Aziz Haniffa In Washington, DC &Amp; George Joseph In New York

Stories by Aziz Haniffa In Washington, DC &Amp; George Joseph In New York

'Indians on home buying spree in the US'

'Indians on home buying spree in the US'

Rediff.com   26 May 2010

The housing market crisis sent Indian Americans on a buying spree across the country, with the exception of New York City. Even as the economy starts to stabilise, Indians still continue to buy property.

More home owners, more foreclosures in US

More home owners, more foreclosures in US

Rediff.com   26 May 2010

With federal help for home buyers and owners, the housing market is on its way to recovery, reveals the latest survey by the National Association of Realtors.

Never advised India on tackling insurgency: SL

Never advised India on tackling insurgency: SL

Rediff.com   26 May 2010

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Professor G L Peiris, who is on a visit to United States, emphasised on Tuesday that India should not be concerned over the island nation's deep-rooted ties with China.In an interaction that followed his address to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies -- a leading Washington, DC-based think tank -- Peiris also denied reports about Sri Lanka advising India on how to deal with its internal problems like separatist insurgencies.

Lanka seeks to repair strained ties with US

Lanka seeks to repair strained ties with US

Rediff.com   26 May 2010

The prime mission behind the new Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, Professor Gamini Lakshman Peiris' meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, is to repair the strained relations between the US and Sri Lanka, which took a beating last year when the Sri Lankan forces were crushing the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. The US had alleged that there were large scale human rights violations during the military offensive against the tigers.

US lawmaker solicits Indian American votes

US lawmaker solicits Indian American votes

Rediff.com   25 May 2010

Till recently, United States Congressman Charles B Rangel, 80, was undeniably one of the most influential lawmakers, thanks to his position as the chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, which formulates tax laws and other important pieces of legislation. But the dapper, flamboyant, 20-term Democratic US lawmaker from New York was forced to resign for allegedly violating ethics regulations and accepting free Caribbean vacations and golf outings.

US lawmakers praise Indo-American community

US lawmakers praise Indo-American community

Rediff.com   25 May 2010

US lawmakers Phil Gingrey, a Republican from Georgia, and Christoper Van Hollen, Jr, a Democrat from Maryland, showered lavish praise on the Indian American community as an invaluable bridge in deepening of the US-India ties at the Capitol Hill reception hosted by the National Federation of Indian American Associations on Tuesday.

When White House swayed to 'bhangra' beats

When White House swayed to 'bhangra' beats

Rediff.com   25 May 2010

On Monday, the White House witnessed a reception to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which was marked by the rhythms of bhangra music mixed by the effervescent DJ Rekha (Malhotra).In his welcoming remarks, President Obama said to loud applause and to peals of laughter, "I want to thank DJ Rekha who's been spinning a little East Room Bhangra for everybody -- mixing a hip-hop beat with the sounds of her heritage; making a uniquely American sound."

Nikki Haley denies affair with blogger

Nikki Haley denies affair with blogger

Rediff.com   25 May 2010

A political blogger has claimed he had an 'inappropriate physical relationship several years ago' with South Carolina State Representative Nikki (Randhawa) Haley, the front runner in the Republican primary for the South Carolina governor's post.

Surrender certificates: Indian-Americans speak up

Surrender certificates: Indian-Americans speak up

Rediff.com   24 May 2010

The Indian consulates and embassy in the United States have embarked on a campaign to issue surrender certificates on a war footing, people wonder if there is a war going on -- a war against Indians who took up US citizenship?

Booze: Biggest source to Kerala tax kitty

Booze: Biggest source to Kerala tax kitty

Rediff.com   21 May 2010

Kerala registered a 14.1 per cent increase in commercial tax collection for the year 2009-10 with total receipts rising to Rs 13,194 crore (Rs 131.94 billion) as against Rs 11,564 crore (Rs 115.64 billion) in 2008-09.

'State dinner acknowledged Indian Americans'

'State dinner acknowledged Indian Americans'

Rediff.com   20 May 2010

The elaborate and lavish White House state dinner hosted for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by United States President Barack Obama in November, and the caliber of guests invited, was in part to acknowledge the extraordinary impact of Indian Americans in the US in every field of endeavour, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has said.

'US is India's friend, ally in fighting terrorism'

'US is India's friend, ally in fighting terrorism'

Rediff.com   20 May 2010

Congressman Steny Hoyer, the majority leader of the US House of Representatives, defended against hypocrisy charges in US' foreign policies, and claimed to be India's friend and ally.

'India's concerns not addresed at the summit'

'India's concerns not addresed at the summit'

Rediff.com   19 May 2010

Diplomatic observers and South Asia experts in the US do not believe that two of India's major concerns that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh brought up with President Obama on Afghanistan, during his state visit in November and again recently on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit have been alleviated during the summit between Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

Pak madrassas churning out terrorists: US lawmaker

Pak madrassas churning out terrorists: US lawmaker

Rediff.com   19 May 2010

Influential US lawmaker Congressman Ed Royce has called for the shutting down of the Deobandi schools (madrassas) in Pakistan, which he alleged "continue to churn out terrorists that attack" democratic nations, including India and the United States.

Shahzad's arrest: What American Muslims say

Shahzad's arrest: What American Muslims say

Rediff.com   18 May 2010

Since South Asians look similar and unofficial racial profiling still exists, the Times Square bomb and Faisal Shahzad's arrest has sent shockwaves through the community. Many lamented that the plot came at a time when the aftershocks of 9/11 were waning. They fear that this will lead to more harassment of people from south Asia, irrespective of the country they come from.

Terror trail runs through Pakistan, again

Terror trail runs through Pakistan, again

Rediff.com   18 May 2010

Faisal Shahzad came to the United States 11 years ago on a student visa. He became a US citizen last year after marrying Huma Mian, who was born in Colorado.

'In the eyes of terrorists, New York is America'

'In the eyes of terrorists, New York is America'

Rediff.com   18 May 2010

The NYPD bomb squad risked their lives to dismantle a lethal assembly that turned the Pathfinder into one big hurt locker. While we can all breath a little easier, we have to stay vigilant. Because in the eyes of terrorists, New York is America, and they keep coming back to kill us

'Pak worries about India's Afghan role misplaced'

'Pak worries about India's Afghan role misplaced'

Rediff.com   18 May 2010

Dr Abdullah Abdullah, erstwhile foreign minister of Afghanistan and a candidate in the 2009 Presidential election, has lauded India's role in Afghanistan in terms of infrastructure development and institutional capacity building as significant and dismissed Pakistan's paranoia and deep suspicions about New Delhi's involvement in his country as totally misplaced.

Karzai's Taliban move: 'A futile exercise'

Karzai's Taliban move: 'A futile exercise'

Rediff.com   18 May 2010

Echoing India's concerns over Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai's move toward reconciliation and reintegration of segments of the Taliban into the Afghan government -- which has been endorsed by the Obama administration -- Dr Abdullah Abdullah, erstwhile Afghan foreign minister and Karzai's nemesis, who was a candidate in the controversial 2009 presidential elections, said pursuing such a policy would be a futile exercise.

India's youth connected, says Obama's Muslim envoy

India's youth connected, says Obama's Muslim envoy

Rediff.com   17 May 2010

Srinagar-born Farah Pandith, President Barack Obama's special representative to Muslim communities worldwide, recently made her first trip to India after her high-level appointment. She had 'a great trip,' she told rediff.com, and 'was very humbled to be able to go back.'