#CA New Scheme 2023

[alinawilson12]

How to obtain the CMA 2022 upgrading syllabus

You must also take into account the hiring platform's high-quality CSEET video lectures Online in addition to the availability of an experienced trainer if you plan to complete your CSEET training with online trainer help. This simply aids in exam preparation without cutting off your connection to a trainer and their instruction.

[tomorrowxtogether]

Tomorrow X Together Announce 2024 U.S. Tour

Act: Promise will span 11 shows across eight cities including New York, Los Angeles, Houston, and Washington

K-pop band Tomorrow X Together announced on Tuesday that they’ll be embarking on the U.S. leg of their Act: Promise tour this spring. 

The trek, which launches in South Korea’s capital, Seoul, on May 3, promises to be “grander” than its 2023 predecessor Act: Sweet Mirage. The U.S. portion of their world tour kicks off May 14 in Tacoma, Washington, and features 11 total shows across eight cities including Oakland, Los Angeles, Houston, and New York.

According to a press release, Act: Promise “embodies the commitment to move forward together towards a hopeful future.” The concert is billed as an example of a “cohesive narrative, seamlessly weaving together captivating music, performances, VCRs, and set designs.” 

Tickets for the tour will go on sale to the general public on March 24 via Ticketmaster.

Earlier this month, the quintet —  Yeonjun, Soobin, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and HueningKai — announced their upcoming sixth mini album, Minisode 3: Tomorrow, due April 1, while also unveiling a new logo and color scheme for their upcoming era. The group previously dropped Minisode 1, featuring their massive hit “Blue Hour,” in 2020. Minisode 2, which included “Good Boy Gone Bad,” released in 2022.

Last summer, Tomorrow X Together performed at Lollapalooza in Chicago, stacking their set list with tracks like “Farewell, Neverland,” “Lonely Boy,” and “Anti-Romantic.” The group invited Coi Leray onstage for a surprise cameo during “Happy Fools,” sealing their set as one of the most memorable of the fest.

Tomorrow X Together 2024 U.S. Tour Dates

May 14 – Tacoma, WA @ Tacoma Dome May, 18 – Oakland, CA @ Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum May, 21 – Los Angeles, CA @ Crypto.com Arena May, 22 – Los Angeles, CA @ Crypto.com Arena May, 26 – Houston, TX @ Minute Maid Park May, 29 – Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena June, 1 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden June, 2 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden June, 5 – Rosemont, IL @ Allstate Arena June, 6 – Rosemont, IL @ Allstate Arena June, 8 – Washington, DC @ Capitol One Arena

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Mike Luckovich

* * * *

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

February 21, 2024

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

The centerpiece of Republicans’ case for impeaching Democratic president Joe Biden is the allegation that he and his son Hunter each accepted a $5 million bribe from Ukrainian oil and gas company Burisma when Biden Sr. was vice president. But in the last week, that accusation has revealed quite a different problem, one that implicates Republicans. 

The accusation that the Bidens accepted bribes broke into public channels on May 3, 2023, when Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Representative James Comer (R-KY), chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, wrote to Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray saying they had received “highly credible…whistleblower disclosures” that said the Department of Justice and the FBI appeared to have “valuable, verifiable information that you have failed to disclose to the American people.” 

Grassley and Comer claimed there was “growing concern about the DOJ and the FBI’s track record of allowing political bias to infect their decision-making process,” and so Congress would be conducting its own “independent and objective review of this matter.” 

Comer then issued a subpoena for the document containing the information, a so-called FD-1023, which is the form used by FBI agents to record “raw, unverified” information from confidential informants. In it, informant Alexander Smirnov made a number of allegations about the Bidens, including that they had accepted bribes. 

In July, Grassley and Comer got the document and showed it to others in a secure facility. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) saw it there, took pictures of it, and posted them on social media. She claimed that “Joe Biden is a criminal and is compromised” and that he was backing Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion because Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky “has proof of more Biden crimes.” “IMPEACH BIDEN,” she wrote.

Grassley also released it, suggesting that the Justice Department and the FBI were trying to cover up a “criminal bribery scheme” implicating the Bidens. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) jumped in, saying: “Every day, the evidence keeps mounting and the evidence that is coming in is number one, of a widespread bribery scheme of Joe Biden and Hunter Biden and the entire Biden family, to extract bribes from foreign nationals.” 

The idea that Biden had accepted bribes was central to the House impeachment effort that then–House speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) announced in September 2023.

That story fell apart a week ago, on February 14, 2024, when a federal grand jury indicted Smirnov for lying and “creating a false and fictitious record.” 

And the story became even more troubling yesterday, when Trump-appointed Special Counsel David Weiss of the Justice Department filed a document establishing that the informant, Alexander Smirnov, has “extensive and extremely recent” ties with “Russian intelligence agencies.” 

The filing revealed other, more recent, false allegations Smirnov had made, and concluded that “Smirnov’s efforts to spread misinformation about a candidate of one of the two major parties in the United States continues…. What this shows is that the misinformation he is spreading is not confined to 2020. He is actively peddling new lies that could impact U.S. elections after meeting with Russian intelligence officials in November.” 

Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD), the top Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, told reporters today that “the impeachment investigation essentially ended yesterday, in substance if not in form, with the explosive revelation that Mr. Smirnov’s allegations about Ukrainian Burisma payments to Joe Biden were concocted along with Russian intelligence agents. And it appears like the whole thing was not only obviously false and fraudulent but a product of Russian disinformation and propaganda. And that’s been the motor force behind this investigation for more than a year.”

The Republican release of Smirnov’s allegations in July 2023 did not happen in a vacuum: they came right after the Republican-led House censured Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) for “misleading the American public and for conduct unbecoming of an elected Member of the House of Representatives,” including “spread[ing] false accusations that the [2016] Trump campaign colluded with Russia.”

But the Mueller Report concluded that “[t]he Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion” and that “the Campaign expected it would benefit electorally from information stolen and released through Russian efforts.” The Senate Intelligence Committee Report found that “the Russian government engaged in an aggressive, multifaceted effort to influence…the outcome of the 2016 presidential election” and that Trump campaign advisor Paul Manafort worked directly with Konstantin Kilimnik, “a Russian intelligence officer.”  

