The US believes the UN Secretary General is too willing to accommodate Russian interests, according to fresh revelations in classified documents leaked online.
The files suggest Washington has been closely monitoring Antonio Guterres. Several documents describe private communications involving Mr Guterres and his deputy.
It is the latest from a leak of secret documents, which US officials are scrambling to get to the bottom of.
The documents contain candid observations from Mr Guterres about the war in Ukraine and a number of African leaders.
One leaked document focuses on the Black Sea grain deal, brokered by the UN and Turkey in July following fears of a global food crisis.
It suggests that Mr Guterres was so keen
to preserve the deal that he was willing to accommodate Russia’s interests.
“Guterres emphasised his efforts to improve Russia’s ability to export,” the document says, “even if that involves sanctioned Russian entities or individuals.”His actions in February, according to the assessment, were “undermining broader efforts to hold
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Moscow accountable for its actions in Ukraine.” UN officials bristled at the suggestion that the world’s top diplomat was being soft on Moscow. Saying he wouldn’t comment on leaked documents, one senior official said the UN was “driven by the need to mitigate the impact of the war on the world’s poorest.”
New York: (IANS) Amid the massive ongoing layoffs in the tech sector, a group of lawmakers from Silicon Valley has written to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) enquiring about the federal agency’s efforts to ensure highlyskilled H-1B visa holders can remain in the country after losing their jobs. With a bevy of employees laid off across tech giants including Microsoft, Google, Meta, in the past couple of months, the H-1B visa holders have been left in a limbo with a mere 60day grace period to find another job, or leave the country.
“This group of immigrants possesses skills that are highly valuable in today’s knowledge-based economy and forcing them to leave the US is harmful to our nation’s long-term economic competitiveness,” the lawmakers wrote.
The NNYPD introduced a robot police dog that will be at the forefront of fighting crime.
The ‘digidog’, known as Spot, is a remote-controlled robot made by Hyundai-owned Boston Dynamics. The NYPD revealed the dog model at a press conference where Mayor Eric Adams was also present. According to CBS News, the police dog can help human beings in times of crisis, patrol subways and dangerous areas and monitor construction sites. It has also been designed to communicate with people. “Hello, Mayor Adams, we are here to get stuff done,” one of the robot dogs displayed at Times Square said, according to the outlet.
The Mayor’s office also tweeted a photo of the dog along with other latest technologies being deployed along with New York’s men and women in blue. Among them is the StarChase system that avoids dangerous car chases by attaching a GPS tag, either by mounted or handheld launchers.
There was also the K5 ASR pilot, which the Mayor’s office said will help conduct automated patrol in confined areas.
“We want the public to know that the use of these technologies will be transparent, consistent, and always done in collaboration with the people that we serve,” NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell was quoted.
New York: (IANS) Former US President Donald Trump is heading back to New York City for a civil trial after filing a $500 million suit against his former lawyer, Michael Cohen -- the prime witness against him in the criminal case against him.
In the case filed in a federal court in Florida on Wednesday, Trump alleged that Cohen had violated his contract with him as his lawyer, disclosed confidential information and spread
Former US President Donald Trump is heading back to New York City for a civil trial after filing a $500 million suit against his former lawyer, Michael Cohen -- the prime witness against him in the criminal case against him.
“falsehoods”.
Cohen had acted as Trump’s “fixer” paying $130,000 to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to buy her silence after she claimed to have had an affair with the former President.
That is one of the elements in the 34 charges filed last week against Trump by Manhattan Prosecutor Alvin Bragg who alleges that the payoff was illegally disguised as a lawyer’s fees.
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Dublin, April 13 (IANS) Visiting US President Joe Biden paid homage to his Irish heritage during a trip to the home county of his ancestors, the media reported.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin
(Reuters) - The person who leaked U.S. classified documents prompting a national security investigation is a gun enthusiast in his 20s who worked on
a military base, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing fellow members of an online chat group. The person shared classified information to a group on the instant messaging platform Discord of about two dozen men and young boys who shared a “mutual love of guns, military gear and God,” the Post said. The Post based its report, which did not name the person, on interviews with two members of the Discord chat group. Reuters was unable to verify details of the report. Discord said in a statement earlier on Wednesday that it was cooperating with law enforcement. The Department of Defense and the Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
Biden arrived in Ireland on Wednesday on a three-day visit from his brief trip to Northern Ireland where he marked the 25th anniversary of Good Friday peace agreement, reports the BBC. Later in the evening, he addressed thousands of people at the Windsor Bar in Dundalk town, County Louth, and said that visiting the area which his great-great-grandfather had left for America “feels like coming home”. To shouts of “welcome home, Joe”, the President said Irish people were the “only people in the world in my view who are actually nostalgic about the future”. “It is because, more than anything in my experience, hope is what beats in the heart of all people and in particular in the hearts of the Irish,” he said, adding: “Every action is about hope we can make things better.”
The UK economy saw no growth in February after being hit by the effects of strikes by public sector workers, official figures show.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that a rise in construction activity had been offset by walkouts by teachers and civil servants.
It follows a surprise 0.4% jump in economic growth in January. Despite February’s flat performance,
the chancellor said the UK’s economic outlook was “brighter than expected”.
Jeremy Hunt noted that GDP - the measure of economic growth - had grown by 0.1% in the three months to February and the UK was “set to avoid recession”.
But Labour said the UK was “lagging behind on the global stage with growth on the floor”.
“The reality of growth inching along is families worse off, high streets in decline and a weaker economy that leaves us vulnerable to shocks,” said shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves.
A missile launch by North Korea sparked confusion in northern Japan, where an evacuation order was issued and then retracted within 30 minutes.
Sirens blared across Hokkaido and residents were told to “evacuate immediately” on Thursday morning. Authorities said the missile did not land near the island and withdrew the alert. Tensions have been growing in the region, as North Korea has already
fired 27 missiles this year. The missile is believed to be of medium or longer range, but details on what weapon was tested on Thursday morning have not yet been made public. Japan, South Korea and the US have condemned the latest test. Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said his government would hold a National Security Council meeting on the launch.Meanwhile, Japanese coast guards said the missile had splashed into waters to the east of North Korea. Japan’s Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada said he could not confirm whether the missile flew over Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
A Kuwaiti media outlet says it has created a virtual news presenter using artificial intelligence (AI). “Fedha” made her debut on the Twitter account of Kuwait News, an affiliate of the Kuwait Times. She appears as an image of a woman with light-coloured hair, wearing a black jacket and white T-shirt. Abdullah Boftain, deputy editor-in-chief for Kuwait News, told AFP news agency the move tested AI’s potential to offer “new and innovative content”.
Church leaders in Jerusalem say Israeli police are imposing “heavy-handed and unnecessary restrictions” on access to an important Orthodox Easter ritual. They say numbers who can attend Saturday’s Holy Fire ceremony at the Holy Sepulchre Church are being limited to 1,800, down from 10,000 last year.
The police, who control security in occupied East Jerusalem, say they are
ensuring safety and freedom of worship. Church officials are now urging Christians to ignore the restrictions. “We will hold the ceremony and invite all who wish to worship with us to attend,” Father Mattheos Siopsis of the Greek Orthodox Church told a news conference on Wednesday, also attended by representatives of other denominations governing the holy site. “With that made clear, we leave the [Israeli] authorities to act as they will. The churches will freely worship and do so in peace.”
The call to local Christians and foreign pilgrims could lead to chaotic scenes in the Old City, where police have set up extra security checkpoints. Last year, videos shared on social media showed scuffles with worshippers as officers turned them away from the church.
Beijing: Chinese police have been using spies to ensure that Uyghur Muslims do not fast during the holy month of Ramzan.
The spies, which Chinese officials call “ears”, are drawn from ordinary citizens, police and members of neighbourhood committees, Radio Free Asia reported citing a police officer from an area near Turpan, or Tulufan in Chinese, in eastern Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Speaking to Radio Free Asia, the police officer said, “We have many secret agents.”
China started banning Muslims in Xinjiang from fasting during Ramzan in 2017 when authorities started arbitrarily detaining Uyghurs in “re-education” camps amid efforts to diminish Uyghur culture, language and religion, as per the
news report.
“Our ‘ears’ came from three fields -- the ordinary residents, the police and the neighbourhood committees,” the police officer from an area near Turpan said. She said that they recruited Uyghurs to surveil other Uyghurs due to the language barrier. She further said, “In my workplace, there are 70-80 Uyghur policemen who either directly work as ‘ears’ or lead other civilian ‘ears’.” A staffer at the Turpan Prefecture Police Bureau said authorities there had spies working within the police to check if Uyghur officers were fasting from dawn to dusk.
The NNYPD introduced a robot police dog that will be at the forefront of fighting crime. The ‘digidog’, known as Spot, is a remote-controlled robot made by Hyundai-owned Boston Dynamics. The NYPD revealed the dog model at a press conference where Mayor Eric Adams was also present. According to CBS News, the police dog can help human beings in times of crisis, patrol subways and dangerous areas and monitor construction sites. It has also been designed to communicate with people. “Hello, Mayor Adams, we are here to get stuff done,” one of the robot dogs displayed at Times Square said, according to the outlet. The Mayor’s office also tweeted a photo of the dog along with other latest technologies being deployed along with New York’s men and women in blue. Among them is the StarChase system that avoids dangerous car chases by attaching a GPS tag, either by mounted or hand-held launchers. There was also the K5 ASR pilot, which the Mayor’s office said will help conduct automated patrol in confined areas. “We want the public to know that the use of these technologies will be transparent, consistent, and always done in collaboration with the people that we serve,” NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell was quoted.
Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google, has hinted that there may be a second round of layoffs after the company announced that it was firing six per cent of its total workforce or 12,000 employees in January. During an interview with Wall Street Journal, Mr Pichai hinted that more layoffs could soon follow at the company but didn’t directly address the prospects.
Mr Pichai said that the company is “literally looking at every aspect of what we do” in an effort to reengineer its cost base permanently in response to the question about how the company expected to enhance efficiency by 20 per cent. He emphasised that even if there has been improvement, more things need to be done.
Dreaded gangster Atiq Ahmed’s son was among two people gunned down by Uttar Pradesh police today in an encounter at Jhansi. Asad Ahmed and Ghulam were wanted in the murder of Umesh Pal, who was shot dead outside his Prayagraj home on February 24. Both had a reward of ₹ 5 lakh on their heads. According to police, they opened fire at a team of Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force and were killed in retaliatory action. Sophisticated weapons, new cellphones and SIM cards have been recovered from them, police said. The encounter killings of Atiq Ahmed’s son and his associate come against the backdrop of the gangster’s repeated allegations that the Uttar Pradesh police plans to gun him down in a staged encounter.
being scrutinised by the Enforcement Directorate, sources said today. The Enforcement Directorate has registered a case against BBC India under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
The probe agency has asked the BBC to furnish its books of accounts and financial statements.
“Hum aapke jariye government se kehna chahte hain, bulkul mitti me mil gaye hain ab hamari auraoton aur bachchon ko pareshan na karein. (I want to tell the government through you (the media) that I am totally reduced to dust, but please don’t trouble the women and children of my family now,” Ahmad told a news channel from inside his police van between Jhansi and Prayagraj. “Mafiagiri toh pahle hi samapth ho gyi, ab toh ragada ja raha hai. Mafia-giri has already ended, now I am being hounded,” Ahmad said, when asked about his criminal acts.
