Issue 21 by indoustribune

Jaishankar’s three-nation Southeast Asia tour to enhance ties concludes

Friday, 29 March, 2024

India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Thursday concluded his threenation Southeast Asia tour, beginning March 23, to strengthen bilateral relations and engage on regional issues of mutual concern.

During his official visit from March 27-28, he paid a courtesy call to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Bin Ibrahim and conveyed his greetings on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He thanked PM Ibrahim for his support in deepening bilateral ties under the India-Malaysia Enhanced Strategic Partnership.

EAM Jaishankar met the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan, and the two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral cooperation including political, trade and economic, defence, digital, culture, and education. They also exchanged views on issues of regional and global interest, following which EAM also met Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital.

During the visit, EAM held a round-table meeting with the CEOs and leaders of industry and interacted with members of the Indian diaspora in the country, praising their contribution towards India-Malaysia ties. While addressing the diaspora, the EAM took on China for failing to uphold longstanding agreements with India just as he underscored the importance of normalizing troop deployment at the India-China border.

As the EAM reached the Philippines, he addressed a press briefing in Manila alongside Enrique Manalo, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, extending India’s firm support following China’s “aggressive” action against Filipino navymen in the South China Sea. He called on all countries to adhere to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) “in its entirety, both in letter and in spirit”.

EAM Jaishankar and Manalo discussed shared interests in ensuring maritime safety, given that the two nations contribute so much to the global shipping industry. Jaishankar met Bongbong Marcos, President of the Philippines, who lauded and thanked the Indian Navy and the government for their swift and decisive action in rescuing Filipino seafarers after they were attacked by Houthi rebels in the Gulf of Aden this month.

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‘Unacceptable, unwarranted’: India again slams US’ remarks on Arvind Kejriwal

By: Arul Louis

Calling the US State Department’s remarks on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal “unwarranted”, India on Thursday said that any such external imputation on the electoral and legal process is completely unacceptable.

US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller reiterated on Wednesday its call for “fair, transparent, timely legal processes” as India summoned an American diplomat and lodged a strong protest over the remarks.

Addressing a weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, said that “yesterday, India had lodged its strong objection and protest with a senior official from the US embassy with regard to the comments made by the State Department”.

“The recent remarks by the State Department are unwarranted. Any such external imputation on the electoral and

legal process is completely unacceptable,” Jaiswal said in response to a question.

Asserting that in India, legal processes are driven only by the rule of law, Jaiswal said that anyone who has a similar ethos, especially fellow democracies, should have no difficulty in appreciating this fact.

He further said that India is proud of its independent and robust democratic institutions and is committed to protecting them from any form of “undue

US provides Maryland $60 million to start rebuild of collapsed Baltimore bridge

The U.S. government awarded the state of Maryland an initial $60 million in emergency funds on Thursday to clear debris and begin rebuilding the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, an extraordinarily fast disbursement after such a disaster.

The bridge came tumbling down early on Tuesday after a massive cargo freighter that had lost power plowed into the structure in Baltimore Harbor. Two bodies have been recovered and four others are missing and presumed dead, believed to be trapped in a vehicle beneath concrete and steel that fell into the water.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore had requested the $60 million earlier on Friday, and within hours the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration approved the

request to fund emergency work.

Such funding typically takes days, but President Joe Biden told reporters on Tuesday he directed the federal government to “move heaven and earth” to quickly rebuild the bridge, which forms part of a highway looping around Baltimore.

Moore told a press conference the top priority was to recover the missing construction workers who were conducting repairs on the bridge when the vessel known as the Dali struck a support column around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Officials then hope to clear the channel in order to resume shipping operations; tend to workers, families and first responders affected by the tragedy; and rebuild the bridge.

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external influences”.

“Mutual respect and understanding form the foundation of international relations and states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others,” Jaiswal said.

The meeting at the foreign ministry’s South Block office with Gloria Berbena, the US Acting Deputy Chief of Mission in Delhi, lasted 45 minutes with India objecting strongly to the US stance on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor.

After Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, Kejriwal was the third AAP leader who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam.

Earlier, India summoned a senior diplomat from the German Embassy and lodged a strong protest over comments on Kejriwal, saying that the Chief Minister is entitled to a fair and impartial trial India called it a “blatant interference” in the country’s internal matters.

Pakistan Foreign Office endorses Foreign Minister’s proposal on resuming trade with India

In quick succession, official voices are emerging from Pakistan on resumption of trade with India.

Within a week, first Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and now the Pakistan Foreign Office have talked about a proposal for resuming trade with India.

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch confirmed that the Foreign Office was reviewing a proposal for resumption of trade with India, Dawn reported.

Recalling a statement by Dar about the business community expressing interest in review of restrictions on trade with India, the spokesperson said, “Examination of such proposals is a regular exercise in the government of Pakistan, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where we continue to consider all such requests and assess our policy.”

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Pakistan Foreign Office endorses Foreign Minister’s proposal on resuming trade with India

The spokesperson said that so far there was no change in Pakistan’s position on the issue. On March 24, Dar said that the relevant stakeholders would “seriously examine” the trade situation with India as he highlighted the concerns of the business community. In December, last year, former Pakistan PM and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif had stressed the need to improve relationships with Pakistan’s neighbors, stating, “We have to fix our affairs with India and Afghanistan as well, [and] strengthen them further with Iran and China.”

Dar highlighted that the business community often made appeals and demands with regards to the trade situation with India.

Jaishankar’s three-nation Southeast Asia tour to enhance ties concludes

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During his visit to Singapore from March 23-25, the EAM had several bilateral engagements with the leadership and senior Ministers of the Cabinet. He called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and met the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Lawrence Wong.

With Wong, the EAM exchanged views on deepening engagement in the identified pillars of our cooperation including fintech, digitalization, green economy, skills development, and food security. He also called on Singapore’s Indian-origin Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan with whom he “exchanged views on the IndoPacific and West Asia”.

“Reviewed the progress of our bilateral cooperation. Spoke about preparations for the next ISMR (India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable) meeting. Discussed marking 60 years of our diplomatic ties,” Dr Jaishankar said.

US provides Maryland $60 million to start rebuild of collapsed Baltimore bridge

But first a team of experts must assess how to remove the stuck vessel, loaded with thousands of containers and trapped by bridge debris. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was bringing in the largest crane on the Eastern Seaboard to remove pieces of bridge, Moore said.

“The Dali is almost as long as the Eiffel Tower and the Dali has the Key Bridge on top of it. We’re talking 3,000 or 4,000 tons of steel that’s sitting on top of that ship,” Moore said.

Until diving operations were suspended due to safety concerns on Wednesday night, divers searching for the victims had been impeded by the volume and density of the debris that blocked out sunlight.

“In most instances, our divers cannot see any more than a foot or two ahead of

them, so much of the operation is simply feel,” Moore said. The U.S. Congress will need to fund building a replacement bridge.

Maryland officials said the emergency funds would support “mobilization, operations, and debris removal, laying the foundation for a rapid recovery” and that the state may seek additional emergency funding as damage assessments progress.

Bound for Sri Lanka, the Singaporeflagged container ship Dali reported losing power and the ability to maneuver before plowing into a support pylon of the bridge.

The impact brought most of the bridge crashing into the mouth of the Patapsco River almost immediately, blocking shipping lanes and forcing the indefinite closure of the Port of Baltimore, one of the busiest on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard.

Envisioned by Prime Minister Modi, the first ISMR between the two nations, seeking to “deepen existing cooperation and identifying opportunities for collaboration in new and emerging areas”, was held in 2022.

Following the inaugural meeting then, PM Modi conveyed his appreciation and hoped that initiatives like ISMR would help further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.

FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison

Sam Bankman-Fried, the co-founder and CEO of collapsed crypto exchange FTX, was on Thursday sentenced to 25 years in prison in the US for seven counts of conspiracy and fraud charges. Judge Lewis Kaplan ordered a 240-month sentence and a 60-month sentence to be served consecutively, reports The Verge.

“On obstruction of justice, I find that Bankman-Fried’s text to the former general counsel did, in fact, constitute attempted witness tampering. I make 3 perjury findings based on trial testimony,” the judge said.

The customers of FTX lost $8 billion and Bankman-Fried “falsely testified about when he learned of the missing $8 billion”. Bankman-Fried is already in custody and has been residing in the Metropolitan Detention

Center (MDC) since August 11, 2023.

Last November, the FTX CEO was found guilty on all seven counts related to fraud and money laundering. The US Attorney’s office at the Southern District of New York had said in a statement that he perpetrated one of the biggest financial frauds in American history -a multibillion-dollar scheme designed to make him the ‘King of Crypto’.

“While the cryptocurrency industry might be new and the players like Sam BankmanFried might be new, this kind of corruption is as old as time. This case has always been about lying, cheating, and stealing, and we have no patience for it,” said US Attorney Damian Williams.

FTX -- once the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange -- filed for bankruptcy in November 2022.

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Mumbai overtakes Beijing to become Asia’s new billionaire capital M

umbai has surpassed Beijing to emerge as Asia’s new billionaire capital while India has overtaken Germany to become the third-ranked country globally with 271 billionaires, according to the latest Hurun Research Institute report.

“Mumbai was the fastest-growing billionaire capital in the world, adding 26 in the year and taking it to third in the world and Asia’s billionaire capital. New Delhi broke into the Top 10 for the first time,” the report states.

India’s economic prowess was further underscored by the remarkable surge in its billionaire population. The country added a staggering 94 new billionaires, the highest of any nation except the United States, bringing the total to 271 ultrahigh-net-worth individuals. This surge, the highest since 2013, is a testament to the soaring confidence in the Indian economy, as noted by Rupert Hoogewerf, the institute’s chairman and chief researcher.

Indian billionaires’ cumulative wealth reached US$1 trillion, surpassing China’s average wealth per billionaire (US$3.2 billion vs US$3.8 billion), the 2024 Hurun Global Rich List report states.

The report highlights that industry-

wise the pharmaceutical sector leads the pack with 39 billionaires, followed by the automobile and auto components industry (27), and the chemicals sector (24).

Collectively, the wealth of Indian billionaires amounts to a phenomenal $1 trillion, accounting for 7 percent of the global billionaire wealth, reflecting the

country’s substantial economic influence.

The rise of startups, particularly in the booming Artificial Intelligence (AI) space, is a significant contributor as well. This trend aligns with the global focus on AI, which emerged as the biggest driver of wealth creation, generating over half of all new wealth this year.

With a young, tech-savvy population and a growing focus on innovation, India is well-positioned to capitalize on this AI revolution, potentially fuelling the creation of even more billionaires in the coming years, the report added.

Leading the Indian billionaire list is Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries, with a staggering net worth of $115 billion. Closely following is Gautam Adani, the founder of the Adani Group energy conglomerate, with assets valued at $86 billion, marking a $33 billion surge in wealth attributed to a rally in his companies’ shares.

While India’s billionaire population soared, China witnessed a decline, with the report stating, “China had a bad year. HK was down 20 percent, Shenzhen down 19 percent, and Shanghai down 7 percent.”

This downturn can be attributed to the crisis in the country’s real estate and volatile stock market problems in the renewable energy sectors.

UN court orders Israel to allow unhindered aid to Gaza

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague has ordered Israel to do whatever is necessary to ensure that basic aid reaches the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip.

“Israel should take all necessary and effective measures to ensure, without delay, in full cooperation with the United Nations, the unhindered provision at scale by all concerned of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance,” the ICJ said on Thursday in its ruling.

These include “food, water, electricity, fuel, shelter, clothing, hygiene and sanitation requirements, as well as medical supplies and medical care to Palestinians throughout Gaza, including by increasing the capacity and number of land crossing points and maintaining them open for as long as necessary”.

The ruling is an addition to a January 26 verdict, in which the ICJ ordered Israel to take all possible measures to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, to halt incitement against Palestinians

as a group, to preserve evidence and to take immediate measures to ensure humanitarian aid, Xinhua news agency reported.

On December 29, 2023, South Africa filed an application to the ICJ for proceedings against Israel concerning alleged violations of its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention in relation to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

In the current view of the court, the provisional measures indicated in that order of January 26 do not fully address the consequences arising from the changes on the

ground. Therefore, the Court determined that modifications to these measures were justified.

The court said that since that ruling, “the catastrophic living conditions of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have deteriorated further, in particular, in view of the prolonged and widespread deprivation of food and other basic necessities to which the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been subjected.”

“Palestinians in Gaza are no longer facing only a risk of famine, as noted in the order, but that famine is setting in,” it added.

Guterres hopes ‘everyone’s rights protected’ in India’s elections

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hopes that in India’s elections, “everyone’s rights are protected”, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric has said.

“What we very much hope that in India, as in any country that is having elections, that everyone’s rights are protected, including political and civil rights, and everyone is able to vote in an atmosphere that is free and fair”, he said on Thursday in response to a question from a Bangladeshi journalist at his daily briefing.

In making a general statement, Dujarric

did not directly react to the journalist’s assertion that India was at a “crisis point” mentioning the arrest of Delhi Chief

www.indoustribune.com Friday, 29 March, 2024 3

Fortifying Indo-US Relations Amidst Transformative Times

As we reflect on the evolving landscape of global affairs, the Indo-US relationship emerges as a cornerstone of stability, collaboration, and shared values. In recent years, this partnership has witnessed significant strides across diverse sectors, underscoring the mutual commitment of India and the United States to deepening their ties and addressing common challenges. The Indo-US Tribune takes pride in observing the maturation of this pivotal relationship, which has far-reaching implications for both nations and the international community at large. In examining the current state of Indo-US relations, it becomes apparent that efforts to strengthen economic, strategic, and people-to-people ties are central to the agenda of both countries.

In the realm of trade and commerce, India and the US are engaged in constructive dialogues aimed at addressing longstanding issues and unlocking the full potential of bilateral trade. Enhancing market access, promoting investment flows, and fostering innovation partnerships are key priorities that will bolster economic cooperation and create opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs on both sides. Defense collaboration between India and the US has also witnessed significant progress, with strategic partnerships and defense agreements bolstering security cooperation and promoting regional stability. From joint military exercises to defense technology transfers, the defense realm stands as a pillar of strength in the Indo-US relationship, enhancing interoperability and capacity-building efforts.

While the COVID-19 pandemic may now be in the past, the collaborative efforts between India and the US in combating the virus serve as a testament to the spirit of solidarity and cooperation that defines their partnership. Scientific collaboration, vaccine diplomacy, and humanitarian assistance efforts underscored the shared commitment to global health security and pandemic preparedness. Turning our attention to domestic politics, the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in India and the US Presidential elections hold immense significance for the trajectory of Indo-US relations. In India, the elections will be focused on economic development, the rise in Hindu sentiment, and communal harmony, with the Indo-US relationship occupying a prominent place in the political discourse.

Similarly, in the United States, the Presidential elections will be a pivotal moment, with candidates’ positions on trade, defense, and global engagement drawing scrutiny from voters and observers alike. The contrast between Bidenomics, emphasizing economic recovery and social welfare, and Trump’s Make America Great Again movement, marked by protectionist policies and nationalist rhetoric, will shape the contours of Indo-US relations.

Furthermore, issues such as women’s rights, immigration reform, and climate change will feature prominently in the US elections, influencing the future direction of bilateral cooperation between India and the United States. Amidst these political dynamics, India and the US have an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to shared values of democracy, pluralism, and inclusive growth. In conclusion, the Indo-US Tribune remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering greater understanding, dialogue, and collaboration between India and the United States. As both nations navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing world, the enduring partnership between India and the US serves as a beacon of hope, progress, and shared prosperity for people around the globe.

