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‘Time does not speak but it waits’: Rajinikanth reacts to TVK’s ‘DMK threat’ statement

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‘Time does not speak but it waits’: Rajinikanth reacts to TVK’s ‘DMK threat’ statement

new delhi: movie stars Rainikant Expressed “thank you” to “everyone” who on Tuesday condemned the TVK leader’s “defamatory remarks” claiming that the actor did not enter politics in a ruling capacity DMK When he tried to enter politics, his family “threatened” him.The actor thanked the film fraternity, his friends and fans and said, “Time does not speak but it waits and gives answers”. “I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all those who have condemned his defamatory comments and raised their voices in support of me: Leader of the Opposition tamil nadu Legislative Assembly, Edappadi Palaniswami; Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party President Nanal Nagendran; Union Minister L. Murugan; Tamil Nadu Minister Raghupathy; Thor. Thirumavalavan; SP Virumani; my friend Annamalai; Arjunamurthy; Anbumani Ramadoss; wicketkeeper Vasan John Pandian; Pujajandhi; and other political leaders from different political parties,” Rajnikanth posted on X. He further said, “I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Ameer, G. Dhananjayan and my friends from the film industry; to Nakkeeran Gopal, Rangaraj Pandey (Chanakyaa) and members of the media; and most importantly, to my fans – whom I regard as gods – for their support and inspiration. Time does not speak, but it waits and gives the answer.”

Any comments?

TVK worker Aadhav Arjuna claimed that the DMK family threatened actor Rajinikanth when he tried to enter politics. Arjuna said he was not criticizing Rajinikanth but added that Vijay had the courage to bear such pressure.TVK organized protests at its district headquarters across Tamil Nadu on Thursday, accusing the state government of failing to maintain law and order. A protest was held in Chennai, attended by TVK officials N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna and Arun Raj.Arjuna, while speaking at the protest, said that after “MGR”, Rajinikanth was one of the most popular actors planning to enter politics. He said Rajinikanth wanted to enter Tamil Nadu politics and change the system. “However, the DMK family has repeatedly threatened Rajinikanth and prevented him from entering politics. Look what’s happened now… He ended up going on to star in the movie that Red Giant produced,” he said.Arjuna added that there was no personal criticism of Rajinikanth. However, he said that despite these threats, Vijay had enough mental strength to enter politics. “Even when Vijay was criticized personally, he did not stay silent at home out of fear.”

The remarks drew criticism from all sides

Arjuna’s remarks attracted criticism from many quarters, especially from Rajinikanth’s fans. “Rajinikanth is not a person who is afraid of threats – everyone knows this. At a time when coronavirus is spreading badly, he quit politics considering the risk of infection that rallies could pose to the public and to avoid loss of lives due to the virus,” said S Ravi, one of his fan club members in Sholingur. “Not everyone who gathers a crowd can be a leader,” he added.AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palansiwami and BJP Tamil Nadu president Nainar Nagenthran on Monday condemned TVK general secretary Aadhav Arjuna’s remarks that actor Rajinikanth abandoned plans to form a political party due to threats from the DMK. The BJP demands an apology from Adav Arjuna.“Superstar Rajinikanth has earned immense respect from all walks of life for his abilities and talents. Attacks on such a personality by TVK party workers are unacceptable,” EPS said in anHe (Rajinikanth) cited valid reasons for not participating. Respect this choice; politicizing it is political incivility,” EPS said. EPS adds that the actor has won the love of MGR and the respect of J Jayalalithaa. The statement came four days after Adav said that unlike Rajinikanth, Vijay had resisted pressure and launched a political party.Nagantran said in a post on “It is unacceptable for Mr. Adav Arjuna to wrongly speak about such a dignified personality in public,” he said.Nagentran recalled that Rajinikanth had received various honours, including Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Padma Bhushan Award and Padma Vibhushan Award. The actor also enjoys the respect of the country’s leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said.Nagentran urged TVK chairman Vijay to intervene. “The party leader should condemn such remarks and advise him not to take such action,” he said. Last week, Aadhav Arjuna alleged that actor Rajinikanth faced pressure from the DMK when he tried to enter politics and said such intimidation was hindering him from pursuing a political career.He said that unlike Rajinikanth, TVK president Vijay showed determination to withstand such pressure. The remarks prompted reactions from political leaders and some of Rajinikanth’s supporters. His fan club in Madurai has announced that they will contest Adav in the 2026 polls to defeat him and showcase Rajini’s strength.

