Author: Staff Reporter

Israel-Hamas Negotiations: Proposed Deal Offers Hope Amidst Gaza Conflict Escalation

Staff ReporterDiplomacy, Global 0

Hamas is contemplating a fresh framework put forth by Egypt, aiming at the release of around 33 hostages abducted from Israel in exchange for a temporary halt in hostilities in Gaza, sources told CNN, including an Israeli insider familiar with the negotiations and a foreign diplomatic source.

The recent proposal, jointly crafted with Israel’s involvement but not entirely endorsed yet, unfolds in two stages. The initial phase entails releasing 20 to 33 hostages over several weeks in return for the cessation of hostilities and the liberation of Palestinian detainees. The subsequent phase, labeled as the “restoration of sustainable calm,” envisions the exchange of remaining hostages, Israeli prisoners, and deceased hostages’ bodies for additional Palestinian detainees.

A diplomatic insider, acquainted with the discussions, explained that the reference to sustainable calm serves as a veiled agreement towards a permanent ceasefire. This potential agreement marks a significant stride towards ending the conflict after months of stalemate. However, failing to reach an accord could lead to an escalated Israeli presence in Gaza. In the absence of a deal, Israel might initiate a large-scale ground invasion into Rafah, a southern Gaza city harboring over a million Palestinians. Such an operation has drawn warnings from Israel’s allies, including the United States, due to the risk of extensive civilian casualties.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned that Israel would proceed with an operation in Rafah, irrespective of a deal. Hamas is currently reviewing the proposal following discussions with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo. Israel awaits Hamas’s response, anticipated within days.

The duration of the initial ceasefire phase would correlate with the number of hostages released, with the latest plan suggesting a one-day cessation for each hostage, though this parameter might evolve during further negotiations. Previously, negotiations centered on releasing 40 hostages in exchange for a six-week ceasefire, but Israel has shown flexibility by accepting fewer hostages for the initial phase following Hamas’s revised offer earlier this month.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described Israel’s ceasefire proposal as “extremely generous,” placing the onus on Hamas to make a prompt decision. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry expressed optimism regarding both sides’ acceptance of the proposal, emphasizing the goal of a permanent ceasefire and addressing humanitarian concerns.

Israel has signaled openness to negotiate sustainable calm as part of a comprehensive agreement, involving Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza and the release of all remaining hostages and bodies. Hamas, however, insists on a permanent ceasefire and complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, while Israel maintains its stance on continuing operations until Hamas is dismantled.

In a significant concession, Israel has agreed to unrestricted movement for Palestinians in northern Gaza, addressing a key demand by Hamas that had previously hindered negotiations.

Negotiations are shadowed by the looming threat of an Israeli offensive in Rafah, which Israeli sources portray as a last resort, pending the outcome of negotiations. Netanyahu’s statement on potential military action in Rafah underscores the seriousness of the situation. While the US and other allies urge caution, emphasizing civilian safety, preparations for a possible offensive are reportedly underway.

The escalating death toll in Gaza underscores the urgency of reaching a resolution. Israeli airstrikes have claimed numerous lives, including women and children, prompting international concern and calls for a swift end to the violence.

As the situation remains precarious, diplomatic efforts continue amidst mounting humanitarian concerns and the risk of further escalation in the conflict.

India’s Economic Odyssey: Modinomics’ Decade of Progress and Perils

Staff ReporterEconomy, Opinion 0

In January, despite the bone-chilling cold, a multitude gathered at Delhi’s Red Fort to hear Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address. His message, encapsulated in the catchphrase “Viksit Bharat 2047,” outlines an ambitious vision to elevate India to the status of a developed nation by 2047. This mantra reflects Modi’s penchant for crafting memorable slogans. While “Developed India” might seem like a broad pledge, Modi, during his ten-year tenure since assuming power, has diligently worked to lay the groundwork for an economic resurgence.

Upon inheriting an economy teetering on the brink, characterized by sluggish growth and faltering investor confidence, Modi faced significant challenges. The legacy of bankruptcies among Indian billionaires burdened banks with massive unpaid loans, constraining their lending capacity. However, after a decade, India’s economic trajectory has shifted positively, outpacing other major economies. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, India’s growth has remained robust, its banking sector fortified, and government finances stabilized. Last year, India ascended to become the fifth largest economy globally, and analysts project a rise to the third spot by 2027, surpassing Japan and Germany.

India’s recent achievements have fostered a sense of optimism nationwide. Hosting the G20 summit, pioneering lunar exploration, and nurturing numerous unicorn startups underscore the nation’s progress. Moreover, the buoyant stock markets have augmented the wealth of the middle class, contributing to this optimism.

However, a deeper analysis reveals a more nuanced reality. While “Modinomics,” the economic vision of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), appears effective on the surface, substantial segments of India’s vast population still grapple with economic hardship. Despite strides in digital governance, which have revolutionized access to services for marginalized communities, substantial disparities persist.

The transformative impact of Modi’s infrastructure initiatives is evident in the proliferation of construction projects across India, symbolized by the sleek underwater metro in Kolkata. Over the past three years, infrastructure spending has exceeded $100 billion annually, significantly enhancing the nation’s public facilities. Additionally, bureaucratic hurdles have been alleviated, a longstanding impediment to India’s economic growth.

However, Modi’s policies have not uniformly benefited all sectors of society. The stringent lockdown measures during the pandemic, coupled with the ramifications of the 2016 cash ban and the flawed implementation of a new goods and services tax, have precipitated enduring structural challenges. The informal sector, comprising small enterprises vital to India’s economy, continues to grapple with the repercussions of these decisions. Furthermore, private sector investment remains subdued, diminishing as a proportion of GDP over the years.

The dire employment situation underscores the persistence of economic challenges. The influx of job seekers at government recruitment centers highlights the severity of India’s jobs crisis, exacerbating widespread disillusionment. Despite educational achievements, many youths, like Rukaiya Bepari, struggle to secure stable employment opportunities, reflecting the widening gap between skills and job availability.

Moreover, India’s manufacturing sector’s sluggish growth and the enduring dominance of agriculture underscore persistent structural challenges. The lack of substantial industrial development perpetuates reliance on agriculture, a sector increasingly beset by profitability concerns.

India’s economic growth post-pandemic has been characterized by unevenness, with the affluent prospering while the marginalized endure hardship. Despite ranking as the fifth largest global economy, India lags significantly in per capita terms, with inequality reaching historic highs. The ostentatious displays of wealth among the elite stand in stark contrast to the financial struggles faced by many.

Nevertheless, despite these challenges, experts remain optimistic about India’s economic prospects. Drawing parallels with China’s rapid growth trajectory in the early 21st century, analysts foresee India’s ascendance driven by demographic advantages, geopolitical shifts, and technological advancements. Infrastructure investments, combined with a focus on human capital development, are seen as critical for sustaining long-term growth.

While Modi’s economic policies have yielded tangible benefits for some, significant segments of society continue to grapple with economic insecurity. As India embarks on its next phase of development, addressing systemic inequalities and prioritizing inclusive growth will be imperative to ensure a prosperous future for all citizens.

DHS Launches AI Safety Board with Tech Titans to Safeguard Critical Infrastructure

Staff ReporterDiplomacy, Technology 0

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of the United States has declared the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security Board (the Board) with the objective of steering the safe and secure integration of AI technology within the nation’s critical infrastructure.

The board is comprised of 22 distinguished individuals from various sectors, including technology, academia, policymaking, and civil rights advocacy, as stated in the official announcement.

In its initial composition, the board features several prominent leaders of Indian American descent, including Arvind Krishna, chairman and CEO of IBM; Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO of Microsoft; Shantanu Narayen, chair and CEO of Adobe; Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet; and Arati Prabhakar, assistant to the president for science and technology; director, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

The establishment of this board is a direct response to the DHS Homeland Threat Assessment of 2024, which underscores the evolving threats posed by AI-assisted tools to the nation’s critical infrastructure.

Shantanu Narayen, Chair & CEO of Adobe, voiced the company’s dedication to advancing AI technology responsibly, asserting, “This Board holds enormous potential to advance AI technology, establishing guidelines that will help AI enhance and secure our nation’s critical infrastructure while mitigating any risks it could pose.”

Arvind Krishna stressed the significance of AI in bolstering the nation’s security, remarking, “Artificial intelligence is a game-changing technology that is making businesses smarter, stronger, and safer. AI’s ability to analyze threat information at scale can help protect the nation’s critical infrastructure from cyberattacks.”

Satya Nadella emphasized the imperative for safe and responsible AI deployment, stating, “Artificial Intelligence is the most transformative technology of our time, and we must ensure it is deployed safely and responsibly.”

Secretary Mayorkas commended the expertise and dedication of the Board members, recognizing their pivotal role in shaping AI policy. He affirmed, “Artificial Intelligence is a transformative technology that can advance our national interests in unprecedented ways. At the same time, it presents real risks—risks that we can mitigate by adopting best practices and taking other studied, concrete actions.”

Exploring India’s Rich Whisky Heritage: From Colonial Origins to Global Recognition

Staff ReporterBusiness, Food & Beverage 0

Whisky production in India traces its roots back to the 19th century, stemming from the era of British colonization. At that time, Scotch whisky was predominantly imported to India to fulfill the demands of British military personnel and officials stationed in the country.

During the late 1820s, Edward Abraham Dyer immigrated to India and established the Kasauli Brewery and Solan distillery in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh. By importing distillation equipment from Scotland, Dyer recognized a lucrative opportunity to cater to the local demand for whisky by producing spirits domestically.

Dyer strategically chose the Solan district nestled deep within the Himalayas due to its abundant fresh spring water and a climate reminiscent of Scotland’s, stating his ambition to craft a malt whisky comparable to Scotch. Eventually, in 1835, Dyer transferred his brewery operations to the Solan site, driven by a shortage of spring water around Kasauli.

Consequently, the Kasauli brewery underwent a complete transformation for whisky production in 1835, marking the inception of Solan No. 1, India’s premier single malt whisky and the sole malt whisky distilled in the Himalayas. As the oldest distillery in India and the entire Asian continent, the Kasauli distillery maintains its heritage by employing the original copper pot still imported from Scotland in the 1820s and adhering to production techniques established by Dyer.

Utilizing locally sourced malted barley from the northern regions of India, the Kasauli distillery crafts Solan No. 1 whisky, which undergoes maturation in oak barrels for an undisclosed period.

Interestingly, Mohan Meakin Breweries, the current owner of the distillery, abstains from conventional advertising methods for Solan No. 1 whisky, relying instead on word-of-mouth recommendations to bolster sales.

While Indian whisky production shares similarities with Scotch whisky, such as the use of copper pot stills and oak cask maturation, there exist notable differences in ingredients and maturation techniques specific to India’s whisky-making process.

In India, a significant portion of distilled spirits labeled and marketed domestically as ‘whisky’ resemble rum more closely due to being distilled from molasses, falling under the category of Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL). These IMFL brands, primarily blending sweet molasses-based spirits with flavorings or spices, face restrictions in markets like the UK and EU, where whisky must be distilled from cereal grains to be labeled as such.

IMFL whisky brands dominate approximately 60% of India’s domestic market, primarily due to their accessibility and affordability, whereas Scotch whisky imports encounter barriers such as high import taxes and complex state excise laws.

Historically, the production of malt and grain whisky in India remained limited due to controversies surrounding alcohol production from barley and cereal grains amid widespread poverty and grain shortages. Speculation persists regarding whether the original Solan No. 1 whisky blend incorporated malt whisky with sugarcane spirit, as was customary at the time.

Indian malt whisky distillers predominantly rely on indigenous six-row barley grown in northern states like Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan, favoring it for its perceived ability to impart a spicier flavor profile compared to the two-row barley varieties commonly used by whisky producers worldwide.

Exceptions to this norm include peated Indian whisky bottlings like Amrut Fusion and Paul John Bold, which utilize imported pre-peated Scottish barley for distillation.

Due to India’s hot tropical climate, the maturation period for Indian whiskies is notably shorter than that of Scottish malts. While UK and EU regulations mandate a minimum three-year aging period for malt whisky, Indian single malts are typically matured for four to five years, with each year of maturation in India deemed equivalent to three years in Scotland. Additionally, India’s warmer climate results in a higher ‘Angel’s Share,’ the portion lost to evaporation during maturation, estimated at 10-12% annually compared to Scotland’s approximately 2%.

In terms of flavor profile, Indian malt whiskies often exhibit fruity and sweet characteristics. Prior to the UK launch of Amrut’s single malt in 2004, blind tastings revealed similarities between Amrut’s whisky and Scotland’s Speyside malts, with tasters noting sweet vanilla and caramel notes. However, Indian malts are distinguished by tropical fruit flavors such as banana, pineapple, and mango, attributed partly to the use of copper pot stills with elongated necks to produce a fruitier spirit.

While the tropical climate generally results in lighter and fresher-bodied Indian whiskies, exceptions exist such as Rampur Distillery, situated in the Himalayan foothills, where colder winters and hot summers contribute to a richer and fuller-bodied malt.

Now, let’s delve into some of India’s prominent whisky brands:

Amrut Distilleries: A trailblazer in Indian whisky, Amrut introduced India’s first single malt bottling in 2004. Established as Amrut Laboratories in Bangalore in 1947, the company ventured into malt whisky distillation in 1982. Amrut made history on August 24, 2004, with the release of Amrut Single Malt, the first Indian single malt whisky available in the UK. Notably, Amrut Fusion, launched in 2009, achieved global recognition when it was ranked the 3rd Best Whisky in the World in 2010 by Jim Murray, scoring an impressive 97 points in his Whisky Bible.

John Distilleries: Founded by Paul P. John in 1996, John Distilleries commenced malt whisky distillation at its Goa distillery in 2008. In May 2013, the company launched its Paul John single malt Indian whisky core range for the international market, comprising ‘Brilliance’, ‘Edited’, and ‘Bold’ expressions, featuring both unpeated and peated variants. Paul John Distillery has since ventured into cask finishes, including Oloroso and PX sherry, alongside limited-edition releases like the annual Paul John Christmas Edition.

Rampur Distillery & Chemical Company Ltd: Established in 1943 at Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, and owned by Radico Khaitan Ltd since 1972, the Rampur Distillery launched its first Rampur Single Malt Indian Whisky in 2016.

Piccadily Distilleries Group: Originally founded as Kedar Nath and Sons by K.N. Sharma in 1953, the Piccadily Group expanded into alcohol manufacturing and distilling in 1993, culminating in the construction of one of India’s largest malt plants at the Indri distillery in 2010. The group’s first bottling, the Indri Trini expression, debuted internationally in 2021. Noteworthy is the limited-edition Indri Diwali Collectors Edition 2023, a peated Indian single malt aged in PX sherry casks, which received the prestigious ‘Best in Show Double Gold’ accolade at the Whiskies of the World Awards 2023.

By presenting India’s rich whisky heritage and diverse offerings, these brands contribute to the global whisky landscape, offering enthusiasts a taste of India’s unique flavors and craftsmanship.

Exploring the Rich Tapestry of Indian Fashion: Tradition, Innovation, and Cultural Heritage Merge in Sartorial Splendor

Staff ReporterCulture, Fashion 0

India’s rich cultural diversity finds expression in its traditional attire, showcasing an array of styles, colors, and techniques. From the lavish ghagra choli of Rajasthan to the elegant grace of Kerala’s Kasavu sarees, each garment encapsulates centuries of tradition and skill (“India’s cultural diversity is vividly reflected in its traditional attire, showcasing a myriad of styles, colours, and techniques. From the opulent ghagra choli of Rajasthan to the refined grace of Kerala’s Kasavu sarees, each garment encapsulates centuries of tradition and craftsmanship.”)

Traditional and modern wear in India represent distinct approaches to fashion, each with its own ethos (“Though related, Traditional and modern wear represent divergent approaches to Indian fashion”). Traditional wear cherishes the past, preserving ancient techniques and motifs with care, while modern wear embraces innovation and global influences, reinterpreting classic styles for contemporary tastes (“Traditional wear reveres the past, preserving ancient techniques and motifs with meticulous care, while modern wear embraces innovation and global influences, reinterpreting classic styles for contemporary tastes”).

Both traditional and modern wear contribute to India’s vibrant fashion landscape, offering a myriad of choices for self-expression and cultural celebration. Together, they blend heritage with modernity, reflecting India’s enduring cultural allure (“Despite their differences, both categories contribute to India’s vibrant sartorial landscape, offering a tapestry of options for self-expression and cultural celebration. Together, they form a dynamic fusion of heritage and modernity, embodying the enduring allure of India’s rich cultural heritage in the ever-evolving world of fashion”).

Traditional attire in India goes beyond mere clothing; it serves as a tangible expression of the nation’s rich cultural heritage and identity. Spanning across regions and communities, traditional garments unify, transcending geographical boundaries to encapsulate pan-Indian culture (“Traditional wear in India is more than just clothing; it is a tangible expression of the country’s rich cultural heritage and identity. Spanning across regions and communities, traditional attire serves as a unifying force, transcending geographical boundaries to embody the essence of pan-Indian culture”).

Each traditional garment, whether adorned with the intricate embroideries of Banarasi sarees or the reflective brilliance of Rajasthani lehengas, narrates a story of craftsmanship and tradition handed down through generations. These garments are not just fabric; they are living relics of India’s historical legacy, carrying within them centuries-old techniques (“Whether adorned with the intricate embroideries of Banarasi sarees or the reflective brilliance of Rajasthani lehengas, each garment tells a story of craftsmanship and tradition passed down through generations. These garments are not mere fabric; they are living testaments to India’s historical legacy, carrying within them the artistry and skill of centuries-old techniques”).

What distinguishes traditional wear in India is its steadfast commitment to authenticity. These garments safeguard cultural heritage, conserving ancient techniques and motifs from bygone eras. From the intricate handloom textiles of Varanasi to the elaborate weaving traditions of Kanchipuram, traditional wear pays homage to the craftsmanship of yesteryears with unmatched precision (“What distinguishes traditional wear in India is its unwavering commitment to authenticity. These garments act as guardians of cultural heritage, carefully conserving ancient techniques and motifs originating from eras long past. From the intricate handloom textiles of Varanasi to the elaborate weaving traditions of Kanchipuram, traditional wear pays homage to the craftsmanship of yesteryears with unparalleled precision”).

In an era marked by rapid modernization, traditional wear serves as a timeless link to the past, offering continuity in an ever-changing world. It embodies a deep reverence for heritage, not just as attire but as tangible embodiments of cultural identity and legacy (“In an era marked by rapid modernization, traditional wear serves as a timeless link to the past, offering a sense of continuity in an ever-changing world. It embodies a profound reverence for heritage, not merely as clothing but as tangible embodiments of cultural identity and legacy”).

The resurgence of ancient techniques and motifs in modern fashion underscores the enduring significance of traditional wear. Amid the pursuit of innovation, historical treasures remain wellsprings of inspiration and admiration (“The revival of ancient techniques and motifs in modern fashion highlights the lasting significance of traditional wear, demonstrating that amid the pursuit of innovation, the treasures of history continue to serve as invaluable wellsprings of inspiration and admiration”).

Modern wear in India epitomizes innovation and adaptability, forging new paths in fashion. Unlike traditional wear, which draws from the past, modern wear embraces contemporary aesthetics and global influences, fusing styles across cultures (“Modern wear in India epitomizes innovation and adaptability, charting a bold new course in the realm of fashion. Unlike traditional wear, which draws inspiration from the past, modern wear embraces contemporary aesthetics and global influences, transcending cultural boundaries to create a fusion of styles”).

From blending Eastern and Western elements in couture to experimenting with avant-garde designs, modern wear celebrates individuality and experimentation. It reflects an ever-evolving landscape where designers anticipate and respond to shifting trends (“From the fusion of Eastern and Western elements in couture to the avant-garde designs that defy categorization, modern wear embodies a spirit of experimentation and individuality”).

The coexistence of traditional and modern wear in India creates a vibrant tapestry of fashion celebrating both heritage and innovation. While traditional wear preserves cultural authenticity, modern wear provides a platform for self-expression and departure from conventional norms (“A blend of traditional and modern wear in India complements each other, creating a vibrant tapestry of fashion that celebrates both heritage and innovation. While traditional wear preserves cultural authenticity, modern wear provides a platform for self-expression and liberation from conventional norms”).

This harmonious coexistence highlights the dynamic nature of Indian fashion, where the past and present merge to shape an evolving sartorial landscape. Each garment, whether a traditional Kanjeevaram saree or a contemporary Chikankari lehenga, resonates with tales of resilience, creativity, and cultural pride, serving as steadfast reminders of tradition amidst change (“This harmonious coexistence underscores the dynamic nature of Indian fashion, where the past and present converge to shape an evolving sartorial landscape. From the classic allure of a traditional Kanjeevaram saree to the modern sophistication of a designer Chikankari lehenga, each garment resonates with tales of resilience, creativity, and cultural pride, serving as steadfast reminders of tradition amidst rapid change”).

Trump’s Time Interview: Evasion on Election Violence, Abortion Ambiguity, Netanyahu Critique, and Detained Journalist’s Release

Staff ReporterOpinion, Politics 0

Former President Donald Trump didn’t rule out the potential for violence from his supporters if he isn’t elected in November, indicating it could hinge on the outcome of the presidential race.

“I don’t think we’re going to have that,” Trump, the likely GOP nominee, told Time magazine. “I think we’re going to win. And if we don’t win, you know, it depends. It always depends on the fairness of an election.”

These statements emerged from a comprehensive interview with Time published on Tuesday, covering a variety of topics such as abortion and the leadership of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Here are the key points from the interview:

  1. Trump’s Response to Election Conspiracies and January 6 Pardons: Initially, Trump minimized the likelihood of future political violence akin to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. However, he later equivocated when pressed by Time, continuing to propagate unfounded election conspiracy theories that he suggested incited the violent mob.

 

  1. Trump’s Abortion Position: Trump’s stance on abortion in the interview showcased the complexities and potential political risks of his approach, particularly regarding his reluctance to veto a federal abortion ban or to object to states penalizing women for undergoing abortions in places where it’s prohibited.

 

  1. Trump’s Critique of Netanyahu: Trump’s criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu intensified following the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel. Trump blamed Netanyahu for perceived security lapses during the incursion, although he stopped short of explicitly calling for Netanyahu’s replacement.

 

  1. Calls for the Release of Evan Gershkovich: Trump tepidly supported the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained in Russia for a year on espionage charges. Trump’s restrained response mirrors his past reluctance to strongly condemn foreign leaders for their treatment of perceived political adversaries, as evidenced by his reactions to the deaths of Alexey Navalny and Jamal Khashoggi.

Trump’s comments in the Time interview reflect his continued refusal to disavow election conspiracies, his nuanced stance on abortion, his renewed criticism of Netanyahu, and his restrained response to the detainment of journalist Evan Gershkovich in Russia.

International Efforts Intensify as Hamas Reviews Israeli Cease-fire Proposals in Gaza Conflict

Staff ReporterGlobal 0

Hamas has stated that it is reviewing the latest propositions from Israel regarding a cease-fire in Gaza, marking seven months of conflict that has resulted in significant casualties. Israeli officials have warned of a potential escalation if an agreement is not reached soon. International efforts, spearheaded by Egypt, persist in attempting to solidify areas of mutual agreement and persuade both parties to halt the violence.

A senior Hamas figure informed NPR that the group would assess Israel’s recent conditions thoroughly before responding. However, Hamas is still in the process of analyzing the proposals, and there is no set timeline for their reply. While specifics of Israel’s suggestions were not disclosed, they are said to align with conditions previously outlined by Hamas. These conditions include a prisoner exchange and a six-week cessation of hostilities.

An Egyptian delegation concluded discussions in Israel concerning the prospect of a multi-phase, long-term cease-fire in Gaza. The proposed plan involves allowing civilians from the southern region of Gaza to relocate further north, potentially leading to a permanent agreement to end the conflict altogether.

There is significant concern among the United States and its allies that Israel may launch a full-scale assault on Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza, where a large number of Palestinians have sought refuge. Israel argues that further military action in Rafah is necessary to eliminate remaining Hamas fighters. However, neighboring Egypt and other countries warn of dire consequences for civilians and regional stability if such an offensive were to occur.

Despite international pressure, Israeli forces continue to gather around Rafah, conducting airstrikes on a daily basis. Tragically, local health officials reported the deaths of four children in Rafah as a result of an airstrike on Saturday. Hamas insists on the inclusion of a provision for a permanent truce in any new agreement.

Meanwhile, the U.S. military has initiated the construction of an offshore loading platform to facilitate the delivery of aid to Gaza. Plans are underway to ferry trucks from the platform to a temporary pier on the Gaza coastline, potentially commencing within weeks.

In a separate development, senior leaders, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, are scheduled to convene in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, next week. The meeting will include the Prime Minister of Qatar and the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as well as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Blinken’s visit follows a planned trip to Israel, during which the State Department will consider suspending aid to an Israeli military unit accused of serious human rights violations against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Additionally, China is set to host discussions between senior leaders of Abbas’ Fatah party and Hamas next week. These talks aim to address a longstanding political rift between the two factions, which had governed Gaza and the West Bank, respectively, until October 7th. While the U.S. government refrains from publicly endorsing such reconciliation efforts due to its classification of Hamas as a terrorist group, it recognizes the legitimacy of Fatah and its leadership of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.

WhatsApp Introduces Enhanced Security and AI Assistant Features, Expands Reach Globally

Staff ReporterTechnology 0

WhatsApp, the widely-used global messaging platform under the umbrella of Meta, has introduced fresh functionalities, including an alternative login method and an artificial intelligence aide within the application.

iPhone users now have the option to utilize passkeys for logging in. This allows them to access the app through Face ID, Touch ID, or their iPhone passcode, eliminating the need for SMS verification. WhatsApp stated on X, formerly known as Twitter, on April 24 that this feature constitutes “a more secure way to login.” Additionally, it circumvents potential obstacles associated with SMS verification, with the company noting: “traveling? no network? no problem.”

The introduction of passkeys for Android users took place in October, as evidenced by a post shared on Threads, another social media platform under the Meta umbrella.

Furthermore, there’s been a recent update to the messaging app. On April 18, Meta expanded the presence of a new AI assistant across its suite of social platforms—Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp.

Users can now leverage this assistant, dubbed Meta Llama 3, within feeds, chats, and search functionalities across the apps to access information and create images “without having to leave the app you’re using,” according to the company.

Moreover, Meta AI in English is now accessible in over a dozen countries beyond the United States, including Australia, Canada, Ghana, Jamaica, Malawi, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

NBPAS Applauds FTC’s Initiative Against Healthcare Monopolies

Staff ReporterHealth 0

The National Board of Physicians and Surgeons (NBPAS) commends the recent announcement made by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding their collaborative initiative to seek public input on anti-competitive and monopolistic practices within the healthcare sector.

Back in September, NBPAS formally approached the FTC seeking relief from what it perceives as an attempt by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and its affiliated boards to utilize their monopolistic authority to exclude or eradicate competitors from the market for continuing certification. Of significant concern is the refusal of other segments of the medical community to engage with NBPAS, particularly given their shared board memberships and close economic ties to ABMS.

According to NBPAS, the existence of a monopoly that stifles competition not only burdens physicians but also inflates healthcare costs for consumers and exacerbates the ongoing physician shortage. Despite providing physicians with a more streamlined, less cumbersome, and cost-effective path for continuous board certification over the span of eight years, NBPAS has struggled to gain substantial traction in the market due to perceived obstacles to competition and unfair trade practices.

NBPAS founder and president, Dr. Paul Teirstein, emphasizes the importance of physicians affected by ABMS Maintenance of Certification (MOC) to voice their grievances. He asserts, “We urge every physician who has been harmed by ABMS MOC to speak now, speak loudly, and spread the word to every physician you know.” Dr. Teirstein expresses gratitude that the FTC, DOJ, and HHS are providing a platform for physicians and the public to express their concerns through the FTC’s new submission portal.

Dr. Teirstein underscores that the issue transcends NBPAS, stating, “At the end of the day, this is not about NBPAS.” He asserts that no single entity should wield unchecked authority over the lives and careers of physicians, as it ultimately impacts patient care. Taking a principled stance, NBPAS is proud to lead the charge on behalf of practicing physicians and future generations.

NBPAS emerged as a response to the demand for a continuous certification pathway founded on practice-relevant and specialty-specific Continuing Medical Education (CME). It adheres to national accreditation standards for hospitals and health plans and presently certifies over 13,000 physicians across more than two hundred institutions, including hospitals, academic medical centers, telemedicine firms, major insurers, and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) system. NBPAS’ continuous board certification program aims to alleviate physician burnout and address the physician shortage by offering an evidence-driven, clinically relevant certification pathway.

Scores turn up to pay their respects to Californian Indian American family that perished in car crash

Staff ReporterCommunity, News 0

Friends, neighbors, colleagues, students, teachers, the school principal and almost the entire community gathered by the dozens at Val Vista Community Park, Pleasanton, California to remember the Indian American family that was killed in a horrific car crash on April 24. Flowers, candles, balloons and photos of victims were laid for all to pay their respects.

The police have not released the names of the victims. But the friends of the victims’ family holding a ‘Remembrance Ceremony’ named the father as Tarun George, his wife Rincy George, and their two children Rowan, an eighth grader at Hart Middle School and Aaron, a second grader at Donlon Elementary School. The memorial was organized by friends and community members.

Students were seen wiping the tears. They remembered their friends as members of a happy family. The immediate family is yet to arrive from India. Tarun, it is learned, was the eldest son of his parents, and worked as Senior Director, Customer Services at Chargepoint in Santa Clara, California.

The City of Pleasanton Police Department has called it a single-vehicle accident that occurred around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24 on Foothill Road near Stoneridge Drive. It resulted in the deaths of all four. The investigation is ongoing; however, the police suspect speeding may have been a factor. The vehicle appears to have lost control and collided with a large oak tree.

Janet Gates, principal at Donlon Elementary School where Rowan attended until fifth grade before moving to middle school and Aaron was a second grader, spoke at the memorial. She told indica, “Both were sweet boys and so were their parents. They were an integral part of the community. Students, even the little ones, are here at the memorial, apart from the adults. It shows how much a part of the community they were,” Gates said.

Friends of Rowan described him to indica as smart and helpful, with one friend rememberig how he had shared an ice-cream with him before saying bye to each other on Wednesday, the day of the accident. Geetha Rajagopal, a friend of Rincy George, told indica that her son Shravan went to the same school. The last time she met her was during Rowan’s birthday in May last year. “They are such a sweet family I always saw Rincy’s smiling face and the kids were very nice. The whole family was very caring.”

Geetha described Tarun George as “a jolly person.” She said, “Our kids used to go celebrate Halloween with them and Tarun would dress up as well. He would take the kids out for trick-or-treating.”

Shravan said Rowan was his best friend. He told indica, “We were in same class. He was always energetic and I never saw him angry. He was super positive and ready to help. He was in advanced math and wanted to be an engineer.”

One day before they died, Aaron had a musical performance and his parents were invited. The whole second grade was part of Program Zoo, where students sang about different animals. “Even though we have 740 kids, it’s a big hole in our community, we are a pretty close community. These older kids have known Rowan since 3rd grade and a lot of them know each other.”

Gates and other teachers who attended sang ‘Amazing Grace’, while children released white balloons into the sky. Aakash Yendluri, an eighth grader who knew Rowan since fourth grade, told indica, “He often helped me during class, especially math. We were friends and he was kind. He was a good a student.” The day the incident happened, they had Kona ice cream together at school. “There was an ice cream truck at school and we both ordered. We bought it for $5 and he liked it a lot. He ordered a mixture of cherry and raspberry.”

He said that was the last time they spoke. “He had a bike and he biked away home…” and added after a pause, “We used to play video games after school. He used to come to my place around 4 pm…”

Nita Bhaliya, a close friend who lived in Pleasanton before moving to another city, told indica that her elder son Kirti and Rowan learned Taekwondo in Pleasanton, and they were friends since fourth grade. “Even though we have moved, this is where the kids still met. We visited each other during birthdays and on special occasions,” Bhaliya said.

Krish, another good friend of Rowan, told indica, “He was the happiest person ever. I never never saw him getting angry. We shared chocolate, and we used to go trick-or-treating. We played sports together until seventh grade, then I moved to another school.”

Krish’s mother said the next day he could not sleep as he kept thinking of Rowan. The challenging part for kids is they have tests ongoing and they cannot concentrate. Geetha told indica, “Its hard for them to accept he is no more.”
Another 8th grader, Mason Cheong and Micah Carabollo, told indica, “We used to play basketball together during lunch and have fun. He was very smart in everything.”

Jayashekhar from the nearby community, said, “I know his neighbors and close friends and I remember seeing him. When this news broke on Friday morning… it was really shocking… the family who was living just a few meters away… the entire family losing their lives. My son goes to the same school and has common friends. They shared with me how Rowan’s friends were crying at school on learning about the accident.

Another neighbor Rajesh Panikarla, who never met Tarun, came with his friend Naresh Jampani. Another neighbor told indica, “Tarun and I used to work in the same company. He was the kind of person everyone wanted to interact with. He was the best team manager anyone can have and he was a software engineer. I have no words to say he… this is tragic…”

DOT Introduces New Rules: Airlines Required to Offer Automatic Cash Refunds for Canceled and Delayed Flights

Staff ReporterNews 0

The Department of Transportation has unveiled new regulations aimed at providing greater protection to airline passengers. Under these rules, airlines will now be required to automatically offer cash refunds to travelers for canceled or significantly delayed flights. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg hailed this announcement as a landmark moment for air travelers, labeling it the most significant expansion of passenger rights in the department’s history.

In a press conference, Buttigieg emphasized the importance of prompt refunds, stating that airlines will no longer have the discretion to determine the duration of delays before issuing refunds. According to the Department of Transportation, refunds will be mandated for delays exceeding three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights. Importantly, these regulations apply to tickets purchased through various channels, including directly from airlines, travel agents, and third-party platforms such as Expedia and Travelocity.

The guidelines specify that passengers are entitled to refunds if their flight is canceled or substantially altered, and they decline alternative transportation or travel credits. Additionally, airlines will be obligated to provide cash refunds if checked bags are lost and not delivered within 12 hours. Refunds must be processed within seven days and issued in cash, unless passengers opt for an alternative form of compensation. The era of airlines issuing refunds in the form of vouchers or credits when cash is due is officially over.

Airlines have been given a grace period of six months to comply with these new regulations. Buttigieg stressed the importance of ensuring that passengers receive their rightful refunds without encountering unnecessary obstacles or negotiations. He underscored the DOT’s commitment to protecting consumers from hidden fees, estimating that these regulations could save Americans billions of dollars annually.

Furthermore, the Department of Transportation is working on additional regulations to address various issues affecting airline passengers. These include rules related to family seating fees, ensuring the rights of wheelchair-traveling passengers, and mandating compensation and amenities in the event of flight delays or cancellations by airlines.

The announcement of these regulations follows the imposition of a record $140 million fine on Southwest Airlines for its operational failures during the 2022 holiday travel season. Buttigieg characterized this fine as setting a new standard for airlines and passenger rights. He emphasized the department’s desire to see the airline industry prosper while ensuring rigorous protection for passengers.

Buttigieg reiterated that refund requirements are already standard practice for airlines, but these new DOT rules aim to hold airlines accountable and ensure that passengers receive the refunds owed to them. Despite potential resistance from airlines, Buttigieg expressed confidence that they would be able to adapt to these higher standards.

In response to these regulations, Airlines for America, the trade association representing major U.S. airlines, stated that its members offer a variety of options, including fully refundable fares. The association emphasized that consumers are presented with refundable ticket options with terms and conditions that align with their preferences from the outset of their search. According to the group, the 11 largest U.S. airlines issued $43 billion in customer refunds from 2020 through 2023, including nearly $11 billion in refunds in the previous year.

Gold Glitters Amidst Global Geopolitical Turbulence: A Safe Haven in Uncertain Times

Staff ReporterGlobal 0

The allure of gold transcends mere financial calculations. With gold prices soaring to a record $2,400 per troy ounce, its appeal goes beyond the conventional metrics of supply and demand. The surge in gold demand is intertwined with the dynamics of global geopolitics, particularly amidst heightened tensions and power shifts on the world stage.

China, the world’s largest consumer and producer of gold, has seen a notable surge in gold consumption amidst economic uncertainties. As China’s economy faces challenges such as manufacturing slowdowns and property market fluctuations, capital has flowed towards the perceived safety of gold. Reports indicate a remarkable increase of 10% in Chinese gold jewellery consumption and a staggering 30% rise in purchases of gold bars and coins.

However, the surge in gold demand is not merely a consequence of economic fluctuations but is deeply rooted in geopolitical motivations. China, in particular, is strategically diversifying its reserves away from the US dollar, viewing gold as a crucial component of its future holdings. By steadily accumulating gold reserves over the past two years, China aims to reduce its reliance on the dominance of the US dollar, thereby enhancing its economic and geopolitical resilience.

