India and the United States are stepping up efforts to finalize the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement by early July, with a high-level Indian delegation set to travel to Washington in the coming weeks to lead negotiations. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is expected to head the talks, signaling a strategic shift from the original plan that aimed for a broader agreement later in the year. Sources familiar with the negotiations indicated that both sides are opti

Markets across the globe rallied after a major breakthrough in US-China trade relations led to a temporary easing of tariffs, injecting optimism into an environment recently weighed down by economic uncertainty. A new agreement between the two economic giants saw both sides commit to a 90-day reduction in tariffs, effectively pausing years of escalating trade hostilities. The United States agreed to cut tariffs on Chinese imports from 145% to 30%, while China responded by lowering its tariffs on

Three freshman Democratic lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives have introduced new legislation that would allow individuals and organizations to sue the federal government — and even specific officials like Elon Musk — for obstructing congressionally approved federal spending. The bill, titled the Protect Our Constitution and Communities Act, was introduced by California Representatives Sam Liccardo and Dave Min, along with Virginia Representative Eugene Vindman. The pro

A prominent luxury car dealer from Hyderabad, Basharat Khan, has been arrested in Gujarat for his alleged involvement in a massive customs duty evasion racket worth nearly Rs 100 crore. According to officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Khan manipulated the import process of high-end vehicles by undervaluing them and using fake documentation to bring the cars into India illegally. Khan, who runs the ‘Car Lounge’ showroom in Hyderabad and has been

A Filipino woman who arrived in San Jose alone in 2016 found herself trapped in a cycle of exploitation after accepting a job as a live-in caregiver at a residential care facility for elderly people. She had expected the opportunity to bring financial support to her family in the Philippines, but instead was subjected to relentless labor without overtime pay, limited freedom, and unwanted advances from her employer. The woman, who was in her 60s at the time and requested anonymity to protect

When Ali Shirkhodaei arrived in the United States from Iran in 2006, he had no idea how difficult life would be as a new immigrant, even with a molecular biology degree. At 28 years old, he faced a long and discouraging year of unemployment, struggling to land any job in a foreign land. But what he did know was that he wanted to build a life that reflected the kindness he grew up with in the streets of Tehran. Almost two decades later, that spirit continues to define his journey, now as the o

US Route 33, the main connection between Marysville and Dublin in Ohio, has evolved into the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor, a cutting-edge testing ground for autonomous vehicle technology. This transformation is part of a broader initiative in the region known as the Beta District, where public and private sector leaders are collaborating to create a real-world laboratory for smart transportation. The corridor has become a hub for advanced vehicle experimentation, particularly focusi

Tamil actor Ravi Mohan has finally spoken out in the midst of his ongoing divorce battle with estranged wife Aarti. In a detailed four-page statement shared on social media, the 'Ponniyin Selvan' actor denied all allegations made by Aarti, including claims of being an absentee father. The actor called his silence over the last few months an act of survival, revealing that he was enduring years of emotional, physical, and financial abuse. The couple's highly public divorc

Testing and monitoring for HIV in South Africa have experienced a sharp decline in recent months, following significant cuts in US aid that previously supported healthcare workers and local clinics. According to unreleased data from South Africa's National Health Laboratory Service, the drop in viral load testing—especially among vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, infants, and youth—is raising alarm among health experts. The United States had been contributing approxima

Alphabet’s cybersecurity unit has raised serious concerns for retailers in the United States after recent cyberattacks crippled major British businesses. The same group of hackers believed to be responsible for those disruptions is now shifting focus to the American retail sector, according to a statement released on Wednesday. John Hultquist, a senior analyst with Google’s cybersecurity division, warned that the group in question operates with remarkable aggressive

OpenAI has launched its highly anticipated GPT-4.1 model family for ChatGPT users, bringing a new level of performance and functionality in artificial intelligence. The rollout includes three variants: GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, and GPT-4.1 nano. However, there's a catch only ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Teams users will be able to access them. Free-tier users will remain limited to GPT-4o for now. According to OpenAI’s announcement shared on X (formerly Twitter) and its blog, the n

Ben Cohen, co-founder of the iconic Ben & Jerry’s ice cream brand and a longtime progressive activist, was arrested on Wednesday at the United States Capitol after disrupting a Senate hearing with an impassioned protest against U.S. support for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. His arrest came during a session where Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was testifying on budget matters, including proposed Medicaid cuts. Cohen, 74, shouted from the gallery, “

Yamal Said, the drummer for the Austin-based band Lord Buffalo, was detained by Customs and Border Protection agents on Monday at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Said, a Mexican national and lawful permanent resident of the United States, was reportedly removed from a Europe-bound flight and handed over to local authorities due to an active arrest warrant, according to CBP officials. The band took to Facebook on Wednesday to break the news, stating that the drummer was forc

As summer heats up and Americans continue searching for affordable entertainment, AMC Theaters is stepping up with a massive midweek offer. Beginning July 9, the theater chain is rolling out “50% Off Wednesdays,” slashing movie ticket prices in half every Wednesday for members of its AMC Stubs rewards program. Already known for its popular “Discount Tuesdays,” AMC is now doubling down on value-driven moviegoing to increase weekday attendance. This bold new pr

In a significant move toward strengthening child protection laws in the state, the Texas House has tentatively approved House Bill 168, a proposal aimed at closing legal loopholes that currently allow for child marriages under certain conditions. The bill, authored by Rep. Jon Rosenthal, a Democrat from Houston, passed with a vote of 83-51 and is scheduled for a final vote later this week. If it clears that hurdle, the legislation will advance to the Senate. House Bill 168 would pro

Korean cuisine has been making waves across the globe, and India is no exception. From fiery ramen bowls to bibimbap and crispy Korean fried chicken, the love for Korean flavors is rapidly growing. Among these culinary delights, kimchi stands tall as a beloved and iconic dish. Traditionally made with fermented cabbage or radishes, kimchi is celebrated for its punchy flavors and impressive health benefits. But what if you could give this Korean staple an Indian twist? Enter Raw Mango

For the first time in a quarter century, San Jose is witnessing the return of affordable housing development on property owned by the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). Located just steps from Tamien Station, a key transit hub south of downtown, construction is well underway for a brand-new housing complex expected to be move-in ready by August. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the city’s effort to address the growing housing affordability crisis in the Bay Area.

The US Embassy in India has officially announced that student visa (F-1) appointments for the Fall 2025 intake will begin opening from May 20, 2025. This announcement comes as a welcome move for thousands of Indian students planning to begin their studies in the United States later this year. The appointments will be released gradually across various consulates in India, including those in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, and will be offered in phases over the summer months.

In a sharp and politically charged statement, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has lashed out at Madhya Pradesh BJP Minister Vijay Shah over his controversial comments allegedly targeting Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. The issue has taken center stage in political discourse, sparking outrage both online and offline. The minister’s remarks during a public address in Mhow refer

Microsoft has announced another major round of layoffs, affecting approximately 6,000 employees across all levels, teams, and global offices. This move represents about 3 percent of its total workforce and is part of a broader organizational restructuring strategy. The company confirmed that these job cuts span various departments and are not performance-related, a key clarification made by a company spokesperson. Rather, the decision is driven by Microsoft's efforts to streamline operati