5 IPL legends yet to win the orange cap

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5 IPL legends yet to win the orange cap

5 IPL legends yet to win Orange Cap
IPL trophy. (BCCI/IPL Photo)

The 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is about to kick off on March 28, and the event will once again showcase high-intensity cricket, massive runs and individual talent. In a batting-dominated era, the highest run-scorer of the season is awarded the prestigious Orange Cap award, but the shocking fact is that some of the greatest run-scorers in the IPL have never won the award.Although these legendary players are among the top 10 highest-ranked players in the history of IPL, they have never won the Orange Cap even after 18 editions of the tournament.

IPL 2026 should be the audition for the next India T20I captain

1. Rohit Sharma: Rohit Sharma is one of the most famous figures in the history of IPL and one of the most successful captains, leading mumbai indians to five championships (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020). Known for his elegant batting, Rohit ranks second among the highest run-scorers in IPL history with 7,046 runs in 272 games. Rohit Sharma’s best season with the bat in the IPL was arguably 2013 when he scored 538 runs to lead Mumbai Indians (MI) to their maiden title. Despite his impact, he never won an Orange Cap. 2. Shikhar Dhawan: Dhawan has scored 6769 runs in 222 games and ranks third on the all-time run-scoring list. He came close to winning the Orange Cap in 2020 and 2021, when he was one of the top contenders, but narrowly missed out. Dhawan had a few memorable performances for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals and Kings XI Punjab but never reached the top spot in a single season.3. Suresh Raina: Suresh Raina is popularly known as “Mr. IPL’ is the backbone of the Chennai Super Kings’ batting line-up. He scored 5,528 runs in 205 games, ranking fifth on the all-time run-scoring list. His best season came in 2013 (548 runs), but even then, it’s a surprising fact that he failed to win the Orange Cap given his dominance in the early years of the IPL.4.AB de Villiers： AB de Villiers is one of the most destructive batsmen in the history of IPL and has excited fans with his innovative stroke play. He ended his IPL career with 5,162 runs in 184 games and is currently ranked eighth, with his best season coming in 2016 (687 runs, third). Large portions of the batting order would normally reduce his chances of scoring a season-high score, putting the Orange Cap out of reach.5. Ajinkya Lakhani: Ajinkya Rahane, currently ranked 9th among all run-scorers, has been a reliable opener in the IPL, scoring 5,032 runs in 183 games. His standout season came in 2012 (560 runs for Rajasthan Royals), but he never emerged as the top run-scorer in any edition. Although his style was classic and consistent, the orange hat put him off.

Honorable Mention: MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni, one of the most iconic players in IPL history, has never won the Orange Cap either. The Chennai Super Kings legend led the team to five titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023) and scored 5,439 runs in 278 matches. Dhoni is known more for his finishing role than for amassing big season scores, but his best seasons in 2018 (455 points) and 2019 (416 points) were still not enough to win the award, mainly because his role as a finisher limited his chances of scoring big runs throughout the season.

The 10 highest run-scorers in IPL history

number running orange cap
Virat Kohli 8661 runs 2016, 2024
Rohit Sharma 7046 runs –
Shikhar Dhawan 6769 runs –
David Warner 6565 runs 2015, 2017, 2019
Suresh Raina 5528 runs –
MS Dhoni 5439 runs –
Kuala Lumpur Rahul 5222 runs 2020
AB de Villiers 5162 runs –
Ajinkya Lahani 5032 runs –
Chris Gayle 4965 runs 2011, 2012
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Your phone is rewiring your brain.

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Your phone is rewiring your brain.

