The first look of Huma Qureshi as Elizabeth in the highly anticipated film Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups has been officially revealed. The film, led by Rocking Star Yash and directed by Geetu Mohandas, is slated for a wide theatrical release on March 19, 2026, coinciding with several regional festivals. Qureshi’s introduction into the project has generated considerable interest across the industry.
Depicted in a graveyard setting with weathered tombstones and stone angels, Qureshi’s character is presented with a striking visual style. Wearing an off-shoulder black ensemble beside a vintage car, her presence is described as both elegant and foreboding, signalling a complex role within the film’s gothic landscape.
Huma Qureshi’s career to date includes a diverse range of performances across films and series, with a reputation for tackling demanding and unconventional roles. Her involvement in Toxic is seen as a continuation of her career trajectory, pushing boundaries and defying genre expectations.
Director Geetu Mohandas spoke about the casting challenge, stating, “Casting for this role was perhaps the trickiest. The character demanded a performer with high octane caliber and an undeniable presence. From the moment Huma entered my frame, I witnessed that she possessed something rare. She carried an effortless sophistication and intensity that immediately brought the character of Elizabeth alive for me. Huma is an actor who questions, probes, and challenges the artistic interpretation of a role and that dialogue became an essential part of our creative journey. She has always been known as a powerhouse of talent, but this performance will mark as a turning point for the arrival of an undeniable, commanding new presence on celluloid.”
Month: December 2025
-
Huma Qureshi is Elizabeth in Yash’s Toxic
-
Unnao rape case: Apex court puts on hold HC relief for rape convict Sengar
New Delhi/Muscat (TIP)- The Supreme Court on Monday stopped the release of former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker Kuldeep Singh Sengar, staying a Delhi high court’s order last week that had opened the door for him to walk free and noting that the 2017 Unnao rape case convict was found guilty under both the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (Pocso) and the Indian Penal Code.
A special vacation bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and justices J K Maheshwari and Augustine George Masih, which was hearing the Central Bureau of Investigation’s plea challenging the high court order, said that substantial questions of law had arisen in the matter that required consideration.
The apex court also issued notice to Sengar, seeking his response within four weeks on CBI’s plea. It noted that Sengar was also convicted and sentenced in a separate case and was still in custody in that matter.
“In the peculiar circumstances of the case, we stay the operation of the impugned order dated December 23, 2025, passed by the high court. Consequently, the respondent (Sengar) shall not be released from custody pursuant to the said order,” the bench said.
The order was hailed by the survivor, who attempted self-immolation outside the Uttar Pradesh chief minister’s residence in 2018 to bring attention to her case. “I have got justice from the Supreme Court. I will not rest until he is hanged. I will keep fighting,” she said.
Sengar’s family voiced discontent over the top court’s order. “We have been stripped of our dignity, our peace, and even our basic right to be heard. Still, I hope for justice,” his daughter, Aishwarya Sengar, said in a statement.
Sengar, a strongman politician from the Unnao region of central Uttar Pradesh, has won the assembly elections four times from three different parties, most recently from Bangarmau in 2017 on a BJP ticket.
In 2019, he was convicted under Indian Penal Code Section 376 (rape) and Section 5(c) of the Pocso Act. A year later, he was convicted under IPC Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) over the death of the survivor’s father in custody.
On December 23, the Delhi high court said that Sengar was convicted under Section 5 (C) (aggravated penetrative sexual assault by a public servant) of the Pocso Act but an elected representative did not fit the definition of a “public servant” under Section 21 of IPC. But the top court differed.
“This definition of public servant (given by the HC) in the context of POCSO is a little bit disturbing. We are worried if a constable or patwari will be a public servant but an elected member of a legislative assembly or council who is accused of such an offence, by this definition, will be exempt,” said the bench. The order was passed on an appeal filed by CBI, led by solicitor general Tushar Mehta, who said, “We are answerable to the victim – a child who was 15 years and 10 months at the time of the incident in June 2017 when Sengar was a member of legislative assembly (MLA) in Uttar Pradesh.”
The court also noted the “peculiar” circumstance as Sengar was already in jail after being convicted in the conspiracy to murder the survivor’s father in police custody. Further, the top court observed that the high court may have glossed over the fact that Sengar stood convicted under section 376 (rape) of IPC.
“The high court was not conscious of section 376(2)(i) under which also he was convicted. The conviction is under two penal statutes – IPC and Pocso — but HC proceeds on the premise that conviction is only under one statute,” the bench remarked.
“These are some of the best judges we have…but at the same time, we all are prone to committing mistakes,” the bench added.
-
Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera: Kartik-Ananya’s film fails to impress
Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday’s film Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri was released in theaters on December 25, Christmas Day. Due to the holiday release, the film was expected to have a strong opening. However, Ranveer Singh’s film Dhurandhar has created such a storm at the box office that new releases are struggling to find their footing. Even after three weeks of its release, Dhurandhar’s earnings remain consistently strong.
Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar performed brilliantly on its 23rd day of release, earning approximately Rs 20.50 crore. With this earning, the film has entered the list of the top 10 highest-grossing films in India. The tremendous momentum of Dhurandhar has directly impacted Kartik and Ananya’s film, which is not performing as expected.
According to box office tracker Sacnilk, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri did not show any significant growth on its third day. The film earned only Rs 5.25 crore on its third day. Despite being a Saturday, there was no increase in the films collection, whereas weekend earnings usually see a surge. By Sunday morning at 10 AM, the film had earned only Rs 0.24 crore, which is a worrying figure.
Interestingly, the film earned approximately the same amount, Rs 5.25 crore, on its second day as well. This means there was no difference in the collection between the second and third days. In comparison, Dhurandhar earned almost four times more during the same period, clearly indicating that Ranveer Singh’s film is currently the audience’s first choice. Due to Dhurandhar’s strong hold, other films are receiving fewer viewers.
According to reports, the budget of Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri is said to be around Rs 90 crore. Therefore, the coming days will be crucial for the film. If the film is to recover its costs, it will have to perform better at the box office in the next few days. However, amidst the tough competition from Dhurandhar and Hollywood films, the path ahead for Kartik and Ananya’s film does not look easy. -
Congress flags attack on Christians, writes to PM Modi
Congress MP and general secretary K C Venugopal has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that Christmas celebrations this year were overshadowed by a coordinated wave of intimidation and violence against Christians across BJP-ruled states and urging immediate intervention to ensure such incidents do not recur.
In his letter on Monday, Dec 29, Venugopal said there was an “atmosphere of terror” during the festive period, marked by deliberate attempts to humiliate religious minorities and weaken India’s secular character. He warned that the incidents pointed to a pattern rather than isolated acts of intolerance. The Congress leader cited multiple instances from Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, where mobs allegedly disrupted prayer meetings, vandalised churches and Christmas decorations, and intimidated worshippers. He said women and children were among those targeted, with celebrations turning into scenes of fear. Venugopal also referred to an incident in Palakkad, Kerala, where a mob attacked children, most of them under 15 years, participating in a Christmas carol procession, destroying musical instruments. He said the targeting of children’s religious celebrations reflected a deeper collapse of tolerance and pluralism.
Warning that repeated incidents of moral policing and violent disruptions during New Year festivities had become a pattern, Venugopal said the continued silence of the Prime Minister and the government only emboldened those spreading hatred and violence.
