Edition 14

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Ex-FBI informant charged with lying about Joe Biden and his son

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Friday, 16 February, 2024

VOL: 01 • ISSUE: 15

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he U.S. special counsel leading a criminal probe into President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, said a former FBI informant was charged with lying about the pair’s alleged involvement in business dealings with Ukrainian energy company Burisma Holdings. In a statement on Thursday, Special Counsel David Weiss, said a federal grand jury had indicted Alexander Smirnov, 43, on charges of making a “false statement” and “creating a false and fictitious record” in relation to an FBI probe. Smirnov faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison if convicted. Burisma and Hunter Biden’s role at the company have been heavily scrutinized, following unproven claims from Republican former President Donald Trump and others that Democrat Joe Biden improperly tried to help his son’s business interests in Ukraine. The White House has denied the claims.

See Pg. 02

16 FEBRUARY 2024

MIDWEST EDITION www.indoustribune.com We serve community first

Concerns mount over rising violence against Indians in US, White House says ‘working very hard’ to address the issue IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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sserting that there is no excuse for violence based on race or gender, the White House has said that the US is working very hard to thwart and disrupt attacks on Indians as well as Indian-origin students. A series of attacks beginning this year has put the focus back on the security and safety of the Indian students across the country which has witnessed more than four deaths from the community. “There’s no excuse for violence, certainly based on race or gender or religion or any other factor. That’s just unacceptable here in the United States,” John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House, said on Thursday. Allaying the fears of parents in India as well as in the US, Kirby said President Joe Biden and his administration are working “very hard”

to address the situation.

they’ll be held properly accountable,” Kirby said in response to a question.

“The President and this administration have been working very, very hard to make sure we’re doing everything we can to work with state and local authorities to try to thwart and disrupt those kinds of attacks and make it clear to anybody who might consider them that

Kirby’s statement comes amid numerous reports of attacks on and deaths of Indianorigin students in different parts of America since January 2024.

See Pg. 03

PM After ‘positive’ discussion, Centre-farmers to Celebrating Modi’s visit, Burj hold fourth round of meeting on February 18 Khalifa lit up with Indian Tricolor

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ven as protesting farmers from Punjab continued to camp near different locations on the inter-state boundaries with Haryana on Thursday, another round of meetings between farmer representatives and Union Ministers would be now held on February 18, after ‘positive’ discussions were held between Centre-farmers in the meeting concluded on the intervening night of Thursday-Friday. The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and the Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) — the two umbrella bodies of around 200 farmers’ and farm laborer unions — had given the call for the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march as they planned to lay siege to the national capital to press for fulfillment of their demands. The third round of meetings in which according to Union ministers and farmer leaders a ‘positive’ discussion ended late at night in Chandigarh. Union Ministers Arjun Munda, Piyush Goyal and Nityanand Rai and farmer leaders Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher were among those who participated in the meeting. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also attended the meeting. After the first two meetings remained inconclusive, this was the third meeting between the farmer leaders and the Centre. After the meeting, in which deliberation over farmers’ demands, including giving a legal guarantee to the Minimum Support

Price (MSP) was held, Union Minister Arjun Munda said the meeting between the government and farmers was held in a very cordial manner in which positive deliberation took place. “Taking cognizance of the issues that were highlighted by the farmers it has been decided to convene next meeting on February 18. Together, we will find a solution peacefully,” he said. On their third day of protest, farmers in huge numbers continued to camp at other inter-state boundaries with Haryana including Shambu-Ambala and KhanauriJind and there were no reports of a clash between the police personnel and farmers. Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal

said “...Elaborate discussions were held surrounding MSP, loan waiver, etc, which were positive. Now, another round of meeting has been fixed for Sunday (Feb 18),” he said. Farmers would continue camp at boundaries with Haryana till the next meeting. Earlier, addressing a press conference at the Shambhu border, Sarwan Singh Pandher showed tear gas shells, alleging paramilitary personnel deputed by Harayna were using force against farmers, injuring many farmers. Mr. Pandher said smoke cell air bursts and smoke cell ground bursts were being used against farmers.

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heathed in the hues of the Indian Tricolor, Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa was lit up with the words ‘Guest of Honor – Republic of India’ ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s keynote address at the 2024 World Governments Summit held in the emirate on Wednesday. Modi was on a two-day visit to the UAE, his seventh in ten years, to deepen bilateral relations and inaugurate the BAPS Mandir, the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. The Burj Khalifa was last lit up with the Indian Tricolor on India’s 77th Independence Day on August 15, 2023 with the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ playing in the background.


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Friday, 16 February, 2024

Russian opposition leader Navalny dies in prison IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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ussia’s most significant opposition leader for the past decade, Alexei Navalny, has died in prison inside the Arctic Circle, the prison service said, the media reported. Seen as President Vladimir Putin’s most vociferous critic, Navalny was serving a 19-year jail term for offences widely considered politically motivated. He was moved to an Arctic penal colony, considered one of the toughest jails, late last year, BBC reported. The prison service in the Yamalo-Nenets district said he had “felt unwell” after a walk on Friday. He had “almost immediately lost consciousness”, it said in a statement, adding that an emergency medical team had immediately been called and tried to resuscitate him but without success. “The emergency doctors declared the prisoner dead. Cause of death is being established,” BBC reported. Navalny’s lawyer Leonid Solovyov told Russian media he would not be commenting yet. In early December he had disappeared from a prison in the Vladimir region, where he was serving a 30-year sentence on extremism and fraud charges that he had called political retribution for leading the anti-Kremlin opposition of the 2010s. He did not expect to be released during Putin’s lifetime, The Guardian reported.

Ex-FBI informant charged with lying about Joe Biden and his son Contd. from Pg. 01 Smirnov was arrested on Wednesday at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, after his arrival in the U.S. from overseas, Weiss said. It was not immediately clear whether Smirnov had an attorney. The indictment unsealed on Thursday appeared to deal a blow to the Republican accusations that the U.S. president profited from his son’s business in Ukraine. “For months we have warned that Republicans have built their conspiracies about Hunter and his family on lies told by people with political agendas, not facts,” Hunter Biden’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, said in a statement. “We were right and the air is out of their balloon.” In December, the Republicancontrolled U.S. House of Representatives voted to formally authorize an ongoing impeachment inquiry into the U.S. president. Some Republicans at the time referenced Hunter Biden’s prior role at Burisma to say they were “mighty suspicious of folks from the president’s family making tens of millions of dollars in professions in which they had no experience.” Separately, a source said on Thursday that Robert Hur, the U.S. prosecutor who produced a politically explosive report that raised questions about Joe Biden’s memory will testify in March to a House committee playing a lead role in the chamber’s impeachment inquiry into the president.

PM Modi discusses range of issues with Emir of Qatar in Doha IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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rime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, at the latter’s palace in Doha. An official said that Prime Minister Modi was given a ceremonial welcome at the Amiri Palace on arrival. Thereafter, both sides held delegation-level talks. The discussions covered a wide array of topics, including economic cooperation, investment, energy partnership, space collaboration, urban infrastructure, cultural bonds and people-to-people ties. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues. PM Modi thanked the Emir for taking care of the over eight lakh-strong Indian community in Qatar, and conveyed India’s commitment to further expand and deepen bilateral cooperation with Qatar. He also invited the Emir to pay an early visit to India. Sheikh Tamim, on his part, reciprocated Prime Minister Modi’s sentiments and expressed appreciation for India’s role as a valued partner in the Gulf region.

“An exceptional welcome in Doha! Grateful to the Indian diaspora,” the PM posted on X along with pictures of him being greeted by Indian community members. He said in an earlier statement that the presence of the strong Indian community in Doha is “a testament to our strong people-to-people ties”. The External Affairs Ministry said that the PM held “a fruitful meeting” with the Qatari PM with their discussions covering expanding bilateral cooperation in sectors such as trade & investment, energy, and finance among others.

is timely as it comes just after the release of eight ex-Indian Navy personnel who were sentenced to death on espionage charges by Qatar last year. They were employees of the Doha-based company Dahra Global and were taken into custody in August 2022. They were identified as Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, and Sailor Rajesh.

Modi also met the Indian diaspora in Qatar and said that he is “grateful” to the community as he arrived in Doha after concluding a whirlwind two-day trip to the UAE.

Bilateral trade between India and Qatar currently stands at roughly $20 billion, and Qatar is also a significant investor in India across a whole range of economies. The visit

The appellate court in Qatar in December last year commuted their death sentence to imprisonment ranging between three years and 25 years.

Tulsi Gabbard ‘open’ to talks on running as Trump’s mate, discusses foreign policy IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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ussian President Vladimir Putin, under fire from US President Joe Biden and NATO allies for Ukraine invasion, shocked the world, saying “A Biden Presidency in the US is better for Russia”.

indu-American Tulsi Gabbard, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, has spoken to Republican frontrunner Donald Trump and his advisors about the country’s foreign policy, keeping her options as the former President’s 2024 running mate ‘open’, media reports suggested.

“A Joe Biden presidency would be better for Russia than a Donald Trump one, Russian President Vladimir Putin told pro-Kremlin journalist Pavel Zarubin in an on-camera interview Wednesday, CNN reported.

The first Hindu in the US Congress left the Democratic Party in 2022, calling it an “elitist cabal of warmongers” and accusing its leadership of “cowardly wokeness”. Now, with the country likely set for a Trump-Joe Biden rematch in 2024, the talks with Gabbard focused on how the Defence Department should be run in case of a second Trump term, The Washington Post reported. Also, with Trump telling his advisors and donors time and again that his personnel choices at the Pentagon cost him, there were broader conversations on how Trump 2.0 would manage things differently. A military veteran, who served in the Iraq war between 2004 and 2005 for the Hawaii Army National Guard before entering Congress, Gabbard has long been critical of US intervention overseas and has also blamed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Biden’s failed foreign policy. “She appeals to Republicans who are skeptical of intervention overseas, which is now a majority of Republican voters,” GOP strategist Andrew Surabian told Newsweek. While appearing on Fox News’ Fox & Friends recently, the former Hawaii representative said she would be “open” to a

Putin says Biden presidency better for Russia than Trump

conversation with Trump on running as his 2024 running mate. “I’d be open to that conversation. My mission in life is to serve our country and serve the American people and find the best way to be able to do that,” Gabbard said. Gabbard recently inked a deal with Elon Musk to host a show on X to “defend free speech”, saying she will be sharing stories of those whose “voices have been silenced”. Trump, bulldozing his way to grab the crucial GOP nomination for the 2024 presidential race, is yet to announce his vicepresidential pick. While media speculation throws up several candidates, Trump has said very little about whom he or she he has shortlisted or even what qualities he’s looking for in a potential candidate, media reports said.

Putin said Biden would be better for Russia “because he is a more experienced person, he is predictable, he is a politician of an old formation.” However, he added that Russia would “work with any leader of the US that gains the trust of the American people.” Putin also said to judge actions of the current administration in the US, one should look at its “political position”. “I believe that the position of the current administration is extremely harmful and erroneous,” Putin said in a reference to Russia’s war in Ukraine. According to Putin, that war “could have been over a year and a half ago” if agreements during a meeting in Istanbul in March 2022 were kept. Putin did not specify which agreements he was referring to. The Russian president said he regretted that he “didn’t start active actions in Ukraine earlier” than February 2022, claiming that Western leaders had lied to Russia about “not expanding NATO to the East.”


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Friday, 16 February, 2024

Judge sets date for Trump’s New York trial; Atlanta case clouded by tawdry allegations against prosecutor matters. In the Washington case accusing Trump of trying to overturn the election result, Federal Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is hearing set the trial date for March 4, but that hinges on a challenge by Trump to the Supreme Court.

By: Arul Louis, IANS

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state judge has ordered former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial on alleged hush money payments to start on March 25 -- in the middle of the Republican Party primaries -- while in Atlanta, uncertainty over the prosecutor’s conduct clouded the timeline of a case charging him with election interference.

It will have to adjudicate Trump’s claim that as he was the President on that day, he has immunity in the case. If the court does not summarily dismiss the appeal and takes it up for hearings, the federal case will be on hold till it is resolved. That case charges Trump with instigating the January 6, 2021 riots during which his supporters overran the Capitol to prevent Congress from approving President Joe Biden’s election.

Justice Juan Merchan of the New York State Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed Trump’s attempts to have the charges thrown out and denied requests to have the trial start later. Trump faces 34 charges, including that he falsified business records to cover up payments to porn star Stormy Daniels to silence her after she alleged that she had an affair with him. The trial is scheduled to start a week before the primary elections in New York and four other states with 17 more to follow and Trump’s lawyer asserted that it amounted to “election interference” because he would be spending time preparing for the case instead of campaigning. Outside the courtroom, Trump said, “They want to keep me nice and busy so I can’t campaign so hard”. With less than nine months to the presidential elections, Trump is snared in a web of local and federal cases involving about 90 charges including attempts to overthrow the 2020 election result, election interference, defamation, fraud and violation of official secrets laws. Meanwhile, he has to face primaries and

caucuses, the intraparty elections to pick the Republican Party nominee for president, before the party’s convention in mid-July that will formalize the nomination which he is assured of, despite a continuing challenge from Nikki Haley, a one-time member of his cabinet. On Thursday in Georgia state’s Atlanta, a tawdry courtroom scene unfolded over allegations that the local prosecutor who brought charges of election interference against Trump was involved in a romantic relationship with one of the lawyers she hired to prosecute the case. If it is established that the prosecutor Fani Willis was involved with the lawyer, Nathan Wade, who had received payments of about $650,000 for the case before he was hired,

Concerns mount over rising violence against Indians in US, White House says ‘working very hard’ to address the issue Contd. from Pg. 01 In the latest such incident, Vivek Taneja, a 41-year-old Indian-origin executive, died in the United States after he was assaulted during an altercation outside a restaurant in Washington. He had reportedly gotten into a verbal spat with an unknown man. The fight had turned physical and Taneja had been knocked to the ground following which he hit his head on the pavement. He died of his injuries in the hospital. Earlier in January, Vivek Saini, a 25-yearold Indian-origin graduate was hammered to death by a homeless drug addict in Georgia state’s Lithonia city. In the horrifying incident that was caught on camera, Saini, who was working as a part-time clerk at a

store, was struck nearly 50 times on the head with a hammer. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that the welfare of Indian students abroad is one of the foremost priorities of the government. Indian students constitute more than 25 percent of the over one million foreign students studying in the US, according to a November 2023 Open Doors report. The number of Indians who travelled to the US for higher education increased by 35 percent and resulted in an all-time high of 2,68,923 students in the academic year 2022-23, the report said. Last year, the US consular team in India issued over 140,000 student visas -- more than in any other country in the world, setting a record for the third year in a row.

it could amount to a conflict of interest and lead to her being ordered off the case. If that happens, another prosecutor would have to take up the case, delaying the trial. The allegations against Willis were brought up by a lawyer for one of Trump’s co-defendants in the election interference case charging him and others with trying to overturn the state’s election result. Both Willis and Wade have not denied their affair, but said that it started after Wade was hired as a special prosecutor -- hence was not motivated by the relationship -- and that they shared the expenses for trips they took together, meaning Willis did not benefit from the payments to him. Both of them were grilled by defence lawyers who brought up their personal and financial

Trump is facing a trial date of May 20 in the official secrets case where he is accused of illegally taking away with him classified documents after leaving office and keeping them. Last week, a federal judge in New York refused Trump’s request to declare a mistrial in the case of defamation that awarded damages of $83.5 million. In that case, he was found to have defamed a woman by repeatedly saying that he had not assaulted her, even though a court had ruled that he had in a civil case brought by the woman. The Supreme Court is also hearing an appeal against a ruling by Colorado courts that he could not be on the ballot in the state because he was involved with his supporters who attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021, and this amounted to an insurrection. The US Constitution forbids those who participated in insurrections from holding offices.

