Category: News

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.

She 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.

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.

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.”

Marine activity near the Port of Baltimore has ground to a halt following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday, an incident poised to disrupt shipping and logistical networks.

A significant container vessel collided with a support column shortly before 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, resulting in the bridge plummeting into the Patapsco River. Officials have reported the successful rescue of two individuals, but tragically, six others are presumed deceased following their fall into the river.

Analysts are scrutinizing the potential ramifications of the incident on a crucial hub for automobile imports. While Baltimore’s port may not be the largest in the nation, it boasts the highest throughput of car and light truck shipments.

According to Abe Eshkenazi, who leads the Association for Supply Chain Management, certain automakers may be compelled to reroute their shipments to alternate East Coast ports such as those in New York, New Jersey, or Roanoke, Virginia. This redirection carries the risk of transporting goods further from their intended destinations, potentially inflating costs. Eshkenazi notes, “In the short term, we’re going to have to address the ships that are already in port that can’t get out. And then similarly, we have a number of ships that are already in transit that are scheduled to come into the port that can’t get in.”

The repercussions of the bridge collapse extend beyond automotive imports, impacting coal and sugar shipments as well as the operations of warehouses and trucking companies in the Baltimore area.

However, the collapse of the bridge is not anticipated to exert a substantial influence on global shipping, which is already contending with pressures stemming from attacks by Houthi militants in the Red Sea and a drought in Panama leading to congestion at the Panama Canal.

New Delhi, March 28, 2024:Catholic communicators in India have mourned the death of James Kottoor, a former editor of the Chennai-based New Leader publication and a prolific writer who helped spread the Vatican II reforms in India.

Kottoor died March 27 in Kochi, Kerala, where he was spending his retired life. He was 89. He is survived by his wife Agnes and three daughters who are nurses settled in the United States, and a son who is a doctor.

He was born on August 18, 1934, in Kottayam, Kerala. He edited The New Leader during 1967-1975.

He was also the editor-in-chief of the Church Citizens’ Voice, a portal. He regularly contributed to Matters India until a few years ago.

A former priest of Madras-Mylapore, he obtained a doctorate in theology from Rome’s Pontifical Urban University and Bachelors in Journalism, at Marquette University in the US.

Father D Amudhan, a former president of the Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA), expressed sadness over Kottoor’s death. “He was the editor of the New Leader when I met him in 1973. Under his editorship the New Leader was a widely read and well liked Catholic weekly,” Father Amudhan told Matters India March 28.

According to the 80-year-old priest of Thanjavur diocese, Kottoor’s “constructive criticism and bold proposals were an eye opener in the Indian church. He was one of the few who openly and positively contributed for the reforms of the Vatican Council to spread in the country.”

Salesian Father C M Paul, a former president of the Signis India, says Kottoor was known and respected for his progressive stance and critical analysis of societal and political matters from a Catholic perspective. “He was my inspiration when I took charge as the editor of the Herald weekly of Calcutta in 1989,” Father Paul told Matters India.

Father Paul too agrees that Kottoor, during his tenure as editor, was known for his bold and outspoken editorial style, often addressing controversial topics such as corruption, social justice, gender equality and religious reform within the Catholic Church.

He gained recognition for his advocacy for the rights of marginalized communities and his efforts to promote dialogue and reform within the Church hierarchy, the Salesian priest added.

Kottoor’s writings, Father Paul added, often reflected his deep concern for the poor, and he used his platform to raise awareness about issues such as poverty, caste discrimination, and human rights abuses.

“He was also known for his criticism of religious fundamentalism and his calls for greater accountability and transparency within religious institutions,” he added.

ICPA’s current president Ignatius Gonsalves, mourning Kottoor’s death, hailed the veteran journalist who clamoured for reform in the Church, especially among his own community of Kananites.

This former priest “was fiercely committed to the Church and the Gospel values. Until recently he was active with his website called “Church Citizens Voice.” survived by his and their four children.

Kottoor encouraged the formation of an association of former priests and nuns and addressed its conference at Kochi on February 28, 2015.

In the early hours of March 26, a cargo ship carrying a crew of 22 Indians collided with a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland.

The Singapore-based Synergy Marine Group, the charter manager of the cargo ship, confirmed that all crew members were safe, and there were no casualties.

Reports indicate that the ship struck a column of the bridge, causing it to fall into the water. Rescue operations are ongoing, and both city and state officials have declared a state of emergency in response to the incident.

The shipping company issued a statement regarding the collision, stating, “Owners and managers of the Singapore-flagged container ship ‘DALI’ (IMO 9697428) report that the vessel collided with one of the pillars of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Baltimore whilst under pilotage with two pilots onboard, at approximately 01:30 local time on 26th March.”

The statement also confirmed that all crew members, including the two pilots, were safe, with no injuries or pollution reported. The exact cause of the collision is still under investigation, but initial findings suggest that the crew issued a distress call, indicating a loss of power and propulsion before the collision.

The company stated that it has informed the US Coast Guard and local officials and is fully cooperating with government agencies. Details about the ship’s capacity were also provided, noting it as a 10,000 TEU vessel with 4,679 TEU onboard, outbound from Baltimore to Colombo.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore mentioned on social media platform X that the ship had lost power before the collision. He stated that his office is in communication with the US Transportation secretary and fire emergency personnel to coordinate response efforts.

Authorities at the Patapsco River Baltimore Port have suspended vessel traffic until further notice, stating, “At this time, we do not know how long vessel traffic will be suspended. As soon as that is determined, we will provide an update.”

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott declared a local state of emergency following the collapse of the Key Bridge. He assured the public that resources were being mobilized swiftly to address the crisis and ensure community safety and well-being.

The Major Archbishop of the influential Syro-Malabar Church, Mar Raphael Thattil, has urged citizens to cast their votes in favor of parties that prioritize the protection of minorities and uphold the Constitution, as the nation prepares for the 2024 general elections.

Speaking to reporters at an event, Thattil expressed concern over a recent report by a Christian forum revealing 161 reported attacks on Christians in 2024. He described the findings as “painful” and highlighted the significance of the Constitution in safeguarding citizens’ rights. He mentioned assurances from the Prime Minister and the government regarding taking strict actions in response to such incidents.

“The reports on the rise in attacks are painful, especially when we have a strong Constitution which provides us our rights. The Prime Minister, when we met him, and the government had assured stern action,” said Thattil.

When questioned about the approaching Lok Sabha elections, Thattil emphasized the importance of voting for candidates who prioritize protecting minorities and upholding the Constitution.

“Everyone can vote according to their wish. But personally, I would say, people should vote for those who protect minorities and the Constitution,” he stated.

Regarding the increasing attacks on the Christian community, Thattil advised members to remain composed while urging the government to take necessary measures to ensure the safety of the victims.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India has scheduled April 26 as the polling date for Kerala’s 20 Lok Sabha constituencies.

The latest biographical film on Savarkar offers a compelling narrative, catering not just to his admirers but also to those unfamiliar with his legacy or critical of it. It delves into the complexities of Savarkar’s life, highlighting his pivotal role in India’s struggle for independence and the sacrifices he made. Despite facing a decade of harsh imprisonment in the British penal colony of Kālā Pānī, Savarkar remained steadfast in his commitment to the cause.

While some may argue that the film portrays Savarkar in a glorified light, it undeniably presents factual accounts that challenge common perceptions. A central theme of the biopic is the contrast between Mahatma Gandhi and Savarkar, emphasizing their differing approaches to achieving Indian independence. Unlike Gandhi’s advocacy for non-violence, Savarkar championed armed resistance, earning him the fear of the British authorities.

Savarkar’s redefinition of the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny as the First War of Indian Independence and his inspiration drawn from figures like Mazzini are depicted in the film. It also explores his establishment of “Abhinav Bharat,” mirroring Mazzini’s “Young Italy,” to promote nationalist sentiment and unity.

Despite covering a vast expanse of history, the film maintains a brisk pace, though some editing could have streamlined the narrative. Portrayals of historical figures such as Gandhi and Churchill occasionally border on caricature, detracting from the otherwise factual presentation.

The harrowing experiences of Savarkar in Kālā Pānī, including torture and encounters with brutal jailers, are vividly depicted. While the extensive portrayal of torture may seem excessive, it underscores the exceptional suffering endured by Savarkar, orchestrated by fellow Indians under British direction.

The biopic raises pertinent questions about the legitimacy of resistance against colonial oppression. It suggests that India’s independence ultimately came through the threat of violence, forcing the British to recognize the futility of continued colonial rule.

A notable aspect addressed in the film is Savarkar’s infamous mercy petition, contextualizing it within his broader strategy for the freedom struggle. His pragmatic approach, rooted in legal training, aimed to secure the release of all prisoners, prioritizing the larger cause over personal liberty.

Furthermore, the film challenges misconceptions about Savarkar’s Hindutva ideology, portraying it as inclusive rather than exclusionary. According to Savarkar, anyone identifying with the Indian homeland and culture could be considered a Hindu, irrespective of religious affiliation.

In essence, the Savarkar biopic offers a nuanced portrayal of a controversial figure in Indian history, inviting viewers to reassess their perspectives on his contributions to the nation’s freedom struggle. Whether one admires or opposes Savarkar’s ideology, the film provides valuable insights into a pivotal era of Indian history.

Shubhangi Sharma, a resident of Berlin, prepares for a vibrant Holi celebration, emblematic of the growing trend among high-earning Indians settling abroad to infuse billions into local economies. Sharma’s forthcoming festivities reflect a significant economic footprint, as she plans to spend approximately €200 to host friends, purchase Holi paint, and adorn traditional attire procured during her visits to Delhi.

As a microbiologist married to a tech professional, Sharma epitomizes a demographic capable of indulging in traditional festivals and luxury living, attributing their financial freedom to their relocation to countries like Germany. She remarks, “I moved my investments from India to Germany, so now all my savings are here, and I enjoy investing money in different stock profiles and different exchange-traded funds (ETFs).”

The surge in skilled Indian migration to Germany, facilitated by relaxed visa regulations, mirrors broader global trends. Indians, particularly in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), are becoming the top immigrant earners in Europe’s largest economy, with a median monthly wage of €4,974.

The diaspora’s economic influence extends beyond Germany, with approximately 18 million Indians residing overseas, spanning continents. This dispersion contributes to a significant global economic footprint, as highlighted by economist V N Balasubramanyam: “Both in terms of the global economy and their own purchasing power, the impact is substantial.”

Remittance payments to India, a key economic driver, reached record highs in 2023, reflecting the diaspora’s financial contributions. However, the economic impact transcends remittances, encompassing investments, entrepreneurship, and skill enhancement within industries such as IT and pharmaceuticals.

In the United States, Indians emerge as the highest-earning ethnic minority group, wielding considerable buying power and driving demand in real estate markets. Similar patterns manifest in countries like the UK, Singapore, and the Gulf, indicating a global trend of Indian diaspora investment.

Strategic financial planning characterizes the diaspora’s approach to wealth management, with a focus on low-risk investments and retirement planning. Approximately 25% of non-resident Indians prefer conservative investment options, demonstrating a prudent approach to capital retention and growth.

Analysts anticipate continued global resonance of the Indian diaspora’s economic story, contingent upon political dynamics and visa policies. Balasubramanyam observes, “The economic power of the Indian diaspora will continue to increase and be substantial,” emphasizing the potential for joint ventures and investment back into India.

This economic narrative is propelled by a cohort of young, ambitious professionals navigating open-market policies across multiple countries. Dutta notes, “They are young people in the 30s who still have decades of work life ahead, are super ambitious and aspirational,” underscoring their potential to shape global economies.

In a digitalized, globalized context, the economic impact of high-earning Indian expatriates resonates across borders, promising continued contributions to global markets and investment landscapes.

Russia is observing a day of mourning following a tragic incident that claimed the lives of at least 137 individuals during a crowded concert at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall on Friday evening. Flags across the nation fly at half-mast, numerous events have been canceled, and TV schedules have been adjusted in light of the somber occasion.

The assault, perpetrated by gunmen who entered the venue, resulted in more than 140 people sustaining injuries as they fired indiscriminately before setting the hall ablaze. The Islamic State (IS) group has claimed responsibility for the attack, with Amaq, the IS media outlet, posting an image purportedly depicting the four masked assailants involved. However, Russian authorities have not officially commented on IS’s assertion.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared that all four perpetrators have been apprehended. Images released by Russia’s Investigative Committee showed the detainees being escorted into a building, restrained and blindfolded. President Putin condemned the massacre as a “barbaric terrorist act,” echoing earlier statements by Russian security services that the assailants may have attempted to flee to Ukraine.

However, Ukraine swiftly dismissed any involvement, labeling such claims as “absurd.” Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian military intelligence directorate, refuted suggestions of a link to Ukraine, stating that such a notion would imply the attackers were either “stupid or suicidal.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Putin of attempting to shift blame onto Ukraine, criticizing his silence in addressing the Russian populace in the aftermath of the tragedy.

BBC Verify has corroborated details of two of the alleged attackers seen in the IS video with images of the arrested suspects circulating on pro-Kremlin Telegram channels. The US National Security Council revealed it had previously alerted Russia to a potential IS threat targeting “large gatherings,” including concerts, in Moscow. The Kremlin dismissed this warning as “propaganda” and an attempt by the US to interfere in Russian affairs.

The White House condemned the attack, describing IS as a “common terrorist enemy” that must be defeated globally. Reports of the assault inside Crocus City Hall emerged around 20:00 local time on Friday, as thousands gathered for a rock concert by veteran band Picnic. Videos posted online captured the chaos as gunmen opened fire, prompting panic among attendees who sought refuge wherever possible.

Eyewitness accounts described the assailants methodically targeting individuals, with some concertgoers attempting to escape to the basement or roof. Anastasia Rodionova, who attended the concert, recalled the terrifying scene of gunmen gunning down victims in silence. Vitaly, another witness, observed the attackers throwing petrol bombs before chaos ensued.

Outside the hall, smoke billowed into the sky as flames engulfed the roof and facade. Reports indicated explosions that shattered glass on the building’s upper floors. Special forces units swiftly responded, storming the venue as medical personnel and numerous ambulances rushed to the scene. Helicopters circled overhead, aiding efforts to extinguish the fire.

The Russian Investigative Committee confirmed that the attackers used flammable liquid to ignite portions of the concert hall. They attributed the victims’ deaths to gunshot wounds and poisoning from smoke inhalation. On Saturday, a makeshift memorial emerged outside the venue, where mourners lit candles and laid flowers. Across Moscow and other cities, electronic billboards displayed a single burning candle alongside the word “Skorbim” – “we mourn.”

Authorities are currently in pursuit of two individuals believed to be involved in the brutal murder of a 52-year-old woman whose body was discovered concealed in a duffel bag within her deceased mother’s luxurious Manhattan residence last week, as stated by law enforcement officials on Thursday.

The victim, identified as Nadia Vitel, reportedly encountered the assailants while she was preparing her late mother’s 19th-floor apartment on East 31st Street for the occupancy of a family friend upon her recent arrival from Spain. According to police, Vitel was subjected to a vicious assault by the perpetrators upon discovering them unlawfully occupying the premises.

“We believe that some squatters took the apartment over and this woman came home … and walked in on the squatters that were there,” stated NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny.

The suspects, whose identities have not been disclosed by the NYPD, were captured on surveillance footage fleeing the scene following the murder, absconding in the victim’s Lexus SUV. Their escape led them across state lines, culminating in a crash in Lower Paxton Township, Pennsylvania.

Despite the occurrence of the incident, authorities were not notified until the subsequent day, as Pennsylvania law enforcement officials did not promptly run the license plates to ascertain the vehicle’s connection to a homicide, explained Kenny.

The fugitives, who are still at large as of Thursday, reportedly attempted to procure a new vehicle for $1,000 from various local car dealerships subsequent to the collision.

These developments transpired subsequent to the grim discovery made by Vitel’s 19-year-old son, Michael Medvedev, who stumbled upon his mother’s lifeless body inside the apartment with the assistance of the building’s superintendent after being unable to contact her for 48 hours.

“As they’re getting ready to leave, the son opens up the closet door near the front door and discovers the duffel bag with a foot sticking out,” recounted Kenny.

The duration of time the perpetrators had been occupying the apartment prior to Vitel’s encounter with them remains unclear, as does the method by which they gained entry into the premises.

“The apartment itself is very unique in that there’s no front door to the apartment. You take an elevator up and then you key your way in. The elevator is actually your front door,” explained Kenny, emphasizing the upscale nature of the residence.

Although the identities of the two suspects have not been divulged by law enforcement, insider sources have previously described them as a man and woman in their twenties.

“As of right now, we have probable cause, we have two subjects, we have the Regional Fugitive Task Force actively hunting as we speak,” asserted Kenny, noting that one of the squatters has a prior arrest record.

In the quiet corners of Assam, where the lush greenery meets the vibrant culture of its people,lies a tale of dedication, faith, and unwavering commitment. It is a tale woven through the corridors of schools, where knowledge blossoms and futures take shape. And in this tale, I find myself as both witness and participant, a humble servant in the grand tapestry of education and enlightenment.

