teamA-GG

Indian immigration agent pleads guilty in international students fraud case in Canada; sentenced to three years in jail

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TORONTO (TIP): An Indian immigration agent at the center of a scam to cheat students from India by issuing fake college admission to procure Canadian visas has been sentenced to three years in jail after he pleaded guilty before a court in Vancouver to immigration offences, according to a media report. Brijesh Mishra, 37, was … Indian immigration agent pleads guilty in international students fraud case in Canada; sentenced to three years in jail

Indian-origin truck driver who caused bus crash in Canada ordered to be deported

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Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, a truck driver from Calgary, barreled through a stop sign and into the path of the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team’s bus at a rural intersection near Tisdale, Saskatchewan, in 2018 TORONTO (TIP): An Indian-origin truck driver who caused a horrific bus crash in Canada involving a junior hockey team was on … Indian-origin truck driver who caused bus crash in Canada ordered to be deported

SWING TO THE ‘RHYTHMS OF INDIA’ WITH WYNTON MARSALIS & JLCO

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By Mabel Pais ‘Jazz at Lincoln Center’ closes out its 2023-24 concert season – a year-long celebration of community – with the final inspirational performance: ‘RHYTHMS OF INDIA: the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) with Wynton Marsalis’, reflecting the organization’s commitment to bridging divides and strengthening a global jazz community. The concert takes place … SWING TO THE ‘RHYTHMS OF INDIA’ WITH WYNTON MARSALIS & JLCO

India’s Election Humbles Narendra Modi

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He expected a blowout, but his party lost more than one-fifth of its seats and its outright majority “For the BJP, disappointment stems from inflated expectations. On the campaign trail Mr. Modi boasted that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance aimed to win more than 400 seats this year. He also claimed that he had been … India’s Election Humbles Narendra Modi

Earthquakes shake Japanese region, collapse two homes damaged in deadly January quake

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Tokyo (TIP): Earthquakes early on June 4 again struck Japan’s north-central region of Ishikawa, still recovering from the destruction left by a powerful quake on January 1, but the latest shaking caused only minor damage. A magnitude 5.9 temblor on the northern top of the Noto Peninsula was followed minutes later by a 4.8 and … Earthquakes shake Japanese region, collapse two homes damaged in deadly January quake

China pressuring other nations not to attend Ukraine peace talks: Zelenskyy

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Singapore (TIP): President of Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused China of helping Russia to disrupt a Swiss-organised peace conference on the war in Ukraine, speaking at Asia’s premier security conference on June 2. In a news conference at the Shangri-La defense forum in Singapore, Zelenskyy said that China is pressuring other countries and their leaders not … China pressuring other nations not to attend Ukraine peace talks: Zelenskyy

North Korea sends hundreds of more trash-carrying balloons to South Korea

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Seoul (TIP): North Korea launched hundreds of more trash-carrying balloons toward the South after a similar campaign a few days earlier, according to South Korea’s military, in what Pyongyang calls retaliation for activists flying anti-North Korean leaflets across the border. Between June 1 and June 2 morning, about 600 balloons flown from North Korea have … North Korea sends hundreds of more trash-carrying balloons to South Korea

Mexico elects Sheinbaum as first woman president

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Mexico City (TIP): Claudia Sheinbaum, a scientist with a PhD in physics, has been elected by a huge margin as Mexico’s first female president. Sheinbaum, 61, will succeed her mentor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who first included her in the government in 2000 and with whom she broke away from the Party of Democratic Revolution … Mexico elects Sheinbaum as first woman president

ANC in talks with 5 parties for coalition govt in S Africa

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Johannesburg (TIP): Top officials in South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) have had initial talks with representatives of five other parties over a coalition or other agreement to form a government, but no decision has been made and the talks are at an early stage, the ANC said June 5. South Africa faced an election … ANC in talks with 5 parties for coalition govt in S Africa

Ukraine hits Russian oil facilities

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Kyiv (TIP): In Kyiv’s ongoing effort to disrupt the Kremlin’s war machine, Ukrainian drones struck an oil refinery and a fuel depot in Russian border regions, officials in the targeted areas said on June 6. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined world leaders in France on Thursday to commemorate the D-Day invasion and seek more … Ukraine hits Russian oil facilities

