Americas

Photo: senatedemocrats.wa.gov India-West Staff Reporter OLYMPIA, WA — On January 15, State Senator Manka Dhingra, alongside students from Lake Washington High School, introduced a bill aimed at addressing drink spiking in bars and nightclubs. The proposed legislation requires establishments that sells alcohol

India-West News Desk NEW DELHI - The Enquiry Committee set up by the Indian government in response to information from US authorities to look into inputs provided by the US on an alleged plot to kill Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has

India-West News Desk LOS ANGELES, CA - Indian space tech startup Pixxel has achieved a significant milestone with the successful launch of three out of six of its hyperspectral imaging satellites aboard a SpaceX rocket on January 14 from Vandenberg Space

India-West Staff Reporter SEATTLE, WA – Microsoft is pushing forward its AI initiatives, with CEO Satya Nadella announcing that Jay Parikh will join the company’s senior leadership team. Parikh, formerly the global head of engineering at Facebook (now Meta) and most recently

Photo: Rutgers University India-West Staff Reporter NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - Rutgers University has decided to maintain its stance on caste discrimination, affirming its commitment to preventing such behavior on campus, but opting not to make "caste" a separate protected category within its

India-West News Desk WASHINGTON, DC - Donald Trump announced plans on January 14, to establish the External Revenue Service, a new agency aimed at collecting tariffs, duties, and revenue from foreign entities benefiting from trade with the US. Criticizing the nation's reliance

India-West News Desk PRAYAGRAJ - Swami Kailashanand Giri, the head of the Niranjani Akhara, where Laurene Powell Jobs is staying, told the media that she is currently resting at his camp after developing an allergic reaction during her visit to the

India-West News Desk WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) took to Twitter to strongly oppose the Laken Riley Act and then later went on television calling it a “highway to mass deportation.” Her remarks came after the bill, which targets crimes committed by

India-West News Desk NEW DELHI - The Parliamentary Committee on Communications and Information Technology, led by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, has announced plans to summon Meta officials after company owner Mark Zuckerberg’s comments about elections in India. Dubey called Zuckerberg’s statement “alarming”

Photo: Amit Shiwalkar and his wife Mukta were among those who lost their home to the Pacific Palisades fire. The charred remains of their condominium complex. By REENA RATHORE With inputs from Bhartti Kumar LOS ANGELES, CA — As the infernos ravage Los Angeles and its

Photo: Ed Krassen/Ethnic Media Services Cal OES (Governor’s Office of Emergency Services)Website: www.news.caloes.ca.govThe California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is the state agency responsible for coordinating California’s response to natural disasters, emergencies, and other major incidents. Its primary mission is

NEW DELHI (ANI)- US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti, on January 13, praised the Indian diaspora and emphasized the deepening bond between India and the United States. He expressed that both nations are stronger when united, highlighting the importance of

India-West News Desk WASHINGTON, DC - External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will represent the Indian government at the swearing-in ceremony of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States on January 20. During his visit, Jaishankar is scheduled to

NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India is looking forward to strengthening its economic relationship with the United States by engaging with the incoming Trump administration, India's trade minister Piyush Goyal told reporters here recently. "We are looking forward to a very deep and

Photo: Reuters/Ringo Chiu. India-West Staff Reporter LOS ANGELES, CA - As multiple wildfires continue to ravage Southern California, leaving devastation in their wake, several Indian American organizations have mobilized to provide critical aid to the affected communities. These have been actively reaching

India-West Staff Reporter OAKLAND, CA - In the final weeks of 2024 and continuing into the new year, a new billboard campaign across the Bay Area is calling attention to the ongoing persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh. The campaign, titled

BHUBANESHWAR, (ANI) - Ravi Kumar, CEO of Cognizant, emphasized the importance of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, highlighting how it both recognizes the accomplishments of the Indian diaspora and encourages them to stay connected to their roots. He stressed the

India-West Staff Reporter FREMONT, CA - Mitu Walia was crowned as the winner of Mrs. Bharat USA, Classic 2024, and Mrs. Bharat California 2024 at the prestigious Miss Bharat USA pageant, held in New Jersey on December 8, 2024. The event

India-West News Desk MUMBAI - As U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti’s term in India nears its conclusion, the former Los Angeles mayor delivered a poignant policy address at the Taj Colaba in Mumbai on January 9. Eric Garcetti, who described his time

India-West Staff Reporter COLUMBUS, OH - Governor Mike DeWine of Ohio has signed HB 173 into law, which includes an amendment by former State Senator Niraj Antani designating October as "Hindu Heritage Month" in Ohio. In response, former Republican State Senator Antani

Photo: Fresno State College India-West Staff Reporter FRESNO, CA - On December 7, the Human Rights Coalition of the Central Valley (HRCCV) hosted a special celebration at the Fresno State Library to honor Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor, founder and longtime leader of the

India-West Staff Reporter WASHINGTON, DC – A new report by the Center for the Study of Organized Hate (CSOH), titled “Anti-Indian Hate on X: How the Platform Amplifies Racism and Xenophobia,” has revealed a disturbing rise in anti-Indian racism and xenophobia on X

India-West News Desk LOS ANGELES, CA - As wildfires continue to threaten several counties in Southern California, below are essential tips and resources to help protect yourself and your loved ones during these challenging times. Key Safety Tips 1. Sign up for alerts: Visit listoscalifornia.org/alerts. Each

India-West Staff ReporterSACRAMENTO, CA - Sumiti Mehta was officially sworn in as a member of California's Natomas Unified School District Board of Trustees, with State Senator Angelique Ashby administering the oath of office. The Trustees elected their officers for 2025

India-West Staff Reporter WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) delivered an impassioned speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on January 8, condemning the ongoing violence and persecution faced by Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh.

