iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

Canadian researchers have in a study on Wednesday, December 4, revealed the potential of a non-invasive strategy to detect sepsis early.

Sepsis is a dysregulated response to infection that can result in life-threatening organ failure if treatment is delayed. Often clinicians lack methods for early detection of the life-threatening emergency which claims millions of lives globally each year.

Researchers from the Western University, in Ontario, Canada, showed that non-invasive imaging tests that can assess blood flow through skeletal muscle may help in early detection.

“The study suggests that while the brain is partly protected in early sepsis, the skeletal muscle could be an early target for detecting changes in microhemodynamics,” said the team in the paper published in The FASEB Journal.

Currently, sepsis is managed by early administration of antibiotics and vasopressors. These medications help manage the infection and systemic hypotension (low blood pressure) and help increase the survival rate. However, there is currently a lack of tools that are sensitive to the onset of sepsis to recognise the condition and triage patients for early intervention.

Thus, there is a global need for accessible technology (i.e., non-invasive, preferably frugal, point-of-care) to guide early sepsis identification and intervention, said the team.

In the study, the team used imaging methods — called hyperspectral near-infrared spectroscopy and diffuse correlation spectroscopy — commonly used at the bedside to monitor tissue conditions.

To probe the efficacy of the imaging techniques, the team conducted experiments in rodents

Together the imaging methods picked up signs of sepsis in the skeletal muscle microcirculation. They could detect it even before vital organs like the brain had been affected.

“Sepsis is a leading cause of death around the world that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations and those in low-resource settings,” said co-corresponding author Rasa Eskandari, doctoral candidate at Western University.

“Since early recognition can significantly improve outcomes and save lives, our team is committed to developing accessible technology for early sepsis detection and to guide timely interventions,” Eskandari added.

Investigators next plan to test the combination technique’s ability to monitor microcirculatory function in patients in intensive care.

(Photo courtesy: IANS)

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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has rescheduled the anticipated launch of the PSLV-C59/PROBA-3 satellite mission to December 5 at 4:12 PM, following the detection of an anomaly on Wednesday, December 4.

The launch was originally scheduled for Wednesday at 4:08 PM from the first launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

“Due to an anomaly detected in PROBA-3 spacecraft, PSLV-C59/PROBA-3 launch has been rescheduled to tomorrow at 16:12 hours,” ISRO announced in a post on X.

The PSLV-C59 is a joint initiative between ISRO and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), while the PROBA-3 mission is an “In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) mission” by the European Space Agency (ESA).

According to ESA, the mission aims to demonstrate formation flying in a large-scale science experiment. The two satellites will form an approximately 150-metre-long solar coronagraph to study the Sun’s faint corona, closer to the solar rim than ever before. In addition to its scientific significance, the mission will serve as a benchmark for precise positioning of the two spacecraft, facilitated by various new technologies.

PROBA-3 will function as an orbital laboratory, showcasing capabilities such as acquisition, rendezvous, proximity operations, and formation flying. It will validate innovative metrology sensors and control algorithms, paving the way for novel mission control techniques. The two satellites will maintain a fixed configuration in space, separated by 150 metres and aligned with the Sun, enabling the Occulter Spacecraft (OSC) to block the Sun’s bright disk while the Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC) observes the faint solar corona for extended scientific study.

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is India’s first launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages. It is used to carry satellites and various payloads into space based on ISRO’s requirements. The PSLV’s maiden successful launch was in October 1994.

According to ISRO, PSLV-C59 will involve four stages and will carry a total payload mass of approximately 320 tonnes.

(Photo courtesy: x.com/isro)

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Dr. Satheesh Kathula, President of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), said there’s need for preventing cancer and heart attacks through lifestyle modifications and technology and it is more than ever.

The AAPI president made the statement while meeting Members of the Indian Parliament during a meeting organized by the Consulate in New York on November 20.

“In a world where chronic diseases like cancer and cardiovascular illnesses continue to pose significant health threats, where corrective mission has never been more urgent,” said Dr. Kathula, while meeting the visiting Indian Parliamentary delegation consisting of Birendra Prasad Baishya, Vijayasai Reddy V, Akshay Yadav, Sandhya Ray, Tejasvi Surya, and Bansuri Swaraj.

The delegation was accorded a warm reception by Consul General Binaya S. Pradhan and the Indian American community representatives at the Indian Consulate on November 20, 2024.

Dr. Kathula, who participated following an invitation by Consulate General of India in New York, Binay Pradhan, highlighted that cancer and cardiovascular illnesses are among the leading health challenges facing both Indians and Indian Americans.

Dr. Kathula urged the Indian government to initiate efforts with greater emphasis on early detection, lifestyle interventions, and public health awareness campaigns to reduce the burden of these diseases.

“Given the genetic predispositions and lifestyle factors prevalent within the Indian community, (I) want to stress the need for culturally sensitive healthcare solutions to better serve this population,” he said.

During the discussions, he highlighted the invaluable contributions of Indian-origin doctors in the United States. “As a group, Indian American physicians play a critical role in shaping the healthcare landscape in the U.S., from providing high-quality care to advancing medical research and education. Their impact extends beyond patient care, as many Indian-American Doctors are engaged in leadership roles, working to improve the healthcare system, contributing to policymaking, and participating in humanitarian efforts both in the U.S. and in India.”

Highlighting the critical role being played by AAPI, the organization’s president said, “Over the past four decades since its inception in 1982, AAPI has been instrumental in fostering collaboration between the U.S. and India, especially in the realm of healthcare. AAPI has been actively involved in a wide range of initiatives, from providing medical aid and educational support for healthcare professionals., especially during the pandemic.”

The visiting delegation lauded the achievements and invaluable contributions of the Indian diaspora to the diverse fabric of the USA, celebrating their commitment to Indian heritage and their significant role in fostering a strong India-USA partnership.

Earlier, Consul General Binaya Srikanta Pradhan spoke about the Bharat ko Janiye campaign launched by the government of India to provide the youth of the Indian Diaspora with an opportunity to visit India and know the country of their origin. He invited the community to be part of and attend the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations from January 8 to 10, 2025 in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha.

Diaspora members who were part of the meeting included Edison Mayor Sam Joshi, Dr. Samin K. Sharma, Dr. Thomas Abraham, Mr. Gaurav Verma, Prof. Indrajit Saluja, Dr. Avinash Gupta, Rakesh Kaul, Dr. Hari Shukla, and Jatinder Singh Bakshi, who shared their perspectives on different aspects of the Indo-American relationship and expressed a strong desire to give back to the motherland, India.

Members of the diaspora applauded India for its remarkable progress across sectors, especially in areas such as technology, innovation, and economic development. The growing ties between the two nations, particularly in trade, diplomacy, and education, were also acknowledged as a major achievement, with a focus on how both the U.S. and India can continue to build on these relationships for mutual benefit.

