WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi received a significant boost to his Senate bid on Wednesday, as top Latino leaders from Illinois endorsed him.
The five-term Democratic Congressman representing the eighth Congressional District of Illinois, Krishnamoorthi, 51, recently announced his bid for the US Senate Seat from his home State of Illinois.
If elected, he would be the second Indian American ever elected to the US Senate. The first one being the former Vice President, Kamala Harris.
Giving a big boost to his bid, a coalition of Latino elected officials, business owners, and community leaders from across Illinois gathered under the Little Village Arch to endorse Raja Krishnamoorthi for the US Senate on Wednesday.
His Latino supporters chanted “¡Raja no se raja!” or “Raja doesn’t back down,” citing his record of delivering for Illinois families and standing up to bullies, including Donald Trump.
The coalition would be led by former Congressman Luis Gutiérrez, according to a media release.
“Raja has spent his entire career fighting to better the lives of working families in Illinois. Raja’s lived experience, unflinching advocacy for the underserved, and tireless work ethic are all reasons that I’m proud to support his candidacy for the US Senate,” said Gutiérrez.
“Raja has proven time and again that he is the fighter that Illinois’s Latino community needs and, once elected, I know that he will deliver results!” he said.
“These leaders represent the very best of our community: the dreamers and the doers who will do whatever it takes to support themselves, their families, and their neighbours,” Krishnamoorthi said.
“I was honoured to stand alongside them today under the iconic Little Village Arch, and once elected to the US Senate, I look forward to working with them to deliver for all Illinois communities. Together, we will ensure that every family has the opportunity to realize the American Dream,” he said.
“Raja has the experience and the proven record to make a real difference for working families in Illinois,” said Commissioner George Cardenas.
“In Congress, he has fought to hold corporate interests accountable and uplift those who need a helping hand, all the while remaining accessible to the community — I know he will do the same in the US Senate. I am proud to be on Team Raja!” he said.
“A fearless protector of the American Dream, I am proud to endorse Raja for the US Senate because I know that he will fight for every Illinois family just as he would his own. A longtime champion of working people, immigrants, and families just trying to get by, I know that Raja will be an excellent US Senator,” said Schaumburg Assessor-Elect Victor Morales.
(Courtesy: www.5wh.com)
NEW DELHI/NEW YORK (TIP): India on Thursday, May 29, said it is working closely with Iranian authorities to locate three Indian nationals who went missing after travelling to Iran, with efforts underway to ensure their safe and early return. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed ongoing coordination, stating, “We are trying to locate them, for their safety, security, and eventual return home.”
“We are in daily touch with the authorities there in Iran. We are receiving good cooperation from the Iranian side and are also in contact with the families,” he added.
Earlier, Iran had said it is investigating the disappearance of the three Indian nationals. Tehran had also urged caution against falling prey to illegal travel agents.
In a statement, the Iranian embassy in New Delhi said, “The case concerning the disappearance of three Indian nationals is being followed up by the Consular Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran in coordination with the relevant judicial authorities.”
The Indian Embassy in Tehran had raised the matter on Wednesday, stating it had received information from the families of the missing individuals, all residents of Punjab. The family of one of the missing men alleges they were abducted and held for ransom.
“The Embassy has strongly taken up this matter with the Iranian authorities, and requested that the missing Indians should be urgently traced, and their safety should be ensured,” the mission said in a post on X.
In response, the Iranian embassy said that the Indian mission in Tehran is being kept informed of updates through official channels. It also issued a warning: “Given the nature of this incident, Indian citizens are strongly advised not to be deceived by the promises of unauthorized individuals or illegal Indian agencies offering travel to other countries.”
The three men, originally from Sangrur, Nawanshahr, and Hoshiarpur districts of Punjab, were allegedly duped by an illegal travel agent who promised them work permits in Australia. Instead, the agent routed them through Iran via the notorious “Dunki route,” a path often used by human traffickers for illegal migration.
(Source: TNS)
LONDON (TIP): A pair of Indo-British twins have been admitted to the elite Mensa membership club of children with a high intelligence quotient (IQ) after clearing a tough set of challenges to score in the top percentile.
Krish,11, was the first to be accepted after scoring 162 – the highest score in a Mensa Supervised IQ Test session, placing him in the top 0.26 per cent of children with high IQ. His sister Keira recently followed soon after with a score of 152 on the Cattell III B scale, placing her in the top 2 per cent.
“They are very competitive, and Keira was inspired to give the Mensa test due to Krish,” said mother Mauli Arora, a Delhi-born senior IT manager who studied computer engineering in Pune.
“Our parenting style is very hands-on and we are actively involved with them on a day-to-day basis. Krish takes private piano lessons and also learns robotics on the weekends. Keira writes poetry and loves creative writing,” she said.
The non-identical twins, who do “fight a lot” like any other siblings, share a strong bond and often gang up against their parents if they try to intervene in their quarrels.
Father Nischal, an electronics engineer from Mumbai, moved to the UK with his family around 25 years ago and the twins went on to enroll in the local public school in Hounslow, west London.
“Krish is very analytical and very strong in math. While he will start Year 7 (class 7) in September, he has already completed Year 9 math on a platform called Mathletics. Keira, meanwhile, is very creative. She writes beautiful poetry, and her creative writing touches the strings of heart,” said Mauli.
The proud mum said it was remarkable for her and her husband to have both their kids admitted to the world’s most exclusive club of brainiacs.
They encourage Keira to attend workshops to hone her creative talents. She is also the lead vocalist in her school rock band and will soon be starting private vocal lessons at her school in September.
Krish, meanwhile, is a talented Grade 8 pianist who participates in music festivals and has won several prizes across different categories in the last two years. He is also being exposed to basic economics, given his future career plans.
“While Krish would like to go to Cambridge to study math and eventually be an actuary, Keira would like to be a lawyer, specifically studying commercial law,” said Mauli.
LONDON (TIP): British Indian entrepreneur and peer Karan Bilimoria has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow in Scotland for his services to education and business.
Lord Bilimoria, founder of Cobra Beer and Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), UK, described it as a “dream come true” on receiving the honor at a ceremony earlier this week.
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow is a prestigious membership body of more than 15,000 medical professionals and represents Fellows and Members throughout the UK and internationally.
“It is such an ancient and highly respected institution in the medical world, not just in the UK but globally,” said Bilimoria.
“I was brought up as a child in India and you would see doctors with the letters FRCS Glasgow after their names, and now here I am at the actual institution and it’s like a dream come true for me,” he said.
The Fellowship was presented by College President Hany Eteiba, who praised the House of Lords peer’s “inspiring” commitment to improving education and support for students from across the world.
“He shares the value we place in learning, recognizing the importance of providing high quality education as a cornerstone for success. We look forward to collaborating with him to further expand this mission,” said Professor Eteiba.
Bilimoria was joined by the Royal College’s newest Fellows and Members during the ceremony, which celebrates the achievements of physicians, surgeons, dentists and podiatric medical professionals.
The 63-year-old business leader already has the distinction of being one of the first two visiting entrepreneurs at the University of Cambridge and a founding member of the Prime Minister of India’s Global Advisory Council. In 2006, he became the first-ever Zoroastrian Parsi to sit in the UK’s House of Lords.
NEW YORK (TIP): A slice of India landed in the heart of Manhattan as a 400-person baraat—the traditional Indian groom’s wedding procession—took over Wall Street in a dazzling display of music, dance, and desi flair.
The now-viral video shows guests in vibrant traditional attire dancing joyously to dhol beats and DJ tracks, temporarily transforming the financial hub into a full-blown wedding celebration.
The surreal contrast of desi festivities against the backdrop of towering skyscrapers and the iconic New York Stock Exchange left social media buzzing.
Passersby also stopped to film, and the video quickly spread across Instagram and TikTok.
“We shut down Wall Street for a 400 person Baraat – who would’ve ever thought?!” wrote DJ AJ, who performed at the event. “Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime kind of magic.”
While many praised the cultural spectacle, social media reactions were sharply divided.
“Never thought I would be hearing empire state of mind’s dhol version, that’s wild,” one user wrote on Instagram.
Another user wrote, “When dude is done shattering glass ceilings at every party he plays, he now turns the wall street into a dance floor!” “You can take an Indian out of India, but you can never take India out of an Indian,” a user commented. But criticism poured in as well. “Shame,” one comment read. “Such an embarrassment to Indian Diaspora,” wrote another user.
“So what?? Wall Street isn’t a residential street, why choose that? So you can post and show off excess. Vulgar,” another comment read.
Even with criticism, the celebration brought tradition to the heart of New York.
(Source: TWN)
UNITED NATIONS (TIP): More than 60 United Nations offices, agencies and operations have been ordered to submit proposals by mid-June to cut 20% of their staff, as part of a major reform effort to consolidate operations in the face of a critical funding crunch. The cuts affect about 14,000 posts covered by the regular budget, or about 2,800 posts, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters on Friday (May 30, 2025).
These include staff in the UN’s political and humanitarian offices, and its agencies helping refugees, promoting gender equality and dealing with international trade, the environment and cities.
The UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, is also on the list. UN Controller Chandramouli Ramanathan said in a memo to the affected agencies that the staff cuts are part of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ goal of achieving a reduction of between 15% and 20% in the UN’s current budget of $3.72 billion.
The cuts are part of the UN80 reform initiative launched by Mr. Guterres in March as the world body approaches its 80th anniversary later this year. The UN chief has dismissed any relationship with the cuts to foreign aid and other programs by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Instead, he has pointed to shrinking UN resources over at least the past seven years as not all member states pay their yearly dues and many don’t pay on time.