After ‘positive’ discussion, Centre-farmers to hold fourth round of meeting on February 18 Contd. from Pg. 01 Meanwhile, the Haryana government extended the suspension of mobile internet services in seven districts by another two days till February 17, in the wake of the situation in Haryana to be “critical” and “tense”. The government had earlier ordered the suspension of mobile internet services, bulk SMS (excluding banking and mobile recharge) and all dongle services etc till February 15 in districts including Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal objected to the farmer’s modus operandi to press for fulfillment of their demands. At a press conference, he said while there’s no objection about farmers going to Delhi, but the way they are attempting to march with tractor-trolleys, earth-movers etc,.to Delhi like an army on the offensive, is something objectionable. On the other hand, Punjab Water Resources Minister Chetan Singh said Haryana’s police action against farmers has exposed yet again the anti-democratic and dictatorial mindset of BJP governments, who can stoop so low to oppress the voice of farmers. Coming in support of the ongoing protest and against the use of force against farmers by the Haryana government,

farmers associated with the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan), one of the largest outfits in Punjab blocked rail traffic at different places in Punjab for four hours. Separately, the Punjab chapter of the Samkyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) made ‘toll plazas’ free across Punjab. On February 13, scores of farmers from different parts of Punjab started their ‘tractor-trolley’ march to lay siege to Delhi to press for the fulfillment of their demands. As farmers arrived at Shambu-Ambala and Khanauri-Jind, the boundaries with Punjab, they were stopped from entering Haryana. The Haryana government had put in place elaborate security arrangements with multi-layer barricades, which included iron nails, barbed wires, concrete barricades-blocks, boulders and anti-riot vehicles on the roads bordering Punjab. Not only this, security agencies deputed to maintain law and order along Delhi’s border with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have been put on high alert following intelligence inputs that Khalistani sympathizers may try to create disturbance by taking advantage of the farmers’ agitation. The involvement of Khalistani activists came to the fore during the 2020-21 agitation of farmers. Besides infiltrating into the farmers’ protest, the SFJ activists and sympathizers were also involved in the Red Fort violence on Republic Day in 2021.


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Friday, 19 January, 2024

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The infiltration of extremist elements has compromised the credibility of the protest and posed a significant challenge to public safety and security. Such actions have drawn widespread condemnation from both the public and government officials.

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Amidst all this, a troubling development has emerged about the infiltration of extremist elements. According to experts, this infiltration has posed significant challenges for both the government and the public, overshadowing the genuine grievances of the farmers. Back in 2021, the protest received widespread public support, reflecting a collective resolve to address the long-standing issues faced by farmers and uphold their rights. Recognizing the importance of dialogue and resolution, the government has made concerted efforts to engage with farmers, promising to address their concerns through constructive measures. However, the peaceful atmosphere of the protest has been disrupted by the infiltration of extremist elements, notably Khalistani groups, seeking to exploit the genuine concerns of farmers for their own political agenda. Leaders like Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and Rakesh Takait, while ostensibly advocating for farmers’ rights, have been criticized for politicizing the protest and using it as a platform for personal gain.

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lmost two years after laying siege to the national capital, by farmers from Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh, Delhi borders turned into a fresh ‘battlezone’ this week with Farmers protest 2.0 ‘choking’ the city. Farmers, pertaining to the same region, ‘launched ‘Chalo Delhi’ march, though with truncated strength and demands, starkly different from 2020-21 protests.

Dr. (H) Avi Verma Publisher

Despite these challenges, there remains a strong desire among the public and government officials to engage in genuine dialogue and find meaningful solutions to the issues facing farmers. It is imperative for all stakeholders to prioritize the interests of farmers above personal or political agendas and work towards a peaceful resolution that benefits the farming community as a whole. The Government of India should make every effort to directly engage with genuine Kisaan leaders and address their legitimate concerns while minimizing the influence of extremist groups. Additionally, there is an urgent need for the government to develop permanent solutions to avoid the recurrence of such protests in the future, ensuring the long-term welfare and prosperity of the agricultural community. As the Farmer’s protest in India unfolds, let us reaffirm our commitment to condemning the actions of extremist leaders and prioritizing constructive dialogue and resolution. By isolating extremist influences and focusing on genuine efforts to address the concerns of farmers, India can uphold the principles of democracy and ensure the well-being of its agricultural community. Best Regards, Dr. (H) Avi Verma Publisher, IndoUS Tribune


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Friday, 19 January, 2024

UN Secretary-General calls for resolving Pakistan poll disputes through legal means By: Arul Louis

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Khan was convicted in four criminal cases, including violating the official secrets law and contracting an illegal marriage, and given prison sentences totalling 34 years.

N Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for resolving the Pakistan election disputes through legal means.

The PTI has alleged that there was widespread vote rigging and its supporters held protests across the country on Sunday, clashing in some places with police who tried to enforce bans on public gatherings.

“The Secretary-General urges the authorities, political leaders to maintain a calm atmosphere and to reject and refrain from all forms of violence and avoid any actions that could increase or enflame tensions,” his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Monday. Pakistan faces political turmoil as none of the political parties won a clear majority to form a government in Thursday’s elections, with the supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan emerging unexpectedly strong despite the military’s antagonism towards them amid claims of poll fraud. Dujarric said that Guterres is following the situation “closely” and “urges the authorities, political leaders to maintain a calm atmosphere and to reject and refrain from all forms of

Jaishankar visits Sailani Avenue, named after Indianorigin soldier in Australia IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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Jaishankar met Indian community leaders as he visited Sailani Avenue, a street in Australia’s Perth city named after Shimla-born soldier Nain Singh Sailani last week. Sailani was one of 12 known Indian Anzacs (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) who served with the Australian Imperial Army during World War I. Enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in 1916, he was killed in Belgium while on active duty in June 1917. The minister earlier joined his counterpart Penny Wong to discuss India-Australia ties, Indian Ocean architecture, and the shared interests of both countries in the Indo-Pacific. Sailani Avenue was earlier known as Nelson Avenue and was renamed in honor of the Sikh war hero in 2023, following a personal request from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Sailani Avenue will act as a tangible reminder of the role Anzacs from the Indian community played in shaping our state’s history and paving the way for future generations,” Basil Zempilas, Lord Mayor of Perth, had said. Born in Shimla in 1873, Sailani migrated to Australia in 1895 as a 22-year-old and initially lived in the town of Geraldton, about 400 kilometers north of Perth, where he found work as a laborer. He was 43 when he volunteered for the Australian Imperial Force in 1916 and was allotted to the 44th Battalion as the First World War broke out.

violence and avoid any actions that could increase or enflame tensions”. “He calls for the resolving of all issues and disputes through the established legal frameworks and for human rights and the rule of law to be fully respected in the interest of the people of Pakistan,” Dujarric added. Of the 268 National Assembly seats that

were contested, independents supporting Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaaf (PTI), bagged 93 seats, the most of any group. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Union Muslim League-Nawaz finished second with 75 seats and the Pakistan People’s Party of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari came next with 54 seats.

Kamala Harris slams special counsel’s claim about Biden’s age, memory IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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S Vice President Kamala Harris, trusted lieutenant and running mate of President Joe Biden in 2024 presidential elections, is using her outreach and clout with African Americans, Hispanics and Asians and Indians in tandem with the White House working overtime in damage control exercise to discredit a special counsel’s claims that Biden suffers from memory loss. She and the White House have dismissed the Trump appointed special counsel Robert Hur’s report on classified documents, that Hur charged Biden took home when he was vice president under then President Barack Obama, as inaccurate, out of bounds and politically motivated. President Biden reacted emotionally to the charges on his son’s death, telling Hur that he damned well knew well and was shattered by his son’s death and he (Hur) should have stayed out of it. Hur’s uncharacteristic remarks about Biden’s memory loss touched a raw nerve in the president. “As a former prosecutor, the comments that were made by that prosecutor: gratuitous, inaccurate and inappropriate,” said Vice President Kamala Harris, who previously served as California’s attorney general. “The way that the president’s demeanor in that report was characterized could not be more wrong on the facts, and clearly politically motivated,” said Harris, addressing the report after speaking at a White House event on gun violence prevention. She is now the roving ambassador of President Biden campaigning in key swing states on how the democrats will keep abortion rights on the statute books as laid out in the Roe vs Wade case, sought to be demolished by the Republicans in the Congress.

Meanwhile, in Washington, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said, “The claims of interference and fraud that we have seen raised, we want to ensure are fully investigated by Pakistan’s legal system, and we will be continuing to monitor that in the days ahead.” He added that “political and election-related violence and restrictions on internet and cell phone service” have “negatively impacted the electoral service”. But he also said that “it was clearly a competitive election in which people were able to exercise their choice”.

No wheelchair available, 80-year-old collapses and dies after walk from plane to terminal

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

Along with the Presidential elections in 2024, the house of representatives also goes to polls to elect new law makers the trend is against the republicans on the abortions issue but the classified documents case and border issue could spiral out of control if not contained, analysts say. The GOP lost three states on the abortion issue in the off year elections in 2023 and mid term elections in 2022. While the term of office for a senator is six years, that of a house representative of the congress is only two years. Putting damage control measures to contain the bombshell special counsel report that elevated concerns about Biden’s age and mental fitness, White House counsel spokesman Ian Sams sought to reject the findings at a briefing with reporters. Sams pointed to “a pressurised political environment” in which he said Republicans have “made up claims of a two-tiered system of justice between Republicans and Democrats.” “When the inevitable conclusion is that the facts and the evidence don’t support any charges, you’re left to wonder why this report spends time making gratuitous and inappropriate criticisms of the president,” Sams said.

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n a tragic turn of events, an 80-year-old man, who had arrived on an Air India flight from New York with his wife, passed away at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Monday. The octogenarian collapsed after walking 1.5 km from the plane to the immigration counter due to insufficient wheelchairs available. “The couple had pre-booked wheelchairs but only the wife received one,” reported The Times Of India. The man was walking alongside his wife and as they reached the immigration counter, he collapsed due to a heart attack. An Air India spokesperson provided insight, stating, “One of our guests flying from New York to Mumbai on 12th February fell ill while proceeding to clear immigration with his wife, who was in a wheelchair. Due to heavy demand for wheelchairs, we had requested the passenger to wait till he was also provided with wheelchair assistance but he opted to walk along with his spouse. As advised by the airport doctor attending to him after taking ill, the passenger was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he was declared to have passed away.”


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Friday, 16 February, 2024

1 dead, 21 injured at US Super Bowl victory parade shooting

Trump putting troops at risk by threatening to undermine international alliance, warns NATO IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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onald Trump has drawn the ire of the NATO countries with its Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg alleging that the former US President is undermining the future of the organization with his recent campaign rally statement to a member country -- “you don’t pay, we don’t protect you”.

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ne person has died and 21 people were wounded in a shooting in Missouri at the end of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory parade. Officials said they treated eight victims who were in immediately lifethreatening condition and seven others who had suffered injuries that could prove life-threatening. Nine children were among the wounded - all are expected to recover. Police said they have arrested three suspects in connection to the shooting. At a news conference on Wednesday, Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said a total of 22 people were struck by gunfire - one of whom is dead - and three individuals were arrested. More than 800 police officers were already on the scene to monitor the parade. Ms Graves said they responded immediately after the gunshots broke out and detectives who were on the scene quickly opened an investigation. The fire brigade also sprang to action, administering aid to the injured. A local radio station said one of its DJs, Lisa Lopez, was killed in the shooting.

Stoltenberg issued a warning to the leaders around the world after Trump stirred fears about the future of NATO at a campaign stop on Saturday. Trump was critical of certain countries in NATO which reportedly did not meet the goals for which the organization was set up, media reports said. He told a South Carolina rally that countries in the alliance were expected to spend at least 2 percent of their GDP on defence. Trump specifically recalled a conversation he claims to have had with the President of a country when he was in office, saying, “One of the Presidents of a big country stood up and said, ‘Well sir, if we don’t pay and we’re attacked by Russia, will you protect us?’” “You didn’t pay? You’re delinquent,” Trump had asked. He said, “Yes, let’s say that happened.” “No, I would not protect you,” Trump said, adding: “In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want.” The former President’s comments drew strong backlash, with Stoltenberg saying in a statement that Trump’s attack could endanger both civilians and troops. “Any suggestion that allies will not

defend each other undermines all of our security, including that of the US, and puts American and European soldiers at increased risk,” Stoltenberg said in the statement, adding, “I expect that regardless of who wins the presidential election, the US will remain a strong and committed NATO ally.” NATO’s charter requires members to come to the aid of others if they are attacked. Trump’s latest comments also drew criticism from within America’s borders. President Joe Biden in a statement released by his reelection campaign said: “If my

Democrats eyeing workaround as House Speaker blocks vote on Ukraine aid bill IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

US records about 15,000 deaths from flu this season, CDC says IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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here have been at least 22 million flu illnesses, 250,000 hospitalizations, and 15,000 deaths from flu so far this season in the US, according to the latest data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seasonal influenza activity remains elevated nationally with increases in some parts of the country. Eight influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported during the latest week ending February 3, bringing the season total to 74 pediatric deaths, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the CDC data. Over 11,000 patients were admitted to hospitals with flu in the latest week, the CDC data showed. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine as long as influenza viruses are spreading.

