Home Blog Page 492

BJP shows strength in Kashmir, attacks Omar government for ‘double rhetoric’ and raises 2010 killing toll India News

0

BJP shows strength in Kashmir, attacks Omar government for 'double rhetoric' and raises 2010 killing toll

SRINAGAR: The Bharatiya Janata Party put Leader of Opposition in J&K Assembly Sunil Sharma at the forefront of its political attack on the Omar Abdullah government at its inaugural rally in Srinagar on Saturday.Sharma, who represents Padar constituency in Kishtwar district, alternated between Urdu and Kashmiri in his address to hundreds of party members, accusing the ruling National Conference (NC) of pursuing a “double narrative” on the Kashmir issue and failing to fulfill its promises on employment and welfare schemes.Welcoming the new members from the People’s Democratic Party, National Committee and Congress, BJP president and BJP MP Sat Sharma said the continuous influx of leaders and workers from various sectors in Kashmir showed the party’s growing base.“He (CM Omar Abdullah) says one thing in Delhi and another in Kashmir,” Sunil Sharma said on the occasion, adding that NC leaders have portrayed Kashmiris in a negative light before the central government while openly expressing sympathy for their sufferings in the Valley. “Why don’t people see this pun?” he wondered.However, it was his attempt to compare two defining moments in Kashmir’s history that attracted special attention and drew the ire of the NC, which accused the BJP of “manufacturing a narrative”.Sharma pointed to the 2010 riots, when more than 100 civilians, many of them teenagers, were killed in months-long protests and clashes with police and security forces. The first people killed included 13-year-old Wamiq Farooq and 17-year-old Tufail Mattoo, whose deaths became a rallying point for widespread demonstrations. Sharma said Omar justified the killings of Wamik and Tufail by claiming they were part of an “insurgency” against the government he led at the time.The PPP then cited the events of July 13, 1931, when Maharaja Hari Singh’s troops shot dead 22 people outside Srinagar jail during protests against Dogra rule. In Kashmir, the day is widely observed as “Martyrs’ Day”.Those killed in 1931 are commemorated as “martyrs” by the NC, while Wamik, Tufail and others killed in 2010 were accused of rebellion, Sharma said, adding “we need to reflect on this”.He accused NC of exploiting “Kashmir sentiment” after failing to deliver on economic promises, including jobs and a promise of 200 units of free electricity, and claimed the government had outsourced 24,000 jobs to an unknown company. “BJP will hit the road against this covert recruitment drive,” he said.NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar dismissed the allegations. “The BJP has failed to deliver on its promise to restore statehood,” he said. Talking about July 13, 1931, Dar said the day symbolized the rebellion of Kashmiris against the monarchy and preservation of Kashmiri identity. “The BJP is trying to create a false narrative around this incident. They are trying to do the same with the 2010 incident to evoke sentiments in Kashmir in their favour,” he said.

Indian internet celebrity claims he and his wife were detained by immigration in South Korea and China, video goes viral

0

Indian internet celebrity claims he and his wife were detained by immigration in South Korea and China, video goes viral

Indian content creator Sachin Awasthi said he was detained by immigration authorities in South Korea and China while traveling with his wife.Awasti posted on Instagram describing his 38-hour detention in Jeju Island, South Korea. He said the couple was denied entry and taken to a waiting area without any clear explanation. “Without proper explanation, we were simply told to wait. We waited,” he wrote. He added that the detention center is like a prison, with no sunlight or opportunities for contact with the outside world, and they only eat prison food. Awasti said authorities pressured them to book an expensive return ticket.The ordeal continued while in transit through China, with communications restricted, food and water restricted and bathroom use monitored, he said. “We were mentally exhausted when we were told we were being deported. The price of a return ticket was almost 10 times the normal price,” he said.Avasti clarified that he was not sharing the story to gain sympathy or to be dramatic. “Immigration decisions are their prerogative. But they do not have any right to treat us like criminals,” he wrote. Travel may look glamorous online, but it can test people’s emotions in unexpected ways, he added.He also said he had posted the full and detailed story on his YouTube channel, explaining what happened, why and advice for travelers.