Best Regards, Dr. (H) Avi Verma Publisher, IndoUS Tribune

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In a u-turn, pro-China Maldivian President calls India ‘closest ally’, seeks debt relief

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In an about-turn, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu called India its “closest ally” and hoped it would provide debt relief to repay heavy loans that the successive governments in the island nation have taken from New Delhi.

Further, the president with a pro-China tilt, stated that he has not taken any action or made any statements that may strain the relationship between the two countries, the Edition newspaper reported.

The total amount of loans taken from the Export and Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) stood at USD 1.4 million (MVR 22 million) and together with this, the amount owed by the Maldives to India by the end of 2023, stood at MVR 6.2 billion.

In his first interview since taking office last year with Edition’s sister publication, ‘Mihaaru’, Muizzu said: “The conditions we have inherited are such that there are very large loans taken from India. Hence, we are holding discussions to explore leniencies in the repayment structure of these loans”.

Muizzu’s remarks come weeks after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar took a veiled dig at Muizzu on his “big bullies” comment on India, saying: “Big bullies do not offer $4.5 billion aid or vaccine or food when neighboring countries are in distress.”

The relationship between the two nations nosedived after Muizzu made a formal request to New Delhi to remove its military personnel from the island nation by March 15, 2024.

The development came a day after Muizzu returned from China, and made comments critical of India. “We might be small but that does not give you the license to bully us,” he had said.

The first batch of Indian military personnel left the island nation this month as planned, and Muizzu has further ordered that by May 10, all 88 military personnel, manning the three Indian aviation platforms, should leave the country.

Muizzu told the Daily that in doing so, his aim was to encourage the Maldives to become “self-sufficient”, adding that “it is highly irresponsible to attempt to portray these actions as either distancing the country from India or moving the country towards China”.

“No country can do everything on its own, not even the biggest country. Even America has to depend on other countries. China does, too. India, as well. However, do Maldivians not deserve to attempt to do whatever we are able to do by ourselves, independently?”

Media reports said, citing government documents, that India has spent nearly 771 crore rupees on projects in the Maldives during this fiscal year, ending in March.

Further, the reports stated that India spent Rs 183 crore in fiscal 2022-23, and has set aside Rs 600 crore in initial allocation for the Maldivian projects next year.

The neighboring island nation is one of the biggest beneficiaries of India’s Neighborhood First policy and is India’s pivotal maritime partner in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Relations between the two nations hit a rough patch after three of Muizzu’s junior ministers reportedly passed unsavory comments on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

US ‘perplexed’ by Netanyahu scrapping Israeli delegation’s visit to Washington

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The White House has said that it was “perplexed” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to cancel a planned visit to Washington by a delegation comprising senior Israeli officials.

Netanyahu made the decision after the US on Monday abstained from a United Nations Security Council vote on a draft resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza until the end of Ramadan. US abstention, instead of veto, effectively gave the green light to the measure, Xinhua news agency reported.

“We are kind of perplexed by this,” John Kirby, spokesperson for the US National Security Council, told reporters at the White House daily briefing in reaction to the scraping of the Israeli delegation, which was invited by the Joe Biden administration to come to Washington for talks on a possible alternative to a ground operation by the Israeli military in Rafah.

Kirby said in a further explanation that the resolution, even as it got passed, would have “no impact at all on Israel and Israel’s ability to go after Hamas”. Kirby added that abstaining the draft resolution “does not represent a change at all” in US policy coping with the situation in Gaza.

Hamas should be part of a deal securing the release of those held hostage by Hamas. Meanwhile, the US “continues to stand with Israel as they fight Hamas”, Kirby said.

In what seemed to be the thinly veiled criticism of Netanyahu’s government, Kirby stressed that it is the US, not Israel, that gets to decide its own policy.

“The Prime Minister’s office seems to be indicating through public statements that we somehow changed here. We haven’t. And we get to decide what our policy is. It seems like the Prime Minister’s office is choosing to create a perception of daylight here when they don’t need to do that,” Kirby said.

aborted, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant arrived in Washington over the weekend, scheduling to hold respective talks with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday, and meet with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Tuesday.

Kirby told reporters that while there’s an opportunity during Gallant’s visit for the two sides to discuss an alternative plan for Rafah, his visit “probably won’t be a full replacement for what we’re hoping to do with a broader, larger delegation of Israeli counterparts”.

The Biden administration, Kirby added, is “still going to look for an avenue and an approach to be able to share those alternatives with the Israelis”. IndoUS

The US, according to Kirby, is still of the view that a cease-fire between Israel and

Separate to the delegation visit that is now

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North Carolina moves to revoke license of wilderness camp where a 12-year-old died

North Carolina officials say they plan to revoke the license of Trails Carolina, a wilderness camp for troubled youths where a 12-year-old boy recently died after having spent less than 24 hours at the program.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services sent letters Thursday notifying Trails Carolina’s executive director that the camp in Lake Toxaway had violated several state regulations, including one requiring mental health facilities to protect clients from abuse. The department did not provide additional details about the violations, which were documented during an investigation that was completed this month.

The department said that it determined the violations “endanger the health, safety, and welfare of clients in your facility” and that it intends to revoke Trails Carolina’s license. The camp was given 10 days to provide a written statement saying why it believes it is in compliance with the rules, along with supporting documents or a plan of correction. The department also fined Trails Carolina $18,000 for the violations and extended its suspension of admissions indefinitely.

Trails Carolina is a private, for-profit wilderness program for children who struggle with behavioral problems or depression and are typically sent to the camp by their parents. The children at Trails Carolina have diagnoses such as autism, ADHD, bipolar and post-traumatic stress disorders.

A boy identified by the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office only by his initials, CJH, was found dead at Trails Carolina on Feb. 3 with his pants and underwear removed, prompting an ongoing criminal investigation. The cause of death has not yet been determined, but the sheriff’s office said in a statement shortly after the death that, according to a forensic pathologist, it “appeared to not be natural.” Trails Carolina has said that preliminary information indicates the boy’s death was accidental.

House Oversight chairman invites Biden to testify in impeachment probe

The Republican chairman of the House Oversight panel on Thursday formally invited President Joe Biden to testify before his committee as a part of its impeachment probe.

Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., who leads the committee, proposed in a letter Thursday that Biden appear on April 16, and cited testimony at a public hearing last week from former business associates of Hunter Biden — Tony Bobulinski and Jason Galanis. Comer said their testimony contradicted statements the president has made about his involvement in his son’s business dealings. He first announced his plans to invite the president to testify at the end of that hearing, which also included former Ukrainian businessman Lev Parnas.

“In light of the yawning gap between your public statements and the evidence assembled by the Committee, as well as the White House’s obstruction, it is in the best interest of the American people for you to answer questions from Members of Congress directly, and I hereby invite you to do so,” Comer wrote.

The proposed testimony would come at a pivotal moment for Biden’s main 2024 challenger, former President Donald Trump. The trial for Trump’s New York criminal case is set to begin a day earlier,

NYPD

on April 15.

Comer’s letter specifically cites President Gerald Ford’s testimony before the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice of the House Judiciary Committee in 1974 as precedent. In response, the White House pointed to a post on X from spokesman Ian Sams last week when Comer made the public announcement that he planned to invite Biden to testify.

Comer also said the committee has testimony saying the president “regularly joined meetings by speakerphone” with his son and his business associates. Devon Archer, a former business associate of Hunter Biden, testified in July that the president joined roughly 20 calls with his son and associates, but that they were brief conversations that did not address official business. Archer also testified that

cops fatally shoot Queens youth in ‘mental distress’

ABangladeshi teenager undergoing a “mental crisis” has been shot dead by city police after he lunged at them with a pair of scissors and his mother intervened in their attempts to subdue him, according to police. The incident started with a phone call to an emergency police line that Win Rozario, 19, had himself made on Wednesday afternoon, New York Police Patrol Chief John Chell said at a news conference. City police were already on edge after a gunman killed one of them on Monday.

Chell said that when police arrived at the teen’s home, Rozario was in a “mental crisis” and the situation was “quite hectic, chaotic and dangerous.” When he charged at them with scissors, police fired a Taser to subdue him but his “mother, being a mother, came to the aid of her son to help him” and knocked out the Taser dart, Chell said.

Rozario then picked up the scissors and came after police who “had no choice but to defend themselves” firing their weapons, Chell said. Rozario’s brother, Ushto, 17, however, disputed the police version asserting that his mother had been holding him the whole time, “One of the cops pulled out a gun and shot him as my mother [was] still hugging him,” The New York Times quoted him as saying.

Chell, however, said that the police wore bodycams that recorded the incident and the video would back their version.

In Monday’s incident, a police officer, who is likely of Indian heritage, shot dead the gunman who killed his colleague while investigating an illegally parked car. The officer who responded to the shooting, Vekash Khedna, is listed on the police database as an Asian and he is on the police cricket team in the New York-based Commonwealth Cricket League.

Another Indian-origin police officer was in the news last month when he was attacked by a gang of illegal immigrants in Times Square. There was outrage when some of the assailants were let off by the public prosecutor, Alvin Bragg, without seeking bail allowing them to flee the city.

A Republican member of Congress from the city, Nicole Malliotakis, invited him to the Capitol as her special guest during President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address to draw attention to the law and order, and illegal immigration problems.

he was not aware of any wrongdoing by the president.

Parnas, who was invited to appear as a witness by Democrats on the committee, testified last week that there was no evidence of Biden family corruption involving Ukraine and that the Russian government had pushed the false claims. He later told NBC News in an interview that the Republican-led hearings were “pushing the same Russian narrative and propaganda.”

House Republicans have repeatedly taken aim at Hunter Biden as part of their impeachment inquiry into his father, which has not provided any evidence of criminal wrongdoing by the president.

The Republican-led probe faced a significant setback last month when former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov, whose claims played a major role in igniting the probe, was indicted and accused of feeding false information to the FBI about Biden and his son during the 2020 presidential campaign.

In his own closed-door deposition with the House Oversight and Judiciary committees last month as part of the impeachment inquiry, Hunter Biden testified that he did not involve his father in his business dealings, and condemned the probe as a “baseless and destructive political charade” based on “MAGAmotivated conspiracies.”

Joe Biden, Donald Trump secure win in Louisiana Democratic and Republican primaries

US President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump secured victory in the Louisiana Democratic and Republican primaries, local media said.

Joe Biden and Donald Trump had secured enough delegates to become their respective party’s 2024 presidential nominee earlier this month, Xinhua news agency reported. Missouri also held Democratic primary last week on Saturday, but the results will be released this week.

On March 19, Biden and Trump each won their respective party’s primaries in the states of Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, and Arizona. Following weeks of campaign advertisements, political addresses and voting in more than two dozen primary contests, Americans are confronting a reality that numerous people have sought to avoid -- the first presidential rematch since 1956. Dissatisfaction with constrained political alternatives and desire for a broader selection are frequently heard.

In a January poll conducted by Ipsos, a global leader in market research, two thirds of respondents indicated they were “tired of seeing the same candidates in presidential elections and want someone new.” The survey also revealed that only a quarter of Americans are “satisfied” with the twoparty system.

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US State Dept staffer resigns over Washington’s Gaza policy

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AUS State Department staffer responsible for promoting human rights in regions including Gaza has resigned in protest of the continued delivery of weapons from the US to Israel. Annelle Sheline left the State Department on Wednesday after having served for a year as a foreign affairs officer at the Office of Near Eastern Affairs in the department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, according to an editor’s note from CNN proceeding an opinion piece by Sheline in which the employee explained the reason for her resignation.

In the article published on CNN’s website, Sheline blamed the US government for offering support, both diplomatically and militarily, to “atrocities committed” by the Israeli military in the ongoing war in Gaza, and the “killing of Palestinians by armed Israeli settlers” in the West Bank. These actions by Israel “meet the crime of genocide”, she said, citing testimonies by experts on genocide.

“Unable to serve an administration that enables such atrocities, I have decided to resign from my position at the Department of State,” she said. Sheline said she had not initially planned a public resignation. “Because my time at State had been so short -- I was hired on a two-year contract -- I did not think I mattered enough to announce my resignation publicly. However, when I started to tell colleagues of my decision to resign, the response I heard repeatedly was, Please

New York appeals court slashes bond in Trump business fraud case

An appeals court in New York has cut the bond in US former President Donald Trump’s business fraud case by more than half and granted a ten-day period for coming up with the smaller bond.

Trump, his two sons, one business associate and business organizations need to fulfill a bond of $175 million within ten days rather than paying a total of $464.576 million, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a ruling by an appellate panel under the New York Supreme Court.

The latest ruling is seen as a win for Trump and his assets probably will avoid being seized by New York Attorney General Letitia James, the plaintiff in Trump’s business fraud case. Trump said on Monday that he respected the decision, and cash or a bond would be put up very quickly.

Earlier, Trump’s lawyers told the appeals court that it was impossible to post the bond in full and proposed a bond of $100 million instead. The judgment of $464 million

plus interest against Trump and the other defendants in the case still stands, according to a spokesperson with the New York Attorney General’s office.

Arthur F. Engoron, a judge of New York County Supreme Court, delivered the decree on February 16 with heavy punishment against Trump and other defendants. The appeals court also stayed the enforcement of some other parts of the previous ruling centering on barring defendants from doing business and applying for loans in New York.

Meanwhile, Juan Merchan, another judge in New York, said on Monday that the criminal trial against Trump regarding election interference will begin on April 15 with jury selection. Earlier, Merchan planned to begin the trial on March 25 but dismissed Trump’s motion to toss out the indictment altogether or delay the trial further on Monday.

Arraigned in the case in early April 2023, Trump faces charges that he falsified business records during the 2016 presidential campaign to make “hush-money” payments to porn star Stormy Daniels and keep her quiet about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump before.

speak for us.”

“Across the federal government, employees like me have tried for months to influence policy, both internally and, when that failed, publicly,” she said. “My colleagues and I watched in horror as this administration delivered thousands of precision-guided munitions, bombs, small arms and other lethal aid to Israel and authorized thousands more, even bypassing Congress to do so. We are

appalled by the administration’s flagrant disregard for American laws that prohibit the U.S. from providing assistance to foreign militaries that engage in gross human rights violations or that restrict the delivery of humanitarian aid,” wrote Sheline in the article.

None of Sheline’s posts on X can be seen anymore, with a note on the page of her account saying “these posts are being protected”. The latest episode followed the stepping down for a similar reason in October of Josh Paul, a senior State Department official in charge of overseeing foreign arms transfers, as well as the self-immolation of US airman Aaron Bushnell in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C. in February.

During a press briefing at the State Department on Wednesday, Matthew Miller, the department’s spokesperson, said that Secretary of State Antony Blinken not only “has instructed his team ... to make sure people have an opportunity to make their views known, but also has taken those dissenting ideas into account when making policy decisions”.

Protesters interrupt Biden, Obama, Clinton at $25 million New York fundraiser

President Joe Biden and his Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, headlined a starstudded fundraiser with former President Bill Clinton on Thursday, offering a robust defense of the White House’s handling of the Gaza crisis as protesters interrupted the event.

