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Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on Saturday, September 7, landed back safely on Earth without astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, after a three-month trip to the International Space Station (ISS).

“Touchdown, #Starliner! The uncrewed spacecraft landed at New Mexico’s White Sands Space Harbor at 12:01 am ET (9.31 am IST) on Saturday, September 7,” NASA tweeted.

Starliner landed uncrewed following NASA’s decision, taken on August 24, to not return Indian-origin Sunita Williams and her fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore on the faulty spacecraft over “lack of safety and performance requirements for human spaceflight”.

The uncrewed return “allows NASA and Boeing to continue gathering Starliner performance data while also not accepting more risk than necessary for its crew”, the US space agency said.

Williams and Willmore are now expected to return to Earth in February 2025 with the agency’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission.

The Starliner flew to the ISS with Williams and Wilmore on a week-long mission. But as the spacecraft approached the orbiting lab, it experienced a series of technical issues such as the failure of several thrusters and helium leaks in the propulsion system.

While Boeing proclaimed the safety of Starliner, NASA officials have disagreed.

During the crucial review meeting held last week, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson noted that the agency’s “decision to keep Butch and Sunita aboard the International Space Station and bring Boeing’s Starliner home uncrewed is the result of our commitment to safety”.

Meanwhile, NASA announced that both Williams and Wilmore “are safe aboard the space station”

Along with the Expedition 71 crew the duo are supporting station research, maintenance, and Starliner system testing and data analysis. They recently completed research on fiber optic cables and growing plants aboard the ISS, NASA said.

Expedition 71 crew consists of NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Mike Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and Tracy C. Dyson, as well as Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko, Nikolai Chub, and Alexander Grebenkin.

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US Vice President and Democrat nominee Kamala Harris’ campaign has so far raised a $361 million, which is around three times than the $130 million raised by her Republican rival and former US President Donald Trump, CNN reported,

This also gives Harris a whopping $404 million in cash reserves for the final, two-month sprint to Election Day, her campaign aides announced Friday, September 6.

The cash stockpiled across Harris’ affiliated committees tops the $295 million that Trump’s campaign said it had available in its bank accounts.

This underscores how much Harris’ historic and late-breaking candidature has energized donors and transformed the 2024 race, according to CNN. Notably, the $361 million is by far the best monthly haul for either party this cycle.

At this rate, Harris is poised to collect over USD 1 billion in the condensed campaign window between becoming the party’s de facto nominee in late July and Election Day on November 5. She has already raised more than $615 million since President Joe Biden ended his re-election bid on July 21, her campaign noted Friday.

Last month’s haul also topped the $310 million that Harris and Democrats raised in July and came amid the fanfare of her announcing Minnesota Governor, Tim Walz, as her running mate and formally accepting her party’s nomination at last month’s celebrity-studded Chicago convention, which also included appearances from Biden and two of his White House predecessors.

The third strongest grassroots fundraising day of the campaign came on August 6 – the day Harris announced Walz’s selection, campaign officials said.

The August haul does not best the monthly fundraising record of $383 million set by the Biden-Harris political operation in September 2020 at the height of that Presidential campaign.

The August totals announced by Trump’s team show his fundraising pace has slowed — with his election effort bringing in slightly less last month than the $138.7 million it had collected in July.

Earlier, CNN had reported an analysis of donations, which showed that among the donations that exceeded $200 million this cycle, found that some of Trump’s biggest fundraising days came in May around his felony conviction in New York, exceeding even the amounts the campaign reported collecting in July during his party’s nominating convention.

Harris campaign officials said they are ploughing their money into reaching voters, citing a “weekend of action” in the coming days that will feature 2,000 events and a $370 million digital and TV ad campaign running through the election.

The campaign said it also has established more than 312 offices with the Democratic Party and employs more than 2,000 staffers with the party across battleground states but warned of a close, hard-fought contest in the home stretch.

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Riding on the success of her beauty brand, Rare Beauty, singer-actress Selena Gomez has officially joined the ranks of one of the youngest billionaires.

According to the Deadline, the ‘Emilia Perez’ actor has achieved this financial feat primarily through the success of her beauty brand alongside other lucrative ventures.

Launched in 2019, Rare Beauty has significantly contributed to Gomez’s estimated net worth of $1.3 billion, positioning her as one of the youngest female billionaires in the United States.

The beauty brand accounts for about 81.4% of her overall net worth, according to Deadline.

Gomez’s wealth is not solely attributed to her beauty brand. The valuation encompasses her stake in the mental health startup Wondermind, revenue from music album sales, real estate investments, and earnings from streaming deals, brand partnerships, concert tours, and acting projects.

Although Gomez’s last solo tour, the Revival Tour, concluded in 2016 and her most recent album, ‘Rare’, was released in 2020, she has remained a prominent figure in entertainment.

She continues to garner acclaim as both a star and executive producer of the popular Hulu series ‘Only Murders in the Building’.

The show, which has recently been renewed for a fifth season, has earned Gomez her first Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

Additionally, ‘Only Murders in the Building’ has been nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series for the third consecutive year.

Gomez is also set to revisit her television roots with the upcoming sequel series ‘Wizards Beyond Waverly Place’.

The new series, set to premiere on October 29 at 8 pm ET/PT, follows the success of her original Disney Channel show, ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’.

Gomez and her former co-star David Henrie are not only reprising their roles but also taking on executive producer roles for the sequel.

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The 14-year-old suspect of a campus shooting in Georgia appeared in court for a brief hearing. The shooting, which took place, Wednesday, September 4, at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia, left four people, including two students and two teachers, dead. Nine others, including eight students and one teacher, were wounded in the shooting as reported by Xinhua news agency.

Colt Gray, the shooter and a student at the school, could face life in prison if convicted on any of the four counts of felony murder filed against him, Judge Currie Mingledorff told him during the court appearance on Friday morning, September 6.

Gray will be tried as an adult, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). Gray’s father, 54-year-old Colin Gray, was arrested on multiple charges on Thursday.

He knowingly allowed his son, Colt, to have the weapon, according to the GBI. The investigation into the shooting is still active and ongoing, said the GBI.

Colin Gray is being charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children, the GBI said Thursday, September 5, when the agency announced his arrest.

The 14-year-old shooting suspect has been charged with four counts of felony murder.

GBI Director Chris Hosey said at a news conference on Thursday night that the charges against Colin Gray stem from “knowingly allowing his son to possess a weapon”. Georgia law prohibits minors from possessing handguns, but there is no minimum age to possess a rifle or shotgun in Georgia.

During a brief court hearing Friday morning, Judge Currie Mingledorff II told Colin Gray that he faced up to 180 years in prison if he was convicted on all counts.

The judge also advised him of his rights, and the father said, “Yes, sir,” in response to some questions from the judge.

District Attorney Brad Smith, whose district includes the Barrow County high school where the shooting happened, didn’t rule out whether the father would face additional charges as the investigation continued.

Smith said more charges would be filed at some point against Gray’s son for the victims who survived the attack.

The teen, a student at Apalachee High School, allegedly killed four people, two students and two teachers, when he opened fire at the school in Winder, Georgia, on Wednesday morning. Nine others were wounded and hospitalised, but they were all expected to survive and “make a full recovery,” Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said on Thursday.

Hospital officials said on Thursday that at least seven of those nine patients had been treated and released, and at least one other remained hospitalised in stable condition.

Police and federal agents were investigating if the gun used in the shooting, described by officials as an AR-style weapon, was purchased by the teen’s father as a gift for his son in December 2023, according to four federal law enforcement sources close to the investigation.

In May of 2023, the suspect and his father were both interviewed by the Jackson County Sheriff’s office after the FBI received tips about online posts threatening a school shooting, the FBI said in a statement Wednesday night.

At the time, investigators didn’t have enough evidence for an arrest or enough probable cause “to take any additional law enforcement action,” the FBI added.

Local police records obtained by a US media outlet report indicate the alleged shooter’s parents were going through a divorce at the time. His mother took custody of two other children in the divorce while the suspect stayed with his father, the records show.

Schools in Barrow County are closed for the rest of the week following the shooting.

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Former US President Donald Trump, who is the Republican candidate in the November 5 polls, will not be sentenced in his New York criminal case until after the 2024 Presidential elections, media reported.

As per the CNN report Friday, September 6, Judge Juan Merchan explained the reason that delay in the sentencing is in part to avoid any appearance of affecting the outcome of the Presidential race.

Merchan wrote in a new four-page letter that he would sentence Trump on November 26 — if necessary — in response to a request from Trump’s lawyers to push back the sentencing.

