A tragic incident involving an Indian tech entrepreneur has shocked communities both in the United States and India. Harshavardhana S Kikkeri, 57, founder and CEO of the now-defunct robotics firm HoloWorld, allegedly shot and killed his wife and teenage son before dying by suicide at their home in Newcastle, Washington, on April 24. The incident is currently under investigation by the King County Sheriff's Office, and authorities are working to determine the motive behind this heartbreaki

The City of Houston spent $180 million from its general fund on purchasing goods and services during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, according to newly released public financial records. Overseeing that massive flow of public funds was the Strategic Procurement Division of the Finance Department, which itself cost about $9.5 million to operate last year. City officials emphasize that purchasing within a government body like Houston is far different from everyday consumer spending. Unlik

Non-Resident Indians have long played the role of cultural ambassadors, but their economic contribution is now more vital than ever as India navigates an increasingly turbulent global landscape. Amid rising trade tensions and monetary uncertainties, the Reserve Bank of India has acknowledged that NRI remittances and investments are not just sentimental gestures but strategic assets. The RBI, in its recent monthly bulletin, noted that with the right policy support, India can transform global v

In a sweeping move targeting individuals living in the United States under humanitarian parole, the Department of Homeland Security sent a mass email with the subject line “Notice of Termination of Parole.” The message carried a stark warning: recipients were ordered to depart the U.S. immediately or face possible law enforcement action leading to deportation. It also emphasized that any benefits tied to their parole, such as work authorization, would be revoked. The email further wa

After months out of the spotlight, former President Joe Biden returned to the national stage with a blistering critique of the current administration’s handling of Social Security and the deepening divide in American politics. Addressing a crowd of policy advocates and community leaders, Biden warned of sweeping staff reductions at the Social Security Administration (SSA) and accused the White House of undermining a foundational institution that millions of Americans rely on. Biden&rs

Millions of Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies should prepare for an especially difficult spring in 2025, as medical experts warn that this year’s allergy season is shaping up to be one of the worst on record. With pollen counts already registering 10% to 20% higher than average in many regions, doctors are urging allergy sufferers to act early and take proactive steps to manage their symptoms. Climate and environmental changes have been steadily reshaping allergy

In a ruling that could significantly influence the tax liabilities of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) investing in Indian mutual funds, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Mumbai bench, has determined that capital gains earned by NRIs on the redemption of mutual fund units are not taxable in India. This decision was delivered in a case involving a Singapore-based NRI who had declared short-term capital gains from mutual fund investments but claimed exemption under the Double Taxation Avoidance

The City of Dallas has revealed that a miscalculation in commercial remodel permit fees has resulted in a significant financial shortfall, costing the city approximately $8.6 million. The error was disclosed during a recent Economic Development Committee meeting and has prompted urgent calls for reform to prevent further losses. The issue stems from an internal mistake following the adoption of a new permit fee structure introduced in spring 2024. According to the Planning and Development Dep

Efforts to halt the long-discussed Houston-to-Dallas high-speed rail project have returned to the Texas state legislature, reigniting a decade-long battle over one of the most ambitious transportation proposals in the state’s history. The Texas Central Railway project, which aims to connect Houston and Dallas in under 90 minutes using Japan’s Shinkansen bullet train technology, is once again under scrutiny in Austin, where lawmakers are advancing bills aimed at limiting or complet

In a significant judgment, the Telangana High Court on Tuesday upheld the death penalty awarded to five top operatives of the banned terror outfit Indian Mujahideen, who were convicted in connection with the 2013 twin bomb blasts in Hyderabad’s Dilsukhnagar that left 18 people dead and 131 injured. The blasts were among the deadliest terror attacks in the city’s recent history. A division bench of the High Court dismissed the appeals filed by the convicts, thereby affirming the ve

Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh — The Central Government has disbursed over ₹4,200 crore to Andhra Pradesh for the development of its capital, Amaravati. This follows the release of USD 205 million (approx. ₹1,705 crore) by the World Bank under a major international funding initiative aimed at completing the first phase of the state’s capital development project. A senior government official confirmed that the ₹4,285 crore, transferred on April 1, is part of a comprehensive ₹15,

In a move that offers much-needed relief to Public Provident Fund (PPF) account holders across India, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has officially announced that individuals will no longer have to pay any fees to add, update, or remove nominee details in their PPF accounts. The announcement was made via a post on social media platform X and follows a recent government notification that amends the applicable savings rules. Through Gazette Notification 02/4/25, changes have been introduce

For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), securing health and term insurance for themselves and their families back in India is more than just a financial obligation—it is a critical step toward safeguarding their loved ones and managing long-term security. As global citizens, NRIs often weigh the pros and cons of buying insurance in their country of residence versus opting for policies in India. What tips the scale in favor of Indian insurance are three strong reasons: affordability, extensive

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee strongly criticized the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a Calcutta High Court verdict that invalidated the appointment of over 25,000 teaching and non-teaching staff recruited by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) in 2016. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Banerjee expressed her disagreement with the apex court's judgement, stating she cannot support a blanket cancellation of all appointments and voiced her deep

A tragic incident unfolded at Memorial High School in Frisco, Texas, as 16-year-old student Austin Metcalf was fatally stabbed during a school track and field event. The Frisco Police Department has identified 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony as the suspect in this shocking act of violence, which occurred on the morning of Wednesday at approximately 10:00 a.m. on the 6900 block of Stadium Lane. According to authorities, an argument between the two teenagers quickly escalated into violence, culmina

Buying a property in India can be challenging in itself, but when the seller is a non-resident Indian (NRI), the process becomes even more complex. While location, pricing, and negotiation remain critical, buyers must also navigate a web of tax compliance and documentation requirements. A single error in the transaction can result in steep penalties, especially when it comes to Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) under Section 195 of the Income Tax Act. Unlike typical real estate deals bet

In a significant move aimed at reshaping the American education system, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday directing the closure of the Department of Education. This bold move aligns with long-standing Republican ambitions to transfer educational authority to individual states and reduce federal involvement in schools. The signing ceremony took place in the East Room of the White House, where Trump, surrounded by schoolchildren, proudly displayed the signed order.

The Bombay High Court has directed the Bandra Magistrate Court to decide the divorce case of Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal and his estranged wife, Dhanashree Verma, by March 20. The decision comes as Chahal’s Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 commitments draw closer, with the Punjab Kings set to play their opening match on March 25 against the Gujarat Titans in Hyderabad. Justice Madhav Jamdar presided over the case and emphasized the urgency of resolving the matter promptly. The cou

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has requested the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to introduce long-term government bonds, including 100-year bonds, to support their investment strategies for whole life insurance policies. This request was confirmed by Siddhartha Mohanty, Managing Director and Chief Executive of LIC, during an event in Mumbai. Speaking on the sidelines of the GCA25 conference, Mohanty explained that LIC’s investment portfolio heavily depends on long-term bonds to

In a politically charged development, key Tamil Nadu BJP leaders, including state BJP chief Annamalai, former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, and BJP state secretary Vinoj P Selvam were detained by Tamil Nadu police on Monday. The leaders were held ahead of their planned protest against the alleged Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC) liquor scam. The protest, scheduled to begin at 11 am, faced disruption as BJP leaders were either placed under house arrest or t