Washington, D.C.— U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds has announced that the Department of Homeland Security confirmed CNMI employers can formally request exemptions from the new $100,000 H-1B visa application fee imposed by President Donald Trump. The exemptions, while extremely rare, provide a critical lifeline for territories struggling to fill essential healthcare and utility sector positions.
Washington, D.C. —Advocacy group HinduACTion is hosting a significant congressional briefing on Capitol Hill on January 16 to raise awareness about the persecution, forced conversions, and human trafficking of Hindu, Christian, and other religious minorities in Pakistan.
Columbia, Maryland — A 27-year-old Indian-origin woman from Hyderabad has become the victim of a brutal stabbing that has sparked an international manhunt across the United States and India. Nikitha Godishala, who was working as a data and strategy analyst in Columbia, Maryland, was found dead with multiple stab wounds in her former roommate's apartment on January 3.
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Richmond, Virginia—On March 24, 2025, Virginia enacted House Bill 2783, criminalizing the display of Nazi symbols intended to intimidate, while explicitly safeguarding the sacred swastika revered in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
Manassas Park, Virginia—A grand jury has indicted 37-year-old Naresh Bhatt on charges of first-degree murder and defiling a dead body in connection with the disappearance of his wife, 28-year-old Mamta Kafle Bhatt. Mamta, a pediatric nurse and mother to a one-year-old daughter, was last seen in late July 2024. Despite extensive searches, her body has not been found.
Accomac, Virginia— In a heartbreaking tragedy that has shaken a small town and devastated the Indian American community, 56-year-old Pradeep Patel and his 24-year-old daughter Urmi Patel were fatally shot during an early morning robbery at their family-run convenience store. The shooting occurred on March 20, 2025, in Accomack County, Virginia, as the pair prepared to open for the day.
Washington, D.C.—The parents of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student who vanished during a spring break trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, have formally requested that local authorities declare their daughter deceased.
Washington, D.C. — Employees at Rasika Penn Quarter, a prominent Indian restaurant in the nation's capital, have recently voiced concerns over their compensation, seeking adjustments to better align with the escalating cost of living in the area. This development highlights the broader challenges faced by hospitality workers striving for fair wages in urban settings.
Annapolis, MD: Maryland lawmakers are introducing a bill to regulate the tourism industry after multiple deaths occurred during last year’s Hajj pilgrimage.
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Cambridge, Massachusetts – Harvard University is set to host the India Conference 2025, one of the most influential global forums on India, bringing together policymakers, business leaders, scholars, and entrepreneurs to discuss India’s evolving role in the world. The conference will focus on India's technological advancements, economic transformation, and leadership in global affairs.
Asra Raza Hussain (L) and Vikesh Patel (R). Images sourced from LinkedIn.
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Washington, D.C. — Two Indian chemical firms and a senior executive face indictment in the United States for allegedly exporting precursor chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid linked to the ongoing opioid crisis. The charges mark a significant escalation in efforts to curb illegal opioid production and distribution networks.
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Olympia, Washington: State legislators in Washington are introducing a bill to expand the criteria for prosecuting hate crimes. Sponsored by Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond) and Rep.
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