DAR ES SALAAM (TIP): Two passenger planes carrying tourists crash-landed at the same airport and on the same day in a Tanzanian national park, but officials said everyone on board survived unharmed. The incidents, both involving planes operated by domestic airline Unity Air, took place on November 25 at Mikumi National Park, the Tanzanian park authority known as TANAPA said. A total of 60 passengers, plus seven crew members were on the two flights, it said in separate statements. In the first incident, an Embraer aircraft carrying 30 passengers, two pilots and one flight attendant en route from the holiday island of Zanzibar suffered a “technical problem” when it landed at the park’s Kikoboga airport, the agency said. (AFP)
Year: 2023
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Truce in Gaza extended another day but talks over remaining hostages could get tougher
JERUSALEM (TIP): Israel and Hamas agreed at the last minute November 30 to extend their cease-fire in Gaza by another day. But any further renewal of the deal that has seen dozens of hostages and prisoners released could prove more daunting since Hamas is expected to set a higher price for many of the remaining captives.
International pressure has mounted for the truce to continue as long as possible after nearly eight weeks of Israeli bombardment and a ground campaign in Gaza that have killed thousands of Palestinians, uprooted more than three-quarters of the population of 2.3 million and led to a humanitarian crisis.
Israel has vowed to resume its offensive once the cease-fire expires.
And the talks appear to be growing tougher, with Hamas having already freed most of the women and children kidnapped during the deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war. The militants are expected to make greater demands in return for freeing scores of civilian men and soldiers.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials on his third visit to the region since the start of the war, said he hoped the cease-fire could be extended and more hostages could be released.
“This process is producing results. It’s important, and we hope that it can continue,” he said.
Qatar, which along with Egypt has played a key role in mediating, announced the latest extension of the truce, under which Hamas has released at least 10 Israeli hostages per day in exchange for Israel’s release of at least 30 Palestinian prisoners. The two Arab countries are now seeking to prolong the deal by another two days, according to Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt’s State Information Service.
As word of Thursday’s extension came, gunmen opened fire on people waiting for buses along a main highway entering Jerusalem, killing at least three people and wounding several others, according to police.
The two attackers, brothers from a Palestinian neighborhood in annexed east Jerusalem, were killed. Hamas’ armed wing claimed the attack, casting it as retaliation for the killing of women and children in Gaza and other Israeli “crimes.” The attack did not appear to threaten the truce in Gaza. Netanyahu is under intense pressure from families of the hostages to bring them home. But his far-right governing partners are also pushing him to continue the war until Hamas is destroyed, and could bolt his coalition if he is seen as making too many concessions.
Israel says it will maintain the truce until Hamas stops releasing captives, at which point it will resume military operations aimed at eliminating the group, even as the Biden administration has urged it to operate with far greater precision if it resumes its offensive.
“As soon as Hamas stops releasing mothers, we’re coming for the fathers. As soon as it stops releasing daughters, we’re coming for the sons,” Israeli government spokesman Eylon Levy said. “We are going to continue putting unrelenting military pressure on Hamas to release everyone.” (AP) -
Ukraine says storms killed 12, 800 villages without power
KYIV (TIP): Extreme weather that stormed through Ukraine’s south earlier this week killed 12 people, while bad weather and the war with Russia have left more than 800 villages without power, Kyiv said on November 29. Hurricane winds and snowfall hit southern Ukraine, already severely affected by Russia’s invasion, on Monday. The strong winds also swept through occupied Ukraine, Moscow-annexed Crimea and southern Russia.
“Twelve people died due to the weather,” Ukraine’s interior minister Igor Klymenko said, increasing the toll by one person since Tuesday. Klymenko said 23 people were injured.
Officials said the severe weather was over but that hundreds of villages were without power.
Intense repair works are underway in southern regions and Ukraine has imported electricity from three western neighbours, Kyiv added. Ukraine’s energy ministry said that “812 settlements were without energy” due to the weather and the war. It said 368 were cut off by the extreme storms, while another 444 had power cuts “due to hostilities and technical problems.”
Ukraine has been preparing for weeks for a feared renewed Russian campaign hitting its energy grid.
Such attacks left millions in the dark and cold last winter.
Ukraine’s state energy company Ukrenergo said the “most difficult situation” was in the southern Odesa and Kherson regions — regularly hit by Russian strikes.
It has imported electricity at night from neighbouring Slovakia, Romania and Moldova, said Ukrenergo.
Moscow has said four people were killed in Crimea and southern Russia by the storms.
The Kremlin-backed leader of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov on Wednesday said that an “emergency” regime was in force in 15 municipalities across the peninsula- including the main city of Simferopol and the seaside resort of Yalta. He said some 43,000 people were without power and that “repair work” was underway.
When the storm hit on Monday, Moscow said almost two million people in southern Russia, annexed Crimea and occupied Ukraine were without power. (AFP) -
COP28 president denies using climate talks to push oil deals
DUBAI (TIP): The Emirati host of the UN climate conference in Dubai denied November 29 reports that he used his presidency of the crucial talks on global warming to pursue fossil fuels deals.
The allegations against Sultan Al Jaber, who is also CEO of his country’s oil giant ADNOC, have fanned long-running suspicions over the wisdom of a petrostate hosting the COP28 talks.
But Jaber, who also chairs a UAE-owned clean energy company, strongly denied reports that he used his position as COP president to pitch new oil and gas investments to governments.
“These allegations are false, not true, incorrect and not accurate,” Jaber told reporters on the eve of the talks, which will draw world leaders and tens of thousands of delegates to Dubai over the next two weeks.
“It’s an attempt to undermine the work of the COP28 presidency. Let me ask you a question: do you think the UAE or myself will need the COP or the COP presidency to go and establish business deals or commercial relationships?”
Leaked documents obtained by the BBC and the Centre for Climate Reporting alleged that talking points prepared for Jaber for COP meetings with foreign governments pushed joint business opportunities in fossil fuels.
The briefing notes, detailed in reports published on Monday, signalled ADNOC’s willingness to work with countries including China, Germany and Egypt to develop oil and gas projects.
“I promise you, never ever did I see these talking points that they refer (to), or that I ever even used such talking points in my discussions,” said Jaber.
He said every meeting he conducted with governments or stakeholders as president of the climate talks “has always been centred around one thing and one thing only: and that is my COP28 agenda.”
‘Worst fears’
But the allegations fuelled persistent scepticism over the suitability of an oil executive leading the world’s climate negotiations as governments are pushed to commit to phasing out fossil fuels, something no COP has ever achieved.
Former US vice president Al Gore said the allegations “have confirmed some of the worst fears” around Jaber while former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres said the COP28 host had been caught “red handed”.
“The global community’s gaze is fixed upon these leaders, expecting them to embody the very essence of integrity, untainted by bias and national or personal gain,” said Tasneem Essop, executive director of the Climate Action Network International.
“Any deviation from this path represents a betrayal of the trust placed in them by the world and a failure in their duty to future generations,” he wrote on X.
But Jaber has weathered other controversies over his alleged conflict of interest since being appointed COP president earlier this year, including calls from US and European lawmakers for his replacement.
Supporters, including US climate envoy John Kerry, say Jaber is uniquely positioned to broker compromise at the COP talks, where world leaders will be confronted by their lack of progress in curbing global warming in a record-breaking hot year.
The 50-year-old bristled at accusations that he has a conflict of interest, touting his years of work in climate and sustainability, and success in drawing out commitments from big oil and gas players. (AFP) -
National Tax Security Awareness Week, Day 4: Summit partners urge businesses to take steps to prevent data loss, fraud
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): As part of National Tax Security Awareness Week, the Internal Revenue Service and the Security Summit partners , on November 30, urged businesses to remain vigilant against cyberattacks aimed at stealing their customer’s personal information and other business data that can help identity thieves.
