusted Source between 1980 and 2014, according to the World Health Organization (WHO)Trusted Source. Type 2 diabetes has many risk factors, including some genetic and environmental factors, but increased body weight and lack of exercise are both linked to the condition.

Diabetes is characterized by a chronic rise in glucose (blood sugar), due to insulin resistance in cells. Insulin is a hormone that allows the uptake of glucose by cells in the body, where it is used an as energy source.

Insulin is produced in response to increased glucose levels in order to facilitate this. However, some peoples’ cells become less responsive to insulin, meaning that their glucose levels rise.

Obesity as a factor in diabetes

Obesity can increase the risk of insulin resistance occurring, and can in fact trigger it. This may occur as some of the hormones and immune cells and molecules that play a role in insulin resistance are released by fat cells.

Obesity can also make it difficult to treat diabetes as some of the treatments that people with type 2 diabetes receive for their symptoms can cause weight gain, which can in turn worsen glucose control. Weight loss can lead to remission of type 2 diabetes in some patients. This weight loss can be achieved via lifestyle changes or through weight loss surgery, as a study published in JAMA SurgeryTrusted Source in 2020 shows.

A trial carried out in the United Kingdom, published in The LancetTrusted Source in 2018, showed that 50% of people with type 2 diabetes who received support to lose weight through dietary changes were in remission a year later.

These studies involved significant intervention, whether they involved bariatric surgery for weight loss or

“Many studies will provide a dietary intervention specifically for the study without any consideration for the sustainability of said diet. If the diet isn’t easy to follow and doesn’t completely change the potentially harmful (in reference to one’s health) behaviors that caused the diabetes in the first place, then of course the patients aren’t going to keep the weight off.”

lifestyle intervention, and were all based on clinical trials.

While they proved weight loss can be an effective way to achieve remission of type 2 diabetes, there is a lack of real-world data available about the likelihood, and sustainability of remission.

Does weight loss send diabetes into remission in real-world

settings?

To remedy this, a group of researchers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong conducted an analysis of data for patients enrolled in the Risk Assessment and Management Programme for Diabetes Mellitus (RAMP-DM), which provides regular assessment of people with diabetes living in Hong Kong.

The researchers looked at the data for 37,326 people with type 2 diabetes who were enrolled on the programme within a year of diagnosis between 2000–2017 and followed up until 2019. The researchers looked at weight loss, whether or not weight loss had been sustained, and blood glucose measurements.

Defining remission from diabetes as two consecutive measurements of a blood marker for high glucose, HbA1C, of under 6.5% at least 6 months apart, they looked at weight loss and remission over a period of an average 7.9 years. People with a body mass index (BMI) of under 15 or over 50 were excluded from the study.

Early weight loss increases chance of diabetes remission

The risk of redeveloping type 2 diabetes after remission was 48% lower for people who had lost over 10% of their body weight compared

Not just spinach, these 5 foods can also boost iron levels in body

Feeling fatigued, breathless, or experiencing pale skin?

These could be signs of iron deficiency or anaemia, a common condition affecting many women. This condition arises when the body lacks sufficient healthy red blood cells, responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body, which is done by iron molecules. During their menstrual years, women lose iron through blood loss, making it crucial to maintain a diet rich in this essential mineral.

While spinach often takes centre stage as an iron source, there are many other options, which are just as good, if

not better. Iron loss and dietary needs.

Dr Gandhali Deorukhkar, Consultant OBGYN and Head Coordinator of the Maternity and Child Care Department at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, emphasises the importance of iron-rich diets for women from a young age.

Women are particularly susceptible to iron deficiency due to menstruation. Each menstrual cycle leads to a blood loss of around 80-100 ml, highlighting the need for a diet rich in iron.

6 iron-rich alternatives of spinach

Leafy Green Delights: Don’t limit

yourself to spinach! Explore other ironrich greens like methi (fenugreek leaves), a staple in Indian cuisine.

Natural Sweeteners: Jaggery, an unrefined sugar, offers a good amount of iron along with its natural sweetness.

Powerhouse Fruits: Dates are a delightful source of iron and other essential nutrients. Enjoy them as a snack or incorporate them into desserts. Protein-Packed Options: Red meat is a good source of iron. Lean cuts like beef and lamb can be incorporated into a balanced diet.

