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Author: World News

  • US shooting leaves four dead and three wounded, police

    Web Desk,

    A gunman killed four people and wounded three more including a police officer on Monday after open’s fire on multiple locations across Colorado before being shot dead, US police said.

    According to police late-night press conference, the incidents began at around 5pm and unfolded on four different locations in the cities of Denver and Lakewood.

    Two adult women were killed and an adult male wounded on the first location in Denver, police said, with a further man shot dead.

    The gunman then traveled to neighboring Lakewood where he fatally shot another man and wounded another individual.

    Gathered information from the previous assaults, Lakewood officers were able to identify the shooter as he moved location again.

    “Gun shots was then exchanged again with our agents, the shooter, in this case, was taken down,” said Lakewood police spokesman John Romero, adding the gunman was “pronounced dead on the scene”.

    A Lakewood officer was shot and injured during the altercations. “Injured agent is currently at the hospital undergoing surgery right now,” Romero added.

    The shooter’s motivations are unknown, and an investigation is underway.

    Gun violence is a huge problem in the United States and firearm control advocates say the issue is fueled by the item’s prevalence and relatively gun laws.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Shahana Hanif first elected NYC Council Member took Oath on Quran.

    New York City,

    Shahana Hanif First elected Bangladeshi-American Muslim woman for the New York City council member took oath on Quran and made the history. She is the Daughter of Bangladeshi migrant and Community organizer.

    On the occasion, Shahna Hanif said that we have to work together against racism. New York City and communities together will find appropriate solutions to the problems to face the future.

    On the other hand, South Asian community groups praise and said that the first Muslim Council Woman Shahana Hanif is a proud of South Asians and become an exemplary for other South Asian women.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Chinese Social Media Slams Elon Musk after close call with space station

    Web desk:

    According to the France24 News, Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk is facing a backlash from Chinese web users on Tuesday after Beijing said its space station was forced to take evasive action to avoid hitting two of the satellites launched by his Star link Internet Services project.

    China’s Tiangong space station was forced to take preventive collision avoidance control during two close encounters with SpaceX’s Star link satellites in July and October, according to a document submitted to the UN’s space agency by Beijing this month.

    On both occasions, the satellites moved into orbits that prompted space station operators to change course, the document said. “The maneuver strategy was unknown and orbital errors were hard to be assessed”, Beijing said of the satellite involved in the October incident, adding that it took action to ensure the safety and lives of in-orbit astronauts.

    Chinese social media users blasted Musk and his companies over the incident, with one hashtag racking up 87 million views by Tuesday morning.

    California-based SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Although Musk is widely admired in China, the reputation of Tesla, which sells tens of thousands of vehicles in the country each month, has faltered this year following a spate of crashes, scandals, and data storage concerns. But Tesla is still hugely popular and sells around one out of every four of its cars in the country, as well as building a rare wholly-owned factory in Shanghai.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Mystery donor sends a box full of cash to City College of New York.

    Web Desk:

    According to CNN, when Physics Professor Vinod Menon returned to in-person classes this semester, he was greeted with some junk mail and a nondescript package in a battered cardboard box that weighed 4 pounds, 8 ounces.

    Menon, the chairman of the physics department, at first thought it was some sort of memento sent by a former student, but when he opened the box, he found stacks for $50 and $100 bills, $180,000 in all.

    “I’ve never seen this kind of money in real life in cash form,” Menon told CNN. I was shell-shocked and I just did not know how to react.”

    There was an unsigned letter in the package explaining that the donor graduated long ago from The City College of New York (CCNY) with a double major in physics and mathematics, then got an MA in physics there and went on to get a double Ph.D. in physics and astronomy.

    “Assuming that you are a bit curious as to why I am doing this, the reason is straightforward: the excellent educational opportunity available to me, which I took full advantage of at CCNY gave me the basis to continue to develop,” the letter said.

    It had been delivered to CCNY on November 12, 2020, long after the school had moved to distance learning in March because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Menon said he has been going to his lab pretty regularly during the pandemic, but not to the science building where he taught classes.

    The letter asked that the money be used to help junior and senior students also double majoring in physics and math who need financial support to continue their studies. Menon said he called the Dean of Sciences immediately and they contacted campus police and the department that handles gifts when they realized how much money they had.

    Photo Courtesy: CNN

    Before CCNY could keep the money, officials had to make sure that it wasn’t the proceeds of some sort of criminal activity. After investigating, officials determined the money was clean. They were not able to identify the donor, there was a name on the package, but it didn’t match anyone in the CCNY alumni records. The return address didn’t solve the mystery either, Menon said.

    Once they knew the gift was legit, the CUNY board of trustees voted unanimously to approve a resolution accepting the money. Menon said that his department would honor the anonymous donor’s wish by giving out two full-tuition scholarships each year. Tuition at CCNY is about $7,500 per year, so the gift will fund the scholarships for a decade,

    Menon said. “I’d like them to know that firstly, we are thankful for the gift. I’m really honored that he or she decided that this was the right place to spend that kind of money on,” Menon said. “And I’m also proud of the fact that the person had a wonderful career based on the education that they received at City College.”