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New Delhi: The BBC in India has been asked to provide financial details in a new probe linked to alleged foreign exchange violations. Britain’s public broadcaster had faced a tax investigation earlier this year.
The BBC’s foreign remittances are
This comes months after the Income Tax department surveyed the BBC and sent its teams to the broadcaster’s offices in Delhi and Mumbai over allegations of irregularities in taxes, diversion of profits and non-compliance with rules.
New York: (IANS) Two distinguished Indian-American members of The University of Kansas Cancer Center were recognised as “most productive faculty”, and formally invested with endowed professorships
Breast medical oncologist Priyanka Sharma and gastroenterologist Prateek Sharma were honoured for their efforts in research and treatment of cancer and gastroenterology.
Priyanka, MD, who was invested with the Frank B. Tyler Cancer Research Professorship, is a leading expert on triple-negative breast cancer. She is a professor in the Department of Medical Oncology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine and co-leader of the cancer center’s Drug Discovery, Delivery and Experimental Therapeutics research program.
Priyanka has dedicated much of her career to identifying more effective therapies to treat this aggressive subtype of breast cancer, a University of Kansas Cancer Center release noted.
A meeting has been announced by the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans aiming to strengthen US-India partnership. The meeting has bipartisan support and has been slated for April 26 at the US Capitol. Congressman Ro Khanna, co-chair of the Congressional India Caucus, is instrumental in organizing this event. US ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, will be flying back to attend the event.
New Delhi: Twitter CEO Elon Musk accused a BBC journalist of lying when the latter failed to cite examples of hate speech being allowed on the social media platform. In a wide-ranging interview, the BBC journalist asked Mr Musk how he planned to tackle incidents of hate speech being reported on Twitter amid claims of staff shortage to police hateful content. When Mr Musk asked the journalist to cite some examples of hate speech on Twitter, he declined to do so. “What hate speech are you talking about? I mean, you use Twitter. Do you see a rise in hate speech? Just a personal anecdote? I don’t,” Mr Musk said. “Honestly, I don’t. I don’t actually use that feed anymore because I just don’t particularly like it,” said the journalist on Twitter’s ‘For You’ feature. “And actually a lot of people are quite similar. I only look at my followers.”
New York, April 13 (IANS) A 26-year-old Indianorigin man has been arrested for allegedly stabbing a sex worker at a New Jersey hotel following a disagreement over money, police said.
Vineeth Ravuri of Jersey city was charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault, criminal restraint, unlawful possession of a weapon, and engaging in prostitution.
The Secaucus Police responded to a woman calling for help from Aloft Hotel at Harmon Meadow Boulevard on April 9. Officers located a woman
in the lobby of the hotel bleeding from the hand, who stated that she met a man at the hotel with the purpose of engaging in sexual activity in exchange for money. Upon asking Ravuri to leave the room, he brandished a knife and demanded his money back, which the woman refused, the police said in a statement. Ravuri then lunged at her, and in the ensuing struggle, she received a laceration to her finger and buttocks. He attempted to prevent her from leaving the room, but the woman managed to make her way to the hallway while yelling for help.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore has announced that IndianAmerican delegate Kumar Barve will be appointed to the US state’s Public Service Commission after the 2023 legislative session.
Six Indian-Americans have made it to the coveted list of 171 scientists, writers, scholars, and artists across 48 fields out of almost 2,500 applicants for the 2023 Guggenheim Fellowships. Animashree Anandkumar, Venkatesan Guruswami, Abraham Verghese, Projit Bihari Mukharji, Prineha Narang and Leela Prasad are in this prestigious list. Mysuru-born Animashree Anandkumar is the Bren Professor of Computing at California Institute of Technology. Her research is in the areas of machine learning, non-convex optimization and high-dimensional statistics. Venkatesan Guruswami is a Chancellor’s Professor in the Department of EECS, Senior Scientist
at the Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing, and Professor of Mathematics at UC Berkeley. Abraham Verghese is Professor and Linda R. Meier and Joan F. Lane Provostial Professor, and Vice Chair for the Theory and Practice of Medicine at the School of Medicine at Stanford University. Projit Bihari Mukharji is a professor in the Department of History and Sociology of Science at the University of Pennsylvania. Prineha Narang is Professor and Howard Reiss Chair in Physical Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles. Leela Prasad is a Professor of Religious Studies, and Gender, Sexuality and Feminist Studies at Duke University.
New York: (IANS) Maryland Governor
Wes Moore has announced that IndianAmerican delegate Kumar Barve will be appointed to the US state’s Public Service Commission after the 2023 legislative session.
Barve is the first Indian-American elected to a state legislature in the US. He has been a member of the House of Delegates since January 1991.
“I am proud to announce the selection of Delegate Kumar Barve to serve on the Public Service Commission. He is a veteran of the Maryland House of Delegates and his leadership within the Environment and Transportation Committee makes him the ideal candidate for this role,” Moore said in a statement.
The Governor added that he is confident in Barve’s ability to bolster his administration’s commitment to environmental stewardship while
ensuring rate payers are protected. The Public Service Commission regulates public utilities and certain passenger transportation companies doing business in Maryland. The Commission’s jurisdiction extends to taxicabs operating in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Cumberland and Hagerstown. While representing District 17 in Montgomery County, Barve served as Chair of the Environment and Transportation Committee since 2015. He also served as Democratic House Majority Leader from 2003-2015. His various policy accomplishments include economic development, environmental regulation, energy generation, energy conservation, greenhouse gas reduction and tax policy. He sponsored several climate change laws, led Maryland’s effort to promote high tech job creation, and was a central player in closing corporate tax loopholes and in transforming Maryland’s tax code to be more progressive. Having more than 40 years of experience as an accountant, Barve has been the Chief Financial Officer of the Environmental Management Services, Inc since 1993.
Washington: (IANS) California state has dropped its allegations of caste-based bias by two Indian-descent employees of IT giant Cisco but will continue the larger case against the company.
California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing had filed this case in 2020 based on a complaint from an unidentified employee of the company making it the first case of castebased discrimination reported in the US. This case went on to be seen as a confirmation of the existence of a typically South Asian form of discrimination in the US and it was subsequently cited in support of moves to add this practice to the list of banned grounds for bias elsewhere in the country such as in Seattle.
The California CRD filed its request for
“partial dismissal” in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara on Monday. “Only the two individual defendants are being dismissed,” said the department’s press office in response to a request for clarification. “CRD’s case against Cisco remains ongoing. We will continue to vigorously litigate the matter on behalf of the people of California.”
The lawsuit by California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing was filed against Cisco System Inc in 2020 on the basis of a complaint from a Indian-descent Dalit employee of the company who had alleged caste-based discrimination against him by two of his supervisors - also of India-descent - and alleged retaliation when he complained. The suit was filed against the company - Cisco Systems Inc; and the two supervisors - Sundar Iyer and Ramana Kompella.
The department of civil rights has dropped the allegations against the two supervisors, but said its larger case against the company will continue.
“Two Indian Americans endured a nearly three year nightmare of unending investigations, a brutal online witch hunt, and a presumption of guilt in the media after the CRD sullied their reputation alleging that they engaged in discrimination based on caste,” said Suhag Shukla, Executive Director of Hindu American Foundation (HAF), which has opposed the listing of caste among banned ground for discrimination.“We are thrilled that Iyer and Kompella have been vindicated along with our position that the state has no right to attribute wrongdoing to Hindu and Indian Americans simply because of their religion or ethnicity,” she added.
Toronto: (IANS) Canadian police have arrested a 28 year-old man in a hatemotivated incident at a mosque in Ontario, and charged him for yelling threats and religious slurs at the worshippers.
Sharan Karunakaran drove directly at one of the worshippers, and yelled threats and religious slurs.
He then drove dangerously in the parking lot before leaving the property, witnesses told police.
The York Regional Police said they responded to a call for a disturbance at a mosque on Denison Street, Markham, on April 6.
The suspect was identified and a warrant for his arrest was issued while efforts were made to locate him. Shortly after midnight, on April 7, members of York Regional Police arrested the suspect in Toronto with assistance from the Intelligence Unit and Hate Crime Unit.
Bengaluru: The Karnataka BJP has released its second list of 23 candidates for the assembly election to be held next month. The BJP yesterday released the names of candidates for 189 seats in the 224-member assembly, which means 12 more candidates are yet to be announced.
The second list does not include the Hubballi seat, from where the current BJP MLA Jagadish Shettar, who is also a former Chief Minister, wants to contest again. He has threatened a rebellion as an independent if he is not given a ticket. There are two women in the second list of 23 candidates.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai yesterday told reporters the party would release the candidates’ list in two phases. It is now certain that a third list will come. The party is likely finalising the names or making last-minute tweaks,
Telangana: Passport
Seva Kendras to function on April 14
Hyderabad: The Regional Passport Office (RPO) said five Passport Seva Kendras (PSK) across the State, will be functioning on April 14. Earlier, the passport services were cancelled in view of Ambedkar Jayanti on the day. In view to avoid inconvenience being caused to the applicants, it has been decided to keep five PSKs i.e, Ameerpet, Begumpet, Toli Chowk, Karimnagar and Nizamabad. Messages will also be sent to the applicants to this effect, D.Balaiah, Regional Passport Office, Hyderabad said in a statement.
Hyderabad: A five member interstate gang of dacoits who were involved in several property offences in different States were arrested by the Cyberabad police on Wednesday. The police seized three country made pistols, knives, scissors and other tools used for committing the crime. Cyberabad Police Commissioner, Stephen Raveendra, said the gang was involved in around 175 property offences in different districts of Maharashtra and is known for attacking the occupants of houses if they tried to resist.“The gang had come to Hyderabad recently and were staying in Shapurnagar in Jeedimetla and planning to target fuel stations, banks or jewelry shops.
Karnataka election 2023: The BJP’s second list does not include the Hubballi seat, from where the current BJP MLA Jagadish Shettar, who is also a former Chief Minister, wants to contest again
considering the threat of contesting as an independent by Mr Shettar, who has won six times from Hubballi.
There is also the matter of accommodating Congress rebels who joined the BJP in 2019, which led to
Chandrashekar Rao, popularly known as KCR, on Saturday, accusing them of obstructing the centre’s development projects and indulging in ‘parivarvaad’ (family rule) and corruption.
the collapse of the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) government.
The second list also shows four current MLAs have been denied tickets. They are CM Nimbannavar in Kalaghatagi, MP Kumaraswamy in Mudigere, Neharu Olekar in Haveri and Madal Virupakshappa in Channagiri. Mr Virupakshappa faces corruption allegations.
Mr Kumaraswamy, who is contesting from Mudigere, has been at the centre of controversies over his comments that he has been targeted because he is a Dalit, and even faced attacks by the public in November last year near Mudigere. He is seen as a liability by a section of leaders in the Karnataka BJP. BJP workers had also surrounded former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa’s car in protest last month while he came to campaign for the party, demanding that a ticket not be given to Mr Kumaraswamy at Mudigere.
Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on Telangana’s ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and its chief K
Addressing a public rally in Hyderabad, PM Modi said that the state government was not cooperating with the centre in implementing various schemes and initiatives that would benefit the people of Telangana, which will hold elections later this year. “I am pained at the noncooperation of the state government in the centre’s projects. This is affecting the dreams of the people of Telangana. I appeal to the state government to not allow any obstruction in developments being planned for Telangana people,” PM Modi said.
