Issue 24

India’s national election is Maha Kumbh of democracy: US diplomat Atul Keshap

Friday, 19 April, 2024

US diplomat Atul Keshap, president of the USIndia Business Council, on Friday said with 970 million eligible voters and 1.2 million polling places, India’s national election is the Maha Kumbh of democracy.

“Heartiest congratulations to the great people of India as they begin the largest exercise of electoral choice in the entire history of our species,” Keshap wrote in a post on X.

In the first of the seven-phase exercise, voting is being held in 102 seats across 21 states and Union Territories.

The first phase of polls is being held on all seats of Tamil Nadu (39), Rajasthan (12), Uttar Pradesh (eight), Madhya Pradesh (six), Uttarakhand (five), Arunachal Pradesh (two), Meghalaya (two) and one each in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Sikkim and Lakshadweep.

Besides, there will be five seats each in Assam and Maharashtra, four in Bihar, three in West Bengal, two in Manipur, and one each in Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir, and Chhattisgarh.

Four states -- Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh -- will also pick new assemblies alongside this Lok Sabha election.

2024 Lok Sabha elections kick off with first

and largest phase, several heavyweights

Launching the electoral process in the world’s biggest and most vibrant democracy, polling in the first and largest phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 began on Friday morning for 102 constituencies in 21 states/UTs, spanning various terrains including hills, jungles, islands and bustling urban sprawls from Jammu and Kashmir to Andaman and Nicobar, Bihar to Lakshwadeep, and Maharashtra to Mizoram.

Polling to elect new Assemblies in Arunachal and Sikkim was held simultaneously in the first phase.

Over 16.63 crore voters, including 35 lakh first-time voters and 3.51 crore young voters in the age group of 20-29 years headed to 1.87 lakh polling stations across the country to decide the fate

in fray

of 1,625 candidates, including several heavyweights including many Union Ministers, a former Governor, and two former Chief Ministers. Overall voter

IMF expects India to rev up global growth as China falters, backs Modi government’s economic policies

Multilateral institutions such as the IMF and UNCTAD view India as a potential driver of global economic growth going ahead, as the country has become the fastest-growing emerging economy while China’s GDP growth has been pegged at 4.6 percent in 2024 and expected to slow down further to 4.1 percent in 2025. The IMF’s World Economic Outlook report, released on Tuesday, has not only raised India’s growth forecast by 0.3 percent points to 6.8 percent for 2024-25 but also sees the country as a bright spot “supporting global growth over the medium term and spill over to other countries”.

With China having fallen behind after the crash in its real estate sector and US sanctions triggering an economic slowdown, the IMF report views India and other G20 large emerging market countries such as Brazil playing a bigger role in the global trading system and pushing global growth going ahead.

The IMF report also vindicates India’s economic policy as it attributes the robust growth rate to a “strong domestic demand”, which has been created by a huge increase in government expenditure on large infrastructure projects such as highways, railways, ports and power plants along with a revival in rural demand.

Stepped-up allocations for agriculture, rural employment schemes such as MNREGA and special programs for women self-help groups have helped to bolster rural demand and create a larger market for industrial products.

During the 10-year tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, over 90,000 kilometres of national highways have been built which is almost twice that constructed in the preceding 10 years, according to official figures. Government investment in highway infrastructure shot up more than four-fold to a staggering Rs 2.4 lakh crore in 202223 from Rs 51,000 crore in 2013-14.

The latest UNCTAD (UN Conference on Trade and Development) report, released on Tuesday, forecasts global economic growth at 2.6 percent in 2024, barely above the 2.5 percent threshold commonly associated with a recessionary phase.

turnout was recorded at 60.03 percent till Friday evening, as per the tentative figures released.

US expresses concern about planned Israeli assault on Rafah

US officials have met Israeli leaders to discuss the situation in the embattled city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby has confirmed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to launch an Israeli ground assault against Rafah, which is now packed with hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees who fled Israeli attacks elsewhere in the Gaza Strip.

The US, Germany and other Israeli allies have been urging restraint instead and warning against the fallout from a direct attack on the city, which is located on the border with Egypt.

Kirby, speaking to reporters in Washington on Thursday, declined to comment on the precise content of the talks or identify the participants, saying he would provide details once the meetings are over.

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2024 Lok Sabha elections kick off with first and largest phase, several heavyweights in fray

Contd. from Pg. 01

Union Road Transport and Highways

Minister Nitin Gadkari, who has seen a huge expansion of infrastructure in the country, is a candidate from Maharashtra’s Nagpur, while cabinet colleagues Sarbananda Sonowal, Jitendra Singh, Bhupender Yadav and Arjun Ram Meghwal are in the fray from Assam’s Dibrugarh, J&K’s Udhampur, and Rajasthan’s Alwar and Bikaner, respectively.

Union Minister Kiran Rijiju is contesting from Arunachal Pradesh where he faces former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki of the Congress, his ministerial colleague L. Murugan is contesting from Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris constituency where he faces DMK leader and former Union Minister A. Raja, and another minister, Nisith Pramanik from West Bengal’s Cooch Behar.

In the Chennai South Lok Sabha constituency, the BJP has fielded Telangana’s former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan while former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar

Overall voter turnout was recorded at 60.03 percent on friday, as per the tentative figures released.Tripura witnessed the highest voting at 79.9 percent, while Bihar recorded the lowest turnout at 47.49 percent.

Deb is contesting from Tripura West. The polling was concluded in most constituencies by 6 p.m. The Lok Sabha battle will end in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshwadeep, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Sikkim (one seat each), Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya (two seats each), Uttarakhand (five seats) and Tamil Nadu (39 seats) in the first phase.

IMF expects India to rev up global growth as China falters, backs Modi government’s economic policies

Contd. from Pg. 01

However, amid the gloomy global scenario, it states that India’s economy is buoyed by strong public investment and service sector growth, with a forecasted expansion of 6.5 percent in 2024.

India is expected to maintain its rapid pace of road construction with the addition of up to 13,000 kilometres in 2024-25, an increase of 5 to 8 percent over the previous year, according to a report released by rating agency ICRA on Tuesday.

“The pace of execution in this fiscal will be supported by a healthy pipeline of projects at above 45,000 km as of March 2024, increased capital outlay by the government and focus on completion of projects by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, “ the report states.

Government investments in big infrastructure projects create more jobs and incomes that have a multiplier effect on the economy as demand for products such as steel and cement also goes up, which leads to more private investments and employment.

With the creation of more jobs demand for consumer goods also increases leading to a further acceleration in the country’s economic growth rate.

To ramp up the virtuous cycle of investment and job creation, the budget for 2023-24 sharply increased the capital expenditure outlay on infrastructure projects by 37.4 percent to a whopping Rs 10 lakh crore from Rs 7.28 lakh crore in 2022-23.

The interim budget, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in February has gone in for another 11.1 percent increase in the outlay for infrastructure projects to Rs 11.11 lakh crore to spur growth. The increase that comes on top of a large base of the previous year will result in massive investments to spur growth. The Finance Minister pointed out that this will also attract big investments from the private sector which will add to the growth momentum. Since the government has cut the fiscal deficit, it will need to borrow less which will leave banks more funds to finance the investments of private sector companies to accelerate growth and create more jobs.

Voting also took place in Assam’s Dibrugarh, Jorhat - where Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi is in the fray, Kaziranga, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur constituencies, Bihar’s Aurangabad, Gaya, Jamui, and Nawada, Chhattisgarh’s Bastar, Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara - where veteran Congress leader and former CM Kamal Nath’s son Nakul Nath, is seeking to retain the family stronghold, Balaghat, Jabalpur, Mandla, Sidhi, and Shahdol, Maharashtra’s Chandrapur, Bhandara-

Gondiya, Gadchiroli-Chimur, Ramtek, and Nagpur, Rajasthan’s Ganganagar, Bikaner, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Jaipur Rural, Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, KarauliDholpur, Dausa, and Nagaur, Manipur’s Inner and Outer Manipur constituencies (partially), Uttar Pradesh’s Pilibhit, Saharanpur, Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Nagina, Moradabad, and Rampur, and West Bengal’s Cooch Behar, Alipurduars, and Jalpaiguri.

The Election Commission has deployed a total of 4,627 flying squads, 5,208 static surveillance teams, 2,028 video surveillance teams, and 1,255 video viewing teams. A total of 1,374 inter-state and 162 international border checkpoints are closely monitoring any illegal flow of liquor, drugs, cash, and freebies. Strict surveillance is being maintained on maritime and aerial routes as well.

Meanwhile, the poll panel has directed all amenities, especially drinking water, be provided for voters in view of the heat throughout the election process.

US expresses concern about planned....

Contd. from Pg. 01

“The main purpose is really to talk about Rafah ... and also share our continued concerns over a major ground offensive there,” he said. A meeting with an Israeli delegation had been planned this week to discuss the concerns of the US

side. Prior to the major Iranian air attack on Israel over the weekend, Netanyahu had announced last week that the assault on Rafah had already been scheduled. However, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant contradicted Netanyahu’s remarks shortly afterwards.

Ram idol replica to be enshrined in Netherlands Temple

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AKashi-based sculptor has crafted a replica of the idol of Ram Lalla consecrated at the Ayodhya temple. This replicated idol will be enshrined in a Hanuman temple in the Netherlands. Before its overseas journey, the idol will be brought to Ayodhya for rituals.

The EterBliss Foundation, dedicated to promoting Sanatan Dharma, commissioned this replica idol. Moreover, the Foundation intends to install replicas of Ram Lalla idols in various other European countries.

Rahul Mukherjee, the director of the Foundation, said: “Swami Akhand Samrat Anandji Maharaj, founder of EterBliss, is

working on dispelling misconceptions about Sanatan Dharma, which he says is an eternal philosophy, not merely a religion. Swami Maharaj plans to establish Ram temples around the world. We decided to install an idol of Ram Lalla in black stone at Hanuman Temple in Amsterdam.”

Kashi-based sculptor, Kanhaiya Lal Sharma, who collaborated two decades ago with a European artist on a pink stone statue of Princess Diana, was selected to carve the replica.

Sharma said: “The foundation contacted me after the ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, expressing their desire for a similar idol. I agreed, and we commenced work on Basant Panchami on February 24.”

Recent Indian student killings in America unconnected but I still share worry, says EAM Jaishankar

Expressing his concern over incidents of killings of Indian students in the US, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday stated that though the incidents are unconnected, he does share the worry of the kin.

Answering a question on murders of Indian students in the US in the last three and half months, he said: “If anything happens to the students, it is a great tragedy to the family, a big concern for us. Our embassy and consulates have looked at every case. They are actually unconnected. Some had personal issues, some had an accident and somebody was unfortunately murdered. So each case has been different.”

The External Affairs Minister said that people today are more aware and the number of Indian students is also strong enough.

“I do share the worry. Even if they are unconnected, we have told embassies to keep in close touch with them. Whenever

new students come, they should talk to them. In new cities, there are some pockets where you have to tell people that they should not go and also to convey not to take foolish risks. We have presently 11 to 12 lakh students studying abroad in

different countries,” he said.

“Every Indian going out you have Modi’s guarantee. The student welfare is particularly important for us and we are working on it.”

Tibetans appreciate US Senate for pushing China-Tibet negotiations

The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) on Wednesday applauded the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s (SFRC) approval of the Resolve Tibet Bill, an effort of the US to push the Chinese government to resolve the longstanding Tibet-China dispute through dialogue with Tibetan leaders.

The bipartisan, bicameral Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act, also known as the Resolve Tibet Bill, received approval during the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s session.

The legislation also aims to counter disinformation propagated by the Chinese government regarding Tibet including the fabricated narratives about Tibet’s history,

culture, people, and institutions including that of the Dalai Lama.

The bill approved by the SFRC is a revised iteration of the legislation initially presented by Senators Jeff Merkley and Todd Young,

and also by Representatives Jim McGovern and Michael McCaul in the House, where it secured passage. Following its approval by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the bill is now slated to proceed to the Senate floor.

Answering a question on handling the changing scenarios of the world, the Minister said: “We are very cognizant. There are going to be difficult years. Actually. India is an oasis of stability. If you look at any part of the world, few can say that they are better off today compared to the last five or 10 years. We have progressed, secured ourselves and built capacities.”

“But, it should not blind us. We have big challenges. For this, you need an experienced, courageous Prime Minister as well as a team in which he has confidence,” he added.

Asked about whether India will ever get Katchatheevu Island from Sri Lanka like how Ram Mandir was built and Article 370 abolished, Minister Jaishankar maintained that they are different issues and can’t be compared.

“We take our manifesto seriously. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh headed the committee and Prime Minister Modi sat through the process of preparing the manifesto. Our promises are real. What you see in the manifesto, you will get it,” he said.

Top Interpol official meets CBI chief in Delhi, discusses challenges

Stephen Kavanagh, the current Executive Director of Policing Services at Interpol, arrived in Delhi on Monday for high-level meetings with the Indian government to discuss the future of international crime-fighting.

Kavanagh began his trip with a visit to the India Gate before holding bilateral meetings with senior government representatives, including the Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Praveen Sood.

At the CBI headquarters, they exchanged views on tackling law enforcement challenges and increasing cooperation between the countries. They spoke about the need for

deeper international cooperation for counterterrorism operations, as well as to combat drug smugglers and technology-enabled crime, including the safe use of artificial intelligence.

“India is a critical partner for the Interpol, whose agencies have been at the forefront in

tackling multi-dimensional criminal activities at the global level. Should I be elected as the Secretary General of Interpol, I would work with the members to drive an increase in data analysis, delivering operational success against drugs, cyber crimes, and crimes against wildlife and the environment,” Kavanagh said.

