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Author: World News

  • President Biden to visit NYC to tout funding for Hudson Tunnel Project

    Web Desk:

    According to the national media, President Joe Biden will visit New York City next week to tout funding for the Hudson River train tunnel project.

    A White House spokesperson confirmed that the president plans to visit the Big Apple on Tuesday, Jan. 31, noting the President will discuss how Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for the Hudson River Tunnel project will improve reliability for the 200,000 passenger trips per weekday on Amtrak and New Jersey Transit.

    The tunnel in need of repair is 112 years old and was damaged during Hurricane Sandy.

    The project would repair an existing tunnel and build a new one for Amtrak and NJ Transit commuter lines between New Jersey and Manhattan. The federal government, New York, and New Jersey will split the estimated price tag of $16.1 billion. Federal funding will pay for half, while the two states will put up 25% each.

    Construction is slated to begin in 2024 and be completed by 2038.

    The post President Biden to visit NYC to tout funding for Hudson Tunnel Project first appeared on VOSA.

  • Watto Family organizes Fateha for the salvation of Mian Muhammad Aslam Watto, M. Ayub Watto (late)

    New York: New York: The Pakistani-origin US-based Watto Family organized Fatiha (prayer) ceremony for the salvation of their family head Mian Muhammad Aslam Watto, and Muhammad Ayub Watto.

    The Qur’an recitation and prayer session began at Makki Masjid located on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn, New York.

    The event was attended by a large number of religious scholars and the Pakistani community.

    People from different walks of life in the Pakistani community participated in the prayer event and they expressed condolences to the members of the Watto family.

    The members of the Watto family thanked the people of the Pakistani community and other friends for remembering the departed souls of Watto family and standing with the bereaved family in this hour of sorrow.

    Mian Muhammad Aslam Khan, the head of the Pakistani American Watto family, had died in a private hospital in Lahore, Pakistan, due to illness. He was laid to rest in a local cemetery of his native Jaranwala village in Punjab. Muhammad Ayub Watto, a young man of the Watto family, also passed away last year.

    The post Watto Family organizes Fateha for the salvation of Mian Muhammad Aslam Watto, M. Ayub Watto (late) first appeared on VOSA.

  • Ex-NYPD Union President admits theft of about $600,000 from Union

    Web Desk:

    According to the national media, the former president of one of the nation’s largest police unions pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal wire fraud charge admitting to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the union to fund a lavish lifestyle that prosecutors say included high-end restaurants and luxury personal items.

    Federal investigators said they believe he stole at least $600,000 from the union, which represents some 13,000 active and retired NYPD sergeants and is the fifth-largest police union in the country.

    Ed Mullins, 61, New York, entered the plea to a wire fraud charge in Manhattan federal court before Judge John G. Koeltl, who set sentencing for May 25 and signed an order requiring him to forfeit $600,000.

    During his plea, Mullins confessed that he stole money by falsely inflating expense reports between late 2017 and October 2021.

    His lawyer, Thomas Kenniff, said he hoped that Mullins would ultimately be judged not by the criminal charge, but rather by the good things he did for the city and NYPD during his career.

    The maximum sentence for the wire fraud charge Mullins pleaded guilty to is 20 years, but Kenniff said he expects a lower sentence.

    Mullins resigned from the union in October 2021 after 18 years at the helm, hours after the FBI raided the union’s headquarters in lower Manhattan and his Long Island home. He retired from the NYPD one month later.

    The post Ex-NYPD Union President admits theft of about $600,000 from Union first appeared on VOSA.

  • New York Governor Kathy Hochul announces $390 million for affordable housing projects

    Web Desk:

    According to the national media, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced that more than $370 million has been awarded to NYS for 10 projects meant to boost affordable housing projects.

    The money, which includes a mix of bonds and subsidies, will help “create or preserve” 1,600 homes statewide, her office said.

    Hochul has made expanding housing a key priority in her 2023 agenda, with the multi-year goal of reaching 800,000 new units to expand stock and reduce costs.

    “As our state stares down a severe housing crisis, this investment to create and preserve more than 1,600 new homes marks an important step toward addressing New York’s housing shortage,” Hochul said.

    Kathy Hochul said, “Building, preserving, and stabilizing our housing supply is a top priority for my administration, and I remain committed to bringing forth solutions – like the New York Housing Compact – to ensure that we have ample, safe, and affordable housing for anyone who wants to call New York home.”

    The money announced includes funding for projects statewide, and when combined with private-sector funding, accounts for $600 million in spending.

    In Saratoga Springs, $61.6 million will be used for the Tait Lane Reserve, creating 202 affordable apartments. Buffalo’s North Park neighborhood is receiving a $40.1 million project for Pan American Square, which will include the construction of 150 homes.

    In Kingston, $39.6 million is used for the Stuyvesant Apartments as part of a rehabilitation project.

    And in New York City, more than $20 million in capital improvements will be used for a Mitchell-Lama cooperative with 385 affordable homes in Hamilton Heights in Manhattan.

    The post New York Governor Kathy Hochul announces $390 million for affordable housing projects first appeared on VOSA.

  • NICVD becoms world’s largest facility for free cardiac surgeries, primary PCIs

    KARACHI: The National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) included 10 hospitals and 24 Chest Pain Units, has become the only healthcare facility in the world to have treated over 2.2 million patients and performed 3,641 cardiac surgeries and 19,888 primary PCIs free of charge in 2022.

    The Executive Director of NICVD Professor Nadeem Qamar said that NICVD’s motto is to provide state-of-the-art cardiac treatment to everyone at their doorstep, totally free of cost.

    NICVD Spokesperson said this on Friday. According to him, teams of NICVD surgeons performed the aforesaid cardiac surgeries and procedures on children and adults in various cities of Sindh during 2022.

    “NICVD has emerged as the only cardiac healthcare facility in the country which performed around 3,641 cardiac surgeries and over 74,758 procedures all free of charge at main NICVD centre in Karachi and nine satellite centres spread all over Sindh,” the NICVD’s spokesperson said.