My journey has taken me through the hallowed halls of Dokmoka Krist Jyoti School, Assumption School Chokihola, Holy Family School Japrajan, and besides being an acting principal of Don Bosco School, Diphu, St.Joseph School Dolomora, Principal of St.Mary’s School Diphu,Principal of Little Flower School Manja, Principal of Kristu Jayanti School Dhansiri, Principal of St. Mary’s School Daldali and many others scattered across the landscape of Assam. As a teacher, as an acting principal-I have walked these paths with reverence and purpose, knowing thet each step I take is a step towards shaping young minds and nurturing the seeds of wisdom within them.

But beyond the titles and the roles, there lies a deeper truth that guodes me- the truth of my faith, the truth of my calling. As a Catholic priest, In wear my cassock not just as a uniform but as a symbol of my commitment to the priesthood of Jesus Christ, It is a mantle of responsibility, a reminder of thge sacred duty bestowed upon me to serve others with love, compassion, and humility.

In a world where divisiveness and discord seem to be on the rise, I am confronted with a choice – to stand idly by or to speak out, to conform to the status quo or to challenge it. And I choose the latter, not out of defiance, but out of a deep-rooted belief in the values that I hold dear. For I believe that true courage lies not in the absence of fear,but in the willingness to stand up for what is right, no matter the cost.

I have seen the status of famous figures that adorn our government buildings, parks, and memorials – figures who have shaped the destiny of our nation and left an indelible mark on history. And just as we honour and commemorate these individuals, so too do Christians honor and preserve the memory of the saints who have walked before us. They are beacons of light in a world shrouded in darkness, guiding us with their examples of faith, courage, and selflessness.

But amidst the noise and clamor of the world, I am reminded of the simple yet profound teachings of Jesus Christ – to love one another, to treat others as we would like to be treated, to uphold the dignity and worth of every human being. And so, I stand resolute in my commitment to these values, ready to defend them with every fiber of my being.
To my students, to their parents, to all who call Assam home – I urge you to embrace the sacredness of our constitution and the magnanimity of Christian works. For it is through these principles that we can build a society rooted in justice, equality, and compassion.

And as I reflect on the countless lives that have passed through the doors of our schools, I am filled with a sense of gratitude and humility. For it is in the faces of these young minds that I see the hope and promise of a brighter future – a future built on the foundation of humanity, decency, and mutual respect.

So let us rise above the divisions that threaten to tear us apart. Let us stand together as one community, United in our shared humanity and our common purpose. For only then can we truly safeguard the values that define us as a people, and only then can we fulfill the promise of a better tomorrow for generations to come.

New York, NY – December 16, 2023: In the bustling heart of the city that never sleeps, the Sikh International Film Festival 2023 unfurled a spellbinding tale of Sikh heritage and cultural diversity at the prestigious Rubin Museum on December 16th. This year’s festival treated the audience to an enchanting journey through impactful stories, with standout films like

“Baywatana: Without a Country’, directed by high school students from Boston”, explored the plight of Sikhs and Hindus in Taliban-era Afghanistan.

“American Sikh”, is a true story of Indian American Sikh who was trying to assimilate with the Americans. The Oscar qualified animated short film is a story of American Sikh Hero Vishvajit Singh and Produced by Guneet Monga Kapoor – Oscar-winning producer (The Elephant Whisperers) and Michelin-starred chef-filmmaker Vikas Khanna and directed and illustrated by American Sikh Hero Vishavjit Singh and Ryan Westra.  Vikas Khanna said, “One of the highlights of screening ‘American Sikh’ at Sikh International Film Festival was engaging the little ones and the youth who could see themselves reflected in our film. Their dreams and hopes keep me inspired.”

“Colonel Kalsi: Beyond the Call”: is another true story of a Sikh young Kamal Kalsi who fought to serve in the US Army with his turban and beard. The film explores themes of diversity, sacrifice, faith, identity and resilience. Colonel Kalsi expressed, “Serving in the Army with my unique camo turban and beard was a profound experience of celebrating my Sikh identity while embodying the spirit of American patriotism…”

As the curtains closed on these impactful narratives, the festival featured over 10 films, covering a diverse range of topics from current affairs to historical perspectives. Teji Bindra (Founder and President of Sikh Art & Film Foundation), Mandeep Sobti (Senior VP and Chair of Finance), Dr Paul Johar (Chair SAFF – Film Festival), Harmeet Bharara ( Former Chair FF and Gala), Hansdip Bindra ( Head of PR and Marketing), expressed their satisfaction with the films that captivated a packed auditorium at the Rubin Museum in Manhattan.

Teji Bindra emphasized, “Sikh Art & Film Foundation has been at the forefront in bringing better awareness of Sikhs through films and arts for the past 17 years. We are pleased with the fantastic movies showcased this year.”

Dr. Paul Johar added, “This year’s Sikh International Film Festival showcased a powerful lineup addressing contemporary Sikh Diaspora issues, delved into the challenges faced by the community. “Amardeep Singh’s documentary, “Oneness in Diversity: Elixir of Guru Nanak and the Indic Saints,” intertwined memories of Saints and Sufi mystics, emphasizing the essential theme of oneness and diversity. The festival, with its captivating stories and impactful quotes from filmmakers, not only celebrated Sikh culture but also provided a dynamic platform for filmmakers to showcase their artistry.

The Sikh International Film Festival, originating in 2004, has been a cultural beacon, fostering awareness of Sikh culture through films and arts. As the curtains closed on this year’s festival, the organizers expressed gratitude to viewers for their unwavering support, marking a significant chapter in the festival’s journey. The success of SIFF 2023 promises an even brighter future, continuing to celebrate Sikh heritage and diversity through the captivating lens of cinema.

Website: http://sikharts.com/film-festival.html

For further information or media inquiries, please contact:

Contact: Neeta Bhasin | Phone: 516-343-0181

Email: [email protected]

Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, was celebrated by the Connecticut chapter of GOPIO (Global Organization of People of Indian Origin) in partnership with the Ferguson library and the Stamford Mayor’s Multicultural Council (MMC) with traditional music, dance, Mehendi, Indian snacks and a rangoli exhibition.

The highly successful Diwali program for the 3rd year in a row, was presented with 75 artists to a houseful crowd on November 19th at the Ferguson Library in Stamford, Connecticut. The GOPIO chapter has been promoting the soft power of India and the indian Diaspora to the larger society since 2006.

Diwali, which is a major festival in the Indian sub-continent, celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. It is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains all over the world. Diwali is now a public holiday in many US towns and cities including New York. Last week New York State Governor Kathy Hochul declared Diwali as a holiday in the state.

At the Connecticut program, performances by local dance schools showcased the diversity of India with classical, fusion, folk as well as Bollywood dances. Indian delicaciesserved after the event were enjoyed by all.

Mahesh Jhangiani, Executive Vice President of the GOPIO-Connecticut chapter told the audience  that as a registered 501(c)3 non-profit, GOPIO serves as a non-partisan, secular, civic and community service organization – promoting awareness of Indian culture, customs and contributions of people of Indian origin through community programs, forums, events and youth activities.  “We seek to strengthen partnerships and create an ongoing dialogue with local communities,” said Jhangiani.

Prachi Narayan, Vice-President of GOPIO-CT introduced the Stamford Mayor’s multicultural council team; Chair Eva Weller, Secretary Ana Gallegos and Members Sandra and Sonal, as well as Yelena Clompus, who is also the Cultural Programs Manager at Stamford’s Ferguson Library, who coordinated the program from the library. The rest of the GOPIO-CT team Anita and Ambrish Mathur, Sonali Zullurwar, Ashvini Persaud, Prasad Chintalapudi, Manish Maheshwari and Yashasvi Jhangiani were present helping run the event smoothly. The cultural program was put together by Mrs Jhangiani.

The event was a culmination of the flawless team work between three organizations. Everyone came together to spend the afternoon immersed in the culture, heritage and colors of the Diwali, the festival of lights.

In a historic moment for the world of spirits, a rare bottle of The Macallan 1926 single malt whisky has shattered records, fetching an astounding $2.7 million (£2.1 million) at a recent Sotheby’s auction. This sale not only establishes a new benchmark for the most expensive wine or spirit ever sold at auction but also highlights the unparalleled allure of this sought-after Scotch whisky.

Sotheby’s, the renowned auction house, orchestrated the sale on a Saturday, with the Macallan 1926 single malt exceeding its estimated price, selling for more than double the initial valuation. Jonny Fowle, the head of whisky at Sotheby’s, provided a tantalizing preview of the prized bottle, revealing, “It’s very rich, it’s got a lot of dried fruit as you would expect, a lot of spice, a lot of wood,” according to statements made to the AFP news agency.

This particular Macallan 1926 single malt spent an impressive 60 years maturing in dark oak sherry casks before being bottled in 1986, adding to its mystique and rarity. Only 40 bottles were produced, and these were reportedly not made available for public purchase. Instead, select bottles were offered exclusively to The Macallan’s top clients. Over the years, whenever these elusive bottles have surfaced at auctions, they have consistently generated extraordinary results. In a comparable instance in 2019, a similar bottle commanded an impressive £1.5 million.

Expressing the significance of The Macallan 1926, Mr. Fowle emphasized, “It is the one whisky that every auctioneer wants to sell and every collector wants to own,” underscoring its iconic status in the world of rare spirits.

Sotheby’s provided additional insights into the distinctive labeling of the 40 bottles from the 1926 cask. The bottles were marked in various ways, with two lacking any labels, up to 14 adorned with the iconic Fine and Rare labels, and 12 receiving labels designed by renowned pop artist Sir Peter Blake. Another set of 12 bottles, including the record-breaking one sold recently, featured labels crafted by Italian painter Valerio Adami.

The Adami-designed bottles, known as The Macallan Adami 1926, hold particular intrigue. The article notes that it remains uncertain how many of these 12 bottles still exist today. One was reportedly lost in a devastating earthquake in Japan in 2011, and there are indications that at least one more has been opened and enjoyed, adding an element of mystery to the limited availability of this prized whisky.

The sale of The Macallan 1926 single malt at a staggering $2.7 million not only sets a new record for the most expensive wine or spirit sold at auction but also underscores the enduring fascination and desirability of this exceptional Scotch whisky. With its rich history, unique maturation process, and limited availability, each bottle of The Macallan 1926 represents a rare and coveted piece of spirits history.

The verdict is in, and it appears the Moon is not composed of green cheese, as the age-old saying humorously suggested. An extensive investigation published in May has yielded intriguing insights into the Moon’s composition. It turns out that the inner core of the Moon is a solid sphere with a density similar to that of iron. This discovery has the potential to resolve a long-standing debate regarding the Moon’s inner core, shedding light on its history and, by extension, the history of the Solar System.

A team led by astronomer Arthur Briaud from the French National Centre for Scientific Research in France presented their findings. They asserted, “Our results question the evolution of the Moon’s magnetic field thanks to its demonstration of the existence of the inner core and support a global mantle overturn scenario that brings substantial insights on the timeline of the lunar bombardment in the first billion years of the Solar System.”

To gain insight into the interior composition of celestial bodies within the Solar System, scientists typically rely on seismic data. By analyzing the way acoustic waves generated by seismic events travel through and interact with materials inside planets or moons, researchers can create detailed interior maps of these objects.

In the case of the Moon, seismic data collected during the Apollo missions has been available, but its resolution was insufficient for accurately determining the state of the Moon’s inner core. While the presence of a fluid outer core was known, the exact nature of the Moon’s core remained a subject of debate, with models proposing both a solid inner core and an entirely fluid core appearing to fit the available Apollo data.

To definitively settle this question, Briaud and his team compiled data from various space missions and lunar laser ranging experiments to create a comprehensive profile of several lunar characteristics. These included the extent of the Moon’s deformation caused by its gravitational interactions with Earth, variations in its distance from Earth, and its overall density.

The researchers then conducted modeling experiments involving different core compositions to determine which one aligned most closely with the observed data. Their analysis yielded several significant findings.

Firstly, the models that best matched the known properties of the Moon suggested active overturn processes occurring deep within the lunar mantle. This phenomenon involves denser material inside the Moon moving toward its center, while less dense material rises upward. This activity has long been proposed as a potential explanation for the presence of certain elements in lunar volcanic regions, and the team’s research adds further evidence in favor of this hypothesis.

Additionally, the study revealed that the lunar core closely resembles that of Earth, featuring an outer fluid layer and a solid inner core. According to their modeling, the outer core has a radius of approximately 362 kilometers (225 miles), while the inner core has a radius of around 258 kilometers (160 miles). This inner core’s density was estimated to be approximately 7,822 kilograms per cubic meter, remarkably close to that of iron.

Interestingly, in 2011, a team led by NASA Marshall planetary scientist Renee Weber arrived at a similar conclusion using advanced seismological techniques applied to Apollo mission data. They identified evidence of a solid inner core with a radius of approximately 240 kilometers and a density of about 8,000 kilograms per cubic meter. Briaud and his team view their findings as confirmation of these earlier results, forming a compelling case for the presence of an Earth-like core within the Moon.

The implications of this discovery extend to the Moon’s evolution. It is known that shortly after its formation, the Moon possessed a robust magnetic field, which began to decline approximately 3.2 billion years ago. The existence and composition of the lunar core are closely linked to the origin and eventual disappearance of this magnetic field. Understanding these factors could provide valuable insights into the Moon’s history and its magnetic past.

As humanity looks forward to returning to the Moon in the near future, seismic verification of these findings may not be far off. This exciting revelation about the Moon’s inner core composition brings us one step closer to unraveling the mysteries of our celestial neighbor and the broader history of our Solar System.

Scientists Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L’Huillier won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics for creating incredibly short pulses of light that can capture processes inside atoms and molecules, in work which could advance medical diagnostics and electronics.

The discovery

The trio was honoured for experimental methods that generate pulses of light that last attoseconds.

To understand how an electron travels, the scientists had to look at an extremely short time period — one-quintillionth of a second (known as an attosecond) — just like photographers use a quick shutter speed while photographing hummingbirds.

Applications

At this point, this science is about understanding our universe, but the hope is that it will eventually have many practical applications in electronics, diagnosing diseases and basic chemistry.

Potential applications of the discovery include medical diagnostics, where the shortest pulses can be used to identify molecules, and in electronics for understanding and controlling how electrons behave in a particular material.

Meet the scientists

Agostini, a French-American, works at the Ohio State University in Columbus. Krausz, who was born in Hungary, is director at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics in Garching, Germany, as well as professor at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet in Munich. French-born L’Huillier is a professor at Lund University in Sweden.

And the money

The three will share the 11 million Swedish kronor (USD 1 million) drawn from a bequest left by the award’s creator, Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, who died in 1896. The prize money was raised by 1 million kronor this year because of the plunging value of the Swedish currency.

Last year’s winner

Three scientists Alain Aspect (France), John Clauser (US) and Anton Zeilinger (Austria) jointly won the physics prize in 2022 for groundbreaking work in the field of quantum entanglement, where two particles are linked regardless of the space between them – something that unsettled Einstein himself who once referred to it as “spooky action at a distance”.

Set between Casablanca and Chefchaouen, Morocco

When Father thinks about the topic, his lips start to bloat, like he is having an allergic reaction. His face seals up. He is not ready to say the words.

It is the evening, and they are in their quaint little home, in their suburb of Casablanca. Carpets are strewn across the living room. There are paintings on the walls from various periods of art from Europe. Porcelain vases decorate the tables as well as the tops of the counters. A plush red sofa worn out from decades of use is on one side of Father.

Mother sits on it. Her hair is uncovered, and she is looking at him. The television is on, the soaps blaring loudly, and yet her attention is on him.

This is the home they have made together. He should feel like he is able to express anything.

He loves his wife. He trusts her. They have grown to be comfortable together as husband and wife, but over the past few years, it feels like something has shifted.

Father’s lips remain puckered together.

He isn’t ready to say it, but he knows that he has to.

3 September, 1977

When Ayoub first visited the city of Chefchaouen, he could not help but note how different it was despite being tens of kilometres away from his village. The buildings were painted an ebullient blue, they bobbed against the coasts of the hills like floating seagulls. The weather was also so cold. There was a difference of almost ten degrees Celsius because of the height in the Rif Mountains, and Ayoub, not accustomed to that, shivered in his thob.

He was visiting this city that he was a foreigner to because he was arranged to marry a beautiful woman, Mahnoor. And much like the surprise of a full moon in the sky, when Mahnoor emerged to serve his family mint tea as they gathered in her family’s common room, she made him smile.

She was so quiet. She barely spoke, as was the tradition of most women of that time. But despite their parents mostly talking around them, finalising when the marriage would be and how it ought to be, Mahnoor would look up every so often to make eye contact with Ayoub. Whenever she did, Ayoub felt something burn deep inside of him, and a part of her spirit exhaled out of his mouth. Love, this had to be that emotion. Or an attraction, a power, some sort of inexplicable feeling that drew him to her. Mahnoor had such expressive eyes. Sometimes they expressed confusion as to why Ayoub was looking at her so strongly, sometimes annoyance at the way all of this was proceeding, and sometimes it was an earnestness, an openness, a sense that every aspect of her could be revealed without her ever opening her mouth.

As the brothers took a shared taxi back to their home village, in the direction of Tetouan, his eyes stared aimlessly out the window as his younger brother, Zouhair, teased him.

All he could feel was happiness that the meeting between the families had gone well, and that he’d soon come to know this woman as his wife.