Fibre-Rich Friends: Beans and lentils are not only high in fibre but also provide a good dose of iron.

Type 2 diabetes is linked to obesity, and it can go into remission in people who lose weight.

A recent study of over 35,000 people with type 2 diabetes in Hong Kong has shown that while weight loss does increase the chance of remission, this is hard to achieve in realworld settings, and also to sustain.

Just 6.1% of people in the cohort saw their type 2 diabetes in remission at the 8-year landmark.

to people who had gained weight, and 22% and 10% lower for people who had lost 5–9.99% and less than 4.9% of their body weight, respectively. According to the authors, the study showed that while early weight loss did increase the chance of remission, achieving this in a real-world setting clearly came with challenges, as did maintaining remission.

Dan Gallagher, a registered dietician at Aegle Nutrition, who was not involved in the study, was not surprised that the results of clinical trials have been hard to replicate in real-world settings.

“Managing type 2 diabetes is completely attainable through diet changes, but you have to continue these changes in perpetuity. It’s not a 6-month change that will fix your blood sugar forever,” he cautioned. “It’s a complete lifestyle change that you make and stick with or the diabetes will return. This is the fact that many people either completely miss or don’t understand when trying to change their diabetic status with diet,” added Gallagher.

Indian Overseas Congress calls election results 'resounding endorsement of Constitution'

New York: (IANS) The Indian Overseas Congress-USA (IOC-USA) on Tuesday called the parliamentary election results "a resounding endorsement of the current constitutional framework, envisioned and implemented by (Jawaharlal) Nehru and (B.R.) Ambedkar".

"We are all once again reminded that democracy is not a majoritarian rule but respects diversity and facilitates equal justice regardless of caste, creed, language, religion, or region," the organisation's Vice Chairman, George Abraham, said in a statement.

Referring to the role of the group's members, he said: "We express our special gratitude to all those IOC volunteers from across the globe who participated in the electoral process to save democracy back in their

motherland." The National Democratic Alliance coalition won 294 seats,

6 Indian Tourists Injured As Jeep Overturns Near Lake In Nepal's Chitwan

Kathmandu: Six Indian tourists, mostly senior citizens, were injured when the jeep they were travelling in overturned near a lake in Nepal's Chitwan district on Sunday, officials said. The accident took place near Darai Lake at Khaireni. The tourists were heading towards Chitwan National

Park for a jungle safari, said Kedarnath Panta, chairperson of ward number 12, Khaireni municipality.

Chitwan National Park, 250 km south of Kathmandu, is famous for one-horned Rhinos and Bengal Tigers.

All those who sustained injuries hail from the Bendali Thana area in Mumbai and most of them are above 60 years of age, police said. They are identified as Ramchandra Yadav, Sudesh Shanker Khadia, Pankaj Gupteshwor, Vaishali Gupteshwor, Sushmita Sudesh Khadia and Vijaya More. The injured are undergoing treatment at hospitals in Bharatpur and Ratnanagar, police said, adding that they have taken the jeep driver, a Nepalese, into their custody.

Indian-Origin Anant Yardi Takes Majority Stake In WeWork: 5 Points

Anant Yardi, an Indian-origin software tycoon, has acquired a majority stake in WeWork, which is navigating bankruptcy.

Mr Yardi, an IIT-Delhi alumnus, has invested over $200 million in equity and debt into WeWork over the past two years, according to the Financial Times. Founded in 2010 by Adam Neumann and Miguel McKelvey, WeWork once had a peak valuation of $47 billion but filed for bankruptcy in November 2023, dropping its valuation to $750 million by April 2024.

Here are some facts on Anant Yardi: Anant Yardi immigrated from India to

the US in 1968, where he started his own company, Yardi Systems.

He topped the JEE entrance examinations in 1963 and has a BTech degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, where he was awarded the Director's gold medal. He later earned his Master of Science degree in Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley. Before founding his own company, Anant Yardi spent 14 years at Burroughs Corporation (now Unisys). There, he honed his skills in programming and systems development, eventually becoming the Director of Systems Development.

