United States President Donald Trump has nominated Indian-Americans for key positions in his administration.

AS REPRESENTATIVE TO IBRD

Ashok Michael Pinto has been nominated as a representative to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).

Trump had announced his intent to nominate Pinto for this position on April 9.&nbsp;

Pinto currently serves as Counselor to the Under Secretary for International Affairs at the United States Department of the Treasury.

Pinto was on Monday nominated as US Alternate Executive Director of IBRD for a term of two years. He, if confirmed by the Senate, would replace Erik Bethel.

Pinto was Special Assistant and Associate Counsel to President George W Bush during private practice at two international law firms. He was also a law clerk to Judge F A Little, Jr Of the United State District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.

He has also held senior leadership roles in the United States Congress, including Chief Investigative Counsel and Policy Director to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in the Senate, Chief Counsel for Investigations to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in the House of Representatives, and Special Counsel to the Committee on the Judiciary in the Senate.

Bethel has resigned from the post.

AS FEDERAL COURT JUDGE

Trump also nominated an Indian-American attorney to a federal court in New York -- the judge of the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Saritha Komatireddy is a prosecutor and teaches law at the Columbia Law School.

She has clerked under the former judge of the same district, Brett Kavanaugh. 
Komatireddy is currently Deputy Chief of General Crimes in the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York.

Previously she was Acting Deputy Chief, International Narcotics and Money Laundering (June, 2018 - January, 2019) and Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Coordinator (2016-2019).

Komatireddy has served as a law clerk to then-Judge Brett Kavanaugh of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. She also served as counsel to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling.

On February 12 this year, Trump had announced his intent to nominate Komatireddy to serve as a United States District Judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

AS OECD ENVOY

Trump has nominated senior Indian-American diplomat Manisha Singh as his envoy to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Currently Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs at the State Department, Singh will be the US representative to OECD with the rank of an Ambassador.

Paris-based OECD is an intergovernmental economic organisation with 36 member countries to stimulate economic progress and world trade.

On April 27, Trump had announced his intent to nominate Singh for this position. 
Singh.

Singh has previously served as the acting under secretary of Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment and as a deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs at the State Department.

She also previously served as the deputy chief counsel to the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Singh was the Senior Fellow for International Economic Affairs at the American Foreign Policy Council and was a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

United States President Donald Trump has nominated Indian-Americans for key positions in his administration. AS REPRESENTATIVE TO IBRD Ashok Michael Pinto has been nominated as a representative to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).

United States President Donald Trump has nominated Indian-Americans for key positions in his administration. AS REPRESENTATIVE TO IBRD Ashok Michael Pinto has been nominated as a representative to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). Trump had announced his intent to nominate Pinto for this position on April 9. Pinto currently serves as Counselor to the Under Secretary for International Affairs at the United States Department of the Treasury. Pinto was on Monday nominated as US Alternate Executive Director of IBRD for a term of two years. He, if confirmed by the Senate, would replace Erik Bethel. Pinto was Special Assistant and Associate Counsel to President George W Bush during private practice at two international law firms. He was also a law clerk to Judge F A Little, Jr Of the United State District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. He has also held senior leadership roles in the United States Congress, including Chief Investigative Counsel and Policy Director to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in the Senate, Chief Counsel for Investigations to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in the House of Representatives, and Special Counsel to the Committee on the Judiciary in the Senate. Bethel has resigned from the post. AS FEDERAL COURT JUDGE Trump also nominated an Indian-American attorney to a federal court in New York -- the judge of the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Saritha Komatireddy is a prosecutor and teaches law at the Columbia Law School. She has clerked under the former judge of the same district, Brett Kavanaugh. Komatireddy is currently Deputy Chief of General Crimes in the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York. Previously she was Acting Deputy Chief, International Narcotics and Money Laundering (June, 2018 - January, 2019) and Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Coordinator (2016-2019). Komatireddy has served as a law clerk to then-Judge Brett Kavanaugh of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. She also served as counsel to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. On February 12 this year, Trump had announced his intent to nominate Komatireddy to serve as a United States District Judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. AS OECD ENVOY Trump has nominated senior Indian-American diplomat Manisha Singh as his envoy to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Currently Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs at the State Department, Singh will be the US representative to OECD with the rank of an Ambassador. Paris-based OECD is an intergovernmental economic organisation with 36 member countries to stimulate economic progress and world trade. On April 27, Trump had announced his intent to nominate Singh for this position. Singh. Singh has previously served as the acting under secretary of Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment and as a deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs at the State Department. She also previously served as the deputy chief counsel to the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Singh was the Senior Fellow for International Economic Affairs at the American Foreign Policy Council and was a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Trump nominates Indian-Americans as US representative to IBRD, federal court judge and OECD envoy

The Indian Link To Trump's Impeachment Proceedings.

Gravitas: The Trump Impeachment: Indian-American Kashyap Patel Named

An Indian-American teen has won a whopping $100,000 prize in the most-watched individual quiz show in the US, according to a statement.

Avi Gupta's victory on the '2019 Teen Jeopardy' contest was televised on Friday in which he beat out three other Indian-American teens.

Gupta, a high school senior from Portland, Oregon, won the show's latest Teen Tournament, taking home the $100,000 grand prize, Jeopardy! said in a statement.

"It still feels unreal, and I honestly can't express how grateful and fortunate I feel to have had this opportunity," Gupta said.

"Jeopardy! has always been a huge part of my life and my family's life; it's a special bonding connection with my grandma, who is a huge fan," he added.

"As a mother my heart was beating 100 miles per hour. I think the thing about Avi is his perseverance. For him, I could see the effort he has put in throughout the year, So I wanted to just have him have a happy wholesome experience. And the win was the cherry on top," Nandita Gupta, his mother said.

Ryan Presler, an eighth-grader from Sioux Falls, came in second place, grabbing the $50,000 runner-up prize, while Lucas Miner, a high school junior from Miami, received $25,000 for his third-place troubles.

The 2018 College Jeopardy, which also carried a prize of $100,000, was won by Dhruv Gaur.

Jeopardy!, which featured a total of 15 students, is an American television game show which features a quiz competition in which contestants are presented with general knowledge clues in the form of answers, and must phrase their responses in the form of questions.

An Indian-American teen has won a whopping $100,000 prize in the most-watched individual quiz show in the US, according to a statement. Avi Gupta's victory on the '2019 Teen Jeopardy' contest was televised on Friday in which he beat out three other Indian-American teens.

An Indian-American teen has won a whopping $100,000 prize in the most-watched individual quiz show in the US, according to a statement. Avi Gupta's victory on the '2019 Teen Jeopardy' contest was televised on Friday in which he beat out three other Indian-American teens. Gupta, a high school senior from Portland, Oregon, won the show's latest Teen Tournament, taking home the $100,000 grand prize, Jeopardy! said in a statement. "It still feels unreal, and I honestly can't express how grateful and fortunate I feel to have had this opportunity," Gupta said. "Jeopardy! has always been a huge part of my life and my family's life; it's a special bonding connection with my grandma, who is a huge fan," he added. "As a mother my heart was beating 100 miles per hour. I think the thing about Avi is his perseverance. For him, I could see the effort he has put in throughout the year, So I wanted to just have him have a happy wholesome experience. And the win was the cherry on top," Nandita Gupta, his mother said. Ryan Presler, an eighth-grader from Sioux Falls, came in second place, grabbing the $50,000 runner-up prize, while Lucas Miner, a high school junior from Miami, received $25,000 for his third-place troubles. The 2018 College Jeopardy, which also carried a prize of $100,000, was won by Dhruv Gaur. Jeopardy!, which featured a total of 15 students, is an American television game show which features a quiz competition in which contestants are presented with general knowledge clues in the form of answers, and must phrase their responses in the form of questions.

Indian-American teen wins $100K quiz show prize in US

A 44-year-old Indian-American IT professional killed his wife and two minor sons before committing suicide with a gun inside their home in the US state of Iowa, according to the police.

The West Des Moines Police Department, which is probing the case, came to this conclusion after forensic autopsies were conducted on Sunday.

The family of four was found dead under mysterious circumstances with gunshot wounds, shocking the community.

The bodies of Chandrasekhar Sunkara, Lavanya Sunkara, 41, their 15-year-old and 10-year-old sons were found in their home on Saturday morning.

"The manners of death for Lavanya Sunkara and the two boys are homicide. The manner of death for Chandrasekhar Sunkara is suicide," the police said in a statement.

"The State Medical Examiner's Office has determined the causes of death for all four family members to be gunshot wounds," they said.

The State Medical Examiner's Office has determined the causes of death for all four family members to be gunshot wounds.

"Officials are working with surviving family members to provide support. Investigators are continuing to review evidence and conduct interviews," the police added.

Chandrasekhar, known as Chandra, hailed from Andhra Pradesh.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) said he was an IT professional in the Technology Services Bureau for the department.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the Sunkaras," the DPS said in a statement.

Officers with the West Des Moines Police Department were sent on Saturday morning to the 900 blocks of 65th Street, where they found the bodies.

"This tragedy will impact family, friends, co-workers, anyone that knew this family," Sergeant Dan Wade said in a statement.

"We are continuing to work through this investigation. We will follow through until we have answered as many questions as the evidence allows. We are confident, though, that there is no continuing threat to the community," Wade said.

Police said other family members, two adults and two children, were staying in the home as guests. When the bodies were discovered, one of the relatives ran outside looking for help and found a passerby, who called 911.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is assisting in the investigation.

"You don't see something like this happen in the Indian community, let alone a heinous act like this," said Shrikar Somayajula who has known the Sunkaras for over a decade.

"The family was a very friendly family and so it is really painful," said Somayajula.

"We have more questions than answers now as to why this happened and we will probably never find out why this happened," he said.

A 44-year-old Indian-American IT professional killed his wife and two minor sons before committing suicide with a gun inside their home in the US state of Iowa, according to the police.

A 44-year-old Indian-American IT professional killed his wife and two minor sons before committing suicide with a gun inside their home in the US state of Iowa, according to the police. The West Des Moines Police Department, which is probing the case, came to this conclusion after forensic autopsies were conducted on Sunday. The family of four was found dead under mysterious circumstances with gunshot wounds, shocking the community. The bodies of Chandrasekhar Sunkara, Lavanya Sunkara, 41, their 15-year-old and 10-year-old sons were found in their home on Saturday morning. "The manners of death for Lavanya Sunkara and the two boys are homicide. The manner of death for Chandrasekhar Sunkara is suicide," the police said in a statement. "The State Medical Examiner's Office has determined the causes of death for all four family members to be gunshot wounds," they said. The State Medical Examiner's Office has determined the causes of death for all four family members to be gunshot wounds. "Officials are working with surviving family members to provide support. Investigators are continuing to review evidence and conduct interviews," the police added. Chandrasekhar, known as Chandra, hailed from Andhra Pradesh. The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) said he was an IT professional in the Technology Services Bureau for the department. "Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the Sunkaras," the DPS said in a statement. Officers with the West Des Moines Police Department were sent on Saturday morning to the 900 blocks of 65th Street, where they found the bodies. "This tragedy will impact family, friends, co-workers, anyone that knew this family," Sergeant Dan Wade said in a statement. "We are continuing to work through this investigation. We will follow through until we have answered as many questions as the evidence allows. We are confident, though, that there is no continuing threat to the community," Wade said. Police said other family members, two adults and two children, were staying in the home as guests. When the bodies were discovered, one of the relatives ran outside looking for help and found a passerby, who called 911. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is assisting in the investigation. "You don't see something like this happen in the Indian community, let alone a heinous act like this," said Shrikar Somayajula who has known the Sunkaras for over a decade. "The family was a very friendly family and so it is really painful," said Somayajula. "We have more questions than answers now as to why this happened and we will probably never find out why this happened," he said.