The IRS continues to see instances where small businesses and others face a variety of identity theft related schemes that try to obtain information that can be used to file fake business tax returns. For example, phishing schemes continue to target businesses as well as tax professionals and individual taxpayers. And businesses continue to be targets of Form W-2 scams where identity thieves try to trick company leaders into sharing sensitive data.
“Businesses of all shapes and sizes, including tax professionals, continue to be a ripe target for identity thieves trying to obtain sensitive tax and financial data,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “Businesses and their employees need to remain careful on multiple fronts to protect their sensitive systems and data. Identity thieves continue to use an array of tactics to try getting at a treasure trove of information that can be used in many ways, including filing tax returns.”
During National Tax Security Awareness Week, now in its eighth year, the Security Summit partnership of the IRS, state tax agencies and the nation’s tax community work to raise awareness among taxpayers, tax professionals and the business community about the importance of safeguarding information to protect against identity theft. The Security Summit was formed in 2015 to combat tax-related identity theft through better public-private sector coordination as well as strengthening internal protections in the tax community and raising public awareness about security threats.
With the tax season fast approaching, the Security Summit partners today reminded the business community and others to take extra steps to protect their financial and tax information. As the IRS and the Summit partners have strengthened their internal defenses in recent years to protect against fraud, identity thieves have increasingly focused on businesses and tax professionals as a way to obtain sensitive taxpayer information in hopes of evading systemic defenses by the IRS and the Summit partners in the tax community.
The Summit partners strongly urge businesses to employ robust information technology tools and services to rigorously safeguard their business and trade information as well as protect data directly connected to their customers, employees and business partners.
Cyber criminals target businesses of all sizes. Knowing some cybersecurity basics and putting them in practice will help business owners protect their business and reduce the risk of a cyber-attack. Criminals can target a business’s credit card or payment information, business identity information or employee identity information. This information can also be used to file fraudulent business and personal tax returns.
Businesses are encouraged to follow best practices from the Federal Trade Commission, including:
Set security software to update automatically.
Back up important files.
Require strong passwords for all devices.
Encrypt devices.
Use multi-factor authentication.
More information is available at FTC’s Cybersecurity for Small Businesses.Businesses should also remain vigilant to tax-related “phishing” email scams, which can often be cleverly written to fool employees into opening harmful embedded links or attachments. Businesses and consumers are encouraged to send IRS-related scams to phishing@irs.gov.
All employers should remain vigilant regarding Form W-2 theft schemes. While tax scams evolve and change over time, in the most common versions a thief poses as a high-ranking company executive who emails payroll employees and asks for a list of employees and their W-2s, which contain sensitive tax and financial data. As these scams become more sophisticated, businesses may not be aware they’ve been the victim of a tax scam until fraudulent tax returns begin appearing with employees’ names.
There are special reporting procedures for employers who experience the W-2 scam. They can be found at Identity Theft Central’s Business section.
What businesses should do if they are identity theft victims
The IRS has also published Form 14039-B, Business Identity Theft Affidavit, allowing businesses to proactively report possible identity theft to the IRS when, for example, the e-filed tax return is rejected.
Businesses should file the Form 14039-B if they receive a:
Rejection notice for an electronically filed return because a return already is on file for that same period.
Notice about a tax return that the entity didn’t file.
Notice about Forms W-2 filed with the Social Security Administration that the entity didn’t file.
Notice of a balance due that is not owed.
IRS Form 14039-B enables the IRS to respond to the business much faster than in the past, and work to resolve issues caused by the filing of a fraudulent tax return. However, businesses should not use Form 14039-B if they are the victims of a data breach with no tax-related impact. See Identity Theft Central’s Business section for more details. In addition, the Security Summit partners urgently ask businesses to keep their EIN application information current. Changes of address or responsible party may be reported using IRS Form 8822-B. And as a reminder, changes in the responsible party must be reported to the IRS within 60 days. Current information can help the IRS find a point of contact to resolve identity theft and other issues.This is the fourth in a week-long series of tips raising awareness about tax information identity fraud. For more information and help on tax information theft prevention see IRS.gov/securitysummit.
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US to launch domestic work visa renewal programme in December, Indians to benefit most: Official
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The United States is set to begin a pilot programme for domestic renewal of certain categories of H-1B visas in December, a step that will benefit a significantly large number of Indian technology professionals, a US official has said. This comes months after the White House announced the plan during the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June.
In an interview to PTI, Julie Stufft, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Visa Services, said, “In India, the demand (for US visas) is still very high. The wait time of six, eight and 12 months is not what we need and (it is) not indicative of how we view India.” “We want to make sure that Indian travelers can get appointments as quickly as possible. One way we are doing that is through the domestic visa renewal programme, which is focused very much on India. We are piloting that,” she said.
Over a period of three months, beginning December, the State Department will be issuing 20,000 visas to foreign nationals who are already inside the country. “We will do 20,000 in the first group. The vast majority of those will be Indian nationals living in the US and we will expand as it goes on. “Because Indians are the largest skilled group of workers in the United States, we hope that India will benefit quite a bit from this programme and it will prevent people from having to travel back to India or anywhere for a visa appointment to get their visa renewed. It will allow our missions in India to concentrate on new applicants,” Stufft said.
While the State Department has been working on launching such a programme on a pilot basis for quite some time now, it was formally announced during Modi’s visit.
The plan, which was mentioned in the joint statement and announced by Modi during his address to the Indian diaspora at the Ronald Reagan Centre, has been cheered and welcomed by the Indian community in the US.
Responding to a question, Stufft said there will be a federal register notice, which is the first official notice of this coming out very soon, and that will describe all of the steps that need to be taken and who is eligible to apply in the first tranche and lay out those instructions.
“But I can say that we are doing these visas here in the United States. So, the idea is for a visa to be mailed from the United States to us in Washington. We print the visa and process the visa, put it in the passport and send it back to someone in the United States,” she said.
“So (that) the people don’t have to go to either Mexico or Canada or back to India or anywhere (else) to get that visa renewed. That is something that will be laid out very clearly in this federal register notice that comes out in a few weeks,” she said. The domestic visa renewal programme is only for work visas, Stufft underlined.
“This is an existing regulation that was allowed that we just have not used in about 20 years. These are work visas. It is intended for people who are living long-term in the US but want to renew their visa without going back overseas,” she said.
Describing it as a “huge undertaking”, Stufft said, “We’re very excited about it. We’re starting small with a pilot of 20,000 cases in December, January and February and we look forward to opening that to more categories of workers living in the United States in the rest of 2024.” In a statement, Indian-American community leader Ajay Jain Bhutoria termed the move by the State Department “significant”.
As commissioner to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, Bhutoria has made such a proposal, which was accepted and recommended by US President Joe Biden.
“I am happy to see the recommendation I presented on behalf of immigration subcommittees on the Commission for H-1B visa stamping in the USA finally being implemented,” he said. This relief will ultimately impact over one million H-1B holders, a significantly large number of whom are Indians, he said.
“My heartfelt thanks to President Biden, the State Department, the AANHPI Commission, immigration sub-committee members. Beyond this, my commitment to immigration issues remains unwavering, advocating for policy changes such as removing the seven-year country cap, reducing the green card backlog and EAD for approved I-140 with a five-year backlog and ageing out kids,” Bhutoria said.
This progress, alleviating burdens for legal immigrants, reflects a society moving towards inclusivity, he said.
(Source: PTI) -
‘Good, appropriate’: US on India setting up high-level probe in alleged murder attempt on Sikh separatist
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The US has welcomed as “good and appropriate” India’s decision to announce a high-level probe into its allegations that an Indian official was involved in a foiled plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist on American soil and said it is looking forward to seeing the results.
US federal prosecutors on Wednesday, November 29, charged Indian national Nikhil Gupta with working with an Indian government employee in the foiled plot to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Sikh extremist who is an American and Canadian citizen. An unnamed Indian official appeared in an indictment filed by US federal prosecutors in a Manhattan court on Wednesday along with the Indian national, who the Department of Justice alleges hired someone in the US to assassinate Pannun.