The U.S., with the world’s biggest economy, is expected to pay 22% of the regular budget, while China, with the second-largest economy, recently had its share raised to 20%. Last year, 152 of the UN’s 193 member nations paid their dues in full, including China, but 41 countries did not, including the U.S.
The controller’s memo, obtained Thursday night by The Associated Press, gives advice to the heads of agencies on which posts to cut: “Assess functions based on efficiency; Prioritize based on impact; Target redundant, overlapping or non-critical functions or roles for consolidation or abolition.” Mr. Guterres and his predecessors in past decades struggled to reform the United Nations, which was established following World War II, and bring it into a modern era with different powers, new technology and greater global divisions.
One key problem is that while the secretary-general is the UN’s chief executive, power rests with the 193 member nations, which have very different ideas about the UN and the world.
The proposed cuts must be submitted to the controller by June 13.
Mr. Dujarric said they will be incorporated into Mr. Guterres’ proposed 2026 budget, to be adopted by the General Assembly in December. The UN’s 11 peacekeeping missions are financed by a separate budget, and many of its far-flung agencies and operations are funded entirely by voluntary contributions, including the Rome-based World Food Programme, known as WFP.
Several UN agencies were already planning to slash jobs or cut costs in other ways, with officials pointing to funding reductions mainly from the United States and warning that vital relief programs will be severely affected as a result.
WFP is expected to cut up to 30% of its staff, and the head of the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said it would downsize its headquarters and regional offices to reduce costs by 30% and cut senior-level positions by 50%, according to internal memos obtained by the AP.
Other agencies, including UNICEF, the UN children’s agency, and OCHA, the UN humanitarian agency, have also announced or plan to make cuts.
(Agencies)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The Supreme Court on Friday (May 30, 2025) again cleared the way for the Trump administration to strip temporary legal protections from hundreds of thousands of immigrants, pushing the total number of people who could be newly exposed to deportation to nearly 1 million.
The justices lifted a lower-court order that kept humanitarian parole protections in place for more than 5,00,000 migrants from four countries: Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela.
The court has also allowed the administration to revoke temporary legal status from about 3,50,000 Venezuelan migrants in another case.
Republican President Donald Trump promised on the campaign trail to deport millions of people, and in office has sought to dismantle Biden administration policies that created ways for migrants to live legally in the U.S.
His administration filed an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court after a federal judge in Boston blocked the administration’s push to end the programme.
The Justice Department argues that the protections were always meant to be temporary, and the Department of Homeland Security has the power to revoke them without court interference. The administration says Mr. Biden granted the parole en masse, and the law doesn’t require ending it on an individual basis.
The Trump administration’s decision was the first-ever mass revocation of humanitarian parole, attorneys for the migrants said. They called the Trump administration’s moves “the largest mass illegalization event in modern American history.” The case is the latest in a string of emergency appeals the administration has made to the Supreme Court, many of them related to immigration.
The court has sided against Mr. Trump in other cases, including slowing his efforts to swiftly deport Venezuelans accused of being gang members to a prison in El Salvador under an 18th century wartime law called the Alien Enemies Act.
(Agencies)
NEW DELHI (TIP): After the Trump administration claimed in a New York court that India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire under a “tariff and trade threat”, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) today firmly rejected the claim, saying that at no point during Operation Sindoor was trade discussed between India and the US.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated this while answering queries from mediapersons. He said during Operation Sindoor, there were conversations between Indian and US leaders on the evolving military situation.
“The issue of trade or tariff did not come up in any of those discussions,” Jaiswal said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has also made it clear that the cessation of firing was decided upon through direct contact between the DGMOs of India and Pakistan.
Asked that the US was saying this on record under oath, and it’s a statement that could invite perjury if it wasn’t true, Jaiswal said, “I have stated my position and when I state my position, I do it as the spokesperson for the MEA. That has an implication, it means a lot.”
The Trump administration had told a New York court that India and Pakistan reached a “tenuous ceasefire” only after President Donald Trump “interceded and offered both nations trading access with the US to avert a full-scale war”.
(TNS)
WASHINGTON D.C. (TIP): U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday, May 30, repeated his claim that he stopped India and Pakistan from fighting and told the two nations that his administration cannot trade with people who are shooting at each other.
“We stopped India and Pakistan from fighting. I believe that could have turned out into a nuclear disaster,” Mr. Trump said during a press conference in the Oval Office with billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who is leaving the Trump administration after helming the Department of Government Efficiency.
Mr. Trump added that he wants to thank the “leaders of India, the leaders of Pakistan, and I want to thank my people also. We talked trade and we said, ‘we can’t trade with people that are shooting at each other and potentially using nuclear weapons’.”
Mr. Trump said that leaders in India and Pakistan are “great leaders” and “they understood, and they agreed, and that all stopped”.
“We are stopping others from fighting also, because ultimately, we can fight better than anybody. We have the greatest military in the world. We have the greatest leaders in the world,” Mr. Trump said.
About two weeks after the horrific April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in which 26 civilians were killed, India launched Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.
Indian Government sources in New Delhi have maintained that the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan reached an understanding to cease all firing and military actions on land, air, and sea, effective immediately. They said no third party was involved. Mr. Trump has repeatedly claimed that he “helped settle” the tensions between India and Pakistan and that he told the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours that America would do a “lot of trade” with them if they stopped the conflict.
(Source: PTI)
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on US visit; trade deal likely by June 25
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri began his US visit with high-level talks on critical and emerging technologies even as both countries edge closer to finalizing an interim trade pact by June 25.
Misri met US Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler to advance cooperation in semiconductors, quantum computing and clean energy, while also discussing the early convening of the India-US strategic trade dialogue to strengthen tech and trade collaboration.
In a parallel development, a US delegation is expected to visit India next month for trade talks, with sources indicating that an interim agreement is “on track” for June 25. This follows last week’s negotiations by India’s chief trade negotiator Rajesh Agrawal and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s meetings with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
The interim deal assumes urgency as the US’ 26 per cent reciprocal tariff on Indian goods, suspended till July 9, could impact bilateral trade. New Delhi is pushing for full exemption from these tariffs.
The broader discussions during Misri’s visit span defense, energy security and the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA), aimed at doubling trade to $500 billion by 2030. Both nations are also deepening collaboration in biotechnology, space exploration and energy trade, with the US poised to be a key supplier of crude oil and LNG to India. The talks come amid geopolitical unease over recent claims by former US President Donald Trump regarding India-Pakistan relations.
(Source: TNS)
In a nation that has long held aloft the torch of academic freedom, intellectual pursuit, and free speech, recent developments under President Donald Trump’s administration point to a dangerous departure from foundational values. In a series of moves that have alarmed educators, students, and civil rights advocates alike, the administration has taken aim at premier institutions like Harvard and at the student community as a whole — particularly foreign students. The implications are wide-ranging, and they reach deep into the heart of America’s identity as a beacon of liberty and innovation.
President Trump’s repeated rhetorical assaults on Harvard University — once lauded globally for its academic excellence — are not isolated incidents. He has accused elite universities of harboring “radical ideologies,” of being “un-American,” and has suggested that they are breeding grounds for “anti-national sentiment.” This is not just political posturing. These statements are accompanied by real policy decisions: threatened revocation of federal funding, calls for investigations into campus activities, and a chilling climate in which even peaceful student protests are construed as acts of subversion.
By directly targeting educational institutions, the Trump administration is signaling a message that only conformity — not inquiry — will be tolerated. It is a dangerous erosion of the principle that universities must remain independent, critical spaces where ideas — even controversial or unpopular ones — can be debated and examined.
Perhaps even more troubling are the administration’s immigration policies as they pertain to students. The suspension of visa interviews, tightening of F-1 student visa rules, and veiled (and sometimes overt) threats to deport foreign students participating in demonstrations seen as “anti-American” mark a stark deviation from the country’s historical role as a destination for the world’s best and brightest minds.
These moves are not merely bureaucratic adjustments. They are symbolic attacks on global academic mobility. Students from around the world have long brought diversity, intellectual rigor, and fresh perspectives to American campuses. Discouraging their arrival through a climate of suspicion and hostility not only isolates the U.S. academically but also deprives its campuses of the rich, intercultural dialogue that has propelled American innovation in science, medicine, business, and the arts.
The message is loud and clear: dissent is dangerous, and association with perceived dissent may cost you your education, your visa status, and your future.
The effects of these policies are not limited to foreign students. American students are watching, and they are internalizing the growing authoritarian tone from the very top. The atmosphere of fear, censorship, and conditional expression has a detrimental impact on student morale, initiative, and emotional development.
Youth is the age of questioning, of forming opinions, and of charting one’s own course. If students are taught — either directly through policy or indirectly through fear — that expressing disagreement with state policies is punishable or traitorous, they will either withdraw from public discourse altogether or adopt a dangerous conformity that is anathema to true learning and leadership.
We are already seeing signs of self-censorship in classrooms, reduced student participation in activism, and growing mental health concerns among university communities. The long-term consequences for civic engagement, creativity, and critical thinking are grim.
There is an overarching pattern that emerges when we examine this administration’s posture toward education and the youth: disdain for intellectualism, suspicion of diversity, and contempt for dissent.