    He added that the NICVD Karachi also emerged as one of the largest centres in the world in terms of performing primary PCI or angioplasty during heart attack as well as elective angioplasties in a single year. Cardiologists at the NICVD Karachi performed 9,466 primary PCIs in the year of 2022. Moreover; a total of 86 interventions in acute stroke procedures were done so far.

    Regarding the number of cardiac patients examined at the main facility of the institute in Karachi, the spokesperson said the NICVD Karachi received 1,138,240 cardiac patients, of whom 2,768 required surgeries and were operated.

    “A record number of 9,466 primary PCIs or angioplasties in emergency, around 3,735 elective angioplasties & early invasive, over 17,470 angiographies, 18 TAVI procedures, 2,196 thallium scans, 51,420 echocardiograms, 914 PPM, and 134 ICD & CRT procedures, were performed by the NICVD Karachi in 2022”, the institute spokesperson said.

    He further said that, 304,414 cardiac patients visited the OPD at the NICVD Karachi in 2022, while 276,865 patients were treated in emergency and more than 51,162 patients admitted to the wards. NICVD Karachi has also performed more than 20 minimally invasive cardiac surgery or keyhole surgeries.

    He added that during the year 2022, a total of 275,568 patients visited NICVD system from other provinces of the country, who were provided free treatment. A total of 63,639 patients from Punjab, 184,387 from Balochistan, 12,492 from Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, 13,102 from Azad Kashmir and 1,948 from Gilgit-Baltistan benefited from the latest and expensive treatment absolutely free.

    Satellite centres

    Apart from Karachi where the main facility of the NICVD exists, the institute has been operating through its nine satellite centres, including Larkana, Tando Muhammad Khan, Hyderabad, Sehwan, Sukkur, Nawabshah, Mithi, Khairpur and Lyari.

    All the satellite centres offer diagnosis facilities and other cardiac procedures. The centres at Sukkur, Larkana, Tando Muhammad Khan and Hyderabad even have facilities of open-heart and bypass surgeries, included paediatric cardiac surgeries as well. Adding that 873 open-heart surgeries were performed at these centres during 2022.
    A total of 214,254 cardiac patients were treated at the NICVD facility in Sukkur, 165,994 in Tando Muhammad Khan, 118,613 in Larkana, 30,922 in Nawabshah, 135,895 in Hyderabad, 21,983 in Sehwan, 50,410 in Khairpur, 30,979 in Mithi, and 62,258 in Lyri” in 2022, the NICVD spokesperson said.

    Chest Pain Units (CPUs)

    Besides satellite centres spread all over Sindh, the centre has also opened small units, named chest pain units, in various locations of Karachi and other cities of the province so that in case of emergency, patients living nearby could receive first aid as soon as possible.

    “There are currently a total of 24 chest pain units, 17 CPUs are in Karachi, 1 in Ghotki, 1 in Tando Bago, 1 in Jacobabad, 1 in Umerkot 1 in Tando Allahyar, 1 in Mirpurkhas and 1 in Shikarpur” he said.

    The NICVD spokesperson added that more than 295,634 patients were treated at these units, of whom 7,662 patients had suffered from severe heart attacks and they were immediately shifted to the main NICVD for primary angioplasty in 2022. 10 more chest pain units would soon be established at different locations in Karachi and other cities of the province.

    The post NICVD becoms world’s largest facility for free cardiac surgeries, primary PCIs first appeared on VOSA.

  • Watto Family to organize Fateha for the salvation of Mian Muhammad Aslam Watto (late)

    New York: The Pakistani-origin US-based Watto Family is organizing a Qur’an recitation (Fatiha) for the salvation of their family head Mian Muhammad Aslam Watto, and Muhammad Ayub Watto.

    The event is being held on January 22, at a mosque in Brooklyn.

    Mian Muhammad Aslam Khan, the head of the Pakistani American Watto family, died in a private hospital in Lahore, Pakistan, due to illness.

    He was laid to rest in a local cemetery of his native Jaranwala village in Punjab.

    Muhammad Ayub Watto, a young man of the Watto family, also passed away last year.

    The relatives of the Vito family have appealed to the community to participate more in the recitation of the Qur’an and Fatiha and get the reward.

    The post Watto Family to organize Fateha for the salvation of Mian Muhammad Aslam Watto (late) first appeared on VOSA.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • W2W Forum set to hold its 5th annual International Women’s Day

    New Jersey: Like every year, Women2Women Forum (W2W) is organizing an annual International Women’s Day event this year as well. The program of its 5th International Women’s Day will be held on March 5. 

    In the pre-organization meeting of the Women2Women Forum at a local restaurant in New Jersey, the host committee informed about the details of the event.

    Nusrat Sohail, the chairperson of the Woman2Women Forum, said that International Women’s Day is an annual event of the forum in which panels discuss various topics of community interest while talking about bringing social changes in America with the help of women from the community.

    Sabeen Sarmast, a woman abuse survivor who participated in the meeting, said that she had been a victim of domestic violence and was aware of all the problems faced by women.

    “So I myself want to help people through this forum,” she said.

    It was informed in the meeting that Woman2Woman annually selects Women of Distinction or Heroes community and awards them in recognition of their services.

    Like every year, this year too, the Women2Women Forum will award five American women and one man who have rendered valuable services to the community.

    In the meeting, a discussion was held with the host committee about the event and sub-committees related to the program were also formed.

    The pre-event meeting was also briefed about the newly established transitional home Shahzavari House by the Women2Women Forum.

    The post W2W Forum set to hold its 5th annual International Women’s Day first appeared on VOSA.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • French nun known as World Oldest woman dies at 118

    Web Desk:

    According to the media, French nun Sister André, the world’s oldest known person, died on Tuesday at the age of 118 in the southern city of Toulon.

    She died in her sleep at her nursing home in Toulon, spokesperson David Tavella said on Tuesday.

    “There is great sadness, but she wanted it to happen, she desired to join her beloved brother. For her, it is freedom,” Tavella said.

    Lucile Randon was born in the year New York opened its first subway, and World War I was still a decade away. Sister André dedicated most of her life to religious service, according to a statement released by Guinness in April 2022. She was also the oldest nun to ever live, according to Guinness.