That effort continued in 2020, with the U.S. intelligence community assessing in March 2021 that “Russian President Putin authorized, and a range of Russian government organizations conducted, influence operations aimed at denigrating President Biden’s candidacy and the Democratic Party, supporting former President Trump, undermining public confidence in the electoral process, and exacerbating sociopolitical divisions in the US.”

That foreign countries try to influence elections is far less a surprise than that one of the two major U.S. political parties now appears to be, wittingly or not, working on their behalf.

That willingness to do anything to win—even working with a foreign dictator—seems a logical outgrowth of the process begun during the administration of President Richard Nixon, when his people deliberately appealed to voters’ emotions with a picture of traditional America under siege by antiwar student activists, people of color, and feminist women. 

To rally voters to their party in the 1970s midterms, Nixon and Vice President Spiro Agnew engaged in what they called “positive polarization.” Nixon’s speechwriter Pat Buchanan wrote a memo to Nixon warning: “We are in a contest over the soul of the country now and the decision will not be some middle compromise…. It will be their kind of society or ours.” 

The theme that the Republicans' opponents were dangerous socialists out to destroy the country became the centerpiece of Republican rhetoric. From President Ronald Reagan’s welfare queen, who was scamming the system and thus taxpayers, through talk radio host Rush Limbaugh’s “feminazis,” to Trump’s claim that immigrants are “poisoning the blood of our country,” the party has defined itself as “true America” standing against enemies.

And if you believe you are fighting for the right, it only makes sense to do whatever it takes to win.

Meanwhile, that belief has now overlapped with the evangelical base that supports what it considers traditional values so that, as Alexander Ward and Heidi Przybyla outlined in Politico yesterday, the party is now advancing plans to impose Christian nationalism on the country. Leaders of the Christian nationalist movement incorrectly believe that the United States was founded as a Christian nation, so they intend to rest the government and public life on what they consider to be Christian values. 

In December, Trump promised: “Upon taking office, I will create a new federal task force on fighting anti-Christian bias to be led by a fully reformed Department of Justice.” 

What that might look like became clear this week when the Alabama Supreme Court decided in a wrongful death suit resulting from the accidental destruction of embryos that were part of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) process, in which doctors artificially fertilize eggs outside the womb and then transfer them into a person, that fertilized human eggs have the same status as children. Chief Justice Tom Parker declared in a concurring opinion that the people of Alabama have adopted the “theologically based view” that “life cannot be wrongfully destroyed without incurring the wrath of a holy God.”

About 2% of U.S. births are a product of IVF. Today the largest healthcare system in Alabama has announced it is halting its IVF program out of fear of prosecution. 

Reworking the nation to impose Christian nationalism requires minority rule, which aligns with the ideology of authoritarianism, enabling Trump and those who share his views to praise someone like Vladimir Putin. And, it seems, to accept his help winning elections.

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[xieyouji-xiegushi]

I finally escaped my work dinner, so here is the list of fics I have commented on today for @justleaveacommentfest! My comment total for the July 10/11th category is 8. Go team!

Fic list under the cut:

Our Tribe (2059 words) by ignaz Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: House M.D. Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Characters: Greg House, James Wilson, Michael Tritter Summary: The conditions have changed. House makes a sacrifice. Publication Date: 2006-11-27 (can you believe the URL for this fic is /works/311 ???)

A Prescription For Deception (1569 words) by MalloryB Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: House M.D. Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Gregory House & James Wilson, Gregory House/James Wilson, (if you squint) - Relationship Characters: Michael Tritter, James Wilson (House M.D.), Gregory House, (mentioned) Additional Tags: Psychopathology & Sociopathy, Implied/Referenced Drug Use, Manipulation, Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-con, Interrogation, Wilson is a psychopath, Dark Wilson, Punching, Tritter Arc (House M.D.), Missing Scene, Threats, It’s really not as dark as it seems, can be read as platonic or otherwise Summary: Michael Tritter has been a cop for a long time. He could spot a psychopath from a mile away. He spotted House. He also spotted Wilson. Or, Tritter interrogates Dark!Wilson. Publication Date: 2023-06-20

I Will Remember You (1534 words) by labelladonna99 Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Heroes (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Nathan Petrelli & Peter Petrelli, Nathan Petrelli & Sylar | Gabriel Gray, Peter Petrelli & Sylar | Gabriel Gray, Peter Petrelli/Sylar | Gabriel Gray Characters: Sylar, Nathan Petrelli, Peter Petrelli Additional Tags: Angst, Memories, Clairsentience, Post-Coyote Sands, Deviates From Canon, A new plot Series: Part 1 of As Though Nothing Could Fall Summary: After Coyote Sands, Sylar appeared on TV, shape-shifted as Senator Nathan Petrelli, and pledged to shake the president's hand. A visit to Nathan's office to acquire memories for launching his scheme changes everything. This is a short one-shot that can be considered a prologue to the next work, coming soon. Publication Date: 2023-06-12

Wish You Were Here (2316 words) by casperskitty Chapters: 4/6 Fandom: Supernatural (TV 2005) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Major Character Death Relationships: Castiel/Dean Winchester Characters: Dean Winchester, Sam Winchester, Castiel (Supernatural) Additional Tags: Canonical Character Death, Drinking to Cope, Pining Dean Winchester, Self-Hatred, Sad with a Happy Ending Summary: After the empty took Cas, Dean spent the next five years living without him but wishing every day that he was there with him… Publication Date: 2023-07-06

Wanted: Dead or Alive (1056 words) by DeanandSamsGirl Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Supernatural (TV 2005) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Castiel/Dean Winchester Characters: Dean Winchester, Castiel (Supernatural) Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Western, Eventual Romance Summary: Castiel is a lonely ranch owner, living a peaceful and quiet life when a mysterious stranger knocks on his door seeking work from an ad looking for a ranch hand… The only problem? Dean Winchester is a known outlaw seeking refuge from being sought after by bounty hunters. Publication Date: 2023-07-11

i loved you all along (2253 words) by snowflick Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: The Magicians (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Quentin Coldwater/Eliot Waugh Characters: Quentin Coldwater, Eliot Waugh, Margo Hanson, Eleanor Lipson Additional Tags: Fix-It, Fuck S5, all my homies hate s5, no beta we die like ember & umber, canon was taken out back and shot, Nightmares, vague talk of injuries, less vague anti-todd sentiments Summary: "If I ever get out of here, Q, know that when I'm braver, it's 'cause I learned it from you." Publication Date: 2023-07-09