Among other things, the meeting discussed initiatives aimed at improving healthcare, education, and socio-economic mobility for Indian-Americans, while also exploring ways to foster stronger cultural and community connections between the two countries.

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India’s state-owned public broadcaster, Prasar Bharati has launched WAVES OTT (Over-The-Top) platform.

The launch took place at the 55th International Film Festival of India.

“WAVES OTT platform follows from Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision for Viksit Bharat and is a significant step forward for Digital India. Created on the legacy of Akashvani and Doordarshan, WAVES offers India’s rich cultural heritage with modern entertainment trends,” an official statement from the Indian Embassy’s Press, Information & Culture Wing said.

WAVES is a diverse and free platform for entertainment, designed with the motive of uniting generations and regions, and bridge the digital media and entertainment divide, on the back of its collaboration with BharatNet for last mile connectivity to rural audience.

The WAVES OTT app is available on Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store.

WAVES is available in 12+ languages — Hindi, English, Bengali, Marathi, Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati, Punjabi, Assamese, and is spread across 10+ genres of infotainment; video on demand, radio streaming, live TV streaming, 65 live channels, several App in App integrations for video.

The OTT features India stories, embracing Indian culture, but with an international outlook.

“WAVES, brings a wide range of content for wholesome family viewing into every Indian home, that can use this platform to watch, listen, read, play, shop in a curated environment. Including latest releases, TV shows, movies, timeless classics, and nostalgia content of old favourites; and genres like family drama, mythology, devotional, reality show, history educational, fantasy, folklore, thriller, sports, news etc. It promotes social message themes like women empowerment, cybersecurity awareness and Swachh Bharat to name a few. In addition, it carries free-to-play gaming, music, live podcasts, animation, books, journals and magazines, online shopping through CSC-SPV’s ONDC supported e-commerce platform that will also promote MSMEs and local enterprises. Advertisement supported Tech Integration to attract advertising by underrepresented companies and MSMEs along with big FMCGs,” it said.

“As a conscious step to unlock the potential of young creators in the creative economy, WAVES also offers its platform to content creators like the National Creator Awardees. WAVES has opened its portal to student graduate films, and some initial film and media colleges to partner on WAVES are FTII, Annapurna, AAFT,” the statement added.

(Photo courtesy: Logos from play.google.com and prasarbharati.gov.in)

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.)

I had written an article calling former Chief Justice of India Chandrachud a rank careerist, who was unwilling to give an honest judgment where he felt his chances of becoming the CJI may be jeopardized, and perfectly willing to give a dishonest judgment to ensure his chances.

I particularly mentioned his observation in the Gyanvapi mosque case, which has opened up a Pandora’s Box, and increased communalism exponentially in India, benefiting the BJP, which thrives on it.

The well known Member of the Indian Parliament, Mahua Moitra, tweeted this in response to my article: “Well said sir. But all of you are very active once he has retired. We heard only silence or praise from his colleagues while he was in office.”

I regret to say this, but Mahua has been uncharitable to me. I have been criticizing Chandrachud for long, even when he was a sitting Judge, whose only single aim was to become the CJI by hook or crook (like his father YV Chandrachud, who gave a dishonest judgment in the ADM Jabalpur vs Shivakant Shukla case to ensure his becoming CJI). I wrote this article in the portal thewire.in and elsewhere in November 2019, i.e. five years before Chandrachud retired in 2024.

The Ayodhya verdict was the blackest judgment in Indian judicial history (along with the ADM Jabalpur verdict). It sanctified the illegal demolition of the Babri Masjid, and this demolition was, in my opinion, the greatest tragedy in Indian history along with the Partition of India in 1947, tending to tear apart India’s social fabric.

Although the Ayodhya verdict does not make it clear which of the five judges on the bench wrote it, it becomes evident that Chandrachud wrote it, since he himself stated later that he asked God what judgment he should write.

So Mahua Moitra is not right when she says in her tweet “We heard only silence or praise from his colleagues while he was in office.” I was repeatedly criticizing Chandrachud while he was in office.

I had criticised Chandrachud when he was in office for not saying in a case regarding the Gyanvapi mosque which came before him that the suit regarding the Gyanvapi mosque was not maintainable as it was barred by the Places of Worship Act, 1991, and in a later case holding that despite the POW Act (which prohibits change of the nature of a religious structure as it stood on 15.8.1947) the court can enquire into its history (which enabled surveys, which could be a precursor to it’s demolition by a fanatic mob, as it happened to Babri Masjid, and can happen to the Shahi Masjid in Mathura, the Jama Masjid in Sambhal, the Ajmer Sharif dargah, and countless other masjid and dargahs).

I also often criticized Chandrachud in my FB posts when he was in office that he talks too much, both inside and outside court, despite the oft quoted dictum of former Lord Chancellor of England, Sir Francis Bacon, that “A much talking judge is like an ill tuned cymbal.”

He liked to be always in the limelight (when a judge should be reclusive and avoid publicity). One way he would do this was picking up high publicity cases suo motu and list them before himself, e.g. the Kolkata case of the rape cum murder of a junior lady doctor, which was unnecessary and totally uncalled for, as I mentioned in my interview by Kapil Sibal.

While he was CJI, and even before that, almost every second or third evening, Chandrachud would go to some function or gathering to give lectures etc., (which could be seen on YouTube) instead of sitting at home, which judges should do in the evenings, reading books, watching TV, reading the next day’s files, etc.

I said this when he was in office, not just after his retirement.

So, to say that I only criticized Chandrachud after his retirement is not correct. Mahua Moitra should check her facts before making a statement.

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

U.S. based Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) has urged North American companies, cities and universities to take corrective action and redress harm done through adoption of “caste” policies, following a study done by Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI ) and the Social Perception Lab at Rutgers University in November.

The academic study found that exposure to caste discrimination narratives results in bias against Hindus as a whole.

CoHNA has since released a statement, highlighting the issues faced by Hindus in the United States of America and Canada.

“After reading a short description of ‘caste discrimination’ from Equality Labs content, participants in the study were much more likely to endorse Hitler’s quotes (since the word ‘Brahmin’ replaced ‘Jew’). When DEI makes well meaning people agree with debasing labels like ‘parasites’, ‘viruses’, and ‘the devil personified’, we know there is a problem.

“In the experiment, a Hindu-sounding college admissions officer rejected a Hindu-sounding candidate. Study participants exposed to anti-caste rhetoric were more likely to assume that the admissions officer was upper caste and biased, and feel the decision was unfair — despite no supporting evidence. Alarmingly, many exhibited a willingness to punish the admissions officer. And to view Hindus, in general, as racist.

“If you wonder at these dangerous results, this short video showcasing how Hinduism is presented on campuses, should explain why. Since 2021, CoHNA has battled the spread of this dangerous narrative and stands vindicated by the results of this research.