China’s move to bolster its gold reserves mirrors a broader trend among central banks worldwide, especially those in emerging economies. In a world marked by escalating geopolitical tensions, central banks are increasingly turning to gold as a safe asset to shield against potential economic and political upheavals. This trend is evident in the actions of central banks like India’s Reserve Bank, which augmented its gold holdings by purchasing 13 tonnes in January-February 2024, adding $3 billion to its foreign reserves.

Moreover, other countries such as Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Jordan have also bolstered their gold reserves in response to economic uncertainties and geopolitical risks. Against the backdrop of ongoing conflicts in regions like Ukraine, Israel, and the unpredictability surrounding Iran, gold emerges as a coveted safe haven for investors seeking refuge from volatile markets.

The recent geopolitical events, including the Ukraine conflict and the imposition of sanctions, have heightened concerns about inflation and a potential global economic slowdown. In such turbulent times, gold prices typically experience an upsurge as investors flock to the precious metal as a reliable store of value amidst uncertainty.

In the words of John Maynard Keynes, “In the long run, we are all dead.” This poignant statement underscores the transient nature of economic forecasts and the enduring appeal of gold as a timeless hedge against geopolitical uncertainties. As conflicts persist and geopolitical tensions escalate, gold is poised to maintain its luster as a safe haven asset in the ever-changing landscape of global finance.

H-1B Visa Holders in the US See Record Job Transitions, Policy Changes and Market Dynamics Drive Mobility Surge

Staff ReporterImmigration 0

H-1B visa holders in the United States are experiencing a notable surge in job transitions, reaching an unprecedented high in 2022.

David J. Bier, the Director of Immigration Studies at the Cato Institute, referencing a USCIS report in his blog, revealed that between 2005 and 2023, H-1B workers changed jobs over 1 million times (1,090,890).

The frequency of job changes among H-1B visa holders has been steadily rising, escalating from approximately 24,000 in 2005 to a record-breaking 130,576 in 2022, marking a more than fivefold increase. Although there was a slight downturn in 2023, with 117,153 worker switches.

Bier attributed this surge in job transitions among H-1B workers to several factors, including adjustments in policies and an expanding pool of H-1B workers. The tightening labor market across various industries has stimulated greater worker mobility.

Moreover, the growing number of H-1B workers in the US has resulted in a larger talent pool for companies to tap into. Given that the H-1B visa cap has consistently been met each year since 2014, employers are increasingly targeting H-1B workers who are already authorized to work in the US, effectively enticing talent away from competitors.

An important policy alteration in 2017, extending the grace period to 60 days for H-1B workers to secure a new job after losing their current one, has also played a role in this trend.

Furthermore, a surge in green card applications in 2021 might have influenced the pattern. Once H-1B workers initiate a green card application, they gain more flexibility to switch jobs without their employer needing to restart the green card process.

However, the number of pending green card applications decreased in 2022, indicating that this is just one facet of the situation.

Despite the increased mobility, Bier highlights the persistent challenges faced by H-1B workers. New employers hiring H-1B workers from other companies face substantial fees, and a backlog in green card processing, particularly affecting Indian workers, can incentivize them to stick with their initial sponsoring employer.

Bier suggests that automatically transitioning H-1B status to green cards after a certain period, rather than requiring renewals, could provide a solution to the ever-expanding backlog.

U.S. State Department’s 2023 Human Rights Report Exposes Wide Range of Abuses in India

Staff ReporterUSA 0

The 2023 Human Rights Report (HRR) from the U.S. State Department has brought to light numerous human rights violations in India, drawing attention to a variety of abuses. These include extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, torture for confessions, frequent Internet shutdowns, surveillance of activists and journalists, intimidation of human rights defenders, and discrimination against ethnic and caste minorities.

According to the report, there were “credible reports” of over 800 extrajudicial killings registered between 2016 and 2022, with a concentration in Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh. It also pointed out the outbreak of ethnic conflict between the Kuki and Meitei groups, resulting in significant abuses, without adequate government intervention or punishment for perpetrators.

The document also highlights transnational repression, suggesting the Indian government’s involvement in the repression of journalists, activists, and human rights defenders, both within and outside its borders. It references allegations that Indian government agents have been linked to violence against individuals in other countries, citing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s investigation into claims regarding the killing of a Sikh Canadian citizen.

Moreover, the report sheds light on the government’s stance towards monitoring and investigating human rights abuses, noting the cancellation of registration certificates for over 1,800 non-profit associations under the FCRA provisions between 2017 and 2022. It mentions threats and violence against human rights defenders, particularly those representing women, religious minorities, and marginalized communities.

In addition to state-sponsored abuses, the report documents instances of militant groups targeting Muslims and Dalits involved in cattle transportation or slaughter. It also highlights violations of religious freedom, with certain state laws restricting conversions primarily to non-Hindu religions, thereby limiting the religious activities of minority communities.

The report also addresses abuses committed by non-state actors, such as terrorists in regions like Jammu and Kashmir, northeastern states, and areas affected by Maoist terrorism, who have targeted armed forces personnel, police, government officials, and civilians.

Released by U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, the HRR evaluates human rights practices globally, aligning with the standards outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international agreements. It encompasses all countries receiving U.S. assistance and all UN member states, providing a comprehensive overview of human rights issues worldwide.

India Champions UN Security Council Reforms, Urges Inclusive Decision-Making

Staff ReporterIndia 0

India is pushing for reforms within the United Nations Security Council, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive approach to decision-making. Ruchira Kamboj, India’s Permanent Representative, underscored the significance of consensus achieved at forums like the G20 Summit in addressing issues that remain unresolved within the UN’s highest decision-making body. She highlighted the contrast between the stagnation of the Security Council, often trapped in a “cold war” mentality due to polarization among its permanent members, and the progress made at the G20 Summit.

Kamboj reiterated the necessity of restructuring the Security Council’s permanent membership to better reflect contemporary global realities, asserting that diplomacy and dialogue require a more representative framework to effectively tackle challenges. She emphasized the significance of initiatives such as the Veto Initiative, which aims to hold Security Council permanent members accountable for their veto actions.

Despite the Security Council’s paralysis in addressing conflicts like the ongoing Ukraine War, forums like the G20 Summit have demonstrated the potential for consensus-building among a broader range of nations. Kamboj pointed out that the G20’s diverse membership and commitment to equality facilitated agreement on critical issues like territorial integrity and the inadmissibility of nuclear weapons use or threats.

The Veto Initiative, established in 2022 in response to the Security Council’s impasse over Ukraine, reflects the urgent need for reform within the Council. UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis emphasized the importance of revitalizing the Council’s ability to fulfill its responsibilities, urging member states to engage in constructive dialogue and bridge divisions to drive impactful solutions.

Kamboj criticized the “dysfunctionality” of the Security Council, attributing it not only to the use of the veto but also to the outdated membership structure that fails to align with contemporary global dynamics. She stressed that a majority of member states, including those that were not independent at the UN Charter’s drafting, support reform efforts, highlighting the disconnect between the Council’s decisions and the diverse perspectives of its constituents.

Addressing the obstacles to reform, Kamboj lamented the influence of a minority of dissenters within the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN), who hinder progress by demanding consensus before negotiations and blocking the adoption of a negotiating text. She also raised concerns about the lack of transparency in the Security Council’s operations, particularly regarding the use of holds and blocks within the Sanction Committee, which often shield terrorists from accountability.

Kamboj specifically highlighted instances where China has leveraged its influence to protect terrorists with ties to Pakistan, underscoring the need for greater transparency and accountability within the Security Council. Through her remarks, Kamboj emphasized India’s commitment to reforming the Security Council to better serve the interests of all member states and address pressing global challenges.

India’s First Bullet Train Project Gains Momentum, Set to Launch Initial Section by 2026

Staff ReporterIndia 0

Construction advancements in India’s inaugural bullet train project are on track, poised to inaugurate the initial section by 2026, announced Union Railways and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in an interview with IANS on Tuesday.

“The progress on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai route for the bullet trains is notably substantial,” Vaishnaw stated, detailing the significant strides made in infrastructure development.

“We’ve accomplished over 290 kilometers of groundwork, including the construction of bridges over eight rivers. Concurrently, construction activities are underway at 12 stations, which are swiftly nearing completion,” the Minister disclosed.

Highlighting the project’s complexity, Vaishnaw noted the meticulous design process that spanned nearly two-and-a-half years since its commencement in 2017.

“The intricacies of the design are paramount due to the intense vibrations expected at the operating speed of the bullet train,” he explained. “Every aspect, from managing vibrations to electricity supply mechanisms and aerodynamics, demanded meticulous attention right from the outset.”

Acknowledging the pandemic-induced hurdles, Vaishnaw mentioned the temporary setback caused by Maharashtra’s initial reluctance under Uddhav Thackeray’s administration.

“Despite the brief delay stemming from administrative issues, progress resumed promptly, and the project is now advancing steadily,” Vaishnaw affirmed.

The bullet train corridor encompasses a 21-kilometer tunnel, including a challenging 7-kilometer stretch submerged beneath the sea, with the tunnel’s deepest point reaching 56 meters.

Within the tunnel, the bullet trains are slated to operate at speeds ranging between 300 to 320 kilometers per hour, underscoring the project’s commitment to establishing a high-speed, high-capacity transportation system.

“The overarching goal is to establish a cutting-edge mass transportation network by leveraging Japan’s renowned Shinkansen technology,” Vaishnaw reiterated, emphasizing the transformative potential of the bullet train initiative connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

India Ranks Fourth in Global Military Spending as U.S. Maintains Dominance: SIPRI Report

Staff ReporterIndia 0

India solidified its position as the fourth-largest spender on military endeavors globally in 2023, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), while the United States retained its top spot. India allocated $83.6 billion towards defense, marking a 4.2 percent increase from the preceding year. Meanwhile, the United States led the pack with an expenditure of $916 billion, constituting 37 percent of the world’s total military spending. China followed in second place with an estimated $296 billion.

In light of escalating tensions, particularly along the China border since the Ladakh standoff in May 2020, India has ramped up efforts to enhance its defense capabilities. The country’s strategic emphasis on modernization, covering a range of assets from fighter jets to unmanned technologies, highlights its proactive stance in addressing regional security concerns.

India’s defense budget for 2024-25 reflects a slightly lower allocation compared to the revised estimates of the previous year. Nevertheless, it still represents a significant increase from the budget estimates for 2023-24.

The latest data also revealed a substantial surge in arms exports by the United States between 2014–18 and 2019–23, with a notable 17 percent increase, cementing its status as the leading exporter worldwide. During 2019–23, the US supplied major arms to 107 countries, surpassing the collective efforts of its closest competitors.

On a global scale, amid disruptions to international peace, military spending soared by 7 percent to reach $2.43 trillion in 2023, marking the most substantial annual increase since 2009, as per SIPRI’s findings. The Democratic Republic of the Congo witnessed the largest percentage surge (+105 percent) in military expenditure among all nations in 2023, largely attributed to escalations between the government and non-state armed groups.

Established in 1966, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is a global organization headquartered in Stockholm. It provides data, analysis, and recommendations pertaining to armed conflicts, military expenditure, arms trade, as well as disarmament and arms control.

Key themes at the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings: Dollar dominance

Staff ReporterEconomy, Finance/Economy 0
  • The U.S. dollar has risen a stunning 30% over the past decade.
  • You would think—given this rise—consensus would be dollar-bearish, but last week’s meetings were the most dollar-bullish in a very long time.
  • There was lots of focus on cyclical outperformance of the U.S. economy, with that outperformance keeping U.S. inflation stickier than elsewhere, forcing the Fed to stay on hold even as other central banks start to cut.
  • U.S. elections and geopolitics were seen as adding to dollar strength.
  • Option-implied volatilities in currency markets are unusually low, which means that market volatility may rise in the rest of 2024

Half a year ago, debate at the IMF/World Bank annual meetings in Marrakech centered on geopolitics, with a lot of concern that the global security situation was spinning out of control. This was not the central theme at last week’s IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings. To be sure, there was lots of debate on the Middle East and Ukraine, but neither were seen as “systemic.” Instead, focus was on cyclical outperformance of the United States vis-à-vis its peers and the possibility that this might keep U.S. inflation stickier than elsewhere, preventing the Fed from cutting rates even as other major central banks begin easing cycles. This combination of factors made sentiment the most dollar-bullish in a very long time, with the U.S. election and geopolitical risk seen as additional sources of dollar strength. Not much of any of this is priced into markets. Option-implied volatilities for the euro and Mexican peso, for example, are at very depressed levels. This means volatility may rise, perhaps sharply, as the rest of 2024 unfolds.

US economic outperformance

A stylized fact following the 2008 crisis is that U.S. growth substantially outperformed the rest of the advanced world. This again looks to be true in the aftermath of COVID-19 (Figure 1), with lots of debate on the underlying drivers. Some argue that this outperformance reflects loose fiscal policy and rapid immigration, while others see a productivity boom linked to tight labor markets. Whatever the source, cyclical outperformance may keep U.S. inflation stickier than elsewhere. There are some signs of this. Figure 2 shows the combined weight of items in the U.S. consumer price index (CPI) with month-over-month inflation above 2% (on a seasonally adjusted, annualized basis), alongside the same measure for the eurozone’s harmonized index of consumer prices (HICP). This metric is noisier than if we used year-over-year inflation, but it has the advantage of focusing on recent inflation dynamics, since there are no base effects to muddy the picture. Elevated inflation remains relatively broad-based in the U.S., consistent with strong growth, while inflation momentum is clearly fading in the eurozone.

Figure 1. Real GDP vs. pre-COVID trend growth in the US and eurozone, indexed to 100 in Q4 2007

Source: BEA and Eurostat

Figure 2. Inflation generalization in the US and eurozone: Weight of items in CPI and HICP with m/m (saar) inflation > 2%

Source: BLS and Eurostat

Cyclical outperformance of the United States is not priced into markets. Figure 3 shows 5-year, 5-year forward breakeven inflation for the U.S. and eurozone. Prior to COVID-19, breakeven inflation in the eurozone was around 70 basis points below the U.S. That wedge has closed and is currently only half that, which means that markets are not differentiating sufficiently between the U.S. and the eurozone. The same picture emerges from interest rate differentials. Figure 4 shows 2-year, 2-year forward interest rates in the U.S. and eurozone—an estimate for where markets think the “terminal” rate will be—along with the corresponding rate differential. The rate differential is below where it was prior to COVID-19, even though the U.S. is now much more clearly outgrowing the eurozone. The fact that U.S. outperformance is not priced into markets suggests there is scope for the dollar to rise going forward, which explains bullish sentiment at last week’s Spring Meetings.

Figure 3. 5-year, 5-year forward inflation breakevens for the US and eurozone, in %

Source: Bloomberg

Figure 4. 2-year, 2 year forward interest rates in the US and eurozone, in %

Source: Bloomberg

While the charts so far have drawn the contrast with the eurozone, our basic points carry over to the broad dollar. Figure 5 shows the trade-weighted interest differential at different tenors of the U.S. vis-à-vis other advanced economies, where we use the same weights as the Federal Reserve’s dollar index. Much as in Figure 4, the rate differential of the U.S. versus key trading partners is below its peak in the run-up to COVID-19. Markets are not pricing U.S. “exceptionalism.” The same is true just looking at the trade-weighted nominal dollar versus advanced economies and emerging markets (Figure 6). The dollar has basically been in a decade-long holding pattern since its large rise in 2014/5.

Figure 5. US interest rate differentials vs. other advanced countries, in % (US – GDP weighted foreign)

Source: Bloomberg

Figure 6. US dollar vs. G10 and emerging markets, excluding China

Source: Bloomberg

US elections and geopolitical risk

The looming U.S. elections were—inevitably—a major discussion point, though there is little conviction on which way the election will go. What is clear, regardless of the outcome, is that markets have not yet begun to hedge this event risk in any material way, which is evident from meetings with investors and market pricing. Figure 7 shows option-implied volatility for EUR/$ on a six-month (does not cover the election) and one-year tenor (spans the election). Volatility spiked sharply in November 2016 and is currently far below those levels, even after the recent rise as markets priced a more hawkish Fed. Figure 8 shows the same thing for $/MXN, where it is again true that volatility rose sharply in November 2016 and is currently far below those levels. The fact that markets have not yet begun to hedge U.S. election risk is another source of dollar strength and volatility for the rest of 2024. An escalation of conflict in Ukraine or the Middle East would also prompt safe-haven flows to strengthen the dollar..

Figure 7. EUR/$ money option volatility

Source: Bloomberg

Figure 8. $/MXN money option volatility

Source: Bloomberg

AAPI Charitable Foundation in Collaboration with Embassy of India in Guatemala Organizes Healthcare Camps

Staff ReporterCommunity, Health 0

The Embassy of India in Guatemala, in collaboration with the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin Charitable Foundation (AAPI-CF), COOITZA, Krishpar Healthcare S.A, the Santa Cruz Naranjo Health Center and Municipalities of Santa Cruz Naranjo and Santa Rosa Lima, jointly organized medical camps in Santa Rosa Lima on Friday, April 26, and Santa Cruz Naranjo on Saturday, April 27, 2024.

 These medical camps were aimed to serve the local communities by providing specialized and complimentary medical services to those in need, including consultations, diagnoses, and treatments across a range of specialties such as Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology, Gastroenterology, Urology, Gynecology, and Dermatology. Approximately1050 patients (400 at Santa Rosa Lima and 650 patients at Santa Cruz Niranjo) in visited the camp at both the locations and got free medical consultations from these specialists.

Guatmela 3With a primary focus on promoting health equity and enhancing access to quality care, the AAPI Charitable Foundation signed an MoU with COOITZA on April 26th, 2024 in Santa Roza Lima to organize similar health camps in the future.

 The delegation of AAPI-CF physicians was comprised of Dr Ajeet Singhvi, Dr. Gaurav Singhvi, a gastroenterologist, Dr Kishan Agarwal, internal medicine, Dr Madhu Agarwal, an OB-GYN, Dr Shashi Shah, Dr Ravi Jahagirdar, urologist, Dr. Raj Bhayani, ENT facial plastic surgeon, Dr Shweta Singhvi, radiologist, Dr Mamta Singhvi, oncologist, and, Dr Brahma Sharma, cardiologist.

 According to a report shared by the Indian Embassy in Guatemala, a group of specialists from The AAPI Charitable Foundation, an eminent physician organization of Indian origin in USA, visited Guatemala specifically for the medical camp. Founded by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), the AAPI – CF Charitable Foundation embodies the spirit of compassion and service, channelling resources and expertise towards meaningful projects and initiatives.

 By leveraging the collective strengths of its members and partners, the AAPI’s Charitable Foundation strives to make a tangible difference in the lives of underserved communities, both locally and globally. Through its steadfast commitment to philanthropy and healthcare initiatives, the foundation significantly contributes to improving the lives of individuals in Guatemala during the health camps.

 The Health camp also got significant support from COOITZA and , the Santa Cruz Naranjo Health Center andGutamela 2 Municipalities of Santa Cruz Naranjo and Santa Rosa Lima. COOITZA, established in 2019 with the objective of the social and economic improvement and focused on the development and improvement of life, through health products, was instrumental in providing invaluable logistical support to arrange the health camp.

 This support likely included coordinating transportation, arranging venues, managing supplies, and facilitating communication between stakeholders. By leveraging its resources and expertise, COOITZA ensured the smooth execution of the health camp, contributing significantly to its success. Their dedication to improving lives aligns seamlessly with the objectives of the health camp, making their involvement indispensable in achieving the goal of providing essential healthcare services to those in need.

 Krishpar Healthcare S.A. played a vital role in the medical camp by providing essential medical support in the form of supplying necessary medicines. Their contribution ensured that the camp had the necessary resources to deliver comprehensive healthcare services to the attendees. By supplying medicines, Krishpar Healthcare S.A. helped to enhance the quality of care provided at the camp, enabling medical professionals to diagnose and treat patients effectively.

 The support from the municipalities of Santa Rosa Lima and Santa Cruz was invaluable in the successful execution of the medical camp. Their collaboration ensured that the necessary infrastructure and logistical arrangements were in place to facilitate the smooth functioning of the camp. The municipalities likely provided assistance with venue selection, permits, security, and other administrative tasks. Additionally, their engagement helped in mobilizing local resources and community participation, further strengthening the impact of the camp. The partnership between the medical organizers and the municipalities exemplifies the importance of community involvement in addressing healthcare needs and underscores a shared commitment to improving the well-being of residents.

 Ambassador Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra while extending his gratitude to all the stakeholders emphasized India’s unwavering commitment to healthcare support in Guatemala. He underscores the significant strides made by India in extending medical assistance globally, including Guatemala, as a testament to India’s dedication to fostering health equity and access to quality care.

Gutamela 1 Dr. Mohapatra highlights India’s multifaceted approach to healthcare cooperation, encompassing capacity-building initiatives, provision of medical supplies, and collaborative projects aimed at strengthening healthcare infrastructure in Guatemala. He highlights India’s recognition as the “pharmacy of the world,” symbolizing the nation’s pivotal role in supplying affordable and high-quality generic medicines to countless countries. He reaffirms India’s steadfast commitment to standing in solidarity with Guatemala in addressing healthcare challenges, thereby embodying the spirit of cooperation and goodwill between the two nations.

 The Embassy is committed to realizing the vision of our Hon’ble Prime Minister, who aims to ensure accessible and affordable healthcare not only for our citizens but for the entire world. Collaborative health camps conducted with AAPI-CF, COOIZA, and Krishpar in Guatemala have made positive changes in the lives of the Guatemalan population.

These camps have provided crucial healthcare services in specialties like Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology, Gastroenterology, Urology, Gynecology, and Dermatology to those lacking access to proper medical facilities.

The successful execution of these camps highlights the Embassy’s dedication to making a significant impact on the lives of those in need. By organizing these camps in a carefully planned, phased manner, the Embassy has demonstrated the Government of India’s profound commitment to improving the vision and quality of life for underprivileged individuals in Santa Rosa Lima, Santa Cruz, and surrounding areas. Their proactive collaboration with local experts, hospitals, and organizations showcases their unwavering dedication to promoting community well-being and addressing eye diseases.

According to the Embassy of India, it remains steadfast in its commitment to partnering with the local community to combat health diseases and expand access to high-quality medical care. The successful completion of two eye camps in Peten, the donation of lifesaving TB medicines to the Government of Guatemala, the donation of diabetes medicines to the Municipality of Xela, and the recently concluded health camp are all testament to this commitment.

 These initiatives reflect the Embassy’s ongoing efforts to make a tangible difference in the lives of the Guatemalan population and underscore India’s dedication to global health equity. Furthermore, the Embassy is actively engaged in discussions with relevant government authorities to facilitate the provision of artificial limbs to individuals in the local Guatemalan community, with plans for an upcoming camp focused on this essential aspect of healthcare. It is anticipated that this initiative will be organized in the near future.

For more information about AAPI, please visit: www.aapiusa.org

Unveiling the Power of Walking: A Pathway to Holistic Health and Wellness

Staff ReporterHealth, Culture, Lifestyle 0

The Revelation of Walking

In the domain of health and fitness, walking often remains overshadowed by more vigorous exercises. Nevertheless, it stands out as one of the most efficient methods to improve overall health. From enhancing mental clarity to boosting cardiovascular fitness and managing weight, the advantages of walking are extensive and profound.

Tailoring Your Daily Walk

Determining the ideal daily walking distance isn’t as simple as it appears. It’s not merely about adhering to a standard but about customizing your walk to suit your individual health condition and objectives:

Weight Considerations: “Heavier individuals burn more calories per mile; thus, your body weight influences how much you should walk.”

Start Gradually: For newcomers to regular exercise, commencing with manageable distances and gradually increasing both the pace and duration of your walk is crucial.

Set Clear Goals: Establish clear, attainable objectives. If weight loss is your aim, you may need to aim for longer walks.

Dietary Integration: “Integrating walking with a balanced diet is crucial. The synergy of diet and walking can accelerate your progress towards your fitness goals.”

Optimal Walking Metrics

While individual needs differ, a general guideline for those aiming to improve fitness is to target around 10,000 steps daily, equivalent to approximately 7 to 8 kilometers. This objective aligns well with burning roughly 300 to 400 calories each day, potentially resulting in a loss of about half a kilogram per week when combined with a suitable diet.

Incorporating Walking Into a Busy Schedule

In today’s fast-paced world, achieving 10,000 steps daily might seem daunting. Here’s how I integrate walking into my hectic life:

Break It Down: “Segment Your Walks: Break down the goal into smaller, more manageable walks throughout the day. This could mean a morning walk, a midday stroll, and an evening walk.”

Walk to Work: If viable, walking to work not only contributes to your step count but also energizes your morning.

Choose Stairs: “Stairs Over Elevators: Opt for the stairs whenever possible to increase calorie burn.”

Walking Meetings: Transforming catch-ups into walking meetings not only benefits physical health but can also enhance creativity and team spirit.

Monitor Progress: Utilizing a pedometer or smartphone app to monitor your steps can offer motivation and accountability.

Walking surpasses mere physical exertion; it serves as a cornerstone of wellness, supporting both the mind and body in harmonious ways. While the 10,000-step goal serves as an excellent starting point, personalizing this target to align with your unique health journey is crucial for optimal benefits. Walking is less about reaching a destination and more about savoring each step on the journey towards a healthier, more vibrant life.

FTC Narrowly Passes Ban on Noncompetes, Sparking Controversy and Legal Challenges

Staff ReporterUSA, Finance/Economy 0

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) narrowly passed a resolution on Tuesday to prohibit nearly all noncompete agreements, which are employment contracts typically barring workers from joining rival companies or launching their own ventures. The decision followed a period of public consultation during which the FTC received over 26,000 comments. Chair Lina Khan, in her remarks, reflected on testimonies from workers.

“We heard from employees who, because of noncompetes, were stuck in abusive workplaces,” she stated. “One person noted when an employer merged with an organization whose religious principles conflicted with their own, a noncompete kept the worker locked in place and unable to freely switch to a job that didn’t conflict with their religious practices.”

She underscored how these accounts “pointed to the basic reality of how robbing people of their economic liberty also robs them of all sorts of other freedoms.”

The FTC approximates that around 30 million individuals, ranging from minimum wage earners to CEOs, are subjected to noncompete agreements, which it asserts suppress wages. The policy shift is anticipated to spur wage growth of nearly $300 billion annually by empowering people to transition between jobs without hindrance.

Scheduled to take effect later this year, the ban features a provision exempting pre-existing noncompetes negotiated with senior executives, on the premise that such agreements are typically the result of negotiation. The FTC advises against enforcing other pre-existing noncompete agreements.

The vote, split 3 to 2 along party lines, sparked dissent from Commissioners Melissa Holyoke and Andrew Ferguson, who argued that the FTC was exceeding its authority. Holyoke anticipated legal challenges against the ban, foreseeing its eventual reversal.

Following the decision, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced its intention to challenge the ruling in court, denouncing it as unwarranted, illegal, and an overt power grab.

For over a year, the Chamber of Commerce has vehemently opposed the ban, asserting that noncompetes are essential to safeguarding companies’ proprietary information and providing employers with a greater incentive to invest in employee training and development.

“This decision sets a dangerous precedent for government micromanagement of business and can harm employers, workers, and our economy,” wrote Suzanne P. Clark, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber, in a statement.

Indian Consulate in New York Hosts Vibrant #Baisakhi Celebration, Uniting Communities in Festive Spirit

Staff ReporterIndia 0

The Indian Consulate in New York commemorated #Baisakhi at the Consulate premises on April 19, 2024, with the active involvement of the community. Publisher of Indian Panorama, Indrajit Singh Saluja, emerged as one of the key figures behind the organization of the festival. The Consulate’s expansive hall brimmed with attendees, representing not only the Sikh community but also individuals from diverse faiths, converging to honor the festival symbolizing the New Year for Sikhs and Punjabis, and the genesis of the Sikh Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. Collaborating closely with leaders from gurudwaras in New York and New Jersey, the event fostered a sense of unity and celebration.

Various speakers took the stage, including Dr. Jeph and Dr. Sudhir Parikh, who emphasized the universal significance of Vaisakhi and the principles advocated by Sikh Gurus, such as compassion, harmony, service, and equality. Dr. Jeph highlighted the significant contributions of the Punjabi community to India’s nation-building endeavors, extending warm wishes for a Happy Baisakhi to the assembled audience.

Reflecting on the occasion, DCG Jeph articulated, “We are marking the beginning of the Punjabi New Year, we are marking the beginning of the Sikh pant that Guru Gobindji established, and we are celebrating the spirit of togetherness, love, harmony, and that is reflected in all the people from different faiths coming together in this joyous occasion.”

Padma Shri awardee Dr. Parikh, chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media and ITV Gold, reiterated the multifaceted essence of Vaisakhi, stating, “Vaisakhi is not just a religious festival, or a part of the agriculture harvest, . It is a celebration of Humanity, its a celebration of the starting of the great Khalsa  paner. And its a celebration to learn more about Guru Gobind Singh. It speaks about love and peace in the world. Today it is a celebration of love of each other, respect of each other.” He extended an invitation to the attendees to leverage the platform of his media outlets to disseminate their ideas and initiatives, concluding with a blessing, “God bless America, God bless India, God bless Khalsa pant, and God bless all of you.”

Speaking to ITV Gold, Saluja remarked, “We celebrated Vaisakhi with a lot of fun, a lot of entertainment, and also a lot of very serious consideration of what Vaisakhi is and what Sikhism is. We have had people coming from all walks of life, from New Jersey, Connecticut, Long Island and New York City.” He particularly highlighted the captivating Bhangra dance performance by Surati for Performing Arts as one of the event’s highlights.

Dr. V.K. Raju, the founder of Eye Foundation of America, extended his greetings for Happy Baisakhi and underscored the imperative of aiding children and eradicating the menace of blindness globally.

The event served as a platform to showcase Punjab’s rich heritage and traditions, which intricately contribute to India’s diverse cultural mosaic, fostering a sense of communal celebration rooted in shared ancestry.

IEA Forecasts Surge in Global Electric Vehicle Sales, Driving Toward 17 Million in 2024

Staff ReporterTechnology, Global 0

Global electric vehicle (EV) sales are poised to increase by more than 20% this year, reaching 17 million, largely driven by the Chinese market, as outlined by the International Energy Agency (IEA). In a report released on Tuesday, the IEA anticipates a significant surge in EV demand over the next decade, reshaping the global automotive industry and notably reducing oil consumption for road transport. The agency projects that by 2035, half of all cars sold worldwide will be electric, up from just over 20% this year, provided that charging infrastructure keeps pace. The IEA defines EVs to include both battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

The IEA’s optimistic long-term outlook for EVs, contingent upon existing government policies, follows Tesla’s recent move to lower prices in major markets in response to declining sales and heightened competition from Chinese newcomers and established automakers. Fatih Birol, the IEA’s executive director, dismissed recent negative headlines about slowing EV penetration, asserting that the data reflects a robust increase in global electric car sales rather than a reversal of growth.

The growth in EV adoption isn’t solely attributable to Chinese consumers. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association reported nearly a 4% rise in new battery electric car sales in the European Union during the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2023. Birol emphasized that, instead of diminishing, the global EV revolution seems poised for a new phase of expansion.

Despite the promising trends, EV manufacturers are grappling with narrow profit margins due to intensified price wars amid escalating competition. Both Tesla and Chinese EV manufacturer Li Auto have recently slashed prices on key models in China, the world’s largest EV market, with Tesla also implementing price cuts in Germany and the United States. Tesla recorded its first annual sales drop in nearly four years earlier this month, with its stock plummeting over 40% since the beginning of the year. Similarly, China’s BYD faced setbacks after briefly surpassing Tesla as the global market leader, experiencing a decline in sales from over 525,000 in the final quarter of 2023 to about 300,000 in the first quarter of this year.

While automakers may feel the strain from price reductions, they play a crucial role in driving widespread EV adoption globally, according to the IEA, which underscores that the pace of transition to EVs depends on affordability. In China, where over 60% of EVs sold last year were cheaper than conventional cars, affordability remains a key factor. However, in Europe and the United States, new cars with internal combustion engines still boast lower average purchase prices. The IEA anticipates that intensifying market competition and advancements in battery technology will lead to reduced EV prices in the coming years. Moreover, the growing export of electric cars from Chinese automakers, which accounted for over half of all electric car sales in 2023, could further drive down purchase prices.

Chinese automakers dominated global electric car sales last year, commanding over 50% of the market share, despite having only a 10% share of the conventional car market. Birol noted that China has emerged as the de facto leader in electric car manufacturing worldwide. Concerns over the surge in imports of Chinese EVs prompted the European Union to launch an investigation late last year into China’s state support for EV manufacturers. The auto industry, a significant employer in Europe and vital to Germany’s economy, which is home to major manufacturers like Volkswagen, Audi, and BMW, underscores the importance of the issue.

China is expected to account for nearly 60% of global EV sales this year and approximately 45% of all car sales within the country. By 2030, almost one-third of cars on Chinese roads are projected to be electric, compared to less than one-tenth last year. In comparison, the IEA forecasts that electric cars will constitute 17% of vehicles in the United States and 18% in the European Union by 2030, up from just over 2% and nearly 4%, respectively, last year. Birol emphasized that this shift will have significant implications for both the auto industry and the energy sector, with the IEA predicting that global oil demand will peak in 2030, aided by the electrification of the transport sector.

In addition to affordability, the lack of public charging infrastructure in Europe and the United States poses another barrier to mass adoption of electric cars. Under current government policies, the IEA expects the number of public EV charging points worldwide to reach 15 million by the end of the decade, nearly quadrupling from last year.

Judge Poised to Sanction Trump for Gag Order Violations as Testimony Reveals AMI’s Role in 2016 Campaign

Staff ReporterUSA 0

Judge Juan Merchan seemed prepared on Tuesday to penalize Donald Trump for violating the gag order in his criminal hush money case after questioning the former president’s attorneys about the acceptability of Trump’s social media posts.

The day commenced with a hearing concerning Trump’s alleged breaches of the gag order, culminating in former American Media Inc. chief David Pecker discussing his vetting process of claims regarding an affair between Trump and Playboy playmate Karen McDougal in 2016. Pecker disclosed his continuous communication with Trump’s former fixer, Michael Cohen, during this period, although Trump has denied the affair.

Despite an abbreviated schedule due to the Passover holiday, the dual impact of the gag order violations and the revelation of “catch-and-kill” deals to suppress negative stories about Trump during the 2016 election made it a vexing day for Trump in court. Trump expressed frustration over the news coverage of the trial and the constraints imposed by the judge’s gag order.

Pecker is set to return to the witness stand on Thursday after a dark day in court on Wednesday. He has already testified about two of the three catch-and-kill deals, leaving discussion of adult film star Stormy Daniels likely for Thursday.

Key takeaways from Tuesday’s proceedings:

**Gag order hearing poses challenges for Trump**

Judge Merchan imposed the gag order before the trial’s commencement, restricting Trump from publicly discussing witnesses, the jury, or the district attorney’s staff. Merchan subsequently broadened the order, which Trump has appealed, to encompass his own family following Trump’s disparagement of his daughter.

While Merchan has yet to render a decision on the district attorney’s motion to penalize Trump for alleged violations of the gag order, his sentiments were apparent. Merchan dismissed the explanations provided by Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, for the offending posts. Blanche contended that Trump’s posts concerning Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen were political rather than related to the case. However, Merchan grew frustrated when Blanche attempted to argue that Trump’s response to a Cohen post about Michael Avenatti was political due to its discussion of pardons.

Merchan also probed Blanche regarding Trump’s intentions, particularly when Blanche asserted that Trump’s reposts on Truth Social were not necessarily subject to the gag order.

“It’s your client’s position that when he reposts he did not believe he was violating the gag order. I’d like to hear that. Or you just want me to accept it because you’re saying it?” Merchan queried Blanche.

**Judge admonishes Trump lawyers**

Tensions escalated between Trump’s legal team and the trial judge during the gag order hearing. Merchan repeatedly pressed Blanche to specify instances where Trump specifically responded to attacks from Cohen and Daniels on social media, growing visibly frustrated when Blanche failed to do so.

“You’ve presented nothing,” Merchan admonished Blanche. “I’ve asked you eight or nine times [to] show me the exact post he was responding to. You’ve been unable to do that even once.”

At one point, Blanche asserted, “President Trump is being very careful to comply with your order.”

To which Merchan retorted, “You’re losing all credibility with the court.”

Last week, Merchan supported prosecutors’ decision to withhold notice of their witness list from Trump’s legal team, citing understanding in light of Trump’s social media attacks.

**Pecker sheds light on AMI’s role in 2016 campaign**

Pecker, who helmed American Media Inc. during the 2016 election, provided approximately two-and-a-half hours of testimony on Tuesday, elucidating how he collaborated with Michael Cohen to quash unfavorable stories during the campaign.

Pecker detailed the “catch and kill” deals involving McDougal and Trump’s doorman, disclosing a meeting in 2015 where Trump and Cohen solicited his assistance in managing negative stories.