A Ballad Reprised (1999 words) by StAnni Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: The Magicians (TV) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Quentin Coldwater/Eliot Waugh Characters: Quentin Coldwater, Eliot Waugh Additional Tags: Angst, Post-Break Up, Past Relationship(s) Summary: The day that he dies Quentin is tottering on the mosaic, up and down, shakily rearranging the tiles in the hundredth thousandth different way. What he wanted to ask was why it even mattered. And not in a mean way, not in his usual mean way, but in a way that was sated, full of love and full of life. Publication Date: 2023-05-17

Falling Into This Again (551 words) by KanraKixystix Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: The Magicians (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Quentin Coldwater/Eliot Waugh Characters: Quentin Coldwater, Eliot Waugh, Margo Hanson, William "Penny" Adiyodi Additional Tags: Eliot crying because he gets attached to a certain first year nerd, Quentin is oblivious as always, queliot, tw: cheating, Drabble Summary: Eliot jumps to conclusions when he sees Penny and Quentin in the storage closet during the first trial. Publication Date: 2016-05-05

[hallmark-movie-fanatics]

KATIE CASSIDY AND STEPHEN HUSZAR STAR IN ‘A ROYAL CHRISTMAS CRUSH,’ A NEW, ORIGINAL MOVIE PREMIERING JULY 8, ON HALLMARK CHANNEL

Part of the Network’s Annual Christmas in July Programming Event

STUDIO CITY, CA – June 9, 2023 – Katie Cassidy (“Arrow,” “Gossip Girl”) and Stephen Huszar (“Love in Glacier National: A National Park Romance,” “Chesapeake Shores,”) star in “A Royal Christmas Crush,” a new, original movie premiering Saturday, July 8 (8 p.m. ET/PT), on Hallmark Channel, as part of the network’s annual Christmas in July programming event.

Ava Jensen (Cassidy) is a talented architect who joins her beloved Uncle Karl (Charlie Ebbs, “Six Degrees of Santa”), in the enchanting frozen kingdom of Fríðrland to build an elaborate ice castle for the Royal Family – a tradition going back almost 200 years. Every year, the Royal Family gathers at the ice castle to relax and get away while they prepare for the annual Royal Christmas Ball. While there, Ava meets the handsome Prince Henry (Huszar), heir to the throne and one of the most eligible bachelors in the world. Although the two may be from completely different worlds, they become smitten with one another. The Prince, impressed by Ava’s talents, asks her to help him with his big speech and the two set out to learn more about one another. However, things aren’t as magical as they appear as the palace’s scheming Director of Logistics, Brigitta (Angela Besharah, “Circuit Breakers”), seeking to restore her family’s nobility and status, is determined to win the charming Prince over for her own daughter, the beautiful and very persistent, Sigrid (Kathryn Kohut, “Fly Away with Me”). With so much at stake, Brigitta sets out to sabotage the new budding romance before the Prince and Ava can get too close, however, hearts may already be melting in this winter wonderland ice palace.

“A Royal Christmas Crush” is from Fireside (IH3) Films Inc. Timothy O. Johnson and Andrew C. Erin are executive producers. Joseph Wilka and Lisa Alford are co-executive producers, while Josie Fitzgerald and Stefane Gregoire serve as producers. Marita Jane Grabiak directed from a script by Keith Hemstreet, Catherine Reay and Kate Somerville.

[daphenominchief]

People of the Philippines vs. Ruby Agustin and Jovelyn Antonio, G.R. No. 223107. March 15, 2023

FACTS

Susie Qui, the owner of GQ Pawnshop, hired Ruby Agustin as an appraiser and Jovelyn Antonio as a secretary in 1997. Jovelyn would also relieve Ruby when she was not around. A new appraiser, Annabelle Reyes, assumed the role in 1999. Reyes discovered several pieces of jewelry previously pawned were fake upon conducting acid tests on some of the jewelry. Ruby and Jovelyn had already collected the proceeds from these fake pieces. Both admitted to Qui that they pawned the fake jewelry items, but claimed that Alfonso Geronimo, the pawnshop manager, forced them to write the admissions and promised to return the money. Subsequently, Susie Qui led a criminal complaint for qualied theft.

During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence that Ruby and Jovelyn conspired to defraud GQ Pawnshop. They did this by pawning fake jewelry and collecting the proceeds of these transactions. The RTC convicted them of qualied theft and each was sentenced to reclusion perpetua.

The CA upheld this decision on appeal.

However, on February 26, 2017, Ruby died due to multiple organ failure before the nal judgment.

ISSUES

Whether the CA erred in arming the conviction for qualied theft despite the lack of proof of ownership of the stolen jewelry.

Whether Jovelyn's sentence should be modied under the Indeterminate Sentence Law and the Nelson Mandela Rules.

kapsaura2024

4

RULING I.

No, the CA did not err in arming the conviction for qualied theft.

Article 308, in relation to Article 310, of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) denes qualied theft. It is committed by any person who, with intent to gain, but without violence against or intimidation of persons nor force upon things, shall take personal property of another without the latter’s consent. The following elements are essential:

the taking of personal property;

said property belongs to another;

the taking was done with intent to gain;

the taking was done without the consent of the owner;

the taking was accomplished without violence or intimidation against person, or force upon things; and

the taking was done under any of the circumstances enumerated in Article 310 of the RPC, i.e., with grave abuse of condence. The prosecution was able to prove all of the elements of qualied theft. First, Jovelyn taking the proceeds from the fake jewelry constitutes the taking of personal

property. Second, these funds belonged to GQ Pawnshop and its owner. Third, the absence of consent was proven by Jovelyn using others to pawn the fake jewelry and then allowing her to release the money. She deed the specic procedures for ascertaining the authenticity of the jewelry and the release of funds. Fourth, she presented the fake jewelry as genuine and collected the proceeds after the transaction. This contradicts her claim of no intent to gain. Fifth, there was no violence or intimidation involved in Jovelyn taking the money. Sixth, her position as secretary and reliever appraiser gave her a high degree of condence and access to the pawnshop funds.

Qualied theft requires a relationship with the oended party built on dependence, guardianship, or vigilance. This creates a high degree of condence that allows for the crime to take place.