Course correction needed in U.S. and Canada

“An immediate fallout from this study is that any future use of such materials is a clear effort to propagate hatred against Hindus,” said Nikunj Trivedi, President of CoHNA. “Organizations that have created caste policies should take a good hard look at their actions and start reversing some of the harm that they have already visited on Hindus in the US and Canada.”

CoHNA said, over the past few years the impact of dangerous caste narratives have been amplified and endorsed by a number of taxpayer funded institutions. The organization said It would be important to see corrective action, starting with California’s Civil Rights Department — the first institution to platform these problematic materials as well as cities like Seattle, WA and Fresno, CA.

“Corporate behemoths like Apple, Cisco, IBM, and Salesforce; and American educational institutions like Brandeis University, UC–Davis, the Ethnic Studies Department at UC–San Diego, the California State University system, Brown, Harvard University’s graduate student union, Colby College all of whom have created polices that are building hate against a minority must also rethink,” the statement read.

“In Canada cities like Burnaby, public institutions like Calgary University, and University of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board and Ontario Human Rights Commission have bought this flawed narrative wholesale with even the Federal Government’s Anti-Racism Strategy including misguided references. Canadian institutions must pursue evidence based and inclusive policies instead,” it added.

Research validates recent incidents of Hinduphobia coded as social justice

CoHNA’s leader of Government Relations, Sudha Jagannathan, herself a Bahujan, who had spearheaded the opposition to the malicious SB-403 Bill, feels validated by the report. “Shocking as they are, the results of the study do not surprise us. For many years now, groups have explicitly compared Hindus to Nazis. No wonder the experimental participants drew such vile comparisons about a group of folks they did not even know.”

The results of the research echo the “desire to punish” that was evident in the much talked about Cisco caste debacle, where California was forced to drop its own case without a single word spoken in an open court. The state’s Civil Rights Department not only built its case around the discredited report from Labs, but also specifically tagged the defendants as ‘Brahmin’, even though Sundar Iyer, one of two former Cisco employees accused of caste-based discrimination, had described himself as an agnostic decades earlier.

Reacting to the glaring injustice highlighted by the NCRI report, tech worker and CoHNA Steering Committee member Aldrin Deepak said, “It is clear that ordinary Americans were willing to punish perceived ‘upper caste’ without any basis. As a Dalit and a practicing Hindu, (it was deeply disappointing to see) voices like mine and that of the late Milind Makwana ,who refuted claims of caste discrimination in America, disappear in the drumbeat to divide Hindu Americans into ‘oppressed’ and ‘oppressor’ without any evidence.”

This NCRI report also provides powerful evidence that exposure to a problematic narratives and Hinduphobic words like caste, can create bias against an entire category of people. This finding calls into question the basis on which a lawsuit against the California State University (CSU) caste discrimination policy was dismissed. Writing in the dismissal of that lawsuit, Judge RG Klausner opined that “the use of the word (caste) by itself does not evince any impermissible hostility against religion”. However, this report shows that the word caste, when used along with certain rhetoric (as was the situation at CSU) does exactly that: create hostility against Hindus.

Methodology and background

The caste study was designed by leading scientist Dr Lee Jussim at the Rutgers Social Perceptions Lab and conducted on a nationally representative sample of 876 individuals. Authors used a treatment-control approach to probe the impact of caste training on the perceptions of ordinary Americans about Hindus.

A randomly selected experimental group within the sample was exposed to the language of Equality Labs, taken from their unscientific but widely used survey on “Caste Discrimination in the US”. The control group was presented with a neutral, academic view of the ancient social system.

The NCRI research findings bolster the widespread concern in the Hindu American community that such initiatives result in targeting ordinary Hindu Americans for implicit and inherent bias. It also validates the argument that Hinduphobia is a real phenomenon, manifesting as explicit bias and is fanned by the evidence-free accusation of caste discrimination in America.

(Top photo: Representational image of clay lamps lit during Diwali, the biggest Hindu festival.)

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

White collar hiring in India grew 6% in the festive season (October and November), driven by strong growths in key non-IT sectors, according to a report published on Tuesday, December 3.

Sectors like Oil and Gas (+16%), Pharma/Biotech (+7%), FMCG (+7%), and real estate (+10%), alongside sustained momentum in emerging domains like AI/ML (+30%) and global capability centres (+11%), saw a rise, according to Naukri JobSpeak Index.

While the IT sector has historically been a dominant force in fresher hiring, the current trend shows a significant upsurge in fresher recruitment across non-IT domains.

“The combined October and November trends reflect good resilience. Additionally, the rise in non-IT fresher hiring is a good development with respect to the younger talent,” said Dr Pawan Goyal, Chief Business Officer of Naukri.com.

While the broader IT sector contracted, the landscape of artificial intelligence and machine learning painted a different picture.

This field experienced a significant 20% YoY growth, being particularly pronounced in cities like Kolkata and Delhi NCR, which witnessed a staggering 58% and 47% increase, respectively.

“GCCs are no longer mere back-office operations. They are evolving into strategic innovation hubs, driving business growth,” said the report.

This transformation is evident in the 62% YoY growth of GCCs in strategy and management consulting, highlighting their steady shift from operational support to strategic advisory roles.

Cities like Ahmedabad (+17%), Kolkata (+16%), and Hyderabad (+11%) are emerging as key players in this evolution.

These cities, with their burgeoning talent pools, are attracting investments and driving growth in sectors like semiconductors/electronics (+17%) and accounting/finance (+25%).

With an impressive 18% growth in beauty and personal care and 17% in fitness and wellness, the industry is witnessing a surge that reflects more than just market dynamics, said the report.

(Representational image. Hiring. Photo courtesy: Unsplash)

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Congressman Brad Sherman, an influential U.S. lawmaker, has said the interim Bangladeshi government led by Muhammad Yunus has an absolute obligation to protect the minority Hindu community in the country after the fall of the democratically-elected Sheikh Hasina-led government in August.

“Bangladesh’s interim government has an absolute obligation to protect its Hindu minority and meaningfully address the protests of thousands of minority Hindus in outcry over the recent wave of attacks and harassment,” the Congressman said Tuesday, December 3, in a statement.

“With the calls for an investigation from the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk for killings and other rights violations during the violent unrest leading up to and after the fall of Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the current administration must demonstrate leadership in eliminating acts of violence against the Hindu community,” Sherman said.

Over the weekend, Hindus from Bangladesh in America, organized a rally at the White House demanding the release of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das and protection for Hindus of Bangladesh.

Utsav Chakrabarti, executive director of HinduACTion called on the outgoing Biden-Harris administration to take all possible measures to prevent further escalation of violence by radical Islamists against the Hindus in Bangladesh.