-
Two Telangana women, on US job hunt, killed in California car crash
-
Parminder Aujla
SACRAMENTO (TIP): A car accident in California has claimed the lives of two young women from Telangana, Pullakhandam Meghana Rani and Kadiyala Bhavana, both 24, who were pursuing their dreams in the US. The accident occurred while they were returning from a trip with friends. The incident has left their families and community in shock.
Meghana, affectionately known as Chikki, and Bhavana were close friends and roommates in California. They had recently completed their Master’s degrees and were seeking employment opportunities. Meghana’s father, Nageshwara Rao, runs a Mee-Seva center in Garla, while Bhavana’s father serves as the Deputy Sarpanch of Mulkanoor village.
Local authorities in the US have launched an investigation into the accident, and efforts are underway to bring the mortal remains back to India. A GoFundMe page (link below) has been set up to support Meghana’s family with repatriation expenses. “Any contribution, no matter how small, will help us give my sister a dignified farewell and will mean more to us than words can express,” the page reads.
Bringing Meghana Rani Home for Her Final Journey to India
Help Us Bring Bhavana Chowdary Kadiyala Back Home to Rest -
-
Twenty-year-old Indian-origin student shot dead near University of Toronto
TORONTO (TIP) : A 20-year-old Indian doctoral student has been shot dead near the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus (UTSC), with authorities probing the case as a homicide, officials said.
The shooting took place on Tuesday, December 23, and the Toronto police on Wednesday, December 24, identified the victim as Shivank Avasthi, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
Police were called to the area of Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road at about 3:30 pm on Tuesday for a report of an injured person lying on the ground, Duty Inspector Jeff Allington told reporters near the scene on Tuesday night.
When officers arrived, they found a person with a gunshot wound. That person was pronounced dead at the scene, the report added.
The police are probing the case as a homicide.
“Our immediate focus is on preserving evidence at the scene, determining what happened and notifying this individual’s next of kin. Because of that, there is very little information that I am able to share with you tonight,” Allington said.
Toronto police said the suspect fled the area prior to police arrival. No suspect description has been released.
Meanwhile, India’s Consulate in Toronto expressed “deep anguish” over the student’s “tragic death”.
“We express deep anguish over the tragic death of a young Indian doctoral student, Shivank Avasthi, in a fatal shooting incident near the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus. The Consulate is in touch with the bereaved family during this difficult time, and is extending all necessary assistance in close coordination with the local authorities,” the Consulate posted on X.
A UTSC spokesperson said the university was “extremely saddened” to learn about the death near their campus, but did not confirm if he was a student, CP24 Television network reported.
“We cannot comment on the identity of the victim at this time,” the spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday evening.
“We are grateful to our Campus Safety team, Toronto Police Service and emergency medical service personnel for their immediate response and action.”
The UTSC issued a safety alert advising anyone in a building to stay inside and anyone outdoors to leave the area.
In a social media post, the school said the police investigation is in the Highland Creek Valley at UTSC. It said pathways into the valley remain closed, and people are advised to avoid the valley until police reopen it. -
Thirty Indian origin arrested for illegally operating semi-trucks
El CENTRO, CA (TIP) : U.S. Border Patrol agents have arrested 30 Indian nationals living in the United States without legal status after discovering they were operating semi-trucks with commercial driver’s licenses, authorities said this week.
The arrests were part of a broader immigration enforcement effort in California’s El Centro Sector, where agents apprehended 49 undocumented immigrants between November 23 and December 12, 2025, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The individuals were stopped at immigration checkpoints and during highway inspections while driving commercial vehicles.
Federal officials said the operation was launched in response to growing concerns over public safety and regulatory compliance in the commercial trucking industry. Authorities noted that individuals without lawful immigration status are not permitted to operate commercial motor vehicles under federal law.
Most of the commercial driver’s licenses involved in the case were issued by California, with others traced to states including Florida, Illinois, New York, and Pennsylvania. Officials are now examining how the drivers were able to obtain and use those licenses despite lacking legal authorization to work in the United States.
The enforcement action was carried out in coordination with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations as part of a targeted initiative focusing on commercial trucking operations.
Authorities said the crackdown follows a series of serious and fatal truck crashes in recent months involving undocumented drivers, incidents that have intensified scrutiny of licensing practices and employer compliance in the freight industry.
Those arrested are expected to face immigration proceedings. Federal officials emphasized that investigations into potential employer violations and licensing irregularities are ongoing.
The case has added a new dimension to the national debate over immigration enforcement, labor shortages in the trucking sector, and the responsibility of states and employers to ensure that commercial drivers meet both safety and legal requirements. -
Indian-origin man wins race discrimination claim against KFC franchise manager in UK
LONDON (TIP) : An Indian man who accused his manager at a KFC franchise outlet in south-east London of wrongful dismissal and race discrimination has won nearly 67,000 pounds in compensation after a tribunal ruled in his favor.
Madhesh Ravichandran, from Tamil Nadu, told an employment tribunal hearing that his Sri Lankan Tamil boss discriminated against him and used references such as “slave” and “Indians are fraudsters” directed at him.
In details from the hearing published this week, tribunal judge Paul Abbott upheld Ravichandran’s claim of wrongful dismissal and race discrimination against Nexus Foods Limited.
“The complaints of direct race discrimination are well-founded and succeed,” reads the judgment.
“We have found on the facts that the claimant was subjected to the less favorable treatments… his holiday request was refused because he was Indian and [restaurant manager] Kajan wished to prioritize requests from Sri Lankan Tamil colleagues, and he was referred to as a ‘shit’ and a ‘slave’ which is self-evidently less favorable treatment because of his race,” it notes.
Ravichandran began work at the West Wickham outlet of KFC in January 2023 following his interview with Kajan, whom he reported directly.
After facing months of problems, matters came to a head in July of that year when his boss attempted to make Ravichandran work excessive hours on a shift and handed in his notice.
Judge Abbott said he accepted the evidence that his decision followed “Kajan’s persistent efforts” to make him work “excessive hours”. During follow up calls, Kajan was said to have become “racially abusive and threatening” towards Ravichandran.
“This racial abuse from a manager had, we find, the purpose and the effect of violating the claimant’s dignity,” reads the judgment.
The tribunal concluded that Ravichandran was “summarily dismissed” whilst serving out his notice and was denied his statutory right to one week’s notice.
“It was not asserted by the respondent that the claimant had done anything to entitle it to dismiss the claimant without notice. The claimant was, therefore, wrongfully dismissed and is entitled to be paid one week’s pay in lieu of notice,” it states.
As part of the remedy from the findings of the tribunal hearing held in September, Ravichandran was granted a compensatory sum of 62,690 pounds, with additional payments in lieu of holiday pay and employment related particulars taking the total to around 66,800 pounds.
The tribunal also directed Nexus Foods Limited to implement a “training program for all employees concerning discrimination in the workplace, such program to include training for managers on appropriate handling of grievances in this regard” within six months of the judgment. -
Indian-origin human rights Singapore based lawyer M Ravi found dead
SINGAPORE (TIP) : An Indian-origin former lawyer, M Ravi, widely known for representing death row inmates, including Malaysians, in Singapore, has died on Wednesday at 56. He was found dead in the early hours of December 24, according to a report by The Straits Times. The police are investigating a case of unnatural death, said the daily report.