India on Thursday described as a “matter of concern” the US charging the Indian national with conspiring to kill the Sikh separatist, and asserted that a high-level probe committee will investigate all aspects of the case.
“The government announced today that it was conducting an investigation, and that’s good and appropriate, and we look forward to seeing the results,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters travelling with him in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Thursday, November 30.
Blinken did not give any details about the case, calling it an ongoing legal matter.
“So, you’ll understand I can’t comment on it in detail. I can say that this is something we take very seriously. A number of us have raised this directly with the Indian Government in past weeks,” Blinken said.
Separately, the White House on Thursday also praised New Delhi for setting up its own investigations into the matter and said this will not have an impact on the India-US relationship.
“These allegations in this investigation, (we) take it very seriously.
And we’re glad to see that the Indians are too announcing their own efforts to investigate this. And we’ve been clear that we want to see anybody that’s responsible for these alleged crimes to be held properly accountable,” John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House, told reporters at a news conference here.
However, this will not have an impact on the India-US relationship, he said, observing that the US unearthed this plot after the historic visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US in June.
“I want to be careful here that I don’t get ahead of the Department of Justice and talk about an ongoing investigation. I would just say two things. India remains a strategic partner and we’re going to continue to work to improve and strengthen that strategic partnership with India. At the same time, we take this very seriously,” Kirby said in response to a question.
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US issued record 140K visas to Indian students last year: Official
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): As part of the Biden administration’s endeavor to promote people-to-people ties with India, the US issued more than 1,40,000 visas to Indian students last year and is taking several steps to reduce visa appointment wait period. In an interview to PTI, Julie Stufft, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Visa Services, said US missions in India worked six, seven days a week to make sure that students could be interviewed before their classes started.
This year, the US made a huge effort to concentrate on the demand coming out of India, she said.
“We are really proud of what we have done in India this year. I think for the first time in history, we set a goal to issue one million visas in India and not only did we accomplish that, but it was done several months in advance. So, the number will go way beyond that. “There are record-setting numbers this year for workers, crew members and students applying in India to come to the United States,” she added.
Stufft further said, “We specifically made sure that we saw the students who were applying coming out of India. India is now the largest source country for foreign students in the United States, as well as many other visa categories. That’s a very important one for us. We have also had a lot of cases where the interview was waived, so no interview for Indian travelers who have previously travelled and are now going back to the US.”
Last year, the US issued a record over 1,40,000 visas to Indian students, she said.
“For students who are applying in India, I would say the biggest thing is that the missions there have worked six, seven days a week to interview students to make sure that everyone can be interviewed before their classes start. The amount of effort and importance that we place on Indian students coming to the US is born out in the visa process. We want to make sure everyone has that chance,” she said. The US, Stufft said, is working on taking several steps to reduce the visa appointment wait time in India, which is still a bit high.
“I hope it will be (coming down) this year, meaning this fiscal year for us. But we are sending huge numbers of officers to India to manage the wait time and move them around the country as needed. I mean, it has gotten much better but it still needs to come down quite a bit,” she said.
“We had a state visit recently. Everyone from the president of course, to Ambassador (Eric) Garcetti and the secretary of state is so committed to making sure that the people-to-people ties between our two countries expand. We are carrying that out in the visa process. So, we really expect more innovations and a much quicker process in the future,” Stufft told PTI. The State Department official said anyone who is interested in travelling to the US for any reason should apply as soon as possible.
“If you are travelling for work-related reasons, there’s another special avenue to use. There is a special channel to use so that business-related visas are also prioritized. Bear with us, I would say as we get through this.
“India is unique because it represents the highest number of visas in several categories. Not just visitors, not just students, not just maritime crew members but highly skilled work. I mean, it is a tremendous demand across the board for us. So, our priority is to get all of those wait times down,” she said.
During a media round table with a group of foreign journalists organized by the Foreign Press Centre, Stufft said the US has issued more than 10.5 million visas in 2023 so far, which is 2 million more than what it had anticipated and is almost hitting the highest-ever level at its overseas missions.
“Half of our overseas missions set their own record for that country for adjudications of visas in that country. We set records for visa adjudication, for work visas and for student visas as well in some (other) categories,” she said.
For 2024, the US is still working very hard on reducing wait times, Stufft said.
“In some overseas locations, we still have very high wait times, some exceeding a year still for one category of visa, which is a first-time visitor, someone who needs an interview for their visa. “All other categories have low wait times globally, but we are very focused on the first-time visitor interview wait times and what’s very interesting to us is that many of the places where we have set records for visa production this year are the same places where we still have really high wait times. This just indicates a very high level of demand and we are going to use this year to really get control of that in these five or six places with very high wait times,” she said.
(Source: PTI) -
Nikki Haley bags big endorsement from PAC backed by powerful Koch brothers
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Indian-American Nikki Haley received a big boost towards her presidential ambition as she landed an endorsement from powerful conservative money bags Koch brother-backed American for Prosperity network. The influential Americans for Prosperity super-PAC on Tuesday said it is endorsing Haley, 51, for president and she is best positioned to beat former president Donald Trump in the primary elections and incumbent President Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential elections. “AFP Action is proud to throw our full support behind Nikki Haley, who offers America the opportunity to turn the page on the current political era, to win the Republican primary and defeat Joe Biden next November. Haley will have the full weight and scope of AFP Action’s unmatched grassroots army and resources to help her earn the support of Americans to become the next President of the United States of America,” said Emily Seidel, senior adviser of the group, in a memo.
In a statement, Haley said, “I am honored to have the support of Americans for Prosperity Action, including its millions of grassroots members all across the country.” “AFP Action’s members know that there is too much at stake in this election to sit on the sidelines. This is a choice between freedom and socialism, individual liberty and big government, fiscal responsibility and spiraling debt. We have a country to save, and I am grateful to have AFP Action by our side,” the Republican presidential candidate said.
Notably, Trump continues to be the leading candidate by far in all the opinion polls among Republican primary voters. However, in several opinion polls, Haley, a two-term former governor of South Carolina and former US Ambassador to the UN, is seen defeating Biden in a hypothetical poll.
“AFP Action’s endorsement will put thousands of AFP Action activists and grassroots leaders into the field — with a focus on the early primary states — knocking on doors and urging voters to support Nikki Haley. Additionally, in the coming days, we will launch extensive mail, digital, and connected television campaigns to supplement those on-the-ground efforts,” the memo said. It said Haley has a long track record of empowering people with more freedom and opportunity and supporting policies that favor competition over control.
“As Governor, Haley’s work to expand education opportunities, improve access and lower costs in our healthcare system, and protect freedom and flexibility in our workforce shows she shares our belief that the solutions to our most pressing challenges lie in free people – not heavy-handed government. While we don’t agree with anyone on every issue, Nikki Haley, by far, offers the best opportunity to improve the lives of all Americans,” the memo said.
“The foremost challenge confronting our nation, affecting every American, is the economy. Nikki Haley presents a bold and robust strategy to tackle the inflation that is making everything more expensive for American families – addressing the out-of-control government spending and simplifying the tax code to benefit the American people rather than special interests. Simultaneously, she has the courage to advocate for reforms to an entitlement system that makes promises it can’t keep,” it added.
Seidel said up until this point there have been several candidates that could lead the country forward but their data has now pointed towards Haley as someone who could both lead and win.
“As voters have gotten to know more about her, her favorable ratings, as well as her ballot share, has only increased,” AFP senior adviser Michael Palmer told reporters.
“In these early states and then particularly going into South Carolina and Super Tuesday, it is much easier to define or to craft a narrative around a blank slate which people don’t know about versus a book that’s already written, which is the case with Donald Trump and also the case to a certain extent with Governor DeSantis,” Palmer said. According to The Washington Post, Haley has gained momentum in the Republican primary and has in many ways surpassed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as the top alternative to Trump.
