teamA-GG

Dirty Dozen: IRS warns about fake charities exploiting taxpayer generosity

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WASHINGTON D.C. (TIP): In the sixth part of the “Dirty Dozen” tax scams for 2024, the Internal Revenue Service warned taxpayers about groups masquerading as charitable organizations to attract donations from unsuspecting contributors. In natural disasters and other tragic events, it’s common for compassionate individuals to donate money to help the victims. Unfortunately, scammers often … Dirty Dozen: IRS warns about fake charities exploiting taxpayer generosity

U.S. Treasury Secretary heads to China to talk trade, anti-money laundering and Chinese ‘overproduction’

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Janet Yellen will hold with finance leaders and Chinese state officials in Guangzhou and Beijing WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is headed to a China determined to avoid open conflict with the United States, yet the world’s two largest economies still appear to be hashing out the rules on how to compete … U.S. Treasury Secretary heads to China to talk trade, anti-money laundering and Chinese ‘overproduction’

Senior U.K. jurists join calls to stop arms sales to Israel

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LONDON (TIP): More than 600 British jurists, including three retired judges from the U.K. Supreme Court, are calling on the government to suspend arms sales to Israel, piling pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak after the deaths of three U.K. aid workers in an Israeli strike. In an open letter to Mr. Sunak published late … Senior U.K. jurists join calls to stop arms sales to Israel

U.S. support to Israel depends on protecting Gaza civilians; President Biden tells Netanyahu

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): President Joe Biden warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on April 4 that U.S. policy on Israel depends on the protection of civilians in Gaza, in his strongest hint yet of possible conditions on military aid after an Israeli strike killed seven aid workers. In their first call since the deaths of the … U.S. support to Israel depends on protecting Gaza civilians; President Biden tells Netanyahu

Nation paid price for BJP’s compulsion to get donations at all costs: Jairam Ramesh

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NEW DELHI (TIP): The Congress on April 4 alleged that the nation has had to pay a price as the BJP’s “compulsion” to get donations at all costs prompted the government to come up with the electoral bond scheme despite the Reserve Bank of India’s advice against it. Congress General Secretary (Communication) Jairam Ramesh made … Nation paid price for BJP’s compulsion to get donations at all costs: Jairam Ramesh

USA must drop charges against Julian Assange: Amnesty International

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LONDON (TIP)– Authorities in the USA must drop the espionage and all other charges against Julian Assange that relate to his publishing activities as part of his work with Wikileaks. The US government’s unrelenting pursuit of Julian Assange for having published disclosed documents that included possible war crimes committed by the US military is nothing … USA must drop charges against Julian Assange: Amnesty International

Amazon Web Services lays off hundreds of staff in sales, marketing and tech roles

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WASHINGTON (TIP): Amazon Web Services has eliminated several hundred sales, marketing and tech roles, it said on Wednesday, April 3, the latest in a series of job cuts by its parent Amazon.com. The impacted staff include a few hundred each at AWS’ sales, marketing and global services division and the physical stores’ technology team, the … Amazon Web Services lays off hundreds of staff in sales, marketing and tech roles

UK’s higher salary thresholds for overseas skilled work visas kick in

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For those applying under the Skilled Worker visa route, the salary threshold for an application will rise from GBP 26,200 to GBP 38,700 – an increase of 48 per cent LONDON (TIP): Significantly higher salary thresholds for overseas workers, including Indians, applying for the UK’s Skilled Worker visas kicked in on Thursday, April 4, as … UK’s higher salary thresholds for overseas skilled work visas kick in

First batch of Indian workers left for Israel; India urges Tel Aviv to ensure their safety

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NEW DELHI (TIP): India on Thursday said it has urged Israel to ensure safety of the Indian construction workers who have gone to the country this week under the framework of a bilateral agreement. Israeli Ambassador to India Naor Gilon said on Tuesday, April 2, that the first batch of over 60 Indian construction workers … First batch of Indian workers left for Israel; India urges Tel Aviv to ensure their safety

