Every U.S. state selects one Co-Chairman to advise the President on local issues, and Sunny Reddy now represents Michigan in that group. Moreover, he stands out as the only Telugu individual to receive this national-level honor. He also won a major victory in the Wayne State University Board of Governors election, defeating several senior candidates. His election was achieved with a clear and convincing majority.

Sunny Reddy completed his Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering at Wayne State University in 1994. Since then, he has contributed to Michigan’s education, economic, and social development. Furthermore, his proposals to reduce tuition costs, keep education free from political influence, and expand alumni career guidance impressed many voters.

He maintains close ties with the American Telugu Association and serves as a Board of Trustee member. Additionally, he worked with the American Red Cross during major hurricanes and helped raise essential funds. Many NRIs believe his entry into Trump’s team brings pride to both the Telugu and Indian communities.

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Mamdani said his team reached out to the White House to set up the meeting, stressing that affordability remains his top priority. “I will work with anyone to make life more affordable for the more than eight and a half million people who call this city home,” he said. He added that if any agenda harms New Yorkers, he would be the first to oppose it.

Calling the meeting a long-standing tradition between incoming NYC mayors and the federal administration, Mamdani said cooperation is crucial amid a nationwide affordability crisis. He noted that New Yorkers elected leaders who would confront rising living costs and ensure safety without compromising essential services.

The post Mamdani to Meet Trump Today, Says He’ll Collaborate on Any Agenda That Benefits New Yorkers appeared first on India Podcast.

Trump claimed that Russia’s global trading partners are indirectly supporting the war by purchasing Russian oil, gas and other key exports. India and China are among the countries likely to be affected by the proposed sanction framework, and Trump has previously labelled both nations as “primary funders” of Russia’s war efforts. He has already imposed a 25% “penalty tariff” on India, raising the total tariff level to 50% in August this year.

The former President hinted that Iran may also be added to the sanctions list, as the Republican Party plans to push the bill forward. According to a Bloomberg report, the legislation would allow Trump to levy tariffs of up to 500% on imports from countries that purchase Russian energy and do not actively support Ukraine.

Interestingly, Trump’s latest position follows failed peace outreach efforts with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Initially, he was reluctant to endorse extreme sanction policies as part of an attempt to negotiate a ceasefire, but with talks collapsing, he is now backing aggressive trade and diplomatic pressure.

Meanwhile, India and Russia have continued expanding bilateral trade, reiterating their goal of reaching USD 100 billion by 2030 and accelerating talks on the proposed India-Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) free trade agreement.

In a separate move aimed at easing inflation pressure, Trump recently lifted tariffs on over 20 food commodities, including beef, offering partial relief to Indian exporters of coffee, spices, tea, and cashews who were previously hit by doubled tariff duties.

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Trump also accused Democrats of spreading an “Epstein hoax”. He reacted to old emails in which Jeffrey Epstein claimed Trump “knew about the girls”. Trump denied the claim and said the Justice Department already shared thousands of pages with the public.
Moreover, he urged Republicans to stay focused on major issues like inflation, jobs, border security, and investment.

Meanwhile, social media reacted strongly to a new set of emails from Epstein’s brother, Mark Epstein. In one email, Mark asked Steve Bannon if Vladimir Putin holds a photo of “Trump blowing Bubba”. Many users linked “Bubba” to former President Bill Clinton, who has denied all wrongdoing connected to Epstein.
As a result, the online debate grew even louder.

Trump said the nation should stop wasting time on rumors. Therefore, he wants all legal documents released so that people can finally move on.

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The House of Representatives passed the measure by a 222-209 vote, with six Democrats crossing party lines to support the Republican-led legislation. Thunderous applause filled the chamber as the bill cleared the final hurdle, paving the way for President Donald Trump’s signature later in the evening.

The shutdown had disrupted lives nationwide — leaving federal employees without paychecks, stranding travellers at airports, and forcing families to line up at food banks. Lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill this week after nearly eight weeks away to break the impasse.

The six Democrats who voted with Republicans were Jared Golden (Maine), Adam Gray (California), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Washington), Don Davis (North Carolina), Henry Cuellar (Texas), and Tom Suozzi (New York). Only two Republicans — Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Greg Steube of Florida — opposed the bill.

The White House confirmed that President Trump will sign the bill on camera from the Oval Office at 9:45 p.m. ET Wednesday (8:15 a.m. Thursday IST), marking the official end of the shutdown.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt hinted earlier in the day that reporters might witness the signing live, replacing a previously scheduled private dinner. The televised ceremony will symbolize the reopening of federal operations and bring relief to millions of affected Americans.

The bill’s passage represents a rare bipartisan breakthrough following weeks of partisan stalemate in Washington.