Ravi, whose full name was Ravi Madasamy, was born in 1969 and was a lawyer for more than 25 years.
He had also been in the news over his conduct and was an advocate for the LGBTQ community and supported the abolition of the death penalty. Ravi was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2006.
Lawyer Eugene Thuraisingam, who had previously served as Ravi’s counsel, said that he “was a man who stood up for and fought hard in court for what he believed in”.
“He was dedicated to his pro bono work and deeply cared for his clients,” the Channel News Asia quoted Thuraisingam as saying.
“He was a friend and he will be deeply missed by all in the legal fraternity.”
According to the Encyclopedia of Singapore Tamils, an online resource, Ravi was a graduate of the National University of Singapore and Cardiff University and was called to the Bar in 1996.
He founded his own law firm, M Ravi Law, in 2019.
In 2023, he was recognized for his human rights work by the International Bar Association, receiving its “Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Legal Practitioner to Human Rights”.
The organization, according to the Channel report, praised Ravi for his “extraordinary dedication to defending human rights and advocating for the decriminalization of homosexuality and the abolition of the death penalty in the Republic of Singapore”.
Thirty-three offences — including murder, drug trafficking, terrorism, use of firearms and kidnapping — warrant the death penalty under Singaporean law.
Ravi had several brushes with the law, being fined for disorderly behavior in 2004 and given a mandatory treatment order to address his bipolar disorder in 2018, before he was sentenced to 14 weeks’ jail for a string of offences in 2024.
He was handed a five-year suspension from practicing law in 2023 for making “grave and baseless accusations of improper conduct” against the attorney-general, officers from the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Law Society.
Ravi was a one-time political candidate, running in the 2015 General Election as part of a Reform Party slate.
He was also an author, publishing an autobiography, Kampong Boy (a boy from a village), in 2013. The book was shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize the following year. -
Indian American oncologist Shikhar Mehrotra wins Medical University of South Carolina’s Impact award
COLUMBIA, SC (TIP): Indian American oncologist Shikhar Mehrotra has received the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) President’s Values in Action (VIA) 2025 Impact award for his groundbreaking work in immunotherapy and its significant impact on cancer patients. Mehrotra received the 2025 Impact Award from MUSC President David J. Cole and his spouse Kathy Cole at a ceremony last month, according to a university release.
Impact awards are not given annually but, instead, are given only when a nominee rises to a level that deserves this recognition. Besim Ogretmen, who nominated his colleague for Innovation, spoke of Mehrotra in the highest terms.
“He’s respected with not only the MUSC family but also with national and international immunologists. I learn every day from Shikhar, and this is so well-deserved. So, thank you Shikhar for everything you do for MUSC.”
Mehrotra expressed his gratitude for the consistent support he has felt at MUSC. “You all have been very supportive and very helpful all through this journey. There are highs and lows in this profession, which we all know, but I think we have kept with it because of the great support system that we have created here at MUSC.”
VIA Award honorees each receive a certificate, a keepsake, an engraved brick on the Charleston Medical District Greenway and a monetary award.
Mehrotra competed his PhD in Immunology in India and post-doctoral fellowship at University of Connecticut Health Center. His research group focuses on understanding T cell biology for improving immunotherapy of cancer.
His lab is testing several strategies by understanding the overlap that exists between the immune cell signaling pathways and cellular metabolic state associated with it, as well as working to combine strategies where targeting kinases with checkpoint blockade could enhance effectiveness of ACT. Dr. Mehrotra is also the Scientific Director of the Clean Cell Therapy Unit at MUSC.
For 10 years, the MUSC community has been acknowledging deserving colleagues with the VIA Awards, which highlight exemplary work surrounding MUSC’s common core values of Compassion, Collaboration, Innovation, Integrity and Respect, according to the release.
The VIA Awards give MUSC team members the chance to nominate those who have gone above and beyond, showing outstanding service to their patients, colleagues and community. -
Indian American internist Padmaja Patel named to the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee
AUSTIN, TX (TIP) : Dr. Padmaja Patel, a board-certified Indian American internist specializing in lifestyle medicine and healthcare transformation strategies, has been named to the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee by Gov. Greg Abbott.
Dr. Patel, who is the president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) and Chief Medical Officer of Nudj Health, an ACLM-certified Lifestyle Treatment Program, was appointed to the committee for a term set to expire Sept. 1, 2029.
The Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee was established to develop nutritional guidelines for residents of the state.
Dr. Patel is a member of the American Medical Association, American College of Physicians, and the American Association of Physician Leaders.
Additionally, she is the president of Midland Quality Alliance, founding chair of the ACLM clinical practice and quality committee, a board member for Healthy City Midland, and a member of the Primary Care Collaborative.
She has served as a member of the professional advisory council for the National Quality Forum and as a member of the Endorsement and Maintenance Committee for the Partnership for Quality Measurement.
Dr. Patel received a premedical degree from Vitthalbhai Patel & Rajratna P. T. Patel Science College and a Doctor of Medicine in Internal Medicine from the University of Missouri.
A pioneer in the field of Lifestyle Medicine (LM), Patel has developed innovative care delivery models. Her work includes designing an office-based intensive cardiac rehabilitation program for physicians.
Dr. Patel has successfully delivered LM-based ITLC programs for chronic disease remission in both in-person and virtual settings. She is a strong advocate for LM integration within health systems across the patient care continuum and in employee and population health.
Her efforts to integrate lifestyle medicine into employee health have resulted in significant cost savings. She has also held the position of lifestyle medicine Medical Director at Wellvana, a national value-based healthcare organization, and as Vice President of the World Lifestyle Medicine Organization.
Dr. Patel has been awarded the prestigious title of Fellow of ACLM in recognition of her remarkable contributions to the field of Lifestyle Medicine. Additionally, she has been honored with the 2023 AMWA Inspire Award, which acknowledges her as a source of inspiration for others through her dedication to healthcare, compassionate treatment of patients, leadership, advocacy, and community service.
Dr. Patel is also a co-founder of Healthy City, a non-profit organization aimed at raising awareness of the benefits of plant-based nutrition and lifestyle medicine within her community. -
10 Indians confirmed dead after joining Russian army, 4 still missing, says man searching for brother
Among them, three were from Punjab, and the other seven were from Uttar Pradesh and Jammu
NEW YORK / NEW DELHI (TIP): Ten Indian youths who had gone abroad to earn a livelihood and later joined the Russian army have been confirmed dead. Among them, three were from Punjab, and the other seven were from Uttar Pradesh and Jammu. To search for these youths, Jagdeep Singh had gone to Russia and other places, but could not find any trace of them.
Returning to India, Jagdeep presented all the documents to Rajya Sabha member Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal’s office, which confirmed the deaths of these young men as per the Russian army. The parents of these deceased youths had been waiting for their children to return safely.
According to Jagdeep, the 10 Indians confirmed dead include Tejpal Singh from Amritsar, Arvind Kumar from Lucknow, Dhirendra Kumar from UP, Vinod Yadav, Yogendra Yadav, and five others. The four missing Indians are Deepak, Yogeshwar Prashad, Azharuddin Khan, and Ram Chandra.
He revealed that he first met Sant Seechewal on June 29, 2024, when he submitted a petition for the safe return of his brother Mandeep and other Indian youths trapped in Russia. Following this, Sant Seechewal met the Foreign Minister and wrote a letter requesting their safe return. Jagdeep mentioned that Sant Seechewal has been helping the affected families.