“She is pitching herself as the most capable general election candidate, with some polls showing her outperforming rivals against President Biden,” The Daily reported.
The rival DeSantis campaign described AFP’s decision as an endorsement of Trump.
“Every dollar spent on Nikki Haley’s candidacy should be reported as an in-kind to the Trump campaign. No one has a stronger record of beating the establishment than Ron DeSantis, and this time will be no different,” DeSantis spokesman Andrew Romeo said in a statement.
Former New Jersey governor and GOP presidential aspirant Chris Christie said he doesn’t think voters in Iowa and New Hampshire are going to give a darn who the Koch brothers support.
“They are going to decide who they want to support by listening to us on the ground, in their living rooms, in their schools, in their cafeterias, where we’re all campaigning regularly,” he told Fox News in an interview.
In a statement, Democratic National Committee national press secretary Sarafina Chitika said it is no surprise that the Koch network, architects of Trump’s MAGAnomics agenda, found their match in Haley, who checks all of their boxes — slashing taxes for the ultra-wealthy, gutting social security and Medicare, and ripping healthcare away from millions of Americans.
(Source: PTI) -
World vegan vision “Vegan Thanksgiving celebration”
GUTTENBERG, NJ (TIP): The World Vegan Vision event held on Sunday, November 19th, 2023, successfully brought together advocates, experts, and enthusiasts to discuss and promote veganism as a way to embrace compassion and lead a sustainable lifestyle. The event witnessed a diverse group of individuals, including renowned physicians, empowering speakers, and dedicated animal rights activists, who contributed to its success.Dr. Kalindi Bakshi, the president of the World Vegan New Jersey chapter, delivered an insightful address on veganism, highlighting its health benefits and positive impact on the environment. Dr. Bakshi emphasized the growing importance of adopting a plant-based diet.
Founder of World Vegan Vision, H.k Shah, appealed for support in adopting a vegan lifestyle. Avinash Director also provided valuable insights into the organization’s initiatives and and shared updates on the organization’s activities in 2023.
Eloise, an accomplished speaker, inspired the audience with her empowering perspectives aligned with the mission of World Vegan Vision. In just 10 minutes, Eloise left a lasting impression, motivating attendees to embrace compassion and a vegan lifestyle. Several prominent guests attended the event, including former water commissioner of California Ashok Bhatt, socialist Pam Kwatra, President Senior Friends of NJ Mahendra Shah, Rasesh Shah VP and Director, Dinesh Pandya from the Senior Citizen Association of Hudson County, Nina Vyas Women’s Empowerment, Gandhian Society founder Bhadra Butala, Save the Farmer Director Mahesh Wani, Dr. Sudhir Parikh, and Chief Guest Satish Karndikar.
Padmshi Dr. Sudhir Parikh and Chief Guest Satish Karndikar expressed their admiration for World Vegan Vision and offered their support for future projects.
World Vegan Vision expresses its heartfelt gratitude towards President Kalindi Bakshi, VP Neetu Jindal, Avi Nash, Abha Devrajan, Kinjal Patel, Anil Narang, Geeta Fofandi, and the entire team for their exceptional efforts in organizing such a successful event. Their dedication and hard work made the event an unforgettable experience.
Public Relations Director Nitin Vyas, who coordinated the entire vegan Thanksgiving event, addressed the audience and shared his vegan journey. He also introduced the entire committee of the World Vegan Vision New Jersey chapter, including Medical Advisors Dr. Shrenik Shah and Dr. Moiz, who were unable to attend the event. Chairwoman Malti Shah silently supervised and guided the entire event.
World Vegan Vision would also like to extend its appreciation to Neetu Jindal for her invaluable involvement as the Vice President of the organization and Anil Narang their passion and drive have played a significant role in promoting compassion, love, understanding, and veganism worldwide.
Special thanks are given to the Red Robin Song Animal Sanctuary crew, including Lisa Robinsong, Nirvaan, Peter Ortiz, Noelle Reyes, Sunil Joseph, Amy Beth, Elogata Wandacat, John Di Leonardo, and Juliana Cinone, for their tireless advocacy and commitment to the well-being of animals and the planet.
The event featured a delectable vegan menu organized by Public Relations Director Nitin Vyas. Highlights from the menu included Mashed Potato Corn Chaat, Harabhara Kebab, Sev Khamni, Baked Samosa, Chora Fali and Mathiya, Mediterranean Platter, Methi-Mutter Malai, Tofu Tikka, Lilva-Patra, Tadka Daal, Laccha Paratha, Thepla, Peas Pulav, Apple/Pumpkin Pie, Tres Leches, Indian Assorted Sweets, and Mango Chia Seed Delight.
During the lunch break, attendees engaged in meaningful discussions and networking opportunities, fostering connections with like-minded individuals and further exploring the principles of veganism. These interactions facilitated the exchange of ideas, and experiences, and strengthened the global vegan community.
As the event concluded, the wrap-up and clean-up crew diligently ensured that everything was left in pristine condition, reflecting World Vegan Vision’s commitment to sustainability and environmental consciousness.
World Vegan Vision looks forward to continuing its efforts to spread awareness about veganism and promote a compassionate and sustainable future for all.
About World Vegan Vision:
World Vegan Vision is an organization dedicated to promoting veganism as a means to create a compassionate and sustainable world. Through educational events, outreach programs, and community engagement, World Vegan Vision inspires individuals to adopt a vegan lifestyle for the benefit of animals, the environment, and human health.
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Consul General Randhir Jaiswal given affectionate send off by Indian American community of New York
NEW YORK (TIP): The Indian American community of New York metropolitan area hosted a farewell reception for India’s Consul General in New York Randhir Jaiswal who is proceeding to Delhi to take up the next assignment as the spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
Prominent members of Jaipur Foot USA and Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA) organized a reception on November 22 at the Indian consulate in New York.
Consul General Jaiswal in his speech on the occasion emphasized on the need to involve Indian American youth in strengthening bilateral ties. Each one of you is a success story, and you’re the actual ambassadors. Prem Bhandari of Jaipur foot USA and a leading Indian American voice highlighted Mr. Jaiswal’s immense contribution in various fields – from improving consular services provided by the mission to resolving various problems faced by the community on many fronts. The sendoff was attended by a large number of community members.
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NIAASC holds its 34th Conference in Tavares, Florida
TAVARES, FL (TIP): The National Indo-American for Senior Citizens (NIAASC) held their 34th conference in the town of Tavares, Florida on Saturday, November 18th, 2023. This event which was attended by over 100 participants was held in collaboration with Shantiniketan-3, Tavares, Florida. Being that it was the signature annual event of NIAASC, a plethora of renowned professionals were in attendance and talked on various topics. The theme of the conference was: “Empowering Aging”.
Topics are appended below:
1 Protecting Seniors Citizens (Safeguarding against Scams) by Alicia Ramirez (AARP)
2 Aging — A Curse or Boon by Baldev Seekri
3 Debunking Anti-Aging Myths by Srinivasa Rao
The above-named speakers are nationally known professionals and have been endeared by the community-at-large. Alicia Ramirez is a retired professional from AARP and in her speech cautioned that AI technology is being used to scam the seniors and advised that seniors need to be cognizant on the aforementioned. Baldev Seekri is the author of ‘Meaningful Aging’ and one of the highlighting topics was how the mind-set can make meaningful aging happen. Srinivasa Rao, a bio-medical scientist who has authored a slew of articles on food and nutrition and in his presentation shed light on reverse aging via nutrition.
The conference started with lighting of the lamp and invocation by Acharya Praygraj, followed by the opening remarks provided by Yogesh Naik from Shantiniketan-3 (Advisory Committee) and Chandrakant Shah (NIAASC Conference Coordinator) who welcomed all the participants and the guests. This was followed by the lecture topics as per above. All the above-named speakers are subject matter experts, and the delivery of the topics were succinct and material content was one that allayed a lot of apprehension/misgivings that the attendees had relating to Aging and its effects.