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Navigating Sri Lanka’s bankruptcy: Indo-US dynamics and regional imperatives

Dr. (H) Avi Verma Publisher

TRakesh Malhotra

Ramesh Soparwala

Madhu Patel

Vandana Jhingan

Neelam Verma

Legal Advisors

Seth Kebron

Ankush Ansal

Special Contributor

Rajesh Ansal

Special Correspondent

Sunita Verma

Social Media

Neha Arya

Chicago Office: Lincolnwood, IL 60712

Surrey Canada Office surrey@indoustribune.com

San Jose Office sanjose@indoustribune.com

Delhi Office: delhi@indoustribune.com Letter from Publisher

he recent developments surrounding Sri Lanka’s bankruptcy and its implications for Indo-US relations demand a nuanced understanding of regional dynamics and strategic alignments. Against the backdrop of Sri Lanka’s economic turmoil, intertwined with geopolitical shifts in the Indo-Pacific, the Indo-US strategy vis-à-vis Sri Lanka merits careful scrutiny.

The declaration by Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha that the security of India and Sri Lanka is “interlinked and intertwined” underscores the depth of bilateral engagement in defense and strategic affairs. Amidst the fallout of Sri Lanka’s bankruptcy, India’s role in augmenting Sri Lanka’s defense capabilities assumes heightened significance. The provision of defense equipment, training programs, and collaborative initiatives underscores a shared interest in maritime security and regional stability.

Simultaneously, the US engagement with Sri Lanka, exemplified by the planned transfer of the decommissioned USCGC Decisive (WMEC 629) to the Sri Lankan Navy, reflects broader Indo-Pacific strategic imperatives. The transfer underscores US efforts to bolster Sri Lanka’s maritime capabilities within the context of the Indo-Pacific strategy. However, challenges associated with maintaining aging naval assets amidst fiscal constraints merit critical consideration.

The evolving Indo-US

approach towards Sri Lanka occurs against the backdrop of broader regional dynamics. While both countries share converging interests in maritime security and stability, differences persist in their respective responses to global crises, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This nuanced interplay underscores the complexity of Indo-US relations and their implications for Sri Lanka’s strategic positioning.

Economic Dimensions and Development Initiatives

Beyond defense cooperation, economic dimensions shape the Indo-US engagement with Sri Lanka. Notably, US investments in Sri Lanka’s infrastructure, including the development of the West Container Terminal (WCT), signify a strategic convergence of economic interests. The US International Development Finance Corporation’s (DFC) involvement underscores a concerted effort to enhance Sri Lanka’s maritime infrastructure, aligning with broader IndoPacific economic initiatives.

The Indo-US engagement with Sri Lanka amid its economic challenges carries implications for India’s economic development. Enhanced maritime connectivity and infrastructure development in Sri Lanka, facilitated by US investments, can bolster regional trade dynamics and benefit India’s strategic interests. Improved port facilities and transportation networks could enhance India’s access to global markets, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

Moreover, stability and security in Sri Lanka contribute to a conducive environment for economic activities and regional integration. As Sri Lanka navigates its economic recovery, Indo-US collaboration can contribute to sustainable economic growth in the broader Indo-Pacific context, aligning with India’s ambitions for regional connectivity and economic development.

However, Sri Lanka’s

bankruptcy poses significant challenges to sustained cooperation with Indo-US partners. The high costs associated with maintaining decommissioned vessels and broader fiscal constraints necessitate pragmatic policy choices. Sri Lanka’s leadership faces a delicate balancing act, navigating strategic partnerships amidst domestic economic exigencies and evolving regional dynamics.

In conclusion, the evolving Indo-US strategic synergy in the context of Sri Lanka’s bankruptcy underscores a multifaceted engagement encompassing defense, economic, and geopolitical dimensions. Sri Lanka’s trajectory within this framework hinges on pragmatic policy choices that leverage strategic partnerships while addressing pressing economic challenges. As Indo-US relations continue to evolve, Sri Lanka’s strategic positioning within the Indo-Pacific landscape assumes heightened importance, shaping regional security and stability in the years ahead.

The evolving narrative of IndoUS relations vis-à-vis Sri Lanka’s bankruptcy underscores the imperative of informed decisionmaking and strategic foresight amidst complex geopolitical realities. Sri Lanka’s engagement with its Indo-US partners embodies a delicate balance of interests, reflecting broader regional dynamics and the imperatives of sustainable security and economic development.

Best

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

Top Stories

Pakistan Foreign Minister bats for resuming trade with India, faces tough challenge ahead

Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has revealed that he has started internal consultations with the country’s business community on the revival of trade activities with India. The latest statement from the Foreign Minister is an extension of his previous statement in which he expressed the desire to re-open trade with India. Dar, while speaking with media persons at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, said that the business community of the country had expressed its willingness to reopen trade routes with India. He said that trade of general commodities and medicine is already being done through different routes, including Dubai, which increases the cost of trade and business.

He added that his earlier statements in which he expressed his aspiration to reopen trade routes and trade with India were based on the strong recommendations and demands of the business community. The Minister said that he is working on a plan that includes having discussions and approval from the relevant quarters.

The Foreign Minister’s statement comes at a time when his own party colleague and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had said that there was zero possibility for trade with India due to the ongoing Kashmir dispute.

US shoots down Palestine’s bid for full UN membership

An isolated US has shot down Palestine’s bid to get full UN membership using its veto at the Security Council undermining the keystone of a twonation solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. The veto nullified the votes of 12 countries in the 15-member Security Council on Thursday to upgrade Palestine from an observer to a full member. The UK and Switzerland abstained. Officially, it was a revival of the application Palestine made in 2011, which did not make headway then and was banished to limbo.

A two-state solution to the PalestineIsrael crisis would require the recognition of Palestine as a nation. Algeria, an elected member of the Security Council -- and its only Arab nation, sponsored the resolution for Palestine’s full membership even though the Security Council committee on membership reported that there was no unanimity on the matter.

Explaining the US veto, Deputy Permanent Representative Robert Wood asserted his country supports a two-nation solution with Israel and Palestine as independent nations side-by-side but the time was not now.

“President (Joe) Biden has been clear that sustainable peace in the region can only be achieved through a two-state solution, with Israel’s security guaranteed,” he said, and that his country “has worked vigorously and with determination to support Palestinian statehood in

India is our strategic partner and world’s largest democracy, says US

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US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller has said that India is the world’s largest democracy and an important strategic partner of Washington. His remarks came while answering a question on recent reports critical of the Indian government ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in the country.

Replying to a question raising concern on alleged “democratic backsliding in India” on Monday, he said, “India is the world’s largest democracy, it is an important strategic partner of the United States, and I expect that to remain true.”

In January, US state secretary Antony Blinken had hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that the latter’s policy and programs have benefitted people and ally countries.

The bilateral relationship between the nations saw some unease after the US State Department, said that the US is closely following the reports of the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

CM Kejriwal was arrested in connection with a corruption case linked to the alleged excise policy scam.

Taking a strong exception to the comments of the US State Department, India had said, “We take strong objection to the remarks of the Spokesperson of

the US State Department about certain legal proceedings in India. In diplomacy, states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others. This responsibility is even more so in the case of fellow democracies. It could otherwise end up setting unhealthy precedents.”

“India’s legal processes are based on an independent judiciary that is committed to objective and timely outcomes. Casting aspersions on that is unwarranted,” the MEA said.

the context of a comprehensive peace agreement that would permanently resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict”.

But Palestine has not met the threshold for statehood because, for example, “Hamas -- a terrorist organization -- is currently exerting power and influence in Gaza, an integral part of the state envisioned in this resolution”, he said.

India recognized Palestine as a state in 1988 and was one of the co-sponsors of the 2012 General Assembly resolution giving Palestine the status of an observer state without voting rights after its application for full membership failed the previous year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former President Pranab

Mukherjee

The Biden Administration, under pressure from sections of his Democratic Party critical of his support for Israel, tried to avoid a veto by trying to get more members to abstain so that the membership resolution would fail without the minimum nine votes.

Based on leaked recent State Department cables, the intercept said that the US lobbied Security Council members against supporting Palestine’s membership. The efforts were directed particularly against France, Security Council President Malta and Ecuador. They didn’t succeed.

Amir Tanba - inmate who killed Sarabjit Singh in Lahore jail, shot dead in Pakistan

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In what’s being considered as an incident of targeted killing, unidentified gunmen on Sunday killed Amir Tanba, a key figure behind the killing of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh in Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail in 2013.

Amir Tanba was outside his residence at Islampura in Lahore when at least two unidentified motorcycle-borne gunmen opened fire, injuring him critically. The latest killing of Sarabjit Singh’s killer Amir Tanba is being seen as a “revenge killing” done by hired killers.

According to local residents, Amir was critically injured by the gunshots and succumbed to his injuries even before he could be taken to hospital. The locals also claimed that Amir had been receiving death threats for the last few days.

Amir, along with his fellow inmate Mudasir Munir, were accused of assaulting Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh in April 2013. It was reported that both inmates tortured Sarabjit Singh to death in the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore.

But on December 15, 2013, a court acquitted both Amir and Munir after all the witnesses of the murder retracted their statements, leading to the release of the accused. Inmates of the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore, Amir and Munir attacked and tortured Sarabjit to death.

Sarabjit suffered severe head injuries from the torture done by blunt objects and bricks. He was brought to Lahore’s Jinnah Hospital and kept in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for at least five days.

Later, Sarabjit Singh was declared as ‘dead’ by the medical board of senior neurosurgeons.

Other reports also indicated that Sarabjit Singh died on the route from the jail to the hospital on the first day of his torture by inmates and that the matter was dragged further to cover-up on the actual incident.

Sarabjit Singh was convicted of terrorism and spying by the Supreme Court of Pakistan for his involvement in a series of bombings in Lahore and Faisalabad during the 1990s. The Lahore High Court first sentenced him to death while an appeal in the apex court was later rejected and the death sentence was retained in 1991.

have visited Palestine sealing the recognition.

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US Congress moves ahead on bill to push TikTok’s Chinese owner to sell

An effort to force TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the social media app or face a ban in the U.S. was gaining steam in Congress on Thursday, with the House of Representatives setting a vote for Saturday and a key Senate Democrat voicing support for the move.

The Republican-controlled House included the measure in a sweeping $95 billion legislative package that would provide aid to allies including Ukraine and Israel, a major step forward in a months-long push in Washington.

The new bill, which would give ByteDance a year to sell the shortvideo app, won the support of U.S. Senate Commerce Committee chair Maria Cantwell, whose backing greatly increases the chances of the measure becoming law.

The prior bill passed by the House last month with strong bipartisan support would have allowed ByteDance only six months to sell. Many lawmakers and President Joe Biden’s administration say TikTok poses national security risks because China could compel the company to share the data of its 170 million U.S. users, while TikTok insists it has never shared U.S. data and never would.

Biden taps Curtis Ried to be next US ambassador to OSCE, White House says

The White House on Thursday announced the nomination of Curtis Ried as the U.S. representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Ried serves as chief of staff and executive secretary of the White House National Security Council. The OSCE, the world’s largest regional security organization of 57 states, brings on equal footing the United States and all European states, including Russia and all states of the former Soviet Union, among others.

Russia has tried to undermine the organization. In the months following its invasion of Ukraine, Russia said the OSCE was losing its meaning and not focusing on matters closely related to security.

US Senate dismisses impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas following brief trial

In a swift and decisive move, the Democratic-controlled Senate concluded the impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday, promptly rejecting charges brought by House Republicans related to his management of border policies. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) orchestrated the rapid conclusion of the trial, asserting that the accusations against Mayorkas did not meet the threshold for removal from office and should not be used to settle policy disputes.

Senators were sworn in as jurors on Wednesday afternoon, and the trial proceedings commenced promptly thereafter. Schumer called for a vote to declare the first impeachment article— alleging willful refusal to comply with federal immigration laws—as unconstitutional, successfully passing with a 51-48 vote (with Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voting present), effectively dismissing the article.

The second article, alleging a breach of public trust based on purported false statements about the state of the border, was similarly dismissed in a 51-49 vote on constitutional grounds. Following these votes, the Senate concluded the trial with a 51-49 vote to end proceedings without a

direct vote on acquittal or conviction.

Senate Republicans expressed frustration and disappointment after the trial’s conclusion, arguing that the Senate had a duty to review evidence and reach a definitive conclusion on Mayorkas’s removal from office.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) criticized the dismissal as setting a troubling precedent, suggesting that the Senate had effectively ignored the House’s impeachment without due consideration of evidence or proper procedures.

Mayorkas, who has vehemently denied the allegations against him, defended his record throughout the trial. A Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman

NASA head Nelson says China hiding military presence in space

The chief of US space agency NASA has told lawmakers in Washington that China is using civilian programs to hide military objectives in space. “China has made extraordinary strides [in space] especially in the last 10 years, but they are very, very secretive,” Bill Nelson told the appropriations committee of the US House of Representatives as he testified on the US space agency’s 2025 budget request.

“We believe that a lot of their so-called civilian space program is a military program. And I think, in effect, we are in a race.”

Nelson also stressed that it was “incumbent on us” get to the moon, first as he warned: “my concern is if China got there first and suddenly

said ‘ok this is our territory, you stay out’.” The NASA chief said that the US was not going to lose its “global edge” in space, “but you got to be realistic that China is really throwing a lot of money at it and they’ve got a lot of room in their budget to grow.”

“I think that we just better not let down our guard,” Nelson added. The NASA chief said he hoped “the Chinese space program would come to its senses and understand that civilian space is for peaceful uses,” but added: “We have not seen that demonstrated by China.”

With the Artemis program NASA wants to put humans on the moon again after more than 50 years. The moon landing mission Artemis 3 was recently postponed to September 2026. The long-term goal of Artemis is to establish a permanent lunar base as a foundation for missions to Mars.

characterized the Senate’s action as a definitive proof of the lack of evidence or constitutional grounds justifying Mayorkas’s impeachment.

The impeachment of Mayorkas marked a historic milestone as the first impeachment of a sitting cabinet member in U.S. history. House Republicans initiated the impeachment proceedings amid a surge in illegal border crossings, using the case to underscore concerns over President Biden’s immigration policies ahead of upcoming elections.

While Senate Republicans had insufficient votes to convict Mayorkas, they criticized Schumer for not committing to a full trial that would include presentation of evidence. Democrats, on the other hand, dismissed the impeachment as a political stunt lacking substantive merit.