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • DHS temporarily waive Final Rule for year 2022, consular officers authorized.

    New York,

    US had suspended in March 2020 all routine visa services worldwide due to the coronavirus outbreak. While the services have been reinstated with a limited capacity and on a priority basis, months-long wait times for certain visa appointments persist due to a massive backlog.

    In response to rising fears regarding COVID-19 cases, The Department of Homeland and Safety US has stated that for the entire year of 2022, it will waive the Final Rule/in-person interview requirement for a variety of visa applicants, including H-1B workers and students.

    “The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in profound reductions in the department’s visa processing capacity,” it said. “As global travel rebounds, we are taking these temporary steps to further our commitment to safely and efficiently reduce visa wait times while maintaining national security as our priority” issued statement on Thursday

    The consular officers will now be temporarily authorized to waive Final Rule/in-person interviews for nearly a dozen visa categories, including Persons in Specialty Occupations (H-1B visas), visas for students, temporary agricultural and non-agricultural workers, student exchange visitors, as well as athletes, artists and entertainers.

    The full list of visa categories in which the appointment now could be waived can be found here.

    The State Department also said it has extended indefinitely the authorization to waive the Final Rule/in-person interview for applicants renewing a visa in the same visa class within 48 months of the prior visa’s expiration.

     

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Omicron surge hampers Christmas Celebrations.

    World,

    Christmas celebrations are in full swing around the globe. Decorated Christmas trees lit up on streets and Santa Claus delivers the gifts to little ones. Prayers were offered in different cathedrals and special supplications events were organized in Churches. Cristian’s greets each other and distributes sweets and cakes while Covid-19 variant Omicron hinders the happiness of Christmas in different parts of the World.

    New Zealand

    One of the most vaccinated population in the world, New Zealand 95 percent of its adult get at-least 1 dose of vaccination celebrates Christmas with minimum restrictions of Covid 19. The only Omicron cases that have been found in New Zealand are safely contained at the border.

    Australia

    Australia, two most populous states reported a surge in infections, New South Wales registering the most new cases in a 24-hour period since the start of the pandemic.

    In New South Wales, capital Sydney 6,288 cases were reported on Christmas morning. Currently about 383 people confirmed infected were hospitalized in the state. Further 2,208 new infections reported in south, Victoria recorded third of the number. Active case numbers in ICU declined in both states.

    Australia’s 91% of people, age of 16 years and over, get double-dosed; Prime Minister Scott Morrison said lockdowns are no longer necessary. Delivering his annual Christmas message, the leader urged the nation to “overcome and to push through.”

    UK

    In UK, London covid 19 new deadly variant Omicron hampers the Christmas celebrations. A new high of 122,186 daily UK Covid cases were reported on Friday. According to NHS England in response to the Omicron variant threat, thousands of first, second and booster jabs will be given on Christmas Day as well. Appointments are available in at least eight locations including London, Manchester, Swindon and Eastbourne.

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on December 13 about the expansion booster program to all adults, the number of vaccines being delivered by the center has increased from around 1,000 a week to 5,000, says vaccination center In-charge Jaya Authunuri reported, UK News outlets.

    Italy, Vatican,

    Pope Francis celebrated Christmas Eve Mass before an estimated 2,000 people were allowed out of 20,000 capacities to attend in St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday, several News agencies reported. Last year Italy was in a full Christmas lockdown.

    A mask less throughout the service, Pope Francis administered down the central aisle as the Sistine Chapel choir sang “Noel,” kicking off the Vatican’s Christmas holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem.

    U.S., New York

    In US, New York State set a new high record for daily Covid-19 infections with 44,431, almost 5,600 more than a day earlier during Christmas holidays. According to Governor Kathy Hochul briefing that there is surge in Covid 19 cases with 12.4% positive rate. Total Hospitalizations is 4,744, or 210 more than on Thursday US news media reported.

    A day after new policy came from Governor Hochul’s that those wants to get back on the job must be vaccinated, fever-free for 72 hours and be able to wear a mask. Hochul also added that essential workers who test positive, with their employers’ permission return to work in five days after a positive test, cutting in half the current isolation period.

    The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed a shorter isolation period for health care workers, to seven days instead of 10.

    China,

    Meanwhile in west of China Xi’an City imposes Lock down on Christmas to curb the spread of Covid 19.  According to National Health Commission on Saturday, there is 140 new infected cases record in China out of 87 were local.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Pakistan celebrates the 145th birthday of Quaid-e-Azam

    Web Desk:

    Pakistanis are celebrating the 145th birthday of founder Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, today (Saturday) across the country with traditional zeal and fervor. A change of guard ceremony was held at his mausoleum in Karachi on Saturday morning to mark the day.

    Photo Courtesy: 92news

    A smartly turned-out contingent of Pakistan Military Academy took over the guard duty. PMA commandant Major General Umar Ahmad Bukhari was the chief guest. He offered Fateha and laid a floral wreath at the grave of the Quaid.