Trump was convicted in May on 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to an adult-film star alleging an affair with the former President, CNN reported.

But Trump’s sentencing has been on hold for months after the former President’s lawyers pushed to have the conviction tossed because of the Supreme Court’s ruling on Presidential immunity.

Merchan noted the upcoming Presidential election in his decision to delay sentencing, saying that part of his reason for doing so was to avoid the appearance that the sentencing was intended to influence the November election.

“Adjourning decision on the motion and sentencing, if such is required, should dispel any suggestion that the Court will have issued any decision or imposed sentence either to give an advantage to, or to create a disadvantage for, any political party and or any candidate for any office,” Merchan wrote.

Trump expressed appreciation for the language Merchan used in delaying his sentencing, noting that it will only commence “if necessary”.

“I greatly appreciate the words in the letter today from the judge. He said ‘if necessary’, being utilized in the decision, because there should be no ‘if necessary’. This case should rightfully be terminated immediately,” Trump said during remarks to the Fraternal Order of Police in North Carolina.

The former President also said that the sentencing was “postponed” because he “did nothing wrong”.

In addition to pushing back the sentencing until November 26, Merchan wrote that he would decide on Trump’s motion to vacate the verdict because of the Supreme Court’s immunity decision on November 12, which is also after the election, CNN reported.

Merchan wrote in his letter that the Supreme Court “rendered a historic and intervening decision” with its immunity ruling.

Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung responded to the decision, saying, “There should be no sentencing in the Manhattan DA’s election interference witch hunt.”

“As mandated by the US Supreme Court, this case, along with all the other Harris-Biden hoaxes, should be dismissed,” Cheung said.

A spokesperson for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement: “A jury of 12 New Yorkers swiftly and unanimously convicted Donald Trump of 34 felony counts. The Manhattan D.A.’s Office stands ready for sentencing on the new date set by the court.”

The district attorney’s office did not oppose delaying Trump’s sentence, which Merchan cited in his decision on Friday.

The decision to push back the sentencing until after the November 5 election marks yet another delay that’s been a fixture in all of Trump’s criminal cases since he was indicted four times — in New York, Florida, Washington, DC, and Georgia — in 2023.

The Florida classified documents case was dismissed by the judge in July — though the special counsel is appealing that decision — while the other two January 6-related cases are in limbo and won’t move forward before the election.

The only indictment that went to trial this year was the New York hush money case that ended in the May guilty verdict. Now the sentencing in that trial — with the question looming about whether a jail sentence will be imposed — won’t occur until after the election, if it happens at all.

Merchan acknowledged the historic nature of Trump’s hush money trial in his decision to push back the former President’s sentencing until after the election.

“This matter is one that stands alone, in a unique place in this Nation’s history, and this Court has presided over it since its inception — from arraignment to jury verdict and a plentitude of motions and other matters in-between. Were this Court to decide, after careful consideration of the Supreme Court’s decision in Trump, that this case should proceed, it will be faced with one of the most critical and difficult decisions a trial court judge faces — the sentencing of a defendant found guilty of crimes by a unanimous jury of his peers,” Merchan wrote.

“The members of this jury served diligently on this case, and their verdict must be respected and addressed in a manner that is not diluted by the enormity of the upcoming presidential election,” he continued.

“Likewise, if one is necessary, the Defendant has the right to a sentencing hearing that respects and protects his constitutional rights.”

This is the second time that Merchan has pushed back sentencing in the case.

Merchan delayed his initial July sentencing by two months after Trump’s lawyers asked him to vacate the guilty verdict in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling on Presidential immunity.

Last week, Trump sought to move the state case into federal court, citing the Supreme Court’s decision this summer on Presidential immunity, but a federal judge quickly denied the request days later without considering further arguments from Trump or the Manhattan District Attorney. Trump’s lawyers are appealing that ruling.

After filing that federal petition, Trump’s legal team also asked Merchan to let that litigation play out in federal court and refrain from issuing a decision over Presidential immunity.

Merchan noted the attempts to move the case to federal court in his letter on Friday.

Trump’s lawyers have argued that the indictment should be dismissed or at least his conviction should be vacated because the Supreme Court’s ruling on Presidential immunity means that certain evidence from the trial, such as the testimony of former White House aide Hope Hicks and tweets Trump sent while in office, should not have come before the jury.

Prosecutors have responded the conviction should stand and that the evidence presented at trial was “overwhelming”.

Merchan had said he would rule on the immunity question on September 16. He had planned to sentence Trump, if necessary, two days later.

But Trump’s lawyers asked Merchan to push that date back until after the election, arguing in part that they wouldn’t have enough time to appeal the judge’s decision. Prosecutors wrote in response that they would defer to Merchan on the scheduling.

The delay means that Trump’s criminal conviction — which dominated both Trump’s time and the news cycle during the spring — won’t return to the forefront of the Presidential campaign during the final weeks of the race. It also could mean that the election will not interfere with any sentence that Merchan might impose.

Trump could be sentenced to as much as four years of prison time, but Merchan is not required to sentence Trump to prison, and he could choose to impose a lesser sentence, such as probation, home confinement, community service or a fine.

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The Department of Justice has charged a Pakistani man with allegedly plotting an attack on Jews in New York on the anniversary of the October 7 terror attacks in Israel, media reported.

Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, was going to carry out the attack in support of ISIS, prosecutors allege, and told an undercover agent he wanted to target New York because it has the “largest Jewish population in America”, CNN reported.

Khan is charged with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. He was arrested on Wednesday in Canada. The charges were unsealed on Friday.

“The defendant was allegedly determined to kill Jewish people here in the United States, nearly one year after Hamas’ horrific attack on Israel. This investigation was led by the FBI, and I am proud of the terrific work by the FBI team and our partners to disrupt Khan’s plan,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said.

“The FBI will continue to work closely with our partners to investigate and hold accountable those who seek to commit violence in the name of ISIS or other terrorist organizations. Fighting terrorism remains the FBI’s top priority,” Wray added.

“The defendant is alleged to have planned a terrorist attack in New York City around October 7 of this year with the stated goal of slaughtering, in the name of ISIS, as many Jewish people as possible,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement, adding, “Jewish communities — like all communities in this country — should not have to fear that they will be targeted by a hate-fueled terrorist attack”.

In November 2023, Khan, who lives in Canada, began allegedly discussing his support for ISIS on an encrypted messaging application with two people who, unknown to him, were undercover law enforcement officers, CNN reported.

Khan told the officers that he was trying to create “a real offline cell” of ISIS that would target Jewish institutions around an unnamed city, according to court documents, and instructed the officers to buy firearms for those attacks.

Khan allegedly told the officers that he wanted to carry out the attacks on either October 7 or 11, because “October 7 they will surely have some protests and October 11 is Yom Kippur”, a major Jewish holiday.

By August of this year, prosecutors allege, Khan decided that he wanted to carry out the attacks at a Jewish centre in Brooklyn.

It is easy to “target jews” in New York because of the large Jewish population, he allegedly told the undercover officers, adding that “even if we don’t attack an Event, we could rack up easily a lot of Jews”. Once he decided on the location of the attack, Khan allegedly paid a human smuggler to help him cross the border into the US.

On September 4, Khan allegedly used three separate cars as he tried to cross Canada and enter the US. He was stopped nearly 12 miles from the US-Canada border, according to the Justice Department.

The Pakistani national is charged with one count of attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Israel Defense Forces on October 7 last year declared a state of readiness for war following a massive barrage of rockets from the Gaza Strip and infiltration of Hamas terrorists into Israel, and the war is on ever since.

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Melinta Therapeutics, a commercial-stage company in New Jersey providing innovative therapies for acute and life-threatening illnesses, has announced the appointment of an Indian-origin senior executive as its Chief Technology Officer.

Sunitha Lakshminarayanan is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience. She brings to Melinta a wealth of CMC experience across small molecules, biologics, biosimilars, vaccines, cell/gene therapy, and radiotherapeutic products. Over the course of her career, she has contributed to the development, commercialization, and lifecycle management of several new products and technologies.

Melinta Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to providing innovative therapies to people impacted by acute and life-threatening illnesses. Before joining Melinta, Lakshminarayanan was the Senior Vice President of Technical Operations. She oversaw CDMO operations, Regulatory, Quality, and Supply Chain functions. Prior to that, Sunitha was at Bristol-Myers Squibb in their Cell Therapy division, as Executive Director, Global Process Engineering where she was responsible for the global licensure of two autologous cell therapy products. Before BMS, Sunitha was at Kashiv BioSciences where she led approvals for biosimilar products. Before Kashiv, she held various leadership positions at Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Laureate Pharma, and BioReliance.