Whether it’s attempts to revise school curriculums to align with a narrow nationalistic narrative, dismissing climate change as “liberal hysteria” despite scientific consensus, or branding student protests as “riots” and “rebellion,” the message is unmistakable. The administration does not value the independence of mind and spirit that education cultivates. Instead, it favors a docile, uncritical citizenry that is easier to manipulate and control.
This is not merely anti-progress. It is anti-American.
America has long prided itself on being the land of freedom — freedom of religion, speech, thought, and belief. The First Amendment enshrines these values as sacrosanct. Universities are perhaps the most vivid manifestation of this freedom — places where young people are encouraged to challenge assumptions, question authority, and shape a better world.
To stifle that spirit under the guise of national security or ideological purity is to betray the very ethos on which the country was founded. What the Trump administration is attempting to do is not a reform of higher education — it is a redefinition of it, through intimidation and suppression.
If these trends are allowed to continue unchecked, we risk cultivating a generation of youth who are more afraid than inspired, more obedient than original, and more disengaged than committed. We will lose not only our standing as a global educational leader but also the very soul of our democracy.
The attacks on Harvard and other universities, the clampdown on foreign students, and the broader climate of intolerance toward youth expression must be seen for what they are — part of a larger war on knowledge, diversity, and freedom. These are not mere policy missteps; they are existential threats to the future of American education and democracy.
The younger generation deserves a nation that believes in them, nurtures their intellect, respects their voices, and protects their right to question. For the sake of America’s future — and its founding ideals — we must resist this regressive tide with resolve, compassion, and clarity of purpose.
In quantum physics, observation matters. AI processes data, but it doesn’t “observe” in the same way as humans do.
By Nishant Sahdev
Artificial intelligence (AI) is doing things we once imagined only humans could do. It can do poetry, detect cancerous cells with high accuracy, solve equations that used to take teams of scientists weeks or months, design new materials, write complex software code, and even simulate the formation of stars in far galaxies. In just a few seconds, it does tasks that once required lifetimes.
For many, it’s very positive to believe that AI could one day find the secrets of the universe. And naturally, one question stands out: Could AI someday really understand quantum mechanics — the most counterintuitive and mysterious theory in all of physics?
As a physicist, I admire the power of AI. It has already become a crucial tool in modern science. But when it comes to openly understanding quantum mechanics, I am doubtful.
AI does not lack computational strength or algorithmic intelligence, but it may be missing something far more fundamental—a feature not measured in processing speed or memory but in experience: consciousness. And without it, AI may never hold the full meaning of a universe where the observer plays a central role.
Quantum mechanics explains the behavior of particles at the tiniest or micro levels — atoms, electrons and photons. It shows us a world that works in ways our everyday logic can’t handle.
In this world, particles can be in two places at once. They can behave like both waves and solid objects. But here’s the strangest part: In quantum physics, observation matters, i.e., how do we observe it, and it matters a lot.
Until something is measured, it exists in many possible states at the same time — a state called superposition. But once it’s observed or measured, it “collapses” into one state.
In simple words, what we see may depend on the act of seeing itself. Some interpretations suggest that reality, at the quantum level, does not even exist in a definite way until it is observed. That puts the observer — the conscious being — right in the middle of the picture.
This is where AI might hit a wall. AI processes data, yes. But it doesn’t “observe” in the same way as humans do. It doesn’t experience reality. And that might be exactly what’s needed to understand the quantum world.
In the 1930s, a mathematician Kurt Gödel gave a theorem. He showed that in any logical system, there will always be some truths that cannot be proven using the system’s own rules. This is known as Gödel’s incompleteness theorem.
AI is built on such logical systems. It follows rules, even if they’re complex. But if human minds can somehow see or understand truths beyond those rules, as Gödel himself believed, then that’s a big deal. It means our brains might not just be fancy computers. They might be doing something deeper —something AI cannot do.
British physicist and Nobel Prize winner Sir Roger Penrose took this idea further. He argued that human consciousness might be ingrained in quantum processes inside the brain in ‘microtubules’ inside our neurons. Penrose proposed a theory called Orchestrated Objective Reduction (Orch-OR) which said that the brain may use quantum mechanics to produce consciousness.
This is still a controversial idea, but it raises a powerful question: What if understanding quantum reality actually requires a quantum mind? If that’s true, no matter how powerful AI becomes, it may never cross that line. It can simulate quantum systems, yes. But simulation is not the same as understanding.
Let’s be fair — AI is really very useful in quantum research. It can solve the Schrödinger equation faster than any physicist. It can help design quantum computers, discover new materials and improve experiments. These are big contributions. They don’t require awareness or understanding.
AI works like a super-fast calculator. It moves symbols around, but it doesn’t know what those symbols mean. Imagine a machine that reads Shakespeare and analyses every sentence perfectly—but never feels the beauty or sorrow in the words. That’s what AI might be like when it deals with quantum physics.
Some researchers assert it’s only a matter of time before AI becomes conscious. After all, the human brain is made of matter and follows physical laws. So why couldn’t a machine eventually mimic it? Maybe. But even if a future AI becomes “aware”, we still don’t know if it would be capable of the kind of observation that quantum mechanics seems to require.
Consciousness, especially in the quantum sense, may involve something we haven’t fully understood yet — something that comes from being a part of the reality, not just calculating it.
There are also newer theories of physics which explain that reality exists only through relationships — through interactions. And AI, no matter how fast, remains outside that relationship. It’s a bystander. A powerful one, but still on the outside.
All this brings us to a point. AI works through syntax — rules, patterns, logic. But real understanding also involves semantics — meaning, awareness and the intuition.
Just as reading the word “love” isn’t the same as feeling it, calculating probabilities in quantum mechanics isn’t the same as grasping what they really represent. AI may soon predict quantum outcomes with great accuracy (high P value). But will it ever understand what it feels like to be a conscious observer entangled with the universe? That’s far less certain.
Quantum mechanics may not be just a cold set of equations on a chalkboard. It might point to a universe where observation, awareness and relationship are not just side effects but central ingredients. In such a universe, consciousness isn’t an add-on — it’s part of the equation itself.
And that may be the final wall AI cannot cross. No matter how advanced it becomes, AI might always be a spectator, never a participant. It might map the territory with precision — but never walk the land.
Until we understand what consciousness truly is — and whether it arises from something more than computation — AI will remain a powerful tool but not a true knower of the quantum world. That mystery, it seems, may still belong to the human mind.
(Nishant Sahdev is a theoretical & quantum physicist, University of North Carolina)
Since seizing real power in 2001 by ousting Keshubhai Patel within his own party, the BJP, Narendra Modi has governed through a calculated mix of deception—relying on fiction, half-truths, strategic omissions, and outright lies to manipulate public perception and evade accountability. This pattern of governance persisted during his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat (2001–2014) and has continued unabated since he became Prime Minister in 2014. Modi consistently avoids addressing India’s most pressing challenges—such as the Human Development Index, poverty, hunger and malnutrition, unemployment, rising inequality, corruption, governance failures, political conduct, and public accountability. For him, it is as if these issues simply do not exist.
Modi rose to power by exploiting the aftermath of the 2002 Godhra riots, backed by his robber baron allies—most notably Adani—fueling his ambition to crown himself as the Hindu King of a Hindu Rashtra. Since becoming Prime Minister, he has increasingly acted like a feudal monarch, working to reshape India into a Hindu-first nation where minorities are systematically denied equal rights. From 2015 to 2025, Modi has seized every terror attack—Udhampur, Bijbehara, Baramulla, Pulwama, Reasi, RS Pura, and most recently the April 2025 Pahalgam massacre, where 26 civilians were gunned down—as a political opportunity. Each tragedy became a rallying cry for votes, with Modi portraying himself as the sole protector of India and turning national security crises into campaign slogans. Most troubling is that every military response by Indian armed forces against Pakistan for its role in sponsoring terrorism has been politicized and repackaged as Modi’s personal triumph, allowing him to claim credit for the sacrifices and successes of the armed forces.
Steve Forbes, editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine, sharply criticized Modi’s 2016 demonetization policy—calling it “immoral” and “a massive theft of people’s property without due process,” especially targeting the poor and middle class. He argued it caused immense harm to India’s economy, particularly for the most vulnerable and for small businesses, while failing to curb corruption or black money.
Now, Modi is selling the illusion of prosperity to India’s deprived masses by touting rising GDP figures and selectively quoting institutions like the IMF. What he deliberately omits is that this so-called growth has done little to improve the lives of the millions still surviving on free rations. For them, the benefits of GDP expansion remain a distant mirage. Modi offers no roadmap to transform India into a nation like Japan—where economic growth is coupled with strong governance, universal healthcare, robust social safety nets, and respect for pluralism. Instead, he markets statistics while ignoring the real human costs of inequality, joblessness, and the erosion of democratic institutions.
Here is an analysis of India vs Japan.
India vs. 🇯🇵 Japan: A Comparative Socioeconomic & Governance Analysis
1.Human Development Index (HDI)
India: 0.633 (Rank: 134/193) – Medium human development
Japan: 0.925 (Rank: 19/193) – Very high human development
Japan’s HDI reflects better life expectancy, education, and income levels.
Poverty
India:
~12.9% live in multidimensional poverty (~180 million people)
~3% live in extreme poverty (<$2.15/day)
Japan:
~15% live in relative poverty (low income by Japanese standards)
No extreme poverty by global measures
India battles absolute deprivation; Japan manages income disparity within a developed framework.
Government Food Assistance
India:
Over 800 million people (55% of the population) depend on rationed food under the Public Distribution System (PDS) and NFSA.