“Based on the feedback we are getting from #Bangladesh, Hindu monk and civil rights defender Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, who has been incarcerated by the interim government, faces a serious threat to his life, in custody,” he said.

Meanwhile, responding to written questions in Lok Sabha about violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka was closely monitoring the situation. He reiterated that the primary responsibility for the safety of minorities in Bangladesh lies with the interim government in the neighboring country.

“Our position on the matter is clear — the interim government in Dhaka must live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities. We are concerned at the surge of extremist rhetoric, and increasing incidents of violence and provocation. These developments cannot be dismissed only as media exaggeration,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

While expressing concern over extremist rhetoric, MEA also called for a “fair, just and transparent legal process” in the case of Das, who was arrested on sedition charges.

Amid calls in Dhaka for a ban on ISKCON, with which Das was associated earlier, the Indian government also threw in its lot with the group as MEA Spokesperson Jaiswal said that the group is a “globally well-regarded organization with a strong record of social service”.

On the arrest of Das, MEA said as far as cases against individuals were concerned, India took note of the legal processes that are underway.

“We expect that these processes will deal with the case in a just, fair, and transparent manner, ensuring full respect for the legal rights of all concerned.”

(Photo courtesy: IANS)

By Mayank Chhaya-

President Joe Biden’s full and unconditional pardon of his son Hunter has the potential to make the confirmation process of Kashyap “Kash” Patel as the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) easier than it might otherwise have been.

Those who watch such confirmation process closely had said before the Hunter Biden pardon that there is a 60-40 chance that Patel would be confirmed. The sweeping pardon gives the Republicans some moral maneuverability, especially because Biden has practically echoed the language used by President-elect Donald Trump to describe his own once perilous but now perishing legal troubles as a result of him being treated unfairly via “weaponization of the Justice Department.”

Biden went to some length to offer extenuation for the pardon in his relatively lengthy official statement. “Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter. From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted. Without aggravating factors like use in a crime, multiple purchases, or buying a weapon as a straw purchaser, people are almost never brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form. Those who were late paying their taxes because of serious addictions, but paid them back subsequently with interest and penalties, are typically given non-criminal resolutions. It is clear that Hunter was treated differently,” he said.

“The charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election. Then, a carefully negotiated plea deal, agreed to by the Department of Justice, unraveled in the court room – with a number of my political opponents in Congress taking credit for bringing political pressure on the process. Had the plea deal held, it would have been a fair, reasonable resolution of Hunter’s cases,” the president said.

“No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son – and that is wrong. There has been an effort to break Hunter – who has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of unrelenting attacks and selective prosecution. In trying to break Hunter, they’ve tried to break me – and there’s no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough,” he said.

While what Trump was charged with in both the January 6, 2021 insurrection and obstruction of justice in the classified documents case is far graver than Hunter Biden’s cases, in so much as both are about the principle of no one being above the law, the pardon is a case of manifest hypocrisy. It knocks the bottom out of the Democratic Party’s moralizing on Trump cases even though they are nowhere near comparable.

It is against this backdrop that nomination such as Patel’s will now be viewed and tested. Both House and Senate Democrats will be on the defensive in the aftermath of the pardon.

What is intriguing many is the pardon is that it is “for those offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from Jan. 1, 2014, through Dec. 1, 2024.” A period of ten years is strikingly long and encompassing in nature and does create the perception of things being swept under the rug.

As for Patel, even if he is confirmed, it is reasonable to assume that a new president come 2028 will be unlikely to keep him on in the job even though the tenure of the FBI director is 10 years.

Meanwhile, Trump’s former National Security Advisor John Bolton tweeted, “Trump has nominated Kash Patel to be his Lavrenty Beria, the NKVD boss who once reportedly said to Stalin, “show me the man, and I will show you the crime.” Fortunately, the FBI is not the NKVD. The Senate should reject this nomination unanimously.”

The NKVD was the dreaded secret police of the erstwhile Soviet Union.

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Nexus, a premier business incubator hosted at the American Center in New Delhi, is currently accepting applications for its 20th cohort which will begin a nine-week training program on February 2, 2025, the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi said in a statement on Tuesday, December 3.

The Nexus cohort program provides an invaluable opportunity for 15 Indian start-up companies to receive specialized training from Indian and American experts to sharpen their value propositions, define their target markets, get market feedback on product/technology and create milestones to bring their companies to the market.

This latest cohort will also explore the influence of artificial intelligence on start-up ventures and the importance of mental health for entrepreneurs, the U.S. Embassy said.

Following the initial nine-week training program, up to four companies will be invited to remain at Nexus for more in-depth support. These companies will be given full access to incubator facilities and networks for up to an additional eight months.

Attention all startups and aspiring entrepreneurs! Nexus is thrilled to announce the launch of applications for the 19th Cohort. Apply now at https://t.co/bNUMXEqCL8 and join the next wave of groundbreaking startups!

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— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) December 3, 2024

According to the statement, during this time, the Nexus team of experts will also work with them to take their companies to the next level by helping them get their products to market, grow their customer and revenue bases and, if appropriate, obtain funding to scale their operations.

Entrepreneurs interested in applying for this program should submit applications at www.startupnexus.in by January 5, 2025. Selected participants will be notified by January 17, 2025.

To deliver training for Nexus’ 20th cohort, the U.S. Embassy is partnering with the Global Training and Development Institute (GTDI) at the University of Connecticut (UConn). The program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and the U.S. Department of State, it added.

GTDI works together with the Daigle Labs at UConn’s School of Business to provide participants from across India the perspectives and critical tools for exploring the development of new and emerging ventures. The aim of the partnership is to enable sustainable community development while promoting the cultural and economic relationships between the United States and India.

Since the launch of the first cohort in 2017, 230 Indian entrepreneurs and 19 cohorts have graduated from Nexus, and collectively raised over $90 million dollars in external funding.

(Photo courtesy: Unsplash)

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A common heart drug has shown promise to delay the onset of Huntington’s disease — a progressive and inherited brain disorder that causes nerve cells in the brain to break down — according to a new study.

Common symptoms of Huntington’s include uncontrolled movements like jerking and twitching, loss of coordination, difficulty swallowing, slurred speech, and trouble walking.

Researchers from the University of Iowa in the U.S. found that using beta-blocker drugs — commonly used to treat heart and blood pressure issues — can lead to a significantly later onset of Huntington’s symptoms for people in the pre-symptomatic stages.

Among those diagnosed, the beta-blocker also slowed the rate of worsening of the symptoms.

“Given that there are no disease-modifying agents for Huntington’s disease, the possibility that beta-blockers, which are cheap and have a known safety profile, may provide benefit to patients at various stages of the disease is very exciting,” said lead author Jordan Schultz, assistant professor of psychiatry at the varsity.