    Before becoming a Catholic nun, she looked after children during World War II and then spent 28 years caring for orphans and elderly people at a hospital.

    In 2021, she even survived a Covid-19 infection, becoming a symbol of hope for people from around the world.

    Another French, 122-year-old Jeanne Calment who died in 1997 in Arles, holds the record for the oldest confirmed age reached by any human being so far.

    The post French nun known as World Oldest woman dies at 118 first appeared on VOSA.

  • New York: Child Labor law violations on the surge

    Web Desk:

    According to the national media, New York labor officials pointed to a sharp increase in child labor law violations in New York, a 68% rise in 2022 compared to 2021.

    The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) announced the plans to roll out a new public service campaign meant to inform younger workers of their rights and protections in the workplace regarding recent increases in child labor violations.

    NYSDOL’s campaign further aims to remind employers about their responsibilities in hiring youth workers under state and federal labor law.

     “As we see a rise in child labor violations, we are acting quickly to ensure young people know their rights and are protected in the workplace,” said New York Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “Violating labor laws is unacceptable, and it’s particularly egregious when it involves vulnerable workers who are just entering the world of work. This campaign will be essential to empowering and protecting New York’s workforce, and we are proud to lead the way.”

    The U.S. Department of Labor last July found child labor law violations and injuries among young workers rising across the country. Labor statistics found 2,800 people under 18 employed violated the law in 2021.

    In New York State, there were 464 child labor cases last year in which more than $270,000 in civil penalties were collected from employers breaking child labor laws.

    The increase in child labor law violations has increased in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the violations stem from wage underpayments, hours of work, and prohibited employment.

    NYSDOL’s new public service campaign kicked off in January and will continue throughout the year. The campaign will assist in educating young people on their rights in the workplace and how they can report violations to NYSDOL’s Division of Labor Standards.

    The post New York: Child Labor law violations on the surge first appeared on VOSA.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • U.S yet to grant TPS for a hundred thousand Pakistani immigrants, as government at home is unmoved

    New York: The future of over a hundred thousand Pakistanis including students living in the U.S. without proper documents is bleak, due to the indifference and apathy of the Pakistani government.

    If Pakistan writes a letter to the US, requesting it to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to those who have been living in the United States without documents for years, the US government will consider the request, Pakistani immigrants in America said.

    Due to the incompetence of the Pakistani government, the future of more than 100,000 undocumented Pakistanis living in the United States is at stake.

    At a press conference held at a local restaurant in Brooklyn, New York the Executive Director of DRUM Organization Fahad Ahmed said more than one hundred thousand Pakistani immigrants and students are living in the United States without documents.

    He said that getting TPS status saves citizens from deputation and get a work permit that allows them to work in any sector while also getting permission to return to their homeland.

    The purpose of the press conference was to draw the attention of the government of Pakistan to request the US government to grant Temporary Protected Status to Pakistanis in US.

    Fahad Ahmed said that The United States has granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for many immigrants from different countries living in US, but Pakistan has not yet received this status.

    The Pakistani students participating in the press conference said that those who call the youth the capital of the country are least bothered. They are nothing to do with resolving their issues.

    We are demanding TPS because we want to benefit our country.

    In the press conference, Nisar Khan of Brooklyn Emerge said that everyone has to do their part to deal with this problem and we also have the right to protest on the relevant platforms.

    The post U.S yet to grant TPS for a hundred thousand Pakistani immigrants, as government at home is unmoved first appeared on VOSA.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • A Pakistani-American organization dispatches consignment of relief goods to flood-hit Pakistan

    New York: The Council of People’s Organization (COPO) has dispatched a consignment containing relief goods from New York to Pakistan.

    Another container comprising humanitarian aid will be sent to Pakistan next week.

    The Council of People’s Organization sent its relief supplies to Pakistan in a container from its office in Coney Island, Brooklyn.

    The New York Police Department’s (NYPD’s) Muslim Officers’ Society (MOS) also handed over aid collected for the flood victims to COPO, and MOS and COPO volunteers participated in the packing and containerization process of the relief items.

    COPO head Muhammad Rizvi said that the flood victims of Pakistan still need a lot of help from the world at large; “we are trying to do something for our brothers and sisters who are in trouble with the support of our community,” he said.

    The goods sent in the container include clothes, medical supplies and other items for the flood victims.

    On this occasion, Sagheer Ahmed an officer representing Muslim Officers’ Society said that the community’s trust in MOS has increased due to its recent aid activities in Pakistan, and now the society is sending relief goods to Pakistan through COPO.

    The Council of People’s Organization and the Muslim Officers Society have more supplies to help the flood victims and another container is likely to be sent to Pakistan next week.

    The post A Pakistani-American organization dispatches consignment of relief goods to flood-hit Pakistan first appeared on VOSA.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • APPAC’s efforts pay-off as US announces another $100m in aid to Pakistan

    New York: The American Pakistani Public Affairs Committee’s efforts to bring international aid to Pakistan yield fruits, as the US government has announced to grant another $100 million in aid to Pakistan to deal with the flood devastation.

    According to the State Department, this aid money will be given under the Pak-America Green Alliance.

    The American Pakistani Public Affairs Committee is an important and representative organization of the Pakistani American community, which has highlighted the grim situation of Pakistan after floods wrecked havoc.

    In the special international environmental conference held in Geneva, the US has announced an additional 100 million dollars in aid to Pakistan.

    This aid money will be given under Pak-America Green Alliance and, spent on food, medical aid, agriculture and infrastructure construction and maintenance.

    APPAC has welcomed the announcement of another 100 million dollars in aid to Pakistan by the United States.

    APPAC Chairman Dr. Ijaz Ahmad, National Executive Committee President Dr. Mehmood Alam, Vice President Dr. Tariq Ibrahim, Secretary General Ayesha u-kio and board members thanked US Senator Bob Menendez, Senator Cory Booker, Senator Lindsey Graham, and the president Joe Biden for the announcement of generous aid.


    US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement that the US will provide an additional $100 million in financial aid to Pakistan and both countries are working together to Materialise this.

