PunjabENews

Category: Edu / Immi

  • US truck crash: Jashanpreet’s family denies drug charges, appeals to SGPC for help

    US truck crash: Jashanpreet’s family denies drug charges, appeals to SGPC for help

    Amritsar: The family of 21-year-old Punjabi truck driver Jashanpreet Singh, involved in a fatal road accident in Ontario, California, has denied allegations that he consumed drugs. They have appealed to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Sri Akal Takht Sahib for assistance in resolving his legal troubles.

    The accident, in which Jashanpreet’s truck collided with eight vehicles, left three people dead and four others injured.

    Jashanpreet, from Puranashala town near Gurdaspur, has been arrested on charges including gross vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence of drugs, and causing bodily injury.

    His parents, Ravinder Singh and Jasvir Kaur, said their son is an Amritdhari Sikh who regularly participates in Nagar Kirtans. They urged authorities to clarify the drug-related allegations and expressed condolences to the families affected by the tragedy.

  • 12 Punjabi members of ‘Singh Organization’ arrested in multimillion-dollar transportation fraud in US

    12 Punjabi members of ‘Singh Organization’ arrested in multimillion-dollar transportation fraud in US

    Washington: Police in the US states of Washington and California have arrested 12 members of a gang known as the Singh Organization for their alleged involvement in a multimillion-dollar transportation fraud.

    The accused have been identified as Paramvir Singh (29), Harpreet Singh (26), and Arshpreet Singh (27), all residents of Rancho Cucamonga; Sandeep Singh (31) of St. Bernard; Mandeep Singh (42) and Ranjodh Singh (38) of Bakersfield; and Gurnek Singh Chauhan (40), Vikramjit Singh (30), and Narayan Singh (27) of Fontana, among others.

    According to the joint investigation team, police departments from both California and Washington formed special task forces after receiving hundreds of complaints about missing valuables during transportation since 2021.

    Following a lengthy probe, authorities discovered that the accused had created a network under the name Singh Organization, posing as contractors for reputed transport companies. Instead of delivering goods to their destinations, they allegedly sold the shipments for profit. Police said simultaneous raids were carried out after gathering sufficient evidence, leading to the arrests. The investigation is ongoing to determine whether the accused personally sold the stolen items or supplied them to vendors at reduced prices.

    The operation was jointly conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Riverside Island Task Force, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Fontana Police, and the California Highway Patrol.

  • Indian-origin driver arrested for fatal crash in California that killed three

    Indian-origin driver arrested for fatal crash in California that killed three

    Washington: A 21-year-old Indian-origin man from Yuba City, identified as Jashanpreet Singh, has been arrested on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and causing a fatal accident in Ontario, California.

    The incident occurred Tuesday afternoon on the California 10 Freeway, where Singh’s semi-truck reportedly collided with slow-moving traffic amid congestion.

    According to the California Highway Patrol, the vehicle was traveling at high speed, and Singh failed to apply the brakes in time.

    Three people were killed in the collision, while at least four others sustained injuries, local media outlets KTLA and ABC7 Los Angeles reported.

  • H-1B visa holders get relief as US removes hefty Trump-era fee

    H-1B visa holders get relief as US removes hefty Trump-era fee

    WASHINGTON: In a major relief for H-1B visa holders, the United States has withdrawn the $100,000 additional fee imposed during the Trump administration for certain applicants.

    According to newly issued guidelines, the fee will no longer apply to candidates who are changing their existing visa status or applying for an extension of stay while already working in the US.

    The decision is being seen as a significant relief for immigrants currently employed in the country who only wish to extend their visas rather than file new applications.

  • US exempts H-1B visa extensions and status changes from $100,000 fee

    US exempts H-1B visa extensions and status changes from $100,000 fee

    WASHINGTON: The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has clarified that the new USD 100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications, introduced under the Trump administration, will not apply to applicants seeking a “change of status” or “extension of stay.”

    The guidelines, issued on Monday, outline exemptions under the “restriction on entry of certain non-immigrant workers.” President Donald Trump had earlier announced on September 19 that the fee for new H-1B visa applications would be increased to USD 100,000 (approximately Rs 88 lakh).

    “This announcement will not apply to any previously issued and currently valid H-1B visas, or any petition submitted before 12:01 p.m. Eastern Daylight on September 21, 2025,” USCIS said in a statement.

    The agency further added that the decision would not prevent existing H-1B visa holders from traveling within or outside the United States.

  • Eight youths from Punjab stranded in Kazakhstan after being duped by travel agents

    Eight youths from Punjab stranded in Kazakhstan after being duped by travel agents

    Chandigarh: Eight youths from Punjab, mostly from Rupnagar district, have been stranded in Kazakhstan after allegedly being duped by local travel agents who promised them lucrative driving jobs abroad.

    Upon reaching Kazakhstan, the youths were reportedly forced to work in harsh, inhumane conditions. A video showing them working as labourers in snow-covered areas has gone viral on social media.

    According to reports, the stranded youths are facing severe starvation, mistreatment, and freezing temperatures. They are allegedly made to carry heavy loads over long distances in hilly terrain and forced to live in cramped metal compartments without adequate food or basic facilities.

    The plight of the youths came to light after one of them, Harvinder Singh from Nangal, managed to contact BJP district president Ajay Veer Singh Lalpura. In an emotional phone call, Harvinder pleaded for help and described the dire conditions they were enduring.

    The victims have been identified as Manjit Singh, Amarjit Singh, Hardeep Singh, Avtar Singh and Harvinder Singh, among others. They alleged that they were deceived by a local travel agent who lured them with promises of well-paid jobs and a better life abroad.

    Authorities are expected to take up the matter for further investigation and to facilitate their safe return.