The post US Government Shutdown Ends After 43 Days as Lawmakers Pass Funding Bill appeared first on India Podcast.

The crisis stems from a political standoff between Republicans and Democrats in the Senate over a temporary funding resolution. The measure, known as a “continuing resolution,” has been blocked by a filibuster that requires 60 votes to overcome. With only 53 votes, Republicans have been unable to move forward, despite pressure from former President Donald Trump to end the rule.

Democrats insist they will only support the funding bill if healthcare subsidies under Obamacare are extended. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said his party is ready to pass the bill once affordable healthcare is included. Republicans, however, refuse to negotiate on Obamacare provisions until the shutdown ends.

The prolonged shutdown is hurting both parties. Trump blames it for Republican losses, while Democrats face backlash as millions lose access to food programmes and salaries. Economists warn the impasse could cut US economic growth by up to two per cent this quarter.

The post US Shutdown Crisis Deepens appeared first on India Podcast.

Investigators said Tellis removed secret papers from Defense Department offices and kept them at his home in Vienna, Virginia. Surveillance showed him printing “Secret” and “Top Secret” files between September 12 and 25, 2025. The FBI reported that he hid the papers inside notepads and placed them in a leather briefcase.

Court records also described Tellis’s meetings with Chinese officials in recent years. They reportedly discussed issues like artificial intelligence, Iran-China ties, and US-Pakistan relations. In one meeting, he carried a manila envelope and did not return with it.

Tellis serves as a senior adviser to the State Department and a contractor for the Defense Department’s Office of Net Assessment. If convicted, he could face ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The post US Expert Ashley Tellis Arrested Over Classified Documents Case appeared first on India Podcast.

“ We stopped seven wars, and we’re close to ending an eighth . Even the Russia situation can be settled ,” he said, emphasizing his efforts to promote global peace and diplomacy during his tenure. Trump claimed that no other leader in history had worked to end so many conflicts. However, he added sarcastically that despite these achievements, “they will still find a reason not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize.”

His comments reflect Trump’s long-standing belief that his diplomatic accomplishments, such as peace deals in the Middle East, have not been adequately recognized by international institutions.

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In a post on Truth Social, Trump detailed the alleged sabotage, beginning with a sudden escalator malfunction. According to him, the escalator carrying him and former First Lady Melania Trump to the Assembly floor “stopped on a dime,” nearly causing them to fall. “It was only because we held the handrails tightly that a serious accident was avoided,” he said, calling for security footage of the incident to be preserved.

The second disruption came minutes later when Trump’s teleprompter failed at the start of his address. Despite the blackout, he continued speaking for nearly an hour, delivering most of his speech without assistance until the device resumed after about 15 minutes. Trump later claimed the unscripted speech received “fantastic reviews.”

The third issue, he alleged, was a sound system failure that left world leaders unable to hear his remarks without interpreters’ earpieces. “Melania told me she couldn’t hear a word,” Trump said.

Calling the sequence of events a “triple sabotage at the UN,” Trump revealed he has sent a letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres demanding an investigation. He also confirmed the involvement of the US Secret Service in reviewing security tapes and the escalator’s emergency stop mechanism.

Trump condemned the UN for what he described as a “disgraceful” situation, urging accountability for those responsible. The United Nations has not yet issued an official response to the accusations.

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Alexander Duncan, running for the US Senate in Texas, posted a video of the Hanuman statue on X, writing, “Why are we allowing a false statue of a false Hindu God to be here in Texas? We are a Christian nation!” He followed up with a Bible quote emphasizing that followers should not make idols or images of any god.

The comments drew swift backlash from the Hindu American Foundation and Indian-American communities, who labeled them “anti-Hindu and inflammatory.” The foundation also questioned the Texas Republican Party, asking if Duncan would be disciplined for violating party guidelines and disrespecting the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from establishing an official religion.

The controversy comes shortly after Trump aide Peter Navarro faced criticism for making casteist remarks about Brahmins in India. Indian-American citizens, like entrepreneur Tapesh Yadav, expressed disappointment over Duncan’s statements, noting that they contradict the Republican Party’s principles of freedom and opportunity.

The Hanuman statue, inaugurated in August 2024 at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple, is North America’s tallest Hanuman figure. Since its unveiling, it has faced backlash from MAGA supporters who called it a “demonic” monument or even compared it to George Floyd, drawing condemnation from Hindu groups and the Indian diaspora.

The Texas Hanuman statue controversy highlights the ongoing challenges Hindu Americans face regarding religious tolerance, cultural respect, and political rhetoric in the United States. Analysts say it could further alienate Indian-American voters ahead of elections.

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