Issue 23

‘Unstoppable, Inevitable’: Western media swings to the other side in appraisals of PM Modi

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Friday, 12 April, 2024

VOL: 01 • ISSUE: 23

12 APRIL 2024

MIDWEST EDITION www.indoustribune.com We serve community first

India wins key posts in UN poll IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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ndia has won a major victory with the country’s candidates being elected to several key positions in UN bodies including a prestigious five-year term at the International Narcotics Control Board.

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t was just a few years ago that a large section of Western media was unstinting in its criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but most are now changing their tone to engage with him more and showcase his role in India’s transformation and its increasing global influence.

The Newsweek interview, conducted by the prominent magazine’s global editor-in-chief Nancy Cooper, CEO Dev Pragad, and Editorial Director (Asia) Danish Manzoor Bhat, is a case in point, with the cover photo of the magazine featuring PM Modi - only the second Indian Prime Minister to figure on the cover - and the caption reading: “UNSTOPPABLE” and “How NARENDRA MODI is CHANGING INDIA and THE WORLD”.

A companion piece to the interview seems a balanced, critical, and complimentary account of the Prime Minister and his political course, which freely acknowledges the transformation of India’s economy, technical sector, infrastructure, and diplomacy under him as indisputable.

India’s Jagjit Pavadia, a former Indian Revenue Service officer, was re-elected for a third term to the International Narcotics Control Board after garnering the highest number of votes.

Council (ECOSOC) held elections to fill vacancies in 17 of its subsidiary bodies on Tuesday. These vacancies were filled through election by acclamation, secret ballot and nomination.

India was also elected by acclamation to the Commission on the Status of Women for the term 2025-2029; Executive Board of the

The Newsweek article also cited how the Morning Consult gave PM Modi a domestic approval rating of nearly 78 percent, making him the most popular global leader in its survey, with more than double the support for US President Joe Biden.

Sharing the survey on X, veteran Norwegian peace negotiator Erik Solheim posed: “Maybe it is time for Western media to give India and Modiji some positive coverage?” The process seems to be already underway.

India’s candidates were also elected to the Executive Board of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women for the 2025-2027 term and the Executive Board of the World Food Program for the 20252027 term.

“Today, a significant triumph for India at the UN, clinching a prestigious re-election to the International Narcotics Control Board for 2025-2030 and earning seats across several key UN bodies,” the Permanent Mission of India to the UN said on X.

“India remains steadfast in its commitment to actively engage in the discourse within these UN bodies, upholding the principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ “the world is one family,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj said in a post on X.

The UN Economic and Social

See Pg. 02

Top US official headed for India, another speaks of ‘new heights’ in ties

Even citing critiques such as by Bhaskar Chakravorti, Dean of Global Business at the Fletcher School of Tufts University, in a Harvard Business Review article, the account tempers their sole demographic focus with the list of achievements accomplished in PM Modi’s India.

It also quotes Foreign Policy magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Ravi Agrawal’s view of how the PM’s launch of a new nation-building initiative, by “projecting an image of a more powerful, muscular, prideful” country is increasingly gaining traction among increasing ranks of receptive Indians.

United Nations Children’s Fund for the term 2025-2027; Executive Board of the United Nations Development Program, the United Nations Population Fund and the United Nations Office for Project Services for 2025-2027.

Musk confirms India visit, to meet PM Modi

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he United States is putting behind recent irritants and acrimony in ties with India with a high-level visit by a top official to Delhi next week and glowing reviews of the bilateral relationship with one official who says it has scaled to “new heights”.

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell is visiting India next week, according to a senior Biden administration official, to “celebrate elements of our bilateral relationship, compare notes on the Indo-Pacific, and also talk about next steps in technology cooperation”.

The official, who spoke to reporters in the background about the ongoing state visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, added: “We think these are all effective, prudent elements of taking the US-India relationship to the next level.”

The official also said that for President Joe Biden, efforts to develop a stronger relationship with India were among his “proudest” achievements.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan gave an equally glowing account of the relationship with India while addressing reporters separately.

See Pg. 02

esla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has confirmed his visit to India, saying that he is looking forward to meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the country.

“Looking forward to meeting with Prime Minister @NarendraModi in India,” Musk confirmed on Wednesday in a post on X. As per media reports, the tech billionaire is slated to meet PM Modi “in the week of April 22 in New Delhi”. Musk, accompanied by other top Tesla executives, is likely to make an announcement about his investment plans and setting up of a potential $2-3 billion manufacturing plant in the country.

See Pg. 02

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Musk confirms India visit, to meet PM Modi

India, Belgium vow to increase bilateral cooperation, enhance strategic ties

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iving a further fillip to the multidimensional ties between the two countries, India and Belgium on Wednesday vowed to increase bilateral cooperation in the key areas, including trade, semiconductors, cyber and digital space, and science and technology.

Contd. from Pg. 01 According to SpaceX CEO, the entry of Tesla in India, as the company scouts for factory land, will be a ‘natural progression’.

“All vehicles will go electric and it is just a matter of time,” Musk said.

As per reports, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu are on top of Tesla’s agenda to start EV manufacturing and export the vehicles as well. During his visit to the US last year, PM Modi had invited the tech billionaire to explore opportunities in the country for investments in the e-mobility sector.

balanced, fair and mutually beneficial India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA),” the MEA said in a statement after the meeting.

The discussions encompassed key areas of bilateral cooperation, including trade and economic cooperation, semiconductors, cyber and digital space, science and technology, UNSC reforms, and multilateral cooperation and institutional dialogue mechanisms.

Both sides undertook a comprehensive review of the multifaceted relations during the second edition of India-Belgium Foreign Office Consultations (FoC) held in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The meeting was co-chaired by Pavan Kapoor, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs, and Theodora Gentzis, President of the Board, Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs.

It follows the telephone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Alexander De Croo, the Prime Minister of Belgium, on March 26 and the meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Belgian counterpart Hadja Lahbib on the sidelines of the

In addition, the dialogue extended to global and regional affairs, green energy transition including green hydrogen, pharmaceuticals and port cooperation, and exchange on key global challenges.

Munich conference in February 2024.

“Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhance India-EU strategic ties during the ongoing tenure of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and to make progress towards a comprehensive,

The consultations were preceded by the 18th meeting of the Joint Economic Commission of India and BLEU (Belgium Luxembourg Economic Union) held on Tuesday.

During the visit, Gentzis also paid a courtesy call to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

Top US official headed for India, India wins key posts in UN poll another speaks of ‘new heights’ in ties Contd. from Pg. 01 UN said on X.

“Today, a significant triumph for India at the UN, clinching a prestigious reelection to the International Narcotics Control Board for 2025-2030 and earning seats across several key UN bodies,” the Permanent Mission of India to the

Contd. from Pg. 01 “The partnership between the US and India, a country in BRICS, has gone to new heights with an engagement across technology and security and so many other dimensions,” he said, in response to a question if the US is worried by the growing clout and membership of BRICS, a group that draws its name from the first letters of its original members Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

It was recently joined by Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates; and Saudi Arabia is contemplating joining as well. The senior administration official used the word “excelled” to describe the level of engagement between the two countries.

Campbell’s visit to India will be his first in his new role as Deputy Secretary of State, which is roughly the rank of a minister of state in India. He has been the Biden administration’s czar on the Indo-Pacific bilaterally with rim countries and for the Quad, a multilateral group comprising India, the US, Japan and Australia, which has seen robust growth after Biden came to office.

There was not a hint in these remarks of recent irritants in the relationship caused by remarks by US diplomats in New Delhi and Washington DC. These elicited strong responses.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned acting Deputy Chief of Mission Gloria Berbena for her remarks on the case against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The State Department followed this with a call for “a fair, transparent and timely legal process for Chief Minister Kejriwal”. It had elicited a statement from the MEA saying it took

“strong objection”.

The US also expressed concern over the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act and said it was monitoring it closely. The bilateral relationship faced its biggest challenge in recent months with the US Justice Department accusing an Indian citizen of trying to organize the killing of a Khalistani activist in the US, at the behest of a serving official who was identified in court filings as CC1.

The Biden administration went on to call for India to conduct its own investigations to ascertain the facts. New Delhi agreed and set up an inquiry, which, according to recent reports, has found that it was a rogue operation ordered by an official of the Research and Analysis (RAW), who has since been removed from the organization.

These news reports also indicated that the US has been informed of the findings.

But the State Department recently said it is still waiting for a report. These exchanges of words and acrimony put a cloud over the relationship. But it’s clear from these remarks by top American officials that the damage, if any, was peripheral and ephemeral leaving the core in good health, and as NSA Sullivan put it, scaling “new heights”.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in a post on X lauded the “good work” of the Permanent Mission of India to the UN and the team at the Ministry of External Affairs.

Pakistan High Commission grants 2,843 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims for Vaisakhi IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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he Pakistan High Commission has issued a total of 2,843 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to participate in the annual Vaisakhi festivities.

Scheduled to be celebrated on April 13, the festival holds cultural and religious significance for the Sikh community, as it marks the beginning of the Sikh New Year.

Despite ongoing tensions between the two nations, the tradition of Indian pilgrims visiting Sikh holy shrines in Pakistan for Vaisakhi goes on. Pilgrims would visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Gurdwara Nankana

Sahib, and Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib.

Emphasizing heritage and cultural exchanges, this move transcends political divides between two not-so-friendly southAsian neighbors.

Every year, a large number of Sikh pilgrims from India visit Pakistan under the framework of the 1974 Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines.

Pakistan’s Charge d’ Affaires Saad Ahmad Warraich extended his heartfelt felicitations to all those celebrating this auspicious festival and wished the visiting pilgrims a fulfilling yatra.

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Multinationals view India as alternative manufacturing base for supply chains: UN “We’re experiencing a sustainable development crisis, to which inequalities, inflation, debt, conflicts and climate disasters have all contributed,” she added while speaking at a news conference on the report’s release. Mohammed said that the global financial institutions created after World War II were no longer relevant and needed urgent reforms to meet the contemporary challenges.

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ndia remains a “strong” recipient of foreign investments as multinationals recognize it as an alternative manufacturing base for supply chains, according to the United Nations.

“India is benefiting by growing interest from multinationals, which see the country as an alternative manufacturing base in the context of developed economies’ supply chain diversification strategies,” according to the Financing for Sustainable Development 2024 Report. The report released on Tuesday said that in contrast to large swathes of the developing countries, “investment in South Asia, particularly in India, remains strong.”

While discussing India’s role for multinationals as an “alternative manufacturing base,” the report did not directly mention China, which is the motivating factor behind the development because of geopolitical issues. In contrast to India and some

other countries, the report said the developing world as a whole was facing a “sustainable development crisis” because of “staggering debt burdens and sky-high borrowing costs”.

These “prevent developing countries from responding to the confluence of crises they face,” it said. Deputy Secretary-

General Amina J. Mohammed said, “We are truly at a crossroads and time is running out.

Leaders must go beyond mere rhetoric and deliver on their promises. Without adequate financing, the 2030 (UN sustainable development) targets cannot be met.”

The report said that New Development Bank (NDB), created by BRICS is planning to issue between 2022 and 2026, 30 percent of its loans in national currencies, including Indian rupeedenominated bonds. The report added that “urgent steps are needed to mobilize financing at scale to close the development financing gap, now estimated at $4.2 trillion annually, up from $2.5 trillion before the Covid-19 pandemic”.

It warned, “Meanwhile, rising geopolitical tensions, climate disasters and a global cost-of-living crisis have hit billions of people, battering progress on healthcare, education and other development targets.”

After clearing India’s name, Trudeau accuses China of election interference IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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anadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said China tried to meddle in the election process in his country twice --2019 and 2021, but asserted that it was fair. The elections were decided by Canadians, Trudeau said on Wednesday in his testimony before a commission probing alleged foreign interference in the polls.

The commission was set up last year after media reports about China’s interference in the polls. However, the Chinese Embassy in Canada denied any interference in Canadian affairs. The commission is set to complete its initial report by May 3 and final report by 2024 end, The Guardian reported.

Earlier, India was accused of meddling in the polls and later the allegation was ruled out by Canada. Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) on Monday said that China has “clandestinely and deceptively” interfered in the Canadian elections.

“We know that the Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC) clandestinely and deceptively interfered in both the 2019 and 2021 elections,” CSIS said during a briefing to the commission.

Trudeau’s Liberal Party had won both the elections. The Conservatives lead campaigner, during the 2021 election, Erin O’Toole, estimated Chinese “interference” cost his party up to nine seats.

Israel vows ‘appropriate response’ if Iran attacks its territory IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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sraeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has vowed an “appropriate response” if Iran attacks his country’s territory.

“A direct Iranian attack on Israeli territory will require an appropriate Israeli response against Iran,” Gallant told US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin on Thursday during a phone conversation on preparations for a possible Iranian retaliatory attack, Xinhua news agency reported. During the conversation, Gallant detailed the Israeli preparations and emphasized that Israel “will not tolerate an Iranian attack on its territory”.

It was the second time the two officials had talked over the past week. The US Intelligence

officials have assessed that Iran could launch a counter-attack soon in response to the killing of seven Iranians in an Israeli airstrike on Iran’s consulate in Syria on April 1.

Earlier on Thursday, Commander of the

US Central Command Michael Kurilla arrived in Israel for talks with Gallant and Herzi Halevi, the Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, to coordinate responses to a potential Iranian attack.

