Indian-origin educator and former high school principal Pia Dandiya has won the Democratic primary for Florida’s 22nd Congressional District. With more than 95% of votes counted, Dandiya secured 68.6% of the vote, defeating Kaysia Earley. She will now face Republican nominee Casey Askar in the November 3 general election. Thanking voters and volunteers after her victory, Dandiya said it was her dream to represent her home state and make Florida proud. Her campaign has focused on issues affecting working families, including the rising cost of groceries, healthcare and housing. (PC: HT)

Indian gangster Major Singh, an alleged operative of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang, has been added to the FBI's Most Wanted list. The FBI said Singh is wanted for his alleged involvement in the activities of the transnational criminal syndicate in the United States. He faces charges including conspiracy to violate the RICO Act and conspiracy to engage in the unlicensed arms trade. A federal arrest warrant was issued against him on June 25, 2026. The allegations against Singh have not yet been proven in court, and the FBI has sought public information about his whereabouts. (PC: NDTV)

Pakistan summoned US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker and lodged a strong protest over remarks by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor during his visit to Srinagar. Gor described Jammu and Kashmir as an “important part of India” and said the US could review its travel advisory for the region. Pakistan rejected his remarks, calling Jammu and Kashmir a disputed territory and referring to UN Security Council resolutions. Gor met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and visited Dal Lake during his first trip to the region since taking charge as US ambassador to India. (PC: X)

India’s relationship with Israel has deepened significantly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, moving beyond diplomacy into defence, manufacturing and strategic cooperation. A Guardian report, citing an Amnesty International investigation, says Indian companies have supplied Israeli military firms with components potentially used in weapons, marking a shift from India being primarily an Israeli arms buyer to also contributing to production. India and Israel formally became strategic partners after establishing full diplomatic relations in 1992. The growing partnership has drawn criticism from activists and opposition groups, particularly over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, while supporters emphasise defence and strategic interests. (PC: EPA)

London’s River Thames will host a traditional Ganga Aarti on September 13, 2026, bringing a centuries-old Indian spiritual tradition to the UK. The ceremony will be held at the historic Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich and is being organised by Chinmaya Mission UK in collaboration with Totally Thames. The event will feature Indian music, dance, food and community activities before culminating in the evening aarti. The ceremony aims to create a symbolic connection between the Ganga and Thames while introducing Indian cultural heritage to a wider audience. The event is open to people of all backgrounds, highlighting cultural exchange and community participation. (PC: Unsplash)

Indian criminal defence lawyer Vijay Aggarwal, who represents fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, was reportedly detained by UK immigration authorities in London over alleged immigration and work-permit violations. Reports said British officials inspected a property in Mayfair following a landlord’s complaint, where Aggarwal was allegedly found working professionally without the required permissions. A substantial amount of cash was also reportedly discovered at the premises, though its source remained under investigation. Several junior lawyers from Aggarwal’s firm were reportedly present during the inspection. Aggarwal is known for representing Choksi in legal proceedings across jurisdictions, including India and Belgium, and challenging his extradition. He has also handled prominent corporate crime, financial fraud and 2G spectrum-related cases. (PC: X)

A 40-year-old Indian-origin man, Jagendar Kurana, has been arrested in Surrey, Canada, over the alleged sexual assault of a young woman at Bear Creek Park. Police said the woman reported on August 9 that an adult man groped her before fleeing. She was not physically injured. The suspect was described as a South Asian male, about 5'8", wearing a blue Adidas toque, black T-shirt, black pants and black flip-flops. After extensive patrols and a public appeal with photographs, police identified and arrested Kurana on August 12. The British Columbia Prosecution Service approved charges of sexual assault and sexual interference. Kurana remains in custody awaiting a bail hearing as investigations continue further. (PC: AFP)

Nine Bangladeshi nationals, including a child, were killed and six others injured after a fire broke out at a hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street in Kolkata around 2 am, according to the Fire Department. The victims had reportedly travelled to the city for medical treatment. Two fire tenders were deployed as firefighters conducted rescue and search operations at the hotel. Further details on the cause of the blaze and the identities of the victims were awaited. The report also mentioned a separate hotel fire in Tarapith, West Bengal, where at least eight people were reportedly killed after being trapped inside, with rescue operations continuing and fears that the toll could rise.

Indian-origin woman Venkata Vasamsetty, who has lived lawfully in the US for 27 years and held a Green Card since 2013, has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A special-needs teacher in North Carolina, Vasamsetty has no criminal record and is the mother of two US citizens and grandmother of two US citizen children, according to her family and lawyer. She was detained on August 11 during a scheduled ICE check-in in Charlotte, months after an immigration judge terminated her deportation case. Vasamsetty had travelled to India to care for her ailing parents, but her return was delayed after she contracted Covid-19. She is reportedly being held at a detention centre in Georgia. (PC: Zoe Ji Wilson/Linkedin)

An Indian woman living in Australia has claimed she was fined A$1,800, around Rs 1.3 lakh, after steam from a five-minute shower allegedly triggered her building’s fire alarm. Vamika said she did not switch on the bathroom exhaust fan because she gets cold easily. The alarm sounded shortly after her shower, prompting a building manager to enter her apartment. She later claimed the charge was linked to the fire service response. Her experience sparked an online debate over whether shower steam can trigger alarms and whether residents should bear emergency-response costs. Some users questioned the alarm’s placement and sensitivity, while others suggested residents should receive warnings or exemptions before facing charges.