Japan:
Only ~2 million (~1.5% of population) receive public welfare or food assistance under the Seikatsu Hogo system
India’s program addresses mass hunger; Japan’s is a safety net for isolated individuals.
Hunger and Malnutrition
India:
224 million people undernourished (Global Hunger Index Rank: 111/125)
High child stunting and wasting rates
Japan:
Negligible hunger; among top 20 in Global Hunger Index
India faces systemic food insecurity; Japan ensures near-universal food sufficiency.
Unemployment
India:
~33–35 million unemployed (~8%); youth unemployment >20%
Over 90% of workforce is informal
Japan:
~1.8 million unemployed (~2.6%)
Formal employment, with labor shortages due to aging population
India’s job market suffers from scale and informality; Japan has fewer workers than jobs.
India grapples with systemic corruption; Japan maintains high administrative integrity.4
Per Capita Income & Living Standards
India: ~$2,700 USD
Japan: ~$42,000 USD
Japan enjoys one of the highest standards of living; India has a growing but unequal economy.
Summary Table
Indicator
India
Japan
HDI
0.633 (Rank 134)
0.925 (Rank 19)
Poverty Rate
12.9% (multi), 3% (extreme)
15% (relative)
Food Assistance
800 million (55% of population)
~2 million (1.5% of population)
Hunger
224 million undernourished
Negligible
Unemployment
~8% (33–35 million)
~2.6% (1.8 million)
Healthcare Spending (% GDP)
~2.1%
~10.9%
Education Spending (% GDP)
~3.0%
~3.5%
Corruption Index (CPI)
39/100 (Rank 93)
73/100 (Rank 16)
Per Capita Income
~$2,700 USD
~$42,000 USD
Political Behavior
Feudal, dynastic, VIP culture
Humble, accountable, resign on scandal
Rural Development
Underdeveloped, poor infrastructure
Modernized, subsidized, aging
Child Care & Early Education
Underfunded, malnutrition persists
High-quality, well-funded, parental support
Before anyone questions the writer’s integrity by arguing that comparing India to Japan is unfair due to population differences, here is a summary comparison between India and China—two nations with comparable populations (~1.4 billion each). This side-by-side comparison across key socioeconomic, governance, and human development indicators addresses and debunks the common excuse propagated by blind religious loyalists of India’s current religious fanatic leadership—that Japan’s success is solely due to its smaller population. India’s lag is not about size, but about vision, leadership, and priorities.
India vs China: Summary Comparison (2024 Data)
Indicator
India
China
Population
~1.43 billion
~1.41 billion
Human Development Index (HDI)
0.633 (Rank 134)
0.788 (Rank 75)
Per Capita Income (USD)
~$2,700
~$13,000
Multidimensional Poverty Rate
~12.9%
<1%
Extreme Poverty (<$2.15/day)
~3%
<0.1%
People on Govt Food Assistance
~800 million (NFSA)
Targeted rural support programs (~300 million benefited historically)
Poverty & Hunger: China has virtually eliminated extreme poverty, while India still struggles with hundreds of millions in deprivation.
Income & Development: China’s per capita income is nearly 5x India’s, with significantly better human development outcomes.
Governance: While China’s system lacks democratic freedoms, its state capacity and delivery mechanisms outperform India’s politically feudal and fragmented administration.
Population Argument: China shows that population is not an excuse. With nearly the same population as India, it has lifted over 800 million people out of poverty in four decades, invested in massive infrastructure, and maintains basic service delivery at a far higher level.
Bottom Line: Time to Reach Japan’s Success
Country
Time to Match Japan’s Per Capita Income
Time to Match HDI (0.9+)
Time to Match Governance/Service Delivery
India
35–50 years (by 2060–2075)
30–40 years
40–50 years (or uncertain)
China
15–20 years (by 2040–2045)
15–20 years
Already close in-service delivery
Summary Table: Time to Catch Up (India to China 2024)
Area
Projected Years Needed
Target Year
Per Capita Income
25–30 years
2049–2054
Human Development Index
15–20 years
2040–2045
Poverty Elimination
20–25 years
2045–2050
Infrastructure & Urbanization
25–30 years
2050–2055
Governance & Service Delivery
30–35 years
2055–2060
Final Thought:
India is 25–35 years behind China in most core development indicators. Closing this gap is possible, but it demands:
Sustained economic growth
Investment in human capital
Strong institutions
A break from patronage politics and state capture
Otherwise, the gap may persist or widen, especially as China advances toward high-income status and India risks stagnating in lower-middle income.
Conclusion
Japan exemplifies a mature, service-oriented, accountable welfare state. India, by contrast, is a rising feudal democracy heading towards elected autocracy promoting majoritarian religious fanatism, grappling with poverty, political feudalism, no accountability for those in power and state created robber barons and resource constraints. While India’s sheer scale poses challenges, Japan’s model offers lessons in integrity, governance, and inclusive public policy.Top of Form
Japan stands as a model of a mature, service-oriented, and accountable welfare state—rooted in integrity, civic discipline, and inclusive public policy. In stark contrast, India today is a rising feudal democracy veering toward an elected autocracy, where majoritarian religious fanaticism is normalized, political feudalism is entrenched, and accountability for those in power is virtually nonexistent. The state has enabled the rise of robber barons while failing to address systemic poverty and resource inequity. While India’s vast scale presents undeniable challenges, it is Japan’s model that offers vital lessons in good governance, institutional ethics, and equitable development.
(Compiled by Dave Makkar from diverse sources on the Internet. Dave Makkar is a social activist and author.)
What can be more pathetic than the BJP MP accusing the unfortunate women who lost their husbands in Pahalgam, of lack of “courage” and “training” to fight terrorists?
By Ashok Lavasa
The popular but much-mocked Devi Lal, former Deputy Prime Minister of India, once said, “Lok raj lok laj se chalta hai.” He was one of the tallest farmer leaders of the country, with an incomparable connect with the people, especially in rural areas. He both regaled and riled people with his rusticity. But this article is not about him; it is about what he famously said. For those in power in a democracy, it is an axiom summed up in the word ‘laj’, for which there is no exact equivalent in the English language.
What is lok laj?
Lok raj is simple to understand, for it is the power that the people exercise in an elected democracy. It is the power, the right to elect people, that the Constitution provides and protects. Lok laj, on the other hand, doesn’t emanate from the Constitution; it emanates from the character of a society that is reflected in individual behaviour and its normative response to individual conduct.
I recently wrote about the growing incidence of crime and no punishment (The Tribune, March 12), a disturbing trend witnessed in our system, which doesn’t bode well for an orderly society. A crime is established on the basis of evidence; the ingenuity of legal arguments help courts determine an illegality or dismiss it. Societies, however, have long existed before the legal system came into being, or was codified. Laws change faster than social mores. Order in a society has been the outcome of compliance with the law as well as the observance of common ethics.
Take, for instance, the dictum Satyamev Jayate (truth always triumphs), an exhortation to speak the truth. Whether it triumphs or not in these days and times is a different matter. It is a human value propagated in every society and in most families. However, except for perjury, not speaking the truth is not illegal. While perjury could be punished by law, how do we deal with falsehood? How do we deal with those who publicly speak untruth?
We have seen many recent examples where the utterances of the BJP’s elected representatives have offended common sensibility. A minister in Madhya Pradesh referred to a lady army officer briefing the media during Op Sindoor as a “sister” of those who killed innocent tourists. The government chose her as part of an impactful communication strategy, a woman army officer belonging to a minority community, the face of a system delivering justice to the victims of an inconceivably ghastly act. By inventing a fraternal bond between her and the terrorists based on a common religion, the minister displayed a perverse mind, the kind you need to carry forward a nefarious communal agenda.
The Supreme Court has set up an SIT to probe his conduct, but that was necessitated because he wasn’t chastised by his own organisation. Nor was he genuinely chastened by his own conscience, his clever expression of regret notwithstanding. No leader of his political party reprimanded him publicly; nor did his organisation take him to task for the reprehensible comment.
Moreover, what can be a more heartbreaking and pathetic example of this crass insensitivity than the utterances of the Haryana BJP MP who accused the unfortunate women who suffered the loss of their husbands during the Pahalgam massacre, of lack of “courage” and “training” to fight the terrorists? Is he suggesting that the state is vanishing and law enforcement should be an individual responsibility? The law cannot punish him for what he said because there has been no violation of the law; also, his party leadership might exhibit “broad shoulders” and “tolerance”. But should he not be publicly castigated and made to pay by his party?
In both cases, a brazen abandoning of Lok Laj is clear, by both politicians and their party leadership. That amounts to a social approval of their conduct, allowing them to live without guilt even if the law were to punish them. Remember the garlanding of those convicted of rape in Gujarat? It did not amount to a pardon; it only meant an endorsement of their character, unmindful of the egregious crime they had been convicted for.
That is the power of social acceptance; it can also be the pressure of social disapproval. Society functions and relationships survive because of dar (fear), lihaaj (consideration or deference) and sharam (shame). An ordinary citizen fears the law; a normal human being accommodates others not necessarily because they are right but out of deference to their age, relationship, status or circumstances; and most of us avoid doing something that will leave us shamefaced.
None of these is governed by any law and, yet, they are effective in influencing human behaviour. The absence of these could lead to a major breakdown in social relationships, behavioural norms and decorum.
In the aftermath of the revulsion and anger caused by the Pahalgam massacre and the frenzy of Op Sindoor, the following was more than once said with some emphasis:
‘Vinay na maanat jaladhi jad, gaye teeni din beeti.