Indian-American IT professional killed family before committing suicide: Police

Three Indian-Americans are among six people convicted for their role in a two-year multi-million dollar money-laundering scheme, the US Justice Department has said.&nbsp;

Ravinder Reddy Gudipati, 61; Harsh Jaggi, 54 and Neeru Jaggi, 51, all from Laredo, Texas, were convicted of a money laundering conspiracy following a five-week jury trial. Along with the Indian-American trio, Adrian Arciniega-Hernandez, 36, of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico; Adriana Alejandra Galvan-Constantini, 36 and Luis Montes-Patino, 57, both from Irving, Texas, were convicted, said Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

Harsh and Adrian were also convicted on two counts of money laundering and Neeru Jaggi was convicted on one count of money laundering. Gudipati was convicted on two counts of money laundering in addition to other counts.&nbsp;

Adrain, Galvan-Constantini, Montes-Patino, Gudipati, Harsh and Neeru were part of a complex money laundering scheme whereby money derived from the sale of drugs in the US was laundered through businesses in Laredo in order to return the proceeds to Mexican drug dealers.

According to evidence presented in court, from 2011 to 2013, Galvan-Constantini, Montes-Patino and other co-conspirators helped to move millions of dollars derived from the sale of drugs throughout the US to Laredo in Texas.&nbsp;

The US currency was moved by couriers via cars, commercial buses, commercial planes and also a private plane used in bulk cash amounts of up to hundreds of thousands of dollars at a time.&nbsp;

The money, in heat-sealed packs, uneven rubber-banded money stacks or loose US currency, arrived in plastic bags, cloth bags, suitcases, backpacks and even cereal boxes, it said. The money was then distributed among downtown Laredo, Texas perfume stores, including stores owned by Gudipati and Harsh and Neeru.

Three Indian-Americans are among six people convicted for their role in a two-year multi-million dollar money-laundering scheme, the US Justice Department has said.

Three Indian-Americans are among six people convicted for their role in a two-year multi-million dollar money-laundering scheme, the US Justice Department has said. Ravinder Reddy Gudipati, 61; Harsh Jaggi, 54 and Neeru Jaggi, 51, all from Laredo, Texas, were convicted of a money laundering conspiracy following a five-week jury trial. Along with the Indian-American trio, Adrian Arciniega-Hernandez, 36, of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico; Adriana Alejandra Galvan-Constantini, 36 and Luis Montes-Patino, 57, both from Irving, Texas, were convicted, said Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. Harsh and Adrian were also convicted on two counts of money laundering and Neeru Jaggi was convicted on one count of money laundering. Gudipati was convicted on two counts of money laundering in addition to other counts. Adrain, Galvan-Constantini, Montes-Patino, Gudipati, Harsh and Neeru were part of a complex money laundering scheme whereby money derived from the sale of drugs in the US was laundered through businesses in Laredo in order to return the proceeds to Mexican drug dealers. According to evidence presented in court, from 2011 to 2013, Galvan-Constantini, Montes-Patino and other co-conspirators helped to move millions of dollars derived from the sale of drugs throughout the US to Laredo in Texas. The US currency was moved by couriers via cars, commercial buses, commercial planes and also a private plane used in bulk cash amounts of up to hundreds of thousands of dollars at a time. The money, in heat-sealed packs, uneven rubber-banded money stacks or loose US currency, arrived in plastic bags, cloth bags, suitcases, backpacks and even cereal boxes, it said. The money was then distributed among downtown Laredo, Texas perfume stores, including stores owned by Gudipati and Harsh and Neeru.

3 Indian-Americans convicted in multi-million dollar money-laundering scheme

First-term Democratic Senator Kamala Harris of California, a rising party star and outspoken critic of President Donald Trump's immigration policies, launched her 2020 campaign for the White House on Monday in an appearance on ABC's "Good Morning America."

Harris, 54, the daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India, enters the race with the potential advantage of being the Democratic candidate who looks most like the party's increasingly diverse base of young, female and minority voters.

“Let’s do this, together. Let’s claim our future. For ourselves, for our children, and for our country,” Harris said in a campaign video that was released to coincide with her television appearance.

The announcement falls on the US Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday honouring the slain civil rights leader, and the day was selected as a reminder of the aspirational fight for progress, an aide said.

The former California state attorney general has become popular with liberal activists for her tough questioning of Trump administration appointees and officials, including Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, during Senate hearings.

Her campaign will focus on reducing the high cost of living with a middle-class tax credit, pursuing immigration and criminal justice changes and a Medicare-for-all healthcare system. She has said she will reject corporate political action committee money.

Harris’ campaign will be based in Baltimore, with a second office in Oakland, California. Her slogan will be “For the People,” in a nod to Harris’ roots as a prosecutor, aides said.

She will hold a launch rally in Oakland before the end of the month.

As one of the earliest congressional critics of President Donald Trump's immigration policies, Harris has pushed hard for a deal to protect from deportation those immigrants who came to the country illegally as children, a group known as Dreamers.

Harris is the fifth Democrat to enter what is shaping up to be a crowded battle for the nomination to challenge Trump, the likely Republican candidate.

She and other Democrats will have to navigate the party's debate about whether an establishment figure who can appeal to centrist voters or a fresh face who can energize its increasingly diverse and progressive base offers the best chance to beat Trump in 2020.

Harris, who made history in 2016 as the first black woman elected to the US Senate from California, has embraced the party's diversity ahead of a Democratic nominating campaign where minority voters and liberal activists are expected to have an outsized voice.

Former prosecutor

She has pushed back against critics of "identity politics," who she says are using the term as a pejorative to marginalize issues of race, gender and sexual orientation.

"It is used to try and shut us up," Harris told a conference of liberal activists last summer.

The former San Francisco prosecutor drew notice when her rapid-fire grilling of Sessions during a 2017 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing caused him to complain.

"It makes me nervous," Sessions said.

In September, she was among a handful of Democrats who aggressively questioned Kavanaugh at his Supreme Court confirmation hearing about his views on abortion and on the special counsel probe into potential Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

In the Senate, she has introduced a bill to give lower-income families cash payments and tax credits to help battle wage stagnation and rising housing costs, and has been a strong advocate of criminal justice reforms.

Harris launched a book tour in early January to promote a memoir, making a series of media appearances that helped bolster her visibility ahead of her campaign announcement.

Her campaign could be aided by the schedule for the state-by-state party nominating process that is scheduled to begin in February 2020.

The kickoff state of Iowa, which launched Barack Obama's presidential bid in 2008, has a strong base of liberal activists, and the race will then quickly move to more diverse states such as Nevada and South Carolina. Her home state of California also has moved up its primary to increase its influence.

But political foes will pore over her record in California, where she has come under scrutiny for declining as attorney general to prosecute OneWest, the bank once headed by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, for alleged foreclosure violations.

Harris, who voted against Mnuchin's confirmation as head of the Treasury, has said she "followed the facts" in declining to prosecute.

She also has been criticized for saying she was not aware of sexual harassment allegations against one of her top aides, who resigned in December after a California newspaper asked him about a 2016 harassment lawsuit. Xavier Becerra, who replaced Harris as attorney general, settled the lawsuit in May 2017 for $400,000.

First-term Democratic Senator Kamala Harris of California, a rising party star and outspoken critic of President Donald Trump's immigration policies, launched her 2020 campaign for the White House on Monday in an appearance on ABC's "Good Morning America.

First-term Democratic Senator Kamala Harris of California, a rising party star and outspoken critic of President Donald Trump's immigration policies, launched her 2020 campaign for the White House on Monday in an appearance on ABC's "Good Morning America." Harris, 54, the daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India, enters the race with the potential advantage of being the Democratic candidate who looks most like the party's increasingly diverse base of young, female and minority voters. “Let’s do this, together. Let’s claim our future. For ourselves, for our children, and for our country,” Harris said in a campaign video that was released to coincide with her television appearance. The announcement falls on the US Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday honouring the slain civil rights leader, and the day was selected as a reminder of the aspirational fight for progress, an aide said. The former California state attorney general has become popular with liberal activists for her tough questioning of Trump administration appointees and officials, including Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, during Senate hearings. Her campaign will focus on reducing the high cost of living with a middle-class tax credit, pursuing immigration and criminal justice changes and a Medicare-for-all healthcare system. She has said she will reject corporate political action committee money. Harris’ campaign will be based in Baltimore, with a second office in Oakland, California. Her slogan will be “For the People,” in a nod to Harris’ roots as a prosecutor, aides said. She will hold a launch rally in Oakland before the end of the month. As one of the earliest congressional critics of President Donald Trump's immigration policies, Harris has pushed hard for a deal to protect from deportation those immigrants who came to the country illegally as children, a group known as Dreamers. Harris is the fifth Democrat to enter what is shaping up to be a crowded battle for the nomination to challenge Trump, the likely Republican candidate. She and other Democrats will have to navigate the party's debate about whether an establishment figure who can appeal to centrist voters or a fresh face who can energize its increasingly diverse and progressive base offers the best chance to beat Trump in 2020. Harris, who made history in 2016 as the first black woman elected to the US Senate from California, has embraced the party's diversity ahead of a Democratic nominating campaign where minority voters and liberal activists are expected to have an outsized voice. Former prosecutor She has pushed back against critics of "identity politics," who she says are using the term as a pejorative to marginalize issues of race, gender and sexual orientation. "It is used to try and shut us up," Harris told a conference of liberal activists last summer. The former San Francisco prosecutor drew notice when her rapid-fire grilling of Sessions during a 2017 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing caused him to complain. "It makes me nervous," Sessions said. In September, she was among a handful of Democrats who aggressively questioned Kavanaugh at his Supreme Court confirmation hearing about his views on abortion and on the special counsel probe into potential Russian meddling in the 2016 election. In the Senate, she has introduced a bill to give lower-income families cash payments and tax credits to help battle wage stagnation and rising housing costs, and has been a strong advocate of criminal justice reforms. Harris launched a book tour in early January to promote a memoir, making a series of media appearances that helped bolster her visibility ahead of her campaign announcement. Her campaign could be aided by the schedule for the state-by-state party nominating process that is scheduled to begin in February 2020. The kickoff state of Iowa, which launched Barack Obama's presidential bid in 2008, has a strong base of liberal activists, and the race will then quickly move to more diverse states such as Nevada and South Carolina. Her home state of California also has moved up its primary to increase its influence. But political foes will pore over her record in California, where she has come under scrutiny for declining as attorney general to prosecute OneWest, the bank once headed by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, for alleged foreclosure violations. Harris, who voted against Mnuchin's confirmation as head of the Treasury, has said she "followed the facts" in declining to prosecute. She also has been criticized for saying she was not aware of sexual harassment allegations against one of her top aides, who resigned in December after a California newspaper asked him about a 2016 harassment lawsuit. Xavier Becerra, who replaced Harris as attorney general, settled the lawsuit in May 2017 for $400,000.

Indian-American Democrat Kamala Harris enters 2020 US presidential elections

Indian-American K P George was sworn in as the Fort Bend County Judge, becoming the first person from the community to hold the office of one of America's most diverse counties.

George, 53, a Democrat and Fort Bend Independent School District Board trustee, defeated Republican Judge Robert Hebert in November polls.