As an Executive Committee member reporting to Melinta’s President & CEO, Christine Ann Miller, Lakshminarayanan will be responsible for developing and leading Melinta’s Technical Operations, Global Quality, and Supply Chain activities for optimal demand planning consistent with cost, quality, regulatory, reliability and delivery requirements. She will develop and execute a long-term supply chain and manufacturing strategy to ensure a reliable, high-quality supply of clinical and commercial products and provide strategic oversight and responsibility for all aspects of Global Quality, including quality assurance and quality systems.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sunitha as Chief Technology Officer at Melinta,” said Christine Ann Miller, President and CEO, of Melinta Therapeutics. “Her track record of driving operational excellence, engaging in strategic negotiations with suppliers and CMOs, strategizing in response to market dynamics, and overseeing product and supply planning make Sunitha the perfect leader to take on the challenges of this role. Her background in the preclinical, clinical, and commercial stage products and her outstanding commitment to patient care align perfectly with our mission to provide innovative therapies to people impacted by acute and life-threatening illnesses.”

Lakshminarayanan earned her M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, a M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Penn State University, and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Coimbatore Institute of Technology in India.

“I am truly honored by the opportunity to join this amazing group of dedicated and passionate professionals at Melinta,” said Lakshminarayanan. “I look forward to working together to bring innovative therapies to people impacted by acute and life-threatening illnesses. Ensuring timely and quality-compliant drug supply to patients is exciting and deeply fulfilling. I know that together we will continue to ensure that all people who need these vital therapies receive them.”

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Chicago Atlantic has appointed a former BlackRock executive of Indian origin as Managing Director, of Private Wealth Solutions. He will be responsible for bringing Chicago Atlantic’s private market strategies to individual investors and their advisors.

Kushal Kshirsagar previously served various roles across BlackRock’s Multi-Asset Strategies, US Wealth Advisory, and iShares divisions, including Portfolio Manager of BlackRock’s US Income Models, Lead UHNW Portfolio Strategist for US Wealth Advisory and Head of Strategy & Business Development for iShares in Asia. Before BlackRock, Kshirsagar worked at UBS, Credit Suisse, and Vanguard and received his PhD in Finance from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Chicago Atlantic is a private markets alternative investment manager focused on industries and companies where demand for capital exceeds traditional supply. The firm’s private investment strategies include opportunistic private credit and equity, digital mining, and impact investing, with focus on loans to esoteric industries, specialty asset-based loans, liquidity solutions, and growth and technology finance. Chicago Atlantic closed over $2.2 billion in credit facilities to date. Chicago Atlantic’s team of over 80 professionals has offices in Miami, Florida, and Chicago, Illinois.

“I was drawn to Chicago Atlantic’s unique mix of underwriting expertise, analytical rigor, demonstrated track record, and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Kshirsagar. “In a market crowded with undifferentiated private credit strategies that participate in the same sponsor-backed club deals, Chicago Atlantic stands out with its expertise in sectors and markets where there are structural reasons for an insufficient supply of capital.”

“Since, in these focus markets, the demand for capital persistently exceeds the supply, Chicago Atlantic provides its investors the potential to earn outsized returns over a multi-year period while maintaining rigorous underwriting standards,” Kshirsagar added.

“Dr. Kshirsagar is a remarkable talent. I’m excited to have him join our firm,” said Tony Cappell, Partner at Chicago Atlantic. “I’m confident he will contribute to our continued growth in a way that benefits our investors, their advisors, and the companies we fund.”

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A septuagenarian Indian American professor has won the 2024 Millennium Technology Prize for his invention, the Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT). Since its development in the 1980s, the IGBT has been the most important semiconductor device for making electrical energy use and petrol consumption more efficient and less polluting during the last 40 years.

Professor Bantval Jayant Baliga, 76, of North Carolina State University, United States, won the $1 million 2024 Millennium Technology Prize for his innovation that enabled a dramatic reduction of electrical energy and petrol consumption worldwide. The award recognizes Baliga’s leadership in the invention, development, and commercialization of the IGBT.

Baliga joins a prestigious list of recipients of this prize. The Millennium Technology Prize, awarded by Technology Academy Finland, honors innovations that benefit millions worldwide. By winning the prize, Baliga joins a notable list of recipients, including Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, who was the first to receive the award in 2004. Baliga will be awarded with the prize in Finland on October 30, 2024.

“The IGBT has already had and continues to have a major impact on supporting sustainability with improved living standards worldwide while mitigating environmental impact,” said Minna Palmroth, chair of the board of Technology Academy Finland. “The main solution to tackle global warming is electrification and moving to renewable energy. IGBT is the key enabling technology in addressing these issues.”

Baliga’s academic journey began at Bishop Cotton Boys’ School in Bangalore. He earned his BTech in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, in 1969, followed by an MS in 1971 and a PhD in 1974 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His portfolio includes 123 U.S. patents, with several of his inventions already in widespread commercial use. Among these are the split-gate power MOSFET, used in computers and servers, and silicon carbide technologies that power modern electrical systems. During his career, Baliga has received numerous honors including the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the highest engineering award in the United States, which he received from President Barack Obama in 2011.

The efficiency improvements and reductions of fossil fuels consumption and cost, achieved by the IGBT, revolutionized the power industry. The innovation enables the worldwide green transition and mitigation of global warming by making electrification and the use of renewable energy efficient and profitable.

The technology has reduced global carbon dioxide emissions by over 82 gigatons (180 trillion pounds) in the past 30 years. This is equivalent to setting off carbon dioxide emissions by all human activity for three years, based on the average of the past 30 years’ time frame.

The innovation is used all over the world – in all wind and solar power installations, in electric and hybrid-electric cars, in medical diagnostic machines like X-ray machines, CAT scanners, and MRI units, in microwave ovens and induction stoves, air-conditioning and refrigeration, and portable defibrillators. Today, IGBT-based power converters and inverters dominate nearly every major application with a power rating between 1kW and 10MW.

Baliga and his team are currently working on two new inventions to improve efficiency in solar power generation, electric vehicles, and power delivery for AI servers. Baliga, an electrical engineer born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, is a Progress Energy Distinguished University Emeritus Professor at North Carolina State University, United States. Baliga was described by Forbes as “the man with the world’s largest negative carbon footprint.”

“It is very exciting to have been selected for this great honor,” said Baliga, the Progress Energy Distinguished University Emeritus Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at North Carolina State University. “I am particularly happy that the Millennium Technology Prize will bring attention to my innovation, as the IGBT is an embedded technology hidden from the eyes of society. It has enabled a vast array of products that have improved the comfort, convenience, and health of billions of people around the world while reducing carbon dioxide emissions to mitigate global warming,” he added.

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In a ray of hope for many across the world who suffer from LCA1, a team of US researchers have given patients with the rare, inherited blindness, functional eyesight for the first time.

LCA1 is an eye disease that causes severe vision loss and is caused by mutations in the GUCY2D gene.

Individuals who have the disease typically have very poor vision, which makes it hard or impossible for them to read, drive or use their eyes to navigate the environment.

The treatment which was developed by University of Florida scientists, essentially gene therapy, had minimal side effects, except inflammation which was rectified using steroids.

The individuals who were administered the maximum dosage of the gene therapy demonstrated a remarkable increase in their vision.

According to the researchers, for many patients, this treatment was like a light had been switched on after long.

These outcomes open the door for the therapy’s advancement in clinical trials and eventual commercialisation, noted Shannon Boye, chief of UF’s Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, co-author of the study, and co-founder of Atsena Therapeutics, the UF branch that created the gene therapy.

In order to compare the patients’ eyesight in the treated and untreated eyes, researchers monitored the patients for a full year, so that they could have permanent evidence to back their claims.

The patients’ vision improved more when they received bigger doses.

Gene therapy should require only one treatment per eye and persist for a sufficiently long duration of time to have any tangible effects, according to the researchers.

They have so far observed optical gains that endure for at least five years, a promising remark to say the least.

LCA1 is a rare type of blindness that can permanently damage any seeing faculties but it does not remain such an impossible condition after a treatment like this has been discovered.

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As the US presidential election approaches, experts are sounding the alarm on attempts by Iranian and Chinese actors to sway American public opinion through sophisticated social media manipulation tactics.

These actors are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to craft targeted messages aimed at influencing voters, according to a report by Nikkei Asia.

A key example is the website Nio Thinker, which publishes content critical of Republican candidate Donald Trump, featuring unusual language indicative of manipulation efforts.