Jagdeep explained that when he could not find any information about his brother Mandeep, he decided to travel to Russia. Seechewal helped by arranging tickets and also provided him with a letter so that he wouldn’t face any problems in Russia.
He mentioned that he has visited Russia twice. During his first trip, he stayed there for 21 days, and on his second trip, he stayed for two months and gathered substantial information.
Rajya Sabha member Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal appealed to the Indian government to completely stop the recruitment of Indian youths in the Russian army. Referring to the letter he wrote to the Foreign Minister; he stated that he has requested that the bodies of the Indian youths who have died in the Russian army be sent to their families so they can perform the final rites according to their traditions. He also urged strict action against the travel agents who deceive people into joining the army.
-
22-year-old Indian-origin student arrested in US for arson, terrorist threat
HOUSTON (TIP) : A 22-year-old Indian-origin student has been arrested in the US on charges of arson and terroristic threat against family members, according to official records.
Manojh Sai Lella, a senior at the University of Texas at Dallas, was arrested by Frisco police on Monday.
Police responded to Lella’s home after family members reported a mental health episode and alleged threats. Authorities said he allegedly tried to set the home on fire several days earlier.
Lella faces arson with intent of damaging a habitat or place of worship, a first-degree felony, and terroristic threat of a family/household member, a Class A misdemeanor. Police stressed there is no evidence of a threat to a place of worship. Bond was set at USD 100,000 and USD 3,500, respectively, according to the documents. -
Trump administration moves to void thousands of asylum claims
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): The Trump administration has launched a nationwide campaign to invalidate the asylum claims of thousands of people with active cases in U.S. immigration courts by arguing that they can be deported to countries other than their own, CBS News reported on Tuesday, December 30. Another report says that U.S. could deny migrants access to asylum on the grounds they present a public health risk under a newly finalized regulation drafted during the COVID-19 pandemic in President Donald Trump’s first term.
The regulation, effective on Wednesday, December 31, allows U.S. authorities to bar asylum based on “emergency public health concerns generated by a communicable disease,” according to a copy posted in the Federal Register on Monday, December 29. Reuters said it could not immediately independently confirm the report. -
Indian-origin billionaire Jayshree Ullal outshines tech giants like Nadella, Pichai
NEW YORK (TIP): Jayshree Ullal, the president and CEO of Arista Networks, has made history by becoming the world’s richest Indian-origin woman entrepreneur, topping the Hurun Rich List 2025 with a staggering net worth of USD 5.7 billion. This impressive feat surpasses tech giants like Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai, with Ullal’s wealth being more than five times that of Pichai’s USD 1.1 billion.
Ullal’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Born in London and raised in New Delhi, she pursued her passion for engineering, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from San Francisco State University and a Master’s in Engineering Management from Santa Clara University. Her impressive career spans over three decades, with stints at AMD, Fairchild Semiconductor, and Cisco Systems, before joining Arista Networks in 2008.
Under Ullal’s leadership, Arista Networks has transformed into a cloud networking powerhouse, competing with industry giants. The company’s revenue soared to USD 7 billion in 2024, a 20 per cent increase from the previous year.
Ullal’s achievements have earned her numerous accolades, including Ernst & Young’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” award in 2015, Barron’s “World’s Best CEOs” list in 2018, and Fortune’s “Top 20 Business Persons” worldwide in 2019. She also received an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering in 2025.
Ullal’s remarkable success sets a powerful example for women entrepreneurs, especially in male-dominated fields like networking and hardware technology.
-
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia dies at 80
PM Modi, Bangladesh Chief Adviser Yunus, Sheikh Hasina offer condolences
NEW DELHI / NEW YORK (TIP): Khaleda Zia, the longtime chief of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and a three-time prime minister, died on Tuesday morning , December 30, 2025), in Dhaka after a prolonged illness. She was 80.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday , December 30, conveyed his “sincerest condolences” to the family of the late former PM of Bangladesh Khaleda Zia and recollected her contributions to the development of Bangladesh and India-Bangladesh bilateral relations.
The Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, Prof. Mohammed Yunus, said that Begum Zia was not just the leader of a political party but in fact she was an “important chapter of Bangladesh’s history’. Paying tribute to Ms. Zia who passed away at a hospital in Dhaka, Prof. Yunus said, in her demise, Bangladesh has lost a “great guardian” of the nation.
Deposed Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, during whose tenure Khaleda Zia was imprisoned, also conveyed her condolences to BNP’s Acting Chairperson Tarique Zia and said, her demise is an “irreparable loss” for the political life of Bangladesh.
PM Modi recalls meeting with Ms. Zia in 2015
“As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, her important contributions towards the development of Bangladesh as well as India-Bangladesh relations will always be remembered,” said Prime Minister Modi, recollecting his meeting with Begum Zia in June 2015 when he visited Dhaka for the signing of the historic India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement (LBA).“Our sincerest condolences to her family and all the people of Bangladesh. May the Almighty grant her family the fortitude to bear this tragic loss,” PM Modi said. Earlier the Bangladesh Nationalist Party had announced that Ms. Zia passed away at 6 a.m., on Tuesday (December 30), urging everyone to pray for the departed soul.
“Professor Yunus stated that Begum Khaleda Zia was not merely the leader of a political party; she represented an important chapter in the history of Bangladesh. Considering her contributions, her long struggle, and the deep public sentiment towards her, the government declared her a Very, Very Important Person of the State earlier this month,” a statement from the press wing of the Chief Adviser.
Mr. Yunus said Ms. Zia was responsible for enhancing education for women in the country that facilitated improving the condition of women in Bangladesh.
“In her political life, she was enormously successful. She never lost an election. From 1991 to 2001, she was elected in five different parliamentary constituencies. She contested from three constituencies and won in all the three seats,” said Prof. Yunus who gave credit to Begum Zia for allowing structural adjustments in Bangladesh’s economy in the early 1990s.
The statement from Prof. Yunus, described Begum Zia as a “unique symbol of struggle and resistance” for her role during the 16-year long tenure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina when BNP boycotted the elections of 2014, 2018 and January 2024.
Ms. Zia’s last public appearance was on the Armed Forces Day November 21, 2025, an event she has been attending over the decades, as the widow of former Army Chief and President of Bangladesh General Ziaur Rahman.
This year, however, she appeared in a wheelchair while meeting Prof. Yunus and Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman.
She was admitted to the Evercare Hospital of Dhaka on November 23, following lung infection. Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was released from prison hours after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, 2024.
However, Bangladesh Awami League shared the remarks of Ms. Hasina on the passing of Khaleda Zia, long considered to be her rival. “Her contribution is immense as the first Prime Minister of Bangladesh and for the establishment of democracy in Bangladesh. In her death the political life of Bangladesh and the leadership of BNP has suffered an irreparable loss,” Hasina said in her condolence message.
(Source: The Hindu) -
Dr. Hari Shukla Honored with Key to New York City; Joins a Distinguished Lineage of Global Luminaries
-
By I.S. Saluja
NEW YORK CITY (TIP): Dr. Hari Shukla, a highly reputed pediatrician based in Queens, New York, was on December 29, presented with the prestigious Key to New York City by Mayor Eric Adams at a special ceremony honoring his lifetime of service to children, community welfare, and humanitarian causes. The award recognizes Dr. Shukla’s groundbreaking and compassionate contributions to pediatric healthcare, which have improved the lives of countless families across New York City.