It’s time to take controlFrom scrolling addiction to memory problems, science reveals what more than four hours a day of screen time is doing to your brain and what you can do about it.Think you’re just bad at focusing? Blame it on your brain’s built-in superpowers — and your smartphone.

How endless scrolling rewires your brain and destroys your focus

Your brain is not a computer with fixed programming. It’s more like Play-Doh – everything you do is constantly reinventing it. Scientists call it neuroplasticity, and it’s how you learn to ride a bike, speak a new language, or remember your best friend’s birthday.

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But here’s the catch: Every swipe, click, and scroll is also a training session for your brain. With people around the world spending more than four hours a day on their phones, we are conducting a massive, uncontrolled experiment in our own minds.result? Not pretty.When “Watching One More Video” Becomes a Brain ProblemFor some, the Internet is no longer a tool but a trap. Digital addiction, formally known as Internet addiction, is now recognized as a real behavioral condition affecting more than 7% of the world’s population. Teenagers are particularly vulnerable.

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This has nothing to do with having weak willpower or being “too dependent on your phone.” This is science. Your brain is doing what it was designed to do – learn from repetition. question? Force scrolling is teaching it all the wrong lessons.Think of it this way: practicing piano strengthens your musical path. Compulsive cell phone use reinforces pathways to craving more screen time while weakening circuits for self-control and deep focus.

‘Khoon garam tha’: Surya on how India’s 2026 T20 World Cup squad will be different from 2024

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‘Khoon garam tha’: Surya on how India’s 2026 T20 World Cup squad will be different from 2024

'Khoon garam tha': Suryakumar Yadav on how India's 2026 T20 World Cup squad will be different from 2024
India’s Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma lift the T20 World Cup trophy. (Getty Images)

New Delhi: Captain India Suryakumar Yadav Providing a fascinating insight into the uniqueness of the country’s back-to-back T20 World Cup-winning squads, the 2024 side is described as being driven by the “passion of experience” while the 2026 side is driven by the “fiery passion of youth”.“Push boundaries with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!Suryakumar explained that while both teams have the same skill set, the difference lies in their mentality. “Only ‘unnis bees ka farak’. Woh experience wala josh tha, idhar ekdum khoon garam tha ladkon ka,” he told PTI in an interview, highlighting how the earlier teams relied on experience while the latest teams thrived on youthful exuberance.The victory in 2024 will be in Rohit Sharmathose who are characterized by firmness, such as Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadejawhose experience helped India end its long international title drought. In contrast, the 2026 team saw the rise of a young core after its senior trio retired.

IPL 2026 should be the audition for the next India T20I captain

2024 vs 2026 – Experience vs Youth“In 2024, we have a lot of experience and clear roles. There are good players now, but that team has a lot of experience,” Suryakumar noted, downplaying any direct comparison in terms of the strengths of the two sides.Leading a relatively young team in 2026 also means managing expectations, especially with games at home. Suryakumar revealed that he had to prepare his players mentally for such a major incident. “All the players are between 25 and 27 years old. It’s important to tell them what it feels like to win the World Cup in India with 50,000 or even 100,000 people cheering,” he said.Despite their relative inexperience, the captain believes the team’s desire has made a difference. “From a technical point of view, there are only subtle differences in T20 cricket, but this time there is more enthusiasm,” he added.Looking back on his journey from key player in 2024 to captain in 2026, Suryakumar admits to being more emotional. “The goal is the same but there are more emotions in 2026 because we are playing in India. Winning in Ahmedabad makes it even more special,” he said.

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Saudi Arabia News: Saudi Arabia cracks down on visa violators: Domestic workers face SAR 100,000 fine, 6 months in prison, risk of deportation | World News

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Saudi Arabia News: Saudi Arabia cracks down on visa violators: Domestic workers face SAR 100,000 fine, 6 months in prison, risk of deportation | World News

Saudi Arabia cracks down on visa violators: Domestic workers face risks of fines of 100,000 Saudi riyals, six months in prison, and deportation

Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry recently issued a stern warning to individuals that transporting, employing, sheltering or assisting those who violate residence and labor regulations will face fines of up to SAR 100,000 and imprisonment of up to six months. In addition, the ministry said that if the offender is a foreigner, the penalty also includes deportation. Authorities stressed that penalties apply to anyone who provides any form of assistance to persons who violate residency, labor and border security regulations.