Social media reaction:

  • Weak passports have nothing to do with this. How poorly they are treated by immigration and airlines in Jeju and China. The entire video is heart-wrenching.
  • For those who haven’t watched the video, please watch it. It’s so painful. You can’t get the full intensity and seriousness of it from this photo.
  • I’m glad you’re all safe. This is a deep-rooted issue that needs to be discussed. Tay shared.
  • Oh my God! This is terrible. I don’t understand the reason behind this.
  • This is not new and many travelers are facing these things nowadays.

H-1B visa news: Indian man dies of cardiac arrest while struggling in US; ‘I haven’t visited my parents in 8 years’

0

Sasikanth Reddy Donthireddy, a 30-year-old Indian man, died of cardiac arrest in the United States. one fundraiser It has now begun in his name. The appeal alleges that he suffered a lot of stress after being repeatedly not selected in the H-1B visa lottery. The campaign is seeking financial help to return his body to India.

Sasikanth Reddy Donthireddy dies amid H-1B visa fight (GoFundMe)
Sasikanth Reddy Donthireddy dies amid H-1B visa fight (GoFundMe)

His story of endeavor and uncertainty

Sasikanth moved to the United States in 2018 to pursue higher education and completed a dual master’s degree. According to the fundraiser, he applied for the H-1B visa lottery multiple times but was never selected.

“Repeated disappointments and visa uncertainty have caused him significant stress, particularly over the past few months,” the appeal said.

At a time when the H-1B visa program has been criticized for alleged fraud and abuse, the fundraiser said Sasikanth’s story illustrates the struggles many Indians in the United States face as they try to build a stable life. Despite his strong qualifications, he was never selected in the visa lottery and kept working long hours without giving up.

“He continued to work long hours and did not give up. In the early morning of February 16, he complained of chest pain. He was immediately taken to the hospital, but unfortunately, he could not be rescued.”

The fundraiser also spoke of the pain his family has been through.

“Sasikant has not been able to visit his parents since he moved abroad in 2018. For nearly eight years, they have been waiting for their son to come home. They want to welcome him back with pride and joy. Instead, they are now waiting to take him home for the last rites,” it said.

Call for financial support

His parents and family are facing emotional and financial hardship, according to the appeal.

“His grieving parents are facing not only emotional pain but also financial hardship. The cost of transporting his remains back home and arranging the last rites is prohibitive. We ask for your support: Help repatriate Sasikanth’s remains; Support his parents at this heartbreaking time,” the statement said.

The fundraiser seeks assistance to cover the costs of returning Sasikanth’s remains to India and to support his family during this difficult time.

‘Made in India chips critical for self-reliance’: PM Modi virtually inaugurates semiconductor factory in Uttar Pradesh India News

0

Beyond oil: How India and the US can secure the future of AI chips

Photo credit: ANI

Underscoring the importance of self-reliance for India’s technological future, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said: “Only by becoming self-reliant can India become a developed country. For this, chips made in India are very important. “While addressing the groundbreaking ceremony of India Chip Pvt Ltd, a joint venture between HCL Group and Foxconn, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted that the global shortage of semiconductor chips during the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the economy and led to the shutdown of factories around the world.

Beyond oil: How India and the US can secure the future of AI chips

“Whatever India does in the technology space this decade, it will be the foundation of our 21st century capabilities,” the Prime Minister added.Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s growing semiconductor ambitions, noting that “India has so far approved 10 semiconductor manufacturing and packaging projects under its Semiconductor Mission,” adding that “four of these projects will start production soon.”The Prime Minister also welcomed the entry of major companies into the Indian chip manufacturing industry, stressing the need for self-reliance. He called for “atmanirbharta” in the process, stressing the objective of strengthening India’s leadership in global markets.Modi said: “Today, a large company like Foxconn has settled in India and cooperated in the field of chip manufacturing, which also sends a message to the world. A democratic country like India is a trustworthy partner of the world. Therefore, India is recognized as the world’s factory, which is a win-win situation for India and other countries.”The new Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility will be located at the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) area in Jewar, Greater Noida. The 60:40 joint venture between HCL Group and Foxconn has an investment of Rs 3,700 crore and is expected to start operations in 2028. The factory will produce display driver chips to support India’s growing domestic demand for semiconductor components.According to PTI, the project is expected to create more than 3,500 direct and indirect employment opportunities, nurture local supply chains and attract partners across the semiconductor ecosystem. The factory is designed to process up to 20,000 wafers per month, strengthening India’s resilient and self-reliant chip supply chain.“Over the past 11 years, the Prime Minister has transformed India into an electronics manufacturing powerhouse. India currently ranks third among exporters of electronic products. Within a month, the factory will produce 36 million chips. The brains for the digital screens you see will now be manufactured in Jewar. ” Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said.UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described Jewar as “a treasure not only of UP but of the country”, adding that the state’s development would be in line with the Prime Minister’s vision for chip manufacturing.News agency PTI quoted Foxconn Semiconductor Business Group President Bob Chen as saying: “Today, we have made a breakthrough in the Indian chip field. We hope to establish reliable semiconductor assembly and testing facilities in India. We look forward to growing together and contributing to India’s development in the global technology field.”HCL Group Chairman Roshini Nadar stressed that the plant will serve domestic and international markets, making India a major player in the global semiconductor industry.

