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FBI, CBI Chiefs Discuss Challenges Posed by Transnational Crimes

The Ministry of External Affairs had earlier said that this visit was part of the ongoing cooperation between the US and India on areas of security and counterterrorism…reports Asian Lite News

Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher A Wray held discussions with Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Praveen Sood and other senior officials in which both agencies recognised the challenges posed by organised crime networks, said the CBI in an official press statement on Monday.

The statement read, “Both agencies recognised the challenges posed by organised crime networks, cyber-enabled financial crimes, ransomware threats, economic crimes and transnational crimes.”

This comes as a high-level delegation led by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray visited CBI headquarters.

They also discussed the need to expedite the sharing of evidence and for closer assistance in bringing criminals and fugitives to justice. It was also discussed to exchange the best practises of the FBI Academy, Quantico and the CBI Academy, Ghaziabad, the CBI statement said.

The meeting focused on strengthening the exchange of information on criminal matters, improving coordination in combating transnational crimes and sharing expertise in the investigation of technology-enabled crimes.

FBI Director Christopher A Wray while interacting with senior officers of CBI thanked CBI for the collaborative spirit and the enduring cooperation during FBI’s long relationship with the CBI. Praveen Sood welcomed the FBI Director and thanked him for his visit.

As per the CBI statement, Director Wray’s visit signifies a step towards deepening cooperation and shared commitment to combat crime in all its manifestations in the spirit of international police cooperation.

Both agencies agreed to look forward to future interactions and collaborative initiatives.

FBI Director Christopher Wray is in India as part of his two-day visit to the country.

The Ministry of External Affairs had earlier said that this visit was part of the ongoing cooperation between the US and India on areas of security and counterterrorism.

“We have robust security, cyber security, counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics terrorism with the US agencies. We also engage in capacity-building programs…as part of this ongoing bilateral cooperation visit by the FBI director is in the works,” MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said on December 7.

The US ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, had earlier confirmed the visit of FBI Director Wray.

Wray’s planned visit comes amid a US federal investigation into an alleged foiled plot to assassinate, India-designated terrorist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil, for which the US administration levelled allegations against an Indian national and an Indian agency official.

According to the sources, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is preparing to take up the issue of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun with the visiting US official.

It is expected that Wray will also meet officials of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) here in the national capital during his India visit, said sources.

The visit come after US Principal Deputy National Security Adviser (NSA), Jonathan Finer, was in Delhi on December 4 to meet with Vikram Misri, India’s Deputy National Security Adviser. During the visit Finer also called on External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

Jon Finer had acknowledged India’s establishment of a Committee of Enquiry to investigate the alleged foiled assassination plot in the US.

Earlier, the United States charged an Indian national named Nikhil Gupta with conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire for allegedly plotting to assassinate Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York City.

As per the court documents filed by the US Justice Department, an unnamed Indian government official colluded with Gupta in the plot to kill Pannun.

Subsequently, New Delhi has formed a high-level special Enquiry Committee to thoroughly investigate the issue. (ANI)

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Crime Education USA

Las Vegas: Gunman Among 3 Killed in Campus Shooting

19 students killed in a massive gun shooting in Texas

The incident occurred near BEAM Hall on the campus of UNLV on Wednesday morning…reports Asian Lite News

At least three people, including the gunman, were killed in a shooting on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), local police said.

The incident occurred near BEAM Hall on the campus of UNLV on Wednesday morning, Xinhua news agency reported.

Addressing media persons, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Sherif Kevin McMahill said: “There is no further threat on campus. No more threat to the community. The suspect is deceased. Right now, we know there are 3 victims, but unknown extent of the injuries. That number could change.”

The injured were rushed to hospital, the police said.

McMahill said UNLV campus and other branches of the varsity were being closed for the day “out of an abundance of caution.”

Taking to X, LVMPD said: “This is an active investigation. Please continue to avoid the area and watch for responding emergency units.”

Around noon local time, the university posted an emergency notice online, saying, “University Police responding to report of shots fire in BEH evacuate to a safe area, RUN-HIDE-FIGHT.”

