Issue 18

Page 1

In Tokyo, Jaishankar takes another swipe at China for skipping Global South summits

Friday, 08 March, 2024

Highlighting China’s absence in the two Global South summits hosted by India last year, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar took a swipe at the Asian giant on Friday saying that a lot of countries are not always comfortable with the word “Global South”.

Speaking at the Nikkei Forum on the India-Japan partnership in Tokyo, the minister also underlined that the countries of the Global South, numbering around 125, “feel for each other” and believe in India.

“I see a lot of countries... not always comfortable with the word Global South. So that itself is worth thinking about...” S. Jaishankar said as he pointed out that the concerns of these least developed and developing nations were not even on the agenda of the G20.

On being asked about China being part of the Global South, the minister said: “I do not believe China was present during the two Global South summits we hosted”.

He noted that during the Covid-19 pandemic, many countries of the Global South felt that they were the last in the line to get the vaccine.

“These were not recognized by the major powers in the world... They even felt at the time when India became G20 President that their concerns were not even on the agenda of the G20 and they have a strong feeling about this,” the minister remarked.

In an attempt to amplify their voices, India did two meetings for them last year as they “wanted to listen to 125 countries” and put before the G20 a set of issues, which he said, were their collective views.

Further, the minister said that Global South is “very popular” in the Asian and African continents and people there know “exactly what is happening, who’s speaking up for them, how their issues are getting on the table”.

Celebrating Indian American women: A powerhouse in US politics, business and beyond

Former UN ambassador Nikki Haley’s tenacious battle for the presidency of the US is a symbol of Indian American women’s emergence as a powerhouse in politics and society even though she dropped her sisyphean quest two days before International Women’s Day.

On the other side of the political divide, US Vice President Kamala Harris is set for another run for the vice presidency alongside President Joe Biden, having notched the record of the first woman elected to the position that is just a heartbeat away from the world’s most powerful job.

Biden takes on Trump and Republicans in fiery State of the Union speech

US President Joe Biden launched a scathing attack against his November presidential election rival Donald Trump, mentioning the 2021 Capitol riot, and said he will not bow down to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

In his State of the Union address, Joe Biden denounced Donald Trump for his recent comments about Russia and NATO, BBC reported. Stepping up his attack against Donald Trump, Joe Biden said that the latter want to spread resentment in the US but will find no harbor in this country.

Joe Biden said Republican was “bowing down” to Vladimir Putin but “I will not bow down.” He talked about a wide range of issues including Ukraine and NATO, the economy, abortion rights and the US-Mexico border. The US President said that if reelected, he would work to restore abortion rights nationwide.

On the war in Gaza, Joe Biden said it is the fundamental responsibility of Israel to protect innocent civilians. Joe Biden criticized Hamas and asked the group to release the hostages in Gaza. Biden’s speech drew applause and criticism too.

Donald Trump, in a post on his Truth Social media platform, said State of the Union contained “tremendous misrepresentation

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and lies” and people know it. Donald Trump said that the people of the country know that November 5 will be the most important day in our nation’s history.

Texas Republican Monica De La Cruz said, “President Biden tried to say everything is perfect, but we know that is not true.” Rejecting arguments that the president was too political with his speech, Joe Biden’s ally Delaware Senator Chris Coons said that he was Joe Biden was simply making his case for re-election.

Joe Biden displayed energy, hopefulness, and positivity in the speech, Chris Coons said.

Congressional review over, US sale of MQ-9B drones to India ready for next steps

The decks are clear now for India to take the next steps in acquiring 31 MQ9B SkyGuardian armed drones with ammunition with the lapse last week of the 30-day period for Congressional review of the deal. These armed drones are meant for intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance and for land, air and sea warfare. India has two of these drones -- MQ-9A -- companylease-and-operation basis from the manufacturers, General Atomics.

The entire package of drones with ammunition that India has sought will cost an estimated $3.99 billion.

The drones will come with 161 embedded global positioning and inertial navigation systems; 35 L3 Rio Grande Communications Intelligence Sensor Suites; 170 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles; 16 M36E9 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles; 310 GBU-39B/B Laser Small Diameter Bombs; and eight GBU-39B/B LSDB Guided Test Vehicles with live fuzes.

VOL: 01 • ISSUE: 18 We serve community first 08 MARCH 2024 www.indoustribune.com MIDWEST EDITION
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Ukraine, Netherlands sign deal on security cooperation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte signed an agreement on security cooperation between the two countries, the presidential press service reported. The 10-year deal, which is based on the G7 joint declaration of support for Ukraine, was signed in the city of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine last week.

The document stipulates that the Netherlands will provide 2 billion Euros (about $2.17 billion) in military aid to Ukraine in 2024, and will continue its support in the future. Under the deal, the Netherlands undertook a commitment to provide Ukraine with modern military equipment, including air defence means, artillery and armored vehicles.

Besides, the Netherlands will support Ukraine’s air forces as well as maritime and long-range capabilities. The Netherlands also reaffirmed its commitment to support Ukraine’s aspirations to join the EU and the NATO. Last year, the Netherlands provided 1.6 billion euros (about $1.73 billion) in military support for Ukraine.

Congressional review over, US sale of MQ-9B drones to India ready for next steps

The proposed sale of these drones were announced by US President Joe Biden during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington D.C. in June 2023. The administration notified Congress of the deal, as it must for all military exports of a certain value, on February 1, giving lawmakers 30 days to raise objections to the proposed deal, which will be deemed cleared of no there is opposition to it. “The Congressional review period will conclude at the end of the 30th calendar day after notification and the posting of the media announcement,” said a US official. The announcement came on February 1. “After that it’s up to the parties to conclude and sign a Letter of Offer and Acceptance.”

A wrinkle in the deal had emerged before the notification period when Ben Cardin, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is a key Congressional body for clearing foreign military sales, linked his support for the the deal to assurance from the Biden administration that India would cooperate in the murderfor-hire case involving the alleged to murder a Khalistani activist. He subsequently announced his support for the deal shortly after Congress was notified.

General Atomics says that the SkyGuardian “is designed to fly over the horizon via satellite for up to 40-plus hours in all types of weather and safely integrate into civil airspace, enabling joint forces and civil authorities to deliver real-time situational awareness anywhere in the world--day or night”. And apart from his combat capabilities, “it can be used for humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, search and rescue, law enforcement and border enforcement”.

Trump cannot delay enforcement of $83.3 million verdict in E. Jean Carroll case

Afederal judge on Thursday denied Donald Trump’s request to delay enforcement of the writer E. Jean Carroll’s $83.3 million verdict in her recent defamation case.

The decision by U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan adds to pressure on the former U.S. president to line up an acceptable bond by Monday so he can appeal.

In the Jan. 26 verdict, jurors agreed with Carroll, a former Elle magazine advice columnist, that Trump had defamed her in June 2019 by denying he had raped her in the mid-1990s in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in Manhattan.

Kaplan made the verdict official on Feb. 8, and gave Trump 30 days to post a bond or cash during his appeal, which is expected to challenge the jury’s finding of liability and the amount of damages.

Trump had sought to delay enforcement of the verdict until Kaplan ruled on his motions to throw it out, which he filed on Tuesday. But the judge said Trump should

Shehbaz Sharif elected Pakistan Prime Minister

PML(N) President Shehbaz Sharif was elected 24th Prime Minister of Pakistan on Sunday. National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq announced that Shehbaz Sharif bagged 201 votes, Dawn reported.

PTI candidate Omar Ayub Khan secured 92 votes. Shehbaz Sharif, 72, became the prime minister of the country for the second term. Earlier, he had served as the Prime Minister from April 11, 2022 to August 14, 2023 after the Imran Khan government lost the no-confidence

motion.

Shehbaz Sharif is younger brother of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif who had spearheaded the PML-N’s poll campaign. General elections in the South Asian country were held on February 8, marred by “rigging” and violence.

Even as candidates backed by PTI founder Imran Khan had secured win on most seats, PPP and PML(N) stitching an alliance to form the coalition government, made the way for Shehbaz Sharif to be Prime Minister after Nawaz Sharif stepped aside.

not have waited 25 days after the verdict before seeking a delay.

He also said Trump failed to show how he might suffer “irreparable injury” if required to post a bond.

“Mr. Trump’s current situation is a result of his own dilatory actions,” the judge wrote.

Kaplan has yet to rule on Trump’s request for a reduced bond.

Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump’s presidential campaign, said Trump “filed a timely motion to stay the ridiculous judgment,” and that many courts recognized the importance of temporary stays to consider such motions.

“We look forward to continuing to litigate the case and to complete vindication of the truth,” Cheung said. Carroll’s lawyer Roberta Kaplan, who is not related to the judge, declined to comment.

In Tokyo, Jaishankar takes another swipe at China for skipping Global South summits

“They don’t think it is a coincidence that it was under the Indian presidency that the African Union, which had long been promised a seat in the G20, got a seat. So the Global South believes us,” Jaishankar, who is on a three-day visit to Japan to cement bilateral ties, said.

This was EAM Jaishankar’s second swipe at China in 24 hours after he said that it is a cause for concern when a country does not observe written agreements with a neighbor.

Speaking at the first Raisina Roundtable in Tokyo on Thursday, the minister said: “...when a country, sort of, does not observe written agreements with a neighbor, then I think you have cause for concern, because it then raises a question mark about the stability of the relationship, and frankly, about intentions”.

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Celebrating Indian American women: A powerhouse in US politics, business and beyond

While the two women have the highest profiles in politics, many Indian American women shine across the spectrum of politics, government, business and beyond. They have soared into space, headed multinational corporations, led universities, and showing their versatility, served undercover for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and even took the Miss America crown.

Although overrun by former President Donald Trump, Nikki Haley made her mark by standing up to him while other competitors folded and she struck out a line of Republican politics that could have a wider appeal. She put her stamp on politics by getting a significant chunk of votes - estimated at about 25 percent of those cast in the Republican primaries till she quit - winning in one state, Vermont, and in Washington, the federal District of Columbia.

She also has the distinction of being elected twice as the governor of South Carolina, the first woman and the first non-White person to head the state, and the first Indian American to be a member of the US cabinet when she was the permanent representative to the United Nations, a post with cabinet rank.

Kamala Harris made her mark as California’s attorney general lofting her to the Senate where her work got her national recognition, paving the way to the second most powerful job in the US, the vice president. She is the first woman to become vice president and she was also the first person of Indian descent elected to the US Senate.

Pramila Jayapal, who heads the Progressive Caucus in the House of Representatives, is the other politically powerful Indian American woman. What helps them shatter glass ceilings despite their being women and, on top of that, women of color with immigrant

backgrounds is a society that values merit as it steadily tries to bring down barriers to women’s advancement. And they are not dynasts or nepobabies, either, and they got to where they are through their own merit.

As Nikki Haley said on Wednesday while announcing she was ending her race, “Just last week, my mother, a first-generation immigrant, got to vote for her daughter for president - only in America”.

In business, Indra Nooyi created a legend of her own as the CEO of PepsiCo, a multinational corporation with over 300,000 employees operating in over 200 countries having a revenue of $62 billion in her final year heading it. By the time she left in 2018 after 12 years as CEO, she boosted its annual profits from $2.5 billion to $6.7 billion as she chartered a new, more diversified course for the company.

Revathi Advaithi is the CEO of Flex, a global diversified company that is the third-largest globally in electronics manufacturing services. She also serves on the US government’s Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations. Padmasree Warrior, who blazed a trail as chief technology officer for marquee technology companies Motorola and Cisco and as the US CEO of the Chinese electric vehicle company Nio, is now the CEO of a startup Fable.

In academia, there are scores of Indian American Women heading departments and schools. Among them are heads of large universities, Neeli Bendapudi, the president of Pennsylvania State University and Renu Khator, the chancellor of the University of Houston System. Asha Rangappa, a former Federal Bureau of Investigation agent-turnedacademic, has served as an associate dean of Yale University Law School.

Indian American women have soared into

space as astronauts. Kalpana Chawla, a mission specialist and robotic arms operator, was killed on her second mission when the space shuttle Columbia broke up as it reentered the earth’s atmosphere in 2003. Sunita Williams has done a stint as the commander of the International Space Station (ISS), on one of her four missions at the multinational orbiting research facility.

The Bhagwad Gita and the Upanishad went to space with Williams, who said that for inspiration she took them along to the ISS, from where she conducted spacewalks. On Earth as a Navy officer, Sunita Williams was deployed during the first Gulf War and later she became a test pilot. While the other two were on NASA space missions, aeronautical engineer Sirisha Bandla went up on a spacecraft of the private venture by Virgin Galactic, where she is a vice president.

Geeta Gopinath is the first managing director of the International Monetary Fund, having made her mark as an economist in the Ivy League and as the organization’s chief economist. In the US judiciary, there are several Indian American women, among them Neomi Rao, a judge of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which is considered the most influential court below the Supreme Court.

The Biden administration has deployed Indian American Women in senior positions across government. The most visible of them on media after Kamala Harris is Defence Department’s Deputy Spokesperson Sabrina Singh who often conducts the Pentagon’s media briefings laying out the administration’s strategic positions. Also at that department, Radha Iyengar Plumb is the deputy undersecretary of defence.

At the White House, Neera Tanden, a veteran of Democratic Party campaigns, is an assistant to the president and domestic

policy advisor. Arati Prabhakar is the assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Science Advisor while heading the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and to the President. Shanthi Kalathil is a deputy assistant to the President and the National Security Council’s coordinator for democracy and human rights.

At the State Department, Uzra Zeya is the under-secretary of state for civilian security, democracy, and human rights, and Rao Gupta is the ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues. And, in the other party, Harmeet Dhillon is a member Republican National Committee who ran an unsuccessful insurgent campaign to replace the chair, Ronna McDaniel. She is a co-chair of Women for Trump and Lawyers for Trump, groups that advocate for Trump.

In an unusual occupation was Sabrina De Souza who had served in a senior role as an undercover Central Intelligence Agency agent. Unfortunately, her cover was blown while she was on an antiterrorism mission in Italy and that country has tried to prosecute her for capturing a terrorist who was taken to the US.

On the other side, showing the diversity of political views, Gitanjali S. Gutierrez worked as a lawyer defending an alleged terrorist held by the US detention centre on Guantanamo Bay. On the trade unions front, Bhairavi Desai is the executive director of the Taxi Drivers’ Alliance, and Saru Jayaraman has organized restaurant workers in New York City.

In entertainment, Vera Mindy Chokalingam, better known as Mindy Kaling, made her mark with the sitcom, The Mindy Kaling Project, which she created, produced and starred in. Biden awarded her the National Medal of the Arts in 2022. And, further into the unexpected venues, Nina Davuluri was crowned Miss America in 2014.