Indian student group begins ‘Fair Visa, Fair Chance’ campaign in UK

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MAC has been commissioned to review the Graduate Route visa by UK Home Secretary James Cleverly to ensure it is ‘fit for purpose’ and is expected to report by next month LONDON (TIP): One of the UK’s prominent Indian student representative organizations on Thursday, April 4, began a new ‘Fair Visa, Fair Chance’ campaign in … Indian student group begins ‘Fair Visa, Fair Chance’ campaign in UK

5-year-old Indian -origin girl and her mother die in car crash in Oregon

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HUBBARD, OREGON (TIP): A horrific car accident on Saturday, March 30th, claimed the life of a young child and ultimately led to the passing of the mother, leaving a family shattered and in desperate need of support. Naresh Babu Kamatham and his family were struck by tragedy after they were involved in a collision near … 5-year-old Indian -origin girl and her mother die in car crash in Oregon

Modi’s claim of 400 plus seats entails 100% EVM-VVPAT

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“Free and fair elections are fundamental to a thriving democracy. One of the foremost indications of that effect is citizenship participation in the democratic process. It is every citizen’s right and duty to vote in the electoral process. Through that participation, they help to build a better democratic system that could effectively serve the public. … Modi’s claim of 400 plus seats entails 100% EVM-VVPAT

GDP growth should be a corollary of job creation

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It is time for a paradigm shift. The focus needs to shift from GDP growth to the creation of more productive and better-paying jobs. “A national mission for achieving 100 per cent modern solid waste management, sewage treatment and processing and utilization of bio-waste as a source of renewable energy should get the resource allocation … GDP growth should be a corollary of job creation

The PMLA – a law that has lost its way

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The most serious aspect of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act is the inclusion of offences which have nothing to do with the original motive — namely, to combat the laundering of drug money. The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 was enacted with a distinct objective. The humongous volume of black money generated … The PMLA – a law that has lost its way

Moving Beyond Conflict to Champion Democracy

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By Prof. Indrajit S Saluja In a world fraught with complexities and challenges, America finds itself entangled in a web of conflicts, many of which stem from its role as a global watchdog of democracy. The burden of policing democracy abroad, coupled with the responsibility to protect friendly nations facing hostility, has led to a … Moving Beyond Conflict to Champion Democracy

India Gears Up for Historic General Elections: A Test of Democracy’s Integrity

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As India braces itself for what is anticipated to be the largest and longest general election in its history, the significance of the democratic process reverberates not only within the nation’s borders but resonates globally. With the Election Commission’s notification for the 18th Lok Sabha elections, slated to span from 19th April 2024 to 1st … India Gears Up for Historic General Elections: A Test of Democracy’s Integrity

Dirty Dozen: Beware of Offer in Compromise ‘mills’ that falsely claim their services are necessary to resolve IRS debt

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April 3, 2024 WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP):  As part of the annual Dirty Dozen list of tax scams, the Internal Revenue Service, on April 3,  renewed its warning to taxpayers concerning pricey Offer in Compromise (OIC) “mills” that aggressively mislead taxpayers into thinking their tax debts can disappear. As in past years, companies running OIC mills … Dirty Dozen: Beware of Offer in Compromise ‘mills’ that falsely claim their services are necessary to resolve IRS debt

Get ahead of the tax deadline; act now to file, pay or request an extension

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April 2, 2024 WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): With the April 15 tax deadline approaching, the IRS reminds taxpayers there is still time to file their federal income tax return electronically and request direct deposit. Filing electronically reduces tax return errors as tax software does the calculations, flags common errors and prompts taxpayers for missing information. Most … Get ahead of the tax deadline; act now to file, pay or request an extension

WITNESS LUKE SKYWALKER IN FINAL CLIMACTIC DUEL IN LIVE-TO-FILM CONCERT

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By Mabel Pais “What the New Jersey Symphony has established, bringing music to the Garden State in schools and in six different cities, is a sincere accomplishment. And it’s never been better.” – nj.com The New Jersey Symphony will present ‘Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert’ with composer John Williams’ venerated score performed … WITNESS LUKE SKYWALKER IN FINAL CLIMACTIC DUEL IN LIVE-TO-FILM CONCERT