LVMPD did not disclose the conditions of the injured in the shooting. Investigation of the shooter’s motives is underway.

A hotline has been set up for those impacted by the shooting on campus.

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman posted on X: “Tragic and heartbreaking news coming out of @unlv. Praying for everyone on campus as law enforcement responds to the situation,”

In Washington, D.C., the White House said it is monitoring the shooting reported at UNLV.

UNLV has a student enrollment of about 25,400 undergraduates and 4,300 graduates.

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Terrorist Attack Sparks Protests in Gilgit Baltistan

Gilgit-Baltistan is dominated by the Shia community who have been targeted on several occasions by terrorists from the Sunni community….reports Asian Lite News


Widespread demonstrations broke out in Gilgit Baltistan following a terrorist ambush on a local bus on December 2, resulting in nine fatalities and leaving at least 26 others injured.

Women and children in Skardu, Chilas, and Gilgit blocked the roads and blamed the government and security agencies for their failure to act against terrorists.

As per the accounts of victims, the terrorists opened fire at the Rawalpindi-bound bus on the Karakoram Highway near Chilas town in the Diamer district.

The driver lost control of the bus and crashed into a truck coming from the opposite side. The terrorists continued firing, taking lives and harming more passengers in the bus.

A local resident who was part of the protest said, “this is a deliberate attempt to create fear psychosis among the people and loot our resources”.

Another protester said, “Who are these people who are attacking us. They should be arrested as soon as possible”.

The transporters union also organised a rally from Jutial Bus Terminal to Press Club Gilgit and condemned the terror attack.

A protester indirectly blamed the Pakistani army and said, “This was a targeted attack and those who are behind such attacks have the only intention to exploit the natural resources of Gilgit Baltistan. This is a conspiracy against us”.

“The security agencies must eliminate the terror sanctuaries within Pakistan,” he said while adding that security on Karakoram highway needs to be strengthened.

Faizan Mir, an activist of the Public Action Committee said, “Terrorists are operating across Pakistan. We urge the Pakistan government to take strict action against these terrorists”.

Gilgit-Baltistan is dominated by the Shia community who have been targeted on several occasions by terrorists from the Sunni community.

The local residents have been paying a heavy price due to the rise of sectarian violence.

In August 2012, as many as 25 Shia Muslims from Gilgit-Baltistan were forced out of a bus and killed in a sectarian attack in the Naran Valley of the Mansehra district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Around 50 assailants wearing Army uniform stopped three buses heading from Islamabad to Astore district in Gilgit-Baltistan and a van heading for Gilgit.

The victims were checked for their identification documents before they were lined up and killed.

The horrifying terror incident in Chilas again points towards the inadequacy of the Pakistan government in countering terrorism. (ANI)

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6 Injured in Peshawar School IED Explosion

The police have cordoned off the area following the explosion, and an investigation is underway….reports Asian Lite News

At least six people, including four children, were injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion near a school in Pakistan’s Peshawar city on Tuesday, officials said.

Naveed Akhtar, district emergency officer of the state-run Rescue 1122, told Xinhua news agency that the IED went off on the roadside near the Peshawar Public School at around 9.10 a.m.

The injured had been shifted to Lady Reading Hospital in the city whose spokesperson Muhammad Asim told the media that two of the children were in critical condition.

The police have cordoned off the area following the explosion, and an investigation is underway.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

Interim Interior Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti strongly condemned the incident, saying that “children are the future of this country; will protect them under every circumstance”.

Caretaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Justice (retd) Arshad Hussain Shah condemned the blast and sought a report on it from the police.

Tuesday blast comes amid an uptick in terror activities in Pakistan, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan after the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan militant group ended its ceasefire with the government in November last year.

Last month, five people were killed and over 20 sustained injuries in a blast targeting police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan.

According to data released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), the country experienced 34 per cent increase in anti-state violence last month.

It revealed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa emerged as the most affected province, documenting 51 attacks, causing 54 fatalities and 81 injuries.

Meanwhile, Balochistan recorded nine attacks, resulting in 18 fatalities, including that of 15 security forces personnel and three civilians.