Kamala Harris urges ceasefire, more aid at meeting with Israeli war cabinet member

US Vice President Kamala Harris has met with a member of Israel’s cabinet prosecuting the war in Gaza, urging an immediate ceasefire and the increase and safe distribution of humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians in need.

Harris’ meeting with Benny Gantz, former Israeli defence minister and deputy prime minister, came on Monday -- one day after she gave what appeared to be the most strongly-worded call to date from the Joe Biden administration for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Xinhua news agency reported.

“The Vice President discussed the urgency of achieving a hostage deal and welcomed Israel’s constructive approach to the hostage talks,” said a readout of the meeting issued by the White House.

“She called on Hamas to accept the terms on the table whereby the release of hostages would result in an immediate six-week ceasefire,” it added.

Harris also “expressed her deep concern

about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the recent horrific tragedy around an aid convoy in northern Gaza”, the readout said, referring to an incident Thursday that killed scores of Palestinians trying to get food from an aid convoy in Gaza City. As a result, the

civilian death toll since Israel launched its offensive in Gaza surpassed 30,000. The Israeli military said on Sunday that most of those killed in the chaotic event died from a stampede, while Palestinian-run local health authorities said those sent to hospitals were shot by large-calibre ammunition.

During her meeting with Gantz, Harris “urged Israel to take additional measures in cooperation with the United States and international partners to increase the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza and ensure its safe distribution to those in need”, the readout said.

Gantz’s visit came amid a growing rift between President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the latter’s handling of the war. Gantz is a political opponent of Netanyahu, but the two have reached a deal whereby they agree to share power in planning the military operation against Hamas.

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Wishing you a spiritually enlightening Mahashivratri filled with love and devotion.

On this auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri, I extend my warmest congratulations to each and every one of you. May this sacred day bring you abundant blessings, peace, and spiritual enlightenment. Mahashivratri, celebrated on March 8th this year, holds a significant place in Hindu mythology and spirituality. It is a night of profound reverence and devotion to Lord Shiva, the supreme deity of the Hindu pantheon. The legends associated with Mahashivratri are deeply rooted in the cosmic dance of creation and destruction, as well as the sacred union between Shiva and Parvati.

According to ancient Hindu texts, Mahashivratri commemorates the divine dance of Lord Shiva, known as the Tandava. This cosmic dance signifies the eternal cycle of life and death, creation and destruction. It is believed that on this auspicious night, Lord Shiva performs the Tandava, setting the rhythm of the universe itself. Devotees gather in temples across the land, chanting hymns and offering prayers to Lord Shiva, seeking his blessings for prosperity, happiness, and spiritual enlightenment.

The legend of the marriage between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati also holds immense significance on Mahashivratri. After years of penance and devotion, Parvati finally wins the heart of Shiva, symbolizing the harmonious balance between the masculine and feminine energies of the universe. Their divine union inspires devotees to seek love, harmony, and spiritual evolution in their own lives.

Another legend intricately linked with Mahashivratri narrates the story of the churning of the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan), where a pot of potent poison emerges, threatening to destroy all creation. In an act of selfless compassion, Lord Shiva consumes the poison to protect the world, earning him the epithet of Neelkantha, the blue-throated one.

On the night of Mahashivratri, the air resonates with the melodious chanting of devotees, as they congregate along the sacred banks of the Ganges to honor these grand legends. Through prayers, rituals, and fasting, devotees seek spiritual purification, absolution from past sins, and the grace of Lord Shiva.

As the first rays of dawn illuminate the horizon, pilgrims disperse, carrying within them the essence of Mahashivratri – a celebration of the divine dance, the sacred union, and the potential for spiritual transformation. Mahashivratri serves as a timeless reminder of the eternal grace and blessings bestowed by Lord Shiva upon his devotees, guiding them along the path of righteousness and enlightenment.

May the blessings of Lord Shiva be upon you and your loved ones today and always.

Best Regards, Dr. (H)

www.indoustribune.com Friday, 19 January, 2024 4 Publisher Note Published Weekly IndoUS Tribune Chicago Office: Lincolnwood, IL 60712 marketing@Indoustribune.com Disclaimer The aim of IndoUS Tribune is to entertain, educate and inform the readers. The opinions expressed in our published works are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions of IndoUS Tribune or the editors. The information contained in our published work has been obtained by Indous Tribune nor its authors guarantees the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein and neither IndoUS Tribune nor its authors shall be responsible for any errors, omissions, or claims for damages, including exemplary damages, arising out of use, inability to use, or with regard to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information contained in this publication. Neither the editor, nor the publisher or any other party associated with the production of IndoUS Tribune accept the responsibility of any accident or injury resulting from the use of materials contained herein. All the content of the IndoUS Tribune is printed and published in Chicago. All rights reserved. No part of any work published in the paper may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. PUBLISHER Dr. (H) Avi Verma publisher@Indoustribune.com (773) 866-1222 Editor Nikita Sharma editor@Indoustribune.com Graphics & Web Development Sunil Panchal graphics@Indoustribune.com
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UN expert urges US to drop charges against WikiLeaks founder Assange

AUN expert has urged the UK authorities not to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and the US government to drop the charges.

Irene Khan, UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression, said on Friday in a media statement that the possible extradition to and imminent prosecution in the US of Julian Assange could have serious implications for freedom of expression.

Assange is awaiting the decision of the High Court in the UK on his appeal against extradition to the US, where he is facing charges for publishing classified information on the WikiLeaks platform, Xinhua news agency reported.

“I call on the US and the UK, which profess to uphold the right to freedom of expression, to uphold these international standards in the case of Julian Assange,” she emphasised, noting that Assange, if extradited, would be the first publisher to be prosecuted in the US under an espionage act.

Khan was appointed UN special rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression in 2020.

South Korea, US begin key annual military drills

South Korea and the US kicked off a major combined military exercise on Monday to reinforce deterrence against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats amid concern Pyongyang could use the maneuvers as a pretext for provocations.

The annual ‘Freedom Shield’ exercise got underway for an 11-day run amid heightened tensions over Pyongyang’s continued sabre-rattling, including artillery firings near the western sea border and a series of missile launches, Yonhap news agency reported.

The springtime exercise marks the first one after Pyongyang in November 2023 scrapped a 2018 inter-Korean military accord designed to reduce tensions along the border, raising concerns of the North possibly staging provocative military demonstrations.

Pyongyang has long denounced the allies’ military drills as rehearsals for an invasion against it and has a track record of conducting missile launches in protest of such exercises, though Seoul and Washington have said such exercises are purely defensive.

The South Korean and US militaries said the latest exercise is aimed at improving their combined defence posture, noting that it will focus on multi-domain operations

by utilizing land, sea, air, cyber and space assets, and countering the North’s nuclear operations.

The two sides plan to stage a total of 48 on-field drills this month -- more than double the number over a similar period last year -- although none of them are scheduled near the inter-Korean border, according to the South’s military.

Personnel from 12 member states of the United Nations Command, including Australia, Britain, the Philippines and

US Supreme Court rules Trump can remain on Colorado primary ballot

The US Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that former President Donald Trump can remain on the primary ballot in Colorado, rejecting the state’s disqualification and potentially setting national wide guidelines.

The nine justices, three liberal and six conservative, all agreed with the ruling, Xinhua news agency reported.

By deciding that states lack the authority to remove Trump from the ballot due to his involvement in the events preceding the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, the Supreme Court on Monday delivered a significant victory to the former president, who is the frontrunner in the Republican presidential race.

The US Supreme Court declared that the Colorado Supreme Court had made an incorrect assumption that states possess the authority to decide whether a presidential candidate is disqualified under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which prohibits individuals who have engaged in insurrection from holding public office.

“Because the Constitution makes Congress,

rather than the states, responsible for enforcing section 3 against all federal officeholders and candidates, we reverse,” the ruling said.

The latest ruling makes it clear that it is Congress, rather than individual states, that is responsible for establishing regulations regarding the enforcement of the 14th Amendment provision. Therefore, this decision applies to all US states, not just Colorado.

The result puts an end to the attempts in states like Colorado, Illinois, Maine and others to remove Trump from the ballot due to his endeavors to overturn his defeat in the 2020 election against Democrat Joe Biden.

“BIG WIN FOR AMERICA!!!”

Trump posted on his social media shortly after the Supreme Court’s decision was released.

Thailand, will join the exercise, with the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC) observing them.

Members of the US-led multinational command, established in 1950 under a UN mandate to support South Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War, have regularly participated in the combined exercise.

The NNSC is tasked with overseeing the implementation of the armistice of the Korean War, which technically never ended as the warring sides did not sign a peace treaty.

Israel launches probe into failures leading up to Oct 7 Hamas attack

Israel’s military said on Thursday that it launched an internal investigation into the failures that led up to Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, which caught the country off guard and resulted in the deaths and kidnapping of hundreds of citizens.

The attack “began with a surprise that resulted in a difficult outcome and a significant loss of civilian and soldier lives”, the military’s Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi wrote in a letter to commanders. He acknowledged that the security forces failed in the mission to protect human lives.

The investigation would review the defensive capabilities at the onset of the attack and the events preceding it. This includes the lack of intelligence on the large-scale attack and the absence of preparedness on the eve of the attack, Xinhua news agency reported.

Thousands of Hamas-led militants raided Israeli border communities on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, according to Israeli figures, marking the highest tally in a single day since Israel’s statehood in 1948. A total of 253 individuals were taken hostage.

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Biden challenger Dean Phillips drops out of US presidential race Tire falls off United flight departing from San Francisco

Nikki Haley suspends race for White House after more losses

Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips has announced that he is dropping out of the Democratic presidential primary, after making no progress in establishing himself as an alternative to US President Joe Biden. Phillips’ decision came after ‘Super Tuesday’ when Biden and former President Donald Trump swept to victory in their respective party’s presidential primaries in over a dozen states, Xinhua news agency reported.

“It is clear that alternative is not me,” Phillips said in a post on X on Wednesday.

Phillips, 55, initiated his campaign to challenge Biden in October 2023, saying that he felt compelled to run against his party’s leader because he believed Biden would be defeated by Trump in the November presidential election. In his brief statement, the three-term congressman endorsed Biden. “I ask you to join me in mobilizing, energizing and doing everything you can to help keep a man of decency and integrity in the White House. That’s Joe Biden,” he said.

He also reached out to supporters of former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who dropped out of the Republican race earlier Wednesday.

Atire fell off a United Airlines flight departing from US San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Osaka, Japan.

“United flight 35 lost one tire after takeoff from San Francisco on Thursday,” the company said in a statement, referring to the Boeing 777-200 flight, which was then diverted to Los Angles International Airport and landed safely. United quickly arranged for a new aircraft to take customers to Osaka on Thursday evening, it said, Xinhua news agency reported.

The tire debris landed in one of the airport’s employee parking lots. No injuries were reported. According to United Airlines, the flight had 235 customers, 10 flight attendants and four pilots on board. “The 777-200 has six tires on each of its two main landing gear struts.

The aircraft is designed to land safely with missing or damaged tires,” United Airlines noted.

In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it will investigate this incident.

Nikki Haley, the former US Ambassador to the UN, suspended her campaign for the Republican nomination for President after a severe drubbing in the primaries held in more than 10 states on Tuesday.

Former President Donald Trump will now become the presumptive Republican nominee to take on President Joe Biden, a Democrat, in the November election. He has a lock on the nomination with 955 delegates, which is just a bit shy of the winning threshold of 1,215 delegates. (Every state gives the candidates a certain number of delegates who will vote to elect a nominee in the party convention later in the year. Haley has picked up only 88 thus far).

The Indian American Republican did not endorse Trump in a brief speech she delivered announcing she was suspending their campaign. She said the former President must earn the support of the party.

“It is now up to Donald Trump to earn the votes of those in our party who did not support him, and I hope he does,” she said. “This is now his time for choosing.”

Haley ran a gritty campaign coalescing Republican voters who did not want Trump to be their nominee again. But, in the end, their numbers fell far short of winning her the nomination. But she did raise substantial sums of money, garnering the support of some of the party’s largest donors, such as the immensely resourceful

Koch Network, which in a sign of things to come, withdrew its support to Haley last week.

Haley won the primaries in only two states thus far, to Trump’s 22.

Calls had been mounting from within the Republican party for her to exit the race and let Trump focus on his contest against Biden. But Haley stayed in, arguing she was the better candidate than both Trump and Biden, who are battling voter scepticism on account of their age and, for the former president, a litany of civil and criminal charges, some of which he has lost and could end up in jail someday.

Haley’s exit raises questions about her future. Could she join Trump as his running mate? She has said before she is not interested in a position in a Trump administration and that she is not auditioning for a job. But that could change. She is a woman and as a woman of

US Senate poised to pass spending package, averting government shutdown

The U.S. Senate is expected to give Congress’ final approval on Friday of legislation funding several federal agencies through September, averting a partial government shutdown that otherwise would begin at midnight.

The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed by a vote of 339-85 the package of fiscal 2024 appropriations bills to keep operations running for agriculture, transportation, housing, energy, veterans and other programs.

But 83 of House Speaker Mike Johnson’s Republicans defied their leadership and voted “no,” requiring strong support from opposition Democrats to get the bill over the line. The vote left a bitter taste for farright Republicans who fought hard to get deeper spending cuts amid a nearly $34.5 trillion national debt.

This capped more than a year of havoc in the House as its right-wing Freedom Caucus Republicans stoked intra-party battles over choosing a speaker -- not once but twice -- and blocking or delaying many of the 12 annual spending bills to

keep government operating. Nonetheless, House Appropriations Committee Republicans, following the vote, boasted in a statement that with this legislation they have reversed the trajectory of accelerating government spending, delivering on a 2022 campaign promise.

House Democrats highlighted the Republican upheaval, along with their own role in breaking the budget logjam on Wednesday. While the Senate is expected to easily pass the package and send it to Democratic President Joe Biden for signing into law, that will not mark the end of fights to fund the fiscal year that began in October.

colour, she brings unmatched equity to the ticket.

But is Trump interested? He has not included her in a shortlist he discussed in a TV interview recently. Also, Haley’s Republican supporters are stridently anti-Trump and their vote and support is unlikely to transfer to the former President if he were to be joined by Haley.

But Haley has also set herself up as a formidable candidate for the Republican nomination in 2028. The comparison being drawn by most experts is Ronald Reagan’s run for the nomination in the 1968 Republican primaries. He lost to Richard Nixon, who went on to serve one term and a second truncated term. Reagan established himself as a significant figure in the party and the country and went on to win the nomination and the Presidency in 1980.

