Punjabi TV host in Canada sentenced to 5.5 years in jail for smuggling 108 kg of meth in a duffel bag from the US.
A Punjabi TV host in Canada has been sentenced to 5.5 years in jail for importing drugs from the US.
A 47-year-old woman, who has worked as a Punjabi radio and TV host in Canada for the past 10 years, has been sentenced to 5.5 years in jail after she was caught red-handed smuggling meth from the US in 2021. The verdict was handed down recently after Sukhwinder Kaur Sangha pleaded guilty to importing drugs, which police estimate were worth between $1 million and $10 million. Her lawyer said she was forced to commit the crime in order to pay someone who was threatening to kill or harm her then-teenage son if she did not pay $150,000, the Vancouver Sun reports. Sangha’s lawyer asked for two years or less of house arrest and three years of probation, while the prosecutor was seeking 10 to 12 years in prison.
Attempt to import medicines in 2021
On October 18, 2021, Sangha drove a rental car with Florida license plates through the US-Canada border in Surrey. She showed her Canadian passport and told officers she had gone to Washington for her aunt’s funeral. A Canada Border Services Agency officer asked her to stop so his car could be searched, but she sped away.Another border officer chased him and honked at him, forcing him to eventually slow down. Officers found a dirty duffel bag with drugs and two iPhones and a wiped iPad. Sangha made three similar trips to America in August, September and October that year. It is not known whether he imported drugs on those trips as well.
Who is Sukhwinder Kaur Sangha?
Sangha was born in Prince George. He was trained as a pharmacy technician and worked in that role for some time. He then worked as a producer and broadcaster of the Punjabi language for a decade. She interviewed politicians, police officers and celebrities as a host, and was an active community member, outspoken against youth crime and drug use. A single mother of three, Sangha also takes care of her ailing 78-year-old mother. The prosecutor stressed that if such crimes are not adequately punished, gangs will use individuals like Sangha with the promise that they will not receive long sentences if caught.
H-1B visa fraud: Two Indian-origin men plead guilty in California; hired people for non-existent positions
Two Indian-origin men pleaded guilty in the H-1B scam in California, where they promised people jobs at the University of California – and fooled both the beneficiaries and USCIS.
Two Indian-origin men have pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit H-1B visa fraud where they hired foreign nationals at the University of California by promising them jobs when the university had no such requirement. Sampath Rajidi, 51, and Sridhar Mada, 51, submitted H-1B visa petitions for multiple beneficiaries between June 2020 and January 2023. After these petitions were approved, both of them gave these H-1Bs to other customers. Sampath Rajidi operated two visa servicing companies, S-Team Software Inc. and Uptrend Technologies LLC. Maada’s position as Chief Information Officer of the California University of Agriculture and Natural Resources helped the duo plan this fraud. MADA had inside information about the university and had supervisory authority but could not hire H-1B workers for his department without permission from higher officials. But as part of the conspiracy, Mada supplied his name and position on H-1B petitions, leading USCIS to believe that he was actually recruiting for the university. Court documents claimed they both knew the positions listed in the petitions did not exist and supplied H-1Bs to other clients. “They submitted false information knowing that such information was material to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) visa granting decisions. As a result of their conspiracy, Rajidi and Mada gained an unfair advantage over other companies and depleted the pool of H-1B visas available to competing companies,” court documents state. Both defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The administration has launched a crackdown against H-1B visa abuse, in what has turned out to be a complex operation involving fraud at multiple levels. Some staffing companies like Sampath take money from H-1Bs while others take regular cuts in their payouts. Some scams run on fake promises where beneficiaries do not get the jobs they were promised.