    Photo Courtesy: irshadgul.com

    Special programs are planned across the country to shed light on Quaid’s struggle for the creation of Pakistan and to highlight his guiding principles of unity, faith, and discipline.

    The celebrations aimed at educating the youth about the Quaid’s vision and Pakistan’s ideology. Early in the morning, several people from all walks of life visited the tomb to pay tribute to Quaid-e-Azam for the services he rendered for the creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent.

    In his message, Prime Minister Imran Khan emphasized upon the youth to adopt the Quaid’s attributes of honesty, hard work, perseverance, and dedication.

    “We as a nation need to adopt these attributes to realize Quaid’s vision of a developed, progressive and tolerant Pakistan,” the PM said. “Muhammad Ali Jinnah realized the importance of a separate homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent where all citizens could enjoy the freedom of faith, occupation, and equal opportunities.”

     

    Furthermore, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations, Major General Babar Iftikhar, said the Quaid’s vision of a peaceful and progressive Pakistan and his principles of unity, faith, and discipline are imperative for our success as a nation.

    A lawyer and politician, Jinnah served as leader of the All-India Muslim League from 1913 until Pakistan’s independence on 14 August 1947, then as Pakistan’s first Governor-General until his death on September 11, 1948.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Happiness distribution by APAG at Richmond Hill, New York.

    Richmond Hill,

    APAG team gathers at Richmond Hill of Queens in New York and organizes a Food Drive and Toys distributions on Christmas and New Year holidays. Team APAG also distributes candies to children. The Santa brought smiles and cheer to children’s faces.APAG also distributed groceries and food items to the community. Distribution begins with recitation of Holy Quran.Assembly man David Weprin, Queens’s borough president Donovan Richards, Council Member Adrienne Adams, President APAG Ali Rasheed, Ameen Ghani and team members participated and distributes groceries and Toys.On the occasion US officials said that APAG always stand with needy peoples, we are glad to be with them shoulders to shoulders.

    Citizens were lined up and benefited at toys distributions and food drive.  APAG President Ali Rasheed and Amin Ghani said that we have gained a lot from the land of this city and country. We have a duty to help those in need. APAG team also takes an active part in this joy sharing activity. On the occasion team APAG said that as much as the children are happy to receive food and gifts from this toys and food drive, we are happier to distribute these items. Pakistani American organization spread happiness on the children faces, for this team APAG faces also shine with happiness. At last Team APAG said that we will go even further in the future.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Legendary actor Moin Akhtar’s 71st birthday is being observed today.

    Web Desk:

    The birth anniversary of comedy king and legendary TV, Film artist, Moin Akhtar is being observed today (Friday). Internet giant Google celebrated the 71st birthday of the comedy legend with a beautiful doodle featuring him on several TV screens.

    Photo Courtesy: Google Doodle

    The world-renowned actor and comedian was born in Karachi on December 24, 1950. Starting from the theater at the age of 16, Moin Akhtar stepped into the world of television in the sixties and became a household name, continuing on the path to cementing his name as one of Pakistan’s greatest ever artists.

    Photo Courtesy: dawn.com

    Moin Akhter began his acting career as a child actor at the age of 13. He made his television debut on 6th September 1966. Moin Akhter’s sense of humor was highly dynamic and versatile.

    Moin Akhtar’s famous TV dramas include ‘Rozi’, ‘Intezar Farmaiye’, ‘Bund Road’, ‘Aangan Terha’, ‘Studio Dhai’, ‘Studio Ponay Teen’, ‘Yes Sir, No Sir’ and ‘Eid Train’. Throughout his career, Moin acted in many languages including English, Sindhi, Punjabi, Memon, Pashto, Gujarati, and Bengali.

    Photo Courtesy: Internet

    He was also fond of singing. His work with comedian Anwar Maqsood and actress Bushra Ansari on memorable stage dramas and TV programs gained exceptional popularity among the masses.

    In recognition of his artistic services, Moin Akhtar was also awarded the Presidential Pride of Performance in 1996 and the Sitara-e-Imtiaz in 2011. Moin Akhtar died of a heart attack on April 22, 2011, in Karachi.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • ‘Merry Christmas’: World’s first-ever SMS sells for $121,000

    Web Desk:

    World’s first-ever text message of 15-character was ‘Merry Christmas’, sent on the Vodafone network and received by Vodafone employee Richard Jarvis on 3 December 1992.

    Vodafone has auctioned the text message as NFT and proceeds from the auction will be going to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to support forcibly displaced people.

    Photo Courtesy: afghanistan.kivazen.com

    The first SMS ever sent over a mobile phone in 1992 was sold Tuesday as an NFT at auction for 107,000 euros ($120,600), the Aguttes auction house said.

    The buyer, whose identity was not disclosed but is a Canadian involved in the tech sector, is now the owner of a unique digital replica of the first SMS message in the form of a Non-Fungible Token, or NFT.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • ACMW distributes happiness and Joy among little ones in Brooklyn, New York.