US Homeland Security resolves website issue after brief outage

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it had resolved an issue with its website and related domains that caused them to temporarily go down on Thursday. A DHS official said there was “no indication of malicious action” in the outage, which occurred during President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address to Congress.

The outage appeared to last less than half an hour. Other government websites including those of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Secret Service also experienced temporary outages.

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Republican Alabama governor signs IVF protections into law

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday signed into law a measure aimed at protecting in vitro fertilization after the state Supreme Court ruled frozen embryos should be considered children, prompting at least three Alabama providers to halt the procedure.

Both chambers of the state’s Republicancontrolled legislature passed the proposal protecting IVF providers from both criminal charges and civil lawsuits after brief debates on Feb. 29.

In a statement on Wednesday night, Ivey said IVF was “a complex issue, no doubt,” and anticipated there would be more work to come. “But right now, I am confident that this legislation will provide the assurances our IVF clinics

Ex-Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal sues Musk, billionaire responds with emoji

Indian-origin Parag Agrawal, former CEO of Twitter (now called X), and three other employees have sued Elon Musk for about $128 million in unpaid severance. Agrawal, along with ex-chief financial officer Ned Segal, former Twitter head of legal and policy Vijaya Gadde and former Twitter General Counsel, Sean Edgett, have filed the lawsuit against the billionaire.

Musk on Tuesday reacted with just an emoji, when a follower posted: “Parag Agrawal is suing Elon Musk claiming that he did in fact get a lot done that week”. The lawsuit claimed that the Tesla CEO showed “special ire” towards them by “publicly vowing to withhold their severance payments of around $200 million”, when he took over Twitter in 2022 for $44 billion.

“Under Musk’s control, Twitter has become a scofflaw, stiffing employees, landlords, vendors, and others. Musk doesn’t pay his bills, believes the rules don’t apply to him, and uses his wealth and power to run roughshod over anyone who disagrees with him,” read the lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California.

Powell reiterates US Fed not ready to start cutting interest rates

US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has reiterated that the central bank is not ready to start cutting interest rates, noting that he needs to see a little bit more data before taking any action.

“If the economy evolves broadly as expected, it will likely be appropriate to begin dialling back policy restraint at some point this year,” Powell said in prepared remarks for a congressional hearing before the House Financial Services Committee.

“But the economic outlook is uncertain, and ongoing progress toward our 2 percent inflation objective is not assured,” Powell said in his testimony.

“The Committee does not expect that it will be appropriate to reduce the target range until it has gained greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably toward 2 percent,” he said.

Overall, the speech didn’t introduce any fresh perspectives on monetary policy. The remarks, however, highlighted officials’ ongoing worry about maintaining the gains made in combating inflation and emphasized their commitment to making decisions based on upcoming data, Xinhua news agency reported.

After implementing 11 interest rate increases totaling 5.25 percentage points between March 2022 and July 2023, the Fed is widely expected to ease up its policy stance. However, in the past few weeks, these expectations have shifted due to several cautious remarks from Federal Reserve officials.

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group’s FedWatch Tool, which acts as a barometer for the market’s expectation of the Fed funds target rate, showed that the probability of the Fed maintaining rates in the March meeting was 95 percent. The next Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting will be held on March 19-20.

need and will lead them to resume services immediately,” she said. Republicans nationwide have scrambled to contain backlash from a Feb. 16 decision by the Alabama Supreme Court, whose elected judges are all Republican, that left unclear how to legally store, transport and use embryos, prompting some IVF patients to consider moving their frozen embryos out of Alabama.

Democrats have seized on the Alabama court ruling as evidence that reproductive rights are under assault. IVF involves combining eggs and sperm in a laboratory dish to create an embryo for couples having difficulty conceiving. The Alabama high court issued its ruling in response to three families’ lawsuits against a fertility clinic and hospital for failing to properly safeguard their frozen embryos, resulting in their destruction when a patient improperly accessed them.

Media mogul Rupert Murdoch, 92, gets engaged

Rupert Murdoch, 92, got engaged to his girlfriend, Elena Zhukova, a spokesman said on Thursday, which would mark his fifth trip down the aisle. The wedding will be held in California, at Murdoch’s vineyard and estate, Moraga, a spokesman said. The impending nuptials come just months after Murdoch stepped down as chairman of Fox and News Corp, ending a more than seven-decade career at the helm of a sprawling media empire.

The New York Times, which first reported the news, said Zhukova, who is from Moscow, is 67. She is a retired molecular biologist whom Murdoch began dating in the summer, it added. They met through Murdoch’s third wife, Wendi Deng, according to a report in the Daily Mail.

Murdoch’s most recent marriage to actress and model Jerry Hall ended in divorce in 2022 after six years. Hall previously was a longtime partner of Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger.

The media mogul was briefly engaged last year to former San Francisco police chaplain Ann Lesley Smith, though the pair called off the engagement weeks later. Vanity Fair reported the breakup, citing one source who said Murdoch had grown uncomfortable with Smith’s outspoken evangelical views.

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Ramesh Singh Arora becomes Pakistan’s first Sikh minister in Punjab

Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, an influential minority leader, has been sworn in as a provincial minister, making him the first Sikh to occupy a ministerial position in postPartition Punjab.

Belonging to the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif-led Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) party, Arora has returned to the Lahore provincial assembly for the third term after winning the February 8 polls.

Arora, 49, was recently elected pardhan (president) of the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and also as the ambassador to the Kartarpur Corridor.

He was administered the oath along with 17 others on Wednesday. Arora has been allotted the portfolio of minorities of Punjab province in the cabinet of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, incidentally, also the first woman to hold the post in the country. According to sources, Arora has close connections with the military establishment.

Hyderabad man, duped into fighting for Russian army in Ukraine, killed

A30-year-old man from Hyderabad, who was duped into joining the Russian Army and fighting against Ukraine, has been killed. The Indian Embassy in Moscow on Wednesday confirmed the death of Mohammed Asfan but has not revealed the cause of the death.

“We have learnt about the tragic death of an Indian national Shri Mohammed Asfan. We are in touch with the family and Russian authorities. Mission will make efforts to send his mortal remains to India,” the embassy said in a post on ‘X’.

The family of Afsan was shocked upon learning about his death. He is survived by his wife and two children – an eight-month-old daughter and a two-year-old son. His brother Mohammed Imran said they were not in a position to say anything now.

The family, which resides in the Bazar Ghat area, was informed about Afsan’s death by

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi. Afsan, who was working in a readymade garment shop, was duped by a job agent based in Dubai. He, and two others, went to Moscow via Sharjah in November last year after they were promised jobs as helpers in the Russian Army. They were promised Rs 30,000 per month initially. The agent had also told them that they would get Rs 1.5 lakh later.

Asfan’s family grew suspicious after they were unable to contact Afsan. They lodged a complaint with Hyderabad police and later approached Asaduddin Owaisi.

The AIMIM President on February 21 appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to take steps to bring back 12 Indians who were forced to fight Ukraine alongside the Russian Army. He said these unemployed youth who had gone to Russia to work for security at buildings were cheated and were taken to the war front.

They included two youths from Telangana, three from Karnataka, two from Kashmir and one each from Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.

Hamil Mangukiya, 23, from Gujarat was killed in an airstrike on February 21 in the Donetsk region on the Russia-Ukraine

Owaisi had said three agents cheated unemployed youth by sending them to Russia to fight against Ukraine. Faisal Khan, one of the agents, is in Dubai while Sufiyan and Puja are from Mumbai. Ramesh and Moin are Indian agents in Russia.

Indian-origin executives appointed to UK’s competition regulator

Indian-origin executives with years of experience in the field of law and finance have been appointed to the board of the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), a non-ministerial department responsible for strengthening business competition and curbing anti-competitive practices. Dharmash Mistry, a venture capitalist specializing in technology, new business models and finance, was named among four new non-executive directors of the CMA by the British government’s Department for Business and Trade last week.

Meanwhile, Cyrus Mehta – a former

partner at international law firm CMS in London – was named on the CMA board as a Panel Member, Non-Executive Director.

“Our new board members will bring further fresh perspectives and expertise at a time when our responsibilities, and our positive impact on people, businesses and

the economy, are growing significantly,” said CMA Chair Marcus Bokkerink.

“They will help us continue the great strides we have made over the past year to ensure that people can get great choices and a fair deal, competitive businesses are free to innovate and thrive, and the economy is able to grow more productively and sustainably,” he said. Non-executive directors of the CMA board play an important role in setting up the organization, working with the chair and chief executive. As board members, they are also responsible for setting the organization’s strategic direction and policy framework; developing priorities; monitoring performance against its objectives; and making decisions on market investigation references.

Taken up slain dancer’s case ‘strongly’ with

US: India on Amarnath

Ghosh’s death

The Office of the Consulate General of India in Chicago said on Saturday that it is extending all possible help to relatives and deceased of Amarnath Ghosh, the Kuchipudi dancer from Kolkata, who was shot dead in the US state of Missouri.

In a post on X, the Consulate said that it has strongly taken up the case with the St Louis police.

“Consulate is extending all help to relatives of deceased Amarnath Ghosh. Taken up the case strongly with St Louis police and the University for investigation of the reprehensible gun attack,” the post read.

On Friday, the Consulate had offered condolences to Ghosh’s family and friends and posted: “We are following up forensic, investigation with police & providing support”.

The incident was brought to notice by popular TV actress and ‘Bigg Boss’ regular Devoleena Bhattacharjee who in a post on X

sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s help, seeking early repatriation of her friend’s body.

She wrote in the post that Ghosh was the child in the family whose mother died three years back and father passed away during his childhood. Calling him an “excellent dancer” who was pursuing PhD, Devoleena said that Ghosh was taking an evening walk when he “was shot multiple times by an unknown person” on Tuesday.

A series of attacks beginning this year has put the focus back on the security and safety of Indian students across the US, which has seen at least five of them dying in mysterious circumstances in the last couple of months.

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India says it reached out to its students in US after recent deaths

India said on Friday that its consulates in the US have reached out to its nationals studying there and assured them of all possible cooperation and assistance in case of any trouble following the recent deaths of Indian students in the US.

The latest incident in a string of deaths of Indian students beginning this year came after Amarnath Ghosh, a dancer from Kolkata who was pursuing his PhD, was shot dead in the US state of Missouri last month.

“Through our consulates in the US, we have done outreach with our students there, guided them. We have also told them to immediately get in touch with either the embassy or the consulates in case of any trouble or situation so that we can take care of them in a better way,” Minister of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, said in a weekly media briefing on Friday.

Responding to a question on Ghosh, Jaiswal said that the police in Chicago have been investigating the case and the Indian consulate is in regular touch with the authorities there.

“Once the investigation is completed, we will know more about the case and what caused the

death. Our consulates are extending all possible cooperation on this case to the authorities there,” Jaiswal said.

The Office of the Consulate General of India in Chicago said on March 2 that it is extending all possible help to relatives of Ghosh, who, according to his friend, was taking an evening stroll when he “was shot multiple times by an unknown person”.

The consulate informed that it has strongly taken up the case with the St Louis police in Missouri.

The incident was brought to notice by popular TV actress Devoleena Bhattacharjee who in a post on ‘X’ sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s help in the early repatriation of Ghosh’s body.

More than five Indian and Indian-origin students have died in the US since the start of this year, highlighting the state of security and safety in the country.

Asserting that there is no excuse for violence based on race or gender, the White House said in February that the US is working very hard to thwart and disrupt attacks on Indians as well as Indian-origin students.

“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 US,” John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House, said in a briefing.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said that the welfare of Indian students abroad is one of the foremost priorities of the

New Zealand recognizes global,

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.

regional leadership

role that India plays, says Foreign Minister Peters

Recognizing India’s leadership role on the global stage, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Tuesday that his country is determined to build a “broader, deeper, mutually beneficial relationship” with the South Asian nation.

Beginning his visit to New Delhi and Ahmedabad on March 10, Peters will also be highlighting the shared interest of the two nations in helping the development of the Pacific Islands region.

“India is a country with which New Zealand can, should, and will be doing more. New Zealand recognizes the global and regional leadership role that India plays, and we are determined to build a broader, deeper, mutually beneficial relationship,” Peters said in a statement released on Tuesday.

The minister’s three-nation tour will also see him visiting Singapore, and Indonesia to reinvigorate New Zealand’s relations with South and South East Asia.

The centerpiece engagement of the trip will be his extended meetings with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Singapore’s Vivian Balakrishnan respectively.

“It will be a privilege to spend further time with three such experienced and accomplished Foreign Ministers whose views on the issues

facing the world and the Indo-Pacific in particular carry considerable weight,” Peters said.

“If New Zealand wishes to maximize our influence and impact in the region, we need to lift our game with all three of India, Indonesia,

and Singapore,” he added.

Calling Gujarat “an engine of Indian economic growth” with significant connections to New Zealand’s Indian Diaspora, a government release said that Peters will also meet state Chief Minister

Bhupendrabhai Patel.

“In Delhi, he will be highlighting the shared interest that New Zealand and India have in helping the development of the Pacific Islands region,” the release said, adding that his India visit will conclude on March 13.

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Ready to give befitting reply to anyone who casts an evil eye on India: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday that the country’s Armed Forces are equipped, capable and ready to give a befitting reply to anyone who casts an evil eye on India.

“Today, our forces possess a strong will power due to a powerful leadership at the Centre. We are working continuously towards keeping the morale of the soldiers high. They are equipped, capable and ready to give a befitting reply to anyone who casts an evil eye on India,” the Defence Minister said this at a Defence Summit organized by NDTV on Thursday.

He said that India’s defence apparatus is today stronger than ever as the Government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is focusing on bolstering it with the sentiment of Indianness.

Allah will do the final justice: Sheikh Shahjahan

Speaking to mediapersons for the first time since his arrest, nowsuspended Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan said on Friday that “Allah will do the final justice” in his case.

Shahjahan, the accused mastermind behind the attack on ED and CAPF teams at Sandeshkhali on January 5, is presently in CBI custody. Interacting briefly with the waiting mediapersons while being taken for a medical check-up from the CBI’s Nizam Palace office, Shahjahan said, “All the charges (against me) are false. Only Allah will do the final justice.”

Meanwhile, a CBI team accompanied by forensic officials and CAPF personnel on Friday reached Shahjahan’s residence, in front of which the attack on ED and CAPF teams took place on January 5. Two officers of the ED, who were part of the team that was attacked on January 5, also accompanied the CBI team.

While the CBI officers were busy searching the house, the forensic officials collected specimens from within the residence as well as the adjacent areas, which might prove useful in the case. A small team also visited Shahjahan’s office at a local market named after him. The local people informed the central agency team that the office had been kept under lock and key since January 5.

He termed ‘perspective’ as the major difference between the current and the previous dispensations, stating that the present government ardently believes in the capabilities of the people of India, while those in power earlier were somewhat skeptical about their potential.