Previous research has shown that patients with Huntington’s disease seem to have a stronger “fight or flight” reflex, even when they are resting.

The team targeted beta-blockers as they are known to block the action of norepinephrine — a neurotransmitter and hormone involved in the “fight or flight” response.

For the study, published in the JAMA Neurology, the team focused on two distinct groups of Huntington’s patients; those with the genetic mutation that causes the disease but who have not yet started showing significant clinical symptoms (pre-group), and patients who have already received a clinical diagnosis — referred to as motor-manifest patients (mm group).

Within each group, the team identified patients who were taking a beta-blocker for at least one year.

Next, the team matched 174 pre and 149 mm beta-blocker users to the same number of similar non-beta-blocker users.

The analysis showed that pre-beta-blocker users had a significantly lower yearly risk of receiving a clinical diagnosis of Huntington’s. This signaled that beta-blocker use was associated with a later onset of the disease.

Among the mm group, the patients taking beta-blockers had a significant slowing of the gradual worsening of motor, cognitive, and functional symptoms.

Meanwhile, Schultz cautioned that the study only reports associations between beta-blocker use in Huntington’s patients, “the data does not prove cause and effect”.

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

Bollywood actress Nargis Fakhri’s (picture above) sister Aliya has been arrested by police in New York for setting a garage on fire and killing two people, including her former boyfriend, in the Jamaica neighbourhood.

As per an official news release from the office of Queens County District Attorney Melinda Katz, Aliya Fakhri has been indicted on murder in the first degree and related charges for deliberately setting a deadly fire in the detached garage of a home in Jamaica killing her boyfriend, 35-year-old Edward Jacobs, and 33-year-old Anastasia Ettienne. Fakhri allegedly set the fire near the entrance of the building, trapping the two inside with no exit.

District Attorney Katz said: “As alleged in this indictment, this defendant maliciously ended the lives of two people by setting a fire that trapped a man and woman in a raging inferno. The victims tragically died from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. Our condolences are with families of Edward Jacobs and Anastasia Ettienne as we prosecute this case.”

Fakhri, 43, of Parsons Boulevard in Queens, was indicted by a grand jury for four counts of murder in the first degree, four counts of murder in the second degree and one count each of arson in the first degree and arson in the second degree. Supreme Court Justice John Zoll arraigned the defendant today and remanded her.

She faces a potential maximum of life in prison if convicted of the top charge. Fakhri must return to court on December 9.

According to the charges and investigation, on November 2, Fakhri arrived at the front door of a two-story detached garage behind 172-27 91st Avenue at around 6:20 a.m. and yelled upstairs to 35-year-old victim Edward Jacobs, “You’re all going to die today.” Soon after, a witness who was inside the property came downstairs and discovered that the building was on fire. Ettienne was alerted to the fire and went downstairs briefly. The woman then returned upstairs in an attempt to save Jacobs, who was sleeping. The building became engulfed with flames and neither Jacobs nor Ettienne could escape.

Both Jacobs and Ettienne later died from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries.

Assistant District Attorney Gabriel Reale of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau is prosecuting the case, with the assistance of Assistant District Attorneys Alexa Ornelas and Antonio Vittiglio, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys John Kosinski, Bureau Chief, Karen Ross, Deputy Bureau Chief, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.

(Photo courtesy: www.facebook.com/NargisFakhri)

By Ritu Jha-

President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January has reignited uncertainty among immigrant communities, from undocumented residents to legal immigrants waiting for permanent residency. 

In particular, Trump’s campaign references to President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s “Operation Wetback” deportation program have fueled speculation about his administration’s approach to immigration policy.

Muzaffar Chishti, a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute and an expert on U.S. immigration law, shared his insights on what a second Trump term could mean for immigrants.

Deportations: Tough Rhetoric, Practical Limits

Chishti said large-scale deportations are logistically and legally impractical, even though the administration may project an image of strict enforcement. The U.S. immigration system, already strained with a 3.7 million-case backlog, lacks the capacity for mass deportations.

“Deporting 11 million people is not operationally feasible,” Chishti said. “Trump’s administration will likely create a perception of tough enforcement, but the reality will be more measured.”

Although enforcement actions and family separations could intensify, Chishti emphasized that constitutional rights to due process would constrain immediate removals.

Challenges for Legal Immigration

Legal immigrants may face heightened obstacles under Trump’s policies. Chishti expects the administration to reverse Biden-era priorities that focus on deporting recent arrivals and criminals, instead designating all undocumented immigrants as enforcement targets.

“Under Trump 2.0, everyone becomes a priority for deportation,” Chishti said, predicting that this could increase fear among the 12 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., despite logistical limits on mass removals.

Trump’s previous term slashed refugee admissions, and Chishti anticipates similar cuts. However, significant changes to legal immigration pathways would require Congressional action, which remains unlikely.

Business Interests and Labor Needs

Despite Trump’s hardline rhetoric, Chishti said the U.S. labor market’s reliance on foreign workers in healthcare, construction, agriculture, and hospitality could temper immigration policies.

“America’s aging population and labor market demands mean immigration is essential for economic stability,” he said. “If Trump addresses border control, it could open the door for reforms to legal immigration channels.”

Impact on Indian Immigrants

Indian migrants, both undocumented and those seeking green cards, could face unique challenges. More than half a million undocumented Indians live in the U.S., and deporting them poses significant logistical hurdles, Chishti said, noting that countries like India and China often resist accepting deportees.

“While deportations to India might continue, they will likely remain limited,” he said.

Looking Ahead

Chishti urged immigrant rights groups and legal advocates to prepare for a potential surge in enforcement actions, including workplace raids and legal challenges.

While Trump’s second term is expected to prioritize border enforcement, Chishti expressed cautious optimism that it could also lay the groundwork for legal immigration reforms.

“We face twin challenges: securing the border and meeting labor market demands,” he said. “If the administration effectively addresses border concerns, it might pave the way for much-needed reforms to legal immigration channels.”

 

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

In a major success for indigenous weapon systems, the Indian Army has received the supply of 480 loitering munitions made by a Nagpur-based defence manufacturing firm with over 75% indigenous content.

The first indigenous Loiter Munition, Nagastra-1, developed by Solar Industries in Nagpur, has supplied the complete lot of 480 loitering munitions under a contract signed under emergency procurement powers by the force, defense officials said.

Nagastra-1 has an indigenous content of more than 75% and has been designed and developed indigenously by the firm.

The system is man-portable and light, and is intended to be used for precision strike capabilities by the Army troops, officials said.

Solar Industries is working on the advanced versions of the munition — Nagastra-2 and Nagastra-3 — with extended performance and warhead carrying capabilities.

Solar Industries has also submitted proposals to the defense forces for the Design & Development of a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) class of drones.

