A 24-year-old Indian man who went to Canada in 2022 to pursue higher education was shot dead in his car in Vancouver city, police said. Chirag Antil was found dead inside a vehicle in the area, police said. No arrests have been made and the investigation remains ongoing, police said. The incident happened within a block of the route for Saturday’s Vaisakhi parade and festival, police said. Police spokesperson said the body was found in the area, but did not say if the killing was connected to gang activity. Chirag Antil’s family, from Haryana, has set up a fundraiser to repatriate his body to India.
Missing Indian origin student in US found
Frisco (Texas): An Indian-American student who went missing in the US earlier this week has been found, the police said. The 17-year-old Ishika Thakore had gone missing in Frisco, Texas, since April 8. The Frisco police had posted on X seeking the help of the public to trace Ishika Thakore. Later, the police said the teenager has been located. "The 17-year-old who was the subject of our Critical Missing Alert has been located. We'd like to thank everyone for the offers of assistance and words of support," the post further said.
Canadian brand offers Indian $10,000 as 'goodwill'
A Canadian accessories brand faced backlash on social media for responding offensively to a complaint from an Indian customer regarding a MacBook accessory. It began with Bhuwan Chitransh, an Indian techie, posting a complaint about his Dbrand MacBook skin changing color within just two months of purchasing it. In response, the company made an offensive statement, mocking the customer’s surname. The company’s response quickly went viral, sparking outrage among users who condemned the firm’s behavior as racist and unacceptable. The backlash prompted the company to issue a clarification and apology and later firm offered the Indian man $10,000 as a gesture of 'goodwill'.
Pak army men beat up cops over arrest of commando
Pakistan army men attacked a police station and beat up cops following a dispute over recovery of an allegedly illegal weapon from a member of a soldier’s family in Bahawalnagar district of Punjab. Videos showing men in army uniform allegedly beating up policemen went viral on social media. It showed bloody faces and marks of torture on the bodies of police officers. Sources said police officers had raided the family home of an army SSG (Special Service Group) commando, but the policemen were instead taken captive by the soldier and his relatives. A larger police force was sent to rescue the captured cops. After extricating their colleagues, police arrested the SSG commando and his family members. The soldier and his relatives were allegedly tortured in custody.
33 killed in Afghan flash floods
At least 33 people were killed after snow, rain, and subsequent flooding wreaked havoc in the country over the past three days in Afghanistan. Moreover, 27 people were injured as a result of flash floods. Similarly, 606 homes have been either partially or completely destroyed, said Janan Saiq, spokesperson for the state ministry of disaster management. Saiq added that the provinces of Farah, Herat, Zabul, and Kandahar suffered excessive losses. The majority of the deaths were in the provinces of Farah, Herat, Zabul, and Kandahar, with most victims coming from Kandahar province," he said.
Man stabs six to death in Sydney mall, shot dead
A man aged around 40 stabbed six people to death at a shopping centre in Sydney before he was shot dead by police. Eight people were injured as hundreds fled in panic. The attacker was shot and killed by a lone police officer who was directed into the mall by people fleeing the scene, police said. The officer was following the man with the knife, trying to catch up to him, when he turned and lunged at her with the weapon. The officer then opened fire, killing the attacker. In another incident, a number of people were injured in a stabbing at a church in Walkley, about 30 km west of the Sydney, police authorities said. Officers arrested a male and he is assisting police with inquiries. The injured suffered non-life-threatening injuries and are being treated by paramedics, police said.
Militants block highway in Baloch, kill 11
Separatist militants gunned down at least 11 people after setting up a blockade along the national highway leading to Iran in Pakistan’s Nushki district of Balochistan province, police officers said. A dozen gunmen intercepted a bus traveling on the highway from Quetta to Taftan, abducted nine labourers from Punjab province, and examined their identification cards before whisking them away to nearby mountains. The militants executed the hostages at close range, said Nushki police chief Ilahi Bakhsh. Police and paramilitary personnel found the bodies under a bridge. The militants also fired at a car attempting to breach their blockade, killing two locals, including the brother of a provincial legislator.
Vietnam billionaire sentenced to death
Truong My Lan, a Vietnamese real estate tycoon, was sentenced to death by a court in Ho Chi Minh City, in connection with the country's biggest fraud case, according to state media. Lan (67), who was arrested in 2022, is the chair of the real estate company Van Thinh Phat. She is accused of committing fraud worth $12 billion, which is nearly 3 per cent of the country's 2022 GDP. Between 2012 and 2022, Lan illegally controlled the Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank to siphon off funds through thousands of ghost companies and by paying bribes to government officials. Lan's arrest was among the most high-profile in a sweeping anti-corruption drive that has intensified since 2022. The drive, 'Blazing Furnace' campaign, has not even spared top Vietnamese politicians.
Oldest conjoined twins die at 62
Conjoined twins Lori and George Schappell, who pursued separate careers, interests and relationships during lives that defied medical expectations, died this month in Pennsylvania, according to funeral home officials. They were 62. The twins, listed by Guinness World Records as the oldest living conjoined twins, died on April 7. The cause of death was not detailed. “When we were born, the doctors didn’t think we’d make 30, but we proved them wrong,” Lori said when they turned 50, Philadelphia Inquirer reported. George came out as transgender in 2007. The twins, born on Sept 18, 1961, had distinct brains but were joined at the skull.
One killed, 7 others hurt Chicago shooting
An 8-year-old girl died and seven other people were wounded – including two young children – when shots were fired while they were standing outside at a family gathering in Chicago, police said. The girl was pronounced dead after being shot in the head. Two young boys aged one and 7 respectively were each shot multiple times and left in critical condition. Five adults from 19 to 40 years old were also wounded. All the victims were taken to area hospitals, police said. “This was not a random act of violence. It was likely gang related,” police said. Police have not named any suspects in the shooting, and no arrests were reported.
