Iran Leader Blasts Israel & U.S. In First Public Speech Since War
A video from Toronto showing eggs hurled at devotees during ISKCON's 53rd annual Rath Yatra has sparked outrage. The Ministry of External Affairs called the incident 'regrettable' and 'against the spirit of the festival,' and said it had strongly taken up the matter with Canadian authorities. The video, shared by Instagram User Sangna Bajaj, shows eggs scattered on the road as the procession continued. Bajaj claimed they were thrown from a nearby building, but despite feeling hurt, devotees did not stop. She called the act racist and said, 'Hate can never overpower faith.' India urged Canada to protect religious rights seriously.#rathayatra #torontorathyatra #iskcon #eggattack #religiousfreedom #indiacanada #mea #naveenpatnaik #jagannath #hinduism #canadianpolitics #outrage #religiousdiscrimination #toi #toibharat
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Stephen Colbert Reunites With Late-Night Giants After Show's Cancellation
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News18
3 hours ago
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‘Diplomat' Of Nowhere: How One Man Turned A Ghaziabad Bungalow Into A Fake Embassy
Last Updated: Fake diplomatic plates, made-up passports, and an entire 'embassy' for a country that doesn't exist — inside the bizarre world of 'Baron' Harsh Vardhan Jain When the UP Special Task Force raided a plush bungalow in Ghaziabad's Kavi Nagar this week, they didn't just bust a con. They walked straight into a theatre of the absurd, complete with national flags, high-end SUVs with diplomatic number plates, and Harsh Vardhan Jain, a man who claimed to be India's official envoy to a country called… Westarctica. Except Westarctica isn't a country. And Harsh Vardhan Jain is no diplomat. Who Is Harsh Vardhan Jain? At 56, Jain has lived many lives, or at least claimed to. According to police, he introduced himself as the 'Ambassador of Westarctica", as well as the 'consul" of Seborga, Lodonia, and Poulvia — all self-proclaimed micronations with no legal recognition. Jain posed as a 'Baron' representing Westarctica, a micronation claiming territory in Antarctica, founded by a US Navy officer. While the 'nation" is not recognised by any government, Jain allegedly used its branding, fake titles, and ceremonial designations to build legitimacy in elite circles. In Ghaziabad, he rented a luxurious bungalow and operated it as Westarctica's so-called 'Consulate-General in New Delhi." The official Instagram handle of Westarctica even featured the property just days before the raid, claiming that 'Baron HV Jain" had been running the consulate since 2017 and regularly hosted charity events. He drove high-end cars with fake diplomatic plates, handed out business cards and press credentials that looked official enough to pass casual scrutiny, and for a while, they did. Jain had an answer for everything, until someone asked real questions. What is Westarctica? It's not a real country. Not even close. Westarctica is a micronation established in 2001 by an American, Travis McHenry, who claimed a slice of uninhabited Antarctic territory. It has a website, a 'Grand Duke," and even a symbolic peerage system. But it is not recognised by the United Nations, the Indian government, or anyone with actual power. Jain used this fantasy to create his own. How He Pulled It Off: Titles, Props, And A Scripted Reality Jain's Ghaziabad 'embassy" was convincing enough to fool more than a few people. The bungalow flew foreign flags. The cars bore plates marked 'DC" (Diplomatic Corps). There were official-looking documents on letterheads, fake IDs, forged seals, and even morphed photos with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former President APJ Abdul Kalam, and other big names. Officers say he used these to project legitimacy, lure people into business deals, and issue diplomatic 'appointments" to those willing to pay. Noida unit of UP STF busted an illegal embassy running in Ghaziabad and arrested Harsh Vardhan Jain, who was running an illegal West Arctic Embassy by taking a rented house in Kavinagar calling himself Consul/Ambassador of countries like West Arctica, Saborga, Poulvia, Lodonia… — ANI (@ANI) July 23, 2025 According to NDTV, Jain was also linked to shell firms that may have been used for hawala-like operations, offering job placements and foreign ties through his so-called embassies. What The Police Found The Special Task Force had been tracking Jain for weeks after receiving a tip-off. When they raided the property on July 22, they found enough to fuel an entire Netflix season: 4 luxury cars, including a Range Rover, Toyota Fortuner, and Skoda, fitted with fake diplomatic plates. 18 additional number plates, most bearing 'DC" or 'CD" tags used by real diplomats. 12 forged diplomatic passports from Westarctica and other non-existent nations. Rs 44.70 lakh in cash and multiple foreign currencies. 34 fake seals, two press cards, two PAN cards, and stacks of forged MEA letters, invitations, and nameplates. The NDTV report notes that many of the recovered documents carried seals and watermarks that mimicked official Indian ministries. His 'office" even had framed photographs of international visits and what appeared to be honorary credentials from fake foreign bodies. A History Of Shady Claims This wasn't Jain's first run-in with the law. He was booked in 2011 for possessing an illegal satellite phone, a serious offence given national security concerns. According to reports, Jain once claimed he was close to controversial godman Chandraswami, and even boasted of ties to arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi. While some of this may be more self-fabrication, police say he has been building this persona for years, selling an illusion to unsuspecting victims, projecting himself as an elite global connector. 