The outcome of Mayorkas’s impeachment trial highlights the heightened partisan tensions surrounding immigration policy and underscores broader debates over the use of impeachment as a tool for addressing policy disagreements within the executive branch. As the Biden administration continues to grapple with immigration challenges, the Senate’s dismissal of Mayorkas’s impeachment underscores the importance of legislative oversight and bipartisan cooperation in shaping immigration policies moving forward.

More than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested on Thursday on the campus of Columbia University after its president authorized New York police to clear an encampment set up by students demonstrating against Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Columbia University President Nemat Minouche Shafik, who a day earlier came under fire from Republicans at a House of Representatives committee hearing on antisemitism on campus, said she had authorized police to clear an encampment of dozens of tents set up by protesters on Wednesday morning. New York City Mayor Eric Adams said police made over 108 arrests without violence or injuries. Police said the arrests were related to trespassing.

Columbia said it had started to suspend students who had participated in the tent encampment, considered an unauthorized protest. At least three students - Isra Hirsi, Maryam Iqbal, and Soph Dinu - have received suspension notices from Barnard College, an affiliate of Columbia, for participating in the encampment, the proPalestinian advocacy group Institute for Middle East Understanding said.

Over 100 pro-Palestinian protesters arrested from New York’s Columbia campus

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US Supreme Court widens scope of workplace bias suits

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday made it easier to bring certain workplace discrimination lawsuits in a ruling that gave a boost to a St. Louis police officer who claimed she was transferred to an undesirable new role because of her sex.

In a case testing the scope of federal workplace protections, the justices ruled 9-0 to throw out a lower court’s decision to dismiss the lawsuit brought by the officer, Jatonya Muldrow, and directed it to reconsider the matter.

Muldrow has claimed she was transferred out of a police intelligence unit by a new supervisor who wanted a male officer in the position. The city of St. Louis has said officers are routinely transferred and that Muldrow’s supervisor transferred more than 20 officers when he took over the intelligence unit.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars workplace bias, bars

discrimination based on sex, race, religion and other characteristics “with regard to any term, condition, or privilege of employment.”

Lawyers select 12 jurors to serve in Trump hush-money case

Lawyers in Donald Trump’s historic criminal trial on Thursday selected 12 jurors who will assess his guilt or innocence over the coming weeks in a case stemming from a hush-money payment to a porn star. Lawyers for the defense and the prosecution still must select alternate jurors for the trial, the first ever in which a former U.S. president is the defendant. Opening statements could take place on Monday, said Justice Juan Merchan, the judge overseeing the trial.

Trump, who leads a sprawling real estate business, is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records as part of a scheme involving his former lawyer Michael Cohen to conceal the $130,000 pay-off made to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Daniels said the money was given to

keep her quiet about an affair she had with Trump in 2006. He has admitted to paying her on the eve of the 2016 presidential election to stop her “false and extortionist accusations” but denies any sexual encounter.

Trump, who has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges, faces a maximum of four years behind bars if convicted. According to the court, the trial could last up to eight weeks once the jury is selected.

Trump’s lawyers had tried until the eleventh hour to avert, postpone or at least delay the trial. Even after a conviction and even with a prison sentence in this case, Trump would still be able to run in the presidential election.

He is facing three other criminal trials as well several civil lawsuits. The Republican is set for an election rematch with incumbent President Joe Biden, a Democrat, in November.

At issue in the case was whether Title VII requires employees to prove that discrimination caused them significant harm such as a pay cut, demotion or job loss.

Many bias lawsuits, like Muldrow’s, involve claims that workers were transferred, had their schedules changed or otherwise faced discrimination short of being fired or losing pay. There has been a split among U.S. appeals courts on the issue of whether they may sue.

Muldrow was backed by President Joe Biden’s administration, which had urged the Supreme Court to endorse a broad application of Title VII. The Justice Department in a brief to the court said that discriminatory transfers always violate the law because they necessarily involve a change in working conditions.

Lower courts were divided over whether any workplace bias violates Title VII, or if companies violate the law only when discrimination influences major employment decisions. In Muldrow’s case, the St. Louis-based 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2022 decided that her transfer had not negatively affected her working conditions, agreeing with a Missouri federal judge’s earlier ruling.

The Supreme Court heard arguments in the case in December.

Abortion and border issues dominate senate race in battleground Arizona

Arestrictive abortion ban revived in Arizona is providing a new opening for Democrats in the runup to the Nov. 5 election and putting Republicans in a tricky political bind as they try to win over moderates in the battleground state.

U.S. Representative Ruben Gallego, the leading Democratic candidate in a closely watched U.S. Senate race, has criticized Republican former President Donald Trump for paving the way for the Arizona Supreme Court last week to reinstate a near-total abortion ban based on an 1864 law written during the U.S. Civil War and when women lacked the right to vote.

The top Republican candidate in the race, former television newscaster Kari Lake, once praised the 1864 law, a stance Gallego highlighted in a new digital ad this week. Lake has since reversed her position and has spoken with Arizona lawmakers about overturning it, an adviser said.

Lake did not address abortion during her speech, however, and instead focused

on Democratic President Joe Biden’s handling of border security and other Republican priorities on Saturday outside a restaurant in Golden Valley, Arizona, in the state’s staunchly conservative northwest corner.

Roughly 100 people gathered to hear Lake speak at Great American Pizza and Subs, an establishment that greets visitors outside with a mural promoting Trump’s re-election campaign and inside with Trump-themed art and patriotic decor. A local group raffled off an assault rifle beforehand.

Lake blasted Biden’s approach to border security as record numbers of migrants have been caught crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally during his presidency. She ripped Gallego for calling Trump’s border wall “stupid” in 2017.

Arizona is a swing state that could play a decisive role in the presidential race, as well as control of the U.S. Senate. Strategists in both parties said the ruling outlawing nearly all abortions would push moderate voters in Arizona toward Democrats, while also mobilizing young voters, women and voters of color.

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Road mishap claims

Amritsar youth’s life in Canada

Ayouth from Mahddipura village, who went to Canada for his studies, died there in a road accident on April 13. The family has demanded from the Central and Punjab Governments to airlift the body of the youth to India. The deceased has been identified as Gursahib Singh (23). His father Palwinder Singh Bath, a resident of Mahddipura village located on the Fatehgarh Churian road, said Gursahib Singh went to Canada around a month ago on March 13, 2024, for studies.

While he was walking on a road in Surrey city on April 13, a major road accident took place in which three speeding vehicles collided with each other. One of the vehicles hit Gursahib Singh. He was seriously injured in the mishap and rushed to the hospital by the Canadian police present on the spot, but died during the treatment. The father of the deceased has requested the Central and Punjab Governments to make arrangements to bring his son’s body back to India so that his last rites can be performed.

24-year-old Indian student shot dead in Canada

A24-year-old Indian student was shot dead in his car in Sunset neighborhood in Canada’s Vancouver, police said on Sunday. Chirag Antil, 24, was found dead inside a vehicle in the area, the Vancouver Police said in a statement.

After hearing the gunshots, residents in the neighborhood called emergency responders, CBC news reported quoting police spokesperson Tania Visintin. No arrests have been made in the case and an investigation is on, the police said.

Taking to X, Congress NSUI chief Varun Choudhary, tagging the Ministry of External Affairs, requested for assistance to the student’s family. He posted, “Urgent attention regarding the murder of Chirag Antil, an Indian

student in Vancouver, Canada. We urge the Ministry of External Affairs to closely monitor the progress of the investigation and ensure that justice is swiftly served.”

He also requested the ministry to extend all necessary support and assistance to the family of the deceased during this difficult time. For the repatriation of Chirag’s body, his family is raising money through the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe, local media reported.

Chirag’s brother Romit Antil, a resident of Haryana, told the local media that he used to talk with his sibling every day. Romit said that he had also spoken to Chirag on the day when the accident happened. Chirag, who moved to Vancouver in September 2022, had just finished his MBA at University Canada West, and got his work permit recently.

FBI offers reward of up to USD 250k for information leading to arrest of Indian wanted for killing wife

The FBI is now offering a reward of up to USD 2,50,000 for information leading to the arrest of a 33-year-old “extremely dangerous” Indian national who is wanted in the US for allegedly killing his wife in 2015.

Bhadreshkumar Chetanbhai Patel, who was last known to be in the Newark area of New Jersey, is wanted for allegedly killing his wife Palak Patel by striking her multiple times with an object when they worked at a doughnut shop in Hanover, Maryland.

Patel is on the FBI’s list of ‘Ten Most Wanted Fugitives’ and the federal agency announced a reward of up to USD 250,000 for information leading to his arrest.

Owaisi demands halt to ‘export’ of Indian workers to Israel

AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday demanded that India stop “export” of Indian workers to Israel and bring back those who are already there. The Hyderabad MP made the demand while reacting to the government’s advisory to Indians not to go to Israel.

“Modi government has issued an advisory, asking Indians not to go to Israel. Why is India then sending Indians to Israel? If it is not safe, then why are Indians being sent to a deathtrap? Is (PM) Narendra Modi taking personal responsibility for their security?” he asked on X.

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief said that Israel is “in the middle of committing a genocide and doesn’t care about the safety of poor Indians”.

“The export of Indian workers should be stopped immediately, and those already

there should be brought back,” he posted.

In another post, Owaisi claimed that the Chinese Foreign Ministry snubbed Prime Minister Modi and rebuffed his request, asking why he doesn’t tell the country what the “prolonged situation” on the border is.

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Mortal remains of Indian student who died in US brought to Hyderabad

The mortal remains of Mohammed Abdul Arfath, a 25-year-old student, who was found dead in a lake in Cleveland, US last week after being missing since March 7, was brought to his residence in Nacharam near Hyderabad late on Monday night.

Abdul Arfath, who was pursuing masters degree in Information Technology at Cleveland University, Ohio, has not been in touch with the family since March 7 and his family in India had received a ransom call.

The Consulate General of India in New York had announced on April 9 that the student was found dead in Cleveland, Ohio.

AIMIM MLC Mirza Rahmat Baig completed the paperwork and received the body at the Airport. The body was later shifted to Arfath’s residence in Medchal Malkajgiri district near

Indian national pleads guilty to participating in $17 million bank fraud in US

A52-year-old Indian national has pleaded guilty to participating in a scheme to defraud a US bank in connection with a USD 17 million secured line of credit, US Attorney Philip R Sellinger has announced.

Nitin Vats, a former employee of a nowdefunct New Jersey-based marble and granite wholesaler, pleaded guilty before US District Judge Susan D Wigenton to one count of an indictment charging him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud affecting a financial institution, the Department of Justice (DoJ) said on Wednesday.

A 52-year-old Indian national has pleaded guilty to participating in a scheme to defraud a US bank in connection with a USD 17 million

secured line of credit, US Attorney Philip R Sellinger has announced.

Federal prosecutors alleged that to conceal the lack of sufficient collateral, Vats created fake email addresses on behalf of LEI’s customers so that other LEI employees could pose as those customers and answer the victim bank’s and outside auditor’s inquiries about the accounts receivable.

The scheme involved numerous fraudulent accounts receivable where the outstanding balances were either inflated or entirely fabricated. The scheme caused the victim bank losses of approximately USD 17 million, it said. He faces a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of USD 1 million. His sentencing is scheduled for September 11.

Hyderabad. The last rites were performed on Tuesday.

AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi had earlier spoken to Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and also wrote a letter to the Consulate General of India in New York for necessary assistance in finding Abdul Arfath.

2 Indian students drown as they fall in river while hiking in Scotland

Two Telugu students drowned while they were hiking with four other friends from Scotland at a popular tourist spot. The students, both pursuing Masters at Dundee University, were trekking when they fell into the water.

Their bodies were recovered by a rescue team from the water near the Linn of Tumme, where two rivers meet, on Wednesday night. An official from the Indian High Commission in London said the bodies of the two students were found downstream.

Indian mission in Dubai launches helpline numbers for Indians affected due to extreme rain in UAE

India’s consulate in Dubai has launched helpline numbers for Indians and stranded passengers affected by unprecedented heavy rains pounded the city and the northern Emirate of the UAE.

Heavy rains swept through the United Arab Emirates and surrounding countries on Tuesday, affecting normal life. The tarmac of the busy Dubai International Airport was left submerged, leading to the cancellation of flights, leaving people in anger and distress.

By the end of Tuesday, more than 142 mm (5.59 inches) of rainfall had soaked Dubai over 24 hours. An average year sees 94.7 mm (3.73 inches) of rain at Dubai International Airport. Other areas of the country saw even more precipitation.

Authorities struggled on Thursday to recover from the heaviest recorded rainfall ever to hit the desert nation, as its main airport worked to restore normal operations even as floodwater still covered portions of major highways and roads.

In a post on X, India’s consulate mentioned the helpline numbers through which the Indian community can seek help for their issues following extreme weather conditions.

According to the consulate, +971501205172, +971569950590, +971507347676, and +971585754213 were available for weather-related emergencies.

The UAE’s drainage systems quickly became overwhelmed, flooding neighborhoods, business districts and even portions of the 12-lane Sheikh Zayed Road highway running through Dubai.

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India, Uzbekistan discuss ways to enhance military cooperation during General Pande’s Tashkent visit

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India and Uzbekistan on Tuesday discussed the prospects of training and military cooperation between the two countries during the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Manoj Pande’s visit to Tashkent.

General Pande interacted with Major General Khalmukhamedov Shukhrat Gayratjanovich, First Deputy Minister of Defence and Chief of the General Staff (CGS) of the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan, discussing key aspects of strengthening military cooperation between both armies.

The COAS also met Major General Burkhanov Ahmed Jamalovich, Deputy Minister and Chief of Air and Air Defence Forces of Uzbekistan, discussing avenues to strengthen the existing defence relations between both forces.

The Indian Army said in a statement that General Pande also visited the Armed

In first phone call with PM Modi, Spiti villagers thank him for ‘connecting them to the world’

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday had a hearty talk with the villagers of Spiti in Himachal Pradesh, which got connected to the rest of the country via telecom network for the first time. The Gue village in Lahaul and Spiti district got mobile connectivity for the first time on Thursday. The occasion was marked by PM Modi dialing the villagers of Gue with whom he had a heart-warming conversation.