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Publisher Note www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 April, 2024

Letter from Publisher

Published Weekly IndoUS Tribune Chicago Office: Lincolnwood, IL 60712 marketing@Indoustribune.com

Your support matters

PUBLISHER

Dr. (H) Avi Verma publisher@Indoustribune.com

(773) 866-1222

Editor

Nikita Sharma editor@Indoustribune.com

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he month of April marks the beginning of the harvest season in India. To celebrate the crop and to thank the almighty for his blessings, many harvest festivals are celebrated across the country. One such festival is Vaisakhi, and like all things Punjabi, it is colorful, boisterous, necessitates food, music, dance and is observed by the Sikh community all across the world.

Another special festival observed during this month is Chaitra Navratri. As we joyously celebrate these festivals, I extend my heartfelt greetings and best wishes to each one of you.

Chaitra Navratri, observed during the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April), holds profound significance in our cultural and spiritual heritage. This nine-day festival, steeped in tradition and mythology, serves as a poignant reminder of our rich spiritual legacy. Legend has it that during Chaitra Navratri, the mighty goddess Durga triumphed over the demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the victory of righteousness over evil. This timeless tale resonates deeply with the human spirit, embodying the eternal struggle between light and darkness.

Board of Advisors

Chaitra Navratri invites us to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and inner awakening. Each day of this auspicious festival is dedicated to worshipping different forms of the divine feminine energy, known as Shakti. Through fasting, prayers, and rituals, devotees seek blessings, protection, and spiritual elevation.

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Beyond its religious significance, Chaitra Navratri serves as a call to action for the Hindu community worldwide. Let us use this sacred occasion to reconnect with our roots and reaffirm our commitment to uplifting the human spirit. As we celebrate the divine feminine energy, let us also pledge to serve mankind with compassion and humility.

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delhi@indoustribune.com Disclaimer The aim of IndoUS Tribune is to entertain, educate and inform the readers. The opinions expressed in our published works are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions of IndoUS Tribune or the editors. The information contained in our published work has been obtained by Indous Tribune nor its authors guarantees the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein and neither IndoUS Tribune nor its authors shall be responsible for any errors, omissions, or claims for damages, including exemplary damages, arising out of use, inability to use, or with regard to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information contained in this publication. Neither the editor, nor the publisher or any other party associated with the production of IndoUS Tribune accept the responsibility of any accident or injury resulting from the use of materials contained herein. All the content of the IndoUS Tribune is printed and published in Chicago. All rights reserved. No part of any work published in the paper may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

Bringing spring season’s festive fervor along: Chaitra Navratri and Vaisakhi

During this Navratri, let us strive for religious harmony and unity. Let us embrace the values of tolerance, respect, and inclusivity that lie at the heart of our heritage. Together, let us pledge to promote peace and understanding in our communities and beyond.

As we immerse ourselves in the festivities of Chaitra Navratri, may this auspicious occasion inspire us to embody the highest ideals of our faith.

Let us pledge to uplift the human spirit, dedicate ourselves to service, and foster religious harmony in all our endeavors.

Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed Chaitra Navratri filled with joy, prosperity, and spiritual enlightenment!

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

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Australian PM welcomes US President’s consideration of dropping prosecution of WikiLeaks founder IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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ustralian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday welcomed news that US President Joe Biden is considering a request to drop the prosecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Albanese expressed encouragement after Biden’s remark in Washington that the US is mulling over Australia’s request to drop the charges against Assange for the release of confidential records in 2010.

“I believe this must be brought to a conclusion and that Mr. Assange has already paid a significant price and enough is enough,” Albanese told state media Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) television.

An Australian citizen who founded WikiLeaks in Australia in 2006, Assange is currently trying to appeal his extradition from the UK to the US to face trial for the 2010 leaks. The UK High Court in March asked the US for assurances that Assange would have a fair trial and not face the death penalty if convicted before making a final decision in May on whether he can appeal the extradition order. Albanese in February supported a motion raised in the federal parliament by independent MP Andrew Wilkie calling for Assange’s return to Australia.

China-based hackers will disrupt India elections with AI-generated content, warns Microsoft IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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ith major elections taking place around the world this year, particularly in India, South Korea and the US, a Microsoft Threat Analysis team has warned that China will create and amplify AI-generated content to benefit its interests.

Despite the chances of such content in affecting election results remaining low, China’s increasing experimentation in augmenting memes, videos, and audio will likely continue - and may prove more effective down the line.

According to the tech giant, China is using fake social media accounts to poll voters on what divides them most to sow division and possibly influence the outcome of the US presidential election in its favor.

“China has also increased its use of AI-generated content to further its goals around the world. North Korea has increased its cryptocurrency heists and supply chain attacks to fund and further its military goals and intelligence collection. It has also begun to use AI to make its operations more effective and efficient,” the company said in a blog post.

Deceptive social media accounts by Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-

Japanese PM promises Washington of 250 cherry trees as independence gift IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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apanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida drew cheers and applause from US lawmakers on Thursday when he announced a plan to donate 250 cherry trees to the US capital to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US independence.

In a speech to the US Congress in Washington underscoring close ties between the United States and Japan, Kishida referred to work the US National Park Service is undertaking to spruce up the Tidal Basin, an area of parkland in Washington that is home to national monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial.

“As a gesture of friendship, Japan will provide 250 cherry that will be planted in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of your independence,” Kishida said, drawing one of several standing ovations during his speech,

which he delivered in English.

The Japanese embassy said it is still working on the specifics of the gift. The 250th anniversary of US independence from Britain falls on July 4, 2026. Cherry blossoms have become a beloved annual spectacle in Washington for both residents and visitors alike since Japan donated cherry trees to the city in 1912 as a symbol of friendship.

The US-Japan relationship collapsed into catastrophic war between 1941 and 1945, but the two countries have been allies for decades since and say their relationship is now closer than it has ever been.

Kishida was only the second Japanese prime minister ever to address a joint meeting of the US House and Senate, after Shinzo Abe, his assassinated predecessor, on April 29, 2015. It is a privilege generally reserved for the closest of US allies and followed a summit with US President Joe Biden.

affiliated actors have already started to pose contentious questions on controversial US domestic issues to better understand the key issues that divide US voters.

“This could be to gather intelligence and precision on key voting demographics ahead of the US presidential election,” the company warned.

China’s geopolitical priorities remain unchanged but it has doubled down on its

targets and increased the sophistication of its influence operations (IO) attacks.

The Taiwanese presidential election in January this year also saw a surge in the use of AI-generated content by Chinaaffiliated cyber criminals.

“This was the first time that Microsoft Threat Intelligence has witnessed a nationstate actor using AI content in attempts to influence a foreign election,” said the team.

Father’s lawsuit sparks outrage over alleged unconsented branding at Texas Hindu temple IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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utrage and disbelief have erupted following a father’s lawsuit against a local Hindu temple, alleging that his 11-year-old son was branded with a hot iron during a cultural ceremony without family consent.

Vijay Cheruvu, visibly distressed, shared details of the incident at a news conference covered by local TV channels, expressing shock and deep concern for his son’s well-being. The scabbed-over burn scars on his son’s shoulders, resembling the Hindu elephant god Ganesh, were shown as evidence of the traumatic event.

The lawsuit, filed in Texas’ 458th District Court, not only seeks financial compensation but also raises pointed questions about the ritualistic practice and why it was performed without the family’s explicit consent. Cheruvu emphasized that he did not authorize his son’s participation in any such ceremony.

Attorney Brant Stogner, representing Cheruvu, spoke passionately at the news conference, denouncing the branding as a practice associated with a specific and isolated sect within Hinduism. Stogner pointed out the illegality of allowing minors to receive such markings under Texas law, regardless of any perceived religious significance.

In a chilling revelation, Stogner shared excerpts from a victim impact statement written by the young boy, recounting the excruciating pain and subsequent infection caused by the branding. The child described

being instructed to keep the ordeal secret, underscoring the secrecy and questionable ethics surrounding the ceremony.

The lawsuit has ignited broader discussions about the boundaries of religious freedom and the protection of children from potentially harmful practices. Many are left wondering how and why such a ritual could be performed on minors without explicit parental consent, raising concerns about safeguarding children’s rights and well-being within religious contexts.

As the legal battle unfolds, the case serves as a stark reminder of the complex intersection between cultural traditions, individual rights, and child safety. The Ashtalakshmi Temple and its parent organization, Jeeyar Educational Trust USA, have yet to provide a response to the allegations, leaving the community and concerned observers seeking answers and accountability.

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US senators introduce bill to renew Africa trade pact through 2041 IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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bipartisan group of senators has introduced a bill to renew the US trade pact with sub-Saharan Africa ahead of its expiration next year, an aide to one of the senators said on Thursday. The bill was introduced

by Senators Chris Coons, a Democrat, and James Risch, top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. A cross-party group of senators - Dick Durbin, Michael Bennet, Chris van Hollen, Todd Young and Mike Rounds - is co-sponsoring the bill.

An aide to Coons said it was a high priority to reauthorize the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) this year. The bill, which was seen exclusively by Reuters, would renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act for 16 years, through 2041, and help countries implement strategies to take advantage of the program. It would also maintain benefits for countries as they grow richer, enabling them to remain in the program if they are determined to be high-income for five years rather than removing them if they reach that threshold for a single year.

Under the bill, countries would be reviewed for eligibility every other year instead of annually as under the current statute. But the US president and certain congressional leaders could review countries’ eligibility out of cycle anytime. If countries were found ineligible for the program, the president would have a menu of options for enforcement ranging from full termination of benefits to taking no action. Current statute requires the president to terminate AGOA benefits if a country does not meet eligibility.

CDC says bird flu risk low, but asks states to be ready with testing IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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he US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Monday bird flu risk to the public remains low even as it asked the state public health officials to be prepared to respond. The agency asked for plans to quickly test and provide treatment to potentially impacted farm workers following positive results among cattle herds.

It also encouraged state health officials to communicate about any challenges they are facing. Earlier Texas and the CDC had reported a case of avian influenza in a person who had contact with dairy cows presumed to be infected with the virus.

The farm worker from Texas was reported to be infected on April 1, making it the second case of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, identified in a person in the United States. The avian influenza has also spread to dairy cows in Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, Michigan and Idaho - the first time the virus has infected cattle.

At least three injured as violence mars Eid al-Fitr celebration in West Philadelphia IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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joyful Eid al-Fitr celebration in West Philadelphia turned tragic on Wednesday afternoon as gunfire erupted near Philadelphia Masjid, leaving at least three individuals injured, sparking chaos and fear among attendees.

The shooting occurred around 2:30 p.m. on the 4700 block of Wyalusing Avenue during what was supposed to be a peaceful gathering marking the end of Ramadan.

Police responded swiftly to the scene, where they found two gunshot victims who were transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center for treatment.

According to eyewitness accounts, the gunfire followed a dispute during the festivities, leading to pandemonium and panic as families and attendees sought safety.

Dwight Olds, program director for the Institute for the Development of African American Youth (IDAAY), expressed frustration, lamenting that the violence had marred what was meant to be a beautiful day of prayer and community.

Don Jones, an anti-violence advocate and leader within Philly’s Muslim community, condemned the senseless act, highlighting the presence of children at the event and emphasizing that such

violence is unacceptable.

In a separate incident, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel reported that five individuals were arrested following an exchange of gunfire between “two factions” at the event, where approximately 1,000 people had gathered.

Thankfully, no fatalities were reported, although several individuals sustained injuries, including a 15-year-old suspect who was shot by police and is now in stable condition.

The aftermath of the shooting left Clara Muhammad Square scattered with abandoned food, strollers, and clothing, with signs of the commotion evident hours later. Nearby schools were placed on lockdown, and efforts were made to reunite families who were separated during the chaos. The shooting has sent

US Senate committee to hold hearing on Boeing safety culture report IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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aeronautics expert at MIT, and Najmedin Meshkati, a University of Southern California professor and expert on aviation safety.

he US Senate Commerce Committee said on Thursday it would hold a hearing next week with members of an expert panel that released a report in February criticizing Boeing’s safety culture and calling for significant improvements.

Senator Maria Cantwell, the committee chair, said on Wednesday she was impressed with the expert witness panel report and wanted to hear from members first before she called the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a future hearing.

The hearing next Wednesday comes as the US planemaker has been grappling with a full-blown safety crisis that has undermined its reputation following a Jan. 5 mid-air panel blowout on a new 737 MAX 9. It has since undergone a management shakeup, US regulators have put curbs on its production and its aircraft deliveries fell by half in March.

The panel’s report was directed by Congress after fatal 737 MAX crashes in Indonesia in 2018 and Ethiopia in 2019 that killed 346 people, including panel member De Luis’ sister in the Ethiopian crash. It criticized Boeing’s safety culture on a number of fronts and found “a lack of awareness of safety-related metrics at all levels of the organization.”

The committee will hear from three panel members, including Tracy Dillinger, a NASA expert on safety culture, Javier de Luis, an

The panel also cited an “inadequate and confusing implementation of the components of a positive safety culture.”

shockwaves through Philadelphia’s Muslim community, coming amidst a troubling rise in Islamophobic incidents in the region. Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu, executive director of CAIRPhiladelphia, characterized the incident as a tragedy affecting the entire community.

As investigations continue with assistance from the FBI and Pennsylvania State Police, questions remain about the motives behind the violence and the circumstances that led to such a disturbing outbreak during what should have been a day of celebration and unity.

The incident serves as a somber reminder of the pervasive impact of gun violence on communities across Philadelphia, emphasizing the urgent need for collective efforts to promote peace and safety for all.