ALSO READ: Afghan Crisis Spills Into Pakistan

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Attack on Pak Army Convoy: 2 Killed, 10 Injured

Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities in recent months…reports Asian Lite News

Suicide attack on a security forces convoy in the Baka Khel area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district resulted in the death of two civilians and injuries to 10 individuals, including three Pakistan Army soldiers

Inter-Services Public Relation (ISPR), in a statement, said that a “motorcycle borne suicide bomber” detonated himself on a security forces’ convoy on Sunday.

It said that the bomber was affiliated with the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group and “later identified as an Afghan national”, Dawn reported.

“Sanitisation operation is being carried out to eliminate any other terrorists in the area. Pakistan security forces are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave civilians and soldiers further strengthens our resolve,” the ISPR said.

Last night, the ISPR said that eight militants were killed in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Sararogha area of South Waziristan.

On Wednesday, two soldiers were killed after an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded on a security forces’ convoy in the Razmak area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district.

Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in terror activities in recent months, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, after the banned militant Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan ended its ceasefire with the government last year, Dawn reported.

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-Top News Crime USA

Convicted Ex-Cop in George Floyd’s Case Stabbed in Jail Attack

Derek Chauvin found guilty on all charges in George Floyd's death Read more At: https://aninews.in/news/world/us/derek-chauvin-found-guilty-on-all-charges-in-george-floyds-death20210421030620/

No other inmates or prison staff were injured, and the situation was quickly contained…reports Asian Lite News

Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who was convicted in the 2020 killing of George Floyd, which had sparked the massive ‘Black Lives Matter’ protest, was stabbed at a federal prison in Arizona, New York Times reported citing two people familiar with the situation.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed that an inmate at the Tucson prison was stabbed at 12:30 pm (local time) on Friday, though the agency’s statement did not identify Chauvin, 47, by name.

No other inmates or prison staff were injured, and the situation was quickly contained, NYT reported citing people familiar with the situation.

Emergency medical technicians “initiated lifesaving measures” before transporting the inmate to a local hospital “for further treatment and evaluation,” bureau officials said in a statement.

No details were immediately available on his condition, but one of the people with knowledge of the incident said that Chauvin survived the attack.

Chauvin was serving a sentence of just over two decades in federal prison after he was convicted of state murder charges and a federal charge of violating the constitutional rights of Floyd. Chauvin’s lawyers did not respond to requests for comment.

According to New York Times, Chauvin who is white in colour had knelt on Floyd, who is black in colour, for nine and a half minutes in May 2020 as Floyd lay handcuffed, face down, on a South Minneapolis street corner.

The killing of Floyd, 46, a security guard and former rapper, was captured on video by a teenager, and the footage ricocheted around the world while people were isolating amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The killing set off the largest protests of a generation, against police violence and racism, and led to a high-profile, televised trial in which Chauvin was convicted of second-degree murder in April 2021.

Three other officers who were at the scene where Floyd was killed were also later convicted of violating Floyd’s rights.

Chauvin had sought to appeal his conviction, the Supreme Court had rejected his efforts this week, New York Times reported.

Notably, part of Chauvin’s plea deal with prosecutors in his federal case was that he would be allowed to serve his sentence in a federal prison, which is generally considered safer than a state prison.

However, there have been several other high-profile attacks on federal prisoners in recent years, including the stabbing earlier this year of Larry Nassar, who had been convicted of sexually abusing young gymnasts, and the killing in 2018 of James (Whitey) Bulger, the mobster who was murdered in a West Virginia prison.

According to New York Times, the Bureau of Prisons has been grappling with a widespread shortage of corrections officers and has relied on teachers, case managers, counselors, facilities workers and secretaries to fill shifts.

About 21 per cent of the 20,446 positions for corrections officers funded by Congress — 4,293 guards — were unfilled in September 2022, according to a report in March 2023 by the Justice Department’s inspector general’s office. (ANI)

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Crime USA

Rainbow Bridge Reopens After Car Explosion

The incident unfolded when a speeding car collided with a checkpoint barrier at Rainbow Bridge, erupting into flames and prompting border closures….reports Asian Lite News

The Niagara Falls border crossing between the U.S. and Canada, where a deadly car explosion occurred, reopened on Thursday.