Nio Thinker publishes articles that feature unusual language, including phrases like “raving mad litigosaur” and “opioid-filled elephant,” indicating sophisticated manipulation efforts.

Initially appearing as a liberal US platform, Nio Thinker was revealed by a Microsoft report in August to be part of an Iranian-orchestrated influence campaign.

The site hosts a piece offering a pro-Palestinian stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict while criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate challenging Trump.

The article reads, “If the party’s presidential candidate, Kamala Harris, does not change her policy on Israel, I will not be casting a ballot for her.”

In July, Facebook’s parent company Meta published a report detailing Iranian attempts to interfere in the US election. According to the report, fraudulent accounts posing as tech support workers used phishing attacks via WhatsApp to steal information, reported Nikkei Asia.

Additionally, OpenAI, the US startup behind ChatGPT, has blocked social media accounts linked to Iranian threat actors who were utilising its generative AI platform to produce social media posts.

The US has faced numerous external threats from influence operations since 2017, with Meta recording 39 campaigns originating from Russia, 30 from Iran, and 11 from China.

A notable case of potential Chinese interference involved a suspended X account operated by a 43-year-old Los Angeles resident named Ben Affleck posing as a Trump supporter.

The account, which once garnered nearly 8,000 followers, posted, “Liberals have made this country the laughing stock of the world. Get out and vote for Trump 2024 to save America!”

X later suspended the account after determining it was a fraudulent “spamouflage” account operated by Chinese actors.

Such activities are reportedly linked to the Chinese government and have been active since 2017, using fake accounts to influence social media discussions.

This manipulation mirrors past interference efforts, such as the 2016 Cambridge Analytica scandal, where the British consulting firm misused data from 87 million Facebook accounts to shape voter perceptions during that election.

By Jasbir S Kang, MD-

(Jasbir S Kang is the founding member, Punjabi American Heritage Society, Yuba City, CA)

Many people associate the Ghadar Party with California, but this radical organization was actually formed at the Finnish Socialist Hall in Astoria, Oregon, in May 1913. Astoria is situated on the banks of the Columbia River, just before it merges with the Pacific Ocean. I visited this location twice this summer to learn more about the history of the Ghadar uprising.

With my keen interest in Punjabi migration across the world, I have read many books and articles on the Ghadar (revolution or rebellion) Party struggle. However, this book by Ms. Ogden is arguably the most comprehensive and best work on the genesis of the party. It thoroughly explores how the interplay between the U.S.’s denial of equal rights to migrant workers from British India and the abusive colonial rule by the British shaped the minds of ordinary laborers from Punjab. These laborers were influenced by radical intellectuals to wage a violent struggle to overthrow the British colonial subjugation.

Ms. Ogden presents a new perspective, noting that while 7,000 to 8,000 men left the U.S. and Canada in 1914 to overthrow British rule by inciting mutiny in the British Indian Army at the beginning of World War I, those who stayed behind in the U.S., like Bhagat Singh Thind, continued to challenge the American system for the citizenship rights of people of Indian origin. Indian immigrants were barred from citizenship rights until 1946.

By the turn of the nineteenth century, the British ruled many parts of the world and falsely promised their subjects that they could settle anywhere in the British Empire (Commonwealth). Large numbers of Punjabis, especially Sikhs, were used in the British Army, but when some of these former soldiers and others tried to settle in Canada, they were denied rights and even faced riots from racist forces.

Canada enacted a law that only those who arrived by “continuous journey” could enter Canada, a practically impossible feat by ship from Indian shores. Consequently, many Punjabis trickled into the U.S. However, they faced forced expulsions from Bellingham, Washington, in 1907, with full backing from local authorities. Many moved to Oregon to work in lumber mills along the Columbia River, where the booming economy needed extra labor. Despite finding jobs, they encountered murders, such as that of Harnam Singh in Boring, Oregon, in 1907, and riots in Saint Johns (outskirts of Portland), backed by local politicians and the police chief. Although 38 rioters were indicted, only two were convicted.

Japanese and Chinese migrant workers faced similar discrimination, but their respective governments pleaded on their behalf. In contrast, the British Indian Government did the minimal, leading these Punjabi migrants to believe they were treated poorly because they were British subjects. This realization spurred their determination to liberate their homeland from British colonial rule, further influenced by the democratic system in the U.S. British spies, agents, and infiltrators worked to sabotage any collective activities by these laborers. In Canada, some former Sikh soldiers burned their British Army uniforms and medals in front of the Vancouver Gurdwara as a protest against the British indifference to their plight.

British spy W.H. Hopkinson, operating in North America, used his agents to orchestrate the murder of Bhag Singh, the President of the Vancouver Gurdwara. Mewa Singh, a member of the Ghadar Party, avenged this act by shooting Hopkinson in court in 1914, for which he was subsequently hanged. The British had a vast network of spies and agents monitoring the activities of the Indian diaspora. This network was led by Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, Francis O’Dwyer, who became infamous for the massacre in Amritsar in 1919. He was later assassinated in London by Ghadar Party activist Udham Singh in 1939.

After the formation of the Ghadar Party, the movement shifted to California, where numerous farm workers and Indian students joined the struggle. The Stockton Gurdwara and Yogantar Ashram in San Francisco became the party’s strongholds. A call was issued to all Indians in the diaspora to return to their homeland and liberate India. Publications were initiated in San Francisco and distributed to 35 countries, with 74 chapters of the party established.

While many members were Sikhs, the party was secular at its core, with Hindu and Muslim members, including many Bengalis, playing significant roles in the movement. Some intellectuals instigated the average workers to return to India but failed to create an adequate support system and network in India to integrate the rebels’ activities. Lala Har Dyal, a Stanford teacher and a major player in the early days of the Ghadar Party, later disappeared from the scene. Despite the lack of a clear structure or expectations, many took the drastic risk of returning to India. However, British intelligence intercepted crucial information, resulting in the arrest of many activists upon their return or even before they reached Indian shores.

Despite this debacle, the influence and motivation of these activists, along with the radical nature of their struggle, had significant repercussions for British rule. Many Ghadarites were hanged or sentenced to life imprisonment in remote locations. At least 42 were hanged, and many more spent years in jail. Many soldiers were court-martialed. Their bravery, idealism, and inclusive approach sparked a profound awakening among the British Indian population. The infamous Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919 in Amritsar was a direct consequence of this awakening and British efforts to suppress and instill fear in the people. This incident caused worldwide outrage and laid the foundation for the beginning of the end of colonial rule.

There are many other intriguing aspects and facts regarding this story, particularly the role of the U.S. administration during that era. I encourage readers to delve deeper into the subject by reading the book. Ms. Ogden has provided court records, secret documents, and rare newspaper stories in her book. Ghadar Party member Bhagat S. Thind played a major role in the struggle for the right to U.S. citizenship, and Ms. Ogden’s documentation of these aspects is both comprehensive and exemplary. Pseudoscience and race theories are discussed in interesting detail. This milestone research work by Ms. Ogden is both impressive and significant. It is easy to read, and she has provided references and rare documents to support her narrative.

I have a minor suggestion for future editions of this book: Ms. Ogden mentioned that half of the Indian immigrant workers were former British Sikh soldiers but did not elaborate on the core values of Sikhs, particularly their strong emphasis on equality, pride in honest labor, and a rich history of standing against injustice, even during prior struggles against the Mughals and foreign invaders. Additionally, she mentioned that Sikh soldiers sided with the British during the 1857 Indian Mutiny without providing a fair explanation. It is important to note that Punjabis, especially Sikhs, fought fiercely against the British until the last significant battle (the Anglo-Sikh war) in 1849. Moreover, Sikhs struggled against the Mughals, who were often far more oppressive than the British, for centuries, raising questions about their expected support by some mutineers for the reinstatement of Mughal rule in 1857. A significant number of mutineers were part of the Anglo-Indian forces that attacked Punjab in 1849. There were many other factors beyond the scope of this review.

Lastly, never judge a book by its cover. Ms. Ogden used a Khanda (Sikh emblem) at the top, followed by a man smoking a hookah—a practice that was not common among even the most deviant Sikhs of that era. For Sikhs, smoking is akin to pork for Muslims or beef for Hindus. Sohan S. Bhakna, the founding President of the Ghadar Party, went on a hunger strike in a British jail to protest the denial of his right to wear a turban and against caste segregation in the jail. The Ghadarites believed in inclusiveness and respected the right of people to practice their faith of choice. They embodied true secularism and egalitarianism, with a strong belief in equality. Unfortunately, they have yet to receive the recognition they deserve in Indian and American history books. Had they succeeded, their philosophy and idealism might have prevented the partition of the subcontinent along parochial lines. Despite their partial success, they ignited the spirit of freedom, equality, and social justice in South Asia.

