Shruthi Kumar, an Indian-American Harvard graduate, criticizes her alma mater for barring classmates from graduation over pro-Palestine protests. As the first in her family to attend a US college, she navigated the admissions process independently due to her parents' unfamiliarity with the system. Raised in Nebraska by South Asian immigrants, Kumar's speech at the commencement ceremony garners praise for advocating student rights. Her courage in confronting Harvard highlights broader issues of representation and access in higher education. Kumar's story resonates within and beyond Harvard, sparking conversations on diversity and inclusion.

Shruthi Kumar, a graduating student at Harvard University, deviated from her prepared speech to condemn the institution's handling of Gaza solidarity protests. Over 1,000 students staged a walkout in support of 13 banned peers. Despite faculty backing, Harvard Corporation denied graduation, citing policy breaches during the protests. Kumar emphasized the importance of civil rights and democratic principles, garnering a standing ovation. Protesters displayed Palestinian flags, demanding an "end to genocide."

Chef Padam Vyas, a 67-year-old Indian-origin chef in Sydney, Australia, garnered massive support online after a video showed him sitting at an empty pop-up stall. Despite showcasing a variety of Indian food items, no customers were in sight, leading to heartwarming responses from viewers. Vyas clarified that a few customers did visit the stall, but heavy rain affected the turnout. He emphasized the stringent licensing requirements for outdoor catering in Australia. Vyas, who moved to Australia in 1988, runs a catering company and collaborates with The Colonial Restaurants.              

India is seeking a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Maldives, beyond the existing South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA), Maldives' Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed announced. This initiative follows a diplomatic rift since November 2023, when pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu took office and demanded the withdrawal of Indian troops from the Maldives. The final Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians earlier this month. The Maldives aims to establish FTAs with multiple countries to facilitate trade. Discussions between India and the Maldives are ongoing.

In 2023, Indians were the largest group of immigrants to the UK, with 250,000 people arriving, mostly for work and education. Of these, 127,000 came for jobs and 115,000 for studies. Despite this influx, overall net migration to the UK dropped by 10% to 685,000, down from 764,000 in 2022. Other top immigrant groups included Nigerians, Chinese, and Pakistanis. The UK issued 337,240 work visas, with Indians receiving the highest number of study visas. However, the number of Indian students dropped by 21,800 compared to the previous year.

Police investigating the murder of Bangladeshi MP Anwarul Azim Anar have found disturbing evidence at the New Town flat where he was killed. Hundreds of plastic bags, toilet paper, gloves, and a boarding pass with the name Celesty Rahman were recovered. A comb with hair strands and a machete were also found. According to the arrested suspect, Jihad Hawladar, the crime was committed within 15 minutes of Azim's arrival. Chloroform was used to knock him out, and then he was smothered and chopped up with a butcher's knife. The killers had meticulously planned to dispose of the body, buying plastic bags, a machete, and bleaching powder.

Two rare 10-rupee banknotes from a 1918 shipwreck are being auctioned in London. The notes were on board the SS Shirala when it sank on its way from Bombay to London. Dated May 25, 1918, they are expected to fetch between £2,000 and £2,600. Only a few of these notes remain in private hands, making them highly valuable. The auction also features a signed 1 Rupee note from the same shipwreck. The notes were previously unknown until the Bank of England highlighted the shipwreck on social media. The auction will take place at Noonans Mayfair's World Banknotes sale next Wednesday.

Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, the Indian-origin truck driver responsible for a tragic bus crash in Canada that claimed the lives of 16 members of a junior hockey team in 2018, has been ordered to be deported to India. Sidhu, a permanent resident of Canada, caused the accident by disregarding a stop sign, colliding with the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team's bus in Saskatchewan Province. The decision was made at an Immigration and Refugee Board hearing in Calgary. Sidhu, who received eight years for dangerous driving, faces potential months or years before deportation due to legal procedures.

In the year ending March 2024, UK Home Office data reveals a significant drop in Indian student applicants for Master’s degrees, down by 16%. With 21,717 fewer Indian nationals granted study visas, representing a 26% decrease, concerns arise for universities reliant on overseas student fees. The decline follows a visa clampdown earlier this year and impacts the Graduate Route scheme, crucial for post-study work opportunities. While Indian nationals still dominate visa grants for work-related reasons, long-term net migration sees a provisional decrease, prompting questions about future trends in Indian student enrollment.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)'s sharp rise in H-1B visa fees is posing significant financial challenges for Indian IT service providers. The registration fee increased by 2050%, from $10 to $215, and the application fee by 70%, from $460 to $780. An additional $600 asylum fee further strains budgets. Industry experts warn that these hikes could force Indian IT firms to reconsider their participation in the H-1B program, crucial for filling high-demand specialty positions in the US. The increased costs, estimated to exceed $33,000 per petition, contrast starkly with less frequent filings by major product companies.