Biden, who traveled with Obama on Air Force One to New York, took part in a discussion with Clinton moderated by “The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert at the iconic Radio City Music Hall in front of thousands of guests. Organizers say the event raised more than $25 million for Biden’s U.S. reelection campaign.

But the fundraiser was punctuated by several protests inside the massive auditorium, with attendees rising at several different moments to shout over the discussion, referencing Biden’s backing of Israel in the Hamas war that has killed more than 30,000 people in Gaza.

“Shame on you, Joe Biden!” one yelled.

Obama and Clinton offered a presidential perspective of the Gaza crisis that stressed the political realities of being in the White House. A president needs to be able to support Israel at the same time as fighting for Palestinians to have more access to food, medical supplies and a future state, they said.

“It’s a lonely seat,” Obama said. “One of the realities of the presidency is that the world has a lot of joy and beauty, but it also has a lot of tragedy and cruelty.”

People “understandably, oftentimes, want to feel a certain purity in terms of how those decisions are made,” he said. “But a president doesn’t have that luxury.”

When a protestor inside the theater interrupted Obama, the former president snapped back: “You can’t just talk and not listen...That’s what the other side does.”

The pair of former presidents also defended Biden’s handling of the economy, which gets low ratings in national polls. Clinton said Biden’s economic numbers have significantly outpaced Trump’s administration.

“I believe in keeping score,” Clinton said. “He’s been good for America” and deserves another term. Before the event, the three leaders’ motorcade passed hundreds of protesters demonstrating against Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza, another sign that some young voters and other progressives who voted for Biden in 2020 are furious about his staunch backing of Israel in its response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks.

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Eminent Indian-origin mathematician TN Subramaniam dies in US

Dr TN Subramaniam, an eminent mathematician of Indian origin and creator of Route One company and server for General Motors, passed away in Michigan on Tuesday. He was 76.

Subramaniam, who migrated to the US in 1979, was renowned in academic circles in India and the US. He leaves behind him a rich legacy of mathematical models and theories for the world of maths.

He was hired by General Motors to build mathematical models for GM cars. Later, he founded the Route One company for the automotive manufacturing company, which handles auto-financing for all GM cars and GPS systems. He was the architect of the server for the site for General Motors in Troy, Michigan, in the US.

The then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi also met him personally while on tour and encouraged him to be innovative and do things that the country could be proud of him.

Subramaniam is survived by wife, daughter, and son-in-law, who work for the Biden administration in the state of Maryland in the US.

He also leaves behind his only younger brother, TN Ashok, International Blogger of TNA Talk and former Editor (Economics) of Press Trust of India.

PhD student from India dies after being run over by truck in London

An Indian student died after being run over by a truck while cycling back to her apartment in London last week, according to a social media post by Niti Aayog former CEO Amitabh Kant. The 33-yearold Cheistha Kochhar was a PhD student at the London School of Economics, her father retired Lieutenant General SP Kochhar said in a post on LinkedIn. Kochhar, who had previously worked with the public policy think-tank NITI Aayog, was pursuing her PhD in Behavioral Science from LSE.

Amitabh Kant in his post on X said that Cheistha Kochhar had worked with him on the LIFE programme in Niti Aayog. He described her as bright, brilliant, brave and always full of life.

Lieutenant General Kochhar (retd) said he is still in London trying to collect the remains of his daughter. In a post on LinkedIn, Lieutenant General Kochhar stated, “I am still in London trying to collect the remains of my daughter, Cheistha Kochhar. She was run over by

a truck on 19 March while cycling back from LSE, where she was doing her PhD. It has devastated us and her large circle of friends.”

Cheistha was a doctoral candidate at the LSE since September last year,

according to her LinkedIn profile. Prior to that she worked as Senior Advisor in the National Behavioral Insights Unit of India, Niti Aayog, from June 2021-April 2023. Previously, she worked as Associate Director in Centre for Social and Behavior Change.

Singapore court jails Indian-origin man for tampering with his bus speed limit

An Indian-origin owner of a company that provides bus transportation services was sentenced to 13 weeks’ jail over his role in a ruse that allowed one of his vehicles to go over the prescribed speed limit, potentially affecting road safety.

Sundram Retnam, 51, who owns SV Bus Transportation Services and usually drove the affected bus at speeds of between 70 km per hour and 75 km per hour, was also fined SGD 500 after he failed to ensure its speed limiter

was properly calibrated to prevent the vehicle from speeding.

On March 25, he pleaded guilty to two counts of cheating and also admitted to an offence under the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Speed Limiters) Rules. Sundram was the second person involved in the case to be dealt with in court.

Mechanic Tee Wei Chye, 45, who had activated the speed limiter on the bus before its inspections and disabled it after the tests were completed, was sentenced to 21 weeks in jail on March 22 after he pleaded guilty to three

cheating charges.

The case involving a third man, Teoh Sio Meng, 51, who was the director and owner of T&L Transit, and a director at RS3 Transport at the time of the offences, is pending. All three Singaporean men were charged in court in December 2022.

An unnamed whistleblower alerted the authorities and the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau then looked into the matter. On March 25, Sundram’s bail was set at SGD 5,000 and he is expected to surrender himself at the State Courts on April 1 to begin serving his sentence.

Smuggling suspect knew of frigid cold before Indian family’s death on Canada border, prosecutors say

Aman accused of helping smuggle people across the US-Canadian border had been warned of blizzard conditions before he arranged for four members of an Indian family to cross in 2022, prosecutors allege. The parents and two young children froze to death.

Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, 28, who prosecutors say went by the alias ‘Dirty Harry’, is due in federal court in Minnesota next week on seven counts of human smuggling. The man he allegedly hired to drive the Indian nationals from the Canadian border to Chicago also faces four counts, according to a new indictment unsealed last week.

The alleged driver, Steve Shand, of Deltona in Florida, was arrested and charged

with human smuggling two years ago. He has pleaded not guilty and remains free. Proceedings in his case have been put on hold several times.

In a recent court document, an agent with the US Department of Homeland Security said Patel has been refused a US visa at least five times -- four times at US consulates in

India and once at the US consulate in Ottawa in Canada. He is in the US illegally, the agent said.

Patel’s name didn’t emerge until he was arrested in Chicago last month on a previously sealed warrant issued last September. Defence attorney Thomas Leinenweber said in an email that Patel will plead not guilty on Wednesday. He didn’t elaborate.

Unsealed court papers connect Patel with a human trafficking group based in Gujarat. The group allegedly would get Indian nationals into Canada on student visas, then move them on to Chicago. The migrants would work for substandard wages at Indian restaurants while they paid off debt to the smugglers, according to the court documents.

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Indian student alleges hate campaign in London

Satyam Surana, the Indian student who came to the limelight for bravely retrieving the Tricolor amidst an attack on the Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom by extremists last year, is now speaking out against alleged hate and smear campaigns targeted at him during this year’s student union elections at the London School of Economics.

Satyam has claimed that mere hours before voting commenced, a very ‘well-planned’ campaign was initiated against him. He asserts that this campaign sought to associate him with the BJP and labeled him a ‘fascist’, with the apparent intention of inciting a boycott against him and his electoral bid. The Pune-born student has also practiced at the Bombay High Court for some months and is pursuing an LLM at the London School of Economics, with his course ending later this year.

Elaborating on the whole set of incidents, he said that the LSE elections were declared in February and early March and he filed the nomination for the post of general secretary.

“From March 14 to 15, we noticed that my posters were being ripped off, torn. We complained to the authorities. After we replaced our posters, on the 16th, we saw that some posters were defaced. There were crosses on my face, it was written ‘anyone but Satyam’. I was cancelled out,” Satyam told in an interview.

“On the 17th afternoon, there were messages in all groups of LSE. Indian groups, law school groups. The messages claimed, ‘This Satyam Surana is a BJP supporter, he is a fascist person, an Islamophobe, a transphobe’. The messages were so seditious and contentious of the Indian government

and the current establishment,” he added.

Satyam alleged that the radical elements also screenshotted his posts on social media handle X, where he had merely praised the BJP government, but his posts were used with a malicious agenda to call him a “fascist”. He also said that his manifesto had no political points, but merely contained the genuine issues on campus. Even though he initially got overwhelming support, this hate campaign derailed his chances.

“With my entire team, I went through the entire campus. We were reaching out across departments and explaining our policies. I had a very well-written and well-drafted manifesto, which was not at all political. It said how things need improvement at LSE, how there is a need of a grievance redressal portal, having subsidized food on campus. We were getting support and people were saying that they would vote for me,” Satyam said.

“But, out of the three people, it was only me who was targeted randomly. When these messages started coming, my entire team was shocked, we were in a dilemma, and the entire moral conscience of the team was shattered,” he added.

Recalling the episode from the Indian High Commission last year, Satyam said, “Somewhere around early October, I was in the news because I picked up the national flag outside the Indian High Commission among the Khalistani protesters. I was blessed to receive media coverage. I was interviewed by national media channels.” He further said that he was targeted for calling Khalistanis ‘terrorists’ in one of his posts.

“See, this is my country. I will always be an advocate for my country. How is Indian politics relevant to the student union elections in the UK? My views and endorsements of my government is entirely my opinion,” Satyam added.

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24-year-old Indian professional dies in US car accident

A24-year-old Indian professional was killed in a car accident in the US state of Pennsylvania.

Arshia Joshi lost her life in a car accident in Pennsylvania on March 21, the Consulate General of India in New York said in a post on X on Saturday, expressing deep condolences to her family. Joshi had completed her graduation last year.

The Consulate said it was in touch with Joshi’s family and local community leaders.

“Extending all possible help to transport her mortal remains to India at the earliest,” it said, without divulging more details about the deceased. Volunteer-based nonprofit organization TEAM Aid is assisting in sending Joshi’s mortal remains to Delhi to her family. TEAM Aid’s primary focus has been to help members of the Indian community who are either travelling or living abroad and face dire situations such as accidents, suicides, homicides or sudden death of loved ones. It has been working to help repatriate the mortal remains to India of people who have lost their lives while in the US.

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Ukrainian FM holds meeting with Jaishankar focused on conflict with Russia

In an open and wide-ranging conversation with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Friday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussed the Kiev’s ongoing conflict with Russia and exchanged views on various initiatives.

In a first high-level visit by a Ukrainian leader since the start of Russian invasion of Kyiv in 2022, Kuleba began his twoday official visit to India on Thursday to reinvigorate bilateral ties with India.

In his opening remarks at the meeting at Hyderabad House, S. Jaishankar said that Kuleba’s visit gives India “an opportunity to understand the situation in your own region. And I look forward to hearing your perspectives on that”.

Speaking of “momentum” in the bilateral relationship, the EAM said that the two nations have had interactions at

Judicial probe ordered in Mukhtar Ansari’s death

Hours after the Uttar Pradesh government ordered a magisterial probe into the death of Mukhtar Ansari, the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) in Banda has ordered a judicial probe into the matter. Garima Singh, Additional CJM, has been asked to carry out the probe and submit her report within one month. Mukhtar Ansari’s family members have alleged that Ansari died due to “slow poisoning” through the food served to him in Banda jail.

The opposition parties have also demanded a judicial probe into Ansari’s death since he had already voiced his apprehension before the court that he was being poisoned in jail. Ansari (60) suffered a massive heart attack in Banda jail on Thursday during a medical check-up and fell unconscious. He was immediately taken to the Banda Medical College where he died. Earlier on Tuesday, Ansari’s health had deteriorated and he was admitted to the ICU at Banda Medical College. However, he was discharged the same evening after doctors declared him fit.

Ansari had earlier told the court that he was being given food laced with poison in jail, after which the court had sought a report. He had alleged that he was also given food laced with poison 40 days ago. Ansari, a five-time former MLA from Mau Sadar seat, had been behind bars in UP and Punjab since 2005. He has over 60 criminal cases pending against him.

various levels in recent months.

“I am glad to see some of our bilateral mechanisms have also met and this has created a certain momentum in our bilateral relationship,” he said.

On his maiden visit to India, Kuleba said in a post on X on Thursday that he is in India to build on the dialogue between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky for peace.

Further, he said that his talks in India will include the peace formula proposed by Zelensky, which follows a 10-point plan to restore just and long-lasting peace in Ukraine. Kuleba’s visit comes just as Prime Minister Modi spoke to Presidents of the warring Ukraine and Russia over the telephone this month.

In his talks with Zelensky, Prime Minister Modi highlighted that India supports all efforts for an early and peaceful resolution of all issues between Kyiv and Moscow. The Prime Minister added that India would continue to do everything within its means to support a peaceful solution as Zelensky appreciated the country’s continued humanitarian assistance for the people of Ukraine.

ED to approach Bengal court for permission to question Sheikh Shahjahan

Enforcement Directorate (ED) will approach the district court in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district for seeking permission to question Sheikh Shahjahan, the accused mastermind of the January 5 attack on ED and CAPF personnel in Sandeshkhali.

Shahjahan, after the completion of his custody with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday, was remanded to judicial custody for 12 days by the Basirhat Sub-divisional Court. Sources said that on Saturday the ED will move the same district court for permission to question Shahjahan at the correctional home in connection with the ration distribution case.

Subsequently, sources added, the ED officials will also approach a special court of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Kolkata next week to get the custody of Shahjahan for more detailed and in-depth interrogation.

The ED and their accompanying CAPF

personnel were attacked by Shahjahan’s associates in front of his residence in Sandeshkhali after the central agency sleuths attempted a raid and search operation in connection with the ration-distribution case. The ED has confiscated property worth Rs 13 Crore owned by Shahjahan.

On Thursday, the CBI counsel informed the district court at Basirhat that Shahjahan had arranged local anti-social elements over the phone to carry out the attack on ED and CAPF personnel. During the hearing, the CBI counsel named two persons -- Ziauddin Molla and Didarbux Molla -- with whom Shahjahan had interacted before the attack.

Punjab Police bust criminal network led by US-based gang

In a major breakthrough, the Punjab Police on Friday said they have dismantled the criminal network led by US-based Pavittar Chaura and Husandeep Singh of the Chaura Madhre gang, by arresting their three key operatives. The arrested accused are Lovejit Khakh, Gursewak Bamb and Bahadur Khan.

The police have also seized one pistol, 15 cartridges and a Toyota Fortuner vehicle. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said all the three were wanted in a number of criminal cases, including murder,

Several former Congress leaders join BJP in Punjab

Several top former Congress leaders from Punjab’s Patiala district under the leadership of Patiala MP Preneet Kaur on Thursday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of Punjab unit BJP President Sunil Jakhar and state in-charge Vijay Rupani here.

“Impressed by the pro-people policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, the people of Punjab are regularly joining the BJP by leaving other parties. I feel honored to be part of such a people-centric party and I welcome all these leaders of Patiala district who have joined the BJP today,” Preneet Kaur told the media after welcoming new members to the BJP.

She further said: “The entire Punjab BJP unit under the leadership of Sunil Jakhar and Vijay Rupani is working hard and I am sure that we will sweep the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Punjab. People of Punjab are fed up by the lies and deceits of the bogus Aam Aadmi Party and will surely show them the mirror.”

Deepfakes in a democratic country like India a big concern, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said artificial intelligence (AI) presents a huge opportunity but there is a significant risk of misuse, especially deepfakes, if such a powerful technology is placed in unskilled hands. Responding to a question from Microsoft Co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates on how India looks at AI which is a huge opportunity but comes with its own challenges, PM Modi said proper training is must to handle technologies like AI.