I strongly recommend this masterpiece to anyone interested in the story of these pioneers, their struggles against racism, and their fight against colonial rule. I encourage you to read this book and consider sharing a copy with others.

By Justice Markandey Katju-

(Justice Markandey Katju is a former Judge, Supreme Court of India, and former Chairman of Press Council of India. The views expressed are his own)

There is an oft-quoted statement by Francis Bacon, former Lord Chancellor of England: “A much-talking judge is like an ill-tuned cymbal.” Unfortunately, Indian Supreme Court and High Court judges rarely follow this dictum and usually talk too much in court.

One example was the hearing in the case of Baba Ramdev (the yoga teacher accused of selling fake medicines on a large scale) in the Indian Supreme Court. Why were the judges on the bench so vocal in this case? They should have quietly heard the case and then decided whatever they wanted.

One judge reportedly said that Ramdev and his associate Balkrishna were “not off the hook”.

Another judge remarked, “You are not so innocent.”

One judge even said, “We will rip you apart.”

Do such threats behove a judge? Do they convey an atmosphere of tranquility and serenity which are the hallmark of proceedings in a court?

It is a long-standing, well-established convention in the judiciary that judges should only speak through their judgments, not by oral
sermons and homilies in court, or discourses in public gatherings.

While in England a few years back, I visited the High Court. There was pin-drop silence in the court, the lawyer arguing in a very low voice, and the judge quietly hearing the case. Occasionally, the judge asked some questions to clarify a point, but that was about all.

Indian judges too should learn to behave like that, instead of talking too much. The atmosphere of the Court should be one of serenity, tranquility, and calm, the lawyer arguing in a low voice, and the judge listening silently and patiently, unperturbed.

Hon’ble Justice A.S. Anand, former Chief Justice of India observed ”With a view to see that judicial activism does not become ‘judicial adventurism’, the courts must act with caution and proper restraint. They must remember that judicial activism is not an unguided missile. Failure to bear this in mind would lead to chaos. Public adulation must not sway the judges ”.

I must say regretfully, and without meaning any disrespect, that the Supreme Court Judges hearing the suo motu proceedings (which I thought were unwarranted) regarding the Kolkata doctor who was raped and murdered, spoke too much in Court.

Apart from that, judges should rarely attend public functions and should be reclusive. Once one accepts judgeship, he/she must sit at home in the evenings, instead of going out to parties or giving public lectures and homilies on freedom, democracy, etc., at public gatherings, as many Indian judges sometimes do.

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India’s Praveen Kumar won the gold medal in the Men’s High Jump T64 with 2.08-metre jump, breaking the Asian record during the process at the ongoing Paralympics Games on Friday, September 6. The 21-year-old added a sixth gold to India’s tally to take the overall count to 26, which also includes nine silver and 11 bronze medals.

Praveen, who won silver in his Paralympics debut in Tokyo three years ago, bagged his second consecutive medal. USA’s Derek Loccident claimed silver while Uzbekistan’s Temurbek Giyazov clinched bronze with efforts of 2.06m and 2.03m respectively.

Praveen started his campaign in the final with an effort of 1.89m after skipping previous attempts of 1.80m and 1.85m respectively. The Indian para-athlete went on to clear all his efforts in one take till 2.08m before failing to clear the 2.10m in three attempts. However, that didn’t hamper the color of his medal as he finished at the top.

Born in Govindgarh (Noida), Uttar Pradesh, Praveen achieved remarkable success on the international stage, notably becoming the youngest para-athlete to win a medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. There, he secured a silver medal in the Men’s High Jump T64 category with an impressive jump of 2.07 metres, marking a significant milestone for Indian athletics.

Praveen’s journey to become a para-athlete was fraught with challenges. Born with a short leg, he initially struggled with feelings of inferiority compared to his peers. To combat his insecurities, he engaged in sports with friends and discovered a passion for volleyball.

However, his life took a pivotal turn when he participated in a high jump event at an able-bodied athletics competition, which exposed him to the possibilities available for athletes with disabilities.

Under the guidance of Dr. Satyapal Singh, a para-athletics coach who recognized Praveen’s potential, he shifted his focus to the high jump. This decision proved fruitful, as he went on to win a gold medal at the Asian Para Games 2022, breaking the Asian record with a jump of 2.05 meters.

Praveen’s previous accolades include a silver medal from the World Para Athletics Junior Championship in 2019 held in Nottwil, Switzerland, and a gold medal with an Asian Record at the World Para Athletics FAZZA Grand Prix 2021 in Dubai.

Most recently, he won a bronze medal at the World Para Athletics Championship 2023, further solidifying his status as a leading athlete in his category, and qualified for the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

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Former US President and current Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump has doubled down on the ‘America First’ agenda, brining back memories of his first term. Trump has threatened if he is elected again, he will enforce a policy of high tariffs and bring back manufacturing that could impact India.

In particular, it would strike at collaborative defense manufacturing that is beginning to take off in India.

“We want an industrial base that can take care of our defense needs 100%” to safeguard national security, he said Thursday, September 5, at the Economic Club of New York before an audience of business leaders.

“You can call it what you want. Some might say it’s economic nationalism. I call it common sense. I call it America first,” he said in a speech loaded with hyperbole.

He cited the distributive manufacturing of F-35 stealth fighter jets, the parts for which are made in different countries, calling it a risk to US defense.

If Trump gets elected and he introduces the policy of 100% defense manufacture in the US, it could affect, for example, the project to co-produce F-414 jet engines that envisages technology transfer of up to 80%, as well as other joint manufacturing plans.

But implementing it would face several hurdles. His threat of high tariffs would also affect the manufacturing — like Apple phones — that is sprouting in India because of the China factor.

Trump made no mention of India or software or back office jobs, concentrating on China and manufacturing. At the meeting, Trump outlined his economic policy if he were to return to the White House.

To applause from the audience, he announced he would bring in Elon Musk, the Tesla and Space X boss, to head a government efficiency commission to run a financial and performance audit of the entire federal government and recommend drastic reforms to save “trillions”.

At the same time, he said that he would end the mandates for electric vehicles, an industry Musk, who has endorsed him, is heavily invested in. Deregulating government to free business activity, as he put it, is a key plank of his economic plan. He said he would turn the US into a “manufacturing superpower” and make “America the world capital for crypto and Bitcoin”.

Most of his economic policy outline was about undoing the policies of the current administration, which he pointedly said was that of Vice-President Kamal Harris, his Democratic Party rival.

Not a believer in the impact of climate change, Trump said that he would end the green energy mandates and the restrictions on fossil fuels.

“Energy is going to bring us back,” Trump said, and increasing the production of fossil fuels would fight inflation, bringing down the cost of everything from groceries to electricity. He said that he would enact an energy emergency to achieve the goal.

He made out his tariffs plan — which many economists have said would add to the inflation and set back the economy — to be the panacea for the deficit, the reduced revenues from tax cuts and higher spending for some of his plans.

From the higher tariffs, Trump said he would create a sovereign wealth fund like that of countries like Singapore that would “invest wisely” in infrastructure and in industries with the advice of private sector investors and its “gigantic returns” would rundown the national debt.

While he hit at China at several points, there was a measure of ambiguity. Trump called President Xi Jinping a “dear, dear friend” and a very “fierce” and “smart” person.

“We had a very good relationship with China until Covid” epidemic undid it, he said.

“I believe we will have a very good relationship with China and with a lot of other countries that we’re not getting along with too well today,” he said, adding that it was “very important that we get along with the rest of the world” because of the nuclear threat.

As he always does at his meetings, he made ad hominem attacks on Harris, calling her a “Communist” and a “Marxist”, who was trying to adopt some of his policies.

Some of his plan like threats to end defense manufacturing abroad and across-the-board tariff hikes are unlikely to work the way he claims because of underlying alliances, the web of geostrategic interests, reciprocal trade, and immediate supply chain issues.

While in office, Trump tangled with India over tariffs, making the duties on Harley-Davidson motorcycles a cause celebre.

He hiked duties on steel and aluminum imports and eliminated the Generalised Scheme of Preferences for some Indian exports and New Delhi retaliated by raising tariffs mostly on agricultural exports like apples and almonds.

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Hours after a fatal shooting at a school in Georgia claimed four lives Wednesday, September 4, including two 14-year-old students, President Joe Biden has renewed his call for a ban on assault weapons, CNN reported.