WASHINGTON, DC (ANI) - The National Sheriffs’ Association has endorsed Kash Patel as the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in a letter to Senate Judiciary Committee leaders that also railed against the state of law enforcement under

India-West News Desk OTTAWA - Anita Anand, a senior member of Canada's Liberal Party, has emerged as a key contender to succeed Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister following his resignation on January 6, 2025. The resignation, which will prompt a leadership

India-West Staff Reporter MALIBU, CA - Dr. Amarjit Singh Marwah, a revered philanthropist and community leader, passed away peacefully here in the early morning hours of January 7 at the age of 99. Known for his unwavering dedication to both the

India-West News Desk NEW DELHI - The Government of India on January 3 announced the recipients of the 2025 Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards (PBSA), with three Indian Americans among the honorees: Sharad Lakhanpal, Sharmila Ford, and Ravi Kumar S. alongside 24

India-West News Desk WASHINGTON, DC - In light of recent findings from the House Ethics Committee regarding Republican Representative Matt Gaetz, Democratic Congressman Shri Thanedar is advocating for the decriminalization of sex work nationwide. Thanedar, took to Twitter on January 2

India-West Staff Reporter WASHINGTON , DC - On the first day of the 119th Congress, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi took part in the Bipartisan Interfaith Prayer Service, reading a passage from the Bhagavad-Gita to bless the new Congress before it officially convenes

BENGALURU, (Reuters) - Microsoft will spend $3 billion to expand its Azure cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) capacity in India, CEO Satya Nadella said on January 7, doubling down on a country with tech expertise and low costs to help

WASHINGTON DC (ANI) - US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval, on January 6 to discuss joint production and development of strategic technologies. The dialogue emphasized delivering “secure, reliable, and cost-competitive” solutions to address

India-West News Desk WASHINGTON, D.C. – American Oversight, a nonpartisan watchdog group, has filed a lawsuit and a motion for a preliminary injunction to compel the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to release records related to Kash Patel,

India-West News Desk NEW YORK, NY - Dev Pragad, Chief Executive Officer of Newsweek, will attend the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Bhubaneswar as the Guest of Honor, following a personal invitation from External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The event, scheduled from

India-West Staff Reporter SACRAMENTO, CA – The Sacramento Suvidha International Foundation, in collaboration with the Rotary E-Club of Silicon Valley Health & Wellness and the Rotary Club of Rancho Cordova, successfully distributed over 500 jackets, sweaters, socks, jeans, and scarves to

NEW DELHI (ANI) – U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan concluded his tenure with a landmark visit to India, announcing a major breakthrough in U.S.-India civil nuclear cooperation. Speaking at IIT Delhi during the session "The United States and India:

India-West News Desk WASHINGTON, DC - The 2023 state visit to the United States of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to make headlines. This time it is about a standout gift to First Lady Jill Biden—a diamond worth an astounding $20,000.

ATLANTA, GA (Reuters) - U.S. pizza chain Papa John's International plans to make its return to the Indian market in 2025, a year later than planned, while many Western brands rethink their plans as inflation hits consumer spending. Papa John's exited

WASHINGTON, DC (Reuters) - Alcoholic drinks should carry a warning about cancer risks on their label, the U.S. Surgeon General said on December 3 in a move that could signal a shift towards more aggressive tobacco-style regulation for the sector

Photo: Reuters/Alex Wong India-West News Desk WASHINGTON, DC - Ajit Pai, former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under Donald Trump, is taking a firm stance in favor of banning TikTok in the United States. In a recent Supreme Court brief

India-West News Desk WASHINGTON, DC - India has categorically rejected claims made in two recent Washington Post reports, dismissing them as baseless and biased. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, accused the publication and its journalist of harboring

India-West News Desk NEW YORK, NY - Tata-owned Air India has expanded its U.S. operations with the launch of a direct flight from Delhi to Newark, New Jersey, starting January 2. The new route will be serviced by the airline’s flagship

India-West News Desk WASHINGTON, DC - As the Joe Biden administration nears the end of its four-year term, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is set to visit India next week. His trip comes as the U.S. prepares for the transition of

India-West News Desk LOS ANGELES, CA - Jaspal Singh and his son Ishar Gill, Indian American owners of the Circle K convenience store in Cottonwood, Shasta County, have experienced both devastating lows and remarkable highs in recent years. In August 2021,

Photo:ICE India-West News Desk WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report, shows a significant rise in immigration enforcement actions and its affected Indian nationals. According to ICE, 2,647 Indian nationals are currently detained in U.S. facilities,

Photo: Wikipedia India-West News Desk WASHINGTON, DC - MAGA figure Steve Bannon has reignited the debate over H-1B visas, sharply criticizing Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy for their support of the program, which he claims has harmed the American middle class. In a

By Payal Kaur POMONA, CA – Thousands of Sikhs along with members of many other communities gathered in Pomona, California, once again, on December 25thto commemorate the Prakash Utsav or birth anniversary of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru

India-West News Desk MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – Google CEO Sundar Pichai has set the stage for 2025 to be a pivotal year for the company, emphasizing the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and the need for swift action. During a

India-West News Desk HYDERABAD - Microsoft President Satya Nadella, a Hyderabad native, met with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on December 30 here to discuss the company’s continued growth and investment in the state. Nadella, accompanied by key Microsoft executives, was welcomed by