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The aid package, to help Ukraine and Israel with military aid and humanitarian help for Palestinians trapped in the conflict zone in Gaza, would appropriate $60 billion to support Ukraine, which has been battling Russia since February 2022. It would also send $14 billion in military assistance to Israel, $9 billion in humanitarian assistance to Gaza and elsewhere, and nearly $5 billion to defend Taiwan. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries sent a letter to his fellow Democrats on Tuesday saying the caucus

Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who is running against Trump for the 2024 GOP nomination, called NATO “a success story for the last 75 years”. “Now, we do want NATO allies to pull their weight. But there are ways you can do that without sitting there and telling Russia, have your way with these countries,” Haley told CBS.

US House votes to impeach Homeland Security Secretary IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

ouse Democrats are working hard to force a vote on the $95 billion foreign aid bill despite fierce opposition from House Speaker Mike Johnson to the legislation. The bill was passed in the Senate on Tuesday. Democrats are planning to use the rare procedural move known as a discharge petition, which would require at least 218 signatures – including at least some Republicans – to bring the legislation up for a vote, media reports said.

opponent, Donald Trump, is able to regain power, he is making it clear as day that he will abandon our NATO allies if Russia attacks them and allow Russia to ‘do whatever the hell they want’ with them.”

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he US House of Representatives has voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for his alleged failure to secure the US-Mexico border from illegal immigration. Mayorkas became the first cabinet member to face impeachment in nearly 150 years.

would “use every available legislative tool” to advance the bill and called upon “traditional Republicans” to come to the aid of the party. The Democratic leader told a press conference that he is convinced there are at least 300 votes in the House to pass the foreign aid bill, including an “overwhelming majority” of Democrats. “It’s not too much to ask in America’s national security that we get an up or down vote and let the House of Representatives actually work its will,” Jeffries said.

The Republican-led House on Tuesday voted 214 to 213 for the measure, after an earlier attempt failed last week. The issue now heads to the Democratic-led Senate, where it is likely to fail. President Joe Biden called the vote a “blatant act of unconstitutional partisanship” and a “political stunt”, the BBC reported. The vote was largely divided along party lines, with 210 Democrats voting against the impeachment, along with three Republican representatives -Tom McClintock of California, Ken Buck of Colorado and Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin.


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Virginia sued over guidance on transgender public school students IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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wo transgender Virginia public school students on Thursday sued the state over recent guidance that prevents transgender students from competing on sports teams consistent with their gender identities and allows teachers to refuse to use their preferred names and pronouns. One of the cases was filed, opens new tab in state court by a transgender high school girl in York County, who said she was “singled out” by one teacher who refused to use her name and pronouns and instead used only her last name. The other case, opens new tab was brought in state court by a transgender middle school girl who said she has been barred from participating in a girls’ sports team. Both lawsuits allege that the guidance, which was issued last year by

US Defense Secretary Austin hospitalized again, transfers duties to deputy

Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin’s administration, runs afoul of a 2020 law requiring the state’s Department of Education to develop policies that protect transgender students’ rights. They are asking the courts to set aside the policies. The Department of Education and Youngkin’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Youngkin’s policy, which has drawn pushback from some districts in the state, also says students must use bathrooms corresponding to their sex assigned at birth, and that teachers may not use transgender students’ preferred names and pronouns without permission from their parents. Thursday’s lawsuits join several others in courts around the country over school policies affecting transgender students. Virginia’s highest court in December

Iraq, US resume dialogue on ending US-led coalition’s mission IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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S Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been hospitalised “for “emergent bladder issue,” and has transferred his duties to his deputy. According to a statement from department of defense, Austin was rushed by his security detail to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Sunday. Austin was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December and hospitalized, Xinhua news agency reported. The defense secretary, 72, was under scrutiny for failing to divulge his health issue (prostrate cancer diagnosis) and hospitalization. He had apologized for it last week.

revived a lawsuit by a high school French teacher who was fired for refusing on

raq and the US resumed a new round of dialogue to discuss ending the US-led international coalition’s mission in Iraq, the Iraqi government said. Iraqi military spokesman Yahya Rasoul said on Sunday in a statement that the Higher Military Commission (HMC) resumed meetings with the international coalition side to assess the military situation, the level of threat posed by the Islamic State (IS) group, in addition to the capabilities of the Iraqi forces. Rasoul said that based on these meetings, a timetable will be set for the gradual reduction of international coalition advisors in Iraq, leading to an

end of the coalition mission of fighting IS and the transition to Iraq’s bilateral relations with coalition countries, Xinhua news agency reported. The meetings with the international coalition will be held periodically to complete the commission work as quickly as possible, as long as nothing disturbs the meetings, Rasoul added. On January 25, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Iraq agreed with the US to form the HMC to end the international coalition mission in Iraq and move their relationship to comprehensive bilateral relations with the coalition countries at the political, economic, cultural, security and military levels.

religious grounds to use a transgender student’s preferred pronouns.

Jeffrey Epstein victims sue FBI, allege coverup IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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dozen victims of Jeffrey Epstein filed a lawsuit on Wednesday accusing the FBI of covering up its failure to investigate the late financier, enabling his sex trafficking to continue for more than 20 years. The victims, using Jane Doe pseudonyms, said the FBI received credible tips as early as 1996 that Epstein trafficked young women and girls, yet failed to interview victims or share what it knew with federal and local law enforcement. Victims said the FBI finally began a probe in 2006, but ended it two years later after Epstein pleaded guilty to a Florida prostitution charge, and kept ignoring tips until his July 2019 arrest. Epstein committed suicide a month later. The U.S. Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Wednesday’s complaint filed in federal court in Manhattan seeks damages from the U.S. government, the only defendant. It cited a Dec. 5, 2023, Senate Judiciary Committee hearing where FBI Director Christopher Wray was asked why the FBI didn’t do more. He promised to “get with my team and figure out if there is more information we can provide.” The number of Epstein’s victims is believed to be well over 100. Victims previously reached approximately $500 million of settlements, before deducting legal fees and costs, with a program funded by Epstein’s estate and with two of Epstein’s banks, JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank. It is unclear whether the 12 plaintiffs received compensation from those settlements. Their lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.


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Haryana man sentenced for stealing $150k from elderly woman in US IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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n Indian national hailing from Haryana has been sentenced to more than four years in prison for his role in stealing $150,000 from an elderly woman in the US state of Montana. Sukhdev Vaid, 24, admitted targeting elderly Americans via an international computer-hacking scheme that resulted in more than $1.2 million in total losses, US Attorney Jesse Laslovich said on Wednesday. The court ordered that upon his release from custody, Vaid will be remanded to the Bureau of Customs and Immigration Enforcement for deportation, and asked him to pay $1,236,470 restitution. “It has become all too common for people outside of our country to victimise Montanans, especially as it relates to wire fraud, and get away with it. But not this time. Vaid is going to federal prison,” Attorney Laslovich said. “’Phantom Hacker’ scams layer imposter tech support, financial, and government personas to gain access to someone’s computer and personal information. Sadly, these scams are increasingly targeting our seniors,” said Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City, FBI. Sinha said what added to the depravity of the case was that the scammer traveled overseas to collect the victim’s money in person.

Indian-American Sonali Korde takes oath as assistant to USAID administrator IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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ndian-American Sonali Korde took oath as assistant to the Administrator of USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) on Monday. As the US government’s lead for international disaster response, the BHA monitors, mitigates, and responds to global hazards and humanitarian needs. Sonali most recently served as Deputy to the US Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues charged with leading the country’s diplomacy efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “Leading the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance is one of the toughest jobs at USAID. It’s a time of peak global conflict, climate-driven disasters, and displacement, and we all know the demand for aid is dramatically outpacing our ability to provide it,” USAID Administrator Samantha Power said in a statement. Before joining BHA, Sonali served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy in the Office of the Administrator at USAID, and prior to that as Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator at USAID’s Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs.

Malaysian-Indian sues Singapore Airlines for S$1.78 mn IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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Malaysian-Indian former flight steward is suing Singapore Airlines (SIA) for S$1.78 million after he slipped and fell onboard a plane in 2019 resulting in spinal injuries. Durairaj Santiran, who was employed by SIA from April 2016 to April 2021, alleged that his former employer was negligent in allowing the workplace to be unsafe, The Straits Times newspaper reported on Tuesday. The 35-year-old was in the economyclass galley of a flight from San Francisco which was scheduled to land in Singapore on the evening of September 6, 2019. He said about two hours before landing he slipped on a patch of grease on the floor and fell on his back, hitting his head on the floor. Santiran, who wore a neck brace when he attended court on February 13, claimed that as a result of his spinal injuries, he is medically unfit to continue working as a flight steward. He is seeking S$1.29 million for loss of future earnings, S$30,000 for loss of earning capacity, and S$150,000 for future medical and

transport expenses. According to the lawsuit, the international carrier failed to ensure that the floor of the aircraft was free of any substance that might cause Santiran to slip, and failed to ensure that there was a system of cleaning to keep the floors safe. His lawyers, Ramasamy Chettiar and Kasturibai Manickam said that the fact that SIA did not take any preventive measures showed that the work system was inadequate, and the workplace was allowed to be unsafe.

SIA denied Santiran’s claims saying that SIA pays all valid and legitimate claims made by employees, but responds “firmly” to invalid, illegitimate, and false claims. SIA lawyers highlighted that Santiran made two previous work injury claims, in 2017 and 2018, which the airline did not contest. In these claims, he was awarded compensation for back and neck injuries through the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) process. However, his present WICA claim has been objected to as his injuries appeared to be pre-existing, they argued.

Indian-origin tech executive dies after assault outside US restaurant IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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41-year-old Indian-origin tech executive has died in the US, days after he was assaulted outside a restaurant in Washington, according to media reports. Vivek Taneja, president and co-founder of Dynamo Technologies, succumbed to his injuries after a man assaulted him on February 2, outside Shoto Restaurant, the WUSA9 news channel reported. Taneja was knocked to the ground by the suspect and hit his head on the pavement, following a verbal altercation that got physical. According to the police incident report, Taneja stepped in to defend a female companion who was being harassed by the suspect.

Police found him at around 2 a.m. on the pavement with life-threatening injuries and rushed him to hospital. An eyewitness who knew Taneja told the news channel that the fight started inside the restaurant after which both men were kicked out. Seeking public help, police on Friday released a surveillance video of the suspect walking in the courtyard outside the bar. They are offering a reward of up to $25,000 for any information leading to his arrest. Expressing regrets over the attacks on Indian students, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti assured while speaking to the local media that America is a “wonderful and safe place” to study for Indians.

Another Sikh separatist’s house hit by gunfire in Canada each other of interfering in their “internal affairs”.

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he house of a Sikh separatist, associated with pro-Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun who is a designated terrorist in India, has been hit by gunfire in Canada’s Ontario province, a media report said. The incident comes just days after multiple shots were fired at the Surrey home of Simranjeet Singh -- a “friend” of banned Khalistan Tiger Force leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, who was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia last year. According to The Guardian, a bullet hole was found in the window of an unfinished house, belonging to Khalistan supporter Inderjit Singh Gosal, in Brampton on Monday. While no injuries were reported, the Peel Regional police could not rule out that more shots were fired at the house.

But they confirmed that a single bullet hole had been found with Constable Tyler Bell-Morena of Peel Regional Police saying it is “too early” to link the shooting to Gosal’s role in the Khalistan movement. Gosal recently announced that a proKhalistan rally would be held outside the Indian consulate in Toronto on February 17. According to the report, Gosal works closely with Pannun, who is the chief legal counsel of the outlawed Sikhs for Justice and was the target of a foiled assassination bid in the US. The shooting incidents come just as India and Canada accused

Recently, Canada named India as a “foreign threat” that could potentially interfere in their elections, months after they accused New Delhi of playing a role in the killing Nijjar on Canadian soil in June last year. India categorically denied the allegation levelled by Canadian agencies of “interference” as “absurd” and “motivated”. Further, India said that it is Canada that has been interfering in India’s internal affairs. India has time and again asserted that the “core issue” with Canada is the space it gives to separatists, terrorists, and anti-India elements on its soil. “It is not the government of India’s policy to interfere in democratic processes of other countries. In fact, quite on the reverse, it is Canada which has been interfering in our internal affairs,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.


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Indian-American Meera Joshi named to serve on NYC’s MTA Board

Canadian Sikh shooting survivor slams cops for ‘inaction’ IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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ith 13 bullets pumped inside her body, the lone survivor of a shooting spree in Canada last year who watched her Sikh parents die in front of her, wants swift justice and says police didn’t do their duty well. Jagtar Singh Sidhu and Harbhajan Kaur, both in their 50s, were shot more than 20 times just before midnight on November 20 at their rental property along the CaledonBrampton border in Ontario province. While Sidhu died on the spot, Harbhajan succumbed to injuries in the hospital where she was rushed along with their daughter Jaspreet Kaur Sidhu. Speaking to CBC News from her hospital bed, Jaspreet said a man broke into her family’s Caledon rental home and started shooting. “My father was shot in front of me. I heard my mother’s last screams and after that (there was) complete silence. Only the noises of gunshots were there. I didn’t even get to meet them for the last time,” a choked Jaspreet told the news channel.

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ndian-American Meera Joshi has been nominated by New York City Mayor Eric Adams to serve on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board. Joshi, a deputy mayor for operations for New York City since January 2022, oversees the Adams administration’s transportation infrastructure and climate portfolios. Announcing her nomination in a statement last week, Mayor Adams called Joshi a “perfect” person to help “secure the MTA’s future and deliver a world-class, safe, reliable, and accessible transportation system to all New Yorkers”. “New York City’s transit system is our backbone, and once confirmed to the MTA Board, Deputy Mayor Joshi will help ensure our backbone is stronger than ever,” Adams said. Joshi spearheads the administration’s street safety work, which in 2023 helped make New York City the second-safest year for pedestrians since Vision Zero began in 2014, a statement from Adam’s office read. It said that her teams work every day to expand the city’s open, green, and aquatic space; reduce New York City’s building and transportation emissions, as well as its waste stream; and protect New Yorkers from the ever-mounting threats from excessive heat and rainwater. The MTA is responsible for public transportation in the New York City metropolitan area of the US state of New York and all its board nominations are subject to a confirmation from the state senate.