'He used the guise of diplomacy to influence businessmen, promise them access to international markets, and run a hawala network through shell companies," the police said in its statement to the press. How It All Fell Apart The UP STF had been tipped off by someone who grew suspicious of Jain's credentials. A background check revealed no diplomatic accreditation, and certainly no listing of 'Westarctica" in MEA records. Surveillance confirmed the use of fake plates, and once the raid was approved, the pieces fell into place. He has now been booked under charges of forgery, impersonation, cheating, and criminal conspiracy, with the FIR registered at Kavi Nagar police station. Officials believe more people may be involved, especially in helping Jain produce documents, facilitate financial transactions, or spread the scam through social circles. Viral Fame, And Ridicule Since the bust, videos of Jain's 'embassy" — the luxury cars, the fancy flags, the fake seals — have flooded social media. So have screenshots of his morphed images with global leaders. The internet's response has been a mix of disbelief, sarcasm, and hilarity. Harsh Vardhan Jain ran a fake embassy! That's enough internet for me today. Bloody hell. — Sayantan Bhaumik (@CEOBhaumik) July 23, 2025 Jain Sahab koi aur dukan khol lete, embassy ki dukan kholne ki kya jarurat thi.— Soil and Salute 🇮🇳 (@RishiRahar) July 23, 2025 top videos View all Harshvardhan Jain, posing as ambassador of Westarctica, with fake stamps, number embassy bana Dali ye bhaisaheb ne. India's got talent.😹😹😹 — Shining Star (@ShineHamesha) July 23, 2025 While the internet laughs, the police are investigating a serious, sophisticated con that exploited digital gullibility and the enduring allure of power. For Harsh Vardhan Jain, the 'Baron of Westarctica', the show is finally over. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk More Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Ghaziabad view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 23, 2025, 15:33 IST News india 'Diplomat' Of Nowhere: How One Man Turned A Ghaziabad Bungalow Into A Fake Embassy Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
4 hours ago
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ISI-Khalistan Drug Nexus In Canada: A Geopolitical Crime Engine, Warn Intelligence Sources
Pakistan ISI is believed to have designed and now oversees a sophisticated narco-terrorism funding pipeline. The ISI–Khalistan drug nexus has evolved beyond a security threat into a multi-billion-dollar geopolitical industry, top intelligence sources have warned. These operations weaponise narcotics trafficking, diaspora politics, and Western legal loopholes to undermine India and its allies. According to intelligence officials, this syndicate is now acting as a powerful transnational cartel franchise under the strategic direction of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). ISI is believed to have designed and now oversees a sophisticated narco-terrorism funding pipeline. Intelligence sources assert this pipeline links Afghan heroin and Mexican cocaine through Canadian Khalistani extremists, using the proceeds to fund anti-India activities such as arms procurement, propaganda campaigns, and lobbying. A major breakthrough came during Project Pelican, where Canadian police seized 479 kilograms of Mexican cocaine worth $47.9 million. Intelligence officials confirmed the shipment was routed via US–Canada trucking networks, facilitated by Khalistani operatives acting on ISI guidance. Criminal Fronts with Political Camouflage One key figure identified by intelligence is Surrey-based gangster Opinder Sian, closely associated with pro-Khalistan groups. Sian allegedly ran a global methamphetamine network, importing Chinese chemical precursors via Peng Zhou, manufacturing in Canada, and exporting through Los Angeles. Intelligence sources revealed his collaboration with Irish, Italian, and Mexican cartels created a global narco-web. Afghan heroin, smuggled by ISI handlers, is being funneled through Khalistani networks in Canada. Intelligence inputs indicate these profits are used not only to fund Khalistan secessionist activities but also to support Taliban operations, forming a dual-purpose destabilisation model targeting both India and NATO interests. Canada's Infrastructure and Laws Enable the Nexus Intelligence reports highlight that Vancouver ports — receiving large volumes of Chinese goods — are central to this pipeline. Punjabi gangs dominate the trucking routes across the US border and exploit Canada's liberal laws protecting extremist speech to maintain cover. Intelligence assessments indicate that narcotics proceeds are laundered through a combination of real estate investments, gurdwara donations, separatist referendums, and protest events. The 2024 unveiling of a Tamil Eelam monument in Brampton was cited as an example of how extremist fundraising masquerades as ethnic activism. Political Shielding and Transnational Laundering The laundering infrastructure in Vancouver and Toronto includes underground banking, cash-heavy logistics firms, and family-run businesses tied to extremist ideologies. Cross-border trucking — dominated by Punjabi cartels — facilitates the movement of drugs and arms, with secure storage hubs in Toronto and Windsor. Intelligence agencies have also flagged ISI-linked financiers such as Haji Salim, a Dawood Ibrahim aide, as key intermediaries routing funds to both Khalistani and Tamil separatist groups. Political cover is allegedly secured by figures like Bilal Cheema, who, sources claim, has funneled money to Canadian politicians to shield the criminal-separatist alliance. According to top intelligence sources, pro-Khalistan lobbyists exploit Liberal Party patronage and immigration loopholes, embedding this ideological-criminal hybrid deep into Canada's political and economic ecosystem. First Published: July 23, 2025, 13:56 IST News world ISI-Khalistan Drug Nexus In Canada: A Geopolitical Crime Engine, Warn Intelligence Sources Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