Elated and ecstatic over their ‘new-found connectivity’, the villagers expressed their gratitude to PM Modi, saying, “Thank you for connecting us to the world.” A couple of villagers said their happiness knew no bounds when they learnt about mobile towers reaching their village.

Several trains affected in Punjab as farmers squat on tracks

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Farmers on Wednesday squatted on railway tracks at the Shambhu railway station in Punjab, hampering the movement of at least 35 trains. The farmers have kept the national highway at the interstate border blocked near Shambhu to mark protest over the demands, including a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) by the Centre, since February 13.

As the protesters were moving ahead to block the railway tracks, the police tried to stop them, which led to a scuffle between them. After breaking barricades, they sat on the track. The farmers have also been demanding the release of three arrested farmers.

A day earlier, the arrested Navdeep Jalbera’s father Jai Singh called on people to reach in maximum numbers to block the railway tracks to pressurize the government to release “unlawfully detained innocent farmer youths”. Shambhu is the gateway to Punjab from the national capital via Haryana.

Forces Museum in Tashkent which displays military exhibits belonging to different historical epochs of Uzbekistan. COAS, it said, was offered insights into the rich military history and achievements of Uzbekistan during the visit.

General Pande later paid obeisance to Late Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second Prime Minister of India, by laying a

wreath at his monument in the Uzbek capital. He also visited Victory Park which commemorates Uzbekistan’s contributions and sacrifices in the Second World War.

“The visit by General Pande aims at strengthening military cooperation between India and Uzbekistan besides exploring new avenues of collaboration between the two nations,” stated the Indian Army.

Delhi L-G seeks report after AAP alleges CM Kejriwal denied insulin in jail

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Delhi Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena on Thursday directed the DG Prisons to submit a comprehensive report within 24 hours after AAP leader Atishi alleged that jailed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s sugar level has risen significantly after the Tihar Jail authorities failed to provide him with insulin despite repeated requests.

The Delhi Chief Minister is in judicial custody till April 23 for his alleged involvement in the excise policy case. The development came after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday said in a Delhi court that Arvind Kejriwal is deliberately eating mangoes and other high-carb food to raise his blood sugar level to build a case for bail.

The assertions made by the ED were refuted by Delhi Minister and AAP leader Atishi, who accused the agency of misrepresentation. Addressing a press conference, Atishi said the ED has misled the court by saying Kejriwal is consuming

sweetened tea, sweets, and bananas.

“Sugar patients are always advised to keep chocolates, toffees, or bananas with them for any emergency situation,” Atishi said. She also claimed that Kejriwal’s sugar level has gone up significantly as the Tihar Jail authorities have failed to provide him with insulin despite repeated requests.

Doctors caution on heat-related illness as mercury set to reach 40 degrees Celsius in many parts of India

As mercury is set to reach 40 degrees Celsius, doctors have advised caution on heat-related illness. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday predicted a possibility of the temperatures rising to 39 degrees Celsius in the coming week in the national capital. Various parts of the country, including Bihar, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Kerala are already facing severe heat levels.

“Be cautious. Watch for symptoms like dizziness, disorientation, or warm, wet skin. These could indicate cardiovascular distress from extreme heat,” said Pankaj Chaudhary

- Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Max Hospital, Vaishali.

“Remember, heat can be deadly, especially for vulnerable populations. Let’s prioritize our well-being and adapt to these changing climate conditions,” he added. Early this week, the Health Ministry held a review meeting on public health preparedness for heat-related illnesses in the country.

“Timely, advance and wide awareness among people on preventive measures will hugely support in reducing the severe impact of such heat waves,” said Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya, who chaired the meeting.

Indian crew member returns home from Iran; EAM Jaishankar says ‘Modi Ki Guarantee always delivers’

Deck cadet Ann Tessa Joseph, one of the 17 Indian crew members on board a cargo ship seized by Iran, returned home on Thursday with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar insisting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guarantee works not just within the country but also outside.

Joseph, who is from Kerala’s Thrissur, landed safely at the Cochin International Airport on Thursday afternoon and was received by the Regional Passport Officer.

Insisting that her return was made possible due to the concerted efforts made by the Indian Mission in Tehran and the Iranian Government, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that it remains in touch with the authorities in the Iranian capital to ensure the well-being and safe return of remaining crew members of seized container vessel MSC Aries.

Indian Navy seizes 940 kg of contraband narcotics

The Indian Navy on Tuesday said that they have seized around 940 kg of contraband narcotics in the Western Arabian Sea as part of Combined Task Force 150 led ‘Focused Operation Crimson Barracuda’.

“The Indian Navy Ship INS Talwar, operating in support of the Canadianled Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, conducted its first interdiction of illicit narcotics and seized 940 kg of contraband narcotics,” the Navy said.

The Navy said that INS Talwar seized 453 kg of methamphetamines, 416 kg of hash and 71 kg of heroin from a dhow as part of Focused Operation Crimson Barracuda. The Indian Navy joined the CMF in November 2023. CTF 150 is one of five task forces under Combined Maritime Forces, the world’s largest international naval partnership.

CTF 150’s mission is to deter and disrupt the ability of non-state actors to move weapons, drugs and other illicit substances in the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.

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From Bihar to Punjab, how laborers turned into sharpshooters for Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate

Days after the arrest of two shooters, who allegedly opened fire at Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s home, the sleuths of Delhi Police’s Special Cell and the Crime Branch tracking the gang activities have revealed the new modus operandi of infamous Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate.

As per sources, traditionally known for preying on vulnerable juveniles with promises of glamour and fame, the gang, believed to be operating from abroad, has now adopted a cunning strategy to expand its nefarious activities. Instead of solely targeting aspiring talents, the Bishnoi gang has now begun luring unsuspecting labourers with the promise of lucrative payouts.

“These individuals, enticed by the prospect of hefty sums, unwittingly become pawns in the syndicate’s sinister schemes, and in return, they have to execute the orders given by gang members sitting in the US, Dubai or Canada,” said the sources.

This was revealed after the arrest of two shooters, Vicky Gupta, 24, and Sagar Pal, 23, who were involved in firing at Salman Khan’s residence on April 14 and were nabbed from Bhuj in Gujarat, bordering Pakistan, in a swift joint operation of the Mumbai Police and

Vice-Admiral Dinesh Tripathi appointed next Navy Chief

Vice-Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi has been appointed the next Chief of the Naval Staff by the government. He will take charge on April 30 after the superannuation of the current chief, Admiral R. Hari Kumar.

Born on May 15, 1964, ViceAdmiral Tripathi was commissioned on July 1, 1985, into the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy. He is currently serving as Vice Chief of the Indian Navy (VCNS).

A Communication and Electronic Warfare specialist, Vice-Admiral Tripathi has had a long and distinguished service spanning nearly 39 years. Prior to taking over as VCNS, he had served as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.

Gujarat Police. Gupta and Pal hail from Mahsi village in Bihar’s West Champaran district and had gone to Punjab where they were doing labor work.

“The duo was provided with Rs one lakh and a country-made pistol by the syndicate member in Haryana to execute the crime. Pal, who was fascinated with gangster life, had come in contact with the crime syndicate through his brother, who is in Haryana,” said the sources.

The sources said that after the crime, Gupta and Pal were in constant touch with their contact in Haryana, who has also been detained by Mumbai Police.

According to a senior police official in the Special Cell, in, the past year, Delhi Police

have apprehended several juveniles and youths, who were recruited from rural areas of Bihar, Haryana, Rajasthan, or Delhi, aged between 15 and 20 years. These immature youths were enticed by the gang members and contacted through internet-based services,” said a senior police officer.

“They were given instructions to reach specific locations and were provided with weapons and logistical support by masked or fake identity individuals, similar ways in which the shooters involved in firing at a Bollywood actor’s residence were given the directions,” said the official.

The entire operation functioned smoothly, with no communication between different parts of the syndicate.

“The handler, operating from abroad using international members, coordinated with various gang members, including recruiters, logistics providers, and shooters. The syndicate frequently changed phones, SIM cards, and locations to evade law enforcement,” said the official.

In December, two sharpshooters of Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar gang were arrested, who had fired seven to eight rounds in front of the residence of a former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Punjab MLA in Delhi’s Punjabi Bagh area in a bid to extort money.

Mamata blames EC for Ram Navami clashes at Murshidabad

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Thursday, blamed the Election Commission (EC) for the stray incidence of clashes during Ram Navami processions at Murshidabad on Wednesday evening in which some persons were reportedly injured.

“The commission replaced the deputy inspector general of Murshidabad Range just before the Ram Navami festival. What was the reason for doing so. He was well acquainted with the entire district. There was no justification for replacing him. These are very sensitive states. We have to toil hard to keep things under control here,” the Chief Minister said while addressing an election rally at Raiganj in North Dinajpur district.

Recently, DIG (Murshidabad Range) Mukesh Kumar was replaced by Syed Waquar Raza, a 2008-batch Indian Police Service officer. Mukesh was removed reportedly after opposition parties accused him of not playing an unbiased role since the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha polls had been in place.

BSF shoots down drone carrying drugs along India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan

The Border Security Force (BSF) in Rajasthan’s Anupgarh district located along the India-Pakistan border has shot down a Pakistani

drone that was carrying drugs, an official said on Wednesday.

Heroin valued at Rs 13 crore was seized after the drone was shot down. The police said that the BSF had received a tip-off that a “drone carrying drugs was entering Indian territory”.

A search operation, after bringing down the drone, was conducted in the area on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday. The drone and a packet containing heroin were seized. BSF officials handed over the drugs and drone to the Narcotics Control Bureau.

As per the NIA charge sheet submitted in court, the Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate’s main activities involve kidnapping, murder, extortion for ransom, cross-border smuggling of sophisticated weapons and narcotics, in-land smuggling of contraband and illegal liquor smuggling.

The gangster did not directly talk to any shooter but routed them through his close associates, including Satinderjit Singh alias Goldy Brar and Anmol Bishnoi, both believed to be operating either from the US or Canada.

The NIA also said that its investigation has revealed that the distribution of work used to be done with careful planning, and the gang members were assigned different tasks. The matters about funding were mostly decided by Lawrence Bishnoi, Goldy Brar, Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and Darmanjot Kahlon.

“Bishnoi was intentionally running the entire operations from behind the jail. He was so adept in operating from inside the jail that he didn’t apply for bail in any case. It is also revealed that a considerable part of the money generated through extortion activities was sent to Canada, the US, Dubai, Thailand and Australia for the use of their associates/family members based abroad and also for funding the activities of pro-Khalistan extremists,” the charge sheet read.

Indigenous cruise missile successfully flight-tested by DRDO

DRDO has conducted a successful flight test of Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM). The missile is equipped with advanced avionics and software to ensure better and more reliable performance.

The flight of the missile was also monitored from the Su-30-Mk-I aircraft of the Indian Air Force.

The Ministry of Defence informed on Thursday that the test was conducted from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha on April 18, 2024.

During the test, all subsystems performed as per expectation. The missile performance was monitored by several Range Sensors like Radar, Electro Optical Tracking System (EOTS) and Telemetry deployed by ITR at different locations to ensure complete coverage of the flight path.

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Two killed in suicide attack in Pakistan

Asuicide bomber and a militant were killed and three others injured on Friday morning in an attack on a convoy of foreign nationals in Pakistan’s Karachi. A convoy carrying five Japanese people in the Mansehra Colony area in the Landhi Town region of Karachi was attacked but retaliatory firing from security guards foiled the attempt, Xinhua news agency reported quoting Senior Superintendent of Police in Karachi’s Malir district Tariq Mastoi said.

According to the police, a terrorist took out a gun to attack the front vehicle but the police security guards in the following vehicle killed him in retaliatory firing. Following the firing, one of the militants exploded his explosives-laden jacket which damaged the foreigners’ vehicle and a motorcycle injuring three people, including two guards, said police. Police added that all five foreigners, including four in the front vehicle and one in the following police vehicle, remained safe in the attack.

Israel attacks Iran’s Isfahan town

Israel has attacked Iran’s Isfahan town, after which the latter activated its air defence system and suspended flights. It comes few days after Iran had attacked Israel in response to an alleged attack on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital of Damascus leading to the killing of seven top officers of the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps including General Mohammed Reza Zahedi.

Iranian air defences were activated in the skies over the area, according to Iranian semi-official Fars News Agency. Three explosions rocked the east of Isfahan and near the Isfahan International Airport.

Israeli media reported that a missile strike targeted Isfahan town. It said that several senior officials were present in the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv on Friday morning. However, Iran said that there were no missile attacks but only drone attacks.

EU leaders agree for new sanctions on Iran

European Union leaders agreed late on Wednesday on new sanctions targeting Iran for the direct attack on Israel. The EU has decided “to put in place sanctions against Iran”, European Council President Charles Michel told reporters. “The idea is to target the companies that are needed for the drones, for the missiles,” he said. Further details are to be finalized, he added.

“The European Union will take further restrictive measures against Iran, notably in relation to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and missiles,” the EU leaders’ statement said. The EU summit on Wednesday and Thursday was originally meant to focus on the bloc’s economy and its competitiveness. But rising tensions in the Middle East pushed the economic discussion into the second day’s agenda. EU leaders appealed for calm as Israel weighed a response to the drone and missile attack from Iran on Saturday.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged Israel not to retaliate against Iran with a “massive attack of its own” on his arrival. Scholz called on Israel to now use the successful defence against Iran’s missile and drone attack “to strengthen its own position in the entire region.” On this basis, “a corresponding military response would certainly not be

appropriate,” he said. Iran said the drone and missile attacks were retaliation for the killing of high-ranking Iranian officers in a missile strike on Iran’s embassy in Syria at the start of the month. Sanctions may be imposed through a regime set up after Iran began supporting the Russian war on Ukraine by supplying Moscow with drones.

These sanctions banned the export of components used for the construction and production of unmanned aerial vehicles to Iran, and may be expanded to make it harder for Iran to produce missiles. Calls from Israel to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the elite unit of the Iranian armed forces, as a terrorist organization are more difficult to meet.

Russian regions fight flood as water levels

remain high

Russia’s Kurgan and Tyumen regions have evacuated more than 15,000 people as of Thursday due to flooding threat as water levels are forecast to continue rising in the coming days.