25 September, 2023

There they were again, staring at each other, not saying a single word, as had become their habit. Finally, Mother said:

« .You want to say something .Je sais que ç’est vrai .So, you should say what you are thinking .Or I will make a guess »

8 November, 1977

Mahnoor and Ayoub were standing against the pillars of her family’s riad. It was the night before the khutuba, or the engagement ceremony, which would confirm that Ayoub and Mahnoor were to be wed. It was beginning to snow though it had yet to pile up. Ayoub shivered, nearly dropping his packet of cigarettes as his hands twitched in the cold. Mahnoor looked comfortable in her red flowing kaftan. Then she said, out of nowhere, « .You are not close to your family »

It was said so abruptly that Ayoub interpreted it as an accusation. Warmth flooded all over his body, and his brown cheeks reddened. He no longer felt the cold.

Mahnoor chuckled. « .I guessed it .I am good at guessing .My father used to say I possess special intuitions » She started walking around the pillar, circling it, the red of her kaftan a crimson contrast with the white arabesques on the windowsills behind her. « .I knew you were not close to your family because I am the same way .Or rather, I was close to my family when it was my family .The father you met is not my actual father .My father is no more .My mother married again .These people you are meeting are people I myself barely know .I love my mother, but she is the only one I have left .Everyone else is a stranger .You also talk to your family members like strangers, so I wondered to what extent you knew them »

Ayoub stared at his cigarette. He was unsure how to respond. She was right about how he felt about his family, but the reasons were completely different. He wondered if he should go out of his way to explain how he felt about his family, or if he should express sympathy for her situation.

When he finished his cigarette, a completely different question came to him.

« ؟Why are you telling me this »

Mahnoor stopped pacing about and turned to face him.

« .You are to be my husband .I should feel comfortable saying anything to you .I will also be your wife .No matter what it is, you should be able to express any thought to me ؟Isn’t this how a husband and wife should behave »

Ayoub nodded, but it was not his genuine response. In all honesty Ayoub never expressed what he actually thought. This was because he came from a family in which no one ever talked about their emotions. They were not of the habit to say things directly. Instead they spoke superficially, about the crops of the day, the state of the animals, when food would be prepared.

Ayoub’s legs were shaking. His eyes remained cast downwards as the cigarette smoke around him curled.

Then Ayoub felt hands on his cheeks. They were warm like summer sunlight after one woke from a long nap.

Mahnoor was staring at him, forcing him to meet her eyes.

« .Don’t be scared when you talk to me » she said. « ؟What are you thinking .Tell me »

25 September, 2023

Father and Mother’s eyes met. It was funny how much things could change. Father had pushed himself into speaking more openly with Mother, and it had filled him with joy, but as the years passed, old habits returned and he got used to Mother mostly complaining or gossiping about others while he just silently listened. It was starting to become rare in his old age, as it had been in his younger days, for him to state exactly and succinctly what he was feeling.

And so Mother and Father continued to sit in silence.

Mother turned back towards the television, rolling her eyebrows. Father thought she was going to turn off the sound. Certainly she was fiddling with her remote, but then she pointed it towards him.

« .If you’re not going to say it, I will »

 10 July, 1978 

« ؟So, you want us to live in Casablanca » Mahnoor asked Ayoub while they were in bed. She was playing with his chest hair.

Ayoub balled his hands together and rested them on his belly. « .Casablanca is the richest city of the country .We will do well there »

« ؟And you want to live with your mother’s brother »

« .He has been kind enough to invite us .I think it would benefit us to consider it »

She stopped her fingers. « ؟And what if I don’t agree »

Ayoub shifted so that he was no longer lying on his belly. He propped himself up on the pillows and looked at his wife quizzically, the light of the lantern making the curls of his beard appear in the shadow like smoke wisps. « ؟ And why would you not want to go »

« .I do not trust him »

Father was offended. He shouted, « .He is my uncle .He is my mother’s own brother .I have known him all my life .By saying you don’t trust him, it is saying you don’t trust me as well »

Mahnoor was startled. She put some distance between herself and Ayoub, also sitting herself up, no longer covered by the blanket. She put her hand up as if she were pausing an advance « .Ana asif .I did not mean to offend you .Ana asif .But you should learn to listen to your wife »

Ayoub had not realised that he had raised his voice. It was only as he saw Mahnoor get out of bed and head towards the mirror that he understood the extent to which he had frightened her. Their marriage was new. They had known each other for less than a year. Ayoub was not temperamental, but he felt threatened. He had not thought that what he was suggesting would become a discussion.

Ayoub had a choice. He could be like a typical man of the family—yell at his wife, claim his wife had no place in the decisions he made.

Instead he came up to his wife, naked in the mirror, and stroked her hair. He started massaging her neck, moving his hands suavely down her back. As his hands went lower and lower, Mahnoor bit her lip and rolled her neck. He wrapped his arms around his wife and started kissing her on her shoulder and pinching her nipples.

« .Ana asif htaa »

He then lowered himself to the floor, kissed his wife’s heels, and made her forget about the previous conversation.

25 September, 2023

As if unleashing a great weight off her chest, Mother began, « .When I was getting married to you, I thought I was marrying a man .Now it often feels like I married a goat .You are stubborn for no reason .You needlessly cause conflict .You are often silent .I want to talk to a husband .I do not want to talk to a goat »

If Father had been younger, he would have been offended by such comments. But with the many decades that the two had come to know each other, Father was used to it. He rolled his eyes and gazed out their window.

They didn’t have the best view of Casablanca. Casablanca was a city of many high-rises and fancy buildings. Their building was one of the best ones, but they were only on the second floor, and their view faced out onto a very meagre lane where there was a butchery, with flies swarming around the trash bins and their chopped-up lamb chunks. Father normally despised this view, but it somehow summed up his feelings of the moment: hung out to dry, battered, and torn. Refusing to look back at Mother, he followed his gaze to the bakery, then to the hovels, and he thought back to the time when they had first moved in.

Global, 4th October 2023: ZEE5 Global, the world’s largest streaming platform for South Asian content,  announces the world digital premiere of the biggest Hindi blockbuster of the year, ‘Gadar 2’ today. After a successful theatrical run collecting 63M USD in India and still counting, Gadar 2 is set for another successful innings on ZEE5 Global on 6^th October. Produced by Zee Studios and directed by Anil Sharma, the superhit sequel to the 2001 hit ‘Gadar’ will see Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel and Utkarsh Sharma reprise their roles as Tara Singh, Sakeena and Charanjeet “Jeete” Singh respectively.

Gadar 2 brings back India’s most loved family of Tara, Sakeena & Jeete; 22 years after its predecessor. Set against the backdrop of Indo-Pakistan war of 1971, Tara Singh, once again, will face every enemy to protect the honor of his country and family. This time, the narrative will delve deeper into the enduring love of Tara Singh and Sakeena and additionally, will see a strong father-son bond between Tara Singh and Charanjeet as the latter lands in Pakistan and ends up being caught and tortured. While the last time, Tara Singh visited Pakistan to get his wife back, this time, he will return to rescue his son.

So, gear up for bigger, better and bolder action sequences from Sunny Deol and a repeat of his most popular dialogue “Hindustan zindabad tha, zindabad hai aur zindabad rahega” which will continue to echo in every Hindustani’s heart for a long time. The movie will also see Sunny Deol reprise his famous handpump scene and sing and dance to the original chartbusters (from the 2001 film) like ‘Udd Jaa Kaale Kaava’, ‘Main Nikla Gaddi Leke’ and recreate the same magic from 2001.

Archana Anand, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 Global said, “Bollywood blockbusters have always transcended geographical boundaries and resonated with global viewers through their powerful and emotionally charged stories. With the World Digital Premiere of Gadar 2, ZEE5 Global is thrilled to present our global viewers with the sequel to one of Hindi cinema’s all-time blockbuster hits that has captivated audiences for over 22 years”.

Shariq Patel, CBO, Zee Studios said, “Gadar 2 brought back India’s most loved family of Tara Singh, Sakeena and Jeete; 22 years after its predecessor. Hindustan Ka Asli Blockbuster will make history once more with its digital premiere on ZEE5 Global”.

Sunny Deol said, “We are absolutely delighted with the overwhelming response that ‘Gadar 2’ has received in theatres. Now with its World Digital Premiere on ZEE5 Global, I am very excited for the movie to reach a wider, global audience. Gadar 2 is a perfect family entertainer which will keep the viewers completely engaged and entertained. I urge everyone to watch it if you haven’t already and watch it again if you have”.

Ameesha Patel said, “Sakeena is a character who has stayed with me throughout my career, and I was so excited to revisit her in ‘Gadar 2.’ The chemistry between Tara and Sakeena is timeless, and the sequel reignites that magic for our fans. ZEE5 Global’s platform allows us to connect with a global audience, and I’m thrilled that viewers from around the world will have the opportunity to witness this epic love story, all over again but with more twists and action”.

Director Anil Sharma said, “The story of ‘Gadar’ is etched in the memories of every movie lover and with Gadar 2, we have tried to recreate the same magic. I am beyond thrilled that Gadar 2 has become one of the most successful Hindi films of all time and now with its World Digital Premiere on ZEE5 Global, I hope that the film breaks more records and reaches more people across the world”.

 ‘Gadar 2’ is set for its World Digital Premiere on ZEE5 Global from 6^th October 2023!

Viewers can catch ZEE5 Global’s unmissable slate and stock up on their yearlong entertainment by subscribing to the Annual pack and grabbing the limited-time special offer price.

Users can download the ZEE5 Global app from Google Play Store / iOS App Store. It is available on Roku devices, Apple TVs, Android TVs, Amazon Fire TV and Samsung Smart TVs and on www.ZEE5.com

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: Hindi, English, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Oriya, Bhojpuri, Gujarati, Punjabi, including six international languages Malay, Thai, Bahasa, Urdu, Bangla and Arabic. ZEE5 Global is home to 200,000+ hours of on-demand content. 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 and Voice Search.

In a groundbreaking discovery, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has unveiled intriguing evidence hinting at the existence of a distant exoplanet located approximately 120 light years away, which might be enveloped by an expansive ocean—raising the possibility of life beyond our solar system.

The telescope’s observations have identified the presence of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) on this distant celestial body known as K2-18 b. Notably, DMS is a molecule that, as far as we know from Earth, can solely be generated by living organisms. In addition to DMS, the research also detected the presence of methane and carbon dioxide within the exoplanet’s atmosphere. These findings collectively suggest that K2-18 b could potentially qualify as a “Hycean” planet—characterized by a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and a surface concealed beneath a substantial ocean.

Situated within the habitable zone of its host star—an intriguing red dwarf star inhabiting the Leo constellation—K2-18 b is positioned at a distance where it receives an adequate amount of radiation from its host star, potentially fostering conditions suitable for the presence of liquid water on its surface. Although the discovery of K2-18 b initially dates back to NASA’s K2 mission’s identification in 2015, it is only through the James Webb Telescope’s meticulous observations that the existence of these significant molecules has been unveiled, generating considerable excitement within the scientific community.

K2-18 b: An Enigmatic Ocean World

Described as an exoplanet falling within the category of “sub-Neptunes,” K2-18 b’s size ranges between that of Earth and Neptune. These sub-Neptunes are a distinct class of exoplanets that stand apart from any celestial bodies within our own solar system, thereby necessitating conjecture and inference in the absence of direct comparative data.

As NASA aptly highlights, “Although this kind of planet does not exist in our solar system, sub-Neptunes are the most common type of planet known so far in the galaxy.” Subhajit Sarkar, a researcher from Cardiff University and co-author of a yet-to-undergo-peer-review study on this discovery, emphasizes, “We have obtained the most detailed spectrum of a habitable-zone sub-Neptune to date, and this allowed us to work out the molecules that exist in its atmosphere.”

Nonetheless, it is crucial to temper enthusiasm, as it is still premature to definitively assert that K2-18 b is teeming with life. The researchers involved in this groundbreaking discovery underscore the pressing need for additional data to affirm these findings.

Nikku Madhusudhan, the team lead and a professor at the University of Cambridge, expressed the weighty responsibility that accompanies such a profound claim, stating, “If confirmed, it would be a huge deal, and I feel a responsibility to get this right if we are making such a big claim.” Fortunately, this need for further data is soon to be addressed, thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) spectrograph, which is already poised to provide valuable additional insights.

The Quest for Extraterrestrial Life

The implications of this discovery extend beyond the boundaries of our current understanding of planetary diversity. Madhusudhan affirms, “Our ultimate goal is the identification of life on a habitable exoplanet, which would transform our understanding of our place in the universe.” He underscores the promise that these findings hold for advancing our comprehension of Hycean worlds and their potential for sustaining life—a pursuit that has long fascinated scientists and now takes a significant step forward with the revelations brought to light by the James Webb Space Telescope.

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has uncovered compelling evidence suggesting the presence of a distant exoplanet, K2-18 b, positioned within its host star’s habitable zone. The detection of dimethyl sulfide (DMS), methane, and carbon dioxide in its atmosphere hints at the possibility of K2-18 b being a “Hycean” planet, characterized by a substantial ocean and a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. While these findings spark excitement about the potential for extraterrestrial life, scientists emphasize the need for further data and caution against prematurely drawing conclusions about the existence of life on this intriguing celestial body. The James Webb Space Telescope’s ongoing observations with the MIRI spectrograph promise to shed more light on the enigmatic world of K2-18 b and its suitability for hosting life, marking a significant step in our quest to uncover the mysteries of the cosmos.

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ZEE5 Global announces the World Digital Premiere of hit Kannada campus comedy

'Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare'

India will be added to JPMorgan’s emerging market government bond index next year, paving the way for more foreign inflows to the number-five economy.

“Inclusion is expected to drive at least $21 billion of inflows from foreign investors, and if other index providers follow suit, the effects could be amplified further. Simply put, this will likely drive yields down for IGBs and provide some support the rupee at the same time,” said Jennifer Taylor, head of emerging market debt at State Street Global Advisors.

The yield on the 10-year Indian government bond was 7.16% on Friday.

She noted the Reserve Bank of India first started courting index providers in 2019.

The key move came in 2020 when India created its fully accessible route, or FAR, bond market, said Lee Collins, head of index fixed income at Legal & General Investment Management. He said the FAR bond issuance has added meaningful daily liquidity.

“Our view is that the [Indian] market can offer an attractive yield, volatility and maximum drawdown levels that are more akin to lower yielding, higher rated issuers such as the U.S. and China, as well as low levels of correlation to other emerging and developed market issuers,” he added.

The iShares JPMorgan USD emerging market bond ETF has slipped 1% this year.

The S&P BSE Sensex index closed Friday with a small loss, but is down just 2% from its record high.

Global, 15^th September 2023: ZEE5 Global, the world’s largest streaming platform for South Asian content, is bringing forth the exclusive world digital premiere of the popular campus comedy film, ‘Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare’. Directed by debutant Nithin Krishnamurthy, the film stars debutants Prajwal BP, Manjunath Nayaka, Rakesh Rajkumar, Srivatsa and Tejas Jayanna Urs, while Rishab Shetty, Pawan Kumar, Shine Shetty and Ramya make cameo appearances. With an impressive performance at the box office, the Kannada film became much talked about in the industry and now, with its world digital premiere on ZEE5 Global, for those who haven’t watched it yet, this is your golden chance.

With a stellar cast and witty narrative, ‘Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare’ is a true cinematic treasure that beautifully captures the essence of college life amusingly and engagingly. The story unfolds within the confines of a boys’ hostel, taking place over the course of a single night. It weaves a comical narrative of mischief and camaraderie as a student’s imaginative script becomes intertwined with real-life occurrences. This collision of fantasy and reality leads to unexpected and hilarious outcomes, blurring the lines between the two worlds. The outcome is a comedy that assures you a delightful and laughter-packed experience, promising an enjoyable journey.

With an IMDB rating of 8.1, ‘Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare’ is the biggest blockbuster of Kannada cinema this year. Following its highly successful theatrical run, the movie is now poised to reach a broader audience through its world digital premiere on ZEE5 Global. Produced by Prajwal BP, Varun Kumar, Nithin Krishnamurthy, and Arvind K Kashyap under the Gulmohar Films and Varun Studios banner and presented by Rakshit Shetty under Paramvah Pictures banner, Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare is a must watch black comedy film which will make for a perfect weekend watch.

Archana Anand, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 Global, said, “Comedy as a genre has seen significant traction in the US with a 92% y-o-y growth. ‘Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare,’ the hit Kannada campus comedy is a strong addition to our rich Kannada library that is sure to strike a nostalgic chord amongst viewers and help them relive their college memories.”

Nithin Krishnamurthy, Director of Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddaresaid, “I am absolutely thrilled by the overwhelming response ‘Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare’ has received since its theatrical release. As a first-time director, seeing the film connect with audiences and bring a smile to their face is a dream come true. The journey of making this movie has been a labor of love, and I am humbled by the support it has garnered. The digital premiere on ZEE5 Global will now allow even more people to be part of the mad riot that this film is. I am grateful for the support of the cast, crew, and everyone who has embraced the film, and I look forward to sharing more stories that resonate with audiences in the future.”

Users opting for the monthly pack can apply coupon code FIFTYZEE5 to avail 50% off on their first month.

In a revelation that challenges our understanding of Earth’s relationship with its celestial companion, the Moon, scientists have determined that our lunar neighbor is gradually moving away from Earth, leading to a subtle yet significant transformation in the length of our planet’s days.