NORAH JONES OF THE MIDDLE EAST SPREADS MESSAGE OF LOVE

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By Mabel Pais FARAH SIRAJ (Jordan’s Norah Jones) & AR RAHMAN (genius composer of India) in 2013 performed Zariya live on MTV rendering it the #1 hit in the music charts in India and #3 in Southwest Asia. The World Music Institute presents FARAH SIRAJ (Jordanian) and EMEL MATHLOUTHI (Tunisian) as part of the ‘Women’s … NORAH JONES OF THE MIDDLE EAST SPREADS MESSAGE OF LOVE

Philippines will not be ‘cowed into silence’ by China: President Marcos

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MANILA (TIP): President Ferdinand Marcos said on March 28 the Philippines will not be “cowed into silence” by Beijing after confrontations in the South China Sea that injured Filipino troops and damaged vessels. Marcos’s remarks came as China blamed the Philippines for raising tensions in the hotly contested waterway, which Beijing claims almost entirely. Beijing … Philippines will not be ‘cowed into silence’ by China: President Marcos

UK court says Assange can’t be extradited on espionage charges until US rules out death penalty

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LONDON (TIP): A British court ruled March 26 that Julian Assange can’t be extradited to the United States on espionage charges unless U.S. authorities guarantee he won’t get the death penalty, giving the WikiLeaks founder a partial victory in his long legal battle over the site’s publication of classified American documents. Two High Court judges … UK court says Assange can’t be extradited on espionage charges until US rules out death penalty

50 years after former Yugoslavia protected abortion rights, that legacy is under threat

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ZAGREB (TIP): With vigils outside clinics, marches drawing thousands and groups of men kneeling to pray in public squares, religious and neo-conservative groups have been ramping up pressure to ban abortions in staunchly Catholic Croatia. The fierce debate has fueled divisions in the European Union nation of about 3.9 million people where abortion remains legal … 50 years after former Yugoslavia protected abortion rights, that legacy is under threat

Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war’s toll on Palestinian children

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DEIR AL-BALAH (TIP): An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned. One toddler died from a brain injury caused by an Israeli strike that fractured his skull. His cousin, an … Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war’s toll on Palestinian children

Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old is only survivor

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CAPE TOWN (TIP): A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on March 28, killing at least 45 people, authorities said. The only survivor of the crash was an 8-year-old child, who was receiving medical attention, according to authorities … Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old is only survivor

Five Chinese dam workers, driver killed in Pakistan suicide attack

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PESHAWAR (TIP): Five Chinese nationals working on a major dam construction site were killed along with their driver on March 26 when a suicide bomber targeted their vehicle in northwest Pakistan, officials said. Their vehicle plunged into a deep ravine off the mountainous Karakoram Highway after the bomber rammed his car into them and detonated … Five Chinese dam workers, driver killed in Pakistan suicide attack

TTD EO to visit Sri Lanka on Mar 29 to finalise site for Srivari temple

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TIRUMALA (TIP): Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) executive officer (EO) AV Dharma Reddy is set to visit Sri Lanka to finalise the site where a temple of Lord Venkateswara Swamy will be built. He will leave for the island nation on March 29 and is expected to stay there for four to five days. He will … TTD EO to visit Sri Lanka on Mar 29 to finalise site for Srivari temple

Thai parliament passes same-sex marriage bill

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BANGKOK (TIP): Thailand’s parliament passed a same-sex marriage bill March 28, paving the way for the kingdom to become the first Southeast Asian nation to recognise LGBTQ marriage equality. The bill sailed through on 399 to 10 votes in the lower house, although it must still be approved by the Senate before it is endorsed … Thai parliament passes same-sex marriage bill

TN cop held in Bangladesh for illegal entry

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CHENNAI (TIP) : A special sub-inspector (SSI) attached to the Selaiyur police station in Chennai has been detained by the Bangladesh army on the charge of trying to enter the country by illegally crossing the border. According to police sources, the SSI has been identified as 47-year-old John Selvaraj who was on medical leave at … TN cop held in Bangladesh for illegal entry

Three killed in suicide attack in Afghanistan

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KANDAHAR (TIP): A suicide bombing killed three people and wounded 12 others outside a bank in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar on March 28, a provincial official said. “A suicide attack occurred in which three compatriots were killed and 12 others were wounded, according to preliminary information,” Inamullah Samangani, Director of Information and Culture … Three killed in suicide attack in Afghanistan