Bole Ram sakop tab, bhay binu hoyi na preeti.’
What was being conveyed by the author is that fear is a prerequisite for respect. It follows, therefore, that the politicians mentioned above have no fear of law and, hence, no respect for it either. Society is allowing them to continue with their utter disregard for lok laj by its studied silence.
The other face of this unabashed insensitivity is the manner in which another BJP representative said the Chief Justice of India was responsible for civil wars in the country. He was not just accusing the CJI, he was holding him responsible. I am not sure what message the SC conveyed by condoning his insolent statements by referring to its own “broad shoulders”, but the political leadership certainly betrayed its complicity by its reticence.
As if this mockery of the rule of law wasn’t enough, we saw the speed with which an eminent professor of Ashoka University was arrested for posting a tweet that was harmless in content and without insidious intent, except that it hurt those with open wounds and closed minds.
We seem to live in an environment where propaganda based on half-truths and a gross exaggeration of reality is encouraged. and malicious public statements made to incite animosity in society or cause hurt are overlooked.
Perhaps Lok Raj these days doesn’t really need Lok Laj.
(Ashok Lavasa is former Election Commissioner of India)
Spend an uplifting Sunday afternoon with the nationally acclaimed Gospel sensation CARLA HARRIS (from Montclair) at the Victoria Theater – Lizzie & Jonathan Tisch Stage, New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Sunday, June 8th, at 3:00 p.m.
Carla will perform a selection of her favorite music genres—including jazz, country, and gospel—to benefit the YMCA of Newark & Vicinity and the Primary Care Scholars Program of Hackensack Meridian Health Medical School. She has previously sold out prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Apollo Theater with her stunning voice and inspiring message.
Carla’s gospel albums include ‘O This Is Christmas,’ ‘Unceasing Praise,’ ‘Joy Is Waiting,’ and ‘Carla’s First Christmas.’ Aside from her musical career, Carla Harris is a renowned international public speaker and a senior client advisor at Morgan Stanley. She recently served as Vice Chairman, where she focused on enhancing client connectivity and revenue generation for the firm.
With over 30 years of experience in investment banking, she has extensive knowledge in various industries, including technology, media, retail, telecommunications, transportation, industrial, and healthcare. Carla is known for her motivating presence and leadership skills.
In August 2013, President Barack Obama appointed her to chair the National Women’s Business Council. Carla has been recognized in several prestigious lists, including Fortune Magazine’s “50 Most Powerful Black Executives in Corporate America,” Fortune’s Most Influential List, U.S. Banker’s “Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Finance,” Black Enterprise’s “Top 75 Most Powerful Women in Business,” and “Top 75 African Americans on Wall Street.” She is also featured in Essence Magazine’s “50 Women Who are Shaping the World” and Ebony’s “Power 100.” Her work has been highlighted in notable publications such as the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Forbes, Fast Money, and Barron’s.
Learn more at carlaspearls.com.
TICKETS
To purchase tickets to witness Carla Harris’ soulful music, visit NJPAC.org or the NJPAC Box Office or call 888.GO.NJPAC.
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DODGE POETRY HOSTS UNDOCU POETS PAST & PRESENT
By Mabel Pais
WHAT: UNDOCUMENTED FUTURES
WHEN: June 2, 2025 @ 6 PM
WHERE: VIRTUAL (ON ZOOM)
Undocu Poets (Credit: njpac.org)
The Dodge Poetry Foundation in collaboration with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) hosts ‘Undocumented Futures,’ a virtual event on June 2, 2025, at 6PM (EST).
The event features four past and current recipients of the ‘Undocupoets Fellowship’ — blu, Wo Chan, Claudia Rojas and Georgia Russell. This program celebrates the organization’s decade of literary activism and the recent publication of ‘Here to Stay: Poetry and Prose from the Undocumented Diaspora’ and imagines what the future of the literary landscape entails for poets writing from the undocumented experience.
Fellows will read their poems with pauses between rounds for spontaneous and spirited conversations about topics their work inspires. The program will conclude with curated readings from other poets in the undocumented diaspora, hosted by Undocupoets co-organizers Marcelo Hernandez Castillo, Janine Joseph and Esther Lin.
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)
One Center Street
Newark, New Jersey 07102
888.GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722)
NJPAC, located in downtown Newark, N.J., is America’s most diverse performing arts center, and the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey – where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the state’s and the world’s best artists while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted nearly 10 million individuals (including over 1.9 million students and families) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents.
Follow NJPAC Online:
Website: njpac.org
Twitter: @NJPAC
Instagram: @NJPAC
Hashtag: #NJPAC
Facebook: facebook.com/NJPAC
YouTube: NJPACtvn
Follow NJPAC’s Standing in Solidarity Series Online:
Website: njpac.org/takeastand
Hashtag: #NJPACTakeAStand
Youtube: Standing in Solidarity playlist
The Dodge Poetry Foundation
The Dodge Foundation envisions a just and equitable New Jersey where people of all races and communities have equitable access to opportunities to thrive.
Through grants, capacity-building, and other critical investments, the Dodge Foundation resources changemakers to transform New Jersey into a just and equitable state.
The Foundation focuses its time, resources, and energy on the issues of economic equity and justice. Its goal is for communities across New Jersey to have abundant resources and opportunities to thrive. It is particularly focused on:
Housing equity
Economic security and mobility
Community infrastructure (safe, healthy, thriving neighborhoods)
Policy and advocacy
While the Foundation does provide support to statewide organizations, it is particularly focused on five communities across New Jersey: Atlantic City, Camden, Newark, Paterson, and Trenton.
(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Education, Business, Social Issues, Health and Wellness, Spirituality, and Cuisine)
THEME: LAUGHS AND JAMS ‘PRUDENTIAL NORTH TO SHORE’ June 2025
2025 North to Shore Festival Logo.
By Mabel Pais
The ‘Prudential North to Shore Festival,’ produced by NJPAC with Prudential Financial as title sponsor, is primed to return this June featuring ‘Laughs and Jams’: A star-studded lineup of musical superstars and world-class comics.
‘Prudential North to Shore Festival’ will return in June 2025, building on the momentum of two extraordinarily successful festivals in 2023 and 2024, with an expanded lineup that runs from June 14 through June 29.
Watch a NJEDA preview video of the Festival – youtu.be/f79GiHpcAQk
Conceived by Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy in 2023, this year’s festival returns with a special focus on comedy and music – ‘Laughs and Jams.’
In its first two years, the festival brought in more than $25 million for ticketed events and has drawn a total audience of over 500,000 to more than 650 shows in 250 venues in Newark, Asbury Park and Atlantic City, making it New Jersey’s largest summer arts festival.
Prudential Financial returns as the festival’s title sponsor, as part of the Newark-based company’s celebration of its 150th anniversary. There are additional NJ sponsors.
North to Shore Full Line Up: CITY and DATE
ASBURY PARK
Asbury Park’s ‘Grasser’ Rock Band performs at ‘Asbury Lanes.’ (Credit: njpac.org)
June 14: Eggy at Wonder Bar.
June 15: Los Angeles League of Musicians (LA LOM) at Wonder Bar.
June 16: “Happy Mondays” (lineup TBA) at Wonder Bar.
June 18: Motion City Soundtrack at Stone Pony.
June 19: Steel Pulse at Stone Pony.
June 19: Asbury Jams: Delicate Steve at Wonder Bar.
June 19: Locals Showcase (lineup TBA) at Asbury Lanes.
June 19: Locals Showcase (lineup TBA) at House of Independents.
June 20: Crumb, Kassie Krut at Stone Pony.
June 20: Emerson Woolf & the Wishbones at Asbury Lanes.
June 20: Cults, Zzzahara at House of Independents.
June 20: The Parlor Mob at Wonder Bar.
June 21: Lawrence, Allen Stone at Stone Pony.
June 21: Stars at Asbury Lanes.
June 21: Brenda K. Starr at House of Independents.
June 21: The Smithereens with Marshall Crenshaw at Wonder Bar.
June 21: “Asbury Underground” at various locations.
June 22: Slightly Stoopid at Stone Pony Summer Stage.
June 22: Larkin Poe, Zach Person at Asbury Lanes.
June 22: Locals Showcase: Penelope Road at Wonder Bar.
June 23: “Happy Mondays” (lineup TBA) at Wonder Bar.
June 25: Moon Hooch at Wonder Bar.
June 26: Jack’s Mannequin at Stone Pony Summer Stage.
June 26: Asbury James: Basic at Wonder Bar.
June 27: Streetlight Manifesto at Stone Pony Summer Stage.
June 27: Ripe at Asbury Lanes.
June 27: John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band at Wonder Bar.
June 28: Fantastic Cat, John Gallagher Jr. at Wonder Bar.
June 29: George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic, Living Colour at Stone Pony Summer Stage.