A few other Indian firms are also now moving towards developing the MALE indigenously under the defense ministry’s Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured (IDDM) category for acquisition.

The forces are working towards having an Indigenous MALE program to develop a drone industry which can produce high capability drones at relatively lower costs.

The force is looking at acquiring 97 MALE drones to fulfil their surveillance requirements.

(Photo courtesy: Screengrab from X)

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the country regularly raises issues with its Indian counterparts, including concerns related to specific matters.

Miller made the comment on Monday, December 2, during a press briefing.

When asked about India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s recent meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Italy, following the U.S. indictment of Indian industrialist Gautam Adani, and the alleged involvement of an Indian agent in the murder plot against a Sikh activist, Miller said, “I’m not going to get into private diplomatic conversations, but as you’ve heard us say before, we regularly raise in conversations with our Indian counterparts that case and the concerning implications from it.”

Miller also addressed a question regarding global mistrust after the election of Donald Trump, with concerns raised by Europe, U.S. partners, and even President Joe Biden, who, on December 1, pardoned his son despite previously stating he would not.

In response, Miller stated that it would not be appropriate for him to comment on the policies of an administration that has not yet taken office, adding that the new State Department spokesperson will address questions about President Trump’s foreign policy.

“Look, I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to comment on the policies of an administration that has not yet taken office. We have one President at a time. I’m glad to stand up here and take questions about President Biden’s foreign policy. And presumably, there will be a new State Department spokesperson on January 21st who can take questions about President Trump’s foreign policy,” Matthew Miller said.

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.)

A Federal Court in Brooklyn New York has indicted Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani and six other business colleagues in his company on charges under the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

I am in California presently, and I discussed the matter with some NRIs living here. They were of the opinion that this was a reaction of the US Government to Indian Prime Minister Modi’s moves of trying to run with the hares and hunt with the hounds, that is trying to balance friendship with the USA with friendship with Russia e.g. his recent attendance in the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, BRICs being an organization dominated by Russia and China, and therefore being predominantly an anti-US organization.

Adani is known to be very close to Modi, so hitting at the former is an indirect way of giving a message and warning to the latter to stop getting close to the Russians and Chinese, otherwise, there would be repercussions.

Adani has reacted to the indictment by saying “Every attack makes us stronger. ”  The Adani group has called it fake and distorted news.

What will be the repercussions on the Adani Group by the US court indictment?

According to Sucheta Dayal ( whose interview by Karan Thapar is given above  ) they will be severe, but I for one doubt it. Modi is a friend of Donald Trump, and when the latter takes over as US President in January, Modi will talk to him on Adani’s behalf, and Trump will get the case put in cold storage, on Modi’s assurance that there will be no more Indian tilting towards the Russians or the Chinese.

Then it will be business back as usual.

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

Transport aggregator Uber has launched Asia’s first water transport service, “Uber Shikara”, is India’s Jammu and Kashmir. The service can be availed at the picturesque Dal Lake.

Tourists visiting the Dal Lake will now be able to enjoy a hassle-free travel experience with the launch of ‘Uber Shikara’.

The initiative aims to combine technology with tradition, allowing tourists to pre-book shikara rides through the ride-hailing app.

The service was launched by Uber India and South Asia President Prabhjeet Singh, who booked the inaugural shikara ride via the app.

“Uber Shikara is our humble attempt to blend technology and tradition, enhancing accessibility and uplifting tourism in the breathtaking landscape of Kashmir,” he said.

Uber Shikara marks a significant milestone for the company as it is the first water transport offering in Asia after similar services in select European countries like Italy (Venice).

Uber has partnered with seven local shikara owners with plans to expand the fleet based on user demand.

Rides will be available at government-regulated rates, ensuring fair pricing for tourists.

The seven shikaras are stationed at Nehru Park, an island park located in the heart of Dal Lake.

Importantly, Uber will not charge any fees from its shikara partners ensuring that the full fare goes directly to the boat operators.

Uber’s Director of Communications Ruchika Tomar said: “Anyone who comes to Srinagar must experience a shikara ride, which is a timeless activity on every traveler’s bucket list. Our service brings together the magic of technology and Kashmir’s traditional charm, providing a seamless experience for travelers.”

Each Uber Shikara ride can accommodate up to four passengers and is available for one-hour bookings daily between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Rides can be scheduled from 12 hours up to 15 days in advance.

Uber has previously established its presence in Srinagar with cab services, and now with the introduction of Uber Shikara, it aims to revolutionize the way tourists experience the boat ride inside the Dal Lake, the company said.

(Photo courtesy: IANS)

By Mayank Chhaya-

December 3 marks the 40th anniversary of the Bhopal gas disaster. It was around midnight on December 2, 1984, that an explosion inside a tank containing the deadly Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) at Union Carbide India Limited’s (UCIL) Bhopal plant caused what is now the world’s worst industrial disaster.

One of my passing regrets as a journalist is that I did not get to report the story from Bhopal. I have frequently written about the Bhopal gas disaster, including how I ended up solely reporting the corporate angle to the story because I lived in Bombay which was also the India headquarters of Union Carbide.

As a junior reporter working for a Bombay newspaper (The Free Press Journal) with a Bhopal edition, I had no prospects of covering the Union Carbide gas disaster from its location.

Fortunately, and I say this purely from a professional journalist’s perspective), I got an opportunity to work for the Associated Press (AP) in January 1985, barely a month after a tank at Union Carbide’s Bhopal plant exploded into a devastating leak. Being based in Bombay as the AP bureau chief, it became part of my assignment to cover the story from the corporate angle. That meant establishing contact with UCIL’s managing director Vijay Gokhale. Incidentally, Gokhale, who was convicted along with another UCIL official K.V. Shetty by an Indian court, died without serving any prison time.

When I first met Gokhale he had an air of befuddled amiability about him. He had taken over barely a year before the disaster after spending some time in the US. He appeared to look for an ally in a representative of the iconic news institution of America. I am happy to report that he did not find one in me.

In a sense whatever I wrote of the Bhopal story was from the vantage point of a deeply embattled chief executive. There was a time when I used to meet him practically every week in his office near Charni Road station. The most frequently discussed subject between him and I was how the deadly Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) gas had leaked from Tank 610 at the plant. The tank had 42 tons of MIC liquid, which is colorless but has a pungent smell.

The initial explanation behind the leak was that a large quantity of water entered the tank setting off a rapid chain reaction with the highly flammable liquid. As the temperature inside jumped to 200 degrees C. (392 degrees F.) the tank became of a gigantic weapon. The tank’s vent worked the way they should have and began leaking the gaseous MIC into the air.

Ironically, some experts I spoke to at that time argued that under the circumstances they would rather that the vent did not work. That would have led the tank to explode at the site and may have limited the quantity of gaseous MIC as the still liquid water-MIC mixture would have seeped into the plant’s ground. It would have caused a localized gas leak which may have taken far less lives. I am not sure if this theory made any sense.