Kerala Blasters’ first ISL home match goes ahead as scheduled, but stadium rent dispute casts a pall over future matches | Football News

0

Kerala Blasters' first ISL home match goes ahead as scheduled, but stadium rental dispute casts a pall on future games
Photo credit: X/@KeralaBlasters

Kochi: Get ready kerala blastersIndian Super League (ISL) first home match of the new season vs. mumbai city football club The team was thrown into disarray on the eve of Saturday’s match after an unexpected face-off with the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), which owns the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi.The GCDA refused to allow pre-arranged pre-match press conferences to be held in the stadium, forcing the club to move interactions online at short notice.Later in the evening, tensions reportedly escalated when GCDA officials asked All India Football Federation (AIFF) personnel, including match commissioner Arunava Bhattacharya, to evacuate the venue. Authorities also allegedly ordered the closure of the club’s administrative offices operating within the stadium.Amid speculation that the game could be cancelled, the Blasters clarified in an evening statement that the game would go ahead as planned. “In the end, football is the winner. Tomorrow we take on Mumbai City FC at the stadium in our first home match of the season,” the club said.However, sources close to the management said that the understanding only applies to the first game and the arrangements for the remaining home games are unclear.The uncertainty stems from a dispute over stadium rent and pending payments.Last week, GCDA chairman K Chandran Pillai announced at a joint press conference with club officials that a one-time franchise fee of Rs 2 lakh would be charged this season instead of Rs 8 lakh collected in previous seasons.However, the authority’s executive committee meeting on Thursday reportedly overturned the decision and fixed the rent at Rs 4.20 lakh per match.In addition to the adjusted matchday rent, the GCDA is said to have asked the Blasters to pay off the full amount within a week and pay an additional Rs 2.2 million in liability fees for last season.According to sources within the club, the amount in dispute relates to losses and additional expenses incurred during the Bharatanatyam event held at the stadium in December last year.“They asked us to pay the fee as the incident occurred in the middle of the season. Why should we take responsibility for an event that has nothing to do with us? “The source said.TOI contacted GCDA officials but could not reach them for comment.The confrontation played out publicly earlier in the day, with GCDA security asking reporters to leave a hall designated for pre-match press conferences before cordoning off the venue. Blasters head coach David Katara and midfielder Rolin Borges reportedly waited more than 30 minutes before leaving until it was clear the situation did not allow further interaction.Subsequently, the club held a media briefing online. During the meeting, Katara was pointedly asked by a reporter: “Which is your home court?”The Spaniard focuses on football. He said his first priority was getting the team ready and playing in front of supporters at the stadium. Despite the uncertainty off the field, he is confident the game will go ahead at the venue.For now, Blasters’ home opener is set to go ahead as planned, but the rental dispute remains unresolved, casting a pall over their remaining matches in the ISL.

Indian-born lawyer Neal Katyal won case for Osama bin Laden’s driver long before blocking Trump tariffs

0

'Influenced by foreign interests': Trump lashes out at Supreme Court; attacks US companies and lawyers with ties to India

Neal Katyal, American lawyer credited with gaining professional Supreme Court U.S. President Donald Trump has had a long history of high-profile legal victories in setbacks for his tariff policies, including a Supreme Court case defending a former Guantanamo Bay detainee. Osama Bin Ladendriver.Ketil, 55, argued before the U.S. Supreme Court this week on behalf of small businesses and trade associations challenging Trump’s sweeping tariff action. The court ruled 6-3 that the president does not have the authority to impose broad tariffs without express congressional approval, reaffirming the Constitution’s limits on executive power.