In the Kurgan region, the water level of the Tobol river keeps rising, the Ministry of Emergency Situations said on Thursday, adding that in the regional centre, the level has reached around 970 cm, surpassing the danger mark.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations continues to strengthen and increase the height of the local dam, it said. Previous forecasts showed the water levels in the Ishim river will be “significantly higher than previously expected”.

Russian regions have been facing some of the worst flooding in decades due to a continuous rise in daily average temperatures, snowmelt, and rivers thawing. Floods have been ravaging Russia’s western Siberia, the Volga region and the Central Federal District.

Kenyan President confirms military chief’s death in plane crash

Kenyan President William Ruto confirmed that military chief Francis Ogolla was among 10 senior commanders killed in a helicopter crash in the northwestern part of the country on Thursday.

Ruto, speaking at a televised news conference in the national capital of Nairobi, said that 10 military officers, including Ogolla, died in the crash, while two others survived and are now hospitalized. “This is a moment of great sadness,” he added.

The President said that Ogolla left Nairobi in the morning to visit troops deployed in the troubled region to fight

bandits and inspect ongoing school renovation work. The Kenya Air Force has formed and dispatched an aviation investigation team to determine the cause of the crash, Ruto said.

South Korean Health Minister renews commitment to accomplish medical reform

South Korean Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong renewed his vow to accomplish medical reform on Thursday, although a mass walkout by trainee doctors in protest of the reform has crippled public health services for about two months. About 12,000 trainee doctors have left their worksites since February 20 in the walkout against the government’s push to hike the annual enrollment of medical students by 2,000 starting next year.

“The medical reform is essential to protect the lives and health of the people, to enhance local and essential medical services, and to prepare for future demand,” Cho said at a government response meeting. “We plan to

gather reasonable opinions from different sectors and carry out the reform unwaveringly,” the Minister added. The government said it will “unwaveringly” push ahead with the

healthcare reform plans and will increase the number of physician assistant (PA) nurses to make up for the shortage of doctors amid their prolonged walkout.

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Indonesia issues tsunami warning after more eruption from Mount Ruang

Indonesian authorities have issued a tsunami warning and raised the alert for Mount Ruang to the highest level after the volcano near Sulawesi Island had multiple large eruptions over the past few days.

The heightened alert was issued late on Wednesday after the 725-meter-high volcano had two large eruptions earlier in the day, spewing a column of ash 3,000 meters into the sky. The head of Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), Hendra Gunawan, said that authorities urged people living in the coastal area of neighboring Tagulandang island to remain alert for a potential tidal surge and tsunami which could be triggered by rockfalls from the volcano, which may collapse into the sea.

More than 800 people have been evacuated from two villages on Ruang island and authorities imposed an exclusion zone within a 6-kilometre radius of the crater, which extends to the southwestern part of Tagulandang Island.

16-yr-old charged with terrorism offence after stabbing in Sydney church

A16-year-old boy was charged with a terrorism offence on Thursday in connection with a stabbing incident in a Sydney church earlier this week. On Monday evening, emergency services were called to a church on the corner of Box Road and Welcome Street in Wakeley, following reports of a stabbing.

Officers found a 53-year-old man suffering significant injuries to his head, while a 39-year-old man also sustained lacerations and a shoulder wound when he attempted to intervene. The 16-year-old, who had been restrained by members of the public, was arrested by police at the scene.

The New South Wales Police Force confirmed in a statement that investigators attended a medical facility to interview the boy on Thursday afternoon. The teenager has been refused bail and is expected to appear at a bedside court hearing on Friday.

Copenhagen’s ‘Notre Dame moment’ as old bourse burns, loses spire

The Danish capital Copenhagen suffered its “Notre Dame moment” after the historic stock exchange, one of its oldest and most iconic buildings, was engulfed by a major fire on Tuesday, causing its spire to collapse into flames entirely.

Even hours after the fire broke out, smoke was still rising, flames were blazing and people were gathering at the site. According to the fire brigade, the fire had already engulfed around half of the huge building by mid-morning, hours after it had started. The fire has damaged supporting structures, the brigade said later, confirming that part of the 400-year-old building was badly burnt.

However, the emergency services said they

did not initially expect the entire building to collapse. Around 120 firefighters and around 60 volunteers from the armed forces were deployed. The striking Dragon Spire, which has now collapsed, has helped to shape the cityscape and define Copenhagen as the “City of Towers,” King Frederik X said.

Myanmar’s jailed ex-leader Suu Kyi transferred due to heatwave

Myanmar’s ousted former leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been transferred from prison to another location. Local media, citing military junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun, reported on Wednesday that the reason for the move was concern for the 78-year-old’s health in view of the high temperatures in the capital Naypyidaw, where Suu Kyi was being held.

It was not certain whether she had been taken to another prison or transferred to house arrest.

The junta had not informed Suu Kyi’s lawyers of the plan or of her new location, a source close to the prison authorities told dpa news agency. On Wednesday, more than 3,000 prisoners were also released on the occasion of the Thingyan New Year festival, the military junta announced.

The army ousted and arrested the

democratically-elected de-facto head of government Suu Kyi following a coup in February 2021. A court controlled by the junta later sentenced her to a total of 33 years in prison for numerous alleged crimes.

Australian Defence Minister announces $50 billion defence funding over next decade

Australian Defence Minister

Richard Marles on Wednesday announced a $50 billion Australian ($32 billion) defence funding boost over the next 10 years. The spending package includes an additional $5.7 billion over the next four years and an immediate injection of more than $1 billion to speed up the development of long-range missiles and targeting systems, as well as fuel resilience and robotic and autonomous systems, Marles said.

The funding also includes an upgrade of Australia’s naval fleet with greater firepower and conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.

The army is to be given the means for greater coastal maneuverability with a longrange land and maritime strike capability,

while the Air Force will be outfitted with better long-range surveillance and strike capabilities, on land, sea and air, according to the Defence Ministry. The strategy also includes a strengthened and integrated space and cyber capability, including enhanced cyber and electronic warfare.

Zelensky calls for more air defence support as 17 die in Russian attack on Chernihiv

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for more air defence support from Western partners after a Russian missile attack killed at least 17 people in the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv on Wednesday. There were also more than 60 injured, including several children.

“This would not have happened if Ukraine had received sufficient air defence and if the world had been determined enough to counter Russian terror,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram.

The Ukrainians do not lack determination in their fight, he added.

“We need sufficient determination from our partners and sufficient support that reflects this determination,” Zelensky said.

Due to a lack of air defence systems and ammunition, the Russians are now destroying many important objects in Ukraine, said Zelensky, referring to the Trypilska thermal power plant near Kiev, which is lying in ruins.

South Korea ‘strongly’ protests Japan’s renewed claims to Dokdo

South Korea on Tuesday expressed its strong opposition towards Japan after the latter released an annual diplomatic report that reasserted its territorial claims over the easternmost islets of Dokdo.

The dispute over the sovereignty of Dokdo has been a longstanding issue between the two countries, and this recent move by Japan has only escalated the tension between them. To protest the report, South Korea’s foreign ministry called in Taisuke Mibae, the deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, Yonhap news agency reported.

The claim, strongly disputed by South Korea, which has long maintained effective control of Dokdo with the permanent stationing of security personnel there, was included in the 2024 Diplomatic Bluebook that was reported to the Cabinet by Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa.

In this year’s report, Japan continued to claim that Dokdo is Japanese territory historically and under international law, and that South Korea is carrying on with an “illegal occupation” of the area.

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Musk’s Starlink may get Indian government approval soon

Ahead of Elon Musk’s visit to India, the tech billionaire’s satellite-based internet service

Starlink has reportedly received tentative approval from the Ministry of Communications. According to reports, the approval procedure is currently on the desk of Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, awaiting final clearance by the Home Ministry on some security issues.

The reports also mentioned that the commercial part has been examined on issues such as foreign investment and net worth, and the technical requirements have been examined in accordance with the licensing conditions. Once Starlink gets approval from Vaishnaw, it will be issued a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) services license, which is required to provide satellite communication services in the country.

Musk had attempted to launch its satellite internet service in India before. The latest attempt was in November 2022 when

Ajay Banga, Satya Nadella, Alia Bhat, Sakshi Malik on TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list

Bollywood star Alia Bhatt, World Bank President Ajay Banga, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and British actor with Indian roots, Dev Patel, have made it to Time magazine’s ‘100 Most Influential People’ list for 2024.

Another prominent Indian who features in the list is Sakshi Malik, India’s only female Olympic medallist in wrestling who led the protest against the alleged sexual harassment of female grapplers by former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

The other names with an India connect featured in the list include astronomer Priyamvada Natarajan, senior US Department of Energy official Jigar Shah, and chef and rights activist Asma Khan.

The also features singer-songwriter Dua Lipa, Oscar-awardee American actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Oscar-nominated actors Jeffrey Wright and Colman Domingo. Also featured in the list are film personalities Taraji P Henson, Elliot Page, Michael J. Fox, Sofia Coppola, and Hayao Miyazaki.

Starlink applied for a GMPCS license. However, disagreements with the government over pre-orders without proper licensing led to the cancellation of planned satellite communication service trials in the country. The government in December last year passed

The Telecommunications Bill 2023 which allows spectrum allocation for satellite-based services without the need to participate in auctions. The move favors companies such as OneWeb, Musk’s Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper.

NCPCR asks FSSAI to review sugar content in Nestle’s baby food products

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on Thursday asked the Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) to take a “comprehensive review” of the sugar content in Nestle’s baby food products, after a report showed violation of health guidelines.

The report, by Swiss organization Public Eye and the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN), revealed that baby-food brands sold by global giant Nestle in India contain high levels of added sugar, unlike the same products in the UK, Germany,

Switzerland, and other developed nations.

“In light of these concerns it is requested that FSSAI undertake a comprehensive review of the sugar content in baby food products manufactured and marketed by Nestle and other companies,” said NCPCR Chief Priyank Kanoongo, in the letter to the food regulator.

The Commission said it has “taken cognizance” of the report and that, the added sugar content could potentially harm the health of infants and young children. The Commission has asked FSSAI to “inquire and furnish information within 7 days”.

Hyundai Motor, Toray join hands for future mobility materials

Hyundai Motor Group said on Thursday it has forged a strategic partnership with Japanese chemical giant Toray Group to use carbon fiber and other innovative new materials in future mobility products.

Under the agreement, Hyundai Motor and Toray plan to jointly develop carbon fiber-reinforced plastic and other lightweight materials to enhance performance and safety involving mobility products, the South Korean auto group said. They also aim to actively apply new materials to future mobility products and lead innovation in the mobility industry by offering differentiated

Dubai floods ground over 30 flights, airlines scramble amid chaos

Over 30 flights, including those operated by Air India Express, Air India, IndiGo, Emirates and SpiceJet airlines, to and from India were cancelled due to severe flooding in Dubai, triggered by the heaviest rainfall witnessed in decades.

The Dubai airport, one of the world’s busiest, on Wednesday also advised passengers not to head to the hub “unless absolutely necessary”. Footage circulating on social media showed the airport’s runways flooded and planes attempting to navigate through pools of water. On Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was lashed by downpours described by its National Centre of Meteorology as the heaviest rainfall in the past 75 years.

Poland’s Charge d’affaires visits Polmor factory in Telangana

Poland’s Charge d’ affaires to India, Sebastian Domzalski, visited Polmor Steel factory in Telangana’s Medak district on Thursday.

competitiveness in the field.

Carbon fiber, one of Toray Group’s core business areas, is widely used in the mobility sectors involving automobiles and aircraft, thanks to its excellent properties, such as lightweight, strength, and heat resistance.

Accompanied by the Consul General of Poland, Aleksander Danda, Economic Counselor at the Embassy of Poland, Paweł Mokrzycki and Polmor Managing Director KVR Subba Rao, he visited the factory at Automotive Park, in Kallakal and Muppireddypalli industrial area in Medak district.

The delegation went around both the existing plant and the new facility currently under construction. Polmor Steel is a leading manufacturer of critical components for railway companies and is set to embark on a significant expansion initiative in Telangana, promising to create more employment opportunities in the region.

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15 Business

Samsung set to expand chips supply chain after US provides $6.4 billion in CHIPS Act grants

Samsung is set to accelerate the expansion of its global semiconductor supply chain in the era of artificial intelligence (AI), following a subsidy of $6.4 billion from the US government and its extended investment plan.

Under the Biden Administration’s announcement, the South Korean chipmaker will receive up to $6.4 billion in grants under the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, aimed at bolstering US semiconductor production to 20 per cent of the world’s leading-edge chips by the end of the decade. The funding will support Samsung Electronics’ chip production facilities in Taylor and Austin, Texas, alongside other research centers and packaging facilities, reports Yonhap news agency.

This positions Samsung Electronics as the third-largest beneficiary of the US CHIPS Act program, following Intel with up to $8.5 billion in grants and $11 billion in loans, and Taiwan’s TSMC with up to $6.6 billion in grants and about $5 billion in loans.

At the same time, Samsung will increase

Google sacks 28 employees involved in protests over Israel government contract

Tech giant Google has laid off 28 employees who were involved in sit-in protests at its offices over a Google contract with the Israeli government. The layoffs happened after nine employees were suspended and then arrested in the US earlier this week, reports The Verge.

The 28 employees who have been asked to go protested a $1.2 billion Google Cloud contract for the Israeli government. In an internal memo to employees, the company said that behavior like this “has no place in our workplace, and we will not tolerate it.”

“The overwhelming majority of our employees do the right thing. If you’re one of the few who are tempted to think we’re going to overlook conduct that violates our policies, think again,” Google told the staff.

its investment in its semiconductor plants in Texas to more than $40 billion from $17 billion. The additional investment will include the construction of one more semiconductor production facility in addition to the existing plant in Taylor, as well as advanced packaging and research

and development (R&D) facilities.

Experts pointed out Samsung’s production capabilities as a world-leading semiconductor producer and commitment to the US investment have led to the third-biggest subsidy deal with Washington.