US-led pact on supply chains to come into force in South Korea next week IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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he United States-led Indo Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) relating to supply chain resilience, that also has India as its member, will enter into force in South Korea next week, Seoul’s industry ministry said on Friday. The initiative will enter into force from next Wednesday, 30 days after the country’s deposition of its instrument of ratification for the initiative, in accordance with its provisions, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said.

The platform was launched by US President Joe Biden in 2022, involving 14 member nations, including South Korea, the US, Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The initiative has four pillars -- trade, supply chain resilience, a clean economy and a fair economy -- and they reached an agreement on the supply chain resilience pillar last year. The IPEF supply chain agreement has so far come into force in five nations, including the US, Japan and India.

The agreement is meant to establish a framework for deeper collaborations among partner nations “to prevent, mitigate, and prepare for supply chain disruptions,” such as those experienced in recent years from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the ministry.

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Friday, 12 April, 2024

Investigators interview ship personnel in Maryland bridge collapse looking at the circuit breakers and has tested the fuel onboard the ship.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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S National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy said at a Senate hearing Wednesday that investigators had conducted interviews with key cargo ship personnel in the investigation of the March 26 Baltimore bridge collapse.

NTSB investigators are looking at the original bridge design and how it would be built today. Homendy said the preliminary report would be out the first week of May. “We are still on scene collecting information. We have a lot of work ahead,” she said.

The Dali cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, sending it crashing into the harbor and killing six people. Work to clear the wreckage and restore traffic through the Mid-Atlantic state’s shipping channel is ongoing.

Homendy said investigators remained on site and had interviewed the pilots, the second officer - who was the man on watch at the time of the crash - and other

The top Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee said at the hearing that Congress should help fund the replacement of the Maryland bridge.

key personnel, as well as US Coast Guard personnel. The NTSB has downloaded the voyage data recorder and brought the

manufacturer of equipment in the engine room “to look closely at the electrical power system work.” The NTSB is also

“I think the federal government needs to help to rebuild the bridge,” Senator Ted Cruz said. “With court cases likely taking years to resolve, it’s also sensible for federal taxpayers to front the money now with legal protections so taxpayers are paid back by the legally.”

Ohio senator wants Biden to US sets first standard to curb ‘forever permanently ban Chinese EVs from US chemicals’ from drinking water IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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he chair of the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday urged President Joe Biden to block Chinese-made vehicles from the United States auto market, marking the strongest call yet for action against China’s automakers by a US lawmaker.

“I implore you to take bold, aggressive action and to permanently ban EVs produced by Chinese companies or whatever subsidiaries they establish to conceal their origins,” Senator Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, wrote on Thursday to Biden calling for “expeditious” action.

“Chinese electric vehicles are an existential threat to the American auto industry.”

The White House did not immediately comment on Thursday.

In March, Biden said that China’s policies “could flood our market with its vehicles, posing risks to our national security” and that he would “not let that

happen on my watch.”

Brown’s comments arguing for a permanent ban of Chinese EVs from the US market are the strongest yet by any US lawmaker on the issue. Others have called for steep tariffs to keep EVs out of the United States.

Last month, Brown and Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan - all from auto-producing states - called on Biden to drastically hike import tariffs on Chinese EVs to address national security risks. Concerns have also been raised by lawmakers and advocates that Chinese automakers could assemble lowcost vehicles in Mexico to allow them to qualify for US EV tax credits.

In March, the Commerce Department opened an investigation into whether Chinese vehicle imports pose national security risks and could impose restrictions due to concerns that “connected” car technology could put the data of Americans at risk.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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he US Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday announced its firstever drinking water standard to protect people against toxic “forever chemicals” found in many household and everyday items, and offered $1 billion to states for public water system testing, the agency’s first major move to curb the cancer-causing chemicals.

The final rule will affect 6 percent and 10 percent of the 66,000 public drinking water systems in the United States and is projected reduce exposure to the group of 15,000 chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for approximately 100 million people. It would avoid tens of thousands of deaths that have been linked to PFAS, according to the agency.

Dubbed “forever chemicals” because they do not easily break down in the human body or environment, PFAS is

found in hundreds of consumer and commercial products, including non-stick pans, cosmetics, firefighting foams and stain resistant clothing.

“The first national drinking water standards for PFAS marks a significant step towards delivering on the BidenHarris Administration’s commitment to advancing environmental justice, protecting communities, and securing clean water for people across the country,” said Brenda Mallory, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, in a statement.

A study released last year by the US Geological Survey found that nearly half of US tap water samples contain PFAS. The EPA rule will set limits for five individual PFAS chemicals: PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA. All public water systems have three years to complete their monitoring for these chemicals and must inform the public of the level of PFAS measured in their drinking water.

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Meet Gopi Thotakura: India’s first pilot to journey into space as a tourist IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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opi Thotakura, a pilot, is set to become the first Indian to travel to the edge of space on Blue Origin’s next flight.

The Indian American will be a part of the six-person crew flying on Blue Origin’s NS-25 mission.

Jeff Bezos’ space venture is yet to announce the dates.

“Gopi is a pilot and aviator who learned how to fly before he could drive,” according to Blue Origin.

Besides being a commercial pilot, he is also a medical jet pilot and an avid traveller, who recently aced “the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro” a volcano in Tanzania.

“Gopi pilots bush, aerobatic, and seaplanes, as well as gliders and hot air balloons, and has served as an international medical jet pilot”.

Indian man charged for failing to safely dispose of fake IED after simulation exercise in Singapore IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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46-year-old Indian-origin security officer has been charged with giving false information to a public servant about the safe disposal of a fake IED used in a simulation exercise which later caused a panic situation in the area, according to a media report.

Durendran Vicknesh Venkatraman was on January 5 tasked to dispose of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) which was used in a simulation exercise conducted by a security agency that day at Singapore’s Sing Industrial Complex in Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park, The Straits Times newspaper reported.

However, he failed to do so and the IED was later found abandoned in a public place causing panic among the people and authorities.

Due to the situation, the authorities were

forced to deploy police resources and also bar at least 100 people from entering the premises before the item was established to be a fake IED, the report said.

“He was supposed to dispose of the fake IED after he received a call from the exercise team,” a senior police official was quoted as saying in the report.

Also, when the authorities tried to connect to Venkatraman over the matter since he was absent for over 5 hours, he on his return lied to them that he had disposed it off.

Venkatraman’s case has been adjourned to April 30. If convicted of giving false information to a public servant, he can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to 5,000 Singaporean dollars.

“He was supposed to dispose of the fake IED after he received a call from the exercise team,” a senior police official was quoted as saying in the report.

Born in Vijayawada, a city in Andhra Pradesh, Gopi studied at Sarala Birla Academy, a private school in Bengaluru, according to his LinkedIn profile.

12 Indians arrested in UK amid visa raids to curb illegal immigrants IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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leven men and one woman, all said to be Indian nationals, have been arrested by the UK’s immigration authorities in a series of raids on suspicion of being in breach of their visa conditions and working illegally at a bedding and cake factory.

According to a statement from the UK Home Office on Wednesday, Immigration Enforcement officers descended on the bedding and mattress business in the West Midlands region of England following intelligence that illegal work was taking place on-site. They arrested seven men – all Indian nationals – for suspected illegal working,” the Home Office said.

“Four more Indian men were arrested at a nearby cake factory. They were found to be in breach of their visa conditions, and one was also working illegally. An Indian woman was then arrested for immigration offences at a private home, with further raids planned throughout the afternoon,” it said. The officials said four of the offenders were detained pending consideration for removal from the UK or deportation to India, and the remaining eight have been bailed on the condition they report regularly to the Home Office.

Meanwhile, the two businesses could now face substantial fines if it is established they employed illegal workers at their factories and failed to conduct relevant preemployment checks.

Blue Origin has, since July 2021, carried out six crewed flights, and CEO Jeff Bezos himself took part in the first.

In February this year, the Home Office tripled fines for employers who allow illegal migrants to work for them.

For a first breach, this has gone from GBP 15,000 to GBP 45,000 per illegal worker, and for repeat breaches within three years, the fines have increased from GBP 20,000 to GBP 60,000.

The company’s reusable New Shepard rocket will take the sixperson crew to space above the Karman line– an internationally recognized boundary of space that lies 62 miles (100 km) above the Earth’s surface– in a typical 11-minute flight.

Surjewala writes to Jaishankar for safe return of Haryana youths stuck in Russia IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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n a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Congress MP Randeep Surjewala has sought the ministry’s intervention in bringing back Haryana’s youth who are stuck in war-torn Russia.

He highlighted the issue that they were being forced to serve on the war front by the Russian Army. He had met their family members on Monday and assured them to raise their issue with the Ministry of External Affairs.

Sharing the contact numbers of their family members with the minister, he wrote, “I request the minister to take up the matter with your Russian counterpart, and also assign our consulate/ ambassador to provide all assistance to bring them back.”

The list of eight youths includes Baldev (32), Rajender (30), Mohit (22), Manjeet (22), Sahil (22), Ravi (24), all residents of Mator village in Kaithal district, while Mandeep is from Fatehabad and Harsh (19)

is from Sambli in Karnal district.

“For the last 15-days, all these boys have been living in the city of Donetsk, Ukraine, and are being forced to serve on the war front by the Russian Army. They are living in inhuman conditions and are being tortured. They have access to limited food and are in dire straits,” Surjewala wrote in the letter to the minister.

Surjewala said that due to rampant unemployment in India, these youths paid Rs 8-10 lakh each for a transportation job in Russia. A person named, Ankit, who had taken the money from the boys is already in Russia.

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Friday, 12 April, 2024

Missing Hyderabad student found dead in US, 11th this year call from an unidentified person, who claimed that Arfath had been kidnapped allegedly by a gang selling drugs and demanded USD 1,200 to release him.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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25-year-old student from Hyderabad who had been missing since last month was found dead in the US city of Cleveland. Mohammed Abdul Arfath, hailing from Nacharam near Hyderabad, was pursuing a master’s degree in Information Technology at Cleveland University, Ohio. He was not in touch with the family since March 7 and his family had received a ransom call in India.

“Anguished to learn that Mr. Mohammed Abdul Arfath, for whom search operation was underway, was found dead in Cleveland, Ohio. Our deepest condolences to Mr Mohammed Arfath’s family,” the Consulate General of India in New York said in a post on ‘X’ on Tuesday.

The Consulate is in touch with local agencies to ensure a thorough probe into his death. “We are extending all possible assistance to the bereaved family to

Indian-origin man charged with London Post Office robbery using fake firearm IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

Indian mission in NY reports death of another Indian student

Arfath’s father Mohammed Saleem said he received the call on March 17. The caller threatened to sell Arfath’s kidneys if the ransom wasn’t paid. Arfath went to the US in May 2023 to pursue a Masters in IT from Cleveland University. His family claims he had not spoken to them since March 7.

transport his mortal remains to India,” it added.

On March 21, the Indian consulate posted that it was in touch with Arfath’s family and authorities in the US and was working with local law enforcement agencies to find him at the earliest.

Arfath’s family residing in Malkajgiri district near Hyderabad had received a

After Saleem received the ransom call, he informed his relatives in the US, who filed a missing complaint with the Cleveland police. The police had issued a watch order. According to the order, Arfath was wearing a white T-shirt, a red jacket and blue jeans.

The family wrote to the Indian Consulate in Chicago on March 18 to help trace Arfath. Saleem had also appealed to Minister for External Affairs S. Jaishankar for help in locating his son. Arfath had reportedly left his home at Reserve Square on March 5 and had not returned.

India-born researcher leads NASA’s sounding rockets mission during solar eclipse

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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nother Indian student enrolled in a US university has died, the Indian consulate in New York reported last week.

“Deeply saddened by the unfortunate demise of Mr. Uma Satya Sai Gadde, an Indian student in Cleveland, Ohio,” it said in a post on X. Police investigations are on and efforts are underway to send the body to India, the consulate said, adding that it continues to remain in touch with the family in India.

“All possible assistance is being extended including totransport Mr. Uma Gadde’s mortal remains to India at the earliest.”

There has been a spate of deaths of students from India and of Indian descent in recent weeks. Although unrelated, they have raised concerns in India and the Indian-American community.

Punjab-origin builder dies after being shot multiple times in Canada’s Edmonton

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n Indian-origin man who is suspected of threatening staff at a Post Office in Hounslow in West London, to steal a large quantity of cash has been charged with robbery and possession of an imitation firearm, Scotland Yard said on Monday.

Rajvinder Kahlon, 41, was arrested last week at his home address following the robbery at the on Brabazon Road on April 1. The Metropolitan Police said its Flying Squad officers responded to the reports and detectives were able to piece together the suspect’s identity.

“At around 6:00 pm on April 1, a man entered the Post Office in Brabazon Road, Hounslow. The man threatened two members of staff with what they believed was a firearm before making off with a large quantity of cash,” the Met Police said in a statement.

“Flying Squad officers responded immediately, and detectives used a range of tactics to identify a suspect. On Thursday, April 4, Rajvinder Kahlon, 41, was arrested at his home address in Hounslow. He appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, April 6, charged with robbery and possession of an imitation firearm,” the statement added.

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IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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ASA’s mission that launched sounding rockets during the recent total solar eclipse was led by Aroh Barjatya, an India-born researcher who studied in cities across the country before moving to the United States, his family said.

The US space agency on April 8 launched three sounding rockets during the solar eclipse -- visible in North America -- to study how Earth’s upper atmosphere is affected when sunlight momentarily dims over a portion of the planet.