    Coney Island,

    Women are on the forefront in every field and they have taken the lead in sharing cheerfulness. Happiness has doubled since the outbreak of Corona is over, Consul General Ayesha Ali shared her views on ACMW toys distribution ceremony.Joy and happiness began to spread everywhere and it seems like a festival as Christmas approached. The ACMW-American Council of Minority Women set up a gift distribution stall in the Brooklyn area of​New York.Large numbers of children from Coney Island Avenue and other New York areas gathered to receive gifts and toys, distributed by the organization’s founder Baza Rohi and Santa Claus.Assembly-man Robert Carroll and New York Consul General of Pakistan Ayesha Ali also attended the ACMW toys distribution ceremony.US Assembly-man also said that, whether it’s a charity event or a festival, women do what they can on their own, and this joy-sharing has been continued for last twelve years.Joy and happiness was visible on little one’s smiling faces after receiving the toys and gifts. The children also took pictures with Santa Claus and enjoyed a lot.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Two monkey arrested in Maharashtra over Revenge killing of 250 Dogs.

    Maharashtra,

    A strange and weird incident has happened in Beed, Maharashtra. Two monkeys have killed nearly 250 dogs. According to India’s top news agency, the monkeys have taken revenge for the killing of an infant monkey.

    “Two monkeys involved in the killing of many puppies have been captured by a Nagpur Forest Department team in Beed,” Sachin Kand, Beed Forest Officer, told news agency.

    The monkeys are being shifted to Nagpur and will be released in a nearby forest.

    Locals said that the monkeys have been killing puppies for the last couple of months in Lavool village. As soon as they see a puppy, they would catch it and take it to place with considerable height. The dog would then be thrown from there.The villagers contacted Dharur’s Forest Department in panic after the monkeys attacked some school-going children as well, news agency reported.

    The strange incident not only created a buzz among the villagers and authorities, but also memers on social media.

    People on social media seemed to be taking sides in the ‘Monkey vs Dogs gang war’.

    One of the user tweets and post a video of exit gate of the temple where a dog sit on a pillar and every worshipers meet with dog on exit.

    Another memes maker come on front in support of Monkeys and post a meme picture on twitter.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Eric Adams Postpones Mayoral Inauguration Due to Covid Surge

    Web Desk:

    NYC Mayor-Elect Eric Adams has officially scrapped his mayoral inauguration come January 1 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Adams, Comptroller-elect Brad Lander, and NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams made the somewhat expected announcement Tuesday morning in a joint statement.

    “Dear fellow New Yorkers, it is clear that our city is facing a formidable opponent in the Omicron variant of COVID-19, and that the spike in cases presents a serious risk to public health. After consulting with public health experts, we have decided that our joint inauguration ceremony will be postponed to a later date in order to prioritize the health of all who were planning to attend, cover, and work on this major event,” the statement read in part.

    During a press conference, Adams said that if the trajectory of the COVID spread in New York City didn’t change course, he had no problem pulling the plug on an inauguration.

    According to a source close to the mayor, Adams never really wanted a big event, adding that if ultimately canceled, the money earmarked for the celebratory event would go to charity instead.

    “I don’t need anything fancy, I’m still the mayor!” Adams said Monday. “This is not for me…I don’t need anything at all,” he went on to say. “All I need to do is move my mattress to Gracie Mansion and sleep on the floor.”

    The ceremony was supposed to have taken place at Kings Theatre. In their statement, Adams, Lander, and Williams thanked the locale for offering to host the inauguration.

    “We thank the King’s Theatre for their interest in hosting this exciting moment in our city’s history, and everyone who has been working hard to plan this celebration”, statement.

    “Health and safety must come first. We encourage all New Yorkers to get vaccinated, get boosted, and get tested. That is our pathway out of this pandemic, and we will come out of it together.”

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Manhattan rushed with Christmas celebrations.

    New York
    Sahar Munir,

    A 17 year old tourist came from Canada to New York City, she hangout with friends, walk around with family, enjoyed and join Christmas celebrations.Manhattan the borough of New York city has decorated with colorful lights and buntings wreathed Christmas trees. Countdown begins for Christmas Eve, New Yorkers and People from different cities are visiting to enjoy the colors of Christmas after two years of Pandemic restrictions as situation is normalized and the joy on everyone’s faces has doubled.Santa Claus welcomed the tourist and distributes gifts and chocolates to the children’s. Tourists around the globe enjoyed the colors of Christmas, enjoyed shopping, colorful decorated buildings and Christmas trees. One of the tourist said that this year on Christmas it is very great full to be with friends and family and we enjoyed together after long Pandemic restriction. Last year we are scared from Covid-19 and strictly followed SOPs and stay at home but now we have fully vaccinated and have a great time with friends and family.Another tourist also expressed happiness with Voice of South Asia and said that it was my first time and I am so excited to be here at beautiful place, we are outside now. Since that Pandemic was over I go with my family to New Jersey with my little nephew and nieces, we make ginger bread, bake cakes and cookies and have fun.Decorated buildings and squares on Christmas is a message that good days are coming back and this year Christmas will be celebrated with great enthusiasm.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Ways to Control High Blood Pressure

    Web Desk:

    More than one in three adults in the U.S. has high blood pressure or hypertension. This can be dangerous because high blood pressure can lead to life-threatening conditions like a heart attack or stroke.