While Pecker wasn’t directly involved in the $130,000 payment to Daniels, his testimony is pivotal to prosecutors’ case as it establishes a pattern of payments made to conceal damaging stories about Trump during the election.

Pecker underscored Cohen’s central role in the alleged “catch and kill conspiracy,” revealing that Cohen served as the intermediary between Trump and Pecker regarding media stories since 2007. Pecker recounted how Cohen would be informed about negative stories and would then facilitate their suppression.

Furthermore, Pecker revealed Cohen’s involvement in pitching stories about Trump’s political rivals during the campaign.

The paraphrased article adheres closely to the original, capturing the essence of each section while preserving the key points and quotes provided in the source material.

Pro-Palestinian Protests Escalate on US College Campuses: Columbia University Continues Negotiations Amid Nationwide Solidarity Demonstrations

Staff ReporterGlobal, Education 0

Columbia University officials announced early on Wednesday their intention to continue discussions with student pro-Palestinian demonstrators, despite initially establishing a midnight deadline for their dispersal.

Columbia President Minouche Shafik emphasized the university’s efforts in negotiations but mentioned considering “alternative options” if needed to clear the encampments set up by protesters.

However, a spokesperson for Columbia informed NPR later that the university was making headway with representatives of the student encampments. The university decided to extend conversations for the next 48 hours due to the constructive dialogue.

The pro-Palestinian protests, which have gained momentum in New York-area schools recently, resulting in the arrest of participants, have now spread nationwide.

Students at over a dozen schools across the United States, from Massachusetts to Michigan to California, have initiated demonstrations and encampments. Their demands include an end to the Israel-Hamas conflict and divestment from companies profiting from it or engaging in business with Israel.

These protests mark the latest in a series of demonstrations on college campuses since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in significant casualties. The conflict has triggered a surge of activism among college-age Americans, with more showing sympathy towards Palestinians, according to recent Pew Research Center polling.

The Israel-Hamas conflict has become a contentious issue at institutions of higher education, prompting discussions on how to balance free speech rights with ensuring student safety amid growing concerns of antisemitism and Islamophobia.

Law enforcement authorities have intervened in various protests across the country. At Yale University, nearly 50 protesters were arrested, prompting Columbia to shift classes online due to escalating tensions following the previous week’s arrests of over 100 demonstrators.

In New York City, police cleared a pro-Palestinian encampment at New York University’s Gould Plaza, resulting in arrests after protesters refused to leave.

Columbia University managed to reach agreements with protest representatives regarding the removal of a significant number of tents from the campus’ West Lawn. The university emphasized compliance with fire safety regulations and ensuring only Columbia students participate in the protests.

The recent events at Columbia have inspired solidarity movements at colleges across multiple states. Students at various universities, including Northwestern University, Ohio State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, held rallies in support of Columbia students following their arrests.

Similarly, solidarity encampments emerged at the University of Minnesota and the University of Pittsburgh, demonstrating support for Palestinian rights and opposition to violence in Gaza.

The protests have raised concerns about the safety of students and the university’s responsibility in maintaining a balance between free expression and student welfare.

While some protesters insist they are criticizing Israel rather than Jews, reports of antisemitic incidents on campuses have heightened tensions. Instances of students expressing support for Hamas and using antisemitic rhetoric have been reported, leading to concerns about campus safety.

The response of university administrations, particularly that of Columbia President Minouche Shafik, has faced criticism. Some lawmakers and organizations have called for her resignation, citing her handling of the protests.

In response, Shafik defended the university’s actions, emphasizing the need to uphold academic freedom while ensuring compliance with university policies.

As the situation unfolds, discussions continue on campuses nationwide regarding the appropriate response to protests and how to safeguard both free speech rights and student safety.

Feature Article: Inequity IS the Disaster

Staff ReporterEnvironment 0

The Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Center of Excellence are researching ways to enhance disaster resilience in socially vulnerable communities.

The 2023 hurricane season was one of the more severe on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Academic and disaster resilience communities have documented empirically that disenfranchised communities are disproportionately impacted by these severe weather events. With NOAA predicting increasing impacts of hurricanes in the future, S&T is trying to identify ways to help fortify marginalized communities against this impending risk.

According to Dr. David Alexander, senior science advisor for resilience at S&T, since 1980, there have been more than 377 billion-dollar disasters, based on NOAA statistics. These are disasters that resulted in $1 billion dollars or more in damages and losses each. More significantly, these disasters have amounted to more than 16,000 fatalities.

“People are losing their lives, not just their homes and businesses,” Alexander said. “If you look at the resilience research, there is a common theme, and it is well-recognized that underserved communities are disproportionately affected and experience more disaster suffering.”

While many in the federal government seek to foster greater equity for marginalized communities during disasters, S&T is investing in tools and technologies to inform policy and support this mission.

This was the purpose of a recent Coastal Resilience Center (CRC) Disasters and Equity Workshop that brought together community leaders, practitioners, and researchers to discuss best practices for reducing risk throughout the disaster lifecycle (mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery) in an equitable way. The CRC is a nationwide consortium led by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill conducting research to increase the resilience of people, infrastructure, economies, and the natural environment from coastal hazards.

“Our challenges have become more complex. Therefore, we need to ensure that we’re leveraging diversity of opinion, experience, and knowledge and really try to bring our communities, as well as practitioners and academics, together, and invite the private sector to partner with us so we can scale out solutions and deliver a broader impact to the nation,” Alexander said.

“The focus, using a science and technology lens, is recognizing a desire to push the envelope on participatory research,” he continued. “It’s about driving co-development of solutions to fill critical gaps in individual and community preparedness and developing solutions that help us to eliminate inequities in disaster resilience. The goal is to better link scientific experts and cutting-edge solutions to community partners and help them avoid disaster fatigue.”

S&T and CRC first studied existing planning frameworks underpinning disaster equity planning. They then studied what kind of data would be required to support more equitable planning. With an understanding of the policy and data, this workshop was a next step in contextualizing this research with evidence from front-line responders. The goal was to have participants help answer questions like: How can we achieve better outcomes after disasters strike and ensure those positive outcomes extend to all communities? What policies are in place and are they working? What do individual communities view as their critical needs and challenges? Are we investing in the right science and technology to close those gaps and support all segments and all geographies?

“The [CRC], eight or nine years ago, started pushing us hard and saying, ‘You’ve got to be grounded,’” says Dr. Phil Berke, one of CRC’s researchers. “Put boots on the ground and translate all this great research into action.”

Dr. Thomas John Cooper Jr., a Texas A&M University associate professor in Landscape Architecture and

Urban Planning, gave the workshop keynote, entitled: “Inequity IS the Disaster.” In the context of CRC’s research, the objective is equity, meaning justice and fairness, rather than equality, which refers to uniformity. For those with less, more aid and assistance will be required to achieve recovery after a disaster. A key theme that resonated throughout the March workshop was the need for “resiliency” over “recovery.” Workshops like this help to aggregate findings to iterate on a proper response model, which accounts for things like housing, transportation, disaster relief services, and fraud protections, among other factors.

Without external intervention and aid, there were other use cases cited where people perhaps would have continued to live in damaged homes with mold, mildew, and sickness. Participants emphasized the need to cultivate leaders within the community—the best approach is to have communities advocating for themselves to ensure people that may not be documented are not left behind and resources are properly allocated. In the end, the objective should be to build capacities not dependencies.

“Fringe communities in our country are poised to pay the highest human costs connected to a looming climate crisis,” said Bruce Rosenbloom, CRC communications manager. “We’ve created mathematical models that have had widespread impacts. But equations can’t put sandbags around a town. This research, this is for the people.”

Image released its most recent findings in 2023, as part of a study that shows how social stratification affects outcomes among disaster survivors. This ongoing research is designed to provide the academic and emergency response communities useful case studies to increase awareness of what might otherwise be considered an esoteric concept.

For instance, they released a video telling the story of Ironton, a small coastal town south of New Orleans that was almost wiped out after being battered by Hurricanes Katrina and Ida, one after the other. Living in the shadow of racial segregation and reduced from 52 to 10 homes, this town’s story of survival as captured by the CRC was aptly entitled: “Studying the Spirit of Resilience in Ironton.”

The CRC’s Disaster and Equity Workshop provided a forum to capture anecdotal evidence that, according to Alexander, is critical to identifying challenges and possible solutions. Data alone cannot tell a community’s story, he said. The hope is that drawing on the insights provided in this forum, the team can produce a seminal report that will provide recommendations on areas for future research and development and inform policy for disaster resilience. That report will also serve to inform S&T’s investments in disaster resilience and equity programs.

“It’s really about reducing suffering,” Alexander said. “It’s just about being a good human being and saying, ‘I don’t want you to suffer,’ which is a goal that all of us should be able to get behind.”

A key reason S&T partners with universities is to enable forward-looking research to inform future DHS operations. Visit S&T’s Centers of Excellence and Office of University Programs pages for additional information about the Directorate’s longstanding collaborations with academia. For related media inquiries, contact STMedia@hq.dhs.gov.

Trudeau Pioneers Halal Mortgages for Muslim Homebuyers; Budget Proposes Ban on Foreign Investor Home Purchases

Staff ReporterEconomy 0

Trudeau’s Move to Introduce Halal Mortgages for Muslims

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration is embarking on a quest to expand access to various financing options, including halal mortgages, in a bid to support the homeownership aspirations of Canadians, particularly those in the Muslim community.

In the latest federal budget announcement, the Liberal government unveiled its engagement in dialogues with financial service providers and diverse communities, aiming to gain insights into how federal policies can better accommodate the varied requirements of Canadians in pursuit of owning homes.

The 2024 Canada Budget highlights this initiative, stating, “This could include changes in the tax treatment of these products or a new regulatory sandbox for financial service providers, while ensuring adequate consumer protections are in place.”

Understanding Halal Mortgages

Halal mortgages adhere to Islamic law, which prohibits the collection of interest, deeming it as usury. While other Abrahamic religions, such as Judaism and Christianity, also denounce usury, Islamic financial institutions offer mortgage and lending solutions that avoid conventional interest payments.

Despite some Canadian financial institutions offering Islamic law-compliant mortgages, none of the nation’s five major banks currently provide them. Analysts suggest that these alternative mortgages may not be entirely devoid of interest but could involve regular fees as alternatives to interest charges.

The proposal sparked a mixed response on social media, with some labeling it a ‘progressive notion’ designed to benefit a specific segment of society. “Religious financial products with different tax treatment? What?,” questioned Paul Mitchell.

Canada’s Ban on Foreign Investors Purchasing Homes

The federal budget introduced a two-year prohibition on foreign investors purchasing residential properties, effective from January 1, 2023. The government justifies this move as necessary to ensure available housing for Canadians and prevent residential properties from becoming merely speculative assets for foreign investors.

Expanding on this stance, the budget proposal outlines the government’s intention to extend the ban on foreign home purchases for an additional two years, until January 1, 2027. The document reiterates that foreign commercial entities and non-Canadian citizens or permanent residents remain barred from acquiring residential property in Canada.

Key Highlights from Canada’s Budget

Presented by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, the housing-centric budget forecasts a deficit of $39.8 billion for the fiscal year 2024-25. This budget allocates $53 billion in fresh expenditure over the next five years, with a significant portion directed towards promoting intergenerational equity and aiding younger Canadians, specifically Millennials and Generation Z, through initiatives targeting renters and first-time homebuyers.

To partially balance the increased spending, the government introduces “tax fairness measures,” projected to yield an additional $18.2 billion in revenue over the following five years.

India’s General Election Signals Potential for Scientific Renaissance: Balancing Research Funding for Economic Growth

Staff ReporterIndia 0

India’s upcoming general election commences this week, marking a significant event in the world’s largest democracy. Opinion polls anticipate a continuation of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s tenure, led by an alliance against an opposition coalition spearheaded by the Indian National Congress. The outcome will shape the destiny of the world’s fifth-largest economy, potentially propelling India to the third spot by the decade’s end, trailing behind China and the United States.

Simultaneously, India is poised to elevate its stature as a scientific powerhouse, although this aspiration hinges on pivotal factors. Scholars caution that successive administrations have overlooked fundamental research, emphasizing the necessity for greater research autonomy. A vital facet in this endeavor involves addressing the funding deficit. To this end, India could augment science expenditure by fostering increased corporate involvement, mirroring practices observed in other major economies.

India boasts substantial achievements in various domains. Notably, it hosts the world’s third-largest pharmaceutical industry by volume, renowned for supplying affordable medicines and generic drugs crucial in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, India achieved a historic soft Moon landing, becoming the fourth nation to do so and the first to land near the lunar south pole. Additionally, it operates the world’s largest array of remote-sensing satellites.

The country exhibits remarkable research productivity, trailing only the United States and China in terms of research output. Over the past seven years, the number of universities surged from 760 to 1,113, accompanied by the establishment of seven new Indian Institutes of Technology and two Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research.

However, these accomplishments are juxtaposed against a stark reality: India allocated a mere 0.64% of its GDP towards research and development (R&D) during the 2020–21 period. Regardless of the election outcome, addressing this deficiency and unlocking the potential of increased funding remain imperative.

Comparatively, high-income nations in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) allocated an average of 2.7% of GDP to R&D in 2022, underscoring the vast disparity. China, a formidable global competitor, devoted 2.4% of its GDP to R&D in 2021.

While India’s absolute science spending, adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP), exhibited growth from $50.3 billion in 2014–15 to $57.9 billion in 2020–21, the share of R&D expenditure relative to GDP tells a different story. After reaching a peak of 0.82% of GDP in 2009–10, India’s R&D spending dwindled to its present levels.

A notable observation lies in the composition of India’s science spending compared to economies of similar scale. Approximately 60% of India’s research funding originates from central and state governments and universities, with the private sector contributing the remaining 40%. In contrast, private-sector funding constitutes a more substantial proportion in comparable nations, averaging 74% in OECD countries and 66% in the European Union in 2022.

India’s burgeoning corporate landscape, spanning construction, information technology, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals, presents a ripe opportunity for enhanced research contributions. Yet, a paradigm shift is required to mobilize these entities towards bolstering national research endeavors.

In a significant legislative move, the Indian parliament endorsed the establishment of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) last August. Endowed with disbursing 500 billion rupees ($6 billion) over five years to universities and laboratories, with 70% sourced from non-governmental entities such as philanthropists and industry, the ANRF aims to rectify perceptions of neglect towards basic research. However, ANRF constitutes only one facet of a multifaceted strategy. The incoming government, in collaboration with corporate entities, must explore avenues to further augment science investment.

Investments in scientific research, both public and private, yield substantial dividends, catalyzing economic growth, societal advancement, and improved health outcomes. Acknowledging this, leading economies prioritize science in their budgets, cognizant of the transformative potential of research investments. The incoming administration, post the culmination of India’s electoral marathon on June 1, must emulate these practices, recognizing India’s capacity and obligation to prioritize scientific advancement.

GOPIO Convention 2024: Indian Diaspora’s Crucial Role in Shaping India’s Future Spotlighted in New Jersey Event

Staff ReporterCommunity 0

The upcoming 2024 convention of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) in New Jersey will spotlight the significant role of the Indian Diaspora in shaping India’s future. Scheduled from April 26 to 28 at the Royal Albert Palace, New Jersey, the event revolves around the theme ‘Opportunities for Diaspora Indians in India’s Big Manifest Future.’

Kicking off with a welcoming reception and dinner inauguration, the two-day affair will culminate with a GOPIO general body meeting. A highlight of the convention is the awards banquet on April 27, dedicated to honoring the contributions of community members.

The convention will host nine sessions focusing on various aspects of the theme:

  1. Diaspora Youth and Young Achievers: Emphasizing their potential role in India’s future and exploring ways GOPIO can support their involvement.
  2. Diaspora Women: Highlighting their growing contributions across sectors, including discussions on technologies, AI, and other innovations.
  3. Leading Research and Innovations: Showcasing the endeavors of Diaspora Indians in research and innovation.
  4. GOPIO Chamber of Commerce and Industry: Exploring the global networking of Diaspora businesses.
  5. Medical and Health Issues: Discussing how Diaspora Indians can contribute to India’s frontline role in pharmaceuticals, vaccines, medical tourism, and the propagation of yoga.
  6. India as a Global Power House: Examining opportunities for US businesses in India’s digital infrastructure, supply chain logistics, and AI.
  7. GOPIO Academic Council Roundtable: Fostering academic collaboration within the Diaspora.
  8. Diaspora Writers and Literature: Celebrating the literary achievements of Diaspora Indians.
  9. Aging Gracefully: Addressing the needs and challenges of aging Diaspora Indians.

Moreover, attendees can look forward to captivating performances by renowned artists such as comedian Dan Nainan, Grammy winner Falu Shah, and Sarangi instrumentalist Kamal Sabri.

Massive Lok Sabha Election Commences: High Turnout Amidst Sporadic Violence

Staff ReporterIndia 0

The extensive endeavor to elect the 18th Lok Sabha commenced today, marking the initiation of elections on 102 seats spread across 21 states and Union Territories. As the first phase drew to a close, approximately 60.03% of the electorate cast their votes. Instances of sporadic violence marred the process in Manipur and Bengal.

Here’s a concise breakdown of the key highlights from this significant event:

The Election Commission, overseeing the seven-phase electoral process spanning 43 days, affirmed, “The Election Commission is working strenuously to ensure a smooth, transparent, and inclusive electoral process in the subsequent phases of General Elections 2024.”

Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, which also held assembly elections concurrently, witnessed turnouts of 68% and 68.3%, respectively. In comparison, Sikkim had recorded an 80.1% voter turnout, while Arunachal Pradesh saw 65.1% in the 2019 elections.

Tamil Nadu, conducting a single-day election, registered a voter turnout of 67.2%, down from 72.4% in 2019. Rajasthan, sharing half of the 102 contested seats with Tamil Nadu, witnessed a voter turnout of 57.3%, a decrease from the previous 64%.

By 7 pm, Uttar Pradesh reported a voter turnout of 59.5%, while Madhya Pradesh recorded 66.7%. Bengal saw one of the highest turnouts at 77.6%, where the BJP aims to narrow the gap with Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress. In 2019, the BJP secured victory in 18 out of Bengal’s 42 seats.

The northeastern states, predominantly BJP-led, demonstrated substantial turnout rates: Assam at 72.3%, Meghalaya at 74.5%, Manipur at 69.2%, Arunachal Pradesh at 67.7%, and Tripura at a remarkable 80.6%.

Incidents of clashes between Trinamool Congress and BJP workers erupted in Cooch Behar, Bengal, with accusations of violence, voter intimidation, and assault on poll agents exchanged. Despite police denial of violence, gunfire was reported at a polling station in Bishnupur, Manipur, and a polling booth was vandalized in Imphal East district. Tragically, two elderly individuals, including a 77-year-old woman, passed away at polling booths in Salem district, Tamil Nadu.

The BJP, despite its confident stance on securing a third consecutive term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, managed to secure only 50% of the contested seats in the previous general election. The NDA and UPA clinched 41 and 45 seats, respectively, with six seats undergoing redrawn boundaries as part of delimitation.

With ambitions set on achieving 370 seats, the BJP is placing significant reliance on southern states, particularly Tamil Nadu, where it has yet to establish a foothold, and Bengal. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Union Minister and BJP’s chief strategist, Amit Shah, emphasized PM Modi’s popularity, expressing optimism that it will translate into the party’s success in the south.

Despite being marginalized in northern India, the Congress remains optimistic about its resurgence. Senior leader KC Venugopal anticipates an enhanced performance in several northern states, including BJP strongholds like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Bolstered by victories in Telangana and Karnataka assembly polls, and the alliance with DMK in Tamil Nadu, the party is confident about its prospects in the southern region.

The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4th.

OpenAI Appoints Pragya Misra as India Lead for Policy and Partnerships

Staff ReporterTechnology 0

OpenAI, led by Sam Altman, has enlisted Pragya Misra as its inaugural recruit in India. Sources revealed to IANS that Ms. Misra’s role will focus on steering public policy affairs and forging partnerships within the nation.

Formerly, she held the position of Director of Public Affairs at Truecaller, where she extensively collaborated with governmental bodies, investors, vital stakeholders, and media affiliates. Preceding her tenure at Truecaller, she dedicated three years to Meta Platforms.

Notably, Pragya Misra assumed the mantle as the pioneer employee of WhatsApp in India. She spearheaded WhatsApp’s endeavors combating misinformation in 2018 and contributed her expertise to firms like Ernst & Young as well as the Royal Danish Embassy in Delhi. Ms. Misra attained her MBA from the International Management Institute in 2012, having completed her undergraduate studies in commerce at Delhi University. Furthermore, she holds a Diploma in Bargaining and Negotiations from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Ms. Misra’s multifaceted talents extend beyond her professional domain. She boasts a considerable following of 35,000 on Instagram, where she wields influence. Additionally, she is a podcaster, hosting the Pragyaan podcast (@pragyaan_podcast), which delves into subjects ranging from meditation to human consciousness.

Moreover, as a Heartfulness meditation trainer, Ms. Misra shares her expertise in fostering mindfulness. Her diverse array of engagements exemplifies her commitment to holistic well-being and intellectual exploration.

US House Advances TikTok Ban Legislation Amidst Aid Package Approval

Staff ReporterEntertainment 0

The United States is inching closer to potentially banning TikTok as House lawmakers greenlighted a contentious bill in a sweeping aid package aimed at supporting Israel and Ukraine. With a bipartisan vote of 360-58, this move represents yet another setback for TikTok in Washington. The social media giant, currently under the ownership of ByteDance, its Chinese parent company, is grappling with the threat of being ousted from the US market, where it boasts a user base of 170 million.

The legislation adopted by the House over the weekend mirrors an earlier version from March, proposing to remove TikTok from American app stores unless it undergoes a change in ownership promptly. By bundling the TikTok measure with funding for Ukrainian military gear and Israeli missile defense, House Republicans are exerting pressure on Senate counterparts to address the entire package in a single decisive vote.

Experts anticipate swift action from the Senate on the aid package, raising expectations for its approval. President Joe Biden has signaled his willingness to endorse the TikTok legislation if it crosses his desk. This accelerated push underscores how external policy imperatives have converged to pose a significant and potentially dire threat to an app cherished by many American youths but viewed by US authorities as a national security hazard.

The latest version of the bill, if enacted, grants TikTok a 270-day window to secure a new proprietor, an extension from the approximately six months initially proposed. Moreover, it affords the White House the discretion to prolong this deadline by an additional 90 days if progress toward a sale is evident.

TikTok has vehemently opposed the legislation, launching an extensive lobbying campaign in an effort to thwart its passage. The company argues that the bill encroaches upon the First Amendment rights of its users and jeopardizes small enterprises. In a statement posted on X, TikTok lamented the House’s decision, lambasting it as a move that would stifle free speech, disrupt millions of businesses, and dismantle a platform contributing $24 billion annually to the US economy.

Hinting at potential legal action to challenge the divestiture legislation, TikTok has vowed to continue its fight, invoking its legal prerogatives. A legal showdown over the law could set the stage for a high-stakes clash over Americans’ access to digital content.

While Senate lawmakers had been divided on the House’s proposal for a forced TikTok sale, sentiment shifted somewhat with the unveiling of the latest draft featuring an extended deadline. In the run-up to the House vote, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stressed the urgency of approving foreign aid. Schumer disclosed a tentative agreement for the Senate to consider the foreign aid package on Tuesday, suggesting a growing momentum behind the legislation.

Paul Gallant, a policy analyst at Cowen Inc., assesses the likelihood of the TikTok bill’s passage as reasonably high, estimating an 80% chance of Senate approval. Gallant anticipates that TikTok is unlikely to be stripped from the broader aid package, predicting Senate deliberation within one to two weeks, though indications suggest it could happen even sooner.

House Passes Historic Foreign Aid Package Amidst GOP Infighting: Billions Allocated for Ukraine, Israel, and Global Allies

Staff ReporterDiplomacy 0

Lawmakers in the House, from both sides of the aisle, united on Saturday to advance a significant foreign aid package to the Senate, effectively ending a prolonged and contentious standoff over the destiny of the legislation and virtually ensuring the provision of billions of dollars in fresh assistance to beleaguered allies worldwide.

The exceptional weekend voting sessions marked the conclusion of months of intense deliberation within the House Republican caucus regarding whether and how Congress should intervene with further military assistance for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, while also extending humanitarian aid to civilian victims in conflict zones like Gaza and other war-ravaged regions globally.

The discourse had splintered House Republicans into opposing factions, setting Reagan-era traditionalists, proponents of robust international interventions to counter the ambitions of Russia and China, against a newer strain of “America First” conservatives advocating for curtailing foreign expenditure and redirecting focus to domestic issues, notably the migrant crisis along the southern border.

Ultimately, Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana defied his conservative detractors, bringing forth a series of four bills on the House floor to furnish overseas assistance. Notably, he disentangled these funds from a separate border security proposal that failed to garner support during Saturday’s proceedings. Johnson underscored the aid as a straightforward yet vital extension of America’s commitment to democratic allies facing threats from autocratic regimes.

“I think providing lethal aid to Ukraine right now is critically important,” Johnson emphasized earlier in the week. “I really do believe the intel and the briefings that we’ve gotten. I believe Xi and Vladimir Putin and Iran really are an axis of evil.”

Representative Mike McCaul of Texas revealed that Johnson sought divine guidance before making the pivotal decision to forge ahead. McCaul noted Johnson’s internal conflict between preserving his position and doing what he perceived as morally right, indicating Johnson’s reliance on prayer for clarity.

The passage of the foreign aid bills marked a significant triumph for the relatively inexperienced Speaker, who assumed leadership less than six months prior. The package, approved through four distinct votes, allocated approximately $61 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel, $8 billion for Indo-Pacific allies, and included additional national security measures such as a potential ban on TikTok.

However, the move carried political risks, exacerbating tensions among conservatives already discontented with Johnson’s bipartisan collaborations with President Biden on major legislation. This discontent manifested in a nascent effort to unseat Johnson, with Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene spearheading a motion to vacate, backed by Representatives Thomas Massie and Paul Gosar.

While Johnson dismissed the threat, emphasizing the imperative of supporting Ukraine amid its struggle against Russia, some allies acknowledged the possibility of Greene’s motion materializing.

Yet, the conservative dissent extended beyond ideological differences. Some were concerned about escalating federal debt, others advocated for an isolationist stance akin to Trump’s priorities, and a faction harbored distrust towards Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, stemming from past political entanglements.

The migrant crisis also emerged as a pivotal point of contention, with Johnson initially demanding border security provisions alongside foreign aid, later abandoning this stance to focus solely on international assistance, a move met with incredulity by conservatives.

Despite Johnson’s efforts to mollify conservative objections by introducing amendments aligning with Republican national security interests, his strategy failed to garner full support within the GOP, with over half the conference voting against the Ukraine funding.

The Israel aid component further divided Democrats, reflecting internal disagreements over U.S. policy towards the Middle East. While the bill included significant humanitarian aid, some progressives opposed it for its perceived lack of conditions on assistance to Jerusalem, emphasizing the importance of enforcing human rights and international law.

Saturday’s passage marked the third attempt by Johnson to secure aid for Israel, following previous setbacks in November and February. Despite challenges, the aid package now advances to the Senate, expected to pass in the coming week.

Asia-Pacific Region Sees Explosive Growth in Generative AI Adoption; India Emerges as Key Market Player

Staff ReporterTechnology 0

The surge in Generative AI (GenAI) adoption is reshaping the landscape of the Asia-Pacific region, with India poised to join the ranks of the fastest-growing markets in the coming years.

In accordance with an IDC report, the Asia-Pacific region is undergoing an unparalleled rise in GenAI adoption across various sectors, encompassing software, services, and hardware tailored for AI-centric systems.

Projections indicate that GenAI expenditure in the region is expected to skyrocket to $26 billion by 2027, boasting a staggering compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 95.4 percent during this period.

This surge underscores the region’s pivotal role in propelling the next phase of AI innovation and technological progress, as highlighted in the report.

Deepika Giri, Head of Research for Big Data and AI at IDC APJ, emphasized that investment in GenAI is anticipated to peak within the next two years, followed by a phase of stabilization.

“China is anticipated to uphold its dominance in the GenAI market, with Japan and India emerging as the most rapidly expanding markets in the foreseeable future,” Giri noted.

From software development to customer service, GenAI is driving a paradigm shift in various industries, heralding a new era of innovation across the region.

The financial services sector, in particular, is witnessing a rapid surge in GenAI adoption in Asia, with projections indicating a growth to $4.3 billion by 2027, boasting a CAGR of 96.7 percent, according to the report (IANS).

 

Major US Banks Witness Billions in Deposit Flight Amid Economic Uncertainty

Staff ReporterEconomy, Money 0

Recent data reveals significant declines in deposits at two major US banks.

Citigroup’s quarterly earnings report indicates a decrease in deposits from $1.3305 trillion in Q1 of 2023 to $1.3072 trillion in Q1 of this year, marking a notable decline of $23.3 billion over the course of 12 months. Similarly, Wells Fargo experienced a drop of $15.1 billion in deposits during the same period, with figures slipping from $1.3567 trillion in Q1 2023 to $1.3416 trillion in Q1 2024.

JPMorgan Chase reported a 7% decrease in deposits within its Consumer & Community Banking division for Q1, excluding data from its majority acquisition of First Republic Bank, which has faced financial challenges. However, the overall deposits for the firm remained steady, excluding First Republic’s contribution.

Looking ahead, JPMorgan’s chief financial officer, Jeremy Barnum, anticipates stagnant or slightly declining deposit balances as consumers seek higher returns on their cash investments. He remarked, “We expect deposit balances to be sort of flat to modestly down. So that’s a little bit of a headwind at the margin… in a world where we’ve got something like $900 billion of deposits paying effectively zero, relatively small changes in the product-level reprice can change the NII run rate by a lot.”

Meanwhile, CEO Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase issued a cautionary note, suggesting that US banks could face another crisis if the Federal Reserve opts to raise interest rates. In his annual shareholder letter, Dimon highlighted the vulnerability of banks and leveraged US firms to persistent inflationary pressures, warning of dire consequences if the Fed tightens monetary policies further.

Dimon referenced JPMorgan’s acquisition of First Republic in May 2023, following the collapse of two other regional banks, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank. He explained that the banking crisis seemed to be waning with the resolution of these three troubled banks, contingent upon stable interest rates and the absence of a severe recession.

However, Dimon underscored the potential risks associated with a significant increase in long-term interest rates, particularly if accompanied by an economic downturn. He emphasized the detrimental impact such a scenario could have on financial assets, citing a 2-percentage-point rise in rates as equivalent to a 20% reduction in asset values. Additionally, Dimon highlighted the vulnerability of certain real estate assets, particularly office properties, to the effects of recession-induced higher vacancies and widened credit spreads.

Dr. Thomas Abraham Honored with Library Dedication: A Half-Century Legacy Celebrated by Indian Diaspora

Staff ReporterCommunity, Profile 0

Dr. Thomas Abraham, the Chairman of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), was recently honored for his exceptional service spanning 50 years to the Indian Diaspora community and India. This recognition took form in the dedication of the Dr. Thomas Abraham Library at the Indian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Center located in Elmont, New York. The momentous occasion was further commemorated by New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who officially declared April 6th as Dr. Thomas Abraham Day to coincide with the library’s opening.

The inauguration ceremony of the library, held on April 6, was graced by Indian Consul General Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, who presided over the event. The ceremony, attended by a diverse representation of the community, marked not only the introduction of a collection of books but also the inclusion of historical documents chronicling the growth and history of the Indian American community and the broader Indian Diaspora, notably from the personal collections of Dr. Abraham.

Dr. Abraham’s legacy is deeply rooted in his extensive community work over five decades, marked by the establishment of several influential organizations within the Indian American community and the global Indian Diaspora. Notable among his achievements are his roles as the founding president of the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) of New York in the 1970s, organizer of the largest India Day Parade outside India, and founder of the National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA) in the 1980s. Currently serving as the Chairman of GOPIO, which he founded in 1989, Dr. Abraham’s influence extends to his position as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Indian American Kerala Center in New York, a center he also co-founded. Additionally, his contributions include co-chairing fundraising campaigns, such as the one to establish a chair for Indian studies at Columbia University, and founding initiatives like the National Indian American Association for Senior Citizens (NIAASC) and the South Asian Council for Social Services (SACSS).

The inauguration ceremony commenced with a warm welcome from Library Committee Member Abraham Thomas, followed by introductory remarks by Kerala Center Vice President Daisy Stephen, who served as the Master of Ceremonies. The event was marked by the rendition of the American and Indian National Anthems by Ms. Lauren Vattakalam and a welcoming address by Kerala Center President Alex Esthappan, who emphasized Dr. Abraham’s pivotal role in shaping major Indian community organizations in New York.

A ceremonial ribbon-cutting, led by Consul General Pradhan, was accompanied by esteemed dignitaries and immediate family members of Dr. Abraham. The program continued with a traditional lamp lighting ceremony and a Kathak Dance Saraswati Vandana performed by Barnard College student Nandini Lal.

Addressing the audience, Kerala Center Board Chairman Dr. Madhu Bhaskaran expressed pride in hosting the library, while Consul General Pradhan lauded Dr. Abraham’s contributions, stating, “I don’t see this as the inauguration of a library but as a celebration of the work and achievements of Dr. Abraham and his contributions to society.” Pradhan highlighted Dr. Abraham’s significant impact beyond New York, recognizing his efforts in fostering US-India relations and facilitating educational initiatives internationally.

Pradhan urged the diaspora to support Indian students studying abroad and advocated for the enhancement of digital facilities at the library, offering the Consulate’s assistance. The event also featured proclamations from New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York State Senator Kevin Thomas, honoring Dr. Thomas Abraham Day and acknowledging his dedicated service, respectively.

Further accolades came from Mr. Bruce A. Blakeman, Executive of Nassau County, who issued a citation honoring Dr. Abraham’s service, and Connecticut’s senior US Senator Richard Blumenthal, who recognized the significance of the Dr. Thomas Abraham Library. In a message, Senator Blumenthal praised Dr. Abraham’s contributions to the NRI/PIO community and the State of Connecticut.

The ceremony was enriched by remarks from Kerala Center Founder President E.M. Stephen, who expressed joy at the fulfillment of the center’s vision, and community leaders, including SACSS Executive Director Sudha Acharya, GOPIO Global Ambassador Prakash Shah, and NFIA Vice President Gunjan Rastogi. Dr. Thomas Abraham’s family, including his son Jay Abraham, daughter Dr. Nitya Abraham, and granddaughter Leela, graced the occasion, with Jay Abraham assuming leadership of the Library Committee.

In a fireside chat moderated by Daisy Stephen, Dr. Thomas Abraham expressed gratitude to attendees, emphasizing the collective impact of community efforts. He envisioned the library as a vital resource center for the Indian Diaspora, facilitating research and preserving its rich history for future generations.

The program concluded with a vibrant Bhangra performance by Dr. Reena Sharma, underscoring the spirit of celebration and unity within the Indian American community. Through such initiatives and celebrations, the legacy of individuals like Dr. Thomas Abraham continues to inspire and uplift communities, fostering a sense of pride and belonging among the diaspora.

Trump’s Historic Trial: Implications for 2024 Campaign & Beyond

Staff ReporterPolitics, Nation USA 0

The inaugural criminal trial of a sitting or former U.S. president is currently underway in Manhattan, sparking discussions on the potential ramifications of a conviction for former President Trump as he gears up for another White House bid.

In the New York trial, Trump faces 34 felony charges of falsifying business records, with potential implications for his 2024 presidential campaign. Although a conviction wouldn’t automatically disqualify him from running, it could disrupt his candidacy and introduce the possibility of a convicted felon as the GOP nominee.

Stephen Saltzburg, a law professor at George Washington University, highlighted the significance of a potential conviction, stating, “If he happens to be convicted on 34 counts, that takes its toll even on someone like Donald Trump, who seems to be that Teflon candidate.”

The trial commenced this week in Manhattan, with jury selection marking a historic moment as the first of Trump’s four criminal cases to reach a jury. The case revolves around events during the 2016 election, particularly a $130,000 payment made by Trump’s former fixer, Michael Cohen, to Stormy Daniels, an adult film actress, to suppress her allegations of a past encounter with Trump. Trump, denying the affair, reimbursed Cohen, categorizing it as a legal expense, a move contested by the Manhattan district attorney as unlawful.

Despite the legal proceedings, Trump, having secured the delegates for the Republican nomination, retains the ability to run for federal office even if convicted. He continues to frame his legal troubles as politically motivated, asserting his innocence.

Saltzburg remarked on Trump’s unique position, noting, “He’s the only person in America who could probably be charged in four different cases and have his popularity among his base go up, because the base is already convinced that he’s affected, that he’s being targeted.”

However, a conviction would label him a felon, potentially alienating key voter demographics such as independents and law-and-order Republicans.