The Defence Minister described promoting ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence manufacturing as the biggest change brought about by the Government, which is giving a new shape to India’s defence sector. He enumerated the reformative steps taken by the Ministry of Defence to achieve self-reliance, including setting up of Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu; notification of positive indigenization lists; reserving 75 percent of capital procurement budget for domestic industry, corporatization of Ordnance Factory Board and schemes/ initiatives such as Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), iDEX Prime, Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) & Technology Development Fund (TDF).

The Defence Minister emphasized that the country’s defence system has been induced with a new energy by the Government, as per the vision of the people of the country. This,

HC orders judicial probe into farmer’s death on Haryana border

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday ordered a judicial probe, involving a retired High Court judge, into the death of farmer Shubhkaran Singh during the ‘Dilli Chalo’ protest on February 21.

The division bench of acting Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Lapita Banerji, hearing public interest litigations seeking a judicial inquiry into the matter, orally observed that the investigation into the death cannot be given to either Haryana or Punjab for obvious reasons.

“Hence, the judicial probe will be conducted by a retired high court judge and two officers, including Additional Director General of Police-rank officers from Punjab and Haryana.”

Justice Sandhawalia also came down heavily upon the petitioners when counsel for Haryana showed pictures of protesting sites.

“Children were being used as a shield, this is absolutely shameful. It is a sad state of affairs,

children who are supposed to study in school are shown what they should not be. It was a war-like situation,” he orally remarked.

The bench also questioned the Haryana government on what kind of bullets and pellets were being used on protestors and asked them to give details in this regard.

Shubhkaran Singh, a farmer from Bathinda district in Punjab, was cremated in his native village last week after the Punjab Police registered a zero FIR in connection with his death. The victim’s father Charanjit Singh had told the media that a bullet fired from the Haryana side hit Shubhkaran Singh, who was walking right ahead of him, on the head.

Indian Navy rescues 21 crew from missile-hit Barbados sea Carrier MV

The Indian Navy warship INS Kolkata has rescued 21 crew members, including one Indian national from Barbados flagged Bulk carrier MV True confidence which was reportedly hit by a drone or missile in Gulf of Aden. The incident occurred on Wednesday approximately 55 nm South West of Aden, resulting in critical injuries to crew forcing them to abandon ships, the Navy said.

INS Kolkata arrived at the spot and rescued 21 crew members from the life raft using its integral helicopter and boats. Critical medical

aid was provided to the injured crew by the ship’s medical team. The rescued crew, including the critically injured personnel, have been evacuated to Djibouti.

Earlier, on Monday, a Liberian-flagged MV MSC Sky II transiting approximately 90 Nm South East of Aden reported on fire due to drone or missile attack. According to the Indian Navy, INS Kolkata, mission deployed in the region for maritime security operations, promptly responded and arrived at scene of incident. A specialized firefighting team of 12 personnel from INS Kolkata embarked the vessel early morning hours on Tuesday to assist firefighting efforts.

he said, has resulted in India emerging as a powerful nation on the global stage with a strong and self-reliant military.

Highlighting the harmony between military power and spirituality prevalent in the Indian culture since centuries, the Defence Minister emphasized that the Government has been consistently working for the betterment of the serving and retired personnel as well as those who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation, along with their families.

“The Armed Forces are being modernized with latest state-of-the-art weapons/platforms. We established the National War Memorial in New Delhi to honor the sacrifices of the bravehearts. In addition, we implemented the One Rank One Pension scheme, a longpending demand of the ex-servicemen,” he added.

Parliament security breach: Delhi Police seek more time to finish probe, court issues notice

The Delhi Police on Thursday moved a court seeking more time to complete its probe in the December 13, 2023 Parliament security breach case, saying certain reports are awaited and the digital data is voluminous.

In the hearing before Additional Sessions Judge Hardeep Kaur of Patiala House Courts, police sought three more months to finish its investigation in the case. The judge then issued notice to six accused -- Neelam Azad, Manoranjan D, Sagar Sharma, Lalit Jha, Amol Shinde and Mahesh Kumawat -- on the application, seeking their replies by March 11.

Manoranjan and Sharma had burst yellow smoke canisters inside the Lok Sabha chamber on December 13, 2023, the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack, after jumping from the visitors’ gallery before they were overpowered by the MPs present in the House.

Azad and Shinde also burst smoke canisters and raised slogans outside the Parliament. Jha is believed to be the mastermind of the entire plan and reportedly fled with the mobile phones of the four other accused persons.

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SIT finds 13,000 ‘unauthorized madrasas’ along UP-Nepal border

ASpecial Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the Yogi Adityanath government has found around 13,000 unauthorized madrasas in the state, sources said on Thursday. Majority of the madrasas are located along the UP-Nepal border, including districts like Maharajganj, Shravasti, and Bahraich. The SIT report said that it had sought financial records from these madrasas, but most have failed to provide a clear account of their income and expenditure, fuelling suspicions of diversion of funds for ‘illicit’ activities.

According to police sources, most of the madrasas claimed to have been built with donations, they have been unable to disclose the names of contributors. The investigation, covering a total of 23,000 madrasas, has identified 5,000 with provisional recognition, and some have fallen short of meeting accreditation standards over the past 25 years.

Bihar Police arrest two shooters of Lawrence Bishnoi gang

Bihar Police on Thursday said that they have arrested two shooters of the dreaded Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The police said that the operation was jointly carried out by Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi Police late on Wednesday night.

The police have identified the shooters as Sunil Karolia, a native of Jaipur and Shahnawaz Sahil, a resident of Mehsol block in Sitamarhi district of Bihar. The police said a trap was laid at Muzaffarpur-Sitamarhi border area at Runni Saidpur toll plaza.

Police said that learnt that two shooters were coming from Nepal and accordingly a trap was laid and arrested the accused while contrabands were also recovered from their possession.

Police said that the preliminary investigation revealed that the two shooters were involved in several murders in Rajasthan, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh.

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Bengaluru cafe blast: NIA teams in north Karnataka on suspect’s trail

ANational Investigation Agency (NIA) team was in Karnataka’s Bellary city in connection with the Rameshwaram Cafe bomb blast case. The team reached the city in the early hours of Thursday, and sources said that more than 10 NIA officers in two vehicles were gathering information.

Sources also said that the alleged bomber had travelled to Tumakuru from Bengaluru after carrying out the explosion and from there he had come to Bellary city. Another NIA team had reached a Tumakuru bus stand where the suspect was said to have been seen.

The sources said that the NIA has got information in Bellary that the accused had boarded a bus moving towards Gokarna city in coastal Karnataka from Mantralayam in Andhra Pradesh. It is suspected that the bomber was in Bhatkal town in Uttara Kannada district and may have plans of escaping to a foreign country.

The investigating agencies had earlier tracked many suspected terrorist activities in the coastal town of Bhatkal. It is suspected

that the bomber is getting support from the sleeper cells to escape from the country and the NIA has intensified the probe to nab him, according to sources.

The sources also said that the bomber had come to the Sujatha Circle in Bengaluru in the heart of the city and boarded the bus for Tumakuru city. From here he had boarded another bus to Bellary city.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), probing the Bengaluru cafe blast case, on

Trinamool MLA accused of insulting Ram Mandir now offers clarification

Trinamool Congress MLA from Tarakeswar Assembly constituency in West Bengal, Ramendu Sinharay, whose controversial comments about Ram Mandir at Ayodhya went viral, on Tuesday offered clarifications.

He said that only a portion of his statement was being highlighted. Reacting to the leader of the opposition in West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari’s sharing the video on his official X handle, Sinharay said that a small portion of his entire speech was referred to in the video and quoted out of context.

“Only a small portion of my entire speech, after deleting the major part of it, was projected in the video. That small portion is being circulated by the leader of the opposition in social media to mislead the people.

“My main argument was that as per Hindu rituals, the Pran Pratishtha of the idol or its worship cannot be done in an incomplete temple. All I wanted to say is that the official Pran Pratishtha ceremony ignoring the prescribed rituals was done with a political motive. Now I am being selectively quoted in the video to mislead people again with a political motive,” Sinharay said.

However, the state BJP leaders have dismissed his clarification. While Suvendu Adhikari has threatened to file an FIR

against Sinharay, BJP legislator Biman Ghosh has said, “Ram Mandir was established because of the initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi following an order of the Supreme Court of India.

“This order has been insulted in the comments by the ruling party legislator. The Hindu religious sentiments are being hurt because of such comments. We will be staging statewide protests against such comments. We are filing a complaint at the local Arambagh police station,” Ghosh said.

In the video that went viral, Sinharay was heard saying, “No Indian Hindu should go to offer prayers at the Ram Mandir which according to me is an unholy place. It is nothing but a showpiece.” He was heard saying this during a public meeting as per the video.

of carrying out the explosion and also announced a reward of Rs 10 Lakh for providing information/ clues about him.

Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara earlier had said that the NIA has got a vital clue in connection with the blast that took place at the Rameshwaram Cafe here on March 1 in the Whitefield area. Parameshwara further said that the case is being jointly probed by the NIA and the Special Wing of Central Crime Branch of Bengaluru Police.

Two more killed in Kerala in attacks by wild animals

Aday after a woman was crushed to death by a wild elephant in Kerala’s Ernakulam district, a man in the state’s Kozhikode succumbed to injuries suffered in a wild gaur attack, and another woman was trampled to death by a wild jumbo in Thrissur.

Abraham, 70, who was injured in an attack by a wild gaur at Kakkayam on Monday afternoon, breathed his last at the Kozhikode Medical College hospital on Tuesday evening.

In the other incident, Valsala, 64, who was collecting forest produce near a forest in Thrissur on Tuesday, was trampled to death by a wild elephant.

The two deaths reported on Tuesday have now taken the death toll due to man-animal conflict to seven in the past five weeks in the state. Three similar incidents were reported from Wayanad, two from Idukki, and one each from Ernakulam and Thrissur.

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Ukraine to start ‘mandatory evacuation’

from 57 settlements in Kharkiv

The Ukrainian authorities will start a mandatory evacuation from 57 settlements in the eastern Kharkiv region, regional governor Oleg Synegubov has announced. “We decided to carry out mandatory evacuation of residents of 57 settlements,” Synegubov wrote on his Telegram channel after a meeting of the regional defense council on Thursday.

Besides, children along with their parents or legal guardians will be forcibly evacuated from 18 settlements in the Veliky Burluk and Olkhovatsky districts, Synegubov said. The regional authorities will cooperate with the National Police and volunteers to carry out the evacuation, he added.

100-mn-tonnes of new oil, gas reserves discovered in South China Sea

An oilfield was discovered in the South China Sea on Friday, and it has proven oil and gas reserves reaching 102 million tonnes of oil equivalent, according to the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).

The Kaiping South oilfield, featuring light crude oil, is located in the eastern part of the South China Sea, approximately 300 km from Shenzhen, Guangdong Province. The average depth of the ocean at the oilfield is about 500 meters and the deepest hole drilled is 4,831 meters deep, Xinhua news agency reported.

Zhou Xinhuai, chief executive officer of the CNOOC, said exploring deep water and drilling deep holes will lead to an increase in oil and gas reserves and output.

EU presents ‘first-ever’ defence industrial strategy

The European Union (EU) has presented its “first-ever” European Defence Industrial Strategy at the EU level in response to security concerns.

“To increase European defence industrial readiness, Member States need to invest more, better, together, and European,” the European Commission (EC) said in a press release on Tuesday. The strategy presented by the EC “sets a clear, longterm vision to achieve defence industrial readiness in the European Union”, it added.

According to the strategy, EU member states are expected to procure at least 40 percent of defence equipment in a collaborative manner by 2030, to ensure that the value of intra-EU defence trade represents at least 35 percent of the value of the EU defence market by 2030, and to make steady progress towards procuring at least 50 percent of their defence

procurement budget within the EU by 2030 and 60 percent by 2035.

As a means to deliver the strategy, the EC also tabled on Tuesday a legislative proposal for a European Defence Industry Programme and a framework of measures to ensure the timely availability and

supply of defence products, Xinhua news agency reported. The EC said that the program will mobilize 1.5 billion euros (about $1.63 billion) of the EU budget over the period 2025-2027, to continue enhancing the competitiveness of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base.

Measles cases triggers alert in Australia

The health authority in the Australian state of Victoria issued a public warning on Friday after five cases of measles were identified in the state capital Melbourne. Between February 19 and March 1, the five patients attended several public venues while infectious, including Melbourne Airport, Craigieburn Post Office, and Monash University. One of the newly confirmed cases also traveled to New South Wales and visited Sydney’s central business area during a one-day stay, triggering another health alert for local communities.

“Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can lead to uncommon but serious complications, such as pneumonia and brain inflammation,” the Victorian Department of Health warned in a

statement.

Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, sore or red eyes, runny nose, and a red maculopapular rash. They may appear between seven and 18 days after an exposure. People who had been exposed to the listed sites during the specified dates and times were urged to monitor for any related symptoms.

Rihanna, Bill Gates, Ivanka Trump and Mark Zuckerberg among star-studded guests at Indian wedding

Celebrities and tycoons arrived on charter jets for a three-daypre-wedding jamboree as Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani kickstarted wedding celebrations for his son. Bill Gates, Ivanka Trump and Mark Zuckerberg were among the guests invited.

The three-day celebrations in the west Indian city of Jamnagar for Mukesh Ambani’s son, Anant Ambani, started last Friday. The guest list of 1,200 people featured other important figures and celebrities including BlackRock co-founder Larry Fink and former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, according to Time magazine. The younger Ambani, 28, will marry his bride-to-be, Radhika

Merchant, 29, in July, according to multiple outlets. Pop superstar Rihanna entertained a plethora of important guests during the celebrations.

“First night in India – a magical evening in Everland!” former President Trump’s daughter wrote in a post on Instagram. “Sending warm wishes to Anant and Radhika for endless happiness and love as

they embark on this wonderful adventure together.” Zuckerberg “ posted a congratulatory message on Instagram as well, writing, “Love an Indian wedding. Congrats to Anant and Radhika!”

The elder Ambani became the 11th person in the world to be worth 12 figures or more back in 2021, making it onto the list of those worth $100 billion or more following an increase of his wealth by $23.8 billion that year. Mukesh Ambani is the chairman of Reliance Industries Ltd., which he inherited from his father in 2005, and has widened his energy business to include retail, technology and e-commerce. The retail and technology sections raised $27 billion in 2020.

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Sweden joins NATO as war in Ukraine prompts security rethink

Sweden joined NATO in Washington on Thursday, two years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine forced it to rethink its national security policy and conclude that support for the alliance was the Scandinavian nation’s best guarantee of safety.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson handed over the final documentation to the U.S. government on Thursday, the last step in a drawn-out process to secure the backing of all members to join the military alliance.