Sponsors face legal risks

The ministry is cracking down on tourists who stay in the kingdom beyond their permitted stay. However, authorities have also held sponsors accountable, warning them of jail time, fines, and even deportation. Recently, the Saudi public security authorities called on citizens and residents to immediately report visit visa holders who remain in the Kingdom after their visas have expired. Authorities have warned that tourists who fail to notify officials when leaving could face fines of up to 50,000 riyals and six months in prison.According to statistics recently released by the General Directorate of Passports, a total of 19,559 administrative decisions were issued against citizens and residents who violated residence, labor and border security regulations in the month of 1447 H.H. (2026).The Ministry of Interior announced in March 2026 that 19,077 illegal residents were arrested across Saudi Arabia during coordinated checks carried out by security forces in cooperation with government authorities between February 19 and 25.13,215 people were detained for violating the Residence Act, 3,396 for violating the Border Security Act and 2,466 for violating the Labor Act. The ministry urges the public to report offenders by dialing 911 in Mecca, Medina, Riyadh and the Eastern Governorate region, or 999 in other parts of the Kingdom, and ensuring that reporting does not carry any legal liability.

‘Trying to disguise massacre as military operation’: India slams Pakistan over air strikes on Afghan hospitals

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‘Trying to disguise massacre as military operation’: India slams Pakistan over air strikes on Afghan hospitals

Firefighters work at a drug rehabilitation hospital that was hit by an airstrike Monday night in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Siddiqullah Alizai)

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday strongly condemned Pakistan’s attack on a hospital in Kabul, calling it a “massacre disguised as a military operation”.“ALSO READ | Pakistan airstrikes in Afghanistan: Kabul drug treatment center attacked, killing 400; Park says military infrastructure is target“This was a cowardly and unconscionable act of violence that claimed the lives of a large number of civilians in a facility that could never be considered a military target. Pakistan is now trying to disguise a massacre as a military operation,” the MEA said in an official statement.“This heinous act of aggression by Pakistan is a flagrant violation of Afghan sovereignty and a direct threat to regional peace and stability. It reflects an ongoing pattern of reckless behavior and repeated attempts to externalize internal failures through increasingly desperate acts of violence abroad,” the MEA added. The statement also noted that the attack was carried out during the holy month of Ramzan, making the attack “all the more reprehensible.”ALSO READ | WATCH: Flames and huge plume of smoke seen after Pakistani airstrike on Kabul hospital, killing 400 It called on the international community to hold those responsible accountable and ensure that Pakistan immediately ceases its actions against Afghan civilians.The statement read: “India expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the victims, wishes a speedy recovery to the injured, and stands with the people of Afghanistan at this tragic moment. We also reiterate our unwavering support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”hundreds of people dieHamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Taliban regime in Kabul, posted on X that the death toll from the Pakistani military attack has risen to 400, with another 250 injured.Fitrat wrote: “The Pakistani military regime conducted an airstrike at around 9:00 tonight on the Omid Drug Treatment Hospital, a 2,000-bed hospital dedicated to treating drug addiction. The attack resulted in the destruction of large parts of the hospital.”ALSO READ | ‘Fabricating imaginative stories of Islamophobia’: India lashes out at Pakistan; cites Afghanistan to attack UNThe Pakistani military has carried out multiple attacks in Kabul in recent weeks as part of an ongoing conflict fueled by Islamabad’s claims that the Taliban regime is harboring “extremists” responsible for cross-border attacks. The conflict between the two sides escalated in October last year, resulting in dozens of deaths, and then subsided briefly before erupting again last month. Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has since described the situation as “open war”.