Mayor Eric Adams in his speech described Dr. Shukla as “a titan in medicine, a man whose work has changed medical science across the entire globe”. Speaking on the occasion, Mayor Adams recognized Dr. Shukla as a renowned medical expert, celebrated for his groundbreaking immunization strategies, and his pioneering work in neonatal care, which is now standard globally. He also recognized Dr. Shukla for his humanitarian efforts, including disaster relief in India, Haiti, Sri Lanka, and co-founding a free breast cancer clinic for South Asian women. Mayor noted that Dr. Shukla has enrolled over 3000 children in public health insurance programs and advocated for various social causes. Mayor then presented Dr. Shukla the key to the city for his extraordinary public service and impact on global medical science and community welfare.
Dr. Hari Shukla delivers acceptance speech in which he thanked Mayor Eric Adams for the recognition. Dr. Shukla’s professional journey spans decades of clinical excellence. Beyond his medical practice, he has been socially and politically engaged, advocating for public health awareness, education, and the wellbeing of immigrant communities. Widely known for his generosity, Dr. Shukla has extended liberal financial assistance to numerous charitable organizations and institutions dedicated to education, healthcare, and cultural promotion—quietly transforming lives far beyond the walls of his clinic.
It may be of special interest to readers of The Indian Panorama that Dr. Shukla now joins a rare and illustrious group of global figures who have received the Key to New York City over the decades. Among past recipients are Nelson Mandela, honored for his historic struggle against apartheid and reconciliation; Mother Teresa, recognized for her selfless service to humanity’s poorest; Pope John Paul II, for his spiritual leadership and message of peace; and Dalai Lama, for championing compassion and non-violence worldwide.
Mayor Eric Adams poses for a photograph with the family of Dr. Hari Shukla. The honor has also been bestowed upon cultural and social icons such as Muhammad Ali, celebrated for both athletic greatness and moral courage, and Oprah Winfrey, recognized for her transformative influence in media, education, and philanthropy. In more recent years, recipients have included Narendra Modi, for strengthening India–U.S. ties; Malala Yousafzai, for her courageous advocacy of girls’ education; Angelina Jolie, for her extensive refugee work; Serena Williams, for excellence in sport and philanthropy; and Jon Bon Jovi, for his commitment to hunger relief and community service. The City has also honored frontline heroes, including healthcare workers and first responders, for extraordinary service during times of crisis.
Family and friends of Dr. Hari Shukla with Mayor Eric Adams. By welcoming Dr. Hari Shukla into this distinguished company, New York City affirms that service to humanity—whether on a global stage or in a neighborhood clinic—deserves its highest civic honor. The Indian Panorama warmly congratulates Dr. Shukla on this rare and well-earned recognition.
Read below the full speech of Mayor Eric Adams.
“To put the conclusion of the amazing run of being a mayor of this amazing city, I am here today to give the key to the city to Dr Hari Shukla, and you know, just my good friend Fernando Mateo, both of you have made a mark on our city. And I want to first start with Dr Shukla. He’s a titan in medicine, a man whose work has changed medical science across the entire globe. When I was reading up on what you have accomplished in the lives that you have saved, every child that you save, that child goes on to have families and contribute to our society, and so you can’t just look at what you did in medicine as just saving the life of a family member, but you have really saved the lives of what we will become as the entire Human race, and I cannot thank you enough for helping our children.
A proud Indian American humanitarian and a true New Yorker, Dr Hari, I’ve said this before, not all heroes wear capes. They wear white hospital gowns, police uniforms- all the other items that we show every day, and you win a lab coat using your skill as a doctor to save our families. And you are a true hero. Born in India, Dr Shukla, pursuing a career in medicine to serve others, he answered the higher calling to help his brothers and sisters in need with his polio research in India, leading to revised immunization strategies in developing nations. Immigrating to the US in 1980 he continued this groundbreaking medical research, from pioneering medical advances that are now the global standard to his work to help premature infants that is now used in the majority of hospitals in United States and throughout the world, helping countless sick infants to being triple board certified in pediatrics, neonatal parent, prenatal medicine and forensic medicine, and serving as a professor at the NYU School of Medicine, Dr Shukla has changed the face of medical science for 60 years, with passion, integrity and scientific curiosity. His dedication to medical science is only matched by his dedication to helping his fellow, brothers and sisters, giving back to his community through his humanitarian work, leading relief efforts in India, Haiti, Sri Lanka, and response to floods, earthquakes and tsunamis, and co- founded a free breast cancer clinic for South Asian women, and helped enroll over 3000 children in public health insurance programs, as well as advocating for gun violence prevention, drug addiction prevention and flood victims through his nonprofit organizations, which included South Asia of New York, incorporation in the new American voters Association. Incorporation. His extraordinary medical work has touched the lives of so many children and families. The children of New York City and the world are healthier, stronger and safer because of him. And to be able to save a child is probably the most God like effort you can ever do, and you’ve done that, and as we continue to lift up great New Yorkers, I’m just so proud that at the end of my term that I can give you the key to the city for your extraordinary public safety service and for working to better the lives of our precious children, and now for this lasting impact in medicine on the globe, in New York City, it is my honor to present the key to the city of New York, to a New Yorker, a Queens legend. You have opened our hearts, and we’re going to give you the key because we want to open your heart with the love and admiration we have for you.” -
-
Mark Carney’s new package to Ukraine has Canadians divided
By Prabhjot Singh TORONTO (TIP): When Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney rolled out a new economic package for war-torn Ukraine as he and Volodymyr Zelenskyy met briefly at a Halifax-area airport, a chain of reactions, both for and against helping a nation in distress, started. The two leaders embraced as Carney welcomed Zelenskyy to Canada. Zelenskyy touched down for a brief stop on his way to Florida for planned peace talks with U.S. President Donald Trump this weekend, which he called “very important and very constructive.”
Though the “intentions” behind aid or economic packages are seldom a subject of debate, this time the questions are being raised as the quantum of economic assistance offered looks beyond the means of the country that just managed to get its budget for 2025 ratified by the House of Commons by a couple of votes.
Canada has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, committing $6.5 billion in military support along with humanitarian aid.
The $2.5 billion that Canada committed to providing aid should enable the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to lend nearly $10 billion to Ukraine to support reconstruction, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a news release. The funding will also be used to guarantee a loan of up to $322 million from the European Bank to assist Ukraine in reinforcing energy security.
“Canada has committed new support to Ukraine, not only to help end this war, but also to help the Ukrainian people recover and rebuild,” said Carney in the statement.
“Canada stands with Ukraine, because their cause—freedom, democracy, sovereignty—is our cause,” he said.
The new economic package has evoked mixed reactions. While it may be a little far-fetched to link the revival of speculations that a section of the wealthy, perturbed by the rising tax slabs, including the wealth tax, plans to move out to safer tax havens, there is a certain undercurrent of discontent among average taxpayers over the government’s largesse to nations at war.
They hold that with $2.5 billion in new “offerings” to Ukraine, it is no surprise that the federal government is looking at larger deficits. The 2024 fall statement projected a budget deficit of $42.2 billion this fiscal year. The 2025 budget pegged the deficit at $78.3 billion, with deficits exceeding $50 billion for the next five years. Ultimately, these growing deficits will transform into taxes, direct or indirect, besides accelerating rates of both inflation and unemployment.