“I wasn’t able to do anything.... I called 911 as soon as I got my consciousness back. ‘Whole family shot’ this is what I was saying repeatedly,” she said. Jaspreet and her brother Gurdit Singh had

come to Canada as students a few years ago and sponsored the arrival of their parents who came to the country in July and were supposed to return to India in January this year. The heartbroken children are seeking answers to several questions, which include a visit by an officer from Peel Regional Police’s Homicide and Missing Persons Bureau to meet his parents just four days before their murder. Jaspreet said that almost two months into the tragic incident, the police still say “It’s under investigation” and have no concrete evidence. Launching a homicide investigation soon after the incident, the Ontario Provincial Police said in a release that they believed

Mumbai connection: First grand Hindu temple in UAE built by Parsi group

A spokesperson for Peel police had confirmed that the homicide bureau did connect with the family on November 16 about an undisclosed investigation.

UK English test scandal: Indians, other foreign students renew bid to clear their names

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The Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha (BAPS) Swaminarayan Sanstha’s temple, the first Hindu temple made of stone in the Middle-East was built by the Shapoorji Pallonji Group of Mumbai.

“We are deeply honored to work with the BAPS and create this incredible

“Peel Police came before this happened at our house. My parents were home and they didn’t know English. So they contacted my brother’s friend to talk to the police.”

group of international students, including many Indians, who had their visas revoked almost 10 years ago after accusations of cheating in English language tests in the UK, are making renewed efforts to clear their names. According to a report in The Guardian, fresh evidence has recently been presented in the court that questions the Home Office’s cheating allegations against 35,000 international students.

he grand Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, UAE that was inaugurated on Wednesday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has a strong Mumbai connection as it was built by a Parsi group.

It is sprawled over 27 acres of desert land on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, on a plot generously donated by UAE’s President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The temple is open to people of all faiths and serves as a testament to India’s culture, its ancient skills in architecture and sculpture. It has been built in strict accordance with ageold Indian texts and derives its inspiration from a lotus motif.

“Whatever happened, the police didn’t do their duty well. Nobody contacted us, nobody gave any answers,” she said.

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IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

The BAPS Hindu Temple belongs to one of the branches of the famous Swaminarayan Sampradaya founded by Sahajanand Swami (1781-1830), around 117-years ago in south Gujarat, with over five Crore followers worldwide. The BAPS temple is billed as an architectural marvel, towering loftily over the golden sandy landscape, with seven spires symbolizing the seven emirates of the UAE.

“multiple suspects” were involved in the deaths that occurred in a possible case of mistaken identity.

monument that combines art, harmony and faith, and besides being a celebration of cultural diversity, it’s a testament to our engineering expertise,” said Shapoorji Pallonji Group Chairman, Shapoorji P Mistry. “Our dream of a Hindu mandir in Abu Dhabi has now become a reality. The Shapoorji Pallonji Group played a pivotal role in partnering with us to create this lotus in the desert, and bringing to life our vision of this spiritual oasis for global harmony,” said BAPS Director, Pranav Desai. The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha also has several other temples in India and around the world, and the Abu Dhabi monument would help strengthen bilateral ties between India and the UAE.

The Home Office abruptly terminated the visas of these students, making their stay in the country illegal overnight, following a 2014 BBC documentary reporting allegations of cheating at two of the UK’s language testing centers for international students. About 2,500 students were deported after immigration enforcement teams mounted dawn raids on students’ accommodation, the news report said. While some 7,200 students left the country after detention threats, thousands stayed protesting “flawed evidence” as they struggled with homelessness, huge legal fees, and stress-induced illnesses. After judges and watchdog reports highlighted flaws in the evidence of cheating, around 3,600 won appeals against the Home Office, while the rest of them couldn’t because of the prohibitive cost of taking legal action. The students had also approached and presented a petition to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in March last year, seeking his help to clear their names. In their petition to the Prime Minister, the students called for a simple, free mechanism to apply for a decision or reconsideration of their case.


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9 PIOs slapped with Serious Crime Prevention Orders in UK

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Swander Dhal (38), Jasbir Kapoor (36), Diljan Malhotra (48), Charan Singh (46), Valjeet Singh (35), Jasbir Dhal Singh (33), Jaginder Kapoor (48), Jacdar Kapour (51) and Amarjeet Alabadis (32) received lengthy prison sentences in addition to the recent SCPOs. The terms of their SCPOs include restrictions on finances, assets, bank accounts, and the purchase of international travel tickets, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said on Tuesday.

Ukraine claims to have hit Russian landing ship in Black Sea IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

Following a three-day sentencing hearing at Croydon Crown Court, Valjeet Singh got 11 years, while trusted lieutenant Swander Singh Dhal got 10 years for money laundering and an additional five years for people smuggling.

The terms will come into effect once the offenders have served their jail sentences.

Charan Singh from Hounslow, was handed a 12-and-a-half-year jail term, NCA reported earlier.

The nine British Indians were part of a 16-member group who were given jail sentences totalling more than 70 years for their involvement in international money laundering and people smuggling in the UK in September last year.

SCPOs are part of the NCA-managed ancillary orders to limit opportunities for criminals to engage in illegal activity and also make offenders less attractive to organized crime gangs looking to re-recruit or work with them after they have served prison sentences.

The group, led by ‘ringleader’ Charan Singh, was said to have smuggled around 70 million pounds in cash out of the UK, making

The NCA on Tuesday published an updated list of these ancillary orders, used to support the lifetime management of serious criminals and prevent future offending.

Jailed former Thai PM Thaksin to be released IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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ailed former Thailand prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to be released soon, Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong said on Tuesday. Talking to reporters before attending a cabinet meeting, the Justice Minister said that Thaksin is among the 930 inmates approved for parole this month, Xinhua news agency reported.

However, he was soon transferred from a Bangkok prison to a hospital due to health concerns and has remained in hospital since. Last September, Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn reduced Thaksin’s prison term to one year following his request

krainian forces hit the Russian landing ship Caesar Kunikov in the Black Sea off the coast of Crimea, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has said. The vessel was hit by “the Armed Forces of Ukraine, together with units of the Main Intelligence Directorate”, near the town of Alupka, it said on Wednesday on Telegram, without giving further details. Separately, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said the ship sustained critical holes on the left side as it was attacked by “MAGURA V5” combat sea drones, Xinhua news agency reported. The Ukrayinska Pravda media outlet, citing its sources, said the vessel had sunk following the attack. The Russian side has not confirmed the attack.

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s PML-N, PPP, MQMP, PML-Q, IPP and BAP have announced to form a coalition government at the Centre, PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari is likely to become the President of the country for the second time, local media reported. On Tuesday, the abovementioned parties had announced to form a government in the Centre on the lines of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government, Geo News reported. PML-N leadership has agreed to support Zardari

“Symptoms of measles include fever, runny nose, sore eyes, and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head to the rest of the body,” said Vicky Sheppeard, director of public health in South Eastern Sydney Local Health District.

North Korea test-fires new surface-to-sea missile IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

for a royal pardon. Thaksin served as the Southeast Asian country’s prime minister from 2001 to 2006 and had been in selfexile abroad since 2008.

Asif Ali Zardari likely to become Pakistan president IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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he Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) has issued another public warning over measles infection, only a few days after detection of a case in north of the state. As a new case was reported in Sydney, the NSW Ministry of Health on Wednesday urged local communities to stay alert for signs and symptoms of measles,, Xinhua news agency reported. The adult case returned from Southeast Asia and touched down in Sydney on February 7, before visiting several businesses and traveling on a bus in the city’s central business area. The ministry noted that this case was not linked to another case in northern NSW reported on Sunday.

“Symptoms may appear between seven and 18 days after an exposure, so it’s important for people to stay vigilant if they’ve been exposed,” Sheppeard added. Earlier, the health authority called on residents in northern NSW to monitor related symptoms, as a case was confirmed in Murwillumbah area after traveling overseas.

The 74-year-old leader is eligible for parole for being aged above 70 and with severe illness. Thaksin, who is expected to be released on Saturday after serving at least six months of the sentence, ended his exile of over 15 years and returned to Thailand in August last year, and was soon detained and sentenced to an eight-year prison sentence on several charges.

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hundreds of trips to Dubai between 2017 and 2019.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

ine Indian-origin members of a crime group in the UK received Serious Crime Prevention Orders (SCPO) to limit their ability to engage in serious and organized crime. The group was recently convicted for removing 15.5 million pounds from the UK to Dubai hidden in suitcases, as well as attempting to smuggle 17 migrants into the country.

NSW issues alert in Sydney over measles infection

for the post of president in return for PPP’s support to Shehbaz Sharif for the Prime Minister’s post, sources said. Meanwhile, PML(N) leader Rana Sanaullah said that PPP did not not demand the top constitutional post of president. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had on Tuesday announced Zardari as PPP candidate for the President’s post. “I am not saying this because he is my father. I am saying this because the country is in a huge crisis at the moment and if anyone can douse this fire, it is Asif Ali Zardari,” Bilawal had said.

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orth Korean leader Kim Jongun has supervised the testfiring of a new surface-to-sea missile and ordered a tighter defence posture near the western maritime border, Pyongyang’s state media reported on Thursday. North Korea test-launched the new missile, named Padasuri-6, on Wednesday, Yonhap news agency reported, citing the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The missile hit a target after flying over waters in the East Sea for around 1,400 seconds, KCNA said, without disclosing other details such as how many missiles were fired. The South Korean military said Wednesday it detected several cruise missile launches at around 9 a.m. into waters northeast of the eastern city of Wonsan. It marked North Korea’s fifth cruise missile launch this year. The provocation came two days before the 82nd birthday of late former leader Kim Jong-il, the father of the current leader Kim Jong-un. The North Korea’s leader ordered a stronger defence posture near the western maritime border, saying that South Korean warships have frequently violated it, KCNA said.


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Japan culls 14,000 birds after avian flu outbreak IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

French ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy found guilty of illegal campaign financing IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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bout 14,000 birds have been culled in the southern Japan after an avian influenza outbreak was confirmed, local authorities said on Monday. The bird flu has been confirmed on a poultry farm in the Minamisatsuma City of Kagoshima, according to the prefectural government, adding that the culling operations for it and nearby farms under the same management were completed within a short span, Xinhua news agency reported. Burial of the culled birds and disinfection of the poultry houses are expected to conclude within the next few days, and the national authorities are expected to determine whether the virus is highly pathogenic. To prevent further spread of the infection, the prefecture has imposed restrictions on the movement of approximately 363,000 chickens and quails being raised at 15 farms within a radius of 3 km to 10 km from the affected area. Following genetic testing which confirmed the virus, the prefectural authorities initiated the culling process on Sunday.’ The case marks the ninth avian influenza outbreak in the country this season.

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ormer French President Nicolas Sarkozy was found guilty of illegal campaign financing by a Paris appeal court which gave him a one-year prison sentence, half of which was suspended. The court found that Sarkozy spent 42.8 million euros ($45.9 million) for his presidential campaign in 2012 while the maximum amount allowed in France at the time was 22.5 million euros, Xinhua news agency reported. To conceal the massive overrun, a system of double invoicing had been set up, according to French press. Sarkozy “undoubtedly benefited from frauds that gave him far greater means than those authorized by law” though “the investigation did not establish that he had ordered them, or that he had participated in them, or even that he had been informed of them,” reported the French daily newspaper Le Monde quoting the judge’s ruling. Sarkozy will take the case to France’s highest court, his lawyer told reporters. President from 2007 to 2012, Sarkozy

faces multiple legal cases. A trial will start in 2025 over allegations that he had accepted money from Libya to fund his 2007 campaign. In 2021, a court handed him a prison sentence of

three years, including two suspended, for “corruption and influence peddling.” He denied any wrongdoing and the appeal court in 2023 upheld the original ruling. The case is already before the highest court.

Iran warns of response to Hungarian president resigns potential attacks on ships following child abuse pardon scandal IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

Stubb narrowly wins Finnish presidential election IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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he presidential candidate for the National Coalition, Alexander Stubb, narrowly won the Finnish presidential election on Sunday night. With all the votes counted, Stubb got 51.6 percent of support in the final round, while Independent Green candidate Pekka Haavisto obtained 48.4 percent, according to figures released by the Finnish Ministry of Justice. Sami Borg, an election analyst for national broadcaster Yle, said the result is the tightest in the era of a direct popular vote. During the election evening, Haavisto’s share kept increasing as the count progressed, but he was not able to catch up with the difference. The voter turnout was 70.7 percent, down from 75 percent in the initial round. Stubb, 55, had worked as a member of the European Parliament, member of the Finnish Parliament, Finnish Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and Deputy Director General of the European Investment Bank. He holds a Ph.D. in international politics and speaks Swedish, Finnish, English, French and German. A presidential election is held in Finland every six years. The election is conducted through a direct popular vote. Nine candidates competed in the initial round on January 28 this year, with the top two advancing to the final round.

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top Iranian military commander has said if the enemies target the country’s ships, Iran’s armed forces will definitely respond. Chief Commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami made the remarks at a meeting with the IRGC’s retired and incumbent commanders and officials in the Iranian capital Tehran while commenting on the naval capabilities of the country’s armed forces, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the official news agency IRNA.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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ungarian President Katalin Novak has resigned from office, following a child abuse pardon scandal. “I am addressing you as President for the last time, I resign from the position of President of the Republic,” Novak said on national television channel M1 on Saturday. “I apologize to those I have offended and to all the victims who might have felt I did not stand by them. I have been, am, and will be in support of protecting children and families,” she added, Xinhua news agency reported.

Novak pardoned Endre K., former deputy director of a children’s home, in April 2023. The pardon, revealed by local news site 444. hu, led to protests on Friday in Budapest demanding her resignation. Shortly following Novak’s resignation, Hungary’s former Justice Minister Judit Varga also resigned from public office. “I take political responsibility for countersigning the President’s decision. I am withdrawing from public life, resigning my parliamentary mandate, and stepping down as the head of the list for the European Parliament,” Varga said on her social media page. Varga was minister of justice when Novak signed the controversial pardon.

Salami said, “If they hit our ships, we will definitely hit the same number, or even more, of their vessels.” He stressed that the IRGC possessed such a great power that it would definitely defeat the enemies on all battlefields, including in military battles and cyber war. In a televised interview on Monday, Salami said the IRGC had successfully fired a long-range ballistic missile from one of its cruisers, according to the semi-official Fars news agency. He added the ballistic missile had been launched as part of the joint cooperation between the IRGC’s Aerospace Division and Navy, noting that the new achievement had increased the range of Iran’s naval influence and power to any given desired point.