In her welcome speech, Gunjan Rastogi, NIAASC president greeted all participants and talked about the detailed program and in her concluding remarks assured the members of her unwavering commitment to the organization and further reiterated that the vision will continue to fortify the organization’s mission to be a force multiplier for helping the Seniors. Gunjan’s speech was followed by Rajeshwar Prasad who is the Founder and Chairman of NIAASC. He spoke at length the need to foster partnerships and collaboration which in an effort to seek synergy so as to pave the way for organizing an array of nation-wide workshops for Seniors.
The conference was financially supported by various sponsors and donations ranged from $51.00 to $10,000.00. The major sponsor being Santosh Kumar from Chicago she is also known as “Mother Teresa of Chicago”. India Home (NY) was another notable sponsor and supported the event by sponsoring food. The cultural program was emceed by Tara Ashok who thoroughly regaled the audience with great fanfare.
At the end of every conference, it is the practice of getting evaluations done by the members in attendance with the sole purpose of getting better the next time. Deep dive into what works and what does not work are carefully examined so that areas and opportunities for improvement are taken into cognizance at the subsequent events.
NIAASC has been in operation since its inception of Spring of 1999 with the stated objectives “To provide help to seniors through information, referral and advocacy services.”.
For more information about NIAASC, please visit www.NIAASC.org or email at NIAASC@aol.com. -
India to get more fighter jets as defence panel clears massive deal
New Delhi (TIP)- In a big boost for the military as well as defence production in India, the Defence Acquisition Council has cleared the procurement of 97 additional Tejas aircraft and 156 Prachand attack helicopters. Both aircraft are indigenously developed and the value of these deals is around Rs 1.1 lakh crore.
The Tejas Mark 1-A fighters are being acquired for the Indian Air Force and the choppers for the Air Force and the Army. Additional deals, including for anti-ship missiles and towed gun systems, have also been approved, taking the total value to Rs 2.23 lakh crore.
Rs 2.2 lakh crore, or 98% of the total amount, will be sourced from domestic industries. This will not only give a massive leg up to ‘aatmanirbharta’ in defence but also create jobs over the long run.
This is the largest order book that indigenous manufacturers have received in India’s history. What has been granted now, however, is an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) and contract negotiations will take place with manufacturers after that. This will take time, but the period may be far shorter than it would have been if foreign manufacturers were involved.
Once a final price is negotiated, the last sign-off will be done by the Cabinet Committee on Security. The final induction into the military may take at least 10 years.
A major upgrade of the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI was also cleared by the council, under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Thursday. The IAF has over 260 Su-30 aircraft and the upgrade is expected to be an indigenous one, with India-developed radars, avionics and subsystems. Around 84 aircraft are expected to be upgraded initially.
The Council also approved the replacement of the Indian field gun, which has completed its service life, with a state-of-the-art towed gun system. Towed gun systems are not only more mobile but also have longer barrels, and thus a longer firing range. -
Rising ambitions on climate action must see matching progress on climate finance: Modi
New Delhi (TIP)- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for ensuring requisite climate financing and technological transfer to developing countries, asserting that it must be recognised that they have not contributed in creating the climate problem but are still willing to be a part of the solution.
In Dubai to attend the COP28 meeting, Modi told the UAE-based Aletihad in an interview that he has always maintained that climate change is a collective challenge that demands a unified global response. Rising ambitions on climate action must see matching progress on climate finance, he asserted. India, he said, is optimistic that the meeting will inject fresh momentum into effective climate action.
He expressed hope that COP28 would bring fresh impetus to effective climate action and international cooperation in advancing the goals of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.
“India and the UAE stand as partners in shaping a greener and more prosperous future, and we remain steadfast in our joint efforts to influence the global discourse on climate action,” he said.
Speaking on the Indo-UAE ties, he said their partnership in climate action is going from strength to strength, driven by a futuristic vision.
India and the UAE enjoy robust and enduring relations and can join forces in establishing a common grid to enhance energy security, leveraging each other’s strengths in the energy sector and providing support to the International Solar Alliance’s Global Solar Facility, Modi told the newspaper.
“India and the UAE stand as partners in shaping a greener and more prosperous future, and we remain steadfast in our joint efforts to influence the global discourse on climate action,” he said. It is his sixth visit to the UAE since becoming prime minister in 2014. As countries that share a vision of promoting sustainability and renewable energy, India and the UAE have emerged as leaders in global renewable energy efforts, he said, commending the UAE’s unwavering commitment to climate action within the renewable energy sector.
On climate finance, often a sticking point during climate talks, Modi said he has always maintained that it is a collective challenge that demands a unified global response.
“It is essential to recognise that developing countries have not contributed in the creation of the problem. Yet developing countries are willing to be a part of the solution,” the prime minister said.
“But, they cannot contribute without access to the financing and technology needed… I have, therefore, advocated strongly for global cooperation for ensuring requisite climate financing and technology transfer,” he said, stressing the importance of ensuring that climate financing flows to the developing world in a practical and assured manner.
He added, “I believe climate action must be based on equity, climate justice, shared obligations and shared capacities. By adhering to these principles, we can forge a path toward a sustainable future that leaves no one behind.” Source: PTI -
‘Like brothers’: Rescued Indian tunnel workers stayed hopeful through ordeal
Hope that they would be rescued soon kept workers trapped in a collapsed tunnel in India strong through their 17-day ordeal, some of the men said on Wednesday, Nov 28, after their rescue.
All 41 men, low-wage workers from some of India’s poorest states, were rescued. They were taken to a specialist hospital in Rishikesh city after spending the night at a makeshift medical facility in this small Himalayan town.
The men had lights in their confinement area and service pipes were used to push in oxygen, water, food, medicines and also to talk to them, and allow them to speak to their families.
They went for daily walks and did yoga in the 2-km (1-mile) stretch of the highway tunnel in which they were trapped.
But many said knowing they were not forgotten, and would be soon pulled out, was what really kept them hopeful and strong.
“For the first day or so, everyone inside was very hopeless and sad,” worker Birendra Kishku, 39, told Reuters. “We didn’t know if anyone outside knew we were trapped.”
“But when they reached us through the pipe, we got to know what the government was doing to bring us out,” he added. “Me, my family and our entire village is very happy now.”
RESCUE CLINCHED BY ‘RAT MINERS’
Government agencies managing the crisis had Nov 27 on turned to “rat miners” to drill through the rocks and gravel by hand from inside the evacuation pipe pushed through the debris after machinery failed.
The miners are experts at a primitive, hazardous and controversial method used mostly to get at coal deposits through narrow passages, and get their name because they resemble burrowing rats. The miners, brought from central India, worked through Monday night and finally broke through the estimated 60-metres of rocks, earth and metal on Tuesday afternoon.
“There was probably no government department that was not involved, there was practically an all-of-government approach … unlike any in the past,” said Syed Ata Hasnain, a member of the National Disaster Management Authority which oversaw the rescue.
The tunnel is part of the $1.5 billion Char Dham highway, one of Modi’s most ambitious projects, aimed at connecting four Hindu pilgrimage sites through an 890- km network of roads.
Authorities have not said what caused the cave-in but the region is prone to landslides, earthquakes and floods.
The tunnel did not have an emergency exit and was built through a geological fault, a member of a panel of experts investigating the disaster has told Reuters. -
Cong edge in Chhattisgarh, Telangana; BJP ahead in Rajasthan; close call in MP, Mizoram: Exit polls
New Delhi (TIP)- A cliffhanger in Chhattisgarh with an edge for the Congress. A fierce battle in Madhya Pradesh with two surveys predicting a landslide for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). A closer-than-expected clash in Rajasthan, which has voted out the incumbent every time in the last 25 years. A neck-and-neck contest in Telangana between the challenger Congress and the incumbent Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS). And a hung assembly in Mizoram with a regional outfit likely emerging as kingmaker.