“The mission was led by Aroh Barjatya, a professor of engineering physics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, where he

directs the Space and Atmospheric Instrumentation Lab,” NASA said in a statement. The ‘Atmospheric Perturbations around Eclipse Path (APEP)’ sounding rockets were launched from the agency’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

Son of Ashok Kumar Barjatya, a chemical engineer, and Rajeshwari, a homemaker, Aroh did his schooling in Patalganga near Mumbai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Pilani, and completed his electronics engineering from Walchand Institute of Technology, Solapur.

He moved to the US in 2001 and completed his masters in electrical engineering at Utah State University, said his sister Apurva Barjatya, herself a mechanical engineer. He later pursued his PhD in spacecraft instrumentation from the same university, she said.

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uta Singh Gill--a prominent Punjabi-origin builder and head of a gurudwara in Canada’s Edmonton--died on Monday after being shot multiple times at a construction site. Buta Singh was the owner of Gill Built Homes, a luxury home building company in Edmonton.

The Edmonton Police Service confirmed a 49-year-old and a 57-year-old man had died, and a 51-year-old man was taken to hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries.

As per reports, an altercation occurred at the construction site, leading to the fatal shooting of Gill and another man by an Indian-origin construction worker who later took his own life. Gill had previously reported receiving extortion calls and threats, prompting a police investigation, says a report.

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India News www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 April, 2024

PM Modi holds meeting to review preparedness to deal with soaring temperatures as general elections near IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) should be translated into regional languages and disseminated widely,” the PMO statement read.

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rime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a meeting to review the preparedness to deal with the sweltering temperatures in the coming days with the heat wave season coinciding with the general election dates in many states, an official said.

In the meeting, PM Modi was briefed about the temperature outlook for the period between April and June, including the forecasts for the upcoming hot weather season (April to June), the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement.

PM Modi was also apprised about the likelihood of above normal maximum temperatures across most parts of the country.

Speaking at the meeting, PM Modi stressed the ‘Whole of Government’ approach.

He said that all arms of the government at Central, state and district levels and various ministries need to work on this in synergy.

preparedness in the health sector was reviewed in terms of essential medicines, intravenous fluids, ice packs, ORS and drinking water.

materials, especially in regional languages, through all platforms such as television, radio and social media was stressed upon.

“Since a hotter than normal summer is expected in 2024, which coincides with the general elections, it was felt that the advisories

The PMO release noted that

During the meeting, the timely dissemination of essential awareness

Sandeshkhali Probe: CBI creates dedicated e-mail ID for receiving victims’ complaints

‘Don’t ever dare to change Article 370’, Amit Shah warns Congress

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

According to the statement, PM Modi also stressed on awareness creation along with adequate preparation in hospitals.

He also highlighted the need for quick detection and putting out forest fires.

Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, Home Secretary, officials from the India Meteorological Department, and the NDMA were present in the meeting.

EC modifies voting process for Kashmiri migrant voters

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nion Home Minister Amit Shah, while addressing a public rally in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday, warned Congress, saying “don’t ever dare to change Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir”. The Home Minister said the decision to abrogate Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir is of the BJP workers and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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he Election Commission (EC) on Thursday, after receiving representations from different organizations of Kashmiri migrant voters about difficulties being faced by them in the filing of form-M, has modified the voting process for the migrant voters.

“Although the Congress can’t return to power again, if it happens by chance, I would warn Congress to not dare to change Article 370. Kashmir is part of India. Your (Congress) politics of appeasement is over now,” Amit Shah said.

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n compliance with the orders of the Calcutta High Court, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing the complaints of illegal land-grabbing and extortion at Sandeshkhali in North 25 Parganas district has created a dedicated e-mail ID where the victims can register their grievances.

Any complaint of illegal land-grabbing, extortion, or sexual harassment of women at Sandeshkhali can be mailed to sandeshkhali@cbi.gov.in -- the dedicated e-mail ID notified by the CBI, sources said.

The CBI’s move follows a direction of the Calcutta High Court, which directed the central agency to take over the probe into the matter on Wednesday. The bench also directed the CBI to keep the names of the complainants secret.

The court also told the North 24 Parganas district administration, including the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, to identify the sensitive pockets in Sandeshkhali and install CCTV cameras there, besides ensuring proper illumination of the streets.

Addressing a public rally in Mandla, one of the five Lok Sabha seats reserved for the Schedule Tribe (ST) in Madhya Pradesh, Amit Shah said the BJP government has introduced several schemes to uplift tribals in the country. The Union Minister highlighted PM Modi’s flagship schemes, especially for tribals in the last 10 years.

He said it was PM Modi’s idea to celebrate

Tribal icon Birsa Munda’s birthday as ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas’.

“The first Janjatiya Gaurav Divas was celebrated in Madhya Pradesh (On November 15, 2021). BJP implemented the PESA Act for tribals first in Madhya Pradesh,” Amit Shah added.

Akali Dal files complaint against Punjab CM, Sanjay Singh for poll code violation IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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he Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday filed a complaint with the Election Commission against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh for violating the Model Code of Conduct by misusing government machinery and accommodation.

In a written complaint filed with the poll panel, the party’s chief spokesman Arshdeep Singh Kler said Mann and

Sanjay Singh have violated the model code by misusing the CM’s official residence and the Punjab government media platform to propagate the political agenda of their party.

He also said the action of AAP leaders, by using the CM’s residence to organize a political meeting of ministers to discuss the political strategy for the coming elections, is a total misuse of government machinery and other platforms with the sole purpose of propagating and advertising their political agenda at the cost of public exchequer of the state.

An order issued on Thursday by the EC said: “All the 22 polling stations (21 in Jammu and 1 in Udhampur) shall be mapped to camps/zones ensuring that every zone has at least one special polling station.

“In case there are multiple polling stations in each zone, the zonal officers shall earmark the intra-zonal jurisdiction of each such polling station, keeping in mind the distance/ease of approach for each set of electors,” the order said.

The order further mentioned: “To remove the hassle of looking for the gazetted officer to attest the certificate appended with form-M, self-attestation of these forms can suffice.

“However, in order to avoid impersonation at the special polling station, they shall be required to produce either EPIC or any of the alternate documents prescribed by the commission for the identification of electors at the polling station.

“Other terms and conditions of the scheme issued on 22-03-2024 shall remain unchanged,” the EC order said.

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From caste census to Agnipath revocation, Rahul reiterates Congress party’s 5 guarantees in Rajasthan

Lok Sabha polls: Nominations for third phase from today in 12 states

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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ongress leader Rahul Gandhi, on a campaign trail in Rajasthan on Thursday, launched a fierce attack on the Centre for its “prorich focus” and said that if party is voted to power, it will put an end to “discriminatory” governance besides bringing in a system, where people of all castes and community get adequate representation. Rahul, addressing a huge public gathering in Bikaner, reiterated the Congress party’s five big guarantees including caste census, Mahalaxmi Yojana, apprenticeship scheme, MSP for crops and repealing of Agnipath scheme.

Pitching for caste census as the party’s first task, he said that this will be a great step towards social justice as this would end the dominance of a “minuscule” population on the country’s vast resources. The Congress leader further said that Mahalaxmi Yojana will empower the women as Rs 1 lakh will be credited into their account every year while the apprenticeship scheme will open the doors for employment for youth, besides giving them financial assistance during the training period.

He claimed that the Agnipath Yojana has been brought by the Modi government against the will of armed forces, and if Congress is voted to power, the party will first repeal this law. Reiterating his charge that 90 bureaucrats run the country, out of which just three hail

LeT terrorist killed in Pulwama encounter

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iling of nominations for the third phase of Lok Sabha 2024 will begin on Friday. In this phase, 94 Parliamentary constituencies across 12 states will undergo polling on May 7.

from backward castes, the Congress leader called for “correcting the errors of past and mark a fresh beginning”.

“Though there exists no actual data, 50 percent of the country’s population comprises of backward castes and their representation in government machinery remains abysmally low,” Rahul said at the poll rally. He accused Modi government of extending favors to a few select 20-25 billionaires of the country and also said that the government has written off the loans of rich and powerful but poor people continue to remain burdened.

“PM Modi didn’t fulfill his poll promises of

providing two crore jobs to unemployed youth, Rs 15 lakh in bank accounts of commoners but went to write off loans to the tune of Rs 16 lakh crore of industrialists,” Rahul said, amid cheers from the crowd. Claiming that the 2024 poll is a fight between nation’s 20-25 billionaires in the country and a billion-plus population, he urged the people to vote for an equitable democracy, where all castes and communities have equal representation and country’s resources don’t remain a preserve of few select ones.

On April 5, the Congress, while launching its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections, promised five Nyay and 25 guarantees.

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Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist was killed in an encounter with the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama on Thursday, police said.

The terrorist, killed during the encounter with the security forces in Frassipora village of Pulwama, has been identified as LeT’s Danish Aijaz Sheikh, hailing from Ellahibagh locality in the Buchpora area of Srinagar.

Police said Sheikh had joined the LeT ranks two weeks back.

Army and the police had surrounded Frassipora village, 2 km from Pulwama town, early on Thursday following intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists there. As the security forces closed on the hiding terrorist, he opened fire, triggering an encounter during which Sheikh was killed.

The states and UTs which are set to polls in the third phase include Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

The General Elections 2024 will be held in seven phases, starting from April 19 to June 1 and will conclude on June 4, with the announcement of results.

EAM Jaishankar spotlights Modi government’s Act East policy, completing strategic connectivity projects via Myanmar not only encourage investment and trade but also open up alternate routes for connectivity to India’s landlocked Northeast region.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

A notification for the adjourned polling in the Betul Parliamentary constituency in Madhya Pradesh is also likely to be issued on Friday. The election to the seat was to be held in the second phase but got adjourned due to the demise of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate. The last day for filing nominations is April 19 and for withdrawal of candidature is April 22.

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s he released the BJP manifesto for Lok Sabha Elections in Mizoram’s Aizawl on Thursday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spotlighted a special emphasis the Narendra Modi government has been laying on completing major pending connectivity projects in the strategically-located region.

Addressing party workers and media, S. Jaishankar mentioned how the government has been working hard to create access to Myanmar’s Sittwe Port through a road from Mizoram.

“It has been having some problems right now. But certainly, as we look after the elections, it will be one of our priorities to see that the road is completed as soon as possible.

We would also like to see more border haats with both Bangladesh and Myanmar,” said the EAM. Sittwe Port has been built under grant assistance from the Indian government as part of the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) which aims at creating a multi-modal sea, river, and road transport corridor for the shipment of cargo from the eastern ports and Northeast India to Myanmar.

More importantly, the ambitious infrastructure project opens a gateway to Southeast Asian countries for India and will play a major role in countering the growing influence of China in the neighborhood region.

part of it is Myanmar. We were developing two avenues of access to Myanmar - one from Mizoram to Sittwe and the other from Manipur to the Trilateral Highway. Because of the current situation in Myanmar, (carrying) work has been very difficult. But what we are trying to do is negotiate with various groups to see what can be continued in some form. It is very important even for their own future that these programs go forward,” said Jaishankar who also mentioned that another way of taking the ‘Act East’ forward is through Bangladesh.

Once completed, the road project is expected to give a massive boost to India’s ‘Act East Policy’ and will be a significant milestone in regional connectivity.

The multimodal transit transport facility on Kaladan River connects the Sittwe port to Paletwa in Myanmar - the only Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) country adjoining India - through an inland waterway and from Paletwa to Zorinpui in Mizoram through a road component.

“When it comes to the ‘Act East’ policy, one

Once fully operational, the KMTTP would

Beijing has also been prodding Naypyidaw to move faster to implement the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, deepening its access to the Bay of Bengal via Myanmar.

Myanmar, which shares a 1,643 km long land border with Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram, remains central to the trilateral Asian Highway project an East-West corridor that also connects India’s Northeast with Thailand.

In Aizawl on Thursday, Jaishankar stated that the Modi government has had a solid 10-year record of governance.

“I hope the people of Mizoram would send a representative to the Lok Sabha who would strengthen the hands of PM Modi who would allow us now to use the foundation of the last 10 years so that we prepare for the next 25 years. I would like to ask the Mizo brothers to support the BJP in the upcoming election. The vision document does for the state what PM Modi’s vision is for the country,” he said.

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Russian regions grapple with severe flooding amid rising water levels IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

South Korea court dismisses doctor group leaders’ request to halt license suspension IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk court in South Korea’s Seoul on Thursday dismissed requests by leaders of the biggest doctors’ association to halt the government’s suspension of their medical licenses in connection with a mass walkout by trainee doctors.

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The Health Ministry earlier suspended two leaders of the Korea Medical Association (KMA), including the emergency committee head, Kim Taek-woo, accusing them of instigating a collective labor action by trainee doctors, reports Yonhap News Agency. The suspension becomes effective on April 15.

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t least 13,000 people have been evacuated in parts of Russia as of Thursday, as multiple regions continue to battle extreme floods amid rising water levels, local authorities said. In some of the worst flooding in decades due to a continuous rise in daily average temperatures, snowmelt and rivers thawing, Russia’s western Siberia, the Volga region and the Central Federal District have been flooded.

Over 90 percent of South Korea’s 13,000 trainee doctors have walked off the job since February 20 in protest of the government’s plan to increase the number of medical school admissions by 2,000 starting next year from the current 3,058 seats to address a shortage of doctors.

Kim has since filed a request against the Health Minister with the Seoul Administrative Court to halt the execution of the license suspension. However, the court dismissed the request, saying halting the suspension could compromise the

It also cited the possibility of the collective walkout by doctors spreading further and prolonging a medical vacuum, concluding that the harm it can inflict on public health and welfare is significantly graver than the damage the applicant could sustain from the suspension. In a separate ruling on Thursday, the administrative court also dismissed a request by Park Myung-ha, the KMA’s organization consolidation chief, to halt the suspension of his medical license.