The incident unfolded when a speeding car collided with a checkpoint barrier at Rainbow Bridge, erupting into flames and prompting border closures.

Despite the massive security alert on the eve of a major holiday, the FBI field office determined the blast, occurred approximately 400 miles northwest of New York City, was not connected to terrorism.

The Canada Border Services Agency announced the resumption of normal operations for traveller traffic at the Niagara Falls Rainbow Bridge port of entry, following the service disruption.

The explosion took place on the eve of Thanksgiving Day amid heightened tensions over the Israel-Hamas war that has spawned high emotions and protests across the two neighbours.

All four bridges in the Niagra area were shut down and other crossings were put on “heightened alert status.”

Meanwhile, the Buffalo Niagara International Airport in New York is “open and fully operational” after being shut down briefly following the explosion at the Rainbow Bridge.

The US Federal Aviation Administration had reported that a closure was in effect at the airport and that flights in and out of the airport were grounded.

However, airport officials never reported that the airport had closed, and stated in a pair of posts on X (formerly Twitter) that the airport was “open and fully operational”.

“In response to the incident that is unfolding at the Rainbow Bridge, the NFTA is increasing security system-wide,” the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority wrote in an update on X on Wednesday afternoon, adding that cars coming into the Buffalo Airport will undergo security checks and travellers can expect additional screenings, CTV News reported.

“We advise travellers to give themselves time for these extra precautions in addition to holiday travel,” it added.

Notably, while the Canadian government officials had been operating under the assumption that the explosion was terror-related, CTV News reported citing national security sources, the US officials have said that there is “no indication of a terrorist attack” at this point of time.

The Rainbow Bridge, which links Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, and Niagara Falls, New York, is a well-liked tourist destination. The Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge, and the Peace Bridge are the other border crossings in the area.

The Rainbow Bridge crossing connecting the US and Canada near Niagara Falls has been shut as the federal authorities in Buffalo, New York, have said that an investigation is underway.

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Apple, US govt reach $25 mn settlement over job bias allegations

This is the largest award recovered under the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)…reports Asian Lite News

Apple Inc reached an agreement with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) to resolve allegations that the tech giant illegally discriminated in hiring and recruitment against American citizens and certain non-US citizens whose permission to live in and work in the country does not expire.

Pursuant to the $25 million agreement, Apple is required to pay $6.75 million in civil penalties and establish an $18.25 million back pay fund for eligible discrimination victims.

This is the largest award recovered under the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the DOJ announced on Thursday.

“Creating unlawful barriers that make it harder for someone to seek a job because of their citizenship status will not be tolerated,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Department’s Civil Rights Division.

“This resolution reflects the Civil Rights Division’s commitment to ending illegal discriminatory employment practices,” Clarke added.

The settlement agreement resolves the department’s determination that Apple violated the INA’s anti-discrimination requirements during Apple’s recruitment for positions falling under the permanent labour certification program (PERM).

The PERM program is administered by the Department of Labor and the Department of Homeland Security.

It allows employers to sponsor workers for lawful permanent resident status in the US after completing recruitment and meeting other program requirements.

Any US employer that utilizes the PERM program cannot illegally discriminate in hiring or recruitment based on citizenship or immigration status.

The Department’s investigation, which started in February 2019, found that Apple engaged in a pattern or practice of citizenship status discrimination in recruitment for positions it hired through PERM.

It also found that the company’s unlawful discrimination prejudiced US citizens, US nationals, lawful permanent residents, and those granted asylum or refugee status.

These less effective recruitment practices deterred protected workers from applying to positions that Apple preferred to fill instead with PERM beneficiaries.

Specifically, the department’s investigation found that Apple did not advertise positions Apple sought to fill through the PERM program on its external job website, even though its standard practice was to post other job positions on this website.

It also required all PERM position applicants to mail paper applications, even though the company permitted electronic applications for other positions.

In some instances, Apple did not consider certain applications for PERM positions from Apple employees if those applications were submitted electronically, as opposed to paper applications submitted through the mail.