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India News www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 16 February, 2024

SC Constitution Bench strikes down electoral bonds scheme 2018 as ‘unconstitutional’ IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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n a unanimous verdict, a 5-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court on Thursday struck down the electoral bonds scheme 2018 as unconstitutional. Saying that financial contribution to a political party may potentially lead to quid pro quo arrangements, the judgment authored by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud said the electoral bonds scheme by anonymizing contributions to the political parties infringe upon the right to information of the voter provided under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. Asking the State Bank of India (SBI) to forthwith stop the issuance of electoral bonds, CJI Chandrachud ordered the Election Commission of India (ECI) to publish on its official website by March 13 the details of the political parties which have received contributions through electoral bonds since April 2019. CJI Chandrachud’s opinion, concurred by Justices B.R. Gavai, J.B. Padriwala and Manoj Misra, added that

the infringement of the right to information of voters cannot be justified for the purpose of curbing black money in the electoral process. “The right to information under Article 19(1)(a) can only be restricted based on the ground stipulated in Article 19(2). The purpose of curbing black money is not traceable to any of the grounds in Article 19(2),” the top court said. Further, it said that the electoral bond scheme is “not the only means for curbing black money” in electoral financing and there are other alternatives which substantially fulfill the purpose and impact the right to information minimally when compared to the impact of electoral bonds on the right to information. Saying that the political contributions give a seat at the table to the contributor, i.e., it enhances access to legislators and this access also translates into influence over policy making, the apex court added that the information of funding of political parties is essential for effective exercise of the

introduced by the Finance Act, 2017, the amendment to the Companies Act, 2013 and the amendment to the Representation of People Act as unconstitutional. Justice Sanjiv Khanna authored a separate but concurring verdict. “I have also applied proportionality standards but with slightly different variations. My conclusions are the same,” Justice Khanna said.

choice of voting. The Supreme Court held it “manifestly arbitrary” to permit unlimited political contribution by the companies, saying that contributions made by companies are purely business transactions made with the intent of securing benefits in return. In sum, the apex court declared the amendment to the Income Tax Act

Terming the verdict as “salutary”, advocate Prashant Bhushan said the judgment will have a very significant impact on the country’s polity. In November 2023, CJI Chandrachud led-Constitution Bench had reserved its verdict on pleas challenging the validity of the electoral bonds scheme after hearing the arguments for three days in a row. The petitioners before the apex court had argued that the Electoral Bond Scheme violates the citizen’s fundamental right to information under Article 19(1) and it enables backdoor lobbying, promotes corruption, and eliminates level playing field for political parties in the Opposition.

Lift the social, economic, political blockade of Punjab, says Akali Dal

Bill mandating prominence to Kannada on sign boards in Karnataka passed

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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xpressing solidarity with farmers, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday demanded the lifting of the “social, economic and political blockade of Punjab” and the restoration of the fundamental rights and democratic freedom of the farmers and other Punjabis.

government in the past be fulfilled without any further delay.

“The ongoing blockade is destroying the social and economic fabric of the already beleaguered state,” said party’s senior Vice-President Daljit Singh Cheema while talking to media in Chandigarh.

“The Punjab CM had promised that he would implement the MSP within five minutes of forming the government. He had also promised full compensation for the losses suffered by farmers as well as for allied professions like poultry, dairy, etc,” Cheema said. The SAD also held Punjab Chief Minister Mann of “colluding with the governments of Haryana and the Centre in a deep-rooted conspiracy to wreak vengeance and inflict repression against the innocent and peacefully protesting farmers”.

The party demanded that all commitments made to the farmers by the Centre as well the Bhagwant Mann

He said the party condemned the repression on farmers, including the use of bullets of different varieties.

Finance Minister Sitharaman launches 3 souvenir coins IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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he Kannada Language Comprehensive Development (Amendment) Bill, 2024, mandating use of Kannada on 60 percent space of signboards of all business and commercial establishments was passed by the Karnataka Assembly on Thursday. Minister for Kannada and Culture Shivaraj Tangadagi moved the Bill in the house and announced that the state government has been framing rules to enforce a law towards giving prominence to local language in the state. He also promised strict implementation and action against violations. The government had issued a deadline of February 28 for shops and commercial establishments to adhere to the rule.

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nion Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday launched three souvenir coins which include a colored coin on endangered animals of India -- Greater OneHorned Rhino, a bi-metallic clad souvenir coin on Enlightenment of Buddha and a colored souvenir coin of Ram Lalla and Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir. The three coins were launched on the occasion of the 19th Foundation Day celebrations of the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL) through hybrid mode in New Delhi. The coins can be purchased from the SPMCIL website. During her address, Sitharaman appreciated SPMCIL for the security products being

produced, including bank notes, security paper, postal stamps, passports, medallions, among others. She acknowledged SPMCIL’s thoughtfulness for minting ‘Visually Impaired Friendly’ Coin Series and SPMCIL’s new initiatives of production of e-Passport with Track and Trace

system which ensures enhanced security along with convenience of information. The Union Finance Minister highlighted the fact that the souvenir products of SPMCIL are presented by the Indian government to dignitaries of other countries at international forums and are being appreciated globally.


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Friday, 16 February, 2024

Qatar court releases 8 ex-Indian Navy personnel; 7 back in India, says MEA IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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ndia on Monday has welcomed the decision of the Qatar court to release the eight former Indian Army personnel, who were previously sentenced to death, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a statement. The Qatar court on Monday released all eight former Indian Navy personnel in its custody, out of which seven have returned to India, said a statement by the MEA. The MEA said in a statement, “The Government of India welcomes the release of eight Indian nationals working for the Dahra Global company who were detained in Qatar. Seven out of the

Police beef up security on Delhi-Gurugram border IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

eight of them have returned to India. We appreciate the decision by the Amir of the State of Qatar to enable the release and home-coming of these nationals.”

accused of allegedly spying on a submarine program. The Indian nationals were deemed guilty of espionage by the Qatari court, and were sentenced to death on charges not yet made public.

Earlier, the capital punishment for the jailed Indian Navy veterans was commuted to an extended prison term after diplomatic talks between Qatar and India. Out of the total eight former Indian Navy officers imprisoned in Qatar, seven have returned to India, said MEA in its statement. Arrangements are being made to bring the last released veteran home.

The MEA expressed that the ruling of the court was “deeply shocking”, and said that they would explore all legal options to get the charges against the former Indian Navy personnel dropped. The Dahra Global case saw a major development last year when the court in Qatar commuted the death sentence of the Indian nationals after intervention by the Indian government. The sentence was reduced to jail terms.

The eight Indian nationals, formerly Indian Navy personnel, were imprisoned in Qatar in October 2022 after being

Maratha quotas: Panel submits survey report to Maharashta government

UP man held for impersonating Union Home Minister IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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urugram Police as well as Delhi Police have been put on high alert in view of the ongoing farmer’s protest. On the third day of farmers’ agitation, tightened security arrangements were witnessed on the DelhiGurugram border on the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway, also known as NH-48, on Thursday. Three-layer security arrangements made by the Delhi Police and speed breakers were also installed at the Delhi-Gurugram border area. Although the situation at the Gurugram-Delhi border is normal, despite the security on the border, the problem of light traffic also persists. During rush hours, vehicles move bumper to bumper on the expressway due to security checks by the police. Senior officials of the Gurugram Police said they have intensified their security arrangements and special instructions have been given to the police force to keep a check on suspicious elements.

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he Maharashtra State Backward Class Commission on Friday submitted to the state government its voluminous survey report on ascertaining the backwardness of the Marathas ahead of the Special Legislature Session on February 20 to finalize the community’s quotas. MSBCC Chairman Justice (retired) Sunil Shukre and other members submitted the bulky report to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at his official residence ‘Varsha’, in the presence of Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, on Friday.

“This report shall be discussed by the state cabinet and after its approval, will be tabled in the Special Legislature Session (February 20) to finalize the reservation for the Marathas,” said Shinde.

Justice Shukre said this was the biggest survey ever conducted anywhere in the country for which around three-four Lakh surveyors contacted over 2.25 Crore community people across the state.

The CM reiterated that the state government is positive on giving lasting Maratha quotas that would stand up to legal scrutiny and also without affecting the OBC reservation.

Accepting the report, Shinde praised the efforts of the MSBCC teams led by Justice Shukre plus the survey officials from the entire administrative system to conduct the massive survey on a war-footing, in a record time and virtually working round-the-clock.

Simultaneously, Shinde appealed to the Shivba Sanghatana leader Manoj JarangePatil whose indefinite hunger strike entered the seventh day on Friday to call off his agitation as the government was keen to fulfil its commitments without doing injustice to any community.

PM to lay foundation of 300 MW solar power plant in Bikaner

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The objective is to ensure affordable power supply to government entities. Notably, NLCIL stands as the first CPSE to reach a 1 GW Solar capacity milestone in the country.

The Ministry of Coal said that the NLC India Limited, a leading Navratna CPSE, is establishing the 300 MW Solar Power Project at Barsingsar in Rajasthan’s Bikaner district as part of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s CPSE Scheme.

The company has secured a 300 MW solar project capacity in the CPSE Scheme Phase-II Tranche-III floated by Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) through competitive bidding, the official added. Equipped with cuttingedge technology, including high-efficiency bifacial modules manufactured in India, the solar project aligns with the Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative led by Prime Minister Modi.

ith an emphasis on promoting renewable energy and advancing towards achieving the net-zero vision, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation for a 300 MW solar power plant in Rajasthan’s Bikaner virtually on Friday, an official said on Thursday.

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he Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly police have arrested a man for allegedly impersonating Union Home Minister Amit Shah and making several calls to an ex-MLA, promising him an election ticket if he pays him money. The arrested man has been identified as Ravindra Maurya while the police are looking for his accomplice Shahid. Superintendent of Police (Rural area) Mukesh Mishra said that Shahid and Maurya have been booked under charges of robbery, cheating, and impersonation, as well as under sections of the IT Act. The case was filed on the complaint of Inspector Vinod Kumar of Nawabganj Police Station. The official said that the gang would call its targets, mostly political leaders and party workers, impersonating the Union Home Minister and would try to elicit money from them with fake promises of getting them election tickets. Maurya had called and spoken to former BJP MLA Kishanlal Rajput (from Barkhera assembly constituency in Pilibhit district) on phone from January 4 to January 20 nine times. During their investigation, police zeroed in on Ravindra Maurya, and called him to the police station, Mishra said. When he came to know that he was under police scanner, Maurya broke the SIM, which was later found to have been registered under a man named Harish from his village, the official said. When he was questioned by police, Harish told them that he had purchased the SIM on December 29, 2023. After some time, Ravindra Maurya and Shahid of the village threatened him and snatched the SIM from him.


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Business www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 16 February, 2024

Japan loses its position as the world’s third-largest economy to Germany It came after the economy shrank by 3.3 percent in the previous quarter. The figures from Japan’s Cabinet Office also indicate that the country may have also lost its position as the world’s third-largest economy to Germany, BBC reported. Economists had expected the new data to show that Japan’s GDP grew by more than 1% in the fourth quarter of last year.

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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apan has slipped to the world’s fourthlargest economy as it fell behind the size of Germany’s in 2023, says Deepak Jasani, Head of Retail Research, HDFC Securities. Japan’s nominal GDP totaled $4.2 trillion last year, or about 591 trillion yen. Germany’s, announced last month, was $4.4 trillion, or $4.5 trillion, depending on the currency conversion, he added. For the latest October-December quarter, the Japanese economy shrank at an annual rate of 0.4 percent, and minus 0.1 percent from the previous quarter, according to Cabinet Office data on real GDP. For the year, real GDP grew 1.9 percent from the previous year, he said. This follows a 3.3 percent contraction in the third quarter. Two consecutive quarters of contraction are widely considered a technical recession, he added. Japan has unexpectedly

Nvidia market capitalization surpasses Alphabet IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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hip-maker Nvidia’s market capitalization rose to $1.83 trillion on Wednesday, nudging past Alphabet’s $1.82 trillion market cap, a media report said. Santa Clara-based chipmaker’s shares rose 2.5 percent to $739, while Alphabet shares ended the session at $145.94, CNN reported. Earlier this week, Nvidia surpassed Amazon, closing with a higher market cap on Tuesday for the first time since 2002, CNN reported. Nvidia shares have been on a tear since 2023, when investors swept up in AI hype bought up shares of Big Tech stocks, spurring a bull market against a backdrop of sky-high interest rates and leading the S&P 500 index to jump 24 percent last year. Nvidia has been the biggest beneficiary of the AI mania dominating Wall Street. The stock is up 49 percent this year after soaring 239 percent in 2023, CNN reported.

fallen into a recession after its economy shrank for two quarters in a row, BBC reported. The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by a worse-than-expected 0.4% in the last three months of 2023, compared to a year earlier.

In October, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast that Germany was likely to overtake Japan as the world’s third-largest economy when measured in US dollars, BBC reported. The IMF will only declare a change in its rankings once both countries have published the final versions of their economic growth figures. It began publishing data comparing economies in 1980. Economist Neil Newman told the BBC that the latest figures show that Japan’s economy was worth about $4.2tn (£3.3tn) in 2023,

Indian banks face a slowdown in growth and profit margins as deposits lag IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently barred banks and non-bank financial companies from investing in AIFs holding the lenders’ customer assets. This move aims to prevent loan ever greening. Lenders must divest AIF holdings within a month or set aside provisions. Industry groups anticipate the directive will affect billions in bank investments and potentially hinder

This was due to the weakness of the Japanese currency against the dollar and that if the yen recovers, the country could regain the number three spot, Newman added, BBC reported. At a press conference in Tokyo this month, the IMF’s deputy head, Gita Gopinath, also said an important reason for Japan potentially slipping in the rankings was the yen falling by about 9 percent against the US dollar last year. However, the weakness of the yen has helped to boost the share prices of some of Japan’s biggest companies as it makes the country’s exports, such as cars, cheaper in overseas markets. This week, Tokyo’s main stock index, the Nikkei 225, crossed the 38,000 mark for the first time since 1990, when a collapse in property prices triggered an economic crisis. The Nikkei 225’s record high of 38,915.87 was set on 29 December 1989, BBC reported.