In the US, county judges' duties vary from state to state. Depending upon the size of the county, they perform a wide range of judicial and administrative duties.

The Fort Bend County has a sizeable population of Indian-Americans.

According to the latest census, Fort Bend is now the most diverse county in Texas, and among the most diverse in the country with 35 per cent Anglos, 24 per cent Hispanics, 21 per cent Asians and others; and 20 per cent African-Americans.

George, who hails from Kerala's Kakkodu city, said his father, a truck driver, earned only a couple of US dollars a day. He studied using a kerosene lamp.

He said that community engagement will be the top priority for his administration.

"I will continue spreading the word of county services and involving all people into the process. It is a historic moment for me as well as for the county.

"We will continue to have an open-door policy for the most diverse county which represents people who speak over 100 languages. We are here to represent each one of them and ensure a better place for residents and children of this county," George told PTI.

Rice University professor Mark Jones said George is now the most prominent Indian-American to hold an executive position in the US government.

George will govern a county with a larger population and a bigger budget than the Indian-American mayors of cities like Anaheim, California, and Hoboken, Jones said, adding that as a county judge, he wields more outright power than most mayors.

While in India, George grew up speaking Malayalam and lived in a straw-thatch hut. When he was 15, his family moved to a bigger city where he attended college.

After his graduation, he got a job in Mumbai, where for the first time he started speaking English. He worked in the Middle East before moving to New York in 1993 to work for a financial firm.

Later, he moved to Texas and has been living in the Fort Bend county ever since along with his family.

"I strongly believe that success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It is what you do for others," George said.

He first ran for office in 2010, hoping to be elected as the county treasurer.

"People asked me in Richmond and Rosenberg, 'Why are you running?' It's not easy for a person like me, brown in colour, with no political power, no name recognition. I'd say, 'Because I can. I'm not a felon. I'm a citizen.&nbsp;Thank you, USA! I hold your values close to my heart."

"I honestly believe this is the time for me to do public service rather than complain. I am taking responsibility to get involved and work for the US, the country that has given me everything I've dreamed of," George added.

K P George, 53, a Democrat and Fort Bend Independent School District Board trustee, defeated Republican Judge Robert Hebert in November polls.

Indian-American K P George was sworn in as the Fort Bend County Judge, becoming the first person from the community to hold the office of one of America's most diverse counties. George, 53, a Democrat and Fort Bend Independent School District Board trustee, defeated Republican Judge Robert Hebert in November polls. In the US, county judges' duties vary from state to state. Depending upon the size of the county, they perform a wide range of judicial and administrative duties. The Fort Bend County has a sizeable population of Indian-Americans. According to the latest census, Fort Bend is now the most diverse county in Texas, and among the most diverse in the country with 35 per cent Anglos, 24 per cent Hispanics, 21 per cent Asians and others; and 20 per cent African-Americans. George, who hails from Kerala's Kakkodu city, said his father, a truck driver, earned only a couple of US dollars a day. He studied using a kerosene lamp. He said that community engagement will be the top priority for his administration. "I will continue spreading the word of county services and involving all people into the process. It is a historic moment for me as well as for the county. "We will continue to have an open-door policy for the most diverse county which represents people who speak over 100 languages. We are here to represent each one of them and ensure a better place for residents and children of this county," George told PTI. Rice University professor Mark Jones said George is now the most prominent Indian-American to hold an executive position in the US government. George will govern a county with a larger population and a bigger budget than the Indian-American mayors of cities like Anaheim, California, and Hoboken, Jones said, adding that as a county judge, he wields more outright power than most mayors. While in India, George grew up speaking Malayalam and lived in a straw-thatch hut. When he was 15, his family moved to a bigger city where he attended college. After his graduation, he got a job in Mumbai, where for the first time he started speaking English. He worked in the Middle East before moving to New York in 1993 to work for a financial firm. Later, he moved to Texas and has been living in the Fort Bend county ever since along with his family. "I strongly believe that success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It is what you do for others," George said. He first ran for office in 2010, hoping to be elected as the county treasurer. "People asked me in Richmond and Rosenberg, 'Why are you running?' It's not easy for a person like me, brown in colour, with no political power, no name recognition. I'd say, 'Because I can. I'm not a felon. I'm a citizen. Thank you, USA! I hold your values close to my heart." "I honestly believe this is the time for me to do public service rather than complain. I am taking responsibility to get involved and work for the US, the country that has given me everything I've dreamed of," George added.

Indian-American takes oath as Fort Bend County Judge in Texas

Successful Indian American businessman Harry Singh Sidhu has been elected as mayor of Anaheim, one of the largest cities in the state of California.&nbsp;

Sidhu who served as a member of the Anaheim City Council for eight years from 2002 to 2012, defeated Ashleigh Aitken in the November 6 mid-term elections. He would be the first Sikh mayor of the city.

“I am honoured and thrilled to lead the charge in unifying our city once again,” said Sidhu after his electoral victory. Born in India, Sidhu moved to the US along with his parents in 1974 as a permanent resident and settled in Philadelphia. Once sworn in, mayor-elect Sidhu will be one of the few Sikh mayors in the US, which includes Mayor Ravinder Singh Bhalla of Hoboken and Mayor Preet Didbal of Yuba City.

“It is incredibly exciting to see Mr Sidhu, a Sikh, become mayor of such a large and diverse city. I look forward to engaging with him on issues that impact Sikhs in Anaheim, and the larger Orange County region,” said Jas Sajjan, Director of Public Policy for the National Sikh Campaign.

Successful Indian American businessman Harry Singh Sidhu has been elected as mayor of Anaheim, one of the largest cities in the state of California. Sidhu who served as a member of the Anaheim City Council for eight years from 2002 to 2012, defeated Ashleigh Aitken in the November 6 mid-term elections.

Successful Indian American businessman Harry Singh Sidhu has been elected as mayor of Anaheim, one of the largest cities in the state of California. Sidhu who served as a member of the Anaheim City Council for eight years from 2002 to 2012, defeated Ashleigh Aitken in the November 6 mid-term elections. He would be the first Sikh mayor of the city. “I am honoured and thrilled to lead the charge in unifying our city once again,” said Sidhu after his electoral victory. Born in India, Sidhu moved to the US along with his parents in 1974 as a permanent resident and settled in Philadelphia. Once sworn in, mayor-elect Sidhu will be one of the few Sikh mayors in the US, which includes Mayor Ravinder Singh Bhalla of Hoboken and Mayor Preet Didbal of Yuba City. “It is incredibly exciting to see Mr Sidhu, a Sikh, become mayor of such a large and diverse city. I look forward to engaging with him on issues that impact Sikhs in Anaheim, and the larger Orange County region,” said Jas Sajjan, Director of Public Policy for the National Sikh Campaign.

Indian-American Sikh elected mayor of Anaheim city in California

The so-called Samosa Caucus - informal group of the Indian Americans in the US Congress - failed to increase its strength, even as its all four incumbent members were most likely to be re-elected to the House of Representative in the highly polarised midterm elections held Tuesday.

None of the more than half a dozen new Indian Americans candidates, many of whom caught national attention by giving tough fight to their opponents and outraising them in the fund raisers, could make it to the House of Representatives, which is equivalent to Lok Sabha in the Indian parliament.

However, Indian-Americans picked up more seats in the State assemblies. The community sent its member Ram Villivalam for the first time to the Illinois Senate and also elected a Muslim Indian-American Mujtaba Mohammed to the North Carolina State Senate.

Chicago-born Villivalam, elected unopposed, also became the first Asian-American State Senator and the first South Asian-American member of Illinois General Assembly ever. 
 
For the first time, more than 100 Indian-Americans had entered the race in this mid-term elections, of which over 50 were on the ballot on Tuesday.&nbsp; Among them 12, including four incumbents, were running for the House and one for the Senate: a record in itself.

In the eighth Congressional District of Illinois Raja Krishnamoorthi defeated his Republican Indian-American rival Jitender Diganvker. Krishnamoorthi would serve second term in the US House of Representatives.

Pramila Jayapal, the first Indian American to be elected to the House of Representative in 2016, registered her second consecutive win from the seventh Congressional District of Washington State. In little less than two years, she has emerged nationally as the champion of immigrants, workers and human rights.

Ro Khanna was expected to easily sailed through the race for the House of Representatives from the 17th Congressional District of California as he took an impressive lead over his GOP rival Ron Cohen. He was elected for the first time in 2016.

Three-term Congressman Ami Bera, the senior-most among lawmakers in the Samosa caucus, had taken a lead of about 2,500 votes over his Republican rival Andrew Grant, with over 96 per cent of the votes being counted in the seventh Congressional District of California.&nbsp;

Notably, his previous three electoral victories came only after recounting of votes which took several weeks before the results were finally declared.

Indian-American of Tibetan descent Aftab Pureval, 35, lost to GOP incumbent Steve Chabot. He was the first Democrat to get elected as the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts in more than 100 years.&nbsp;

Indian-American woman Anita Malik lost to her Republican incumbent in the sixth District of Arizona, while Hiral Tipirneni was trailing behind GOP rival Debbie Lesko in the early tabulations.

Former State Department diplomat Sri Preston Kulkarni lost to his GOP incumbent Pete Olson from the 22nd Congressional District of Texas.

A five-time incumbent, Rep Olson defeated his Indian-American Democratic challenger in the most heated 22nd Congressional District that the opposition had hoped to flip due to a large Asian-American population.

The 40-year-old relied heavily on his ability to connect with the district's diverse population to give Democrats hope that he could pull off an upset in the district.&nbsp;

About 20 per cent of the population here is of Asian heritage - more than any other district in Texas.

Sanjay Patel, who runs a successful consulting business, lost to Republican Congressman Bill Posey, who has been winning the eighth Congressional District of Florida continuously since 2009.&nbsp;

In the first Congressional District of Arkansas Democratic Chintan Desai lost to Republican incumbent Rick Crawford, while Republican Harry Arora lost to incumbent Jim Himes in the fourth Congressional District of Connecticut.

Successful entrepreneur Shiva Ayyadurai, who fought the Massachusetts Senate race as an independent, came a distant third. Democratic leader Elizabeth Warren registered a comprehensive win over her Republican rival Geoff Diehl to re-enter the US Senate.

Democratic Nima Kulkarni defeated Joshua Neubert from the GOP to make her maiden entry into the Kentucky Assembly from State District 40. A practicing and recognized lawyer, she owns Indus Law Firm specializing in immigration, employment and business law.

Mujtaba Mohammed entered the North Carolina State Senate from the Senate District 38. A former staff attorney at the Council for Children's Rights and assistant public defender, Mohammed defeated Richard Rivette.

Incumbent Jay Chaudhuri, an accomplished entrepreneur, was re-elected to North Carolina Senate from the State Senate District 15.

Republican Niraj Atani, 27, registered his third consecutive electoral victory from Ohio House 42nd District. He is the youngest Indian-American elected official in the US. He also is the second Indian-American state elected official in Ohio history, and the first Indian-American Republican.

"Representing the community in which I was born and raised is an incredible honour. I work hard every day to make it achievable for all Ohioans to have the opportunity to make their American Dream a reality," Atani said in a statement.

In Washington State, Manka Dhingra and Vandana Slatter were re-elected for the State Senate. Among others re-elected at the State level are Sabi Kumar in Tennessee and Ash Kalra (California).&nbsp;

The so-called Samosa Caucus - informal group of the Indian Americans in the US Congress - failed to increase its strength, even as its all four incumbent members were most likely to be re-elected to the House of Representative in the highly polarised midterm elections held Tuesday.