This remarkable discovery sheds light on a phenomenon that unfolds over millions of years, offering a glimpse into the complex dynamics between Earth and its only natural satellite.

A recent investigation conducted by researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison delves into the geological history of our planet, focusing on rock formations dating back a staggering 90 million years. This exploration of Earth’s ancient interactions with the Moon, approximately 1.4 billion years ago, has unveiled the astonishing fact that the Moon is steadily distancing itself from Earth, an ongoing process occurring at a rate of 3.82 centimeters per year. The consequences of this gradual lunar retreat will become increasingly apparent in the distant future, as Earth’s days are poised to extend to 25 hours in the span of 200 million years.

Professor Stephen Meyers, a prominent figure in the field of geoscience at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, likens this phenomenon to a figure skater slowing down as they extend their arms during a spin.

He elucidates, “As the moon moves away, the Earth is like a spinning figure skater who slows down as they stretch their arms out.”

This analogy vividly illustrates the intricate interplay between Earth and the Moon, a dynamic that has captivated scientists seeking to comprehend the distant past while simultaneously expanding our grasp of geological time scales.

This revelation, however, is not the sole development challenging our perception of the Moon. Recent breakthroughs stemming from China’s space program have unearthed a treasure trove of secrets hidden beneath the lunar surface, spanning billions of years.

These concealed structures offer tantalizing glimpses into the Moon’s enigmatic history, providing invaluable insights for researchers endeavoring to reconstruct the lunar past.

The Moon’s slow and steady journey away from Earth, as unveiled by the meticulous study conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, promises to reshape our understanding of our planet’s celestial partner. This ongoing celestial dance, which unfolds over geological epochs, will ultimately extend Earth’s days to 25 hours in the distant future.

Concurrently, China’s space program has unearthed lunar mysteries buried deep beneath the Moon’s surface, offering a fresh perspective on its intriguing past. Together, these revelations propel us into a realm where the Earth-Moon relationship is unveiled in all its complexity, providing a fascinating glimpse into the celestial mechanics that have shaped our planet and its only natural satellite.

The Federal Reserve has concluded its interest rate hikes and is expected to reduce them by approximately one percentage point in the coming year, as indicated by leading economists at some of North America’s largest banks.

While it’s likely that the United States will avoid a recession, the latest projections from the American Bankers Association’s Economic Advisory Committee suggest a significant slowdown in economic growth in the upcoming quarters. This slowdown is expected to result in higher unemployment rates and a decrease in inflation.

Simona Mocuta, the chair of the 14-member committee and chief economist at State Street Global Advisors, stated, “Given both demonstrated and anticipated progress on inflation, the majority of the committee members believe the Fed’s tightening cycle has run its course.”

The upcoming Federal Reserve meeting is anticipated to see no change in interest rates, although there is a division among investors regarding the possibility of a rate increase later in the year.

The ABA advisory committee comprises economists from major institutions such as JPMorgan Chase & Co., Morgan Stanley, and Wells Fargo & Co. Their forecasts are regularly presented to Fed Chair Jerome Powell and other members of the central bank’s board in Washington.

According to their median forecast, the committee anticipates that economic growth will decelerate to less than an annualized rate of 1% in the next three quarters due to previous interest rate hikes by the Fed and tightening credit conditions.

The committee’s projections also indicate that unemployment is expected to climb to 4.4% by the end of the next year, up from 3.8% in August. Additionally, consumer price inflation is forecasted to decrease from 3.2% in July to 2.2%.

Simona Mocuta noted during a Zoom press conference, “As a consensus among the committee, the likelihood of a soft economic landing has significantly improved in the short term. However, there are lingering concerns about the sustainability of the remarkable resilience that the economy has exhibited thus far.” The committee assesses the probability of a recession next year to be just under 50%.

Despite experiencing an 11 percent decline in its population of ultra-wealthy individuals in 2022, Asia still maintains a larger number of such individuals compared to Europe. These ultra-wealthy individuals are defined as those whose net worth exceeds $30 million.

The World Ultra Wealth 2023 report by Altrata reveals that Asia surpassed Europe in the number of ultra-wealthy individuals for the first time in 2019. Analysts project that Asia’s global share of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) will continue to expand in the coming years and could reach 29 percent by 2027, a significant increase from the 15 percent recorded in 2004. This growth is expected to come at the expense of Europe, which is anticipated to witness a decline in its share of global UHNWIs, dropping from 41.4 percent in 2004 to 25 percent by 2027.

While the populations of ultra-wealthy individuals are projected to rise across all regions worldwide, Asia is poised for the most substantial growth over the next five years, with numbers surging from 395,070 to 528,100. This surge can be attributed in part to India’s expanding economy and a growing trend among businesses to diversify their supply chains away from the Chinese mainland. Instead, they are relocating their industrial, logistical, and real estate operations to other Asian markets.

As depicted in the chart below, North America is expected to maintain its position as the region accounting for approximately 35 percent of global UHNW wealth by 2027. Meanwhile, Europe is projected to lag behind these two regions in terms of UHNW wealth, although it will still experience an overall increase in cumulative wealth.

According to the report, the global population of ultra-wealthy individuals is set to reach 528,100 people by 2027, a substantial increase from the 133,000 reported in 2022.

A promising solution for indigestion may already be lurking in your kitchen spice rack, as indicated by a recent study. Published in the medical journal BMJ, this study, which unveiled its findings on Monday, investigated the response of over 150 individuals with dyspepsia (commonly referred to as indigestion) to three different treatments: the medication omeprazole, turmeric containing curcumin, and a combination of the two.

Omeprazole is a widely used drug known for its effectiveness in treating specific heart and esophageal conditions by reducing stomach acid levels, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The participants’ symptoms, which encompassed stomach pain, bloating, nausea, and an early sense of fullness, were assessed at the 28th and 56th day of the treatment. This evaluation utilized the Severity of Dyspepsia Assessment, a questionnaire designed to gauge the severity of indigestion.

The study’s outcomes revealed no significant distinctions in symptom alleviation among the groups receiving omeprazole, turmeric, or the combination of both treatments.

Dr. Krit Pongpirul, the lead author of the study and an associate professor in the department of preventive and social medicine at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand, remarked, “In addition to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, curcumin/turmeric could be a viable option for treating dyspepsia with comparable efficacy to omeprazole.”

Turmeric has a longstanding history of medicinal use in Southeast Asia for addressing stomach discomfort and various inflammatory conditions. In the United States, it has primarily served as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant dietary supplement for alleviating conditions such as osteoarthritis and irritable bowel syndrome.

However, this clinical trial marks the first instance in which curcumin/turmeric has been directly compared to omeprazole in the treatment of dyspepsia, according to Pongpirul.

Turmeric’s Impact on Indigestion and Ongoing Questions

The exploration of turmeric’s influence on indigestion is a logical step since its constituent, curcumin, has been extensively studied in various inflammatory conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis, according to Dr. Yuying Luo, a gastroenterologist and assistant professor of gastroenterology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. Some studies have even shown that curcumin can be beneficial when used alongside other medications.

Nevertheless, Luo raised a few queries regarding the new study. She pointed out that the scale employed by the researchers to assess symptoms is not the most commonly used one for gauging indigestion improvement. She also expressed a desire to see more frequent symptom measurements.

“I don’t think this single study alone provides sufficient grounds for me to make a recommendation. Proceed with caution,” she cautioned. However, she added that given the extensive ongoing research on the compound’s impact on various inflammatory conditions, more insights may emerge soon.

Luo emphasized the importance of consulting with a healthcare professional before increasing turmeric consumption in your diet for improved digestion. She highlighted a few case studies indicating liver injury associated with curcumin and the necessity of ensuring that turmeric does not interact adversely with any other medications you may be taking.

Pongpirul echoed these sentiments, stating, “Consumers should be aware of side effects of curcumin extracts such as allergy and bleeding risk, especially for those who take anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications.” He added that curcumin and turmeric are generally considered safe when consumed in the typical amounts found in food.

Typically, turmeric spices contain around 3% curcumin, as per a 2009 study. The 2-gram dose administered in this study is relatively low when compared to the curcumin extracts commonly found in supplements, according to Pongpirul. Therefore, if one of the treatments, turmeric or omeprazole, proves to be equally effective in reducing the risk of side effects, taking both may not be necessary.

While Luo awaits further studies before recommending turmeric as a treatment, she suggested discussing the option with your healthcare provider in conjunction with your current medications. However, she advised giving each alternative two to four weeks to assess their full impact, noting that not all patients respond identically to medications, which is a common challenge in treating disorders.

Water might be present on the surface of an enormous celestial body located approximately 120 light-years away from Earth, as per recent discoveries made by the James Webb Space Telescope. This space-based observatory, renowned for its advanced astronomical capabilities, has unearthed intriguing clues indicating that the exoplanet K2-18b could possess essential characteristics conducive to the existence of water and potentially life.

K2-18b is situated in close proximity to the cool dwarf star K2-18, occupying what scientists refer to as the “habitable” or “Goldilocks” zone around the star. This zone is deemed suitable for supporting liquid water and, consequently, life. In terms of mass, K2-18b is approximately 8.6 times that of Earth. An extensive analysis of the observations made by the Webb telescope has disclosed the presence of substantial quantities of methane and carbon dioxide in the exoplanet’s atmosphere.

The detection of these carbon-based molecules, coupled with a limited presence of ammonia, suggests the potential existence of an atmosphere rich in hydrogen encompassing an oceanic world, according to a statement from NASA. Carbon, recognized as the fundamental building block of life on Earth, has sparked significant interest among scientists exploring extraterrestrial environments.

This intriguing journey into the possibility of water and life on K2-18b began with the Hubble Space Telescope, which initially detected indications of water vapor in the exoplanet’s atmosphere. This discovery, detailed in a September 2019 study, served as a catalyst for intensified investigation into K2-18b’s unique attributes.

The Webb telescope, with its capacity to detect infrared light that escapes human perception, embarked on a quest to precisely identify the elements present within the planet’s atmosphere. The most recent findings from these observations also suggest the potential presence of a distinctive molecule known as dimethyl sulfide on K2-18b.

Dimethyl sulfide on Earth is exclusively produced by living organisms, primarily phytoplankton in marine environments, according to NASA. However, researchers remain cautious in their assertions, emphasizing that further investigation is necessary to confirm the existence of dimethyl sulfide on K2-18b. Moreover, even if the presence of this chemical compound is corroborated, it does not guarantee the existence of life forms on the exoplanet.

Despite the absence of definitive claims regarding alien life on K2-18b, this new evidence serves to broaden our comprehension of exoplanets resembling K2-18b. The insights gleaned from the examination of its atmospheric composition indicate that it might belong to a category known as “Hycean exoplanets.” These hypothetical celestial bodies are characterized by high temperatures, extensive oceanic coverage, and hydrogen-rich atmospheres.

The existence of liquid oceans on Hycean exoplanets offers the potential for sustaining life, although there are lingering uncertainties about their habitability. A study published in The Astrophysical Journal in August points out that these planets could undergo a severe greenhouse effect, potentially rendering them inhospitable.

It is important to note that there are currently no confirmed instances of Hycean exoplanets. Furthermore, K2-18b is an extraordinary entity within our own solar system, which makes planets resembling it poorly understood, as acknowledged by NASA. The scientific community is actively engaged in debating the nature of their atmospheres, as highlighted in a NASA news release.

Nonetheless, scientists involved in the analysis of the recent observations of K2-18b emphasize the significance of unraveling its mysteries. Nikku Madhusudhan, an astronomer and professor of astrophysics and exoplanetary science at the University of Cambridge, who is the lead author of the forthcoming scientific paper detailing these findings, suggests that while further research is required to substantiate the presence of dimethyl sulfide and its implications, the results constitute a promising step in comprehending Hycean worlds. Madhusudhan articulated, “Our ultimate goal is the identification of life on a habitable exoplanet, which would transform our understanding of our place in the universe. Our findings are a promising step towards a deeper understanding of Hycean worlds in this quest.”

In pursuit of this quest for knowledge, researchers intend to leverage the capabilities of the Webb telescope to conduct additional investigations of this distant exoplanet. These subsequent efforts aim to validate and expand upon the newly uncovered insights. Savvas Constantinou, a doctoral student of astrophysics at the University of Cambridge and a co-author of the latest study, noted, “These results are the product of just two observations of K2-18 b, with many more on the way. This means our work here is but an early demonstration of what Webb can observe in habitable-zone exoplanets.”

In summary, the James Webb Space Telescope’s observations have ignited tantalizing possibilities regarding the presence of water and potentially life on the exoplanet K2-18b, situated in the habitable zone of the star K2-18. While this evidence offers promising insights into the composition of its atmosphere, researchers remain cautious about making definitive claims regarding the existence of life on this distant celestial body. Nonetheless, the pursuit of knowledge regarding exoplanets like K2-18b continues to drive scientific exploration and expand our understanding of the universe.

Women Empowerment  is one of Global Indian Council’s 16 centers of excellence. Hosted by the chairperson Sosamma Andrews. stated, “Countries should act to empower women and should take steps to eliminate inequalities between men and women as soon as possible by promoting the fulfillment of women’s potential through education, skill development, and employment, giving paramount importance to the elimination of poverty, illiteracy, and ill health among women”.

The meeting commenced with both National Anthems sung by Riya Alexander.

All the women empowerment committee members self introduced each other.

Global General Secretary Sudhir Nambiar, in his welcome address, explained the functioning of GIC.

Global President PC Mathew made the Presidential address and also conducted the Oath Ceremony of the members of the newly inducted Center of Excellence.

Cochair Dr. Alice Mathew. while emphasising the significance of Women Empowerment said “if she can have her PhD at the age of 60, we all can do great things”.

Dr. Anna George, guest of honor and dynamite key note speaker, who is also the President of indian nurses association shared the story of God took a day off to create women. When you start an important job in life we take enough rest. That important job was to create a woman etc.

Dr.Tara Shajan, GIC Global Treasurer and NYC city director of nursing felicitated the entire COE.She said “Let’s celebrate the achievements of women and work towards breaking barriers, fostering leadership, and ensuring their voices are heard”.

At his felicitations by cabinet member Tom George Kolath extended his congratulation to all the members of Center of Excellence Women empowerment. He mentioned “Education is one of the most important means of empowering women with the knowledge, skills and self-confidence necessary to participate fully in the development process”.

NY chapter president Dr. Anil Paulose said, we as Indians traditionally come from a patriarchal society. Women didn’t have similar freedom and privileges as men, but that has changed quickly. He presented some statistics as good sign,  when we connect the Women Empowerment.

CoE Business Excellence Chair Dr. Raj Mohan Pillai emphasized the importance of women’s empowerment, quoting the story of his energetic mother in a successful family business.

Cochair Dr. Jobey Jacob being a paediatrician  she appreciated GIC’s involvement in these area and offered all her support.

Sunitha Flowerhill, Shyla Pillay( Australia), and Santy Mathew (Kerala) also conveyed their appreciation for the team. In addition, Leela Marett, (Fokana), Dr. Shyla Roshin, Sumodh ( Pampa Assn. President), Divya Warrier, Saju Thomas, Komal Khatri, Andrews Kunnupurath ( GIC Brand Ambassador, NY), Dr. T P Narayanankutty (GIC Margialized Community Chairman) joined to felicitate the Newly inducted team.

Sivakumar, Indian Railway loco-pilot and environmentalist mentioned how women empowerment is important.

Indu Jaiswal Congratulated this COE and mentioned this center is going to enlighten not only the GIC but the entire community.

Members if the GIC Cabinet and Executive Committee also feucitated the team of Women Empowerment.

Usha George, Cochair of health and wellness CoE did the Vote of Thanks and mentioned “The full participation and partnership of both women and men is required in productive and reproductive life, including shared responsibilities for the care and nurturing of children and maintenance of the household activities”

Amala Benny, as Emcee, introduced the speakers and coordinated the meeting.

If things had been the way they normally were, Mother would have stopped by the old purohit and chatted with him. He would have greeted her with a namaskar, she would have taken both hands and clasped them in a prayer stance to show respect, and then the formalities would have ended. Mother would have asked the purohit how his family was doing, the purohit would have asked Mother how her son was managing. The purohit would have shared some shlokas for Mother to reflect on, Mother would have offered to bring him some of the gateau she was learning to make from the recipes on French television. They would have smiled at each other, shared an « au revoir » or an « à la prochaine. »

But now the purohit was no longer at the temple, and Mother stared dejectedly at the new purohit who chanted under the murti of Hanuman, not exchanging with him a single glance.

« C’est très dépressif. »

Mother took a far look to the other side of the pink wall to see that it was Deepika. Deepika, the wife of that vile dentist who often showed off his Chevrolet bought from Quebec. Deepika, that woman who wore a flower dress that revealed all her cleavage, yet had the nerve to put kum kum on her head after genuflecting to the murti, showing it off. Deepika, that sixty-something who swore like an Arab from Marseilles.

Of course Mother came towards her to exchange kisses on the cheeks.

« Bonsoir. »

« Bonsoir. »

« Comment vas-tu, mon amis? »

« Très bien. Et toi? »

It was all pleasantries, all niceties. It pained Mother to even fake a smile towards a woman who had done nothing but wrong her, and it pained her equally to see how well Deepika smiled in her direction. Did she not even feel guilt for the time after the Sankranti puja when she told everyone that Mother’s son was gay? No, this wasn’t a naive smile. No, there was a sense of justice and pride in her demeanour. Most likely she had felt like it was a rumour that had ought to be spread.