For NATO, the accessions of Sweden and Finland - which shares a 1,340-km (830-mile) border with Russia - are the most significant additions in decades. It is also a blow for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has sought prevent any further strengthening of the alliance. Sweden will benefit from the alliance’s common defence guarantee under which an attack on one member is regarded as an attack on all.

Peru’s PM steps down amid allegations of corruption

Peruvian Prime Minister Alberto Otarola has resigned from the post after an audio linking him to alleged irregular hiring of a young woman in the public sector was released.

“After conversations with the President of the Republic, Dina Boluarte, I have taken the decision to submit my resignation as the Prime Minister,” he told reporters on Tuesday, stating that “the baseness” of his political adversaries does not daunt him, Xinhua news agency reported.

He added that his decision has two objectives, the first being “to give tranquility to the President to recompose the ministerial cabinet,” and the second to allow her to continue working “as she has been doing.”

Russia’s Medvedev says Biden is a ‘mad’ disgrace to America

Dmitry Medvedev, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, called Joe Biden a “mad” disgrace to the United States on Friday and said the U.S. president had no right to compare himself to Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Biden opened his State of the Union address on Thursday with a reference to a 1941 speech to Congress in which Roosevelt said the union faced an unprecedented turning point in history. Biden also accused Republican rival Donald Trump of kowtowing to Russia and, just over two weeks after calling

Hamas seeks permanent ceasefire for releasing hostages

Senior Hamas leader Osama Hamaden has said that the outfit will release the remaining 134 hostages only when the permanent ceasefire is in place and Israelis completely withdraw from Gaza.

Hamadan in a statement in Beirut on Tuesday said that in the past two days the organisation had clearly presented this view before the Qatari and Egyptian mediators. He said that Hamas had reaffirmed its position that a permanent ceasefire was possible only after a full pull out of the IDF from Gaza Strip

and return of displaced Palestinian families to their homes.

The tough position taken by Hamas has almost derailed the US President Joe Biden’s optimism that a temporary six week ceasefire would be reached before March 10 - the commencement of the Holy month of Ramadan. However, the US state secretary Antony Blinken is in continuous discussions with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Al -Thani and the Egyptian mediator Major General Abbas Kalam. The US leader is also in communication with Israeli minister, Benny Gantz who is on a visit to the US.

Ecuador state of emergency extended by 30 days

Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa has extended a state of emergency in the South American country by 30 days, as his administration grapples with rising violence blamed on drug trafficking gangs.

In a decree published near midnight on Thursday, Noboa said an extension was necessary to keep military patrols going in prisons and violent areas of the country, maintain order and reduce homicides. Noboa originally declared the state of emergencyhis first since taking office late last year - in early January amid a spike in violence that

live broadcast.

Noboa, the 36-year-old son of one of the country’s richest businessmen, has designated 22 gangs as terrorist groups. During the state of emergency intentional homicides have been halved - falling from an average of 24 a day to 12 a day - the decree said.

Noboa’s press office said between January and Monday security forces carried out close to 150,000 operations nationally, arresting more than 11,700 people, including 280 on terrorism charges. Fourteen alleged criminals have died during operations and 3,300 arms and 64.3 tonnes of drugs have been seized, it said.

Vladimir Putin a “crazy SOB”, said he had a message for the Russian President on Ukraine: “We will not walk away.”

Medvedev, who cast himself as a liberal modernizer when he was president from 2008-2012, now presents himself as an anti-Western Kremlin hawk. Diplomats say his views give an indication of thinking at the top levels of the Kremlin elite.

The war in Ukraine has triggered a deep crisis in Russia’s relations with the West, and Biden angered Russian officials with his “crazy SOB” comment. Putin, with an ironic smile, said the remark showed why the Kremlin felt Biden was a preferable future president to Trump.

Former UK PM Theresa May, brought down by Brexit, to quit as lawmaker

Former British Prime Minister Theresa May will not stand for re-election, she said on Friday, ending a 27-year career in parliament marked by a tumultuous spell leading the country as it tore itself apart over Brexit.

May, 67, became the latest in a long line of Conservative Party politicians to signal their departure from parliament at an election later this year. Polls currently show the governing party is expected to lose power to the opposition Labor Party.

May became prime minister in 2016 after then-leader David Cameron resigned in the wake of Britain’s shock vote to leave the European Union. She was selected by her Conservative Party peers to implement the unprecedented decision, for which her predecessor had left no blueprint.

But she quit three years later having been unable to deliver Brexit on schedule or find a way to get parliament to approve her exit plan, handing the reins to Boris Johnson who galvanized much of the nation around his vision for Britain’s departure.

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Antitrust regulator to penalize Zuckerbergrun Meta in South Korea

South Korea’s antitrust watchdog has taken steps to penalize Meta Platforms for allegedly failing to protect local consumers on its e-commerce platforms of Facebook and Instagram, sources said on Friday. The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has concluded its investigation into Meta’s purported violations of the country’s e-commerce law and subsequently sent a report to the U.S. technology giant, according to the sources. The investigation primarily focused on Meta’s handling of consumer issues within the Facebook Marketplace and Instagram Marketplace, they added.

These marketplaces allow Facebook and Instagram users to buy and sell new and used products locally. Meta also offers a service to help small businesses create separate business accounts for e-commerce activities.

Elon Musk as world’s richest person

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has overtaken Tesla and SpaceX CEO, Elon Musk, as the richest person in the world, as per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. As per the latest figures, the Amazon founder’s net worth is $200 billion, while Musk’s net worth is at $198 billion. Bernard Arnault is ranked third with a net worth of $197 billion.

Elon Musk’s net worth is down $31.3 billion in the last year while Bezos net worth is up $23.4 billion. Bezos owns about 9 percent of Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer, according to a February 2024 filing, as per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. He also owns space exploration company Blue Origin, which is included at Bloomberg’s calculation of investment cost.

Determining a valuation for Blue Origin is difficult because of its unique strategy and the fact that Bezos is the sole shareholder with no apparent intent to sell, according to Chad Anderson, CEO of venture fund Space Angels. Amazon, the Seattle-based company, sells electronics, household goods and other products through its flagship website. It also controls the Whole Foods grocery chain and offers cloud computing and streaming services. Amazon had revenue of $574.8 billion in 2023, as per Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Israel fines US energy giant for discharging wastewater into Mediterranean

Israel imposed a fine of 2.9 million shekels (around $809,000) on the US energy giant Chevron Corporation for sea emission violation, the Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection has said in a statement. Chevron is a partner and operator of Leviathan, Israel’s largest natural gas field in the Mediterranean, located off Israel’s northern shores.

The ministry on Thursday explained that the fine was imposed for violating the terms of the sea discharge permit granted to Chevron for the Leviathan rig, by discharging acidic wastewater exceeding the reaction pH value allowed in the permit conditions, Xinhua news agency reported. It added that the wastewater flown into the sea was found to be at a toxicity level that could harm the fish population that finds shelter under the rig and near the outlet of the discharge.

The ministry noted that early taking of measures by Chevron could have prevented the discharge of the acidic wastewater into the sea and the damage to the marine environment. “Even when there are malfunctions that cannot be prevented in advance, it is still the company’s responsibility to take all measures to minimize the impact and discharge into the sea,” the ministry said.

The South Korean e-commerce law demands e-commerce platform operators provide information about sellers to consumers and establish mechanisms for addressing consumer complaints and disputes. The FTC alleges that Meta failed to fulfill these obligations as it has not taken enough measures to remedy or prevent consumer damage, including fraud and counterfeit sales on its platforms.

However, some experts argue that Meta, as a social media service operator, may not fall directly under the jurisdiction of the South Korean e-commerce law, which targets online shopping platform operators.

Nevertheless, the FTC believes that Meta’s provision of separate business accounts on Facebook and Instagram qualifies it as an e-commerce platform operator under the South Korean law, according to the insider sources.

In a first, India exports pomegranates by sea to USA

India has successfully flagged off its first commercial trial shipment of pomegranates to the US via sea under the aegis of Agricultural Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) from Vashi in Navi Mumbai, the Commerce Ministry said on Friday. The pomegranate shipment comprising 4200 boxes (12.6 tonnes) by InI Farms was flagged off by Rajesh Aggarwal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry and APEDA chairman Abhishek Dev.

Last year APEDA successfully carried out an air shipment of pomegranates with irradiation treatment and static trial in association with ICAR-NRC Pomegranate Solapur as a technical partner. Based on the successful result of the static trial, APEDA aimed for a successful sign-off for this consignment via seaopening trade relations to potential markets for Indian pomegranates.

India, one of the largest producers of pomegranates in the world, is also now aiming to be amongst the top pomegranate exporting countries.

Musk says will drop lawsuit if OpenAI changes name to ClosedAI

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Wednesday said that he will drop the lawsuit if OpenAI changes its name to ‘ClosedAI’. The tech billionaire recently sued the ChatGPT-maker and its CEO Sam Altman, alleging they breached their original contractual agreements around AI.

OpenAI then hit back at Musk’s lawsuit, saying as the company discussed

a for-profit structure in order to further the mission, “Musk wanted us to merge with Tesla or he wanted full control”. “We’re sharing some facts about our relationship with Elon Musk, and we intend to move to dismiss all of his claims,” OpenAI posted on X. To that, Musk replied: “Change your name to ClosedAI and I will drop the lawsuit.”

The Tesla CEO also said “OpenAI needs to stop living a lie”, while responding to a post on ‘X’.

In its latest blog post, OpenAI alleged that

Musk wanted “majority equity, initial board control, and to be CEO”. In the middle of these discussions, “he withheld funding”.

OpenAI co-founders Greg Brockman, Ilya Sutskever, John Schulman, Sam Altman, and Wojciech Zaremba said that “we couldn’t agree to terms on a for-profit with Elon because we felt it was against the mission for any individual to have absolute control over OpenAI”.

Musk left OpenAI, saying there needed to be a relevant competitor to Google/DeepMind and that he was going to do it himself. He said he’d be supportive of us finding our own path.

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EU slaps $2 billion anti-trust fine on Apple following Spotify’s complaint

The European Union on Monday fined Apple 1.84 billion Euros (about $2 billion) for allegedly abusing its dominant position in the market for the distribution of music streaming apps to iPhone and iPad users via its App Store.

The Commission’s investigation found that Apple bans music streaming app developers from fully informing iOS users about alternative and cheaper music subscription services available outside of the app and from providing any instructions about how to subscribe to such offers.

The EU’s investigation was announced after Swedish music streaming company Spotify filed an antitrust complaint over so-called “Apple Tax” in 2020. The Commission also ordered Apple to remove the anti-steering provisions and to refrain from repeating the infringement or from adopting practices with an equivalent object or effect in the future.

Any person or company affected by anti-competitive behavior may bring the matter before the courts of the Member States and seek damages, said the Commission.

India’s exports of agricultural products to major markets like Iraq, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, and the UK, surged by 110 percent, 46 percent, 18 percent, and 47 percent, respectively, during AprilNovember 2023, compared to the same period of the previous year, according to data released by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) on Wednesday. APEDA said its forwardlooking strategy involves a shift towards expanding India’s export basket with a focused initiative on priority products like fresh fruits, vegetables, processed foods and animal products to reduce reliance on a few products and move up the value chain.

In response to feedback from exporters, APEDA is also spearheading the initiation of participation in new fairs across emerging markets such as Turkey, South Korea, Kenya, South Africa, and Japan. This proactive approach aims to facilitate greater market access and foster sustainable growth opportunities for Indian exporters.

Slower, but strong US job growth expected in February

U.S. job growth likely slowed in February after two straight months of robust gains, but the labor market probably remains too strong for the Federal Reserve to consider cutting interest rates by June as currently anticipated by financial markets. The Labor Department’s closely watched employment report on Friday is also expected to show the unemployment rate unchanged at 3.7 percent for the fourth consecutive month and the annual increase in wages only slowing marginally. The labor market is supporting the economy, which is outperforming its global peers.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell told lawmakers this week that rate cuts would “likely be appropriate” later this year, but emphasized they “really will depend on the path of the economy.” “There really is no slowing this labor market down materially,” said Ryan Sweet, chief economist at Oxford Economics. “The Fed

can wait and they are most likely going to wait longer than what we anticipate. We currently have a cut in May, but it looks like they may take their time.”

Nonfarm payrolls likely increased by 200,000 jobs last month after surging 353,000 in January, according to a Reuters survey of economists. Estimates ranged from

US firm Micron, IIT Roorkee to develop highly skilled workforce in India

IndoUS Tribune Newsdesk

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee on Thursday inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with semiconductor leader Micron to help foster innovation and develop a highly skilled local workforce. The partnership which aims to bolster India’s goal of self-reliance in the semiconductor sector, will help further research into the field of technology, provide experiential learning opportunities for students, and facilitate industry-relevant training.

The Micron Semiconductor Lab will prioritize the technical skills, processes and resources for student internships

and fellowships via specialized master’s and doctoral degree programs.

The first India-made chip from the Rs 22,500 crore Micron semiconductor plant in Gujarat is set to arrive in December this year.

The IIT Roorkee class of 1996 has pledged to sponsor the prestigious “Rahul Aggarwal- 96 Chair” at the institute. Rahul Aggarwal is an alumnus of the 1996 batch. This chair, with backing from industry and academia, will facilitate the research and academic initiatives of the Micron Semiconductor Lab in chip design, technology, modelling, characterisation, and product development.

125,000 to 286,000. Payrolls increased

333,000 in December. January’s employment gains were the largest in a year and were partially flattered by below normal end-ofyear layoffs, a boost that is expected to be lost in February. That is likely to be offset in part by mild temperatures last month, which are expected to have led to more hiring at construction sites.

India records big jump in agricultural exports to Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, UK

With a focus on expanding into key markets such as Europe, Latin America, and Asia, APEDA aims to forge small partnerships

with global supermarkets to showcase its products on an international arena. Moreover, the organization is working on to reducing

transport costs of exports by establishing sea protocols through collaborations with research institutions. According to an APEDA statement, concerted efforts are also being undertaken to promote Shree Anna-Millets in tune with the government’s vision for cultivating a healthier and more diversified food landscape. Over the past year, with a particular focus during the International Year of Millets-2023, APEDA has worked towards the development and integration of a wide variety of value-added products under the Shree Anna brand.

This strategic initiative has led to the creation and mainstreaming of various valueadded products, including pasta, noodles, breakfast cereals, ice cream, biscuits, energy bars, and snacks. These products have been integrated with the export value chain.