The so-called Samosa Caucus - informal group of the Indian Americans in the US Congress - failed to increase its strength, even as its all four incumbent members were most likely to be re-elected to the House of Representative in the highly polarised midterm elections held Tuesday. None of the more than half a dozen new Indian Americans candidates, many of whom caught national attention by giving tough fight to their opponents and outraising them in the fund raisers, could make it to the House of Representatives, which is equivalent to Lok Sabha in the Indian parliament. However, Indian-Americans picked up more seats in the State assemblies. The community sent its member Ram Villivalam for the first time to the Illinois Senate and also elected a Muslim Indian-American Mujtaba Mohammed to the North Carolina State Senate. Chicago-born Villivalam, elected unopposed, also became the first Asian-American State Senator and the first South Asian-American member of Illinois General Assembly ever. For the first time, more than 100 Indian-Americans had entered the race in this mid-term elections, of which over 50 were on the ballot on Tuesday. Among them 12, including four incumbents, were running for the House and one for the Senate: a record in itself. In the eighth Congressional District of Illinois Raja Krishnamoorthi defeated his Republican Indian-American rival Jitender Diganvker. Krishnamoorthi would serve second term in the US House of Representatives. Pramila Jayapal, the first Indian American to be elected to the House of Representative in 2016, registered her second consecutive win from the seventh Congressional District of Washington State. In little less than two years, she has emerged nationally as the champion of immigrants, workers and human rights. Ro Khanna was expected to easily sailed through the race for the House of Representatives from the 17th Congressional District of California as he took an impressive lead over his GOP rival Ron Cohen. He was elected for the first time in 2016. Three-term Congressman Ami Bera, the senior-most among lawmakers in the Samosa caucus, had taken a lead of about 2,500 votes over his Republican rival Andrew Grant, with over 96 per cent of the votes being counted in the seventh Congressional District of California. Notably, his previous three electoral victories came only after recounting of votes which took several weeks before the results were finally declared. Indian-American of Tibetan descent Aftab Pureval, 35, lost to GOP incumbent Steve Chabot. He was the first Democrat to get elected as the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts in more than 100 years. Indian-American woman Anita Malik lost to her Republican incumbent in the sixth District of Arizona, while Hiral Tipirneni was trailing behind GOP rival Debbie Lesko in the early tabulations. Former State Department diplomat Sri Preston Kulkarni lost to his GOP incumbent Pete Olson from the 22nd Congressional District of Texas. A five-time incumbent, Rep Olson defeated his Indian-American Democratic challenger in the most heated 22nd Congressional District that the opposition had hoped to flip due to a large Asian-American population. The 40-year-old relied heavily on his ability to connect with the district's diverse population to give Democrats hope that he could pull off an upset in the district. About 20 per cent of the population here is of Asian heritage - more than any other district in Texas. Sanjay Patel, who runs a successful consulting business, lost to Republican Congressman Bill Posey, who has been winning the eighth Congressional District of Florida continuously since 2009. In the first Congressional District of Arkansas Democratic Chintan Desai lost to Republican incumbent Rick Crawford, while Republican Harry Arora lost to incumbent Jim Himes in the fourth Congressional District of Connecticut. Successful entrepreneur Shiva Ayyadurai, who fought the Massachusetts Senate race as an independent, came a distant third. Democratic leader Elizabeth Warren registered a comprehensive win over her Republican rival Geoff Diehl to re-enter the US Senate. Democratic Nima Kulkarni defeated Joshua Neubert from the GOP to make her maiden entry into the Kentucky Assembly from State District 40. A practicing and recognized lawyer, she owns Indus Law Firm specializing in immigration, employment and business law. Mujtaba Mohammed entered the North Carolina State Senate from the Senate District 38. A former staff attorney at the Council for Children's Rights and assistant public defender, Mohammed defeated Richard Rivette. Incumbent Jay Chaudhuri, an accomplished entrepreneur, was re-elected to North Carolina Senate from the State Senate District 15. Republican Niraj Atani, 27, registered his third consecutive electoral victory from Ohio House 42nd District. He is the youngest Indian-American elected official in the US. He also is the second Indian-American state elected official in Ohio history, and the first Indian-American Republican. "Representing the community in which I was born and raised is an incredible honour. I work hard every day to make it achievable for all Ohioans to have the opportunity to make their American Dream a reality," Atani said in a statement. In Washington State, Manka Dhingra and Vandana Slatter were re-elected for the State Senate. Among others re-elected at the State level are Sabi Kumar in Tennessee and Ash Kalra (California).

Informal group of Indian-Americans, 'Samosa Caucus', fails to increase its strength in US midterm

US President Donald Trump has interviewed an Indian-American <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/womens-groups-aim-to-use-kavanaugh-rage-to-boost-voter-turnout-169950">woman</a> to replace Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in the powerful federal appeals court in Washington, DC, according to a report.

Neomi Jehangir Rao, 45, who is currently administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, was recommended for the judgeship on the DC circuit court by former White House counsel Don McGahn, news website Axios reported Sunday.

Citing sources, the website said Trump was interested in Rao so that he could appoint a minority woman to Kavanaugh's old job.&nbsp;

Rao, a former clerk for conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, was confirmed by the Senate with a 54-41 vote in July 2017 to head the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. The agency reviews executive branch regulations, a task the DC circuit often addresses.

Rao in this capacity is called the regulatory czar of the Trump administration.

Before being sworn in as the US Supreme Court Judge, Kavanaugh, whose confirmation process was marred by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kavanaugh-sex-assault-allegations-totally-political-donald-trump-167467">sexual misconduct allegations</a>, was a judge at the United States circuit court of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

The position has now fallen vacant and Trump is reported to be interviewing several individuals for this position.&nbsp;

Sree Srinivasan is another Indian-American on this prestigious US federal court.

While one source told the website that Rao did not leave Trump with a good first impression, another said the president had not ruled her out of contention.

"Immediately after Trump met with Rao, two sources briefed on their encounter say they got the strong impression that the president was not impressed by her,&nbsp;the news portal said.

"Yes, but: A third source, who is close to Trump, told me late this week that it seemed like he was reconsidering his initial judgement of Rao and may still pick her,&nbsp;Axios said.

Rao has previously served in all three branches of the federal government.&nbsp;

She served as Associate Counsel to President George W Bush; counsel for nominations and constitutional law to the US Senate Committee on the Judiciary; and law clerk to Justice Clarence Thomas of US Supreme Court.

She practiced public international law and arbitration at Clifford Chance LLP in London. Rao received her JD with high honours from the University of Chicago and her BA from Yale University.

Last December, Trump had praised Rao's contribution in cutting down regulations.&nbsp;

Rao was born to mother Zerin Rao and father Jehangir Narioshang Rao, both Parsi physicians from India. She grew up in Michigan and did her schooling from Detroit High School.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump has interviewed an Indian-American woman to replace Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in the powerful federal appeals court in Washington, DC, according to a report.

US President Donald Trump has interviewed an Indian-American woman to replace Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in the powerful federal appeals court in Washington, DC, according to a report. Neomi Jehangir Rao, 45, who is currently administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, was recommended for the judgeship on the DC circuit court by former White House counsel Don McGahn, news website Axios reported Sunday. Citing sources, the website said Trump was interested in Rao so that he could appoint a minority woman to Kavanaugh's old job. Rao, a former clerk for conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, was confirmed by the Senate with a 54-41 vote in July 2017 to head the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. The agency reviews executive branch regulations, a task the DC circuit often addresses. Rao in this capacity is called the regulatory czar of the Trump administration. Before being sworn in as the US Supreme Court Judge, Kavanaugh, whose confirmation process was marred by sexual misconduct allegations, was a judge at the United States circuit court of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The position has now fallen vacant and Trump is reported to be interviewing several individuals for this position. Sree Srinivasan is another Indian-American on this prestigious US federal court. While one source told the website that Rao did not leave Trump with a good first impression, another said the president had not ruled her out of contention. "Immediately after Trump met with Rao, two sources briefed on their encounter say they got the strong impression that the president was not impressed by her, the news portal said. "Yes, but: A third source, who is close to Trump, told me late this week that it seemed like he was reconsidering his initial judgement of Rao and may still pick her, Axios said. Rao has previously served in all three branches of the federal government. She served as Associate Counsel to President George W Bush; counsel for nominations and constitutional law to the US Senate Committee on the Judiciary; and law clerk to Justice Clarence Thomas of US Supreme Court. She practiced public international law and arbitration at Clifford Chance LLP in London. Rao received her JD with high honours from the University of Chicago and her BA from Yale University. Last December, Trump had praised Rao's contribution in cutting down regulations. Rao was born to mother Zerin Rao and father Jehangir Narioshang Rao, both Parsi physicians from India. She grew up in Michigan and did her schooling from Detroit High School.

Trump interviews Indian-American woman to replace Kavanaugh in DC circuit court

An Indian-American teenager, wanted on a felony firearms possession warrant, was shot dead by a California police after he opened fire on them, officials said.

The individual, identified as Nathaniel Prasad, 18, was shot dead on April 5, according to an investigation report released by the Freemont Police Department on Thursday.

He was wanted on a felony probation warrant and a misdemeanor evading arrest warrant for fleeing from a Fremont School Resource Officer on March 22.

On April 5, the Fremont Police Department's Street Crimes Unit identified Prasad as a passenger in a vehicle that was being driven by a female in Fremont area.

The vehicle was known to be associated with Prasad.

Soon the information was broadcast over the police radio about the vehicle and the active warrants and requested marked patrol units to assist with a traffic stop.

Thereafter, two patrol officers responded to the area, activated their emergency lights and siren, and stopped the suspect vehicle just prior to the intersection of Fremont Blvd. And Nicolet Ave.

According to the investigation report, the driver of the vehicle stopped and Prasad fled from the right passenger side of the car on foot.

One of the patrol officers followed Prasad to the rear of a nearby petrol station. The officer, soon stopped his vehicle and quickly got out to confront Prasad.

Prasad pulled a firearm from his waist area and it appears that he fired one to two shots in the direction of the officer, police said.

The officer drew his duty weapon, returned fire and broadcast over the police radio that the suspect had a gun.

Prasad ran back toward Fremont Blvd.

This interaction was captured on video surveillance and was corroborated by statements of the involved officer and witnesses at the scene, the local police said in a statement.

Additional police officers were rushed to the scene.

During the time the six officers were giving chase, Prasad pulled a gun from his waist area, pointed it in the direction of the officers and it appears he fired at least one round.

This interaction is corroborated by the statements of the involved officers, statements of witnesses, the body-worn camera footage and in-car camera footage of the event," the report said.

In response, the officers shot in the direction of Prasad, striking him several times, causing him to fall, it said.

"On the ground, Prasad still had the weapon in his hand and officers fired additional rounds,? the report said.

Fremont Fire paramedics who arrived on the scene announced Prasad was deceased shortly thereafter.

No officers were injured during the incident, the police said.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Prasad's mother. She was transported back to the Fremont Police Department where she provided a statement to investigators.

The firearm in Prasad's possession was a .22 caliber revolver.

When officers examined the weapon at the scene, it had three spent casings and three empty cylinders.

A record check revealed it was reported stolen.