In People v. Cahilig, the Court found the defendant guilty of qualied theft for taking funds they had access to due to their position. In People v. Bocquecillo, the Court found a repossessor guilty because he had a high degree of trust in being responsible for collecting payments and issuing receipts. In People v. Cruz, the Court found the defendant guilty because they exploited the trust of their employer who gave them access to funds. This is similar to Jovelyn's case where she abused the special trust of her employer by taking funds through fake jewelry transactions. It is important to note that the fake jewelry was only ever processed by Ruby and Jovelyn.

kapsaura2024

5

Contrary to the RTC's theory, the object of the theft was not the fake jewelry but the proceeds from the fraudulent transactions. Finally, Jovelyn’s statements to her employer are admissible as evidence. The CA correctly ruled that the extrajudicial confession she made to her employer was involuntary and did not extend to private individuals.

Thus, CA was correct in ruling that the crime was qualied theft due to the extensive evidence of the crime committed by the perpetrators' quo in rendering the assailed decision. The recourse is DENIED.

II.

The Indeterminate Sentence Law applies to this case. Absent any modifying circumstance, the maximum term of the indeterminate penalty must be within the maximum period of the prescribed penalty which is prision mayor medium. The minimum period - the penalty next lower in degree - shall be within the range of prision correccional minimum. The duration of prision mayor medium is within the range of eight years and one day to ten years; prision correccional minimum is within the range of six months and one day to four years, two months, and one day.

Here, Jovelyn has already been incarcerated since November 24, 2011, almost 12 years. This exceeds the maximum imposable penalty of 10 years and eight months. The 2019 Revised Mandela Rules, commonly known as the Nelson Mandela Rules, supports releasing detainees imprisoned for a period greater than their maximum sentence. These rules state that imprisonment should help oenders live a law-abiding and self-supporting life upon release. Continuing to keep Jovelyn incarcerated would be unjust.

The appealed Decision of the Court of Appeals dated December 5, 2014, in CA-G.R. CR-H.C. No. 05342 is AFFIRMED with MODIFICATION.

Accused-appellant Jovelyn Antonio is found guilty of qualied theft and is sentenced to suer the indeterminate penalty of four years, two months, and one day of prision correccional, as minimum, to nine years, four months, and one day of prision mayor, as maximum. She must also pay Susie Qui PHP 585,250.00 with 6% interest per annum from November 24, 2011, until paid. However, she is ORDERED IMMEDIATELY RELEASED from detention, unless held for other legal reasons.

The assailed Decision is SET ASIDE with respect to accused-appellant Ruby Agustin in view of her supervening death pending appeal. The criminal liability and civil liability ex delicto of the accused-appellant are declared EXTINGUISHED by her death before nal judgment. Let entry of judgment be issued immediately.

kapsaura2024

Yes, Jovelyn's sentence should be modied.

6

[dhruv1717]

CA Foundation January 2025 Exam: Key Dates, Registration Process, Admit Card Details, and Latest ICAI Guidelines

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has released the official schedule for the CA Foundation exam session scheduled for January 2025. The exams are slated for January 12, 14, 16, and 18, 2025. Candidates interested in appearing for the January session can submit their applications online through ICAI’s website, icai.org, starting November 10, 2024. It is advised that candidates complete their registrations by the regular deadline of November 23, 2024 to avoid incurring late fees. However, a late submission window with an additional fee of 600 will be available until November 26, 2024. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL RESULT

In addition, ICAI has established a correction window for applicants who need to make adjustments to their submitted forms. This window will be open from November 17 to November 19, 2024, allowing candidates to review and correct any errors to ensure compliance with all requirements.

The CA Foundation exam has traditionally been held twice annually in June and December but is now conducted three times a year—May/June, September, and January—following the addition of the September session in 2024. Recent changes in ICAI’s education and training scheme, effective from July 1, 2023, have introduced a revised framework for these exams. Candidates are encouraged to stay updated on ICAI notifications to prepare effectively under this new system.

For comprehensive details on the exam application process, eligibility criteria, and admit card issuance, candidates should visit ICAI’s website, icai.org, regularly.

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] Harshita Rai GG News Bureau New Delhi, 13th Oct.  With a focus on equipping the youth with skills to succeed in today’s competitive economy, the Indian government has introduced the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme, launched on October 3, 2024. The initiative aims to create opportunities for one crore young individuals over the next five years through internships that offer exposure to a wide range of business sectors. The scheme is accessible through an online portal, designed to simplify the process of applying for and managing internships. Ambitious Rollout and Initial Pilot Announced in the Union Budget 2024-25, the scheme began with a pilot project targeting 1.25 lakh internships for the financial year 2024-25. This pilot phase focuses on 24 sectors, including oil and gas, energy, travel and hospitality, automotive, and banking and financial services. Partner companies were selected based on their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expenditure over the past three years, ensuring that participants gain experience in socially responsible organizations. A Stand-Alone Initiative for Real-World Exposure The Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme sets itself apart from other skill development programs and apprenticeships by focusing exclusively on internships. It is independent of existing training initiatives implemented across India’s states and union territories, offering a customized experience to enhance participants’ employability. By providing young Indians with hands-on industry exposure, the scheme aims to build a skilled workforce ready to meet the challenges of the modern job market. Overview of the Internship Scheme Eligibility The Pilot Project offers 12-month internships for youth aged 21 to 24 years who are Indian nationals, not engaged in full-time employment or education. Candidates enrolled in online or distance learning programs are eligible to apply, starting October 12, 2024, via the PM Internship Portal. Applicants should have completed High School, Higher Secondary School, or have a certificate from an ITI or diploma from a polytechnic institute. Graduates in fields such as BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BCA, BBA, B.Pharma, and similar degrees are also eligible. Ineligibility The scheme excludes: Graduates from IITs, IIMs, National Law Universities, IISER, NIDs, and IIITs. Holders of qualifications like CA, CMA, CS, MBBS, BDS, MBA, or any master’s degree. Individuals engaged in skill, apprenticeship, or student training programs under existing Central or State government schemes. Those who have completed apprenticeships under NATS or NAPS. Candidates with a family income exceeding ₹8 lakh for FY 2023-24. Family members of permanent or regular government employees. Criteria for Partner Companies The Ministry has identified 500 top companies based on their CSR expenditure over the past three years. Additional organizations can participate with approval from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), especially those in underrepresented sectors. Companies unable to provide direct internship opportunities can collaborate with others in their supply chain or within their corporate group. Financial Support and Stipend Interns will receive a monthly stipend of ₹5,000 throughout their internship: ₹500 will be contributed by partner companies, based on attendance and conduct. The remaining ₹4,500 will be transferred by the government via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the intern’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account. An additional one-time grant of ₹6,000 will be provided upon joining, also through DBT. Insurance Coverage Interns will be covered under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, with premiums paid by the government. Partner companies may offer additional accidental insurance coverage. PM Internship Portal: A Centralized Platform The entire internship process is managed through a centralized online portal that allows companies to post internship opportunities with specific details such as location, role, and qualifications.