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Mike Tyson to face Jake Paul in heavyweight bout streamed on Netflix in July

Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson will face YouTuberturned-boxer Jake Paul in a fight that will be streamed by Netflix on July 20 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, promoters said on Thursday.

Tyson, who is regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time, said it would be fun to take on Paul, who is 27 and has a 9-1 record with six knockouts. ‘Iron Mike’, who has a 50-6 record with 44 knockouts, will be hoping to shake off the rust as he will be 58 when the fight takes place at the 80,000 seat arena.

French Open: Sindhu moves to quarters, Srikanth bows out

I21-10, 21-14, here on Thursday.

Zhang had a lead of 11-7 against Sindhu in the first game and over a course of multiple errors the Indian got defeated 21-13 in the first game. Sindhu then made a comeback in the second game after an initial lead of 12-8 and won comprehensively with a score of 21-10.

In the decider game, Sindhu was all over Zhang, taking the lead of 11-7 with cross-court service and playing mostly on the nets. She won it 21-14 and moved to the quarter-final.

Earlier in men’s singles, Kidambi Srikanth lost to Lu Guang Zu of China with the scoreline of 21-19, 12-21, 20-22.

“I’m very much looking forward to stepping into the ring with Jake Paul,” Tyson said in a statement. He’s grown significantly as a boxer over the years,

so it will be a lot of fun to see what the will and ambition of a ‘kid’ can do with the experience and aptitude of a GOAT (Greatest Of All Time).”

Horner seeks to turn focus to F1 after accuser is suspended

Red Bull Formula One team boss Christian Horner appealed for his family’s privacy to be respected on Thursday after facing another barrage of questions about his conduct. Speaking at the Saudi Grand Prix in Jeddah hours after it emerged that the Formula One champions had suspended a female employee who accused him of inappropriate behavior, Horner said it was time to move on.

The Briton was cleared last week after an independent investigation, having denied all the accusations. “It’s obviously been a very trying period,” the father of three, who is married to Spice Girls singer Geri Halliwell, told a press conference organized by the governing FIA with three other team bosses.

“When there’s children involved, when there’s families, parents etc involved, it’s not pretty.

“My wife has been phenomenally supportive throughout this, as has my family,” added Horner, who walked into the Bahrain paddock last Saturday hand in hand with his wife in a very public display of support. “But the intrusion on my family is now enough. We need to move forward and to focus on what we are here for...it’s time now to focus on why we’re where which is to go Formula One racing.” His accuser has not been named by the team and details of the allegations remain confidential, although purported evidence was emailed anonymously to F1 media and key figures in the paddock last week.

Marais Erasmus announces retirement from international cricket umpiring

Veteran South Africa umpire Marais Erasmus has announced his retirement from the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires. His illustrious career spanning over two decades will culminate with his final officiating duty during the second Test between New Zealand and Australia, starting on Friday. The Christchurch Test will be Erasmus’ 82nd men’s Test match as umpire, putting him 10th on the list of umpires to officiate in most Test matches.

“It’s a full circle moment that will be beyond thrilling to watch, as I started him on his boxing journey on the undercard of my fight with Roy Jones and now I plan to finish him.”

Paul was on the undercard in 2020 when Tyson and Jones fought in an exhibition bout that was scored as a draw.

“It’s crazy to think that in my second pro fight I went viral for knocking out Nate Robinson on Mike Tyson’s undercard,” Paul said.

“Now, less than four years later, I’m stepping up to face Tyson myself to see if I have what it takes to beat one of boxing’s most notorious fighters and biggest icons.”

De Minaur downs Ruud to defend Mexican Open title

Alex de Minaur secured his first title of the 2024 season after the Australian downed Casper Ruud to defend his crown at the Mexican Open. The third-seeded De Minaur prevailed 6-4, 6-4 in the ATP 500 championship match one-hour, 57-minute victory for a second straight triumph on the Mexican Pacific Coast and clinch his eighth ATP Tour trophy late on Saturday night. He converted three of four break points he earned in his first ATP Headto-Head clash with Ruud since he defeated the Norwegian at the 2019 Next Gen ATP Finals.

With a title triumph, the Australian became the first player to defend the title in Acapulco since the tournament switched to hard courts in 2014. Overall, the fourth player in the history of the tournament to win a two-time championship, joining the feats of the Austrian Thomas Muster (winner of 1993, 1994, 1995 editions and 1996), the Spanish Nicolas Almagro (winner of the 2008 and 2009 editions already in Acapulco) and David Ferrer (threetime champion in 2010, 2011 and 2012), according to tournament website.

“Acapulco has been a very good place to me for my tennis career. The first time I won a 500, and [now] the first time I’ve defended a title in my career. I feel at home here and it’s a great place to be,” said De Minaur.

With his title run, De Minaur ensured he will on Monday remain in the Top 10 of the ATP Rankings. Despite defeating Ruud in Saturday’s final, however, the Australian will drop one spot below the Norwegian to No. 10.

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ndia’s star shuttler PV Sindhu stormed into the quarter-final of the French Open Super 750 tournament after beating Beiwen Zhang of the USA 13-21,

Nadal withdraws from Indian Wells, ‘not ready’ to compete at highest level

Rafa Nadal withdrew from Indian Wells on Wednesday on the eve of his first-round match, saying he is not “ready to play at the highest level”. The 37-yearold Spaniard, who has said he expects to retire after the 2024 season, returned to competition in Brisbane in January after almost a year sidelined with a hip flexor injury, but had to miss the Australian Open with another muscle tear.

He lost to Carlos Alcaraz in an exhibition event in Las Vegas on Sunday and appeared ready to compete for a fourth title in the California desert. “It is with great sadness that I have to withdraw from this amazing tournament,” the 22-times Grand Slam champion said in a statement.

“Everyone knows how much I love this place and how much I love to play here at Indian Wells.

“That’s also one of the reasons why I came very early to the desert to practice and try to get ready. “I have been working hard and practicing and you all know I took a test this weekend but I don’t find myself ready to play at the highest level at such an important event.

“It is not an easy decision, it’s a tough one as a matter of fact but I can’t lie to myself and lie to the thousands of fans. I will miss you all and I am sure the tournament will be a great success.”

Olympic Games 2024 are on track, IOC committee informed in final meeting

The organizing committee for the Paris Olympic Games 2024 has informed the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s Coordination Commission that everything is on track for the Olympic Games to be held in the French capital from July 26 to August 11 this year. Just like athletes around the globe who are preparing for the upcoming Olympic Games, the organizing committee for Paris 2024 is diligently working towards reaching peak performance this summer. This was the final Coordination Commission meeting before the Games, during which it was confirmed that the Olympic Games Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony will begin on July 26.

Tournament director Tommy Haas said they were disappointed to lose Nadal, who will be replaced by lucky loser Sumit Nagal. “He is one of the all-time fan favorites here, and we hope to see him back in Indian Wells again in the future,” added Haas.

Nadal’s representative Benito Perez-Barbadillo said there was no fresh injury and

that the Miami Open, another hardcourt event that follows Indian Wells, was never on his schedule.

Nadal will now turn his attention to his favourite surface clay with an eye toward a record-extending 15th French Open title and a second Olympic gold medal at the Paris Games, where tennis will be contested at Roland Garros.

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FIFA report shows no doping cases prosecuted from its tournaments in 2023

FIFA’s anti-doping body did not prosecute any doping cases from its tournaments held in 2023, according to a report released by the world governing body on Thursday. The tournaments in FIFA’s report included the Women’s World Cup, the Under-20 World Cup and the Club World Cup, with over 2,600 samples collected from across those competitions.

“In 2023, the anti-doping program mainly focused on the Women’s World Cup, which saw an unprecedented increase in the number of tests carried out per participating team, with the 860 inand out-of-competition tests conducted,” the report said. The report said one sample at the tournament co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand resulted in an adverse analytical finding but that it was “justified by a valid therapeutic use exemption”.

A sample at the men’s U-20 World Cup in Argentina brought up an atypical finding for testosterone but follow-up tests and analysis did not confirm the finding, the report added.

Premier League: Foden’s brace inspires City to turnaround win over United

APhil Foden double and Erling Haaland’s stoppage-time strike earned Manchester City a 3-1 turnaround victory over Manchester United to move a point behind leaders Liverpool in Premier League table. The Pep Guardiola side are now unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League matches.

Man City have completed a Premier League double over rivals Man Utd for a sixth time – with half of these coming under Guardiola (also 2018/19 and 2021/22).

City had fallen behind to a thunderous Marcus Rashford goal on eight minutes -

Sweden’s Olsson diagnosed with multiple blood clots in his brain

Sweden midfielder Kristoffer Olsson is suffering from multiple small blood clots on both sides of his brain as a result of an extremely rare inflammatory condition in his brain vessels, the player’s club Midtjylland said on Thursday. Olsson has been in hospital and put on a ventilator after the 28-yearold fell unconscious at home last month.

against the run of play - and spent the next 50 minutes or so trying to find a way past a resolute United back-line.

But Foden levelled on 56 minutes with a screamer into the top corner from 20 yards, then scored a delightful second ten minutes from the end of normal time. Haaland then wrapped up victory with a clinical finish following excellent work by Rodrigo to make it 3-1 in added time. Up next for City is a huge showdown at Anfield against title-rivals Liverpool on Sunday, while a second consecutive defeat leaves Man United 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.

Halep accepts Miami Open wildcard after doping ban reduced

Simona Halep will make her first competitive appearance since winning an appeal over a doping suspension as she accepted a wildcard into this month’s Miami Open, the Romanian former world number one said on Thursday. The 32-year-old Halep, a former Wimbledon and French Open champion, had her four-year doping ban cut to nine months by the top court for global sport this week, making her eligible to return to competition immediately.

Friday, 08 March, 2024 17 Sports

Kareena Kapoor: Can’t relate when I see myself with filters and edits

Bollywood diva Kareena Kapoor Khan has talked about how the concept of beauty has seen a shift and added that she cannot relate when she sees herself with filters and edits. Giving audiences a peak into her personal life, Kareena said: “I think now there is an entire shift to beauty and rawness. I like the fact that there are little lines on my face, I can’t relate when I see myself with filters and edits.”

Kareena, who has never shied away from flaunting her real skin on social media and even in films, added: “I’m the first one to say that I am not putting on makeup and I like it like that because I have been like that right from ‘Chameli’, ‘Refugee’ and ‘Dev’.” She then shared an anecdote from her 2004 film ‘Dev’. “In Dev I had oil in my hair. The journey should be enjoyed by one, we can’t try and stay at a particular age. I am so happy that I don’t wanna be 20 anymore,” she said. Kareena was chatting with actress Neha Dhupia on “No Filter Neha Season 6”, which is airing on JioTV and JioTV+.

Kate Winslet: Never told anyone about my eating disorder, secretly battled it

Hollywood star Kate Winslet shared that she secretly battled an eating disorder earlier in her career but she “never told anyone about it”.

“I never told anyone about it. Because guess what — people in the world around you go: ‘Hey, you look great! You lost weight!’ So even the compliment about looking good is connected to weight.”

“And that is one thing I will not let people talk about (now). If they do, I pull them up straight away,” she told The New York Times magazine, reports femalefirst.co.uk. Winslet also expressed her worries about the rising use of the weight loss drugs, saying: “I actually don’t know what Ozempic is. All I know is that it’s some pill that people are taking or something like that.” When told the drug is used to control appetite and “dampen” interest in food, the actress said: “Oh, my God. This sounds terrible. Let’s eat some more things!”

Adam Sandler, Margot Robbie, Tom Cruise named Hollywood’s best-paid stars

Actor Adam Sandlar has made it to the top of Forbes list of the bestpaid actors of 2023, surpassing Margot Robbie in second place and Tom Cruise in third. Sandler earned a whopping $73 million in 2023, which saw him feature in ‘Murder Mystery 2’, ‘You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah’ and ‘Leo’.

He also bankrolled ‘The Out-Laws’, which featured Nina Dobrev, Ellen Barkin, and Pierce Brosnan, reports femalefirst.co.uk. This is the first time Sandler has made it to the top of Forbes list since 2002, when he starred in a

number of comedy films, including ‘Mr Deeds’ and ‘Punch-Drunk Love’.

The actor and his co-star Jennifer Aniston played husband-and-wife private detectives in the movie. ‘Barbie’ star Margot Robbie made it to the second spot, with the earnings of $59 million. She essayed the titular character in the film and she served as a producer as well.

In the third position is Hollywood star Tom Cruise with an annual earning of $45 million in 2023. He featured alongside names such as

Hayley Atwell, Rebecca Ferguson and Vanessa Kirby in ‘Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One’ last year.

Then there is Ryan Gosling sitting in fourth position and ‘Oppenheimer’ actor Matt Damon, who both earned $43 million. In sixth place is actress Jennifer Aniston with $42 million. Leonardo DiCaprio and Jason Statham share the seventh position with $41 million. With $38 million is actor-filmmaker Ben Affleck in the ninth position and Denzel Washington in the tenth spot with $24 million.

Rani Mukerji looks back at cinema in 2023: ‘A year when underdogs won’

Rani Mukerji has said 2023 was a “myth-busting landmark” year for Hindi cinema, for not only did ambitious projects such as ‘Pathaan’ and ‘Gadar 2’ turn out to be blocbusters, but also content-driven films like ‘12th Fail’ and ‘Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway’ disrupted the box office.

“It was a year when the underdogs won,” she said. Mukerji, who has many big hits on her filmography and is married to hitmaker Aditya Chopra of Yash Raj Films, was speaking at the 24th edition of FICCI Frames in Mumbai on Tuesday. The actress said: “The last few years have seen a dynamic environment for content. The pandemic forced us to adapt and innovate, and to reimagine the ways in which we connect with the audience because the consumers have evolved too and want us to deliver something unique for them.”

Continuing on the subject of big-budget movies making it big on the box office, Mukerji said, “I am thrilled that the theatrical business is back and mega entertainers such as ‘Pathaan’, ‘Jawan’, ‘Gadar 2’, ‘Tiger 3’, ‘Animal’, ‘Leo’, ‘Salaar’, ‘Jailer’, ‘Ponniyin Selvan’ and ‘Carry on Jatta 3’ have made box-office history in a single calendar year, which pulled the audience back to the theatres. We have witnessed a myth-busting landmark in cinema.”

Mentioning the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer ‘Pathaan’, Mukerji pointed out that it was released during the phase when the Hindi film industry was recovering post the Covid-19 pandemic and a number of single-screen cinemas were shutting down.

“I congratulate my industry for turning the tide and showing the world that Hindi cinema cannot fall prey to social media trolling,” Mukerji said, adding: “We have to constantly work hard to deliver better experiences. It has also been a year when the underdogs won.”