Paramount Global to cut 800 jobs as it looks to trim costs IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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ndian banks face a slowdown in growth and profit margins as deposits lag despite higher interest rates. In the 2023 October-to-December quarter, most major banks reported income gains, but net interest margins (NIM) declined due to tighter liquidity and rising funding costs. Among large banks, only Punjab National Bank saw an increase in NIM for the fiscal’s third quarter, according to data compiled by S&P Global Market Intelligence. State Bank of India, India’s largest bank by assets, posted lower net income after factoring in a 71-billion-rupee expense related to a wage bill increase.

while Germany’s was $4.4tn.

aramount Global, the owner of broadcast and cable TV networks, has announced to lay off hundreds of employees as the media giant looks to trim costs and grow revenue. Chief Executive Officer Bob Bakish informed about the job cuts in an internal memo to employees.

growth, the report said. Indian bank deposit growth continues to lag behind credit growth. RBI data released in December 2023 shows an 11% deposit growth in fiscal 2022–2023, compared to 15% credit growth. This widening gap has pushed the credit-to-deposit ratio to a 10-year high, a development attributed partly to the RBI’s use of macro prudential measures to tighten policy, according to Nomura analysts in a February 8 report.

While the CEO did not mention the exact number of workers who will be let go, CNN, citing sources, reported that about 800 employees, or roughly three percent of the company’s workforce, will be affected. The announcement comes just days after its CBS network posted record-breaking advertising sales and the highest-rated Super Bowl telecast. Bakish, in the memo, mentioned that the latest job cuts will affect employees around the world.

Hackers using ChatGPT to improve cyberattacks, reveal Microsoft and OpenAI IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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icrosoft and OpenAI on Wednesday said hackers are using large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT to improve their existing cyber-attack techniques. The companies have detected attempts by Russian, North Korean, Iranian, and Chinese-backed groups using tools like ChatGPT for research into targets and build social engineering techniques. In partnership with Microsoft Threat Intelligence, OpenAI disrupted five state-affiliated actors that sought to use AI services in support of

malicious cyber activities. “We disrupted two China-affiliated threat actors known as Charcoal Typhoon and Salmon Typhoon; the Iran-affiliated threat actor known as Crimson Sandstorm; the North Korea-affiliated actor known as Emerald Sleet; and the Russia-affiliated actor known as Forest Blizzard,” said Sam Altman-run company. The identified OpenAI accounts associated with these actors were terminated. These bad actors sought to use OpenAI services for querying open-source information, translating, finding coding errors, and running basic coding tasks. While attackers will remain interested in AI

and probe technologies’ current capabilities and security controls, it’s important to keep these risks in context, said the company.


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Business

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Friday, 16 February, 2024

Samsung partners with Princeton University for 6G network tech

Google doubles down on efforts to combat misinformation ahead of EU elections IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

All advertisers who wish to run election ads in the EU on Google platforms are required to go through a verification process and have an in-ad disclosure that clearly shows who paid for the ad.

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oogle has announced to support the European parliamentary elections by surfacing highquality information to voters, safeguarding its platforms from abuse and equipping campaigns with the best-in-class security tools and training. On June 6-9, voters across the 27 member states of the European Union will take to the polls to elect Members of European Parliament (MEPs).

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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he South Korean giant said on Tuesday that Samsung Research America (SRA), its research and development organization, has partnered with Princeton University in the US to jointly develop next-generation 6G network technologies. Under the collaboration, SRA will become a founding member of Princeton University’s “NextG Initiative Corporate Affiliates Program,” aiming to spearhead R&D in 6G technologies, according to Samsung Electronics. The program was launched by the university’s School of Engineering and Applied Science last year to accelerate the adoption of new technologies and enhance innovation across various sectors, including cloud and edge networks, intelligence sensing and network resilience, reports Yonhap news agency. SRA will participate in the corporate affiliate program, along with other companies, including Ericsson, Intel, MediaTek, Nokia Bell Labs, Qualcomm Technologies and Vodafone. The move came as Samsung Electronics, a global leader in the world’s smartphone and memory chip markets, has been actively focusing on the development of nextgeneration communication technology.

“Across our efforts, we’ll have an increased focus on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and the part it can play in the misinformation landscape — while also leveraging AI models to augment our abuse-fighting efforts,” said Annette Kroeber-Riel, Vice President, Government Affairs and Public Policy for Europe. In the coming months, when people search for topics like ‘how to vote,’ they will find details about how they can vote — such as ID requirements, registration, voting deadlines,

“These ads are published in our Political Ads Transparency Report, where anyone can look up information such as how much was spent and where it was shown. We also limit how advertisers can target election ads,” the company informed. The company said that to help enforce its policies, AI models are enhancing abuse-fighting efforts.

voting abroad and guidance for different means of voting, like in person or via mail. “We’re collaborating with the European Parliament which aggregates information from Electoral Commissions and authorities in the 27 EU member states,” said Google.

“With recent advances in our Large Language Models (LLMs), we’re building faster and more adaptable enforcement systems that enable us to remain nimble and take action even more quickly when new threats emerge,” Google said. Like any emerging technology, AI presents new opportunities as well as challenges. For example, generative AI makes it easier than ever to create new content, but it can also raise questions about trustworthiness of information, like “deepfakes.”

Punjab farmer turns exporter of ready-to-cook millets to Australia under India’s start-up scheme IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

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he Central government’s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated around 500 startups in marketing and exporting millet based value added products. These startups include a farmer from Punjab’s Sangrur district who has exported a consignment of 14.3 metric tonnes of millets, and its products valued at $45,803 to Australia, the Commerce Ministry said on Tuesday. APEDA chairman Abhishek Dev flagged off farmer Dilpreet Singh’s shipment which includes ready-to-cook millets. Additionally, flours

sourced from Ragi, Jowar, Bajra, and various millets such as Foxtail, Kodo, Barnyard, Browntop, Little, and Proso varieties were also a part of this unique export endeavor taken up by the Punjab farmer for the first time. With an increase in millet exports from $62.95 million in 2021-22 to $75.45 million in 2022-23 and with current export of $45.46 million from April-November 2023. Millets are gaining popularity in the global market. There is significant increase in the export of cereal preparation including value added millet products registering a growth of 12.4 percent over the same period last year.

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Bajrang Punia writes open letter to UWW over revoking of WFI suspension, says ‘wrestlers under threat”

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lympic medallist wrestler Bajrang Punia wrote an open letter to United World Wrestling (UWW) on Thursday, demanding the world Wrestling body to take action against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). In a letter, Punia wrote that the decision to lift WFI suspension has put the “wrestlers under threat again” by WFI members. UWW, the global governing body for the sport, had placed the WFI under provisional suspension on August 23 last year after the Indian body failed to hold an election in due course. However, the UWW decided to lift the suspension on Tuesday with immediate effect. The UWW Bureau met on February 9 to review the suspension among other topics and considering all the elements and information,

Surrey sign Sean Abbott County Championship and Vitality Blast

it decided to lift the suspension under the condition that WFI has to immediately provide UWW with written guarantees that all wrestlers will be considered for participation without any discrimination in all WFI events.

dated 7th January 2024. “Even after this they have publicly issued statements against wrestlers and Ad Hoc Committee. This elected body is still being run by same individual and their allies who serious charges against them and MYAS also took the same in consideration while suspending the body.

In a letter to UWW, Punia wrote: “This decision has again put Indian wrestlers under threat and harassment by WFI members. This is to bring to your notice that this WFI was suspended by Ministry of Youth and Sports (MYAS) dated 27 December 2023 due to serious anomalies after a couple of days of taking charge. MYAS also formed an Ad Hoc Committee to overlook and conduct wrestling activities. “Even after this suspended WFI members took blatant decisions to conduct sporting activities without any recognition from sports ministries under the same leadership. Wrestlers all over

“For your reference we have attached the mentioned letters. We wrestlers request you kindly support Indian athletes against unfair practices and harassment through various means. Indian wrestlers are looking up to you for justice and their rights to fair and safe play.” India have lost trust and belief in functioning of Wrestling Federation of India. Because of this MYAS took diligent steps and issued a circular

Nadal withdraws from Qatar Open, says ‘not ready to compete’

On Wednesday, former wrestler Sakshi Malik accused WFI chief Sanjay Singh that he used underhanded tactics to have the suspension on WFI lifted by UWW.

Back spasms take toll on Woods on PGA Tour return

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ustralia pace bowler Sean Abbott will be back for his third stint at Surrey this summer, having enjoyed a terrific spell with the Three Feathers in 2023. The Australian will be available for four County Championship matches and eight Vitality Blast fixtures across May and June. In the County Championship, the Australian played a key role for Surrey in retaining the title, picking up 37 wickets at an average of less than 25, and scoring more than 450 runs at an average of over 45. In the Vitality Blast, Abbott played the innings of the year with a recordequalling 34-ball century against Kent Spitfires at The Kia Oval – the fastest hundred ever for Surrey. He also delivered in key moments with the ball, including taking 4-23 in the semi-final of the competition against Somerset. Abbott, whose star shone brightly in both the County Championship and the Blast last season, is slated to grace Surrey’s lineup from May to June, covering a crucial period of the tournament. However, his commitments to Major League Cricket (MLC) would see him missing the Blast’s group stages prematurely.

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ormer world no. 1 tennis star Rafael Nadal has further delayed his comeback after pulling out of the upcoming Qatar Open.

The 22-time Grand Slam winner was due to compete at the event in Doha which begins on February 19. But, the 37-year-old said he is won’t be able compete in Doha and targeting in an exhibition match against Carlos Alcaraz in Las Vegas in March, and Indian Wells later in the month. “I would have loved to play in Doha, where the tournament team, as well as the amazing Qatar fans have always supported me greatly. Unfortunately I am not ready to compete and I won’t be able to come to Doha where I

really wanted to be and play again after that unforgettable win in 2014. “I will focus on keep working to be ready for the exhibition in Las Vegas and the amazing Indian Wells tournament,” the Spaniard wrote on X. Nadal made his long-awaited return after almost a year out with injury at January’s Brisbane International. He reached the quarterfinal but sustained a muscle tear near his hip during his encounter against Jordan Thompson. The injury caused Nadal to withdraw from the Australian Open a week before the Grand Slam began.

Mbappe tells PSG he is leaving, reports say France captain Kylian Mbappe has informed Paris St Germain that he is leaving the club in July as a free agent seven years after joining them, The Athletic website reported on Thursday. Mbappe, a member of France’s 2018 World Cup-winning team, signed for PSG from Monaco in 2017 for 180 million Euros ($194 million) to become the second most expensive player ever after Brazilian Neymar, who joined the French champions the same year for 222 million Euros.

iger Woods settled for a haphazard one-over-par 72 in the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday as his surgically-repaired back caused him problems. In his first PGA Tour start since April, Woods mixed five birdies with six bogeys including one at the last after he shanked his second shot into the trees, making the 15-times major champion drop his club in frustration. “My back spasmed on it,” Woods said of his eight-iron shot on the par-four 18th at Riviera Country Club. “It had been spasming over the last three holes and it just locked up on me and didn’t move, didn’t rotate.” Woods, who underwent spinal fusion surgery in 2017, recovered nicely on his next shot, splitting two trees with a punch hook to find the green. “A lot of good and a lot of indifferent,” Woods said of his round on a sunny day in Pacific Palisades. “It was one or the other. I don’t know how many pars I had, wasn’t many. I was either making birdies or bogeys and just never really got anything consistent going today.”


17

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Friday, 16 February, 2024

New York Superstar Strikers pick Christian, Jerome Taylor, finalize squad for upcoming season

PCB terminates Haris Rauf’s central contract, denies NOC to play foreign leagues

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he New York Superstar Strikers have with some strategic recruitment bolstered their squad for the upcoming Legends Cricket Trophy 2024 picking up players like Dan Christian, and Jerome Taylor. Led by former India star Yuvraj Singh and guided by Sagar Khanna, the New York Strikers have picked a mix of seasoned veterans, leaving the team poised to achieve success in the upcoming campaign.

T excellence, I am confident that our bowlers will play a crucial role in the success of the team. Together, we will strive to achieve our goals and make our mark in the Legends Cricket Trophy 2024.”

he Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has terminated the central contract of fast bowler Haris Rauf that dates from December 1, 2023, following his refusal to join Pakistan’s Test squad for the recent tour of Australia. Additionally, Rauf has been barred from obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to play in any foreign league until June 30, 2024. The PCB emphasized that playing for Pakistan is the highest honor for any sportsperson and deemed Rauf’s refusal to join the Test squad without a valid medical report or justifiable reason as a material violation of his central contract. Despite being called upon to represent his country, Rauf opted to participate in the Big Bash League 2023-24 for the Melbourne Stars while Pakistan faced Australia in Tests.

Yuvraj Singh, the iconic player and dynamic leader of the New York Superstar Strikers, expressed, “I am thrilled to step onto the field for the Legends Cricket Trophy alongside the sporting icons of the game. Getting to lead these legendary icons will be an exciting time, and I am looking forward to the tournament and to creating some new memories.”

“After a thorough hearing process conducted by a PCB committee and taking into consideration the views of all stakeholders involved in the matter, Haris’ central contract has been terminated from December 1, 2023, and no NOC (No objection certificate) to play any foreign league will be granted up to June 30, 2024,” a PCB statement read.

Having previously made a mark in Abu Dhabi T10 and Lanka Premier League, the New York Superstar Strikers are eager to build upon their past successes and elevate their performance this season. Supporting the core group are talented individuals including Isuru Udana, Asela Gunaratne and Alviro Petersen, each bringing their unique strengths and abilities to the team dynamic. Rounding out the squad are promising talents such as Nuwan Pradeep, Chamara Kapugedera, and Ricardo Powell, who are poised to make significant contributions to the team’s success. Carl Crowe, the head coach of the New York Superstar Strikers, expressed his excitement for the upcoming season. “I am truly impressed with the squad we’ve assembled. Each player brings something unique to the table, and I have full confidence in their abilities to perform at their best. With the right combination of experience and talent, we’re ready to take on any challenge that comes our way,” he said.

Inter Miami will be my last club, says Uruguayan Suarez

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nter Miami will be the last club Luis Suarez plays for, the Uruguay striker said on Thursday. Suarez, 37, signed a contract with the Major League Soccer side last year for the 2024 season after a stint with Brazilian club Gremio. He reunited with former Barcelona team mates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, with whom he won four LaLiga titles in five years in Spain. “Inter Miami will be my last club, my family already know that. I don’t have a date yet, but it’s the last step,” Suarez said in an interview with Uruguayan radio station Del Sol. “I’m ready for this last challenge, but there is an inevitable fatigue and, in the end, I want to have quality of life in the future,” he added. Suarez, who also played for clubs including Ajax Amsterdam, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid, has won 138 caps for Uruguay since 2007.