The sentiment is echoed in recent polls, including a Yahoo News/YouGov poll indicating that a majority of voters, including Republicans, consider the hush money case a serious offense. Another poll by Bloomberg and Morning Consult found a significant portion of swing state voters unwilling to support Trump if convicted.

Republican strategist Matthew Bartlett highlighted the clash between courtroom trials and the campaign trail, emphasizing the polarization of opinions regarding Trump’s legal issues.

The hush money case, among the four criminal indictments against Trump, stands out for its potential impact on his political future. Apart from this case, Trump faces federal charges related to mishandling classified materials post-presidency and allegations of attempting to subvert the 2020 election in Georgia.

Furthermore, a conviction could impede Trump’s ability to cast a ballot in Florida for the 2024 election, presenting a paradoxical situation for the former president.

With the trial expected to run for several weeks, Trump’s campaign must adapt to the scheduling constraints, relying on weekend events, virtual engagements, and media coverage to maintain momentum.

While Trump navigates legal challenges, President Biden must leverage the situation strategically, balancing engagement with the campaign while addressing accusations of political bias.

An acquittal in New York could strengthen Trump’s position, potentially influencing perceptions of his other legal battles and boosting his chances in the upcoming election.

However, the timeline for the trial’s conclusion remains uncertain, with potential delays and complications along the way. Democrats are hopeful that prolonged legal proceedings will deflate Trump’s campaign, allowing Biden to consolidate support.

Despite the possibility of a conviction, experts suggest that prison time is improbable in this case. Regardless, a conviction would pose significant hurdles for Trump’s political aspirations, although it wouldn’t necessarily preclude him from seeking office.

Reflecting on the unprecedented nature of the situation, experts underscore the gravity of the charges against Trump, all intertwined with his tenure as a politician. Will Thomas, a professor at the University of Michigan, remarked on the extraordinary circumstances, emphasizing the historical significance of a former president facing multiple criminal indictments.

The ongoing trial in Manhattan carries profound implications for Trump’s political future, shaping public perception and potentially altering the course of the 2024 presidential race.

House Passes $95 Billion Package for Military Aid, Humanitarian Assistance: What’s Inside?

Staff ReporterDiplomacy, Global 0

The $95 billion package recently approved by the House, poised for Senate approval next week, is set to address various international concerns, including military aid for Ukraine and Israel, replenishing U.S. weapons systems, and providing humanitarian assistance to Gaza. President Joe Biden has committed to promptly signing the package upon receipt.

The breakdown of the spending is as follows:

For Ukraine and U.S. weapons stockpiles, approximately $61 billion is allocated. This includes a substantial $13.8 billion designated for the purchase of weapons by Ukraine. Additionally, Ukraine is slated to receive over $9 billion in economic assistance through “forgivable loans.”

Israel is set to receive about $26 billion in support, with a portion earmarked for replenishing its missile defense systems. Furthermore, over $9 billion is allocated for humanitarian aid in Gaza, particularly pertinent given the recent Israel-Hamas conflict.

Approximately $8 billion is allocated for bolstering U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific region and countering China. This includes over $3.3 billion for submarine infrastructure and development, along with an additional $1.9 billion to restock U.S. weapons provided to Taiwan and other regional allies.

This comprehensive package aims to address key international concerns while reinforcing strategic alliances and promoting stability in various regions.

Trump’s Vice Presidential Pick: A Golden Ticket to GOP’s 2028 Presidential Race

Staff ReporterUSA 0

Former President Trump’s choice for his running mate in the upcoming November election holds immense significance, potentially serving as a gateway to the GOP’s presidential candidacy in 2028. Unlike traditional scenarios where a vice president would typically wait eight years before pursuing the presidential nomination, Trump’s selection could instantly elevate the chosen candidate as a frontrunner for the GOP nomination in just four years. This unique circumstance underscores the exceptional weight of Trump’s decision this year.

Alex Conant, a figure from Senator Marco Rubio’s 2016 campaign, emphasizes the significance, stating, “To the extent that whoever he picks as vice president could be the presumptive front-runner four years from now, it’s a bigger deal than normal.” This potential nominee not only carries the prospect of assuming the presidency but also inheriting the mantle of the MAGA movement that has reshaped the Republican Party under Trump’s leadership.

While loyalty remains a paramount criterion for Trump in selecting his running mate, the contenders vying for his favor are acutely aware of the extraordinary opportunity this decision presents. Younger Republicans, in particular, perceive this as a chance not just for the vice presidency but as a strategic move towards positioning themselves for the 2028 presidential race.

Among those under consideration is Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who, despite being 58 years old, is viewed favorably due to his strong fundraising abilities and compelling personal narrative as the sole Black Republican in the Senate. Senator JD Vance, another potential contender at 39, has also garnered attention as a staunch Trump ally, although he hasn’t directly discussed the possibility with Trump himself.

Other names circulating as potential future faces of the party include Representative Byron Donalds of Florida, aged 45; Representative Elise Stefanik of New York, aged 39; Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, aged 41; and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, aged 51.

While speculation about the impact on the 2028 race looms large, insiders caution against overestimating its influence on Trump’s decision-making process. Dan Eberhart, a Republican donor, underscores Trump’s prioritization of loyalty over electoral considerations, suggesting that Trump’s choice will primarily reflect on his own image rather than future electoral strategies.

The details of Trump’s vice presidential search remain largely undisclosed, with periodic mentions of candidates on his “short list.” Similar to his approach in 2016, Trump is likely to delay the announcement until closer to the Republican National Convention in July, utilizing the suspense to his advantage for fundraising and media attention.

The anticipation surrounding Trump’s pick echoes the strategic maneuvering seen in the 2020 Democratic cycle, where then-candidate Joe Biden positioned himself as a bridge to the next generation of leaders. However, while Biden’s eventual vice presidential pick, Kamala Harris, was initially seen as a potential frontrunner for 2024, uncertainties have since arisen regarding her presidential prospects.

For Republicans vying for Trump’s endorsement, the stakes are high, offering a potential fast track to the presidential nomination if Trump secures victory in November. However, there’s also a cautionary tale in the fate of former Vice President Mike Pence, whose fallout with Trump over the election results damaged his standing within the party.

As the Republican contenders jockey for position on this year’s ticket, they tread a delicate balance between ambition and loyalty, hoping to avoid the pitfalls that befell Pence in his post-Trump political journey.

Indian American Trailblazers Raja Rajamannar and Dr. Guriqbal Nandra Named Recipients of 2024 Ellis Island Medal of Honor

Staff ReporterUSA, Health 0

The Ellis Island Honors Society (EIHS) has unveiled the distinguished individuals chosen to receive the esteemed 2024 Ellis Island Medal of Honor, a coveted recognition in the United States.

Among the honorees are two Indian Americans: Raja Rajamannar, the Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at Mastercard, and Dr. Guriqbal Nandra, an anesthesiologist based in Chicago.

The medal, bestowed annually since 1986, celebrates Americans—whether native-born or naturalized—who embody and enrich the diverse tapestry of the nation. The recipients will be feted at a grand ceremony on May 18th, hosted in the illustrious Great Hall of Ellis Island.

Raja Rajamannar stands acclaimed for his pivotal role in elevating Mastercard into one of the world’s fastest-growing brands. His leadership has propelled the company to rank among the top 12 most valuable brands globally. Besides his role as the company’s CMO, he also spearheads its healthcare division as its founding president.

His literary work, ‘Quantum Marketing: Mastering the New Marketing Mindset for Tomorrow’s Consumers,’ has garnered widespread acclaim, emerging as a bestseller featured in The Wall Street Journal. Rajamannar’s insights serve as a guiding beacon for marketing luminaries and scholars worldwide. His academic journey includes a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Osmania University and a Master of Business Administration from the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore.

Dr. Guriqbal Nandra, known familiarly as Bal Nandra, is the visionary behind the IV Solution and Ketamine Centers of Chicago. With an illustrious career spanning over two decades, Dr. Nandra has administered nearly 10,000 ketamine infusions, positioning his center as a paragon of excellence and success among ketamine clinics nationwide.

Hailing from Punjab, Dr. Nandra completed his anesthesiology residency at the University of Chicago and pursued his general surgery residency at Spectrum Health-Butterworth Campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He attained his Doctor of Medicine degree from the esteemed University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

IMF and World Bank Reports: Global Economy Dodges Recession, But Disparities Widen Among Nations

Staff ReporterMoney, Economy 0

The global economy has sidestepped the looming threat of a crippling recession, with the IMF revising its forecast for worldwide aggregate growth in 2024 to 3.2%, up from the previous 2.9% estimated in October. The IMF emphasized the remarkable resilience of the global economy, weathering various adverse shocks and “significant central bank interest rate increases aimed at restoring price stability,” with growth primarily driven by advanced economies, notably the U.S., bolstering demand. However, the IMF also highlighted a concerning trend of widening disparities between low-income developing countries and the rest of the world. According to the IMF, “A troubling development is the widening divergence between many low-income developing countries and the rest of the world. For these economies, growth is revised downward, whereas inflation is revised up.” These nations, primarily in Africa, Latin America, the Pacific islands, and Asia, have borne the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, experiencing substantial declines in output relative to pre-pandemic projections and facing challenges in recovery.

Additionally, these struggling economies are burdened with mounting debt service obligations, severely limiting their ability to invest in essential public goods such as education, healthcare, and social safety nets to enhance food security.

In a separate report, the World Bank, the IMF’s counterpart, highlighted a concerning trend whereby half of the world’s 75 poorest countries are experiencing a widening income gap with the wealthiest economies, marking a “historic reversal” in development. According to the World Bank Group’s Chief Economist Indermit Gill, these countries, home to a quarter of humanity, including 1.9 billion people, and 90% of those facing hunger or malnutrition, are grappling with what he terms potentially “a lost decade.” Gill lamented the lack of attention from the rest of the world, noting that many governments in these nations are paralyzed by debt distress.

Drawing attention to success stories like South Korea, China, and India, which transitioned from borrowers to economic powerhouses and now contribute to the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s chief economist stressed the importance of financial support from wealthier nations to the poorest countries. He emphasized that global prosperity and peace require tapping into every reservoir of economic potential, underscoring the imperative of not turning away from a quarter of the world’s population.

The global economy has managed to evade the looming threat of a severe recession, as highlighted by the IMF’s recent adjustment of its 2024 worldwide aggregate growth forecast to 3.2%, up from the previous projection of 2.9% made in October. This positive revision underscores the remarkable resilience displayed by the global economy, which has weathered various adversities, including “significant central bank interest rate increases aimed at restoring price stability,” while largely sustaining its growth momentum. Notably, the growth has been primarily driven by advanced economies, with the United States taking the lead in bolstering demand.

Despite these encouraging signs, the IMF also sounded a note of caution regarding the widening gap between low-income developing countries and the rest of the world. According to the IMF, “A troubling development is the widening divergence between many low-income developing countries and the rest of the world. For these economies, growth is revised downward, whereas inflation is revised up.” This divergence is particularly concerning for nations in Africa, Latin America, the Pacific islands, and Asia, which have endured significant setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are currently grappling with the challenges of recovery.

Adding to their woes, these struggling economies are burdened by mounting debt obligations, severely limiting their capacity to invest in crucial public goods such as education, healthcare, and social safety nets aimed at improving food security.

In a separate report, the World Bank echoed these concerns, highlighting a troubling trend where half of the world’s 75 poorest countries are experiencing a widening income disparity with the wealthiest economies, marking a “historic reversal” in development. Chief Economist Indermit Gill emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that these countries, home to a quarter of humanity and 90% of those facing hunger or malnutrition, are currently facing what he terms potentially “a lost decade.” Gill expressed disappointment at the lack of attention from the international community, pointing out that many governments in these nations are grappling with debt-related challenges.

Drawing attention to success stories such as South Korea, China, and India, which have transitioned from borrowers to economic powerhouses and are now contributing to the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s chief economist stressed the importance of financial support from wealthier nations to the poorest countries. He emphasized that achieving global prosperity and peace necessitates leveraging every possible source of economic potential, underscoring the urgency of not ignoring a quarter of the world’s population.

Venki Ramakrishnan Discusses Consequences Of Aging

Staff ReporterHealth 0

Nobel Prize-winning molecular biologist Venki Ramakrishnan sat down with ABC News Live to discuss the science and ethics of extending the human lifespan.  In his new book, “Why We Die: The New Science of Aging and the Quest for Immortality,” Ramakrishnan explains why we may not want to lengthen our lives much longer.

Ramakrishnan’s thought-provoking argument is that a society where people lived for hundreds of years could potentially become stagnant, as it would consist of the same group of people living longer, raising important questions about societal dynamics and progress.

He discussed the cycle of life and why we die.

ABC NEWS LIVE: If you think it might be wonderful to live forever, you may want to hear what a Nobel Prize-winning molecular biologist has to say that could change your mind. Venki Ramakrishnan has examined the latest science, weighed the possibilities and researched the ethical cause of lengthening our lifespans in his new book, ‘Why We Die The New Science of Aging and the Quest for Immortality.’ Doctor, thank you so much for joining us.

ABC NEWS LIVE: So humans now live twice as long as we did 150 years ago. But you raise some, some caveats to why we may not want to lengthen our lives that much longer. Why is that?

RAMAKRISHNAN: Well, I think a society where everybody lived indefinitely or very long time, say, hundreds of years would be a very different society. It would be quite stagnant. It’d be the same group of people just living longer and longer.

You wouldn’t have that turnover between generations. You know, maybe new ideas, things like that. But I think that’s still in the realm of science fiction. I think biology is looking at the causes of aging, and that’s allowing us to tackle some of these causes. But most of the focus is how to live healthily for longer, because all developed societies are living longer lives.

So we’re having more and more older people well past retirement. And we want to see how can we keep older people healthy and productive, you know, and energetic and and actually lively. So I think a lot of biology is trying to understand those causes so we don’t suffer some of the debilitating consequences of aging.

ABC NEWS LIVE: Explain why it is that sometimes our biological age doesn’t match our chronological age.

RAMAKRISHNAN: That’s because aging you can think of as an accumulation of damage as over time. And we have very sophisticated repair mechanisms, and we have ways to deal with the problems of old age, of the accumulation of damage, accumulation of garbage in the cells. We have recycling mechanisms and all those things break down. And the rate at which they break down is different for different people.

ABC NEWS LIVE: Explain the new research, though, that talks about how there are certain blood markers that indicate why people age faster than others, and we could say this is separate from drinking and smoking or lack of sleep.

RAMAKRISHNAN: Yeah. So blood — there are different markers for aging. So some markers are on our DNA. Our DNA acquires marks called epigenetic marks as we age. And that changes the pattern with which we express different genes.

So it changes how our biology works. There are also markers in our blood. And this was found because when they connected an old animal with a young animal and allowed them to exchange their blood supply, the old animal benefited from the young blood. And that suggested these things in younger blood that deteriorate or don’t exist or have changed in older blood. And people are trying to find what those markers are.

ABC NEWS LIVE: Let’s say in the next few decades, we’re able to come up with cure for, for cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes. What’s the best-case scenario, do you think, for the longevity of human life?

RAMAKRISHNAN: So someone did a calculation. And if we eliminated some of the major causes of fatality today, like the things you mentioned, you would only gain about 15 years. But what biologists think is if you tackle the underlying causes of aging, then you could really, expect to, live a longer and healthier life.

ABC NEWS LIVE: Really fascinating. Doctor, we thank you so much for joining us. Want to let our viewers know “Why We die? The New Science of Aging and the Quest for Immortality” is now available wherever books are sold.

India Is Our Strategic Partner, World’s Largest Democracy: US

Staff ReporterIndia, USA 0

US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller has said that India is the world’s largest democracy and an important strategic partner of Washington.

His remarks came while answering a question on recent reports critical of the Indian government ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in the country.

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

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

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

CM Kejriwal was arrested in connection with a corruption case linked to the alleged excise policy scam. Taking a strong exception to the comments of the US State Department, India had said, “We take strong objection to the remarks of the Spokesperson of the US State Department about certain legal proceedings in India.

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

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

EAM Jaishankar Expresses Concerns Regarding Indian Student Killings In America

Staff ReporterEducation 0

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

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

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

“I do share the worry. Even if they are unconnected, we have told embassies to keep in close touch with them. Whenever new students come, they should talk to them. In new cities, there are some pockets where you have to tell people that they should not go and also to convey not to take foolish risks. We have presently 11 to 12 lakh students studying abroad in different countries,” he said.

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

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

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

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

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

South Asia Peace Activists Committed To Regional Dialogue And Harmony

Staff ReporterCommunity, India 0

“If France and Germany can be part of the European Union, why can’t Pakistan and India be part of a South Asian Union?” asked Dr Mubashir Hasan, former finance minister of Pakistan and a founder of the Pakistan-India People’s Forum for Peace and Democracy.

The former hawk-turned-dove was talking to journalist Beena Sarwar in Lahore, and when she said it sounded impossible, he replied, “Par hum baat toh kar sakte hai” (But we can at least talk about it).

Years later, in 2021, during a time of renewed tensions between Pakistan and India, she remembered the words of her late mentor who had passed away in January 2020. This idea is what lies behind the foundation of the Southasia Peace Action Network. Writing the abbreviation like a word, Sapan, rather than in all caps, conveys the meaning of a dream.

This is a dream that connects millions, giving hope for solidarity, peace, and friendship in the region. The network, which encourages dialogue and connections amongst South Asians and across various issues, has managed to virtually overcome borders and build bridges between those who have historically been divided.

Commitment to dialogue

The idea of meeting each other without the hassle of obtaining visas was a resilient attempt at peace and friendship. At the third anniversary of Sapan last weekend, commemorated at a virtual event live over Zoom and YouTube, organisers reviewed Sapan’s achievements in the past three years, presented by youth activist Sarita Bartaula from Nepal. Well known feminist activist Khawar Mumtaz in Lahore who hosted the milestone event, highlighted the organisation’s ongoing commitment to fostering dialogue and understanding.

South Asia Peace Activists Committed To Regional Dialogue And Harmony (SAM)
Picture: SAM

Participants looked back and looked forward. The brief ‘In Memoriam’ paid tribute to giants in the peacebuilding sphere, like Dr Mubashir Hasan, Nirmala ‘Didi’ Deshpande, journalists Kuldip Nayar and I.A. Rehman, human rights lawyer Asma Jahangir and many others. There was a special tribute to members of the ‘peacemongers’ tribe who have recently passed on, like journalist Babar Ayaz in Karachi, senior activist Radhakant Saxena of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties, Jaipur, and not least, former Indian Navy chief L. ‘Ramu’ Ramdas, a founder member of Sapan and a longtime peace and anti-nuclear activist.

The ‘peacemongers’ vowed to not only continue talking to each other, but to continue talking until they achieve their dream, their Sapan, of a South Asia with soft borders, or at least, ease of visas.

The past three years of Sapan activities and connection-building are a testament to the unwavering support and faith for the ideals enshrined in the three-point Founding Charter. Nearly 80 organisations and hundreds of individuals in the region and beyond have endorsed this call for soft borders, healthy cooperation, and dignity for all in the South Asian region.

As the saying goes, “The heart wants what it wants”. This is reflected in Sapan’s concentrated, consistent efforts with a Whatsapp channel, dedicated ‘Peacemongers’ groups, regular monthly webinars, campaigns, and consistent check-ins, campaigning for peace and harmony in South Asia.

Art beyond borders

The second part of the meeting featured a thought-provoking discussion on art and artists beyond borders. The panelists included acclaimed artists Salima Hashmi, Manmeet Walia, and Roshan Mishra, joining from Pakistan, India, and Nepal respectively. They recognized how art is a thread that connects artists across the South Asian region because it is expressed in the language, known to all.

“Through Art, we reflect each other,” said Roshan Mishra, emphasising our ‘sameness’ in the ‘other’.

The event concluded with a ‘solidarity song’ written by the iconic Southasian feminist Kamla Bhasin, “Tumhara sath milne se” (With your support), sung by three generations of Bangladeshi feminists led by the feminist activist Khushi Kabir, together with Sohanna Ahmed and Bipasha Saed. With this song, there was a mutual recognition that we may have a million miles to go, but at least we have started, and we are in it together.

The virtual anniversary event brought together a diverse range of intergenerational peacemongers, including supporters, experts, members, volunteers, and friends. After the recording stopped, many lingered on to catch up with each other, meet new friends, and express their support.

Seniormost was probably Vasanth Pai, 92, in Bangalore. He has been part of the peace movement since 2010 when he was involved as a volunteer with Aman Ki Asha (Hope for Peace). From Islamabad, human rights activist and former Pakistani senator Farhatullah Babar also stayed on to express his solidarity and support. And that’s why “Hum Baat Karte Rahenge: We will continue to talk” is so powerful.

(The author is an Indian-origin peace activist from Jaipur, with a masters in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Manchester, UK. She is currently based in Manchester and is a volunteer with Sapan. Views are personal. By special arrangement with Sapan News)

Read more at: https://www.southasiamonitor.org/medley/dream-connects-millions-south-asia-peace-activists-committed-regional-dialogue-and-harmony

The U.S. Vetoes Resolution to Upgrade Palestine’s U.N. Membership

Staff ReporterWorld 0

The U.S. blocked on Thursday a draft resolution that would have allowed the United Nations General Assembly to vote on allowing a Palestinian state to become a full member state of the U.N. The move has triggered backlash from other states and pro-Palestinian groups, as global divisions continue to sharpen over Israel’s war on Gaza.

The U.S. was the only nation in the 15-member U.N. Security Council to vote against the resolution. Twelve—including Russia, China, France, and Japan—voted in favor, while two—the U.K. and Switzerland—abstained.

On April 2, the Palestinian Authority again submitted a request to reconsider its 2011 request for full U.N. membership. The U.S. has been urging the Palestinian Authority not to press ahead for a U.N. vote—pressure that was ignored by Abbas.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said in a statement that “the Biden administration should be ashamed and embarrassed” of its “unjust veto.” The Muslim advocacy group also criticized what it says are limits of the U.N. Security Council in addressing conflict.

“For decades, the UN Security Council has failed to prevent unjust wars and genocide around the world,” the statement said. “The world should no longer accept a flawed system in which five nations can exercise veto power over the affairs of more than eight billion people, including nearly two billion Muslims who are not represented among the five permanent members.”

The U.N. Security Council was established in 1945 to maintain international peace and security, as well as to recommend new U.N. members to the General Assembly. It consists of 10 rotating members elected on two-year terms and five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the U.K., and the U.S.). A typical resolution in the Security Council requires affirmative votes from nine members to pass, though any of the five permanent members reserve veto power.

Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan expressed disappointment at the number of countries that have supported the Palestinian request. “Regardless of the Palestinians’ failure to meet the necessary criteria for UN membership, most of you sadly decided to reward Palestinian terror with a Palestinian State,” he said. “It’s very sad because your vote will only embolden Palestinian rejectionism even more and make peace almost impossible.”

Riyad Mansour, a Palestinian-American diplomat and the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the U.N., thanked those who voted in favor of the request and reiterated his people’s resolve. “The fact that this resolution did not pass will not break our will, and it will not defeat our determination,” he said. “We will not stop in our effort. The State of Palestine is inevitable. It is real. Perhaps they see it as far away, but we see it as near, and we are the faithful.”

The U.S. has found itself increasingly isolated by the international community because of its support of Israel. But as the human costs of the conflict in Gaza mount, President Joe Biden has also gradually shifted his tone towards his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, calling Netanyahu’s approach to the war a “mistake.” The U.S. vetoed calls at the U.N. for a humanitarian ceasefire for months, but one was eventually passed in March, after the U.S. abstained from voting. Still, the U.S. has maintained its support for Israel, helping it recently shoot down missiles from Iran and vowing “ironclad commitment to the security of Israel.”

Trump Leads Biden In Latest National Poll

Staff ReporterUSA 0

Former President Trump is leading President Biden among potential voters in the upcoming presidential election, an Emerson College Polling national survey released Thursday found, with Biden’s polling rate dropping since early April.

Trump leads Biden 46 percent to 43 percent, according to the poll. Support for Biden dropped 2 percentage points since the previous Emerson College poll in early April, while Trump’s polling stayed at 46 percent.

Another 12 percent reported being undecided, according to Thursday’s results. When undecided voters were pressed to pick a candidate, Trump’s support rose to 51 percent, while Biden’s climbed to 48 percent.

When independent candidates were thrown into the mix, support for Trump dropped to 44 percent and 40 percent for Biden. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. received 8 percent of support, another 8 percent reported being undecided, and 1 percent supported Cornel West.

Among issues that voters cited as most critical in forming their opinion of each candidate were the economy and immigration. When asked about specific economic issues, 70 percent said they think the cost of living is rising, and that 70 percent was more likely to support Trump over Biden, the survey found.

“Voters who think the cost of living is rising support Trump over Biden, 56% to 32%,” said Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling. “Those who feel the cost of living is easing or staying the same support Biden over Trump, 94% to 6% and 67% to 18%”

The Israel-Hamas war also came up as a point of contention among the polled voters, with a plurality of voters, 44, percent, saying they feel they’re not getting the full picture when it comes to the war.

“Perceptions of receiving accurate war information show a significant split,” Kimball said. “Biden leads among those who think they are getting accurate information (53% to 36%), while Trump leads among skeptics (53% to 38%). Those unsure are divided, with 44% leaning toward Trump and 42% toward Biden.”

The Emerson College Polling survey was conducted April 16-17 among 1,308 registered voters and has a 2.6 percent margin of error.

Repr Thanedar Condemns Religious Violence

Staff ReporterCommunity 0

Rep. Shri Thanedar exclusively appeared on HinduPACT’s HinduLounge show hosted by Tejal Shah (Convenor Hindu Mandir Empowerment Council and Jt. Gen. Secy. World Hindu Council of America, VHPA) and Sudha Jagganathan HinduLounge co-host and a prominent American Hindu community organizer this week, emphasizing the critical need to protect personal freedoms and take serious actions against incidents that undermine the freedom to practice one’s religion. Highlighting the challenges faced by the Hindu community, Rep. Thanedar discussed the underutilization of government programs by the community, including Homeland Security grants that support sophisticated security systems for religious institutions during special events.

Rep. Thanedar firmly stands against terrorism, violence, and vandalism, condemning these acts as direct attacks on peaceful religious practices. He pointed out that while Hindu dharma is a peaceful religion, its passive nature is often mistakenly perceived as a weakness. This perception underscores the urgency for increased involvement of the Hindu community in mainstream politics and activism to safeguard their own freedoms and those of future generations.

In his commitment to combating Hinduphobia and hate crimes, Rep. Thanedar has introduced Resolution HR 1131 and formed a Hindu caucus in the U.S. House. He advocates for greater civic involvement among Hindus and stresses the importance of building strong relationships with local elected leaders, not only in times of crisis but as a continual effort.

Rep. Thanedar calls on the community to develop political influence, stating, “We must show that we will not tolerate fear and hate, and we will spread the truth about Hindu Dharma.” He also emphasized that this responsibility extends beyond the Congressional Hindu Caucus to every individual within the community.

Lord Ram’s “Road Trips” Through The United States

Staff ReporterCulture, Religion 0

(RNS) — For the past month, four road-trippers have been making their way across the United States, snacking on vegetarian treats and playing Hindu devotional music called bhajans on the car radio.

For the first time in North America, an image of Lord Ram is being paraded from temple to temple on a two-month-long road trip, just in time for the deity’s birthday, Ram Navami.

With them, a very important passenger: the idol of baby Ram, or Ram Lalla. For the first time in North America, Ram Lalla is being paraded from temple to temple on a two-month-long, 16,000-mile road trip, just in time for Ram Navami — the birthday of Lord Ram.

“I bought the van and I said, ‘I’m going to go, anybody wants to join?’” said Amitabh Mittal, joint general secretary of the World Hindu Council of America-VHPA, the group behind the Ram Rath Yatra, or Ram chariot procession. “‘Just be part of it,’ I said. ‘Don’t regret it later.’”

Rather than a chariot, Ram’s normal conveyance in Indian versions of Mittal’s trek, the baby Ram is seated in the back of a decked-out Honda Odyssey, visiting about 14 mandirs, or temples, per day for about 30 minutes at each. From makeshift temples in strip malls to grand architectural feats like the massive new BAPS Robbinsville Mandir in northern New Jersey, Ram and his companions are making history.

“I would say I had a blessing from Shri Ram,” said Manan Raval, one of the four road-trippers. “If he wishes something, he will make it done, and he has willed that Amitabh Mittal called me. It’s all about Shri Ram. I am blessed that he chose me.”

Rath Yatras occur during Hindu festivals throughout India, where deities are charioted through the streets so that the general public can experience a darshan — a mutual look between worshipper and the image of a precious god.

The VHPA, or Vishwa Hindu Parashad of America, is the American arm of one of India’s most powerful religious organizations closely knit with the Hindu nationalist group RSS and its political arm, the Bharatiya Janata Party. These groups frequently support yatras, especially for Lord Ram, who has become one of the most prominent religious figures of the Hindu nationalist movement.

The best known Ram Rath Yatra occurred in 1990, when a political and religious rally was organized by the BJP and VHP to gain support for a temple dedicated to Lord Ram at the site of the 15th-century Babri mosque.

More than 30 years later, the long-awaited mandir has finally been built, dedicated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January, in a promise kept by the popular BJP and Modi, who has touted the mandir’s opening in his reelection campaign.

“At that time, we never dreamed that this was going to happen,” said Raval, who is the head of Bharat TV, an independent media organization covering the Yatra, whose family participated in the 1990 rally. “Even I was like in that opinion, that ‘they’re saying they will but they aren’t able to do it.’ They have proved themselves. “

But this North American journey, VHPA officials say, is less about nationalist politics, and more about unity.

The Ram Rath Yatra in India comprised of visits to more than 500,000 temples, but Mittal is pleased that more than 850 temples on this U.S. tour have made themselves available for a short and sweet darshan. “People say, ‘What? There are that many temples in the U.S.?’” he said. “Thirty years ago, we were struggling to make one temple.”

On Tuesday (April 16), the travelers passed through the Shree Raam Mandir in Tampa, Florida, where devotees wore their festive best and a small child could be seen dressed up as Lord Hanuman, the monkey god who is known to be Ram’s most devoted follower. “It was full of buzz and excitement,” said Premnath Ramsawak, the mandir’s spiritual head.

Ramsawak says he heard of the yatra’s passing through his city only on Sunday. But “when God wants to be somewhere, he sends his messengers to make it happen.”

“He came back on his own birthday,” said Ramsawak, a Trinidadian immigrant who visited Ayodhya for the opening of the Ram temple there. “He came back to see me. Even though he lives in Bharat desh (an alternative name for India), his presence can be felt all the way here.”

Waking up at 6 in the morning and ending the day at midnight is not for everyone, said Mittal; otherwise, he thinks their chariot would be carrying more than four.

“Seriously, people don’t know how strong the Hindu community is here,” he said, pointing to the burgeoning South Asian and Indo-Caribbean Hindu population. “We just don’t show strength, and some people don’t know we exist. There are Hindus in every nook and cranny of the U.S.”

Raval, who founded Bharat TV, an online news service dedicated to “the new India,” started the company to get all Indians united through one thing many are famous for loving: entertainment. His channel runs programming in almost 10 Indian languages and has been live- broadcasting each temple visit and puja, or ritual, along the way. “To be very frank,” he said, “I have never gotten up at 6:30 in my life. But now, I’m always fresh and good to go.”

The group still has about half of the journey to go. But signs and miracles, they say, let the four know they are in the right place. Raval, one of the car’s drivers, narrowly avoided a collision with a loose tire that spun off a truck on the highway, a near miss he credits to God. And Mittal, who felt the urge to go to the bathroom and ended up in a gas station with two young Indian workers, said the girls had “teary eyes” when Mittal brought them out to get a look at the deity in the trunk.

“We were pulled over because Ram wanted to see them, more than they wanted to see Ram,” he said.

For Catherine Vander Vliet, another passenger who works for Bharat TV, the journey has already made her a “different person,” meeting people she would have never met otherwise, whom she credits with introducing her to the “patience, warmth, and perseverance” of the Hindu faithful. Americans like her, she says, “don’t know the real Bharat.”

“At the end of the day, we’re all one no matter who we say our prayers to,” she said. “They’re doing the same thing that we’re doing, they’re putting their heart and their soul into their God. That’s the same thing I do when I go to church.

“Maybe all the things I’ve done in my life have led to this.”

Mohanlal And Shobana To Star In Renjith Directed Movie

Staff ReporterEntertainment 0

The most successful duo of Mohanlal and Shobana is making a comeback as shooting for Malayalam superstar Mohanlal’s 360th film commences on Monday in the state.

Shobana herself announced this, expressing her happiness, and noted that this would mark their 56th film together.This marks the 14th film produced by Renjith for his own Rejaputra films.

Actor Shobana and Mohanlal who are celebrated as Mollywood’s evergreen couple onscreen is all set to reunite in this epic film.

“The director is Tharun Moorthy. Can you guess who is the hero? Yes, it is none other than Mohanlal. It is Lalji’s 360th film. Would like to wish him all the best. This is our 56th film together. So, I am super excited. Just hope everyone loves the film,” the charismatic actor said.

Mohanlal and Shobana were last seen in Mampazhakalam. The two of them have starred in several movies including ‘Thenmavin Kombathu’, ‘Pavithram’, and Manichithrathazhu.

Netizens went gaga over the announcement. “After a long time, the legendary pair is rejoining,” commented one user. “Omggg this is such big news I’ve wanted this to happen since a freakin long time! I literally can’t wait to see you two back on screen,” another user commented. Yet another user wrote, “What a legend to have completed 40 years, and then gifting us another film. Bro we’d been waiting to see you. Thank you and God bless you.”.

While Shobana took a bit of a hiatus from acting and has been busy with stage performances, Mohanlal has gone on to act in several movies. He was last seen in Malaikottai Vaaliban. He will soon be seen in Barroz, which also stars Guru Somansundaram and Komal Sharma.

The film depicts Mohanlal portraying the role of a taxi driver, reminiscent of roles that propelled him to superstar status. Directed by Tarun Murthy, with the story penned by K.S. Sunil and cinematography by Shaji, the film features popular comedian turned character actor Jagdish in a significant role. The film is expected to hit the theatres during Puja holidays in October.

ZEE5 Global Presents Newsroom Drama Series, ‘The Broken News S2’ Starring Sonali Bendre, Jaideep Ahlawat And Shriya Pilgaonkar

Staff ReporterEntertainment 0

ZEE5 Global, the world’s largest streaming platform for South Asian content, unveiled the trailer of the second season of its much acclaimed series, ‘The Broken News’ today. The show which is based on the BBC Studios format ‘Press’ is directed by Vinay Waikul and written by Sambit Mishra.

The new season will see Sonali Bendre, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Shriya Pilgaonkar reprise their roles as Ameena Qureshi, Dipankar Sanyal and Radha Bhargava respectively. Returning after a gap of two years, the new season will see the fight for ideologies between the two broadcast news channels, ‘Josh 24×7’ and ‘Awaz Bharti’ scale new heights and will premiere on 3rd May, exclusively on ZEE5 Global.

In this thrilling new season, the ‘sach’ versus ‘sansani’ battle escalates beyond the newsroom, evolving into a personal struggle for survival.

The upcoming season produced by BBC Studios Productions India will continue to capture the fictional lives, lies, loves, and struggles of journalists and their battle between truth and sensationalism. The upcoming chapter marks the homecoming of many actors such as Faisal Rashid, Indraneil Sengupta, Sanjeeta Bhattacharya, Taaruk Raina, among others. Additionally, the new season will see the entry of actors – Akshay Oberoi, Suchitra Pillai and Geetika Vidya Ohlyan in pivotal roles.

The trailer for the second season features Radha Bhargava, previously incarcerated due to Sanyal, now released on bail. She is poised for a comeback, determined to cleanse the broadcasting system by dismantling Dipankar and his manipulative tactics. Recognizing that unbiased news reporting alone cannot combat Josh 24×7’s propaganda, she is prepared to engage in unorthodox methods to purge the corrupt system.

In Radha’s absence, Ameena shoulders the responsibility of fighting the ‘Sach’ battle alone, venturing into the streets to uncover truth amidst personal risk. Dipankar’s brand of ‘sansani’ news dominates TRPs but he is compelled to utilize his ‘sansani’ ideology to sway public opinion and further his personal and corporate agendas. However, the pertinent question remains the same: Breaking news ki race mein ab break hoga har rule! Jab sach bhi bane sansani, kya Dekhaga India?

Actor Sonali Bendresaid, “The Broken News will always be special to me as it marked my OTT debut. We truly were ecstatic with the response to the first season and I am glad that we are returning with another season. In the first season, Ameena and Radha were a team however, in this new season, Ameena will be fighting the battle for ‘Sach’ on her own. Working with the wonderful team at ZEE5 Global, BBC and our director Vinay Waikul has also been a true pleasure. He’s a visionary director who has poured his heart and soul into ensuring that viewers remain engaged and hooked throughout. I’m thrilled for the show to release on ZEE5 Global and can’t wait for audiences to see and react to what we’ve created. I am confident that everyone will enjoy watching season 2 as much as we enjoyed making it.”