Arabic and Hebrew media have reported that they were killed in a vehicle at the Al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza city. It may be recalled that Haniyeh‘s 14 close family members including his brother and family were killed in an Israeli air strike in October 2023. Palestinian media had earlier reported that Haniyeh’s granddaughter Roaa Haniyeh, a doctor was also killed as was his son Hazem Haniyeh in February 2024.

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Additionally, Israeli aircraft bombed two mosques located west and north of the camp, as well as several residential towers.

Israeli artillery also fired numerous shells targeting homes, apartments, and agricultural lands on the outskirts of the camp. The sources added that the bombing resulted in the killing of at least five Palestinians and the wounding of others, noting that fierce battles are ongoing

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

Located 45 km south of Kiev, Trypilska TPP is the largest power generating facility in the Kiev region with an installed capacity of 1,800 MW. On Thursday morning, Russia fired 42 missiles, including six Kinzhal aerobalistic missiles and 40 combat drones, said the Ukrainian Air Force, which shot down 18 missiles and 39 drones. The Ukrainian authorities said that the attack targeted energy infrastructure facilities in five regions.

effectiveness of the Health Ministry’s punitive action taken against disobedience of back-to-work orders and hinder the public’s trust in such punitive actions.

sraeli forces have conducted intensive bombardments in the vicinity of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, resulting in casualties, local sources told the media. Palestinian security sources said on Thursday that the Israeli army executed extensive firing operations to the north of the Nuseirat camp, Xinhua news agency reported.

Thermal power plant near Kiev destroyed in missile attack

“All the workers who were on shift during the strike are alive,” Hota said, adding that efforts to extinguish the fire were underway.

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hree sons of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh were killed in an Israel air strike in Gaza on Wednesday.

Palestinian media outlets have reported that the grandchildren of Haniyeh were also killed in the attack. Haniyeh, according to Hebrew media has confirmed the killings and in a statement said, “All of Gaza‘s citizens paid a price with the blood of their children including mine.”

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

The flooding is expected to peak in the region in the near future, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations said.

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IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

Israeli forces bombard surrounding areas of Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza

A state of emergency has been declared in the Orenburg, Kurgan and Tyumen regions, Xinhua news agency reported. In the worst-hit western Orenburg region, 7,800 people have been evacuated, according to the regional government, with water levels in the Ural river around the region breaking records last Thursday night.

he Trypilska thermal power plant (TPP) outside the Ukrainian capital has been completely destroyed in a Russian missile attack, the media reported, citing an official. Andriy Hota, Chairman of the supervisory board at the Ukrainian power plant Centrenergo, said on Thursday that a massive fire erupted in the plant’s turbine room after the attack.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s three sons killed in Israeli air strike

between the Palestinian militants and the Israeli forces on the outskirts of Nuseirat.

Meanwhile, Israel Defense Forces announced in a statement on Thursday that Israeli soldiers have launched military operations in these areas.

10 terrorists killed in Pakistan in two separate operations IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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t least 10 terrorists were killed in Pakistan by the security forces in two separate operations, the media reported on Saturday, citing officials. According to the media wing of the Pakistani military, security forces carried out intelligence-based operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan and North Waziristan districts.

In the first operation, “after an intense fire exchange, eight terrorists were killed”, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement, adding that the terrorists were actively involved in terrorist activities as well as the killing of innocent civilians, Xinhua news agency reported. The ISPR statement also mentioned that a huge cache of arms, ammunition and explosives was also recovered during the operation.

The ISPR further said a second operation was also conducted in North Waziristan, the Dawn reported.

“During the conduct of the operation,

two terrorists were sent to hell. Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from them,” it said. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has praised the security forces for the successful operation.

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Friday, 12 April, 2024

8 people dead after ship collision in China

‘Sound & stable’ India-China ties serve interests of both countries, says Chinese spokesperson IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk ound and stable India-China relations serve the interests of both countries and are conducive to peace and development in the region and beyond, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday.

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engagement at the diplomatic and military levels, the two countries will be able to restore and sustain peace and tranquility on the borders. Mao said the boundary question does not represent the entirety of India-China relations, and it should be placed appropriately in bilateral relations and managed properly.

Mao made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked to comment on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks about the bilateral relations between the two countries, Xinhua news agency reported.

She also said that China and India maintain close communication through diplomatic and military channels on handling issues related to the border situation. abnormality in the bilateral interactions can be put behind.

In an interview, Prime Minister Modi said that for India, the relationship with China is important and significant, and the two sides need to urgently address the prolonged situation on the borders so that the

He added that stable and peaceful relations between India and China are important for not just the two countries, but the entire region, as he expressed hope and belief that through positive and constructive bilateral

“We hope that India will work with China, approach the bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, keep building trust and engaging in dialogue and cooperation, and seek to handle differences appropriately to put the relationship on a sound and stable track,” Mao said.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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ll eight people who were missing after a collision between a fishing boat and a commercial ship off the southwestern coast of south China’s Hainan Province have been confirmed dead, the provincial maritime search and rescue centre said Wednesday.

The fishing boat “Yuenan Aoyu 36062” collided with the Panamanian container ship “SITC DANANG” about 60 nautical miles west of Sanya Port at around 0:15 a.m. on April 3. Subsequently, the fishing boat sank and eight people on board went missing, Xinhua news agency reported.

As of Wednesday afternoon, all eight bodies have been recovered from the water and the rescue operation has ended. The Panamanian container ship is docked at Sanya Port and is under investigation for the accident.

Lindy Cameron ‘immensely proud’ of her appointment as British High Commissioner to India

South Korea launches second spy satellite into orbit with SpaceX Falcon 9 IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk panish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday reiterated the need for recognizing a Palestinian state as part of the solution to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has claimed an estimated 33,000 Palestinian lives.

outh Korea launched its second indigenous spy satellite on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center in the US state of Florida on Monday, according to the country’s defence ministry. The Falcon 9 lifted off from the John F. Kennedy Space Center and sent the reconnaissance satellite into orbit approximately 45 minutes after the launch, the ministry was quoted as saying by Yonhap news agency.

It is the second military satellite launched under South Korea’s plan to acquire five spy satellites by 2025 to better monitor North Korea. The satellite was equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors that capture data using microwaves and are capable of collecting data regardless of weather conditions. The other three satellites will also be equipped with SAR sensors.

Electro-optical and infrared sensors capable of capturing detailed images of

S the Earth’s surface were fitted on the first satellite launched in December. When operated together, the five satellites are expected to provide regular coverage at about two-hour intervals, according to analysts.

Slovakia’s Peter Pellegrini wins presidential election IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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indy Cameron, who has been appointed British High Commissioner to India in succession to Alex Ellis, has said she is immensely proud of the new role and cannot wait to get started. Cameron will take up her appointment this month, the UK government said on Thursday. Allex Ellis will be transferring to another diplomatic service appointment.

Responding to her new assignment, she said she is immensely proud to be appointed the next British High Commissioner to India.

From 2020 to 2024, she was Chief Executive of the National Cyber Security Centre. She has also served as Director General of the Northern Ireland Office in the UK.

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lovakia’s incumbent Speaker of the National Council Peter Pellegrini won the country’s second round of the presidential election held on Saturday, according to preliminary results published by Slovakia’s Statistical Office.

Results from 99.47 percent of votes showed that Pellegrini had 53.38 percent while former Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok had 46.61 percent, Xinhua news agency reported. Pellegrini, 48, served as Slovakia’s Prime Minister from 2018 to 2020. Korcok served as the country’s Foreign Minister from 2020 to 2022.

In the first round on March 23, which included nine candidates, Korcok received

Spanish PM calls for recognizing Palestinian state

Calling the conflict “one of the most deplorable humanitarian disasters of this century,” Sanchez said in the Spanish Congress (lower house of Parliament) that “Israel’s disproportionate response is overturning decades of humanitarian law and threatens to destabilize the Middle East and the world,” Xinhua news agency reported.

He asked all parties involved for a permanent ceasefire and condemned the terrorist attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7 last year, which triggered the months-long conflict, as well as demanded the immediate release of Israeli hostages.

Sanchez insisted on the need to “bet on peace,” and establish contacts that are “more necessary than ever to save lives and ensure security and peace in the region, which has a direct impact on our security, economy, and social cohesion.”

He added that most European countries agree on the need for a two-state solution to the conflict and the creation of a Palestinian State. “It is fair, it is demanded by the social majority” and it is in the interest of Spain, said Sanchez. “Spain is prepared to recognize the Palestinian State.”

42.51 percent of the vote, followed by Pellegrini’s 37.02 percent.

The President of Slovakia is chosen in a direct election. Incumbent President Zuzana Caputova, whose 5-year term expires on June 15 this year, did not seek re-election.

Also on Wednesday, Spanish government spokesperson Pilar Alegre announced that Sanchez would initiate a round of talks with European leaders, saying the prime minister is scheduled to meet with the leaders of Ireland and Norway on Friday to promote the twostate solution.

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Friday, 12 April, 2024

EU, India join hands to nurture startups in EV battery recycling field

Maruti Suzuki India’s new vehicle assembly plant starts rolling out cars

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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n a fillip to the country’s electric vehicle (EV) goals, the European Union (EU) and India on Tuesday joined hands to promote startups working in the area of battery recycling technologies for EVs. The collaboration aims to boost the cooperation between European and Indian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and startups in the clean and green technologies sector.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk assenger car major Maruti Suzuki India Limited on Tuesday said its new vehicle assembly line at its Manesar facility went on stream rolling out its Ertiga model first. According to Maruti Suzuki, the 100,000 units per annum new assembly line added to the existing Plant-A of the three manufacturing plants at Manesar in Haryana.

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The latest initiative took place under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, at their meeting in New Delhi in April 2022.

“The match-making event is a step ahead to unlock innovative possibilities leading to a green and circular economy.

We encourage innovators from the EU to seize this opportunity and explore potential collaborations with their Indian counterparts,” said Marc Lemaitre, Director-General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission.

As part of the initiative, 12 startups -- six each from India and the EU -- will be selected and get a pitching opportunity during the

Fitch cuts China’s sovereign credit rating

‘Matchmaking Event’, scheduled in June.

Six finalists (three from the EU and three from India) will be selected following their presentations and awarded the possibility to visit India and the EU, respectively.

“We are dedicated to fostering a collaborative environment where sustainability and innovation form the cornerstone of a flourishing circular economy,” said Professor

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pple on Thursday announced an enhancement to repair processes that will enable customers and independent repair providers to utilize “used Apple parts in repairs” for select iPhone models. The new process, beginning this fall, is designed to maintain an iPhone user’s privacy, security, and safety, while offering consumers more options, increasing product longevity.

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lobal rating agency Fitch has downgraded China’s sovereign credit rating from stable to negative, citing concerns over the country’s rising fiscal deficit. Fitch’s projections anticipate a rise in the general government deficit to 7.1 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2024, up from 5.8 percent recorded in 2023.

“The outlook revision reflects increasing risks to China’s public finance outlook as the country contends with more uncertain economic prospects amid a transition away from property-reliant growth to what the government views as a more sustainable growth model,” Fitch said.

The downgrade follows a similar move

by Moody’s in December. There has been a massive crash in China’s real estate sector, and the country is now trying to revive growth with a more balanced approach to promote other sectors of the economy. While it lowered its ratings to a negative outlook from “stable”, indicating a downgrade is possible over the medium term, the Fitch affirmed China’s issuer default rating at ‘A+’.

The TTC will help boost EU-India bilateral trade, which is at historical highs, with 120 billion Euros worth of goods traded in 2022.

In 2022, 17 billion Euros worth of digital products and services were traded.

Meta lies about ad metrics, X better platform for advertisers, says Musk

iPhone owners can repair their devices with used, genuine parts: Apple IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the government. The deadline for submitting Expressions of Interest (EoI) for the startups is April 30.

With this additional assembly line, the total manufacturing capability at Manesar stands at 900,000 vehicles per annum.

Cumulatively, the Manesar facility has contributed over 95 lakh units in Maruti Suzuki’s over three crore production milestone to date.

Engineering.

Apple teams have been at work over the last two years to enable the reuse of parts such as biometric sensors used for Face ID or Touch ID. Beginning this fall, calibration for genuine Apple parts, new or used, will happen on device after the part is installed, said the company.

Apple said in a statement that used genuine parts will now benefit from the full functionality and security afforded by the original factory calibration, just like new genuine Apple parts.

Apple said it will also extend its popular Activation Lock feature to iPhone parts in order to deter stolen iPhones from being disassembled for parts. This fall, Apple will expand Parts and Service History to additionally show whether a part is a new or used genuine Apple part.

“For the last two years, teams across Apple have been innovating on product design and manufacturing to support repairs with used Apple parts that won’t compromise users’ safety, security, or privacy,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware

“In the last five years, Apple has nearly doubled the number of service locations with access to genuine Apple parts, tools, and training to more than 10,000 Independent Repair Providers and Apple Authorized Service Providers,” said the company.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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esla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, on Friday, said that Mark Zuckerberg-led Meta does not share actual advertisement metrics while his X platform gives better returns than the Facebook owner.

When a follower posted that X has better returns than Meta by far, and that Meta lies about their ad metrics, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO replied: “True.”

“Our advertising relevance has greatly improved,” said the tech billionaire.

Another X user commented that the trend of increasing ad costs and decreasing ROAS (Return On Advertisement Spend) on Meta has been noticeable for a while and seems to only be “worsening.”