Some of the economic erosions may be due to conditions that have deteriorated since last year, but the bulk is from new spending. Overall, higher deficits are translating into more debt. As a result, debt servicing charges as a share of federal revenues are expected to increase from 10.5% last fiscal year to more than 13% by 2029–30.
Nonetheless, given the increases in spending and deficits, the federal government has once again changed its fiscal anchor, which is a target that the government articulates to reassure markets, rating agencies, and the public that its finances remain responsible.
An official communique said that since Russia’s unprovoked, unjustified, full-scale invasion, Canada has provided nearly $22 billion in multifaceted assistance for Ukraine, including over $12 billion in direct financial support—making Canada among the largest contributors to Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction. As the Ukrainian people endure another winter of Russian aggression, Canada remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine.
Building on Canada’s strong support for Ukraine, Mark Carney announced last weekend new measures to support a just and lasting peace. Canada has announced an additional $2.5 billion commitment for Ukraine, including financing that will enable the International Monetary Fund to lend Ukraine an additional $8.4 billion as part of an extended financing program, besides Canada’s participation in extended and expanded debt service suspension for Ukraine, for up to $1.5 billion in 2025-26.
Canada’s new economic package also includes a loan guarantee of up to $1.3 billion in 2026 to the World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to support Ukraine’s reconstruction and a loan guarantee of up to $322 million in 2026 to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to support Ukraine’s gas imports and reinforce its energy security.
In Halifax, Carney and Zelenskyy held a bilateral meeting to discuss the latest developments in ongoing peace talks. Mark Carney affirmed Canada’s full support for Ukraine.
Since the beginning of 2022, Canada has committed $6.5 billion in military assistance to Ukraine. This funding will allow Canada to deliver military assistance to Ukraine through 2029.
“The barbarism that we saw overnight—the attack on Kyiv—shows just how important it is that we stand with Ukraine during this difficult time,” Carney said.
Zelenskyy thanked Canada for its support and called the new attacks “Russia’s answer to our peace efforts” and said it showed that Russian President Vladimir Putin “doesn’t want peace.”
Zelenskyy also called Putin a “man of war.”
Moscow has said the new strike was in response to Ukraine’s attacks on “civilian objects” in Russia.
-
Mark Carney names Mark to head the US Embassy
TORONTO (TIP): Going by the adage that you trust your own tribesmen more than others has proven true, as Prime Minister Mark Carney has placed his trust in a fellow financial expert, Mark Wiseman, to head the Canadian Embassy in the United States.
Mark Carney, who himself has been a career banker, while announcing the appointment of Wiseman, said, “
“Mark Wiseman brings immense experience, extensive contacts, and deep commitment at this crucial time of transformation of our relationship with the United States. As a core member of our negotiating team, he will help advance the interests of Canadian workers, businesses, and institutions, while building opportunities for both Canada and the United States.”
It may be a mere coincidence that while the prime minister made his debut in electoral politics early this year, Mark Wiseman will be making his debut in diplomacy in the second month of the New Year.
Once he becomes ambassador on February 15, 2026, Wiseman will be a key contributor to the government’s efforts to advance Canada-U.S. priorities, including secure borders, a strengthened trade and investment relationship, and cooperation between Canada and the United States on global challenges.
He will replace Kirsten Hillman, who has decided to retire. Mark Carney praised her for her immense contributions as Canada’s Ambassador to the United States. In addition to deepening Canada-U.S. ties, Ambassador Hillman has resolutely defended Canadian values and interests and promoted a stronger future for Canadian workers who depend on stable trade, families who count on a safe and secure border, and businesses that must navigate new global uncertainties.
With a career spanning three decades in law, business, and finance, Wiseman has deep experience with both countries’ economies, financial markets, and institutions. He has a strong track record of unlocking new opportunities for Canadians, including as president and chief executive officer of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, as chair of the Board of Directors of the Alberta Investment Management Corporation, and as a current member of the Prime Minister’s Council on Canada-U.S. Relations.
Mark Wiseman is a Canadian business executive and investment manager, economic policy leader, and industry-leading expert in alternatives and active equity investments.
Among his board and advisory roles with various organizations, Wiseman has most recently served as senior advisor and chairman of Lazard Canada, on the board of directors of NOVA Chemicals, as chairman of the board of Alter Domus, and as a senior advisor to the Boston Consulting Group. He also recently served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Alberta Investment Management Corporation from 2020 to 2023. Previously, he was Senior Managing Director at BlackRock, Global Head of Active Equities, Chairman of BlackRock’s alternatives business, and Chairman of its Global Investment Committee. He also served on BlackRock’s Global Executive Committee.
Before joining BlackRock, Wiseman was President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, where he first served as Senior Vice-President, Private Investment, and then as Executive Vice-President, before becoming CEO.
Born in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Wiseman holds a Bachelor of Arts from Queen’s University as well as a law degree and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Toronto. He was a Fulbright Scholar at Yale University, where he obtained a Master of Laws. He also served as a law clerk to Justice Beverley McLachlin at the Supreme Court of Canada.
He is a dedicated community leader who has served on the board of several nonprofit organizations, including Alpine Canada Alpin, Sinai Health System, the Capital Markets Institute, and the Dean’s Advisory Board at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. In 2012, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his service.
(Please print here the detailed introduction of the author Prabhjot Singh )
-
Brown University shooting suspect died from self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials say
BOSTON (TIP): A man suspected of killing two and wounding nine others at Brown University, and then killing a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor, has been found dead in a New Hampshire storage facility where he had rented a unit, officials said.
Claudio Neves Valente, 48, a Portuguese national and a former Brown student, was found dead on Thursday, December 18 evening from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Oscar Perez, the Providence police chief, said at a news conference. Perez said as far as investigators know, the suspect acted alone.’
Leah Foley, the US attorney in Massachusetts, said at a separate news conference in Boston that Neves Valente also killed Nuno FG Loureiro, the MIT physics professor who was shot in his home on Monday, two days after the Brown attack.
“He took his own life tonight,” Perez said at a press conference, where he identified Valente and described the chain of events that had led law enforcement to the storage facility. Peter Neronha, the attorney general of Rhode Island, said Valente was found dead with a bag, and two firearms, as well as evidence in the car “that matches exactly what we see at the scene here in Providence”.
Neronha told reporters that a person with information about the suspected shooter played a key role in finding him. After officials publicized a photo of the suspect about 24 hours ago, an individual “came forward to two Providence police officers over on the east side and said he had information that he was that person and that he had information that could help this case”.
“He blew this case right open,” Neronha said at a press conference. “He blew it open.”
The person’s information led authorities to a vehicle that helped them find a name, “which led us to the photographs of that individual renting the car, which matched the clothing of our shooter here in Providence, that matched the satchel”, Neronha explained.
Neronha said the suspect tried to evade law enforcement by changing license plates.
“This guy was changing plates was one of the reasons,” he said. “He knew what he was doing … we got a main plate and we’ve got a Florida plate on the same car.” The Brown University president, Christina Paxson, said Valente was enrolled at Brown from the fall of 2000 to the spring of 2001. He was admitted to the graduate school to study physics beginning in September 2000. “He has no current affiliation with the university,” she said.