“I have engaged with leading minds on AI and its risks. I suggested that we should start with clear watermarks on AI-generated content to prevent misinformation. Proper sources of AI-generated content should also be mentioned,” PM Modi emphasized.

Deepfakes in a vast democratic country like India, which is going into general elections, is a real issue. “Someone can even misuse my voice to deceive people and such a deepfake can trigger widespread uproar. We need to think about creating robust dos and don’ts on deepfakes,” the Prime Minister told Gates.

Using AI as a magic tool or asking ChatGPT to write letters is a great injustice to this wonderful technology as we should rather compete with AI to improve ourselves and innovate further to solve real life problems, according to the Prime Minister.

“India has a myriad of languages and dialects and we need to push AI to recognise and adapt to those to help people,” PM Modi told Microsoft Co-founder. “I constantly present new challenges to AI whenever I get a chance to speak to a machine or a robot, fostering its growth and adaptability,” the Prime Minister said.

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attempted murders, dacoity, Arms Act, NDPS, etc. The three operatives were living in Mohali by concealing their actual identities. More details are awaited. IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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‘Sufficient reasons’: Delhi court extends CM Kejriwal’s ED custody till April 1

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ADelhi court on Thursday extended, till April 1, the ED custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, holding that there were “sufficient reasons” while allowing him to meet his family members and lawyers.

CM Kejriwal, whose alleged role in the excise policy scam is being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), was produced before Special Judge Kaweri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Court on the expiry of his sixday ED remand on Thursday.

Judge Baweja, who is hearing the case, had sent him to ED custody on March 22.

On Thursday, the probe agency sought the Chief Minister’s custody for seven more days. However, after hearing the arguments, the court extended the AAP supremo’s ED remand by four days till April 1, observing that there appear to be “sufficient reasons” to permit his further custodial interrogation, particularly keeping in view the submissions of the ED.

The probe agency submitted that he is required to be confronted with the material collected and statements recorded so far in the course of the investigation. The court directed the investigation officer to ensure that further interrogation and confrontation etc. of the accused is

Former IPS Sanjiv Bhatt gets 20 years in jail in 1996 drug planting case

The Palanpur sessions court in Banaskantha district on Thursday sentenced ex-IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt to 20 years in jail for his involvement in a 1996 narcotics case. The court found Bhatt guilty of planting drugs to falsely implicate a Rajasthan-based lawyer in Palanpur, Gujarat, where Bhatt was serving as the Superintendent of Police at the time. Bhatt had arrested lawyer Sumersingh Rajpurohit under the NDPS Act, claiming that opium was found in his hotel room. The subsequent probe by the Rajasthan police suggested that Rajpurohit was framed to coerce a property transfer, prompting former police inspector I.B. Vyas to seek a comprehensive probe in 1999.

Bhatt’s arrest by the state CID in 2018 under the NDPS Act led to his detention in the Palanpur sub-jail. The Supreme Court later dismissed his previous appeals for transfer of trial and recording of court proceedings, besides slapping a fine on him for alleging judicial bias. The court ordered that Bhatt’s 20-year term would commence after his ongoing life sentence in a custodial death case in Jamnagar gets over. Dismissed from service in 2015, Bhatt has been incarcerated since 2018.

Judge J.N. Thakkar convicted Bhatt under various sections of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC), imposing a fine of Rs 2 lakh on him in addition to the prison term.

done without any delay.

Judge Baweja allowed Kejriwal to meet his family members, including his wife, daughter, PA and advocates. Moreover, the court has directed the agency to conduct the interrogation at a place with CCTV coverage and for the preservation of the footage. The ED has also been asked to provide the requisite medication to Kejriwal and get him medically examined in accordance with the law during the period of his custody.

During the hearing on Thursday, the courtroom was packed with CM Kejriwal’s supporters. His wife Sunita Kejriwal and AAP leaders Gopal Rai, Atishi, and Saurabh Bharadwaj, among others, were also present in the courtroom.

Appearing for the ED, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju submitted that Kejriwal needs to be confronted with some individuals connected to AAP who have been summoned from Goa. He also accused Kejriwal of not cooperating with the probe and giving evasive replies, adding that digital data needs to be checked for which the ED needs passwords.

“Kejriwal says he will ask his lawyers whether to give the passwords,” he said.

As the court also allowed Kejriwal to make personal submissions, he said the CBI has filed 31,000 pages while the ED has filed 25,000 pages in the case, but no one has been found guilty.

“My question is, why have I been arrested,” he asked. “I am not opposing the ED custody... It can keep me for as long as it wants, but this is a scam. My name was taken by four witnesses... Many people come to my residence, is that enough ground to arrest a sitting CM,”

Arunachal was, is, and will remain an integral part of India, says Ministry of External Affairs

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday that China’s repetitive claims on Arunachal Pradesh will not change India’s position, and the northeastern state will remain an integral and inalienable part of India. India and China have been exchanging barbs over Arunachal Pradesh ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state earlier this month to inaugurate the strategically important Sela tunnel.

“Our position on Arunachal Pradesh has been made very clear time and again. We have also issued statements in this regard recently,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in his weekly media briefing on Thursday.

“China may repeat its baseless claims as many times as it wants... that is not going to change our position. Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will remain an integral and inalienable part of India,” Jaiswal said in response to a media query. For the fourth time in this month, China said that Zangnan -- the Chinese name for Arunachal Pradesh -- has always been its territory, even as India rejected Beijing’s claims as “ludicrous and absurd”.

During his recent Southeast Asia tour, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar left no opportunity to slam the Asian nation for failing to uphold the longstanding agreements with India. The response from the MEA came after both nations held the 29th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs in Beijing to discuss and resolve the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)

in the Western Sector of the border areas.

Further, responding to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s remarks on Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing in British Columbia in June last year, Jaiswal said there is “nothing new” in what the Canadian leader said. “I would recall that on September 21 last year, my predecessor (Arindam Bagchi) had mentioned that India remains ready... and I would like to reiterate that we are ready to investigate any specific and concrete information if it is shared with us,” Jaiswal told reporters.

“But, we are yet to receive any such information,” he said, adding that “we have also cautioned against playing politics and giving extremists more space”.

Trudeau told Canada-based Cable Public Affairs Channel that the “killing of a Canadian national on Canadian soil is something that we all should take extremely seriously”.

Stating that the declaration by him on September 18 was not made lightly, Trudeau added that they are looking to work constructively with the Indian government “to get to the bottom of this (issue)”.

Kejriwal said.

He also claimed that people are being made approvers in the case and forced to change their statements. On Kejriwal’s claim that Sarath Reddy gave over Rs 50 crore to the BJP, the ASG said that it had nothing to do with the liquor scam. “The BJP did not have the right to make the (excise) policy. We are not concerned with anyone paying any money to any person. That has nothing to do with the liquor scam,” he said.

He also claimed that the ED has materials to show that Kejriwal demanded Rs 100 crore in kickbacks.

The ED arrested Kejriwal on March 21 after questioning him for over two hours at his official residence in Delhi. On Wednesday, the Delhi High Court refused to grant any interim relief to Kejriwal, who contended that his arrest and the remand order passed by Judge Baweja were illegal and that he was entitled to be released from custody immediately, holding that the probe agency has to be granted an opportunity to file a reply.

The ED has termed Kejriwal the “kingpin and the key conspirator” of the alleged excise scam in collusion with other ministers of the Delhi government, AAP leaders, and other persons.

NIA questions Bareilly preacher in Bengaluru cafe blast case

The Lucknow unit of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) raided the house of a preacher in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district and questioned him for several hours after picking him up in connection with the blast at Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru on March 1, senior police officials said.

The officials added that the preacher came on the NIA radar as his mobile phone location was found in Karnataka on the day of the blast. He added that the NIA team left after questioning the suspect, issuing instructions that he should not leave the city without informing the police. The NIA team also asked the suspect the reason for his presence in Karnataka on the day of the blast and why he moved to Bareilly afterwards.

The official added that the suspect was said to be preaching at a Karnataka centre, following which he stayed there for some months and returned to Bareilly after completing his work. The NIA team obtained contact numbers from the preacher’s mobile phone book and was likely to check the credentials of all the persons who were in touch with the suspect. The official said the agency could initiate action against the suspect if his involvement surfaced in the investigation.

The investigation agency suspected Al-Hind Islamic State module was behind the blast and apprehended that it was linked with the Mangaluru cooker blast of November 2022 due to a similarity in the timer and detonator devices in the IEDs used in the Rameshwaram Cafe and the cooker blasts.

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14 killed after Cyclone Gamane makes landfall in Madagascar

Fourteen people were killed and three others injured after tropical Cyclone Gamane landed in Madagascar, with three more people still missing, Madagascar’s meteorological authorities said. Gamane made landfall on the northern tip of Madagascar on Wednesday morning, packing average winds of 150 km per hour and gusts of more than 210 km per hour, accompanied by heavy rains, said Madagascar’s National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) on Thursday as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.

A total of 36,307 people, including 9,024 households, were affected by the cyclone, which devastated seven regions of the country. Nearly 18,565 people, or 4,849 households, were forced to evacuate and seek shelter in 68 emergency sites scattered across various localities. The floods that followed caused extensive damage, submerging 6,675 houses and nearly 1,698 rice paddies, while 617 houses were destroyed, according to the BNGRC.

Russia says proof show link between Moscow attack terrorists, Ukraine

Russian Investigative Committee has said that it has found evidence connecting terrorists from the Crocus City Hall attack in suburban Moscow with “Ukrainian nationalists”.

“After working with detained terrorists, studying the technical devices seized from them, and analyzing information about financial transactions, evidence was obtained of their connection with Ukrainian nationalists,” the committee added on Thursday on Telegram as quoted by Xinhua news agency report. The committee said that it had confirmed data showing that the terrorists received “significant amounts of money and cryptocurrency from Ukraine, which were used in the preparation of the crime”.

The committee also noted another suspect involved in a terrorist financing scheme has been identified and detained.

BLA claims killing more than 30 Pakistani soldiers, issues stern warning to China

The Baloch Liberation Army claimed killing more than 30 Pakistani soldiers as it targeted PNS Siddique, the country’s second-largest naval air station located in Turbat and warned China on its “illegal” settlements and projects in Balochistan.

In a statement, the group said that its Majeed Brigade successfully concluded the fifth phase of “Operation ZirPahazag” to “retaliate against ongoing Baloch genocide” and save the region from Chinese “occupation and exploitation”.

Further, the BLA issued a stern warning to China on its CPEC (China–Pakistan Economic Corridor) projects in the region and reiterated that the Asian nation is complicit in looting Baloch resources by colluding with Pakistan.

In addition, it is also involved in suppressing the Baloch movement by providing military and economic assistance to the occupying Pakistani Army, the statement said.

“If China does not stop its exploitative projects in Balochistan and does not cease its support to the occupying Pakistani army in Baloch genocide, the Baloch Liberation Army reserves the right to launch severe attacks on illegal Chinese settlements and projects in Balochistan,” Baloch said.

Active since 2011, the BLA is one of the most prominent separatist groups operating in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province -- a strategically important area for the Islamic nation due to an abundance of natural resources.

UN

urges Lebanon, Israel to stop border escalation

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has urged Lebanon and Israel to stop escalation in southern Lebanon, calling for a diplomatic solution to the border conflict. The UNIFIL also expressed its concern over the surge of violence across the Blue Line, which has caused a high number of civilian deaths and the destruction of homes and livelihoods, Xinhua news agency reported.

The UNIFIL added that it remains ready to support a diplomatic solution in any way, including by convening a tripartite meeting at the parties’ request. Earlier on Thursday, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Riza, expressed concerns over repeated attacks on health facilities and health workers

in southern Lebanon.

“Attacks on healthcare violate international humanitarian law and are unacceptable,” he said.

“The rules of war are clear: civilians, including healthcare workers, must be protected.”

The statement came a day after Israeli attacks killed 11 civilians in southern Lebanon, including 10 paramedics. Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on October 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7 last year. In response, Israel retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon.

South Korean Ambassador to Australia resigns amid controversy over his appointment

South Korean Ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-sup stepped down on Friday, less than a month after he was named for the job, amid mounting criticism of his appointment and departure that came despite the fact that he was subject to an investigation.

Lee’s resignation also came before South Koreans go to the polls on April 10 to elect lawmakers. The controversy surrounding Lee has become a hot-button issue amid growing negative public sentiment and concerns even being raised from within the ruling party bloc, Yonhap news agency reported.

The foreign ministry said it accepted Lee’s resignation. The confirmation came hours after Lee’s lawyer said the ambassador expressed his intent to step down to the foreign minister.

Lee has been under intense scrutiny since he was named the ambassador in Canberra early this month, after revelations that he had been banned from leaving the country over the investigation into allegations that he interfered in an internal military probe into a Marine’s death last year.

Critics have accused Lee of running away from the investigation and leaving the country to take up the job shortly after the exit ban on him was lifted. Lee has denied any wrongdoing.

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‘Interference’ in judicial matters: Pakistan government forms committee to probe allegations against intelligence agencies

The crucial meeting between Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Justice (CJ) Qazi Faez Isa, was held to discuss the controversy flared up after sitting high court judges sent an open letter to the Supreme Court accusing country’s intelligence agencies of interfering in judicial matters, cases and verdicts.

The government has decided to form an inquiry commission to dig deeper into the serious allegations leveled by the six sitting judges of the Islamabad High Court.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, while briefing about the meeting, said that the letter of the six high court judges would be placed in front of the federal cabinet tomorrow (Friday) to get an approval. As per details, a senior former retired Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) will be selected to head the inquiry committee.

This is the first time that six out of the eight sitting judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) have come out with an open letter, leveling serious allegations and accusations against intelligence operatives and agencies for interfering in judicial matters and trying to enforce their directives and dictations to the judges in their decision making.

Ukraine rocked by multiple explosions amid Russian airstrikes, Poland says its airspace breached

Ukraine was hit by a wave of explosions on Sunday morning as Russia launched the third attack in four days, authorities here said. Russia fired 29 cruise missiles from 14 Tu-95MC fighters and 28 Shahed drones at Ukraine, the Ukrainian Air Force said, adding that 18 missiles and 25 drones were shot down by the air defence in southern, northern, central and western Ukraine, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to preliminary reports, there were no casualties in the attack on the Ukrainian capital. A fire erupted in a critical infrastructure facility in the western Lviv region after it was attacked by missiles and drones, Lviv region’s governor Maksym Kozytskyi said on Telegram, without giving further details.

Local media reported hearing blasts during an air alert in the western Khmelnytsky and Volyn regions. Poland’s foreign ministry on Sunday said its airspace has been breached overnight and it would demand an explanation from Moscow over the matter.

China’s senior party official stresses steadfast ties with North Korea

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

China’s senior party leader Wang Huning has stressed unwavering ties with North Korea despite changes in international situations. In a meeting with North Korea’s ruling party delegation in Beijing last week, Wang Huning, a member of the standing committee of the political bureau of the Chinese Communist Party, also said the two countries have to usher in a new chapter for their relations on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

North Korea’s ruling party delegation was in Beijing on a three-nation tour, in a move that’s seen as aimed at strengthening ties with

countries sharing the socialist ideology, Yonhap news agency reported. The was led by Kim Song-nam, director of the international department at the Workers’ Party.