Hyderabad: In the land of the Nizams, where the marriage season is akin to a royal parade, the demand for silver jewellery has increased by leaps and bounds. Hyderabad has been witnessing a surge in the popularity of silver jewellery in recent years, thanks to the increasing awareness and acceptance among consumers. Kalyanram Peddibhotla, director at Orafo Jewels, says “The shine of silver is
alluring and the value is precious. As the price of gold has been on the rise, people are turning to silver as an alternative.” Bridal jewellery sets are selling like hotcakes and people are opting for silver necklaces and earrings more than ever before. “When silver is available at an affordable price, it’s a no-brainer that people would go for it instead of gold,” he says. Jewellers point out that silver has a value equivalent to that of gold and it can be exchanged easily. “Hence, it is becoming a popular choice for many and we are witnessing a consistent growth in the demand for silver jewellery,” Kalyanram says. Akash of Kushal’s fashion jewellery echoes the sentiment saying “In recent years, we have seen a tremendous rise in the demand for silver jewellery, especially necklaces and earrings.
Ongole: Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy has challenged Telugu Desam Party president N. Chandrababu Naidu for a family-wise, village-wise or district wise estimate of implementing welfare schemes in the state during their respective regimes. Addressing a public meeting after crediting financial assistance of Rs.658.6 crore into the accounts of 4,39,068 eligible poor women belonging to Reddy, Kama, Arya Vysya, Brahmin, Kshatriya, Velama and other OC communities across the state under the YSR EBC Nestham scheme at Markapur near here on Wednesday, he said that people were aware of the facts. “Every household knows it and every person knows it. That’s why they are hiding the truth and levelling baseless allegation and spreading falsehood. Eenadu, Andhra Jyothi, TV 5 are spreading the same lie repeatedly in a bid to make people believe what they said is right. But you question them as to why they could not give house-sites in the previous regime and inform them the 30 lakh house-sites we have distributed among you. Do they have the moral right to take selfie in front of such house-sites?
New Delhi: China firmly opposes a visit by Home Minister Amit Shah to Arunachal Pradesh and views his activities in the area as violating Beijing’s territorial sovereignty, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson told a news briefing on Monday.
Last week, China “renamed” some places in Arunachal Pradesh that it claims as part of its territory.
the ‘Vibrant Villages Programme’ in Kibithoo, a village along the IndiaChina border.
India has always maintained that Arunachal Pradesh is an inalienable part of the country, and China giving its own inventive names will not change the ground reality.
Amid a spike in COVID-19 cases, mock drills to take stock of hospital preparedness are being held in several public and private facilities across the country on Monday.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya visited the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in the city to review the mock drill there.
India logged 5,880 new coronavirus cases, while the active cases have increased to 35,199. The death toll has increased to 5,30,979 with 14 deaths, according to the health ministry data updated on Monday.
Mr Shah will visit Arunachal Pradesh on April 10 and 11 where he will launch the ‘Vibrant Villages Programme’ in Kibithoo, a village along the border.
“Zangnan is China’s territory,” spokesperson Wang Wenbin said in response to a question on the visit by Home Minister Amit Shah.
“The Indian official’s visit to Zangnan violates China’s territorial sovereignty, and is not conducive to the peace and tranquility of the border situation.”
Mr Shah will visit Arunachal Pradesh on April 10 and 11 where he will launch
“This is not the first time that China is making such attempts, and we have criticised such attempts. Arunachal Pradesh is an inalienable part of India. China giving its own inventive names will not change the ground reality. I would like to re-emphasise that,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said last week.
The United States also strongly opposed China’s attempts to advance a claim over Arunachal Pradesh by renaming localities.
The Aam Aadmi Party on Monday said it has collected more than 10 lakh signatures during its door-to-door campaign against the arrests of its leaders Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain.
Following this, a letter will be sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to protest the arrest of Sisodia and Jain, the AAP’s Delhi unit convener Gopal Rai said.
New Delhi: Fugitive radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh’s close aide Pappalpreet Singh was today arrested by the counter-intelligence unit of Punjab police from Punjab’s Hoshiarpur. He has been detained under the stringent
National Security Act, police said. The two were constantly together after their dramatic escape from a police dragnet in Jalandhar last month. They had taken different routes to escape after reaching Hoshiarpur. The arrest was part of a joint operation of the Punjab Police and the special cell of the Delhi police. Amritpal Singh, who has evaded arrest so far, sought a meeting of the Sikhs later this month, after which the Punjab police cancelled the leaves of all cops in the state till Baisakhi celebrations on April 14. The separatist has asked the chiefs of the top Sikh body, Akal Takht, to convene the “Sarbat Khalsa” gathering in Punjab’s Bathinda on the occasion of Baisakhi.
India has set priorities for its G20 Presidency which will benefit the global south, former diplomat J S Mukul said here on Monday. India assumed the Presidency of the G20 for one year from December 1, 2022, to 30 November 2023. “We don’t forget our friends in the global south. That’s why the prime minister held a virtual summit of 125 countries to set the agenda for India’s presidency. India, as the host, has invited organisations and countries from the global south. It shows the priorities,” he said in his keynote address at a G20 University Connect event organised by the Central University of Kashmir.
The Delhi Police on Monday detained a 25-year-old man who was deboarded by Air India for allegedly physically harming two cabin crew members onboard a Delhi-London flight, which returned to the national capital shortly after departure, officials said. The man has been identified as Jaskirat Singh. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Airport) Devesh Kumar Mahla said, “We have received a complaint in this regard and have detained Jaskirat Singh, who was travelling with his parents to London. He is being interrogated and legal action will be taken accordingly.” He was deboarded from the plane for his unruly behaviour with two cabin crew members.
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India is likely to get “below normal” monsoon rains in 2023 with an increasing likelihood of El-Nino, which typically brings dry weather to Asia, private weather forecasting agency Skymet said on Monday. “Likelihood of El Nino is increasing and its probability to become a dominant category during the monsoon is growing large.
prominent Indian-American mathematician and statistician, Calyampudi Radhakrishna Rao, will receive the 2023 International Prize in Statistics. The prize is the equivalent to the Nobel Prize in the field and comes with a cash award of USD 80,000. The award will be given this July at the biennial International Statistical Institute World Statistics Congress in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Rao was born in Hadagali, Karnataka in India. He received an MSc in mathematics from Andhra University and an MA in statistics from Calcutta University in 1943. He did a PhD degree at King’s College at Cambridge University.
London, April 9 (IANS)
A British-Indian city councillor has been chosen as Conservative party’s mayoral candidate for Leicester, which witnessed communal unrest last year, for the upcoming local elections in May. Sanjay Modhwadia, city councillor for North Evington, will be up against Sir Peter Soulsby, who has held the role since it was created 12 years ago, the BBC reported.
the BJP. The meeting at Kharge’s residence comes amid talks of like-minded opposition parties coming together on a common platform to defeat the BJP in next year’s Lok Sabha elections.
Kharge said this was a historic meeting and it was decided to unite all parties to fight upcoming polls together.
Rahul Gandhi said this is a process to unite the parties and the opposition’s vision will be developed together.
“We will take along all the parties together in this ideological battle. We will unitedly fight the attack on institutions and the country and will take an important step in this regard,” Gandhi said.
HiIndia Newsdesk
Elon Musk on Tuesday set a deadline of April 20 for purging legacy blue check-marks from Twitter accounts verified under the company’s previous regime.
This will effectively mean that owners of verified profiles with a legacy blue tick will have to pay the subscription fee to keep the checkmark as reported by ndtv.com. Once the deadline expires, only those under Twitter’s subscription service Twitter Blue will get to keep the blue tick. The issue of paying for verified accounts and the introduction of the subscription service when Musk took over Twitter had kicked up a storm among several celebrities.
HiIndia Newsdesk
New Delhi(IANS) Ukraine’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova has handed over a letter from President Volodymyr Zelensky, addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to the Indian government, requesting for additional humanitarian supply, including medicines and medical equipment. The minister, who was on official visit to India between April 10 to 12, handed over the letter from the Ukraine president addressed to Prime Minister Modi, to Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi on Tuesday, according to a statement issued by the External Affairs Ministry on Wednesday. On the issue of Indian medical students, Dzhaparova mentioned that Ukraine will allow foreign medical students to take the Unified State Qualification Exam in their country of domicile.
During her meeting with Secretary (West) in the External Affairs Ministry Sanjay Verma, Dzhaparova briefed him about the prevailing situation in Ukraine.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and JD (U) President Rajiv Ranjan Singh, in New Delhi
HiIndia Newsdesk
We will take along all the parties together in this ideological battle, says Rahul Gandhi
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge here in the presence of Rahul Gandhi and pledged to take all opposition parties together for a united front against
Nitish Kumar said they would try and unite more and more opposition parties. “We will together carry on efforts in this regard,” he said. In a tweet in Hindi, Kharge said, “Will preserve the Constitution and save democracy. Rahul Gandhi ji and we met Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ji, Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav ji and other leaders, reiterated our resolve to raise the voice of the people together and give a new direction to the country.” The leaders also had lunch at Kharge’s residence, where JDU president Lalan Singh, Bihar Congress chief Akhilesh Prasad Singh, Congress leader Salman Khurshid and RJD leader Manoj Jha were also present.
“I express my special gratitude to Gehlot ji as he is going through many political crises these days but despite that, he took out the time for development work and participated in a railway programme. I welcome him,” PM Modi said.
Jaipur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot as a friend and praised him for attending the launch event of the state’s first Vande Bharat Express despite the ongoing political crises in his Congress party. The Prime Minister was addressing the flaggingoff ceremony of the Vande Bharat Express through video conferencing. At the end of his address, PM Modi pointed to the demands put forward by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot as well as the ongoing political tussle in the Congress. “I express my special gratitude to Gehlot ji as he is going through many political crises these days but despite that, he took out the time for development work and participated in a railway programme. I welcome him,” PM Modi said.
Bengaluru: In a growing crisis for the BJP in Karnataka, more and more leaders are hitting out and threatening to quit after the party announced its first list of candidates for next month’s election.
After senior leader Laxman Savadi quit the party this morning, a former BJP MLA, Doddappagouda Patil Naribol, announced his exit. A minister, S Angara, has threatened to quit. All three have been dropped as candidates.
“I have made my decision. I am not one to go around with a begging bowl. I am a self-respecting politician. I am not acting under anyone’s influence,” Laxman Savadi said. Sources say he is in talks with the Congress and may soon make a switch. Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar, however, told reporters: “He is neither in touch with me nor he has spoken with me.”
Laxman Savadi is a loyalist of former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and one of the most powerful Lingayat leaders in the state, known for his organizational skills.
Former Pakistan cricket team skipper Javed Miandad has weighed in on the controversy surrounding India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup citing security concerns. “Forget security. We believe that agar maut aani hai toh aani hai. Zindagi aur maut toh allah ke haath mein hai” (If death is your destiny,
it will come for sure. Life and death are in the hands of the Almighty). If they call us today, we will go. But they should return too. The thing is the last time we went, but they haven’t come here since. It’s their turn now,” the ex-Pakistan skipper said. India and Pakistan have not faced each other in a bilateral series since 2012.
“Indian leaders routinely travel to the state of Arunachal Pradesh as they do to any other state of India,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a statement today
had firmly opposed Mr Shah’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh, claiming his visit to the area was a violation of Beijing’s territorial sovereignty.