Looking for a powerful 750-watt mixer grinder for your home? These 7 models will stand out in 2026

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Looking for a powerful 750-watt mixer grinder for your home? These 7 models will stand out in 2026

Choosing the right mixer grinder can make a huge difference in your daily cooking. From making chutney and dosa batter to grinding curry spices, a powerful mixer grinder will not only enhance the quality of your dishes but also significantly reduce the process. This is where a 750 Watt mixer grinder plays a key role, especially in Indian kitchens.

Best 750-Watt Mixer Grinder for Indian Homes (Amazon)
Best 750-Watt Mixer Grinder for Indian Homes (Amazon)

These mixer grinders can handle heavy grinding tasks, such as grinding coconut paste or dry roasting spices, without putting a strain on the motor. They come with different attachments, including special blades for dry and wet sharpening – making them the perfect companion for the Indian household. So, if you are planning to upgrade your kitchen, here are the best 750-watt mixer grinders for your home.

This 750W mixer grinder is ideal for the daily cooking needs of Indian households. It has a capacity of 1.5 liters and comes with three separate stainless steel jars for dry and wet grinding and making chutney. Its motor has a dedicated ventilation system that allows users to grind tough ingredients continuously for 25 minutes. Users can easily grind dal, make shakes and purees in this mixer grinder.

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers appreciate its overall product quality and powerful motor. However, its performance received mixed reviews.

Why choose this product?

Buyers should choose this 750-watt mixer grinder because of its performance and durability.

Preethi’s 750W mixer grinder has a total capacity of 1.5 liters. It comes with five separate jars. Apart from dry and wet grinding and making chutney, these jars can also be used for kneading dough and chopping vegetables. The device also includes a juicer, perfect for extracting juice from citrus fruits. Its motor has a dedicated ventilation system that allows users to grind tough ingredients continuously for 25 minutes. Users can easily grind dal, make shakes and purees in this mixer grinder.

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers praised its performance and usefulness due to its extra attachments, but it received mixed reviews for its durability and grinding speed.

Why choose this product?

Buyers should opt for additional attachments for this mixer grinder, which include a juicer and food processor.

This Prestige 750-watt mixer grinder has a capacity of 1.5 liters and comes with four separate jars, which also includes a juicer. Additionally, buyers can separate the jars and grinding space used for making chutney. The juicer included in the package can be used to squeeze juice and make milkshakes.

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers love its ease of use. However, its durability has received mixed reviews.

Why choose this product?

Buyers should choose this mixer grinder based on its juicer and performance.

The device can be used for making chutneys and pastes, grinding masala, chopping vegetables and making shakes and batters. It has an anti-tip base that provides a stable surface while grinding and making pastes. Buyers also have access to high-visibility lids that make it easier to check paste and batter consistency.

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers like its build quality and smooth operation.

Why choose this product?

Buyers should choose this 750-watt mixer grinder because of its durability.

This mixer grinder comes with three stainless steel jars that can be used for making pastes, grinding masala and making shakes. Its 750-watt motor has a maximum speed of 21,000 rpm, which comes in handy during heavy grinding. It also has a cooling mechanism that prevents the motor from overheating during vigorous grinding.

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers appreciate its ease of use. However, some people report issues with its grinding performance.

Why choose this product?

Buyers should choose this mixer grinder because of its overall quality and ease of use.

This 750-watt mixer grinder from Bajaj comes with four stainless steel pots and can be used for multiple purposes, from making pastes and chutneys to grinding masala, as well as making shakes and juicing. Bajaj offers a lifetime warranty on its blades in the jar.

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers appreciate its grinding quality. However, its noise level has been criticized.

Why choose this product?

Buyers should choose this 750-watt mixer grinder because of its quality and grinding capabilities.

This Prestige mixer grinder comes with five jars, including a juicer and a mix-o-keep jar. Its ergonomic design ensures that it takes up less space on the kitchen counter. It’s perfect for making juices, smoothies, jams and jellies, pancake batter, spice mixes and even crushed ice.

What are buyers saying on Amazon?

Buyers like the overall presentation. However, some users criticized its noise level.

Why choose this product?

Buyers should choose this mixer grinder because of its quality and the diverse use cases it offers.