    Now our share in aid has reached 200 million dollars.

    The USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman has further announced that his agency will spend on agriculture, health, education and governance in Pakistan.

    While speaking in Geneva, Isobel Coleman said that seeing the flood disasters in Pakistan, the USAID decided that it will not leave Pakistan alone in this difficult situation.

    Isobel Coleman said that a disaster response team was appointed in September. American officials and USAID administrator Administrator Samantha Power visited the flood-affected areas and reviewed the damage caused by the flood.

    The post APPAC’s efforts pay-off as US announces another $100m in aid to Pakistan first appeared on VOSA.

  • NYC to build 800,000 new homes over the next decade

    New York: In order to mitigate the historic shortage of housing, Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a statewide strategy to address New York’s housing crisis.

    As per the plan, NYC will build 800,000 new homes over the next decade, and support New York renters and homeowners.

    The New York Housing Compact, a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy, includes local participation requirements and incentives to achieve housing growth in every community so that every part of the State is a partner in solving this urgent crisis.

    The plan will also require municipalities with MTA rail stations to locally rezone for higher density residential development.

    “New York faces a housing crisis that requires bold actions and an all-hands-on-deck approach,” Governor Hochul said.

    “Every community in New York must do their part to encourage housing growth to move our State forward and keep our economy strong.

    The New York Housing Compact is a comprehensive plan to spur the changes needed to create more housing, meet rising demand, and make our state a more equitable, stable, and affordable place to live.”

    New York State is currently facing a severe, once-in-a-generation housing crisis. According to the population reference bureau more than half of New York renters are rent-burdened, meaning that they pay more than 30 percent of their income on rent – the second-highest rate in the nation.

    In the New York City metro area, rents have risen 30 percent since 2015 and home prices have risen 50 percent over the same period.

    Outside of New York City, rents have risen 40 to 60 percent since 2015 while home prices have risen 50 to 80 percent.

    The New York Housing Compact will call upon all levels of government to meet the ongoing crisis.

    The post NYC to build 800,000 new homes over the next decade first appeared on VOSA.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Community Op-ed: Making New York Safer

    By Eric Adams (Mayor of New York City)

    New York: When I came to the office, I inherited a city with many crises, including increasing crime. And my top priority has always been public safety. From day one, I got to work with the Police Commissioner, our Deputy Mayor and our team to make our streets and subways safer.

    And our public safety strategy is working. New York City is getting safer. 2022 ended with crime trending downward in New York City. In December, we saw major crimes go down by 11.6 % and in the fourth quarter of 2022, overall index crime dropped by 1.5%.

    Last month, we saw murders, shootings, robberies, burglaries, grand larcenies, and hate crimes all going down. Our efforts — including taking 7,100 firearms and more than 400 ghost guns off our streets — are bringing gun violence down. What these numbers tell us is that we are turning the corner on crime in this city. And the results speak for themselves. New York City is back.

    You can see it and feel it across the five boroughs. Tourism is back at a roaring pace and subway ridership is at its highest since the pandemic started.

    Broadway attendance is at its highest since before the pandemic and our hotel occupancy is the highest amongst the top 25 markets. New Yorkers and visitors are flocking back to our city, with more than 62 million visitors expected to visit this year.

    Our city is well and truly back. But there is much more work to be done. We will not surrender to crime and violence in our city. We are going to make sure that these crime numbers continue to trend in the right direction. We are going to double down and continue to get ghost guns and illegal guns off our streets. We are going to protect our subways and transit stations with our police officers patrolling subway platforms and trains each day.

    And we are going to continue to invest in prevention through our Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, Crisis Management System, and our youth programs like Saturday Night Lights and the Summer Youth Employment program. We know that these programs work and that they keep our kids safe and away from gun violence. This is a major task to undertake, but our city is ready.

    And we are making progress. Safe communities are something that all New Yorkers deserve, and across all five boroughs we are building a city that is safe for everyone. A city that ensures working people have decent jobs, good health care, a roof over their heads, clean streets, and good schools. Public safety is the prerequisite to prosperity. Together, we are making sure that, in 2023, New York City remains the safest big city in America.

    The post Community Op-ed: Making New York Safer first appeared on VOSA.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • ‘International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan’ calls for securing global support and forging long-term partnerships

    Pakistan’s Prime Minister Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said with the support of the United Nations, the World Bank Group, the Asian Development Bank, and the European Union, Pakistan has prepared a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), which estimates flood damages to exceed $14.9 billion, economic losses over $15.2 billion and reconstruction needs over $16.3 billion.

    The International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan co-hosted by the Government of Pakistan and the United Nations in Geneva, Monday called for securing global support and forging long-term partnerships to help the country cope with the challenges of the devastating floods of 2022.

    The conference brought together governments, leaders from the public and private sectors and civil society to support the people and the government of Pakistan to deal with the enormous challenge of post-flood reconstruction and rehabilitation.

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, flanked by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari relayed the call for supporting the needs of 33 million people displaced by the country’s worst flood disaster.

    Shehbaz Sharif in his address mentioned Pakistan’s Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Framework (4RF), which laid out a multisectoral strategy for rehabilitation and reconstruction in a climate-resilient and inclusive manner

    As per estimates, the devastating floods in 2022 left one-third of the country submerged, about 15,000 dead or injured and 8 million displaced. Over 2 million homes, 13,000 kilometres of highways, 439 bridges and more than 4 million acres of agricultural land were destroyed or damaged. An estimated nine million more people could be forced into poverty as a direct consequence of these floods.

    He expressed profound gratitude to Secretary-General Guterres for co-chairing the conference and for his continued support for the people of Pakistan suffering in the aftermath of the floods.

    He recalled visiting along with Guterres the flood-affected areas of Sindh and Balochistan in September and said that the people of Pakistan would never forget this gesture of the UN Secretary-General.

    He stressed that the question was not only about how to survive, but how to maintain dignity and honour by moving forward with a sense of purpose and achievement.

    Shehbaz Sharif said floods disrupted the education of 2.6 million including one million girls.

    “We are racing against time,” he said, stressing that relief work needed to continue as some areas of Sindh needed drainage of water.