Kim Song-nam also met Liu Jianchao, the minister of the party’s international

Japanese rally outside PM residence to protest relaxed arms export control

Many Japanese protesters, amid heavy rainfall, gathered on Tuesday in front of the Prime Minister’s residence to rally against the government’s eased defence equipment transfer rules and further relaxation of arms export control.

Seen as a significant defence policy shift and another step contrary to the country’s pacifist constitution, the Japanese government decided at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday to lift the ban on exporting the next-generation fighter jets set to be jointly developed with Britain and Italy to third countries, Xinhua news agency reported.

On Tuesday, the updated guidelines of the “three principles on transfer of defence equipment and technology,” which would enable the fighter jet shipments, was approved by the Cabinet led by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida after Japan’s ruling coalition, the Liberal Democratic Party and the Komeito Party, on March 15 agreed on the revised export rules.

Chanting slogans such as “No Weapon Exports,” “Strongly Oppose Becoming a Warring Nation” and “Listen to People’s Voice,” local protesters voiced their concerns against Japan’s increasing involvement in the global arms trade, accusing the government of disregarding constitutional principles and the will of the people. Among the protesters stood Mizuho Fukushima, head of the Social Democratic Party of Japan. She criticized that the Constitution of Japan, the Article 9 of which prohibits the export of weapons, has been gradually eroded.

Pakistan preparing to send back nearly 1 million Afghans in repatriation drive

Pakistan has started preparations to launch the second phase of its repatriation drive to send nearly one million Afghans back to their homeland, the media reported. Instructions had been issued to district administrations and police to expedite the mapping of Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, Dawn reported.

No date has yet been announced but the campaign to repatriate hundreds of thousands of ACC holders could begin in early to mid-summer. According to UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, there are 2.18 million documented Afghan refugees in Pakistan. This includes the 1.3 million refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards as per the census carried in 2006-07, as well as an additional 880,000 refugees granted ACCs following a registration drive in 2017. The return of Taliban to power in

August 2021 saw another influx of worried Afghans into Pakistan.

Officials put their numbers anywhere between 6,00,000 and 8,00,000, some with valid travel documents, but an uncertain future. Pakistan launched the first round of repatriation of what it called “undocumented aliens” in November last year, Dawn reported. No official data has been released as to how many of the estimated 1.7 million undocumented Afghans have left for their country since November 2023, though the figure likely fell hugely short of what is now being considered a grossly exaggerated number, the report said. According to sources, the total number of undocumented Afghans who have returned to Afghanistan via Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan in the first round stands at around the half millionmark, Dawn reported.

liaison department. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between North Korea and China. The North declared 2024 the year of the North Korea-China friendship, a designation first introduced in 2009 to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

South Korea to bar intern doctors if they don’t register for jobs

Intern doctors in South Korea, who have left their worksites in protest of a plan to hike the number of medical students, will be barred from training in the first half of this year unless they register for jobs by April 2, a senior official said on Thursday.

Deputy Health Minister Jun Byungwang urged intern doctors to “return to the training hospitals within this month.” Unless they do so, Jun said, “Internship training in the first half of this year is impossible”, Yonhap news agency reported.

About 12,000 interns and resident doctors have remained off the job since February 20 in protest of the push to hike the number of medical students, forcing surgeries and other public health services to be cancelled or delayed at major hospitals. In support of junior doctors’ labor action, medical professors, who are senior doctors at major university hospitals, have also begun tendering their resignations starting this week.

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Oversight Board asks Meta to remove restriction on Arabic word ‘shaheed’

Meta’s oversight board on Tuesday asked the company to end its blanket ban on the Arabic word “shaheed”, roughly translated as “martyr” in English. The Board’s yearlong extensive review revealed that Meta’s current blanket ban on the word “shaheed”, which it had said could be used to praise or approve of terrorism, “has led to widespread and unnecessary censorship affecting the freedom of expression of millions of users”.

“Meta should end its blanket ban on “shaheed”, as this has had a discriminatory and disproportionate impact on freedom of expression and information sharing, outweighing concerns the word could have been used to promote terrorism,” the board said. The board admitted that Meta’s “approach could have caused swathes of content to be wrongly removed”.

Meta conducted a policy review into its moderation of “shaheed” in 2020 but was unable to decide on how to proceed and asked the Board to intervene in 2023. The independent body extended its research to see how people use Meta’s platforms and

Kia, South Korea’s second-biggest carmaker by sales, said on Thursday that it has unveiled the K4 compact sedan at the New York auto show as it plans to launch the vehicle in North American markets this year.

Kia will assemble the K4 compact at its plant in Mexico, and sell it to customers in the United States and Canada during the second half of this year, reports Yonhap news agency, citing a company spokesperson.

The new model will be available in two versions, one with a 2.0-litre gasoline engine and the other with a 1.6-litre gasoline turbocharged engine, it said. The model won’t be imported to Korea, the spokesperson added.

Kia said it will exhibit dozens of models, including the K4, the EV6 and EV9 all-electric cars, and the Telluride SUV, during the motor show due March 29 through April 7.

then the context of the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel, followed by ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza.

The board, meanwhile, also suggested removing “shaheed”, only “when it is linked to a clear sign of violence (like imagery of weapons) or when it otherwise

breaks Meta’s rules (for example, glorifying a designated individual)”.

This, it said “will see the most harmful material removed, while minimizing the chances of intentionally or accidentally removing non-violating content posted around the world”.

Elon Musk thought that OpenAI would fail, says Sam Altman

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman has said that Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk thought that the ChatGPTmaker company would fail and “he chose to part ways”. In an interview with podcaster Lex Fridman, Altman said that “Musk thought OpenAI was going to fail. He wanted total control to turn it around. We wanted to keep going in the direction that now has become OpenAI. He also wanted Tesla to be able to build an AGI effort”.

“At various times, he wanted to make OpenAI into a for-profit company that he could have control of or have it merge with Tesla. We didn’t want to do that, and he decided to leave, which is fine,” he added.

Moreover, the CEO suggested that the company is still committed to its original cause as it is putting powerful technology in the hands of people for free, as a public good.

“We don’t run ads on our free version. We don’t monetize it in other ways. We just say it’s part of our mission. We want to put increasingly powerful tools in the hands of people for free and get them to use them,” Altman said.

Recently, Musk sued OpenAI and Altman, alleging they breached their original contractual agreements around AI. OpenAI then hit back at Musk’s lawsuit, saying as the company discussed a for-profit structure in order to further the mission, “Musk wanted us to merge with Tesla or he wanted full control”.

UK regulator to launch in-depth probe into $19 bn Vodafone-Three UK merger

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in the UK on Friday confirmed that it is launching an in-depth investigation into the proposed $19 billion merger between Vodafone and Three UK, saying the deal could lead to higher prices for the consumers.

Vodafone UK (owned by Vodafone Group Plc) and Three UK (owned by CK Hutchison Holdings Limited) are two major providers of mobile telecommunication services in the UK. Last year, the companies announced a new joint venture agreement, which would bring their 27 million customers under a new, single network provider. The CMA in January this year launched a formal probe into the proposed $19 billion merger. The Phase 1 investigation found that combining these two businesses will reduce rivalry between the mobile operators to win new customers.

“The CMA is concerned that the deal, which combines two of the four mobile network operators in the UK, could lead to mobile customers facing higher prices and reduced quality,” the regulator said in a statement. The CMA is also concerned that the deal may make it difficult for smaller mobile ‘virtual’ network operators such as Sky Mobile, Lebara and Lyca Mobile to negotiate good deals for their customers.

US, Mexico to partner on semiconductor supply chain development

The United States will partner with Mexico to explore semiconductor supply chain opportunities, the State Department said on Thursday, as the Biden administration pushes to reduce reliance on China and Taiwan for the technology. The collaboration will take place as part of the U.S. CHIPS Act, a 2022 law that created a $500 million fund for developing the semiconductor supply chain through initiatives with allies and partners.

“Manufacturing of essential products ranging from vehicles to medical devices relies on the strength and resilience of the semiconductor supply chain,” the department said in a statement.

India’s trade policy is calibrated with economic growth path, says Piyush Goyal

India’s trade policy is calibrated with its economic growth trajectory as it aims to achieve a target of $2 trillion in exports by 2030, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday.

“Our trade policy is calibrated based on our development journey, yet open for expansion. We will be doing $2 trillion of exports by 2030 and I have no doubt we will achieve it,” the minister said at a media event in New Delhi.

Goyal said that India had pulled out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2019 due to stakeholder concerns and to protect the Indian market from being flooded by cheap Chinese goods. He further stated that if India had not withdrawn from the RCEP, the country would not have scripted the growth story it has in recent years.

The flood of sub-standard, low-quality goods coming in from certain geographies would have killed the investment climate in the country, he added.

Goyal pointed out that even America and Europe still levy high tariffs on several products. At the same time, he said that India needs to internationalize its economy and look at a greater degree of engagement with the world and a high growth in exports.

The minister cited the recently signed European Free Trade Association (EFTA), in which Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, have committed an investment of $100 billion to create 1 million direct jobs in India in the next 15 years in exchange for market access.

www.indoustribune.com Friday, 29 March, 2024 14 Business

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DGCA imposes Rs 80 lakh fine on Air India for flight duty timing violations

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

India’s aviation regulator, DGCA, has imposed a financial penalty of Rs 80 lakh on the Tata-owned Air India for violation of flight duty time limitations (FDTL) and fatigue management system (FMS) regulations of flight crews.

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), as a proactive step towards ensuring a high level of safety in aviation, it conducted a spot audit of Air India Ltd in January this year to verify the regulatory compliance by the operator in respect of FDTL and FMS regulations.

During the audit, evidence was collected and fleet-wise random reports were analysed.

“The analysis of reports and evidence

Tesla appears unlikely to nix US suit alleging bias against Black workers

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

Afederal judge in California on Thursday appeared poised to reject Tesla’s bid to toss out a U.S. agency’s lawsuit accusing the electric carmaker of tolerating rampant harassment of Black workers at its Fremont, California assembly plant. U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley in San Francisco during a hearing repeatedly disagreed with claims by Tesla’s lawyers that the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEOC) failed to include any facts in its lawsuit backing up its claim of pervasive unlawful race bias. The EEOC in a 10-page lawsuit filed last year said that from 2015 to the present, Black workers at the Tesla plant have routinely been subjected to racist slurs and graffiti, including swastikas and nooses, and Tesla has failed to investigate complaints.

India

revealed that Air India Ltd operated flight(s) with both flight crew aged above 60 years flying together in a few instances, which is a violation of Sub Rule (2) of Rule 28 A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937,” DGCA Director General Vikram Dev Dutt said.

He also said that the operator was also found deficient in providing adequate weekly rest, adequate rest before & after ultra-long range (ULR) flights, and adequate rest on layover to the flight crew, which violates the extant provisions of the Civil Aviation Requirements on FDTL.

Moreover, instances of exceeding duty periods, wrongly marked training records, overlapping duties etc. were also observed during the audit. A show cause notice was issued to Air India Ltd on March 1 for submitting a response to the observed violations.

LG Group to invest over $74 billion into future tech by 2028

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

LG Group said on Wednesday it will invest 100 trillion won ($74.4 billion) in South Korea by 2028 to sharpen future technologies and seek new growth drivers. Unveiled at the group’s annual shareholders meeting in Seoul, the long- and mid-term investment plan places an emphasis on advancing future technologies, including artificial intelligence, bio and clean tech, and pivotal business sectors, such as battery technology, auto parts, and next-generation displays, according to LG Group.

This investment accounts for 65 percent

of LG Group’s annual global investment, reflecting the company’s commitment to driving innovation and fostering growth in its home market, it added, reports Yonhap news agency. The company said some 55 percent of the planned investment will be allocated to

is the next big playground for AI, says

Samsung VC, CEO

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of the Device eXperience (DX) Division Jong-Hee (JH) Han, who visited Samsung BKC at Jio World Plaza, Mumbai for the first time since the store’s opening, said on Friday that India is the next big playground for artificial intelligence (AI).

During his visit, Jong-Hee Han underlined the company’s commitment to the Indian market by bringing AI and hyper-connectivity to its tech-savvy consumers.

research and development (R&D) initiatives aimed at establishing South Korea as a premier hub for innovation in key materials and manufacturing processes, including the development of smart factories.

“We will closely monitor the changes in the industries around us and create a solid business structure that can perform under any circumstances by strengthening the intrinsic competitiveness of the entire business,” LG Chairman Koo Kwang-mo was quoted as saying.

LG Corp., the holding company of LG Group, posted 7.4 trillion won in sales and 1.6 trillion won in operating profit last year.

“India is the next big playground for AI and our flagship Samsung BKC store is an embodiment of our ‘AI for All’ vision and will showcase ‘One Samsung’,” said Jong-Hee Han.

conveniently than ever before.

Earlier this year, the CEO unveiled Samsung’s ‘AI for All’ vision at CES (consumer electronics show), showcasing how AI will enable people to experience their devices more intuitively and

As part of its ‘AI for All’ vision, Samsung in January unveiled Galaxy AI in its new Galaxy S24 smartphone series. Han further said India is one of the biggest and fastest-growing markets globally and offers a huge opportunity for Samsung.

www.indoustribune.com Friday, 29 March, 2024 15 Business

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IPL 2024 opening day delivers record-breaking TV viewership with 16.8 crore viewers

The opening day of the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) 17th season delivered a record-breaking TV viewership with 16.8 crore viewers.

On the opening day of IPL 2024 on the Disney Star network, the official broadcaster of the league, registered a watch-time of 1276 Crore minutes, the highest ever for the opening day of any IPL season.

The record-breaking TV viewership on the opening Day comes on the back of an incredible lead-up to the 17th season which attracted more than 24.5 crore unique viewers till a week prior to the start of the tournament.

The 17th season of IPL, also witnessed the

Patriots special teams veteran Cody Davis announces retirement

New England Patriots veteran special teams player Cody Davis announced his retirement on social media Thursday after 11 seasons in the NFL.

Davis, 34, played safety but primarily competed on special teams for the St. Louis/ Los Angeles Rams (2013-17), Jacksonville Jaguars (2018-19) and Patriots (2020-23). The undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech totaled 118 tackles in 144 games (five starts for Los Angeles) and scored his lone career touchdown last season on a fumble return in a 26-23 win over the host Denver Broncos on Dec. 24.

“God blessed me in not only the athletic ability to play football but also provided the protection, timing, opportunities, and support in order for me to live out my dream of playing in the NFL for 11 years,” Davis wrote on Twitter. “I have given everything to all that I did and I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished. ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.’”

Davis, from Stephenville, Texas, thanked his family, coaches and teams from high school through the NFL, staffs, medical personnel, teachers, fans and the cities in which he played. He also was gracious for his philanthropic opportunities to help communities.

highest-ever peak TV concurrency for a league’s opening day, with 6.1 crore viewers watching the broadcast simultaneously on the Disney Star network.

In comparison, on the digital, JioCinema had clocked 11.3 crore viewers on the first day of the IPL. The streamer claimed that it registered a 51% jump over day one of IPL 2023. The total watch time on JioCinema on day 1 was 660 crore minutes, it said in a statement.

The Opening Day of IPL 2024 on the Disney Star network, for the first time ever, featured 8 of the 10 captains. A star-studded line-up of talent comprising IPL title winners, World Cup champions, reputed coaches and legends from the game presented the opening Day.

It saw Navjot Singh Sidhu return to the commentary box and join India’s World Champions Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar and K Srikkanth.