The recovery of the firearm from Prasad was captured via body worn camera and corroborated by witness statements.&nbsp

The individual, identified as Nathaniel Prasad, 18, was shot dead on April 5, according to an investigation report released by the Freemont Police Department on Thursday

An Indian-American teenager, wanted on a felony firearms possession warrant, was shot dead by a California police after he opened fire on them, officials said. The individual, identified as Nathaniel Prasad, 18, was shot dead on April 5, according to an investigation report released by the Freemont Police Department on Thursday. He was wanted on a felony probation warrant and a misdemeanor evading arrest warrant for fleeing from a Fremont School Resource Officer on March 22. On April 5, the Fremont Police Department's Street Crimes Unit identified Prasad as a passenger in a vehicle that was being driven by a female in Fremont area. The vehicle was known to be associated with Prasad. Soon the information was broadcast over the police radio about the vehicle and the active warrants and requested marked patrol units to assist with a traffic stop. Thereafter, two patrol officers responded to the area, activated their emergency lights and siren, and stopped the suspect vehicle just prior to the intersection of Fremont Blvd. And Nicolet Ave. According to the investigation report, the driver of the vehicle stopped and Prasad fled from the right passenger side of the car on foot. One of the patrol officers followed Prasad to the rear of a nearby petrol station. The officer, soon stopped his vehicle and quickly got out to confront Prasad. Prasad pulled a firearm from his waist area and it appears that he fired one to two shots in the direction of the officer, police said. The officer drew his duty weapon, returned fire and broadcast over the police radio that the suspect had a gun. Prasad ran back toward Fremont Blvd. This interaction was captured on video surveillance and was corroborated by statements of the involved officer and witnesses at the scene, the local police said in a statement. Additional police officers were rushed to the scene. During the time the six officers were giving chase, Prasad pulled a gun from his waist area, pointed it in the direction of the officers and it appears he fired at least one round. This interaction is corroborated by the statements of the involved officers, statements of witnesses, the body-worn camera footage and in-car camera footage of the event," the report said. In response, the officers shot in the direction of Prasad, striking him several times, causing him to fall, it said. "On the ground, Prasad still had the weapon in his hand and officers fired additional rounds,? the report said. Fremont Fire paramedics who arrived on the scene announced Prasad was deceased shortly thereafter. No officers were injured during the incident, the police said. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Prasad's mother. She was transported back to the Fremont Police Department where she provided a statement to investigators. The firearm in Prasad's possession was a .22 caliber revolver. When officers examined the weapon at the scene, it had three spent casings and three empty cylinders. A record check revealed it was reported stolen. The recovery of the firearm from Prasad was captured via body worn camera and corroborated by witness statements.

Indian-American teenager shot dead for firing on police in US

The FBI is still unclear why Indian-American Hafiz Kazi drove a burning wan loaded with propane tanks and gasoline canisters onto a major US Air Force base in California and had a fiery death, according to media reports.

The FBI said Kazi's intentions and motive for the bizarre incident at the Travis Air Force Base remain a mystery, and it has not yet found any connection to terrorism.

"Now the question is, why?"&nbsp;Sean Ragan, special agent in charge of the FBI's field office in Sacramento, said in a news conference on Friday.

"Why did this individual end up at the front gate of Travis Air Base, on fire, and now deceased? And we don't have the answers to that."

It is not yet known what killed Kazi, Ragan said, and the Solano County Sheriff's coroner is conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Investigators found five propane tanks, three plastic one-gallon gasoline cans, three phones, and several lighters in the van, as well as a gym bag with personal items.

Ragan said agents found one video on a phone that was of no real substance. He said agents found no "jihadi-type"&nbsp;videos suggesting a connection to or affinity for terrorism.

"We don't have any nexus to terrorism at this point," he said.

Ragan said that Kazi was originally from India and has been living in the United States as a legal permanent resident since about 1993.

Ragan said that Kazi is believed to have spent most of his time in the US living in the San Francisco Bay area, though investigators are still looking into specifically where he has lived most recently, and in the past.

He previously worked as a taxi driver, Ragan said, though it is unknown if he still held that job at the time of his death, the report said.

Investigators are also piecing together his life and what led up to the event to figure out his motive, Ragan said. Agents have identified some of his associates and are interviewing them, he said. They also are reviewing his social media, emails, and the phones found in the van.

The FBI has not yet found any of Kazi's family members in the US, though agents have found one relative in India and notified the relative of Kazi's death, the report said.

As Kazi's van approached the main gate at Travis on Wednesday evening, Ragan said, flames could be seen coming from inside. The van went through the initial checkpoint, veered off and crashed.

First responders tried to rescue Kazi, who appeared to be on fire, but the doors were locked and could not be opened. He died at the scene. 
No shots were fired, and the incident was first believed to be an accident, Ragan said.

Officers from the nearby Fairfield Police Department and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations arrived on the scene and saw propane tanks inside the van. At that point, the FBI was called in, as were Air Force explosive ordnance disposal technicians.

The late driver was eventually identified through his fingerprints, but he was so badly burned that investigators were unable to identify him immediately after his death, the report said.

Travis Air Force Base is home to 10,000 military personnel and is a major hub for logistics and military cargo in the Pacific, CNN reported. It is the largest military airport and includes facilities for airlift and aerial refuelling.

"The investigation is ongoing and there are no current known threats to the base or community," the base said." The main gate has reopened and all other facilities are operating as normal."

Ragan said that Kazi was originally from India and has been living in the United States as a legal permanent resident since about 1993

The FBI is still unclear why Indian-American Hafiz Kazi drove a burning wan loaded with propane tanks and gasoline canisters onto a major US Air Force base in California and had a fiery death, according to media reports. The FBI said Kazi's intentions and motive for the bizarre incident at the Travis Air Force Base remain a mystery, and it has not yet found any connection to terrorism. "Now the question is, why?" Sean Ragan, special agent in charge of the FBI's field office in Sacramento, said in a news conference on Friday. "Why did this individual end up at the front gate of Travis Air Base, on fire, and now deceased? And we don't have the answers to that." It is not yet known what killed Kazi, Ragan said, and the Solano County Sheriff's coroner is conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Investigators found five propane tanks, three plastic one-gallon gasoline cans, three phones, and several lighters in the van, as well as a gym bag with personal items. Ragan said agents found one video on a phone that was of no real substance. He said agents found no "jihadi-type" videos suggesting a connection to or affinity for terrorism. "We don't have any nexus to terrorism at this point," he said. Ragan said that Kazi was originally from India and has been living in the United States as a legal permanent resident since about 1993. Ragan said that Kazi is believed to have spent most of his time in the US living in the San Francisco Bay area, though investigators are still looking into specifically where he has lived most recently, and in the past. He previously worked as a taxi driver, Ragan said, though it is unknown if he still held that job at the time of his death, the report said. Investigators are also piecing together his life and what led up to the event to figure out his motive, Ragan said. Agents have identified some of his associates and are interviewing them, he said. They also are reviewing his social media, emails, and the phones found in the van. The FBI has not yet found any of Kazi's family members in the US, though agents have found one relative in India and notified the relative of Kazi's death, the report said. As Kazi's van approached the main gate at Travis on Wednesday evening, Ragan said, flames could be seen coming from inside. The van went through the initial checkpoint, veered off and crashed. First responders tried to rescue Kazi, who appeared to be on fire, but the doors were locked and could not be opened. He died at the scene. No shots were fired, and the incident was first believed to be an accident, Ragan said. Officers from the nearby Fairfield Police Department and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations arrived on the scene and saw propane tanks inside the van. At that point, the FBI was called in, as were Air Force explosive ordnance disposal technicians. The late driver was eventually identified through his fingerprints, but he was so badly burned that investigators were unable to identify him immediately after his death, the report said. Travis Air Force Base is home to 10,000 military personnel and is a major hub for logistics and military cargo in the Pacific, CNN reported. It is the largest military airport and includes facilities for airlift and aerial refuelling. "The investigation is ongoing and there are no current known threats to the base or community," the base said." The main gate has reopened and all other facilities are operating as normal."

Indian-American drives burning van onto US base, FBI probe continues

An Indian-American scientist has been awarded a grant of over $1.1 million for his groundbreaking research on cancer.

Navin Vardarajan, along with another University of Houston researcher Sanghyuk Chung, were awarded huge grants by Cancer Prevention &amp; Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) , an organisation that funds pioneering cancer research and prevention programmes in the state.

Associate professor of chemical and bimolecular engineering, Navin was given USD 1,173,420 to improve the effectiveness of T-cell immunotherapy, while his fellow researcher Sanghyuk Chung, associate professor of biology and biochemistry, was awarded USD 811,617 to define molecular targets for the treatment of cervical cancer.

Varadarajan will use his grant to bring consistent results to cancer patients undergoing T-cell immunotherapy by manufacturing programmed T cells to meet, recognise and destroy tumours, a statement said.

&quot;We have to understand every single T cell and what each one is capable of,&quot; said Varadarajan, who is looking for a perfect cell composition in order to manufacture only those that cure tumours.

&quot;Once we know what is required to get a positive response, we can control the composition of the cells so that they all can work to fight cancer,&quot; he said.

Varadarajan said studying what makes better T cells will guide the development of the next generation of genetically modified cells, and all of immunotherapy in general.

&quot;The big challenge with T cells is that there isn&#39;t one single thing that can be used to define what a T cell is supposed to do. Because it&#39;s a living cell, it&#39;s capable of so many different things but studying them at the single-cell level allows us to map all of these different things onto the same cell,&quot; he said.

Although cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide, there has been little progress in the treatment of it over the past decade.

Chung will use his award to delve into the little-researched topic - the role of oestrogen in the development of cervical cancer.

&quot;It is clearly demonstrated that human papillomavirus (HPV) is required for the development of cervical cancer, but evidence indicates that other co-factors are required for cervical cancer,&quot; Chung said.

Navin Vardarajan, along with another University of Houston researcher Sanghyuk Chung, were awarded huge grants by Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas

An Indian-American scientist has been awarded a grant of over $1.1 million for his groundbreaking research on cancer. Navin Vardarajan, along with another University of Houston researcher Sanghyuk Chung, were awarded huge grants by Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) , an organisation that funds pioneering cancer research and prevention programmes in the state. Associate professor of chemical and bimolecular engineering, Navin was given USD 1,173,420 to improve the effectiveness of T-cell immunotherapy, while his fellow researcher Sanghyuk Chung, associate professor of biology and biochemistry, was awarded USD 811,617 to define molecular targets for the treatment of cervical cancer. Varadarajan will use his grant to bring consistent results to cancer patients undergoing T-cell immunotherapy by manufacturing programmed T cells to meet, recognise and destroy tumours, a statement said. "We have to understand every single T cell and what each one is capable of," said Varadarajan, who is looking for a perfect cell composition in order to manufacture only those that cure tumours. "Once we know what is required to get a positive response, we can control the composition of the cells so that they all can work to fight cancer," he said. Varadarajan said studying what makes better T cells will guide the development of the next generation of genetically modified cells, and all of immunotherapy in general. "The big challenge with T cells is that there isn't one single thing that can be used to define what a T cell is supposed to do. Because it's a living cell, it's capable of so many different things but studying them at the single-cell level allows us to map all of these different things onto the same cell," he said. Although cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide, there has been little progress in the treatment of it over the past decade. Chung will use his award to delve into the little-researched topic - the role of oestrogen in the development of cervical cancer. "It is clearly demonstrated that human papillomavirus (HPV) is required for the development of cervical cancer, but evidence indicates that other co-factors are required for cervical cancer," Chung said.

Indian-American scientist wins award for groundbreaking research on cancer

Two Indian-Americans from the Democratic party have thrown their hats in the ring for the US House of Representatives from the same Congressional seat in New York.