Three Features of 750 Watt Mixer Grinder

Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay updated with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has affiliate partnerships, so we may get a share of the revenue when you make a purchase. We are not responsible for any claims relating to the products under applicable law (including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act 2019). The products listed in this article are in no particular order of preference.

“Stop bringing in H-1B”: Foreigners spent $56 billion to buy 78,000 U.S. homes in one year, MAGA breaks out | World News

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“Stop bringing in H-1B”: Foreigners spent $56 billion to buy 78,000 U.S. homes in one year, MAGA breaks out | World News

'Stop bringing in H-1B': Foreigners spend $56 billion buying 78,000 U.S. homes in one year, MAGA breaks out

The latest research from the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) has once again triggered a debate among American residents about the ownership of the “American Dream”, prompting severe criticism of the “American Dream”. H-1B visa There are calls online for the move to be halted entirely. Foreigners purchased more than 78,000 U.S. homes between April 2024 and March 2025, according to a March 2026 report titled “How to Stop Foreign Buyers from Killing the American Home Ownership Dream.” Foreign buyers will spend up to $56 billion on U.S. homes between 2024 and 2025, a 33% increase from the previous year, the report said, adding that foreign home purchases are becoming more common. A major concern raised by the report is the widening gap in purchasing power. Nearly half of the buyers closed the deal with an all-cash offer, something young Americans and middle-class families can’t compete with, according to Paige Terryberry, the paper’s author. Only 29% of U.S. buyers purchase all-cash, including only 8% of first-time homebuyers.

排名第四的是 6% 的印度买家<br />” msid=”129624415″ width=”” title=”” placeholdersrc=”https://static.toiimg.com/photo/83033472.cms” imgsize=”23456″ resizemode=”4″ offsetvertical=”0″ placeholdermsid=”” type=”thumb” class=”” src=”https://static.toiimg.com/photo/imgsize-23456,msid-129624415/fourth-in-the-list-were-6-indian-buyersbr.jpg” data-api-prerender=”true”/></div> </div> <p> <span class=Who are these foreign buyers? Topping the list are Chinese citizens, who buy one in six homes and will spend $13.7 billion on U.S. homes by 2025. This was followed by 14% of Canadian buyers, who spent US$6.2 billion; and 8% of Mexican buyers, who spent US$4.4 billion. In fourth place were 6% of Indian buyers, who spent $2.2 billion on U.S. homes. More than 60 percent of those purchases were detached single-family homes, and 60 percent of nonresident buyers intended to use the homes as rental investments or as vacation homes. Although China topped the list, social media rhetoric was quick to target Indian buyers, who face rising housing costs and increased interest from U.S. households in buying homes in their own country, while facing stiff competition from foreign buyers. “It’s true. The vast majority of new home sales in North Texas are from Middle Easterners and Indians. The entire neighborhood looks foreign. I know because I live in one and see it in all the neighborhoods around me,” one user wrote on X. Another urged: “So stop bringing in H-1B visas and foreign students to our universities.” “There are two major groups of foreigners who are buying land and homes in Texas. Muslims are being funded by outside groups to build Muslim enclaves, while Indians are taking advantage of loopholes/loans. They then sell or lease it to their own groups. They had the main baby and immediately ordered a U.S. birth certificate as proof of citizenship. They know what they are doing,” claimed another outraged netizen. Similar to the report, many netizens called on the government and lawmakers to prioritize homeownership policies for Americans by banning or taxing foreigners. The findings and calls also form part of a larger agitation against immigrants buying homes in the United States. Earlier, a post claiming that 35,000 Indian-American families lived in Forsyth County, Georgia, sparked similar reactions in the online community, highlighting growing prejudice against Indian-Americans.