Actor Jaideep Ahlawat said, “I am thrilled to dive back into the world of ‘The Broken News’ for its second season on ZEE5 Global. This time around, viewers can expect more newsroom drama, action and lines getting blurred as things get personal. Playing Dipankar has been a true delight and it was great getting back together with the gang of The Broken News. I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing how the audiences’ receive Season 2 on ZEE5 Global.”

Actor Shriya Pilagoankarsaid, “I couldn’t be more thrilled for the return of ‘The Broken News’ on ZEE5 Global. This show holds a special place in my heart, and I’ve been eagerly anticipating its comeback for quite some time now. The dynamic between Radha and Dipankar is going to be intensely personal this season, as they both strive to outmaneuver each other at every turn. It’s going to be a rollercoaster ride for the viewers, with twists and turns keeping them guessing until the very end. Working alongside Jaideep sir and Sonali ma’am has been an incredible experience for me. They are both powerhouses of talent, and I’ve learned so much from sharing the screen with them. I can’t wait for audiences to see the magic that we’ve all created together.”

Director Vinay Waikul said, “I am thrilled to direct another season of The Broken News, bringing the high pressure and dynamic environment of newsrooms and the battle between truth and sensationalism to audiences again. The first season was immensely appreciated by all and this season promises to keep audiences engaged as we take this newsroom drama to the next level. I am thankful to the producers, writer, talented actors and crew members for making this show a memorable experience”.

ZEE5 Global is the digital entertainment destination launched by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), a global Media and Entertainment powerhouse. The platform launched across 190+ countries in October 2018 and has content across 18 languages. The platform brings together the best of Originals, Movies and TV Shows, Music, Health and Lifestyle content in one destination. In addition, ZEE5 Global offers features like 15 navigational languages, content download options, seamless video playback and Voice Search. The platform also recently launched ZEE5 Global Add-ons in the US where one can access and subscribe to multiple South Asian streaming platforms like Chaupal, Oho Gujarati, NammaFlix, Simply South and iStream all in one single destination, ZEE5.

ZEE5 Global Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZEE5GlobalCorp

ZEE5 Global LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ZEE5 Global/

India Votes To Elect Lok Sabha’s 102 Seats In 21+ States

Staff ReporterIndia 0

After months of build-up, the Lok Sabha polls got underway with 102 seats spread across 21 states voting. This marks the beginning of a rigorous electoral battle. Tens of millions of Indians have voted on the first day of a staggered general election that ends on June 1ST, 2024.

Almost a billion people are eligible to cast their ballots in a seven-phase election to the 543-seat lower house of parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is seeking a third consecutive term.

Eleven states and Union Territories completed voting on Friday, April 19th, 2024. The states that voted today included all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu, all five seats in Uttarakhand, 12 constituencies in Rajasthan, five in Maharashtra, and all seats in six Northeastern states and three UTs. The Assemblies in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are also going to polls. Of the 102 seats, 18 are reserved for Scheduled Castes and 11 for Scheduled Tribes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking his third consecutive term, while the opposition bloc-INDIA- a coalition of opposing parties formed to take on the BJP in the general elections, is eyeing ousting him from power.

The 2024 elections are taking place at a time when opposition leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, have been arrested on charges of corruption in the liquor policy case.

The opposition has alleged that they have been denied a level playing field, a charge denied by the ruling BJP. The Congress party also alleged that income tax authorities froze their accounts weeks before the elections and blamed the ruling party at the Centre.

India Votes To Elect Lok Sabha’s 102 Seats In 21+ States (Britanica)

The BJP centered its campaign on PM Modi’s popularity. Even its election manifesto emphasized Modi’s “guarantees” while seeking another term. The Congress-led INDIA bloc focused on issues like unemployment, farmers’ distress, and price rise amid its tussle for seat arrangements among allies.

In Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, with DMK-led alliance looking to continue its dominance and the BJP eyeing to make a mark in the Tamil region. About 6.23 crore voters will decide the fate of about 950 candidates on these 40 seats.

In Uttar Pradesh, with eight of the 80 seats voting today, UP sees a three-way contest among the NDA, INDIA bloc, and BSP. The election campaign in UP saw the BJP consolidating its Hindutva brand with events like Surya Tilak of Ram Lalla’s idol in the newly constructed temple in Ayodhya, while the Opposition bloc described their electoral campaign as a fight to save India’s Constitution.

In Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, four of the 40 seats in Bihar and six of the 29 LS seats in Madhya Pradesh are voting going to the polls today. In Bihar, the NDA had won all four — Aurangabad, Gaya, Jamui, and Nawada — in 2019.

In Madhya Pradesh, Nakul Nath — former CM Kamal Nath’s son and the richest candidate in the first phase of polls — is fighting to retain the only seat that the Congress had won in 2019 in the state.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the scrapping of Article 370 remains in focus in J&K, whose Udhampur-Doda is voted today. This is the first legislative election in J&K after its special status was revoked, statehood stripped and it was bifurcated into two almost five years ago.

Twelve of the 25 LS seats are going to the polls in Rajasthan in the first phase. All went to the BJP in 2019. In Maharashtra, the focus is on Nitin Gadkari’s seat, Nagpur, housing the RSS headquarters. Of five of the 48 seats voting today, the Congress had one Chandrapur — the only seat the party had won in 2019 in Maharashtra. It’s a high-pitched electoral battle between TMC, BJP, and Left-Congress alliance in the three of the 43 seats going to the polls today.

In the Northeast, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are also voted in their assembly elections.

Of the 102 Lok Sabha seats, in 2019, the parties that now constitute the INDIA bloc and the NDA (in its current configuration) each won 48 of these seats, with the unaligned BSP and AIADMK winning three and one seats, respectively. The undivided Shiv Sena and NCP won a seat each. In terms of the vote share, the parties of the INDIA bloc secured 41.7% across these seats (excluding the five in Maharashtra, owing to the split in the NCP and Shiv Sena) compared to the NDA’s 34%.

In 2019, among these 102 seats that went to the polls today, the BJP alone won 40 of these seats across 12 states, followed by the DMK at 24 in Tamil Nadu, and the Congress at 15 in eight states.

There were 1,625 candidates in the fray on Friday. Given that all seats in Tamil Nadu are going to polls, most of the candidates (950) are from the state. Among the parties, the BSP has fielded the most candidates at 86, followed by the BJP at 77, and the Congress at 56.

Candidate analysis

Of the 251 candidates with criminal cases, 137 are in Tamil Nadu, followed by 28 in Uttar Pradesh. But in terms of the share of candidates with criminal cases, UP tops the first phase list at 35%, followed by Nagaland at 33% and Meghalaya at 30%. Sikkim, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Manipur have no candidates with pending cases. In six of the states and UTs going to polls, more than one-fourth of the candidates are facing cases. The BJP has the highest number of candidates facing cases at 28 among the parties.

A recent pre-poll survey by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) revealed that the foremost concerns for voters in India are price rises and unemployment. The plight of tea garden workers will have a say in Assam as estate workers demand better facilities and wages.

Reportedly, health and education are also among the major demands raised by the estate workers. Assam will be voting in five Lok Sabha seats in the first phase out of the 14 constituencies. Inflation, farmers’ issues, crimes against women, and paper leaks were among the most discussed in states including Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, among others.

Electoral Bonds Scandal In India Speaks Of A Compromised Private Sector

Staff ReporterIndia, Opinion 0

This much should be now clear and settled to any reasonable person – the scheme of electoral bonds was an extortion racket, even if it is granted that – to be charitable to its designers  – that was not the intention with which it was devised. The legalised corruption that the scheme unleashed will be studied and analysed for a long time and will go down as a milestone in the history of scandals, one that leaves nothing to the imagination given the remarkable and audited documentation that it leaves behind.

Specifics of the transactions in all their horror, particularly when it comes to a) pharma companies and their donations in the wake of investigations into the quality of drugs, b) assorted investigations that began and stopped after “donations”, one of these kinds leading to the process against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, c) long-pending clearances and other accommodation in favour of business houses against payments and d) a clear path for foreign funds coming in as donations, are just the headline concerns. They point to not only the anti-national character of the scheme but also stand out as an invitation to corruption – an open-door policy that lays out a clear path to tamper with the Indian system.

What can a business leader or a vested interest not do when the price is known, legal cover is guaranteed, secrecy is written into the law, and the party of the Prime Minister of India is the recipient of the booty? It legitimises the “rate-card” method of corruption that makes rent-seeking an efficient, predictable and quantitative enterprise, only that this one is legalised, works at the highest echelons of power, and gets your job done, whatever that job be. It marks the collapse of India as a modern democratic nation and a firm entry into the territory of a banana republic, with an outer sense of calm barely concealing an inner dealing room where the dirty jobs are done.  This is the inner rottenness of India’s growth story, a self-imposed colonisation of a nation that has lost its standing, never mind the growing GDP.

Deep damage to nation

Electoral Bonds Scandal In India Speaks Of A Compromised Private Sector (South Asain Monitor)

What A R Antulay as chief minister set up in Maharashtra can be described as an early version of the electoral bonds scheme, save that his collections were meant for the poor and not funds to fight elections.  Antulay was forced to resign in 1982 when what was then universally regarded as a monumental scandal about “donations” to trusts he controlled came to light. It was the BJP that filed the case against Antulay, who collected Rs.50-odd crore in trust funds, partly in return for cement allocations to builders at a time of shortages. As the scandal hit the national headlines, the BJP was at the forefront of raising issues of corruption. L K Advani led efforts to highlight the scandal. Today, the same party has reached a stage where its leadership talks of a pro-rata justification of the collections: we got this much with so many MPs versus the amount that the opposition got with fewer MPs, as the attempted justification offered by Home Minister Amit Shah goes.

Yet, the deep damage caused to the nation by electoral bonds is yet to be captured. The bigger twist is that India must come to terms with the realisation that its directional 1991 turn to the era of liberalisation and privatisation has failed. India’s liberalisation was meant to free the private sector from the license-control-Raj, fire up “animal spirits”, the term given to us by John Maynard Keynes, and provide the economic escape velocity to enable us to float high above the so-called Hindu rate of growth. Pre-reforms, businesses kept liaison offices in New Delhi to ease the process of business-government interaction. In one case from a long time ago, the chief executive of Unilever in India was asked to meet Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to help put an end to price control on soap, which had been brought in a desperate bid to control inflation in light of the “oil shock” of the 1970s. None of this would be required after Dr. Manmohan Singh under Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao abolished industrial licensing on July 24, 1991, and declared: “As a whole, the Indian economy will benefit by becoming more competitive, more efficient and modern and will take its rightful place in the world of industrial progress.”

What has this turn yielded? India has GDP growth but government spending remains a significant part of this growth. The private sector still has to and is equally happy and willing to negotiate the corridors of power and pay speed money to those who matter. The ones closest to power have grown the most. Worse, the inefficiencies this builds into the system will not allow the private sector on the one hand to mature and on the other hand to stand up to authority, build governance systems, take bold decisions and the risks that must come with “animal spirits”. Why risk it all when there is a side gate to manage the process?

A handmaiden of government

With a bent spine, it is entrenched players who will continue to rule and what we have in the name of the private sector (barring some exceptions) is money-making at all costs and with the least risks to the money-makers. This cannot be the dream of an India firing away on all cylinders to solve the burning problems of society. It is, therefore, no surprise that with liberalisation, we have built wealth and income inequality higher than that obtained during the British Raj, as the World Inequality Lab’s working paper titled “Income and Wealth Inequality in India, 1922-2023: The Rise of the Billionaire Raj” by Bharti, Chancel, Piketty and Somanchi notes. It should also be clear that India’s private sector has not really matured and remains comfortable only as a handmaiden of the government.

It may therefore not be a stretch to argue that there is not a strong and purposeful private sector worth the name in India. It is no surprise that many Indians still don’t trust private enterprises. In India today the working system is to pay a price, buy peace and make money – the government and those with the means stand together in an anti-people agenda.

(The writer is a journalist and faculty member at SPJIMR, Mumbai. Views are personal. By special arrangement with The Billion Press)

Read more at: https://www.southasiamonitor.org/perspective/electoral-bonds-scandal-india-speaks-compromised-private-sector

7 Persons of Indian Origin on TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People List

Staff ReporterCinema, India, World 0

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

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

“Proud to be included in the 2024 #TIME100 list,” Sakshi wrote on X.

Tom Harper, the director of the streaming film ‘Heart of Stone’, Alia’s first Hollywood project, heaped praises on the actress, calling her a “truly international star”.

“Despite her fame, Alia is self-effacing and funny on sets. There is a grace to the way she goes about her work: focused, open to ideas, and willing to take creative risks. One of my favourite moments in the film came from an improvisation at the end of a take where she took the emotional thread and ran with it.

“Alia’s superpower is her ability to mix movie-star magnetism with authenticity and sensitivity. As an actor, she is luminous, and as a person, she brings the grounded assurance and creativity that make a truly international star.” Alia is the only Bollywood actor to feature in the Time magazine list.

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

The also features singer-songwriter Dua Lipa, Oscar-awardee American actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Oscar-nominated actors Jeffrey Wright and Colman Domingo.

Also featured in the list are film personalities Taraji P Henson, Elliot Page, Michael J. Fox, Sofia Coppola, and Hayao Miyazaki.

British actor Dev Patel, whose parents are Indian, also finds himself on the list.  Patel, who rose to fame in “Slumdog Millionaire,” recently made his directorial debut with “Monkey Man.”  Oscar-winning actor Daniel Kaluuya praised Patel in his TIME profile, calling him “limitless” and “fearless.”

Ajay Banga, the current President of the World Bank, is commended for his transformative leadership in tackling global poverty and climate change.  U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen lauded Banga’s “skill and drive” in transforming the World Bank.

Jigar Shah, Director of the US Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office, is recognized for his role in spearheading global economic development initiatives.  Richard Branson noted that Shah leads “one of the largest economic-development programs the world has ever seen.”

Dr. Manju Sheth Among 4 South Asian American and Pacific Islanders Commission’s Unity Awardees

Staff ReporterNews 0

Three Indian Americans and a person of the Nepalese origin are among this year’s Massachusetts Asian American and Pacific Islanders Commission’s annual Unity Dinner awards recipients. The Unity Dinner celebrates the achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders around the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The 16th Annual Unity Dinner will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the University of Massachusetts Boston. The Unit Dinner will honor and recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions by working tirelessly to promote positive change in the communities they serve.

Guest speakers at this year’s event are: Kim Driscoll, Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Deborah B. Goldberg, Massachusetts State Treasurer and Receiver General; Diana DiZoglio, Auditor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and Tackey Chan, State Representative for the Second Norfolk District.

Dr. Manju Sheth, MD: Leadership for Diversity and Inclusion Award

She has been a dedicated physician for over 25 years, with experience at Mass General Brigham, Beth Israel Lahey Health, and Harvard Vanguard/Atrius Health. A physician with a passion for media and community service, Dr. Sheth is also the President of India New England Multimedia, where she created the prestigious New England Choice Awards, honoring prominent South Asian leaders in fields such as business, healthcare, nonprofit leadership, and technology.

Dr Manju Sheth Among 4 South Asian AmericanShe is known for her celebrity interview series Chai with Manju, which recently celebrated its 10 year anniversary and has received millions of views and featured esteemed guests including Indra Nooyi, Sadhguru, Elizabeth Warren, and Joe Kennedy to name a few. Her passion for empowering women is reflected in her work as the Director of Woman of the Year Award Gala for the past 12 years, and her previous work as Chair of the Advisory board of Saheli and with Asian Task Force [ATASK] over the years.

She also serves as the Community Ambassador for Akshaya Patra USA, the world’s largest NGO serving mid-day meals in schools across India.

She strives to bring doctors together and advocate for healthcare, having been past president of the Indian Medical Association of New England [IMANE], served on the Patient Care Advisory Committee of Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare and through co-founding the New England Health Expo at India New England. She served on the steering committee for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Harvard Vanguard/Atrius Health. She served as co-chair of Indian Women’s Physicians Forum.

Most recently, she co-founded Women Who Win, an award-winning nonprofit media platform amplifying the stories of diverse women, which recently published their first book. She has received numerous awards and recognitions for her work including 150 Women of Influence by YWCA and 50 most influential Indian Americans in New England. She resides in Lynnfield Massachusetts with her husband Dipak and has one daughter Shaleen.

KC Pralhad: Lifetime Achievement Award

This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award goes to KC Pralhad, of Nepalese-origin and a certified international human rights consultant with over 30 years of specialized management experience. He brings a wealth of expertise in human rights, political affairs, international relations, law, and related fields.

He has played a pivotal role in a project aimed at promoting human rights awareness in collaboration with a prominent international organization, contributing significantly to the protection and promotion of human rights through targeted initiatives. Additionally, he has contributed to fostering a more inclusive and harmonious community environment within the immigrant community of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

His extensive track record includes leadership roles in projects conducted in partnership with prestigious entities such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Furthermore, he has demonstrated proficiency in diagnosing challenges within the private sector and assisting public and semi-public institutions in implementing policy reforms to address these issues.

Mr. Pralhad excels in cultivating strategic alliances with decision-makers at various levels and empowering international personnel to assume comprehensive project management responsibilities. Beyond his professional commitments, he actively engages in social and community development efforts within the Asian American community in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. His involvement extends to initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life for immigrant populations.

Mohan Nannapaneni: the Unsung Hero Award

Mr. Nannapaneni, co-Founder and CTO of Sigma Systems Inc., is a remarkable entrepreneur and philanthropist with a profound commitment to both the Indian and American communities. He has achieved extraordinary success in the business world, leading Sigma Systems Inc. to become one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in America. However, Mr. Nannapaneni’s impact extends far beyond the business realm.

In the realm of philanthropy, Ms. Nannapaneni has left an indelible mark. His contributions have led to the rebuilding of government schools in India, transforming them into thriving educational institutions. He has provided financial support to numerous students, enabling them to pursue higher education in medical and engineering colleges, including the prestigious IITs. One of his notable contributions is the establishment of TEAM Aid, (www.teamaid.org) a nonprofit organization that focuses on providing assistance to individuals and families affected by catastrophic incidents such as accidents and sudden deaths.

TEAM Aid has emerged as a vital resource, coordinating the transportation of deceased individuals to their respective hometowns across India and 15 other countries. It has become a leading emergency assistance provider within the immigrant community throughout North America. His advocacy skills came to the forefront when he intervened on behalf of over 2,400 students facing deportation when Tri-Valley University was closed, securing their readmission opportunities and protecting their dreams.

In addition to its role in helping families cope with the sudden loss of their loved ones, TEAM Aid, under Mr. Nannapaneni’s leadership, has also extended its support to individuals facing legal issues, especially those dealing with mental health challenges. This organization has rapidly expanded its reach, with more than 2,500 dedicated volunteers across North America and over 20 countries. On average, TEAM Aid now provides assistance to at least a dozen families per week in the USA, demonstrating its commitment to helping those in distress.

Mr. Nannapaneni’s community service efforts have touched the lives of countless individuals and families affected by disasters and emergencies, making TEAM Aid an indispensable resource in times of crisis. His dedication to community service and humanitarian work has earned him numerous service awards and recognitions from teachers’ unions, educational/cultural organizations, city councils, and NGO entities in both India and America. Through his unwavering commitment to TEAM Aid and other charitable causes, Mr. Nannapaneni continues to make a positive and lasting impact on communities worldwide.

Ramakrishna Penumarthy: the Unsung Hero Award

Mr. Penumarthy epitomizes the values of dedication, compassion, and service, which are deeply ingrained in both his personal and professional life. Born and raised with a strong sense of community responsibility, Ramakrishna has dedicated himself to improving the lives of seniors and contributing to various community organizations.

Mr. Penumarthy, the esteemed founder of Volunteering for Seniors, showcases unwavering dedication not only to the welfare of seniors but also actively engages in uplifting the community through his involvement in esteemed organizations like Lions Club, TAGB (Telugu Association of Greater Boston) and Team Aid. His commitment extends beyond senior care, readily stepping in to support the local community whenever needed.

Mr. Penumarthy’s partnership with his wife, Pratima Penumarthy, in founding a volunteering organization focused on senior citizens underscores their shared commitment to making a difference. Together, they have established a thriving community that not only provides practical assistance but also fosters a sense of belonging and happiness among seniors. Their dedication to ensuring seniors lead fulfilling lives is reflected in the diverse range of activities and support services offered by their organization.

Through his selfless actions and tireless efforts, Mr. Penumarthy has touched the lives of countless individuals, fostering a sense of belonging, happiness, and hope. His collaborative spirit, exemplified by his partnership with his wife in founding a volunteering organization for seniors, underscores the power of collective action in creating positive change.

Mouli Pal

Mouli Pal, an exponent of Odissi, a captivating performer, dedicated teacher, choreographer and cultural ambassador, will perform an Odissi dance at the Unity Dinner. She is a regularly presented by prestigious presenters across United States, India and Austria. Her performances include solo concerts at the prestigious Hopkins Center for Arts at Dartmouth College , Yuwa Bharati California, and Trinetra Boston.

Ms. Paul is the founder and director of Upasana a Non profit for promotion and preservation of Odissi. She has received several awards and grants including the New England Foundation for Arts and Mass Cultural Council.

Will Robert F. Kennedy Be A Spoiler In The Presidential Race?

Staff ReporterProfile, USA 0

The 2024 presidential race will almost certainly be very close, especially in the few swing states that could decide the Electoral College vote. Hence, a great deal of attention has been paid to the question of “spoilers”—third party or independent candidates who could pull enough votes from President Joe Biden or former President Donald Trump to keep one of them from winning an important state.

Now that No Labels has decided not to run a presidential candidate, there are three third-party campaigns going on—one by Cornell West, an African American former Harvard professor who is running as an independent, and another by Jill Stein, who ran as the candidate of the Green Party in 2012 and 2016. And finally, the one getting the most attention, and according to polls the most support, is an independent run by environmentalist and anti-vaxxer Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nephew of former President John Kennedy.

For any of these candidates to actually win, they need to first qualify for the ballot in at least enough states to account for 270 electoral votes. That is highly unlikely given the difficulty of getting on ballots in the first place. But for any of these candidates to be a spoiler, they need only get on the ballot in a few swing states. Remember that in Arizona and Georgia in 2020, Biden won by .3% of the vote. When races are that close, third-party candidates can become spoilers.

Of the three most talked about “spoilers,” Jill Stein has the best chance of getting on a large number of state ballots. She is substantially ahead in the delegate count for the Green Party’s virtual convention in July and likely to be the nominee. Because the Green Party has been around since 1984, they have state party organizations, and they have run candidates for office.

1 Even though they don’t have very many winning candidates, they have enough of an infrastructure that as of this writing they claim to be on the ballot in 20 states, and they are running active campaigns in others. In the 2000 presidential race between former Vice President Al Gore and Governor George W. Bush, consumer advocate Ralph Nader was the Green Party candidate on the ballot in Florida. Bush’s lead was less than one percent of the vote. If you assume many of Nader’s voters would have voted for Al Gore, his 1.6% of the vote would have been more than enough to put the state into Gore’s column.

The other “spoiler” candidate, Cornel West, is underfunded and without an institutional infrastructure behind him. So far, he has secured ballot access in only three states: Oregon, South Carolina, and Utah. While many people worry that he could pull votes from Biden in big cities with Black populations in key swing states like Michigan and Pennsylvania, he does not appear, at least yet, to have caught on enough in any swing states to become a spoiler.

Unlike Stein and West, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appears to be closer to becoming a spoiler. Conventional wisdom has that because of his famous name and his environmental work, he will take votes from Biden. However, his anti-vax campaign and his attraction to conspiracy theories have led some to argue that he is also a threat to Trump. So how is Kennedy doing on ballot access? In some states, qualifying for the ballot as a party is easier (fewer signatures) than qualifying for the ballot as a candidate only.

2 Therefore, Kennedy’s strategy has been to create a political party called “We the People” for which he will be the nominee and use it for ballot access in five states—California, Delaware, Hawaii, Mississippi, and North Carolina. Although he is doing better in the polls than all the other third-party candidates, he seems unlikely to be a spoiler in the three heavily Democratic states of California, Delaware, and Hawaii. Nor does he seem likely to be a spoiler in the heavily Republican state of Mississippi.

But North Carolina is a state that Democrats have won in the past and is likely to be very close. There, a Kennedy candidacy could keep Biden from a win. The most recent Quinnipiac poll showed Trump leading by two points in the two-way race in North Carolina and by three points in the five-way, with RFK Jr. getting double-digit support.

Table 1 shows the differences between filing as an independent and filing as part of an organized party establishment in some states.

As Table 2 illustrates we will not know the exact composition of the presidential ballots until sometime this summer. However, Table #2 shows where Kennedy has been successful so far. They claim to have achieved ballot access in — Hawaii, Idaho, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Iowa, and Utah—although Utah is the only state that has confirmed access. In the others, there is either legal or legislative activity around the question of Kennedy’s ballot access. Note that in the eight states where the Kennedy campaign claims to have achieved ballot access, the total is only 51 electoral college votes.

And, in addition to North Carolina, the only other state in this group that is a swing state is New Hampshire. Nonetheless, if Kennedy costs Biden New Hampshire’s four electoral college votes and North Carolina’s 16 electoral college votes, these two states could decide the election. In July, the filing deadlines will pass for Michigan.

In August, the filing deadlines will pass for Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. Every time Kennedy gets on a ballot in a swing state, he comes closer and closer to becoming a spoiler in 2024, and so far, his organization has shown the ability to raise money and meet filing deadlines. No wonder the DNC has begun a campaign to educate voters on Kennedy as a ‘stalking horse” for Trump. And the Biden campaign has chosen to publicize the rest of the Kennedy family’s allegiance to him and the Democratic Party.

Jain Leaders Convene in Chicago to Shape Future of Community in North America

Staff ReporterCommunity, Religion 0

Jain leaders from various corners of the United States converged in Chicago this month to deliberate on the multifaceted challenges confronting their community. Spearheaded by Dipak Jain, the former Dean of Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, this three-day assembly, held from April 5th to 7th, drew over 125 Jain leaders. Among them were representatives from prominent organizations such as the Jain Association of North America (JAINA), Young Jains of America (YJA), Young Jain Professionals (YJP), and Jain International Trade Organization (JITO), along with other Jain centers across the continent.

The primary objective of this gathering, orchestrated by JAINA’s Long Range Planning Committee, was to chart the course for the future of Jainism. In his keynote address, Dipak Jain, the first Jain dean at a North American academic institution, underscored how fundamental Jain principles like ahimsa (non-violence), anekantvad (multiplicity of viewpoints), and aparigraha (simplicity/non-possessiveness) had steered him through a successful career and numerous life hurdles.

“Excellence has no bounds, you can reach any height but there is always more to do. No challenge ahead of you is greater than the force behind you,” he remarked.

Reflecting on the event, Dr. Manoj Jain, chair of JAINA’s Long Range Planning Committee, remarked, “It was an amazing gathering to get leaders, young as well as seasoned, to gather and share as well as debate how to move forward in developing a vision, mission, and strategy for a community of 200,000 Jains in North America.”

Throughout the event’s eight round tables, participants exchanged insights and experiences on a range of topics, including enhancing Jain Center engagement and raising awareness of Jainism among the broader North American populace.

Prem Jain, a former president of JAINA and member of the Long Range Planning Committee, emphasized the importance of translating vision, mission, and strategy into tangible projects on the ground. He stated, “However, having a vision, mission, and strategy is insufficient for a meaningful change. Hence we need projects on the ground.”

The palpable energy and enthusiasm among attendees were evident as they eagerly sought opportunities to put their learnings into action. At the Jain Leadership Forum 2024, participants were treated to fully vegan meals throughout the weekend and had the chance to hear from over 25 Jain Project Champions.

Yogendra Jain, the team lead from Boston, highlighted the significance of the event in providing a solid foundation for new initiatives, fostering synergies, expanding networking opportunities, and delineating a clear roadmap for shaping the future of Jainism in North America. He shared, “For the attendees, Jain Leadership Forum 2024 provided a solid foundation from which to build new initiatives, create synergies, expand on networking opportunities, and define a clear picture of how to shape Jainism’s future in North America.”

Mayur Shah, the team lead from Philadelphia, emphasized the lasting impact of the forum, noting that each participant left equipped with an enhanced toolkit to inspire their local Jain communities to plan for the future and a broader network of Jain leaders to fortify the foundations of the expansive North American Jain community for future generations.

US Backs India’s Bid for UNSC Seat Amid Elon Musk’s Critique

Staff ReporterDiplomacy, Nation 0

The United States has responded to India’s plea for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), initiated earlier this year by Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department, has conveyed his nation’s support for reforms within the United Nations’ structures, aiming to modernize and render them more reflective of the current global scenario.

When questioned about his government’s stance on Elon Musk’s commentary during a press briefing, Patel affirmed, “The President has addressed this issue previously in his speeches to the UN General Assembly, and the Secretary has also made references to it. We unequivocally endorse reforms within the UN institution, including the Security Council, to ensure it mirrors the 21st-century world we inhabit.” Patel further stated, “I don’t have specific details to provide regarding these measures, but we do acknowledge the necessity for reform. However, I will refrain from elaborating further at this time.”

In January, billionaire Elon Musk expressed his view that India’s exclusion from a permanent seat at the UNSC is “illogical.” He expanded on this viewpoint in a social media post, suggesting that this status quo persists due to powerful nations’ reluctance to relinquish their authority.

In a post on X, the Tesla CEO remarked, “There must be a reassessment of the UN bodies at some juncture. The issue lies in the reluctance of those with excessive power to cede it. It’s absurd that India, despite being the most populous nation on Earth, lacks a permanent seat on the Security Council. Additionally, Africa as a whole should also have a permanent seat.”

In alignment with this sentiment, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under the leadership of Narendra Modi, in its election manifesto titled “Sankalp Patra” for the Lok Sabha polls, vowed to actively pursue permanent membership for India in the United Nations Security Council.

The BJP articulated in its election manifesto, “We are dedicated to seeking permanent membership in the UN Security Council to enhance India’s stature in global decision-making.”

President Biden Returns to Scranton Roots, Advocates Tax Fairness in Pennsylvania Campaign Tour

Staff ReporterNation, Politics 0

President Joe Biden embarked on a sentimental journey back to his childhood home in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, initiating a three-day campaign tour across the state by advocating for increased taxes on the affluent and depicting Donald Trump as disconnected from the realities of working-class America.

During his visit, Biden balanced his efforts to counter the populist allure of his Republican predecessor with moments of reflection on his past. He lingered at his former residence, where the stars and stripes fluttered gently on the porch while neighbors gathered beneath blossoming trees and a serene sky. In the backyard, he shared moments with local children, some clad in school uniforms, capturing photographs to commemorate the occasion.

Seeking to bolster his standing in a crucial swing state, Biden began his journey in Scranton, a city deeply intertwined with his political narrative. Against the backdrop of Scranton’s 75,000 residents, the president aimed to shift the dialogue surrounding the economy, which has left many Americans disenchanted amid persistent inflation and high interest rates despite low unemployment rates.

Expressing his desire for a fairer tax system that leaves more money in the pockets of ordinary Americans, Biden contrasted the perspectives of his hometown with the opulent Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where Trump resides. He emphasized his proposal for a 25% minimum tax rate for billionaires, framing taxes as investments in the nation’s future.

“Scranton values or Mar-a-Lago values,” Biden remarked, highlighting the competing economic visions in the upcoming election. He criticized decades of Republican policies that favored tax cuts for the wealthy, labeling them as detrimental to the nation’s prosperity, with Trump emblematic of this failed approach. He humorously remarked on the declining fortunes of Trump’s social media venture, Truth Social, suggesting it might fare better under his proposed tax plan.

Amidst Biden’s address, he condemned Trump’s alleged disparagement of fallen veterans as “suckers and losers,” labeling such remarks as disqualifying for presidential leadership. Later, addressing grassroots organizers at a union hall, Biden stressed the importance of traditional political engagement, emphasizing the necessity of door-to-door outreach.

Throughout his itinerary, Biden’s roots in Scranton were celebrated, with enthusiastic crowds lining the streets to greet his motorcade. Instances of opposition, mainly concerning Biden’s stance on Israel’s military actions in Gaza, were limited.

Reflecting on Biden’s ties to Scranton, local officials praised his enduring connection to the community, portraying him as a leader who remains mindful of his upbringing. As Biden took the stage at the community center, chants of “four more years” reverberated through the crowd, prompting the president to jest about returning home, indicating that he was already there.

Scranton, described by political analyst Christopher Borick as a symbol in American politics, serves as a litmus test for Biden’s electoral appeal. While it aligns with the populist wave of the Republican Party, Biden secured victory in the city and surrounding areas in 2020. Repeating this success in 2024, coupled with minimizing Trump’s margins in rural areas, could pave the way for another triumph in Pennsylvania.

Acknowledging the rising cost of living under Biden’s administration, Republican representatives expressed skepticism about the efficacy of scripted appearances in addressing economic concerns. Trump’s tax cuts in 2017, skewed in favor of the wealthy, are set to expire in 2025, prompting Biden’s push for their extension alongside plans to generate $4.9 trillion in revenue over a decade through higher taxes on the affluent and corporations, including a proposed “billionaire’s tax.”

Biden’s campaign in Pennsylvania coincides with the commencement of Trump’s inaugural criminal trial, presenting both opportunities and challenges for Democrats. While Biden’s team views the contrast between Trump’s legal entanglements and his focus on economic issues favorably, the trial’s potential to monopolize national attention poses a complication.

Despite the backdrop of Trump’s legal woes, Biden refrained from direct mention, opting instead to emphasize the values instilled in him during his upbringing in Scranton, where wealth does not determine one’s worth.

Twitter’s Move Against Manipulated Media: A Step Towards Accountability

Staff ReporterDiplomacy, Social Media 0

In a notable turn of events, Twitter took action against Amit Malviya, the head of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s IT cell, by tagging one of his tweets as ‘manipulated media’. This marks a significant departure as it’s the first instance of Twitter applying restrictive measures against a prominent Indian political figure.

This move comes in the wake of Twitter’s recent policy adjustments aimed at curbing the dissemination of misinformation on its platform. One of the key changes introduced by Twitter is its heightened vigilance towards manipulated media, a policy that was initially outlined in November 2019.

The genesis of this policy can be traced back to Twitter’s recognition of the need to address a broader spectrum of deceptive media practices compared to its counterparts like Facebook. While Facebook primarily focused on combatting deepfakes—videos synthesized from scratch—Twitter’s approach was more encompassing. It took into account user feedback indicating a preference for contextualization over outright removal of manipulated media.

The precedent for such actions was set when Twitter flagged a video posted by then-US President Donald Trump in June 2020. Trump’s tweet featured a clip portraying two toddlers of different races hugging, with a CNN-like chyron falsely insinuating racism. This manipulation was promptly identified by journalists, who clarified that the original story was about the friendship between the children.

In contrast, the tweet by Malviya didn’t involve doctored media but rather an edited clip designed to distort reality. The edited footage, in response to a widely circulated image showing a policeman seemingly striking an elderly farmer during protests, was used by Malviya to propagate a narrative suggesting that the baton didn’t actually make contact with the farmer. Moreover, Malviya dismissed accusations of government violence against peaceful protesters as opposition propaganda.

However, a closer examination of the events, as elucidated by an Alt News article, reveals instances of police resorting to lathi charges against farmers, who retaliated with stone-pelting. Various news outlets reporting from the scene corroborated this, depicting scenes of violent police action in response to farmers breaking blockades.

Twitter’s decision to flag Malviya’s tweet as ‘manipulated media’ hinges on its policy’s emphasis on preventing deceptive usage of media content. The platform’s Synthetic and Manipulated Media policy stipulates that sharing media in a manner intended to mislead or deceive, thereby fostering confusion or misunderstanding, warrants intervention.

While Twitter’s efforts to hold political leaders accountable for misleading content have garnered praise, questions linger regarding the consistency of its application. Internationally, the last instance of Twitter invoking its ‘synthesized or manipulated media’ clause against political figures dates back to September 2019, when it restricted tweets from journalists and government accounts in Cuba following President Miguel Diaz-Canel’s address regarding an energy crisis exacerbated by US sanctions. This move drew criticism, with concerns raised over potential censorship and selective enforcement of platform manipulation policies.

In the Indian context, despite evidence suggesting widespread misuse of social media for propagating misinformation, Twitter’s response has been perceived as inadequate. Reports indicate the existence of thousands of fake accounts amplifying fake news, particularly associated with major political parties like the BJP and Congress. Despite such findings, Twitter has yet to take decisive action comparable to its response in other regions.

Furthermore, Twitter’s compliance with government directives, such as the removal of tweets critical of the Indian government in Kashmir and the withholding of Kashmiri accounts in India, has sparked controversy. Critics argue that such actions raise questions about Twitter’s commitment to free expression and its impartiality in addressing sensitive geopolitical issues.