In 1984, Mr Yardi developed "Basic Property Management" for the Apple II computer and founded Yardi Systems. He has been leading the company as President and CEO ever since. The company has been running steadily under his leadership for 35 years and, today, Yardi Systems makes almost $3 billion a year, making Anant Yardi a billionaire. In 2004, Anant Yardi was honoured with the ‘Digie' award by Realcomm for his visionary work in automation systems.

assuring it a majority for a third term in the 543-member Lok Sabha.

But the Congress party had more than doubled its strength from the 46 it had won in the last election, with the INDIA bloc winning a total of 231 seats as of Tuesday night.

"We at the Overseas Congress salute the INDIA coalition and its leaders, especially AICC (All India Congress Committee) President Mallikarjun Kharge, and Rahul Gandhi, for their tireless efforts in getting the message to the people, which elicited the current response through the ballot boxes," Abraham said.

He added: "If Prime Minister Narendra Modi and (Home Minister) Amit Shah persist in governing India through their makeshift coalition, it is imperative for them to uphold the Constitution."

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ ians.in and followed at @arulouis)

Indian-Origin Surgeon Charged Over Sexual Offences In UK: Police

London: An Indian-origin surgeon has been charged as part of an investigation into allegations of sexual assault at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in Lancashire, north-west England, the local police force has said.

Amal Bose, 54, had been suspended by the National Health Service (NHS)

trust managing the hospital after it approached the police in March last year in connection with a number of allegations of sexual assault from employees. It led to an investigation and following a consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the police charged Bose on Friday after which he was released on bail to appear at Lancaster Magistrates' Court on June 7. "Amal Bose (3/02/1970), of Thurnham near Lancaster, has been charged with 14 counts of Sexual Assault Contrary to Section 3 Sexual Offences Act 2003 relating to six female victims," Lancashire Police said in a statement. "The alleged offending occurred between 2017 and 2022. Some of the counts encompass more than one incident. "

First Indian American Couple Scale Mt Everest In Their 40s

Harpreet Singh Cheema and Navneet Kaur Cheema (Photo: Instagram.com/cheemahs)

Harpreet Singh Cheema and Navneet Kaur Cheema have set a new record. The couple in their 40’s just became the first Indian American couple to trek to the summit of Mt Everest, the highest mountain peak in the world. The couple has been avid climbers and travelers and have been participating in marathons and bicycle rides together including the Seattle Marathon. They took to trekking after they experienced riding bikes at Mount Rainier between Seattle and Portland. The couple, now based in Michigan, have been

participating in the Detroit Free Press Marathon since 2015. It was their trip to Machu Picchu in 2018, when they discovered their love for mountaineering. They summited Africa’s highest peak, Mt Kilimanjaro (5895 meters) in October 2019, and Europe’s highest peak, Mt Elbrus (5642 meters), in June 2022. They also climbed two other highest peaks back to back in January 2023: Mt Aconcagua in Argentina, and Alaska’s Mt Denali in the US.

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This leadership change comes as WeWork navigates bankruptcy.

Green Card Backlog

Reduced By 4% In May

WASHINGTON, DC- The Department of State’s National Visa Center (NVC) saw a decrease in the green card backlog, from 351,624 in April to 337,307 in May — a 4% drop.

The number of green card applicants whose cases were documentarily complete and ready to be scheduled for an interview decreased from 404,459 in April to 387,068 in May, a 4% decrease. A case that is considered “documentarily complete” is one in which all the required forms and documents have been submitted and accepted by the NVC, making it ready for interview scheduling.

The number of people scheduled for a green card interview also dropped — 49,761 in May compared to 52,835 in April, a 6% decrease.

CBP Offers Helpful Travel Tips Ahead Of Hajj Travel

DETROIT, MI U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Office of Field Operations reminds travelers preparing for their pilgrimage to the Hajj to be aware of important travel tips to help ensure a smooth return to the United States.

Travelers must familiarize themselves with current money reporting requirements and be prepared to declare all food articles and merchandise they are bringing back to the U.S.

“Travelers must declare any currency exceeding $10,000 to CBP when entering or leaving the United States,” said Director of Field Operations Marty Raybon. “To help ensure safe and efficient travel, it’s vital for travelers to be truthful about any purchases made

abroad and to be ready to accurately report the merchandise they possess and the amount of money they are carrying.”

