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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know News India Times (September 13, 2025 - September 19, 2025) September 19, 2025 18 Community Indian American Named The First-Ever President Of PETA International I ndian American Poorva Joshipura, a member of the board of directors of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals-India, PETA India, has been named the first-ever President of PETA International. Joshipura, who is the author of For a Moment of Taste: HowWhat You Eat Impacts Animals, the Planet, and Your Health—was brought up in Suffolk, Virginia. Her book was the first-ever in-depth exposé of how animals commonly used for meat, eggs, and dairy are treated in India. Now, as the first-ever president of PETA International, Joshipura will be overseeing its projects and operations in Europe, Asia, and parts of the Middle East. After starting her career at PETA’s headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, Joshipura has championing the cause of animals for more than 25 years in countries worldwide through provocative protests, undercover investigations, and strategic work with corporate and government lead- ers. “Years ago, in a slaughterhouse where I was recording how badly cows are killed for leather, I locked eyes with a frightened calf who was pinned to the ground, aware of his pending death, and at that moment vowed to dedi- cate my life to animal liberation,” Joshipura is quoted saying in a press release September 10, 2025.. “For more than 25 years with PETA entities, from undercover inves- tigator to leading international campaigns, I’ve been true to that pledge.” Born in Philadelphia to parents from Gujarat, India, Joshipura was raised in Suffolk and graduated magna cum laude from Old Dominion University with a degree in psychology. She joined PETA as an intern in its Norfolk office in 1999. Her more “public-facing” work, as PETA calls it, includes being jailed for disrupting a NewYork fashion show in protest of Michael Kors’ use of fur (which he later banned); burned in effigy by an angry mob after she helped achieve an Indian Supreme Court ban on the use of bulls for entertainment; and “caged” in Nairobi to highlight the plight of chickens killed for food. As president, Joshipura’s priorities include using technology and scientific innovation to eliminate animal exploitation, including replacing elephants allegedly chained in Asian temples with mechanical ones, and us- ing animatronic animals to help educate and encourage children’s natural empathy toward animals, PETA noted in its press release. She also aims to educate the public about what PETA says, is “the inextricable link between animal exploitation and pandemics, antibiotic resistance, and the climate catastrophe.” “I’m deeply honored to help shape the global future of animal liberation and put compassion on every map in my new role,” Joshipura said. “I will seek to harness technological solutions for animal protection, apply cul- tural intelligence to advance liberation, and promote the unshakable truth that how we treat animals defines us.” PETA counts among Joshipura’s achievements — con- vincing Mercedes-Benz to be the first automobile retailer to offer leather-free interiors by special order; stopping a US-based laboratory-animal supplier from setting up a facility in Europe; leading successful efforts to ban test- ing cosmetics and their ingredients on animals in India; and ending the use of horse-drawn carriages in Petra and Mumbai. She is also the author of Survival at Stake: How Our Treatment of Animals Is Key to Human Existence. “Poorva has been an unstoppable force in the ani- mal liberation movement,” says PETA Founder Ingrid Newkirk. “Her extraordinary drive and determination are invaluable in extending our vital efforts to help animals everywhere.” By a StaffWriter PHOTO:CourtesyPETA Poorva Joshipura Suspect Charged With Capital Murder In Gruesome Killing Of Hotel Manager In Dallas, TX C handra Nagamallaiah, 50, a motel manager in Dallas, Texas, could not have imagined his life would end the way it did on the morning of Wednesday, September 10, 2025. The details were revealed in an arrest affidavit by a Dallas Police Department detective, released Sept. 11, which noted that Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, 37, an em- ployee, was cleaning a room along with the witness, when Nagamallaiah came to tell the 2 workers at Downtown Suites motel, not to use a broken washing machine. CBSnews.com reported the contents of the affidavit, which went on to say Cobos-Martinez got upset that Nagamallaiah did not directly address him, but rather had the witness translate what he had to say. Cobos- Martinez left the room only to return with a machete which he began to attack Nagamallaiah with. The latter ran screaming to the motel office where his wife and son were. The killer pushed aside the mother and son, beheaded Nagamallaiah and dumped his head outside in a dump- ster. On his apprehension, Cobos-Martinez, who has been charged with capital murder, admitted to his crime, the CBSnews report noted. The Asian American Hotel Owners Association, AA- HOA, the largest hotel owners’ association in the nation, whose members are overwhelmingly of Indian origin, issued a statement on the horrific event, and reiterated its call for beefing up safety and security. Noting that the Nagamallaiah’s slaying comes after the 2024 murders of AAHOA Member Hemant Mistry in Oklahoma City and of Pravin R. Patel in Sheffield, AL., the organization’s Chairman Kamalesh (KP) Patel said, “Our hearts are absolutely broken for the victim’s family, who witnessed this unimaginable act of violence. …Hotels are not just workplaces for our members and their teams – they are homes, businesses, and community spaces. The brutality of this crime is beyond comprehension, and our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones, the prop- erty owners, and all staff who are grieving this senseless loss.” AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake said, “This is one of the most horrific crimes we have seen impact a hotel workplace in recent memory. Our hotelier commu- nity is devastated, and we stand united with our member and their team during this incredibly painful time. No one should ever face such violence while simply doing their job.” AAHOA provided resources that included guidance on handling confrontational guests, de-escalating tense encounters, and strengthening hotel security protocols. “We are committed to advocating for enhanced secu- rity measures and the implementation of comprehensive safety protocols to protect members of our community,” Patel said. “We encourage AAHOA Members and the industry to reach out for support or resources you may need during this time.” AAHOA’s 20,000 members own 60 percent of the hotels in the US, and are estimated to contribute 1.7 percent of the nation’s GDP. More than 1 million employees work at AAHOA member-owned hotels which, which support 4.2 million US jobs across all sectors of the hospitality indus- try, the organization said. According to a news report on wqad.com, Cobos- Martinez is an immigrant from Cuba, and he had been recently released from the Bluebonnet Detention Center in Anson, TX. -Bloomberg From News Dispatches PHOTO:Crime-scene_dreamstime_l_64783187.jpg