Moreover, Twitter has faced criticism for its perceived inaction against instances of online abuse, particularly those rooted in misogyny and casteism. This perceived bias has prompted some users to explore alternative platforms like Mastodon in protest.

Twitter’s move to flag Amit Malviya’s tweet as ‘manipulated media’ signifies a step towards holding political figures accountable for deceptive content. However, questions persist regarding the platform’s consistency in enforcing such policies, especially in contexts like India where the spread of misinformation is a pressing concern.

New Legislation in U.S. House Aims to Address ‘Hinduphobia,’ Sparks Debate Over Intent and Impact

Staff ReporterDiplomacy, Opinion 0

A fresh legislative proposal presented in the House of Representatives seeks to denounce “Hinduphobia,” a term utilized by certain Hindu Americans to articulate what they assert as burgeoning anti-Hindu sentiments in the United States.

The bill was put forward by Democratic Representative Shri Thanedar, an Indian American hailing from Michigan. During a press conference on Monday, he delineated what he perceives as an escalating threat to Indian Americans who adhere to Hinduism, the world’s third-largest religion.

“Today I am seeing in the United States a substantial increase of attacks on Hinduism, a lot of misinformation being circulated,” he stated. “Having practiced Hinduism, having grown in a Hindu household, I know what Hinduism is. It is a very peaceful religion … It is not a religion that attacks others, it is not a religion that is aggressive against others.”

Thanedar’s resolution outlines various points, including the House’s acknowledgment of the contributions of Hindus to the U.S. and its condemnation of “Hinduphobia” and anti-Hindu bigotry.

However, progressive Hindu and South Asian groups have voiced apprehension about this legislation, contending that while anti-Hindu sentiment does exist, the term “Hinduphobia” was fabricated by the Indian far-right to stifle criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

“In many cases, instances of anti-Indian sentiment, general xenophobia, or even mistaken Islamophobia are misleadingly labeled as ‘Hinduphobic’ regardless of whether or not there is any evidence to support claims of religious motivation,” remarked Hindus for Human Rights, a progressive civil rights organization, in a news release. “Even worse, claims of ‘Hinduphobia’ have routinely been weaponized to smear anyone — including self-identifying Hindus — who criticizes the current Indian government.”

During his press conference, Thanedar depicted the Hindu community as “inclusive” and asserted that it has been purposefully misrepresented by mainstream media. He also highlighted instances of vandalism on two California Hindu temples with graffiti reading “Modi is a terrorist” and slogans calling for an independent Sikh state.

“We have experienced substantially more events of this kind in recent months, and I have a feeling that this is just the beginning,” he remarked. “This is just the beginning of a very coordinated attempt against this community.”

Thanedar refrained from speculating about the perpetrators of these attacks but urged the FBI, the Department of Justice, and local authorities to intervene.

Modi’s government frequently faces criticism for its human rights record, including assaults on the media and anti-Muslim legislation. It’s also been accused of promoting Hindu nationalism both in India and among the diaspora.

In the U.S., Muslims and caste minorities have reported facing targeted attacks and violence for speaking out against far-right, Hindu nationalist actors aiming to establish India as a Hindu-dominated nation. Hindus for Human Rights contended in its release that Thanedar’s resolution could stifle these conversations by branding them as “Hinduphobic.”

In reality, the organization argued, the primary threat to Indian American immigrants in the U.S. is white nationalism.

“Though it claims to celebrate Hindu Americans and speak for our community’s interests, this resolution does not respond to real concerns about how Hindu Americans are affected by white Christian nationalism in the United States,” the release stated. “Instead, it reflects a longstanding effort by the Hindu supremacist movement in the United States to divide South Asian communities.”

US Urges Dialogue Amid India-Pakistan Tensions; Refrains from Sanctions Discussion

Staff ReporterDiplomacy, Global 0

The latest statement from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding terrorism has drawn a response from the United States. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed a preference for dialogue to resolve the issue between India and Pakistan. “We do encourage both India and Pakistan to avoid escalation and find a resolution through dialogue,” he stated.

Prime Minister Modi, along with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, made remarks during a political rally asserting India’s determination to combat terrorism. In response, Miller emphasized the importance of avoiding escalation and seeking resolution through dialogue, without direct intervention from the US. He said, “We do encourage both India and Pakistan to avoid escalation and find a resolution through dialogue.”

India has consistently maintained its stance against cross-border terrorism, asserting that improving ties with Islamabad cannot come at the expense of addressing terrorism. New Delhi has stressed the responsibility of Islamabad to foster an environment free from terror, hostility, and violence.

Rajnath Singh, speaking in an interview with ANI, urged Pakistan to take decisive action against cross-border terrorism, emphasizing the need for clarity in Pakistan’s intentions.

Regarding the alleged assassination plot of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Miller refrained from discussing the possibility of sanctions against India. He stated, “I am never going to preview any sanction actions, which is not to say that there are any coming, but when you ask me to talk about sanctions, it’s something that we don’t discuss openly.”

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, designated as a terrorist by India, has posed repeated threats against the country. The US Justice Department has indicted Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national currently in custody, with the murder-for-hire of Pannun. The indictment also mentioned the involvement of an Indian government employee, whose identity was not disclosed, in recruiting Gupta to orchestrate the alleged assassination plot. This plot was reportedly thwarted by US authorities. Last year, India established a committee to investigate the allegations surrounding the foiled assassination attempt.

Redefining Success: How Associate Degrees Are Paving the Way to Six-Figure Salaries

Staff ReporterEconomy, Education 0

A conventional four-year bachelor’s degree is no longer the sole path to a lucrative six-figure income. In fact, it’s becoming less prevalent as a default requirement for many employers.

According to a recent article from Yahoo Finance, major companies like Google, IBM, Tesla, General Motors, Delta Airlines, and Apple are among those ditching the traditional college degree prerequisite in favor of skills-based recruitment. This shift presents promising opportunities for job seekers and those planning their career paths. It suggests that securing a well-paying job with a reputable employer is increasingly feasible without accumulating significant student debt, thanks to the growing emphasis on skills and workplace attitudes.

“The significance of a four-year degree is diminishing in today’s job market, paving the way for alternative routes to success,” the Yahoo Finance report underscores.

Emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement in soft skills and the acquisition of technical expertise, the report highlights the limitless potential for both income and career advancement.

But what exactly is an associate degree, and how does it fit into this evolving landscape?

An associate degree, typically spanning two years (though sometimes three), serves as an undergraduate qualification that can precede a bachelor’s degree. It provides foundational knowledge in a chosen field, either as a standalone qualification or as a stepping stone toward further education.

In regions like the UK, equivalents to the associate degree include the Higher National Certificate, Higher National Diploma, or foundation degree.

While not all associate degrees offer equal financial prospects upon graduation, there are three particular fields where significant earning potential exists, even rivaling six-figure salaries, all without the need for a bachelor’s degree or advanced education.

  1. Associate Degree in Nursing

An associate degree in nursing serves as the gateway to a career as a registered nurse. With top earners in the 90th percentile commanding annual salaries as high as $129,400, it’s evident that nursing can be financially rewarding. Location plays a significant role in income disparities, with California boasting the highest salaries for nurses, with the top 10% earning over $177,000 annually.

Average Salary Range: $62,640 – $112,360

  1. Associate Degree in Construction Management

The demand for construction managers is on the rise, outpacing average job growth rates through 2032. Holding an associate degree in construction management opens doors to onsite roles, where advancement through on-the-job training and specialized certifications can substantially increase earnings. Years of experience in the field also contribute to salary growth.

Average Salary Range: $114,862 – $151,536

  1. Associate Degree in Nuclear Technology

Despite not being among the most popular career paths, a role as a nuclear technician offers considerable earning potential. These professionals play a critical role in safety and energy generation, operating and maintaining equipment used in scientific experiments and nuclear power plants. Their responsibilities include warning others about hazardous conditions and radiation exposure.

Average Salary Range: $72,040 – $105,125

While earning over $100,000 with just an associate degree may seem unconventional, these roles make it entirely feasible. By leveraging location advantages and committing to gaining experience and additional certifications, individuals can achieve substantial incomes while avoiding significant student debt.

Analysis Reveals Six-Figure Incomes Required for Comfortable Living in Costliest U.S. States

Staff ReporterFinance/Economy, USA 0

In the United States, it takes a substantial income to live comfortably, especially in the most expensive states. A recent analysis by SmartAsset highlights that achieving a comfortable lifestyle as a single person requires earning over six figures annually in these areas.

The term “comfortable” refers to the monthly income required to cover a 50/30/20 budget. This budget allocates 50% of earnings for necessities like housing and utilities, 30% for discretionary spending, and 20% for savings or investments. SmartAsset based its calculations on data from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, extrapolating the income needed for each state.

Here’s a rundown of the top five most expensive states for single workers, along with the annual income required to live comfortably:

  1. Massachusetts: $116,022
  2. Hawaii: $113,693
  3. California: $113,651
  4. New York: $111,738
  5. Washington: $106,496

These figures illustrate a stark contrast with the U.S. median income for single, full-time workers, which hovers around $60,000 according to Labor Bureau data. In essence, to live independently in these states, one would need nearly double the median income.

The national median for comfortable solo living stands at $89,461, suggesting that the 50/30/20 budget might not be feasible for most single individuals. Living alone incurs additional expenses, often referred to as the “singles tax.” Apart from housing, single individuals bear extra costs for groceries, transportation, travel, and entertainment.

To maintain financial stability while living alone, adjustments to the budget are necessary. This might entail opting for a smaller living space or cutting back on discretionary spending such as travel.

The income required to live comfortably varies significantly across states. Below is a comprehensive list of states alongside the annual income needed for comfortable living, listed alphabetically:

– Alabama: $83,824

– Alaska: $96,762

– Arizona: $97,344

– Arkansas: $79,456

– California: $113,651

– Colorado: $103,292

– Connecticut: $100,381

– Delaware: $94,141

– Florida: $93,309

– Georgia: $96,886

– Hawaii: $113,693

– Idaho: $88,733

– Illinois: $95,098

– Indiana: $85,030

– Iowa: $83,366

– Kansas: $84,656

– Kentucky: $80,704

– Louisiana: $82,451

– Maine: $91,686

– Maryland: $102,918

– Massachusetts: $116,022

– Michigan: $84,365

– Minnesota: $89,232

– Mississippi: $82,742

– Missouri: $84,032

– Montana: $84,739

– Nebraska: $83,699

– Nevada: $93,434

– New Hampshire: $98,094

– New Jersey: $103,002

– New Mexico: $83,616

– New York: $111,738

– North Carolina: $89,690

– North Dakota: $52,807

– Ohio: $80,704

– Oklahoma: $80,413

– Oregon: $101,088

– Pennsylvania: $91,312

– Rhode Island: $100,838

– South Carolina: $88,317

– South Dakota: $81,453

– Tennessee: $86,403

– Texas: $87,027

– Utah: $93,683

– Vermont: $95,763

– Virginia: $99,965

– Washington: $106,496

– West Virginia: $78,790

– Wisconsin: $84,115

– Wyoming: $87,651

These figures underscore the significant financial demands of living independently across different states in the U.S.

Torrential Rain Hits Dubai: Cloud Seeding’s Role Questioned Amidst Flooding Chaos

Staff ReporterEnvironment, Science 0

A surge of rainfall inundated sections of Dubai on Tuesday, transforming streets into waterways and causing a temporary shutdown of the world’s second-busiest airport. This downpour prompted inquiries into whether the United Arab Emirates’ cloud-seeding initiative was responsible for the deluge.

According to officials at the National Center of Meteorology in the UAE, the rain was not attributed to cloud seeding, as reported by CNN. The center has been approached for further comment.

Even if cloud-seeding operations were conducted preceding the storm, it’s highly improbable that these efforts could have generated more rain than what would have naturally occurred. Despite decades of attempts to extract additional moisture from clouds, there remains scant evidence of its efficacy.

Nevertheless, several countries, including the UAE, China, and the US, persist in their endeavors to manipulate weather patterns.

What exactly is cloud seeding?

Cloud seeding is a technique aimed at augmenting rainfall or snowfall beyond natural levels. Cloud droplets require nuclei for condensation to occur, akin to water condensing on a cold glass during hot weather. These nuclei are minuscule particles in the atmosphere onto which moisture can adhere.

By introducing additional particles, such as silver iodide, into clouds, aircraft seek to enhance the formation of water or ice droplets. Once these droplets coalesce sufficiently, they precipitate as rain or snow.

Typically, natural particles like dust and dirt serve as the catalyst for cloud condensation. Silver iodide serves a similar purpose in theory.

Does cloud seeding yield results?

Assessing the impact of cloud seeding on precipitation is immensely challenging. Conducting controlled experiments to quantify its effectiveness faces considerable obstacles.

Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA, emphasized the difficulty in distinguishing between precipitation resulting from seeding and that which would have occurred naturally. The absence of a controlled environment complicates such assessments.

Despite efforts to study its effects, skepticism persists within the scientific community. A study published in 2020 suggested that one cloud seeding experiment may have increased precipitation by up to 10% compared to natural levels. However, conclusive evidence remains elusive.

What are the potential drawbacks of cloud seeding?

In light of escalating global temperatures due to human-induced climate change, certain regions are experiencing heightened heat and aridity. While cloud seeding may seem a solution to address water scarcity, it could exacerbate dry conditions elsewhere.

Swain cautioned that cloud seeding might inadvertently divert water from one area to another, potentially exacerbating dryness downstream.

Unprecedented flooding driven by an intense storm system

The torrential rain that triggered unprecedented flooding in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Iran was not solely a consequence of cloud seeding. Instead, it resulted from a large, sluggish storm system traversing the Arabian Peninsula and moving into the Gulf of Oman over multiple days.

This storm tapped into abundant tropical moisture near the equator, unleashing it across the region. Regardless of cloud seeding activities, the storm was part of an extreme weather pattern foreseen days in advance.

As the atmosphere warms, such intense rainfall events are projected to become more frequent, akin to a towel absorbing and wringing out moisture.

Comprehensive Guide: NRI Property Acquisition in India from the USA

Staff ReporterBusiness, Immigration 0

If you’re a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) or a Person of Indian Origin (PIO) eyeing property purchases in India from the USA, this comprehensive guide is tailored for you.

We’ll delve into everything you need to grasp about acquiring a house in India, encompassing the requisite documents essential for an NRI to secure property in India and the method to organize a power of attorney for an NRI to execute property transactions in India remotely.

To facilitate cost savings when purchasing properties in India from abroad, we’ll also introduce Wise, offering low-cost international payments. Enjoy mid-market rates and transparent fees, saving six times compared to conventional bank transactions.

Types of immovable property permissible for NRIs/PIOs:

As an NRI venturing into property acquisition in India, you possess the liberty to procure most categories of real estate. Residential and commercial properties are both sanctioned for NRI and PIO acquisitions, provided the process aligns with FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) regulations¹.

However, an exemption lies in purchasing agricultural land, plantations, and similar holdings. In such instances, additional permissions are requisite before procurement, with approvals granted on a case-by-case basis.

This implies that NRIs and Green Card holders are precluded from acquiring agricultural properties, including farmhouses attached to agricultural land, sans official authorization.

Continued ownership of land or property post non-residency:

If you acquire property in India while a resident and subsequently relocate abroad, you retain the entitlement to retain the property—even if it encompasses agricultural land, which would otherwise be inaccessible to NRIs.

Procedure for NRI property acquisition in India:

The procedural steps for NRIs to procure property mirror those of resident Indians—the principal divergence lies in acquiring power of attorney if you’re not physically present in the country.

Seek competent local counsel if you’re situated outside India to ensure adherence to all legal requisites during property transactions and mitigate any unwarranted risks.

Here’s an outline of the fundamental steps:

Engage a local solicitor and notary.

Identify a realtor in your desired location.

Arrange power of attorney if you won’t be physically present in India for the transaction.

Identify a property and negotiate a purchase price.

Your solicitor will conduct due diligence checks and formulate a sale agreement.

Execute the sale deed personally or through your representative.

Register the property acquisition.

Essential documents for NRI property acquisition in India:

Here’s a breakdown of the typically mandated documents when procuring property in India as an NRI:

Passport—supplemented by proof of NRI status such as a PIO or OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card.

PAN (Permanent Account Number) card.

Power of attorney if the transaction isn’t executed in person.

Proof of address and identity for registration of property purchase.

Acquiring power of attorney for NRI property acquisition in India:

If you’re unable to travel to India for property transactions, you can still proceed with acquisitions as an NRI by delegating power of attorney (PoA) to a representative. This empowers your representative to act on your behalf in legal matters pertinent to property procurement.

You can orchestrate power of attorney through your nearest Indian Embassy or Consulate. While the process may slightly differ across locations, you generally need two witnesses available to endorse your PoA and must furnish your OCI/PIO card along with recent passport-sized photographs².

Financial considerations for NRIs purchasing property in India:

While property acquisition presents a promising investment avenue, it also entails substantial commitments. Let’s swiftly explore some financial considerations associated with purchasing property in India.

Securing a home loan in India as an NRI:

As an NRI, you might qualify for a home loan in India. However, banks establish their eligibility criteria, contingent upon factors like property type, value, location, and utilization plans.

NRIs often encounter requests for larger deposit amounts compared to Indian residents. Moreover, the interest rates extended to NRIs may be less favorable than those offered to Indian residents.

Requisite documents for procuring an NRI home loan:

Eligibility for a home loan in India necessitates furnishing a suite of supporting documents, albeit specifics vary across banks. Expect requests for:

Your passport and PIO/OCI card.

Evidence of legal status in your residing country.

Income proof and existing debt documentation.

Credit score from your residing country.

Payment modalities for property acquisitions in India as an NRI:

Whether via a home loan or outright purchase, you’ll likely need to make an upfront payment upon deal closure. Per RBI regulations, property payments must be executed through remittance from overseas in INR or from balances in your NRE/NRO or FCNR accounts. Notably, presenting foreign currency for property payments in India isn’t permissible.

Repatriation of funds from overseas:

Upon divesting your Indian property, you’re eligible to remit the proceeds overseas subject to RBI regulations. To effectuate fund repatriation, you must demonstrate property acquisition adherence to FEMA regulations and settle any pertinent local taxes. For transactions involving more than two properties, RBI approval may be imperative¹.

Tax implications for NRIs procuring property in India:

Property acquisitions in India incur several local taxes, encompassing stamp duty, registration fees, and legal expenses³. Depending on transaction arrangements, realtor fees may also apply. Retaining NRI status post-property acquisition typically warrants income tax liability solely on India-sourced income⁴. Altering residency status to Indian tax residency entails revised tax obligations. Professional tax guidance is advisable to ensure compliance with both Indian and residing country tax laws.

Whether contemplating residential settlement or investment ventures in India, leverage this guide as a foundational resource elucidating the intricate property acquisition process.

And remember to opt for Wise when effectuating money transfers for property acquisitions in India to realize sixfold savings compared to conventional bank channels.

India Emerges as Fourth-Largest Exporter of Digital Services, WTO Report Reveals

Staff ReporterIndia, Technology 0

India has solidified its position as the globe’s fourth-largest provider of digitally transmitted services, contributing more than a fifth to the global service trade. According to the latest findings from the World Trade Organisation (WTO), India’s exports of digitally transmitted services hit $257 billion in 2023, reflecting a 17% surge from the preceding year. This growth surpassed that of Germany and China, each experiencing a 4% uptick. The report underscores that worldwide, exports of digitally transmitted services soared to $4.25 trillion in 2023, marking a 9% year-over-year escalation. This accounted for 13.8% of global exports of goods and services. Despite a decline in global goods trade across all regions, exports of digitally transmitted services continued to thrive. Europe and Asia, together commanding a 76.2% global share, saw export escalations of 11% and 9%, respectively.

In 2023, business, professional, and technical services led the global exports of digitally transmitted services at 41.2%, trailed by computer services (20.5%), financial services (16%), intellectual property related services (10.9%), insurance and pension services (5.2%), telecommunications services (2.6%), audio-visual and other personal, cultural, and recreational services (2.1%), and information services (1.5%).

The report also noted a surge in the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, including AI models proficient in producing various forms of content such as text, images, music, and videos. This swift adoption is poised to transform several facets of the economy, fostering enhanced efficiency, innovation, cost savings, personalization opportunities, job generation, and economic expansion, thereby further propelling trade in digitally transmitted services.

Looking forward, the WTO foresees enhancements in the global economy and trade. Following a 1.2% contraction in goods trade volume, the organization predicts a 2.6% upturn in 2024. In terms of value, world goods trade dropped to $24 trillion in 2023, while commercial services swelled to $7.5 trillion, registering a 5% decline and 9% growth, respectively.

Digitally deliverable services encompass a broad spectrum of services that can be conveyed via information and communications technology (ICT) networks. These encompass ICT services, sales and marketing services, financial services, professional services, education and training services, among others.

OFBJP Supporters Rally at Times Square in Solidarity with Modi: Global Display of Unity

Staff ReporterIndia 0

OFBJP supporters, led by Dr. Adapa Prasad, president of OFBJP-USA, organized a gathering dubbed “Modi Ka Parivar” at the iconic Times Square in New York City on Sunday, April 14, 2024.

The event witnessed hundreds of supporters of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi congregating to exhibit their solidarity, reinforcing their association with the Modi Parivar (family) and conveying a resounding message that the Modi Parivar transcends geographical boundaries, according to a press release from OFBJP-USA. Participants proudly displayed flags, banners, and placards adorned with slogans echoing their unwavering support.

Dr. Prasad commended the dedication of OFBJP volunteers, underscoring the significance of standing united in backing Prime Minister Modi’s vision for a prosperous and inclusive India.

Krishna Reddy, a leading volunteer, expressed his gratification, stating, “It’s heartening to witness so many people coming together to support our beloved Prime Minister. This gathering truly demonstrates the strength and unity of the Modi Parivar.”

Dr. Vasudev Patel, General Secretary of OFBJP-USA, extended gratitude to community leaders and volunteers for showcasing solidarity.

Charan Singh, a community leader, highlighted the overwhelming support from the NRI community. Notable figure Kalpana Shukla depicted Modi as a “savior for the world, tirelessly working for the betterment of people in India and around the globe,” as per the press release.

The event attracted supporters from New Jersey, all boroughs of New York, and Connecticut, as confirmed by organizers.

Additionally, various prominent community leaders and volunteers, including Amar Goswamy, Gunjan Mishra, Jayesh Patel, Sivadasan Nair, Jayasree Nair, Madhukar Reddy, Pranav Patel, Nilima Madan, Anand Gupta, along with numerous others, participated in the march.

Similar demonstrations took place in Detroit, Michigan, Chicago, Illinois, and Hollywood, California. At each location, over a hundred OFBJP supporters waved flags and chanted slogans in solidarity with Modi, while local community leaders delivered speeches.

Study Reveals Physician-Led Care Teams Outperform Nonphysician Providers in Cost and Quality

Staff ReporterHealth 0

An analysis of cost data within the South Mississippi system’s Accountable Care Organization (ACO) uncovered that care administered by nonphysician providers managing their own patient panels was pricier than care delivered by physicians. This revelation prompted leaders at Hattiesburg Clinic to revamp the clinic’s care model and publish their discoveries. Initially employing 26 physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) in 2005, the clinic now boasts 118 such providers. Alongside certified registered nurse anesthetists and optometrists, these 186 nonphysician providers constitute what is termed as advanced practice providers (APPs) at the clinic.

According to a study titled “Targeting Value-based Care with Physician-led Care Teams,” published in the Journal of the Mississippi State Medical Association, Hattiesburg Clinic made strategic decisions over the past 15 years to expand their care teams by integrating advanced practice providers, primarily due to shortages in primary care physicians. The study highlights, “Focusing specifically on primary care, because our shortage of physicians there was so dire—due to retirements, massive panel sizes and lack of medical students entering primary care residencies—we allowed APPs to function with separate primary care panels, side by side with their collaborating physicians.”

However, upon retrospect and analysis of extensive internal data, encompassing cost data from over 33,000 Medicare-enrolled patients, the findings were consistent and unequivocal: the integration of advanced practice providers with independent panels under physician supervision fell short of meeting primary care objectives in providing patients with an equivalent value-based experience.

Hattiesburg Clinic, a private multispecialty clinic with over 300 physicians, holds membership in the AMA Health System Program. Its ACO earned the top rank in quality within its cohort in 2016 and 2017 among 471 other participants and has garnered recognition from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for delivering high-quality care at a low cost.

According to CMS cost data spanning from 2017 to 2019, for Medicare patients excluding those with end-stage renal disease or in nursing homes, per-member, per-month spending was $43 higher for patients under the care of nonphysician primary health professionals compared to physicians. This contrast could translate to an annual increase of $10.3 million in expenditure if all patients were overseen by APPs. Following risk-adjustment for patient complexity, the disparity amounted to $119 per member, per month, equating to an annual difference of $28.5 million.

Dr. Bryan N. Batson, an internist and CEO of Hattiesburg Clinic, a co-author of the study, stated, “We didn’t set out to do a scientific study per se. This was really an observational experience that used data to help us drive decision-making going forward.” He added, “This was us looking in the mirror to say: As we’re becoming more advanced in value-based care, how do we do it better?”

Initially, upon receiving the initial CMS reports on care costs, the focus was on identifying the highest-cost physicians and collaborating with them to curtail spending. Dr. Batson mentioned, “When we got the claims data for the first time, one of the first things we did was to look at who our highest-cost providers were.” He further expressed surprise at the stark disparities in costs between physicians and advanced practice providers at the high-cost end of the spectrum.

Further analysis revealed that the additional costs were attributed to a combination of factors, including increased test ordering, more specialist referrals, and heightened emergency department utilization. Dr. John M. Fitzpatrick, a nephrologist and president of Hattiesburg Clinic, noted that “four of the five top highest-cost providers were nurse practitioners,” prompting a comprehensive analysis of the entire population and leading to the findings presented in the study.

Patients whose primary care provider (PCP) was a nonphysician exhibited higher rates of emergency department visits compared to those without a PCP. Moreover, physicians outperformed nonphysicians on nine out of ten quality measures, particularly excelling in flu and pneumococcal vaccination rates, despite these being considered manageable by nonphysician staff. Physicians also attained higher average patient satisfaction scores across six domains measured by Press Ganey.

Acknowledging the invaluable contribution of nurse practitioners and physician assistants to the care team, the study emphasized that they should not operate independently based on a wealth of information and experiences in collaborative relationships with physicians.

Driven by data insights, Hattiesburg Clinic revamped its care model, ensuring that all patients consult with a physician as their primary care provider and no patient exclusively sees a nonphysician. Dr. Batson elaborated, “We had a one-year transition period leading up to that, so that the nurse practitioners could tell their patients that beginning Jan. 1, 2021, you’re going to have alternating visits with me and my supervising physician, but your PCP will officially be the physician.”

Telemedicine has played a pivotal role in facilitating the implementation of the new care-team model, enhancing healthcare delivery in rural settings. Dr. Batson highlighted, “It really changes the way that we’re able to deliver health care in a rural setting—in a positive way—such that a clinic may be able to be staffed some days with an APP, some days with a physician, but in those days that the APP is the lead there, there’s the availability of telemedicine to support more advanced health care delivery.”

The American Medical Association (AMA) asserts that patients deserve care led by physicians, advocating against scope-of-practice expansions that jeopardize patient safety. Dr. Fitzpatrick emphasized the importance of credible, Mississippi-based data in influencing legislative decisions, noting the commendable efforts of legislators in prioritizing patient well-being while devising strategies to reduce healthcare costs.

Both doctors expressed optimism that their experience would encourage other ACOs to conduct similar analyses, potentially stimulating discussions with other organizations nationwide or attracting the attention of CMS.

“We would encourage other organizations to look at their data—like we did—to help them refine their care teams in ways that can improve health care,” Dr. Batson concluded. “That’s what this was all about: trying to improve health care of our patients and for the system.”

India Welcomes Taliban’s Restored Land Rights for Afghan Hindus and Sikhs as Positive Step

Staff ReporterIndia 0

India hailed the Taliban’s decision to reinstate land rights for Afghan Hindus and Sikhs as a “positive development.” The Taliban administration has reportedly taken steps towards restoring property rights to these minority communities, which External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described as a favorable move. Jaiswal made these comments during the weekly media briefing in response to inquiries regarding the matter.

The Taliban regime has initiated a commission tasked with ensuring the return of privately owned land to its rightful owners, which had been seized by warlords during the previous administration’s tenure in Kabul. This action follows India’s engagement with Afghan authorities, as J.P. Singh, India’s pointsperson on Afghanistan, held discussions with senior members of the Afghan government in Kabul. Singh, who heads the division for Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran within the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), also met with Taliban’s foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi last month.

India, while refraining from officially recognizing the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, has consistently advocated for the establishment of an inclusive government in Kabul. Additionally, India has emphasized the imperative that Afghan territory should not serve as a base for terrorist activities against any nation. Furthermore, India has been vocal about the necessity of providing unimpeded humanitarian assistance to address the unfolding crisis in Afghanistan.

In June 2022, India took steps to re-establish its diplomatic presence in Kabul by deploying a “technical team” to its embassy in the Afghan capital. This decision followed India’s earlier withdrawal of embassy personnel after the Taliban’s seizure of power in August 2021, prompted by concerns over their safety and security.

Nikki Haley Assumes Leadership Role at Hudson Institute Amid Presidential Speculation

Staff ReporterUSA 0

Nikki Haley Joins Hudson Institute as Chair, Eyes Presidential Run

The Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank based in Washington, D.C., revealed on April 15th that Nikki Haley, former GOP presidential contender, will be taking on the Walter P. Stern chair. This move sees the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and former South Carolina governor become the fourth member of Trump’s cabinet to do so, as reported by The Guardian.

Expressing her thoughts on the significance of robust partnerships and the necessity of identifying adversaries, Haley underscored the crucial role of Hudson’s mission. She stated, “They believe that to secure a safe, free, and prosperous future for all Americans, citizens must be informed, and policymakers must be equipped with solutions. I am thrilled to collaborate with them in safeguarding the values that have distinguished the United States as the premier nation on Earth.”

Haley’s new position allows her to maintain a prominent presence while contemplating a potential second bid for the presidency in 2028, according to The Hill.

John P. Walters, President and CEO of Hudson, lauded Haley as “a proven, capable leader in both domestic and foreign affairs.” He commended her for remaining resolute in defending freedom and advocating for American security and prosperity amid global political turbulence.

Despite securing victories in Vermont and the District of Columbia, Haley opted to suspend her presidential campaign in March following a substantial defeat in the Super Tuesday primaries. Throughout her campaign, she positioned herself as the prime candidate to steer away from the policies of the previous administration. Haley’s campaign strategy in its final weeks involved intense criticism of both Trump and Biden, highlighting their age and urging the emergence of a new generation of leaders. Notably, polls suggested that in hypothetical matchups against Biden, she outperformed other leading Republican contenders.

Haley directed sharp criticism towards Vice President Kamala Harris, asserting to the people of South Carolina that one of them—either herself or Harris—would soon occupy the presidency. She consistently targeted Trump during her campaign, particularly criticizing his foreign policy stances and the escalating national debt, stressing that “Chaos follows Trump” on two occasions.

Nevertheless, as noted by NPR, Haley encountered challenges in maintaining a coherent message, balancing the need to appeal to the Republican base while also attracting independents, moderate Republicans, and disenchanted Trump voters. During a campaign stop in New Hampshire, she stumbled by not explicitly mentioning slavery as the cause of the Civil War, though she promptly corrected her error.

Similarly, Haley faced scrutiny over her response to a controversial ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court that threatened access to in vitro fertilization (IVF). She asserted that “Embryos are babies,” in an interview with Ali Vitali of NBC, but later clarified her stance, emphasizing the importance of preserving fertility treatments for women during an interview with Newsman.

Although Haley gained momentum towards the end of last year, surpassing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in several polls, she ultimately fell short of overtaking the former president, who remains the presumptive Republican nominee for the presidency.

Retired Judges Urge Chief Justice: Defend Judiciary Against Threats

Staff ReporterDiplomacy, Opinion 0

A collective of retired judges from both the Supreme Court and High Courts has penned a letter to Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, expressing their shared apprehension concerning the escalating efforts by specific factions to undermine the judiciary through strategic pressure, dissemination of misinformation, and public denigration.

The missive, dated April 14, features signatures from 21 former judges, including prominent figures like former Supreme Court Justices Deepak Verma, Krishna Murari, Dinesh Maheshwari, and M R Shah, as well as former High Court judges Permod Kohli, S M Soni, Ambadas Joshi, and S N Dhingra.

In their communication, the ex-judges highlighted their awareness of “elements, motivated by narrow political interests and personal gains,” endeavoring to diminish public trust in the judicial system. They emphasized the multifaceted and surreptitious nature of these efforts, aimed at influencing judicial proceedings by casting doubt on the integrity of the courts and judges.

The former judges underscored that such actions not only disregard the sanctity of the judiciary but also present a direct affront to the principles of fairness and impartiality that judges, as custodians of the law, are duty-bound to uphold. They expressed deep concern over the tactics employed by these groups, ranging from disseminating unfounded theories to besmirch the judiciary’s reputation to engaging in overt and covert maneuvers to sway judicial outcomes in their favor.

“This behavior,” the former judges remarked, “is particularly evident in cases of social, economic, and political significance, including those involving specific individuals, where the distinction between advocacy and manipulation becomes blurred to the detriment of judicial independence.”

The signatories voiced particular alarm over the tactics of misinformation and the orchestration of public sentiment against the judiciary, deeming them not only unethical but also injurious to the foundational tenets of democracy. They criticized the selective praise of judicial decisions that align with one’s viewpoint while vehemently condemning those that do not, asserting that such practices undermine the essence of judicial review and the rule of law.

“The judiciary, spearheaded by the Supreme Court, must fortify itself against such pressures to ensure the sanctity and autonomy of our legal system are preserved,” urged the former judges. They stressed the imperative for the judiciary to remain a bastion of democracy, impervious to the transient whims of political interests.

In a show of solidarity with the judiciary, the former judges pledged their readiness to lend support in any capacity necessary to uphold the dignity, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary. They looked to Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud for steadfast guidance and leadership in navigating these challenging times, safeguarding the judiciary as a beacon of justice and equity.

Indian Consulate Hosts Empowering Meet & Greet for Indian Students in the US

Staff ReporterEducation, Diplomacy 0

More than 200 Indian students from 20 universities across the United States convened on April 12, 2024, for a ‘Student Meet and Greet session’ organized by the Indian Consulate in New York. The event, blending in-person and virtual participation, featured a panel discussion with esteemed figures including Professor Raghu Sundaram from NYU Stern School of Business, Dharti Desai representing TiE New York, attorney Anil Jethmalani, and Sai Vichare from NYU. Prakash Shukla led the discussion, focusing on various pertinent topics such as career prospects for Indian students, available support systems, legal and immigration assistance, and mentorship opportunities.

During the session, Prof. Sonia Sachdey, Chair of Psychology at Pace University, offered valuable insights into mental health management and stress coping mechanisms tailored for students. Notably, Indian Student Associations from prestigious institutions like Harvard, Columbia, NYU, Princeton, Yale, Brown, and Penn State actively participated in the event, demonstrating widespread engagement and interest.

The Indian Consulate emphasized its commitment to fostering strong ties with Indian students, extending unwavering support to meet their needs and address any concerns they may encounter. In a statement posted on X @IndiainNewYork, the Consulate affirmed its dedication to continued engagement and assistance for the Indian student community.

Decoding Hydration: Understanding Water Needs in a Heatwave

Staff ReporterHealth, Medicine 0

Understanding your body’s water needs can be tricky, especially during periods of extreme heat. With sweat working overtime to keep us cool, our bodies demand more water to stave off dehydration. Neglecting this essential need can result in fatigue, blood pressure spikes, and irregular heart rhythms.

The ubiquitous advice to drink eight glasses of water a day, each containing 8 ounces, has long been a staple. Referred to as the “eight-by-eight” rule, it suggests consuming 64 ounces of water daily. However, this guideline lacks scientific grounding and may not suit everyone’s hydration requirements.

While some adhere faithfully to this rule, it’s important to recognize its origins are more tradition than science. Although consuming 64 ounces of water daily isn’t harmful, it might not suffice for some individuals.

While the eight-by-eight guideline is prevalent, it’s far from the only recommendation. The absence of a universal consensus on daily water intake underscores the individual variability in hydration needs.

An “adequate intake” of water exists for adults, though it fluctuates among individuals. This includes fluids from sources beyond water, such as milk, sports drinks, tea, and even coffee, as well as water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables. For men, this intake is around 15.5 cups (3.7 liters or 125 ounces), while for women, it’s approximately 11.5 cups (2.7 liters or 91 ounces). Nevertheless, these figures remain general, subject to personal variation based on several factors.

Certain circumstances warrant higher water consumption:

– Active Jobs:Occupations demanding physical activity, especially outdoors, necessitate increased water intake to replenish lost fluids and electrolytes.