I recall Gokhale being unable to fully explain how 42 tons of deadly chemicals were allowed to be stored in the first place. Many UCIL engineers were brought into his well-appointed office to explain to me how this accident could have happened. It was also subtly suggested that the leak may even have been an act of sabotage by some disgruntled workers. They had inferred that from the fact that so much water had gone into Tank 610.

One particular engineer, whose name has escaped my memory, was so convinced that it was an act of sabotage that Gokhale had to rein him in and reprimand him in my presence. Gokhale said something to the effect, “We cannot make any such claims right now” and told me to discount the engineer’s version.

Gokhale always had an expression of contrition every time I met him. It was almost as if he needed an independent outsider to see and recognize his personal pain and regret at what had happened. Initially, I did respond to his anguish but as time went by it came across as a pose. I am sure he felt what he said he did but it was still nothing compared to the thousands who died and were maimed.

An estimated 574,000 were poisoned that dreadful night and more than 20,000 people have died since from related conditions. In the immediate aftermath, the death toll within the first three days was said to be 10,000.

Union Carbide Corporation (UCC), the parent company of UCIL then, escaped accountability. It is a measure of the callousness of both UCC and the Indian government of the day that in 1989 they reached an out-of-court settlement of $470 million without consulting Bhopal Gas Tragedy survivors. That amount was barely 15% of what the government had originally demanded. It fell woefully short of the extent death and health damage it caused in the immediate aftermath and, in some ways, continues to affect survivors.

UCIL was sold to the Dow Chemical Company and has said it bears no responsibility because it “never owned or operated the plant” and bought it 16 years after the accident.

 

[Title courtesy IANS: Bhopal: Members of the Chingari Trust, along with survivors of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, take part in a candlelight vigil Caption : Bhopal: Members of the Chingari Trust, along with survivors of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, take part in a candlelight vigil to pay homage to the victims on the eve of the 40th anniversary in Bhopal on Saturday, December 2, 2023.] 

 

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

Eating more plant-based protein than animal-based protein may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD), according to a new study published recently.

The study, led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, showed that the risk reductions are likely driven by the replacement of red and processed meats with plant proteins and eating more legumes and nuts.

“Such a dietary pattern is beneficial not just for human health but also the health of our planet,” researchers said in the study, which was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The study aims to pioneer the investigation of an ideal ratio of plant to animal protein and how it impacts health, specifically heart health.

“The average American eats a 1:3 plant-to-animal protein ratio. Our findings suggest a ratio of at least 1:2 is much more effective in preventing CVD,” said lead author Andrea Glenn, Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at New York University. Glenn worked on the study as a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard Chan School.

To prevent CHD, a ratio of 1:1.3 or higher should come from plants, Glenn said.

The team used 30 years of data on diet, lifestyle, and heart health among nearly 203,000 men and women. Throughout the four-year study period, 16,118 CVD cases, including over 10,000 CHD cases and over 6,000 stroke cases, were documented.

The results showed that people who consumed a higher ratio of plant to animal protein (about 1:1.3) had a 19% lower risk of CVD and a 27% lower risk of CHD.

Further, people who had their 21% of energy coming from proteins and adhered to a higher plant-to-animal protein ratio saw a 28% lower risk of CVD and a 36% lower risk of CHD.

According to the researchers, replacing processed meat with several plant protein sources, particularly nuts and legumes can improve blood lipids and blood pressure as well as inflammatory biomarkers. It is partly because plant proteins are often accompanied by high amounts of fibre, antioxidant vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.

(Photo courtesy: Unsplash)

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

A woman was kicked out of a United Airlines bus after she made racist comments about an Indian American family.

The incident took place on November 24 at the Los Angeles airport.

Visuals, captured and shared online by Pervez Taufiq, one of the victims of the abuse, showed the woman flipping her fingers while shouting racist comments.

In the video, the woman can be heard saying: “Your family is from India, you have no respect, you have no rules, you think you can push everyone, push, push, push.”

“You guys are f–king crazy,” she continued.

Taufiq then asked the woman to advise him to have “more curry, right?” In response, the woman said that she was going to take out her phone “to record your f–king tandoori a**.” She then proceeds to record Taufiq and his family.

The woman was finally asked to get off the bus, but not before she hurled more racist comments.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Pervez Taufiq (@ptaufiqphotography)

Sharing his account of the incident, Taufiq, a photographer by profession, posted on Instagram: “Mortified we just went through this. This lady was harassing our son on the flight, unbeknownst to us , asking him if he was indian and making comments. When we landed in LA and got on the transfer bus, she told our son to “shut up” , I told her she doesn’t have a right to speak to my son that way and her husband got in my face trying to tell me to not speak to his wife. The remainder of this is what happened . I’m thankful United @united got her off the bus ultimately and a few fellow passengers stood up for us. Blown away these types of people still exist . As photographers we have seen a lot of, but this is one we could have done without.”

He also informed that police were investigating the incident.

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

The pace of India’s manufacturing growth remains above its long-run average and there was substantial improvement in the health of the sector during November, the HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data showed on Monday, December 2.

India recorded a 56.5 manufacturing PMI in November, down slightly from the prior month, but still firmly within expansionary territory, it revealed.

“Strong broad-based international demand, evidenced by a four-month high in new export orders, fuelled the Indian manufacturing sector’s continued growth,” HSBC’s Chief India Economist Pranjul Bhandari said.

Although price pressures curbed domestic sales to a certain extent, the growth of new export orders gained momentum.

The rate of expansion in international demand was the best seen for four months, with panellists reporting gains from Bangladesh, mainland China, Colombia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Nepal, the UK, and the U.S.

With demand conditions remaining favorable, Indian manufacturers continued to scale up production.

For the ninth month in a row, factory employment in India increased during November. Despite softening from October, the rate of job creation remained solid. According to panel members, staff had been hired on both permanent and temporary bases, according to the seasonally-adjusted HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global.

Indian manufacturers purchased additional inputs for use in production processes and to place into inventories. The rise in buying levels was sharp, albeit the weakest in just under a year.

“Average lead times shortened further, reportedly due to strong relationships with long-standing suppliers. The improvement in vendor performance was mild but nevertheless the best since July,” the report mentioned.

Subsequently, manufacturers were able to add to their input stocks again. The rate of accumulation was notably above its long-run average.

(Photo courtesy: IANS)

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

Disturbing reports have emerged of the death of a 22-year-old Indian-origin student in Chicago. The victim, who hailed from Telangana’s Khammam district, was shot dead by unknown assailants at a gas station while he was on duty, Indian news agency PTI reported.

He has been identified as Sai Teja Nukarapu. Sai was fatally shot on Friday, (November 29).