These were the broad takeaways from a clutch of exit polls released on Thursday, Nov 30, after the close of the five-state assembly elections that are widely seen as a virtual semi-final for the Lok Sabha polls scheduled to be held next summer. The results will be announced on Sunday, Dec 3. The exit polls largely converged on the outcomes in Telangana and Chhattisgarh but varied wildly in the crucial heartland states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. In Mizoram, the polls predicted that the battle was largely between the ruling Mizo National Front and the Zoram People’s Movement, with the Congress likely a distant third.
The outcome of the polls in five states — the last major electoral exercise before 2024 — will have significant impact on both the political narratives in the run up to the Lok Sabha polls. It will also shape the dynamics with the 28-party Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), which was forged just weeks before the polls were announced.
Three of the five states — Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh — also featured bipolar contests between the BJP and the Congress, presenting an opportunity to test the strengths of the two national parties that will go head to head in nearly a third of all Lok Sabha seats next year.
In Madhya Pradesh, the largest state to go to the polls, a majority of exit polls predicted an intense battle between the ruling BJP and the Congress — two gave the edge to the Congress, one to the BJP and two forecast a dead heat. But two other prominent surveys — IndiaToday-AxisMyIndia and Today’s Chanakya-News 24 were the outliers, predicting a sweep for the BJP and a decimation for the Congress.
The BJP has ruled the state for 18 of the last 20 years, and the party fielded a bevy of senior ministers and parliamentarians, in addition to talking about its welfare outreach and chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s image. The Congress had focussed on anti-incumbency and corruption allegations against Chouhan.
Soon after the exit polls, Chouhan said the results of the elections will be “unexpected and unprecedented”. “I said this at a lot of places that the kind of support we are getting from women of our state, the results will be unexpected and unprecedented. I had said that the way we were getting love of sisters and daughters, the result would be unprecedented. We will win handsomely,” he said.
In neighbouring Rajasthan, where chief minister Ashok Gehlot was attempting to buck the state’s political tradition, a majority of exit polls predicted that the BJP was coming back to power with anywhere between a narrow and a comfortable majority. But IndiaToday-AxisMyIndia and Today’s Chanakya-News 24 both predicted a squeaker with the Congress marginally ahead.
The Congress had banked on the Gehlot government’s welfare agenda and a public rapprochement between the CM and his former deputy, senior leader Sachin Pilot. The BJP, on the other hand, was dependent on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity and anti-incumbency.
Congress leader Mahesh Joshi said, “I am a confident that Congress will retain the government in Rajasthan as there is pro-incumbency for the government. We will get clear mandate and form the government. We have served the people of Rajasthan with commitment. Our budget focused on people development.”
The BJP, however, appeared confident of wresting power from the Congress. Party MLA Vasudev Devnani said, “The exit polls made it clear that the BJP is going to form a government with full majority. The result of five out of seven exit polls came in our favour. This is the victory of Rajasthan and its public. Congress might keep their hope alive over the result of the one exit poll. But I can assure that the BJP will achieve an even better result in the final counting day on Dec 3.”
In Chhattisgarh, where the Congress trounced the BJP in a landslide in 2018, the contest was seen as more evenly poised. Five exit polls predicted a furious fight between the two national parties with the Congress inching ahead. Three others forecast that chief minister Bhupesh Baghel was comfortably set for a second straight term.
In the tribal-dominated state, the Congress had campaigned on its paddy procurement scheme and other welfare programmes, with the BJP attacking Baghel over corruption allegations. Reacting to Thursday’s exit polls, Congress leader and Chhattisgarh deputy CM TS?Singhdeo said, “Exit polls is the guess work by television channels. I always take them with a pinch of salt. I am confident of overwhelming Congress win. Let’s wait for the results on December 3.”
In Telangana, the only southern state to go to the polls in this round, every exit poll predicted that the Congress — which created the province while it was in power at the Centre in 2014 — was set to displace the BRS that has ruled the state since its inception. Three exit polls even said that the Congress would get a simple majority of its own while others predicted that it will likely emerge as the single-largest party.
The Congress, which was decimated in the 2018 polls and ended up around 20 percentage points in vote share behind the BRS, ran an energetic campaign led by state unit chief Revanth Reddy who attacked the BRS over corruption and anti-incumbency. Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, on the other hand, underlined his welfare outreach and the raft of schemes that the state government operationalised over the last decade. -
Centre approves : Rs 1,658 cr recovery, reconstruction plan for Joshimath
The Centre on Thursday, Nov 30, approved a Rs 1,658.17 crore recovery and reconstruction plan for Joshimath in Uttarakhand which was affected by landslide and ground subsidence earlier this year.
The decision was taken by a high level committee, headed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, according to an official statement. The committee approved the Recovery and Reconstruction (R&R) plan of Rs 1,658.17 crore for Joshimath, the statement said.
Under this plan, Rs 1,079.96 crore of central assistance will be provided from the recovery and reconstruction window of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
The Uttarakhand government will provide Rs 126.41 crore from its State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) towards relief assistance and Rs 451.80 crore from its state budget, including land acquisition cost for resettlement of Rs 91.82 crore.
Joshimath was hit by landslide and ground subsidence and the central government has extended all necessary technical and logistical support to the state, the statement said. -
15 private schools in Bengaluru receive bomb threat, students evacuated from premises safely
At least 15 private schools in Bengaluru on Friday morning received an email with a bomb threat on its premises, triggering panic among the staff and parents, police said. The school authorities immediately alerted police, which reached the institutions concerned with the bomb disposal squads and anti-sabotage check teams, they said.
The students and staff were immediately evacuated from the school premises, police said, adding no suspicious objects have been found yet. As soon as parents got to know about the incident, they rushed to schools in panic to get their children back home safely.
“The email claimed that explosives had been planted on school premises. We received a call from the command centre and immediately rushed our teams to schools which are located in different parts of the city. All students and staff have been safely evacuated from the school premises and a thorough search operation is being carried out,” a senior police officer said. So far, nothing suspicious has been found yet and prima facie looks like it’s a hoax message. Parents need not panic, our teams are on the ground, he said. Last year also, some miscreants sent such emails claiming about a bomb threat to schools in Bengaluru, which later turned out to be a hoax message, police said. -
Dr P. Jayaraman, former executive director of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan USA passes away
NEW YORK (TIP)- Dr P. Jayaraman, former executive director of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan USA passed away on Tuesday, November 28 in New York. Dr Jayaraman was a strong supporter and devotee of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan USA in New York, the world-famous institute of Indian culture, education, music, and the arts. He organized and helped host many landmark events associated with Bhavan USA . Bhavan’s Chairman & Directors offered their deepest condolences and prayed for the departed soul. “May God give his family, friends and well-wishers strength to bear this irreparable loss. God bless his soul and we will miss him! May he rest in peace!” -
Indian -American community of New York bids farewell to outgoing New York Consul General Randhir Jaiswal
Indian Ambassador to US Taranjit Singh Sandhu also joined the farewell event
GARDEN CITY, NY (TIP): American Indian community of New York, bids farewell to outgoing New York Consul General Randhir Jaiswal. The event was hosted by community leaders Harish Thakkar & Ajay Patel. Indian Ambassador to US Taranjit Singh Sandhu also joined the farewell event. Ajay Patel extended a warm welcome to Consul General Randhir Jaiswal who was accompanied by his deputy Dr. Varun Jeph.
AIA NY Past President & Community leader Harish Thakkar voiced appreciation for the efforts and initiatives undertaken by Mr. Jaiswal in his tenure, particularly during the challenging months of the pandemic. Harish Thakkar said the Consulate under Mr. Jaiswal’s leadership has been proactive, particularly during the difficult days of Covid, and issued emergency visas, alleviating the distress of those in need.