“Leaving advertisers with no control over ad relevance and reach on Meta. No surprise we are onboarding so many new advertisers on X now,” he added. In response, Musk wrote: “Advertise on X.” In February this year, the Musk-run social media platform allowed advertisers to run ads next to certain content creators on the platform via the ‘Creator Targeting’ program. The decision allowed advertisers to prevent their ads from appearing next to controversial or offensive content. It’s worth noting that in November last year, X CEO Linda Yaccarino had acknowledged that some advertisers left the social media platform following an outrage over Musk’s endorsement of anti-Semitic content.

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Taiwanese chip major TSMC gets $6.6 billion subsidy for chip plant by US government

Bankman-Fried appeals FTX fraud conviction, 25-year sentence

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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aiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) on Monday announced that its Arizona chip plant in the US secured up to $6.6 billion in subsidies for advanced semiconductor production from the US Department of Commerce under the CHIPS and Science Act. Additionally, the US government proposed providing TSMC with up to $5 billion in low-cost loans.

The Taiwanese major also disclosed plans to build a third fab at TSMC Arizona to meet robust customer demand by leveraging cuttingedge semiconductor process technology in the US.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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“The CHIPS and Science Act provides TSMC the opportunity to make this unprecedented investment and to offer our foundry service of the most advanced manufacturing technologies in the US,” TSMC Chairman, Dr Mark Liu, said in a statement.

With this additional investment, TSMC’s total capital expenditure for the Phoenix, Arizona site exceeds $65 billion, marking it as the largest foreign direct investment in the state’s history and the largest in a greenfield project in US history. TSMC Arizona’s three fabs are expected to create approximately 6,000 direct high-tech, high-wage jobs.

“Our US operations will also expand our capability to trail-blaze future advancements in semiconductor technology,” Liu added.

According to an analysis by the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, this increased investment in three fabs will create more than

Gold price continues to rise amid growing geopolitical tensions IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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old rose on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) on Monday as prices of the precious metal shot up to a record high in the international market amid rising geopolitical tensions in Central Asia.

Gold futures, maturing on June 5, 2024, stood at Rs 70,981 per 10 grams on the MCX, after recording an increase of Rs 345 or 0.49 percent over the previous close of Rs 70,636.

In the international market spot gold was up 0.6 percent at $2,343.89 per ounce after hitting a record high of $2,353.79 earlier in the session.

Gold prices have risen by 12 percent so far this year with central banks buying the yellow metal in large quantities and the increases safe-haven demand for the precious metal amid escalating tensions due to the Israel-Hamas conflict and no end in sight to the RussiaUkraine war.

The reduction in interest rates signalled by the US Fed also leads to an increase in gold buying as investors see lower returns on the financial assets. The price of 24-carat gold in Delhi on Monday was hovering around Rs 71,430 per 10 gms while in Mumbai it was around Rs 71,280 per 10 gms. The price in Chennai was higher at Rs 72,150 per 10 gms.

The demand for gold in the Indian market is fuelled by the need for precious metal in marriages as it is gifted to brides and grooms in large quantities as jewellery.

However, jewellers are of the view that the soaring gold prices are dampening this demand. This is also reflected in the declining imports of the precious metal, according to them.

20,000 accumulated unique construction jobs and tens of thousands of indirect supplier and consumer jobs.

TSMC Arizona’s first fab is on track to begin production leveraging 4 nm technology in the first half of 2025, while the second fab will produce the world’s most advanced 2 nm process technology with next-generation nanosheet transistors in addition to the previously announced 3 nm technology, with production beginning in 2028, said the company.

TX founder Sam Bankman-Fried appealed his 25-year prison sentence and fraud conviction Thursday, two weeks after the disgraced cryptocurrency mogul received his sentence, which included an order to pay $11 billion in forfeiture for his fraudulent schemes.

Bankman-Fried was found guilty of seven counts of fraud and conspiracy last November before his 25-year sentencing last month. The sentence also requires him to forfeit $11 billion for fraudulent schemes that misappropriated billions of dollars from FTX customers and defrauded both FTX investors and lenders to Alameda Research, FTX’s sister trading firm.

Bankman-Fried, who will also be subject to three years of supervised release, testified in his own defense, arguing he could not recall key conversations relevant to his trial and rambling during his testimony.

South Korea ordered to pay $32 million in lawsuit over merger of 2 Samsung affiliates Samsung C&T at that time, objected to the merger, saying it undervalued Samsung C&T shares, and has since filed the suit in 2018, claiming the South Korean government had unfairly intervened in favor of the merger.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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n international tribunal ordered South Korea on Thursday to pay 43.8 billion won ($32 million) in compensation to US-based hedge fund Mason Capital in an investor-state lawsuit the company filed over a controversial 2015 merger of two Samsung affiliates, the Justice Ministry said.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the Netherlands issued the decision nearly six years after the New York-based fund brought the investor-state dispute settlement process against the South Korean government, demanding $200 million in compensation.

included interest on delayed payments, represents about 16 percent of what Mason demanded, reports Yonhap news agency.

The case dates back to the 2015 merger of two Samsung Group affiliates, Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries, where a ratio of 0.35 Cheil shares was offered for every one Samsung CT&T share.

The ordered compensation amount, which

Mason, which held a 2.18 percent share in

The merger, seen as aimed at tightening Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong’s control over the family-controlled group, had been the centre of a massive corruption scandal that led to the ousting and the conviction of former President Park Geun-hye, as well as the imprisonment of Lee. Mason accused the Park administration of exerting excessive influence in the state-run National Pension Service, a major shareholder in Samsung C&T, which was seen as a swing vote at that time, casting its vote in favor of the merger.

Crypto mogul Do Kwon liable in US civil fraud trial, finds jury extradition to Korea after the top prosecutors’ office made a request to review whether the procedures that led to the extradition decision were legal.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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jury in New York found crypto mogul Do Kwon and his company, Terraform Labs, liable on civil fraud charges, news outlets reported, as he is in Montenegro pending a process to determine whether he should be extradited to his home country, South Korea, or the US. The jury agreed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission that Kwon and the company misled investors before TerraUSD stablecoin’s collapse in 2022, according to news outlets. The jury’s verdict in Manhattan federal court came amid uncertainty over where he would be extradited as Kwon is wanted by both South Korea and the U.S on charges

related to the crypto crash, reports Yonhap news agency.

The top court in Montenegro decided to scrap an earlier decision to extradite Kwon to Korea and sent the case back to a lower court, according to Montenegrin daily Vijesti. Last month, the top court decided to defer Kwon’s

Kwon was captured at an airport in Montenegro in March last year when he was reportedly trying to board a plane bound for the United Arab Emirates on a forged passport.

He had been on the loose after fleeing Korea amid a probe in connection with the crypto debacle.

South Korean prosecutors have sought the extradition of Kwon on allegations related to the crash of Terraform Labs’ TerraUSD and Luna coins in May 2022. The crash was estimated to have wiped out nearly 50 trillion won ($37 billion) in market value.

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Friday, 12 April, 2024

Japanese interpreter charged with stealing $16 million from MLB star Ohtani

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apanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter was charged with bank fraud on Thursday in federal court and accused of stealing $16 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers power-hitting pitcher to cover gambling debts.

according to Thom Mrozek, a spokesperson for the US Attorney’s Office.

The defendant will not be asked to enter a plea and is expected to be released on bond, Mrozek added. If convicted on the single count of bank fraud with which he is charged, Mizuhara could face a sentence of up to 30 years in prison.

According to a 36-page criminal complaint and affidavit filed in US District Court in Los Angeles, Ippei Mizuhara embezzled the money from an account of Ohtani’s that Mizuhara had helped set up and sent the funds without Ohtani’s knowledge to an illegal sports gambling operation.

Ohtani, 29, whose talents as a slugger and a pitcher have earned him comparisons to Babe Ruth, told reporters at a March 25

Chiefs WR Rashee Rice surrenders to police

press conference that he was a victim of theft by Mizuhara and that he never bet on baseball or knowingly paid a bookmaker.

Mizuhara, 39, has agreed to turn himself over to federal authorities and was expected to make his initial court appearance on Friday afternoon,

Villa win, Liverpool and West Ham loses in Europa League QF first legs

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ansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice turned himself in to police on Thursday, a day after an arrest warrant was issued for charges stemming from a six-car collision in Dallas on March 30. According to multiple media reports, Rice surrendered to Glenn Heights, Texas, police, then was booked into the regional jail in DeSoto, Texas. He subsequently was released on bond.

Police allege that Rice, driving a Lamborghini, and SMU cornerback Teddy Knox, driving a Corvette, were speeding on the North Central Expressway (US 75) when they caused a chain-reaction wreck that left four people with minor injuries.

Rice and Knox each face one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision involving injury. Last week, Rice came forward to apologize to the injured parties and accept responsibility for the accidents.

Mizuhara, who met Ohtani in 2013 when they were both with Japan’s Nippon Ham Fighters team, was Ohtani’s near-constant companion during his six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels. The interpreter was fired by the Dodgers in March. Days later, Ohtani told reporters at the March 25 press conference that Mizuhara had admitted to him that he had been using Ohtani’s account to make the payments, and said he was “saddened and shocked” by the betrayal.

Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton to host New Zealand-England three match Test series

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ston Villa edged past Lille 2-1 while Liverpool lost 3-0 to Atalanta and West Ham suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa Conference League quarterfinal first legs.

Villa, competing in their first major European last-eight tie for 26 years, will take a one-goal advantage into next week’s second leg in France. Liverpool must mount a stirring second-leg comeback to progress in the Europa League after Atalanta won 3-0 in Thursday’s quarter-final first leg at Anfield.

Gianluca Scamacca struck in either half and Mario Pasalic slotted in a late third to give Atalanta a commanding advantage and end Liverpool’s nine-match winning home run in

the competition.

The Reds will travel to Italy next week with a significant deficit to overcome if they are to reach the last four.

hristchurch, Wellington, and Hamilton will host New Zealand’s three match Test series against England scheduled in November 2024. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed the venues ahead of the home Test schedule.

Hagley Oval will host the first test on November 28. The second and third tests will take place on December 6 and 14 at the Basin Reserve and Seddon Park, respectively.

The test series is part of the World Test Championship ( WTC).

In other match, late goals from Jonas Hofmann and Victor Boniface gave Leverkusen a deserved win just when it seemed West Ham would hold them to a goalless draw in Germany.

This is the only home Test series that New Zealand will be playing at home. They have an extensive run overseas before that with a oneoff game scheduled against Afghanistan followed by two matches in Sri Lanka and three in India through September and October.

Goalkeeper Łukasz Fabianski frustrated the hosts as he denied Alex Grimaldo, Patrik Schick and Edmond Tapsoba but after Hofmann pounced seven minutes from the end, he then turned provider for his team-mate Boniface to head the clincher in stoppage time.

NZC said there had been an “extremely competitive venue allocation process” for the Tests which will likely see a strong influx of England supporters. There were sellout crowds for seven of the eight days of play between New Zealand and Australia last month.

Fernando Alonso extends Aston Martin deal until 2026 Aston Martin Racing have announced that Fernando Alonso has inked a fresh deal to continue racing with the team in Formula 1 until 2026. This renewal marks a significant milestone in the partnership between the two, extending their collaboration into the next regulatory cycle of the sport. Achieving eight podiums last year, a best-ever return for their team, he remains one of the fastest drivers in the sport.

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Akshay Bhatia seals a thrilling win in Valero Texas Open, secures Masters’ berth

Somnath Temple visit, Kirtan at home turn the tide as Hardik Pandya finds strength in spiritual support

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mid facing criticism in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Hardik Pandya seems to have found a way to strengthen his mind through spiritual support.

This is the first time fans have seen this side of the star cricketer. Just to recall, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, too had recently taken spiritual support when they faced tough times in their career. They had gone to Ujjain Mahakal temple, and the photos went viral.

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ndian-American Akshay Bhatia held his nerve in a tense finish and held off a brilliant late run

by Denny McCarthy to win the Valero Texas Open in a sudden-death playoff. It also earned him a place in next week’s Masters. Bhatia will join another Indian-American Sahith Theegala at the Masters.

Bhatia nearly ran away with the tournament, holding a six-shot lead entering the 10th hole before McCarthy birdied eight of the final nine holes — including seven straight to finish — to reach 20-under par and put the pressure on Bhatia. Bhatia then made his 11-foot birdie putt to force a playoff. He birdied the first playoff hole while McCarthy double-bogeyed, sealing his second career PGA Tour win.

Rory McIlroy was third, but nine shots behind Bhatia and McCarthy.

Bhatia made news at a young age when he turned pro at 17 after an illustrious junior golf career. Instead of going the college route, Bhatia went through the struggles of professional life, missing seven straight cuts in 2020 and losing his tour card in 2021. He then earned back his card in 2022 and went on to win the 2023 Barracuda Championship, an opposite-field PGA Tour event that earned him no points.

Bhatia turned a corner entering in 2024. He was Top 15 at The Sentry, the Sony Open and the Farmers Insurance Open. He missed the next three cuts but is now on a run of T17 (Valspar), T12 (Houston) and a dominant win this week in San Antonio against a solid field. He will also play the US Open.

US weightlifter Reeves sweeps three golds at IWF World Cup

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Well, let’s get back to Hardik. Last week, the all-rounder offered prayers at the Somnath Temple in Gujarat. He was seen dressed in traditional attire, performing puja, and offering milk to Lord Shiva.

Hardik’s visit to the temple preceded Mumbai’s match against Delhi Capitals, which eventually led to his team securing their first victory of the season on Sunday.