And then Deepika said, de nouveau « C’est très dépressif, what has happened to the pastor. »

Mother said « Oui, » only because she was not sure what to say. Mother and the purohit had had an exceptionally close relationship, and she still felt upset knowing that his life had since turned upside down, over a rumour, as well, about his supposed sexual involvement with an underage girl. But Mother did not trust Deepika, and she was not going to share her opinion on the circumstance.

Deepika pressed « Do you know what has happened to him? »

Mother said « Non. Do you? »

« Non. But it is all so sad. »

« Oui. »

Deepika looked left and right to see if anyone was coming from either sides of the wall. When she saw that it was only the two of them, Deepika came a little closer to whisper « You know he deserved it. »

Mother felt her muscles tense from her neck to her shoulders. Anger coursed through her body.

She felt like she could spit down Deepika’s blouse and get away with it.

Deepika went on « He was a paedophile. A paedophile! In our community, can you imagine? And you shared so many secrets of your life with him? I wondered what it was you said… »

Mother smiled, wrinkling her eyes so that her crow’s feet were like arrows pointing against her.

« It is ironic you are implying what you are implying. You know that our purohit was the first person I talked to when I found out about my son. Do you know what he did? No, he did not spread rumours or make fun of me behind my back, like you would have liked. He came to my home and held my hand as I sobbed uncontrollably for hours. He helped me control my breathing. He reminded me to repeat my shlokas. He did not pass judgement. He did not even talk until I was ready to speak. He is that kind of a man. He is calm and giving to everyone. It is not just me who feels this way. Vatsala has known the man since childhood and says he never behaved inappropriately with anyone. Our neighbour Naveen says that he loaned some money to his family and never accepted any payment back. If you came to the temple more often, you would know none of us believe these accusations. But you…yes, you certainly would believe in these rumours… »

Mother had to stop herself from saying more. The blood was pumping so hard in her neck that she could feel it twisting her muscles. Her back was so tense that any abrupt movement was causing it to ache.

And Deepika wasn’t worth it. Mother knew that Deepika had spread the rumours about Son’s sexuality because she was a bitter contentious woman, who never appreciated Mother even when she went out of her way to include her in her friend circle, and for many years.

Mother continued « I give my faith and trust to those who put in their time with me. I stand with the people who have stood up for me. If he says he never touched the girl, I believe him. It is as simple as that. »

Deepika said « That is fair. I personally believe in the girl and her parents, as I do in Viveka and Ananda, who said they were touched in the same way. But you are allowed to believe what you believe. » She tugged down at her blouse, liberating herself of some of the sweat of the heat.

Mother said « Oui. » A new bhajan was being sung. It prompted Mother to remember all the times she would listen to her purohit as these devotional songs played in the background. She could smell the incense just as she could smell the sweat that came off her purohit’s skin. She felt lost in the calm of prayer. She breathed, cleared her throat, and told herself that if she wanted to respect what her purohit had taught her, it was best to move on. For the sake of changing the topic, Mother asked « What are your plans for the rest of the day? »

Deepika’s response was interesting. Mother rarely initiated small talk with Deepika, and she certainly never asked her about her plans for the day. Deepika looked perplexed, her eyes calculating what it was that Mother was trying to get at. When Deepika couldn’t find an answer, her glance turned uncertain. She merely reversed the question to Mother. « Well, what are your plans for the rest of the day? »

« Nothing » Mother said without a pause. She had no shame in admitting it. It was the truth. Their house was just on the other side of this potholed bend of a road. Every day, she walked to the other side of it, did puja at the temple, came back, and spent the rest of the day at her window, cooking, cleaning, staring out into the sea.

Deepika looked like she was cooking up all sorts of things in her head. She probably wanted to tell Mother that her husband and her were off to Port Louis to have a fine five-star meal, or that she was going to be visited by loved ones, or even a youngster whom she was having an affair with.

Or, perhaps Deepika’s life was just as boring as Mother’s. She remembered how a few years ago Deepika would chase her to hang out, wanting to do just anything with anyone in a group of friends who were really just tolerating her.

Mother cleared her throat. « I know we haven’t talked much in a while. I didn’t like how you tried to drag my son’s name through the mud. »

Deepika was not responding, so Mother tilted her head and continued « You used to hang out with me and my friends. I remember this. Well, after what you said, my friends did not talk to me for some months. It was hard. But now, we are back to speaking. Time heals, as does friendship. It is quite nice. Do you have any friends like that? »

Mother smiled. It was not an intentional or put-on smile. It was one that arose naturally as she mused over the situation. She asked with genuine curiosity « Why did you want to start a rumour about me? Why did you want me to suffer so badly? »

Deepika was unable to form an answer. It would have been easy for Mother to keep going, to retaliate, to point out that Deepika was lonely and envious of Mother’s friends. But Mother had her smile, and she found it enough. She looked outside the door of the humble, pink cottage that the mandir was stored in. The clouds were pewter, the sea was grey, and it was quite windy.

Mother knew that Deepika lived in the same subdivision as her. She said « It is going to rain soon. I think I will get going. » She made no pretence of inviting her along.

Deepika faked a head bob, tilting her head back and forth the way an Indian from the subcontinent would, as Mother took her leave.

It was the first time Mother had allowed herself to finish a conversation with Deepika on her terms. And for that, despite the wind and the abnormal chill that the clouds had brought over the pavement, she found herself smiling on.

When reporting on unfolding news events, one of the primary challenges lies in crafting a coherent narrative amidst the complexities of reality. In New York this week, a convergence of government officials, corporate leaders, and civil society figures gathered to discuss the pressing issue of climate change. This assembly, known as New York Climate Week, is not a conventional conference but rather a series of meetings and ancillary events coinciding with the United Nations General Assembly. While some may question the efficacy of such gatherings,
they offer valuable insights into the perspectives and strategies of those engaged in tackling climate-related challenges.

The landscape of climate action is undeniably intricate and multifaceted. On one hand, the transition towards a more sustainable future is making notable progress. Investment in clean energy has surged in recent years, and despite resistance to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, corporations continue to invest in decarbonization. On the other hand, a complex web of political and economic obstacles has cast a shadow over efforts to enact more ambitious climate policies. Corporations, once enthusiastic about making substantial commitments to combat climate change, have encountered the stark reality that implementation is far more challenging than making announcements.

Oliver Bäte, the CEO of the German financial services firm Allianz, articulated this predicament at the United Nations, stating, "The long era of robust economic growth, low inflation, and
geopolitical stability is over. Suddenly, fighting climate change has become an ever greater challenge." These hurdles are disconcerting for those concerned about the escalating threat of
rising temperatures and the attendant risks to humanity. However, an alternative perspective suggests that these challenges signify the full-scale initiation of the energy transition, and our
response to them will be pivotal.

To comprehend this dual narrative, it is beneficial to examine the actions of both the private sector and government independently.

In the private sector, a growing cohort of companies has made bold pledges to achieve decarbonization in the coming decades. These commitments garnered acclaim upon their initial announcement. However, the time has come for these companies to translate their promises into tangible results. Many businesses began with the low-hanging fruit, such as procuring renewable
energy and enhancing energy efficiency. Nonetheless, achieving the necessary emissions reductions to fulfill their commitments often demands substantial effort. This entails devising novel business models and products rather than simply refining existing ones. Concurrently, rising interest rates and disruptions in supply chains stemming from the pandemic have complicated matters. Companies are now competing for limited supplies of low-carbon materials, exemplified by manufacturers vying for a restricted quantity of low-carbon steel. During discussions in New York, corporate executives underscored their commitments while expressing a sense that the current political and economic climate has impeded progress. The political landscape presents a similar labyrinth of challenges. Some heads of state arrived in New York to announce fresh commitments to combat climate change. Others advocated for combining ambition with realism, with pragmatism emerging as a central theme, as exemplified by the official from the United Arab Emirates tasked with leading this years’s U.N. climate conference. Conversely, some leaders chose not to attend at all, as demonstrated by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who declared this week that the UK should temper its climate efforts. In a way, these setbacks are a natural consequence of progress. Political and business leaders must collaboratively navigate these hurdles to sustain momentum. It’s a task that no conference or summit can fully resolve.

The United Nations General Assembly convened this week in New York, and during the proceedings, the U.N. Secretary-General’s technology envoy, Amandeep Gill, organized an event titled “Governing AI for Humanity.” The purpose of this gathering was to engage in discussions regarding the potential risks associated with AI and the complex challenges of fostering international cooperation in the realm of artificial intelligence.

Secretary-General António Guterres and Gill share the belief that establishing a new U.N. agency will become necessary to facilitate global collaboration in the management of this influential technology. However, the precise objectives and structure of this new entity have yet to be determined. Some observers express skepticism, noting that ambitious initiatives for worldwide cooperation often struggle to garner the support of influential nations.

Gill has previously spearheaded efforts to enhance the safety of advanced technologies. He chaired the Group of Governmental Experts for the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, a forum where the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots aimed to convince governments to prohibit the development of lethal autonomous weapons systems. Unfortunately, this campaign failed to gain traction, particularly with major global powers like the United States and Russia. Now, Gill is leading an even more ambitious endeavor to promote international collaboration in the field of AI.

The pace of AI development has been astonishing in recent years, and experts anticipate that this progress will continue at an accelerated rate. The repercussions of AI innovation extend far beyond the borders of the countries where it is developed, prompting leaders and technologists to advocate for global cooperation in addressing AI-related issues.

In July, at a meeting of the U.N. Security Council, Secretary-General Guterres made the case for the United Nations as the ideal platform for fostering such cooperation. The next step in establishing a U.N. AI agency is the formation of a High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence, the membership of which will be announced in October.

Gill, who previously served as the executive director of the U.N. High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation from 2018 to 2019, assumed the role of tech envoy in June 2022. In August of the same year, the tech envoy’s office initiated the selection process for experts to serve on the High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence, inviting nominations from the public.

A separate call for nominations, reviewed by TIME, was circulated among member states and outlined the terms of reference for the Body. These terms specified that the Body would comprise up to 32 members from diverse sectors, ensuring a mix of genders, ages, geographic representation, and areas of expertise.

In an interview with TIME on August 30, Gill revealed that his office had received over 1,600 nominations through the public call for nominations. When combined with nominations from member states, the total number is expected to exceed 2,000. Gill explained that, in collaboration with other U.N. organizations, his office will create a shortlist from which the Secretary-General will select the final 32 members. The Body is scheduled to convene for the first time in October.

The terms of reference, as seen in the document shared with TIME and confirmed by Gill, outline the Body’s responsibilities. It mandates the Body to produce an interim report by December 31, 2023, presenting a high-level analysis of options for the international governance of artificial intelligence. A second report, due by August 31, 2024, may provide detailed recommendations concerning the functions, structure, and timeline for a new international agency dedicated to the governance of artificial intelligence.

Aki Enkenberg, the team lead for innovation and digital cooperation at Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs, expressed reservations about specifying that the Body should offer recommendations regarding a new international agency. Enkenberg argues that much of the necessary international governance for AI could be facilitated by existing U.N. bodies, suggesting that an assessment of potential gaps in the U.N. system should have been conducted before proposing the establishment of a new agency. Gill countered this by denying that the terms of reference predispose the Body to advocate for a new agency.

When questioned about whether the advisory body’s size might make it unwieldy and potentially allow the secretariat to exert undue influence over the report’s content, Gill emphasized that the secretariat has no intentions of swaying the Body’s findings.

Looking ahead to September 2024, the U.N. will host its Summit of the Future. By that time, Gill hopes that the findings of the High-Level Advisory Body will provide member states with the necessary information to determine whether and how they should support the establishment of a U.N. AI agency. Gill views this summit as an opportune moment for leaders to make decisions on this matter, describing it as a “leaders-level opportunity.”

In a blog post released in May, top executives from OpenAI, the organization responsible for ChatGPT, raised the notion that a future AI governance system might resemble the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). They argued that as AI systems become more sophisticated, there may be a need for an international authority to ensure their safe development and deployment. The post stated, “Any [superintelligence] effort above a certain capability (or resources like compute) threshold will need to be subject to an international authority that can inspect systems, require audits, test for compliance with safety standards, place restrictions on degrees of deployment and levels of security.”

The IAEA, established in 1957, conducts inspections to prevent non-nuclear weapon states from developing nuclear weapons and supports the peaceful use of nuclear energy through technical cooperation.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed support for the idea of an AI agency akin to the IAEA, stating in June, “I would be favorable to the idea that we could have an artificial intelligence agency …inspired by what the international agency of atomic energy is today.”

However, replicating the IAEA model for AI governance is just one possibility. A paper published in July by researchers from Google DeepMind, OpenAI, and various academic and nonprofit institutions laid out four potential forms an international AI body could take, each not mutually exclusive.

One proposal is to establish an IAEA-like agency that develops industry-wide standards and monitors compliance with those standards. Another option is to create an organization resembling the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which facilitates expert consensus on technical AI issues. The report also suggests an international partnership between public and private sectors, ensuring equitable access to beneficial AI, similar to the Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, model for vaccines. Lastly, the report mentions the possibility of international collaboration on AI safety research, akin to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).

Dr. James Gill, who led the interview with TIME, noted that the High-Level Advisory Body must decide which model, if any, is most appropriate. He believes that the fourth option, an international research effort, could involve a U.N. agency in addressing potential AI risks.

However, some experts argue that establishing an IAEA-like agency for AI might face resistance from policymakers. This is because it would necessitate countries like the U.S. and China to grant international inspectors full access to their advanced AI labs to mitigate unforeseen risks.

Bill Drexel, an associate fellow at the Center for a New American Security, highlights that current levels of international cooperation on managing potentially hazardous technologies are at a historic low. He suggests that it might require a significant AI-related incident to generate the political will needed for a substantial international agreement. In the interim, setting up an international body, either through the U.N. or via smaller multilateral or bilateral groups, with minimal obligations on participants could lay the groundwork for more substantial cooperation if the need arises.

Gill, drawing from his expertise as a nuclear historian, concurs with this approach. He emphasizes that while the history of the IAEA might not be directly applicable, there’s a possibility to establish international controls should AI risks become more pronounced.

An alternative governance model, with the potential for future expansion, is proposed in a white paper from August, authored by researchers from academic, nonprofit, and Microsoft. It suggests the creation of an International AI Organization (IAIO) to collaborate with national regulators on setting standards and certifying jurisdictions instead of individually monitoring AI companies. Under this model, governments would enforce these standards by permitting only those companies operating in jurisdictions that meet these standards to access their domestic markets. They would also restrict exports of AI components, such as computing chips, to countries failing to meet these standards.

Robert Trager, one of the lead authors of the white paper, believes that jurisdictional certification makes this arrangement less intrusive, making it more appealing to powerful countries. Given the global nature of AI safety risks, it’s crucial for countries developing advanced AI systems, particularly the U.S. and China, to be part of any international agreement.

Sihao Huang, a researcher at the University of Oxford focusing on AI governance in Beijing, argues that a narrow focus on shared issues, such as assessing models for biosecurity risks, will be necessary for China’s participation in an international agreement.

However, Russia’s stance remains resistant to the idea of supranational oversight bodies for AI. Dmitry Polyanskiy, first deputy permanent representative of the Russian Federation to the U.N., expressed opposition to such bodies during a U.N. Security Council meeting in July.

Although the International Civilian Aviation Organization and the International Maritime Organization, which served as inspiration for the IAIO, are U.N. agencies, Trager suggests that the U.N. is not the only potential host for such governance efforts. He argues that multiple models could involve a wide range of stakeholders in AI governance.

Bill Drexel emphasizes that international cooperation can be slow and inefficient. Instead, he suggests considering bilateral or more limited multilateral forums for governing advanced AI systems, allowing for scalability with the expansion of involved companies.

Gill maintains that the U.N., as a universal intergovernmental organization with experience in managing new technologies, is well-positioned to host a treaty or organization for AI governance.

While previous attempts to manage AI internationally, like the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots, may have faltered due to idealism, Trager insists that the global community must continue trying to address AI governance. He acknowledges the complexity of the world but sees a window of opportunity for meaningful progress.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed that the United States will be the inaugural host of the T20 World Cup, with venues in Grand Prairie, Dallas, Broward County, Florida, and Nassau County, New York, all playing pivotal roles.

In a landmark decision made by the ICC Board in November 2021, both the United States and the West Indies were jointly selected to co-host this prestigious tournament. The tournament will feature not only the three designated stadiums in the US but also additional venues like George Mason University in Washington for pre-event matches and training.

To accommodate the anticipated high attendance during the matches, the ICC plans to deploy modular stadium technology. An official ICC release reveals that they have initiated the process to construct a modular stadium with a seating capacity of 34,000 in Eisenhower Park, a dedicated sports and events facility located in Nassau County, New York.

Pending final approvals, modular stadium solutions are poised to augment seating, media facilities, and premium hospitality amenities in Grand Prairie and Broward County.

ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice shared his excitement about the selection of venues for what promises to be the most extensive ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to date. He commented, “We’re thrilled to unveil the three USA venues that will host a portion of the largest-ever ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, featuring 20 teams competing for the coveted trophy. The USA represents a strategically vital market, and these venues provide an exceptional opportunity for us to make a significant impact in the world’s largest sports market.”

Regarding the deployment of cutting-edge technology, Chief Executive Allardice expressed, “We are tremendously enthusiastic about the prospect of utilizing modular stadium technology to showcase world-class cricket in a location that has not previously hosted an ICC global event, affording cricket enthusiasts in the USA the unique opportunity to witness the world’s top talent in their own backyard.”

He went on to elaborate, “This technology has been successfully employed at prior ICC events to expand venue capacities, and it is routinely utilized in other prominent sports worldwide. In the USA, it will enable us to enhance the size of the venues in both Dallas and Florida, ultimately creating what promises to be a remarkable venue in New York.”

This development marks a historic moment for cricket in the United States, as the nation prepares to embrace the sport on a global stage. The ICC’s choice of American venues and state-of-the-art stadium technology reflects their commitment to making this T20 World Cup a memorable and groundbreaking event for cricket fans in the United States and around the world.

India has taken a significant step in the ongoing dispute with Canada, suspending the issuance of new visas for Canadian citizens and calling for a reduction in Canada’s diplomatic presence within India. This development follows accusations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, linking India to the murder of a Sikh separatist. The situation has led to heightened tensions between the two countries, resulting in diplomatic expulsions and travel advisories.

The Indian Foreign Ministry expressed its willingness to investigate specific information related to the allegations but noted that Canada has not shared any such information thus far. This move to suspend new visas for a Western country is an unprecedented action and represents a low point in India-Canada relations.

This decision came shortly after Canada’s high commission in India disclosed plans to “adjust” its staff presence due to threats received by some diplomats on social media platforms. The nature of these threats was not specified, and India has assured full security and support for foreign diplomats within its borders.

Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi cited “security threats” to staff at Indian consulates in Canada as the reason for suspending new visa issuances to Canadian citizens. However, the exact nature of these security threats was not detailed. In response, Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc asserted that Canada is a safe country and stated that the security situation would be regularly reviewed.

Canada has been a significant source of foreign tourists to India, with 350,000 visitors in 2019. However, this number decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The recent escalation in tensions began when Prime Minister Trudeau announced that Canada was investigating “credible allegations” of Indian government involvement in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June. The Indian government vehemently denied any connection to the alleged murder, and Canadian officials have not provided specific reasons for their suspicions regarding India’s involvement.

Both countries have engaged in tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats and issued reciprocal travel advisories as a result of this dispute. India has expressed its readiness to examine any specific information but has not received such information from Canada. The issue has also been discussed with key allies in intelligence sharing, including the Five Eyes alliance comprising the United States, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, with these countries expressing concerns.

In response to questions regarding the impact of this dispute on global standing, Bagchi stated that Canada should be concerned about damage to its reputation rather than India. He pointed out India’s concerns regarding Canada’s reputation as a safe haven for terrorists, extremists, and organized crime and highlighted India’s previous requests for action against over 20 individuals.

India has not provided specific details of acts of terrorism carried out by Sikh separatists against its interests in Canada.

Canada has a significant Sikh population, with around 770,000 individuals identifying as Sikh in the 2021 census. Although the Sikh insurgency in Punjab in the 1980s and 1990s has largely dissipated in India, small groups in various countries, including Canada, continue to support the separatist demand for an independent Sikh state called Khalistan.

The dispute also poses a threat to trade ties, with talks on a proposed trade deal frozen in recent weeks. Canada is India’s 17th largest foreign investor, and Canadian portfolio investors have invested substantial sums in Indian financial markets. Additionally, India has been the largest source of international students in Canada since 2018, with their numbers rising by 47% in 2022 to nearly 320,000.

Industry estimates suggest that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Canada and India could potentially increase two-way trade by as much as $6.5 billion.

In the world of the Roman Catholic Church, the appointment of cardinals plays a critical role in shaping the future leadership and direction of the faith. Pope Francis, since his election in 2013, has not only exercised this power to select cardinals but has strategically altered the geographical balance of power within the College of Cardinals, moving it away from its traditional European stronghold and toward regions in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

In late September, a momentous ceremony will unfold in Vatican City as 18 new voting cardinals are installed. This event marks a pivotal moment in the composition of the College of Cardinals, which will soon have 136 members under the age of 80, eligible to participate in the election of the next pope. A comparison of the regional distribution of voting cardinals reveals the transformation that has occurred since Pope Francis assumed his role a decade ago:

– The Asia-Pacific region’s share of voting-age cardinals will rise from 9% in 2013 to 18%.

– The Latin American-Caribbean region will experience a modest increase from 16% to 18%.

– Sub-Saharan Africa will see its representation grow from 9% to 13%.

– Europe’s presence will significantly decline from 52% to 39%.

– North America’s influence will diminish slightly, falling from 12% to 10%.

– The Middle East-North Africa region will have the smallest share, decreasing from 2% to 1%.

It’s worth noting that this count of 136 voting cardinals excludes Patrick D’Rozario, who has held his cardinal position since 2016 but turns 80 just one day after the upcoming September 30th ceremony.

Analyzing Pope Francis’ Cardinal Selections Over Time

Despite these significant shifts, Pope Francis, an Argentine and the first non-European pope since the eighth century, has still appointed more cardinals from Europe than any other region. Among the 98 voting-age cardinals named by Francis during his papacy (including the 18 cardinals-elect), the breakdown is as follows:

– Europe holds the majority with 38%.

– Latin America and the Caribbean represent 20%.

– The Asia-Pacific region comprises 19%.

– Sub-Saharan Africa contributes 13%.

– North America has 7%.

– The Middle East-North Africa region accounts for 2%.

Collectively, cardinals selected by Pope Francis will constitute a substantial 72% majority among the 136 voting members of the College of Cardinals after the September 30th ceremony. The remainder were appointed by Pope Benedict XVI and St. John Paul II.

Taking a closer look at the geographical origins of the new 18 voting-age cardinals to be installed on September 30th reveals a diverse composition:

– Nine cardinals will represent European countries, including France (2 cardinals-elect), Italy (2), Spain (2), Poland (1), Portugal (1), and Switzerland (1).

– Four cardinals will hail from Latin America and Caribbean nations, including Argentina (2), Colombia (1), and Peru (1).

– Three cardinals will represent countries in sub-Saharan Africa: South Africa, South Sudan, and Tanzania.

– Two cardinals will come from Asia-Pacific countries: China and Malaysia.

Cardinals and the Global Catholic Population

Vatican data from 2021 indicates that Europe is home to 21% of the global Catholic population. Despite this proportion, Europe remains significantly overrepresented among voting cardinals, constituting 39% of their ranks. In contrast, the Latin America-Caribbean region, which accounted for 41% of the worldwide Catholic population as of 2021, possesses only 18% of the voting cardinals. This disparity underscores the evolving dynamics within the Catholic Church’s leadership structure, influenced by Pope Francis’ strategic selection of cardinals.

Pope Francis’ efforts to shift the balance of power within the College of Cardinals reflect a broader vision of inclusivity and representation, acknowledging the growing significance of regions outside Europe in the global Catholic community. As these changes continue to take root, they are likely to have a lasting impact on the future leadership and direction of the Roman Catholic Church.

Three nurse practitioners who hold doctorates of nursing practice are taking legal action against the state of California, asserting their right to be addressed as “doctor.” They argue that a longstanding California statute, which exclusively permits California-licensed allopathic and osteopathic physicians to use the titles “doctor” and “Dr.,” violates the Constitution. This statute, in place since at least 1937, was initially intended to prevent patient confusion regarding their healthcare providers’ educational backgrounds.

Physicians, on the other hand, oppose this claim, emphasizing that the extent of physician education and practical training surpasses that of nurses. They argue that the law is essential to prevent patient confusion about the qualifications of those treating them. Furthermore, physicians contend that surveys corroborate patients’ preference to reserve the titles “doctor” or “Dr.” exclusively for MDs and DOs.

The Litigation Center of the American Medical Association and State Medical Societies, along with the California Medical Association (CMA), have submitted an amicus brief in support of the state’s request for the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California Riverside Division to dismiss the lawsuit, Palmer et al. v. Bonta et al. They urge the court to uphold the law’s constitutionality, citing precedent. A hearing on the motion to dismiss is scheduled for September 18.

The amicus brief argues, “Physicians today are educated and trained differently and more deeply and robustly than any other professional healthcare provider; and industry practice and the law continues to place physicians at the center of medical care.” It asserts that the public still perceives physicians as the cornerstone of healthcare and closely associates the terms “doctor” or “Dr.” with them.

Dr. Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, President of the AMA, emphasized the importance of clarity and transparency in healthcare providers. He pointed out that patients face increasing difficulties in identifying their physicians when non-physician healthcare professionals use titles traditionally associated with physicians. Laws such as California’s “truth-in-advertising” law have been instrumental in preventing confusion and protecting patients from potential harm.

Dr. Ehrenfeld stated, “It is imperative that we follow precedent and keep these laws in place to ensure patients have the basic information they need to make informed decisions about their healthcare.”

The AMA’s stance aligns with its commitment to combatting scope creep and preserving the role of physicians as leaders in patient care. The AMA emphasizes that patients deserve care led by physicians, who are among the most highly educated, trained, and skilled healthcare professionals.

Physician training includes leadership skills, the ability to coordinate healthcare teams, problem-solving for complex medical issues, the identification of critical diagnoses, and timely treatment decision-making. Physicians are trained not only for routine matters but also for handling intricate medical cases. Furthermore, most physicians undergo extended training, such as three-to-seven-year residencies, post-residency fellowships, or other subspecialty clinical training. They must also fulfill continuing medical education requirements and often meet the American Board of Medical Specialties’ criteria to maintain board certification.

In contrast, the amicus brief argues that nurse practitioners’ training falls short of a physician’s education and training. Nurse practitioner programs cover less material than medical school, are less science-oriented, and lack comparable depth.

The legal battle between nurse practitioners and physicians in California raises essential questions about the appropriate use of the title “doctor” in the healthcare profession. It hinges on whether nurse practitioners with doctorates of nursing practice should be allowed to use this title, as they believe they have earned the right to do so, or if the law should continue to restrict its use to allopathic and osteopathic physicians to prevent patient confusion. This lawsuit’s outcome will likely have significant implications for healthcare providers and patients in California and potentially beyond.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) in India has achieved a significant milestone by obtaining the prestigious World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) Recognition Status for a period of ten years, as announced in a statement from the Union Health Ministry.

This recognition from WFME carries substantial implications, allowing Indian medical graduates to pursue advanced training and professional practice in countries that require WFME recognition, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Under this accreditation, all 706 existing medical colleges are now WFME-accredited, and any new medical colleges established over the next decade will automatically gain WFME
accreditation. This development positions India as an appealing destination for international students, owing to its globally acknowledged educational standards.

Beyond the international appeal, the NMC's attainment of WFME recognition promises to elevate the quality and standards of medical education in India by aligning them with the highest
global benchmarks and best practices.

Furthermore, this achievement is expected to enhance the global recognition and reputation of Indian medical institutions and professionals. It will facilitate academic collaborations and
exchanges, fostering continuous improvement and innovation in medical education while nurturing a culture of quality assurance among medical educators and institutions.

The World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) is a worldwide organization dedicated to improving the quality of medical education on a global scale. Its mission centers around
advancing healthcare for all by promoting the highest scientific and ethical standards in medical education, as highlighted in the Health Ministry’s press release.

The press release also underscores the crucial role of the Education Commission on Foreign Medical Education (ECFMG) in the United States. The ECFMG is the primary governing body
responsible for overseeing policies and regulations concerning the licensing of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) in the United States.

To be eligible to take the United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLEs) and apply for residency programs, all IMGs must be certified by the ECFMG. Typically, this certification
occurs after completing the second year of a medical program and before attempting the USMLE Step 1 examination.

In 2010, the ECFMG introduced a new requirement, originally scheduled for implementation in 2023 but postponed to 2024 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This requirement mandates that
“beginning in 2024, individuals seeking ECFMG Certification must be enrolled in or have graduated from a medical school accredited by an accrediting agency officially recognized by the
World Federation for Medical Education (WFME).”

The WFME recognition process involves a fee of Rs 4,98,5142 ($60,000) per medical college. This fee covers the expenses associated with site visits by assessment teams, including their
travel and accommodation.

To put this into perspective, the total cost for all 706 medical colleges in India to undergo the WFME recognition process would amount to approximately Rs 351.9 crore ($4,23,60,000).
Notably, the NMC’s achievement of WFME recognition applies to all medical colleges under its jurisdiction.

In conclusion, the National Medical Commission’s attainment of WFME Recognition Status is a significant milestone for the Indian medical education system. It not only opens doors for Indian medical graduates to pursue opportunities abroad but also promises to elevate the quality of medical education in the country to international standards. This achievement is a testament to
India’s commitment to excellence in medical education and its aspiration to be a global hub for medical studies.

The S&P 500, a renowned benchmark index in the U.S. stock market, hosts some of the world’s most valuable companies. Naturally, the CEOs of these firms command substantial compensation packages. But what exactly do these packages consist of? And do these CEOs consistently receive the compensation they are promised, or does it fluctuate with the stock market’s ups and downs?

Today, we present an infographic based on data sourced from The Wall Street Journal. It highlights the top-earning CEOs of S&P 500 companies in 2022 and delves into the components of their compensation.

The 20 CEOs with the Highest Compensation

The compensation packages for CEOs of S&P 500 companies encompass more than just base salaries. They typically include bonuses, stock awards, and various incentives. Let’s take a look at the highest-paid CEOs of S&P 500 companies in 2022, along with the sectors they represent.

1. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet (Google’s parent company), led the pack with an impressive compensation package valued at approximately $226 million. This staggering sum exceeded Google’s median employee compensation by over 800 times. Pichai’s package comprised an annual salary of $2 million, a $6 million security allowance, and stock awards valued at $218 million.

2. Michael Rapino, CEO of Live Nation Entertainment, saw his awarded pay package soar to $139 million in 2022, up from nearly $14 million the previous year. This substantial increase included stock awards initially valued at $116 million.

3. Tech giants Apple and Broadcom also featured prominently. Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, received a compensation package worth $99 million in 2022, while Hock Tan, President and CEO of Broadcom, was awarded $61 million.

Other notable CEOs on the list included Peter Zaffino of global insurance giant AIG and Netflix’s co-CEOs, Ted Sarandos and Reed Hastings. Hastings experienced a $10 million increase in his compensation in the preceding year but stepped down from his role in January 2023.

A Halt in the Rise of Median CEO Income

Over the past decade, the median pay for CEOs across S&P 500 companies has doubled. In 2021, this figure reached a peak of $14.7 million. However, in 2022, the median CEO compensation package plateaued for the first time in ten years, dipping slightly to $14.5 million.

Compensation That Reflects Market Performance

Compensation packages linked to market valuations mean that these CEOs may receive more or less than their designated pay. This discrepancy arises because most stock awards are not immediately granted upon announcement; rather, they vest over time, making them susceptible to fluctuations in share prices.

In 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) introduced new disclosure regulations, requiring companies to report the realized value of executive pay packages, aptly named “compensation actually paid.” According to The Wall Street Journal’s report, many of the highest-paid S&P 500 CEOs in 2022 received considerably smaller pay packages due to market swings.

For instance, Sundar Pichai ultimately received approximately $116 million as the value of Alphabet’s stock decreased when his grants vested. Similarly, Michael Rapino received nearly $36 million, even though his stock awards will continue vesting over the next five years.

It’s worth noting that, in 2022, several CEOs of energy companies, including Exxon Mobil and Chevron, outshone many of the top-paid S&P 500 CEOs. This was largely due to the surge in their companies’ stock prices during that year.

Conclusion

The compensation of CEOs at S&P 500 companies is a subject of great interest and scrutiny. While these executives command significant pay packages, the actual amounts they receive can fluctuate substantially based on market conditions. The introduction of new disclosure rules by the SEC sheds light on the realized value of executive pay, highlighting the impact of market dynamics on CEO compensation. As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how these trends evolve and whether CEOs’ earnings continue to mirror the performance of their companies’ stock.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) revealed 27 new additions to its prestigious World Heritage Site list on Monday. These newly designated sites encompass a wide array of culturally significant areas, including revered temples in Cambodia, ancient tea forests in China, and historic European towns. Moreover, the committee expanded several existing heritage sites, such as the Andrefana Dry Forests in Madagascar, Vietnam’s Cat Ba Archipelago in Ha Long Bay, and additional sections of the ancient Hyrcanian Forests in Azerbaijan.

The World Heritage Committee convened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to deliberate on the selection of these sites. Committee members had to make their choices from a pool of global nominations
submitted over the course of 2022 and 2023.

To earn a coveted spot on this prestigious list, a natural or cultural site must possess exceptional universal value and fulfill at least one of ten other specific criteria for selection. These criteria
include representing a ” masterpiece of human creative genius ” or showcasing ” areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance.”

Additionally, the recent meeting of the committee saw the addition of several Ukrainian sites to the Endangered List due to the ongoing Russian invasion in Ukraine. Notable entries on this list
include Kyiv’s Saint Sophia Cathedral and its associated monastic structures, along with the historic city center of L’viv. UNESCO expressed concerns about the vulnerability of these sites to direct attacks and the collateral damage caused by bombings in these cities.