Consul General Randhir Jaiswal shares his thoughts. Randhir Jaiswal, India’s outgoing Consul General in New York, bids farewell with a sense of accomplishment. Jaiswal’s tenure has been marked by dedicated efforts to boost bilateral ties, garnering praise from the India-American community, who organized a reception to express their appreciation.
Mr. Jaiswal said that as Consul General, he has endeavored to “tell the world what India means to the world today. It is a country which is progressing, which is reaching out to the moon, a country that is developing technologies that are going to define the pathway to the 21st century. It is a country which believes in peace, non-violence, in the path shown by Mahatma Gandhi”.
The farewell reception to Mr. Jaiswal organized by community leaders Harish Thakkar and Ajay Patel, was supported by several diaspora organizations which included AAPI -QLI, Long Island Diversity Council, Gujarati Samaj, Rajasthan Medical Alumni Association, World Vegan Vision, Anand Sangeet, Kali Mandir of NY and their members. India’s Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, also attended the farewell reception. “Delighted to attend farewell reception for Consul General Randhir Jaiswal, organized by the Indian community and American Friends of India in Long Island” Sandhu tweeted. In his address at the reception, Mr. Sandhu lauded Mr. Jaiswal for taking the consulate to “new heights” and recalled the work done during challenging times, especially during the pandemic.
Mr. Sandhu recalled efforts by Mr. Jaiswal and the Consulate during the peak months of the pandemic in helping those in dire need, saying that he “measured up” to the difficult task and ‘he and his team performed a fantastic job” in transporting community members and Indians back to their motherland amid challenges.
“There are revolutionary changes taking place in India,” he said, adding that many Americans are becoming conscious of it now.
The India-US relationship is ‘now on the roll and the future economic recovery of the world will come through this partnership”, Sandhu said. Heeta Thakkar & Davika Patel Emceed the event.
Organizers with guests , from L to R: Harish Thakkar, Ajay Patel, Prem Bhandari, Davika Patel (MC), Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Heeta Thakkar (MC), CG Randhir Jaiswal, DCG Dr. Varun Jeph -
FIA Celebrates Consul General Randhir Jaiswal’s impact on the Indian American community with a Magnificent Farewell
EDISON, NJ (TIP): The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), in collaboration with the Indian American community of NY, NJ, and CT, organized an exquisite farewell reception to honor the esteemed Consul General of India, Randhir Jaiswal, on November 20th, 2023. The magnificent banquet hall at Moghul Restaurant in Edison, New Jersey, buzzed with anticipation as distinguished guests gathered to bid a fond adieu to the Honorable Consul General. Ambassador Jaiswal, who will now serve as the new spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), has been a beloved figure in the diplomatic community and the vast Indian American diaspora in the Tri-State area. His diplomatic career, spanning over two decades, has seen him serve in various esteemed positions in Portugal, Cuba, South Africa, and New York.
The evening commenced with a grand entrance, accompanied by a resounding fanfare and regal processions for the Hon. Consul General Randhir Jaiswal while the FIA associates gallantly displayed flags crafted as a tribute to the Consul General as he gracefully traversed the aisle along with his wife, Abha Jaiswal, and other dignitaries, thus fashioning an indelible and extraordinary moment.
The gathering was graced by an exceptional lineup of speakers, starting with Vice Presidents Saurin Parikh and Smita Miki Patel, who warmly extended their heartfelt welcome to all in attendance. Srujal Parikh, the Board Secretary of the FIA Board of Trustees, added a touch of reverence as he introduced the esteemed guests of honor, Sam Joshi Mayor of Edison, and Hemant Marathe, Mayor of West Windsor, and expressed gratitude for their presence.
Both mayors expressed their admiration for the consulate’s extraordinary efforts during the pandemic. Edison’s Mayor Sam Joshi, who worked closely with the consulate during the Vande Bharat mission, also regarded CG Jaiswal not only as a diplomat but also as a friend. He recalled a time when a fire destroyed a building in Edison, primarily affecting Indian-origin residents. The Mayor sought assistance from CG Jaiswal for their passports and other needs, and help was graciously provided. “On behalf of all of Edison, thank you so much,” the Mayor expressed as he read a special proclamation that acknowledged CG Jaiswal’s time, dedication, and exceptional leadership in supporting the citizens of Edison.
The host committee, represented by Padma Shri Dr. Sudhir Parekh and Padma Shri HR Shah, expressed their admiration for the consulate’s work under Consul General Randhir Jaiswal’s leadership. According to Dr. Parikh, “Jaiswalji was an exceptional person for exceptional times”, during the Covid crisis and India’s 75th independence year. Having witnessed the last 23 Consuls General working in the region, he could attest to the fact that Mr. Jaiswal broke the record with events every other day and appreciated Jaiswalji’s calm, cool demeanor and his ability to make people feel important.
Deputy Consul General Jeph praised the Consular team for their hard work under the leadership of CG Jaiswal. He also mentioned that community engagement was the departing diplomat’s top priority with respect to the consulate’s accessibility and availability to the Indian community 24/7 for passport and visa assistance.
An exciting highlight of the reception was the video presentation by FIA President Mr. Kenny Desai and Executive Vice President Dr. Avinash Gupta. The host committee was composed of prominent community figures such as Anil Bansal, Dr. Avinash Gupta, Kenny Desai, Padma Shri Dr. Sudhir Parikh, Padma Shri Dr. H.R. Shah, and Sunil Bagaria. Other supporters who attended the event included Dr. Mukul Raval, Mohamad Faroqui, Dinesh Goswami, Girish Soni, Deepak Shah, Mukul Thakar, Dr. Tejas Deliwala, Dr. Sanjay Kumar, and Paresh Suthar were briefly introduced and called upon the stage for photo opportunities.
The esteemed Honorable Consul General was invited to the stage, where the host committee presented him with a well-deserved memento, symbolizing their gratitude for his exceptional leadership. Following this, the team of supporters included Dr. Mukul Raval, Mohamad Faroqui, Dinesh Goswami, Girish Soni, Deepak Shah, Mukul Thakar, Dr. Tejas Deliwala, Dr. Sanjay Kumar, and Paresh Suthar who also expressed their gratitude by bestowing their appreciation upon him with a bouquet of flowers.
During his speech, Hon.Consul General Jaiswal expressed his gratitude to the Indian community for their support and assistance over the past three years. He described the relationship between the Consulate and the people it serves as “very healthy” and praised the achievements of the Indian American community and the second generation. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indian Consulate has been open every day of the week since May 2020, which is a unique feat compared to other consulates around the world.
Shri Jaiswal shared some of the highlights during his tenure, such as the raising of the Indian flag at Times Square, people staying up until 2 am to listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s telecast speech and the 8,000 individuals who gathered at the White House to welcome PM Modi during his state visit to Washington. He believes that these accomplishments speak volumes about the community’s achievements and recognition.
Deputy Consul General Jeph praised the Consular team for their hard work under the leadership of CG Jaiswal. He also mentioned that community engagement was the departing diplomat’s top priority.
Ankur Vaidya, the chairman of FIA, shared an inspiring narrative of Mr. Jaiswal’s journey, from his early days as an IFS officer to his appointment as the Consul General of India as he recognized his dedication and unwavering commitment to serving Mother India. Mr. Vaidya also praised the Consul General for championing the diaspora and acknowledged Abha Jaiswal for her unwavering support. He recalled how the CG had facilitated millions of dollars in aid sent by organizations from the US. He also commended the CG and his team for their efforts to make the Consulate more accessible and inviting to the public. The Chairman concluded by wishing CG Jaiswal a bright future and success ahead by saying, “May your career shine to bring India and US closer together”.The event was organized in collaboration with GANA, BJANA, Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce, ICS of NJ, World Vegan Vision, MOCAAPI, Siddhivinayak Temple USA, United States Hindu Alliance, Vihar Foundation, Bhartiya Vidhya Bhavan USA, and Mana American Telugu Association. Alok Kumar, representing the Bihar Foundation and BJANA, delivered a heartfelt speech on behalf of the supporters.
