An Indian worker in the US on an H-1B visa could not reach India before his mother died of cancer due to visa delays. He tried for weeks to get an appointment for visa stamping but failed to secure a slot. Travelling without it risked his job and legal status in the United States. He stayed back and could only speak to his mother on video calls. She died before he could return. He later said, “I will carry that pain forever.” The case has drawn attention to visa issues faced by many Indian professionals working abroad. (PC: AI)

An Indian wedding procession on Fifth Avenue has gone viral online. The video shows bride Pankti Doshi and groom Avish Jain leading a lively baraat with music and dance. The couple sang Bollywood songs live from an open vehicle. Guests in traditional clothes danced on the street. The clip was shared by Amrish Patel with the caption, “When the bride & groom shut down 5th Avenue and live-sing their way into their Baraat.” Such events in New York need permits and police coordination. Reactions online were mixed, with some praising the celebration and others questioning the disruption.

Iraganaboyina Chandu, a 26-year-old from Kurnool, died by suicide in the United States. He had completed his master’s degree in Chicago. He could not find a job for weeks. Family members said he felt stressed and worried. He was concerned about his father’s debt. His father works as a security guard. The Indian community has raised over $76,500 to support his family. The money will help bring his body back to India. Authorities are trying to speed up the process. (PC: gofundme.com)

Mohammad Salim Dola, a close aide of Dawood Ibrahim, used the name “Hamza” while living in Turkey, reports said. Officials said the fake identity was linked to a Bulgarian passport. Its validity is under investigation. Dola was deported to India on April 28 and is in custody of the Narcotics Control Bureau till May 8. He was detained by Turkish agencies after an Interpol Red Notice. Officials said, “Dola had established a major transnational drug trafficking syndicate.” He is linked to multiple drug cases and had been absconding for years. (PC: HT)

A lawsuit filed in New York accuses JPMorgan executive Lorna Hajdini of sexual abuse and harassment of a junior male colleague. The man, identified as “John Doe”, said the abuse began in 2024. He alleged she used racial slurs like “Brown boy Indian” and threatened his career. The lawsuit says she forced him into sex and told him, “I f**king own you”. It also claims she used drugs during some encounters. Hajdini denied the claims. She said she “never engaged in any inappropriate conduct”. JPMorgan said its internal review found no evidence supporting the allegations. (PC: NDTV)

A senior Greek foreign ministry official, Alexis Konstantopoulos, has said 2030 could mark a major milestone for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, with groundwork expected to accelerate soon. The corridor aims to connect India, the Middle East, and Europe through integrated transport, energy, and digital networks. He noted that geopolitical tensions, including disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, have reinforced the project’s importance for securing supply chains. Greece is positioning itself as a key European gateway. While conflicts in West Asia have delayed progress, ongoing diplomatic efforts and infrastructure planning could enable gradual implementation within the next few years. (PC: X)

India has sharply increased the price of 19 kg commercial LPG cylinders by ₹993, with the new rate reaching ₹3,071.5 in Delhi, according to Indian Oil Corporation. Domestic LPG cylinder prices, along with petrol and diesel rates, remain unchanged despite rising global energy costs linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict. The move shifts the burden primarily onto businesses such as restaurants and hotels, while protecting household consumers from inflationary pressure. Oil marketing companies are currently absorbing higher crude costs, leading to financial strain. If global prices remain elevated, the government may face difficult choices between subsidy expansion, price hikes, or fiscal adjustments. (PC: X)

The United Arab Emirates’ decision to leave OPEC from May 2026 is reshaping global energy dynamics and offering strategic benefits to India. Freed from production quotas, the UAE can increase oil output and export more crude through the Habshan–Fujairah pipeline, which bypasses the Strait of Hormuz—a key chokepoint disrupted by regional conflict. This alternative route ensures more stable and potentially cheaper oil supplies for India, a major importer. The move also weakens OPEC’s control over global oil markets, increasing supply flexibility. Overall, the development strengthens India’s energy security amid geopolitical volatility in the Gulf region. (PC: Reuters)

India has slipped six places to rank 157 out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), down from 151 in 2025. Pakistan, meanwhile, improved five positions to 153. The report highlights a global decline in press freedom, citing rising political pressure, restrictive laws, and weakening media environments. India remains in the “very serious” category, with concerns over legal intimidation and challenges to independent journalism. Norway continues to top the index, while Eritrea ranks last. 

Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with Guido Crosetto in New Delhi, urging Italy to avoid sharing sensitive defence technologies with Pakistan. India highlighted security concerns and emphasised the need for safeguarding strategic interests amid evolving regional dynamics. According to defence ministry sources, the Italian side assured that certain advanced technologies offered to India would remain exclusive and not be transferred to other nations. The discussions also focused on strengthening India-Italy defence cooperation, with an emphasis on trust, technology sharing frameworks, and long-term collaboration. The meeting underscores India’s efforts to secure strategic advantages while limiting potential risks from adversarial partnerships.