India’s 80th Independence Day celebrations in the New York tri-state area featured a Guinness World Record in New Jersey and a parade attended by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. At Veterans Memorial Park in Parsippany, more than 1,300 US flags were arranged to form “250”, marking America’s 250th anniversary, with Indian tricolours surrounding the display. The event was organised by the Indian Consulate in New York and the Federation of Indian Associations. Mamdani attended the Queens India Day Parade in Floral Park, calling it an experience he would never forget and praising the Indian diaspora’s contribution to New York City and its diverse communities. (PC: HT, X)

Indian-origin CEO Vishal Garg, who became infamous for firing about 900 employees on a Zoom call in 2021, has been removed from Better Home & Finance. Garg was ousted as CEO on August 3, with hedge fund manager Daniel Lewis taking over. Garg claims Lewis gained his trust before helping remove him from the company. Better once had a valuation of around $8 billion, but its value has since fallen to about $300 million. Garg says the company was nearing a turnaround using AI and new partnerships. He is now seeking to return as CEO and has hired lawyer Alex Spiro.

A US-based Indian AI engineer, Prayut Jain, has alleged that he was fired after returning to India to care for his critically ill father. Jain said he flew home on July 12 after his father developed severe pneumonia and was put on a ventilator. He was informed of his termination over a call on July 30. Jain said he was working remotely while caring for his father. He was also on an H-1B visa and claims the firing affected his US immigration status. His first major equity vesting milestone was due in October. He said the timing left him without the expected equity.

Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong attended India’s 80th Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort in New Delhi on August 15. He congratulated India on the occasion, posting, “Warm congratulations to India on the 80th anniversary of independence!” on X. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Beijing held its own Independence Day ceremony despite rainy weather, with Ambassador Vikram Doraiswami hoisting the Tricolour and reading excerpts from President Droupadi Murmu’s address. The celebrations also included recognition of cultural and quiz competition winners. The diplomatic participation highlighted international goodwill and people-to-people ties surrounding India’s Independence Day. (PC: X)

India on Friday reaffirmed its “longstanding ties” with Afghanistan and the Afghan people, days before the fifth anniversary of the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has maintained several engagements with Afghanistan over the past year, including multiple ministerial visits to India. He said these interactions have strengthened partnerships in areas including development cooperation, trade and connectivity. Jaiswal’s remarks underline New Delhi’s continued engagement with Afghanistan despite the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. The statement comes amid India’s efforts to maintain diplomatic and economic links with Afghanistan while focusing on development assistance, regional connectivity and trade relations.

A video circulating on social media shows a Sikh youth purportedly stranded in Mexico warning Indians against using the illegal “dunki” route to enter the US. The clip, first posted on TikTok and later shared on platforms including X, shows the man lying on a bed with folded hands and crying as he describes his alleged ordeal. He claims he was severely beaten after attempting to escape and is now unable to walk properly. The youth repeatedly urges others not to travel to Mexico through the dangerous route, warning them about the hardships he says he experienced while trying to reach the US. The video highlights the risks faced by migrants attempting irregular journeys to America. (PC: X)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he held another “very friendly conversation” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking their second phone call in two weeks. In a video statement, Netanyahu said support for Israel in India was “immense” and that both countries were translating it into stronger security and economic relations. The latest conversation followed their August 6 call, when they reviewed progress in the India-Israel strategic partnership, discussed developments in West Asia and agreed to remain in close contact. Meanwhile, bilateral economic ties have gained momentum, with India and Israel concluding the second round of negotiations for a proposed Free Trade Agreement in July. Modi had not issued an update on Friday’s conversation.

Indian AI engineer Prayut Jain, a founding engineer at a San Francisco-based startup, says he was fired while in India caring for his critically ill father, just weeks before his equity cliff. Jain, who has worked in the US since 2022 on an H-1B visa, flew home on July 12 after his father developed severe pneumonia, ARDS and required a ventilator and ECMO. Despite continuing to work remotely, Jain said he was informed by phone on July 30 that his employment would end in 15 days. He had no formal termination letter at the time. Jain questioned the ethics of the decision and said he hopes to remain in the US, while remaining open to opportunities in India. (PC: HT)

A viral video shows a Punjabi Sikh youth in Mexico tearfully warning people against using the illegal “donkey” route to reach foreign countries. Lying on a bed, he alleges he was assaulted after attempting to escape the network and says his injuries have left him struggling to walk. The unidentified youth claims he travelled to Mexico through the route and warns others against agents promising safe passage abroad. He admits he “made a mistake” and says he has already paid the price. The 33-second video, reportedly uploaded August 13, also carries social-media claims that several youths remain stranded in Mexico. The illegal route can cost ₹20-70 lakh and exposes migrants to exploitation, violence, extortion and detention.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday stressed mutual respect in diplomatic discourse after Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sandeep Dikshit referred to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni while criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India-Italy ties have expanded and strengthened “in every way” and should continue deepening through mutual understanding and respect. Gandhi had mocked Modi’s “hug diplomacy” at the Rachnatmak Congress National Convention, questioning the role of personal relationships in foreign policy. Dikshit then made a remark referring to Meloni, prompting political criticism. The BJP accused Gandhi of crossing political discourse limits. Gandhi also criticised Modi over India’s role in the US-Iran conflict, while the MEA focused on strengthening India-Italy relations.