40 killed in Israel’s ‘targeted’ strike on UN school in Gaza

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CAIRO/JERUSALEM (TIP): Israel hit a Gaza school on June 6 with what it described as a targeted airstrike on up to 30 Hamas fighters inside. A Hamas official said 40 people, including women and children, were killed as they were taking shelter in the UN site. Video footage showed Palestinians hauling away bodies after the … 40 killed in Israel’s ‘targeted’ strike on UN school in Gaza

6 Indian tourists injured in jeep mishap in Nepal

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Kathmandu (TIP): Six Indian tourists, mostly senior citizens, were injured when the jeep they were travelling in overturned near a lake in Nepal’s Chitwan district on June 2, officials said. The accident took place near Darai Lake at Khaireni. The tourists were heading towards Chitwan National Park for a jungle safari, said Kedarnath Panta, chairperson … 6 Indian tourists injured in jeep mishap in Nepal

Nepal government recalls 11 envoys, including from India, USA and UK

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KATHMANDU (TIP): Nepal government has recalled ambassadors from 11 countries, including those serving in India and the US and appointed under the Nepali Congress’ quota, three months after Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ terminated his alliance with the party and joined hands with KP Sharma Oli. Despite strong reservations from Deputy Prime Minister and … Nepal government recalls 11 envoys, including from India, USA and UK

Pakistan elected as UNSC non-permanent member

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United Nations (TIP): Pakistan, Somalia, Denmark, Greece and Panama on June 6 were elected as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council for a two-year term, starting January 1, 2025. They were elected by a secret ballot in the UN General Assembly. In the two seats for African and Asia-Pacific States, Somalia got 179 votes … Pakistan elected as UNSC non-permanent member

Top leaders of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, 4 other nations likely to attend Modi’s oath ceremony

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New Delhi (TIP): Top leaders of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius and Seychelles are likely to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the weekend, authoritative sources said on June 6. It is learnt that India has already sent invites to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lankan President … Top leaders of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, 4 other nations likely to attend Modi’s oath ceremony

Pakistani PM Sharif in Beijing for talks with President Xi to seek more investments, elevate ties

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Beijing (TIP): Visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reached Beijing for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders to elevate all-weather bilateral ties and prospects of more aid and investments to bail out his cash-strapped country from the current economic crisis. Sharif, on a five-day official visit to China since June 4, … Pakistani PM Sharif in Beijing for talks with President Xi to seek more investments, elevate ties

Democracy Prevails: Reflections on India’s 2024 General Elections

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In a resounding testament to the resilience of democracy, India’s 2024 General Elections bore witness to a pivotal moment in the nation’s political landscape. After a decade marked by soaring rhetoric, unfulfilled promises, and growing disillusionment, the electorate delivered a clear verdict, signaling a shift away from the status quo. For ten years, the Modi … Democracy Prevails: Reflections on India’s 2024 General Elections

T20 World Cup is seeking to energize cricket’s newest format

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Barely a week after the Indian Premier League final (IPL), most of the leading cricketers have already got down to the grind as the ICC Twenty20 World Cup commenced in the United States of America on Saturday (U.S. time). The willow game no longer has an off-season and the championship that would meander through the … T20 World Cup is seeking to energize cricket’s newest format

India’s Elections 2024: A slight sigh of Relief; Will it last?

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“The people of India have unequivocally rejected the BJP’s agenda, which sought to undermine the constitution and transform the country. This election outcome is a resounding endorsement of the current constitutional framework envisioned and implemented by Jawaharlal Nehru and B.R. Ambedkar. The voters appeared to have arrested the development of the nation’s slide towards dictatorship … India’s Elections 2024: A slight sigh of Relief; Will it last?

