Author: Bhakti Narayanan

The Trump administration has proposed a new $103,265 application fee for certain H-1B visa petitions, potentially significantly increasing the cost for US employers seeking to hire highly skilled foreign workers. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the proposed fee would apply to cap-subject H-1B petitions, including those eligible for the advanced-degree exemption. The additional charge would be payable when the petition is filed and would come on top of existing H-1B processing and visa-related costs. According to DHS, the proposed fee is intended in part to discourage US companies from choosing H-1B workers over qualified American employees. Officials estimate…

Bollywood actress Kajol once revealed that legendary actress Sridevi was one of her biggest inspirations and that she wished she could learn acting from her. During an appearance on veteran actor Anupam Kher’s chat show, Kajol recalled that Sridevi became her favourite actress as she grew older. She expressed her admiration by saying that she would have loved to be the first student if Sridevi ever opened an acting school. Kajol praised Sridevi for her remarkable ability to transform herself for every role while maintaining a distinctive presence on screen. She cited films such as Chandni, ChaalBaaz, Sadma, Lamhe and…

The United States and India are nearing the completion of a long-awaited trade agreement, with U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor saying the deal is essentially finished in principle. Speaking at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum, Gor said the remaining work largely involves resolving legal and technical language before the agreement can be formally concluded. Gor indicated that negotiations have already settled most of the substantive issues, with the final phase focused on refining the wording of the agreement. He explained that the process has taken time because of the detailed legal and technical requirements involved in preparing the…

Fans waiting for the next chapter of Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal franchise may have to wait a little longer, with filming for Animal Park expected to begin toward the end of 2027. Pranay Reddy Vanga, the brother of filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga, has revealed that the team plans to take a six-month break after the release of Spirit before beginning production on the much-anticipated sequel. Speaking in a recent interview with NTV Telugu, Pranay said the filmmakers intend to start work on Animal Park approximately six months after Spirit reaches theaters. Spirit, starring Prabhas, is currently scheduled for release on March…

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel used his visit to Washington, DC, to showcase the state’s expanding economic opportunities and encourage the global Gujarati community to play a larger role in its development. On the fourth day of his US-Canada tour, Patel addressed members of the diaspora at an event hosted by the Vishv Umiya Foundation, presenting Gujarat as a major driver of India’s economic growth ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit 2027. Patel outlined the state’s investment priorities and discussed opportunities emerging across sectors such as GIFT City, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, data centers, biotechnology, tourism, and hospitality. He…

India and Malaysia are looking to expand cooperation in public administration and governance reforms following the second meeting of their Joint Working Group (JWG) on August 18, 2026. The discussions reviewed progress made since the group’s first meeting in November 2024 and focused on identifying practical areas where both countries can strengthen institutional ties. The meeting was jointly led by Puneet Yadav, Additional Secretary in India’s Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), and Datuk Dr. Mohd Bakhari bin Ismail, Deputy Director General of Public Service (Development) in Malaysia. Representatives from India’s DARPG, Ministry of External Affairs, High Commission…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to speak at the high-level session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 25, according to the preliminary program released for the upcoming meeting. His address is currently listed for the afternoon sitting, scheduled from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. local time. In India, that window falls between 12:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. on September 26. The final speaking time could still change. UN officials are expected to make adjustments before the schedule is confirmed, potentially selecting a time that allows audiences in India to follow the prime minister’s remarks…

Actor Rajpal Yadav has opened up about his upcoming film The King of Wonderful World, promising audiences a different cinematic journey that he says they have not witnessed from him over the past several decades. Speaking about the project, Yadav described The King of Wonderful World as a novel of life structured around 12 chapters. He said the team has been working on the film for several years, with preparations beginning before the COVID-19 pandemic. Yadav revealed that the project evolved into an Indian culture-focused film after the makers approached him with the proposal. He stressed that the film is…

Indian-American educator and former school principal Pia Dandiya has secured the Democratic nomination for Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, advancing to the November general election. Dandiya won 68.6% of the vote, defeating attorney Kaysia Earley, who received 31.4%. She will now compete against Republican candidate Casey Askar, a former Marine, for the congressional seat. Dandiya said her campaign was built around the concerns of students, families and children growing up in the district. After her primary victory, she thanked voters for their support and outlined her priorities, including reducing living costs, tackling corruption and making government more responsive to Americans. The…

The Indian American community in New Jersey marked a milestone in its celebration of India’s 80th Independence Day by setting a Guinness World Record for the “Largest Flagpole Number.” The special event also recognized the 250th anniversary of the United States, bringing together the two nations’ communities in a celebration centered on friendship and shared democratic values. The record-setting initiative was organized through a collaboration between the Consulate General of India in New York and the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), with support from Zoho. The gathering highlighted the strong people-to-people connections that continue to link Indian Americans with both…