Arindam Bagchi said in a statement today. “Arunachal Pradesh was, is and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India. Objecting to such visits does not stand to reason and will not change the above reality,” he said.
New Delhi: For the first time since his disqualification as an MP from the Lok Sabha, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today visited his former constituency, Wayanad in Kerala. Flanked by his sister and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Mr Gandhi was seen waving to his supporters at a roadshow called ‘Satyameva Jayate’ in Kalpetta town. “They (BJP) can take my house and put me in jail, but they can’t stop me from representing the people of Wayanad and their issues,” he said at a rally. Mr Gandhi said only an MP tag has been taken away from him, but being their representative meant a lot more.
New Delhi: India has rejected comments by China on Arunachal Pradesh over the visit by Home Minister Amit Shah to the border state yesterday. China
“We completely reject the comments made by the Chinese official spokesperson. Indian leaders routinely travel to the state of Arunachal Pradesh as they do to any other state of India,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson
The Foreign Ministry’s statement echoed what the Home Minister said at the launch of a village welfare programme in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district, some 11 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and 40 km from the India, China and Myanmar tri-junction.
“Gone are those days when people could encroach into our land. Now, they cannot even take a pin’s tip worth of our land,” Mr Shah said.
New Delhi: Ukraine has suggested India to recognise the dangers of not stopping those who prefer to push their agenda with “impunity” in what was seen as alluding to India’s two big neighbours - Pakistan and China.
Emine Dzhaparova, the First Deputy Minister of Ukraine’s foreign ministry, told the diplomatic corps, former envoys and reporters at the ICWA today that the events preceding the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine last year could serve as an example of how to handle “difficult neighbours”. “There is one message with which I have come to India.
Ukraine really wants India and Ukraine to be closer. Yes, there is a history between us. But we want to start a new relationship with India,” Ms Dzhaparova said
Guwahati, April 11 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday claimed that the BJP will again form the government at the Centre in next year’s Lok Sabha election, winning more than
300 seats. He asserted that Narendra Modi will become the Prime Minister of the country for the third time in a row. While addressing a rally of BJP workers in Assam’ Dibrugarh, Shah also expressed confidence that the BJP will be victorious in at least 12 out of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in the state. According to him, the party is set to win big in the entire northeast, which accounts for a total of 25 seats in Lok Sabha. “The Northeast was once thought to be a bastion of the Congress,” Shah stated in a withering attack on the opposition party.
Mumbai Police have detained a 16-year-old boy from neighbouring Thane district for calling the police control room and allegedly threatening to kill Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, an official said on Tuesday. The main control room of Mumbai Police received the call on Monday. The police then started an investigation and with technical help they tracked the number from which the call to Shahapur in Thane district, located 70 km from Mumbai, the official said.
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud today snapped at a lawyer who was pressing for an earlier date for his petition. “Don’t mess around with my authority,” the Chief Justice said, when the lawyer suggested that he would raise his request before a different bench. The advocate had requested the Supreme Court for an early hearing when Justice Chandrachud asserted: “It is on April 17.” The lawyer said: “I can mention before another bench if permitted.” The Chief Justice reacted sharply to that suggestion. “Do not play these tricks with me. Do not mention here and then mention elsewhere for an earlier date,” Justice Chandrachud said.
Ashish Bajaj, an Indian national has been sentenced to 33 months in prison, and ordered to pay $2.4 million for his role in an international conspiracy that played fraud on elderly victims in the US.
Bajaj, had pleaded guilty in August last year in Newark federal court. Bajaj and his co-conspirators preyed on elderly victims by impersonating fraud prevention specialists from various banks, online retailers, and online payment companies. They contacted
victims and pretended that they were fraud prevention specialists and that the victims’ accounts with banks, online
retailers, or online payments companies were being targeted for fraud. They would then ask the elderly victims to send money from their bank accounts and falsely promise to return their money within a few days of a falsely claimed sting operation that would nail the guilty. The victims sent international wire transfers to various banks located in India, China, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates as well as cash and cashier checks to Bajaj at an address in California. The scheme resulted in losses of more than $250,000.
Bollywood star Ayushmann
Khurrana is set for his solo US tour in July where he is expected to enthral audiences in 8 American cities with his incredible musical talent. Ayushmann, who is known as the bonafide actor artiste of India, will be seen touring Dallas, San Jose, Seattle, Washington DC, New Jersey, Atlanta, Orlando, Chicago in USA, as well as Toronto in Canada in July and August this year. Ayushmann, who has delivered several hit songs like Paani Da Rang, is proud to be
representing Hindi music to audiences in North America. He says, “Music has enabled me to connect with countless people and I constantly look forward to my live concerts because I get to experience this connection first hand. I’m grateful that the world has come out of the debilitating pandemic and we are again doing things that are community experiences. I was missing my live concerts because as an entertainer, I only look to spread joy through my films and music. I felt that was taken away from me.” Ayushmann adds, “I’m in a much happier headspace now that I can travel and sing and do these concerts and see the smiles on people’s faces! I can’t wait for my US tour. I can’t wait to be in these cities. I’m always proud to represent Hindi music to audiences globally and I hope people will enjoy what we have in store for them.”
On the film front, Ayushmann will be seen in the much-awaited Dream Girl 2 which releases on July 7th.
Alia Bhatt dropped a Monday morning post on her feed and well it is not exactly a Monday motivation post but rather a post that reflect most our mood, After a long festive weekend, most may find it difficult to gather themselves and get back to their Monday morning routine.
Alia Bhatt took to her Instagram feed to shared a picture of a sleeping lioness and wrote, “Anyone else’s Monday still feel like a Sunday??#mondaymood”
Actor couple Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal, who lent their voices to the main characters in the audio thriller series ‘Virus 2062’, are set to return for its second season after listeners reached out to them directly on social mediawith the request. The couple are all set to enter the studio again with a new season of the series. This is their first project together after their wedding which took place in October 2022. Talking about the series, Ali said: “It is nice when fans, viewers or even listeners reach out to you directly to tell you what they like and even remember your work. For example, ‘Virus 2062’. That audio series was so loved by people that Richa and I still get requests to come out with season 2. Now there is a growing popularity of podcasts, but this series came out in 2021 and it was a huge experiment for us even then to be part of something like this. It all pays off when you see a reaction like this.”
In a career spanning over five decades, Hema Malini has built a vast filmography. The veteran actor is no stranger to television either, having fronted shows like Noopur, Yug, Jai Mata Ki, and Kamini Damini. However, at a time when actors are jumping on the OTT bandwagon, she has yet to set foot in the world of digital entertainment. What is she waiting for? An exciting role, she says. “As an artiste, I would always want to do exciting projects. I will never say no to acting as it’s my passion,” she says.
The OTT boom has brought with it unconventional stories, and well-rounded roles. It has also led to better roles for female actors. However, Malini disagrees. “Where are the
opportunities today? Even today, authorbacked roles are not found for actresses; they are reserved for male actors. Mr Amitabh Bachchan gets such great roles even now, they are written specially for him. But such special roles have not been written for actresses till today. If someone can write a [tailor-made] role keeping me in mind, it would be nice. I think I too am capable of performing well,” smiles the senior actor, who was last seen in Ramesh Sippy’s romantic comedy, Shimla Mirchi (2020).
Actor and television show host Jay Bhanushali feels that anchors are still not entirely given due credit and said that they deserve a lot more than what they have get. He feels just like there is a category for awards in for cinema and television, a section should be for hosts too. They should be feted for their hard work as well.Talking about TV show hosts getting their credit, Jay in a conversation with IANS said: “I still feel that hosts are not being given due credit after the show is successful. Our job is to entertain people and sometimes we make a joke out of ourselves to make others laugh and that is why people take us for granted many times.”
Bollywood action hero Tiger Shroff has revealed why he hates competing with himself and treated his fans to some jaw-dropping pictures. Taking to twitter, Tiger shared a slew of pictures flaunting his perfectly chiseled body and washboard abs.
In the pictures, the son of actor Jackie Shroff can be seen sporting just blue denims, as he chose to go shirtless.
He posted the pictures with the caption: “Hate
competing with myself...kicking my own a** everyday.”
On the work front, Tiger will be seen in ‘Ganapath’ later this year, alongside Kriti Sanon.
The film will hit the theatres around the Dussehra festival on October 20, in five languages - Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu.
The actor will also be seen in ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’, which also stars Akshay Kumar. Prithviraj Sukumaran joins this spectacle as he brings on board his acting prowess as the powerful antagonist. The film will release in December 2023.
Rupali Ganguly, who plays the titular character in the popular show ‘Anupamaa’, said that the show has given her much more respect and fame.
Rupali Ganguly, who plays the titular character in the popular show ‘Anupamaa’, said that the show has given her much more respect and fame. With the show she has become the most loved daughter-in-law, wife and mother on screen. Talking about the success she got after being part of the show, she said: “It took me twenty-two years to be at the place I am today. My journey has been a rollercoaster ride with being a part of many shows with different genres from one another. Instead of calling me by my real name, people often refer to me as Anupama, which makes me feel proud.” From starting her acting career at the age of 7 in her father, Anil Ganguly’s film ‘Saaheb’ in 1885, Rupali became a household name in the television industry by playing the role of Monisha in the 2004 sitcom ‘Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai’. Later, she acted in ‘Baa Bahoo Aur Baby’, ‘Parvarrish - Kuchh Khattee Kuchh Meethi’, ‘Sanjivani’, and many more series. Now, playing Anupamaa has made her a popular face of TV and she is thankful to the makers for giving her this opportunity.
“I want to express gratitude to Rajan Shahi for having faith in me. I feel inspired and motivated to approach each new day with optimism and vigour because of the audience’s overwhelming love and support for me,” she concluded.
Filmmaker and producer Sajid Qureshi’s daughter Amrin Qureshi, who is all set to make her Bollywood debut with Rajkumar Santoshi’s ‘Bad Boy’, said that her biggest inspiration as an actor has always been the late Bollywood actress Sridevi.
Filmmaker and producer Sajid Qureshi’s daughter Amrin Qureshi, who is all set to make her Bollywood debut with Rajkumar Santoshi’s ‘Bad Boy’, said that her biggest inspiration as an actor has always been the late Bollywood actress Sridevi. Speaking about her inspiration, Amrin said: “Coming from Hyderabad, I used to watch a lot of Sridevi ma’am’s films. I have always looked up to her because of her charisma and her diverse expressions.”
Amrin added that she has learned a lot from the ‘Nagina’ actress in terms of her acting skills, her choice of projects and also as a person.
“She has always inspired me through her film choices and her performance in all her iconic songs. I have heard how reserved she was off screen and that’s how I am as a person, hence I relate to her at a personal level too,” added Amrin.
The film also marks the debut of Mithun Chakraborty’s son Namashi Chakraborty. Helmed by director Rajkumar Santoshi and produced by Sajid Qureshi and Anjum Qureshi, ‘Bad Boy’ is all set to release on April 28.
Bollywood action hero Tiger Shroff has revealed why he hates competing with himself and treated his fans to some jaw-dropping pictures.
‘It took me 22 years to be where I am today’ Rupali
Sridevi has always inspired me Amrin Qureshi
portion of the goods from within the country. Apple didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comments on Mr Cook’s visit.
Mr Cook is likely to preside over the opening of the twin outlets in India’s financial and political capital.