These less effective recruitment procedures nearly always resulted in few or no applications to PERM positions from applicants whose permission to work does not expire.

The agreement also requires Apple to ensure that its recruitment for PERM positions more closely matches its standard recruitment practices.

Specifically, Apple will be required to conduct more expansive recruitment for all PERM positions, including posting PERM positions on its external job website, accepting electronic applications, and enabling applicants to PERM positions to be searchable in its applicant tracking system.

Apple has implemented some of these measures after the department opened its investigation.

Additionally, Apple will train its employees on the INA’s anti-discrimination requirements and be subject to departmental monitoring for the three-year period of the agreement.

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Police Patrol Blast in Pakistan, Five Dead

According to the police, a patrol van was targeted with an improvised explosive device planted on a motorcycle in Ponda Bazar area….reports Asian Lite News

At least five people were killed and 21 others injured in a blast that targeted a police patrol in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, officials said.

The incident took place in Dera Ismail Khan city, Dawn news reported.

According to the police, a patrol van was targeted with an improvised explosive device planted on a motorcycle in Ponda Bazar area.

Following the incident, a heavy contingent of police along with rescue teams reached the area and shifted the wounded to a nearby hospital, Xinhua news agency reported.

Security forces cordoned off the place and kicked off a search operation in surrounding areas.

No group or individual claimed responsibility for the blast.

Friday’s incident comes just days after a policeman was killed after unidentified gunmen opened fire at a police camp in Dera Ismail Khan.

The same day, two soldiers were killed in an IED blast in South Waziristan district, also in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In recent months, Pakistan has witnessed an increase in terrorist attacks, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, Dawn news reported.

Last month, the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) said the number of militant attacks in August was the highest tally for monthly strikes in almost nine years.

There were 99 attacks across the country, the highest number in a single month since November 2014, the PICSS had said.

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Crime India News Kerala

Kerala Bombing: Suspect from Kochi Surrenders and Confesses

Sources had confirmed that it was an act intended to create terror….reports Asian Lite News

A significant turn of events has occurred as an individual hailing from Kochi has voluntarily turned themselves in to the Kerala Police, asserting their accountability for the explosion that took place at a convention center in Kalamassery on Sunday, as confirmed by sources.

According to sources, the person claiming responsibility for the blasts had surrendered before the Trissur police station. The accused had claimed that he had planted the bomb which resulted in the death of a woman and left 40 people injured. Seven of them are in critical condition.

The police are investigating the man. Sources said that the man came on his own and surrendered before the police. More details are yet to emerge regarding the development.

Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called for an all-party meeting in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram on Monday to discuss the development.

The investigation into the multiple bomb blasts in Kerala’s Kalamassery Convention Centre on Sunday revealed that an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) kept in a tiffin box was used to trigger the explosion.

Sources had confirmed that it was an act intended to create terror. About 2,000 people were gathered for prayers at the convention centre at the time of the blast. 

A four-member team from the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) from Kochi was at the spot. Sources confirmed that the NIA team from New Delhi had left for Kerala to take over the investigation. 

According to police, multiple explosions were reported from the spot where the meeting of Jehovah Witness Believers was held. The blasts had occurred at around 9 a.m. The hall was sealed and Kerala Police Anti-Terror Squad was at the site.

Jehovah Witnesses are a group of Christians who do not identify themselves as Protestants. The Jehovah Witness Convention is an annual gathering where large assemblies called Regional Conventions take place which are held for three days. The event had started last Friday and it was supposed to end on Sunday, according to sources.

All injured have been shifted to the Government Medical College Hospital in Kalamassery, sources said. 

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described the incident as “very unfortunate”. All aspects will be deeply probed, he underlined.

CM Vijayan, who is in Delhi attending his party meeting, has deputed state Cooperation Minister V.N. Vasavan.

Vasavan reached the site and told the media that it was a very unfortunate incident and details of the blast were not ascertained as yet. CPI (M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan said the terror angle should be looked into in the incident.

ALSO READ: Explosions Shake Kerala Prayer Gathering, Leaving One Fatality