    He mentioned that the broad contours set up in the 4RF plan reflected priority for recovery and reconstruction, with a minimum requirement of $16.3 billion.

    He said resilience was required to recover from colossal damages and ensure a sustainable future for the livelihood.

    “Pakistan needs a new coalition of the willing to save lives,” he said, urging solidarity and long-term support to the people of Pakistan to renew their hope.

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said floods affected millions of people in Pakistan with immense losses to agricultural land and infrastructure

    He recalled meeting the men, women and children at the makeshift camps in the flood-hit areas of Pakistan and said it was heartbreaking to witness their sufferings in the wake of climate-induced disaster.

    “The UN is at the frontline of addressing the catastrophe in Pakistan and stressed improvement in infrastructure,” he said. “The UN will be there to help in critical and colossal losses.”

    He said the climate crisis needed massive support and mentioned that the people in South Asia were 15 times more likely to die with the impact of such natural disasters.

    FM Bilawal said Pakistan looked forward to international support and assistance as a major climate disaster affected one in seven of the country’s population.

    He highlighted that a large area of Pakistan was inundated with water and emphasized that the international community needed to come together and join the comprehensive plan presented by Pakistan on post-flood reconstruction.

    French President Emanuel Macron in a video-link address offered full support from the government and people of France to Pakistan in their hour of difficulty.

    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkiye stood by the people of Pakistan in overcoming its flood damages. He mentioned that the country sent 15 planes and two ships carrying humanitarian aid supplies for the flood-struck people of Pakistan.

    He stressed intense efforts and more collaboration to address the climate crisis, adding that Turkiye continued to be in contact with the Pakistani authorities.

    In his video statement, Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre said the the catastrophe had caused a matchless damage to Pakistan.

    He said as the needs of the flood-hit people remained enormous, the international community should take collective actions to address the challenge of the climate change and support its victims.

    He said Norway would continue to joining the international community for the cause.

    President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen calling the conference a timely initiative said 2022 was a difficult year for the world owing to the pandemic as well as the worst flood hitting Pakistan, putting pressure on the vulnerable people.

    She said the scale of the flood-caused devastation was enormous as millions of people remained underwater for months and the children faced a shortage of food.

    She said the conference was meant to adopt an ambitious plan to help Pakistan put on the path to recovery.

    Federal Councillor for Foreign Affairs of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis said the international community should support Pakistan in that hour of need.

    He said climate change was a global risk which necessitated global actions.

    He thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for holding the moot and recalled the Swiss support to Pakistan soon after the floods including sending a team for relief and reconstruction.

    The post ‘International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan’ calls for securing global support and forging long-term partnerships first appeared on VOSA.

  • Uptick in teenagers’ involvement in Karachi street crimes

    By: Farhan Rajput

    KARACHI: Underage boys are allegedly found involved in street crime in Karachi and the rate of their indulgence in street offenses has alarmingly increased up to 25 percent in 2022, as compared with 2021.

    According to reports, until December 31, 2022, police and paramilitary rangers have arrested more than 1,000 accused (boys) from different areas of the metropolis on charges of robbery, mobile phone theft/snatching, motorcycle and car theft, drug peddling, etc.

    The law enforcers claimed to have recovered stolen valuables, cash, gold ornaments, motorcycles, cars, drugs, weapons, etc. from the under-arrest accused.

    The nabbed accused have been moved to juvenile jail on directions of the respective courts during the period.

    In this regard, social leaders working for the welfare of children say that society needs to do a lot of work for the protection of youth through awareness campaigns, education, and trainings. They said parents should also keep an eye on the activities of their children, besides fulfilling their needs such as pocket money, school fee.

    On the other hand, the under trial accused while talking to Voice of South Asia (VOSA) rejected charges framed by the law enforcement agencies upon them by declaring as ‘baseless’. They insisted that they are innocent and they have nothing to do with the crimes framed against them by the police.

    Media Advisor of Karachi Bar Association, Saba Somro, said that the cases against these accused are still pending in the court of law, the police have to prove whether the under arrest accused have committed crime or not.

    However, she admitted with concerns that the youth are involved in crimes, we all have to play a role for this; especially parents have to keep an eye on their children.

    The post Uptick in teenagers’ involvement in Karachi street crimes first appeared on VOSA.

  • NYC to buy over 900 electric vehicles to replace old fleet, as Mayor Adams says “electric cars are our future”

    New York: In line with its commitment to reducing carbon emissions by 2040,  New York City is all set to bring a multi-million yet environment-friendly project of purchasing over 900 electric vehicles including vans, pickups that will replace the old fleet, soon. 

    New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the project at a press conference.

    “Electric vehicles are our future,” said the Adams.

    According to the plan, 300 new charging stations will also be established.

    The federal government will provide funds of 10 million dollars for this project. Some $6 million will be spent on the purchase of electric vehicles for the City Department for Administrative Services.

    The remaining grant will go to the city’s Sanitation Department, which plans to purchase seven electric garbage trucks and plug-in Hubbard Street sewers.

    According to officials, 4,000 electric vehicles were being used in the city by September, which is a milestone.

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  • Pakistani Hindus to immerse ashes of their deceased relatives in the Ganges River?

    KARACHI: In a historic development, the Indian government has reportedly revised the sponsorship policy for Pakistani Hindus and now the ashes of 426 cremated Hindus of Pakistan are expected to be immersed in the Ganges River in Haridwar, India, by their family members.

    The move will also develop people-to-people (P2P) contact between the two countries. P2P is considered a useful diplomatic tool to ease tension and ensure peace in the region.

    Since the partition of the Indian subcontinent back in 1947, Pakistan and India have not been able to enjoy good relations as close neighbors. Rather, they have fought three wars, and border clashes on several occasions during the last seven decades, resulting in the loss of precious lives on both sides (military and civilians) and the waste of public resources to the tune of billions of dollars.

    According to a report published in Express Tribune, earlier the Modi government did not allow entry to Pakistani Hindu pilgrims without any sponsorship from India, but now New Delhi has indicated that a 10-day visa would be issued to the family members of a dead Hindu to travel to India to immerse the ashes of their loved ones in the Ganges River.