Omar Vaid and Mohan Radhakrishnan have announced to fight out the Democratic primary to earn the party&rsquo;s nomination for the November mid-term general elections to defeat the Republican incumbent Congressman Don Donavan in New York&rsquo;s 11th Congressional District. While New York is a heavily Democratic leaning State, the 11th Congressional District of late has emerged as a Republican stronghold.

US President Donald Trump had won the seat in 2016. Both Vaid and Mohan seek to unseat Donavan this time. But before that they need to win the Democratic party primary for which currently more than half a dozen candidates are in the race.

Son of two immigrant parents of Gujarati-Indian heritage, Vaid grew up as a Muslim in Illinois and Florida, according to his campaign website.

Being a Muslim-American, Vaid has spoken a lot about President Donald Trump&rsquo;s travel ban throughout his campaign and is focusing on a number of issues including the improvement of transportation, education, Medicare, lowering prescription drug costs, affordable housing, climate change, gun laws, veteran&rsquo;s benefits, women&rsquo;s rights, worker&rsquo;s rights and building strong unions, protecting social security, protecting net neutrality, unity and foreign policy, according to his website.

Vaid will be running against Michael DeCillis, Michael DeVito Jr., Zach Emig, Radhakrishna Mohan, Max Rose and Paul Sperling in the Democratic primary while Rep. Donovan will be challenged by former Rep. Michael Grimm in the Republican primary.

As a member of the Democratic Party, he believes diversity is an asset and that all voices must be included, it says.

A labour union leader, Mohan, is a 27-year resident of Staten Island, New York and an active member of the Community Board 1 of Staten Island.

An eminent community leader, he is a member of the Staten Island Hindu Temple Board. &ldquo;Our Democracy and country is going through a difficult time under the current administration and we should not let it go too far,&rdquo; he said.

Currently there are four Indian-Americans in the US House of Representatives. In addition to Ami Bera from California who is serving his third term, three others &mdash; Ro Khanna from California, Raja Krishnamoorthi from Illinois and Pramila Jayapal from Washington &mdash; were elected for the first term in 2016.

They have informally formed the Samosa Caucus. All of them are from the same Democratic Party. Senator Kamala Harris from California is of mixed Indian and American heritage.

Quite a significant number of Indian-Americans are running for US Congress from various parts of the country.

Krishnamoorthi is facing two Indian-Americans &ndash; Vandana Jhingan and Jitender Digankar &ndash; from the Republican party in his re-election bid. Among other Indian-Americans running for Congress are Aruna Miller from Maryland; Anita Malik and Hiral Tipirneni from Arizona; Chintan Desai from Arkansas; Sapan Shah from Illinois, Harry Arora from Connecticut, Abhijit Das from Massachusetts, Suraj Patel from New York, Sri Preston Kulkarni from Texas, Saira Rao from Colorado; Deep Saran from Virginia and Peter Jacob from New Jersey.

(With PTI inputs)

Omar Vaid and Mohan Radhakrishnan have announced to fight out the Democratic primary to earn the party’s nomination for the November mid-term general elections to defeat the Republican incumbent Congressman Don Donavan in New York’s 11th Congressional District

Two Indian-Americans from the Democratic party have thrown their hats in the ring for the US House of Representatives from the same Congressional seat in New York. Omar Vaid and Mohan Radhakrishnan have announced to fight out the Democratic primary to earn the party’s nomination for the November mid-term general elections to defeat the Republican incumbent Congressman Don Donavan in New York’s 11th Congressional District. While New York is a heavily Democratic leaning State, the 11th Congressional District of late has emerged as a Republican stronghold. US President Donald Trump had won the seat in 2016. Both Vaid and Mohan seek to unseat Donavan this time. But before that they need to win the Democratic party primary for which currently more than half a dozen candidates are in the race. Son of two immigrant parents of Gujarati-Indian heritage, Vaid grew up as a Muslim in Illinois and Florida, according to his campaign website. Being a Muslim-American, Vaid has spoken a lot about President Donald Trump’s travel ban throughout his campaign and is focusing on a number of issues including the improvement of transportation, education, Medicare, lowering prescription drug costs, affordable housing, climate change, gun laws, veteran’s benefits, women’s rights, worker’s rights and building strong unions, protecting social security, protecting net neutrality, unity and foreign policy, according to his website. Vaid will be running against Michael DeCillis, Michael DeVito Jr., Zach Emig, Radhakrishna Mohan, Max Rose and Paul Sperling in the Democratic primary while Rep. Donovan will be challenged by former Rep. Michael Grimm in the Republican primary. As a member of the Democratic Party, he believes diversity is an asset and that all voices must be included, it says. A labour union leader, Mohan, is a 27-year resident of Staten Island, New York and an active member of the Community Board 1 of Staten Island. An eminent community leader, he is a member of the Staten Island Hindu Temple Board. “Our Democracy and country is going through a difficult time under the current administration and we should not let it go too far,” he said. Currently there are four Indian-Americans in the US House of Representatives. In addition to Ami Bera from California who is serving his third term, three others — Ro Khanna from California, Raja Krishnamoorthi from Illinois and Pramila Jayapal from Washington — were elected for the first term in 2016. They have informally formed the Samosa Caucus. All of them are from the same Democratic Party. Senator Kamala Harris from California is of mixed Indian and American heritage. Quite a significant number of Indian-Americans are running for US Congress from various parts of the country. Krishnamoorthi is facing two Indian-Americans – Vandana Jhingan and Jitender Digankar – from the Republican party in his re-election bid. Among other Indian-Americans running for Congress are Aruna Miller from Maryland; Anita Malik and Hiral Tipirneni from Arizona; Chintan Desai from Arkansas; Sapan Shah from Illinois, Harry Arora from Connecticut, Abhijit Das from Massachusetts, Suraj Patel from New York, Sri Preston Kulkarni from Texas, Saira Rao from Colorado; Deep Saran from Virginia and Peter Jacob from New Jersey. (With PTI inputs)

Two Indian-Americans running for Congress in New York

Raj Shah has made his daily press briefing debut at the White House, becoming the first Indian- American to do so.

In his capacity as the White House principal deputy press secretary, Shah is the highest ranking Indian-American in the White House press.

Ahead of his debut behind press briefing podium, his boss Sarah Sanders, the White House press secretary, described him as one of the best and the brightest in the Trump Administration.

Shah, 33, has held this position since September last year.

&quot;So proud to work with @RajShah45! One of the best and brightest in the administration,&quot; Sanders said in a tweet before Shah took the podium in the historic James S Brady press briefing room of the White House.

 
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Uj82Kr0eeHc" width="560"></iframe> 
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Raj Shah has made his daily press briefing debut

Raj Shah has made his daily press briefing debut at the White House, becoming the first Indian- American to do so. In his capacity as the White House principal deputy press secretary, Shah is the highest ranking Indian-American in the White House press. Ahead of his debut behind press briefing podium, his boss Sarah Sanders, the White House press secretary, described him as one of the best and the brightest in the Trump Administration. Shah, 33, has held this position since September last year. "So proud to work with @RajShah45! One of the best and brightest in the administration," Sanders said in a tweet before Shah took the podium in the historic James S Brady press briefing room of the White House.

Watch: Raj Shah becomes first Indian- American to brief media at White House

An Indian-American was killed and another critically injured when a man opened fire in two convenience stores in the US state of Georgia.

 
Parmjit Singh, a 44-year-old father of two high school students, was shot multiple times on Tuesday evening at the Hi-Tech Quick Stop on Burnett Ferry Road, sheriff&#39;s officers said. The Floyd County coroner pronounced him dead on the scene.

 
Just 10 minutes after shooting Singh, the gunman entered another convenience store, Elm Street Food and Beverage, and stole money before shooting 30-year-old clerk Parthey Patel, sheriff&#39;s officers said. Patel was in critical condition.

 
The suspect, Lamar Rashad Nicholson, 28, was arrested on multiple charges, including murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm while committing a crime and use of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is being held without bond in the Floyd County jail.

 
Major Jeff Jones with the Floyd County police said officers did recover security video from the initial location and it shows the suspect walked into the store and immediately fired three shots at the Singh who was standing behind the counter, a local newspaper said.

 
A second employee, a female, was standing off to the side and was not injured, the newspaper reported.

 
Jones said there was no attempt to rob the store, that Nicholson simply walked in and opened fire.

 
Singh&#39;s brother, who owns several local businesses, told Rome News Tribune that his older brother came to the area about eight years ago.

 
Police is investigating the motive behind the crime.

 
Nicholson is no stranger to law enforcement. He was arrested on January 9 after he violently snatched a 3-year-old girl by the arm and cursed in front of her and another child, authorities said.

Parmjit Singh, a 44-year-old father of two high school students, was shot multiple times on Tuesday evening

An Indian-American was killed and another critically injured when a man opened fire in two convenience stores in the US state of Georgia. Parmjit Singh, a 44-year-old father of two high school students, was shot multiple times on Tuesday evening at the Hi-Tech Quick Stop on Burnett Ferry Road, sheriff's officers said. The Floyd County coroner pronounced him dead on the scene. Just 10 minutes after shooting Singh, the gunman entered another convenience store, Elm Street Food and Beverage, and stole money before shooting 30-year-old clerk Parthey Patel, sheriff's officers said. Patel was in critical condition. The suspect, Lamar Rashad Nicholson, 28, was arrested on multiple charges, including murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm while committing a crime and use of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is being held without bond in the Floyd County jail. Major Jeff Jones with the Floyd County police said officers did recover security video from the initial location and it shows the suspect walked into the store and immediately fired three shots at the Singh who was standing behind the counter, a local newspaper said. A second employee, a female, was standing off to the side and was not injured, the newspaper reported. Jones said there was no attempt to rob the store, that Nicholson simply walked in and opened fire. Singh's brother, who owns several local businesses, told Rome News Tribune that his older brother came to the area about eight years ago. Police is investigating the motive behind the crime. Nicholson is no stranger to law enforcement. He was arrested on January 9 after he violently snatched a 3-year-old girl by the arm and cursed in front of her and another child, authorities said.

Indian-American killed, another injured in US shootings

An Indian-American has pleaded guilty to charges of launching a cyber attack on a US university&#39;s computer network, officials said today.

Paras Jha, 21, of New Jersey along with two others Josiah White, 20, from Pennsylvania and Dalton Norman, 21, from Louisiana also pleaded guilty to creating and operating two botnets, which targeted &#39;Internet of Things&#39; (IoT) devices, the Department of Justice announced Tuesday.

&quot;Paras Jha has admitted his responsibility for multiple hacks of the Rutgers University computer system,&quot; Acting US Attorney William Fitzpatrick said in a statement.

&quot;These computer attacks shut down the server used for all communications among faculty, staff and students, including assignment of coursework to students, and students? submission of their work to professors to be graded,&quot; he said.

&quot;The defendant&#39;s actions effectively paralysed the system for days at a time and maliciously disrupted the educational process for tens of thousands of Rutgers&#39; students.

Today, the defendant has admitted his role in this criminal offence and will face the legal consequences for it,? Fitzpatrick said.

In a guilty plea before US District Judge Michael Shipp in Trenton federal court in New Jersey, Paras accepted of violating the Computer Fraud &amp; Abuse Act.

According to court documents, between November 2014 and September 2016, Paras executed a series of attacks on the networks of Rutgers University.

His attacks effectively shut down Rutgers University?s central authentication server, which maintained, among other things, the gateway portal through which staff, faculty, and students delivered assignments and assessments.