In an earnest conclusion, FIA Treasurer Priti Patel extended a vote of thanks to the entire Indian American community, along with the host committee, executive committee, and supporters. Her words of appreciation resonated with the audience, acknowledging their unwavering support and dedication to fostering a strong and vibrant Indian diaspora. The evening concluded on a high note with heartfelt speeches, music, and a celebration of Mr. Jaiswal’s remarkable legacy.
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Henry Kissinger, secretary of state under Presidents Nixon and Ford, dies at 100
WASHINGTON , D.C. (TIP) : Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, the diplomat with the thick glasses and gravelly voice who dominated foreign policy as the United States extricated itself from Vietnam and broke down barriers with China, died Wednesday, November 29, his consulting firm said, according to AP. He was 100.
With his gruff yet commanding presence and behind-the-scenes manipulation of power, Kissinger exerted uncommon influence on global affairs under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, earning both vilification and the Nobel Peace Prize. Decades later, his name still provoked impassioned debate over foreign policy landmarks long past. Kissinger’s power grew during the turmoil of Watergate, when the politically attuned diplomat assumed a role akin to co-president to the weakened Nixon. “No doubt my vanity was piqued,” Kissinger later wrote of his expanding influence. “But the dominant emotion was a premonition of catastrophe.”
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Israel says Gaza combat has resumed; Talks are said to continue
TEL AVIV (TIP): Israel’s military said early Friday, December 1, it was resuming fighting because Hamas had violated the previously agreed-upon truce after a projectile was fired from Gaza in the final minutes of the cease-fire. International mediators said talks were continuing in the hopes of a breakthrough, reports the New York Times.
The deadline for the weeklong truce between Israel and Hamas expired 7 a.m. Friday local time. Diplomatic talks had come down to the wire with indications earlier in the night that the negotiations may have broken down. Hamas did not immediately comment. Israel’s military said on the social media site X early Friday that it had intercepted a projectile fired from Gaza, before the pause had expired. That episode could not be independently confirmed, and there was no immediate report of injuries. It is a developing story.
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U.S. Says Indian Official Directed Assassination Plot of a Sikh Separatist Leader in New York
Indian national agreed to assassination plot on being assured of withdrawal of criminal case against him in Gujarat
- I.S. Saluja
NEW YORK (TIP): “It was described as a New York hit job with international implications: an audacious assassination plot against a Sikh separatist”, says The New York Times.
The target was a lawyer at a New York-based group called Sikhs for Justice — an American citizen and an outspoken proponent of independence for the northern Indian state of Punjab. And the man who would attempt to arrange his murder, prosecutors said, was an Indian national who had been hired by an official inside the Indian government. But the plot failed: The man planning the assassination hired a hit man who was, in fact, working for the American government. The scheme burst into public view on Wednesday, November 29, when federal prosecutors in Manhattan announced that they had charged the Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, with murder for hire and conspiracy to commit murder for hire. The allegations could complicate the delicate relations among Washington, Ottawa and New Delhi.
The plot, prosecutors indicated in court documents, was no empty threat. It was linked to the June killing of another Sikh separatist in Canada, and they said that the Indian government official who orchestrated the attempted assassination told Mr. Gupta that there was another target in California.
The indictment included a photo of a roll of hundred-dollar bills that prosecutors said was an advance payment for the New York job. “We have so many targets,” Mr. Gupta told the federal agent he had unwittingly hired to do the killing, the indictment said.
The target of the New York plot was identified by American officials as Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who is general counsel for Sikhs for Justice, which supports the secession of Punjab from India.
A PTI report says that the Indian national, charged in connection with a plan to assassinate a Sikh separatist on American soil, agreed to the plot after being assured that a criminal case against him in Gujarat would be dismissed, federal prosecutors here have alleged.
Nikhil Gupta, 52, has been charged with murder-for-hire in connection with his participation in a foiled plot to assassinate a US citizen in New York City, according to a superseding indictment unsealed on Wednesday in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.
While the indictment does not name the US citizen who was the target of the assassination plot, The Financial Times, citing unnamed sources, last week reported that US authorities thwarted a plot to assassinate banned Sikhs for Justice’s Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, and issued a warning to the Indian government over concerns it was involved in the plot.
In the indictment, prosecutors outline how Gupta agreed to the plot after being assured that a criminal case against him in Gujarat would be dismissed.
“Beginning in or about early May 2023, in a series of telephonic and electronic communications between CC-1 and Gupta over encrypted applications, CC-1 asked Gupta to arrange the murder of the victim in exchange for CC-1’s assistance in securing the dismissal of a criminal case against Gupta in India. Gupta agreed to orchestrate the assassination. In addition to their electronic communications, Gupta also met CC-1 in person in New Delhi in furtherance of the plot,” the indictment said.
Prosecutors have said that CC-1 is an “Indian government employee” who directed the plot from India to assassinate on US soil “an attorney and political activist who is a US citizen of Indian-origin residing in New York City,” described as “the victim” in the indictment.
“On or about May 6, 2023, at the outset of their conversation over a particular encrypted messaging application, CC-1 wrote Gupta: “This is (CC-1)…Save my name as (CC- 1 Alias).”
Gupta saved the telephone number on Gupta’s phone under an alias for CC-1. A few minutes later, CC-1 messaged Gupta that CC-1 had a “target in New York” and another target in “California”, the indictment said.
The indictment added that around “May 12, 2023, CC-1 notified Gupta that his criminal case “has already been taken care of”, and that “nobody from Gujrat police is calling”. On or about May 23, 2023, CC-1 again assured Gupta that CC-1 had “spoke[n] with the boss about your Gujarat (case),” that it was “all clear”, and “nobody will ever bother you again”. CC-1 further offered to arrange a meeting between Gupta and a “DCP”, which is an acronym used in India for Deputy Commissioner of Police. “Following CC-1 ‘s assurances, Gupta pressed forward to arrange the murder,” the indictment said.
The murder-for-hire charge against Gupta carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
The indictment said that at CC-1’s direction, Gupta contacted an individual whom he believed to be a criminal associate, but who was in fact a confidential source working with the DEA for assistance in contracting a hitman to murder the victim in New York City.
The confidential source introduced Gupta to a purported hitman, who was in fact a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) undercover officer.
CC-1 subsequently agreed in dealings brokered by Gupta to pay the undercover officer USD 100,000 to murder the victim. Around June 9, 2023, CC-1 and Gupta arranged for an associate to deliver USD 15,000 in cash to the undercover officer as an advance payment for the murder. CC-1’s associate then delivered the $15,000 to the undercover officer in Manhattan.
It also claims that there is a link between the alleged plot against Mr. Pannun and the plot to kill Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which Canada has accused Indian government agents of masterminding.(Read below 15 page Indictment of Gupta)
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/11/29/us/u-s-v-gupta.html?unlocked_article_code=1.CU0.L1XM.lfk6G5U7-WVF&smid=url-shareGupta, described as an “international narcotics trafficker”, was arrested in the Czech Republic at the request of the United States in June 2023 in connection with his participation in the plot.
The New York Times said in its report: “Reached by phone on Wednesday night, Mr. Pannun said he viewed the indictment of Mr. Gupta as “an indictment of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
“The conspiracy and plot to kill me,” he said, “comes from the government of India.”Meanwhile, government of India has decided to take the US allegation of involvement of India in the failed assassination attempt seriously. India has set up a “high-level” enquiry committee to look into allegations made by the United States government regarding the Indian plot targeting Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a U.S.-based Khalistani activist wanted on terror charges, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced in New Delhi on Wednesday, November 29.
(With inputs from New York Times and PTI)