Apple Inc. Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook has scheduled a trip to open the iPhone maker’s first stores in India next week, underscoring the company’s ambitions for the country as a growth market and manufacturing base.
Mr Cook is likely to preside over the opening of the twin outlets in India’s financial and political capital, people familiar with the matter said, asking to remain anonymous discussing private plans. Apple said Tuesday it’ll open a store in Mumbai on April 18 and another in New Delhi on April 20.
The trip comes seven years after the CEO’s maiden visit in 2016 and coincides with the world’s most valuable company hitting important markers: India sales of iPhones reaching all-time high and annual iPhone export from the country reaching billions
of dollars. Apple is betting on India to diversify its assembly operations beyond China amid strained Beijing-Washington relations.
Mr Cook is set to open Apple’s first India store inside an upscale mall in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex, or BKC as the neighborhood is called. A few days after that, he is set to unlock the doors on the New Delhi store, in a high-end mall in the Saket neighborhood. That store’s barricades lifted on Tuesday.
The two stores have been a long time in the making as India’s strict rules forbid global brands from opening own-brand outlets unless they source a significant
The company opened its Indian online store in 2020. The country is the world’s second-largest smartphone market and among the fastest-growing, but Apple’s relatively high sticker prices are still a deterrent in the nation of 1.4 billion where affordability plays a major role in purchase decisions.
In between the two store inaugurals, Apple has sought a meeting for Mr Cook with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said one of the people. Modi’s government has been pushing for electronics manufacturing and has offered billions of dollars in incentives to attract Apple’s manufacturing partners like Foxconn Technology Group and Pegatron Corp.
On Apple earnings calls, Mr Cook has stressed India’s importance as a market and production base. During the latest such conference, Mr Cook said Apple set “a quarterly revenue record and grew very strong double digits year over year” in the country.
“India is a hugely exciting market for us and a major focus,” Mr Cook said on the call. “I’m very bullish on India.”
The Indian Newspaper Society on Wednesday urged the Centre to withdraw the amendments to the IT Rules 2021, saying the provision allowing the government to set up a fact-check body to label contents related to it “fake” or “misleading” is tantamount to “censorship” and violates of freedom of expression.
As per the newly notified rules, the INS noted, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology will enjoy the power to constitute a fact-check unit, which will have sweeping powers to determine what is “fake or false or misleading” with respect to “any business of the Central Government”. The said unit will also have the power to issue instructions to intermediaries, including social media platforms, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other service providers, to not host such content and take it down if already published, the INS added.
“The Indian Newspaper Society is deeply disturbed by the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2023 (IT Amendment Rules, 2023), issued by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology on April
6, 2023,” the media body said in a statement.
The INS is “constrained” to state that this would have the effect of the government or its designated agency enjoying “absolute power” to determine what is fake in respect of its own work, and order it to be taken down, the media body said.
“Such power is seen to be arbitrary, as it is exercised without hearing the parties, and thus a violation of all principles of natural justice and has the effect of the complainant acting as the Judge,” it added.
It is also to be noted that the so-called
fact-check unit can be constituted by the ministry through a simple notification published in the Official Gazette, the INS said.
“The notified rules do not specify as to what would be the governing mechanism for such a fact-check unit, what sort of judicial oversight would be available in the exercise of its powers, whether there would be the right to appeal and so on,” it said.
“All this, we are constrained to say, tantamounts to censorship of the Press, and thus a violation of the principle of freedom of expression,” it added. The INS said the Ministry had promised
to hold consultations with media organisations and media bodies when it was “constrained” to withdraw the draft amendments it had put out in January 2023, following widespread criticism from media organisations.
“It is a matter of regret that no attempt has been made by the Ministry to hold any meaningful consultation with the stakeholders i.e. the media organisations or practitioners, before notifying this amendment,” it said. The result is that the new set of rules, notified on April 6, show “hardly” any significant improvement from the draft amendments put out in January 2023, it added.
“In view of the above facts, and in adherence to the principles of natural justice and the guarantees of freedom of speech and expression enshrined in our Constitution, the Indian Newspaper Society urges the Government to withdraw this notification,” the media body said. The government should hold widespread and meaningful consultations with stakeholders such as media organisations and press bodies before coming out with any notification which would have serious implications on the profession of media, and its credibility, it said.
wire fraud, and two counts of bank fraud, while Purdy, 33, was convicted of five counts of mail fraud, five counts of wire fraud, two counts of bank fraud, and one count of false statements to a financial institution.
HiIndia NewsdeskNew York: Two Indian-origin executives of a Chicago-based start-up have been convicted by a federal jury in the US of running a USD 1 billion corporate fraud scheme that targeted the company’s clients, lenders and investors.
Following a 10-week-long trial, jurors on Tuesday found health technology company Outcome Health co-founder and former CEO Rishi Shah guilty on 19 of 22 counts, co-founder and former president Shradha Agarwal guilty on 15 of 17 counts and former chief operating officer Brad Purdy guilty on 13 of 15 counts.
Shah, 37, was convicted of five counts of mail fraud, 10 counts of wire fraud, two counts of bank fraud and two counts of money laundering.
Agarwal, 37, was convicted of five counts of mail fraud, eight counts of
The defendants face a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison for each count of bank fraud and 20-year imprisonment for each count of wire fraud and mail fraud. Shah faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each count of money laundering. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
A statement issued by the Justice Department said on Tuesday that the company installed television screens and tablets in doctors’ offices around the US and then sold advertising space on those devices to clients, most of whom were pharmaceutical companies.
According to evidence presented at the trial, Shah, Agarwal, and Purdy sold advertising inventory the company did not have to Outcome’s clients, then underdelivered on its advertising campaigns. Despite these under-deliveries, the company still invoiced its clients as if it had delivered in full. Shah, Agarwal, and Purdy lied or caused others to lie to conceal the under-deliveries from clients and make it appear as if the company was delivering advertising
content to the number of screens in the clients’ contracts.
Purdy and others at the company also inflated metrics that purported to show how frequently patients engaged with the company’s tablets installed in doctors’ offices.
According to the trial evidence, the scheme targeting the company’s clients began in 2011, lasted until 2017, and resulted in at least USD 45 million of overbilled advertising services.
Shah, Agarwal, and Purdy were also convicted of defrauding the company’s lenders and investors.
The under-delivery to the company’s advertising clients resulted in a material overstatement of the company’s revenue for the years 2015 and 2016.
Shah, Agarwal, and Purdy used inflated revenue figures in the company’s 2015 and 2016 audited financial statements to raise USD 110 million in debt financing in April 2016, USD 375 million in debt financing in December 2016, and USD 487.5 million in equity financing in early 2017.
The trio lied to investors and lenders to conceal their ongoing under-delivery of advertising campaigns for clients.
The USD 110 million debt financing resulted in a USD 30.2 million dividend to Shah and a USD 7.5 million dividend to Agarwal; the USD 487.5 million in
senior group.
The one-day trip took place on Sunday, April 08, 2023, and started with a delicious tea-coffee and breakfast served by Smitaben Parekh, Pinkiben Thakkar, and Nilaben Patel at D Park. All members were punctual and cooperative throughout the day, with water service provided by Rajendrabhai Shah.
equity financing resulted in a USD 225 million dividend to Shah and Agarwal. The verdict represented a stunning fall for the three who were once young stars of Chicago’s tech scene. And it may have implications for others in the tech community, with parts of the case focusing on the line between startups’ typical growing pains and fraud, the Chicago Tribune reported on Tuesday. A spokesperson for Shah said in a statement: “Today’s verdict deeply saddens Mr. Shah, and he will exhaust every avenue to overturn this result”. Theodore Poulos, an attorney for Purdy said in a statement: “We are profoundly disappointed with the jury’s verdict in this complex and nuanced case, particularly given the plethora of evidence adduced at trial, which showed that certain critical information was intentionally withheld from Brad Purdy.” Lawyers for Agarwal declined to comment on Tuesday, the report said. Three other former employees of Outcome pleaded guilty prior to trial. Ashik Desai, the former chief growth officer pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Kathryn Choi, a former senior analyst, and Oliver Han, a former analyst, both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Desai, Choi, and Han will be sentenced at a later date.
CHICAGO, IL- The Senior Friendship Group Chicago had a fantastic start to 2023 with a successful tour to the Bharatiya Temple in Indiana and Four Winds Casino in Michigan. The trip was made possible by the hard work and dedication of President Harshadbhai Parekh, Pinkiben Thakkar, and the committee members Dilipbhai Patel, Mukeshbhai Mehta, and Hemantbhai Amin.
Meghna Vora played a crucial role in ensuring that all arrangements were in place, including booking the entire casino system and providing each member with a $10 lunch card and a $15 card for casino play. Members were able to enjoy a delicious spread of food, including pizzas, burgers, burritos, nachos, French fries, and fresh fruits, and some even won a substantial amount of money, with many choosing to donate their winnings to support the
During the bus ride, President Harshadbhai Parekh shared valuable information about the itinerary, and Pinkiben Thakkar led the morning Ganesha puja and sang the beautiful Ganesh Stuti, which was followed by all members singing bhajans, cracking jokes, showcasing their mimicry skills, and singing movie songs with great enthusiasm. The time flew by as members played games like Antakshari and bonded over shared interests. The day ended with a delicious dinner at the Big Suchir restaurant, and members went home with happy memories of the day. The Senior Friendship Group expresses its sincere gratitude to everyone who made this trip possible and looks forward to more exciting adventures together.
Manchester Township was hit hard by the Jimmy’s Waterhole fire on Tuesday night, as the blaze grew to 3,859 acres and about half of it was contained by Wednesday morning. Despite the efforts of firefighters, around 170 buildings in Manchester and Lakehurst had to be evacuated, causing stress and disruption for dozens of families. One resident, Marco Andell, recalls the panic he felt when he was suddenly ordered to evacuate his home in Lakehurst. “My friend comes banging on the door, and he’s like, ‘there’s a fire.’ I jumped up and ran outside expecting to see my home in flames. Instead, there were fire trucks all over and the air was filled with smoke.
Following a 10-week-long trial, jurors on Tuesday found health technology company Outcome Health co-founder and former CEO Rishi Shah and former president Shradha Agarwal guilty
Navratri, a vibrant and colorful festival that spans over nine nights, is celebrated with great fervor by Hindus around the world. The festival is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine forms, signifying the triumph of good over evil. As South Asian communities continue to grow and thrive outside of India, the significance of preserving and celebrating cultural traditions like Navratri gains more prominence. In this blog post, we will explore how the Navratri festival is celebrated in various countries outside of India, and how these celebrations help to keep the culture and traditions alive for future generations.
HiIndia NewsdeskNavratri, a vibrant and colorful festival that spans over nine nights, is celebrated with great fervor by Hindus around the world. The festival is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine forms, signifying the triumph of good over evil. As South Asian communities continue to grow and thrive outside of India, the significance of preserving and celebrating cultural traditions like Navratri gains more prominence. In this blog post, we will explore how the Navratri festival is celebrated in various countries outside of India, and how these celebrations help to keep the culture and traditions alive for future generations.
In recent years, Navratri celebrations have spread far and wide, transcending geographical boundaries and taking root in various countries with sizeable Hindu populations. From the United States and Canada to the United Kingdom, Australia, and beyond, this auspicious festival has found a home in the hearts of people across the globe.