Indian heritage spirits Mahua and Goa Feni debut in UK market. world News
Traditional Indian spirits Mahua and Goan Feni have entered the UK market this week, as demand for heritage and craft beverages grows.The launch is led by UK-based retailer Maharaja Drinks, which has introduced a new range featuring three feni variants and one Mahua spirit.Feni, a Goan spirit made from cashew apple or coconut palm juice, is represented through the offerings of Goenchi Feni and Goa Heritage Distillery, which also includes a spicy version, Oro de Goa. Products are made using small-batch distillation methods and natural ingredients.Mahua, a flower-based spirit traditionally associated with tribal communities in central India, is being introduced in Andhra Pradesh through a version produced by Desmondji.“India is home to spirits with extraordinary heritage, each rooted in centuries of craftsmanship and storytelling,” Maharaja Drinks CEO Annabel Jamieson was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. He said there is a growing interest in authentic country flavors among UK consumers.The producers said the move was aimed at attracting Indian expatriates to the UK as well as bringing the sentiment of Indian heritage to a wider audience. Yash Savardekar, co-founder of Goenchi Feni, said the expansion will help establish Feni as a globally recognized spirit.Desmond Nazareth, founder of Desmondji Mahua, described the drink as a long-overlooked product with deep cultural roots. “Mahua is a national treasure of India which has been hidden,” he said as quoted by PTI.Maharaja Drinks said the launch coincides with the expansion of its wider portfolio in the UK, which includes Indian vermouth and liquors made from botanicals, spices and fruits.The company, founded by Ipay and Adam Jacob, has been focusing on curated Indian wines, beers and spirits in the UK for the past two years.The move reflects a broader trend of increasing global interest in traditional and craft spirits.
Another arson attempt targeted a London synagogue; Sadiq Khan has vowed to take strict action
An attempted arson was reported at the Kenton United Synagogue in north-west London, in a series of incidents targeting the Jewish community. According to the Community Safety Trust (CST), the attack on Saturday night caused minor smoke damage to an interior room, but there were no injuries or significant structural damage, the BBC reports.The building, located near a school and children’s playground, was cordoned off as police and fire teams investigated.Forensic officers, fire detection dogs and multiple police units were deployed to the scene, with a strong security presence continuing in the area.
What did the Mayor of London say?
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the perpetrators would face “the full force of the law” and reiterated that anti-Semitism has no place in the city.Responding to the incident, Efraim Mirvis branded the attack “cowardly” and warned of a “continued campaign of violence and intimidation” against Jewish communities in Britain.
Series of anti-Semitic attacks
The latest incident comes amid a string of suspected anti-Semitic attacks across north-west London.On Friday, a building belonging to the First Jewish Charity in Hendon was targeted when a man attempted to burn plastic bags filled with liquid bottles outside the premises before fleeing. The attack caused minor damage and is also being treated as a hate crime.Police are also investigating incidents in Finchley, where bottles filled with petrol were allegedly thrown at a synagogue, with arrests being made earlier this week. There is no news of any arrest so far in the Canton case.
Earlier attack on Jewish ambulance
The increase follows a major arson attack in Golders Green last month. In the early hours of 23 March four ambulances belonging to a Jewish volunteer emergency service were set on fire.The explosions, caused by oxygen and gas canisters inside the vehicles, damaged nearby properties and forced residents to evacuate.
‘A little tricky’: Trump reviews his McDonald’s moment
What started as a delivery of camera-ready burgers inside the Oval Office to commemorate one year of the “no tax on tips” policy has now been openly rejected by the US President. “This was clearly and obviously a planned event to mark the beginning of a new policy. Claims that Sharon is a prop, plant or an actor are completely false and baseless. He’s a Dasher and he ran to support a policy that benefits him,” he said.