Federal regulations restrict certain items from being brought into the United States from foreign countries. All travelers entering the U.S. are required to declare meats, fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, soil, animals, as well as plant and animal products (including soup or soup products) they may be carrying. Prohibited agricultural items can harbor plant pests and foreign animal diseases that could seriously damage America’s crops, livestock, and the environment – and a large sector of our country’s economy.

Failure to accurately declare currency, food, or merchandise could result in seizure, along with possible civil and criminal penalties.

Travelers can save time and conveniently fill out the Currency and Monetary Instruments Report online, within 72 hours prior to their planned travel date. If travelers have any concerns resulting from their inspection at the port of entry, a CBP supervisor is always available to answer questions and address their concerns. As always, CBP is committed to treating all travelers with respect and dignity.

India Back to Coalition Government, Indian Americans Discuss the Pros and Cons

“Gathbandhan” (translated as coalition) is a word most Indians who lived in India through the 80’s and 90’s listened to whenever the election season came. Now we are back at it. Indian elections have once again come full circle

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It was the election result that shocked not just Indians but American mainstream media too. Every American media outlet from CNN to the Washington Post talked about the surprise election results in India, with the Washington Post calling it – “a stunning setback to Modi and his party.”

But amidst these unexpected results, one thing remained expected and that was the interest and enthusiasm of the Indian community in America in the political processes of their homeland.

Soon as the results from India started trickling in, many Indians in America began tuning in to news websites and social media to be the first to know which party was going to hit the winning mark in the elections.

Antisemitic Flyers Target Chicago’s 50th Ward Office

Chicago's 50th ward office at Devon

CHICAGO, IL – Antisemitic flyers related to the war between Israel and Hamas were posted on Chicago’s 50th Ward office Sunday night.

Debra Silverstein, 50th Ward Alderperson, said the “hateful flyers” were a direct attack on her beliefs. She is the only Jewish member of the Chicago City Council.

“Free speech is the hallmark of our democracy, but when that expression crosses the line into hate, we must speak out,” Silverstein said in a statement.

Since the war began on October 7 of last year, Silverstein said Jews have been increasingly targeted.

“No one should ever be victimized based on their religious identity. It is time for our leaders in Chicago to speak out loudly and clearly that antisemitism will not be tolerated and hate has no home in our city,” Silverstein said.

as an NRI, I would stress that often both the ruling party as well as the opposition in India have historically neglected the issues faced by Indians settled abroad so I am not sure if this would change.”

With thus change, a few others are also wondering if a lack of a majority would derail processes. Nita Shah, an accountant based in Central NJ says, “Sometimes no majority can lead to delays in bills getting passed in Lok Sabha. So, if this leads to further stalling of development then it may not be a good thing.”

But now, as the dust is beginning to settle on the results and it becomes abundantly clear that India is going back to the days of coalition politics, the Indian diaspora in the US is busy debating and discussing what this would mean for the future of India.

Talking to Hi India, Seattle based Anu Kumar who came on a H-1B visa and now holds a permanent residency after a decade long wait says, “I would see it as a win for democracy. If the opposition is able to bring to the table issues that are otherwise neglected then it can be a positive thing. However,

But not all seem to think of the same.

Bharat Ahuja now based in New Delhi but was living in the US until recently says, “A strong opposition is a hallmark of democracy. If the parties are diligent then it could lead to more viewpoints, more transparency and more accountability.” Many Indian Americans say that after a decade of a strong winning force they are once again reminded of coalition politics they grew up watching in India. Manohar Singh, says, “Gathbandhan” (translated as coalition) is a word most Indians who lived in India through the 80’s and 90’s listened to whenever the election season came. It was a word that loomed large on every TV debate, discussion and family or friends gathering – now we are back at it. Indian elections have once again come full circle.”

President Biden Congratulates

Indian PM Narendra Modi on NDA Win

As Prime Minister Modi in India is all set to embark on a third term as PM of India, President Joe Biden took to X to congratulate the Indian leader. Biden wrote on social media: “Congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the National Democratic Alliance on their victory, and the nearly 650 million voters in this historic election. The friendship between our nations is only growing as we unlock a shared future of unlimited potential.” On Wednesday as the news of Modi securing his third term came about other world leaders also took to social media to congratulate. PM of UK Rishi Sunak also made a call to Narendra Modi. He wrote on social media: “Today I spoke to Narendra Modi to congratulate him on his election victory. The UK and India share the closest of friendships and together that friendship will continue to thrive.