    Early diagnosis, a healthy lifestyle, and adopting a few positive habits instead of ignoring them can keep high blood pressure from seriously damaging your health.

    Photo Courtesy: heart.org

    Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Anyone can develop high blood pressure, but age, race or ethnicity, weight, gender, and family history are certain factors that can increase your risk.

    If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you might be worried about taking medication to bring your numbers down. If you successfully control your blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle, you might avoid, delay or reduce the need for medication.

    Eat a healthy diet: To help manage your blood pressure, one should limit the amount of sodium, and increase the amount of potassium in the diet. Eating a diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products and skimps on saturated fat and cholesterol can lower your blood pressure by up to 11 mm Hg if you have high blood pressure.

    Photo Courtesy: Getty Creative

    Lose extra pounds: Being overweight or having obesity increases your risk for high blood pressure. Blood pressure often increases as weight increases. Being overweight also can cause disrupted breathing while you sleep, which further raises your blood pressure. Weight loss is one of the most effective lifestyle changes for controlling blood pressure. In general, you may reduce your blood pressure by about 1 millimeter of mercury (mm Hg) with each kilogram about 2.2 pounds of weight you lose.

    Photo Courtesy: The Quint

    Exercise regularly: Exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower your blood pressure. Regular physical activity, such as 150 minutes a week, or about 30 minutes most days of the week, can lower your blood pressure by about 5 to 8 mm Hg if you have high blood pressure.

    Photo Courtesy: nd3000/iStock

    Limit the amount of alcohol: Alcohol can be both good and bad for your health. By drinking alcohol only in moderation can potentially lower your blood pressure by about 4 mm Hg. Drinking more than moderate amounts of alcohol can actually raise blood pressure by several points. It can also reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure medications.

    Photo Courtesy: specialty.mims.com

    Quit smoking: Each cigarette you smoke increases your blood pressure for many minutes after you finish and puts you at higher risk for heart attack and stroke. Stopping smoking helps your blood pressure return to normal.

    Photo Courtesy: Medical News Today

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Renowned Haematologist Dr. Tahir Shamsi Passes Away.

    Web Desk:

    According to 24 News, Pakistan’s renowned haematologist and bone marrow transplant pioneer Dr. Tahir Shamsi breathed his last at a private hospital in Karachi on Tuesday morning.

    Dr. Tahir Shamsi had been under treatment after undergoing surgery last week following suffering a brain hemorrhage. Dr. Shamsi was in the intensive care unit of the Aga Khan University Hospital and his condition was reported to be critical.

    Photo Courtesy: IG News

    Dr. Tahir Shamsi is credited with introducing bone-marrow transplant in Pakistan in 1995 and so far, he had performed some 650 bone-marrow transplants and written over 100 research articles in international journals.

    In 2016, the Dow Graduates Association of North America had honored the Pakistani doctor with a lifetime achievement award in recognition of his services.

    During the first wave of coronavirus pandemic, Dr. Tahir Shamsi came up with the idea of treating Covid-19 patients using the plasma of those who recovered from the virus.

    Photo Courtesy: EXPRESS

    In 2011, Dr. Shamsi had established the National Institute for Blood Disease for the treatment of blood-related diseases and he was head of the facility. He was also the director of the Stem Cell Program at NIBD as well. He was a Royal College of Pathologist fellow. Dr. Tahir Shami was also on the government’s medical board which carried out the medical treatment in Lahore of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • ICNA Relief fund raising dinner for Women Transitional Home in Queens.

    Queens,

    Charity begins at home. ICNA Relief hosted a dinner and poetry recital in the Queens area of ​​New York to provide housing for homeless women. This Fund Raising dinner was attended by a large number of men and women from Pakistan including renowned poets Abbas Tabish, Khalid Masood, Raees Warsi, Director ICNA Relief Arshad Jamal. Raees Warsi praised the Lord of the Universe in unique way.The special guest of the ceremony and well known poet Abbas Tabish delivered a speech; audience pays tribute to Abbas Tabish.While addressing the participants, Director, ICNA Relief Arshad Jamal said that ICNA Relief is serving humanity in the US without any discrimination, it has presented the true face of Islam and Muslims which has defeated the negative propaganda.Participants also provide financial support for the establishment of a Transitional Home for Homeless Women. Director ICNA Relief Arshad Jamal has thanked all the guests and the audience.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Groom beat for demanding dowry in India’s Ghaziabad

    Web Desk:

    The wedding season has given several videos and photos from the weddings taking place all across the globe. Some videos and photos became viral as well, ranging from happy moments to absurd ones. However, one such video has gone viral in recent times. The now-viral video shows the groom being thrashed at his wedding that took place on Friday at a banquet hall in the Sahibabad area of Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad.