Owner Sagar Khanna shared his thoughts on the squad, saying, “I am incredibly proud of the team we’ve put together. The dedication and hard work of everyone involved in this process have been instrumental in shaping a squad that we believe can compete at the highest level. As we embark on this journey, we carry the hopes and aspirations of our fans with us, and we’re determined to make them proud.” Chaminda Vaas, the bowling coach of the New York Superstar Strikers, added, “I am thrilled to be a part of this talented squad. With a strong focus on bowling

Alcaraz makes winning clay return, reaches Argentina Open quarterfinal

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arlos Alcaraz survived an inspired effort from Argentine qualifier Camilo Ugo Carabelli to record a straight-sets win in his Argentina Open opener and sailed into the quarterfinals. Playing in his first match since his Australian Open quarterfinal exit, the Spaniard registered a 6-2, 7-5 victory after missing out on two match points in the second on Thursday night. He will next meet qualifier Andrea Vavassori after the Italian’s 6-4, 7-5 upset of seventh seed Laslo Djere. The Spanish top seed is bidding to successfully defend a title for the third time in his career after retaining home crowns in Barcelona and at the ATP Masters 1000 last season. Earlier at the ATP 250, Argentina’s Federico Coria knocked out second seed Cameron Norrie 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. By earning his fourth Top 20 win (and first since 2022), the home favorite advanced to his 12th

Hodgson in stable condition after falling ill Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson is stable and undergoing tests in hospital after falling ill during a training session, the Premier League club said in a statement on Thursday. Palace cancelled a press conference earlier in the day after the 76-yearold former England, Liverpool and Inter Milan manager felt unwell. British media reported on Thursday that Hodgson was about to be sacked by Palace following back-to-back league losses that tarnished the image of the team.

tour-level quarterfinal. Coria will next meet countryman Sebastian

Baez after the fifth seed beat Cordoba champion Luciano Darderi 6-4, 7-5, ending the Italian’s six-match winning streak.

Snoop Dogg to bring a new take to NBC’s Olympics coverage Rapper Snoop Dogg, who is returning to NBC’s Olympics coverage this summer with a higher profile, promised more of the unique commentary that won fans three years ago at the Tokyo games. Wearing a red, white and blue track suit with his name and the NBC peacock logo, the hip hop megastar said on Wednesday that his plan for Paris entailed “shaking it up in many different ways, bringing my flavor.”


18

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Friday, 16 February, 2024

Beyonce sparkles in Indian designer Gaurav Gupta’s crystal ensemble at NYFW

Entertainment

Kanye West slams Taylor Swift, says he’s been ‘more helpful than harmful’

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t was a “sparkley” affair at New York Fashion Week, where grammy winner Beyonce, also called as Queen B by her fans, made heads turn in an outfit by renowned Indian designer Gaurav Gupta. Gupta took to his Instagram account, where he shared the slick looks donned by Beyonce. The statement outfit was from the designer’s recent collection, “Aarohanam,” which was unveiled at the Paris Couture Week’s Spring Summer 2024. Beyonce looked every-inch-gorgeous in a celestial hued blazer dress having a plunging neckline paired with thighboots and a cowboy hat. She completed her look with a hologram coloured bag and big sunglasses. The outfit had crystals embedded on it.

apper Kanye West has taken a dig at singer-songwriter Taylor Swift in a lengthy all-caps Instagram post. The rapper claimed that he’s been “more helpful” to her career “than harmful”, reports Mirror.co.uk.

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Billboard charts, Kanye finally addressed his recent run-ins with Taylor.

Gaurav has previously styled globally popular names such as Kylie Minogue, Megan Thee Stallion, Lizzo and Priyanka Chopra

The controversial ‘Bound 2’ rapper was reportedly removed from last weekend’s Super Bowl at the request of the ‘Blank Space’ hitmaker, claims he now denies. He’d only recently bragged on his story about overtaking Taylor in Spotify’s global popularity charts.

He admitted 2023, the year in which he was cancelled for a string of vile antisemitic remarks before being banned from most social media sites, was “incredibly challenging for me, my wife, my children, friends and family.” The rapper explained: “I’ve been banned from hotels, kicked out of companies, and even not allowed to eat in some restaurants. Everyone saw vultures 1 get taken off of platforms to limit our first week numbers.”

Justin Bieber turned down Usher’s offer to perform at Super Bowl

Screenshotting another post on X, urging users to stream Beyonce’s new single ‘Texas Hold ‘em’ in a bid to keep Ye’s Vultures out the

As per Mirror.co.uk, the pair have history, famously clashing at the 2009 VMAs when Ye interrupted Swift’s award acceptance speech.

He added: “This reminds me of the mistreatment of my people because of the color of our skin,” before circling back to talking about Taylor. “Remember I was on Taylor’s side when Scooter bought her masters behind her back”, Kanye told his followers. “She and Beyonce are big inspirations to all musicians, we always say how both sell out tours and movies.” Mirror.co.uk further states that Ye fired back at Swifties, saying: “Also, I’m sure I’ve been far more helpful to Taylor Swift’s career than harmful. To all Taylor swift fans, I am not your enemy uuum i’m not your friend either though lol.”

Baking pizzas taught Shah Rukh perseverance when his films tanked at the box office

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inger-songwriter Justin Bieber turned down Usher’s offer to perform at the Super Bowl VIII Halftime show.

The ‘R’n’B superstar pulled out all the stops for his performance halfway through the major sporting spectacle at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, reports Female First UK. He was reportedly keen to get Justin, 29, on board but the ‘Sorry’ hitmaker “wasn’t up for it,” although an insider has insisted there is “no bad blood” between the pair. A source told PageSix: “There’s no bad blood between Usher and Justin. Justin just wasn’t up for it — he just wasn’t feeling it”. Usher played a major role in the launch of Justin’s career in the late 2000s after record executive Scooter Braun had spotted the teenager singing on YouTube and convinced the ‘Yeah!’ hitmaker to meet with the budding star.

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ollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan, who set the box-office on fire in 2023 with his three releases -- ‘Pathaan’, ‘Jawan’ and ‘Dunki’, has reflected on a time when his films were not connecting with the larger audience. The actor did ‘Zero’, in which he played a dwarf, in 2018. The film directed by Aanand L. Rai tanked at the box-office after which Shah Rukh took a break for four years before he changed the trajectory of Bollywood with ‘Pathaan’. The actor recently attended the World Government Summit in Dubai, where he spoke about the time when his films were not working. The actor shared that he shifted his focus from movies to culinary art for a brief period to make a strong return. “I had massive flops, which they did very, very badly. I was licking my wounds. But you know what I did? I learnt to make the best pizza in the world. I stopped listening to stories, I stopped wanting to tell stories. “I made myself a little kitchen, and I started learning how to make pizzas. I learnt perseverance. Because to make the perfect round pizza,

you have to first make a million square ones.” Asked if his family encouraged him to return to work, and if making a comeback was difficult, Shah Rukh said, “I was glad that my family didn’t tell me, ‘Listen, your pizzas are better than your films, stop making films’. I’m glad that they turned around and said, ‘As good as your pizzas

are, your films are better’. They were very encouraging, especially my children and my team. “I’d become indulgent. I’d started becoming too innovative. I was looking for perfection, and I started failing. I needed to be excellent, I needed to be unique, but I needed to look at what the audience wanted.”


19

Entertainment

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Friday, 16 February, 2024

Korean rapper Bassagong set to release his new album from jail

Sharon Stone reveals why it’s ‘very expensive to be famous’

Will Smith to play Iraq war veteran in upcoming action thriller

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orean rapper Bassagong will release his new album while still serving his prison sentence for illegal filming. According to Koreaboo. com, his crew teased the rapper’s album, which contains 10 tracks. The album teaser may not leave an impact but the reason behind it making headlines is because Bassagong is currently serving a prison sentence for illegally filming and distributing pictures of fellow rapper Don Mills‘ wife in 2018. The rapper was sentenced to one year in prison and 40 hours of sexual violence treatment. Both Bassagong and prosecution initially appealed the ruling, but in the end, the rapper dropped his appeal and accepted his prison sentence. On April 11, the rapper will be released from prison.

Rock legend Roger Waters bats for Imran Khan’s release from ‘false imprisonment’

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ink Floyd legend Roger Waters, who is known to be vocal about his political opinions, has demanded the release of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan from “false imprisonment”. Roger took to his Instagram and shared a video which consisted of a picture of Imran from the cricket field during his prime, and Pakistani protesters demanding Imran’s release. Roger used the song ‘Dreadlock Holiday’ by the British rock band 10cc as the BGM of his Instagram post for Imran. He wrote in the caption, “A note to the Military Rulers of #Pakistan and their Masters in Washington: My name is Roger Waters. I am an English musician and a passionate supporter of fair play. What you are doing in Pakistan is not Cricket.” Imran was arrested on May 9, 2023, from inside the High Court in Islamabad by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on the charges of corruption. His arrest was deemed illegal by the Supreme Court of Pakistan on May 11, 2023.

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ctress Sharon Stone claims that being famous is a drag as she has to keep picking up $3,000 dinner tabs. The actress told a Women’s Cancer Fund event in March 2023, days after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, she had lost half her money in the recent financial crisis. It seems she is now back on her feet as she has now told InStyle about how she regularly gets left with huge dinner cheques when she is out: “You go out to dinner, and there’s 15 people at the table, and who gets the cheque? You get the $3,000 dinner check every single time.” She also said it’s “very expensive to be famous.” But she has said she is far from stingy, reports aceshowbiz.com. In her 2021 memoir ‘The Beauty of Living Twice’,

Sharon said she handed a huge chunk of her paycheque for 1995 Western ‘The Quick and the Dead’ to Leonardo DiCaprio, 49, so he could also feature in the movie. She told InStyle about giving the actor the cash after seeing him in ‘What’s Eating Gilbert Grape’, ‘He was a superstar. I wanted to be in a great movie, not a stupid movie, so I got the best people to surround me that I possibly could.’ The actress has been hit by her share of hard times and said that she was snubbed by Hollywood after suffering a stroke. The ‘Basic Instinct’ actress was rushed to the hospital in 2001 after suffering a brain hemorrhage that lasted nine days, forcing her to step away from her career for two years, which she said has led to her being out of the movies for 20 years.

Katy Perry announces she’s leaving ‘American Idol’

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ollywood star Will Smith will be seen in the upcoming high-octane actioner ‘Sugar Bandits’, where he will play an Iraq war veteran. Based on the Chuck Hogan book ‘Devils in Exile’, the thriller centers on an Iraq war veteran who teams up with a crew of fellow vets to target the drug trade in Boston. Hogan, whose writing credits include ‘The Town’ and ‘The Strain’ (which he co-wrote with Guillermo del Toro), penned the screenplay, reports Variety. Smith and Jon Mone will produce through Westbrook Studios with Ryan Shimazaki overseeing; Stuart Ford will produce for AGC Studios, which is fully financing the film; and Richard Abate (‘13 Hours’, ‘From Scratch’) will produce for 3 Arts Entertainment. ‘Sugar Bandits’ marks the latest film for Smith, whose last major feature and the first since his infamous Oscars slap was Antoine Fuqua’s ‘Emancipation’, which sold to Apple TV+ in Cannes for a market record deal of $120 million, but failed to make a significant impact on launch.

inger-songwriter Katy Perry has said that she is leaving ‘American Idol’. The singer and the show judge, 39, announced her exit from the show after seven seasons on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’. She teased that she has more projects, including new music, to come later in 2024, reports ‘People’ magazine.

He also has the untitled fourth ‘Bad Boys’ film, which is still in production, alongside the upcoming sequel to Zombie hit ‘I Am Legend’, which is set to co-star Michael B. Jordan and see Smith reprise his role from the 2007 original.

“I think this probably will be my last show, my last season for ‘American Idol’”, Perry confirmed. “I mean I love Idol so much. It connected me with the heart of America, but I feel like I need to go out and feel that pulse to my own beat, you what I’m saying Jimmy?” As per ‘People’, when asked what her fellow judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie said about her leaving, Perry responded, “Well they’ll find out tonight.” She then explained that her co-judges “know that I have some things planned for this year.”

plans to exit Idol after seeing her “in the studio.”

She added, “So it’s going to be a very, very exciting year for all girlies”. The ‘Roar’ singer shared about Bryan, 47, and Richie, 74, “I love them so much”, as she also shared that the pair were aware of her

“They figure I’ve been in the studio for a while so they figured something is coming”, she continued. “I love the show so much but I wanna go and see the world and maybe bring new music.”