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Ave targeted

A CBP officer at Detroit Metropolitan Airport watches as an aircraft arrives at the terminal

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VHPA Of Chicago Hosts Ram Lalla Rath Yatra And Sampan Samaroh

CHICAGO, IL - The VHPA of Chicago celebrated the historic Ram Lalla Rath Yatra's return, marking the end of its extensive journey across 49 states, covering 27,000 miles, and visiting 850 Hindu Mandirs in 65 days. Departing on March 23, 2024, the Ram Rath returned to VHPA Sugar Grove, IL, on May 26, 2024.

Despite an initial weather prediction of 89% rain and thunderstorms, the sky cleared two hours before the Rath’s arrival, with a pleasant temperature of 75°F. Approximately 200 people from various Chicago suburbs attended the event. The program began with prayers and the reception of the Rath by Priest Anil Joshi from the Hindu Mandir of Lake County Grayslake, amidst community chants of “Jai Shree Ram.”

Mr. Harendra Mangrola, President of VHPA Chicago, welcomed guests and thanked supporting Mandirs of Chicagoland, highlighting the Yatra's unifying impact and expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Modi Ji. Priest Anil Joshi bestowed blessings and honored Amitabh Mittal and Tejal Shah as “pujniya.”

Performances included Hanuman Chalisa chants by Master Vedarth, Anirved Marfatia, and Shiva Vaishnavi, and a

Two Indian Americans Awarded Leon Levy Scholarships

NEW YORK, NY The New York Academy of Sciences and the Leon Levy Foundation announced the 2024 cohort of Leon Levy Scholars in Neuroscience on May 29. Among the nine selected scholars are South Asian researchers Deepak Kaji and Adithya Rajagopalan. This prestigious postdoctoral program, established by the Leon Levy Foundation in 2009, supports young researchers in New York City.

Deepak Kaji, MD, PhD, from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, uses 3D organoids to model Alzheimer’s Disease. He studied Economics and Biological Sciences at Cornell University and earned his MD/PhD at Mount Sinai, researching tendon regeneration and currently models Alzheimer’s using organoids. Adithya Rajagopalan, PhD, from New York University, studies decision-making in the brain’s orbitofrontal cortex. He completed a dual B.S.-M.S. in Biology at IISER Pune and a PhD in Neuroscience from Johns Hopkins University. Rajagopalan is also a science communicator. The Leon Levy Foundation, founded in 2004, supports diverse philanthropic areas, and the New York Academy of Sciences, founded in 1817, advances science for society’s benefit.

dance by Ms. Anjika Awasthi. Mr. Ajay Shah, VHPA President, thanked the Chicago community and announced the day as the beginning of Ram Rajya, aiming for 100,000 VHPA members in the USA.

Mr. Abhay Asthana, Chairman of VHPA’s Advisory Board, shared the inspiration behind the Rath Yatra, praising its success and the vision of Mahesh Mehta. He acknowledged the efforts of key figures like Amitabh Mittal, Tejal Shah, Manan Raval, and Kathryn. Mr. Sanjay Mehta, Secretary of the Advisory Board, emphasized self-reliance in protecting dharma and acknowledged Preet Mittal’s support. Amitabh Mittal and Tejal Shah shared their journey experiences, thanking figures like Sanjay Mehta, Dr. Bharat Barai, Dr. Shamkant Sheth, and Umesh Mittal. Amitabh announced a 3D model of Ram Mandir for the New York Independence Day parade float.

Volunteers Hetal Patel, Shipra ji, Anurag Awasthi, Niyati Vasani, Kathryn, and Manan Raval were honored. Ms. Meghna Bansal, Dr. Panna Barai, and Vandana Jhingan honored Ms. Preet Mittal, while Dr. Barai and Krishna Bansal honored Amitabh Mittal. Jaya Asthana led the VHPA prayer and bhojan mantra, with Nirav Patel offering a vote of thanks, and Krishna Bansal inviting everyone to partake in bhojan prasad.

Ex-Pharma Employee of Indian Origin Gets 6 Years for Oxycodone Theft

SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Usharani Alexander, 64, of Bellerose, was sentenced to six years in prison followed by two years of post-release supervision for stealing thousands of oxycodone pills from her former employer, a Suffolk County-based pharmaceutical company.