    The ashes are currently kept at the Hindu temples and crematoriums in Karachi.

    Entry into India was not allowed without a sponsor and a Pakistani Hindu could bring the ashes of a deceased relative to the river Ganges only if a relative or acquaintance living in India took responsibility.

    In Karachi, Soldier Bazaar and Ranchore Line have sizable Hindu communities who have been living here since long before the Partition of the Subcontinent. Some estimates put their numbers between 100,000 and 150,000. Another nearly half a million Hindus live in Kunri, Nagarparkar, and Islamkot, in Tharparkar District, according to the ET report.

    Since most Pakistani Hindus have no relatives in India, it was difficult to fulfill the last wish of the deceased person.

    Pakistani Hindus will immerse the ashes of their 426 deceased relatives in the Ganges River in the Hindu religious city of Haridwar in India.

    The last rites of these deceased Hindus have been performed in Pakistan. Their bones and ashes are kept in ‘Kalash’ (urns) in Hindu temples and crematoriums.

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  • Hindu woman demonstrates loyalty, interfaith harmony by performing Muslim Husband’s funeral according to Islam

    New York: A Hindu woman living in New York, USA set an example of loyalty and interfaith harmony by performing her Muslim Husband’s funeral rituals as per the Islamic practices, and teachings, on his demise.

    Walid Bilal, a native of Karachi, Pakistan, came to America in 1990 some 32 years back in search of a better future and settled here permanently in the US while working as a baker.

    Walid Bilal married Kiran, an Indian Hindu citizen, with whom he has two daughters.

    In 2000, he suffered from heart disease, after which he fell ill and became disabled in 2013, leaving his family with no other option but government assistance to survive.

    Walid Bilal passed away recently due to prolonged illness, his widow contacted the social organization named ‘One Nation’ and told the organization that she wanted her husband to be buried in accordance with his religious practices and Islamic teachings.

    One Nation US appealed to the community to arrange for the funeral and burial expenses of late Waleed Iqbal, to which everyone responded and all the arrangements were completed.

    One Nation US President Raja Tahir said that it is a blessing and a mercy for us to come to the family during one’s most difficult time.

    The funeral prayer of Walid Bilal was offered and he was laid to rest at a local graveyard in New Jersey State. The funeral was attended by volunteers from One Nation US and a large number of community members.

    Iqbal has left behind a widow and two daughters to mourn his death.

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  • New York State Senator Iwen Chu vows to serve 17th Senate District to the best of her ability

    New York: Iwen Chu, the first Asian American Senator of the State of New York elected from the 17th District – a constituency predominated by the Asian-American population, vowed to serve her constituency to the best of her ability, and work with the community and other groups for the betterment of its dwellers.

    She’s the first Asian-American state-elected official in Brooklyn and the first Asian woman in New York State Senate.

    While introducing the office hours and her team at a press conference she said: “I and my team are ready to help the residents of 17th District as much as possible.”

    Senator Chu outlined her commitment to delivering strong constituent services to residents of southern Brooklyn. “My staff of experienced and dedicated public servants is ready to serve District 17 residents. We know to truly serve the people, we must be strong advocates in all types of cases. This is a new district with a very diverse constituency; I look forward to working with community partners and groups to provide robust services.”

    She said Staff is available to connect with residents seeking assistance with cases. Senator Chu’s team can assist Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian, Urdu, Hebrew speaking residents. The office will host mobile hours to serve constituents:

    “This is a new district and I’m eager to work with the community and other groups,” said Iwen Chu.

    Office timings are as under

    Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., CPC Brooklyn

    Thursdays,10 a.m. – 2 p.m., New Utrecht Library

    Fridays, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., McKinley Park Library

    Library President and CEO, Linda E. Johnson said “Brooklyn Public Library is pleased to partner with Senator Chu and to serve as a trusted meeting space where neighborhood residents can access much-needed services and resources.

    We look forward to hosting the Senator’s office hours and welcoming her constituents to McKinley Park Library.”

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  • Dubai ends 30 percent tax on alcohol sales, fee for liquor license

    Dubai: In an apparent move to bolster its status as the Middle East’s leading business and tourism hub, Dubai kicked off the new year by scrapping a 30% tax on alcohol sales and making liquor licenses free.

    The sudden New Year’s Day announcement, made by Dubai’s two state-linked alcohol retailers, came apparently from a government decree from its ruling Al Maktoum family.

    However, government officials did not immediately acknowledge the decision and did not respond to questions from The Associated Press.

    Tourism is a key plank of the emirate’s economy, but it’s been geared predominantly toward the luxury segment.

    The latest move will leave Dubai better-positioned to cater to wider swathes of the market, according to Bloomberg.

    Liquor is widely available in Dubai, but a pint of beer can cost more than $15 at restaurants and bottles of wine can start at more than $100. That’s prompted many residents to drive to other emirates like Umm Al Quwain, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Dubai, where prices are much cheaper.

    The suspension of the tax will last for a year, until December 31, 2023, as it is described as a trial period.

    It means bars, pubs, clubs, restaurants and hotels will make savings when they buy their stock and Dubai’s government reportedly expects that to be passed on to customers, according to Timeout.com.

    According to Al Arabia News, Alcohol sales have long served as a major barometer of the economy of Dubai, a top travel destination in the UAE, home to the long-haul carrier Emirates.

    During the recent World Cup in nearby Qatar, Dubai’s many bars drew commuting football fans.

    However, a pint of beer easily can cost over $10 at a bar, with other drinks running even higher. It wasn’t immediately clear if this would cause a price drop at alcohol-serving establishments or if it only would affect those buying it from retailers.

    Alcohol distributor Maritime and Mercantile International, which is part of the wider Emirates Group, made the announcement in a statement.

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    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Mexico’s Supreme Court elects its first female Chief Justice

    Web Desk:

    According to the national media, Mexico’s Supreme Court has elected a female president to lead the nation’s highest judicial body for the first time.

    Following a six-to-five vote on Monday, Justice Norma Lucia Pina was sworn in for her four-year term at the head of the 11-member panel, pledging to maintain the independence of the country’s highest court.