Gone are days for single party majority; alliances are back

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Institutions, including political outfits, always stay taller than individuals who come and go. Institutions stay. Of course, individuals contribute immensely to building institutions, but they seldom become indispensable. “The party that looked “unbeatable” till early this year, met its Waterloo in its own backyard of the Hindi heartland, including Uttar Pradesh which sends 80 of … Gone are days for single party majority; alliances are back

Bangladesh launches massive evacuation as cyclone Remal approaches from Bay of Bengal

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Dhaka (TIP): Bangladesh on May 27 launched an intensified evacuation campaign in vulnerable areas as it prepares for severe cyclonic storm ‘Remal’ forecast to make landfall by evening or midnight with a potential high tidal surge and heavy rainfall in the country’s coastal districts of Satkhira and Cox’s Bazar. According to the latest cyclone warning … Bangladesh launches massive evacuation as cyclone Remal approaches from Bay of Bengal

Pakistan arrests 140 suspects for alleged involvement in attacks on Christians in Punjab province

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Lahore (TIP): Pakistan’s Punjab police on May 29 claimed to have arrested a total of 140 suspects involved in attacking members of the Christian minority, their properties and police personnel on the issue of alleged desecration of the Quran. A charged mob led by radical Islamist Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) activists last week attacked the Christian … Pakistan arrests 140 suspects for alleged involvement in attacks on Christians in Punjab province

Youngest Indian Everest summiter felicitated by Nepal PM Prachanda among others

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Kathmandu (TIP): Kaamya Karthikeyan, the youngest Indian Mount Everest summiter, was on May 29 felicitated by Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ at a special function here on the International Everest Day along with other veteran international summiters. The International Everest Day is celebrated on May 29 every year to mark the first ascent … Youngest Indian Everest summiter felicitated by Nepal PM Prachanda among others

Taiwan Parliament passes ‘pro-China’ Bills, sparking protest

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Taipei (TIP): Taiwan’s opposition-controlled legislature passed changes on May 25 that are seen as favouring China and diminishing the power of the island’s president, sparking protests by thousands of people. The changes pushed by the opposition Nationalist Party and its allies would give the legislature greater power to control budgets, including defense spending that the … Taiwan Parliament passes ‘pro-China’ Bills, sparking protest

UK’s July General Election: Impact on India FTA, Indo-Pacific tilt

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London (TIP): The prospect of an India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) has been kicked into the long grass after British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak surprised many this week with a snap summer poll on July 4, exactly a month after India’s election results on June 4. While political analysts and strategic experts have expressed confidence … UK’s July General Election: Impact on India FTA, Indo-Pacific tilt

10K asylum seekers entered UK on small boats since Jan: Govt

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London (TIP): Over 10,000 asylum seekers have arrived in Britain in small boats so far this year, updated government data showed on May 24, underlining a key challenge facing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ahead of a July 4 national election. The number of people landing on England’s southern beaches after making the dangerous Channel crossing … 10K asylum seekers entered UK on small boats since Jan: Govt

Iran opens registration for June presidential election after Raisi died in helicopter crash

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Dubai (TIP): Iran opened a five-day registration period on May 30 for hopefuls wanting to run in the June 28 presidential election to replace the late Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash earlier this month with seven others. The election comes as Iran grapples with the aftermath of the May 19 crash, … Iran opens registration for June presidential election after Raisi died in helicopter crash

Nuclear envoys of South Korea, US, Japan condemn North Korean spy satellite launch attempt

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Seoul (TIP): Nuclear envoys of South Korea, the US and Japan on May 28 strongly condemned North Korea’s latest attempt to launch a military spy satellite, casting it as a blatant violation of UN resolutions and a serious threat to peace. Lee Jun-il, director general for Korean Peninsula policy, discussed the North’s botched space rocket … Nuclear envoys of South Korea, US, Japan condemn North Korean spy satellite launch attempt

Cops search European Parl over suspected Russian interference

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Brussels (TIP): Belgium’s federal prosecutor’s office said on Wednesday that police carried out searches at the residence of an employee of the European Parliament and at his office in the Parliament’s building in Brussels over suspected Russian interference. Prosecutors said in statement that the suspect’s office in Strasbourg, where the EU Parliament’s headquarters are located … Cops search European Parl over suspected Russian interference

Hong Kong convicts 14 pro-democracy activists

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Hong Kong (TIP): Fourteen pro-democracy activists were convicted in Hong Kong’s biggest national security case on May 30 by a court that said their plan to effect change through an unofficial primary election would have undermined the government’s authority and created a constitutional crisis. After a 2019 protest movement that filled the city’s streets with … Hong Kong convicts 14 pro-democracy activists