At times, he succeeded in taking the portal offline for multiple consecutive periods, causing damage to Rutgers University, its faculty, and its students.

The count to which Jha pleaded guilty is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of USD250,000, or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary gain or loss derived from the offence, whichever is greater. 
Sentencing is scheduled for March 13, 2018.

Earlier on December 8, Jha, White and Norman pleaded guilty to the criminal information in the District of Alaska charging them each with conspiracy to violate the Computer Fraud &amp; Abuse Act in operating the Mirai Botnet.&nbsp;

According to court documents, between November 2014 and September 2016, Paras executed a series of attacks on the networks of Rutgers University.

An Indian-American has pleaded guilty to charges of launching a cyber attack on a US university's computer network, officials said today. Paras Jha, 21, of New Jersey along with two others Josiah White, 20, from Pennsylvania and Dalton Norman, 21, from Louisiana also pleaded guilty to creating and operating two botnets, which targeted 'Internet of Things' (IoT) devices, the Department of Justice announced Tuesday. "Paras Jha has admitted his responsibility for multiple hacks of the Rutgers University computer system," Acting US Attorney William Fitzpatrick said in a statement. "These computer attacks shut down the server used for all communications among faculty, staff and students, including assignment of coursework to students, and students? submission of their work to professors to be graded," he said. "The defendant's actions effectively paralysed the system for days at a time and maliciously disrupted the educational process for tens of thousands of Rutgers' students. Today, the defendant has admitted his role in this criminal offence and will face the legal consequences for it,? Fitzpatrick said. In a guilty plea before US District Judge Michael Shipp in Trenton federal court in New Jersey, Paras accepted of violating the Computer Fraud & Abuse Act. According to court documents, between November 2014 and September 2016, Paras executed a series of attacks on the networks of Rutgers University. His attacks effectively shut down Rutgers University?s central authentication server, which maintained, among other things, the gateway portal through which staff, faculty, and students delivered assignments and assessments. At times, he succeeded in taking the portal offline for multiple consecutive periods, causing damage to Rutgers University, its faculty, and its students. The count to which Jha pleaded guilty is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of USD250,000, or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary gain or loss derived from the offence, whichever is greater. Sentencing is scheduled for March 13, 2018. Earlier on December 8, Jha, White and Norman pleaded guilty to the criminal information in the District of Alaska charging them each with conspiracy to violate the Computer Fraud & Abuse Act in operating the Mirai Botnet.

Indian pleads guilty to launching cyber-attack on varsity computers

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/kansas-bar-shooting-hero-honoured-by-indian-american-community-13820">24-year-old American Ian Grillot</a>, who was hit with bullets during an attack on Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibothla in February at the Austins Bar and Grill in Olath, Kansas has been honoured by Time magazine.

The magazine<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-navy-veteran-charged-with-killing-indian-in-kansas-bar-12768"> has named Grillot as &quot;5 heroes</a> who gave us hope in 2017&quot;.&nbsp;

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed after an American ex-Navy veteran opened fire at the Kansas bar. &nbsp;

Police had filed a case against Adam Purinton, 51, for possible &quot;hate crime&quot; and charged him with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder.

The murder was taken up by the Indian foreign ministry later which had requested US authorities to conduct a &quot;thorough and speedy investigation&quot;.

Grillot was severely injured during the shooting.&nbsp;He told Time that,&quot;I wouldn&#39;t have been able to live with myself if I didn&#39;t do anything.&quot;

&quot;Without all the prayers and positive support from everybody, I wouldn&#39;t be doing as well as I am right now. It has been a wonderful year and a blessing to be alive,&quot; Grillot told PTI later.

Grillot was watching a basketball game on TV at the restaurant when Purinton approached Srinivas and another Indian Alok and reportedly told them to &quot;get out of my country.&quot;

Grillot was shot in the chest during the attack on Srinivas as he tried to fend off Purinton.

Srinivas Kuchibhotla was ultimately cremated in Bachupally area on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed after an American ex-Navy veteran opened fire at the Kansas bar. ?

24-year-old American Ian Grillot, who was hit with bullets during an attack on Indian techie Srinivas Kuchibothla in February at the Austins Bar and Grill in Olath, Kansas has been honoured by Time magazine. The magazine has named Grillot as "5 heroes who gave us hope in 2017". Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed after an American ex-Navy veteran opened fire at the Kansas bar. Police had filed a case against Adam Purinton, 51, for possible "hate crime" and charged him with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder. The murder was taken up by the Indian foreign ministry later which had requested US authorities to conduct a "thorough and speedy investigation". Grillot was severely injured during the shooting. He told Time that,"I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if I didn't do anything." "Without all the prayers and positive support from everybody, I wouldn't be doing as well as I am right now. It has been a wonderful year and a blessing to be alive," Grillot told PTI later. Grillot was watching a basketball game on TV at the restaurant when Purinton approached Srinivas and another Indian Alok and reportedly told them to "get out of my country." Grillot was shot in the chest during the attack on Srinivas as he tried to fend off Purinton. Srinivas Kuchibhotla was ultimately cremated in Bachupally area on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

Time magazine honours American Ian Grillot who took bullets during attack on Indian techie in Kansas

An Indian-American businessman from New Hampshire has been fined $40,000 and put on three years of probation by a federal court on charges of filing false H-1B visa applications, a US attorney has said. 
 
The businessman, Rohit Saksena, had previously pleaded guilty to making false statements to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, according to court documents. 
 
Saksena, 42, president and chief executive officer of Saks IT Group LLC, a company based in Manchester, New Hampshire, allegedly filed 45 fraudulent visa applications, claiming that his company was hiring foreign workers to provide professional services to a California-based company. 
 
However, the California company had not entered into a contract with Saks IT Group and had no vacancies for foreign workers. Saksena knew that foreign workers would not be employed, acting US attorney John J. Farley said yesterday. 
 
Saksena filed visa applications that falsely claimed jobs awaited the foreign workers at the California company, the US Justice Department said. 
 
He supported those applications with bogus independent contractor agreements between his IT group and the other company with sham work orders that purported to show that the foreign workers would provide professional services for the California company, it claimed. 
 
&quot;Some of the false visa applications resulted in foreign workers receiving H-1B visas. Many of the fraudulent applications were denied once Saksena&#39;s deception came to light,&quot; the department said.&nbsp;

He filed visa applications that falsely claimed jobs awaited the foreign workers at the California company

An Indian-American businessman from New Hampshire has been fined $40,000 and put on three years of probation by a federal court on charges of filing false H-1B visa applications, a US attorney has said. The businessman, Rohit Saksena, had previously pleaded guilty to making false statements to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, according to court documents. Saksena, 42, president and chief executive officer of Saks IT Group LLC, a company based in Manchester, New Hampshire, allegedly filed 45 fraudulent visa applications, claiming that his company was hiring foreign workers to provide professional services to a California-based company. However, the California company had not entered into a contract with Saks IT Group and had no vacancies for foreign workers. Saksena knew that foreign workers would not be employed, acting US attorney John J. Farley said yesterday. Saksena filed visa applications that falsely claimed jobs awaited the foreign workers at the California company, the US Justice Department said. He supported those applications with bogus independent contractor agreements between his IT group and the other company with sham work orders that purported to show that the foreign workers would provide professional services for the California company, it claimed. "Some of the false visa applications resulted in foreign workers receiving H-1B visas. Many of the fraudulent applications were denied once Saksena's deception came to light," the department said.

Indian-American businessman fined $40,000 for filing false visa applications

A 37-year-old man has been arrested and charged with attempted rape and assault after he attacked a woman inside a Gurudwara in the US state of Oregon.

Timothy Walter Schmidt was intoxicated and was walking by the Sikh house of worship in the Oregon town of Gresham Sunday night. He asked to use a restroom at the gurudwara and was allowed inside.

A local<a href="http://www.kptv.com/clip/13205651/gresham-police-arrest-37-year-old-man-who-attacked-woman-inside-sikh-temple" target="_blank"> Fox News</a> report places the incident at around 10pm.

When Schmidt came out of the bathroom, he saw a 26-year-old female temple member inside the building and attacked her, a report in Fox 12 Oregon said.

According to Detective Adam Baker, a temple member heard the commotion and pulled off Schmidt of the woman and held him down until police arrived.

Schmidt was lodged into the Multnomah County Jail and charged with assault, coercion, attempted rape, sex abuse and unlawful use of a weapon. Rights group &quot;The Sikh Coalition&quot;&nbsp;said it was &ldquo;grateful&rdquo; to Gresham law enforcement officials for arresting the accused.

(PTI)

Timothy Schmidt, drunk, walked past the Oregon Gurdwara. He was given permission to use the bathroom, then once inside he attacked a member

A 37-year-old man has been arrested and charged with attempted rape and assault after he attacked a woman inside a Gurudwara in the US state of Oregon. Timothy Walter Schmidt was intoxicated and was walking by the Sikh house of worship in the Oregon town of Gresham Sunday night. He asked to use a restroom at the gurudwara and was allowed inside. A local Fox News report places the incident at around 10pm. When Schmidt came out of the bathroom, he saw a 26-year-old female temple member inside the building and attacked her, a report in Fox 12 Oregon said. According to Detective Adam Baker, a temple member heard the commotion and pulled off Schmidt of the woman and held him down until police arrived. Schmidt was lodged into the Multnomah County Jail and charged with assault, coercion, attempted rape, sex abuse and unlawful use of a weapon. Rights group "The Sikh Coalition" said it was “grateful” to Gresham law enforcement officials for arresting the accused. (PTI)

Man charged with attempted rape, assault for attack against Indian-American woman in US Gurdwara

&nbsp;

US President Barack Obama has chosen four Indian-American scientists for the highest honour given to science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their research careers for keeping the US on the cutting edge by their innovations.

The four are part of the list of 102 scientists and researchers who are recipients of the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE).

These scientists are Pankaj Lal from Montclair State University, Kaushik Chowdhury from Northeastern University, Manish Arora from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Aradhna Tripati from University of California, Los Angeles.

It is the highest honour bestowed by the United States Government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers.

&quot;I congratulate these outstanding scientists and engineers on their impactful work,&quot; Obama said.

&quot;These innovators are working to help keep the United States on the cutting edge, showing that Federal investments in science lead to advancements that expand our knowledge of the world around us and contribute to our economy,&quot; Obama said.

Established by President Bill Clinton in 1996, the Presidential Early Career Awards highlight the key role that the administration places in encouraging and accelerating American innovation to grow US economy and tackle greatest challenges, the White House said.

(PTI)

It is the highest honour bestowed by the US govt on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their research

US President Barack Obama has chosen four Indian-American scientists for the highest honour given to science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their research careers for keeping the US on the cutting edge by their innovations. The four are part of the list of 102 scientists and researchers who are recipients of the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). These scientists are Pankaj Lal from Montclair State University, Kaushik Chowdhury from Northeastern University, Manish Arora from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Aradhna Tripati from University of California, Los Angeles. It is the highest honour bestowed by the United States Government on science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers. "I congratulate these outstanding scientists and engineers on their impactful work," Obama said. "These innovators are working to help keep the United States on the cutting edge, showing that Federal investments in science lead to advancements that expand our knowledge of the world around us and contribute to our economy," Obama said. Established by President Bill Clinton in 1996, the Presidential Early Career Awards highlight the key role that the administration places in encouraging and accelerating American innovation to grow US economy and tackle greatest challenges, the White House said. (PTI)

Obama selects four Indian-Americans for presidential awards

India-born former Goldman Sachs director Rajat Gupta, who is arguing in appeal that the government lacked evidence to show he &quot;received even a penny&quot; for passing insider information, has disagreed with a US Supreme Court ruling that sharing corporate secrets is illegal even if the tipsters did not receive anything in return.