‘Influenced by foreign interests’: Trump lashes out at Supreme Court; attacks US companies and lawyers with ties to India

In a statement after the ruling, Cartier wrote that the Supreme Court “defends the rule of law and Americans around the world” and said the decision was a “complete victory” for his clients.His legal career stretches back decades. In 2006, Katyal served as Hamdan v. Rumsfelda U.S. Supreme Court case challenging the Bush administration’s military tribunal system at Guantanamo Bay.The case involves Salim Ahmed Hamdan, a Yemeni national who was captured in Afghanistan in 2001 and worked as a driver and guard for Osama bin Laden. Hamdan was one of the first detainees designated to face military commission trial at Guantánamo Bay. In a 5-3 opinion, the Supreme Court held that the structure of military commissions violated the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the Geneva Conventions because they lacked appropriate congressional authority.Katir and his deputy lawyers argued that the executive branch had no authority to establish military commissions outside the normal procedures of military justice and international law. The decision marks a major check on executive wartime powers and underscores the role of courts in enforcing legal protections for detainees.Neil was born in Chicago in 1970 to parents who immigrated from India. Katyal has become one of the most experienced appellate attorneys in the United States. He served as acting deputy attorney general under President Barack Obama in 2010-11 and tried more than 50 cases before the Supreme Court.Katyal is currently a partner at the law firm Milbank LLP in Washington, D.C., and a professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center.

Delhi govt launches ‘CM Jansunwai Portal’ to address public concerns | India News

0

德里政府推出“CM Jansunwai Portal”以解决公众关切chief minister of delhi Rekha Gupta on Saturday launched ‘CM Jansunwai Portal’ and mobile application along with other IT services for the public to submit complaints online.The chief minister said the portal will help monitor public complaints and finding timely solutions to the issues is the top priority of the government.“While I have always held ‘Jan Sunvai’ to listen to people’s problems, now we have a digital mode which will provide a platform for people to complain anywhere,” Gupta said.Through this portal, the system will be more transparent and efficient, she added.“We would also like to assure the public that the government is also developing a project monitoring system. Through this system, we will be able to track the status of all projects, which will ensure timely completion,” the chief minister said.The Chief Minister also said that the Delhi government has already provided 75 online services which will now be linked to the portal.

Nancy Guthrie Update: Tucson couple discovers explosive DNA clue; Savannah Guthrie makes big decision

0

As the search for Nancy Guthrie enters its third week, a Tucson couple may have provided new clues to authorities’ investigation. A pair of blood-stained gloves and a rock with drops of dried blood were allegedly found in the desert near the 84-year-old’s home. Neither the Pima County Sheriff’s Department nor the Guthrie family commented on the new discovery.

An aerial view of Nancy Guthrie's home in Tucson, Arizona, on February 20, 2026. (AFP Getty Images)
An aerial view of Nancy Guthrie’s home in Tucson, Arizona, on February 20, 2026. (AFP Getty Images)

New clues in Nancy Guthrie case?

The anonymous couple stumbled upon the gloves on Feb. 11 about 10 feet off Campbell Avenue in Catalina Foothills, Tucson, KVOA reported Friday. They said the gloves appeared to be torn and had blood on them.

“Sure enough, it was a black glove in the desert. It looked like it was torn. There appeared to be blood on it. Two different colors. The blood was more on the wrist side of the glove, and on the index finger, it looked like it was torn,” they told the outlet.

The pair later reported the discovery to authorities.

Days earlier, authorities released doorbell video from Guthrie’s residence. A masked armed man can be seen disconnecting the camera. He has not yet been identified. No arrests have been made in the case.

The DNA evidence found at Guthrie’s residence is still undergoing laboratory analysis, the Sheriff’s Department said, noting that it is the same biological evidence previously recovered from the property and is not newly discovered material.

Earlier this week, a DNA profile obtained from a glove found about two miles from the home did not match a DNA profile in the FBI’s national database.

“Doesn’t look like a regular glove”

“It looked like more than just a regular glove. It looked like the glove might have been used to do what they were looking for,” the wife told KVOA. Instead of touching gloves, the couple clicked pictures.

“From the glove, there was blood dripping on the rock underneath the glove, like dried blood or something. We didn’t move it or touch it. We immediately thought, we have to do something. So I thought I’d call the Sheriff’s Department,” Husband said.