With a significant Indian diaspora in the United States, Navratri is celebrated in various cities with immense enthusiasm. Events such as Garba and Dandiya nights are organized by Indian community centers, temples, and cultural organizations across the country. These events attract thousands of attendees, dressed in traditional attire, who come together to dance, sing, and revel in the festive spirit.
The United Kingdom, home to a large South Asian community, witnesses grand Navratri celebrations in cities such as London, Birmingham, and Manchester. Various community centers and temples host Garba and Dandiya nights, drawing large
crowds who come together to dance and enjoy traditional music. Additionally, the British Museum has been known to host special exhibitions showcasing the history and significance of Navratri.
In Canada, cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal host lively Navratri celebrations that attract participants from all walks of life. With numerous Indian cultural organizations and temples, Canadian cities are teeming with Garba, Dandiya, and other traditional dance events that help the community stay connected to their roots.
Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth have vibrant Indian
communities that celebrate Navratri with great enthusiasm.
Community centers and temples organize Garba and Dandiya nights, inviting people to join in the festive celebrations. Moreover, these events also serve as platforms for the younger generation to connect with their cultural heritage.
Celebrating Navratri outside of India not only allows people to stay connected to their cultural roots but also helps to foster a sense of unity among the diaspora. As people come together to dance, sing, and celebrate, the festival transcends boundaries and creates an environment of love, joy, and togetherness. It provides an opportunity
With a significant Indian diaspora in the United States, Navratri is celebrated in various cities with immense enthusiasm. Events such as Garba and Dandiya nights are organized by Indian community centers, temples, and cultural organizations across the country. These events attract thousands of attendees, dressed in traditional attire, who come together to dance, sing, and revel in the festive spirit.
for the younger generation to learn about their heritage and imbibe the values and traditions that have been passed down through generations.
In today’s digital age, technology has played a crucial role in helping people stay connected to their cultural roots. Online platforms and social media have made it easier for people to share information about upcoming events, join virtual celebrations, and even learn traditional dance moves through tutorials. As a result, the Navratri festival has been able to reach a wider audience and strengthen the bonds within the community.
Conclusion
The Navratri festival, celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion by Hindus across the globe, is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of cultural traditions. As the South Asian diaspora continues to grow, events like Navratri serve as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage that transcends borders and unites communities. By embracing these traditions and passing them down to the next generation.
A representative from UPMC confirmed that five individuals were brought to the UPMCCole emergency room in Coudersport, but the hospital does not release information on patient conditions.
COUDERSPORT, PA- Firefighters responded to an early morning fire at the historic Hotel Crittenden in Coudersport, northern Pennsylvania on Wednesday. The fire broke out on the third floor of the hotel and was reported around 6:30 AM.
According to Chief Bryan Phelps of the Coudersport Volunteer Fire Department, over 100 to 125 firefighters were called to the scene to tackle the blaze.
Chief Phelps confirmed that five people were taken to local hospitals for treatment of injuries sustained in the fire. However, he did not have an update on their conditions. A representative from UPMC confirmed that five individuals were brought to the UPMC-Cole emergency room in Coudersport, but the hospital does not release information on patient conditions.
The Hotel Crittenden is a 19thcentury hotel that dates back to 1891 and is known for its original beauty. The current owners, who took over in 2014, have made efforts to preserve the original structure while making improvements. The hotel was built on the same site where an earlier hotel stood in 1840, but it was destroyed in a fire that swept through downtown Coudersport in 1880.
Parag Aggarwal, Vijaya
Gadde Sue Twitter
MILWAUKEE, WI- Cardinal Stritch University, a Catholic liberal arts college in Milwaukee, has announced its closure, a year after celebrating its 85th anniversary. The university was founded in 1937 as St. Clare College by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi and was later renamed for Cardinal Samuel Stritch in 1946. Despite its rich history and strong traditions, the university has faced several challenges in recent years, including declining enrollment, mounting operational and facility challenges, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to President Dan Scholz, the university’s enrollment had dropped to 1,400 in 2021 compared to 2,400 in 2018, and the fiscal realities, along with the need for more resources, presented a no-win situation for the university. In light of these challenges, the university trustees recommended closure to the
Sisters, and they accepted it, Scholz said. The university will end all programs by May 22 and the last graduation ceremony will be held on May 21. President Scholz expressed his sadness and disappointment at the closure, stating, “We are all devastated by this
Every Delta-8 product that has been sold in the state of Connecticut contains .3 THC or higher, which is considered illegal
development, but after examining all options, this decision was necessary.”
The closure of Cardinal Stritch University is a significant loss for the community, as well as for its more than 40,000 alumni.
STAMFORD, CT- The Attorney General of Connecticut, William Tong, announced his intention to take legal action against three smoke shops in Stamford for selling illegal Delta-8 THC products. The smoke shops, Zaza Smoke Shop, Breeze Smoke Shop and World’s Exotic Smoke Shop, were recently raided by the Stamford Police Department, which seized thousands of dollars’ worth of Delta-8 THC and other illegal products, such as marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms.
According to the Attorney General, every Delta-8 product that has been sold in the state of Connecticut contains .3 THC or higher, which is considered
illegal and must only be sold in licensed dispensaries. The goal of the legal action is not only to impose civil penalties and criminal exposure on the shop owners, but also to remove these products from the shelves and homes in Connecticut, especially from schools where many calls from concerned parents and educators have been received.
Assistant Chief Richard Conklin emphasized the importance of educating teens about the dangers of high-THC products like Delta-8. He said that rehab locations and educational and parental groups are working to educate young people about the risks of these products. Conklin also stated that legal action will likely be taken against a fourth business, Smokey Bear Vape Shop, which was raided by investigators on Thursday.
JAMAICA, NY— A food courier arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport had more than just food in his possession, as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized illegal drugs from him. Mr. Eulalio Gomez-Zuniga, a U.S. citizen, arrived on a flight from Mexico City and presented himself for inspection to the CBP agriculture specialists.
The specialists noticed something suspicious when they x-rayed his bags, and saw three cylindrical objects with anomalies in their center
Agarwal,
assert that Twitter is legally required to cover these costs.
The lawsuit mentions expenses associated with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) probes. The former executives were dismissed by Musk after his Twitter take over in October.
CHICAGO, IL- Walmart is closing four underperforming stores in Chicago due to financial difficulties. The stores will close by April 16, 2023. All associates are eligible to transfer to another Walmart location or receive severance benefits. Walmart will work with local leaders to find reuse options for the buildings, including donating the Walmart Academy to the community to support local neighborhoods. Walmart is committed to treating employees and communities with respect and compassion during this transition and will continue to invest in creating and expanding job opportunities in the area. The following stores will close to the public by Sunday, April 16:
• #5781 Chatham Supercenter, the Walmart Health center, and the Walmart
HiIndia Newsdesk
WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. hiring slowed in March, with nonfarm payrolls increasing by 236,000 according to the Labor Department’s latest jobs report. The figure was in line with expectations, and the unemployment rate declined slightly to 3.5%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that employment continued to trend up in leisure and hospitality, government, professional and business services, and health care. Average hourly wages increased by 0.3%, slightly more than economists expected, but the slowest growth in 12 months at 4.2%.
The report was closely watched by investors due to uncertainty surrounding the Federal Reserve’s policy path. Fed Chair Jerome Powell has frequently cited the tightness in the job market as the central bank raised interest rates over the past year. The market is pricing in a 69% probability of another interest rate hike at the Fed’s next policy meeting in May. Despite the slowdown in hiring, the labor market remains historically
tight and could put pressure on the Fed to proceed with another rate hike.
U.S. stock futures reacted mixed to the report, with Dow Jones Industrial Average futures falling slightly and Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures remaining flat. Hiring remained resilient despite major companies cutting jobs and
longest serving SC Justice accepted luxury trips from the Dallas based billionaire. Soon as the news came, three Indian lawmakers – Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal and Raja Krishnamoorthi voiced their views against ethics violation. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-CA tweeted, “We need a code of ethics and term limits for Supreme Court Justices.”
expenses due to signs of a slowing economy. The Fed’s interest rate hike last month signaled its determination to tame inflation, which is still running abnormally high at 6% year-over-year in February. Fed officials have suggested that the banking crisis could lead to tightened credit conditions, further cooling prices.
Indian American State Legislator in the US State of Tennessee said that Democrat Justin Jones called him “Brown face of White Supremacy,” during a speech in the House. According to media reports he also said that it is the first case of racism he has faced in 53 years in the US. The Tennessee State Legislature had expelled two Democratic politicians including Jones who led a gun control protest.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas
Investigative news outlet ProPublica reported a link between Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and a billionaire GOP donor Harlan Crow. The link points out that the oldest and
U.S. Border Patrol San Diego Sector has received increased reports from migrants encountering bandits in the Otay Mountain Wilderness area. In the last week of March, three groups of migrants reported incidents involving bandits carrying weapons:
• On March 24, agents apprehended a group of five undocumented migrants in the Otay Mountain Wilderness area. The group informed agents that they had been robbed by armed bandits, carrying a rifle and a pistol. Agents on scene, saw at least two of the possible bandits running south of the reported location. The group stated they were ordered to pay $1,000 to continue their journey, but since they did not have the money their cell phones were taken instead. The migrants also reported that additional individuals were being held by bandits just south of the U.S./ Mexico International Border.
• On March 27, agents apprehended
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), tweeted, “It’s time for a major ethical overhaul of our highest court — that’s why [Sen. Elizabeth Warren] and I have a bill to impose a code of conduct on our judicial system. People deserve impartial judges and justices who aren’t beholden to special interests or to their personal agenda.”
House Speaker Ronald Mariano
BROCKTON, MS- A $56.2 billion state budget has been proposed by House lawmakers in Massachusetts
bandits walking south, within the U.S., and eventually crossing back into Mexico.
that focuses on critical investments in education, transportation, health care, and workforce development. The budget, which is slightly higher than what was proposed by Governor Maura Healey earlier this year, also aims to legalize online lottery sales, and requires the Department of Correction and county sheriffs to provide free phone calls to incarcerated people. The budget also allocates $1 billion in funds from a 4% surtax on household incomes above $1 million, which is also known as the Fair Share Amendment that was approved by voters last fall. The revenue will be split between transportation and education initiatives, with notable investments in the MBTA, universal school meals, free community college for residents over 25, and highway bridge preservation.
evaluated, taken into custody and then transported to a nearby Border Patrol station for processing.
Additionally, USBP agents assigned to the San Diego Sector Foreign Operations Branch, a unit dedicated to working closely with the foreign governments, reported all these incidents to their counterparts with the government of Mexico to address these threats.
a group of 20 undocumented migrants. Individuals in the group reported they had been robbed by bandits, approximately 40 minutes prior to being apprehended. The bandits were each reported to have been armed with a revolver. Agents responding to the area observed the three suspected
• Also on March 27, agents encountered a second group that reported being assaulted and robbed. The group relayed that as they entered the U.S., they were intercepted by two subjects. They said these two subjects were each carrying a pistol and that they punched, kicked and robbed the group of their cell phones and money. At some point during the encounter, the migrant stated, the bandits attempted to separate one of the female migrants from their group and take her back into Mexico, but they were unable to do so.