He urged the Congress to act on stronger gun control measures. In his remarks at the solar energy manufacturer in Westby, Wisconsin, Biden said, “I’d like to say a few words about the school shooting yesterday.”

He stated that some of the Republican leaders in Congress should “finally” say “enough is enough”. Biden has been calling for an assault weapons ban for a long time but has been stymied by Republican leaders in Congress.

Biden stated, “As a nation, we cannot continue to accept the carnage of gun violence. I’m a gun owner. I believe strongly in the amendment. We need … more than thoughts and prayers,” CNN reported.

He said, “We have to do something together.” Biden stated, “Let’s ban assault weapons.”

The President also called for a proper check of background checks, an end to immunity for gun manufacturers and for parents who allow their children to have weapons to be held accountable, according to CNN report. He said, “I realize I’m in a rural area, like the rural parts of my state, where guns — we all have them and it’s not popular to talk about it, but the truth is, there’s a difference between rational and irrational.”

Biden stated that the decision “won’t bring back those children”. However, it would “help save lives if we do the things we’re talking about”. He said, “We can do if we do it together.” He said, “And I really think we can.”

At least four people, including two students, have been killed and nine others were injured when a fellow student opened fire at the Apalachee High School in Georgia.

The suspected gunman is in custody and was identified as 14-year-old Colt Cray.

Two of those killed were students and two were teachers. Law enforcement agencies are still investigating the shooting and the motive behind it.

The school shooting was just the latest among dozens across the US in recent years, including deadly ones in Connecticut, Parkland, Florida, Newtown, and Uvalde, Texas.

So far, at least 385 mass shooting incidents have taken place in the US in 2024, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which, like CNN, considers mass shootings as those in which four or more victims are shot. That’s an average of more than 1.5 mass shootings every day.

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India has been tipped to be one of the prime players in the semiconductor industry, which has witnessed an unprecedented growth in the last decade. Riding on the artificial intelligence (AI) wave, the sector is set to become a $1 trillion industry by 2030.

Speaking about the growth of semiconductor sector, Ajit Manocha, President and CEO of SEMI — headquartered in Milpitas, California, United States — highlighted India’s potential in the industry as the company is gearing to host its first global conference — SEMICON India 2024 — from September 11 to 13, 2024 at the IEML in Greater Noida, India.

He said India has a lot of raw talent, however, that needs to be harnessed to make it industry ready and Semi is committed to help the country go to new heights.

Manocha also lauded the current Indian government for its vision towards bolstering the semiconductor ecosystem in the country. Stating that previously the country didn’t have the vision, he hailed PM Modi, Electronics & Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and former minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar for bringing about the change. Manocha also said Vaishnaw and Chandrasekhar understand semiconductors, unlike others in the past.

Answering questions from journalists about India’s promise in the past and subsequent failure to deliver, he said it’s different this time. “The stars have aligned for India,” Manocha said, adding that India is in a much stronger position that before geopolitically.

Manocha’s praise isn’t hollow, though. India is laying the groundwork for the betterment of the semiconductor ecosystem in the nation.

Earlier in September, India’s Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the proposal of Kaynes Semicon Pvt Ltd to set up a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat.

The Union Cabinet had approved the first proposal for setting up a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat, in June last year.

In February this year, three more semiconductor units were approved. Tata Electronics is setting up a semiconductor fab in Dholera, Gujarat and one semiconductor unit in Morigaon, Assam.

The remaining unit will be set up by CG Power in Sanand, Gujarat.

Construction of all four semiconductor units is progressing at a rapid pace and a robust semiconductor ecosystem is emerging near the units.

These four units will bring an investment of almost Rs 1.5 Lakh crore.

In March, PM Modi laid the foundation stone of three semiconductor projects worth $15 billion. The chip fabrication facility at the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR) in Gujarat is being set up by Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL) with a total investment of more than $11 billion.

The Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility in Morigaon, Assam is being set up by TEPL for Semiconductor Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP), with a total investment of about $3.25 billion.

The OSAT facility in Sanand, Gujarat is being set up by CG Power and Industrial Solutions Limited for Semiconductor Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP) with a total investment of about $900 million.

The first ‘Make in India’ chip is all set to arrive in December, from the $2.7 billion Micron semiconductor plant in Gujarat that started work late last year.

The cumulative capacity of these units is about 7 crores (70 million) chips per day.

India’s eagerness to become a leader in semiconductors was also on display during PM Modi’s recent Singapore visit. The India leader visited AEM Holdings Ltd., a leading Singaporean company in semiconductors and electronics sector.

“Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association gave a briefing on the development of semiconductor ecosystem in Singapore and opportunities for collaboration with India. Representatives of several other Singaporean companies from this sector were also present. Prime Minister invited the Singaporean semiconductor companies to participate in SEMICON India exhibition to be held in Greater Noida on 11-13 September 2024,” an official statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs read.

India also signed a MoU with Singapore regarding semiconductors. “Given our efforts to develop semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem in India and Singapore’s strengths in this sector, both sides have decided to expand bilateral cooperation. During the 2nd meeting of India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable, both sides agreed to add Advance Manufacturing, with focus on semiconductors, as a pillar for enhancing bilateral cooperation. Both sides have also concluded the MoU on India-Singapore Semiconductor Ecosystem Partnership,” the MEA said.

Manocha, meanwhile, highlighted India’s first semiconductor fab, which put the country on the global fab map. As many as 104 fabs will come online by 2027. While Asia dominates the area with 76 fabs, India presently has just one, Tata Electronics Pvt. Ltd’s plant in Assam.

Manocha said an additional 50 fabs will be required by 2030 and he hoped India to get around 10 of those 50 fabs, to help the country realize its dream of becoming one of the major players.

SEMICON India exhibition will have over 250 companies exhibiting and will have over 90 CEOs and CxOs taking part in the discussions. It’ll also have an excess of 650 booths. Manocha said the organizers have run out of space and expect a huge crowd to attend the event.

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US President Joe Biden’s troubled son, Hunter, has offered to plead guilty to tax evasion charges in a bid to stave off an embarrassing trial where his drug addiction and foreign business dealings could get an airing, his lawyers said in court.

As the trial began in a Los Angeles federal court Thursday, September 5, his lawyer Abbe Lowell announced that his client was changing his claim of innocence to a guilty plea.

Hunter Biden is charged with not paying at least $1.4 million in taxes on earnings of millions in foreign business deals.

But his offer to plead guilty came with special terms: He would maintain his innocence while allowing his conviction to go forward only because he considered the evidence against him could lead to him being found guilty at trial.

Prosecutor Leo Wise opposed the special terms he sought, telling the court, “Hunter Biden is not innocent. Hunter Biden is guilty.”

But Judge Mark Scarsi, who did not decide immediately, said that the prosecutor’s agreement was not needed for the court to accept it. Hunter Biden was convicted in June on illegal gun purchase charges because he lied on documents that he was not addicted to drugs at that time, while he was, in fact, an addict.

He is awaiting sentencing in that case. That case is linked to the tax trial because prosecutors had made a deal with Hunter Biden to drop the gun case if he pleaded guilty to a minor tax offense. But it unraveled when the judge in the gun case refused to let the deal go forward.

At the tax trial, his drug addiction and high living could be brought up by the prosecution to show that he had the means to pay the taxes but instead frittered it away on other things. A friend paid off the tax arrears, but that does not absolve him of the evasion charges.

Hunter Biden’s legal problems have been an embarrassment for the President, but he is under less pressure since he dropped his re-election bid. Republicans have been trying to link President Joe Biden with his son’s foreign business dealings.

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The 18th edition of the annual Global Healthcare Summit (GHS) 2024, organized by the Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) in New Delhi, India, from October 18-20, 2024, offers a unique forum for them to come together, share their knowledge and expertise in their respective medical fields with their fellow physicians from around the world, and to learn from one another.

The growing influence of physicians of Indian heritage is evident, as they are increasingly recognized and hold critical positions in healthcare, academic, research, and administrative positions across the United States. Their hard work, dedication, compassion, and skills have carved out an enviable niche in the American medical community.

“GHS 2024 will focus on Prevention Strategies for Cancer and Heart Attacks, Role of Lifestyle Changes, and Integration of Technology in Healthcare,” said Dr. Satheesh Kathula, President of AAPI. “AAPI has been engaged in harnessing the power of Indian Diaspora to bring the most innovative, efficient, cost-effective healthcare and preventable solutions to India. This international health care summit is a progressive transformation from the first Indo-US Healthcare Summit launched by AAPI USA in 2007.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to deliver the Keynote Address at the Inaugural Ceremony on October 19th. The country’s Health Minister, Jagat Prakash Nadda, is expected to be the Chief Guest at the GHS and deliver an address on national prevention strategies.