ZEE withdraws merger implementation application from NCLT, to pursue claims against Sony

Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEE) has decided to withdraw a merger implementation application filed before the Mumbai branch of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). The application was filed by ZEE on January 24, seeking directions on the implementation of the Composite Scheme of Arrangement between ZEE, Culver Max Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. and Bangla Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

The company said that the step is based on the advice of the Board after a detailed consultation with the legal experts. “This decision will also enable the company to pursue growth and evaluate strategic opportunities to generate higher value for all the shareholders,” the company said.

ZEE said the decision to withdraw the application will enable the company to continue to aggressively pursue all its claims against Sony in the ongoing arbitration proceedings at the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) and in other fora.

Intel builds 1st large-scale neuromorphic system to enable sustainable AI

Chip maker Intel on Wednesday announced that it has built the world’s largest neuromorphic system called ‘Hala Point’ to enable more sustainable artificial intelligence (AI). Initially deployed at Sandia National Laboratories, this large-scale neuromorphic system utilizes Intel’s ‘Loihi 2’ processor, aims at supporting research for future braininspired AI, and tackles challenges related to the efficiency and sustainability of today’s AI, the company said.

“The industry needs fundamentally new approaches capable of scaling. For that reason, we developed Hala Point, which combines deep learning efficiency with novel brain-inspired learning and optimization

capabilities,” Mike Davies, director of the Neuromorphic Computing Lab at Intel Labs, said in a statement.

According to the company, Hala Point

demonstrates state-of-the-art computational efficiencies on mainstream AI workloads. Its unique capabilities could enable future realtime continuous learning for AI applications such as scientific and engineering problemsolving, logistics, smart city infrastructure management, large language models (LLMs) and AI agents.

Currently, Hala Point is a research prototype that will advance the capabilities of future commercial systems. Intel expects that such lessons will lead to practical advancements, such as the ability for LLMs (large language models) to learn continuously from new data. It supports up to 1.15 billion neurons and 128 billion synapses distributed over 140,544 neuromorphic processing cores, consuming a maximum of 2,600 watts of power.

Open to anything, says Microsoft worker who was laid off after 3 decades of service

An employee of Microsoft, who was terminated from his position in February after working for over three decades in the company, said “open to work” is not expressive enough, it’s more like “open to anything”. In a post on LinkedIn, Jeff Bogdan, who was the Director of Learning and Development (L&D) at Microsoft Windows, wrote, “My 33-year run with Microsoft came to a close in February when my job was eliminated. My entire MS career has been an incredible ride. The three products I am proudest of are Windows

Phone, Zune, and Windows 95.”

However, the biggest payoff for him came in the last two years, when he pitched and landed an L&D role in Windows. Bogdan, in his post, mentioned that his termination was the result of HR adopting the hub & spoke model for L&D which he was pitching.

“Sadly, when my division already had their L&D team in place, there wasn’t a seat at the table for me,” he said. Further in the post, Bogdan stated that a new journey has begun to find his second career.

“The simple start is via consulting. I’m seeing consulting as a way to learn more about the industry and understand where my expertise can best advance the industry,” he wrote. Earlier this year, Microsoft announced slashed at least 1,900 jobs from Activision Blizzard and Xbox, affecting around 8 per cent of the overall Microsoft gaming division which has some 22,000 employees.

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Macron says Plan B, Plan C possible for Paris Olympics opening ceremony

The organizers have prepared alternatives to staging the highly-anticipated Paris Olympic Games opening ceremony on the River Seine if there are excessive security risks, French president Emmanuel Macron admitted.

As the countdown to the Olympics reaches the critical 100-day mark, Macron spoke to French broadcasters RMC and BFM TV inside the Grand Palais. While he reiterated his confidence in successfully hosting the ceremony on the Seine, he also acknowledged that alternative plans were under consideration due to potential security challenges.

“If we think there are security risks we’ll have Plan Bs, and even Plan Cs,” he said. “We are preparing them in parallel. We will do an analysis

Virat

AVisitors will now get the opportunity to click themselves with the former India captain’s wax figure at the wax museum

The 5 feet & 9 inches tall statue weighs 35 kg, the costumes for which have been designed by fashion designer Bodh Singh.

With this, the museum now has 45 wax figures, including those of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Subhas Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, Kalpana Chawla, Maharani Gayatri Devi, Amitabh Bachchan, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, and Mother Terresa among others.

in real time. We have a ceremony which would be limited to the Trocadero and which would therefore not cover the entire Seine.”

Macron also mentioned the possibility of relocating the ceremony to the Stade de France.

“This is what is traditionally done,” he added.

Toronto Raptors’ Porter banned for life from NBA for gambling

Toronto Raptors’ Jontay Porter was given a lifetime ban from the National Basketball Association on Wednesday for violating the league’s gambling policy. An NBA investigation found that Porter, a two-way player recently under contract with the Raptors, limited his own game participation to influence the outcome of one or more bets on his performance in at least one Raptors game.

In a March 20 game, Porter played only three minutes, claiming that he felt ill. The investigation found that prior to that game Porter disclosed confidential information about his own health status to an individual he knew to be an NBA bettor. Another individual

with whom Porter associated and knew to be an NBA bettor subsequently placed an $80,000 parlay proposition bet with an online sports book, to win $1.1 million, wagering that Porter would underperform in that game.

Due to the unusual betting activity and actions of the player, the $80,000 proposition bet was frozen and was not paid out.

In addition, from January through March 2024, while travelling with the Raptors or Raptors 905, the Raptors’ NBA G League affiliate, Porter placed at least 13 bets on NBA games using an associate’s online betting account, the investigation found. These bets ranged in size from $15 to $22,000, for a total of $54,094.

ICC CWCL2 series postponed to July due to adverse weather

The Men’s ICC CWCL2 series between Scotland, Namibia, and Oman, which was originally scheduled for May 2-12 at Forfarshire CC, has now been postponed to happen from July 16-26 at the same venue due to adverse weather, said Cricket Scotland on Wednesday. In a statement, Cricket Scotland said the decision to postpone the series has been taken following consultation and agreements between the three competing nations and the ICC.

Hosting the opening ceremony in the open urban space was a highly imaginative move by the Paris organizing committee and the local government. According to the current plan, about 10,500 athletes are expected to travel approximately six kilometers from east to west along the Seine, disembarking near the Eiffel Tower at Trocadero Square for the celebration. An estimated 300,000 spectators are anticipated to watch the event live from both sides of the river.

However, security has been a significant concern from the outset of planning. The increasing risk of potential terrorist attacks is a critical consideration for both the organizing committee and the French government. The Paris Olympics will take place between July 26 and August 11, followed by the Paris Paralympics from August 28 to September 8.

Mykolas Alekna breaks old world record in discus throw with 74.35m in Oklahoma

In the Olympic year, Lithuania’s Mykolas Alekna broke the longest-standing men’s world record, throwing an incredible 74.35m to smash the discus throw mark at the Oklahoma Throws Series meeting in Ramona, the United States.

That throw improved the world record of 74.08m set by Jurgen Schult in 1986 – 16 years before Alekna was born – and it formed part of a series of six 70m-plus throws by the 21-year-old on Sunday. The record will be ratified by World Athletics as per the usual procedure.

The Alekna family now has two of the three best men’s discus throwers in history, with two-time Olympic champion Virgilijus Alekna – the father of Mykolas – now placed third on the world all-time list with his 73.88m from 2000.

Mykolas Alekna’s performance came the day after Cuba’s Yaime Perez threw 73.09m in Ramona for the longest women’s discus throw in the world since 1989.

wax statue of ace India cricketer Virat Kohli was installed at the Jaipur Wax Museum on the occasion of World Heritage Day on Thursday.

housed in the Nahargarh Fort, said Anoop Srivastava, the Founder-Director of Jaipur Wax Museum.

Kohli’s statue installed at Jaipur Wax Museum on World Heritage Day

Sports

Mbappe scores as PSG cruise to Champions League semifinal

Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain advanced to the UEFA Champions League semifinal after a thrilling 4-1 second-leg win (6-4 on aggregate) over FC Barcelona on Tuesday night at Estadi Olompic Lluis Companys.

PSG recovered from a home defeat and falling two goals behind as Mbappe converted a penalty and struck a late clincher to seal their place in semifinals with a 4-1 second-leg victory. The Parisians got off to a challenging start, conceding the first goal of the match after Raphinha scored in the 12th minute to make it 1-0 and 4-2 on aggregate. Ronald Araujo handed Luis Enrique and his team a lifeline midway through the first half.

Araujo received a straight red card, leaving Barcelona with ten men for most of the match. PSG would take advantage of the situation with Ousmane Dembele scoring in the 40th minute to level the game 1-1, making it 4-3 on aggregate, Ligue 1 reports.

In the second half, PSG took advantage of playing with an extra man to turn the tie on its head. Vitinha scored in the 54th minute to level the scoring on aggregate at 4-4 as the Ligue 1 side took a 2-1 lead in the match. Dembele again haunted his former team as the 26-year-old won a penalty kick for the Parisians. Mbappe converted the chance in the 64th minute to give PSG a 3-1 lead in the contest and a 5-4 advantage on aggregate.

La Liga: El Clasico returns to new-look Santiago Bernabeu as Real Madrid host Barca

It’s El Clasico time in Spanish football and this time, the traditional rivals Real Madrid and FC Barcelona will meet on April 21 in a refurbished Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, which is a symbol of both the city of Madrid and of La Liga.

Since its inauguration in 1947, this venue has hosted so many hugely significant sporting events. The El Clasico has itself been played 101 times in this stadium, with 51 victories for Real Madrid, 28 for FC Barcelona and 22 draws. In addition, the Santiago Bernabéu has witnessed historic moments like Real Madrid’s legendary Champions League victories, the 1982 World Cup final and the 2018 Copa Libertadores final. In recent times, the stadium has undergone a thorough refurbishment that has completely transformed its exterior and interior.

The redeveloped home of Los Blancos has a capacity of more than 81,000 spectators and it can also host concerts and other major events. Besides the marquee clash between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona on April 21, there are many more things to look forward to.

In addition to being a football stadium, the renovated Santiago Bernabeu will help Real Madrid to make extra revenue, as the club has been working for some time on organizing other large-scale activities 365

days a year.

Among the most notable events already announced are the concerts that the international superstars Taylor Swift and Karol G will hold in this stadium in May and July respectively. In addition, Real Madrid recently confirmed that the Santiago Bernabéu will host a National Football League (NFL) game in 2025. With all these major changes and developments, the Santiago Bernabeu promises to become a benchmark for other sports venues internationally.

England and Kent legend

Derek Underwood dies aged 78

Derek Underwood, England and Kent’s greatest spinner has died at the age of 78. In 24 years of his domestic cricket playing for Kent, where he was born, Underwood claimed 2,523 wickets with an average of 19.04 in more than 900 first-class matches between 1963 and 1987. Underwood made his debut for Kent at the age of 17 and played all of his domestic matches for them only.

Underwood, also known by his nickname “Deadly,” was one of the first 55 people to be admitted into the International Cricket Council Hall of Fame when it opened for business in 2009. In addition to serving as president of the Marylebone Cricket Club in 2009, Underwood was granted an MBE in 1981. Underwood remains the sixth-highest wicket-taker for England in Test cricket, and also the top spinner, ahead of Graeme Swann (255). He played 26 matches in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) between 1973 and 1982, including two in the first World Cup in 1975, where he claimed 32 wickets at 22.93.

IOC calls for Olympic Truce as Flame lit in Ancient Olympia for Paris 2024

International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach and other IOC high officials called for world peace on Tuesday during the flame-lighting ceremony for the 2024 Paris Olympics in Ancient Olympia, Greece.

The Olympic Flame that will be burning for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games started its journey after being ignited at the birthplace of the Games in Ancient Olympia, on Tuesday during a traditional lighting ceremony. Actress Mary Mina, in the role of an ancient Greek High Priestess, lit the torch before the 2,500-year-old Temple of Hera, a goddess in ancient Greek mythology. She prayed to the Gods to bring peace to the world and help the French city host

HPCA installs India’s first-ever hybrid pitch for training at Dharamshala stadium

With their international cricket stadium set to host two Indian Premier League matches, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) is set to introduce SISGrass Hybrid Pitch Technology into their practice facilities. This move will ensure that the practice pitches are of top-notch quality, as traditional surfaces cannot withstand rigorous training schedules and tend to deteriorate quickly, limiting valuable practice opportunities for players.

a successful Games, reports Xinhua.

The Olympic Truce is a tradition originating from Ancient Greece that dates back to 776 BC. A “truce” was announced before and during the Olympic Games to ensure the host city state (Elis) was not attacked and athletes and spectators could travel safely to the Games and peacefully return to their respective countries.

In 1992, the IOC renewed this tradition by calling upon all nations to observe the Truce during the modern Games. The Truce was revived by United Nations Resolution 48/11 of 25 October 1993, as well as by the United Nations Millennium Declaration relating to world peace and security.

World champion Kento Momota announces retirement from badminton

Two-time world champion Kento Momota of Japan announced his retirement from international badminton on Thursday, marking the Thomas & Uber Cup Finals in Chengdu, China as his final tournament on the international circuit. Momota became the first Japanese man to win the world championship in 2018 in China and the following year he successfully defended his crown in Switzerland.

Friday, 19 April, 2024

Ranveer Singh, the latest Bollywood victim, advises fans: ‘deepfake se bacho doston’

Aday after his deepfake video went viral on the internet, criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi over unemployment and inflation, actor Ranveer Singh has reacted to it, saying, ‘’deepfake se bacho dostonnnn”. An AI-generated video of the ‘Band Baaja Baaraat’ actor shows him endorsing the Congress for the Lok Sabha polls.

The video is originally from the actor’s recent visit to Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, along with Kriti Sanon for Manish Malhotra’s fashion show at Namo Ghat.

In the deepfake video, we can hear Ranveer’s altered voice, saying, “Modi ji ka purpose yahi hai, unka uddesh yahi tha ki wo celebrate kare hamara dukhi jeevan, hamari berozgaari, or hamari mehengai ko. Kyunki jo bharatvarsh hai wo anyay kaal ki taraf aise badh rahe hain, itni speed se badh rahe hain, lekin hame hamare vikas or nyay ko maangna kabhi nahi bhoolna chahiye.”