    “Judicial independence is indispensable in resolving conflicts between the branches of government,” Pina said Monday while laying out her plans. “My main proposal is to work to build majorities, leaving aside my vision.”

    As chief justice, Pina will also head the entire judicial branch. She is not considered an ally of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, and opposition parties welcomed her election.

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  • Kathy Hochul legalize human composting after death

    Web Desk:

    According to the national media, New York has joined other US states by approving a bill allowing for the conversion of human bodies into compost after death.

    New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the bill on Saturday, authorizing the natural conversion of corpses into compost in the state, according to the New York Post.

    The legislative move makes the state the sixth to do so since 2019 and gives New Yorkers access to an alternative, green method of burial deemed environmentally friendly.

    Washington became the first state to legalize human composting in 2019, followed by Colorado and Oregon in 2021, then Vermont and California later in 2022. New York’s legislation, A382, passed both assemblies over the summer.

    Also known as natural organic reduction, the practice sees a body decompose over several weeks after being shut in a container.

    The remains of the deceased will be placed into a reusable container together with plant materials like wood chips, alfalfa, and straw as part of the procedure to form the ideal environment for naturally occurring bacteria to decompose the body, which takes roughly a month.

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  • India replaces UK to become the 5th world’s largest economy

    New Delhi: In a historic development from a global economic perspective, India – a South Asian nuclear nation with a 1.39 billion population overtook the United Kingdom (UK) to become the world’s 5th largest economy in 2022.

    According to International Monetary Fund (IMF) report quoted by visualcapitalist.com, with a total $ 25 trillion Gross Domestic Production (GDP) share, the United States is leading the world net $101.6 trillion dollar economy, followed by its rival yet fast-emerging Peoples Republic of China with $18.3 trillion GDP size.

    Japan ranked 3rd with $ 4.3 trillion GDP, Germany $4.0 trillion, and India with $ 3.5 trillion gross domestic production replaced the UK to become the 5th largest economy in the world, and the first south Asian nation to cross $3 trillion economy during the period under review.

    The majority of global economic activity comes from just a handful of countries with the US, China, Japan, Germany, and India making up the top 5, which together account for more than half of global GDP.

    Just five countries make up more than half of the world’s entire GDP in 2022: the U.S., China, Japan, India, and Germany. Interestingly, These top five economies which together account for more than half of global GDP reported by visualcapitalist.com.

    Adding on another five countries (the top 10) makes up 66% of the global economy, and the top 25 countries comprise 84% of global $101.6 trillion GDP.

    The rest of the world — the remaining 167 nations — make up 16% of global GDP. Many of the smallest economies are islands located in Oceania.

    The Economics Times report says the Indian economy recovered from the COVID-induced downturn during 2022 and is poised for further improvement in the coming quarters though downside risks emanating from geopolitical tensions, strengthening dollar and elevated inflation will continue.

    The positive trajectory in the growth trend and improved fundamentals will help the nation in neutralizing the impact of global headwinds which are expected to have a bearing on the country’s exports in the months to come.

    Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a broad indicator of the economic activity within a country. It measures the total value of economic output—goods and services—produced within a given time frame by both the private and public sectors.

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  • Kathy Hochul Sworn In As Elected New York Governor

    Web Desk:

    According to the national media, Kathy Hochul was sworn in for her first elected term on Sunday, making history as the first woman elected to the position in the state.

    In her first inaugural address, Hochul briefly acknowledged other women in New York who had made history before her, before turning her attention to the “worthy pursuits” and fights she said she would take on in the next four years.

    “I didn’t come here to make history,” Ms. Hochul said shortly after being sworn in at a convention center in Albany. “I came here to make a difference.”

    The Democrat, launching her term as the 57th governor of New York, said her goals were to increase public safety and to make the state more affordable.

    “Right now there are some fights we have to take on,” Hochul said after taking the oath of office at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. “First we must and will make our streets safer.” Hochul also called for making the state more affordable, citing the high cost of living.

    A native of Buffalo, Hochul, 64, defeated Republican congressman Lee Zeldin, an ally of Donald Trump, in November’s election to win the office that she took over in 2021 when former Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned.

    New York Attorney General Letitia A. James, 64, also took oath Sunday for her second elected term in the position. She made history in 2018 as the first woman elected as the state’s attorney general and the first Black person to serve in the role.

    “Four years ago I committed to make this office a force of justice. I promise to fight for all New Yorkers, regardless of your political affiliation,” James, said.

    Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli was sworn in for his fourth term.

    “We continue to live in a time of unprecedented challenge of evil and economic uncertainty. But we New Yorkers are resilient,” he said.

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  • NYC: Nurses at 8 local hospitals set to strike on January 9

    Web Desk:

    According to the national media, 16000 nurses spread across eight hospitals plan to walk off the job in 9 days, unless they reach a contract deal before then.

    They are all represented by the ‘New York State Nurses Association.’

    The union says it is giving advance notice so the hospitals can prepare.

    The eight hospitals where the nurses could strike include New York-Presbyterian, Montefiore, Mount Sinai Hospital, Mount Sinai Morningside and West, Maimonides, BronxCare, Richmond University Medical Center, and Flushing Hospital Medical Center.

    Nurses say hospitals are short-staffed and are not doing enough for patients as COVID, RSV, and the flu run rampant.

    The union claims the hospitals have increased fees for healthcare services, but not filling staffing gaps or properly paid nurses for their work throughout the pandemic.

    The NYSNA held a vote over a week ago in which nearly 99% of nurses voted to authorize the strike.

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  • Happy New Year! Thousands throng Times Square to witness crystal ball drop on 2023

    New Year: New Yorkers and visitors from across the world thronged to Times Square, the New York’s landmark and liveliest area to wellcome 2023, and  witness spectacular yet time-honored crystal ball drop event.

    Thousands of people flocked to Times Square to watch the historic ball drop tradition at 12 o’clock in the night at the New Year ceremony.

    The crystal ball, 12 feet wide and weighing 11 thousand pounds, was brought down from 130 feet high pole.