– Regular Exercise:Even without a physically demanding job, individuals engaging in frequent exercise, whether at the gym or through recreational activities, should augment their water intake to compensate for fluid loss.

– Hot Climates:Elevated temperatures lead to more sweating, accentuating the need to replace lost fluids. Dry environments exacerbate fluid loss, making hydration particularly crucial in desert regions.

– Pregnancy and Breastfeeding:Expectant and breastfeeding individuals require additional water to support physiological processes vital for their health and that of their baby.

Various hydration strategies exist, offering diverse approaches:

– Thirst as a Guide:Some advocate drinking when thirsty, though opinions vary on its efficacy, with concerns that thirst may signal dehydration.

– Scheduled Intake:Structuring water consumption around meals can establish a hydration routine, though its effectiveness may vary depending on meal frequency.

– Eight Glasses a Day:While convenient, this rule overlooks individual differences in hydration needs, potentially resulting in under or overhydration.

– Half Your Body Weight in Ounces:This straightforward guideline adjusts water intake based on body weight, yet overlooks other crucial factors like activity level and climate.

Ultimately, finding the right hydration strategy involves experimentation. Monitoring signs of dehydration, such as fatigue or headaches, and observing urine color can help gauge hydration levels effectively.

Unlocking Potential: Bridging the Gap Between Workers’ Aspirations and Employers’ Perceptions

Staff ReporterBusiness, Economy 0

Bosses are increasingly in pursuit of more skilled workers, while workers themselves crave more opportunities for skill development. This paradoxical situation has left neither party satisfied. According to the most recent annual Career Optimism Index study conducted by the University of Phoenix Career Institute, more than half of the 5,000 U.S. workers surveyed expressed feelings of being easily replaceable in their workplace. Additionally, almost two-thirds of respondents lamented the lack of advancement opportunities within their companies. This sentiment was further compounded by approximately a third of workers who felt their contributions were not adequately recognized by company leadership, resulting in feelings of disempowerment and decreased productivity.

In the current competitive talent market and amidst persistently high inflation rates, companies are striving to cut costs. Consequently, they are increasingly focusing on external resources to drive growth, as stated by John Woods, the provost and chief academic officer at the University of Phoenix, in the report. This fixation perpetuates what Woods refers to as “a stagnant talent environment.” However, there exists a substantial disparity between how companies perceive their workforce and how workers perceive themselves.

Nearly half of the bosses surveyed, totaling over 500, claimed difficulty in finding skilled new hires due to a lack of qualified applicants in the past year. This discrepancy underscores a clear communication gap. The report emphasizes the importance of offering clearer and more flexible advancement opportunities internally to develop the necessary talent from within. This approach aligns with both business objectives and workers’ career aspirations.

The latest Index from the University of Phoenix, now in its fourth iteration, suggests that many business leaders underestimate the untapped potential within their existing workforce. According to Woods, these workers harbor a significant desire to progress and acquire the skill sets sought by employers to fortify their businesses for the future.

However, bosses may not fully recognize this potential. While over 60% of employers believe their companies provide ample growth prospects for their current workforce, only slightly more than a third of workers share this sentiment. This disparity serves as a wake-up call for employers, as the majority of workers acknowledge the need for a broader skill set to stay competitive and appreciate any support in gaining those skills. Yet, instead of investing in their current staff, companies often seek external hires with pre-existing skills, leaving their employees feeling stagnant.

The feeling of stagnation poses a more significant threat to the bottom line than merely addressing a skills gap. Without opportunities for advancement, workers are twice as likely to seek employment elsewhere. It is well-documented that replacing outgoing employees is both costly and time-consuming.

Moreover, the issue of feeling undervalued exacerbates the situation. Years of layoffs, strikes, and economic uncertainties have left many workers anxious. A significant portion worry about job security in a weak economy, while others note that their salaries have failed to keep pace with inflation, leading to a decline in their purchasing power. This economic strain has compelled many to forgo expenses they could afford just two years ago.

However, despite these challenges, there remains a sense of optimism among the workforce. Nearly 80% of Americans maintain hope regarding their career prospects, with a similar percentage feeling in control of their future. Conversely, corporations face a more daunting outlook. Failure to invest in nurturing existing talent could result in missing out on cumulative savings of up to $1.35 trillion, estimates from the University of Phoenix suggest.

The cost of neglecting internal talent development far exceeds that of investing in external resources. Therefore, it is imperative for companies to recognize and address the aspirations of their workforce, offering them the necessary opportunities for growth and advancement within the organization.

India Secures Membership in Key UN Bodies, Including Statistical Commission and UN Women Executive Board

Staff ReporterDiplomacy, Global 0

India has clinched membership in crucial subsidiary entities of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), including the UN Statistical Commission, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, and the Programme Coordinating Board of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

India’s appointment to the UN Statistical Commission holds significance as it marks the country’s return to this vital body after a break of two decades, with its prior membership dating back to 2004.

The commission stands as the foremost authority on global statistical activities and plays a pivotal role in establishing standards in the realm of statistics.

India’s extensive experience in official statistics, particularly in addressing its diverse demographic landscape, is anticipated to enrich the commission’s discussions and make a substantial contribution to its efficient operation, according to a press release from the Permanent Mission of India to the UN.

India has also been elected to serve on the Commission on the Status of Women for the 2025-2029 term, as well as the Executive Board of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Executive Boards of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) for the term 2025-2027.

Additionally, India has been selected to serve on the Executive Board of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) for the period 2025-2027, and the Executive Board of the World Food Programme (WFP) for the term 2025-2027.

“India remains steadfast in its commitment to actively engage in the discourse within these UN bodies, upholding the principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ — the world is one family. This guiding philosophy underscores our dedication to contributing constructively & collaboratively to global deliberations, fostering a spirit of unity & shared responsibility for the betterment of all,” stated India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj in a post on X.

Padma Lakshmi Honored with ICON Award by Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration

Staff ReporterTourism, Profile 0

Padma Lakshmi, the Indian American TV presenter and culinary expert, was honored with the prestigious ICON Award by Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration (SHA) at its annual Hospitality Leadership Summit.

The accolade, aimed at acknowledging trailblazers who revolutionize paradigms in hospitality, hailed Lakshmi’s remarkable accomplishments and her staunch advocacy on diverse issues.

Renowned for her roles as a host and executive producer on the acclaimed Hulu series “Taste the Nation” and Bravo’s Emmy-winning “Top Chef,” Lakshmi recounted her unexpected foray into the culinary world. She reminisced about her background as a theater major during a dialogue with Arun Upneja, the dean of Boston University SHA.

Underlining hospitality’s essence as a conduit for embracing strangers and nurturing their well-being, Lakshmi stressed its profound significance transcending mere commercial transactions. Her sentiments echoed SHA’s dedication to fostering excellence in hospitality education.

Expressing her perspective, she articulated, “I come at food from a very personal point of view, through my writing and my television shows, and I really think what [we] do is not so much about commerce and business, but it’s about welcoming [a] stranger into your space and making them feel cared for.”

She further remarked, “At the end of the day, I think everyone needs to learn how to do that, even if they don’t work in the industry. For me, hospitality has always been about making it easier for people who you welcome into your home. I’m so honored that you would give me this award and welcome me into your fold.”

The summit, graced by industry stalwarts, students, and faculty, not only celebrated Lakshmi’s triumphs but also highlighted the hospitality industry’s innovative spirit. It served as a platform for discussions, presentations, and networking, aiming to foster collaboration and drive positive transformation within the sector.

Urgent Appeal for Action: Crisis Averted at Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal

Staff ReporterEducation 0

In a distressing revelation, Dr. Rohan Krishnan recently disclosed a concerning matter on social media platform X, shedding light on a deeply troubling situation unfolding at Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal. In a tweet, he shared, “We have received a very painful letter from residents of Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal about the mass suicide of five residents planned on 31.05.24.” The gravity of the situation couldn’t be overstated.

In the wake of this alarming development, Dr. Krishnan fervently appealed to the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and the Health Ministry of Madhya Pradesh, urging immediate intervention to address the crisis. He extended reassurances to the distressed students, vowing, “We will be resolving this issue within twenty-four hours and do everything necessary to meet all three demands mentioned in the letter. A committee will be formed by this evening and a visit will be done by our representatives.”

The urgency of the matter prompted swift responses from relevant authorities. FAIMA (Federation of All India Medical Association) promptly pledged their support, affirming that necessary actions would be taken without delay. “A committee will be formed to look into the issue, and all their concerns will be resolved,” they assured, emphasizing their commitment to the welfare of the students.

At the heart of this crisis lay a set of legitimate grievances and demands articulated by the students of GMC Bhopal. These demands, if left unaddressed, posed a grim threat of tragedy. The students made it unequivocally clear that unless their concerns were met, they were prepared to take drastic measures, with the chilling prospect of five resident students resorting to suicide on May 31, 2024. The letter they presented was not merely a plea for help but also served as a stark warning, potentially doubling as their last testament.

The demands put forth by the students encapsulated crucial issues plaguing their academic and professional lives:

1.End to Exhausting Work Hours: The students vehemently called for an end to the grueling practice of non-stop shifts lasting more than 24 hours, sometimes extending to a staggering 36 hours. This demand stemmed from a pressing need to ensure their physical and mental well-being, recognizing the detrimental effects of prolonged work hours on both their health and patient care.

2.Creation of Healthy Work Environment: Central to their demands was the plea for a healthy work environment conducive to learning and practice. This encompassed measures to address systemic issues contributing to stress, burnout, and compromised patient care. The students emphasized the importance of fostering an atmosphere that prioritized their well-being and professional development.

3.Eradication of Toxicity and Abuse: Perhaps most alarmingly, the students highlighted the prevalence of toxicity and abuse within the premises of GMC Bhopal. Instances of mistreatment, harassment, and intimidation had become distressingly common, posing a serious threat to the mental and emotional health of the residents. Their demand for an end to such behavior underscored the urgent need for systemic reforms to cultivate a culture of respect, dignity, and professionalism.

ICCR Announces Scholarships for International Students to Study in India

Staff ReporterEducation 0

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), an independent entity under the Ministry of External Affairs India, in collaboration with the High Commission of India across various nations, has disclosed scholarship opportunities aimed at encouraging international students to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs in selected Indian universities.

In its recent announcement, the ICCR unveiled openings for the academic year 2024-25, extending scholarships for programs centered on Indian culture such as dance, music, theater, performing arts, sculpture, Indian languages, and Indian cuisine.

Additionally, scholarships are accessible for disciplines including engineering, science, agriculture, commerce and economics, arts, humanities, and social sciences. However, medical/paramedical, fashion, law courses, and integrated courses such as BALLB (5 Years) or BSc & MSc (5 Years) are not covered by these scholarships.

Eligibility criteria dictate that applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English, possess a valid passport for the entirety of the course duration, and maintain good health. Prospective candidates must also meet age requirements, being at least 18 years old as of April 30, 2023, but no older than 30 years for undergraduate or postgraduate courses, and 45 years for PhD courses. The deadline for submitting applications is May 31, 2024.

The ICCR boasts a roster of over 6,000 foreign students from approximately 120 countries at any given time. The scholarship package encompasses living allowances, contingent grants, thesis and dissertation expenses, as well as medical benefits. Initial living allowances for the first three months are disbursed in cash in advance by ICCR regional offices or headquarters, with subsequent payments released on a monthly or quarterly basis following the submission of a joining report.

For aspirants in the UK, applications are being accepted under various schemes, including the Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme (A1201), the Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme (A1203), and the Lata Mangeshkar Dance and Music Scholarship Scheme (A1209).

Similarly, for prospective students in Ghana, opportunities are available under schemes such as the Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme (A1203), the Lata Mangeshkar Dance and Music Scholarship Scheme (A1209), and The India-Africa Maitri Scholarship Scheme for Africa (G0179).

President Biden Navigates Middle East Crisis Amid Iran-Israel Tensions

Staff ReporterDiplomacy, Global 0

President Biden aims to prevent a full-scale escalation in the Middle East following Iran’s launch of hundreds of missiles and drones, most of which were intercepted, towards Israel in retaliation for an attack on an Iranian facility in Damascus that eliminated a top general.

Biden’s focus now shifts to persuading Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other allies against further escalating tensions, which have been strained since the Gaza conflict began in October. Biden assured Netanyahu that the U.S. would refrain from participating in any offensive actions against Iran in the future.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby faced inquiries on whether Biden’s efforts to deter war with Iran were effectively communicated to Netanyahu. Kirby emphasized Israel’s success in intercepting the missiles, highlighting the message of solidarity and self-defense conveyed by President Biden.

Israel’s war Cabinet, however, seems to diverge from this sentiment, with Minister Benny Gantz affirming intentions to retaliate against Iran.

At home, there are pressures on Biden to retaliate against Tehran, with Senators Marsha Blackburn and Lindsey Graham advocating for aggressive strikes on Iran.

Regarding the safety of U.S. military personnel in the region, Kirby refrained from discussing details of Israel’s attack in Damascus but emphasized the need for contextual conversations to ensure the protection of American troops and facilities.

Biden is in discussions with Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding potential adjustments to the U.S. presence in the region to ensure the safety of troops, ships, and facilities.

Iran’s attack may alter the stance of some Democrats who had expressed concerns about Israel’s military operations in Gaza, particularly following an incident where aid workers were inadvertently killed by Israeli forces. Senator Mark Kelly expressed the need for continued aid to Israel despite his concerns.

Kirby, addressing concerns about the risk of wider war, stated that Biden’s actions aimed at de-escalation, exemplified by deploying additional resources to counter the recent attack.

A senior administration official emphasized the U.S.’s commitment to containing the crisis to Gaza, urging Israel to carefully consider its next steps without escalating the situation further.

Medicaid Disenrollment Disruption: Struggles and Consequences for Millions Across America

Staff ReporterHealth, USA 0

The journey of Justin Gibbs reflects the challenges faced by many Medicaid recipients across the United States during a period of significant coverage disruption. Gibbs, who had been effectively managing his high blood pressure with a trio of medications, found himself in a precarious situation when his Medicaid coverage was abruptly terminated amidst a nationwide review of eligibility. The fear of potential health complications loomed large as he had to endure a week without one of his prescribed medications and several days without another.

Gibbs, a 53-year-old resident of Miamisburg, Ohio, and a father of four, articulated his concerns, stating, “I was concerned that my blood pressure would spike, and I wouldn’t have any way to regulate it.” Fortunately, Gibbs did not suffer adverse effects during this period of coverage lapse, and he was able to obtain new prescriptions once his Affordable Care Act policy came into effect in January. Additionally, he is on the brink of starting a new job with employer-sponsored coverage.

However, Gibbs’s experience is not unique. A considerable portion of the 20.1 million Americans disenrolled from Medicaid during what is termed the “unwinding” process over the past year found themselves in similar predicaments. A survey conducted by KFF revealed that nearly a quarter of adults who were disenrolled now find themselves uninsured. The survey, released on Friday, sheds light on the ramifications of this process on enrollees, consequences that are not extensively monitored by state and federal authorities.

The survey uncovered that approximately half of those disenrolled eventually regained Medicaid coverage, while over a quarter secured coverage through alternative avenues such as employer-sponsored plans, Medicare, or Affordable Care Act exchanges. Nonetheless, a significant portion of those disenrolled experienced periods of being uninsured, with more than half reporting having to defer or forgo medical care or medications during this time.

The loss of coverage took a toll on the mental and physical well-being of many, with three-quarters expressing concerns about their physical health and 60% experiencing anxiety regarding their mental health. Ashley Kirzinger, KFF’s director of survey methodology, remarked, “It was disruptive to people’s lives.”

Despite the challenges faced by many Medicaid recipients, the survey revealed that the majority of adults enrolled in Medicaid prior to the unwinding remained undisrupted, with 81% reporting no disenrollment over the past year.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic initially provided relief for tens of millions of Americans concerning Medicaid coverage. A congressional relief package in 2020 prevented states from disenrolling residents, resulting in a significant surge in enrollment. However, as eligibility reviews and terminations resumed, approximately 44 million people had their coverage renewed, while more than 30 million individuals still await renewal, according to KFF.

Of those disenrolled from Medicaid, around 69% were dropped due to procedural reasons, often stemming from incomplete renewal forms or administrative issues. This raised concerns among federal officials and advocates, as many of these individuals might still be eligible for Medicaid but risk becoming uninsured.

The renewal process proved to be arduous for many Medicaid enrollees. While some states verified ongoing eligibility through alternative data sources, two-thirds of those surveyed had to take action to renew their coverage. However, 58% of those attempting to reenroll encountered at least one issue during the process, with long wait times for assistance being a common complaint.

Justin Gibbs recounted his frustrating experience, mentioning a day when he spent 6.5 hours on hold before having to abandon the call to attend work. He highlighted the purposeful difficulty of the process, suggesting it might deter eligible individuals from maintaining coverage.

While some found the renewal process straightforward, others struggled with understanding required documents and faced challenges related to internet access for online submissions. Residents in states that did not expand Medicaid reported additional document requirements, adding to the confusion.

Despite the difficulties, some enrollees received assistance with the renewal process, while others expressed a desire for help but did not receive it. JP Peters, a 57-year-old resident of Punta Gorda, Florida, shared his anxiety upon learning about the need to renew his coverage, fearing the prospect of being left uninsured. Fortunately, he received aid from a retired nurse friend, who assisted him in enrolling in Medicare.

However, Peters encountered complications, including an initial error in his coverage start date, which necessitated a visit to the local Social Security office for correction. Despite these challenges, he ultimately obtained coverage and now feels relieved with access to necessary medical resources.

For many like Peters and Gibbs, the unwinding of Medicaid coverage proved to be an exasperating inconvenience, highlighting the complexities and challenges within the healthcare system that continue to impact vulnerable populations across the nation.

US Navy Enhances Maritime Collaboration with India: Strategic Shipyard Agreement and Growing Indo-Pacific Cooperation

Staff ReporterDiplomacy, Global 0

The US Navy inked a five-year Master Shipyard Repair Agreement (MSRA) with Larsen and Toubro (L&T) shipyard situated in Chennai, marking a significant development in maritime cooperation. The L&T shipyard at Kattupalli near Chennai, on the East Coast, has been actively involved in voyage repairs for Military Sealift Command vessels and has successfully conducted repairs for US Navy ships.

The recent agreement with CSL (Cochin Shipyard Limited) provides the US Navy with a shipyard facility for repairs on both the eastern and western coasts of India. CSL disclosed on April 6th the signing of the MSRA with the United States Navy. This non-financial agreement is set to facilitate the repair of US Naval vessels under the Military Sealift Command at CSL.

CSL secured eligibility for the agreement following a comprehensive evaluation and capability assessment conducted by the US Navy’s Military Sealift Command. CSL is already engaged in the maintenance and repair of several vessels, including INS Viraat, INS Vikramaditya (formerly known as Admiral Gorshkov), and the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant of the Indian Navy. Additionally, CSL undertakes repairs for tankers and bulk carriers of the Shipping Corporation of India.

Vice Admiral AB Singh, a retired Indian Navy officer, emphasized the significance of CSL and MDL (Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd) in the maritime landscape. He highlighted the potential of these entities, particularly with the forthcoming development of the Vizhinjam International Transhipment Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport in Kerala.

The strategic location of Chennai proves advantageous for ship repair due to the port infrastructure at L&T shipyard, which meets the substantial depth requirements for US Ships. Notably, the USNS Salvor, the first warship, has already arrived at the shipyard for steel repairs.

Expanding on this collaboration, the UK seized the opportunity, with two British vessels, RFA Argus and RFA Lyme Bay, undergoing essential maintenance at the L&T shipyard. This marks the first instance of a Royal Navy vessel undergoing maintenance at an Indian shipyard, a direct outcome of the logistics-sharing agreement between the UK and India.

The potential for Andaman and Nicobar Islands to evolve as aviation hubs in the Indo-Pacific region has garnered attention, especially amidst the growing maritime cooperation between the US and India. These islands hold a strategic position at the mouth of the Malacca Strait, a crucial entry point to the South China Sea.

While India may initially be hesitant to expose the Andamans, possibilities such as overflight and ‘Gas and Go’ services could emerge in the future, considering the precedents set by the US in Changi, Singapore, and mainland India. The Andamans’ strategic significance is underscored by the US Navy’s utilization of the region for aviation logistics.

In 2020, amid heightened tensions between India and China, the US Navy’s P-8 Poseidon conducted its inaugural refueling from India’s strategic base in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, further emphasizing their importance. Plans to enhance infrastructure on these islands align with their role as India’s gateway to the Asia Pacific region and as an “unsinkable aircraft carrier.”

Recognizing India’s pivotal role in maritime operations, the West, including the UK and the US, has turned to India for maintenance support for their warships navigating the Indo-Pacific waters. This trend is fueled by growing maintenance delays and costs faced by the US Navy, amidst challenges posed by China’s expanding naval fleet.

Efforts are underway to revitalize the US Navy’s shipbuilding capabilities, with Japan and South Korea being urged to contribute. Additionally, there are considerations to utilize private shipyards in Japan for maintenance, repair, and overhaul services, aiming to alleviate servicing backlogs in the US.

The collaboration between like-minded countries aims to counterbalance China’s naval growth, with India’s strategic position on the Malacca Strait being pivotal in sustaining Western operations in the region. It is anticipated that the US will extend support to enhance infrastructure in India to bolster logistics support for its naval assets in the Indo-Pacific.

However, the US Navy faces challenges in meeting its repair needs amid budget constraints. Operating and support costs have surged across various ship classes, while propulsion hours have declined over the past decade. This underscores the importance of partnerships with reliable providers like L&T and CSL to ensure the operational readiness of the US Navy’s fleet.

Exploring India’s Economic Schism: A Journey with Amina from Poverty to Opulence

Staff ReporterEconomy, Lifestyle 0

Close to the area I once called home lies one of India’s most dazzling shopping centers. During the day, the immense structure overshadows everything in its vicinity. At night, a dazzling array of lights starkly contrasts with the neighboring shops and houses, which have taken on a worn appearance from pollution and rain.

Within this grand establishment named Quest, residents of Kolkata with substantial disposable incomes indulge in luxury foreign brands like Gucci and dine at Michelin-starred restaurants.

However, life outside continues at a steady pace for individuals like my acquaintance, Amina.

She resides in a slum nestled in the shadow of Quest.

Amina embodies a statistic often mentioned yet rarely acknowledged: Approximately 60% of India’s nearly 1.3 billion inhabitants subsist on less than $3.10 per day, according to the World Bank’s median poverty line. Moreover, over 250 million people, constituting 21% of the population, survive on less than $2 per day.

Growing up as a middle-class Indian, I had limited exposure to the lives of the underprivileged. We inhabited distinct spheres, a divide that seemed to widen as India surged forward as a global economic force. While the affluent prospered, the impoverished largely remained in their dire circumstances, contributing to the expanding gap.

Presently, the wealthiest 10% in India command 80% of the nation’s wealth, as reported by Oxfam in 2017. Furthermore, the top 1% possesses 58% of the country’s wealth, in stark contrast to the United States, where the richest 1% owns 37% of the wealth.

Another illuminating perspective reveals that the wealth of 16 individuals in India equates to that of 600 million people.

These eye-opening statistics about my homeland evoke a sense of dichotomy. One facet of India showcases billionaires, technological advancements, nuclear capabilities, and democratic values. Conversely, there exists another India, inhabited by individuals like Amina, where nearly 75% of the population resides in villages, engaged in arduous labor; only 11% own refrigerators, and 35% lack basic literacy skills.

I am meeting Amina today because policymakers and journalists seldom engage with individuals like her to assess India’s progress. Quest Mall in Kolkata symbolizes India’s economic triumph, and I am curious to hear Amina’s perspective on it.

Amina and I go way back to 1998 when she began working at my parents’ residence. Each morning, she would trek from her dwelling about a mile and a half away, arriving around 10 AM to tend to household chores. Despite her age, which she claimed to be around 50 despite lacking any documentation, she exhibited remarkable resilience from years of domestic labor.

My mother held Amina in high regard, and even after my parents passed away in 2001 and I sold the flat, I made a point to visit Amina whenever I returned to Kolkata.

Over time, I learned about the challenges she faced, particularly after her husband’s passing, which left her struggling to secure steady employment due to her declining health. Despite my attempts to assist her financially, Amina insisted on earning her keep by offering services like massages or pedicures.

My frequent visits to India stem not only from my distinct upbringing but also from a deep fascination with the country’s evolution from a poverty-stricken former colony to a formidable global player.

I am mindful that Western perceptions of India often revolve around clichés such as corruption, traffic accidents, pollution, arranged marriages, and vibrant festivals. However, India’s societal landscape has evolved significantly, characterized by a burgeoning youth population, a surge in urban obesity rates, and the transformation of traditional trades due to the proliferation of the IT sector.

Such transformations necessitate constant reacquaintance with my birthplace.

Today, I am eager to reconnect with Amina and assess her well-being since our last encounter. Navigating through dim, labyrinthine alleys, I reach Amina’s modest dwelling. The air is thick with the aroma of cooking spices mingling with the acrid scent of coal-burning stoves.

Amina’s living conditions, reminiscent of those depicted in Katherine Boo’s “Beyond the Beautiful Forevers,” epitomize the struggles faced by individuals like her. Amidst scratched aluminum pots and an antiquated television set, Amina resides in a dimly lit room devoid of windows, paying a monthly rent equivalent to what she once earned at my parents’ residence.

Her room serves as a shared space for her and her grandchildren, offering a glimpse into the harsh realities endured by marginalized communities.

Economists like Devinder Sharma advocate for an alternative approach to India’s development, urging policymakers to address the systemic inequalities perpetuated by existing tax structures and government incentives that primarily benefit the affluent.

Conversely, Indian entrepreneurs attribute the widening wealth gap to systemic issues such as government corruption and inefficiency. Factors like gender, caste, and geographic location further exacerbate disparities, as highlighted by economic development expert Raj Desai.

As I engage with Amina in her humble abode, I am struck by her physical frailty, a stark contrast to her once robust demeanor. Despite her diminished mobility, Amina’s resilience remains evident as she eagerly anticipates our outing.

Accompanied by her granddaughter, Manisha, Amina ventures into an unfamiliar realm as we arrive at Quest Mall, where the dichotomy between old and new becomes palpable.

Outside the opulent mall, street vendors like Tapan Datta continue their daily routines, unfazed by the extravagant offerings within. However, our attempt to enter the mall is met with resistance from a vigilant security guard, underscoring the exclusivity of such establishments.

Inside, Amina’s astonishment at the immaculate surroundings is evident, offering a glimpse into a world previously beyond her reach. As we explore the mall, I observe the incongruity between the exorbitant price tags and Amina’s meager means, highlighting the stark disparities perpetuated by India’s economic growth.

While Amina’s inability to comprehend the astronomical prices provides a sense of relief, it also serves as a poignant reminder of the insurmountable barriers faced by individuals like her.

As we reflect on our experience, Amina’s poignant words resonate deeply, encapsulating the profound sense of resignation prevalent among marginalized communities.

Amidst academic discourse and policy debates surrounding India’s economic trajectory, Amina’s plight serves as a poignant reminder of the inherent inequities perpetuated by systemic injustices.

Despite the ongoing discourse regarding India’s economic future, the fundamental question of how to alleviate widespread poverty remains unanswered. While some advocate for progressive policies aimed at redistributing wealth, others emphasize the importance of addressing systemic issues such as education and healthcare.

As I bid farewell to Amina, her poignant words linger, serving as a testament to the enduring resilience of individuals like her amidst formidable challenges. In her world, devoid of the prospect of upward mobility, the American dream remains an elusive notion.

As I depart, I am reminded of the stark juxtaposition between luxury and deprivation, a sobering reality that underscores the urgent need for inclusive economic reforms aimed at uplifting the most vulnerable segments of society.

India Gears Up for World’s Largest Election: Battle Lines Drawn as Modi’s Leadership Faces Crucial Test

Staff ReporterIndia 0

The upcoming week marks the commencement of the world’s largest election, as 960 million eligible voters out of India’s 1.4 billion population prepare to cast their votes to determine the occupants of the 543 seats in the Lok Sabha, India’s powerful lower house of Parliament, and ultimately, the next Prime Minister of India.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faces off against a coalition of over a dozen opposition parties, notably the Indian National Congress, which has a historical legacy of governing India for more than five decades. Central to this electoral clash is the incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who ascended to power in 2014 on a platform promising economic reform and championing Hindu nationalism. A victory for Modi would see him join the ranks of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, as a three-term leader.

The election unfolds as a protracted and resource-intensive endeavor, with voting scheduled to commence on April 19th and span seven phases over six weeks, culminating in the announcement of results on June 4th. Mirroring the 2019 election, this year’s iteration anticipates the establishment of over a million polling booths nationwide, staffed by nearly 15 million polling personnel, facilitating the voting process through electronic means. The meticulous orchestration of these proceedings falls under the purview of the Election Commission of India, with projections hinting at a cost surpassing the $8.5 billion expenditure of the preceding election.

In essence, India’s electoral mechanism aligns with the British parliamentary system inherited until independence in 1947, constituting a multiparty parliamentary framework with a bicameral legislature. The attainment of a majority, requiring 272 seats, enables a party or coalition to form a government and nominate a Prime Minister. The process unfolds across seven distinct phases, enabling the deployment of security personnel to safeguard the transportation of voting equipment and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.

Post-voting, the Election Commission undertakes a comprehensive tallying and verification process, following which the President of India extends an invitation to the victorious party to form a government, with its leader assuming the role of Prime Minister. In cases where no single party secures an outright majority, alliances with smaller parties typically ensue.

The primary electoral tussle manifests between India’s dominant political entities—the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Indian National Congress (INC). The BJP, led by Prime Minister Modi since its 2014 ascension, governs in tandem with the National Democratic Alliance, securing a resounding triumph in the 2019 elections with 303 parliamentary seats. Modi’s tenure, marked by a transformation from an anti-corruption crusader to a polarizing figure, resonates strongly with India’s Hindu majority, fostering widespread support despite governance challenges such as pandemic mismanagement, unemployment, and minority persecution.

Facing Modi’s BJP juggernaut are figures such as Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi from the Congress Party, which has endured consecutive electoral setbacks in recent years. The party’s electoral prospects face hurdles, including financial constraints and legal entanglements, notwithstanding alliances forged with regional opposition parties under the banner of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). However, internal dissent and strategic divergences have undermined the cohesion of this united front.

The electoral discourse revolves around pressing socio-economic issues, notably unemployment and inflation, compounded by the plight of farmers grappling with debt and meager incomes. Despite India’s economic growth trajectory, job creation remains insufficient, particularly for the youthful demographic comprising a significant portion of the population. The BJP administration has implemented welfare measures dubbed “new welfarism,” subsidizing essential services and devising digital infrastructures to facilitate direct cash transfers, thus shaping voter expectations regarding continued government support.

Furthermore, Modi’s espousal of Hindu-centric policies and the erosion of secular principles through initiatives like the Citizenship Amendment Act and the abrogation of Kashmir’s autonomy have polarized public opinion. These measures, while consolidating Hindu support, have alienated the Muslim populace, accentuating societal fault lines and invoking scrutiny regarding India’s secular ethos.

The upcoming election assumes significance as a barometer of India’s democratic ethos amidst allegations of rights infringements and institutional subversion. Despite commendable voter turnout rates, concerns linger over the government’s stifling of dissent and curtailment of media independence, prompting scrutiny from international observers and a reassessment of India’s democratic credentials.

The 2024 Indian election signifies a pivotal juncture in the nation’s democratic trajectory, testing the endurance of democratic principles amidst socio-political turbulence and the legacy of a decade under Modi’s leadership.

Iran Launches Massive Aerial Assault on Israel, Escalating Regional Tensions

Staff ReporterGlobal 0

Iran launched a massive aerial assault on Israel on Saturday night, deploying over 300 drones and missiles in retaliation for a lethal Israeli airstrike in Syria a fortnight earlier, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing hostilities between the two regional adversaries.

The strikes inflicted minor damage on a single Israeli military base, with most of the airborne threats intercepted, according to Israeli military sources. The United States claimed it assisted in downing numerous drones and missiles.

Nevertheless, the extensive assault, targeting locations within Israel and its controlled territory, heralded a precarious new phase in the protracted covert conflict between Iran and Israel.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps, via a statement aired on state television, announced the launch of “dozens of drones and missiles” from Iran towards Israel “in response to the Zionist regime’s crimes.” Subsequently, via social media, they asserted hitting military targets within Israel, cautioned the United States against involvement, and issued threats of further strikes in case of attacks on Iran or its interests.

A hospital spokesperson, Inbar Gutter, disclosed that a total of 12 individuals were admitted to the Soroka Medical Center in southern Israel overnight.

Among the targeted areas was the Golan Heights, a strategically vital region bordering Syria that Israel annexed almost six decades ago. Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese militia, claimed responsibility for firing numerous rockets at an Israeli barracks there, though it remained unclear if this barrage was part of the broader Iranian assault.

In the aftermath of the attacks, while Iranians in Tehran gathered to celebrate, air-raid sirens reverberated across extensive areas of southern Israel, the West Bank, and the Golan Heights. The Israeli government issued warnings regarding potential missile strikes in the Negev Desert, where several military installations are situated. Moreover, the airspaces of Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon were shut down.

President Biden curtailed a weekend at his Delaware vacation residence to confer with his national security advisors. He also held discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The President of the United Nations Security Council announced an emergency session scheduled for 4 p.m. on Sunday to address Iran’s assaults on Israel, following a request by Israel’s U.N. ambassador, Gilad Erdan.

US Braces for Potential Iranian Strikes on Israel, Prepares Defense and Diplomatic Measures

Staff ReporterDiplomacy, Global 0

The United States is anticipating imminent strikes by Iran on multiple targets within Israel, CNN sources report. The Biden administration is bracing for a potentially volatile and unpredictable period in the Middle East. President Joe Biden warned that these attacks could happen “sooner than later” and issued a stern public message to Tehran: “Don’t.”

A conflict between Iran and Israel would mark a significant escalation in the region, a scenario the US has sought to avoid since the Israel-Hamas war began in October. The US is prepared to assist in intercepting any weapons aimed at its ally.

According to senior administration officials and intelligence sources, Iranian proxies might also be involved in the upcoming attacks, which could target locations both inside Israel and across the region. The US is poised to intercept weapons launched at Israel, indicating strong ongoing cooperation between the two militaries.

US intelligence has observed Iran moving military assets internally, including drones and cruise missiles, suggesting preparations for attacks on Israeli targets from within Iranian territory. There’s uncertainty whether Iran plans an initial strike from its soil or is posturing to deter potential counterattacks.

President Biden reaffirmed the US commitment to Israel’s security, emphasizing their readiness to support and defend Israel against Iranian aggression. The White House emphasized the “real,” “credible,” and “viable” threat posed by Iran following Israel’s recent attack on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria, which resulted in the deaths of three Iranian generals.

The US, along with Britain and France, issued new travel advisories for government personnel in Israel due to the looming Iranian threat. US Navy forces in the Red Sea have intercepted missiles aimed at Israel in the past, and additional military assets are being deployed to the Middle East to enhance regional deterrence efforts and protect US forces.

The Defense Department is bolstering air defenses for troops stationed in Iraq and Syria following multiple attacks by Iran-backed forces in recent months. While the US does not anticipate direct attacks on its forces, precautionary measures are being taken.

There’s speculation that any Iranian attack on Israel would likely be carried out by proxy forces rather than directly by Iran, as Tehran is wary of a dramatic escalation. However, Iran has urged its proxy militias to launch a large-scale attack against Israel using drones and missiles.

President Biden has been briefed regularly on the situation and is actively engaged in efforts to de-escalate tensions. US officials are in constant communication with Israel, urging restraint and providing support to ensure Israel’s ability to defend itself.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been urging other countries to press Iran to avoid escalating the conflict. Diplomatic efforts include discussions with Turkey, China, Saudi Arabia, and European allies to convey the message to Iran.

In response to the heightened threat level, the US State Department has restricted the travel of government personnel in Israel, and France has advised its citizens against traveling to Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories due to the risk of military escalation.

Supreme Court Rejects Ramdev’s Apology, Questions Uttarakhand’s Action on Patanjali Advertisements

Staff ReporterHealth 0

The Supreme Court declared on Wednesday its refusal to accept the “unconditional and unqualified” apologies tendered by Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved Managing Director Acharya Balkrishna. This apology came in response to contempt of court notices issued by the court, following a lawsuit by the Indian Medical Association (IMA). The IMA accused them of publishing misleading advertisements, claiming cures for certain diseases, and criticizing the allopathy branch of medicine.

A bench consisting of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah had previously expressed dissatisfaction with the apology affidavits submitted by Ramdev and Balkrishna. They were given an opportunity to provide better responses to the show cause notices. These notices were issued due to alleged violations of an undertaking given to the court on November 21, 2023, pledging not to make “casual statements claiming medicinal efficacy or against any system of medicine”.

The court expressed displeasure over a press conference held by Ramdev on November 22, 2023, in Haridwar, and an advertisement released by the company on December 4, 2023, which were seen as violations of the undertaking made on November 21, 2023.