In each of these encounters, all the apprehended migrants were medically
“We continue to stress to migrants, do not place your life or the lives of your loved ones in the hands of callous smugglers or risk encountering thieves and kidnappers in these remote areas,” stated San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke. “There is only one safe and secure means of entering the United States and that is through a designated port of entry.”To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the USBP maintains a high level of vigilance on our Nation’s borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.
PATERSON, NJ- A man named Serif Zorba has been charged with attempted murder for a stabbing that occurred at the Omar Mosque in Paterson, New Jersey, during a prayer service on Sunday morning. The victim of the attack, Imam Sayed Elnakib, was taken to the hospital and is currently in serious but stable condition.
According to witnesses, Zorba lunged at the Imam while he was leading the prayer service, stabbing him twice in the back. The quick actions of the mosque congregants led to Zorba’s immediate apprehension and arrest by the Paterson Police Department and Passaic County Sheriff. In response to this incident, Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh, Councilman Al Abdelaziz, and law enforcement officials will be presenting their Mosque Protection Plan on Monday in order to provide extra security measures for the remainder of Ramadan. It is important to note that the recent vandalism of a school sign in Paterson is also under investigation, but authorities do not believe that it is related to the stabbing at the mosque. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office is asking anyone with information to come forward and contact them or the Paterson Police Department. This senseless and isolated act of violence has shaken the community, and the authorities are working to ensure the safety of those who worship at the mosque.
Both the cricket teams of the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates have advanced to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier, scheduled to take place from June 18 to July 9, 2023, in Zimbabwe. Both teams clinched the first and second positions in a closely fought six-team ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-off. The match between the USA and Jersey was of immense importance, especially considering the must-win status of the game. The USA topped the table with four wins from their five matches, edging the UAE on their head-to-head record. Meanwhile, the UAE secured a final-day triumph over Jersey, bringing them level on points with the USA. As the host nation, Namibia disappointed their fans as they failed to qualify for the next stage. In addition, Canada put up some impressive displays only to fall marginally short of progressing in this journey towards the ICC World Cup later this year.
In a quest to reach the summit of One Day International cricket, the USA and the UAE will be locking horns with eight other teams in the breathtaking landscapes of Zimbabwe for the two
coveted spots. The bottom five-placed teams in the ICC ODI Super League will contest these two spots and the three automatic qualifiers from the ICC CWC League 2, namely Scotland, Oman, and Nepal. In addition, the Netherlands, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies have confirmed their presence at the Qualifier in Zimbabwe. 9 out of 10 teams are confirmed for Cricket World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe. 1. West Indies 2. Sri Lanka 3. Zimbabwe
4. Netherlands 5. Scotland 6. Oman
7. Nepal 8. United States of America
9. United Arab Emirates The last entry would be one between Ireland or South Africa. The Qualifier marks
the pinnacle of an intense and fiercely contested four-year competition, in which 32 teams commenced their journey to earn a spot for the coveted ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. In talking to the ICC Media, the two captains gave their thoughts.
USA captain and wicket-keeper Monank Patel said: “It is a great feeling to be able to progress to the Qualifiers in Zimbabwe, even though we see this as a big accomplishment for USA cricket. We, the players, also know that it is going to require lots of improvements for us to compete with the bigger teams. The players and support staff have worked tirelessly prior and during this event, and the hard work has paid off. We have an opportunity to play in two World Cups in less than twelve months, and this group continues to believe and work towards the goal.”
UAE captain Mohammad Waseem mentioned:” We are absolutely delighted to confirm our spot for the qualifiers in Zimbabwe. Heading into the tournament in Namibia, we had a clear objective of delivering our best and playing positive and fearless cricket. I want to thank the players and our entire support staff for their untiring efforts that have resulted in our success.”
LOS ANGELES, CA Police are investigating a hate crime that occurred at theICSC in Los Angeles on Easter Sunday. The suspect defaced the property by writing anti-Islamic hate words on the building. According to a statement issued by ICSC, the vandalism took place just after midnight on Vermont Avenue.
GRAYSLAKE, IL- Hanuman Janma
Ustav was celebrated at Hindu Mandir of Lake County, Grayslake, IL on Wednesday evening, April 05, 2023 with enthusiasm while the devotees were reciting ‘Hanuman Chalisa.’ More than 250 devotees participated in the event on the working day that did not deter them.
The event started with the Lord Ganesh Ji, Lord Hanuman Ji and Lord Ram Parivar’ s pujan with sponsors sankalpam by temple priests Pt. Anil Joshi, Pt. Radhakrishna, Pt. Balaji Gopal. Lord Hanuman Ji’s abhishekam was performed by saffron milk while chanting Hanuman Chalisa and Sankat Mochan Stuti lead by Madhup Dhaon and Avinash. Homemade butter, Vada
The center has expressed its sadness and disappointment in the incident and has scheduled a press conference for Monday morning to provide updates. ICSC emphasized the importance of standing together against all forms of hate, bigotry, and violence. The latest data from the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations shows that hate crimes have risen to the highest level in 19 years, with a 23% increase from the previous year in 2021. The LAPD has released a photo of the suspect, who is described as a white male between 40 and 50 years old, standing at 5-foot-9 and weighing 180 pounds. He was captured wearing mostly black clothing, including a black beanie and a T-shirt with a graphic on the front.
On Monday, the California Civil Rights Department voluntarily dismissed its case against two Cisco engineers over allegations of caste-based discrimination. The case that was filed nearly three years ago against Indian Americans Sunder Iyer and Ramana Kompella accused the two of harassing an employee based on caste discrimination. The lawsuit alleged that a Dalit engineer working at Cisco’s San Jose office received lesser pay and fewer opportunities as compared to other colleagues. The case has now been dismissed by an order of the Santa Clara County Court.
chant Ram Nama.’ He further said that from Hanuman Chalisa you learn the importance of devotion, courage, strength, and qualities that are essential for personal and communal growth and development. It also help you develop a deeper connection with your inner self and a greater appreciation for spirituality.
mala/garland, and Pan /betal leaves mala on which Sri Ram was written were used for Baby Hanuman Ji’s alankaram.
Pt. Joshi Ji chanted Ram Stuti and gave discourse on the topic, ‘What we learn from Hanuman Chalisa and why Lord Hanuman Ji is so popular in Kali Yuga.’ He said, ‘Lord Hanuman Ji removes all
the negative energies from our mind and brings in positive energies to develop devotion and become service minded. He is the only God in this Yuga who comes rushing to assist you when you are in trouble, to rescue you when you are in difficulties, and to bless you with wisdom, braveness, success, and prosperity when you
Melodious Bhajans sung by Rita Patel, Uma Iyer, and Ravi made the entire environment very holy and divine. Devotees brought various homemade Naivedyam to offer to Baby Hanuman Ji. After Maha Mangalarati, the volunteers served Prasadam to the devotees with much love. Temple priests thanked and blessed all devotees for their active participation and volunteers for their dedicated services.
NEW YORK, NY- The Telugu Literary and Cultural Association (TLCA) celebrated its annual Ugadi festival on April 1, 2023, at the Hindu Temple Auditorium in Flushing, New York. The event was attended by more than 500 guests, including TLCA President Mr. Nehru Kataru, Vice President Mr. Kiran Parvatala, Secretary Mr. Sumanth Ramsetty, and members of the TLCA Board of Trustees.
The festival showcased the rich Telugu culture through songs, dances, and dramas performed by over 140 children and adults. A mythological drama, a dance-drama based on the theme of Ugadi, poem recitals, classical dances, and popular numbers from Telugu movies were the highlights of the show.
The event was graced by the presence of New York City Mayor Eric Adam, who was the Chief Guest of the day. This was the first time a Mayor of the City had attended a TLCA celebration. The Mayor spoke about the importance of promoting diversity and encouraging communities to come together for the overall progress
of the region. He also praised the contribution of the Telugu community to the economic development of the region. The Special Guest of the evening, actress Ms. Laya, honored the Mayor and the Deputy Commissioner with traditional shawls and bouquets. The President of TLCA, Mr. Nehru Kataru, thanked the Mayor for his support and encouraged the youth to participate in more cultural events. The Chairman of TLCA, Mr. Ankineedu Prasad Nannapaneni, explained the organization’s efforts over the past five decades in preserving and promoting the Telugu culture. TLCA provides a platform for young talent to showcase their skills and brings eminent artists from all over the world to encourage different forms of art and literature. The Secretary, Mr. Sumanth Ramisetty, presented the vote of thanks and expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming response from the community. The TLCA continues to work towards nurturing and passing on the rich Telugu culture to future generations.
WASHINGTON, DC- The H-2B visa program, which allows U.S. businesses to temporarily employ foreign workers in non-agricultural jobs. Starting April 13, 2023, USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) will begin accepting petitions for workers for the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2023, with employment start dates from May 15, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2023.
This is under a temporary final rule that has increased the numerical limit on H-2B visas by up to 64,716 additional visas for FY 2023.
Out of the 64,716 additional visas, 44,716 are available only for returning workers who received an H-2B visa or
held H-2B status in one of the past three fiscal years. The remaining 20,000 visas are set aside for nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Haiti, who are exempt from the returning worker requirement. As of April 10, 2023, USCIS has received petitions requesting 11,537 workers under this allocation. Petitions for the supplemental allocations must be filed at the California Service Center and any petitions filed at any other location will be rejected, with the filing fees returned. The employer must attest on a new attestation form that they are suffering or will suffer irreparable harm without the ability to employ all the H-2B workers requested in their petition.
AUSTIN, TX- The US Justice Department has appealed a Texas court ruling that would halt the approval of mifepristone, a drug used in the most common method of abortion in the country. The Food and Drug Administration approved the drug in 2000, and pharmaceutical executives have warned that the ruling by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk could put other medications in danger. The Biden administration has said that Kacsmaryk’s decision should remain on hold while it challenges the ruling. The Justice Department has also asked for clarity from a federal court in Washington state, which issued a
The lawsuit in Texas was filed by the Alliance Defending Freedom, who claim that the FDA’s approval of mifepristone was flawed.
conflicting order within 20 minutes of Kacsmaryk’s ruling. The lawsuit in Texas was filed by the Alliance Defending Freedom, who claim that the FDA’s approval of mifepristone was flawed. The decision has caused significant confusion and uncertainty among abortion providers, who are waiting to see what happens in the courts.
An office bearer of the all-powerful BCCI will now be paid a daily allowance of USD 1000 on foreign tours and will fly first-class. The increase in allowances doled out to the BCCI office bearers was tabled in the Apex Council meeting on Sunday but came into effect last October. The per diem (daily allowance) has been revised after more than seven years. Earlier, the officer bearers of the world’s richest board used to get USD 750 per day on overseas tours.
The office bearers, including the president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and joint-secretary, will be also be entitled to Rs 40,000 per day
for meetings within India and business class travel, according to the BCCI document accessed by PTI. For ‘work travel’, they will be paid Rs 30,000 a day. They can also book for a suite room both on domestic and overseas trips.
The 2023 World Cup will start tentatively on October 5, with 46 matches, including final set to be played across 12 Indian cities, including Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mumbai, Rajkot, Bengaluru, Delhi, Indore, Mohali, Guwahati and Hyderabad
with a top level ICC executive on the issue, which still remains a sensitive one.
An office bearer of the allpowerful BCCI will now be paid a daily allowance of USD 1000 on foreign tours and will fly first-class.