Reacting to the news, the Consulate General of India in Chicago tweeted: “We are shocked and deeply sad at the murder of Indian Student Nukarapu Sai Teja. We demand immediate action against the culprits. Consulate will extend all possible help to the family and friends of the victim @IndianEmbassyUS @MEAIndia”

Replying to the tweet, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said: “Deeply grieved at this news. Our Consulate is rendering all possible assistance to the family.”

As per reports, Sai was working at a cash counter in a shopping mall while helping out a friend who had asked him to cover for the latter.

The 22-year-old had moved to the U.S. just months ago to pursue an MBA (Master of Business Administration) degree.

According to a recent report from the U.S. Consulate General, 56% of all the Indian student visas issued by America in 2023 were given to students from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. As per the report, most students from the aforementioned states opted for master’s degrees in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects.

(Photo courtesy: x.com/Samster1216)

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday, December 1, signed a pardon for his son, Robert Hunter Biden, who had been convicted on charges related to gun crimes and tax violations. The pardon ensures that Hunter Biden will not face sentencing for these offences and removes the possibility of prison time.

In a statement, President Biden addressed the charges against his son, arguing that individuals in similar situations — such as those with tax payment issues due to addiction — typically receive non-criminal resolutions. He contended that Hunter’s case was treated differently, leading to felony charges despite the absence of aggravating factors.

Biden also stressed his commitment to not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, despite his belief that his son had been “selectively and unfairly prosecuted”.

His statement read:

“Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter. From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted. Without aggravating factors like use in a crime, multiple purchases, or buying a weapon as a straw purchaser, people are almost never brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form. Those who were late paying their taxes because of serious addictions, but paid them back subsequently with interest and penalties, are typically given non-criminal resolutions. It is clear that Hunter was treated differently.

“The charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election. Then, a carefully negotiated plea deal, agreed to by the Department of Justice, unraveled in the court room – with a number of my political opponents in Congress taking credit for bringing political pressure on the process. Had the plea deal held, it would have been a fair, reasonable resolution of Hunter’s cases.

“No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son – and that is wrong. There has been an effort to break Hunter – who has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of unrelenting attacks and selective prosecution. In trying to break Hunter, they’ve tried to break me – and there’s no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough.

“For my entire career I have followed a simple principle: just tell the American people the truth. They’ll be fair-minded. Here’s the truth: I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice – and once I made this decision this weekend, there was no sense in delaying it further. I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision.

“Executive Grant of Clemency
Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
President of the United States of America

“To All to Whom These Presents Shall Come, Greeting:

“Be It Known, That This Day, I, Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States, Pursuant to My Powers Under Article II, Section 2, Clause 1, of the Constitution, Have Granted Unto

“ROBERT HUNTER BIDEN

“A Full and Unconditional Pardon

“For those offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024, including but not limited to all offenses charged or prosecuted (including any that have resulted in convictions) by Special Counsel David C. Weiss in Docket No. 1:23-cr-00061-MN in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware and Docket No. 2:23-CR-00599-MCS-1 in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

“IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have hereunto signed my name and caused the Pardon to be recorded with the Department of Justice.

“Done at the City of Washington this 1st day of December in the year of our Lord Two Thousand and Twenty-four and of the Independence of the United States the Two Hundred and Forty-ninth.

The pardon marks a significant development following the U.S. presidential elections, as Biden prepares to leave the White House and make way for Donald Trump, who will begin his second term in January 2025. However, the pardon cannot be reversed by President-elect Trump.

According to CNN, Hunter Biden was found guilty in June of illegally purchasing and possessing a firearm, following a trial that examined his drug addiction and family issues. He also pleaded guilty in September to nine tax-related charges for failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes while spending lavishly on escorts, strippers, cars, and drugs.

(Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100% tariffs on BRICS countries — comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates — if they develop a new currency or adopt another to replace “the mighty dollar” and effectively bar them from American markets.

“There is no chance that the BRICS will replace the U.S. Dollar in International Trade, and any country that tries should wave goodbye to America,” he posted on Truth Social on Saturday, November 30.

Threatening to close the U.S. market to India and the other eight members of BRICS, he wrote with misplaced capitalisazion of words in his style: “We require a commitment from these countries that they will neither create a new BRICS Currency, nor back any other Currency to replace the mighty U.S. Dollar or, they will face 100 per cent Tariffs, and should expect to say goodbye to selling into the wonderful U.S. Economy.”

Trump’s warning to BRICS — after threatening higher tariffs on imports from China, Mexico, and Canada — is premature.

India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar has already categorically ruled out the idea of a common BRICS currency.

“There is no idea of a BRICS currency. Currencies will remain a national issue for a long time to come,” he said last year ahead of the group’s summit in Johannesburg.

India is the second-biggest economy in BRICS.

Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, nevertheless, went on to propose a common currency at the Johannesburg summit, but it has made no headway.

During his campaign, Trump had asserted that the dollar faced threats to its future as the world’s premier trading currency and said that President Joe Biden was ignoring it.

“The idea that the BRICS Countries are trying to move away from the Dollar while we stand by and watch is over,” he said in Truth Social post.

His warning to BRICS countries is more like a loyalty test to see which countries would publicly take the stand. India already has done it, and it’s also a pre-emptive warning to Beijing.

BRICS, an acronym from the names of its first set of members — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — expanded this year to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Several other countries have applied to join BRICS, which is making headway as an economy-focused organization of the Global South.

With members in a wide range of stages of economic development and types of economies, creating a common currency would be difficult.

Accepting the currency of one member as the group’s trading currency would be near impossible.

China, which is the largest economy and the biggest trading country in the group, would tend to dominate with its yuan, which India and some of the other countries will resist.

The U.S.-led sanctions on countries like Russia and Iran helped grow some bilateral trade in non-dollar currencies.

Fueled in part by U.S. sanctions against Russia, India has paid for its oil imports from Russia with a mix of rupees and UAE dirham.

An Indian oil importer initially made some payments in yuan, and although Russia reportedly wanted payments in the Chinese currency, the Indian government has banned it, illustrating the difficulty of adopting a BRICS currency.

The European Union has the euro, but it is for a unified economic unit — which BRICS is not and cannot be — and most of their external trade is pegged to the dollar.

In addition to being the preferred currency for trade, the dollar is the main currency in which countries hold their reserves.

According to an International Monetary Fund publication in June, the dollar continues to have an “outsized role” in the world economy, but there has been an “ongoing gradual decline in the dollar’s share of allocated foreign reserves of central banks and governments”.

Now, about 60% of the reserves are in dollars.

This relates to its role as the world currency reserve, and the decline is due to “fragmentations” and reserves being parked in currencies like the yuan, South Korean won, and the dollars of Singapore, Canada, and Australia.

(Photo courtesy: Donald Trump Instagram)