On the subject of content-driven films, Mukerji said: “The fact that everyone was made to believe content films wouldn’t do

well theatrically and should be restricted only to OTT platforms was busted by some of the content movies that were released in 2023.”

Mukerji concluded by noting optimistically: “’Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway’, ‘12th Fail’, ‘The Kerala Story’, ‘OMG 2’, ‘Kabuliwala’ and ‘Baby’ busted the myth that only bigscale projects would work in the cinemas and content-driven films won’t disrupt the box office.”

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Friday, 08 March, 2024
Entertainment

Entertainment

Friday, 08 March, 2024

Gal Gadot welcomes fourth baby with husband Jaron Varsano

HGadot took to Instagram, where she posted a photograph of holding the newborn in the hospital, reports people.com. “My sweet girl, welcome. The pregnancy was not easy and we made it through,” Gadot wrote in her caption.

She added: “You have brought so much light into our lives, living up to your name, Ori, which means ‘my light’ in Hebrew. Our hearts are full of gratitude. Welcome to the house of girls.. daddy is pretty cool too.” Gadot is also mother to her three daughters Alma, 12, Maya, 6, and Daniella, 2 with Varsano.

Akshay Kumar to present documentary on Sardar Patel’s Statue of Unity

Akshay Kumar, who will be presenting the documentary ‘Statue of Unity: Ekta Ka Prateek’, said it’s about honoring the great spirit of unity that resonates within every Indian.

Directed by Aanand L Rai, “Statue of Unity: Ekta Ka Prateek” is a journey of an ambitious vision turning into reality. The 40-minute documentary celebrates the spirit of unity that binds the nation together and pays homage to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the architect of united India, who led the integration of 562 fragmented princely states into one nation post-independence.

The documentary also features insights from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, had envisioned this project. The documentary follows a step-by-step journey of the making of the Statue of Unity.

From 2013 -- when the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi announced his intention to honor Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and laid the foundation stone in Kevadia (Gujarat) -- to completing the tallest statue in the world at 182 meters, a number that represented total constituencies in Gujarat’s State Legislative Assembly.

Akshay said: “Being part of ‘Statue of Unity: Ekta Ka Prateek’ has been an incredibly humbling experience for me. It’s

about honoring the great spirit of unity that resonates within every Indian.”

“Sardar Patel’s vision and leadership continue to inspire us, reminding us of the strength that comes from our unity as a nation. I hope this documentary serves as a reminder of our shared heritage and the power of coming together for a common purpose,” he added.

The documentary will also reveal PM Modi’s unique initiative that he undertook to procure iron for the statue, where over six Lakh villages donated an old iron farming tool each, echoing Sardar Patel’s call to farmers during the fight for independence. Soil from all parts of the country was similarly used to bring the statue together, symbolizing unity in its creation.

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South Korean actress Kim Bo Ra announces marriage plans

South Korean actress Kim Bo Ra, who gained the spotlight for her work in the hit drama ‘Sky Castle’, is all set to tie the knot in June. Earlier this week, the actress’s agency released the following statement confirming the news about her marriage, reports soompi.com. The statement from the noon company read: “We are sharing joyful news regarding noon company actress Kim Bo Ra. Actress Kim Bo Ra is getting married in June.”

The statement shared that Bo Ra’s tobe-husband is a film director.

The statement further read: “Her fiancee Jo Ba Reun is a film director, and after a three-year relationship based on trust and faith, they have arrived at the beautiful result of tying the knot.

The wedding will be held in private with their families, relatives, and close acquaintances.”

Sinead O’Connor’s estate slams Trump for using singer’s best-selling single at rallies

The estate of the late Irish singersongwriter-social activist Sinead O’Connor has denounced the Republican Party’s presidential hopeful Donald Trump’s use of her performance of ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ at his recent campaign rallies, reports ‘Variety’. The single ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ was a part of her best-selling 1990 album ‘I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got’, which sold seven million copies worldwide. It was voted the No. 1 world single of the year at the Billboard Music Awards.

In a statement to ‘Variety’, O’Connor’s estate and label Chrysalis Records demanded that Trump cease playing the song immediately. O’Connor, incidentally, passed away at the age of 56 on July 26, 2023, after converting to Islam in 2018. She was a lifelong critic of the Roman Catholic Church’s murky record of alleged child abuse.

Her estate’s statement, shared by ‘Variety’, reads: “Throughout her life, it is well known that Sinéad O’Connor lived by a fierce moral code defined by honesty, kindness, fairness and decency towards her fellow human beings.” It goes on to say that the estate learned “with

outrage” that Donald Trump “has been using her iconic performance of ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ at his political rallies”.

The statement does not hold back punches when it says, “It is no exaggeration to say that Sinead would have been disgusted, hurt and insulted to have her work misrepresented in this way by someone who she herself referred to as a ‘biblical devil’. As the guardians of her legacy, we demand that Donald Trump and his associates desist from using her music immediately.”

O’Connor joins a long list of musicians who have spoken out against Trump using their music at rallies, including Johnny Marr of the Smiths, who in January took to X to express his disappointment over Trump playing ‘Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want’, ‘Variety’ notes.

The phalanx of other artistes who have refused Trump’s use of their songs include, according to ‘Variety’, Adele, Aerosmith, the Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Guns n’ Roses, Leonard Cohen, Linkin Park, Neil Young, Nickelback, Ozzy Osbourne, Panic! at the Disco, Pharrell Williams, Phil Collins, Prince, Queen, R.E.M., Rihanna, the Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, Village People and the White Stripes.

19
ollywood star Gal Gadot has welcomed her fourth baby with husband Jaron Varsano and made the announcement on social media with a picture.

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World Hindu Council of America and Vishwa Hindu Parishad of Canada Unveil Ambitious Grand Mandir Tour Across North America

In a historic collaboration, the World Hindu Council of America (VHPA) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of Canada announce an unprecedented journey to visit every registered Mandir across the United States and Canada. This

epic tour, commencing on March 25, 2024, from the World Hindu Council of America Hindu Center located in Sugar Grove, IL, will feature a specially adorned van carrying statues of Shree Ram, Sita, Lakshman, and Hanuman, along with

Ram Lalla Pratikruti and Kalash of Prana Pratishtha Pujit Akshat.

The primary objective of this monumental undertaking is to personally deliver Prasad and Akshat obtained by Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America Delegates who actively participated in the Shree Ram Lalla Murti Prana Pratishtha in Ayodhya Dham on January 22, 2024. Additionally, the initiative aims to present written recognition of participation in the Shree Ram Lalla Murti Prana Pratishtha. This ambitious task is set to be accomplished in 45 to 60 days, covering the entire expanse of the USA and Canada. Commencing on March 25th, the day after Purnima of Holi on Krishna Paksha Pratipada, the tour will culminate on April 23, 2024, the auspicious day of Shree Hanuman Jayanti, back at Sugar Grove, IL, having visited over 1000 temples across both nations.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America and Canada warmly invite volunteers to participate in this noble effort.

Those committed to serving in this project can register at: https://yatra.rammandir2024.org.

For further information and to register, please visit www.yatra. rammandir2024.org.

Gitamrita Bindu: Your guide to using Bhagavad Gita knowledge in daily life

Iskcon Chicago has come up with a series of weekly sessions on how to use the knowledge from Gita in our daily lives. These sessions held every Friday from March 15 onwards aim to equip adults to regulate and take control of their lives by using the principles of Gita practically in their everyday lives.

These one-hour sessions are free for everyone to join and will be followed by discussions and dinner.

You can visit: National India Hub, 930 National Pkwy, Schaumburg, IL 60173 to attend these sessions or contact Vanmali Krsna Das at 821 603 3870 for more information.

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Sri Shiva Ashtakam is believed to be composed by Sri Adi Sankaracharya in praise of and in prayer to Lord Shiva. Sri Shiva Ashtakam contains eight stanzas each describing the attributes of Lord Shiva. The benefit of reciting Sri Shiva Ashtakam can be seen with immense peace of mind and keeping negative energy, evils, and negative thoughts away. A regular recitation also induces positivity, confidence, and willpower as well as the removal of obstacles in endeavors.

Sri Shiva Ashtakam has 8 verses and the following is it’s narration in the Devanagari script, the English script and a simple English translation:

´fi·fbÔ ´fif¯f³ff±fÔ dU·fbÔ dUV½f³ff±fÔ þ¦f³³ff±f ³ff±fÔ ÀfQf³f³Q ·ffþ¸f ·fUò½¹f ·fc°fZV½fSXÔ ·fc°f ³ff±fÔ dVfUÔ Vf‚SXÔ VfÔ·fb¸feVff³f¸feOXZ (1) praBhuM praaNa-naaThaM viBhuM vishwa-naaThaM jagan-naaTha naaThaM sadhaanandha Bhaajam Bhavadh-Bhavya Bhoothaesh-varaM Bhootha-naaThaM shivaM shankaraM shaMBhum -eeshaanameedae

Lord Shiva is -the master;

Sri Shiva Ashtakam:

-the Lord of our core of existence, breathing; -omnipresent;

-the Lord of Sri Maha Vishnu who is the Lord of the earth; -eternally blissful;

-swift;

-the provider of brightness; -the Lord of living beings; -the Lord and leader of the celestial goblins; and -the Lord of everyone.

I humbly surrender to Lord Shiva who is Shankar, the auspicious, Shambu, the benevolent and the presiding Deity of northeast.

¦f»fZ ÷Y¯OX¸ff»fÔ °f³fü Àf´fÊþf»fÔ ¸fWXfIYf»f IYf»fÔ ¦f¯fZVffd²f ´ff»f¸f þMXfþcMX ¦f„ûØfSX„`dUÊVff»fÔ dVfUÔ Vf‚SXÔ VfÔ·fb¸feVff³f¸feOXZ (2) gaae ruNda-maalaM thanau sarpa-jaalaM mahaakaala kaalaM gaNeshaaDhi paalam jataa-joota gangoth-tharangair-vishaalaM shivaM shankaraM shaMBhum-eeshaanameedae

Lord Shiva -has the garland made of skulls; -has the mesh of snakes around His person; -is the great God of time;

-is the embodiment of time;

-is the protector of His clan (ganas);

-has the matted hair immersed in the waves of Ganges which flows from His head; and -is the Lord of everyone.

I humbly surrender to Lord Shiva who is Shankar, the auspicious, Shambu, the benevolent and the presiding Deity of northeast.

¸fbQf¸ffIYSXÔ ¸f¯OX³fÔ ¸f¯OX¹f³°fÔ ¸fWXf ¸f¯OX»fÔ ·fÀ¸f ·fc¿ff²fSXÔ °f¸f A³ffdQÔ ‘´ffSXÔ ¸fWXf ¸fûWX¸ffSXÔ dVfUÔ Vf‚SXÔ VfÔ·fb¸feVff³f¸feOXZ (3) mudhaamaakaraM maNdanaM maNdayanthaM mahaa maNdalaM Bhasma BhooShaaDharaM tham anaadhiM hyapaaraM mahaa mohamaaraM shivaM shankaraM shaMBhum eeshaanameedae

Lord Shiva

-makes the universe blissful; -embellishes the world; -is the ornated universe; -smears the ashes; -is beyond commencement; -is immeasurable; -destroys the worldly attachments; and -is the Lord of everyone.

I humbly surrender to Lord Shiva who is Shankar, the auspicious, Shambu, the benevolent and the presiding Deity of north-

MXf²fû d³fUfÀfÔ ¸fWXf˜f ˜WXfÀfÔ ¸fWXf´ff´f ³ffVfÔ ÀfQf Àfb´fiIYfVf¸f d¦fSXeVfÔ ¦f¯fZVfÔ ÀfbSXZVfÔ ¸fWXZVfÔ

The praise and prayer of the mighty

dVfUÔ Vf‚SXÔ VfÔ·fb¸feVff³f¸feOXZ (4)

vataaDho nivaasaM mahaatta ttahaasaM mahaapapa naashaM sadhaa su-prakaasham

gireesaM gaNaeshaM suraeshaM mahaeshaM

shivaM shankaraM shaMBhum-eeshaanameedae

Lord Shiva

-stays at the root of the banyan tree;

-has magnificent laughter; -destroys all the sins;

-is dazzling;

-is the Lord of the mountains;

-is the Lord of the celestial warriors (gana);

-is the Lord of the Deities; and

-is the Lord of everyone.

I humbly surrender to Lord Shiva who is Shankar, the auspicious, Shambu, the benevolent and the presiding Deity of northeast.

d¦fSXe³Qif°¸f þfÀf„ÈWXe°ff²fÊ QZWXÔ d¦fSXü ÀfÔdÀ±f°fÔ ÀfUÊQf ´fd³³f ¦fZWX¸f ´fSX¶fišf ¶fišffdQ d·fUʳô¸ff³fÔ

dVfUÔ Vf‚SXÔ VfÔ·fb¸feVff³f¸feOXZ (5) gireendhrathma jaa-sangrhithaarDha dhaehaM

girau samsThithaM sarvadhaa panni gaeham parabrahma brahmaadhi Bhir-vanDhya maanaM shivaM shankaraM shaMBhum-eeshaanameedae

Lord Shiva

-shares half of His body with His consort, (Sri Parvathi Devi) the daughter of the mountain king; -resides in the mountains;

-is the refuge and hope for the poor people; -is worshipped by Brahma and other Deities; and

-is the Lord of everyone.

I humbly surrender to Lord Shiva who is Shankar, the auspicious, Shambu, the benevolent and the presiding Deity of northeast.

IY´ff»fÔ dÂfVfc»fÔ IYSXf·¹ffÔ Q²ff³fÔ

´fQfÔ·fûþ ³f¸fif¹f IYf¸fÔ QQf³f¸f ¶f»fe UQʹff³fÔ ÀfbSXf¯ffÔ ´fi²ff³fÔ dVfUÔ Vf‚SXÔ VfÔ·fb¸feVff³f¸feOXZ (6) kapaalaM trishoolaM karaaBhyaaM dhaDhaanaM

padhamBhoaja namraaya kaamaM dhadhaanam balee vardhayaanaM suraaNaaM pra DhaanaM shivaM shankaraM shaMBhumeeshaanameedae Lord Shiva

-keeps the skull and the trident in His hands; -fulfills the desires of the humble devotees who worship His lotus feet sincerely; -rides on the bull (Nandi); -is significant amongst the Devas; and -is the Lord of everyone.

I humbly surrender to Lord Shiva who is Shankar, the auspicious, Shambu, the benevolent and the presiding Deity of northeast.