Giants release World Series hero Pablo Sandoval

The San Francisco Giants released longtime fan favorite Pablo Sandoval on Thursday, hours before the season opener against the San Diego Padres. Sandoval, the MVP of the 2012 World Series, was signed to a minor league contract in February but his bid to be on a major league roster for the first time since 2021 fell short.

Sandoval was a member of three San Francisco championship teams -- 2010, 2012, 2014 -- and was nicknamed the “Kung Fu Panda.” He hit three homers during Game 1 of the 2012 World Series against the Detroit Tigers and six overall in that postseason.

Sandoval, 37, batted .250 with 14 strikeouts in 28 at-bats in spring training this year. The last hit came Tuesday night in a 3-1 loss to the Oakland Athletics at Oracle Park.

The home fans gave Sandoval a big ovation when he entered the game at third base and even a bigger one when he got the hit in the ninth inning. Sandoval understood the meaning.

“I think this is one of the most special moments I’ve had in my career,” Sandoval said afterward. “I don’t know if it’s my last at-bat here, but it was great. It was unbelievable. Getting that hit was the most important thing for the fans. Not for me, but for the fans.”

Sandoval said after the game that he wouldn’t retire if he was released by the Giants.

A two-time

first stint with the Giants was from 2008-14. After the third World Series crown, he joined the Boston Red Sox as a free agent and had a rough time and was released in the middle of the 2017 season.

He returned to the Giants but never regained star status while his popularity remained high. He was released in September 2020 before hooking on with the Atlanta Braves for one game that season and 69 in 2021.

Sandoval holds a career batting average of .278 with 153 home runs and 639 RBIs in 1,380 games.

Djokovic ends successful partnership with coach Ivanisevic

World number one Novak Djokovic has ended his highly successful partnership with Croatian coach Goran Ivanisevic shortly before the clay season gets into full swing, the Serb has announced. Ivanisevic, who claimed the singles title at Wimbledon in 2001 after finishing runner-up in 1992, 1994 and 1998, joined Djokovic’s team in 2019 and helped the 36-year-old win nine Grand Slam titles.

It witnessed debuts of Steve Smith and Stuart Broad, who join legends Brian Lara, Matthew Hayden, Kevin Pietersen, Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn in presenting IPL 2024.

CSK’s former stars Ambati Rayudu, Murali Vijay, L Balaji and Subramaniam Badrinath along with IPL champions Vinay Kumar and Venugopal Rao were at the forefront of Disney Star’s regional feeds in 9 languages.

The ensemble of 120 cricketers was complimented by national and regional celebrities as well as fan-favourite presenters and content creators, to deliver wholesome entertainment on the Opening Day.

Griner, Clark invited to Team USA Olympic basketball camp

Brittney Griner and college basketball standout Caitlin Clark were among the 14 players invited to an Olympic training camp next week in Cleveland, Ohio, the USA Basketball women’s national team said on Thursday.

Nine former Olympians have been invited to participate in April 3-5 camp, a group that includes five-times gold medallist Diana Taurasi.

The other former Olympians are Griner, who was freed from a Russian penal colony in a high-profile prisoner exchange in 2022, Ariel Atkins, Chelsea Gray, Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum, Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young.

Griner missed the entire 2022 WNBA season while she was detained in Russia but returned to action in 2023 and averaged 17.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game for the Phoenix Mercury.

USA Basketball said Clark will attend the training camp contingent on the University of Iowa’s progression through the ongoing NCAA Tournament.

Iowa are one of 16 teams remaining in the tournament and will look to take the next step towards a national championship when they face Colorado on Saturday.

www.indoustribune.com Friday, 29 March, 2024 16 Sports

All-Star, Sandoval’s

Sports

India’s golf potential encourages R&A to lend full support to IGU for development

Indian golf’s growing status and the potential it holds got a resounding thumbs up from the golf’s governing body, the R&A, who are here in India this week. As the Indian Golf Union plays host to the 57th edition of the Indian Open, Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrew (R&A) officials Neal Graham, the Development Manager, Middle East and India, as also Jerome Ng, Regional Director (Asia-Pacific) Development, are here in India for a seminar and discuss various future projects in India.

Graham said, “Well first and foremost the role of the R&A from the development side is to support our affiliates across the 145 countries. And obviously, I’m very fortunate to look after the Middle East and India. India, given the size of the country, has a lot of opportunities. We believe it is very important that we support the Indian Golf Union in its initiatives and programs to develop golf. And that’s not just about high performance, that’s looking from grassroots and upwards to that.”

Echoing the sentiments of Graham, Ng said, “India is definitely one of our key focus markets for innovation, especially in the future. And hence, that’s the reason why we actually hosted the strategy workshop with the IGU this week. I think we had a full day where we actually hosted

Poland said on Thursday it will join international efforts to help keep the Olympic Games in France safe by sending troops, including sniffer dog handlers, as organizers prepare for the major security challenge. The French government raised the country’s terror alert warning to its highest level on Sunday, following the shootings in Moscow, just a few months before the games kick off on July 26.

“The Polish Armed Forces will join the international coalition established by France to support the preparations and security of the 2024 Summer Olympics,” Poland’s defence minister wrote on social media platform X. In mid-March Paris authorities strengthened the police presence in the northern suburb of La Courneuve near the Paris 2024 Olympics Village after an attack on a police station in the suburb.

the council members, coming in together to brainstorm the pathways for Indian golf in the near and far future.

“I think the future is bright for Indian golf because there are a lot of passionate individuals within the council. Of course, there are always more problems to be solved, but I think that’s why people are there. I think having a strategic plan paves the way forward for any successful organization, I think that’s what we’ll see,” he said.

Brijinder Singh, President of the IGU, is very satisfied with the support and interest

that R&A is showing in India.

“In any new marriage, both sides need to understand each other. So we’ve been very happy with the relationship we share with the R&A. Neal (Graham) has been very supportive and has been guiding us with the best practices that have been practiced around the world. They took up this opportunity to come to India, they hosted our entire council, and we had a full-day brainstorming session.

“They invested their time and organized this conference. We understood a lot of things we did not think about, and after this brainstorming session, a lot of notebooks have been filled. We will use all the good information that we have received. We look forward to R&A’s continued support,” he said.

“These gentlemen bring a world of experience, and the very fact that they are concerned, they come to us, they share with us, they share our concerns about growing golf in India. I think that the biggest learning for us has been from their presence more than anything else,” he added.

The R&A plans to make regular visits to India and not just monitor the progress but also help in setting up future projects, especially at the junior level.

Dimitrov stuns Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz’s hopes for a Sunshine Double came undone in spectacular fashion as the top-seeded Spaniard fell 6-2 6-4 on Thursday to Grigor Dimitrov, who will move on to face Alexander Zverev in the Miami Open semifinals.

Dimitrov, the Bulgarian 11th seed, won 77% of his first-serve points compared to just 56% for Alcaraz, turned aside four of the five break points he faced and broke the Spaniard four times during the 92-minute encounter.

It was a crushing defeat for Alcaraz, who arrived in Miami full of confidence after lifting the Indian Wells title 11 days ago but fell three wins shy of becoming the first man to clinch the Sunshine Double since Roger Federer in 2017.

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Ohtani delivers for Dodgers in home opener

Shohei Ohtani said he was grateful for the warm welcome he received in his first home game in a Dodgers’ uniform and rewarded the sold-out Los Angeles crowd by reaching base three times in a 7-1 win over St. Louis on Thursday.

The Japanese was greeted with thunderous applause when he was introduced on a sunny day at Chavez Ravine and repaid the fans with a solid performance that included a single, double and walk.

“I’m very grateful now to be part of the Dodgers and to be received by the Dodgers fans,” said Ohtani, who joined the club on a record 10-year $700 million contract from the Los Angeles Angels in the off-season.

“Obviously, I’ve been here before as an opponent player so it was a little bit intimidating, but I’m very grateful for the fans, and there were a lot of them.”

In his first at-bat, Ohtani, who has been embroiled in a betting scandal involving his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, was aggressive, fouling off pitches before being thrown out while trying to stretch a double into a triple.

“I was the only guy who couldn’t hit a homer but overall I thought I had a pretty good game today,” said Ohtani, who has said he was the victim of theft and denied any wrongdoing in the matter which is being investigated by MLB.

to reach Miami Open semi-finals

to the last four in Miami where he has yet to drop a set.

Despite not dropping a set in windy conditions, Zverev had his hands full with Marozsan, who is making his Miami debut and enjoyed top-10 upsets over Holger Rune and Alex de Minaur on the way to the quarterfinals.

Zverev attacked Marozsan’s serve and converted three of his seven break-point chances, swatted aside the two break points he faced and won 80% of his first serve points en route to the last four in Miami where he has yet to drop a set.

Gillespie resigns from his role as South Australia, Adelaide strikers’ head coach

Jason Gillespie has resigned from his role as Head Coach of the South Australia and Adelaide Strikers. He will finish his role with South Australia Cricket Association (SACA) at the end of June after a nineyear tenure. Gillespie took over as Strikers’ head coach ahead of Big Bash League (BBL) 2015-16 season, leading the team for nine seasons, including the maiden Championship in BBL 7 and multiple finals campaigns.

Zverev attacked Marozsan’s serve and converted three of his seven break-point chances, swatted aside the two break points he faced and won 80% of his first serve points en route

Up next for Dimitrov will be German fourth seed Zverev, who overcame tricky conditions to beat Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan 6-3 7-5 in the day’s first match on the Stadium court.

Sharfuddoula becomes first Bangladeshi umpire to be included in ICC Elite Panel

Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid has become the first umpire from Bangladesh to be included in the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires following the International Cricket Council’s annual review and selection process. He has been on the International Panel since 2006 and his first international appointment as an umpire came in an ODI between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at Mirpur in January 2010.

Friday, 29 March, 2024 17

Poland to send troops to Paris Olympics amid security challenge

Friday, 29 March, 2024

Loose clothes don’t mean I’m pregnant: Parineeti disses baby rumors

Actress Parineeti Chopra, who will be soon seen in the upcoming streaming movie ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’, has debunked rumors of her pregnancy.

Rumour mills were abuzz with the speculation around the actress’ pregnancy after her recent wedding with AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha. The rumors started doing the rounds after Parineeti was spotted wearing loose-fitting clothes on multiple occasions.

On Thursday, the actress once again wore a loose outfit during the trailer launch of ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ at the Mehboob Studios in Mumbai, which she attended with director Imtiaz Ali, actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh, and music composer A.R. Rahman.

However, the actress put all rumors to rest as she took to the Stories section of her Instagram on Thursday, saying: “Kaftan dress = pregnancy, Oversized shirt = pregnancy, Comfy Indian kurta = pregnancy.”

The actress implied that she is not pregnant, and any rumors are not to be believed now that it’s coming straight from the horse’s mouth.

Allu Arjun gets wax statue at Madame Tussauds Museum in Dubai

National Award-winning actor Allu Arjun, who will be soon seen in the upcoming second part of his franchise film ‘Pushpa’, got an early birthday present. The actor’s wax statue was unveiled at the Madame Tussauds Museum in Dubai.

His wax statue has his signature ‘Jhukega Nahi Sala’ pose from the blockbuster film ‘Pushpa: The Rise’. The actor attended the ceremony in Dubai along with his family.

Allu Arjun celebrates his birthday on April 8. Meanwhile, the celebrations doubled for the star and his fans as the makers of ‘Pushpa’ announced a special surprise on his birthday for his upcoming film, ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Allu Arjun will be seen in the role of the iconic Pushpa Raj in the highly anticipated sequel ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’ slated to release on August 15, 2024.

Kangana Ranaut in Mandi says politics for her is a way to work for society

Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut, who is currently gearing up for her upcoming political period film ‘Emergency’, has entered politics. The actress, who will be contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on a BJP ticket from Himachal Pradesh, has shared the reason behind her joining politics.

The actress said that the people of India have given a lot to her as an artist, and she feels compelled to give back to society, and politics is the best way to do the same. The actress spoke with the media on Monday, at an event. She told the media that for her, politics is not the means to gain publicity or make money but to serve the country.

She said: “God has been kind and has blessed me a lot. For me, politics is not a means to gain publicity or make money, it’s a way to serve the people. As public figures and actors, we reach a point where the audience too expects something from us in terms of giving back to society.”

“What all I have, it’s all because of people and the BJP is a party of the people. I’ll make sure to not leave any stone unturned and give back way more to people compared to what they have blessed me with. I had used the word ‘Nepotism’ and I would like to say that the BJP is a politi-

cal party with a fair outlook and functioning.” The actress also said that she didn’t join the party as a Bollywood star but as a party worker.

“Today, I haven’t joined this party as a Bollywood star, I have become a part of the party as a worker and will work in the interest of the party and society. A lot of people today have gathered here and given me this opportunity as they guide me through this path,” she added.

Kangana’s father, Amardeep Ranaut echoed her statement and said that the actress has joined the party in order to work for the society. He said that the family doesn’t have any animosity with any other political party.

Earlier, The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday announced Kangana as its candidate from the Mandi seat and Rajeev Bhardwaj from the Kangra seat in Himachal Pradesh.

Schwarzenegger feels ‘a little bit more of a machine’ after getting pacemaker

Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger, who previously has undergone three openheart surgeries, shared on his daily wellness podcast that he recently had a pacemaker put in to help regulate his heart.

“Last Monday, I had surgery to become a little bit more of a machine: I got a pacemaker,” he said, reports ew.com.

“First of all, I want you to know I’m doing great! I had my surgery on Monday, and by Friday, I was already at a big environmental event with my friend and fellow fitness crusader, Jane Fonda. Nobody would ever have thought I started the week with a surgery.”

Schwarzenegger thanked his medical team by saying: “All of the doctors and nurses took amazing care of me and made the surgery as painless as possible.”

The ‘Terminator’ star has been keeping a check on his cardiac health due to a genetic heart condition that took his mother’s life in 1998, when she did not get the valve replacement surgery she required. He underwent two surgeries in 1997, during which doctors replaced his pulmonic and aortic valves. He had them replaced again in 2018 and 2020. Scar tissue from the surgeries caused Schwarzenegger to have an irregular heartbeat, which he continued to monitor.

Schwarzenegger learned his need for a pacemaker earlier this month when he underwent a string of tests as part of his regular checkups. His doctor advised him to have the pacemaker installed as soon as possible.

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Entertainment

Amar Singh Chamkila: Folk music icon played by Diljit Dosanjh and the ‘Curse of 27’

It is not coincidental that Netflix is releasing the Diljit Dosanjh-Parineeti Chopra-starrer ‘Chamkila’ a day after Sidhu Moose Wala’s death anniversary, for the subject of the biopic, singing sensation Amarjit Singh Chamkila, was as controversial in his lifetime as Moose Wala and he too was shot dead, but the case remains unsolved till today. At the time of his assassination, along with his wife Amarjot and two of their band members, on March 8, 1988, the man Amit Trivedi described as the “Elvis of Punjab”, was 27 years old, at the peak of his career, and in so much demand that he was said to have been booked for “366 days in a year”.

Moose Wala was 29 when he was killed on May 29, 2022, allegedly on orders from Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar’s associate, Lawrence Bishnoi. If Moose Wala was controversial in his lifetime for his espousal of a gun culture -- the same gun culture that culminated in his assassination -- Chamkila was believed to have upset certain sections of Punjab because of his lyrics that talked about extra-marital affairs, coming of age, drinking and drug abuse.

