MP Tejasvi Surya calls setting up of US Consulate in Bengaluru 'historic' milestone for city
Bengaluru (PTI): Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya on Friday said the setting up of a US Consulate here in the second week of January 2025 would be a historic milestone for the city, as US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, finally announced the operations of the consular office here.
He said the opening of the Consulate marks the culmination of years of persistent efforts to address a long-standing demand from the citizens of Bengaluru.
According to a statement shared by his office, since taking office in 2019, Surya had pushed for the opening of the Consulate in Bengaluru, which contributes 40 per cent of India's IT revenue and is a home to lakhs of tech professionals.
He had highlighted the absence of a dedicated US Consulate in the city compelled thousands of residents to travel to Chennai or Hyderabad for US visa-related services.
In November 2019, he wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasising Bengaluru's critical role in Indo-US ties.
"Surya highlighted that Bengaluru's 750 multinational companies, including 370 US-based firms, and the large number of students and entrepreneurs traveling to the US, made a compelling case for a consulate," it stated.
In a post on 'X', Surya said, "This milestone wouldn't have been possible without the leadership of PM Sri Narendra Modi Ji and the relentless support of EAM Dr S Jaishankar. Their commitment to promoting Bengaluru's interests has ensured the fulfilment of this long-pending demand. I also thank US Ambassadors Kenneth Juster and Eric Garcetti for their unwavering support."
"According to him, the establishment of the Consulate is expected to simplify visa application processes for thousands of students, professionals, and entrepreneurs, enhance bilateral trade and collaboration, particularly in the tech and innovation sectors and strengthen Bengaluru's position as a global hub for commerce and technology.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