    In a shocking incident in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, the family members of a bride physically manhandled the groom and his relatives after being forced to pay dowry.

    Photo Courtesy: IG News

    The report said that the bride’s family had already given INR3 lacs along with a diamond ring costing INR1 lacs in dowry. The bride’s family was asked to pay an additional sum of INR10 lacs right at the time of the Nikkah. It was a demand that became impossible for them to fulfill.

    The bridegroom’s father threatened to call off the wedding if the demand was not met. The bride’s male relatives tried to reason with them but it was of no use. The situation got out of hand and they began to assault the bridegroom.

    The viral video then sees the wedding guests getting physical as well. The bridegroom’s family relatives managed to escape from the scene. The clip also sees a woman protecting the bridegroom from getting hurt while a police officer is seen protecting the man as well. The bride’s family members have claimed that the bridegroom has married multiple times as well.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • 70 students failed 50 dollars exam.

    Web Desk:

    With every new college semester, students are faced with multiple syllabuses outlining the subjects in their classes.  But do students read them thoroughly? One Tennessee professor put it to the test.

    Associate head of performing arts at the University of Tennessee, Kenyon Wilson, had decided to put an Easter egg in the syllabus for his music seminar class this past semester. A Tennessee university professor hid a cash prize on campus to see if his students fully read the class syllabus.

    Music Professor decided to hide $50 in a random locker and bury the combination for the locker in the middle of his syllabus.

    The hint read: “Thus (free to the first who claims; locker one hundred forty-seven; combination fifteen, twenty-five, thirty-five), students may be ineligible to make up classes and …”

    This would have led students to a locker that contained a $50 bill, free to the first student to claim it. But at the end of the semester, when he went to check the locker, the bill was still there. This showed that none of his 70 students cracked the code.

    “It an academic trope that no one reads the syllabus,” Wilson told CNN. “It’s analogous to the terms and conditions when you’re installing software, everyone clicks that they’ve read it when no one ever does.”

    Wilson told CNN that his syllabus typically doesn’t change much, but with Covid protocols, there was some new information this time around.

    “There’s a standard boilerplate that doesn’t change. But on the first day of class I told them there was stuff that had changed, and for them to make sure they read it,” Wilson added.

    When Wilson put the reward in the locker, he left a note inside that read “Congrats! Please leave your name and date so I know who found it.” He was also sure to set the combination lock with a certain number in the noon position, to determine whether any students had tampered with the lock, but the combination was never even turned.

    “I had great hopes, and I’d be just as happy having this conversation if one of my students found it on the first week,” Wilson told CNN.

    Wilson’s Facebook post not only sparked a reaction from students but gave other professors and teachers around the nation an idea. “Perhaps spring 2022 will be the most well-read syllabi ever,” Wilson noted.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Fund raising Poetry recitals for Afghan refugees in St. Lois

    St. Louis,

    A Fund Raising poetry event was organized in St. Louis to help Afghan refugees. A large number of Pakistani community attended the event.Renowned Pakistani poet Abbas Tabish and comedian Khalid Masood participated in the poetry recital and won the hearts of the guests from their unique style of poetry.Local poet Dr. Ahmad Zaki hosted the event and presents his poetry.  Prior to the poetry recital event begins, Sadia Jabeen of ICNA Relief St. Louis and Ikram Hussain, the local director of ICNA Relief, briefed the participants on ICNA Relief activities.Khalid Masood said regarding the acceptance of Urdu literature abroad, that in order to acquaint the new generation with Urdu language and keep them connected with Pakistan, it is necessary that Urdu literary activities should be held regularly. While Khalid Masood’s humorous poetry caused laughter in the poetry recital, Abbas Tabish’s live poetry made people thoughtful.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • PACOLI new elected members Oath taking ceremony and pledged for past traditions.

    New York,

    An honorable ceremony was organized for newly elected dedicated officials of Leading Pakistani community organization PACOLI to serving the people and has taken up responsibilities. New York, Pakistan consul general Ayesha Ali, PACOLI family and US officials attended the event. Humayoun Shabir hosted the event while the ceremony begins with reception and recitation of Quran. National anthems of US and Pakistan were also performed. Before taking the oath, former President PACOLI Asim Malik briefly and comprehensively shed the light on PACOLI services to humanity. Azra Dar was invited on stage along with her team for Oath taking and awarded the presidency to her, afterwards they were congratulated with big hands.

    Newly elected President thanked the PACOLI family and said that, “Thank you very much for trusting and giving me such a huge confidence.”

    The newly elected officials said that we are committed to maintaining the PACOLI past traditions and her team and would work to serve the needy in most difficult situations.

    On the occasion, Senator James F. Gaughran congratulated the newly PACOLI elected members and appreciated the efforts of PACOLI team during global pandemic.Pakistani Consul General in New York Ayesha Ali said that “Women are serving in every field in modern times and are playing an important role in the development of the world”.