Chamkila held up a mirror on Punjabi society, exposing its warts in his hugely popular albeit boyish lyrics, which upset many people, and his assassination was suspected to have

Sunil Grover says his fight with Kapil Sharma was a publicity stunt

Actor-comedian Sunil Grover, who is gearing up for his streaming show ‘The Great Indian Kapil Show’ with fellow comic artiste Kapil Sharma, shared that his public spat with Kapil was a publicity stunt. Sunil spoke to the media on Tuesday on the sets of his show, and poked fun at the fight between him and Kapil which took the entertainment industry by storm six years ago.

Sunil told the media in jest that back then streaming platforms were making in-roads in the country so he and Kapil thought what they could do to give the television content an edge or better to hop on the OTT bandwagon.

He joked: “Us time pe Netflix India mein naya naya aaya tha toh humko laga ki television ki audience ko baandh ke rakhne ke liye kuch karna padega (Netflix had just entered in India back then. So, I and Kapil thought that we gotta do something to hold our television audience”.

“That’s how we came up with that idea of a fight as a publicity stunt”, Sunil said as he couldn’t hold his laughter at the cooked up story. ‘The Great Indian Kapil Show’ will drop on Netflix on March 30.

been masterminded by Khalistani militants, who, ironically, is back in the news for the wrong reasons. Born into a Dalit family in a village near Ludhiana, and named Dhani Ram by his parents, Chamkila grew up wanting to be an electrician, but ended up working in a cloth mill.

He was, however, destined for bigger things, and when he was 18, he caught the fancy of his mentor, the popular folk singer Surinder Shinda (‘Truck Billiya’, ‘Putt Jattan De’), whom he not only accompanied in concerts, but also wrote songs for.

Dhanni Ram also adopted his stage name

-- Amar Singh Chamkila -- and went on to partner with other well-known folk artistes, such as K. Deep (Kuldeep Singh Kang) and Mohammad Sadiq. And following in their footsteps, he teamed up with a female artiste, the first of three, named Surinder Sonia.

They fell out when Chamkila went on a tour to Canada with his next female accompanist, Gulshan Komal, who was said to have encouraged him to record his first studio album, ‘Takue De Takua’, in 1980, which sealed his position as Punjab’s foremost folk singer. It was also in 1980 that Chamkila decided to branch out on his own after falling out with Surinder Sonia’s

When Eva Mendes was smitten by Ryan Gosling after their first meeting

Actress Eva Mendes spoke about meeting her partner and actor Ryan Gosling when they made their 2012 movie ‘The Place Beyond the Pines’.

“I’ve never experienced anything like that,” she said of working with her nowpartner on the Today show.

“The way he works, his commitment to his craft, how he wants to make everything as best as it can be — and that means making his costars as best as they can be. Unfortunately — or fortunately — there’s only one Ryan, so I pretty much stopped acting after that,” she added.

Mendes and Gosling started dating after meeting on set. The two, who are

private about their relationship, share two daughters together. The couple welcomed their first child, Esmeralda Amada, in September 2014, and then had Amada Lee in April 2016. Mendes also spoke about taking a step back from acting after more than a decade onscreen not being a difficult decision to make.

“It was like a no-brainer. I’m so lucky, and I was like, if I could have this time with my children — and I still work, I just didn’t act, because acting takes you on location,” she said.

“It takes you away. It was almost just like a non-verbal agreement that it was like, ‘Okay, he’s going to work and I’m going to work. I’m just going to work here’,” she added.

husband, who was his manager.

And, following outings by a couple of female singers, he settled for Amarjot Kaur, about whom very little is known except that she broke her marriage to pursue her passion for singing.

From then on to their assassination in 1988, Chamkila and Amarjot ruled the quaint world of Punjabi folk music with their earthy numbers and rustic tunes. Their early LPs (long-playing records), ‘Jija Lak Minle’ (1983) and ‘Hikk Utte So Ja Ve’ (1985), became instant hits.

There was no looking back for them, as the duo surpassed their contemporaries. Were they victims of their fame? Or did they upset Khalistani militants, who were then on a rampage across Punjab, to such an extent that they silenced them forever? This was a time when organized gangs were unknown to Punjab.

Either way, their end was tragic -- and their assassination continues to be an unsolved mystery.

For those interested in historical trivia, some of the world’s most loved singers passed away at the age of 27 -- Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Amy Winehouse, to name a few. They call it the curse of 27.

Ranbir Kapoor practices archery, poses with coach for upcoming ‘ Ramayana’ film

Ranbir Kapoor, who is basking in the success of his blockbuster film ‘Animal’, is currently undergoing training for archery. Pictures from his meeting with an archery coach have surfaced on social media, and it immediately points to his film ‘Ramayana’. As per the media reports, the film has been in the pre-production for a long time and has witnessed delays given the scale of its production and the casting. While Ranbir will essay the role of Lord Ram in the film, actress Sai Pallavi will be seen as Sita. The pictures have been shared on X (formerly called Twitter), by a fan who claimed that the pictures are from Ranbir’s prep for ‘Ramayana’. In the pictures, Ranbir can be seen posing with the archery coach, some arrows kept on the table are also visible in one of the pictures.

Ranbir, who is known to undergo thorough preparations for his role, is getting into the groove of the character of Lord Ram. In another picture that has surfaced online, Ranbir was seen performing a headstand in the gym. The image was posted by his trainer Nam.

www.indoustribune.com Friday, 29 March, 2024 19

Entertainment

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

Squatting issues in the US:

Unfair laws in Illinois exacerbate landlords’ woes

Squatting, a growing concern in the United States, particularly in states governed by Democratic administrations, has reached alarming levels in Illinois, particularly in Chicago.

By Dr. Avi Verma, Publisher

The state’s laws surrounding squatters’ rights have inadvertently created significant challenges for landlords, leaving them exposed to heavy financial losses and prolonged legal battles.

In New York City, several incidents have been reported where individuals have taken advantage of lenient squatting laws to occupy vacant properties illegally. Landlords in the city have struggled to remove these squatters due to the lengthy and complex eviction process, leading to frustration and financial strain.

Similarly, in Chicago, numerous cases have emerged where squatters have occupied residential properties without permission, refusing to vacate even after repeated requests from landlords. The slow and cumbersome eviction process in Illinois has allowed these squatters to remain in the properties for months on end, causing considerable financial hardship for landlords.

The eviction process in Illinois is notoriously slow, often taking seven to eight months or even longer to remove defaulting tenants from the property. This lengthy timeline provides squatters with ample opportunity to exploit the system, living rent-free while landlords bear the brunt of financial losses.

The cumbersome legal procedures and lack of swift action against squatters in Illinois exacerbate the plight of landlords, leaving them feeling helpless and frustrated by the system’s inefficiencies. Landlords are left with few options but to endure months of financial hardship and legal battles, further compounding the challenges they face in managing their properties.

The disparity between the treatment of landlords and tenants in Illinois underscores the urgent need for legislative reforms to address squatting issues and provide greater protections for property owners. While efforts to protect tenants’ rights are essential, it is imperative to enact measures that ensure landlords’ interests are also safeguarded and that the eviction process is fair, efficient, and timely.

In contrast to Illinois, Republicanled states have taken proactive steps to empower landlords and property owners with expedited eviction processes and enhanced legal protections against squatting. These states recognize the importance of balancing the rights of tenants with the legitimate concerns of landlords, ensuring swift and equitable resolution of squatting disputes.

In conclusion, the unfair laws surrounding squatters’ rights in Illinois, particularly in Chicago, perpetuate a system that disproportionately disadvantages landlords and property owners. Urgent legislative reforms are needed to streamline the eviction process, protect property rights, and mitigate the financial losses incurred by landlords due to squatting.

especially in neighborhoods grappling with economic challenges and high vacancy rates. Landlords in Chicago have faced significant hurdles in evicting squatters, with the legal process often stretching over several months. In one instance, a South Side landlord struggled to remove squatters from a multi-unit property, leading to substantial financial losses and property damage.

In New York City, several incidents have been reported where individuals have taken advantage of lenient squatting laws to occupy vacant properties illegally.

By addressing these issues, policymakers can uphold the principles of fairness and justice in the housing sector while ensuring that landlords are not unduly burdened by the consequences of squatting.

A deep dive into New York and Chicago

In recent years, squatting incidents have surged across the United States, particularly in cities like New York and Chicago. These incidents have sparked widespread concern among landlords and property owners, highlighting the urgent need for legislative reforms to tackle the root causes of squatting and safeguard property rights.

In New York, numerous instances of squatting have been reported, where individuals exploit legal loopholes and lax enforcement to unlawfully occupy vacant properties. For example, a group of squatters in Brooklyn defiantly occupied a vacant building, resisting eviction attempts by the property owner. Similarly, in Manhattan, a family of squatters made headlines after taking over a luxury apartment for an extended period, citing their right to housing.

Meanwhile, squatting incidents have become alarmingly common in Chicago,

The surge in squatting incidents can be attributed to various factors, including economic instability, housing shortages, and legal ambiguities surrounding property rights. Economic hardships and soaring housing costs have left many individuals unable to afford suitable housing, prompting them to seek alternative living arrangements, including squatting in vacant properties. Moreover, the lack of stringent laws and enforcement mechanisms against squatting has emboldened individuals to occupy properties unlawfully, exploiting the lengthy and cumbersome eviction process.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated housing insecurity, driving some individuals to resort to squatting as a means of survival. The economic fallout from the pandemic has left many unemployed or underemployed, making it challenging to afford rent or mortgage payments. Consequently, vacant properties have become prime targets for squatting, exacerbating housing challenges and straining the resources of property owners.

In response to these challenges, policymakers must prioritize comprehensive legislative reforms to address squatting issues and strengthen property rights protections. This includes streamlining the eviction process, closing legal loopholes that enable squatters to exploit vacant properties, and providing support services for individuals facing housing insecurity. By taking proactive measures to tackle the root causes of squatting, policymakers can ensure fair treatment for both tenants and property owners, fostering a more stable and sustainable housing market.

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Friday, 29 March, 2024

Gujrati drama leaves audience in splits at BSC event

By Jayanti Oza

Aroller coaster comedy drama ‘Aaj Rokda ne Udhar Kale’ was presented by Bharatiya Senior Citizen of Chicago and National Promoter Bhavna Modi on March 22 in the presence of around 1100 members at the Rana Reagan Center in Carol Stream, a town near Chicago.

The show produced by Asif Patel, written by Imtiaj Patel, and directed by Jai Deep Shah was a hit amongst the audience. Haribhai Patel, President of BSC thanked everyone for putting in their sincere efforts and tireless hard work for the successful execution of the event. He also thanked the executive members for making the program a great success. The event was broadcasted live by renowned Chicago news photo/video journalist Jayanti Oza and the sound system was done by Tariq Khan.

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22 Community

Scene from the play ‘AAJE ROKDA NE UDHAR KALE’. BSC members enjoying Gujarati comedy drama. BSC Managing Trusty Parsotam Pandya & National Promoter Bhavna Modi with BSC Volunteers.

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RAM RATH YATRA

BLESSES DEVOTEES ACROSS ILLINOIS, VISITS 24 TEMPLES IN THE STATE

In a divine spectacle that brought the essence of Ayodhya to the heart of Illinois, the Ram Rath Yatra embarked on a sacred journey, visiting 24 temples across the state. Organized by the Vishva Hindu Parishad of America, the yatra commenced in Chicago on March 23, spreading the divine blessings of Lord Ram to devotees of all ages and backgrounds.

The Rath, adorned with vibrant decorations and carrying the sacred relics from the Ram Mandir inauguration in January 2024, served as a symbol of reverence and devotion as it made its way through the bustling streets of Illinois. With the replica of Shree Ram Lalla Vigrah and the sacred Kalash onboard, the yatra aimed to disseminate the spiritual essence of Lord Ram’s divinity to all who encountered it.

The journey commenced at Bala Ji Mandir in Aurora, where devotees eagerly awaited the arrival of the Rath, adorned with marigold garlands and vibrant banners celebrating the glory of Lord Ram. From there, the yatra proceeded to Jagannath Mandir, followed by ShivDurga Hindu Mandir, each stop marked by heartfelt prayers and devotional hymns echoing through the temple halls.

As the Rath continued its pilgrimage across Illinois, it visited revered temples such as Iskcon Mandir in Naperville, Hindu Rama Mandir in Lemont, Shree Radhey Shyam Mandir in Bloomingdale, Hari Om Mandir in Medinah, and Chinmaya Mission in Willowbrook, spreading the message of unity, peace, and devotion to Lord Ram. Devotees from all walks of life gathered to offer their prayers and receive the sacred prasad brought from the Ram Mandir inauguration.

The yatra also made stops at Springfield Mandir, Hindu Mandir in Peoria IL, and Hindu Mandir in Bloomington, Hari Sumiran Mandir Long Grove and YDS Sawaminarayan Mandir in Schaumburg where the divine presence of Lord Ram filled the hearts of devotees with joy and reverence. At each temple, devotees wel-

comed the Rath with open arms, offering flowers, incense, and heartfelt prayers for the well-being of all.

From Karya Siddhi Hanuman Mandir in Carpentersville IL to Bharatiya Mandir in Merrillville, Indiana, the yatra traversed across borders, uniting devotees in their love and devotion for Lord Ram. The journey spanned over two days, with each temple visit lasting approximately 15 to 20 minutes, allowing devotees to partake in the divine blessings of the Rath.

The Ram Rath Yatra concluded its pilgrimage in Illinois, leaving behind a trail of divine blessings and spiritual rejuvenation in its wake. As the yatra continues its journey across the United States and Canada, devotees remain inspired by the timeless message of Lord Ram, finding solace and strength in their unwavering devotion to the beloved deity.

The list of temples visited during the Ram Rath Yatra in Illinois includes:

4Bala Ji Mandir, Aurora

4Jagannath Mandir, Aurora

4ShivDurga Hindu Mandir, Aurora

4Iskcon Mandir, Naperville

4Hindu Rama Mandir, Lemont

4Chinmaya Mission, Willowbrook

4Springfield Mandir

4Hindu Mandir, Peoria IL

4Hindu Mandir, Bloomington

4KaryaSiddhi Hanuman Mandir, Carpentersville IL

4Hindu Mandir, Grayslake IL

4HariSumiran Mandir, Long Grove IL

4Hanuman Mandir, Glenview IL

4Manav Sewa Mandir

4Gayatri Mandir, Itasca

4HariOm Mandir, Medinah

4YDS HariDham Mandir, Schaumburg

4Jalaram Mandir, Hoffman Estates

4RadheyShyam Mandir, Bloomingdale

4Kaival Gyan Mandir, Carol Stream IL

4Jain Mandir, Bartlett

4UmiyaMata Mandir, West Chicago IL

4Chicago KaliBari Mandir, Glen Ellyn

4Bharatiya Mandir, Merrillville Indiana

Harisumiran Hindu Swamimarayan

Mandir Chicago:

The rituals began with Poojan ceremony

performed by P. Bharatbhai Poojariji of Temple, P. Amitabhji Mittal and honorable members of VHP by chanting Shloka and offering Akshat and Chandan to Shri Ram Bhagwan and Divine Kalash. The Global Secretary of VHPA Shri Amitabh Mittal gave Certification of Participation for Ram Lalla Virajman in Pran Pratishtha Celebration to Harisumiran Temple. All the VHPA members were welcome with bouquet by Elders of Temple.