Eligible candidates can register on the portal, create resumes, and apply for up to five internships based on preferences like location, sector, and role. The platform prioritizes diversity by promoting applications from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and Persons with Disabilities. Shortlisted candidates are matched with companies based on mutual preferences, making the selection process streamlined and transparent. Conclusion: Empowering the Next Generation The Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme is a transformative initiative aimed at building a skilled and adaptable workforce in India. By providing financial support, comprehensive training, and industry exposure, the program seeks to enhance the employability of the nation’s youth. Through collaborations with leading companies, it offers a pathway to professional growth, positioning young Indians to thrive in the job market. With the launch of the dedicated portal, this scheme represents a significant step toward unlocking the potential of India’s next generation and contributing to the country’s overall economic and social development. [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] Harshita Rai GG News Bureau New Delhi, 13th Oct.  With a focus on equipping the youth with skills to succeed in today’s competitive economy, the Indian government has introduced the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme, launched on October 3, 2024. The initiative aims to create opportunities for one crore young individuals over the next five years through internships that offer exposure to a wide range of business sectors. The scheme is accessible through an online portal, designed to simplify the process of applying for and managing internships. Ambitious Rollout and Initial Pilot Announced in the Union Budget 2024-25, the scheme began with a pilot project targeting 1.25 lakh internships for the financial year 2024-25. This pilot phase focuses on 24 sectors, including oil and gas, energy, travel and hospitality, automotive, and banking and financial services. Partner companies were selected based on their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expenditure over the past three years, ensuring that participants gain experience in socially responsible organizations. A Stand-Alone Initiative for Real-World Exposure The Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme sets itself apart from other skill development programs and apprenticeships by focusing exclusively on internships. It is independent of existing training initiatives implemented across India’s states and union territories, offering a customized experience to enhance participants’ employability. By providing young Indians with hands-on industry exposure, the scheme aims to build a skilled workforce ready to meet the challenges of the modern job market. Overview of the Internship Scheme Eligibility The Pilot Project offers 12-month internships for youth aged 21 to 24 years who are Indian nationals, not engaged in full-time employment or education. Candidates enrolled in online or distance learning programs are eligible to apply, starting October 12, 2024, via the PM Internship Portal. Applicants should have completed High School, Higher Secondary School, or have a certificate from an ITI or diploma from a polytechnic institute. Graduates in fields such as BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BCA, BBA, B.Pharma, and similar degrees are also eligible. Ineligibility The scheme excludes: Graduates from IITs, IIMs, National Law Universities, IISER, NIDs, and IIITs. Holders of qualifications like CA, CMA, CS, MBBS, BDS, MBA, or any master’s degree. Individuals engaged in skill, apprenticeship, or student training programs under existing Central or State government schemes. Those who have completed apprenticeships under NATS or NAPS. Candidates with a family income exceeding ₹8 lakh for FY 2023-24. Family members of permanent or regular government employees. Criteria for Partner Companies The Ministry has identified 500 top companies based on their CSR expenditure over the past three years. Additional organizations can participate with approval from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), especially those in underrepresented sectors. Companies unable to provide direct internship opportunities can collaborate with others in their supply chain or within their corporate group. Financial Support and Stipend Interns will receive a monthly stipend of ₹5,000 throughout their internship: ₹500 will be contributed by partner companies, based on attendance and conduct. The remaining ₹4,500 will be transferred by the government via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the intern’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account. An additional one-time grant of ₹6,000 will be provided upon joining, also through DBT. Insurance Coverage Interns will be covered under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, with premiums paid by the government. Partner companies may offer additional accidental insurance coverage. PM Internship Portal: A Centralized Platform The entire internship process is managed through a centralized online portal that allows companies to post internship opportunities with specific details such as location, role, and qualifications.

Eligible candidates can register on the portal, create resumes, and apply for up to five internships based on preferences like location, sector, and role. The platform prioritizes diversity by promoting applications from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and Persons with Disabilities. Shortlisted candidates are matched with companies based on mutual preferences, making the selection process streamlined and transparent. Conclusion: Empowering the Next Generation The Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme is a transformative initiative aimed at building a skilled and adaptable workforce in India. By providing financial support, comprehensive training, and industry exposure, the program seeks to enhance the employability of the nation’s youth. Through collaborations with leading companies, it offers a pathway to professional growth, positioning young Indians to thrive in the job market. With the launch of the dedicated portal, this scheme represents a significant step toward unlocking the potential of India’s next generation and contributing to the country’s overall economic and social development. [ad_2] Source link

[gggaragedoors]

Transform Your Space: How Stylish Garage Doors Enhance Curb Appeal and Boost Property Value

When it comes to home improvement, the garage door is often overlooked. However, upgrading your garage door can significantly enhance your property's curb appeal and increase its market value. Whether you're considering an upgrade or need garage door repair in Torrance, CA, a stylish garage door is not just a functional feature—it’s a key design element that can transform the look and feel of your space.

The Power of First Impressions

The garage door is one of the first things people notice about your home or business. Whether you're welcoming guests, attracting customers, or trying to sell your property, a well-chosen garage door can create a lasting first impression. A plain, outdated door might blend into the background, but a stylish, modern door can make your property stand out.

In Torrance, CA, where real estate is competitive, maximizing curb appeal is crucial. A sleek, attractive garage door can set your property apart from others on the market, drawing in potential buyers or clients.

Increasing Property Value

Investing in a new garage door isn't just about aesthetics; it’s also a smart financial decision. According to the 2023 Cost vs. Value Report, replacing a garage door offers one of the highest returns on investment (ROI) of any home improvement project. In fact, homeowners can recoup nearly 100% of the cost when selling their property.

Why does a garage door replacement yield such a high ROI? Because it’s a relatively affordable upgrade that makes a significant visual impact. Potential buyers see a new garage door as a sign that the property is well-maintained, which can justify a higher asking price.