Subsequently, fresh affidavits were filed on April 6, offering unqualified and unconditional apologies. However, Justice Kohli stated, “We do not accept these affidavits. We decline to accept or condone it. We consider it a wilful and deliberate violation of the order.” The court criticized the respondents’ actions as a deliberate breach of the undertaking, despite repeatedly emphasizing their apologies in the affidavits.

In its order, the court remarked, “Having regard to the entire history of the matter, and the past conduct of the respondents, we have expressed our reservations about accepting the latest affidavit filed by them.” The bench scheduled another hearing for April 16.

The court also found fault with an application submitted by the duo during the previous hearing, seeking exemption from appearing in court due to international travel. It was noted that the affidavits were sworn a day before the air tickets were issued, leading the court to believe the respondents were attempting to avoid personal appearance.

The court stated, “It is now been stated in the affidavit filed by the proposed contemnors that admittedly the tickets were issued on a date after the affidavit was sworn…Fact remains that on the date, the affidavits were shown, there was no such ticket in existence (at the time the affidavits were sworn). And therefore, the assumption is the respondents were trying to wriggle out of their personal appearance before this court, which is most acceptable.”

Furthermore, the court reprimanded the state of Uttarakhand for failing to take action against Patanjali and its subsidiary Divya Pharmacy for advertisements promising cures for diseases. The court requested affidavits from officials who had held the post of Joint Director of the State Licensing Authority in Haridwar between 2018 and the present, to explain their actions to address this issue.

India Makes Significant Strides in Global University Rankings: QS World University Rankings 2024

Staff ReporterEducation, India 0

Sixty-nine Indian universities have been included in the rankings, with 424 entries in the 2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject. This represents a notable increase of 19.4 percent from the previous year’s 355 entries.

“Interestingly, 72 percent of the Indian entries this year are either new to the list, have shown improvement, or have maintained their positions, whereas a mere 18 percent experienced a decline. Overall, India has demonstrated a significant 17 percent year-on-year improvement.”

The list is compiled by global higher education experts QS Quacquarelli Symonds.

“The 12 Institutes of Eminence (IoE), which represent just a fraction of Indian universities, contribute 40 percent of the country’s total entries, amounting to 180. Furthermore, the IoE lead the way with 47 of the 69 top-100 Indian positions and 14 of the 21 positions across 55 academic disciplines and five faculty areas in the 14th edition of the rankings.”

The University of Delhi, IIT Bombay, and IIT Kharagpur are the most represented Indian universities in this edition of the rankings, with 30, 28, and 27 entries respectively. IIT Madras follows closely with 22 entries this year, showing improvements in eight, decline in six, and no change in four. IIT Delhi secured the fifth spot with 19 entries, out of which 11 improved, three declined, and three remained unchanged.

“IIT Guwahati has been named as one of the world’s top universities for the study of Data Science and Petroleum Engineering subjects, securing a global ranking of 51-70, and Petroleum Engineering, where it ranks 51-100 globally. Additionally, four of IIT Guwahati’s subjects have witnessed an improvement in rank this year.”

IIT Guwahati’s subject wise ranks

Sr. No Subject/ Department Rank – 2024
1. IIT Guwahati – Engineering and Technology 210
2. Chemical Engineering 201-250
3. Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering 201-250
4. Electrical & Electronics Engineering 201-250
5. Computer Science & Information Systems 251-300
6. Chemistry 251-300
7. Physics & Astronomy 301-350
8. IIT Guwahati – Natural Sciences 343
9. Biological Sciences 401-450
10. Mathematics 301-350
11. Petroleum Engineering 51-100
12. Environmental Studies 201-250
13. Civil Engineering 151-200
14. Economic & Econometrics 451-500
15. Data Science 51-70
16. IIT Guwahati – Arts & Humanities 501-550
17. Business & Management Studies 501-550
18. Agriculture & Forestry 351-400

Jindal Global Law School has made a significant leap to the 72nd rank in the world this year from the 84th rank last year, maintaining its top position for the fifth consecutive year. Other Indian law schools included in the list are National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru (ranked 151-200), and the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi (ranked 201-250).

Jessica Turner, QS CEO, highlighted the challenges faced by India in providing high-quality tertiary education amidst increasing demand. She also noted the positive progress made by several programs at India’s three privately-run Institutes of Eminence, emphasizing the role of well-regulated private provision in enhancing India’s higher education sector.

“While there is still room for improvement in standards, access to higher education, universities’ digital readiness, and global competitiveness, it is evident that India is moving in the right direction.”

India’s Health Crisis Unveiled: Rising Cancer Cases Make Nation ‘Cancer Capital of the World’, Apollo Hospitals Report Warns

Staff ReporterHealth, Nation 0

A recent study has shed light on a concerning trend of declining health in India. According to the report, released by Apollo Hospitals, India is now labeled as “the cancer capital of the world” due to a surge in cancer and other non-communicable diseases nationwide.

The report aims to draw attention to the growing health crisis that requires urgent action from all Indians. Despite recording over a million new cases annually, India’s cancer rate still falls below countries like Denmark, Ireland, and Belgium, and is lower than the United States, with 100 cases per 100,000 people compared to 300 in the U.S.

However, this might soon change due to what experts describe as an “epidemiological transition.” The study reveals that one in three Indians is pre-diabetic, two in three are pre-hypertensive, and one in ten suffers from depression. Chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health disorders have reached alarming levels nationwide.

The number of cancer cases is projected to exceed global averages, increasing from 1.39 million in 2020 to 1.57 million by 2025. Breast cancer, cervix cancer, and ovarian cancer are the most common among women, while lung cancer, mouth cancer, and prostate cancer prevail among men. Surprisingly, more women in India are diagnosed with cancer compared to men, deviating from the global trend.

Certain cancers are also affecting younger individuals earlier than in other countries. For instance, the median age for lung cancer in India is 59, compared to 70 in the U.S., 68 in China, and 75 in the U.K.

The high incidence of cancer can be attributed to various environmental, socioeconomic, lifestyle, and dietary factors. Nearly 40% of cancer cases in India are linked to widespread tobacco use, significantly increasing the risk of lung, oral, and throat cancers. Poor dietary habits and lack of physical activity contribute to 10% of cases.

The report also warns of an impending healthcare crisis due to escalating obesity rates (from 9% in 2016 to 20% in 2023) and hypertension (from 9% in 2016 to 13% in 2023). Additionally, pre-diabetes, prehypertension, and mental health disorders are manifesting at younger ages, while obstructive sleep apnea poses a significant risk among Indians.

Dr. Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Group, emphasizes the crucial role of health in the nation’s development. She calls for unified efforts from the healthcare ecosystem and the nation to combat non-communicable diseases effectively.

Experts stress the importance of regular health screenings, including blood pressure and body mass index monitoring, to reduce the risk of cardiac-related ailments. Although India has screening programs for oral, breast, and cervical cancer, national data indicates screening rates of less than 1%. However, there’s a positive trend towards more comprehensive health checks among the population.

Despite this, experts emphasize the need to expand health checks across India by investing in health infrastructure, promoting preventive healthcare measures, and addressing health disparities. Prioritizing these aspects will be crucial in safeguarding the health and well-being of the nation.

Report Reveals $180 Billion Green Hydrogen Market Potential in Asia’s Industrial Giants by 2050

Staff ReporterEconomy, Technology 0

A new study conducted by the High-level Policy Commission on Getting Asia to Net Zero, convened by the Asia Society Policy Institute, highlights the significant potential for green hydrogen (H2) electrolyzers in Asia’s four largest economies. Titled “Green Hydrogen for Decarbonizing Asia’s Industrial Giants,” the report examines the role of electrolyzers in meeting the growing demand for green H2 in China, India, Japan, and South Korea. Conducted by Global Efficiency Intelligence, the study focuses on three key industries—steel, ammonia, and methanol—and explores various decarbonization scenarios.

The report projects substantial market growth for green H2 electrolyzers in these countries by 2050, particularly if they adhere to their net zero targets. The estimated market potential for the three industries by 2050 is as follows:

– China: $85 billion (up from $22 billion in 2030)

– India: $78 billion (up from $4 billion in 2030)

– Japan: $9 billion (up from $1 billion in 2030)

– South Korea: $8 billion (up from $1 billion in 2030)

This collective market potential is expected to reach $180 billion by 2050, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) as high as 12% between 2030 and 2040—nearly five times the market potential under a business-as-usual scenario.

The report emphasizes that the total electrolyzer market opportunity extends beyond these industries and provides a breakdown of the potential market for each industry and country analyzed.

To accelerate the development and adoption of green H2 and electrolyzer manufacturing, the report offers a set of policy recommendations. These recommendations target policymakers, industry stakeholders, investors, and think tanks, aiming to establish a robust ecosystem for green H2 production and use in pursuit of net zero emissions.

The report’s launch event took place on April 12 in New Delhi, India, where Ali Hasanbeigi, Founder, CEO, and Research Director at Global Efficiency Intelligence, highlighted the importance of utilizing green H2 in key sectors like steelmaking, ammonia, and methanol to achieve decarbonization. Hasanbeigi stressed the massive potential for electrolyzers in major Asian countries and the substantial benefits for those who seize this opportunity.

Kate Logan, Associate Director of Climate at the Asia Society Policy Institute, emphasized that ambitious net zero targets can drive demand for critical technologies like electrolyzers, essential for decarbonizing the region and the world. She suggested that Asia’s industrial giants view net zero pathways as opportunities for development rather than limitations.

Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa, commended the release of the report, highlighting the need to transform sectors like steel and fertilizers to achieve India’s energy independence and net zero goals. Kant acknowledged India’s potential to produce green hydrogen for both domestic use and global markets, leveraging its abundant renewable energy resources.

Charith Konda, Energy Specialist at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, emphasized India’s significant growth potential in the green hydrogen electrolyzer market. He noted a projected CAGR of 16%, signaling positive prospects for investors and policymakers and underlining the strategic role of green hydrogen in achieving net zero objectives.

The High-level Policy Commission on Getting Asia to Net Zero, launched in May 2022, aims to accelerate Asia’s transition to net zero emissions while ensuring economic prosperity. Through research, analysis, and engagement, the Commission, with the Asia Society Policy Institute serving as the secretariat, seeks to advance a coherent and Paris-aligned vision for net zero emissions in the region. More information about the commission is available at AsiaSociety.org/netzero.

Preventing Dementia: Understanding Modifiable Triggers and Genetic Variations

Staff ReporterHealth, Science 0

A significant stride has been made in understanding the preventable risk factors associated with dementia, a debilitating condition affecting memory, cognitive function, and reasoning. Researchers from the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Oxford have identified key factors that could potentially delay the onset of dementia. These findings are based on a study involving brain scans of 40,000 participants from the UK Biobank, focusing on what they term as “weak spots” in the brain – specific networks of higher-order regions vulnerable to degeneration.

The study underscores the critical role of controlling diabetes, limiting alcohol consumption, and reducing exposure to traffic-related air pollution as essential measures in preventing dementia. Dr. Pawan Ojha, Director of Neurology at Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai, elaborates on the impact of these risk factors and offers insights into potential preventive strategies.

Diabetes emerges as a significant contributor to the vulnerability of key brain areas. Patients with Type 2 diabetes face an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease due to the detrimental effects of elevated blood sugar levels on the hippocampus, the brain’s memory center. Excessive secretion of amylin hormone from the pancreas can further harm neurons, while impaired insulin function contributes to the formation of beta-amyloid plaque, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, abnormal inflammation in the brain exacerbates the neurodegenerative process associated with diabetes.

Air pollution from vehicular emissions poses another significant risk to brain health. Neurotoxicants present in traffic-related air pollution, such as particulate matter and nitric oxide, induce neuro-inflammation and oxidative stress, exacerbating cardiovascular diseases and negatively impacting cognitive function.

Heavy alcohol consumption is also strongly linked to dementia risk. Excessive alcohol intake, defined as more than 213 ml per week, leads to increased neurodegeneration, particularly affecting the brain’s white matter volume responsible for signal transmission between different brain regions. Prolonged alcohol abuse can result in the shrinkage of brain areas involved in memory, with consumption exceeding 28 units per week accelerating cognitive decline in older individuals.

To mitigate these risks, lifestyle modifications are paramount. Adopting a healthy diet, engaging in regular exercise, ensuring adequate sleep, and maintaining optimal weight are essential steps. Monitoring and limiting alcohol intake, along with reducing exposure to air pollution, are crucial preventive measures. Dr. Ojha stresses the importance of social interaction in maintaining cognitive health, highlighting the need for an active and engaged lifestyle.

The study also delves into genetic variations associated with dementia, focusing on seven genetic clusters related to immune and inflammatory responses. Genetic cluster 1 is specifically linked to Alzheimer’s disease, while clusters 2 and 4 show associations with both Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia, particularly in individuals with heavy alcohol consumption habits. Cluster 5, located in the MAPT region, plays a role in various neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, genetic loci on the X chromosomes, such as genes XG and CD99, are associated with early-life and environmental factors impacting health outcomes. Four genetic loci contribute to abnormal leukocyte inflow in the brain, contributing to inflammation observed in Alzheimer’s disease.

Understanding and addressing modifiable risk factors such as diabetes, air pollution, and alcohol consumption are crucial steps in preventing dementia. Lifestyle modifications, coupled with genetic insights, offer promising avenues for reducing the burden of this debilitating condition on individuals and society as a whole.

Six Months into Israel-Gaza Conflict: World Leaders Call for Ceasefire and Humanitarian Aid Amidst Rising Tensions

Staff ReporterDiplomacy, World 0

On October 7th, a tragic event unfolded as Hamas militants breached Israel’s borders from Gaza, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties, mostly civilians, and the capture of over 250 individuals, initiating a harrowing conflict. In the subsequent six months, Israel retaliated by launching incursions and airstrikes on Gaza, reportedly claiming the lives of around 33,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, as documented by the United Nations. Moreover, Israel’s military actions and control over humanitarian aid entering Gaza have led to a dire situation, with an estimated one million people teetering on the edge of famine.

This crisis has elicited widespread condemnation and legal challenges, notably a case brought forth by South Africa at the United Nations’ highest court. In January, the court issued an interim order suggesting the plausibility of Israel engaging in acts of genocide, a claim vehemently denied by Israel. Consequently, pressure from Israel’s allies has intensified, particularly following an incident on April 2nd when Israeli military strikes resulted in the deaths of seven aid workers, including six foreign nationals affiliated with the NGO World Central Kitchen, deemed by the military as a “grave mistake.”

Following these tragic events, President Joe Biden issued a stern ultimatum to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging immediate measures to safeguard civilians and facilitate the delivery of food aid into Gaza. Failure to comply would prompt a reassessment of the United States’ military support, which amounts to billions of dollars annually. In response, Israel initiated the opening of new aid channels into Gaza.

Internally, Netanyahu faces significant domestic unrest, with mass protests demanding a resolution to the hostage situation involving the remaining 133 captives. Some demonstrators have joined anti-government rallies, advocating for Netanyahu’s resignation. Addressing the six-month milestone of the conflict, Netanyahu emphasized the perceived achievements of the war, asserting determination to secure a comprehensive victory, secure the release of all hostages, eradicate Hamas across Gaza, and ensure Israel’s long-term security. Netanyahu reiterated to the international community that no ceasefire would be entertained without the return of the hostages.

Reportedly, negotiations between Israel and Hamas are ongoing through intermediaries, with hopes of reaching a resolution.

Reflecting on the six-month mark of the conflict, various world leaders have voiced their perspectives:

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described October 7th as a “most appalling attack” in Israel’s history, emphasizing the need for an end to the conflict, the release of hostages, and immediate humanitarian intervention in Gaza.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock condemned Hamas’ actions and reiterated the call for the release of hostages and cessation of violence.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Jordan stressed the imperative of halting Israel’s military operations in Gaza and ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and the facilitation of humanitarian aid.

U.K. Foreign Minister David Cameron demanded the release of hostages by Hamas, advocated for Israel’s right to self-defense within the bounds of international law, and urged for increased humanitarian aid and a temporary ceasefire.

U.K. Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden acknowledged Israel’s mistakes while upholding high standards for accountability, amidst public and legislative pressure to suspend arms sales to Israel.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres mourned the loss of life on both sides and condemned Hamas’ actions, calling for the unconditional release of hostages and a humanitarian ceasefire.

Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defense Micheál Martin honored the victims of the conflict while calling for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and enhanced humanitarian aid efforts.

The global response underscores the urgency of ending the violence, addressing humanitarian concerns, and pursuing a sustainable resolution to the protracted conflict, prioritizing the well-being and security of both Israelis and Palestinians.

Rare 4.8 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles New Jersey: Experts Offer Reassurance on Future Risks

Staff ReporterEnvironment 0

A 4.8 magnitude earthquake struck New Jersey on Friday morning, causing ripples of concern from Baltimore to New York City. This seismic event, rare for the area, left residents shaken but also prompted experts to reassure the public about the likelihood of future earthquakes in the eastern U.S.

Angie Lux, a seismologist at the University of California Berkeley Seismology Lab, stated to TIME, “There’s no clear trend that there are more earthquakes happening.” Data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reveals that since 1950, roughly 40 earthquakes with magnitudes of 3 or higher have occurred within 500 km of Friday’s earthquake epicenter near Whitehouse Station, N.J. The last earthquake of comparable magnitude in the region struck in 2011, causing widespread tremors across the East Coast.

Lingsen Meng, an associate professor of geophysics at the University of California Los Angeles, emphasized that earthquakes are infrequent along the East Coast and advised people to remain calm. He noted, “Small earthquakes occur much more often than big ones.” The most significant earthquakes historically recorded on the East Coast were the 1755 Cape Ann earthquake in Boston and a 7.2 quake in Charleston, S.C. in 1886, which Meng described as “much bigger than the ones we have today.”

Sarah McBride, a research social scientist at USGS, mentioned in a press briefing that at least two aftershocks related to Friday’s earthquake had been recorded. However, she added that the likelihood of an aftershock with a magnitude of five or greater in the coming weeks was only 3%.

Regarding the cause of the earthquake, USGS clarified that it did not occur at an active fault. A spokesperson explained, “There are dozens of older inactive faults that formed millions of years ago. And under the current stresses from tectonic plates moving, those faults can be intermittently reactivated.” Further research is required to fully understand the event’s origin.

Meng reassured the public about potential infrastructure damage, stating, “Building damage usually doesn’t happen until [magnitude] six or seven. So [today’s earthquake] is not going to cause any significant damage unless the building is really inadequate.” He did, however, acknowledge a potential concern regarding seismic waves traveling across the East Coast, which can be felt more widely due to differences in the Earth’s crust. Meng explained, “East Coast seismic waves tend to travel much longer distances. They don’t attenuate or decay as fast.” Nonetheless, he emphasized that significant earthquakes are rare in the East Coast, thus the likelihood of severe damage or building collapse remains low.

Immigration Surge Unravels Economic Mysteries, Redefining Growth Projections

Staff ReporterImmigration 0

The unveiling of new immigration estimates by the Congressional Budget Office has added a crucial piece to the economic puzzle, shedding light on the unexpected vigor of the U.S. economy amid recession forecasts. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell remarked, “The numbers are actually higher, and that actually explains what we’ve been asking ourselves.” The U.S. economy has staged a remarkable recovery from the pandemic, defying recession fears as economic indicators consistently surpassed projections. However, some indicators, such as employment growth and consumer spending, appeared excessively robust, prompting concern among economists, including those at the Federal Reserve tasked with managing inflation.

The revised immigration estimates provided by the CBO offer insight into this atypical economic rebound, suggesting that the labor market may not require significant slowing to curb inflation. Initially, in 2019, the CBO projected net immigration for 2023 at 1.0 million individuals. However, the latest estimates reveal that net immigration in the previous year amounted to 3.3 million people, indicating a faster population and labor force growth than anticipated by statistical agencies and economists.

The influx of immigrants has implications for employment dynamics, potentially allowing for faster employment growth than previously assumed. This accelerated growth, exceeding what the labor market can effectively accommodate, may drive up wages and prices, thereby contributing to inflationary pressures. Adjusting prior labor market assumptions, it’s evident that sustainable monthly employment growth in 2023 could have ranged from 160,000 to 230,000, accounting for the higher immigration figures.

This revelation diminishes concerns about employment growth overheating and its impact on prices. With strong immigration trends expected to persist, employment growth of nearly 200,000 workers per month is deemed consistent with a healthy labor market, nearly double the sustainable rate without increased immigration.

Beyond employment, heightened immigration levels also influence other aspects of economic recovery. A larger population translates to more consumers, driving up real consumer spending by $46 billion last year alone. Moreover, increased immigration directly contributed to real GDP growth by 0.1 percentage point in 2022 and 2023, with projections indicating further boosts to consumer spending and GDP growth in the coming years.

While increased consumer demand may elevate prices and wages in specific sectors, the overall impact on aggregate inflation is mitigated by the accompanying rise in production capacity. Consequently, the extra economic capacity afforded by increased immigration alleviates pressure on the labor market and reduces the need for aggressive measures to control inflation.

Looking ahead, immigration remains integral to sustaining long-term economic growth, especially amid demographic shifts marked by an aging population and declining birth rates. Immigration not only addresses labor force shrinkage but also bolsters fiscal sustainability, with immigrants projected to contribute significantly more in taxes than they receive in benefits over 75 years.

However, the benefits of immigration must be balanced against the immediate fiscal strains experienced by some states and localities. Proposals to redistribute federal gains from immigration to affected communities could alleviate resource pressures and foster greater acceptance of immigrants.

To fully harness the economic advantages of immigration, policymakers must modernize immigration pathways to align with present-day economic realities. The current immigration system, largely unchanged since 1990, lacks flexibility to accommodate the needs of a burgeoning economy and evolving labor market. Addressing these shortcomings requires expanding legal immigration avenues and reimagining enforcement mechanisms to align with economic imperatives.

Despite challenges, the economic rationale for immigration expansion is clear. Congress must seize the opportunity to enact comprehensive immigration reform, recognizing both the humanitarian imperative and the economic dividends associated with welcoming migrants. Failure to act could not only jeopardize recent economic gains but also compromise the future vitality of the U.S. population and economy.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Warns of Potential Surge in US Interest Rates, Highlights Economic Uncertainties

Staff ReporterBusiness 0

The leader of one of the largest global banks has issued a cautionary statement regarding the potential trajectory of US interest rates, suggesting they could soar as high as 8%. Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, emphasized that his institution has readied itself for such a scenario due to what he described as “persistent inflationary pressures.” This assertion aligns with a broader trend among central banks worldwide, which have been actively raising rates in an effort to mitigate the surge in prices. However, despite the ongoing concern over inflation, there is a prevailing anticipation that the Federal Reserve will opt to reduce rates within the current year.

Dimon outlined his bank’s preparedness for a wide spectrum of interest rates in his annual letter to shareholders, spanning from 2% to potentially 8% or even beyond. He attributed the potential upward pressure on rates to substantial government spending and the imperative to mitigate inflationary trends. Currently, US interest rates hover between 5.25% to 5.5%, marking a notable elevation compared to the past two decades. The rationale behind escalating interest rates lies in their effectiveness in curbing excessive borrowing for both housing acquisitions and business investments, consequently tempering economic activity and alleviating inflationary pressures.

Dimon has persistently cautioned against unwarranted optimism regarding the swift decline of interest rates, echoing similar sentiments from the preceding year when he speculated rates could reach as high as 7%. He identified various factors contributing to inflation, including ongoing fiscal expenditure, global remilitarization, reconfigurations in global trade, the capital demands of the emerging green economy, and potentially escalating energy costs. With the impending decision from the US Federal Reserve on interest rates approaching, the prevailing anticipation is for a sustained status quo in the immediate term, with the possibility of the first rate cut emerging around June. Similar expectations extend to the European Central Bank, which is also anticipated to implement its inaugural rate cut in June.

However, there is a degree of skepticism among analysts regarding the likelihood of rate cuts materializing during the summer in the US. Despite initial projections anticipating higher borrowing costs to dampen economic growth, the US economy has exhibited resilience, with sectors such as housing experiencing moderate deceleration while the unemployment rate remains below 4%. Supported by robust government and consumer spending, businesses continue to expand payrolls at a rate exceeding expectations. The impending release of the latest US inflation data, expected to reflect a year-on-year increase to 3.4% according to the CPI measure, may further complicate the case for rate cuts.

Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell, in a speech delivered at Stanford University in early April, hinted at the potential for policy rate adjustments later in the year, contingent upon the economy evolving as anticipated. Dimon, who has served as CEO of JPMorgan Chase since 2005, underscored the significance of the current juncture, characterizing it as a pivotal moment amidst global uncertainty. His extensive tenure at the helm of a major investment bank lends weight to his observations and insights into the prevailing economic landscape.

Dimon’s warnings about the trajectory of US interest rates underscore the complexities and uncertainties surrounding global economic dynamics, particularly in the face of persistent inflationary pressures. As central banks grapple with the challenge of balancing growth objectives with inflation containment, the forthcoming decisions on interest rates hold significant implications for various sectors and economies worldwide.

UNESCO Unveils 18 New Geoparks: From Dinosaur Treasures to Monastic Marvels, Discover Nature’s Tapestry

Staff ReporterNews 0

A selection of 18 new geological sites, spanning from the dinosaur-rich landscapes of Brazil to the majestic monasteries of Meteora, has recently been unveiled by UNESCO, accentuating the intricate blend of natural wonders, cultural significance, and intangible heritage within specific regions.

Catering to the interests of travelers seeking profound encounters with geology, culture, and sustainability, UNESCO’s latest announcement adds to the global roster of 213 designated Global Geoparks, representing 48 nations worldwide.

António Abreu, director of the Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences at UNESCO, elaborates on the significance of these geoparks, stating, “UNESCO Global Geoparks represent landscapes where internationally significant geological heritage intertwines with human history and supports rich biodiversity.”

Five of these newly designated geoparks offer unique narratives:

1.Uberaba, Brazil:Dubbed the “Land of the Giants,” this geopark, situated in southeast Brazil, is home to rich palaeontological treasures, boasting impressive geological formations like the Serra da Galga and Serra Geral mountain ranges. These formations, shaped by ancient volcanic activities, narrate tales of prehistoric life through over 10,000 fossils. Moreover, the area’s 19th-Century farming practices, employing a breed of cattle with lower CO2 emissions, contribute to ecological preservation.

2.Biokovo-Imotski Lakes, Croatia:This Croatian geopark comprises two distinct geological marvels – the Biokovo mountain range and the captivating Red and Blue Lakes at Imotski. Biokovo offers diverse outdoor activities within its Nature Park, while the lakes, nestled within Europe’s deepest karst lake crater, boast vibrant hues and intriguing formations. Man-made attractions, including medieval tombstones and a modern glass skywalk, enrich the geopark’s cultural tapestry.

3.Meteora Pyli, Greece:Situated in Greece’s Thessaly region, Meteora Pyli presents a fusion of nature and culture. Towering sandstone columns host Byzantine-era monasteries, while nearby geological wonders like the Tafoni formations of Kalambaka and the biodiverse Pindos Mountains provide enriching experiences for visitors.

4.Longyan, China:Central to China’s Hakka culture, Longyan in Fujian Province showcases distinctive roundhouse-style buildings and age-old traditions. The geopark encompasses natural forests teeming with endemic flora and fauna, including the Chinese yew tree and the South China tiger, safeguarded under the shadow of Meihuashan Mountain.

5.South Fyn Archipelago, Denmark:This drowned ice age landscape, aptly called the “Garden of Denmark,” features around 55 islands and islets, offering prime sailing waters and a thriving marine ecosystem. Visitors can engage in various activities, from island hopping to supporting local farms, epitomizing the area’s historical and future significance.

These geoparks encapsulate a harmonious blend of geological wonders, cultural heritage, and ecological significance, offering immersive experiences for travelers seeking enriching encounters with our planet’s diverse landscapes.

Truth Social Shares Plummet, Trump’s Stake Loses Billions in Value

Staff ReporterSocial Media 0

Shares of Truth Social, the social media platform launched by former President Trump’s company, Trump Media & Technology Group, have experienced a significant downturn in the past couple of weeks following its initial surge.

According to recent reports, the company’s shares plunged by 8% on Monday, following a 12% drop on Friday. This downward trend has pushed the stock to its lowest level since its trading debut on March 26, indicating a volatile market performance with notable fluctuations.

This decline has had a substantial impact on the value of Trump’s stake in the company. As the majority stakeholder, Trump saw the value of his shares plummet from a peak of over $6 billion during the trading debut to approximately $2.9 billion as of Monday.

Despite this significant valuation, analysts have raised concerns regarding the company’s financial standing. Trump Media & Technology Group reported a loss of $58 million in the previous year, coupled with a modest revenue of just over $4 million. Such figures have prompted skepticism about the inflated value attributed to Trump’s stake.

Moreover, Trump’s ability to offload his shares is restricted until September under the current agreement. However, he retains the option to request permission from the board of Trump Media to divest some of his stake ahead of schedule. Notably, the board comprises individuals with close ties to Trump, including his son, Donald J. Trump Jr., and former administration officials.

Despite warnings from analysts about the detachment of the company’s stock value from its actual financial performance, support for Truth Social persists among individual investors. Many of these investors are believed to be ardent supporters of Trump, contributing to the sustained trading activity of the company’s shares.

International Booker Prize 2024: Diverse Narratives and Global Perspectives Shine on Shortlist

Staff ReporterNews 0

Six different languages, six distinct countries, and three continents feature in the novels shortlisted for this year’s International Booker Prize, showcasing a rich tapestry of cultures, styles, and human experiences.

Eleanor Wachtel, Chair of judges for the 2024 International Booker Prize, highlighted the transformative power of novels, stating, “Novels carry us to places where we might never set foot and connect us with new sensations and memories.” She emphasized the shortlist’s ability to transport readers across vast mental landscapes, often intertwining personal lives with political contexts in innovative ways.

The shortlist for the International Booker Prize 2024 includes:

“Not a River” by Selva Almada, translated from Spanish by Annie McDermott: The narrative revolves around two men and a deceased friend’s teenage son embarking on a fishing expedition. Themes of masculinity, guilt, desire, and societal suspicion permeate this story, described as “prophetic,” “ghostlike,” and “a punch in the gut.”

“Kairos” by Jenny Erpenbeck, translated from German by Michael Hofmann: Erpenbeck describes “Kairos” as a tale of both personal love and the unraveling of a political system. Reviewer Lily Meyer notes its ability to reflect and magnify generational and geopolitical divides.

“Crooked Plow” by Itamar Viera Junior, translated from Portuguese by Johnny Lorenz: Two sisters discover a mysterious knife under their grandmother’s bed, leading to a narrative blending magical and social realism. Set amidst Brazil’s poorest region, the novel emphasizes the importance of preserving history and protecting the land.

“Mater 2-10” by Hwang Sok-yong, translated from Korean by Sora Kim-Russell and Youngjae Josephine Bae: Hwang Sok-yong’s ninth translated work, this novel portrays the lives of ordinary Koreans spanning the Japanese colonial era to the twenty-first century.

“What I’d Rather Not Think About” by Jente Posthuma, translated from Dutch by Sarah Timmer Harvey: The protagonist, a twin grappling with the recent suicide of their sibling, navigates personal grief. Posthuma’s novel is lauded for its authenticity and poignant narrative style.

“The Details” by la Genberg, translated from Swedish by Kira Josefsson: Beginning amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, this novel explores themes of relationships, memory, and time. Praised for its mesmerizing prose, “The Details” offers a profound exploration of human connection.

The winner of the International Booker Prize 2024 will be revealed at a ceremony on May 21 at London’s Tate Modern. The £50,000 prize money will be evenly split between the author and translator(s), with shortlisted authors and translators sharing a £5,000 prize. The event will be livestreamed on the Booker Prizes’ channels, with YouTuber Jack Edwards hosting.

Georgi Gospodinov and translator Angela Rodel clinched last year’s International Booker Prize for their novel “Time Shelter.”

New Zealand Overhauls Visa Program Amid Migration Concerns

Staff ReporterImmigration 0

New Zealand announced on Sunday that it would be implementing immediate alterations to its employment visa scheme, citing concerns over the near-record levels of migration experienced last year, which it deemed “unsustainable.”

In a bid to address these concerns, the modifications entail the introduction of an English language proficiency requirement for low-skilled positions and the establishment of a minimum threshold for skills and work experience for the majority of employer work visas. Additionally, the maximum continuous stay for most low-skilled roles will be shortened from five years to three years.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford emphasized the government’s aim to prioritize attracting and retaining highly skilled migrants, particularly in professions facing shortages such as secondary teaching. She stated, “The Government is focused on attracting and retaining the highly skilled migrants such as secondary teachers, where there is a skill shortage.”

However, Stanford also stressed the importance of ensuring that New Zealanders are given priority for jobs where there are no shortages of skills. She emphasized, “At the same time we need to ensure that New Zealanders are put to the front of the line for jobs where there are no skills shortages.”

According to official statements, last year witnessed nearly 173,000 individuals migrating to New Zealand, approaching a historical peak in migration numbers.

With a population of approximately 5.1 million, New Zealand has experienced a rapid surge in migrant numbers following the conclusion of the pandemic, prompting apprehensions regarding its potential to exacerbate inflationary pressures.

In response to similar concerns, neighboring Australia, which has also observed a significant influx of migrants, has announced plans to halve its intake of migrants over the next two years.

Political Earthquake: Biden and Trump Neck-and-Neck as Voter Demographics Shift

Staff ReporterPolitics, USA 0

A seismic event rocked the Northeast last Friday, as a 4.8 magnitude earthquake jolted the region. Yet, beneath the surface, there are signs of political tremors brewing.

According to the latest NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll, President Biden and former President Donald Trump find themselves in a statistical dead heat, with Biden holding a slight 2-point advantage at 50% to Trump’s 48%.

The proximity of the race between these two well-known figures might suggest a locked-in voter base, given their previous showdown. However, the survey reveals that approximately 40% of respondents remain open to changing their allegiance.

Moreover, shifts are occurring within key demographic groups. Young voters, Latinos, and independents are either wavering in their support for Biden or remain undecided. Conversely, there’s a noticeable sway towards Biden among older voters and college-educated white voters, particularly men.

These demographic shifts could potentially reshape the electoral map. Democrats are eyeing gains in Sun Belt states like Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and New Mexico, where growing diversity and fewer blue-collar white voters offer opportunities. Meanwhile, Republicans may strengthen their hold in parts of the industrial Midwest.

Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, remarks on the significance of these trends, noting, “We’re in the beginnings of a seismic shift in the nature of our parties…where does that end up and where are we in 10 years with these trends?”

Analyzing data from Marist’s survey alongside 2020 exit polls, notable shifts emerge within various demographic groups:

– College-educated white men: Biden leads by 21 points in 2024 compared to Trump’s 3-point lead in 2020, marking a significant shift in Biden’s favor.

– College-educated white voters overall: Biden holds a 24-point lead in 2024, compared to his 3-point lead in 2020.

– College-educated white women: Biden leads by 28 points in 2024, compared to his 9-point lead in 2020.

– Over 45: Biden leads by 6 points in 2024, reversing Trump’s 3-point lead in 2020.

– Under 45: Trump holds a 1-point lead in 2024, a significant shift from Biden’s 14-point lead in 2020.

– Independents: Trump leads by 7 points in 2024, a reversal from Biden’s 13-point lead in 2020.

– Nonwhite: Biden leads by 11 points in 2024, a substantial decrease from his 45-point lead in 2020.

The trend of college-educated white voters gravitating towards the Democratic Party continues. Trump’s 2016 victory largely relied on white voters without college degrees, but Biden’s appeal among educated white voters remains strong.

The survey highlights the salience of immigration and racial issues in GOP politics, with a significant majority of Republicans favoring the deportation of migrants and expressing concerns about perceived discrimination against white Americans.

Despite Biden’s current lead in the polls, there’s a need for a broader margin to secure an Electoral College victory, as emphasized by Miringoff.

However, Biden faces challenges in retaining key groups that supported him in 2020. Independents and young voters have expressed disapproval of his administration’s performance, particularly regarding his handling of the Gaza conflict.

Furthermore, support among nonwhite voters, especially Latinos and young Black voters, has waned. In the survey, 56% of Latinos disapprove of Biden’s performance, while younger Black voters show a significant divide from older counterparts.

The emergence of third-party candidates, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., poses additional challenges. Kennedy attracts 11% support in the poll, drawing from disenchanted voters across demographics.

The Biden campaign acknowledges the importance of swaying undecided voters away from third-party options, viewing a second Trump presidency as a pressing concern. However, regaining support, particularly among young voters and Latinos, remains an uphill battle, with lingering discontent over Biden’s policies.

While the campaign seeks to leverage its financial resources through organized efforts and TV ads, the shifting dynamics among voters, particularly within white, college-educated demographics, could potentially offset the need for replicating 2020 support levels among young people and Latinos.

-+=