“The pills that this defendant took from her employer are highly addictive, and when not used as prescribed, they can kill, as evidenced by the current opioid epidemic,” said District Attorney Tierney.

“I urge anyone seeking to purchase pills on the street, rather than legally obtain them through a prescription, to consider that while many pills may look legitimate, they are likely to be deadly.”

According to court documents and the defendant’s admissions during her guilty plea allocution, in 2022, Alexander was employed as an operator for the packaging department at a

pharmaceutical company in Brookhaven.

On four separate dates in the summer of 2022, surveillance video captured Alexander using her key card to gain access to the packaging area at times when she was not scheduled to be there. Prior to entering the packaging area, Alexander was seen empty-handed. Once inside, she was observed taking thousands of oxycodone pills before moving to an area not in view of the surveillance cameras. Alexander was then seen on video surveillance exiting the packaging area while carrying a weighted bag.

The pharmaceutical company discovered the theft after an audit uncovered a discrepancy between the number of oxycodone pills that were manufactured and the number of pills that were packaged for distribution.

On February 7, 2024, Alexander pleaded guilty to four counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, Class B felonies, before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski. On May 30, 2024, Justice Pilewski sentenced Alexander to six years in prison followed by two years of post-release supervision. Alexander was represented by Steven Gaitman, Esq. and Jason Russo, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Lauren Golombek of the Narcotics Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Daniel Hogan from the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Section and members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

USCIS Revises Family-Based Visa Guidelines

WASHIINGTON, DC- U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced new guidelines for family-based immigrant visa petitions to streamline the process and improve efficiency. The changes aim to reduce delays and provide clearer instructions for applicants.

Key Updates:

Form I-130 Submission:

When filing Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative), applicants must now provide their current address and indicate whether they prefer consular processing or adjustment of status (if they qualify). This information helps USCIS decide whether to retain the petition for adjustment of status or send it to the National Visa Center (NVC) for consular processing. Previously, if the petition did not clearly state the preference, USCIS would typically keep the petition, causing delays.

New Procedure for Application Transfer:

• Under the new guidelines, USCIS will use the applicant’s last listed address to determine whether the application should be sent to the NVC or remain with USCIS, thus avoiding delays.

• This change eliminates the need to file Form I-824 (“Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition”) and the associated fee to transfer the application to the NVC.

Correcting Errors and Updating Information:

• USCIS has provided clearer instructions on how to correct errors or update information on a pending or approved Form I-130.

• This includes updates to the applicant’s location and their preference for consular processing or adjustment of status.

Approval and Denial Guidelines:

• USCIS has outlined general guidelines on the criteria used to decide whether to approve or deny a family-based immigrant petition.

• Relevant notices will be issued to keep applicants informed throughout the process.

USCIS emphasizes that these updates are designed to make the family-based immigration process clearer and more efficient. Applicants are encouraged to review these changes carefully and provide accurate information to avoid potential delays.

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Kareem Memon Sentenced for Health Care Fraud, COVID-19 Fraud, and Firearm Possession

MIAMI, FL -A Florida man, Kareem Memon, 34, from C was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, by U.S. District Judge Raag Singhal. Memon, 34, of Coral Springs, admitted his role in a multimillion-dollar durable medical equipment (DME) kickback scheme and pleaded guilty to a COVID-19 fraud scheme and possession of firearms and ammunition as a felon.

On Feb. 8, 2024, Memon pled guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and conspiracy to violate the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (Case No. 24-cr60004). Memon and his conspirators operated call centers and telemedicine companies, obtaining doctors’ orders for DME for Medicare beneficiaries without medical necessity. These orders were exchanged for bribes from DME companies, resulting in Medicare losses

NYC Heightens Security Over ISIS Threats Before India-Pakistan Match

NEW YORK, NY- Police in Nassau County have heightened security measures following a call from ISIS-K for a “Lone Wolf” attack on the IndiaPakistan World Cup Cricket match scheduled for June 6 at Eisenhower Park. The announcement has prompted New York Governor Kathy Hochul to direct the New York State Police to implement elevated security measures, including increased law enforcement presence, advanced surveillance, and thorough screening processes. Despite initial ambiguity about the threat level, local officials are taking the threats seriously, with comprehensive preparations involving additional police officers, potential drone no-fly zones, and coordinated efforts with local hospitals for emergency responses.

exceeding $11 million.