Saudi Arabia arrests more than 14,000 illegal residents in week-long crackdown, deporting thousands | world News
Saudi Arabia has arrested 14,487 illegal residents during a week-long nationwide crackdown, the interior ministry said.The arrests were made between April 9 and April 15 as part of a joint surveillance operation conducted by security forces in coordination with other government agencies.Of those detained, 7,911 were found to be violating residency laws, 3,588 were found to be violating border security regulations, and 2,988 were linked to labor law violations.Officials said 21,127 individuals have been sent to their diplomatic missions to secure travel documents, while 11,240 people are completing travel arrangements. So far 12,554 people have been deported.Security forces also stopped 1,382 persons attempting to enter the state illegally. Officials said 38 percent were Yemeni nationals, 61 percent were Ethiopians, and the remaining one percent were of other nationalities. Additionally, 43 people were caught trying to leave the country illegally.The ministry said 23 individuals were arrested for assisting the violators by providing transportation, shelter or employment.A total of 39,258 migrants – including 35,460 men and 3,798 women – are currently undergoing legal procedures.The Interior Ministry warned that anyone involved in illegal entry, transportation or helping to harbor criminals could face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SR1 million. Vehicles and properties used in such activities can also be confiscated.Authorities urged the public to report violations by calling 911 in Mecca, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, and 999 or 996 in other areas.
Biography of Queen Elizabeth II: Private papers of Queen Elizabeth II opened for first official biography project world News
For the first time after the death of the queen elizabeth In September 2022, his private papers are being opened to an authorized historian, an important step in documenting the life of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.Anna Kay, the eminent historian and chief executive of The Landmark Trust, has been appointed to write the first official biography of the late Queen. According to BBC News, the project will give them unprecedented access to personal letters, documents and records held in the Royal Archives, material never before available to researchers.The biography is expected to move beyond the Queen’s public duties to offer a more intimate portrait of her life, exploring her personal thoughts, relationships and decision-making during decades of historic change. The decision to allow access to such sensitive material is seen as a rare and carefully managed moment of transparency within the British royal family, where private correspondence traditionally remains sealed.The archive material will describe key moments of profound political and social change in Britain and across the Commonwealth from his accession to the throne in 1952. Historians believe these records can shed new light on how he handled major national events, worked with successive prime ministers, and adapted the monarchy to a rapidly changing world.Anna Kay’s appointment signals an effort to ensure that the biography is authoritative as well as based on rigorous historical research. The project is expected to take several years to complete, reflecting the scale of the archives and the importance of the subject. As a commissioned work, it will be prepared in collaboration with the royal family, while still aiming to provide a balanced and historically reliable account.The reign of Queen Elizabeth II, which began after World War II, witnessed the fall of the Empire, the development of the Commonwealth, and the modernization of the monarchy in the digital age. While his public role was closely documented, his private views have remained largely inaccessible. The BBC News report suggests that unlocking these documents could deepen our understanding of his leadership, revealing how he balanced constitutional duty with personal judgment during crucial moments.For the UK, the biography represents much more than a historical record, it offers a rare opportunity to examine the life and influence of a monarch who shaped the country’s identity for more than seven decades, through insights drawn directly from his own words and records.
Kamala Harris: Kamala Harris says Netanyahu ‘dragged’ Donald Trump into Iran war, calls it distraction from ‘Epstein files’
Kamala Harris says Netanyahu ‘dragged’ Trump into Iran war
Former US Vice President kamala harris has criticized donald trumpHe alleged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had “dragged” him into the ongoing conflict with Iran and used the situation to divert attention from domestic disputes.Speaking at an event hosted by the Michigan Democratic Women’s Caucus in Detroit on Saturday, Harris said the war was a war the American people do not want. Reiterating her claim on the origins of the conflict, Harris said Trump “entered the war, Bibi Netanyahu dragged him into it,” referring to the Israeli leader.However, Netanyahu has previously rejected such allegations, calling them “fake news”.According to news agency ANI, he further alleged that Trump’s “Operation Epic Fury” was a weak attempt to divert attention from the “Epstein files”.
‘The most corrupt, insensitive and incompetent administration’
Harris sharply criticized the current US leadership, calling it “the most corrupt, insensitive and incompetent” administration in the country’s history.He argued that Trump displays strength through military action, saying he “wants to walk around like he’s strong and will use the force of America’s military against whoever he chooses.”
claim to shift to US foreign policy Approach
Elaborating on foreign policy, Harris claimed that Trump has fundamentally changed America’s global stance. “This president is the first president of the United States of any party since World War II who has abdicated America’s responsibility to nurture and protect our alliances, our friendships,” he said.He further alleged that Trump has rejected key international norms. “Don’t even pretend and actually dismiss the importance of upholding international rules and norms such as sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.According to Harris, these actions have made the United States “untrustworthy” to its allies and weakened its global influence.Beyond foreign policy, Harris also touched on domestic issues, including health care, the economy, and reproductive rights. Expressing confidence in the prospects of the Democratic Party, he said that he is hopeful that it will win the midterm elections to be held in November.