Now, reacting on the same, the ‘Padmaavat’ actor took to social media and said: “Deepfake se bacho dostonnnn”.

However, fans took to the comment section and wrote: “Overacting se aap bacha lo”. Another user said: “None can fake true imposter”.

Iconic fashion designer Roberto Cavalli passes away at 83

The Bastian of flamboyant fashion, designer Roberto Cavalli, passed away at the age of 83 in his home in Florence, Italy last week. In a statement AFP the company stated, “It is with deep regret and a great sadness the Roberto Cavalli Maison participates in the passing of its founder Roberto Cavalli.”

From humble beginnings in Florence to a running one of the most successful Italian fashion houses, the designer was revered for his signature animal prints, unabashed sexy silhouettes and indulgent styles. The words flamboyance, glamour, sex appeal are associated with the designer who was a global fashion icon.

‘Brown Munde’ AP Dhillon makes Netizens furious by breaking his guitar on Coachella stage

Indian-origin Canadian musician A. P. Dhillon performed at the Coachella festival but as much as his music is celebrated, this time around, the singer-songwriter is receiving a lot of flak on the Internet following his performance.

On Monday, Dhillon took to his Instagram, and shared a video from his performance. In the video, the ‘Summer High’ hitmaker can be seen breaking his guitar as a part of his performance.

However, this act of A. P. Dhillon did not sit well with the netizens as they criticized him for what he did on stage. Internet users from India cited Indian values and said that although this is a part of rock culture where the guitarists break their guitars on stage after the performance, Dhillon being an Indian doing something like this is totally uncalled for.

One user wrote: “Respect the things which brought you to this stage. It’s completely your and your loss.”

Another user wrote, “Ban gaya cool (Did you become cool)?” A third user commented, “And you think doing this looked good?”.

Aamir Khan lodges FIR against Congress for alleged deep fake video used in poll ad

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, who was last seen in ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’, is taking action against a fake advertisement by a political party.

The actor has filed an FIR with Mumbai Police against a fake Congress advertisement. The said advertisement has a deep fake video of the Bollywood superstar created by artificial intelligence, and it targets the ruling BJP over their promise of Rs 15 lakh in the account of every citizen.

It is an alleged AI-generated deep fake video that uses a clip from an episode of the Aamir Khan-hosted TV show ‘Satyamev Jayate’, which was telecast 10 years ago. The official spokesperson of Aamir Khan has issued a statement saying that the actor has initiated legal action and has reported the matter to the authorities.

Entertainment

Amitabh Bachchan, A.R. Rahman to be conferred Mangeshkar family awards

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan shall be conferred the ‘Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar’ at a function scheduled in Mumbai on April 24, while music maestro A. R. Rahman shall be bestowed the ‘Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Award,’ next week, the organizers said.

The award is given by the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smruti Pratisthan, Pune, nurtured by the eminent Mangeshkar family, and shall be given away to Bachchan on his 82nd death anniversary, along with a musical tribute.

Earlier, the inaugural award was given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2022), followed by veteran singer Asha Bhosale (2023), for their path-breaking, spectacular and exemplary contributions to the country, its people and society.

Besides Bachchan and Rahman, the other prominent awardees in different categories are: ‘Ghalib’ as Best Marathi Play of the Year, NGO Deepstambh Foundation Manobal of Jalgaon, litterateur Manjiri Phadke, comedian Ashok Saraf, actress Padmini Kolhapure, singer Roopkumar Rathod, journalist S. B. Torsekar, actor Atul Parchure, producer-actor Randeep Hooda.

Brian Cox says he could have done ‘Napoleon’ better than Joaquin Phoenix

Actor Brian Cox wasn’t impressed with fellow actor Joaquin Pheonix’s performance in ‘Napoleon’. Cox didn’t mince words when talking about Phoenix’s performance, reports ‘People’ magazine. The ‘Succession’ star, 77, called Joaquin Phoenix’s performance as Napoleon Bonaparte in Ridley Scott’s biopic ‘Napoleon’ “terrible” during a conversation at the British Library in London. “It really is appalling,” said the Scottish actor of the “truly terrible performance by Joaquin Phoenix,” as reported by ‘The Standard’.

As per ‘People’, Phoenix, 49, played Napoleon Bonaparte in the Oscar-nominated historical drama directed by Scott and written by David Scarpa, released last November. The ‘Joker’ Oscar winner starred opposite Vanessa Kirby as Josephine de Beauharnais, Tahar Rahim as Paul Barras, Rupert Everett as Arthur Wellesley, and Ben Miles as Armand de Caulaincourt.

In his conversation with moderator Clive Myrie, titled ‘History on Stage and Screen’, Cox said of Napoleon’s lead role, “I would have played it a lot better than Joaquin Phoenix, I tell you that.” He also called the 1995 Best Picture Oscar winner ‘Braveheart’ as “a load of nonsense”, adding that directorstar Mel Gibson “was wonderful, but it’s a load of lies”.

Vicky has ‘never been so nervous’ as he was shooting in front of Sam Bahadur’s daughter

Vicky Kaushal has opened up about shooting the biographical war drama film ‘Sam Bahadur’ in front of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw’s daughter, Maya, expressing his fear and nervousness. Directed by Meghna Gulzar, Vicky portrays the first Field Marshal, Sam Manekshaw, in the movie.

Vicky, who appeared on the stage of ‘The Great Indian Kapil Show’, along with his brother Sunny Kaushal, shared an anecdote regarding the shoot of the movie.

The actor said: “When you get to play characters like this, the responsibility is huge. I met Sam Bahadur’s daughter Maya (aged between 75-80 years) multiple times to understand how he walked and spoke. We were shooting in Delhi, and I have never been so nervous in front of the camera.”

“Sam Bahadur’s daughter was watching the shot behind the camera. I was scared because I knew I would not dare to ask whether I did it right or not. I just knew that if in her eyes I saw that she did not like it, then my confidence would be shattered, and more than half the film

was left to be shot. But, I was very happy to see that she had tears in her eyes after watching the shot, and that boosted my confidence,” he shared.

Tarantino scraps his 10th film, ‘The Movie Critic’, with Brad Pitt

Legendary filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, who is known for ‘Pulp Fiction’, ‘Django Unchained’, ‘Reservoir Dogs’, and others, is not interested in making ‘The Movie Critic’, which he previously said would be his final directorial venture. The director has given the project a thumbs down, reports ‘Variety’.

‘The Movie Critic’ would have been Tarantino’s 10th feature film, but sources say he won’t be looking to rewrite the script or revive the project, instead making plans to move on to something new.

As per ‘Variety’, Brad Pitt had been cast in a lead role in the film. At one point, Tarantino had said the 1977-set film

was about a small-time movie critic who wrote smart reviews for a porn magazine. It was also rumored that Pitt would play some form of his ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’ character Cliff Booth, who in Tarantino’s novelization of the feature was a big movie buff.

The plan to film ‘The Movie Critic’ was moving along before Tarantino had a change of heart. In addition to casting Pitt, the production had secured a $20 million tax subsidy from the state of California.

It remains uncertain which project the auteur will pursue next, as he had also decided against an R-rated ‘Star Trek’ film in 2019, saying it was too big a project.

The ‘URI’ fame actor added: “For me, the biggest award is when a military film is approved by the military and they call out your performance.”

Prasanth Varma opens up on ‘Jai Hanuman’: A film to celebrate for a lifetime

Director Prasanth Varma, who received a lot of positive response to his film ‘HanuMan’, on the occasion of Ram Navami, has shared that the sequel to the film will be a cinematic piece to celebrate for a lifetime.

While the Teja Sajja-starrer ‘HanuMan’ saw phenomenal success, Prasanth had announced the sequel ‘Jai Hanuman’ in January on the occasion of Ram Mandir’s inauguration. Lord Hanuman made a promise to Lord Ram at the end of the ‘HanuMan’ movie.

Prasanth has promised to make ‘Jai Hanuman’ a global experience.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

Hamas rejects ceasefire: Antisemites and their ‘useful idiots’ will blame Israel

By: Dr. Richard L. Benkin

On April 9, 2024, Hamas rejected yet another Israeli ceasefire proposal. After many days of over the top anti-Israel rhetoric by US President Joe Biden and his administration, Israel yet again modified its proposal. US CIA Director William Burns presented it to Qatari and Egyptian negotiators, who represent Hamas, which will not talk directly with Israel. As has been the case in the past, in exchange for 40 hostages, Israel has offered to release hundreds of prisoners from Hamas and other terrorist organizations currently in Israeli prisons for terrorist acts. For the first time, Israel has agreed that some of those prisoners would be released despite their convictions for murdering Israelis. In addition to the prisoner swap, Israel unilaterally offered a six week ceasefire, the longest offered in any negotiations. They did so, even though it would allow Hamas to rearm and regroup, which would cause the deaths of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers.

Yet, while US President Biden and others claim that their concern is the safety of millions of Palestinians, they are not acting in any way to help them. Prior to Biden’s anti-Israel rhetoric, Israel already had undertaken unprecedented steps to minimize civilian casualties. And they have worked. Contrary to the false information spread by anti-Israel and antisemitic partisans, more humanitarian aid is and has been getting to the Gaza Strip than ever before. Israelis drop leaflets in population centers warning civilians—and not incidentally, Hamas as well—that they will attack certain areas, giving civilians the opportunity to flee, often with the help of Israeli forces. And again not incidentally, it enables Hamas operatives and leaders in disguise to escape with them. Even the UN, certainly NOT an organization that likes Israel, has calculated that likely civilian to military deaths in urban warfare should be about 9.5 to 1. In the Soviet Union’s war against Afghanistan, in which most fighting was not in urban areas, the ratio of Afghan civilians to military killed was almost ten to one. In World War II, it was about two and two thirds to one. While in Gaza, using unverified Hamas numbers of total dead, the ratio is about two Palestinian civilian deaths to one military.

Moreover, not all those civilians are innocent. There is extensive video proof of large swaths of the Palestinian population in Gaza, swarming the streets to celebrate the October 7 atrocities against Israel. And we need to be clear that they were atrocities, and contrary to all the rules of law their supporters claim Israel is not following. October 7 involved directed attacks against peaceful civilians, both ground attacks against families in their homes and young people at a concert, as well as missile attacks on Israeli civilians, including schools; and unlike Hamas and Hezbollah, Israel does not locate its military assets among civilians. There was atrocious rape and sexual assault that continued even in captivity; mutilation;

the abduction of babies — babies that Hamas now uses as bargaining chips while their families are not being told if they are alive or dead. Israel requested that information, and Hamas turned them down flat to prolong the psychological torture. Some hostages since released have testified that Palestinian civilians — not Hamas terrorists — abducted them on October 7, 2023, and sold them to Hamas. Yes, that’s right sold them because their own official, written material and their media do not consider Jews equally human.

But even if we accept that many Palestinian civilians are free of blame, protecting them has little or nothing to do with the demands of Biden and the Israel hating crowd. There really is nothing else that Israel can do, no further concessions other than a complete surrender that leaves Hamas in charge. And for anyone who knows the Middle East, that will be hyped as a Hamas victory and insure more atrocities like October 7, 2023. Can Israel or any other nation be expected to agree to that? If Biden and the Israel-haters really gave a rat’s behind about Palestinian civilians, they would be pressuring Hamas to accept a deal that Burns said was a “good one” that they should accept. This is something the US can do since it holds a lot of leverage with Hamas’s representative in the talks, Qatar. Why aren’t any of them demanding that Egypt dismantle the wall it built on the border with Gaza, explicitly to prevent Palestinians from leaving Gaza for safety and temporary, refugee status? They complain that Palestinian civilians have no place to go, but they do. Or they would if Egypt did not block them from seeking

safety from an active war zone. Unfortunately, none of this is anything new. For instance, a range of people running the gamut from outright antisemites to Islamists to leftists to those who simply know little and like it that way; say that the poor Palestinians just want their own state in what is now called the West Bank and Gaza Strip. But they conveniently forget that at any time between 1948 when the British left and the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel had nothing to do with those areas. They were under complete Arab control. Jordan occupied the West Bank; Egypt occupied Gaza. Yet, Palestinians never even asked for it and nowhere in their charters and other documents even mentioned it as their desire. Did they send terrorists into those territories? No. Did they send terrorists into the occupying powers, Jordan and Egypt? No again. But they did launch regular terrorist, Mujahedeen, attacks against Israel. Yes. Their desire is the elimination of Israel and Jews, not a state on the West Bank and Gaza. This is why I have for years referred to Kashmir as India’s West Bank. Even today, the same terrorists make a big deal out of India nullifying Article 370 but make no mention of how almost the entire Kashmiri Pandit population was killed or expelled. And they can count on the same fact adverse people to join in their reflexive anti-India and anti-Modi propaganda, just like they can count on reflexive anti-Israel and anti-Netanyahu propaganda.

Sadly, even if we take Joe Biden at his word and believe that he really is doing this because he cares about Palestinian civilians, and not because he has to placate his political left to have any chance of electoral victory; his actions actually hurt those civilians. I was in Bharat on October 7, 2023, and a few

days later, a top Israeli official warned, “that it’s easy to be with Israel when we’re the victims….you need to be with us when we’re the victors.” In other words, just as Hamas did, he knew that the weak-kneed West would waver as soon as Hamas and its allies started sending out pictures of the dead civilians. It did not matter that those who died did so only because Hamas deliberately put them in jeopardy by locating their forces in civilian areas. As a result, Hamas has been unwilling to compromise, especially after watching Biden — President of Israel’s closest ally — go out of his way to criticize Israel and threaten “consequences” if Israel does not, in effect, surrender. We saw this with Israel’s greatest friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under his UPA predecessors, as long as India took their orders from Europe, Pakistan and the terrorists it shelters attacked India with impunity. Modi, on the other hand, made it clear first with words then action that those days were over. And the terrorism stopped almost completely. In fact, when I was in India, people told me that Israel is fighting the same enemy as India is. And as if to prove their point, a few days after October 7, Indian security broke up an ISIS sleeper cell inside India.

The terrorist calculation changed once India did what it needed to do on Kashmir, without interference from allies. Now, for the good of all people in and out of the region, let Israel finish its job.