Despite the warm reception he received from the MI camp, Hardik had been subjected to a barrage of criticism and trolling from fans, particularly those loyal to Rohit Sharma, over the past few weeks.

This negativity even spilled over to the stadiums, with Hardik facing boos from the crowd during Mumbai’s matches. The intensity of hate was so high against Hardik that former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar had to come out in support

of the all-rounder during the toss, asking crowd to “behave”.

This week, Hardik, along with his family and brother Krunal Pandya, was seen participating in a Kirtan event organized at his place. Hardik was seen chanting “Hare Rama Hare Krishna” with his family. This spiritual side of Hardik has come to the fore for the first time, and the allrounder seems to have benefited from it.

livia Reeves of the United States swept three gold medals in the women’s 71kg category at the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup, in Phuket, Thailand on Sunday.

Stealing the limelight from China’s Liao Guifang and Song Kuk Hyang of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Reeves succeeded in all of her six attempts, lifting 118kg in the snatch and 150kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 268kg, reports Xinhua. Liao and Song, respective world record holders in total and the clean and jerk, tried to outcompete each other in the snatch by attempting 120kg following their initial success on 115kg, but neither succeeded.

Liao lifted 149kg but failed in her third attempt of 154kg in the clean and jerk in a final bid to win the competition. The Chinese weightlifter won the bronze in the snatch, and silvers in the clean and jerk and total. The IWF World Cup in Phuket ran until April 11 and serves as a qualifying event for Paris 2024.

Spanish tennis player Aaron Cortes suspended till 2039 for match-fixing

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panish tennis player Aaron Cortes has been banned for a period of 15 years after admitting to 35 breaches of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said.

providing money to tournament officials in exchange for a wild card, according to ITIA statement.

The ITIA said that 29-year-old Cortes “co-operated fully with the ITIA investigation and accepted an agreed sanction, waiving their right to a hearing before an independent AntiCorruption Hearing Officer.”

Cortes’ period of ineligibility began on March 27, 2024 and ends at midnight on March 26, 2039. Besides a 15-year ban, the player has been fined USD 75,000, of which USD 56,250 is suspended.

Cortes, who reached a career-high world singles ranking of 955 in September 2017, admitted to 35 breaches of the TACP between 2016 and 2018, including contriving the outcome of events, accepting money to con-

trive the outcome of events, failure to report corrupt approaches, wagering on tennis, and

During the period of ineligibility, Cortes is prohibited from playing in, coaching at, or attending any tennis event authorized or sanctioned by the members of the ITIA (ATP, ITF, WTA, Tennis Australia, Federation Francaise de Tennis, Wimbledon and USTA) or any national association.

Joe Root to make red-ball return for Yorkshire after two years

Mary Kom steps down as Chef-de-Mission of Indian contingent for Paris Olympics

Joe Root is all set to play in the second round of the County Championship this week against Gloucestershire, marking his first red-ball outing for Yorkshire in nearly two years. Root’s absence from the domestic scene since May 2022 has been felt keenly, his sporadic appearances in T20 cricket and the Hundred unable to quench the thirst of the Yorkshire faithful.

Boxing legend and 2012 Olympic Games bronze medallist M C Mary Kom has stepped down as Chef-de-Mission of the Indian contingent for the Paris Olympic Games, citing personal reasons. Mary Kom, appointed as the Chef de Mission of the Indian Contingent last month, wrote a letter to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Dr PT Usha, asking to be relieved from her position.

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Entertainment www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 April, 2024

Priyanka Chopra lauds Dev Patel for ‘impressive debut’ as director with ‘Monkey Man’

Here’s what makes Vidya Balan love rom-coms

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ational Award-winning actress Vidya Balan is all gung-ho about love stories and romcoms, as she loves romance and says that she is a romantic at heart.

Discussing how ‘Do Aur Do Pyaar’ happened to Vidya, the actress said that she heard the idea from producer Swati Iyer from Ellipsis Entertainment Production.

“I had done ‘Tumhari Sulu’ with them already, and I said I loved the idea. This situation is so unbelievable… Shirsha Guha Thakurta (director) and Suprotim Sengupta (writer) worked together in the lockdown on the script and got it to a place where, when I read it, I said, ‘oh!

Wow, this has really done justice to the idea’.”

Vidya is all pumped up for the release of her upcoming film ‘Do Aur Do Pyaar’, which talks about a “cheating” married couple falling in love with each other once again after indulging in an extramarital affair.

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ctress Priyanka Chopra has heaped praise on Indianorigin British actor-filmmaker Dev Patel for his impressive debut as a director with ‘Monkey Man’.

Priyanka took to Instagram stories and gave a shout out to Patel and the cast of the film, which also includes Sikandar Kher and Sobhita Dhulipala.

The film also stars Sharlto Copley, Makarand Deshpande, Ashwini Kalsekar, and others. The action thriller follows the journey of a young man portrayed by Dev Patel, who embarks on a mission to seek justice for his mother’s death, caused by corrupt leaders.

‘Monkey Man’ was scheduled to release on April 19 in India, but the release has now been delayed indefinitely. As for Priyanka, she is currently busy filming her upcoming film, ‘Heads of State’.

Kajol shares throwback picture but she can’t remember when it was clicked

“Everyone loves a dollop of romance, and everyone loves to have a good time to laugh. And everyone either yearns to be in a relationship or is in a relationship, or is mourning a relationship. The relationship is fascinating. Especially romantic relationships. I think it is a relatable genre,” she told when asked about what makes the rom-com genre so popular.

She minces no words when she said that it would be a “bizarre situation” to be in and “wouldn’t wish this on anyone.

Vidya said with a laugh: “It’s a fun idea and a bizarre situation to be in. You don’t want to be caught in it, and if you are caught in it, then God will help you. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone, I won’t wish this on myself, and to the brave hearts who are in this situation, it could also be exciting.”

Vidya added: “Comedy is my favorite genre, but given that I love rom-coms because I love romance and I am a romantic at heart.”

The actress then revealed the secret behind the popularity of the genre. Vidya said: “It gives you the opportunity to laugh at this couple, who you realize could have been you in any rom-com. It is easy on the eyes, it is fun, filled with laughter, and then there is lovely music and color.”

“Love makes the world go round and round. That’s what makes it a favorite genre,” added the actress, who stepped

into the world of showbiz in 1995.

However, there is a dearth of love stories, and she agrees.

“We have not seen a love story in a long time. Even rom-com as a genre, after ‘Shaadi Ke Side Effects’ in 2014, I can’t remember any film that was a rom-com.

Enough of us for taking us so seriously, it’s time to have fun,” said the actress.

‘Do Aur Do Pyaar’ also stars Pratik Gandhi, Ileana D’Cruz and Sendhil Ramamurthy.

The film is produced by Sameer Nair, Deepak Segal, Tanuj Garg, Atul Kasbekar and Swati Iyer Chawla under the banners Applause Entertainment and Ellipsis Entertainment Production.

It will be released on April 19.

Will Smith ‘to address elephant in the room’ as he prepares for Hollywood comeback

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ollywood star Will Smith says he will handle his infamous Oscars slap “head on” ahead of his Hollywood comeback with ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’. The 55-year-old actor stars alongside Martin Lawrence in the upcoming film and is preparing to embark on a big campaign ahead of the release.

‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ is the actor’s first big project since he slapped Chris Rock at the Academy Award in 2022. “This film is Will’s big comeback, and his team is going all out to get him out there,” a source told The Sun newspaper.

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The source shared that Smith plans to address the “elephant in the room” during the promotional campaign for the movie, reports femalefirst.co.uk. “He will deal head-on with the slap and how he has changed since then. It’s likely he will also speak about his marriage to Jada, after they secretly split up more than six years ago,” the source said.

The actress took to her Instagram, and shared a monochromatic picture of herself. She wrote in the caption, “I cannot remember where or when this picture was clicked.. Who can help me figure this out?”

“The slap is still a bit of an elephant in the room, and Will is going to tackle it head-on. He is booked to appear on a number of big US TV shows and will be an open book. People love a redemption story, and Will has done a lot of work on himself. He also has a huge fan base who want him back in the thick of the action.”

ollywood actress Kajol, who will be soon seen in the upcoming movie ‘Do Patti’, shared a throwback picture on her social media but, couldn’t recollect the moment when the picture was taken.

In the picture, the actress can be seen sporting short hair and big earrings as she stares away from the camera.

Smith had apologised to Rock for his behaviour at the Oscars. The actor in a statement had promised that he would make amends for his mistake.

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Entertainment

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Friday, 12 April, 2024

John Cena talks about Dwayne Johnson-Vin Diesel’s feud; says they are both ‘alpha’

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ollywood actor and WWE star John Cena has spoken about the long-standing feud between ‘Fast & Furious’ co-stars, Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel. Cena was on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, where he talked about the behind-the-scenes drama.

“There’s certainly rumors about that. I can’t deny that. You have two very alpha, driven people,” Cena said. He added: “You get two.

There can only be one.”

Cena joined the film franchise in 2021’s ‘F9: The Fast Saga’ as Jakob Toretto, Dom’s estranged brother, reports deadline.com.

“Man, you gotta remember I got dropped into a locker room where (we have) generational vets,” Cena said.

He added: “‘What’d your dad do?’ ‘Wrestle’.

‘What’d your granddad do?’ ‘Wrestle’. I’ve been in that environment; I know the room and just kind of adapt to what’s going on.”

Cena continued: “I’m being invited into someone’s home, into someone’s family. And regardless of how they look physically in comparison to another human being, this is one IP that has had nine instalments and it’s an action movie -- that’s rarefied air.

“At the very least, there has to be respect for that.”

Johnson and Diesel’s feud went public in August 2016, when the ‘Black Adam’ actor called out his co-stars. He had joined the franchise in 2011 with ‘Fast Five’, making three films before starring in the 2019 ‘Hobbs and Shaw’ spinoff with Jason Statham.

Diesel had shared that he wanted Johnson to return to the main franchise in ‘Fast X’ but said he would not be returning. The feud between the two seemed to have been squashed as Johnson returned for a mid-credits scene in the latest installment.

Judi Dench recalls first meeting with Pierce Brosnan IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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eteran star Judi Dench, who first stepped into the world of ‘James Bond’ in 1995 with ‘GoldenEye’, went down memory lane and recalled her first meeting with the “adorable” Pierce Brosnan. Dench played the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service known as “M” in the movie, a role she held in each of the subsequent films in the James Bond franchise, until ‘Spectre’ in 2015.

When Dench saw her co-star Brosnan on the ‘GoldenEye’ set, she couldn’t help but notice his good looks, reports people.com. “Be still, beating heart,” she said, clasping her hands over her chest when asked about the James Bond icon.

She added: “He was just an adorable man.

He was absolutely glorious to work with and as a person.” Both Dench and Brosnan were nervous on the first day of shooting the ‘Bond’ film.

“His first day on Bond was my first day. But he was Bond! The both of us, I think, (were) pretty jumpy.”

Dench also recalls one day when she brought her daughter, Finty, to the set. “She walked out of my dressing room as Pierce was coming in.

It was like a cartoon person,” she says, miming her eyes popping out of her head.

“I’ve never seen anything like it.” Filming the Bond films didn’t always give Dench a sense of the action going on, since she only came to the set to shoot her scenes. That’s in contrast to her work on stage. When the Royal Shakespeare Company performed at the legendary Old Vic, she would often stand in the wings and watch the rest of the show just to get a taste

of the magic of performing in front of a live audience.

“I would go in, and I would do the day’s filming [for Bond], perhaps, but then I wasn’t part of (the rest),” Dench, who recently coauthored the new book, Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent, recalls.

Daniel Radcliffe opens up on how he was ‘terrified’ of Alan Rickman in first three ‘Harry Potter’ films

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ctor Daniel Radcliffe has stated that he was “deathly afraid” of Alan Rickman’s character, Professor Severus Snape, who taught potions at Hogwarts.

“I was so intimidated by Alan Rickman. How can you not be by that voice?

Even hearing that voice, you forget quite how low it was until it echoes through you,” Radcliffe said on the ‘Happy Sad Confused’ podcast.

“I was so intimidated by him for the first three movies. I was terrified by him and was like, ‘This guy hates me’,” he added.

The actor who portrayed ‘Harry Potter’ then watched an interview in which Rickman discussed him and the rest of the young ‘Harry Potter’ stars before his death.

In it, Rickman reflected on the “huge pride” he felt for Radcliffe succeeding on Broadway at the time and the pressure that the young actors faced from an early age.

“He cut short a vacation in Canada to come and see me in Equus. He saw every piece of stage work I did when he was alive,” Radcliffe said. The actor added: “He would take me out afterwards, and we would talk about it.”

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Navratri Special www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 April, 2024

Chaitra

Navratri: A unique celebration of the divine feminine power

By Dr. Avi Verma

Navratri Special

21 www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 April, 2024

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n the vibrant tapestry of Hindu festivals, Navratri holds a special place as a time of devotion, dance, and spiritual rejuvenation. Specifically, Chaitra Navratri, celebrated in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April), is a cherished occasion that honors the divine feminine energy.

Legend has it that during Chaitra Navratri, the goddess Durga battled and defeated the demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. This victory is celebrated with fervor and devotion across India and among Hindu communities worldwide.

This year, Chaitra Navratri began on April 9, marking the commencement of nine auspicious nights dedicated to worshiping different forms of the goddess, each representing unique aspects of Shakti (divine feminine power). Devotees observe fasts, perform rituals, and participate in traditional dances like Garba and Dandiya, embodying the spirit of joy and reverence.

