Indian‑American Techie Srikanth Emerges as Progressive Hope in VA District 1 Race
Image Credit: arjoonforva1st
Image Credit: arjoonforva1st
Los Angeles— For the fifth consecutive day, thousands poured into downtown L.A. on June 10 to protest recent ICE raids and federal immigration enforcement, prompting renewed curfews and increased National Guard presence.
San Diego—A federal appeals court ruled June 4 that teaching yoga in public parks and beaches counts as protected free speech, invalidating a 2022 city rule that banned group classes of four or more.
New York— On June 5, 2025, U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas in Manhattan sentenced Hirenkumar Patel to 21 months in prison—the final defendant in a group of six Indian‑origin men convicted of running an unlicensed “hawala” network that funneled over $15 million in illicit cash between the U.S. and India.
Image Credit: Wikimedia
Left: Sukh Kaur - Credit: sa.gov
Los Angeles— Waymo, Google's autonomous ride‑hail service, has suspended operations in downtown Los Angeles as of June 10, 2025, after anti‑ICE protesters vandalized and set ablaze at least five vehicle units during weekend demonstrations.
Image Credit: wsu.edu
Champlain, New York— Gurdev Singh, a 42-year-old Indian national, was arrested on May 28, 2025, by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Port of Champlain border crossing after being denied entry into Canada. Singh was found to have an active felony arrest warrant from Indiana for charges related to child solicitation and solicitation for sexual intercourse. Further investigation revealed that he had overstayed his U.S. visitor visa since 2016.
Atlanta, GA— A 21-year-old Morehouse College student, Nigel Belser, has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Akash Banerjee, a 22-year-old Indian-origin Georgia Tech senior.
Boston, MA— Anjali Sud, the Indian-American CEO of streaming platform Tubi, has been elected to Harvard University's Board of Overseers, succeeding Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Carney resigned from the board on March 9, 2025, after being elected leader of Canada's Liberal Party and subsequently becoming the country's 24th Prime Minister. Sud's appointment comes at a time when Harvard faces challenges regarding the relevance and value of higher education in the digital age.
New York City— In a dazzling display of cultural fusion and opulence, Indian-American tech executive Varun Navani and legal director Amanda Soll shut down Wall Street with their grand wedding procession, or 'baraat,' captivating onlookers and social media alike. The couple's four-day celebration, beginning May 23, 2025, epitomized the evolving landscape of South Asian weddings in the United States, blending traditional rituals with modern extravagance.
Washington, D.C.— The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) has achieved a significant milestone by becoming a Partner Member of the International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities (IAMRA). This membership, announced on May 27, 2025, integrates AAPI into a global network dedicated to promoting effective medical regulation and ensuring public safety through collaboration and shared best practices.
Washington, D.C.— In a historic finale to the 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee, 13-year-old Faizan Zaki from Allen, Texas, emerged victorious, correctly spelling "éclaircissement" to clinch the championship. The competition, celebrating its 100th anniversary, saw Indian-origin spellers dominate the finals, with seven of the nine finalists sharing South Asian heritage.
Los Angeles— In a groundbreaking achievement, Indian-American rapper and singer Raja Kumari has become the first artist of Indian origin to win an American Music Award (AMA).
Franklin, Massachusetts— A 5-year-old Indian-American girl tragically lost her life, and her mother and brother sustained serious injuries, following a head-on collision on Grove Street in Franklin on May 25, 2025.
Image Credit: Wikipedia
Image Credit: Wikimedia
Washington, D.C.— The Trump administration is set to launch a new visa initiative, the "Gold Card" program, offering U.S. permanent residency to foreign nationals who invest $5 million in the country.
Atlanta, GA: In a tragic incident, 22-year-old Indian-American Georgia Tech student Akash Banerjee was fatally shot in the head on May 18, 2025, at The Connector Apartments, an off-campus housing complex in Midtown Atlanta.
Boston, MA: In a startling revelation, 37-year-old Indian national Rambhai Patel, residing in New York, pleaded guilty on May 20, 2025, to orchestrating a series of fake armed robberies across multiple U.S. states.
Washington, D.C.— On May 22, 2025, the Trump administration released the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) report, spearheaded by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Carmel, Indiana— Darshan R. Soni, a 44-year-old Indian-American businessman, has been arrested and charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to murder, allegedly plotting to kill his wife, Aparna Soni. The plan, which unfolded over several months, involved attempts to poison her and solicitations to employees for assistance in carrying out the murder.
Washington, D.C.— On May 19, 2025, the U.S. State Department announced visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior staff of Indian travel agencies accused of facilitating illegal immigration to the United States. This move is part of a broader effort to dismantle human smuggling networks and enforce immigration laws.