The latest from Savannah Guthrie

Meanwhile, “Today” host Savannah Guthrie may not return to the show following her mother’s disappearance, multiple TV veterans told Status News.

“There’s no way Savannah is coming back,” a source told the outlet. “I can’t imagine she would want to.”

Pakistan vs New Zealand match canceled due to rain; Super 8 starts without result | Cricket News

0

Pakistan vs New Zealand match canceled due to rain; Super 8 starts without result

New Delhi: The opening match of the Super Eights of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 was called off on Saturday after incessant rains prevented the match between Pakistan and New Zealand at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.With conditions failing to improve enough for play to begin, officials called off the match, meaning the Super Eights phase began without bowling. Both teams have one point each, which could affect their chances of reaching the semi-finals.The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) playing conditions for this tournament require each side to play at least five overs before a result can be declared. The cut-off time for the shortened competition was set at 10:15pm, but the weather never cleared. Since there are no reserve days for the Super Eights – only the semi-finals and finals can be played – the match was abandoned and marked as “inconclusive”. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first in light rain, but the rain soon intensified and the match was abandoned.Before being eliminated, Pakistan made one change, replacing Khawaja Nafay with Fakhar Zaman.New Zealand have made three changes, with skipper Mitchell Santner returning after missing the last game against Canada due to a stomach problem, while Rocky Ferguson and Ish Sodhi have also made their way into the starting XI.The forfeited game adds to tensions between the two teams ahead of their remaining two Super Eight games. Another crushing defeat or loss could severely impact their chances of reaching the semi-finals. Pakistan, New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka are in the second group of the Super Eights. Pakistan will play their next Super Eight match against England on February 24 at the Palleke International Cricket Stadium.The New Zealand team will stay in Colombo to face Sri Lanka on February 25.

Ukraine attacks Russia: Kiev attacks Moscow industrial site and gas processing plant, injures 11

0

Ukraine attacks Russia: Kiev attacks Moscow industrial site and gas processing plant, injures 11

Ukraine’s General Staff said on Saturday that Kiev carried out drone and missile strikes deep into Russian territory overnight, hitting an industrial site in the Udmurt Republic and a gas processing plant in Samara.The Votkinsk plant in Udmurtia, about 1,400 kilometers from Ukraine, produces intercontinental ballistic missiles and short-range ballistic missiles, including Iskander missiles for use against Ukrainian targets, according to Ukrainian authorities. According to Reuters, local Health Minister Sergei Bagin said in a Telegram post that 11 people were injured as a result of the strike, three of whom were hospitalized. “A facility in the republic was attacked by a drone. The attack caused casualties and damage to property,” regional chief Alexander Brechalov said on Telegram.Unofficial Russian sources, including Telegram channels Astra and SHOT, reported that the attack targeted the Votkinsk Machinery Manufacturing Plant, a large state-owned defense enterprise. Residents reported hearing at least three explosions and observing drones overhead. Videos circulating online showed black smoke billowing from industrial buildings and shattered windows.Russia’s civil aviation agency Rosaviatsiya said operations at Izhevsk’s main airport and other nearby airports were suspended early Saturday.The attack came days after U.S.-brokered peace talks between Moscow and Kiev in Geneva failed to yield any breakthrough. Ukraine is marking nearly four years of Russia’s invasion and the latest round of talks is considered largely unproductive, the Associated Press reported. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 120 drones and a ballistic missile overnight targeting Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian forces intercepted 106 drones, and missiles and 13 drones hit 11 locations, causing damage and casualties.Ole Kiper, the governor of Ukraine’s Odessa region, said civil and energy infrastructure had been damaged, including a high school and energy company warehouses. Two people were injured during the strike. President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier this week that tens of thousands of Odessa residents were left without heat and running water due to ongoing attacks, and he called on Moscow to take responsibility.In a separate development, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed that Ukrainian forces were using data from messaging app Telegram for military purposes, endangering Russian forces. The Federal Security Service said it had received “numerous reliable reports” of threats to service members, but did not cite specific evidence.Russian President Vladimir Putin recently signed a law allowing mobile operators to block internet services at the request of Russia’s Federal Security Service. Communications regulator Roskomnadzor also plans to further restrict Telegram, which is still widely used by soldiers, prompting criticism from military blogs.Since the war began, Russia has methodically restricted access to major platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and WhatsApp. Analysts say the measures are aimed at controlling the flow of information and military communications amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.