The allowances of IPL chairman has also been bracketed in the office-bearers’ category. Members of the BCCI Apex Council, including two representatives from the Indian Cricketers’ Association, will get Rs 40,000 per day for their quarterly meetings and USD 500 on overseas tours. However, it is usually the office bearers who travel overseas for work. The board has also revised
the allowances for the members of its state units who will now get Rs 30,000 per day during domestic travel and USD 400 on foreign travel.
The three members of the Cricket Advisory Committee, which picks the head coach of both men and women national teams, will be paid Rs 3.5 lakh each for meetings. Foreign travel is unlikely in their case but each of them is entitled to an amount of USD 400 per day for this.
It is to be noted that a BCCI office bearer’s post is an honorary one. Its wellpaid employees like the CEO will get a daily allowance of USD 650 on foreign tours and Rs 15,000 per day within India.
Ishaan Tendolkar’s fine run (ELO 1238) in Round 7 as he was comprehensively beaten by Arnav Kherdekar (ELO 1722). This was followed by the shock defeat of top-seeded International Master Vikramaditya Kulkarni (ELO 2251) at the hands of Aayush Shirodkar (ELO 1533).
The Pakistan cricket team would prefer playing bulk of its 2023 ODI World Cup matches in Chennai and Kolkata -- the two venues where the team has felt safe during its earlier tours, according to ICC sources. The World Cup will start tentatively on October 5, with 46 matches, including final set to be played across 12 Indian cities, including Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mumbai, Rajkot, Bengaluru, Delhi, Indore, Mohali, Guwahati and Hyderabad. It is understood that discussions are currently on at the ICC level as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) bigwigs are in talks
“A lot will depend on what BCCI and the Indian government decide but given a choice, Pakistan will like to play most of its World Cup matches in Kolkata and Chennai.
“In Kolkata, Pakistan played its T20 World Cup game against India in 2016 and the players were very happy with the security. Similarly, Chennai as a venue remains memorable for Pakistan. It’s also about feeling safe at specific venues,” a source close to ICC Board, tracking developments, told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Mumbai: (IANS) Young gun Ishaan Tendolkar’s run of stunning results ended and the event looked headed for a close finish as topsy-turvy results were witnessed in Rounds 7 and 8 of the SBI Life All India FIDE Rating Chess Tournament in progress at the Cultural Center of Russia, here.
The day witnessed the end of young
Thus, Kherdekar and Shirodkar once again shared the lead at the start of Round 8. However, Shanmukha Pulli (ELO 1545) defeated Aayush Shirodkar and Arnav Kherdekar was held to a draw by Darsh Shetty (ELO 1534). Meanwhile, Ishaan lost his 2nd consecutive game to Guru Prakash (ELO 1691) to end his championship aspirations.
These results have thrown the championship wide open with Kherdekar and Shanmukha emerging as joint leaders with a score of 7/8. The leaders are followed by a pack of five players; Vikramaditya, Sauravh, Guru Prakash Darsh and Shirodkar with a score of 6.5/8. While a further group of five players are occupying the third spot with a score of 6/8.
Nairobi (Kenya):(IANS) Multiple-time Olympic and world female sprint champion ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica confirmed on Wednesday that she will race at the 2023 Kip Keino Classic Challenge Tour meeting here on May 13.
Fraser-Pryce, who won her 10th world title at the Oregon 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, will return to the meet where she started her season last year with a blistering 10.67s victory in the women’s 100m. “Yeah, I will be in Nairobi on May 13 for the Kip Keino Classic and I will be racing over the 100m. Last year was awesome, fantastic, like all those words. The stadium was filled with so much excitement, noise, crowd, music and so much fun,” the Jamaican sprint star said in a video released by organisers. Commonwealth Games and African champion Ferdinand Omanyala, who won the men’s 100m race last year over world champion Fred Kerley of the United States, has also been confirmed for the Kip Keino Meet, reports news agency Xinhua.
Aries
This bright blue hue has been trending on the runway for some time now and has finally made its way to the streets.
Opt for orange this fall with a tangerinehued cut-out top from Nanushka and a pair of Sandro jeans that will remind you of summer sunsets all season long.
Barbiecore is everywhere this summer partly due to the upcoming Barbie film, but also thanks to Valentino and its FW22 collection
Author Bio:
Celebrity Astrologer Chirag Daruwalla is the son of famous astrologer Bejan Daruwalla. He is known for his detailed astrological predictions on career, health, love, finance, and business. You can visit their website bejandaruwalla.com for guidance on problems related to your life and solve your problem with the help of expert astrologer Chirag Daruwalla. For guidance on problems related to your life you can talk to Astrologer Chirag Daruwalla on Call/Whatsapp: +91 9825470377 or also mail on: info@bejandaruwalla.com
21st April to 27th April 2023
Ganesha says that the people of Aries may face some problems at the beginning of the week, but the second half will prove to be very auspicious for you. During that time you will be successful in improving your work area. At the beginning of the week, the mind will be a little disappointed due to not getting timely help from close friends and colleagues.
Taurus
Ganesha says that the people of the Taurus zodiac will get success in the works done this week, albeit late. New sources of income will be created at the beginning of the week. This week will be normal from the point of view of health and you will get full support of good luck.
Gemini
Ganesha says that this week is going to bring happiness and good fortune to the people of Gemini. At the beginning of the week, some good news can be received from the children’s side. Those who are preparing for the exam competition can also get some good news. During this, you will get the full results of hard work and effort.
Cancer
Ganesha says that the first half of the week is going to be better than the second half for Cancerians. At the beginning of the week itself, you will see sudden progress in your career business. There will be relief in matters related to courtcourt.
Leo
Ganesha says that the people of the Leo zodiac sign will have to take full care of this thing this week and that if caution is removed, accidents happen. Yes, this week you need to move ahead with very careful steps in your professional and personal life.
promotion for a long time, their wish can be fulfilled this week.
Libra
Ganesha says that at the beginning of the week, you may have to travel long or short distances in connection with work. During this, new sources of your income will be created, but the excess expenditure will be much more. The behavior of relatives and best friends will not be more positive.
Scorpio
Ganesha says that this week is indicating for the people of the Scorpio zodiac to move carefully. If you are thinking of changing the job or investing money somewhere in the business, then you must consult your relatives once before taking such a decision.
Sagittarius
Ganesha says that this week has brought auspiciousness and good fortune for the people of Sagittarius. At the beginning of the week, with the help of a close friend or an influential person, you will feel relieved after completing a long pending work.
Capricorn
Ganesha says that the people of Capricorn who were worried about the progress of career and business, their wishes can be fulfilled this week. Seniors in the workplace will appreciate your work. You may get some important responsibility.
Aquarius
Ganesha says that the people of Aquarius should take full care of their pockets while spending money this week. At the beginning of the week, more money can be spent out of pocket on things related to amenities or home repairs, etc.
Pisces
A colour Pantone has defined as Lime Punch, this zesty lime was spotted all over the streets of Copenhagen this season in the form of slinky slip dresses, blazers, and even boots. Try out the citrusy colour in a full ensemble courtesy of Jacquemus, Helmut Lang, Balenciaga, and Marc Jacobs. If New York street stylers are to take a hint, we can expect several splashes of lime this upcoming fashion week.
Virgo
Ganesha says that this week will be like the fulfillment of dreams for the people of Virgo. At the beginning of the week, some good news related to career business can be heard. For those who have been waiting for their transfer or
Ganesha says that this week is going to be very auspicious for the people of Pisces. At the beginning of the week itself, there will be chances of profit and progress. During this time you will be able to influence others with your speech and behavior.
Over the years, there has been a rise in the frequency of heart disease among young adults. This can be attributed to people’s changing lifestyles and exposure to too much stress. It is crucial to take note of every item that supports a healthy heart in order to promote one.
Shilajit, a naturally occurring substance found in the Himalayan mountain ranges, has been used for thousands of years in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of illnesses. It is renowned for its exceptional healing properties, which include antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anxiolytic. One of the most significant benefits of Shilajit is its positive impact on heart health. Heart conditions are common and can have serious health repercussions. Taking precautionary measures through the use of Ayurvedic ingredients can be one of the most effective ways to ensure a healthy heart. Here are some of the ways how Shilajit aids in the process:
Studies suggest that Shilajit is one of the core ayurvedic ingredients in improving health of the heart. It does so by providing strength and energy to the heart to maintain proper blood flow in all parts of the body. Ayurvedic doctors suggest Shilajit as an essential supplement to treat heart diseases as it has health-enduring properties. Since Shilajit contains fulvic acid, iron, and antioxidants like glutathione, the level of glutathione in the body is increased, which creates a line of defence against heart disease.
cholesterol levels when around thirty people who were aged 16 to 30 years were given Shilajit. The participants were divided into two groups; the first group took 2 grams of shilajit every day for about 45 days. The cholesterol levels and triglycerides were found to be low in the Shilajit group as compared to those who did not consume Shilajit.
Lowers blood fat
High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for heart disease. Normal blood pressure is imperative for a healthy life, and Shilajit has been found to lower blood pressure in many cases. The Ayurvedic ingredient can be used as a medium to keep blood pressure under control. This piece of Himalayan rock has worked miracles for mankind, restoring bodily cells that have been impoverished and deprived for a long time so they
can operate normally once again. Shilajit blood pressure medication is also beneficial for people with heart and blood pressure issues. Shilajit provides the trace minerals that the body requires for healthy blood pressure regulation and regular bodily functions. Each of these factors makes taking the blood pressure medicine Shilajit particularly useful.
Lowers Cholesterol
A small study done in 2003 suggested significant improvements in
Another critical compound in Shilajit is a prominent quantity of humic acid, which can significantly lower blood fats. If the concentration of fats in the body is low, there will be no fat deposits in the blood vessels, which eliminates the blockage of heart vessels. This reduces the risk of hemorrhage and stroke, which are leading causes of death in many patients.
Shilajit is a natural ingredient with many health benefits for the body, especially the heart, as stated in all the aforementioned points. It is a crucial medication for the treatment of heart diseases due to its beneficial effects on arrhythmia, cardiac injury, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and heart health.
(Dr Kriti Soni, Head of R&D, Kapiva)
One of the most typical emergencies is when a person seems to be having a heart attack. They clutch their chest, and bystanders think they will collapse and die in front of you.
Remember that in a heart attack the pain is not present in the front of the chest alone. It radiates up the neck, down the arm, moves to the back and is associated with sweating, fainting and pallor. It lasts for 15 minutes or more. Most importantly, on pressing, there is no tender localised area of pain on the chest wall.
What to do? Take a tablet of aspirin, crush it and administer it with water. Aspirin given during a heart attack prevents it from progressing till you reach the nearest hospital. In 23 per cent of cases, it actually prevents sudden death.
A insect entering the ear is a sudden, painful, unexpected occurrence. The first thing to do is turn the head towards the affected side, tilt it downwards and shine a bright light like a torch into the ear. With luck, the insect will be attracted to the light and fly out. If it doesn’t, place a few drops of baby oil in the ear. The insect will float up and fall out. The important thing is not to place buds or fingers in the ear. That will push the insect further inside and damage the eardrum
Toothaches have a penchant for occurring in the middle of the night. They are unbearable, as anyone who has suffered knows all too well. To hold out till morning, take ice-cold water and swish it in your mouth. After the first numbing stab of pain, it will dull the pain. Then chew on scraped ginger and a clove. Head to the dentist in the morning.
Studies suggest that Shilajit is one of the core ayurvedic ingredients in improving health of the heart.
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