66 QuestBridge scholars are set to join Yale University’s Class of 2029. The QuestBridge Scholarship helps low-income, high-achieving students by allowing them to rank colleges and match with participating institutions like Yale, MIT, and Princeton. With 7,288 finalists this year, recipients receive full four-year scholarships. The application process includes financial and academic eligibility checks and ranking submissions.
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Kash Patel, nominated by President Trump, will appear before the US Senate on January 30 for confirmation as the next FBI Director. If confirmed, Patel would be the first Indian American to lead the agency. He shared his family's inspirational immigration story and stressed the importance of hard work and addressing national security, law enforcement, economy, and global diplomacy.
Indian American Avani Modi Sarkar and her brother Viral Modi launched Modi Toys in 2018, aiming to integrate South Asian culture into children's play. Their company produces toys depicting Hindu deities that sing prayers, and they've expanded globally. Modi Toys now also offers accompanying children's books to enhance cultural education.
A Sikh charity in New Jersey, 'Let's Share a Meal', recently organised a communal feast, distributing over 10,000 vegetarian meals across five states. This initiative, inspired by Guru Nanak's teachings, involved 700 volunteers and aims to teach values of peace and community. Established efforts have now reached more than 1 million meals distributed nationwide.
Significant changes to the H-1B visa program have been implemented to enhance fairness, transparency, and efficiency. Notable revisions include stricter specialty occupation requirements, smoother transitions for F-1 visa holders, expanded cap exemptions for research organizations, and strengthened compliance measures, benefiting Indian tech workers and U.S. employers.
A 20-year-old Indian national is facing charges in Singapore for allegedly molesting a female cabin crew member on a flight. The incident occurred when the accused reportedly grabbed and pushed the crew member into a lavatory while she was assisting a passenger.
Anand Shah, an Indian-origin councilman from New Jersey, was apprehended along with 39 others for involvement in a large-scale illegal gambling ring. The operation, which included illegal poker games and online sports betting, allegedly amassed over $3 million in illicit profits. Shah faces charges of racketeering, money laundering, and conspiracy, potentially leading to a lengthy prison sentence if convicted.
The Indian high commission in Ottawa confirmed the fatal stabbing of an Indian national in Rockland, near Ottawa. Local police have taken a suspect into custody. The embassy is coordinating with community groups to provide support to the bereaved family, emphasizing their close contact with local authorities.
Nearly 18,000 undocumented Indians in the US face deportation as the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) prepares a list ahead of President-elect Trump's term. ICE data reveals thousands of Indians await legal status, with hearings scheduled years later. The US government has labeled India "uncooperative" due to delays in accepting deportees, adding to the complexity.
Seattle police have fired officer Daniel Auderer after his insensitive comments and laughter following the death of Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula. Kandula was struck and killed by a police vehicle driven by officer Kevin Dave. Auderer's remarks, which mocked the tragedy, tarnished the department’s reputation, prompting his dismissal. In honour of Kandula, her university posthumously awarded her a master's degree.
UK MP Priti Patel condemned the Pahalgam attack as an act of terrorism, emphasizing the UK's unwavering support for India. She highlighted the long-standing security and counterterrorism partnerships between the two nations, questioning the government about potential links between the perpetrators and Pakistan-based LeT.