Physics classes typically require access to special equipment, Paxson said, which was located in the building where the shooting took place. Two people were killed and nine were wounded in the mass shooting on Saturday at Brown.
The investigation shifted on Thursday when authorities said they were looking into a connection between the Brown mass shooting and an attack two days later near Boston that killed 47-year-old Loureiro.
Ted Docks, FBI special agent in charge of Boston, told reporters that authorities thought the suspect attended the same university in Lisbon as the MIT professor. Peter Neronha, the attorney general of Rhode Island, said the suspect obtained lawful permanent resident status in September 2017.
Confirmation of the suspected shooter’s death came hours after dozens of law enforcement agents convened on a storage facility in Salem, New Hampshire. Shortly before 8pm, journalist Eli Sherman reported: “Multiple law enforcement officials carrying weapons and wearing full tactical gear” entered the storage facility.
The manhunt for the shooter had started afresh on Monday, December 15 morning after the state’s attorney general announced that a person of interest detained on Sunday had been released, a development that Providence mayor Brett Smiley conceded was “likely to cause fresh anxiety for our community”.
Smiley told CNN that while the release of the original person of interest had been a setback, “that didn’t mean that the other pieces of the investigation were stopped or in any way paused”. The FBI director, Kash Patel, faced criticism on Monday for rushing to social media to celebrate the bureau’s work, only for the person arrested to be freed hours later.
The two students killed were identified by family as Ella Cook, a sophomore from Alabama, and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, an Uzbek national in his first year at Brown. Cook was vice-president of Brown’s College Republicans of America chapter; Umurzokov dreamed of becoming a neurosurgeon.
(Source: Agencies / CNN) -
Houston hosts Diwali celebration marking UNESCO cultural heritage status
The Consulate General of India in Houston, in collaboration with BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, hosts the celebration
HOUSTON (TIP): A special event celebrating the inclusion of Diwali in UNESCO’s cultural heritage list was held at the Indian mission here. The event, organized last week, featured a ceremonial lamp-lighting, cultural performances and a light show, with participation from members of the Indian diaspora and elected officials. The Consulate General of India in Houston, in collaboration with BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and other Indo-American diaspora organizations, hosted the celebration to mark Diwali’s inscription on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Speaking on the occasion, Consul General D C Manjunath highlighted the global significance of the recognition and Diwali’s universal message of light, harmony and goodwill.
“This global recognition is a moment of pride for the Indian diaspora and friends of India worldwide. We are grateful to the community for coming together to celebrate this auspicious occasion,” he said.
To mark the cultural recognition, the Indian Consulate General in Atlanta was also illuminated with diyas.
UNESCO on December 10 inscribed Diwali (Deepavali) on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2025, recognizing it as a living cultural tradition practiced by millions across India and the global diaspora.
The festival, celebrated over multiple days, is rooted in community participation, shared rituals and intergenerational transmission of values symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
A total of 67 nominations submitted by nearly 80 countries, including India, were examined during the week-long session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held at Delhi’s iconic Red Fort.
Indian diplomatic missions worldwide, including those in Lebanon and Chile, also marked the occasion through cultural events.
(Source: PTI) -
Canada, U.S. to launch formal talks to review their FTA in mid-January 2026
Mark Carney confirmed to Provincial leaders that Dominic LeBlanc will be the country’s point person for U.S.-Canada trade relations
TORONTO (TIP): Canada and the U.S. will launch formal discussions to the review their free trade agreement in mid-January 2026, the office of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said.
The Prime Minister confirmed to Provincial leaders that Dominic LeBlanc, the country’s point person for U.S.-Canada trade relations, “will meet with U.S. counterparts in mid-January 2026 to launch formal discussions,” Mr. Carney’s office said in a statement late Thursday (December 18, 2025). The United States-Mexico-Canada trade pact, or USMCA, is up for review in 2026. U.S. President Donald Trump negotiated the deal in his first term and included a clause to possibly renegotiate the deal in 2026. Mr. Carney met with the leaders of Canada’s Provinces on Thursday, December 18, 2025, to give them an update on trade talks with the U.S.
Canada is one of the most trade-dependent countries in the world, and more than 75% of Canada’s exports go to the country’s southern neighbour. But most exports to the U.S. are currently exempted by USMCA.
Mr. Trump’s cut off trade talks to reduce tariffs on certain sectors with Mr. Carney in October after the Ontario Provincial Government ran an anti-tariff advertisement in the U.S. That followed a spring of acrimony, since abated, over Mr. Trump’s insistence that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state.
Mr. Carney said earlier Thursday, December 18, 2025, that Canada and the U.S. were close to an agreement at the time on sectoral tariff relief in multiple areas, including steel and aluminum. Tariffs are taking a toll on certain sectors of Canada’s economy, particularly aluminum, steel, auto and lumber.
Mr. Carney also said trade irritants flagged this week by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are elements of a “much bigger discussion” about continental trade. Mr. Greer said a coming review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade deal will hinge on resolving U.S. concerns about Canadian policies on dairy products, alcohol and digital services.
Mr. Carney and the Provincial premiers agreed to meet in person in Ottawa early in 2026. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $2.7 billion worth of goods and services cross the border each day.
About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, as are 85% of U.S. electricity imports.
Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing in for national security. Mr. Carney said U.S. access to Canada’s critical Ministers is not a certainty.
“It’s a potential opportunity for the United States, but it’s not an assured opportunity for the United States. It’s part of a bigger discussion in terms of our trading relationship, because we have other partners around the world, in Europe for example, who are very interested in participating,” Mr. Carney said earlier on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
-
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS STREET HEALTH OUTREACH + WELLNESS (SHOW) PROGRAM DISTRIBUTES OVER 14,000 CLOTHING ITEMS DONATED BY UNIQLO
- Distribution of UNIQLO’s HEATTECH thermal tops, bottoms, and socks provides critical protective layers for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness and prolonged cold weather exposure.
- Since program’s launch, SHOW teams have provided over 280,000 engagements to New Yorkers, including 35,000 visits with a primary care provider
NEW YORK, NY (TIP): NYC Health + Hospitals today announced that its Street Health Outreach + Wellness (SHOW) teams have distributed more than 14,000 items of UNIQLO clothing to patients facing homelessness and prolonged cold weather exposure. Over the last two years, UNIQLO’s The Heart of LifeWear initiative has donated thousands of HEATTECH thermal layers and accessories, including tops, bottoms, socks, hats, and gloves, helping SHOW teams protect their patients from hypothermia, frostbite, respiratory illnesses, and other health complications that result from excessive cold exposure. The donation provides meaningful support for SHOW’s mission to meet New Yorkers where they are with medical care, behavioral health services, substance use treatment, and housing support to build trust and eliminate barriers to care. Since the program launched in April 2021, SHOW teams have provided over 280,000 engagements with New Yorkers, forging relationships with thousands of patients and connecting them to specialty, harm reduction, social services, and primary care.
“Support from partners like UNIQLO strengthens our ability to reach people experiencing homelessness with compassion, urgency, and dignity,” said Deborah Brown, NYC Health + Hospitals Senior Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer. “Their generosity — and the generosity of so many who stand with us — provides our SHOW teams with essential resources to protect patients from the cold and to build the trust that is the foundation of lasting care. We are deeply grateful for UNIQLO’s continued commitment to this work, and for every partner who helps ensure that all New Yorkers are connected to high-quality health care.”
