Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Mayor of Newark signs agreement with non-existent Hindu nation, retracts later

The supposed sister city partnership with Kailasa, a nation floated by Indian fugitive Swami Nithyananda, lasted a mere six days before being declared ‘baseless and void’

Mayor of Newark signs agreement with non-existent Hindu nation, retracts later

The city of Newark, New Jersey, was hoodwinked for five days in January when Mayor Ras Baraka invited what he thought was a delegation from the Hindu nation of Kailasa to enter into a sister city partnership, according to official confirmation.

A signing ceremony took place during which Baraka expressed his hopes that the relationship would enhance cultural, social, and political development, and improve the lives of people in both places.


However, it was discovered that Kailasa does not exist, despite the signing ceremony and Baraka's hopes for a mutually beneficial relationship.

Recent reports inform that Newark city hall has admitted to being tricked by infamous Indian fugitive Swami Nithyananda. The supposed sister city partnership with Kailasa lasted a mere six days before being declared "baseless and void."

A spokesperson for the city stated that despite the regrettable incident, Newark still upholds its commitment to collaborating with people from diverse cultures to cultivate a relationship based on mutual respect and support.

They also confirmed that no financial transactions took place during the brief period of the fraudulent partnership.

After the revelation that Newark had been duped into a sister city partnership with a non-existent place, Shakee Merritt, a Newark resident, expressed surprise that nobody in City Hall had done a simple Google search to verify the legitimacy of the supposed Hindu nation of Kailasa.

According to reports from Indian news outlets, Nithyananda is a well-known fraudster who has been on the run since 2019 after being accused of rape and child abduction.

However, Nithyananda has denied the charges against him. He also claimed to have acquired an island near the coast of Ecuador and declared the establishment of Kailasa around the same time.

In December, the Guardian reported that Nithyananda representatives attended a Diwali party at the House of Lords.

Additionally, the United Nations announced it would disregard statements made by Kailasa delegates at two committee meetings in February on topics of women's representation and sustainable development.

The UN officials deemed the submissions irrelevant or tangential to the discussions.

More For You

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case
Bhim Kohli

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case

THE seven-year prison sentence handed to a 15-year-old boy convicted of the manslaughter of 80-year-old Bhim Sen Kohli is to be reviewed under the UK’s Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

The Attorney General’s Office confirmed on Friday (5) that the teenager’s sentence will now be considered by the Court of Appeal.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama attends a prayer meet held for his long life at the Dalai Lama temple in the northern hill town of Dharamshala, India, July 5, 2025. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

THE Dalai Lama said on Saturday (5) he hopes to live until he is more than 130 years old, two decades longer than his previous prediction, following his assurance to followers that he would reincarnate as the spiritual head of the faith upon his death.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner was speaking during a ceremony organised by his followers to offer prayers for his long life, ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday (6), and as China insists it will choose his successor. The Dalai Lama told Reuters in December he might live to 110.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK heatwave by mid-July

Daytime temperatures meeting or exceeding set thresholds of 25°C

iStock

Met Office warns of potential third UK heatwave by mid-July

Key points

  • Met Office forecasts rising temperatures by mid-July
  • Possible third heatwave after record-breaking June
  • High pressure system likely to bring hot air from the Atlantic
  • Yellow rain warning and flood alerts issued in parts of Scotland and Cumbria

Possible heatwave to return by mid-July

The UK could experience its third heatwave in a month by mid-July, the Met Office has said. Forecasters expect rising heat and humidity during the second weekend of July, following two weekends of unusually warm weather in late June.

June was officially the hottest on record in England, and the return of high temperatures could mean another heatwave for parts of the country. However, the Met Office cautioned that it is too early to confirm how hot conditions will get.

Keep ReadingShow less
crypto

Two men have been jailed for defrauding investors of £1.5 million through a fake crypto investment scheme. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Two jailed over £1.5m crypto investment scam

TWO people who duped investors of £1.5 million by selling fake investments in crypto have been jailed for 12 years, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.

Raymondip Bedi, of Bromley, and Patrick Mavanga, of Peckham, conned at least 65 people by cold-calling them between February 2017 and June 2019. They operated companies including CCX Capital and Astaria Group LLP.

Keep ReadingShow less
Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less