During Chaitra Navratri, devotees observe fasts, perform rituals, and participate in traditional dances like Garba and Dandiya, embodying the spirit of joy and reverence.

Additionally, devotees organize Maa Durga Chowkis and Jagrans, where chanting and worship takes place the enitre night, deepening the spiritual experience and fostering a sense of unity within the community.

The nine forms of Shakti worshiped on each of the nine days of Chaitra Navratri are: Day 1 (Pratipada): Shailaputri – Represents the embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

Day 2 (Dwitiya): Brahmacharini – Signifies severe penance and devotion.

Day 3 (Tritiya): Chandraghanta – Represents peace, serenity, and prosperity.

Day 4 (Chaturthi): Kushmanda – Symbolizes creative energy and cosmic principles.

Day 5 (Panchami): Skandamata – Depicts the motherly relationship and the role of a mother.

Day 6 (Shashthi): Katyayani – Symbolizes fierce form and courage.

Day 7 (Saptami): Kalaratri – Represents the dark and destructive aspects of life.

Day 8 (Ashtami): Mahagauri – Signifies intelligence and peace.

Day 9 (Navami): Siddhidatri – Bestows knowledge and supernatural powers.

For the Hindu community, Navratri is not just a religious festival but a time of introspection and spiritual growth. It is believed that worshiping the goddess during these auspicious days brings blessings, protection, and prosperity.

The significance of Navratri extends beyond its religious connotations. It fosters a sense of unity and community as families and friends come together to celebrate and seek blessings. The festival highlights the rich cultural heritage of India and the enduring traditions passed down through generations.

It’s important to note that Navratri is celebrated four times a year, with two major observances: Chaitra Navratri (in spring) and Sharad Navratri (in autumn). The other two Navratris, known as Gupta Navratri, are observed secretly and are considered auspicious for specific spiritual practices and sadhanas.

In essence, Chaitra Navratri and Navratri as a whole are revered occasions that embody the essence of devotion, spirituality, and cultural heritage for the Hindu community. As devotees come together to honor the divine feminine energy, Navratri serves as a reminder of the eternal values of righteousness and faith.

This year, as we celebrate Chaitra Navratri, let us embrace the spirit of this sacred festival with reverence and joy, seeking blessings from the goddess and celebrating the richness of our cultural heritage.

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Community www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 April, 2024

SAMC hosts a delightful Cheti Chand event celebrating the vibrant Sindhi New Year By: Vandana Jhingan

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n April 7, the Sindhi Association of Metropolitan Chicago (SAMC) hosted a joyous celebration of Cheti Chand, the Sindhi New Year, at the Ashyana Banquets in Downers Grove.

The event was a resounding success, drawing attendees of all ages and featuring a delightful blend of cultural performances, prayers, and delectable Sindhi cuisine.

The Cheti Chand festival was graced by several dignitaries, including Mr. Somnath Ghosh, Consul General of

India in Chicago, who served as the chief guest, along with prominent community figures such as Mayor of Oakbrook Larry Herman, Mayor of Schaumburg Tom Dailly, 3 times Mayor of Oakbrook Dr. Gopal Lalmalani, and Aurora Alderwoman Shewta Baid.

All the guests of honor were welcomed and greeted with Sindhi Topi, Scarf and Dhol upon their arrival.

The festivities commenced with traditional Behrana and Prasad, followed by a lively Jalsa experience. Attendees participated in heartfelt prayers and paid

homage to Jhulelal, the Sindhi deity, led

by Dr. Gita Rupani and Manju Dadlani.

Henna Balani and Ria Matta took the stage, captivating the audience for the entire cultural program. Namish Nagdev, a talented 9-year-old, eloquently conveyed the importance of Cheti Chand, emphasizing acceptance, unity, and the story of Jhulelal.

Mrs. Balaney sung a Special Cheti Chand song. Multiple dance performances by SAMC community ladies made the event even more lively. DJ Paulami Majumdar spun Bollywood beats, getting everyone on their feet and tapping to her beats.

The culinary spread featured an array of mouthwatering Sindhi dishes, including Dal Pakwan, Chole Pattice, Sindhi Curry, Sindhi Fry Bhindi, Tairi, Sindhi Faluda, and a refreshing special Sindhi drink called Thandai.

The event was expertly organized by the SAMC Committee led by President Vinita Gulabani and Secretary Dr. Subhash Balani. The dedication and leadership of the committee members ensured a memorable celebration for the Sindhi community. Several Community members came together to volunteer for decorations, making-packing-distributing prasad, raffle etc. SAMC sincerely thanked all their sponsors for the event.

With over 250 attendees, the Cheti Chand festival exemplified the spirit of togetherness, cultural pride, and joy. Chicago Sindhis welcomed the Sindhi New Year with open hearts and a promise to cherish their rich heritage forever.

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Dharam-Karam www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 12 April, 2024

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Friday, 12 April, 2024

sba 7(a) sba loan 7(a program ) loan program

Growing Growing businesses businesses need need cash cash flow. flow.

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Together, we’ll Together, put together we’ll put a loan together structure a loan forstructure your business for your that business can getthat it done—the can get itright done—the way—for right your way—for your bottom line. bottom SBA 7(a)line. loans SBA help 7(a)small loansbusinesses help smallgrow businesses by offering growlonger, by offering morelonger, flexiblemore terms flexible and lower-equity terms and lower-equity contributions. contributions.

Size of Loans Size of Loans Benefits to Business Benefits to Business • Longer amortization • Longer amortization allows for lower allows loan forpayments lower loan payments • Up to $5 million • Up to $5 million • No future balloon • No future payment balloon (fully payment amortizing (fullyloan) amortizing loan) Terms of Loans Terms of Loans • Non-collateral • Non-collateral dependent loans dependent available loans available • Up to 25 years • Upfor to 25 realyears estate fordebt real estate debt • Closing costs • Closing can becosts included can be in loan included in loan • Up to 15 years • Upfor to non 15 years real estate for nondebt real (term estatecan debt be(term can be blended if the blended debt includes if the debt both includes real estate bothand realnon estate and n Typical Customers/Use Typical Customers/Use of Funds of Funds real estate debt) real estate debt) • Real estate• acquisitions Real estate acquisitions or refinancing—up or refinancing—up to 90% to 90% financing available financing (51% available owner-occupied) (51% owner-occupied) Interest Rates Interest Rates • Construction • Construction Loans—up toLoans—up 90% financing to 90% available financing available • Variable and • Variable fixed rate and options fixed rate options • Franchise •financing Franchise financing Loan Fees Loan Fees • Business acquisitions • Business acquisitions • The SBA Guarantee • The SBAfee Guarantee ranges from fee ranges 2% to 3.5% fromof2% to 3.5% of • Insurance •Agency Insurance Acquisitions Agency Acquisitions the guaranteed the portion guaranteed of the portion loan of the loan • Machinery• &Machinery equipment&acquisitions equipment acquisitions or refinancing— or refinancing— • Other fees• include Other fees packaging includefees, packaging third party fees, third party up to 100% financing up to 100% available financing available reports, lien reports, filings, title liencharges, filings, title etc.charges, (closingetc. fees(closing fees • Line of credit • Line restructuring of credit restructuring can be incorporated can be incorporated into the loan)into the loan) • Lease refinancing • Lease refinancing • Business Expansion • BusinessLoans Expansion Loans

Name name name Namename namename namename namename name name Huyname Tran name HuynaT Title title title title titletitle title title title title titletitle titletitle titletitle title title title VPtitle -Title Business Development VP - Business Officer Development Offict (920) Phone475-1152 phone (920) Phone475-1 pho (920) (920) Cell cell475-1152 cell cell Cell cell475-1 cell htran@bylinebank.com htran@bylinebank.c Email email email Email email email email email email em ©2017 Byline Bank. ©2017 Member BylineFDIC. Bank. Member FDIC.

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Friday, 12 April, 2024

Seize the sunshine and get summer ready to a list of approved trails and hikes.

Swimming Lake, pond, or pool, swimming is a great aerobic exercise that will keep you cool and refreshed (and maybe a little out of breath). Try doing laps or make a game out of it if you’re with a friend or partner.

R

eady to take your movement outdoors, or just spend some time with loved ones in a green space? We’ve got you.

Check out these ideas for enjoying the sunshine, boosting your mood with fresh air and shedding those extra kilos to have your body ready for the summer.

Yoga Yoga is a great way to stay active and reduce stress during the summer months.

You can practice outdoors in your backyard or at a local park, or join a yoga class at a studio or gym. Look for classes that focus on outdoor or hot yoga for an extra challenge. Yoga can improve your flexibility, balance, and strength, while also reducing stress and promoting relaxation.

Biking Whether you want to hit the trail or you are looking to commute in an environmentally-friendly way, biking is a fantastic option to get where you need to go while enjoying the great outdoors. To boost the health benefits of cycling, get social. Joining a local biking group can be a great way to discover new trails, make

friends, and become involved in your local community.

Nature Hike It can be through a park, wooded area, or even your own backyard, taking a nature hike (or walk) is one-part physical activity, one-part stress relief. Call your local park service; they should be able to direct you

Running One of the great benefits of running is that you get a lot of bang for your buck.

Even if you only have a half-hour to fit in a run, you can still burn a lot of calories and work on building your strength, speed, and endurance. So, put on your running shoes and start now!

Beauty & Fashion Friday, 12 April, 2024

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Celebrity hairstylist Adhuna Bhabani reveals the perfect summer hair trends

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ith the onset of the summer, give your beautiful locks a fun reset for the bright days ahead and your summer getaways. In case you are short on inspiration, here’s a round-up of the top hairstyles from renowned hairstylist Adhuna Bhabani that you can easily achieve.

Bangs and fringes all the way: Bangs and fringes will be seen making a great resurgence in the summer of 2024. From Wednesday Addams inspired wispy bangs, to soft feathery bangs, baby bangs etc, bangs are versatile and one can choose basis their hair length and texture to compliment your face shape. To draw more attention to your strong facial features, suggest your stylist to keep the outer layer of the fringe longer and the middle part of the fringe shorter.

Pro tip: Bangs can look good on everyone, but if you want to make sure your fringe doesn’t turn out to be a disaster, you should keep your face shape in mind when asking for the chop.

Wavy Bob: The wavy bob is a shorter bob that is cut with shorter layers at the front and longer layers at the back, adding more life and volume to your hair. While a chinlength bob may seem like a big chop to some, this hairstyle can actually be an extremely flattering choice.

Beachy Waves: Loose beach waves are certainly among one of the most appealing and versatile hairstyles you can wear. This look is one of Adhuna’s favorites, these sophisticated waves can assist your transition from day to night. Beachy waves dressed up are also a super ideal wedding hairstyle to complete your easy and relaxed look.

Summer hair care tips and tricks: As our busy lifestyle often deprives us of a proper hair care regime, Adhuna also shared some insightful tips for helping us attain gorgeous tresses that turn heads this spring-summer.

Cold shower followed by drying for smoother and shinier hair: Blast your hair with a cold shower (after shampooing) as hot water not only damages our skin but also our hair and scalp. Cold shower will seal the cuticles and make hair shinier, stronger, and smoother. However, don’t keep your hair wet for long as hair is more fragile in this state.

Say yes to updos: Nobody likes their hair falling on their face during the summer. Hence it is ideal to opt for hairstyles like braids, messy updos and ponytails. These hairstyles are also great to camouflage an oily scalp.

Hair massage + treatments = shiny hair: The action of the massage/ brushing stimulates the blood circulation which feeds the root of the hair and helps maintain healthier hair and scalp. Hair massage needs to be done at least two or three times a week. A good hair massage also helps the nutrients to efficiently reach the hair follicles. Hair treatments are also a great way to nourish your hair and improve its shine and condition.

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Friday, 12 April, 2024

5 fashion tips to swear by this season

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ummer is almost here, which means we can finally escape from wearing layers over layers to protect ourselves from the dry weather. It’s time for you to put those jackets and stoles away, and create some space for summer apparel. Here are 5 summer style tips for all you pretty ladies out there. Continue reading if you want to cast a mesmerizing spell every day, this summer.

Quirky sunglasses You cannot go without sunglasses during summer. So, why play safe and go for regular shades when you can add some fun to your look with quirky sunglasses? You can put on anything from bright white frames to retro round goggles because we are already seeing celebs donning them with pure charisma.

Also, tiny frames have become noticeable and are most likely to be in trend for Summer 2024.

Stock up on comfortable pants Summer is the time we all feel like ditching those heavy jeans. However, aren’t they the most versatile piece of clothing. From formal shirts and crop tops to a kurti, you can pair your jeans with anything. But, summer is the time we must take the high road and ditch the jeans. You can get your hands on shorts, palazzo pants, a white trouser, khaki pants, etc. They are not only comfortable but they also add a hint of style to your overall look. For casual

woman must own a plain white t-shirt. So, when you are not sporting a dress, you can put on a white t-shirt, shirt, or a white crop top. After all, white is the best color for summer. And the best thing about this fashion tip is you can find it at any women’s clothing store, and is affordable to all.

evening walks, you can go for joggers.

Summer calls for dresses One cannot go without wearing cute dresses during summers. They are breezy, comfortable, and allow easy movement. Summer dresses not only help you beat the scorching heat but they also lend that extra oomph. So, make sure you do not forget to stock your wardrobe with some floral and chic dresses.

Fill your closet with whites A white top can never go out of fashion.

And as dramatic as it may sound, every

Some neutrals and pastels You cannot escape from pastels in summer. It’s important to remember that pastels don’t mix well with jewel tones. To create a harmonious look, choose colors with the same level of intensity and slay this summer.

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