The committee’s session is scheduled to continue until September 25, potentially allowing for the addition of more sites to the World Heritage roster. Here is a comprehensive list of the latest

UNESCO World Heritage Sites added in 2023:
1. Koh Ker archaeological site in Cambodia
2. Santiniketan, West Bengal, India
3. Old Tea Forests of the Jingmai Mountain in Pu’er, China
4. Mongolia’s Deer Stone Monuments
5. Korea’s Gaya Tumuli burial mounds
6. Türkiye’s archaeological site of Gordion
7. Germany’s Jewish medieval historic center of Erfurt
8. Architecture of the town of Kaunas, Lithuania

9. Guatemala’s National Archaeological Park Tak’alik Ab’aj
10. Old town of Kuldīga, Latvia
11. Prehistoric Sites of Talayotic Menorca
12. The Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor of the Silk Road
13. Ethiopia’s Gedeo Cultural Landscape
14. Iran’s Persian Caravanserai
15. Canada’s Tr’ondëk-Klondike region
16. The Czech town of Žatec and its tradition of Saaz Hops
17. Ancient Jericho/Tell es-Sultan
18. “Köç Yolu” Transhumance Route in Azerbaijan
19. Djerba in Tunisia
20. India’s Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas
21. Indonesia’s Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta
22. Bale Mountains National Park in Ethiopia
23. The Forest Massif of Odzala-Kokoua in Congo
24. Volcanoes and forests of Mount Pelée and pitons of Martinique
25. Viking-age ring fortresses in Denmark
26. The Maison Carrée of Nîmes, France
27. Russia’s Astronomical Observatories of Kazan Federal University
These remarkable additions to the UNESCO World Heritage List showcase the rich tapestry of cultural and natural heritage found across the globe. Each site represents a unique facet of human
history, creativity, and the natural world, underscoring their outstanding universal value for future generations.

The pace of artificial intelligence (AI) advancement and its integration into our daily lives is expected to accelerate significantly in 2024. As companies unlock its potential, individuals harness it to enhance productivity, and lawmakers grapple with regulatory concerns, AI is poised to become increasingly ubiquitous in various aspects of our existence. However, it is crucial to address challenges related to trust, bias, accessibility, and regulation to fully unlock AI’s potential as we progress through the next decade.

“Hopefully, 2024 will see us making headway towards solving some of the thorny issues around this technology. Though barriers to entry due to cost and ease of use may have crumbled in recent years, there are still issues around trust, bias, accessibility, and regulation,” notes an industry expert.

Advancements in Generative AI Beyond Chatbots and Images

The next generation of generative AI tools is expected to surpass the capabilities of chatbots and image generators that captivated and occasionally unnerved us in 2023. These advancements will extend to generative video and music creators, which are becoming more powerful and user-friendly. We anticipate these tools will be integrated into creative platforms and productivity applications, much like the integration of ChatGPT technology this year. Additionally, new and exciting applications will emerge, including generative design tools and voice synthesizers. Distinguishing between real and computer-generated content will become an increasingly valuable skill.

Ethical Considerations in AI Development and Deployment

The disruptive potential of AI necessitates its responsible development and utilization to minimize harm. Known issues such as bias, lack of transparency, potential job displacement, and concerns about control will continue to be addressed in 2024. The demand for AI ethicists will rise as businesses demonstrate adherence to ethical standards and implement appropriate safeguards.

AI’s Role in Enhancing Customer Service

AI is poised to transform customer service by automating routine tasks and freeing up human resources for complex, critical issues. AI can triage initial contact calls, provide personalized solutions to common problems, and generate reports summarizing customer interactions. A survey conducted by the Boston Consulting Group indicates that 95 percent of customer service leaders expect AI bots to serve customers within the next three years.

Augmentation of Human Intelligence in the Workplace

In 2024, the ability to augment human intelligence and capabilities for faster, more efficient, and safer job performance will be a valuable workplace skill. Professionals across various domains, such as legal, medical, and coding, will use AI to streamline tasks like summarizing case law, generating medical notes, and writing software. Students and job seekers will also benefit from AI in organizing notes, conducting research, and crafting resumes and cover letters.

Integration of AI into Apps

The integration of generative AI features into software and applications will continue in 2024. Major players like Bing, Google, Office, Snapchat, Expedia, and Coursera have embraced chatbot functionality to enhance customer experiences. Concerns over data protection and customer privacy will gradually be addressed as AI providers adapt their services to meet market demands. For instance, Adobe has integrated generative AI into its Firefly design tools, addressing concerns about copyright and ownership.

Low-Code and No-Code Software Engineering

The use of low-code and no-code tools for application development is expected to increase, with generative AI tools like ChatGPT enabling rapid application creation and testing. While coding and software engineering jobs won’t disappear in 2024, opportunities will abound for individuals with creative problem-solving skills and ideas.

Diverse Job Opportunities in AI

The AI job landscape in 2024 will expand to accommodate various roles beyond traditional computer science. Prompt engineers, AI managers, project managers, trainers, and ethicists will play critical roles in the AI workforce. Technical roles like AI engineering and DevOps will also see growth, offering exciting career prospects.

Quantum AI’s Emerging Role

Although not an immediate concern for everyone, quantum computing, capable of accelerating certain compute-intensive tasks, will find applications in AI. Quantum algorithms, which leverage qubits that exist in multiple states simultaneously, offer increased efficiency for problems like optimization. In 2024, expect progress in applying quantum computing to power larger and more complex neural networks and algorithms.

Upskilling for the AI Era

Understanding AI’s impact on your profession and acquiring the ability to leverage AI tools effectively will be crucial for career advancement in 2024. Forward-looking employers will integrate AI skills into education and training programs. For those seeking self-improvement, numerous online resources are available, many of which are free.

AI Legislation and Regulation

As AI’s game-changing potential becomes evident, legislators are beginning to address regulatory frameworks. China has already implemented laws to curb non-consensual deepfakes, while the EU, US, and India are developing their own regulations. In the UK, a bill is proposed for 2024, and the EU anticipates an act in place by early 2025. These legislations aim to strike a balance between safeguarding citizens from negative AI impacts and fostering innovation and commerce. Debates over the boundaries of regulation will likely be a prominent political discourse in 2024.

In conclusion, 2024 promises to be a pivotal year in the evolution of artificial intelligence. While AI’s integration into various aspects of our lives accelerates, addressing ethical concerns, enhancing customer service, upskilling the workforce, and navigating regulatory challenges will be critical for realizing its full potential in the years to come.

The Federation of Indian Associations, Chicago (FIA) hosted a Spectacular and Grand celebration, “Ae Mere Watan” to commemorate India’s 77^th Independence Day – Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav with patriotic fervor on 15th September 2023 at the most upcoming and sought after, state of the art banquet hall, The Matrix Club, at Naperville, IL. The FIA led by Founder President & Chairman Sunil Shah, and Current President Vinita Gulabani, Past President Neil Khot, Founder and Past President Onkar Singh Sangha and the entire Board of Directors created an atmosphere of patriotism with an India centric program that enthralled the attending guests during the first half, followed by a musical extravaganza, the Sahir Ludhianvi Show, Directed by Milind Oak and facilitated by Madan Kulkarni and produced by Niche’ entertainment during the second half, post a sumptuous and delicious dinner.

The program started with a Bharat Natyam dance by Board member Bharatnatyam exponent and choreographer Pika Munshi. Then Sunil Shah & Vinita Gulabani were invited for a welcome address. Then Larry Herman, Mayor Oakbrook was invited to speak and present awards, along with Sunil & Vinita at the FIA Team Recognition Ceremony where all the hardworking FIA Team members received a Medal of Excellence and an Appreciation Certificate.

The auspicious tradition of lamp lighting ceremony was also held by the FIA Leadership and the entire Board. along with Larry Herman and other dignitaries present. A beautiful rendition of the American and Indian National Anthem was presented by Samaira Bongale and Sahiba Sidhu respectively. Famous Chicago Singer Nipa Shah also sang the Ae Mere Pyare Watan song.  There was also a beautiful Welcome Dance by Team Laya choreographed by Priyanka Parekh.

Chairman and Founder President Sunil Shah in his welcome speech, said, “Because of the unforeseen circumstances we had to celebrate Independence Day in September. But the fervor, love for motherland & tribute to martyrs is not limited to one day, month but it’s to be celebrated every day. “ He thanked the team members, Advisory Board members & sponsors for their ongoing support. And he welcomed & appreciated the dedication and commitment of President Vinita Gulabani.”

Dignitaries welcomed on the stage were Scott Wehrli, Mayor Naperville, followed by FIA Advisory Board: Aishwarya Sharma,  Ajieet Singh, Anil Loomba, Asha Oraskar, Bhupendra Beri,  Brij Sharma, Hitesh Bhatt, Jasbir Suga, Keerthi Reevori, Manish Gandhi, Nag Jaiswal, Pinky Thakkar, Pradeep Shukla, Suresh Bodiwala, Syed Hussaini, Vinoz Chanamolu,  Yogi Bhardwaj. The FIA Past Presidents were also invited and acknowledged: Sunil Shah, Onkar Sanga, Rita Singh, Dhitu Bhagwakar, Mukesh Shah, Neil Khot, Ninad Daftari, Gurmeet Singh, Hitesh Gandhi. All the organizations, including the State and Regional  organizations were  also appreciated for their participation and support.

The prestigious FIA Community Leadership Awards were presented to: Vinita Gulabani, Chintan Patel, Pinkyben & Dinesh Bhai Thakkar, Santosh Kumar MAFS, Dr Asha Anil Oroskar with OROCHEM, American Dog Movie /Neil Khot, Rajeev Sharma, Dr Alamdar Badar, Jane Lee Remax, Venkat Talari, Eggholic Bhagyesh Patel & Lav Patel, Brij Sharma, Dr Bhupinder Beri, Sona Shah, Harry Mohan, Syed Hussaini, Ajeet Singh IABC, Manoj Mulki Rani Foods, Sanjay Vishnu Panjwani / All About Furniture, Global Eye – Dr.  Vijay Prabhakar, DABUR / BADSHAH- Rickie Singh.

FIA Appreciation awards were presented to FIA Team Members: Dhitu Bhagwakar, Mukesh Shah, Hemendra Shah. Media Appreciation Awards were presented to: Vandana Jhingan, Suresh Bodiwala, Harry Sidhu, Prachi Jaitly and Phani Krishna, Desi Talk & Hi India.

A medley of patriotic songs was presented by the talented FIA singers: Pratibha Jairath, Geetanaji Maru, Jitendra Bulsara, Swapnil Sahu, Ravi Tokala, who regaled the audience with their singing. The Grand Finale was truly Grand in every sense of the Word, Sahir – A Tribute to the legendary Bollywood poet & Lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi, a show directed by Milind Oak, narrated by Nachiket Devasthali and supported by the amazingly talented singers: Abhilasha Chellam, Rasika Ganoo and Dhawal Chandwadkar, along with their team of musicians. The event was well attended by about 550 plus people including the who’s who of the Indian Community. The singers par excellence and Sahir team took to the stage after the dinner and enthralled the audience until midnight for almost three hours belting out the most famous and melodious Sahir songs. Everyone present praised the talented artists and said that they would love to come back and attend again! The FIA would like to thank all the vendors who set up booths and provided the food samples.  The Emcees to the event were Richa Chand, Anu Malhotra, Pratibha Jairath, Suchitra Kukreja and Chandini Duvuri.

Once, during the month of Kartika on the occasion of the Deepavali festival at Giriraja-Govardhana, the Vrajavasis were busily absorbed in decorating their cows and other animals with various kinds of ornaments. The gopis also brought various ornaments from their homes to decorate the cows. Sri Radhika and Her girlfriends sat on the madhavi terrace near the Malyaharini-kunda making several kinds of beautiful pearl ornaments. Meanwhile Sri Krsna arrived there, having heard of Srimati Radhika’s activities from the mouth of parrot Vicaksana, and asked for some pearls to decorate only 4 horns of His favorite cows Hamsi and Harini. However, Radhika and Her gopi friends laughed at Him proudly saying that their pearls are most precious. They are not ordinary to decorate cows. They are meant only for great queens like them.

Sri Krsna decides to grow His own Pearl garden. He returned home where He asked for some pearls from Mother Yasoda. Then He and His friends planted them near the bank of the Yamuna, and regularly watered them with milk from His own goshala.

In a few days extremely beautiful pearls grew in abundance. All including mother Yashoda , Krsna’s father Nana Baba and all the villagers were amazed. When gopis  saw this astonishing field of pearls , they requested some pearls from Sri Krishna. Now it was Krishna and His friends’ turn to make fun of them and reject pearls to them.

Since the gopis wanted the same quality of pearls, they consulted with a senior friend Nandimukhi and secretly brought pearls from their homes and took pearls from their own jewelry. They began to sow them as Sri Krsna had done. They irrigated the field with an abundance of not only cow’s milk but ghee and butter too as advised by Nandinukhi. After a few days, their pearls sprouted, but to their surprise, only into thorny creepers. The gopis became worried as they brought all the pearls from their homes for planting. They told Sri Krsna what had happened, and asked Him for some of His pearls. But Krsna, the crown jewel of rasikas, took a lot of pleasure in bargaining with them and teasing them to the extent that Srimati Radha just asks Gopis to leave the place and not argue with the cheaters. Finally He lovingly prepared beautiful necklaces from His exquisite pearls for all the Gopis and went to present them along with His sakhas. All the Gopis were extremely happy to receive such wonderful necklaces and wanted to reciprocate to Krishna by preparing delicious food.

Malyaharini-kunda received its name by virtue of this confidential pastime. Our main objective of performing such beautiful pastimes of Krishna are to give the kids an experience of sweet activities of the God. And to show how Lord Krishna, although the Supreme Controller , creator and master of the universe (Bhagavad Gita 10.8) takes pleasure in sweetly playing with His devotees just like we do. He is a person and we are Meade in His image. We enjoy what he enjoys by understanding the sweetness of Krishna, kids can easily take His shelter by remembering Him in challenging times and think of Him as their close loving friend.

The various characters were played by the following kids: Narrator , Anshika – Radha, Radhika – Krishna, Ramakrishna – Chitralekha, Swarna – Vishakha, Mamata – Lalita, Krsangi – Vishal, Advay – Subal, Gaura – Ujjval, ChItanya – Madhu, Devansh – Kanchan lata, Dyuti – Champak Lata, Aadya – Chandramukhi, Ananya – Nandimukhi, Meera – Tungavidya, Radha – Yashoda, Sanya – Malati older Gopi, Dr. Sapna Patel

Janaki older Gopi, Amara dd – Sundar older Gopa, Dayaram Prabhu – Nand Baba, Dushyant Prabhu,

Janmashtami, the appearance day of Lord Krishna was celebrated on Wednesday 6th September 2023 at ISKCON Chicago located at 1716 W Lunt Ave, Chicago, IL. The appearance day anniversary of Srila Prabhupada, the founder acharya of ISKCON (the International Society for Krishna Consciousness) was also celebrated on the following day. The two-day celebration was attended by over a thousand Chicagoans from various cultures.

The festival was attended by the Consulate General of India, Somnath Ghosh and his wife, Anindita Ghosh. Mr. Somnath Ghosh urged the devotees to pray to the Lord “to become better devotees to serve mankind.”

Bhailal Patel, one of the notable community leaders said, “This is the first temple of Chicago and was established in 1972 in Evanston.” Sri Sri Kisora-Kisori was the first Deities of Radha Krishna in the Midwest that were brought in 1972 with the inspiration and efforts of Srila Prabhupada and his disciples. The temple also celebrated their 50th anniversary this year in June commemorating the dedication of the devotees for bringing the teachings of Lord Krishna to the West. “Our world today needs this spiritual knowledge to find the deep internal satisfaction and happiness that we are all looking for.” said the temple priest, Nama Ruci das.

The altar was gorgeously decorated with fresh flowers and vases. The main deities on the altar, Sri Sri Kisora Kisori, looked elegant in their embroidered brown and blue dresses. Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra were on the altar to the right and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai were on the left. They wore garlands of roses and blue orchids in the morning and pink lotuses at night. On the right of the altar was a swing for Lord Krishna and a deity of Srila Prabhupada was on a large simhasana (royal seat) across the temple hall.

Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, “yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati bhārata abhyutthānam adharmasya tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham” “Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion – at that time I descend Myself.” The festival is a celebration of Lord Krishna’s descent into this world. His Holiness Radhanath Swami, one of the prominent spiritual leaders, said, “Krishna comes into this world out of his compassion for all living beings.” The teachings of Lord Krishna are found in the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. His Holiness Romapada Swami, one of the leaders in ISKCON, requested the devotees to imbibe the teachings given by Lord Krishna by studying the Srimad Bhagavatam.

Devotees celebrated the festival by fasting, bathing the Deity (Abhishek), by performing kirtan and reading from the Bhagavad Gita. The main attractions of the program include Mangala aarti (a ceremonial welcome of the Lord before sunrise), darshan aarti, chanting, drama and Maha aarti at midnight.

The festive mood was enhanced by the melodious songs glorifying the pastimes of Krishna. The devotees wore traditional dhotis and colorful saris and played traditional musical instruments like harmonium, mrdanga and kartal for the pleasure of the Lord. The festival was followed by a sumptuous vegetarian feast for all the guests.