    “I saw and knit the dreams and spend a very candid life here for more than three decades. PACOLI is truly positive face of the Pakistani community” the founder of organization Bashir Qamar has said.

    There is no doubt that PACOLI has proved that women are not lesser than men in rendering the services to humanity by electing a woman for presidency.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Sindh Culture day colors in Riyadh.

    Riyadh,

    Indus cultural and social forum organizes a colorful Sindhi culture day at Pakistan consulate in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia. Pakistan Consul General Bilal Akber is the chief guest on the occasion and said that Sindhi Culture day celebrates around the globe with full zeal and fervor. Sindh province has the special status, gate way of Islam while it is also play vital role during the establishment of Pakistan. Several Sindhi cultural stalls were set up in the festival.Local folk singer Naeem Sindhi sung different cultural songs on the occasion and spread the colors of Sindh. A large number of Men and women specially belong to Sindh province and different Pakistani community celebrates Sindhi culture day with full zeal. Participants also performed Sindhi folk dance and make the moments memorable.President of Indus Cultural forum Dr. Mustafa Kamal along with former president Zeeshan Qazi and Abdul Qadir Mallah has said that Sindhi Cultural day widely promotes the true colors of love. We tried our level best to spread the colors and culture of Pakistan at overseas.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Six Multan sisters tie a knot with six brothers.

    Web Desk:

    The tradition of mass weddings is not rare in Pakistan, but one such mass marriage ceremony has become the talk of the town for its uniqueness, where six sisters of a family have tied the knot with six brothers of another household in Punjab’s city of Multan.

    Photo Courtesy: Samaa

    According to one of the Pakistan Media House Samaa, both the ménages belong to the same extended family. All the bridegrooms and brides are cousins.

    Photo Courtesy: Samaa

    The six daughters of Mohammed Lateef tied the knot with their six cousins in a grand wedding event on Tuesday. One of the bridegrooms, Shafiq, claims it was a “love marriage.”

    One of the six brides, Anum, expressed her emotions on her big day saying, “We [six sisters] are happy about getting married on the same day”.

    All brides were dressed up in the traditional red and two of them wore the same outfits. The grooms made a Punjabi-style entry to the venue and performed bhangra before entering the hall. The family got emotional when the six sisters departed for their new homes.

    Zahoor Baksh, the father of the grooms, was happy and proud on the occasion. “We have always held grand multiple wedding events and accepted whatever came from the family elders,” he said.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Annual Gala dinner brings communities under one roof, US officials

    New Jersey,

    The South Asian American Community Outreach head, Sam Khan, hosted and presided a gala dinner this year at the Royal Albert Palace in Edison, New Jersey. Every year this gala brings South Asian community together under one roof. The Quran was recited at a gala, Non-Muslims were also presented at the ceremony so hymns were sung according to their devotion and Bible verses were recited with Kirthan.Elected South Asian candidates in recent elections invited as special guests at Annual Gala Dinner. Edison Mayor Sam Joshi, Assembly Women Sadaf Jaffer and Assembly Women Shama Haider and others attended and said that this gala dinner is the best way to unite hearts and share love. Sam Khan introduced the guests and invites on stage. He presented a gift of Sindhi culture, Ajrak a reflection and identity of Pakistan; and presented certificates of appreciation.On the occasion, Bangla dance was performed, Indian songs were sung and Nepali group performances also won the hearts.

    A large number of American politicians and officials also attended the ceremony and praised the South Asian community for bringing them together on one platform.Ayesha Ali, Pakistani Consul General, New York said that the role of Sam Khan in strengthening the ties among the communities cannot be forgotten. She also thanked for inviting her to the gala dinner.Participants said that Sam Khan has always promoting collectivity instead of individualism. The way he wrapped people of all religions in a bouquet of flowers is unparalleled.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Al Falah Mosque construction work begins in March, 22.

    Woodbridge,

    The Muslim community in Woodbridge, Virginia, gathers for the completion of one year after the foundation stone was laid of the Al-Falah Mosque and Community Center. Community visited the construction site and offered Duhr prayers in congregation.On the occasion, organizers informed the community that there is no mosque for us in the vicinity, that’s the reason we chose this best place.

    Organizers briefed the media that mosque would accommodate more than 2,000 worshipers, and in addition to teaching the Qur’an and modern education would also be provided.

    Organizers have said that they bought the land in 2012 with the help of community and laid the foundation stone last year. There are more than fifty trustees working together and efforts are being made to start the construction work from March and estimated project completion time is two years.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Pakistani man jailed for 64 months in the US for fraudulently acquiring loan

    Web Desk:

    According to The News, A Pakistani man who obtained a fraudulent Covid-19 loan worth millions from the US government near the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic has been sentenced to five years and four months in prison.

    Azhar Sarwar Rana, 31, of Newton, will also have to pay back about $5.58 million and serve five years of supervised release after completing his stint in federal prison, the US Attorney for New Jersey said in a statement.