For the first time ever, visits to the new Parliament House in New Delhi, visits to the offices and meetings with the Prime Minister and Health Minister as well as a visit to the Rashtra Pati Bhavan are also planned for the AAPI delegates, who will be part of this historic event in the nation’s capital.

GHS will have the highest caliber of internationally acclaimed faculty and will develop a very robust agenda in collaboration with leading experts from India. CME sessions with academicians from India and the US will offer unique opportunities for local medical staff and healthcare professionals to advance leanings and provide the best possible care for the people of India.

The scientific program and workshops of GHS are being developed by leading experts with contributions by the Scientific Advisory Board and the International Scientific Committee. The workshops will be led by world famous physicians on topics relevant to the needs of the time.

According to Dr. Sunil Kaza, Chairman of AAPI’s Board of Trustees, “AAPI will work collaboratively with leading academic medical colleges in New Delhi benefiting Medical Students, Residents, Fellows and Junior Doctors. With the objective of enabling people in India to access high quality, affordable, and cost-effective world class health services, the Summit being organized in collaboration with the Indian Medical Association (IMA), the Ministry of Health, and several prominent Medical Colleges in India, will have participation from some of the world’s most well-known physicians and industry leaders.”

Describing the message and theme for the Summit, Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, President-Elect of AAPI said, “AAPI has a mandate to help disseminate our medical knowledge, our expertise and technological advances to the rest of the world, and to India in particular. Headquartered in Chicago, AAPI has come to be recognized as a strong voice in the healthcare legislation and policy arena.”

Dr. Kathula said, “With the changing trends and statistics in healthcare, both in India and US, we are refocusing our mission and vision of GHS 2024, AAPI would like to make a positive meaningful impact on the healthcare in India,”

“In our quest to fulfill the mission of AAPI, we are proud to share best practice and experiences from leading experts in the world and develop actionable plans for launching demonstration projects that enable access to affordable and quality healthcare for all people. To help accomplish this mission, join us at the GHS 2024 in New Delhi,” Dr. Kathula added.

For more information on Global Health Summit 2024, please visit https://aapisummit.org

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Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist Harvinder Singh made history for India by winning the gold medal in the Men’s Individual Recurve Open, becoming the first Indian archer to win a gold medal in the Paralympic Games. With a consistent and rock-solid performance, Harvinder bagged the gold medal by blanking Lukasz Ciszek of Poland 6-0 in the final on Wednesday, September 4.

The medal tally also rose to 24 as club thrower Dharambir finished at the top with a 34.92m throw.

With this achievement, Harvinder became the first and only Indian archer to win a gold medal in the Paralympics and Olympics. He is also the first and only archer to secure medals in consecutive editions of the Paralympics.

In the Gold Medal Match on Wednesday, Harvinder came up with a dominant display.

A 10 in the first set besides two 9s secured Harvinder Singh the first set as the Pole shot a seven in between nine and eight for a 28-24 win. Up 2-0, Harvinder started the second set with two successive nines and then topped it with a 10 for 28 while Ciszek had three 9s for another narrow defeat. Harvinder, from a farmer’s family from Kaithal in Haryana, sealed the gold medal with two 10s followed by a nine (29) while Ciszek started with a seven and then scored two 9s for a 29-25 win.

Earlier, Harvinder had assured himself a second successive medal in the Paralympic Games as he stormed into the final with a come-from-behind win over Iran’s Arab Ameri Mohammad Reza in the semifinal here on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old Harvinder came up with a brilliant performance, coming back after losing the first set to stun the Iranian 7-3, sealing a place in the maiden final at the Paralympic Games.

In the semifinal, Harvinder lost the first set 26-25 because of a seven on his second arrow. The second set ended in a tie at 27-27. he then levelled scores at 3-3 by winning the third set 27-25 and surged ahead to a 5-3 set points lead by winning the fourth set 26-24.

Harvinder Singh then sealed a place in the final with another steady performance, shooting two 9s and an eight for a 26-25 win after the Iranian started with a 10 but faltered for an eight and seven on his next two arrows.

Earlier, Harvinder, who had bagged a bronze medal in the Tokyo Paralympic Games after losing in the semifinals, got the better of Colombia’s Julio Ramirez Hector 6-2 in a quarterfinal clash.

The Indian had started the day with a 7-3 win over Tseng Lung-Hui of Chinese Taipei and continued to march ahead with a fine 6-2 win over Indonesia’s Setiawan Setiawan in the prequarters.

Meanwhile, the series of double podium finishes continued for India after para-athletes Dharambir and Pranav Soorma bagged gold and silver medals, respectively, in the men’s club throw F51 final.

Following another podium finish, India’s medal total at the Paris Paralympics skyrocketed to 24, including five gold, nine silver and 10 bronze. The Indian contingent is now one medal away from hitting the 25-medal target set by the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) President Devendra Jhajharia.

Dharambir’s record-breaking throw levelled India’s tally of five gold medals that came in the Tokyo edition three years ago.

Dharambir broke the Asian Record and set 34.92m as the new benchmark to take away the gold. His compatriot Pranav was close to Dharambir, but ended up being too far. He settled for the silver medal with a throw of 34.59m.

Notably, this result was a reverse of the podium at last year’s Para Asian Games. During that final, it was Pranav who struck gold and Dharambir settled for silver.

Meanwhile, the third Indian in the fray, Amit Kumar Saroha, was well short of a podium finish with his best attempt of 23.96m.

After failing to register a single valid throw in his first four attempts, Dharambir, who hails from Sonipat, Haryana, broke the Asian record in his fifth attempt with a humongous throw of 34.92m. He followed it up with another massive attempt of 31.59m to cap off his impressive display.

Pranav produced the silver-winning throw of 34.59m in his first attempt and constantly struck the 33m mark in his remaining five attempts.

Serbia’s Zeljko Dimitrijevic, who was the biggest threat to the Indian pair, produced his bronze medal throw of 34.18m in his second attempt. The Serbian was one of the favourites to take the top spot, with two gold and one silver medal at the last three Paralympics.

India enjoyed double podium finishes on Tuesday too after Ajeet Singh and Sundar Singh Gurjar claimed silver and bronze medals, respectively, in the men’s javelin throw F46 event and moments later, duo of Mariyappan Thangavelu and Sharad Kumar won the bronze and silver medals in the men’s high jump T6 final.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong visited the semiconductor facility of AEM Holdings Ltd in Singapore on Thursday, September 5. The two leaders are exploring synergies between the two countries in semiconductor manufacturing.

Wong welcomed PM Modi at the semiconductor facility. The two leaders were seen interacting with the officials at the site.

PM Modi’s visit to the semiconductor manufacturing unit is significant in terms of enhanced trade opportunities between the two friendly countries, as Singapore, despite being a small city-state, has a well-developed semiconductor industry.

🇮🇳-🇸🇬 skills partnership going strong.

During the visit to AEM Holdings, PM @narendramodi and PM @LawrenceWongST also interacted with Indian interns from Odisha’s World Skill Center visiting Singapore as well as Singaporean interns who had visited India under the CII-Enterprise… pic.twitter.com/rhq5PoZgFN

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) September 5, 2024

The semiconductor industry opens opportunities for India in many aspects, including collaboration in talent development as Singapore universities have developed customized courses for the semiconductor sector, and knowledge sharing about best practices of managing semiconductor industrial parks (called Wafer Fab Parks in Singapore).

In terms of factors of production, Singapore has limitations for land and labor. India, with abundant land and skilled labor, can be part of Singapore’s semiconductor value chain. Semiconductor companies in Singapore can be encouraged to consider India for their expansion plans. Singapore also has semiconductor equipment and material manufacturers. For the development of the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem in India, engagement and collaboration with such companies may also be helpful.

Singapore has players in all segments of the semiconductor value chain: i) IC Design: MediaTek, Realtek, Qualcomm, Broadcom, Maxlinear, AMD; ii) Assembly, packaging and testing: ASE Group, Utac, STATS ChipPack, Silicin Box. iii) Wafer fabrication: GlobalFoundries, UMC, Siltronic and Micron, and iv) Equipment/ raw material producers: Soitec, Applied Materials.

Earlier in the day, Modi held a meeting with Wong and talks focused on boosting cooperation between two nations in various sectors, including skilling, healthcare, artificial intelligence. The two countries also elevated the bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Taking to X, PM Modi stated, “The discussions with my friend, PM Lawrence Wong continued today. Our talks focused on boosting cooperation in areas like skilling, technology, healthcare, AI and more. We both agreed on the need to boost trade relations.”