“For our patients, many of whom spend their days and nights outside, staying warm isn’t just about comfort — it’s about their safety and survival,” said Andy Cook, SHOW Program Director. “These HEATTECH items have become an essential part of our hygienical toolkits, allowing our teams to offer patients protection from the cold and to build trust in ways that open doors to more intensive medical and behavioral health care. We are deeply grateful for UNIQLO’s continued support of our program and the meaningful impact their clothing donation has had for New Yorkers in need.”
“Offering clothing and other material goods is a meaningful intervention that has changed the course of many of our patients’ lives,” said Dr. Yinan Lan, Medical Director of the SHOW Program. “When we restore our patients’ dignity, they often have renewed interest in improving their health and trust in our providers, creating new relationships for many people long disconnected from care. I sincerely appreciate UNIQLO’s donation, which has helped forge trust with our patients, and protected thousands from excessive cold weather exposure, allowing us to spend more time addressing their other health concerns.”
“Our mission at UNIQLO is to make everyday life better through clothing,” said Jean Shein, Global Director of Sustainability at UNIQLO. “We are grateful to work with partners like NYC Health + Hospitals who are dedicated to improving the lives of their patients. In addition to the incredible health services provided by the SHOW program, we hope our warm winter essentials will help New Yorkers stay warm and healthy this winter season.”
The Street Health Outreach + Wellness (SHOW) program deploys a fleet of six mobile health units across New York City to meet unhoused and street homeless New Yorkers where they are, and build engagement and trust through care and services. Access is provided in real-time, with no appointments needed, no insurance requirements, and no cost to the patient. Patients are assessed for urgently needed care, including wound care and vaccinations, and offered physical and mental health screenings, harm reduction education, and social services. SHOW teams — which include a medical provider, social worker, addiction counselor, peer counselor, registered nurse, patient care associate, community health worker, and clerk — provide services onboard the SHOW unit and walk block-by-block to offer services to those living on the street, often in locations only accessible on foot like parks and subways.
SHOW teams work in concert with the public hospital system’s four Primary Care Safety Net (PCSN) at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, Elmhurst, Lincoln, and Woodhull to provide longitudinal, multidisciplinary care to patients experiencing homelessness and patients with complex medical, behavioral health, and social needs. By coordinating care between teams with SHOW and PCSN, clinicians are able to meet patients where they are, address medical issues before they result in emergency room visits and hospital admissions, build relationships of trust with historically stigmatized populations, and establish longitudinal care to drive positive outcomes in both health and housing.
In July 2025, SHOW enhanced its street-based primary care capacities with the addition of point-of-care lab testing (POCT), point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), and blood draw services. These medical services have further improved SHOW providers’ ability to evaluate and manage patient needs in the field and reduce their barriers to critically needed care.
Since the program launched in April 2021, SHOW teams have performed over 280,000 engagements, 35,000 medical consultations, and 33,000 behavioral health engagements. Since the SHOW program began working with the public health system’s Safety Net clinics, it has connected over 1,700 patients to primary care, specialty care, or substance use treatment. In addition, over half of patients who have received medical consultations have received care at a SHOW unit two or more times. To date, SHOW teams have distributed over 90,000 hygienical kits, 90,000 vaccinations, 6,000 Narcan nasal sprays, 4,600 fentanyl test strips, and 3,600 xylazine test strips.
If you would like to make a donation to NYC Health + Hospitals, please visit our website or contact philanthropy@nychhc.org. Your charitable contribution can be directed to our patients’ and staff members’ most urgent needs and leave a lasting legacy that strengthens an array of comprehensive health services available to all New Yorkers.
-
Governor Hochul Signs Legislation to Assess Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History Education and Establish Advisory Committee to Support AANHPI Content in Schools
ALBANY, NY (TIP): Governor Kathy Hochul signed Legislation S7855E/A8463-E which assesses teaching on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history in social studies curricula in New York and establishes an advisory committee on the future of AANHPI content in schools. By signing this bill, the Governor demonstrates her commitment to ensuring all New York students receive a quality education, which includes the integration of historical content covering the AANHPI community.
“AANHPI history is New York history, and our classrooms should reflect that fact,” Governor Hochul said. “I am proud to sign legislation affirming our commitment to AANHPI New Yorkers that their story is not just part of, but essential to New York students’ education. This law ensures that students across the state will have the tools to understand and appreciate the impact of these communities on our nation.”
Today’s bill signing is part of Governor Hochul’s broader effort to strengthen inclusive history education – supporting African American, Indigenous, Holocaust, and AANHPI history so New York students receive a more complete and accurate understanding of the state and nation’s past.
Research and advocacy efforts find that teaching comprehensive cultural history encourages empathy, reduces bias, and strengthens community belonging for all students and promotes cross-cultural understanding, helping students from diverse backgrounds appreciate the rich contributions of all ethnic groups to American history.
Representative Grace Meng said, “I’m thrilled to see this crucial measure become law. Thank you to Governor Hochul for signing the bill and thank you to Senator Liu and Assemblymember Lee for introducing it. In Congress, I have pushed legislation to promote the teaching of AANHPI history in schools across the United States. For generations, AANHPI history has been poorly represented in our education system and social studies textbooks, and it is way past time for that to change. It is critical for our next generation to understand that AANHPI history IS American history. It IS New York history.”
State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “I am grateful that Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation to direct a statewide survey on how Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history is taught in our schools and to establish a dedicated advisory committee to guide this important work. Education is one of our most powerful tools to fight ignorance, discrimination, and hate and this law is a meaningful step to building an education system that is inclusive and accurately reflects all communities. I want to thank my colleagues Senator John Liu and Assembly Member Grace Lee for their leadership in sponsoring this legislation, and Governor Hochul for signing it into law.”
State Senator John Liu said, “In signing the AANHPI Education Equity Act into law, New York is now one step closer to a statewide AANHPI curriculum that would at long last truly validate the lived experiences of Asian Americans in New York. This survey bill is not the endgame, but an important step in that direction by measuring how AANHPI history is currently taught in classrooms, and how it is not. Gaining this understanding will help shape our curriculum in the future so we can make sure the education of all students throughout the state accurately reflects the diverse communities that have shaped it.”
Assemblymember Grace Lee said, “The AANHPI Education Equity Act is about telling the complete American story. For generations, Asian Americans have helped build this country, yet our histories have too often been left out of our classrooms. This law affirms that our stories matter, that our children belong, and that an inclusive education strengthens our community. I’m grateful to the community advocates for their work on this effort, to Senator John Liu for his partnership and to Governor Hochul for championing an inclusive education that affirms belonging for all students.”
New York City Council Member Linda Lee said, “More than 1.2 million New Yorkers of AANHPI descent call New York City home, and we have made, and will continue to make, vital contributions to the fabric of our city, state, and country. As one of the first Korean Americans to serve on the City Council, I am proud to see AANHPI studies included in the curriculum of our schools to foster a more inclusive and enriching educational environment. Thank you to Governor Hochul for signing this legislation for AANHPI New Yorkers.”
New York City Council Member Sandra Ung said, “It is essential that New York classrooms reflect the full story of our communities and acknowledge the contributions of the AANHPI community. This legislation is an important step toward that goal by assessing how these histories are currently taught and establishing a committee to support their inclusion. I applaud Governor Hochul for signing this bill and thank Senator Liu and Assemblymember Lee for their leadership.”