For business owners, the benefits are similar. An attractive garage door can enhance your brand’s image, making your premises more inviting and professional. This can lead to increased foot traffic and, ultimately, higher revenue.

Choosing the Right Style

Selecting the right garage door style is key to maximizing its impact on your property’s curb appeal and value. Here are some popular styles to consider:

1. Contemporary Doors: These doors often feature clean lines, large glass panels, and minimalist designs. They’re perfect for modern homes and businesses looking for a sleek, sophisticated look.

2. Carriage House Doors: Inspired by traditional carriage houses, these doors add a touch of classic charm. They’re ideal for properties with a more traditional or rustic aesthetic.

3. Custom Wood Doors: For a truly unique look, custom wood doors offer endless possibilities. They can be crafted to match the architectural style of your home or business, creating a cohesive and eye-catching appearance.

4. Insulated Steel Doors: If energy efficiency is a priority, insulated steel doors are an excellent choice. They offer durability and weather resistance while maintaining a modern look.

When choosing a garage door, consider the overall style of your property, the climate in Torrance, CA, and your budget. A professional garage door repair service in Torrance can help you select the best option and ensure a proper installation.

Enhancing Curb Appeal

Once you’ve chosen the right garage door, it’s important to consider how it complements the rest of your property. Here are a few tips to enhance your curb appeal further:

1. Match the Color Scheme: Your garage door should blend harmoniously with your property’s exterior color scheme. Neutral colors like white, black, and gray are always safe choices, but don’t be afraid to experiment with bolder hues if they suit your style.

2. Add Decorative Hardware: Hinges, handles, and other decorative hardware can add a touch of elegance to your garage door. Choose pieces that match your property’s architectural style.

3. Incorporate Lighting: Proper lighting can highlight your garage door’s design and make your property more inviting at night. Consider installing sconces or overhead lights that complement the style of your door.

4. Maintain Landscaping: A well-maintained lawn, flower beds, and shrubs can frame your garage door beautifully. Keep your landscaping tidy to enhance the overall appearance of your property.

The Role of Maintenance and Repairs

To keep your garage door looking and functioning at its best, regular maintenance is essential. Over time, even the most stylish doors can suffer from wear and tear, which can detract from your property’s curb appeal and potentially decrease its value.

If you notice any issues with your garage door, such as sagging, noisy operation, or slow response times, it’s important to address them promptly. Ignoring these problems can lead to more extensive damage and costly repairs down the line. For residents and business owners in Torrance, CA, professional garage door repair services are available to ensure your door remains in top condition.

Conclusion

Upgrading to a stylish garage door is one of the most effective ways to enhance your property’s curb appeal and boost its value. Whether you’re aiming to impress potential buyers, attract customers, or simply improve your home’s appearance, a new garage door can make a significant difference. With the right style, proper installation, and regular maintenance, your garage door can transform your space and provide lasting benefits. If you're in Torrance, CA, and need assistance with garage door repair, don’t hesitate to reach out to a local professional for expert advice and service.

[alinawilson12]

Classes on a pen drive will be equivalent to classes online.

The pen drive class gives you access to the cs executive video lessons, which cover every subject and every issue. Even in online calls, there will be lost topics since the trainer may have decided that the topics' depth was not as important for the exam.

[ksacademyca]

ICAI New Scheme for CA Foundation New Syllabus and Subjects 2024

The ICAI has changed the CA Foundation syllabus 2024 for the upcoming May and November examination terms. You can download the whole curriculum for each subject of the CA Foundation course in PDF format. The revised Scheme of Education and Training for the Chartered Accountancy course will be implemented on July 1, 2023.

Read more: https://ksacademy.co.in/blogs/ca-foundation-new-syllabus/

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

If a political party does not have its foundation in the determination to advance a cause that is right and that is moral, then it is not a political party; it is merely a conspiracy to seize power. — Dwight D. Eisenhower

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

March 22, 2023

Heather Cox Richardson

This week, news has been focused on the former president’s possible indictment for paying $130,000 in hush money to adult film performer Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about their 2006 affair before the 2016 election. The information currently being thrown about has been shaped by Trump himself and is obviously suspect (among other things, he has apparently raised $1.5 million since he claimed he would be arrested on Tuesday). Although Republican lawmakers have no more idea than any of the rest of us do what the Manhattan grand jury might have seen, or what charges might be brought against Trump, they have tried to gloss over the scandal by claiming it is about a non-disclosure agreement or that it happened seven years ago or that its investigation is “a political witch hunt perpetrated by one of the far left radical socialist district attorneys,” as Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) said. But as journalist Aaron Rupar and Noah Berlatsky explained today in Public Notice, the payment was a big deal in the larger scheme of American democracy. Trump bought Daniels’s silence because he was willing to break laws in order to get elected. Then–Trump fixer Michael Cohen paid Daniels for her story in exchange for a non-disclosure agreement. Cohen testified that he paid her through a shell company to keep Trump’s connection to the payment hidden. Then Trump reimbursed Cohen for “legal fees.” That’s a problem with regard to business filings and tax fraud. It is also a problem for the campaign finance laws intended to protect clean elections. Cohen’s payment was a contribution to the Trump campaign because it was made “in order to influence the 2016 presidential election.” The payment was intended to make sure voters didn’t hear another sex scandal in October 2016, just after the Access Hollywood tape came out in which Trump talked vulgarly about sexually assaulting women, when it might have hurt his chances at election. The $130,000 contribution was far above the individual limit of $2,700, and the Trump campaign did not disclose it. This is not small potatoes. When the issue came to light, Cohen pleaded guilty for his role in the payments, and he was sentenced to three years in prison. Cohen testified that he made the payments at Trump’s direction. This is also not an isolated incident. Trump has proved himself more than willing to cheat to win elections. In the 2020 presidential election season, before he tried to overthrow the election altogether, he tried to strong-arm Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky into announcing an investigation into the son of the Democratic candidate about whom he was most worried: Joe Biden. Trump knew that the media would run with an announcement of an investigation, wounding Biden’s candidacy by keeping the story in the news even without any real investigation behind it. The Trump campaign had done much the same thing in 2016. According to the Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee, which investigated the ties between the Trump campaign and Russian operatives, Trump’s people were willing at the very least to work alongside Russian operatives to weaken Trump’s Democratic opponent, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The Trump campaign also boosted Trump’s standing in the 2016 election season with the recurring refrain of the investigation into Secretary Clinton’s emails, convincing voters—falsely—that she had committed crimes. The pending issue of the hush-money payment is not just about 2016, and it is not just about Trump. That today’s Republican leaders have not condemned any of his attempts to cheat speaks volumes about the party. As Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA) pointed out today, when “Cohen was arrested, indicted, convicted, and went to prison for participating in an illegal hush money payment scheme to Stormy Daniels, not a single Republican leader complaining now said a thing about what happened to Michael Cohen.” So why the rush to defend Trump in the same case? It appears Republicans have gotten to the point that they don’t believe they can win a free and fair election, and in their conviction that Democrats will destroy the country, they believe cheating to win is justified. They cannot condemn Trump because he delivered what they wanted: a victory. In a democracy, the way parties are supposed to win elections is by making a better case for being in power than their opponents do. Losing elections is supposed to make leaders think deeply about how better to appeal to voters. That system keeps all parties constantly honing their policies, thinking through problems, benefiting their constituents. Our election laws are designed to try to hold the playing field level, and a party should want to keep the system fair in order to keep itself healthy. But if a party is willing to cheat to win, it no longer has to work on policies that appeal to voters; it can simply game the system to dismantle the competition on which democracy depends and instead create a one-party state. There are many legal problems in Trump’s front yard these days. Some, like his theft of documents with markings bearing the highest level of classification and his attempt to overturn the Georgia results for the 2020 presidential election, are heating up fast, and their significance is clear. But for all that the case we are currently hearing so much about seems less serious on its face than the other things charged to Trump's account, a hush-money payment to silence someone whose story might have affected the 2016 election is no laughing matter.