20 Friday, 16 February, 2024

Dharam Karam www.indoustribune.com

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21 Friday, 16 February, 2024

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Dharam-Karam www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 16 February, 2024

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Astrologer Krishana Vyas. Phone: 9811 646746

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IYf ´fiQVfʳf IYSX°fZ WXÜỒ Aþb³Ê f QZJ°ff WX` dIY ÀfÔÀffSX ³fá WXû SXWXf WXÜ` CX³fIZY ¸fbJ ÀfZ d³fIY»f³fZ Uf»fe ªUf»ffEÔ ¶fišffÔOX IYû ·fÀ¸f IYSX QZ°fe WXÜỒ Aþb³Ê f ²fÈ°fSXf¿MÑX AüSX ·fe¿¸f, Qiû¯f AüSX IY¯fÊ ÀfdWX°f CXÀfIZY Àf·fe ÀfWX¹fûd¦f¹fûÔ IZY Àff±f-Àff±f A´f³fZ ÀU¹fÔ IZY ³ff¹fIYûÔ IYû ³fá WXû°fZ WXEb QZJ°ff WXÜ` UWX IÈY¿¯f ÀfZ ´fcL°ff WX` Af´f IYü³f WX? Ồ °fb¸f B°f³fZ CX¦fi ¢¹fûÔ WXû? IÈY¿¯f CXØfSX QZ°fZ WXỒ - ¸fỒ »fûIYûÔ IYf ÀfÔWXfSXIY WXÜÔc ¸fỒ B³f ¹fûðfAûÔ IYû ´fWX»fZ WXe ¸ffSX ¨fbIYf WXÜhc °fb¸f °fû EIY Àff²f³f ¸ffÂf WXû. BÀfd»fE CXNXû, VfÂfbAûÔ IYû ¸ffSX OXf»fû, ´fidÀfdð þe°fû AüSX BÀf dUVff»f SXfª¹f IYf Af³fÔQ »fûÜ QcÀfSXZ Vf¶QûÔ ¸fZ,Ô IY¸fÊ IYf d³f¹f¸f ´fi¶f»f WXû°ff WXÜ` IYüSXU ÀfZ³ff ³fZ dU³ffVf ¸ffh¦ff WXÜ` CX³WXÔZ A´f³ff AÔ°f ´fcSXf IYSX³ff WXe WXû¦ff. Aþb³Ê f CX³WXÔZ ¸ffSX³fZ Uf»ff ³fWXeÔ WXÜ` UWX IZYU»f IYf³fc³f IYf Àff²f³f WX.` BÀf ·f¹ff³fIY øY´f IYû QZJIYSX OXSX ÀfZ CX¶fSXZ Aþb³Ê f ³fZ IÈY¿¯f ÀfZ A´f³fZ Àfü¸¹f øY´f ¸fZÔ Uf´fÀf þf³fZ IZY d»fE IYWXfÜ A´f³fZ CX°ÀffWX ¸fZÔ CXÀf³fZ A´f³fe Ãf¸f°ff ÀfZ IYWXeÔ Ad²fIY ¸ffh¦f d»f¹ff WXÜ` UWX A¶f dU¿¯fb IYf Q¹ff»fb øY´f QZJ³ff ¨ffWX°ff WXÜ` ÀfÔþ¹f UWXe údá QZJ°ff WX` »fZdIY³f OXSX°ff ³fWXeÔ WXÜ` CXÀf¸fZÔ ·f¦fUf³f IZY ·f¹ffUWX øY´f IYû Àf¸fÓf³fZ IYe VfdöY WXÜ` UWX ´fiÀf³³f WX,` ´fidZ SX°f WX` AüSX ßfðf AüSX AfSXf²f³ff IZY Àff±f ¶fû»f°ff WXÜ` IÈY¿¯f Aþb³Ê f ÀfZ IYWX°fZ WX-Ồ ¹fWX Aòb°f úV¹f dIYÀfe AüSX ³fZ ³fWXeÔ QZJfÜ Af°¸fÄff³f ´fif~ IYSX³fZ IZY d»fE A°¹fd²fIY ´fi¹ffÀf IYe AfUV¹fIY°ff WXû°fe WXÜ` BÀfZ IZYU»f VffÀÂfûÔ IZY A²¹f¹f³f, ¹fÄf, Qf³f ¹ff IYNXûSX °f´fÀ¹ff ÀfZ ´fif~ ³fWXeÔ dIY¹ff þf ÀfIY°ffÜ Af´f EIY¸ffÂf ½¹fdöY WXỒ dþÀf³fZ BÀfZ ¸fZSXe SXWXÀ¹f¸f¹f VfdöY IZY ¸ff²¹f¸f ÀfZ QZJf WXÜ` EZÀff IYWX³fZ ÀfZ IÈY¿¯f A´f³fZ dU¿¯fb IZY ¨f°fb·fbþ Ê øY´f, CX³fIZY Àfü¸¹f AüSX ·f½¹f ÀU·ffU IYû QVff°fÊZ WXÜỒ A²¹ff¹f IYf AÔ°f IÈY¿¯f õfSXf Aþb³Ê f õfSXf AdþÊ°f Qb»fÊ·f dUVfZ¿ffd²fIYfSX IYû SXJ Z fÔdIY°f IYSX³fZ IZY Àff±f WXû°ff WXÜ` BÀf øY´f IYû QZJ³fZ IZY d»fE QZU°ff ·fe »ff»ffd¹f°f SXWX°fZ WXỒ dþÀfZ ¸ffÂf Àff²f³ff ÀfZ ³fWXeÔ QZJf þf ÀfIY°ffÜ »fZdIY³f EIYf¦fi ·fdöY ÀfZ ¸fbÓfZ QZJf þf ÀfIY°ff WX,` °f°U ÀfZ þf³ff þf ÀfIY°ff WX` AüSX ´fiUVZ f dIY¹ff þf ÀfIY°ff WXÜ` þû ¸fZSXZ d»fE IYf¹fÊ IYSX°ff WX,` ¸fZSXZ ´fid°f Àf¸fd´fÊ°f WX` AüSX ¸fbÓfZ ÀfUûʨ¨f ¸ff³f°ff WX` UWX ¸fbÓfZ ´fif~ IYSX°ff WXÜ`


23 Friday, 16 February, 2024

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Health & Fitness www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 16 February, 2024

Navigating hypothyroidism with a balanced approach

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avigating the complexities of hypothyroidism can be an overwhelming journey, given the rising prevalence of this condition across the word. Hypothyroidism arises when the thyroid gland fails to produce an adequate amount of thyroid hormone, a crucial regulator of the body’s metabolism. This deficiency can significantly impact energy levels, weight, and overall health. While managing hypothyroidism poses its challenges, adopting the right strategies. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have long been acquainted with hypothyroidism, these holistic approaches offer promising avenues for enhancing your overall health and quality of life. Listed below are foods rich in essential vitamins and nutrients crucial for supporting individuals with hypothyroidism: Iodine: The primary cause of hypothyroidism on a global scale is iodine deficiency, as this essential mineral cannot be naturally synthesized by the body. Including dietary sources such as iodized salt, dairy products, seafood, seaweed, and fortified cereals becomes crucial to address this deficiency. Individuals lacking in thyroid hormones often correlate with iodine deficiency. To meet the recommended daily intake of iodine, which is 150 micrograms (mcg), one needs less than half the amount found in a teaspoon of iodized salt. Ensuring an

adequate supply of this essential nutrient is vital for effective hypothyroidism management. Vitamin D: A prevalent issue among individuals with hypothyroidism is vitamin D deficiency, although the precise mechanism for this correlation remains unknown. Ensuring sufficient vitamin D

intake. The body produces vitamin D due to sun exposure. Diet can play a pivotal role in preventing illnesses associated with its deficiency, such as bone loss and malformations. Include vitamin D-rich foods in your diet like cheese, mushrooms, fortified foods with vitamin –d such as fortified milk, fortified cereals, eggs, fatty fish like wild-caught salmon, and dairy

products like Greek yogurt, to boost your vitamin D levels and contribute to the comprehensive management of hypothyroidism. Tyrosine: Discussing with your healthcare professional is crucial before increasing foods rich in tyrosine or considering supplements, as this amino acid may interact with hypothyroidism medication. Given its vital role in thyroid hormone synthesis alongside iodine, ensuring adequate tyrosine intake is essential. Foods containing tyrosine, such as seaweed, turkey, eggs, and cottage cheese, can contribute to a well-balanced diet that supports thyroid health. Always consult with your doctor to personalize your dietary approach to managing hypothyroidism effectively. Selenium: Selenium, with its highest concentration in the thyroid gland, plays a crucial role in supporting enzymes essential for thyroid function. Given its significance, individuals with hypothyroidism may often find themselves deficient in this vital nutrient, impacting not only thyroid health but also the immune system, cognitive function, and fertility. Incorporating selenium-rich foods into your diet like cereals, meat, and dairy products, fish, seafood, milk, nuts, sea salt, eggs, yeast, bread, mushrooms, garlic, asparagus, kohlrabi, and onion becomes imperative to address potential deficiencies and promote overall wellbeing, particularly in those managing hypothyroidism. Antioxidants: In the realm of hypothyroidism management, the role of antioxidants becomes even more significant. These disease-fighting compounds, abundant in fruits and vegetables, actively combat oxidative stress—a heightened inflammatory state linked with hypothyroidism and various chronic diseases. Elevate your antioxidant intake by incorporating superfoods like berries, nuts, seeds, and dark-green leafy vegetables, including drumstick leaves, spinach, and kale, into your diet. By doing so, you not only contribute to your overall health but also address the specific challenges associated with hypothyroidism and oxidative stress.


25 www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 16 February, 2024

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

Growing Growing businesses businesses need need cash cash flow. flow. We We cancan help. help.

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

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

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


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Community www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 16 February, 2024

Chicago Indian Community anticipates Vibrant Kavi Sammelan organized by UP Association

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xcitement is palpable within the Indian community of Chicago as they eagerly await the upcoming Kavi Sammelan organized by the UP Association, scheduled to take place on April 21, 2024. Set to be a celebration of poetry, culture, and camaraderie, the event promises to be a highlight on the community’s calendar. Renowned artists from India, including the esteemed humanist Arun Gemini, the witty satirist Shambhu Shikhar, and the talented lyricist Mumtaj Naseem, are slated to grace the occasion with their presence and poetic prowess. Their participation has only added to the anticipation surrounding the event, with attendees eagerly anticipating the opportunity to witness their performances firsthand. In a statement confirming the details of the highly anticipated Kavi Sammelan, Subhash Pandey, representing the UP Association, disclosed that the event is set to take place at Ashiana Banquets in Downers Grove, Illinois. This announcement solidifies the venue for the cultural extravaganza, providing attendees with clarity on where they can partake in the poetic festivities. “As an update to our earlier announcement, we are pleased to confirm that the Kavi Sammelan organized by the UP Association

will be held at Ashiana Banquets in Downers Grove, Illinois,” stated Subhash Pandey. “This venue has been selected to accommodate the anticipated turnout and ensure a memorable experience for all attendees.” Kavi Sammelans, or gatherings of poets, hold a special place in Indian culture, serving as platforms for artistic expression, social commentary, and the celebration of language. For the Chicago Indian community, the upcoming event represents a chance to reconnect with their cultural roots, share in the beauty of poetry, and forge new connections within the community. “We are thrilled to host this Kavi Sammelan and showcase the incredible talent of these esteemed artists,” said a spokesperson for the UP Association. “It’s an opportunity for our community to come together, celebrate our shared heritage, and revel in the beauty of language and expression.” The event is expected to draw a diverse audience, including poetry enthusiasts, cultural aficionados, and members of the Indian diaspora eager to immerse themselves in an evening of artistic excellence. With performances ranging from poignant verses to lighthearted satire, attendees can look forward to a dynamic and enriching experience.


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Community www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 16 February, 2024

Entertainment IndoUs Tribune proudly sponsors release of ‘Political Wars’ produced by Mukesh Modi of Chicago

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ebruary 16 has marked the much-anticipated release of ‘Political Wars’, a gripping political drama produced by Mukesh Modi of Chicago. The film, set to captivate audiences with its riveting storyline and stellar performances, has garnered significant attention ahead of its debut. ‘Political Wars’ delves into the intricate world of politics, exploring themes of power, corruption, and the relentless pursuit of justice. With its compelling narrative and thought-provoking commentary, the movie promises to be a cinematic experience unlike any other. One of the sponsors of the film, the IndoUs Tribune, expressed immense pride in being associated with such a groundbreaking project. As a prominent organization dedicated to fostering Indo-US relations, IndoUs Tribune recognizes the importance of promoting cultural exchange through the powerful medium of cinema. “We are thrilled to support the release of ‘Political Wars’ which not only entertains but also stimulates meaningful dialogue on important societal issues,” said a representative

from the IndoUs Tribune. “Mukesh Modi’s vision and dedication to storytelling are truly commendable, and we are honored to be a part of this cinematic journey.” The collaboration between Mukesh Modi and the IndoUs Tribune also underscores the film’s significance in bridging cultural divides and fostering mutual understanding between communities. As audiences flock to theaters to experience ‘Political Wars’ it serves as a reminder of the power of storytelling to inspire change and promote unity in an increasingly complex world. With its timely release and powerful message, ‘Political Wars’ is poised to leave a lasting impact on audiences worldwide, cementing its place as a standout contribution to the cinematic landscape. As viewers immerse themselves in the drama unfolding on screen, they are invited to reflect on the enduring complexities of politics and the enduring quest for truth and justice. As curtains rise on ‘Political Wars’ audiences eagerly await to embark on a journey that promises to challenge perceptions, provoke thought and ignite a change.


Beauty & Fashion

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Beauty & Fashion www.indoustribune.com

Friday, 16 February, 2024

Date night hairdos to up your glam game Whenever you plan a perfect date night, looking your best for that special someone is undoubtedly on the agenda. The quickest way to add a touch of glam to your date night look is by picking the right hairstyle. By IANS

H

ere are some trendy yet easy hairdos along with hair styling tips to assist you in creating the perfect look for your next date.

primer for easy hair styling. Then, taking a small section of hair from either side, twist and tie it at the back into a ponytail. Turn the ponytail inwards, adding some twists. Repeat the same for two more ponytails, one below the other. Lastly, fasten the remaining hair with a low ponytail and accessorize as you desire.

Glam hairstyles for the ladies: Perfecting the trending Bow Ponytail for your Valentine’s date night is as easy as these steps. Start by using a hair serum to detangle your hair. Then, taking a section of your hair from either side that’s just above your ears, tie a half-up ponytail at the back of your head. Next, tug out a small bun and split it in the middle. You can use bobby pins to secure it in place. To complete the bow, take a small section from below and wrap it through the middle.

A sleek Low Bun is a great go-to look if you need to run straight from work to your romantic dinner date. Start by tying a low tight ponytail. Next, divide the ponytail into equal halves and tightly wrap the right over the left, repeating this till the bottom. Lastly, twist this braid up to create a tight low bun, securing it with a hair tie and some bobby pins. For an ultra-glossy finish, apply an anti-frizz hair serum on the braid and the rest of your hair to tame any flyaways.

The trending Fishtail Braids are perfect for a dreamy date look. Start by applying 1-2 pumps of an anti-frizz hair serum along the length of your hair. This will act as a

Gentleman Glam hairstyles: For a romantic candlelight dinner, go for the slick side part, and start by applying a quarter-size hair styling gel all over your

On days where your hair is naturally looking great and you don’t want to play around too much, you can simply pin up a few strands away from your face, which will frame your face differently from other days. You can also use colorful pins if you are feeling a little playful.

hair. Then making a side partition, push your hair diagonally backward and flatten the rest on the sides. To complete this look, you can make the fringes fall on the sides. When it comes to setting your vibe on a special day you can always fall back on ‘The Quiff ’. All you have to do is take a coin size of the matte wax and rub it between your palms. Start

applying from back to front and then gently sculpt the quiff with your fingers in an upward direction. To ace the perfect look for a dreamy date night under the stars you can try the suave slick back look, just mix and apply any hair styling gel all over your hair. Then, flatten the hair on your sides and back. The last step, pull your top hair and push it backward to achieve that flawless sleek finish.


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