Shree Jalaram Mandir Hoffman Estate holds an electrifying basketball tournament

By Jayanti Oza

Shree Jalaram Mandir organized an electrifying Basketball tournament on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at Hanover Park, Park District. There were more than 65 players participating in the tournament which started at 10am and went on until 3pm.

Out of the total 12 teams participating in the tournament, two teams bagged the first position and two teams secured the second position.

Shree Jalaram Mandir also organizes various other events for the mandir’s school going youth to keep them engaged and entertained.

Picture by Jayanti Oza

Exploring the Mahamrityunjay Mantra: Embracing Liberation, Protection, and Healing

In the expansive realm of Vedic wisdom, the Mahamrityunjay mantra stands as a profound invocation, offering solace and guidance amidst the mystery of mortality. Rooted in ancient texts like the Rigveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda, this sacred chant is also known as the Rudra Mantra or Tryambakam Mantra for its transformative power and deep significance.

The Essence of the Mantra

The Mahamrityunjay mantra, with its Sanskrit verses, resonates with deep symbolism and meaning:

Û Â¹f¸¶fIÔY ¹fþf¸fWXZ Àfb¦fd³²fÔ ´fbdáU²fʳf¸f| CXUfSXÊbIYd¸fU ¶f³²f³ff³¸fÈ°¹fû¸fbÊÃfe¹f ¸ffÚ¸fÈ°ff°f

Breaking down the mantra: Maha (great) Mrutyu (death) Jay (victory): Invoke victory over death.

Om: The primordial, sacred sound of the universe.

Tryambakam: The three-eyed one, symbolizing Lord Shiva.

Yajamahe: We worship.

Sugandhim: Fragrance like incense.

Pushtivardhanam: Nourishes and sustains vitality.

Urvaarukamiva: Like a gourd or cucumber.

Bandhanaat: Liberation from bondage.

Mrityormuksheeya: Freedom from death.

Ma amritaat: Not from immortality. Meaning and Symbolism

“We worship the three-eyed One, who is fragrant and who nourishes all. Like a gourd organically detaches itself from the bondage of the stem, may we be liberated from death, and realize our immortal selves.”

The mantra invokes reverence to Lord Shiva, embodying timeless consciousness and transcendence, reflecting a profound aspiration to transcend the fear of death and attain spiritual liberation.

Significance and Benefits

The Mahamrityunjay mantra is celebrated as one of the most powerful

and ancient healing mantras, believed to conquer death and grants inner peace, strength, and prosperity to its chanters. Alongside the revered Gayatri mantra, it holds utmost importance among countless mantras used for contemplation, selfrealization, and meditation.

Chanting The Mantra: Rituals & Benefits

Chanting the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is revered for transformative effects on well-being:

Correct Pronunciation: Learn and recite the mantra accurately, understanding its 32 syllables and deep symbolism.

Timing & Rituals: Ideal for early mornings and specific life events.

Frequency: Daily recitation fosters health, prosperity, and spiritual well-being.

Devotional Practices: Use Rudraksha mala for counting repetitions and enhance vibrational impact with rituals like applying chandan.

Benefits & Spiritual Significance:The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is celebrated for the following myriad benefits.

Eliminating Fear: Dispels obstacles, fears, and challenges, offering protection from uncertainties.

Prosperity & Clarity: Bestows prosperity, peace, and clarity, aiding in decision-making.

Health & Healing: Promotes physical and mental well-being, aiding in disease prevention.

Spiritual Liberation: Known as the “Moksha mantra,” it liberates from cycles of birth and death, fostering spiritual evolution.

Ancient Wisdom & Eternal Reverence Rooted in Vedic scriptures, the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra resonates as a timeless beacon of hope and transformation, unlocking profound blessings and divine protection.

Embrace Divine Grace Through sacred practice, invite the boundless grace of Lord Shiva into life. The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra illuminates the path to spiritual liberation, healing, and eternal blessings, transcending mortal fears to embrace divine protection and inner harmony.

Chicago Kali Bari Temple to host Thumri Concert, raise funds to support its mission of spiritual enlightenment

The Chicago Kali Bari Temple is set to host its inaugural fundraising event, a Thumri Concert, on April 28, 2024, at the Glenbard South High School Main Auditorium in Glen Ellyn, IL. This event marks a significant step for the temple in raising funds to support its mission of spiritual enlightenment and cultural celebration within the Hindu diaspora in the Chicagoland area and the US Midwest.

Established in 2018, the Chicago Kali Bari Temple, also known as the Chicago Kali House of

Spirituality & Worship (CKB), aims to share and encourage spiritual enlightenment while fostering peace and unity among its congregation. Inspired by his late mother, Nihar Kana Chakroborty, Founder Ram Chakroborty embarked on this journey to create a sanctuary for spiritual growth and cultural preservation.

The temple has quickly established a presence within the Hindu diaspora in the Chicagoland area, serving as a place of worship and cultural celebration. It aims to build a holistic house of spirituality and worship where all are welcome to enhance their spiritual lives through meditation and guidance.

The Temple strives to be a place where our youth can gather, to listen, to question, and to continue and incorporate cultural ideals and heritage in their daily life forwards.

The upcoming Thumri Concert represents an opportunity for the Chicago Kali Bari Temple to raise funds towards its vision of providing a dedicated space for spiritual exploration and cultural festivities.

The Thumri Concert will feature renowned artists Kaushiki Chakraborty, a classical artist, and Ambi Subrmaniam, a violinist, promising an evening of captivating musical performances.

The event will take place at the Glenbard South High School Main Auditorium, located at 23W200 Butterfield Rd, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137, starting at 5PM, CDT.

Chicago Kali Bari Temple invites all members of the community to join this event and contribute towards the growth of a vibrant cultural and spiritual hub within the Chicagoland area.

For more information about the Chicago Kali Bari Temple and the upcoming Thumri Concert, please visit Chicago Kali Bari at 2s511 IL Route 53, Glen Ellyn IL 60137, USA

Email: Info@chicagokalibari.com

www.facebook.com/chicagokalibari

Growing businesses need cash flow. We can help.

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

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

Benefits to Business

Benefits to Business

• Longer amortization allows for lower loan payments

Size of Loans

• Longer amortization allows for lower loan payments

• No future balloon payment (fully amortizing loan)

Size of Loans

• Up to $5 million

• No future balloon payment (fully amortizing loan)

• Non-collateral dependent loans available

• Non-collateral dependent loans available

• Closing costs can be included in loan

• Closing costs can be included in loan

Typical Customers/Use of Funds

Typical Customers/Use of Funds

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

• Up to $5 million

Terms of Loans

Terms of Loans

• Up to 25 years for real estate debt

• Up to 25 years for real estate debt

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

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

• Construction Loans—up to 90% financing available

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

Interest Rates

• Construction Loans—up to 90% financing available

• Franchise financing

• Franchise financing

• Business acquisitions

• Business acquisitions

• Insurance Agency Acquisitions

• Insurance Agency Acquisitions

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

Interest Rates

• Variable and fixed rate options

Loan Fees

• Variable and fixed rate options

Loan Fees

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

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

• Line of credit restructuring

• Line of credit restructuring

• Lease refinancing

• Lease refinancing

• Business Expansion Loans

• Business Expansion Loans

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

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

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

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Bloated stomach? Here’s what nutritionists want you to know

Abloated stomach is not only uncomfortable but can also significantly impact one’s daily life and overall well-being. It’s a common ailment, often accompanied by feelings of fullness, tightness, and sometimes pain. While occasional bloating can be attributed to certain dietary indiscretions or lifestyle factors, persistent or severe bloating may indicate an underlying health issue that warrants attention and care.

This comprehensive guide delves into the intricacies of bloated stomachs, exploring the causes, and practical strategies to alleviate discomfort and promote digestive health.

Understanding the Causes: Bloated stomachs can stem from a myriad of factors, ranging from dietary choices to medical conditions. Some common causes include:

4Poor Dietary Habits: Consuming large meals or foods rich in fat, fiber, or artificial sweeteners can exacerbate bloating by delaying digestion and causing gas buildup. Eating hastily, chewing gum, or consuming carbonated drinks introduces excess air into the digestive tract, further contributing to abdominal discomfort and distention.

4Food Intolerances: Individuals with lactose intolerance, gluten sensitivity,

or other food intolerances may suffer bloating due to their body’s inability to properly digest certain substances. Consuming trigger foods such as dairy products for those with lactose intolerance or gluten-containing grains for those with gluten sensitivity can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, including bloating.

4Digestive Disorders: Conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can disturb digestive function, leading to bloating. In IBS, abdominal pain and altered bowel habits accompany bloating. In IBD, inflammation in the digestive tract causes bloating along with diarrhea or constipation. GERD, characterized by acid reflux, can also contribute to bloating and discomfort.

4Fluid Retention: Hormonal fluctuations, like those experienced during menstruation or pregnancy, can lead to fluid retention and bloating. Excessive sodium intake can disrupt the body’s fluid balance, causing bloating. Additionally, certain medications, such as corticosteroids or hormone-based contraceptives, may contribute to fluid retention and bloating as a side effect. Managing sodium intake and consulting healthcare professionals can help mitigate bloating associated with these factors.

4Stress: Psychological stress triggers the release of stress hormones, which can disrupt the gut-brain axis and lead to bloating. Stress alters gut motility and increases sensitivity to gastrointestinal discomfort. This can exacerbate bloating symptoms, as the gut and brain communicate bi-directionally.

Practical Strategies for Relief:

Nutritionists advocate for holistic approaches to managing bloated stomachs, emphasizing the following:

4Mindful Eating: Adopting mindful eating practices, such as chewing food thoroughly, eating slowly, and paying attention to hunger and fullness cues, can aid digestion and reduce bloating.

4Balanced Diet: Prioritize a balanced diet rich in whole foods, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats while minimizing processed foods, sugary snacks, and drinks.

4Hydration: Adequate hydration is essential for optimal digestion. Aim to drink plenty of water throughout the day, while limiting intake of sugary or caffeinated beverages.

4Identify Trigger Foods: Keep a food diary to identify potential trigger foods that exacerbate bloating symptoms. Common culprits include dairy products, gluten-containing grains, cruciferous vegetables, and legumes.

4Manage Stress: Practice stressreduction techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, or mindfulness to alleviate gastrointestinal distress associated with stress.

4Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes: Consider incorporating probiotic-rich foods or supplements and digestive enzymes to support gut health and promote digestion.

4Seek Professional Guidance: If bloating persists or is accompanied by severe symptoms, consult a healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalized assessment and management.

Gentleman it's time to paint the town red

Dressing to impress? Consider these style tips on how some of the trendiest men in the entertainment industry make an impression with a bold colour like red.

Look like the hottest new thing in town, this boy next door look works with a red shirt worn over a basic white t-shirt and pants.

Nick Jonas

Pop icon fashion means head to toe red, pair an all red outfit with plenty of jewelry and accessories to ace the look.

Wearing a red suit will makes a formal impression like no other.

Look all spiffy by opting for a sporty suit teamed over a red shirt and casual sneakers.

Ayushmann Khurrana

Go retro like Ayushmann and pair a bright red shirt with a graphic pattern along with a highwaisted jeans oozing oomph and style.

Rohit Saraf

Rajkummar Rao

Sidharth Malhotra

Varun Dhawan Varun’s colorful and stylish outfit, includes a faded denim jacket in red, white t-shirt, and a trendy pair of sneakers.

Beauty & Fashion

As the weather changes, we change our skincare regime as per it. During summers, our primary focus is on sunscreens and hydration of the skin and as the winter starts our focus shifts to the moisturizers. With the change in season, our skin reacts differently. In the same way, our scalp and hair also react differently with every change in a season.

Just like the skincare regime, our hair care routine needs to be changed as per the changing seasons. Some of us do not pay heed to changing hair care routines with the change in seasons, whereas those who want to change it don’t get the correct methods to change. Change of seasons can make the hair and scalp dry, sweaty, and itchy and can lead to dandruff and hair fall. Let’s find out which hair care tips we need to change with an expert guide from Dr. Blossom Kochhar, Chairperson of Blossom Kochhar Group of Companies.

Diet Full of Nutrition: Having a diet full of all the nutrients can help the scalp and hair. Change in season also changes our diet, which can be another factor that can damage hair. Improve the diet also as the season changes. Add seasonal fruits and vegetables to the diet, monitor the protein intake and stay hydrated. A nutritious diet not only helps hair health but can also prove to be an immense privilege for overall health and well-being.

Oil Care in Every Season: Apply oil to the scalp and hair in every season. It is the one factor that should not be changed or stopped in any season. Apply oil from the roots to the ends at least once or twice a week. Massaging the scalp with oil increases blood circulation, which brings sufficient nutrients to it and makes the scalp nourished and healthy. The oil we use for hair should always be the same. A good massage can increase blood circulation, relax the nerves and stimulate hair follicles improving the strength and texture of hair.

Keep Hair and Scalp Clean and Healthy: Change in season can make the scalp or hair either dry, oily or both. During a season comprising hot and humid weather, our scalp is usually oily because of excessive sebum secretion and sweating. The hair gets dry due to sun exposure and heat. Whereas seasons containing dry and cold weather, make both scalp and hair dry. So, whenever there is a change in the season, keep the scalp and hair clean and moisturized. Use shampoo and conditioner at least thrice a week. Both should be mild and made with natural ingredients free of parabens, petrochemicals, phthalates, sulphates, toxic ingredients, artificial coloring, and fragrances.

Time to Time Hair Trimming: Hair trimming improves the hair’s health and texture by removing split-ends, and breakage and makes the hair look heavier and healthier. Every 3 to 4 months, hair trimming is suggested, but it depends on the growth and condition of the hair.

Stop Heat Treatment to Hair: Avoid using heat hair tools as much as possible, especially during the changing season. It is the time when hair is the most sensitive. Heat can affect the hair and its strength adversely. It can make the hair brittle, and dry and can lead to severe hair fall. Also, use warm water to rinse hair. Normal-temperature water and lukewarm water during winter should be used to rinse hair.

hair care routine with changing seasons Transitioning