—

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[dealgemeneverwarring]

De Algemene Verwarring #113 - 27 May 2024

Episode one hundred and thirteen of De Algemene Verwarring was broadcast on Monday, May 27, 2024, and you can listen to it by clicking on the link below that will take you directly to the Mixcloud page:

Pictured below are Crystal Stilts, band from Brooklyn, New York, who released three albums between 2008 and 2013, two on Slumberland Records and the last one on Sacred Bones Records, and then they disappeared. I saw them live just once in Ghent, in a club where a band like Crystal Stilts doesn't fit but still it was a magnificent gig. They played some kind of dark power garage pop, with edgy Velvet Underground guitars and a singer who sounded like a miserable Jim Reid. In those days. there were a lot of that kind of lo-fi fuzzpop bands such as Blank Dogs, Intelligence, Vivian Girls, The Pink Noise, and so on, but somehow I keep coming back to Crystal Stilts because they sound a lot more timeless than their contemporaries. Three much loved records at De Algemene Verwarring headquarters, and let's not forget the Love Is A Wave and Shake The Shackles singles.

Apologies again for the late update, by the way. I don't seem to get into my normale scheme anymore. Anyway there's also some new music in this episode from Exek, 番長 Taste, Sewer Election, Demeters Döttrar and Lise Barkas/Lisa Kaüffert, and old rockers from The Cramps, Les Olivensteins, Chrys Alice, Siouxsie & The Banshees, Siglo XX, Litovsk, Lizzy Mercier Descloux, and more. And beneath the photo you can find the playlist for this show.

Playlist:

The Cramps: All Women Are Bad (LP “Stay Sick” on Enigma Records, 1989)

Chrys Alice: Qu'est C'que J'deviens Dans Tout Ça (7” “Qu’est C’que je deviens Dans Tout Ca” on Triangle Records, 1979)

Les Olivensteins: Euthanasie (LP V/A “Panik - French Punk Anthems 1977-1982” on Born Bad Records, 2013)

Crystal Stilts: Future Folklore (LP “Nature Noir” on Sacred Bones Records, 2013)

Mirrors: She Smiled Wild (LP V/A “Punk 45 - Sick On You! One Way Spit! After The Love & Before The revolution Vol. 3: Proto-Punk 1969-1976” on Soul Jazz Records, 2014, originally released on a 7” in 1977 on Hearthan Records)

Siouxsie & The Banshees: Jigsaw Feeling (LP “The Scream” on Polydor, 1978), 

Siglo XX: Baby Divine (LP “Under A Purple Sky” on Play It Again Sam, 1989)

Litovsk: Nergenst (LP “Litovsk” on Symphony Of Destruction, Contraszt! Records, Et Mon Cul C’est Du Tofu?, 2016)

Lizzy Mercier Descloux: Jim On The Move (LP “Press Color” on Philips & Ze Records, 1979)

Exek: On The Ground Floor (LP “The Map And The Territory” on Foreign Records, 2023)

番長 Taste: Kawasaki Creepers (LP “I Dipped My Comb In Shochu And Ran It Through The Hair Of The Night” on Carbon Records, 2024) 

NON: Out Out Out (CD V/A “Rough Trade Shops Electronic 01” on Mute Records, 2002, originally released on the LP “God And Beast”, 1997)

Sewer Election: Disintegrate (CD “Psychic Panorama Volume Two” on Discreet Music, 2024)

April Magazine: Another Day (LP “Wesley’s Convertible Tape For The South” on Digital Regress, 2024, originally released on tape in 2023 by Discontinuous Innovation)

Hydroplane: Museum Station (LP “Selected Songs 1997-2003” on World Of Echo, 2023)

Demeters Döttrar: En Själ I Dina Händer (LP “Søndag I Spejlet” on Discreet Music, 2024)

Lise Barkas & Lisa Käuffert: Face A (excerpt) (LP “Lo Becat” on Morc Records, 2023, originally released on cd-r in 2017 on Soleil’s Blue)

[24-news-press-things]

AMERICAN FRAUDSTERS ATTEMPT TO BULLY BLITZ

While in 2023 an investigation led by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in collaboration with multiple international media partners, did unveil the widespread abuse of citizenship by investment programs in the Caribbean, particularly in Dominica, and where the probe shed light on the intricate web of fraudulent schemes that allowed criminals to secure citizenship in exchange for substantial investments, tarnishing the reputation of these programs, one of the prime accused in the investigation was Danhong “Jean” Chen, an immigration lawyer from Atherton, California, who was indicted in 2018 for orchestrating a fraudulent scheme with her husband. The couple amassed over US$12 million by embezzling funds from foreign investors seeking US residency over nearly a decade. Chen’s escape from the US using a Dominican passport under an assumed name – Maria Sofia Taylor – raised serious questions about the program’s oversight and due diligence protocols.