ASBURY PARK COMMUNITY EVENTS
June 19: Sense of Belonging at Asbury Park Carousel
June 19: Springwood Avenue Sounds at Blackbird Commons
June 19: She’s NorMale at House of Independents
June 20: Ryan Gregg at Asbury Lanes
June 20: The DTS at Asbury Lanes
June 20: Paint on Pine at Pine Street between 2nd and 3rd Ave
June 20: Memory Palace at The Asbury Carousel Building
June 20: Soul in the Park 3 at GotPicz Photography Studio
June 21: Juneteenth Family Arts Festival at Springwood Avenue Park
June 21: Print-a-Palooza at 808 Springwood Ave
June 21: Cazzeek Brothers at Springwood Park
June 21: SOULCASE Community Night at Konscious Community Center
June 21: Dance is Life at Asbury Park Boardwalk Carousel Building
June 22: Newark Pride, INC. at Wonder Bar
June 22: Georgies Community Cookout at Georgies Bar
June 22: Funk Fest at Rbar
June 22: Sound Bytes at Salvation Army Asbury Park
June 22: Heaven vs Hell at Good Hope Annex
June 22: Lens on Asbury Park at GotPicks Photography Studio
ATLANTIC CITY
June 14: Books on the Move: Alvin Ailey at Kennedy Plaza
ATLANTIC CITY COMMUNITY EVENTS
June 14: Bash at Back Sov at Sovereign Avenue Skatepark Back Sov
June 14: Orange Loop Block Party at Cardinal
June 15: Global Grooves at O’Donnell Memorial Park
June 21: FREE: Atlantic City Artists at Historic Gardner’s Basin
June 26: FREE: R&B Society at Historic Gardner’s Basin
August 23: John Brancy at the Celebrity Theater at the Claridge Hotel
September 6: Atlantic City Latino Festival at Showboat at the Boardwalk
October 4: Mary Cross’ Phyllis Hyman at RESORTS Casino Hotel
October: AC Pride TBA
November 1: Dia De Los Muertos at Noyes Arts Garage
November 7: ARTerriors TBA
1/17,2/14, 3/14, 4/11, and 5/15/2026: AC Jamming at Gin Rickey’s Bar
RED BANK
June 21: moe. at Count Basie Center for the Arts
NEWARK
June 17: String Cheese Incident at Prudential Hall at NJPAC.
June 18-20: Black Creative Economy Summit at Symphony Hall.
June 19: Natalia Lafourcade at Prudential Hall at NJPAC.
June 20: Hot 97’s Summer Jam at Prudential Center. Lineup TBA.
June 20: Third Eye Blind, Stars at Prudential Hall at NJPAC.
June 20: Two Funny Mamas featuring Sherri Shepherd and Kym Whitley at Victoria Theater at NJPAC.
June 21: Kumail Nanjiani at Victoria Theater at NJPAC.
June 22: Tina Fey and Amy Poehler at Prudential Center.
June 22: Bassem Youssef at Prudential Hall at NJPAC.
June 22: Bob Summer at NJPAC
June 23: Food Insecurity Panel at Chase Room at NJPAC.
June 26: Stone Temple Pilots, Parlor Mob at Prudential Hall at NJPAC.
June 26: Newark International Film Festival: Tate Brothers Panel Discussion
June 27: Jon Stewart, John Mulaney, Pete Davidson at Prudential Center.
June 27: Joey Diaz at Prudential Hall at NJPAC.
June 27: Nicole Byer at Victoria Theater at NJPAC.
June 27: New Jersey Symphony at Branch Brook Park. (free)
June 27: Sounds of the City: Felix Hernandez’s Rhythm Revue Dance Party at Chambers Plaza at NJPAC. (free)
June 27: Newark International Film Festival: Acting class with Tobias Truvillion.
June 27: Newark International Film Festival: “Hip Hop to Hollywood,” Dupré “DoItAll” Kelly & Friends.
June 28: L.L. Cool J’s Rock the Bell Festival at Prudential Center. Lineup TBA.
June 28: Josh Johnson at Prudential Hall at NJPAC.
June 28: Rosebud Baker at Victoria Theater at NJPAC.
June 28: Sounds of the City: Big Daddy Kane at Chambers Plaza at NJPAC. (free)
June 28: Yogi Fest by Tye Daye at Lincoln Park.
June 28: Newark International Film Festival: Acting class with Morocco Omari.
June 28: Newark International Film Festival: Acting Class with Wendy McKenzie.
June 29: Gregory Porter at Prudential Hall at NJPAC.
June 29: Martin Amini at Victoria Theater at NJPAC.
June 29: Sounds of the City: Lettuce at Chambers Plaza at NJPAC. (free)
NEWARK COMMUNITY EVENTS
June 25: Love Out Loud at Dutch’s Lounge @ Tryp Hotel
June 25: The Woman at the Well at First Presbyterian Church of Newark
June 26: Newark Grounds Night Fest at Mulberry Commons Park
June 26: Respect The Mic at Newark Stage
June 26: Broadway in the Bricks at Newark Public Library
June 26: Drunk Black History at ES550
June 27: Lyrics Matter at The Vault
June 28: Soul-O at NJPAC
June 28: Carrie Jackson at Clement’s Place
June 28: Tropical Noise Fest at Lua Lounge
June 28: Jazz and Joy at Clement’s Place
June 28: Jazz and Jamming at Clement’s Place
June 28: Maurice Chestnut for Big Daddy Kane at NJPAC
June 28: P.Genz for Big Daddy Kane at NJPAC
June 29: Gail Campbell for Lettuce at NJPAC
June 29: Segdrick Marsh for Lettuce at NJPAC
June 29: Rest Fest at Newark Museum of Art
June 29: Taste of the City at Ferry Street
June 29: Down in the Ro’ at Adega Bar and Grill Rooftop
MONTCLAIR
June 26-29: Montclair Film events at Clairidge Theater.
All events are subject to change.
TICKETS
For the latest updates, new concert listings, and tickets, visit northtoshore.com.
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)
Learn more at NJPAC.org.
Prudential North to Shore Festival
Learn more at northtoshore.com.
Earlier articles on the Festival can be read in issues dated March 14, April 25 and May 2.
(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Education, Business, Social Issues, Health and Wellness, Spirituality, and Cuisine)
(center – in red blouse) Mary Kate Naatus, Ph.D. meets with faculty and students at Janki Devi Memorial College (for Women), Delhi University. (Photo Credit : shu.edu)Mary Kate Naatus at the Taj Mahal, India (Photo Credit: Courtesy shu.edu)
By Mabel Pais
MARY KATE NAATUS, Ph.D., (shu.edu/profiles/naatusma), assistant provost and dean of Continuing Education and Professional Studies (shu.edu/continuing-education) at Seton Hall University was chosen as one of ten senior United States university administrators to participate in an immersive two-week program under the Fulbright-Nehru Education Administrators Seminar in India in March 2025.
This prestigious seminar, granted by the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, recognizes Naatus’s commitment as a distinguished higher education administrator to advancing international education and fostering global partnerships.
The IEA (International Education Administrators) Fulbright-Nehru Seminar, designed and administered by the U.S.-India Educational Foundation, provided U.S. higher education leaders with immersive exposure to India’s higher education system. Organizers explained, “This unique opportunity brought together higher education leaders from across the United States to explore India’s academic landscape, fostering meaningful dialogue on potential collaborations.” The cohort visited approximately 14 universities and colleges in Mumbai, Coimbatore and Delhi. The administrators engaged with Indian academic leaders, administrators and education experts, delving into the latest trends and developments in Indian higher education.
Katia Passerini, Ph.D. (shu.edu/provost/passerini-biography), Seton Hall provost and senior executive vice president, said, “Mary Kate exemplifies Seton Hall’s commitment to fostering a global mindset and creating opportunities for cross-border collaboration. Her participation in the Fulbright-Nehru Seminar strengthens our university ties with Indian institutions and furthers our mission of preparing students to be leaders in a globally interconnected world.”
Naatus highlighted that the program connects senior U.S. higher education administrators with Indian universities, private-sector leaders and government agencies to explore India’s higher education landscape and provide insight into academic structures, policy frameworks and cultural dynamics to foster global collaboration.
Through site visits and discussions in Mumbai, Coimbatore and Delhi, participants explored India’s evolving higher education landscape and identified avenues for international collaboration. Key institutional visits included the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Kumaraguru College of Technology (Coimbatore), Tata Institute of Social Sciences (Mumbai) and O.P. Jindal Global University (Sonipat, Haryana – Delhi National Capital Region). The U.S.-India Educational Foundation’s meticulous planning ensured that participants gained deep insights into India’s government policies, educational priorities and opportunities for partnership, ranging from virtual exchanges and student mobility to joint research and degree programs.
“The insights I gained from this prestigious Fulbright Seminar will directly inform Seton Hall University’s ongoing efforts to expand academic collaborations with Indian institutions, attract top international students and foster a globally connected campus. These initiatives align with the university’s broader strategy to develop joint academic programs, enhance faculty research partnerships and strengthen cross-cultural learning opportunities,” Naatus noted. “Seton Hall University looks forward to building on the relationships forged through this Fulbright experience and deepening its commitment to internationalization, with India as a key partner in its global engagement strategy.”
Mary Kate Naatus, Ph.D
Naatus is an accomplished professional with a diverse background in education, business and global service. Her faculty role at Seton Hall University is professor, Department of Marketing (shu.edu/marketing), Stillman School of Business (shu.edu/business). Her current research interests include socially responsible marketing, business education, social media and small business marketing. Prior to her arrival at the university in January 2023, she served as professor and dean of the Guarini School of Business at Saint Peter’s University.
The Fulbright Program
Learn more about the Fulbright Program at fulbrightprogram.org
The U.S.-India Educational Foundation
Learn more about the Foundation, visit usief.org.in
Seton Hall University
One of the country’s leading Catholic universities, Seton Hall University has been developing students in mind, heart and spirit since 1856. Home to over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offering more than 90 rigorous majors, Seton Hall’s academic excellence has been singled out for distinction by The Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report and Bloomberg Businessweek.