  • Protesters in Australian cities demand immigration ban; migrants hold counter rallies

    Protesters in Australian cities demand immigration ban; migrants hold counter rallies

    Melbourne: Indigenous groups held rallies in Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra on Sunday, demanding a complete halt to immigration. Meanwhile, migrants organised separate demonstrations calling for strict action against those making racist remarks.

    Speaking at an anti-immigration rally in Sydney, protest leader Michael Brown accused the government of allowing new immigrants for political gain, claiming it had “completely derailed Australia’s infrastructure.”

    Brown said the country’s housing shortage had severely affected living standards, leading to high rents, rising unemployment, road congestion, overcrowded public transport and inflation. He urged the government to stop the influx of new immigrants for at least five years to stabilise the situation.

    In contrast, migrant groups demanded an increase in immigration and stronger action against racial discrimination.

    “The very foundation of Australia is connected to immigration. It is a violation of the law to discriminate or make racist remarks by calling someone an immigrant,” a migrant representative said during the rally.

  • Indian and Asian communities hit hardest by UK’s rising cost of living: Indian Workers’ Association

    Indian and Asian communities hit hardest by UK’s rising cost of living: Indian Workers’ Association

    LONDON: People from the Indian and Asian communities in the United Kingdom have been among the most affected by the rising cost of living, the Indian Workers’ Association (Great Britain) has said. The organisation alleged that the government is prioritising the corporate sector while neglecting working-class families.

    Many Indians and Bangladeshis are reportedly living in cramped and crowded housing conditions to cut down on expenses. “Rising electricity bills and food prices are affecting thousands of Indians, Pakistanis, and Bangladeshis,” said Sital Singh Gill, general secretary of the association. “People here are paying more and getting very little in return. The government talks about stability, but there is no stability for our people—only struggle.”

    According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the United Kingdom is expected to record the highest inflation rate among G7 countries this year. Grocery prices have surged, and average annual household energy bills have increased significantly.

    Gill added that many low-income families are bearing the brunt of high gas and electricity costs. “Even if you use less energy, you still have to pay the same fees,” he said.

  • Canada dreams of 2.35 lakh foreign nationals shattered due to stringent visa policies

    Canada dreams of 2.35 lakh foreign nationals shattered due to stringent visa policies

    Toronto: The hopes of around 2.35 lakh foreign nationals to enter Canada this year have been shattered amid the government’s increasingly strict visa regulations. The affected categories include study visa applicants, spouses of temporary foreign workers, and individuals seeking work permits.

    As per official data, over 95,000 study visas were issued in December 2023, but the number drastically dropped to just 30,000 by December 2024. This sharp decline reflects a tightening of Canada’s immigration system.

    Spouses of international students and temporary foreign workers have also been facing a surge in work permit refusals. According to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, 1.23 lakh former temporary residents became permanent residents between January and July this year, accounting for 50 per cent of all new permanent residents.

    The Canadian government aims to bring down the share of temporary residents to 5 per cent of the total population while focusing on allowing foreign nationals already residing in the country to obtain permanent status.

    Additionally, the number of regions listed under low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) has increased to 32. These include Ontario’s Guelph and Greater Sudbury, Manitoba’s Winnipeg, Alberta’s Red Deer and Lethbridge, and British Columbia’s Kelowna. Employers in these areas will no longer be able to offer LMIA-based jobs at lower wage rates.

  • DIGITAL KRANTI: Rs 98-CR PROJECT TO EQUIP GOVT SCHOOLS WITH INTERACTIVE SMART PANELS IN PUNJAB

    DIGITAL KRANTI: Rs 98-CR PROJECT TO EQUIP GOVT SCHOOLS WITH INTERACTIVE SMART PANELS IN PUNJAB

    Over 8K cutting-edge Interactive Flat Panels to transform education & learning across 3600 Govt Schools, says Harjot Singh Bains

    Punjab E News: Catapulting the traditional education system into the modern digital age in the state, the Punjab Government will install over 8230 cutting-edge Interactive Flat Panels (IFPS) worth Rs 98 crore in the state government schools to make classrooms more engaging, improve conceptual understanding and further enhance learning outcome, announced S. Harjot Singh Bains, Minister of School Education, Punjab.

    Divulging the details about the landmark project, S. Harjot Singh Bains informed that 3,600 government schools will be equipped with the state-of-the-art Interactive Flat Panels (IFPs). By March 2026, the initiative would transform learning for lakhs of students, introducing dynamic, interactive digital classrooms that replace traditional teaching methods.

    Reaffirming the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s commitment to provide quality education, S. Harjot Singh Bains stated, “This is a quantum leap towards bridging the digital divide by ensuring equitable, world-class education for every child in Punjab. We are empowering our teachers and preparing our students to become the innovators and leaders of tomorrow. This investment underscores our unwavering commitment to building a future-ready Punjab, where a student in the most remote school has the same access to cutting-edge learning tools as one in an urban school.”

    The Education Minister highlighted the profound impact of the digital initiative, noting that it will lead to more engaging & participatory lessons, improved learning outcomes and empowered teachers with innovative pedagogies and more impactful classroom delivery. The ultimate goal is to equip students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the 21st century. This step is reflecting the Punjab Government’s vision for a future-ready education system in the state.

    S. Harjot Singh Bains said that the classrooms will equip with 75-inch multi-touch, high-definition smart panels with integrated computing, built-in speakers, stylus support and pre-loaded interactive learning tools. To ensure the program’s long-term success and accountability, a robust support framework has been established. This includes a 5-year comprehensive onsite warranty, a network of local service centres and a sophisticated monitoring system. All devices will be linked to a real-time Management Information System (MIS) for remote tracking of usage and performance, backed by a centralised complaint-resolution dashboard and full insurance coverage against theft, damage and natural calamities, he added.