Titanic life jacket worn by survivor sells for £670,000 ($906,000) at UK auction world News
A life jacket worn by a Titanic survivor has been sold at auction for £670,000 ($906,000), far above its estimated value, according to the Associated Press (AP).The jacket belonged to Laura Mabel Francatelli, a first-class passenger on the RMS Titanic who survived the 1912 disaster. She was traveling with fashion designer Lucy Duff Gordon and her husband Cosmo Duff Gordon and ran aground in lifeboat no. 1.This rare item was auctioned by Henry Aldridge & Son in Devizes, England and sold over the phone to an anonymous bidder. It was expected to fetch between £250,000 and £350,000, but the final price went well beyond that range.The flotation device is signed by Francatelli and other survivors from the same lifeboat. It features canvas material, shoulder support and straps with cork-filled pockets.Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said the strong sale reflected continued public interest in the Titanic story. He said, “These record-breaking prices reflect the continued interest in the Titanic story and the respect for the passengers and crew.”Another item from the same auction, a seat cushion from one of the Titanic’s lifeboats, sold for £390,000. It was purchased by the owners of the Titanic Museums in the United States.The RMS Titanic sank after hitting an iceberg on April 15, 1912, during its maiden voyage from England to New York. Of the approximately 2,200 people on board, approximately 1,500 lost their lives, while only 700 survived.The ship remains one of the most famous maritime disasters, whose memorabilia continues to attract global interest
US Iran conflict 2026: ‘Leave the sermon’: Iran criticizes EU over Hormuz stance, calls ‘international law’ comments ‘extreme hypocrisy’
File photo: EU foreign policy chief Kaza Kailash and Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghai
Iran on Sunday sharply criticized the European Union over its position on transit rules in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing it of double standards amid rising tensions over the US-Iran conflict.Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghai targeted EU foreign policy chief Kaza Kailash, saying that Europe uses international law selectively. “Oh, that ‘International Law’?! The one that the EU dusts off to lecture others, while silently giving the green light to a war of US-Israeli aggression… Avoid preaching,” he said, calling Europe’s stance “extreme hypocrisy.”Baghai stressed that Iran, as a coastal state, has the right to regulate movement in the strategic waterway and opposed calls for unrestricted passage.
Iran defends Hormuz control, rejects ‘unconditional transit’
Baghai said Tehran has the right to take action in the strait, stressing, “No rule of international law prevents Iran from … taking the necessary measures to prevent the Strait of Hormuz from being used for military aggression against Iran.”He also rejected the concept of free passage under current circumstances, saying, “‘Unconditional transit passage’ into Hormuz? That fantasy emerged the moment American/Israeli aggression brought American military assets into the backyard of the Strait.”
EU warns against transit fees, offers maritime support
His comments came after Callas stressed that transit through major waterways must remain open and free, warning that any “pay-for-passage scheme would set a dangerous precedent for global sea routes”.Europe could play a role in restoring normalcy once hostilities subside, he said, adding that the EU’s Espionage naval mission could be strengthened to protect shipping throughout the region.
Tension increases as Iran hints at taking tough steps
The exchange came after Iran indicated it might give priority to ships willing to pay fees under the new transit protocol, citing limited capacity. The situation worsened when Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced that the strait would remain closed, warning that any ships coming near it could be “targeted”.The development comes amid broader tensions over the US naval blockade of Iranian ports. Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will not fully reopen until the United States lifts the blockade, with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warning that a final peace deal is still “far off”.The strait, which carries about a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies, remains the epicenter of the crisis, with its disruption impacting global trade and energy markets.