‘An admirable success’: Congress reflects on ‘Suez crisis’ amid Strait of Hormuz blockade, VK Krishna Menon revisits it

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‘An admirable success’: Congress reflects on ‘Suez crisis’ amid Strait of Hormuz blockade, VK Krishna Menon revisits it

New Delhi: As the world grapples with the Strait of Hormuz crisis, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday compared it with the 1956 Suez Canal crisis and highlighted the central role played by India’s then UN envoy VK Krishna Menon in diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue.Menon later served as India’s defense minister but resigned after the defeat in the 1962 China War.“The world is grappling with the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. Seventy years ago, it faced the so-called Suez crisis,” Ramesh posted on X.“On July 26, 1956, Egyptian President Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal. This caused a huge stir in the West and clouds of war loomed. The central figure in the diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis was none other than VK Krishna Menon. He achieved admirable success, but only for a while,” he added.Ramesh recalled that Britain, France and Israel launched an invasion of Egypt on October 29 but had to abort it within days after an “angry” US President Dwight Eisenhower intervened.“The irony is that three years ago this is the man who approved a joint U.S.-British campaign to overthrow Iran’s democratically elected prime minister, Mohammad Mossadegh, who nationalized Iran’s oil industry,” the congressman said of Eisenhower.After the cessation of the Egyptian invasion, UN emergency forces remained stationed on the Sinai-Gaza border until early June 1967. “This force consisted of ten countries including India and was active till 1967. Its commander from December 1959 to January 1964 was Lieutenant General PS Gyani and from January 1966 to June 1967 it was led by Major General Inder Jit Rkye,” he said.He further pointed out that Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru himself had addressed an Indian contingent in the Gaza Strip on May 20, 1960. After the withdrawal of the United Nations emergency forces, a six-day war began.Ramesh also shared pictures of Menon with Nasser, Anthony Eden and Selwyn Lloyd in an intense diplomatic effort.These memories come as the world grapples with the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. Worried about the global energy crunch, only a handful of ships pass through the vital waterway, through which 20% of the world’s oil is typically transported. Iran’s attacks on merchant ships have slowed shipping and sent oil prices sharply higher, forcing Washington to take action to ease pressure on consumers and the global economy.Iran effectively blocked the waterway in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli attacks that sparked the current Middle East crisis.

Iran war fallout: Sri Lanka switches to 4-day work week to save fuel

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Iran war fallout: Sri Lanka switches to 4-day work week to save fuel

Iran war fallout: Sri Lanka switches to 4-day work week to save fuel
Representative image (AI generated)

Amid the ongoing Middle East crisis, Sri Lanka has declared every Wednesday a public holiday to save fuel as the island nation grapples with possible fuel shortages following a war between the United States and Israel with Iran.“We must prepare for the worst but also hope for the best,” President Anura Kumar Dissanayake said at an emergency meeting with senior officials on Monday. The announcement is part of a series of preventive measures implemented by several Asian countries since the conflict began.The war has disrupted oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage that carries millions of barrels of oil from the Gulf to global markets. Nearly 90% of oil and natural gas is shipped to Asia, the world’s largest oil importing region.Other Asian countries have also taken reciprocal measures to deal with the escalating energy crisis. In Thailand, authorities are urging citizens to switch from formal attire to short-sleeved shirts to reduce reliance on air conditioning. Myanmar restricts alternate-day use of private vehicles based on license plate numbers, the BBC reported. Bangladesh has declared a holiday for universities during Ramadan and implemented planned power outages to save electricity. In the Philippines, some government agencies have asked staff to work from home at least one day a week, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has banned non-essential public sector travel. Vietnam encourages citizens to stay at home, use bicycles, carpool or take public transportation, while limiting unnecessary vehicle use.In Sri Lanka, new public holidays affect not only government offices but also schools and universities. Essential services, including health and immigration authorities, will continue to operate. Officials chose Wednesday as a rest day to avoid having government offices closed for three consecutive days.In addition, motorists must now register for a National Fuel Pass to purchase fuel in rationed quantities. The quota is 15 liters for private cars and 5 liters for motorcycles. The rationing system was first introduced in 2022 at the height of Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, when the country depleted its foreign exchange reserves and struggled to import essential goods including fuel.Since the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran late last month, global oil prices have soared, hovering around $100 a barrel. The war has heightened concerns about supply disruptions in the region, prompting Asian countries to take different measures to deal with the crisis.

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