In a landmark ruling earlier this month relating to the insider trading conviction of Illinois resident Bassam Yacoub Salman, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that sharing corporate secrets with friends or relatives is illegal even if the insider providing the tip doesn&#39;t receive anything of value in return.

68-year-old Gupta is a free man now after completing a prison term on insider trading charges but is not giving up his legal battle to overturn his conviction, arguing that he served two years in jail for conduct that is not criminal even though the government lacked evidence to show he &quot;received even a penny&quot; for passing confidential boardroom information to now jailed hedge-fund manager Raj Rajaratnam.

In May, Gupta&#39;s team of lawyers had argued in papers before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals that the judgement of the Manhattan district court finding Gupta guilty of insider trading &quot;should be reversed&quot; and his &quot;conviction should be vacated&quot;.

Gupta&#39;s appeal comes on the back of a ruling by the Manhattan appeals court that for an insider trading conviction prosecutors must show that a defendant received a personal benefit for passing illegal tips. Gupta&#39;s lawyers have cited the ruling that led to the reversal of insider convictions of hedge-fund managers Todd Newman and Anthony Chiasson in December, 2014.

In fresh court papers following the verdict in Salman&#39;s case, Gupta said there is &quot;a fatal inconsistency&quot; and he was &quot;substantially prejudiced by the invalid theory of benefit pursued at trial; and that his entitlement to relief is in no way affected&quot; by the verdict in the Salman case.

&quot;The issue on this appeal is whether the government&#39;s benefit theory (that Gupta tipped to maintain a good relationship with Rajaratnam), and the district court&#39;s instruction that the benefit could be modest, intangible and non-financial, are fatally inconsistent with Newman&#39;s quid pro quo requirement: an exchange of a tip for a benefit that is &#39;objective, consequential, and at least potentially pecuniary&#39;,&quot; Gupta&#39;s lawyers said in court papers.

The government said Gupta&#39;s appeal lacked merit even under the Newman ruling and the Salman verdict &quot;confirms the validity of the District Court&#39;s jury instructions and thus defeats Gupta&#39;s claim of error at the outset&quot;.

(PTI)

Ruling hinges on whether sharing corporate secrets is illegal, even if the insider providing the tip doesn't receive anything of value

India-born former Goldman Sachs director Rajat Gupta, who is arguing in appeal that the government lacked evidence to show he "received even a penny" for passing insider information, has disagreed with a US Supreme Court ruling that sharing corporate secrets is illegal even if the tipsters did not receive anything in return. In a landmark ruling earlier this month relating to the insider trading conviction of Illinois resident Bassam Yacoub Salman, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that sharing corporate secrets with friends or relatives is illegal even if the insider providing the tip doesn't receive anything of value in return. 68-year-old Gupta is a free man now after completing a prison term on insider trading charges but is not giving up his legal battle to overturn his conviction, arguing that he served two years in jail for conduct that is not criminal even though the government lacked evidence to show he "received even a penny" for passing confidential boardroom information to now jailed hedge-fund manager Raj Rajaratnam. In May, Gupta's team of lawyers had argued in papers before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals that the judgement of the Manhattan district court finding Gupta guilty of insider trading "should be reversed" and his "conviction should be vacated". Gupta's appeal comes on the back of a ruling by the Manhattan appeals court that for an insider trading conviction prosecutors must show that a defendant received a personal benefit for passing illegal tips. Gupta's lawyers have cited the ruling that led to the reversal of insider convictions of hedge-fund managers Todd Newman and Anthony Chiasson in December, 2014. In fresh court papers following the verdict in Salman's case, Gupta said there is "a fatal inconsistency" and he was "substantially prejudiced by the invalid theory of benefit pursued at trial; and that his entitlement to relief is in no way affected" by the verdict in the Salman case. "The issue on this appeal is whether the government's benefit theory (that Gupta tipped to maintain a good relationship with Rajaratnam), and the district court's instruction that the benefit could be modest, intangible and non-financial, are fatally inconsistent with Newman's quid pro quo requirement: an exchange of a tip for a benefit that is 'objective, consequential, and at least potentially pecuniary'," Gupta's lawyers said in court papers. The government said Gupta's appeal lacked merit even under the Newman ruling and the Salman verdict "confirms the validity of the District Court's jury instructions and thus defeats Gupta's claim of error at the outset". (PTI)

India-born ex Goldman Sachs director fights US Supreme Court's insider trading ruling

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has accepted President-elect Donald Trump&#39;s offer to be the US&nbsp;ambassador to the United Nations, news agency ANI reported today.

While the presidential transition team did not confirm the news, several US media reported the news today.

Haley, 44, thus becomes the first woman and minority to join Trump&#39;s administration and would replace Samantha Power as the next US Ambassador to the UN, the Wall Street Journal reported.

She is also the first ever Indian-American cabinet rank official in any administration if confirmed by the senate.

Reports also suggested that former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, a Haley ally, is likely to be Trump&#39;s choice for secretary of state.

Trump has picked Gen (rtd) James Mattis as his Defense Secretary, these reports stated.

Haley met with Trump at Trump Tower in New York on Thursday, PTI reported. &quot;It was a good meeting. We talked about a multiple group of topics and it was nice meeting,&quot; she had told reporters on Monday.

A report in the Post and Courier, a South Carolina newspaper, said, &quot;The move, expected Wednesday, continues the steep political rise of the daughter of Indian immigrants that started six years ago when the Bamberg native was elected as South Carolina&#39;s first female and minority governor.&quot;

&quot;The planned nomination to the cabinet-level post, confirmed by multiple sources with knowledge of the decision, is likely to raise questions about Haley&#39;s qualifications for a major foreign policy role since she has little diplomatic experience as state lawmaker and governor,&quot; the daily added.

The Wall Street said former presidential candidate Ben Carson has been considered for leading the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Haley, the daughter of Indian immigrants, was a vocal critic of the real estate mogul on the campaign trail. She later voted for Trump, lamenting that she was &quot;not a fan&quot; of either candidate, PTI reported.

Born Nimrata &quot;Nikki&quot; Randhawa, Haley is the first minority and female governor of South Carolina, a deeply conservative state with a history of racial strife.

As the youngest governor in the US and only the second Indian-American to serve at the helm of a US state, she has been characterised as a rising star within the Republican Party.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

Haley becomes the first woman and minority to join Trump's administration and would replace Samantha Power

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has accepted President-elect Donald Trump's offer to be the US ambassador to the United Nations, news agency ANI reported today. While the presidential transition team did not confirm the news, several US media reported the news today. Haley, 44, thus becomes the first woman and minority to join Trump's administration and would replace Samantha Power as the next US Ambassador to the UN, the Wall Street Journal reported. She is also the first ever Indian-American cabinet rank official in any administration if confirmed by the senate. Reports also suggested that former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, a Haley ally, is likely to be Trump's choice for secretary of state. Trump has picked Gen (rtd) James Mattis as his Defense Secretary, these reports stated. Haley met with Trump at Trump Tower in New York on Thursday, PTI reported. "It was a good meeting. We talked about a multiple group of topics and it was nice meeting," she had told reporters on Monday. A report in the Post and Courier, a South Carolina newspaper, said, "The move, expected Wednesday, continues the steep political rise of the daughter of Indian immigrants that started six years ago when the Bamberg native was elected as South Carolina's first female and minority governor." "The planned nomination to the cabinet-level post, confirmed by multiple sources with knowledge of the decision, is likely to raise questions about Haley's qualifications for a major foreign policy role since she has little diplomatic experience as state lawmaker and governor," the daily added. The Wall Street said former presidential candidate Ben Carson has been considered for leading the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Haley, the daughter of Indian immigrants, was a vocal critic of the real estate mogul on the campaign trail. She later voted for Trump, lamenting that she was "not a fan" of either candidate, PTI reported. Born Nimrata "Nikki" Randhawa, Haley is the first minority and female governor of South Carolina, a deeply conservative state with a history of racial strife. As the youngest governor in the US and only the second Indian-American to serve at the helm of a US state, she has been characterised as a rising star within the Republican Party. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Nikki Haley accepts Trump offer to be US ambassador to UN: Reports

Nikki Haley was today named as US ambassador to the United Nations by President-elect Donald Trump, becoming the first Indian-American to be appointed to a cabinet-level post in any US administration, PTI reported.

&quot;Governor Haley has a proven track record of bringing people together regardless of background or party affiliation to move critical policies forward for the betterment of her state and our country,&quot; Trump said

A former critic of Trump, the 44-year-old Haley is the first woman tapped by Trump for a top-level administration post during his transition to the White House.

&quot;She is also a proven dealmaker, and we look to be making plenty of deals. She will be a great leader representing us on the world stage,&quot; PTI reported Trump as saying.

The presidential transition team said this would a cabinet-level position in the Trump-Pence administration and&nbsp;would require confirmation by the Senate.

&quot;Our country faces enormous challenges here at home and internationally, and I am honoured that the President-elect has asked me to join his team and serve the country we love as the next Ambassador to the United Nations,&quot; Haley said, commenting on her nomination to the key post.

After working at her family&#39;s business, Haley turned her focus to economic development and has travelled abroad to negotiate with international companies on behalf of South Carolina.

As governor, she has led seven overseas trade missions and successfully attracted jobs and investment through negotiations with foreign companies, PTI reported from the official announcement.

Haley, currently serving the second term as governor, has served as her home state&#39;s first female and first minority governor.

The country&#39;s youngest governor&nbsp;has worked on trade and labour issues although she has little foreign policy experience.

Haley was critical of Trump during the primary campaign and had backed Senator Marco Rubio in the Republican primary. However, before the general elections, she switched her position, saying she would vote for Trump.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

Haley becomes the first woman tapped by Trump for a top-level administration post during his transition to the White House

Nikki Haley was today named as US ambassador to the United Nations by President-elect Donald Trump, becoming the first Indian-American to be appointed to a cabinet-level post in any US administration, PTI reported. "Governor Haley has a proven track record of bringing people together regardless of background or party affiliation to move critical policies forward for the betterment of her state and our country," Trump said A former critic of Trump, the 44-year-old Haley is the first woman tapped by Trump for a top-level administration post during his transition to the White House. "She is also a proven dealmaker, and we look to be making plenty of deals. She will be a great leader representing us on the world stage," PTI reported Trump as saying. The presidential transition team said this would a cabinet-level position in the Trump-Pence administration and would require confirmation by the Senate. "Our country faces enormous challenges here at home and internationally, and I am honoured that the President-elect has asked me to join his team and serve the country we love as the next Ambassador to the United Nations," Haley said, commenting on her nomination to the key post. After working at her family's business, Haley turned her focus to economic development and has travelled abroad to negotiate with international companies on behalf of South Carolina. As governor, she has led seven overseas trade missions and successfully attracted jobs and investment through negotiations with foreign companies, PTI reported from the official announcement. Haley, currently serving the second term as governor, has served as her home state's first female and first minority governor. The country's youngest governor has worked on trade and labour issues although she has little foreign policy experience. Haley was critical of Trump during the primary campaign and had backed Senator Marco Rubio in the Republican primary. However, before the general elections, she switched her position, saying she would vote for Trump. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Nikki Haley named US ambassador to United Nations

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