India and Singapore exchanged four significant Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) Thursday, during the day-two visit of PM Modi in the island country.

The agreements encompass collaboration in digital technologies, a partnership in the semiconductor sector, joint initiatives in health and medicine, and cooperation in education and skills development.

The MoUs were exchanged in Parliament House of Singapore by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Minister of Foreign Affairs in Singapore Vivian Balakrishnan in the presence of Prime Minister Modi and his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi received the ceremonial welcome at Singapore’s Parliament House on Thursday. Wong welcomed Modi and the two leaders warmly greeted each other. He signed the visitors book at the Parliament House. PM Modi and Lawrence Wong met ministers and delegates from each other’s countries.

Before his arrival in Singapore, PM Modi was on an official visit to Brunei. During his visit, he held “wide ranging” talks with Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah at Istana Nurul Iman in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Image- Singaporean PM Lawrence Wong (left) and Indian PM Narendra Modi at the semiconductor facility. Photo: x.com/MEAIndia

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Expressing condolences for the victims of a fatal shooting incident at a school in Georgia — which left four people dead, incluidng two students and two teachers — President Joe Biden has called on Republicans to work with Democrats in the US Congress to pass gun safety legislation to help prevent future gun violence in the United States.

At least nine others were injured when a fellow student opened fire at the Apalachee High School Georgia Wednesday, September 4, CNN reported. The deceased were identified as Mason Schermerhorn, age 14 (student), Christian Angulo, age 14 (student), Richard Aspinwall, age 39 (teacher), and Christina Irimie, age 53 (teacher).

Biden described the shooting incident as “another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart.”

“Jill (Biden) and I are mourning the deaths of those whose lives were cut short due to more senseless gun violence and thinking of all of the survivors whose lives are forever changed. What should have been a joyous back-to-school season in Winder, Georgia, has now turned into another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart,” Biden said in a statement released by the White House.

The US president lamented that students across the country are “learning how to duck and cover instead of how to read and write”.

“We cannot continue to accept this as normal. We are closely coordinating with officials at the federal, state and local levels and are grateful for the first responders who brought the suspect into custody and prevented further loss of life,” Biden said.

Further, Biden reaffirmed his commitment to tackling the gun violence epidemic in the US and highlighted his efforts to address the issue, including the signing of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

“Ending this gun violence epidemic is personal to me. It’s why I signed into law the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act–the most meaningful gun safety bill in decades–and have announced dozens of gun safety executive actions. I also established the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, overseen by Vice President Harris. We’ve made significant progress, but this crisis requires even more,” the US president said.

Biden called on Republicans to work with Democrats in Congress to pass gun safety legislation to help prevent future gun violence and stated that ‘enough is enough.’

“After decades of inaction, Republicans in Congress must finally say ‘enough is enough’ and work with Democrats to pass common-sense gun safety legislation. We must ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines once again, require safe storage of firearms, enact universal background checks, and end immunity for gun manufacturers. These measures will not bring those who were tragically killed today back, but they will help prevent more tragic gun violence from ripping more families apart,” Biden said.

US Vice President Kamala Harris also took to X and expressed condolences for the people who are impacted by this shooting and describe it as a “senseless tragedy”.

“Today, Doug and I are mourning the deaths of those whose lives were cut short by gun violence at Apalachee High School in Georgia. Our hearts are with the students, teachers, and families impacted by this shooting, and we are grateful to the first responders and law enforcement on the scene. This is a senseless tragedy — and it does not have to be this way. We must end the epidemic of gun violence in our country once and for,” Harris said.

Georgia Governor Brian P Kemp also posted on X and stated that “I have directed all available state resources to respond to the incident at Apalachee High School and urge all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state.”

“We will continue to work with local, state, and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation,” he added.

Meanwhile, the suspected gunman is in custody and was identified as 14-year-old Colt Cray, a student of Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, about an hour outside of Atlanta. Law enforcement agencies are still investigating the shooting and the motive behind it.

The high school had received an earlier phone threat, multiple law enforcement officials told CNN.

The phone call Wednesday morning warned there would be shootings at five schools, and that Apalachee would be the first. It is not known who placed the call. Officials tell CNN they are investigating the call and where it originated.

The US has suffered at least 385 mass shootings so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which, like CNN, defines mass shootings as those in which four or more victims are shot. That’s an average of more than 1.5 mass shootings every day.

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US Vice-President Kamala Harris unveiled an “ambitious” plan Wednesday, September 4, to boost small businesses through tax deductions, low and no-interest loans, investments and fairer tax codes, which together, she said, will make 25 million new applications by the end of her first term.

Small businesses “aren’t just building a business. They’re pursuing a dream. They’re building a better future for their employees and for the people they love in their communities, and by extension, they’re building a stronger middle class and a stronger America for us all”, Harris said at an election campaign event in New Hampshire.

“And so all of this is why as President, one of my highest priorities will be to strengthen America’s small businesses. And here I am in New Hampshire to announce a few elements of my plan,” the Democratic Presidential nominee announced.

Harris had announced her larger economic plan in August, ahead of the Democratic Party Convention, to formally nominate her to run for President. The overarching theme was “lower costs for American families” and key provisions of the plans were to ban price gouging, build three million new housing units and grant a tax credit of $6,000 per newborn.

The first part of the plan she announced for small businesses, Harris said, was “to help more small businesses and innovators get off the ground. Okay, now I’m setting what some I’m sure going to call a very ambitious goal but you know what I think we should admire ambition in each other”.

She added that she wants to “see 25 million new small business applications by the end of my first term. And to help achieve this, we will lower the cost of starting a new business”. The way she plans to reduce costs was to expand tax deductions for start-up from the current $5,000 to $50,000.

Second, she said, her plan will help existing small businesses grow.

“We will provide low and no-interest loans to small businesses that want to expand, and we will, and this is very important, cut the red tape that can make starting and growing a small business more difficult than it needs to be, more difficult than it needs to be.”

Third, Harris said, her plan will “invest in small businesses and innovators throughout America, and here’s why we know that talent exists everywhere in our country, from rural towns to city centres, but not everyone has access to the financing, to venture capital or expert advice”.

Finally, the Vice-President said, “her plan will make our tax code more fair, while also prioritising investment and innovation. So let us be clear, billionaires and big corporations must pay their fair share in taxes”.

Harris then criticized her Republican rival’s plans.

She said former President Donald Trump plans to “cut off federal programmes that give loans to small businesses”.

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Three Sacramento men have been arrested on a two-count indictment charging them with kidnapping an Antelope Valley business owner at gunpoint last year, in an alleged attack in which the victim was beaten, his home was burglarized, and he was abandoned in a desolate part of California, the Justice Department announced today. A fourth accused remains at large.

The indictment, returned on August 27 and unsealed on Tuesday, September 3, charged the defendants – Shanjeet Brar, 57, Jerome Franklin Jr., 43, Peter Arafiles Jr., 29, and Andrae Hawkins, 39 with two counts of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and kidnapping. The defendants would face a statutory maximum life sentence in federal prison if convicted of all charges.

Brar, Arafiles, and Hawkins, who were arrested last week, are expected to be arraigned in the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles in the coming weeks. Franklin remains at large. The FBI and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are investigating this matter.

“These defendants are charged with putting the victim through a terrifying ordeal, one that will leave lasting emotional and psychological scars,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “We will not tolerate such brazen acts of violence and will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to ensure stiff penalties for perpetrators of such violent acts.”

“The community can rest assured that the perpetrators of this violent and heinous kidnapping are now in custody and will face serious consequences for their actions,” said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.  “The exemplary collaboration and perseverance from the men and women of the FBI and our law enforcement partners resulted in today’s arrests and have made our streets safer.”

According to the indictment and underlying criminal complaint, on October 27, 2023, the defendants traveled from Sacramento to Lancaster to kidnap the victim at gunpoint from the victim’s workplace. They beat the victim, zip-tied his hands, and duct-taped his turban over his face. They demanded $100,000 or more from him, as well as gold and jewelry. They threatened to kill the victim if he did not comply with their demands and told him, “This is your last day.”

While the victim was kidnapped, some of the defendants traveled to the victim’s home to burglarize it. After the victim’s wife noticed the burglars on their home security system, she contacted the victim’s phone, which was in the kidnappers’ possession. The kidnappers eventually abandoned the victim in a desolate area. Brar allegedly rented one of the two vehicles used in the kidnapping – specifically, the one used in the burglary.