Seton Hall’s 58-acre main campus is located in the quaint town of South Orange, New Jersey, only 14 miles from Manhattan. The University’s nationally ranked School of Law is located in nearby Newark, N.J. Our new Interprofessional Health Sciences (IHS) campus, situated in the towns of Clifton and Nutley, N.J., opened in July 2018. The IHS campus houses Seton Hall’s College of Nursing and School of Health and Medical Sciences, as well as the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.
(Mabel Pais writes on Education, Business, The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health and Wellness, Spirituality, and Cuisine)
TORONTO (TIP): Canada Post received a strike notice Monday, May 19, from the union representing more than 55,000 postal workers, with operations poised to shut down by the end of the week — for the second time in six months.
The union informed management that employees plan to hit the picket line starting Friday morning at midnight, the Crown corporation said. A work stoppage would affect millions of residents and businesses who typically receive more than two billion letters and roughly 300 million parcels a year via the service.
No new items would be accepted until the strike ends, while those already in the system would be “secured” but not delivered, Canada Post said. A 32-day strike during peak shipping season ahead of the winter holidays last November and December left millions of letters and parcels in limbo and a massive backlog to sort through.
(Source: The Albertan)
Justin Trudeau to collect two pensions, $104K in severance
The former PM is entitled to one pension for his nearly 17 years as a Member of Parliament and a second for his decade as Prime Minister
By Prabhjot Singh
“Should a retiring Prime Minister get two pensions?,” is the subject of an animated debate that has been set in motion by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CFT) as it released its calculations about the estimated pension and severance payments to be paid to 110 Members of Parliament who were either defeated or did not see re-election to the 45th House of Commons.
At least six members of the outgoing House of Indian descent who either lost the April 28 elections or decided not to seek re-election are among the beneficiaries. They are Chandra Arya, George Chahal, Kamal Khera, Harjit Singh Sajjan, Jagmeet Singh and Arif Virani.
While Chandra Arya, Harjit Singh Sajjan and Arif Virani did not contest, the remaining three – Jagmeet Singh, Kamal Khera and George Chahal – were defeated in the last federal elections held on April 28.
While releasing its calculations, the CFT said that “defeated or retiring MPs will collect about $5 million in annual pension payments, reaching a cumulative total of about $187 million by age 90. In addition, about $6.6 million in severance cheques will be issued to some former MPs.
“Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will collect two taxpayer-funded pensions in retirement. Combined, those pensions total $8.4 million, according to CTF estimates. Trudeau also takes a $104,900 severance payout because he did not run again as an MP.
“The payouts for Trudeau’s MP pension will begin at $141,000 per year when he turns 55 years old. It will total an estimated $6.5 million should he live to the age of 90. The payouts for Trudeau’s prime minister pension will begin at $73,000 per year when he turns 67 years old. It will total an estimated $1.9 million should he live to the age of 90,’ the CFT said in its statement.
Going by the statement, it not only gave details of all 110 Members of Parliament who will no longer sit in the House of Commons but has also raised a pertinent question as to whether a retiring Prime Minister should be entitled to two pensions or the government should promulgate a law to end the second pension for all Prime Ministers.
“Taxpayers shouldn’t feel too bad for the politicians who lost the election because they will be cashing big severance or pension cheques,” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director. “Thanks to past pension reforms, taxpayers will not have to shoulder as much of the burden as they used to. But there is more work to do to make politicians pay affordable for taxpayers.”
“Taxpayers need to see leadership at the top, and that means reforming pensions and ending the pay raises MPs take every year,” Terrazzano said. “A Prime Minister already takes millions through his/her first pension, he/she should not be billing taxpayers more for his/her second pension.
“The government must end the second pension for all future prime ministers.”
There are 13 former MPs who will collect more than $100,000-plus a year in pension income. The pension and severance calculations for each defeated or retired MP can be found.
Going by the CFT statement, four of the six members of the outgoing House of Indian descent, will be entitled to severance payments varying between Can $74000.00 and Can $ 1,54,000 besides getting a pension between Can $ 45000 and Can $ 77000.
George Chahal, who lost the election, would get a severance payment of Can $ 1,04,900. Kamal Khera, who was a federal minister and lost the April 28 election, would get the highest severance payments among MPs of Indian descent as she would be entitled to draw Can $ 1,54,850 as a severance payment.
Harjit Singh Sajjan, who also remained a federal minister in Justin Trudeau’s government, would draw the lowest severance payment as his entitlement has been worked out to be Can $ 74000.
Only MP of Indian descent to head a national party, Jagmeet Singh, who lost the April 28 election from Burnaby Centre in British Columbia, would get a severance payment of Can $ 1,40,300.00. Another federal minister in Justin Trudeau’s government, Arif Virani, would get a severance payment of Can $ 1,04,900.00.
Chandra Arya, whose candidature as Liberal candidate from Nepean was revoked, would now draw a pension of Can $ 53000, while pension of Jagmeet Singh will be Can $ 45000. The pension is calculated on the number of years a Member has served. Former federal ministers – Kamal Khera (Can $ 68000), Harjit Singh Sajjan (Can $ 77000) and Arif Virani (Can $ 66000) would also get pensions as former MPs.
Jagmeet Singh’s pension remained a subject of regular debates in the House of Commons when it took up no-confidence motions moved by the Conservatives against the minority Liberal government headed by Justin Trudeau. NDP led by Jagmeet Singh twice bailed out the government while the House took up no-confidence motions moved by the Leader of the Opposition, Pierre Poilievre, Incidentally, Pierre Poilievre, was also among the 110 MPs who either lost or did not contest the April 28 elections.
(Prabhjot Singh is a Toronto-based award-winning independent journalist. He was celebrated by AIPS, the international body of sports journalists, for covering ten Olympics, at its centennial celebrations held at UNESCO Centre in Paris during the 2024 Olympic Games. Besides, he has written extensively about business and the financial markets, the health industry, the public and private sectors, and aviation. He has worked as a political reporter besides covering Sikh and Punjab politics. He is particularly interested in Indian Diaspora and Sikh Diaspora in particular. His work has also appeared in various international and national newspapers, magazines, and journals. He can be reached at prabhjot416@gmail.com)
HICKSVILLE, NY (TIP): The Indian Consulate, in collaboration with Shanti Fund, organized on Sunday, May 18, a Yoga session – Sunrise Yoga- at Jones Beach, followed by beach cleaning. Consul General of India Mr. Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, accompanied by Consul Pragya Singh and a few others from the Consulate, enthusiastically participated. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Pradhan welcomed the participants and appreciated the initiative taken by Mr. Vora of Shanti Fund. He also spoke about the upcoming International Day of Yoga on June 21.
Yoga Guru Anita Rana conducted the Yoga session, which the 50 odd participants thoroughly enjoyed.
The consulate provided T-shirts, yoga mats, luncheon, and beverages to all.
At hand were officials from the Parks and Beach division of the County who took great care of the volunteers.
Consul General with some participants ready for beach cleaning.A group of volunteers doing beach cleaning
Ganesha says this week will be a mix of challenges and opportunities for you. You may face some obstacles at work initially, but your energy and dedication will help you move forward. Try to express your thoughts and ideologies clearly, this will help your colleagues and superiors understand your point of view better. There will be harmony in family life. This is a good time to spend with family and strengthen relationships. You may meet an old friend, which will give a new perspective to your feelings. Be cautious in terms of health. If you are feeling any kind of fatigue, then relaxation and meditation are needed. Yoga and exercise will help to revive your mind and body. Paying attention to small things will bring you happiness this week. Maintain your inner positivity and show empathy towards others. Stick to auspicious colors like red and orange, as these will increase your enthusiasm.
Taurus
Ganesha says the influence of this week indicates some special experiences. You will be able to understand your feelings and thoughts better. Situations are likely to be beneficial for you, especially in your close relationships. This week, you may see new possibilities in your career. Hard work will open doors to success for you. Also, financial matters will improve, but expenses need attention. Your health will remain normal, but do not forget to take rest from time to time to avoid mental stress. Meditation and yoga may prove beneficial for you. This week, focus on your social life. Spending time with old friends and family will not only improve your emotional health but may also lead to new contacts. Overall, this week is a sign of positivity and growth for you. Keep your confidence high and take advantage of opportunities.
Gemini
Ganesha says there is ample scope for new opportunities this week. This is the time to unleash your original ideas and creativity. Bonding with your friends and family may become even stronger, so do not miss giving them time. In work life, if you are working on a project, collaborating with the team will yield better results. Do not forget the importance of communication; your negotiation skills will help even in difficult situations. In financial matters, it is time to review financial plans. Be careful in making small investments. In terms of health, focus on fitness and include exercise in your routine. This week, also consider adopting a new hobby, which will help improve your mental health. In short, this week will bring you opportunities for positive changes and new possibilities.
Cancer
Ganesha says this week, you will see a new energy in your life. Your relationships will strengthen, and there will be an atmosphere of happiness in the family. You will try to spend some special time with your loved ones, which will deepen your affection even more. In work life, you will be inspired to focus on a new project. Your creativity and insight will be appreciated, which will give you positive results. The efforts made during this time will pay off. There are also possibilities of some new opportunities, be ready to adopt them. In terms of health, meditation and sadhana will help improve your mental health. Doing yoga or meditation will give you a feeling of peace and balance. Financially, it is a good time. You may consider permanent investments and savings that will prove beneficial for the future. Trust yourself and follow your intuition this week. This is the time to stick to your goals and keep positivity alive in your life.