    A magnificent lightshow was kicked off by New York City Mayor Eric Adams who started the ball drop that took place for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2019.

    As per media reports, the ball comprised of nearly 2,700 Waterford crystals illuminated by a palette of more than 16 million color. As the ball lit up, crowds danced in the new year many stealing a kiss from loved ones at midnight. Heaving crowds danced and swapped masks for rain ponchos as they flooded the Times Square venue.

    The New Year celebration that started from New Zealand has ended spreading joy in different countries.

    Spectacular fireworks were also conducted and sky was filled with rainbow colors everywhere in the city.

    People in Times Square greeted each other enthusiastically for the New Year.

    Fireworks were also set off by citizens in different areas of New York.

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  • NYC: Crimes spike 23 percent in 2022, murders down by double digits

    Web Desk:

    According to ABC7 New York, major crimes in NYC spiked 23 percent this year, driven by a sharp increase in carjacking, robberies, and burglaries. Police say repeat offenders are fueling the surge.

    One highlight – shootings and murders are down by double digits. However, youth violence remains a growing problem.

    “Who’s firing a gun in New York City multiple times? We know who they are and that’s who we’re focused on, a very small percentage of individuals are driving violence in New York City and each one of those individuals is under investigation by the New York City Police Department,” said Michael Lipetri, NYPD Chief of Crime Prevention Strategies.

    Lipetri highlighted that shootings and murders are down in the city this year by double digits after spiking in 2021. He tells Eyewitness News that the biggest gains were in the Bronx.

    “The data was showing that approximately 30 percent of all the New York City shootings happened in the Bronx, so what we did was we moved, not hundreds but thousands of extra police officers into the Bronx,” he said.

    While shootings overall were down, there is another troubling trend, the number of children getting shot is surging.

    The NYPD says to bring the crime numbers back down, they are focused on prevention with at-risk youth.

    “We want to get out in front of it. We want to speak to them. We want to speak to them,” Lipetri said.

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  • U.S reduces visa wait times for certain nonimmigrant visa applicants: State Department

    New York: The US Department of State is extending the authority of consular officers to waive in-person interviews for certain nonimmigrant visa categories through December 31, 2023

    The US recognizes the positive impact of travel to the United States by the foreign student and temporary work visa holders on the U.S. economy and is committed to facilitating nonimmigrant travel and further reducing visa wait times.

    Consular officers are authorized, through December 31, 2023, to continue to waive in-person interviews on a case-by-case basis for certain first-time and/or renewing applicants, according to the spokesperson of the US Department of State.

    These categories of visas are for Temporary Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Workers (H-2 visas), Students (F and M visas), and Academic Exchange Visitors (academic J visas), and certain beneficiaries of approved individual petitions for nonimmigrant temporary worker visas in the following categories: Persons in Specialty Occupations (H-1B visas), Trainee or Special Education Visitors (H-3 visas), Intracompany Transferees (L visas), Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement (O visas), Athletes, Artists, and Entertainers (P visas), and Participants in International Cultural Exchange Programs (Q visas); and qualifying derivatives.

    These waivers are authorized by a determination of the Secretary of State with the concurrence of the Department of Homeland Security.

    The authorization to waive the in-person interview for applicants renewing a visa in the same classification within 48 months of the prior visa’s expiration was previously authorized to remain in place until further notice.

    These interview waiver authorities have reduced visa appointment wait times at many embassies and consulates by freeing up in-person interview appointments for other applicants who require an interview.

    Nearly half of the almost seven million nonimmigrant visas the Department issued in Fiscal Year 2022 were adjudicated without an in-person interview. We are successfully lowering visa wait times worldwide, following closures during the pandemic, and making every effort to further reduce those wait times as quickly as possible, including for first-time tourist visa applicants.

    Embassies and consulates may still require an in-person interview on a case-by-case basis and dependent upon local conditions.

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  • NYC Mayor presents art teacher with a proclamation for protecting a woman from assailants

    NEW YORK: John Catania an art teacher in Scarsdale was presented with a proclamation by New York City Mayor Eric Adams for his act of heroism as he saved a Muslim woman who was being harassed and harmed by a man at the Union Square station in November this year.

    Mayor’s office organized a reception to honor John Catania and patted him on his shoulder for showing bravery and protecting the victim.

    Mayor Eric Adams presented John Catania with a proclamation to recognize his heroism.

    Police said that on Nov. 22, a man believed to be experiencing homelessness was harassing a woman at the station, saying anti-Muslim statements before slashing her on the neck.

    That’s when Catania stepped in. “I saw someone get attacked, and it was very violent out of nowhere. Someone needed to do something, and I was standing there. It fell on my shoulders, I guess. Everyone else kinda jumped away,” Catania said.

    Catania was injured while trying to help the woman and both got injured at the hand of assailants. He needed 26 stitches on his head. The suspect got away.

    The function was organized in his honor at the mayor’s office. On this occasion, Mayor Eric Adams said that this young teacher is our pride. It is also an example for all of us that how we should help each other in difficult times.

    The school teacher was hailed as a hero by the participants of the event.

    Senior officers of the New York Mayor’s Office and representatives of the Muslim community also participated in the ceremony.

    On this occasion, Muslim American Society of New York Tahir Abdul Hadi and other Muslim representatives condemned the attack and praised the bravery of the teacher.

    The Mayor Adams said: “You showed both moral and physical courage of when you swiftly came to the aid of a young woman who was being attacked with a bladed weapon. And normally people run from that, or they pick up their phones or take pictures and not go to the direct aid of their fellow New Yorkers. You did it while sustaining an injury. But we want to thank you and the victim, both are recovering, both you and the victim are recovering. And most importantly, the attacker was apprehended, which is extremely important because of your actions. So I really admire and salute your bravery. And here at City Hall, we like to pause and just acknowledge what you’re doing. And you’re brave every day, you’re in the school system.

    Catania said: “Yeah, I’d say so. I’d say so. She looked very alone and clearly injured in the moment. So I just tried to do my best, tried to intervene and stop any more violence. I’m hoping I could do that. I myself got a little injured, but that’s all right.

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