VfSX¨¨f³Qi ¦ffÂfÔ ¦fb¯ff³f³Q ´ffÂfÔ dÂf³fZÂfÔ ´fdUÂfÔ ²f³fVfÀ¹f d¸fÂf¸f A´f¯ffÊ IYTÂfÔ ¨fdSXÂfÔ dUd¨fÂfÔ dVfUÔ Vf‚SXÔ VfÔ·fb¸feVff³f¸feOXZ (7)

sarach-chandra gaathraM gaNaanandhaa paathraM thrinaethraM pavithraM Dhaneshasya mithram aparNaa kaLathraM charithraM vichithraM shivaM shankaraM shaMBhum-eeshaanameedae

Lord Shiva

-has the face as dazzling as the winter moon;

-is the source of enjoyment for the celestial warriors;

-has three eyes;

-is genuine and clean;

-is the acquaintance of the Lord of wealth (Kubera);

-is the consort of Aparna (Sri Parvathi Devi);

-is eternal;

-is full of wonders; and

-is the Lord of everyone.

I humbly surrender to Lord Shiva who is Shankar, the auspicious, Shambu, the benevolent and the presiding Deity of northeast.

WXSXÔ Àf´fÊWXfSXÔ d¨f°ff ·fcdUWXfSXÔ ·fUÔ UZQÀffSXÔ ÀfQf d³fdUÊIYfSX¸f V¸fVff³fZ UÀf³°fÔ ¸f³fûþÔ QWX³°fÔ dVfUÔ Vf‚SXÔ VfÔ·fb¸feVff³f¸feOXZ (8) haraM sarpahaaraM chithaa BhoovihaaraM BhavaM vedhasaaraM sadhaa nirvikaaram smashaanae vasanthaM manoajaM dhahanthaM shivaM shankaraM shaMBhum-e eshanameedae

Lord Shiva

-is hara, the one who steals the heart;

-wears snakes as garlands;

-stays near funeral pyre;

-is the universe;

-is the essence and content of all vedas;

-is eternally detached from the passions;

-lives in funeral grounds;

-swiftly blazes the worldly desires; and

-is the Lord of everyone.

I humbly surrender to Lord Shiva who is Shankar, the auspicious, Shambu, the benevolent and the presiding Deity of northeast.

À°fUÔ ¹f: ´fi·ff°fZ ³fSX: Vfc»f´ff¯fZ: ´fNXZ°ÀfUÊQf ·f¦fÊ·ffUf³fbSXöY: Àfb´fbÂfÔ Àfb²ff³¹fÔ Àfbd¸fÂfÔ IY»fÂfÔ dUd¨fÂf`ÀÀf¸ffSXf²¹f ¸fÃfÔ ´fi¹ffd°f (9) sthayaM yah praBhaathae narah-shoolapaaNe paTeth-sarvadhaa Bharga-Bhaavaanurakthah suputhraM suDhanyaM sumithraM kaḷathraM vichithraissa maaraDhya mokSham prayaathi

Lord Shiva is splendorous. He is vividly glittering with trident. Those who recite this Stotram are blessed with kids, food, good friends and a good life companion; They will lead a fulfilling life and attain moksha to be with Lord Shiva.

´fi·fbÔ ´fif¯f³ff±fÔ dU·fbÔ dUV½f³ff±fÔ þ¦f³³ff±f ³ff±fÔ ÀfQf³f³Q ·ffþ¸f ·fUò½¹f ·fc°fZV½fSXÔ ·fc°f ³ff±fÔ Bd°f ßfedVfUfáIÔY ÀfÔ´fc¯fʸf ithi shree shiva ashtakam sampoorNam.

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Dharam Karam

Dharam Karam

mighty Shiva Ashtakam:

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·f¦fUQÐ ¦fe°ff IYf ¨füQWXUfÔ A²¹ff¹f ¦fb¯fÂf¹f dU·ff¦f ¹fû¦f IZY øY´f ¸fZÔ þf³ff þf°ff WX`Ü ¹fWX A²¹ff¹f Af°¸ff AüSX ´fiIÈYd°f IZY ¦fb¯fûÔ IYû Àf¸fÓff³fZ IZY d»fE dUVfZ¿f øY´f ÀfZ ¸fWX°U´fc¯fÊ WX`Ü

·f¦fUQ ¦fe°ff

A²¹ff¹f 14 ÀffSXfÔVf

Astrologer Krishana Vyas.

Phone: 9811 646746

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www.indoustribune.com Friday, 08 March, 2024 25

Health & Fitness

5 caffeine-free ways to boost energy naturally

Feeling sluggish or low on energy is a common experience for many people, especially in today’s fast-paced world. While caffeine is often used to combat fatigue, there are plenty of natural alternatives to boost energy levels without relying on stimulants. Here are five caffeine-free ways to enhance your energy and vitality, allowing you to feel more alert and productive throughout the day.

Get Moving with Exercise: Regular physical activity is one of the most effective ways to increase energy levels naturally. Exercise helps improve circulation, deliver oxygen and nutrients to your cells, and release endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. Try to get in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. Choose activities you enjoy, such as walking, cycling, yoga, or dancing, to make staying active a fun and sustainable part of your routine.

Prioritize Quality Sleep: Getting enough high-quality sleep is essential for replenishing energy levels and supporting overall health. Set a regular sleep routine of 7-9 hours each night. To help your body know when to shut down, create a calming and peaceful nighttime

routine by turning down the lights, doing deep breathing exercises or meditation, and avoiding screens right before bed.

Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can contribute to feelings of fatigue and low energy, so it’s essential to stay hydrated throughout the day. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day, and adjust your fluid intake based on factors like activity level, climate, and individual needs. In addition to water, hydrating foods such as fruits and vegetables can contribute to your overall fluid intake. Keep a reusable water bottle with you as a reminder to drink regularly, and flavor your water with fresh herbs, fruit slices, or a splash of citrus for added variety.

Fuel Your Body with Nutrient-Rich Foods:

Eating a balanced diet rich in nutrient-dense foods can provide the energy your body needs to function optimally. Include a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats in your meals and snacks. Avoid relying on sugary snacks and processed foods, which can cause energy crashes and lead to feelings of fatigue. Instead, opt for snacks that combine complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats, such as Greek yogurt with berries, whole grain toast with avocado, or nuts and seeds.

Practice Stress Management Techniques:

Chronic stress can drain your energy reserves and leave you feeling depleted. Incorporate stress management techniques into your daily routine to help combat fatigue and promote relaxation. Practice mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, or yoga to reduce stress levels and increase feelings of calm and well-being. Additionally, make time for activities you enjoy, connect with supportive friends and family members, and prioritize self-care to recharge both mentally and physically.

Boosting your energy levels naturally doesn’t require relying on caffeine or other stimulants. By incorporating regular exercise, prioritizing quality sleep, staying hydrated, fueling your body with nutrient-rich foods, and practicing stress management techniques, you can enhance your energy and vitality without experiencing the crashes and side effects associated with caffeine consumption. Experiment with these caffeine-free strategies to find what works best for you, and enjoy sustained energy and well-being throughout your day.

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Growing businesses need cash flow. We can help.

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

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

contributions.

Benefits to Business

Benefits to Business

• Longer amortization allows for lower loan payments

Size of Loans

• Longer amortization allows for lower loan payments

• No future balloon payment (fully amortizing loan)

Size of Loans

• Up to $5 million

• No future balloon payment (fully amortizing loan)

• Non-collateral dependent loans available

• Non-collateral dependent loans available

• Closing costs can be included in loan

• Closing costs can be included in loan

Typical Customers/Use of Funds

Typical Customers/Use of Funds

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

• Up to $5 million

Terms of Loans

Terms of Loans

• Up to 25 years for real estate debt

• Up to 25 years for real estate debt

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

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

• Construction Loans—up to 90% financing available

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

Interest Rates

• Construction Loans—up to 90% financing available

• Franchise financing

• Franchise financing

• Business acquisitions

• Business acquisitions

• Insurance Agency Acquisitions

• Insurance Agency Acquisitions

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

Interest Rates

• Variable and fixed rate options

Loan Fees

• Variable and fixed rate options

Loan Fees

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

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

• Line of credit restructuring

• Line of credit restructuring

• Lease refinancing

• Lease refinancing

• Business Expansion Loans

• Business Expansion Loans

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

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

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

www.indoustribune.com Friday, 08 March, 2024 27
©2017 Byline Bank. Member FDIC. Name name name name name name name name Title title title title title title title title title title title Phone phone Cell cell cell cell Email email email email email HuyTran Development Officer (920)475-1152 (920)475-1152 htran@bylinebank.com sba 7(a) loan program
small business capital
lower-equity
©2017 Byline Bank. Member FDIC. Name name name name name name name name Title title title title title title title title title title Phone phone Cell cell cell Email email email email email HuyTran VP - Business Development Officer (920)475-1152 (920)475-1152 htran@bylinebank.com

The first trimester of pregnancy is like stepping onto a roller coaster of change, where the only certainty is the uncertainty that comes with this transformative journey. As the body works tirelessly to create a nurturing environment for the growing baby, a whirlwind of emotions and physical adjustments takes centre stage.

As an internationally recognized childbirth educator, certified pregnancy health coach, and recognized expert on maternal and child nutrition coaching by the government, Swapnil Kaushik, the founder of Mom’s PregLadder offers the following advice to soon-tobe mothers throughout the first trimester:

Knowledge is empowerment: Taking an early pregnancy class can be a game-changer. These classes provide invaluable insights into the changes happening within the body and equip expecting mothers with the knowledge to handle the upcoming challenges. From nutrition tips to coping mechanisms, these classes offer a comprehensive guide to making the first trimester more manageable.

Do get regular scans: Regular scans are not just medical check-ups; they are windows into the miracle of life unfolding. These scans and tests help healthcare providers assess the health and development of the fetus, detect any potential abnormalities early, and provide

Fitness

Navigating the first trimester

appropriate care and counseling to expecting parents. It’s essential for expecting parents to discuss with their healthcare provider which scans and tests are recommended for their specific situation.

Take proper rest: While staying active is encouraged during pregnancy, it’s essential to listen to your body. If morning sickness is making the usual routine challenging, don’t hesitate to rest. Also, taking short naps in the afternoon can be rejuvenating and help combat the fatigue that often accompanies the first trimester.

Prioritize well-being: Whether working or not, expectant mothers need to pay attention to various aspects of their lifestyle. Managing travel, reducing stress levels, maintaining a balanced nutrition plan, and staying wellhydrated are key components of ensuring a healthy first trimester and a thriving pregnancy.

Encourage open communication: An open line of communication with both your partner and healthcare provider is crucial. Sharing your experiences, concerns, and joys helps build a strong support system. This communication fosters a sense of togetherness, making the journey through the first trimester and beyond a shared experience.

Cultivate good reading habits: Reading about pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting can provide a sense of comfort and preparedness.

Books, articles, and reputable online resources offer insights into what to expect, calming

fears, and providing practical advice for navigating the challenges of pregnancy.

www.indoustribune.com Friday, 08 March, 2024 28 Health &
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Dermatologist’s take on the 5 hottest trends!

Embarking on a journey towards flawless skin involves not just diligence, but also staying abreast of the latest trends and innovations in skincare. In today’s fast-paced world, where self-care reigns supreme, understanding the insights straight from the dermatologist’s desk is paramount.

Let’s delve into the dermatologist’s take on the secrets of skincare:

Customized Skincare: Embrace the era of personalized skincare with tailored skincare routines crafted by expert dermatologists. In a rapidly evolving industry, one-sizefits-all solutions are a thing of the past. Leading dermats recognize the importance of individualized approaches, harnessing advanced technology and comprehensive analysis of genetic and lifestyle factors to formulate curated regimens for each individual. From addressing specific concerns to enhancing natural skin, personalized skincare ensures that every product and treatment is meticulously selected to meet unique skin profiles.

The Role of Exfoliation in Skincare: Let’s talk about the magic of exfoliation in skincare! It’s like giving your skin a refreshing makeover with a gentle touch. Dermatologists are totally on board with the gentle approach, opting for mild exfoliants to gently buff away those pesky dead cells. Whether you’re into chemical wonders like AHAs and BHAs or prefer a little scrub-a-dub with eco-friendly particles, there’s something out there to make your skin sing with joy!

Niacinamide and Ceramide: Meet the dynamic duo of skincare superheroes –niacinamide and ceramide! These powerhouse ingredients, tackle everything from pesky pores to skin inflammation. Niacinamide, or vitamin B3, renowned for its versatility, works wonders by improving skin texture, reducing the appearance of pores, and combating

inflammation. On the other hand, ceramides serve as essential building blocks for your skin’s protective barrier. These lipid molecules work tirelessly to lock in moisture, keeping your skin hydrated and plump. Additionally, they act as a shield against environmental stressors, such as pollution and UV rays, helping to maintain your skin’s overall health and resilience. When combined, these dynamic duo ingredients create an unstoppable force, ensuring your skin remains healthy, supple, and ready to conquer the world!

Nutraceuticals for the Win: Dermatologists are spilling the tea on the importance of nourishing your skin from the inside out. Introducing nutraceuticals – the latest craze in skincare supplements! These powerhouse products are packed with essential nutrients that work wonders for your skin from the inside out. From collagen boosters that help maintain skin elasticity and reduce fine lines to antioxidant-rich supplements that combat free radical damage and promote youthful

Dermatologists are emphasizing the vital link between overall well-being and skin health. Beyond creams and serums, they advocate for dietary balance, stress management, and quality sleep as essential components for beautiful skin.

With the guidance of skincare gurus leading the charge, achieving your #skingoals has never been more fun, fabulous and accessible! It’s all about celebrating individuality and embracing the journey to healthy, vibrant skin. Here’s to a radiant you, inside and out!

www.indoustribune.com Friday, 08 March, 2024 30 Beauty & Fashion Entertainment

7 tips to keep your nails healthy and strong

Healthy nails are a reflection of overall health and well-being. They can make your hands look neat, or they can make them look unhygienic and unhealthy. If you want to have healthy nails, there are a few things you can do to take care of them. Here are a few suggestions:

Eat a healthy diet: Maintaining a balanced

abundant in vitamins, minerals, and proteins to foster the growth of stronger and more resilient nails.

Stay hydrated: Drinking sufficient water facilitates the retention of moisture in your nails, acting as a barrier against breakage and peeling.

Protect with gloves: Frequent exposure to too

Though getting artificial nails might seem stylish, it is not without downsides. They can weaken your real nails because of the way they’re attached and the glue used. Plus, they can trap a lot of dirt underneath, which could lead to

It’s important to be mindful of your cuticles. Avoid pushing them back too much, especially during frequent

manicures, as this can harm them and create openings for infections to enter the nail bed.

Moisturize your nails: Applying regular moisturization is recommended, as it creates a protective layer that enhances the resilience and strength of your nails.

You can keep your nails healthy and strong by following these tips in your daily nail care routine.

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Fashion
Beauty & Fashion
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