    Rana sought a $10 million Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan for his phony company “Azhar Sarwar Rana LLC” when he submitted his application on April 6, 2020, using falsified payroll reports and IRS tax documents, prosecutors said according to a foreign media report on Thursday.

    Rana ended up receiving $5,677,473 in May 2020 for what he claimed was a real estate development company, court documents state. The minimal wages the sham company purportedly paid in 2020 were mostly to people whose submitted Social Security numbers that did not correspond to their submitted names, prosecutors said.

    Rana then used the money for personal expenses such as a $13,000 payment to a BMW dealership. He also traded millions of dollars in securities and sent money to accounts in the names of family members, in Pakistan and elsewhere, according to charging documents.

    Authorities arrested Rana on Dec. 12, 2020, hours before was scheduled to board a flight to Pakistan he booked earlier that day.

     

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • APAG food pantry and Turkey distribution on Thanksgiving.

    Queens,

    The Pakistani-American organization APAG-American Pakistani Advocacy Group set up a large food pantry in the Queens area of ​​New York, on the occasion of Thanksgiving Day.The food pantry was also attended by Assemblyman David Weprin, Councilman Catherine Mooney from Richmond Hill and a pastor from the Christian community.The needy were queued up in large number. Food pantry distributes groceries and halal turkey to more than 200 people.President of APAG, Ali Rasheed, said that malnutrition was becoming a problem in New York and its need attention to paid.While, appreciating the philanthropic work of Muslims, Assemblyman said that Muslims in the US may not be financially very stable, but they are generous in helping the needy. Beneficiaries of the food pantry thanked APAG team and the Muslim community. APAG reiterated that it will continue philanthropic activities in the same way.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • A new wave of racism and Islamophobia at Long Island, New York City.

    Long Island,

    Louise Mendes co-founder of America’s Islamic Radio and Empowering Young Professionals held a press conference in Nassau County against the racism incident of the writing a terrorist outside businessman office and targeting Muslims.

    While, Louise has said that there is no room for racism and such action in American society. Such incidents should be discouraged and remedied immediately.

    Kevin Shakeel, co-founder of America’s Islamic Radio, said in his speech that we live in 2021 and hatred is not acceptable against Muslims or considers them as terrorists. We must end this hatred.

    On the Press conference, CFO, Social Ventures, Sadiq Rehman, said that last week’s event was unbelievable for us. I am very grateful to the Commissioner of Police who supported us in this incident. The Commissioner of Police assured a full-scale investigation in this regard.

    The speakers further added that we have gathered here that if anyone is attacked then this attack on all of us. Whatever had happened here is just an Islamophobia and there is no place for Islamophobia in New York. We strongly condemn this attack.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • MBR Awards, International Sports Personality named to Pakistan’s P.M. Imran Khan.

    Qatar, Web Desk,

    Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has been named International Sport Personality Award by the Mohammad Bin Rashid Creative Sports Award on Tuesday..

    The ceremony will take place on Jan 9 at Expo 2020. P.M. I.K. has been discussed his contribution to sports in cricket and in general particular.

    Pakistani Nation and cricket team is waiting for their second World cup title to bring home after Imran captaincy. Being a former sports person Prime Minister could relate himself with the tough challenges. Since came in to the power, Imran is credited to have made far-reaching changes which has completely change the landscape of the country.

    Imran allocated a huge budget of $639 million to improve the sporting facilities across Pakistan and to promote the new comers. He also announced scholarships for new sport beginners and promised to build a cricket ground in all villages across Pakistan.

    Meanwhile, President of Qatar Olympic Committee, Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani, discussed the Arab Sports Personality being administrators that boost up Qatar athletics. Tokyo Olympics best performance with two gold and one bronze named to Qatar athletes.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Einstein’s notes on the theory of relativity fetch record €11.6m at auction

    Web Desk:

    According to The Guardian, Albert Einstein’s handwritten notes on the theory of relativity fetched a record €11.6m at an auction in Paris on Tuesday. The manuscript had been valued at about a quarter of the final sum, which is by far the highest ever paid for anything written by the genius scientist.

    Photo Courtesy: Express

    It contains preparatory work for the physicist’s signature achievement, the theory of general relativity, which he published in 1915.

    Calling the notes without a doubt the most valuable Einstein manuscript ever to come to auction, Christie’s, who handled the sale on behalf of the Aguttes auction house, had estimated prior to the auction that it would fetch between €2m and €3m.

    Photo Courtesy: Express

    The 54-page document was handwritten in 1913 and 1914 in Zurich, Switzerland, by Einstein and his colleague and confidant Michele Besso, a Swiss engineer.

    Christie’s said it was thanks to Besso that the manuscript was preserved for posterity. This was “almost like a miracle”, it said, since Einstein would have been unlikely to hold on to what he considered to be a simple working document. Today the paper offered “a fascinating plunge into the mind of the 20th century’s greatest scientist”, Christie’s said.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.