Leo
Ganesha says this week will be full of energy and confidence. You can make a positive impression on the people around you. This is the time for you to bring out your creativity, so focus on projects that reflect your interests. In terms of work, new possibilities are knocking at your door. If you are looking for a new job or project, this week can be very beneficial for you. Express your ideas with clarity, this will make a good impression on your colleagues and seniors. Personal relationships can also see improvement. Spending time with family and friends will bring a wave of happiness to your mind. Relationships with a special person can also deepen. In terms of health, it is important to take a little rest and focus on mental health. Yoga or meditation will be beneficial for you. It is important to use your energy and leadership skills properly this week. Keep moving towards your goals and live life with positivity.
Virgo
Ganesha says this week is going to bring significant changes in your professional and personal life. The hard work you have done will now start bearing fruit. Progress and positive results can be seen in the work. Using organizational skills, consistently execute your plans. You will get an opportunity to spend time with family, which will strengthen relationships. You will be successful in spreading happiness among your loved ones. Be careful about the financial situation; try to avoid unwanted expenses. In terms of health, take time to relax mentally. Yoga and meditation can improve your mental state. Finally, try to learn something new; it can give you mental satisfaction and inspiration. Move forward with positivity and caution this week.
Libra
Ganesha says this week is the time for you to maintain harmony and balance. Your social life will improve, and you can meet new friends. You will get an opportunity to present your ideas clearly, which will help you coordinate better with your colleagues. You are getting the result of your efforts in the work field, but be patient for better results. Try to overcome your laziness this week. If you do every work in a planned manner, then your success is certain. In personal life, it is a good time to strengthen relationships. Spending quality time with your loved ones will increase your mental peace. Try to keep the communication open and honest. From an economic point of view, be cautious about the budget this week. Avoid unnecessary expenses and try to save. Small savings can make a big difference. In terms of health, yoga and meditation will be beneficial for you. Regular exercise will keep the energy flowing in your mind and body. Take full advantage of the opportunities this week, and take care of your emotions and mental health. You will move forward with positivity.
Scorpio
Ganesha says this week, many important opportunities will come your way. You will be able to find solutions to your problems. You will be at your peak in terms of confidence, and this will have a positive effect on your work. The ability to express your thoughts clearly will help you communicate better with colleagues. However, keep in mind that emotional challenges may also come your way. Your sensitivity will make you more generous and empathetic towards others, but sometimes it can also tire you out. It is very important to manage your emotions properly. There is a possibility of happiness in personal relationships this week. Spending time with loved ones will be memorable and will make your relationship stronger. This is a good time to connect with your roots. In terms of your health, it will be necessary to focus on regular exercise and a proper diet. It will be beneficial to engage in activities like meditation and yoga to maintain strong mental health. Focus on your goals this week and try to turn any challenges into opportunities. You will get the fruits of your dedication and hard work.
Sagittarius
Ganesha says this week will be full of new possibilities for Sagittarius natives. Your ideas will be fresh, which will enable you to plan new projects. Social contacts will increase, which will give you support and help. This is the right time to balance your personal and professional life. You will get an opportunity to spend time with family members, which will strengthen your relationships. This week, your creativity will be at its peak; take advantage of it and bring out your talents. Be cautious in terms of health, regular exercise, and a balanced diet will help maintain your energy level. This week, resort to meditation or yoga to avoid mental stress. Whatever decision you take this week, it will include a sense of positivity and hope. Be full of self-confidence and take full advantage of the opportunities.
Capricorn
Ganesha says this week, new projects may come to you at your workplace, which will give you a chance to showcase your abilities. Keep in mind that cooperation and dedication with the team will bring you success. In personal life, there will be an atmosphere of warmth and love in family relationships. Spend time with your loved ones and talk to them openly. This will strengthen your relationships. From a health point of view, keep in mind that to avoid stress, give some time to meditation or yoga. For good health, give importance to a proper diet and exercise regularly. This is the time to be cautious in financial matters. Control unnecessary expenses and strengthen your savings habit. Overall, this week is going to bring positive changes for you. Be mentally prepared for whatever challenges come and keep your willpower strong.
Aquarius
Ganesha says this week, many new possibilities are going to start in your life. Your creativity will flourish, and you will find new ways to express your ideas. Especially in your workplace, you will get support from colleagues, which will help you speed up your projects. In personal life, harmony in relationships will increase. If you were in a dispute, this week you will get a chance to resolve it. Spending more time with your loved ones will be beneficial for your mental health. In terms of health, meditation and yoga can help bring inner peace to you. An old problem that was bothering you is likely to be resolved this week. Be cautious in financial matters. Avoid unnecessary expenses and focus on your savings. New investment opportunities may come your way, but think carefully before you invest. Remember, this week will be an environment of positivity and confidence for you. Keep moving strongly towards your goals and stay away from negativity.
Pisces
Ganesha says this week, a new beginning is indicated for Pisces people. Your sensitivity and insight will be widely recognized. Your relationship with colleagues at the workplace will strengthen, which will enable you to maintain harmony within the team. This week is a good time to express your thoughts and feelings. This will improve your personal and professional relationships. Do not be afraid to share your ideas; the unique perspective you have can inspire others. In terms of health, it is time to take care of yourself. Try to maintain mental and physical health through yoga or meditation. You have to take some time for yourself, so that you feel refreshed again. Your inclination towards spirituality will also increase this week. It will help you achieve inner peace and balance. Try reading some new books or meditating. Remember, positivity is all around you. The biggest lesson of this week will be to listen to your heart and not hesitate to express your feelings.
Ganesha says major job adjustments are possible thanks to your planetary position. The future holds plenty of promising new prospects for you, along with prizes and recognition. By participating in social activities, you will meet influential people who will do you favors and give you advantages. A boost will be given to those who desire to travel abroad for business or pleasure. You will be bursting with energy, making it simple for you to carry out your plans. Nonetheless, health will require attention.
May 27
Ganesha says you are a natural-born learner with a keen intellect and a thirst for knowledge. Your analytical mind and problem-solving skills make you an excellent candidate for careers in science, research, or technology. You have a curious and adventurous spirit that will take you far in life. This year, the stars align in your favor, and you can expect new opportunities to arise. Your love for learning will lead to exciting new discoveries, and you will find yourself embarking on new adventures and taking on new challenges.
May 28
Ganesha says you have a deep sense of compassion and empathy that makes them excellent caretakers, healers, or social workers. You have a gift for understanding others’ emotions and can offer comfort and support when needed. This year, your desire to make a positive impact in the world will be especially strong. You may find yourself drawn to humanitarian causes or volunteering your time and resources to help those in need. Remember to take care of yourself, too, and prioritize self-care and rest.
May 29
Ganesha says you are a fiercely independent individual with a strong desire to carve out your own path in life. You have a natural entrepreneurial spirit and can excel in business or creative pursuits. This year, you will have the courage and determination to pursue your dreams and take risks that lead to greater fulfillment. You may find yourself breaking free from the status quo and exploring new horizons. Your willingness to take chances and embrace change will pay off in the long run.
May 30
Ganesha says you have a natural charm and charisma that draws others to them. You have a gift for communication and can excel in public speaking or sales. Your magnetic personality makes you a natural leader, and people look up to you for guidance and inspiration. This year, your confidence and charm will open doors to new opportunities and connections. You may find yourself embarking on a new romantic relationship or forming a new professional partnership. Remember to stay true to yourself and trust your intuition.
May 31
Ganesha says you have a strong sense of self and a unique perspective on the world. You are a natural-born leader and can excel in any field that allows you to express your creativity and originality. This year, you will find that your innovative ideas and fresh perspective are valued by others and lead to success. Your passion and drive will help you overcome any obstacles that come your way. Remember to stay focused on your goals and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
June 1
Ganesha says you have a gift for diplomacy and bringing people together. You are a natural pacemaker and can excel in any field that requires teamwork and collaboration. This year, your interpersonal skills will be especially valuable as you navigate new relationships and collaborations. You may find yourself taking on a leadership role in a group project or mediating conflicts between others. Remember to stay patient and compassionate, and trust in your ability to bring people together towards a common goal.
DHAKA (TIP): Bangladesh’s interim government chief Professor Muhammad Yunus mulls resignation as he finds it difficult to work because political parties failed to reach a common ground, BBC Bangla service reported at midnight on Thursday quoting student-led National Citizen Party CP party chief Nhid Islam.”We have been hearing news of sir’s (Yunus) resignation since this morning. So I went to meet sir to discuss that issue. He said he is thinking about it. He feels that the situation is such that he cannot work,” Islam told the BBC Bangla.
The NCP convenor said Chief Adviser Yunus expressed his fear that he would not be able to work in the current situation of the country saying,”I won’t be able to work unless the political parties can reach a common ground”.
The leader of the NCP who visibly emerged with Yunus’s blessings in February this year, said he told Yunus “to stay strong for the sake of the country’s security, and future and to meet the expectations of the mass uprising”.
Islam said he told the chief adviser he expected the political parties would forge unity and cooperate with him, and “I hope everyone will cooperate with him”.
The NCP leader, however, said there was no point in Yunus staying if he could not do his work adding, “If the political party wants him to resign now”.
“Why he will stay if he does not get that place of trust, that place of assurance?”.
Yunus’s government in the past two days was exposed to several challenges with a major one involving Bangladesh’s presumably consolidated military forces, which played a crucial role during the last year’s student-led uprising. (PTI)
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