Kaival Gyan Mandir:

The celebration began with bhajans and kirtans sung by our youth and young adults, followed by a puja led by our Mandir Shastriji Balashankar and Mandir Trustees. Akshat and Prasad from Ayodhya Ram Mandir were offered to all devotees. In his address to the assembly, Shastriji Balashankar shared how our spiritual leader, 7th Kuveracharya, Jagatguru Shri Avichaldevacharya Maharajshri has been involved in the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir Andolan since early 1980s.

YDS Haridham Sawaminarayan Mandir:

On the auspicious day of Holi and Bramswaroop Bhagatiji Maharaj’s Janma Jayanti, YDS Chicago Haridham Mandir proudly hosted the Ram Rath Yatra, drawing many devotees from the suburbs of Schaumburg on 03/24/2024. As the sole Hindu mandir in Schaumburg, the event held significant importance to the local community.

The atmosphere at the Haridham Mandir was imbued with reverence as Bhagwan Shri Ram was graciously welcomed amidst heartfelt devotion. Devotees partook in the sacred rituals, conducting puja ceremonies, offering flowers, and distributing prasad to commemorate the divine presence of Bhagwan Shri Ram.

Following the spiritual proceedings, YDS Chicago volunteers extended their hospi-

tality by serving a sumptuous lunch to all attendees, fostering a sense of community and shared celebration.

YDS Chicago expresses heartfelt gratitude to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America and Shri Ram Janambhoomi Teerth Kshetra for orchestrating this remarkable event, which enriched the spiritual tapestry of the community.

As part of its ongoing commitment to fostering spiritual harmony and celebration, YDS Chicago extends an open invitation to join the Janma Jayanti celebrations of Bhagwan Shri Ram and Bhagwan Shri Swaminarayan on April 17th, 2024, and April 21st, 2024.

Shree Radhey Shyam Mandir:

On behalf of the devotees of Shree Radhey Shyam Mandir Ram Lalla was welcomed by the representatives of the Temple including India Sharma, Dharam Vir Sharma, and Dr. Avi Verma. Temple Pujari Pt. Anil Sharma welcomed the Rath Yatra organizers and thanked them for bringing the Rath to the Temple. He stressed the need for religious awareness in the younger generation so they can have a better understanding of our religion. Indra Sharma, Dr. Avi Verma, and Dharamvir Sharma emphasized the need for more such events and pledged unconditional support for such wonderful events and expressed their gratitude for being blessed in such a wonderful way.

The Ram Rath Yatra, with its sacred relics and divine blessings, has left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of devotees across Illinois. As the journey continues to unfold, devotees eagerly await the opportunity to receive the divine blessings of Lord Ram, strengthening their faith and fostering a sense of spiritual unity among communities far and wide.

Hari Om Mandir:

Vipin Vadhera, speaking on behalf of the Hari Om Mandir, expressed deep gratitude for the Ram Rath Yatra, recognizing it as a profound gift from Lord Rama. He praised the efforts of VHPA, emphasizing the importance of preserving the spiritual flame ignited by the yatra. Vipin Vadhera urged the community to come together to ensure the enduring glory of this sacred journey, invoking blessings for all participants and encouraging continued devotion to Lord Rama with the resounding chant of “Jai Shri Ram

www.indoustribune.com Friday, 29 March, 2024 25 Community

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www.indoustribune.com Friday, 29 March, 2024 26 Dharam-Karam

Growing businesses need cash flow. We can help.

Together, we’ll put together a loan structure for your business that can get it done—the right way—for your bottom line. SBA 7(a) loans help small businesses grow by offering longer, more flexible terms and lower-equity contributions.

contributions.

Benefits to Business

• Longer amortization allows for lower loan payments

Size of Loans

• Longer amortization allows for lower loan payments

• No future balloon payment (fully amortizing loan)

Size of Loans

• Up to $5 million

• No future balloon payment (fully amortizing loan)

• Non-collateral dependent loans available

• Closing costs can be included in loan

Typical Customers/Use of Funds

• Real estate acquisitions or refinancing—up to 90% financing available (51% owner-occupied)

• Up to $5 million

Terms of Loans

• Up to 25 years for real estate debt

• Up to 15 years for non real estate debt (term can be blended if the debt includes both real estate and non real estate debt)

• Real estate acquisitions or refinancing—up to 90% financing available (51% owner-occupied)

• Construction Loans—up to 90% financing available

• Up to 15 years for non real estate debt (term can be blended if the debt includes both real estate and non real estate debt)

Interest Rates

• Construction Loans—up to 90% financing available

• Franchise financing

• Business acquisitions

• Insurance Agency Acquisitions

• Machinery & equipment acquisitions or refinancing— up to 100% financing available

Interest Rates

• Variable and fixed rate options

Loan Fees

• Variable and fixed rate options

Loan Fees

• The SBA Guarantee fee ranges from 2% to 3.5% of the guaranteed portion of the loan

• Machinery & equipment acquisitions or refinancing— up to 100% financing available

• Line of credit restructuring

• Lease refinancing

• Business Expansion Loans

• The SBA Guarantee fee ranges from 2% to 3.5% of the guaranteed portion of the loan

• Other fees include packaging fees, third party reports, lien filings, title charges, etc. (closing fees can be incorporated into the loan)

www.indoustribune.com Friday, 29 March, 2024 27

©2017 Byline Bank. Member FDIC. Name name name name name name name name Title title title title title title title title title title title Phone phone Cell cell cell cell Email email email email email HuyTran Development Officer (920)475-1152 (920)475-1152 htran@bylinebank.com sba 7(a) loan program

small business capital

lower-equity

©2017 Byline Bank. Member FDIC. Name name name name name name name name Title title title title title title title title title title Phone phone Cell cell cell Email email email email email HuyTran VP - Business Development Officer (920)475-1152 (920)475-1152 htran@bylinebank.com

Beauty & Fashion

Here’s how you can keep up with fashion trends & master the moment

Fashion trends are constantly changing, inspiration for new looks is everywhere, and trends don’t have the staying power they used to. It feels like with every refresh on

our socials, there’s a new trend sending the old one we just hopped on packing. Stay up-to-date on the latest fashion trends with these helpful tips, so you can find the hottest styles no matter the season.

4Follow fashion influencers and industry experts on social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. These individuals are often the first to spot emerging trends and share

them with their followers. By regularly checking their posts and updates, you can stay updated with the latest fashion trends and gain insights into market demands.

4Subscribe to fashion magazines and newsletters that provide timely information on fashion trends and market analysis. Magazines like Vogue, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar regularly feature articles on the latest fashion trends, runway shows, and designer collections. Subscribing to their newsletters will ensure that you receive regular updates directly in your inbox.

4Attend fashion events, trade shows, and exhibitions or at least keep a track of them over the internet. These events are not only an excellent opportunity to network with industry professionals but also a great way to stay updated with the latest fashion trends and market demands. Fashion weeks in major cities like New York, Paris, Milan, and London showcase the work of renowned designers and provide valuable insights into upcoming trends.

4Keep an eye on fashion blogs and websites that specialize in trend forecasting. Websites like WGSN and Trendstop provide comprehensive trend reports, color forecasts, and market analysis. By regularly visiting these websites, you can gain a deeper understanding of the fashion industry and make informed decisions for your fashion business

In conclusion, staying updated with fashion trends and market demands is crucial for fashion entrepreneurs. By following fashion influencers, subscribing to fashion magazines, attending events, and conducting market research, you can stay ahead of the competition and make informed decisions for your fashion business. engaging with your target audience, collaborating with influencers, and analyzing competitor strategies will further enhance your understanding of the market and help you succeed as a fashion entrepreneur.

www.indoustribune.com Friday, 29 March, 2024 28

www.indoustribune.com

Indo-US Tribune proudly sponsors ‘Kuch Apni Kaho Kuch Mere Suno’ to unite

poets across continents

Renowned poets and poetry enthusiasts from around the world are set to come together for a virtual poetry concert titled “Kuch Apni Kaho Kuch Mere Suno," organized by esteemed poets Rakesh Malhotra and Anurag Misraraj. The event aims to celebrate the rich tapestry of poetry and culture while fostering a sense of unity and connection among participants and audiences alike.

The concert will feature talented poets from diverse backgrounds from cities such as Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Mumbai, and Varanasi, India. Prominent poets to grace the virtual stage include Rakesh Malhotra, Nupur Govila, Anurag Misraraj, Anoop Bhargava, and Raj Lally Batala. The talented Shilpa Kulkarni will expertly anchor the concert.

Poetry is the soul’s voice, echoing through the corridors of time. In its verses lie the whispers of hope, the melodies of love, and the essence of life itself.

Supported by organizations committed to promoting cultural exchange and artistic expression, including Five Global Values, Dramatech of USA, Roots to Hindi, and Eka, the event will be a fantastic display of poetry and creativity.

With esteemed media partners Indo-US Tribune, I USA Media, and A3N Media of Chicago, the concert will be accessible to a global audience through a live broadcast on the Facebook page of Dramatech.

Poetry is the soul’s voice, echoing through the corridors of time. In its verses lie the whispers of hope, the melodies of love, and the essence of life itself. Through poetry, we find solace in times of despair, strength in moments of weakness, and beauty in the ordinary. It is a beacon of light in the darkest nights, reminding us that amidst the chaos, there is always room for hope, love, and life to flourish, said Rakesh Malhotra, founder of Five Global Values.

Speaking about the significance of poetry in their lives, he said, “Poetry is a passion for us. Whether we are engineers, technocrats, bankers, or entrepreneurs, our love for our motherland remains young, even after living in the USA for over two decades. We are committed to promoting our culture, language, art, literature, and heritage through platforms like ‘Kuch Apni Kaho Kuch Mere Suno.’”

Join us with your friends and family for an evening of inspiration, creativity, and celebration of poetic talent at the “Kuch Apni Kaho Kuch Mere Suno” poetry concert on March 30, 2024 at 9 PM EST.

Friday, 29 March, 2024 29

Community

30 Health & Fitness

What are the mental health benefits of exercise?

Exercise is not just about aerobic capacity and muscle size. Sure, exercise can improve your physical health and your physique, trim your waistline, improve your sex life, and even add years to your life. But that’s not what motivates most people to stay active.

People who exercise regularly tend to do so because it gives them an enormous sense of wellbeing. They feel more energetic throughout the day, sleep better at night, have sharper memories, and feel more relaxed and positive about themselves and their lives. And it’s also a powerful medicine for many common mental health challenges. Here’s how regular exercise can help you combat various mental health

Exercise and depression

Studies show that exercise can treat mild to moderate depression as effectively as antidepressant medication—but without the sideeffects, of course. As one example, a recent study done by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that running for 15 minutes a day or walking for an hour reduces the risk of major depression by 26%. In addition to relieving depression symptoms, research also shows that maintaining an exercise schedule can prevent you from relapsing.

Exercise is a powerful depression fighter for several reasons. Most importantly, it promotes all kinds of changes in the brain, including neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new activity patterns that promote feelings of calm and well-being. It also releases endorphins, powerful chemicals in your brain that energize your spirits and make you feel good. Finally, exercise can also serve as a distraction, allowing you to find some quiet time to break out of the cycle of

negative thoughts that feed depression.

Exercise and anxiety

Exercise is a natural and effective antianxiety treatment. It relieves tension and stress, boosts physical and mental energy, and enhances well-being through the release of endorphins. Anything that gets you moving can help, but you’ll get a bigger benefit if you pay attention instead of zoning out.

Try to notice the sensation of your feet hitting the ground, for example, or the rhythm of your breathing, or the feeling of the wind on your skin. By adding this mindfulness element—really focusing on your body and how it feels as you exercise—you’ll not only improve your physical condition faster, but you may also be able to interrupt the flow of constant worries running through your head.

Exercise and stress

Ever noticed how your body feels when you’re under stress? Your muscles may be tense, especially in your face, neck, and shoulders, leaving you with back or neck pain, or painful headaches. You may feel a tightness in your chest, a pounding pulse, or muscle cramps. You may also experience problems such as insomnia, heartburn, stomachache, diarrhea, or frequent urination. The worry and discomfort of all these physical symptoms can in turn lead to even more stress, creating a vicious cycle between your mind and body.

Exercising is an effective way to break this cycle. As well as releasing endorphins in the brain, physical activity helps to relax the muscles and relieve tension in the body. Since the body and mind are so closely linked, when your body feels better so, too, will your mind.

www.indoustribune.com Friday, 29 March, 2024

Health & Fitness

Top 10 health benefits of adding eggs to your daily diet

Eggs are one of the few foods that should be classified as “superfoods.”

They are loaded with nutrients, some of which are rare in the modern diet. Here are 10 health benefits of eggs that have been confirmed in human studies.

1. They’re highly nutritious

Whole eggs are nutritionally rich, supplying almost every nutrient you need. They have one of the lowest energy-to-nutrient density ratios of any food and are useful sources of some of the harder-to-get nutrients like vitamins D and B12 as well as the mineral iodine.

2. A complete source of protein

Being a ‘complete protein’ means eggs contain all 9 of the essential amino acids that we need for growth, development and repair. This is important because our body cannot make these amino acids and must obtain them from our diet. In addition to this, egg protein is recognized as being highly digestible, and contains a quality of protein that is superior to beef steak and similar to dairy.

3. A source of choline

Eggs are one of the best dietary sources of choline. This little talked about nutrient is needed by all of us for the formation of cell membranes and for brain function, including memory. It’s especially important during pregnancy and breast feeding, when an adequate supply of choline is essential for normal brain development.

4. May support heart health

Eggs are rich in several nutrients that promote heart health, including betaine and choline. A study of nearly half a million people in China suggested that eating one egg a day may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, although experts stress that eggs need to be consumed as part of a healthy lifestyle in order to be beneficial.

5. May support eye health

As we age it’s normal for our vision to start to deteriorate but there are some useful nutrients, obtained from a balanced diet, which may help protect and support eye health. Eggs are one example: the yolk contains large amounts

of carotenes – of particular note are lutein and zeaxanthin – which are important for preventing macular degeneration and cataracts. Eggs are also a source of vitamin A, which is important for good vision.

6. May prevent sarcopenia

Being highly digestible, egg protein has been shown to support muscle health and protect against muscle loss, a condition known as sarcopenia. Skeletal muscle plays a major role in overall health, maintaining physical function and balance, improving insulin sensitivity and lowering the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease.

7. May support weight management

Eggs are rich in protein, which is more filling than either fat or carbohydrate. As a food choice, eggs score well, being high on the satiety index, a measure of how filling a food is. In fact, studies show that an egg breakfast is more sustaining than the equivalent caloriecounted carb breakfast and, what’s more, may

help reduce your calorie intake later in the day.

8. May support optimal body composition

Including eggs in the diet has been shown to increase muscle protein synthesis and lower fat mass, which may support optimal body composition. As any body builder knows, the amino acid leucine is critical for muscle synthesis and eggs make a useful source of this amino acid, supplying approximately 500mg of leucine per an average egg.

9. May support the immune system

Eggs contain many essential nutrients, bioactive compounds and high quality protein. Studies suggest that, when combined with dairy, they may modulate the immune system and contribute anti-inflammatory properties.

10. Have a low planetary impact

Sustainability metrics suggest that eggs have the lowest planetary impact amongst animal proteins.

www.indoustribune.com Friday, 29 March, 2024 31

Beauty & Fashion