The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) rolled out its high profile 60th Annual Convention and attracted Thousands of Enthusiastic Participants at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois (5555 N. River Road, Rosemont, IL 60018). “A Multifaceted #ISNA60 Convention was inaugurated by around 40 elected officials and community leaders followed by Friday prayer by thousands of participants.

Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) convention is widely regarded as the largest annual gathering of Muslims in America. It attracts thousands of participants and serves as a social and spiritual event for the betterment of our community. In addition to Muslim Americans, the convention attracts people of other faiths, international delegations, and officials from local, state, and federal government, including heads of state said Mir Khan, Chairman, Steering Committee, ISNA.

“ISNA’s Convention is more than simply a coming together of Muslim community. Our goal is to unite people across different faiths and backgrounds in the spirit of peace and better understanding”, said Safa Zarzour, ISNA President, in his Inaugural Address. Continuing his address, he said that even though the Convention is by Muslims, it is for everyone. “This is not just a Muslim event, but this is an American event”, he stated and added that the Convention provides a platform to Muslims, guests from other faith communities, families, businesses and non-profit organizations to network and exchange ideas. 

This year’s theme, “60 years of service: Navigating the way forward”, he added, was largely centered on how faith can inspire the community to bring positive social change in response to challenges and injustices of all forms. “The Convention was a great opportunity to look back and celebrate our accomplishments and successes as an American Muslim community and at the same also look ahead to address some of the challenges we face as a community in North America”, he concluded with a sense of optimism.

“ISNA had a rich list of 200 renowned speakers, scholars, community leaders, and public servants to address Convention attendees. Remarks from Congressman Ro Khanna (Rep. California 17th District), Congresswoman Summer Lee, Khizr Khan (Goldstar Father and Presidential Medal of Honor Recipient) Comedian Preacher Moss & other national Muslim entertainers offering their signature acts. Film Festival featuring Muslim American filmmakers tackling relevant issues facing Muslim Americans. One of the largest Muslim Matrimonial events in the US Renowned speakers like Hamza Yusuf, Zaid Shakir & Yasir Qadhi addressing evolving Muslim issues.

Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, was the keynote speaker during the Community Service Recognition Luncheon which honored Dr.Ihsan Bagby for his lifetime dedication to serving the community. Mazen Basrawi from the white house read a special letter from POTUS, building interfaith relationships and social justice advocacy, said Mr. Azhar Azeez, board member and former President, ISNA. Over 40% convention speakers were females that included well known academics and scholars like Dr. Rani Awad, Dr. Ingrid Mattson, Ustadha Lehsa Prime, Ustadha Muslema Perumal, Ustadha Yasmin Mogahed and others, Azeez added. Complementing the main ISNA offering of programs, there were conferences hosted by MSA of US & Canada.

ISNA is the largest and oldest Islamic umbrella organization in North America. Its mission is to foster the development of the Muslim community, interfaith relations, civic engagement, and better understanding of Islam at an international level, representing the voices of Muslim Americans, said Basharat Saleem, Executive Director, ISNA. The roots of ISNA were laid in 1963 by the Muslim Students Association of the US and Canada (now MSA-National). In everything that ISNA does, the effort is not just to unite and strengthen the Muslim community and their trust in Allah, but also ISNA is actively building bridges of understanding, communication, reconciliation, and cooperation with the mainstream faith and other communities.

Prachi Gupta’s family appeared to embody the quintessential American Dream from an outsider’s perspective. Her father, a doctor, her mother, a devoted homemaker, and Prachi and her brother Yush were both high-achieving individuals. They enjoyed the comforts of a spacious five-bedroom home in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Gupta was raised with the belief that their prosperity was a testament to their diligent work ethic and adherence to Indian cultural values.

However, beneath this façade, Gupta reveals a different, more tumultuous narrative in her new memoir titled “They Called Us Exceptional.” She describes how her father’s temper and strict rules created a turbulent atmosphere at home, causing Gupta to grapple with the stark contrast between her family’s inner dysfunction and the picture-perfect image they presented to the world.

Gupta discusses the impact of this dichotomy on her identity, stating, “If you believe that success and achievement are integral to your core identity, any challenges, traumas, or hardships you face are internalized as personal failures. This compels us to conceal anything imperfect about ourselves.”

In her memoir, Gupta delves into how each member of her family coped with the turmoil at home in their own way. Her mother chose to tolerate her husband’s manipulative behavior despite enduring mistreatment. Gupta herself rejected the toxic dynamics she had once accepted, leading to her estrangement from her family. Her brother, on the other hand, learned to bury his emotions, ultimately embarking on a path that, according to Gupta, led to his tragic demise.

Gupta’s book is a deeply personal exploration that combines her own narrative with historical insights and cultural analysis. It sheds light on how the weight of the “model minority” stereotype contributed to the unraveling of her family.

CNN recently interviewed Gupta to discuss the motivation behind her book, the tragic event that inspired it, and the authenticity of the American Dream. Below is an edited excerpt of their conversation:

What inspired you to write this book?

“In 2017, my brother Yush passed away. At the time, we had been estranged for two years, but prior to our estrangement, we had shared an incredibly close bond. He was only 18 months younger than me, and for most of our lives, we were best friends. His unexpected and untimely death, caused by complications after cosmetic limb-lengthening surgery, initiated my journey into writing this book. I needed to comprehend who he had become and the decisions that had led him down this path.

Part of the reason for our estrangement was my strong feminist beliefs and his adoption of men’s rights views. When he passed away, I wrote an essay titled ‘Stories About My Brother,’ which was published on Jezebel in 2019. The response to this essay was overwhelming. I heard from immigrant mothers who were unaware of the challenges their children were facing and decided to discuss mental health with them. Sisters who shared complicated relationships with their brothers found solace in my words, and Asian American men indicated that they were heading down a similar path as my brother but reconsidered their choices after reading my essay. Men from various backgrounds confessed that they had battled depression without ever acknowledging it before.

Realizing the shared struggles and isolation that so many people experienced, I felt compelled to share my complete story. There was much more to tell about how the culture we live in encourages us to distance ourselves from our true selves and communities in pursuit of success and achievement. I believe that if my brother and I had been exposed to this narrative earlier in life, our relationship might have endured, and he might have made different decisions that could have saved his life.”

Why did your and your brother’s paths diverge so dramatically in adulthood?

“We grew up in the same household but had vastly different experiences. Our family adhered to traditional gender roles, and this created a divide between my brother and me. I witnessed the injustice of these roles and how I was treated differently due to my gender. He absorbed messages about masculinity and the expectations placed on men. He learned not to express his emotions, avoid discussing feelings, and felt pressure to be a provider.

These differing expectations, coupled with our dysfunctional family dynamics, pushed us further apart as we grew older. I questioned the family system and sought to understand why things were the way they were, while he leaned into his traditional role. This friction became the source of our estrangement, and we were unable to reconcile our differences.”

You documented many painful events in your book as they were happening. Did you always intend to write a book about your family?

“I always felt a need to document what was happening in some way. Writing was my means of making sense of the world around me. I grew up in a volatile household where reality could change in an instant. My father would alter facts, and suddenly, I’d be told that certain events didn’t occur, despite my clear recollection of them. I constantly questioned my sanity, and writing served as a way to preserve my memories. Documenting everything felt essential to my survival. However, I never initially planned to write a memoir or a personal account. My intention was to use these observations to create fictional narratives in the future.

After Yush’s passing, I didn’t want to relegate him to a hypothetical concept. I wanted to honor his memory and shed light on the real harm caused by the ideologies he had embraced. These pressures are genuine, and they have genuine repercussions on our bodies, lives, and relationships. We often discuss these issues abstractly, but they played a role in my brother’s tragic end. I wanted people to understand that these pressures are real and have real consequences.”

In your book, you often avoid using terms like “abuse” or “domestic violence” to describe what happened in your family. Can you explain why?

“Yes, that was intentional. I found empowerment in labeling these dynamics as abusive and toxic because it helped me distance myself from them. However, these situations are far from black-and-white or straightforward. Experiencing such situations is disorienting, especially when the person hurting you is someone you deeply love. It’s not easy to simply categorize it as ‘abuse’ and move on.

I also wanted to convey what it feels like to be in such a situation. When we use terms like ‘abuse’ or ‘domestic violence,’ everyone has a different mental image. Many people primarily associate physical abuse with these terms, but psychological and emotional abuse exist on a spectrum. We lack effective ways to discuss these forms of abuse and their consequences.”

Your book is framed as a letter to your mother. Why did you choose this format?”After Yush’s death, I wanted more than anything to reconnect with my parents. I wished to keep Yush’s memory alive through our relationship. However, this proved challenging.

I often contemplated mortality following his passing and didn’t want to leave my mother in the dark about who I truly am, on my terms. I wanted to explain to her why our relationship remained distant and clarify that it had nothing to do with my love for her. It was a difficult conversation to have in person, so I felt compelled to write it down.”

Have your parents read the book?

“I’m not certain. I did send them a letter before the book’s publication, but I’m unsure whether my mother has read it or not. I agonized over this decision but ultimately felt that it was necessary. After my brother’s death, I needed to find meaning in his passing. (Courtesy: TIME)

(IPS) – This year, India surpassed China as the world’s most populous nation. China is expected to overtake the US as the world’s largest economy by 2035, but its population will likely continue to decline, while India’s will continue to grow.

India is projected to surpass 1.5 billion people by the end of this decade, reaching 1.7 billion people by 2064. Goldman Sachs analysts recently predicted India will be the world’s second-largest economy by 2075.

India’s population growth is widely touted as an economic opportunity to be seized, a chance for India to press its advantage as the most populous nation on Earth, with the greatest proportion of working age people.

For example, there have been recent calls for India to take the helm as a world leader in steel production. Demand for steel is expected to surge as India’s population grows, and more steel production capacity could boost India’s economy.

But there is more to population growth than just bigger markets and workforces. The same population growth that drives up demand also puts immense pressure on environmental, education, and health infrastructure.

For example, it will increasingly strain access to clean water, threatening drinking water safety and sanitation for communities. It could also lead to shortages in teachers and schools, and scarcity of medical professionals and health facilities.

So, as India’s population grows, it’s imperative that we balance its economic development with the well-being of its people. Sabina Dewan, a senior visiting fellow at the Center for Policy Research, says population growth could be a “tremendous productive force for the economy” but economic growth “hinges on providing good quality, productive, and well-remunerated jobs.” As Wilson Center scholar Jennifer Sciubba put it, “We’ve got 1.4 billion people in India, and it’s up to India to decide whether or not that becomes a resource or a burden.”

How population growth ultimately impacts people depends on how government, civil society, and society as a whole address its challenges and capitalize on its benefits. One key aspect of this is upholding people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

As India’s population expands, the number of people of child-bearing age will continue to grow, and the stakes of SRHR will get higher. Studies show access to comprehensive SRHR services is key for health and well-being and helps women and girls reach their educational and economic goals. It also enables them to delay and space childbearing, moderating population growth and easing pressure on natural resources and infrastructure.

Currently, women and girls in India do not have sufficient access to SRHR services. Two million adolescent Indian women have an unmet need for modern contraception. A staggering 78% of abortions among adolescents are unsafe, leading to an elevated risk of complications.

And as India’s population grows, it also raises the stakes of gender discrimination and achieving gender equity. Without sufficient investment in the health and rights and women and girls, population growth is likely to exacerbate existing gender disparities.

But when women gain access to more education, economic opportunity, and family planning resources, it leads to greater economic participation and prosperity. Research finds such programs can help lift people out of poverty, improving their standard of living and contributing to a more inclusive economy.

In order to leverage the demographic dividend from population growth, in addition to manufacturing, transportation, energy, and digital infrastructure, India’s government should invest in its people.

It should focus on skill development and quality education programs that include women and girls, with emphasis on vocational training and technical education to equip the workforce with the skills the rapidly changing job market demands.

India’s rapid population growth is neither a blessing nor a curse, neither utopian opportunity nor dystopian destiny. Instead, it’s a blend of challenges and possibilities. The outcome for people depends on the actions we take and the investments we make.

Conventional investments like ramping up steel production may raise India’s GDP, but won’t by themselves make people happier or healthier, or lead to greater productivity and prosperity in the long run.

For that we’ll need a comprehensive approach, including policies and investments that prioritize SRHR, gender equity, education, and health. That’s the pathway towards beneficial economic growth, sustainable development, and a more balanced, prosperous future.

Taira Bhargava is a Stanback Reproductive Health Research fellow at the Population Institute in Washington, DC. Hailing from New Delhi, India, she is a rising junior at Duke University, studying Human Biology and Environmental Science. (IPS UN Bureau)

(AP) — The Federal Reserve launched a new instant payment service Thursday. FedNow allows banks and credit unions to sign up to send real-time payments so they can offer customers a quicker way to send money between banks.

FedNow, which was first announced in 2019, published a list of banks and credit unions that are already signed up to the service. However, it might take longer for customers to be able to use the service with their bank.

Here’s what you need to know about FedNow.

HOW DOES FEDNOW WORK?

FedNow offers instant payment services for banks and credit unions to transfer money for their customers. Unlike other private money-transferring services like PayPal or Venmo, FedNow services are not offered to customers directly through a third-party app or website. The services will only be available through banks or credit unions. However, once banks have adopted FedNow, they’re expected to make it available on their websites and apps.

Once a bank offers the FedNow services, customers will be able to send money instantly. The service is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Among the banks that will offer the FedNow services soon are Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase.

WHY DID THE FED CREATE FEDNOW?

By creating FedNow, the Fed is making it quicker and more accessible for people to send and receive online payments. The Fed is also catching up with other countries that already have real-time payment systems like FedNow, including England, China, Sweden and India.

FedNow will also equip banks with tools to identify and combat fraud attempts. These tools include the ability for banks to flag suspicious accounts and limit the amount and frequency of payments by those accounts.

WHO CAN USE FEDNOW?

Customers, including individuals and businesses, whose banks or credit unions offer FedNow services will be able to send and receive money in real-time. If, for example, a customer wants to send money to a friend, both people have to bank with institutions that offer FedNow services.

WHAT ARE SOME SCENARIOS WHERE I CAN USE FEDNOW?

Given the speed of transactions, this service can be beneficial for customers in many ways.

Here are some examples:

— If your employer sends your paycheck through FedNow, the paycheck will be able to clear in seconds rather than days.

— If you forgot to pay your rent until the last minute, you will be able to send the money late at night without waiting to have it cleared the next business day.

WHEN WILL FEDNOW BE AVAILABLE TO ME?

FedNow is now live but it might take months or years for customers to be able to use this service, it all depends on when your bank makes it available.

WILL MY PRIVACY BE PROTECTED WITH FEDNOW?

The Federal Reserve and the FedNow service cannot access people’s bank accounts and it doesn’t have the authority for additional surveillance, according to Fed officials.

WILL FEDNOW REPLACE VENMO, PAYPAY OR OTHER SERVICES?

There are key differences between the FedNow service and apps such as Venmo and PayPal. FedNow is a service offered directly to banks and not to customers, which means FedNow does not have an app or website where customers will be able to send money to each other.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FEDNOW AND ZELLE?

AND ZELLE?

While both FedNow and Zelle allow customers to make online transactions, there are some key differences. Zelle is a private app that works with some financial institutions while FedNow is backed by the Federal Reserve and is envisioned to be adopted by the majority of banks in the country.

Zelle lets you send and receive money instantly but the money might not be available for customers until days after the transaction. With FedNow, the Fed says the money will be available within seconds. Zelle has a customer-facing platform that allows customers to send money through their app while FedNow will not directly interact with customers but rather offer the services to banks.

WILL FEDNOW REPLACE CASH?

Fed officials have stressed FedNow is unrelated to the notion of a government-run digital currency, which social media users also falsely claim would lead to the elimination of cash.

“The Federal Reserve has made no decision on issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) & would not do so without clear support from Congress and executive branch, ideally in the form of a specific authorizing law,” the agency wrote in a series of tweets in April “A CBDC would not replace cash or other payment options.”

IOCUSA leaders met with Shri. K. Raju, who is the National Coordinator of the Indian National Congress for SC/ST/OBC and Minority Affairs and exchanged views on how to improve the messaging to the Diaspora while increasing the reach of the organization. Mr. Raju, formerly an IAS officer, resigned from service in 2013 to join the Congress party. Prior to his resignation from service, he served as Additional Secretary, Govt of India at the National Advisory Council (NAC) headed by Smt. Sonia Gandhi.

IOCUSA team headed by President Mr. Mohinder Singh Gilzian and Vice-Chair George Abraham briefed him on the activities of the IOCUSA and assured him of our support and commitment as the Congress party is at the forefront of fighting for the cause of the common man. The meeting also assessed the deteriorating situation in India as regards democracy and religious freedom.

Raju applauded the grand reception organized for Rahul Gandhi and said, “Rahul Gandhi spoke to the Diaspora from the depths of his heart.” He also urged the Diaspora to make use of the technologies available to counter the false messaging and propaganda emanating from the BJP circles.

Phuman Singh, Chairman, Punjab Chapter, Rajeswar Reddy Gangasani, President, Telangana Chapter, Sharath Chandra and  Baldev Randhawa also participated in the discussions.