In a separate case (No. 23-cr-80068), Memon pled guilty on Sept. 21, 2023, to wire fraud, money laundering, and felon in possession charges. He submitted fraudulent loan applications for over $451,000 in forgivable Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, using the funds for personal gains. At his arrest, Memon, a convicted felon, illegally possessed 12 firearms and ammunition. The FBI’s West Palm Beach and Newark Field Offices investigated the cases, with assistance from the ATF, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General. Prosecutors included Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robin W. Waugh and Matthew Specht, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Mitchell Hyman handling asset forfeiture.

The COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force, established in May 2021, coordinated efforts to combat pandemic-related fraud, bolstering investigation and prosecution of key domestic and international criminal actors.

“I Navigated A Complex Immigration System” :Pramila Jayapal

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal posted a video on X joining #SpreadAAPILove campaign, an initiative started by STOP AAPI Hate as part of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) heritage month. In the video she talked about her journey to become a US citizen. Jayapal came to the US as

a 16-year-old with $5,000 given by her parents to live her American dream. It took her 17 years to navigate a complex immigration system to become a US citizen two decades ago.

She said, “Today, more than two decades after I gained my citizenship, I speak to you as the first South Asian American woman ever elected to the House of Representatives, as one of only two dozen naturalized citizens to serve in the United States Congress. As the ranking member of the Immigration Subcommittee, I have fought to give back to immigrant communities and ensure that their rights are always protected.”

She added, “I am always going to work to help all those who want to achieve the American dream, the possibility of doing that, just like I had.”

She also said, “Being an immigrant is part of who I am. It’s something that I am incredibly proud of. America was built by immigrants, and without us, this country would come to a standstill.”

Indian American Republicans Rally Behind Trump Despite Guilty Verdict

NEW YORK, NY -After a New York jury found Donald Trump guilty of all 34 counts of falsifying business records, some Indian Americans have come forward in defense of the former president. Soon after the verdict, Vivek Ramaswamy, a former GOP presidential contender, said in a post on X, “The prosecutor is a politician who promised to nail Trump,” he wrote. “The judge’s daughter is a Democrat operative who literally *raised dollars from the trial* while her father presided over it. The jury instructions said they didn’t have to agree on the crime to convict.”

Former Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, also expressed her support for Trump. During an event to promote her

Ajay Bhutoria Joins DNC Rules Committee

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Ajay Bhutoria, a steadfast Democrat from California, has been appointed to the Rules Committee of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) 2024, which will be held in Chicago from August 19-23.

As a member of the Rules Committee, Bhutoria will work with other committee members to shape the procedural rules, set the agenda, and select officers for the convention.

The DNC Convention comprises three standing committees, each with distinct responsibilities. Alongside the Rules Committee, the Credentials Committee resolves disputes concerning delegate recognition and seating, while the Platform Committee crafts the party’s proposed platform on various issues.

In a statement, Bhutoria emphasized his dedication to contributing to a successful and impactful convention, echoing the sentiment of unity and progress championed by the Democratic Party.

Major League Cricket Gets Official List-A Status By ICC

book, “For Love of Country: Leave the Democrat Party Behind,” in Yorba Linda, California, she said she’d be “honored” if asked to run as Trump’s running mate, as she has “dedicated” her “entire adult life to serving our country.” She said she “can’t not talk about what’s in the news today,” and argued that the jury’s verdict is a “perfect example” of “dictator-type action” coming from President Biden. Right-wing political commentator, author, filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza took to X and wrote: “First they rigged and stole the 2020 election. And now we have a rigged criminal trial of the former President. The ball is now in your court, America. How will you react to this in November?”

Just before the highly anticipated second season of Major Cricket League commencing on July 5, Cognizant Major League Cricket (MLC) has been granted official List-A Status by the International Cricket Council (ICC) This move recognizes Major League Cricket as an official T20 league and America’s first world-class domestic tournament. This would also mean that from now, every century, halfcentury, ‘five-for’, run-out, win, loss, and championship will be documented as official career statistics in an internationally recognized format of the game.

This will also provide local US players and upcoming stars of the game the opportunity for international recognition.

Ajay Bhutoria

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Kareem Memon, 34

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal

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