On October 30, 2023, Blitz published a report giving details of the matter, on February 1, 2024 – more than two months of publication of it, a suspicious email was received by this newspaper from an individual named Shifeng Yue, who pretended to be a lawyer.

Dear Editor,

Upon examination, the following URLs is untrue and contain defaming content regarding my client Law Offices of Jean D. Chen. Please remove defaming images.

Thank you.

Shifeng Yue

Attorney at Law

Mission Pacific Global Law Group

226 Airport Parkway Suite 600

San Jose, CA 95110.

In addition to sending such ridiculous emails directly to newspaper, the individuals involved in visa scams and connections with controversial citizenship and passport selling ventures of Dominica and other Caribbean island nations, have also been attempting to get news links removed from Google search by employing ‘Reputation Management Firms’ through pressing fictitious copyright claims under the under the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act. While searching information on Danhong “Jean” Chen (Jean Danhong Chen, age 54), alias Maria Sofia Taylor and her business partner Jianyun “Tony” Ye (Tony Jianyun Ye, age 51), the Google search result says: “In response to multiple complaints that we received under the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act, we have removed 8 results from this page. If you wish, you may read the DMCA complaints that caused the removals at LumenDatabase.org: Complaint, Complaint”.

Danhong Jean Chen alias Maria Sofia Taylor with Michelle Obama It may be mentioned here that most of the criminals looking to getting contents removed from Google search engine are using Tumblr for creating back-dated posts on this site for their attempted copyright claims.

According to the US Department of Justice (DoJ) Danhong “Jean” Chen (54), alias Maria Sofia Taylor and her business partner Jianyun “Tony” Ye (51) “submitted to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) fraudulent documents that contained false signatures and falsely described how applicants would qualify for the EB-5 program”. They were charged under the US penal codes on allegations of visa fraud, obstruction of Justice, and aggravated identity theft.

Immediately after completion of investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and before being indicted by the US court, Danhong “Jean Chan (54) fled the United States and became a naturalized citizen of Dominica in October 2018. She might have used a different name – Maria Sofia Taylor while buying Dominica citizenship.

It may be mentioned here that on March 26, 2019, the United States Attorney’s Office in a press release titled ‘Owner Of South Bay Law Firm And Office Manager Charged With Committing Large-Scale Immigration Visa Fraud’ said:

A federal grand jury indicted Danhong “Jean” Chen, a/k/a Maria Sofia Taylor, and her business partner Jianyun “Tony” Ye in connection with an immigration visa fraud scheme, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett, Securities and Exchange Commission Office of the Inspector General, Inspector General Carl Hoecker. The 14-count indictment, filed March 7, 2019, and unsealed late yesterday, alleges the defendants committed visa fraud and related crimes to obtain immigration benefits for more than 100 foreign investors through the government’s Employment-Based Immigration Fifth Preference, or “EB-5,” visa program.

According to the indictment, Chen, 54, of Atherton, was the sole partner at the Law Offices of Jean D. Chen, which held itself out as specializing in immigration law. Ye, 51, also of Atherton, was formerly married to Chen and held himself out as the manager of Chen’s law office. The indictment alleges Chen and Ye prepared and submitted to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) fraudulent documents that contained false signatures and falsely described how applicants would qualify for the EB-5 program.

Under the EB-5 program, foreign nationals may obtain permanent United States residency, commonly known as “green card” status, by investing in qualifying American businesses. Alien investors who comply with program requirements initially receive a grant of conditional permanent residency status for a two-year period. After two years, the alien investor can petition for permanent residency. To obtain permanent residency status, the applicant’s investment must amount to $500,000 if made in certain geographical areas with low employment rates; if the investment is not in a designated low-employment area, the investment must amount to a minimum of $1,000,000. In addition, under the EB-5 program, applicants may make use of “regional centers.” Entrepreneurs seeking investments for American businesses may establish regional centers to promote investment opportunities and make such opportunities available to EB-5 applicants. The regional centers generally promote investment opportunities within designated geographic areas. The Law Offices of Jean D. Chen represented clients who invested a total of approximately $52,000,000 into projects under the EB-5 program.

In this case, the indictment describes steps taken by Chen and Ye to fraudulently obtain immigration benefits through the EB-5 program on behalf of their clients. First, the indictment alleges that Chen and Ye falsified documents to hide the true ownership and nature of a regional center. Specifically, the indictment alleges that in 2014, Chen and Ye purchased the Golden State Regional Center and other entities, and almost immediately after the purchase, transferred ownership to a straw owner. The person to whom the entity was transferred did not know she was being named as the owner. Also, Chen and Ye filed papers with USCIS, requesting that the government continue to recognize Golden State Regional Center as a regional center qualified to promote EB-5 investment within the South Bay. The papers contained false signatures of the purported straw owner. Second, defendants prepared and submitted falsified EB-5 applications. For example, visa applications contained false signatures of the purported straw owner, false statements about the extent to which the Law Offices of Jean D. Chen represented both the investor and Golden State Regional Center, and false statements about the manner in which investor funds would be used.

The indictment also charges defendants with obstruction of justice related to investigations being conducted by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the FBI. On October 18, 2018, the SEC filed a civil complaint against Chen, Ye, and other individuals and entities, alleging, among other things, that Chen and Ye improperly solicited investments and committed other violations of law. The indictment alleges that during the course of the SEC’s investigation, defendants made demands of the straw owner of Golden State Regional Center that she provide false answers to SEC investigators. Further, the defendants allegedly logged onto someone else’s email account and deleted emails relevant to the FBI’s investigation into the visa fraud.

In sum, Chen and Ye both are charged with ten counts of visa fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1546(a); one count of obstruction of justice, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1505; one count of obstruction of justice, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(b)(3); and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A. In addition, Ye is charged with one count of identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1018(a)(7).

[sejal-hbx]

Method of Conversion from CA Old Syllabus to New Syllabus for May 2024 Exams

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has introduced the CA New Scheme of Education and Training 2023, bringing significant changes to the CA Course curriculum and practical training duration. This blog provides a comprehensive guide on how to convert from the CA Final Old Syllabus to the New Syllabus READ MORE