Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said intelligence suggests the Indian government could be behind the fatal shooting of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Trudeau termed it an 'unacceptable violation if proven. He is said to have raised the issue with PM Modi at G20. India earlier denied any involvement in Nijjar's murder. Nijjar, a Khalistan leader, was killed by masked gunmen outside a gurdwara on June 18, 2023. Trudeau said the shooting has outraged Canadians, leaving Sikhs worried. He has also expelled an Indian diplomat over the case and vowed to firmly press India for investigation cooperation.

The iconic Hoysala temple complexes of Belur, Halebid and Somnathapura in Karnataka have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. The intricately sculpted sacred ensembles representing the Hoysala architectural style now join India's 40 other World Heritage Sites. The temples were on UNESCO's Tentative List since 2014 before getting the prestigious designation. The 12th century sites protected by the Archaeological Survey of India feature distinctive temple art and sculpture that showcase the craftsmanship of the Hoysala dynasty. Their World Heritage inscription celebrates Karnataka's glorious heritage and enhances global recognition of India's cultural wealth.

Faced with astronomical visa wait times in India spanning over a year in major cities, the US has opened a special visa processing window at its Frankfurt consulate. Appointment wait times in Indian consulates range from 441 days in Hyderabad to over 600 days in Kolkata. However, the US consulate in Frankfurt is offering visa interviews to Indians within just 3 days. The move aims to provide faster visa services by bypassing the severe backlog in India due to overwhelming demand. Indians can now opt for the Germany route to expedite their US visa rather than wait endlessly in India.

A former UK cop Rebecca Kalam has alleged routine racism within the West Midlands Police force against Sikhs, including officers using slurs and failing to distinguish Sikhs from Muslims. Her most startling claim was that protection officers for Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai referred to her as "tikka masala". A Sikh group advisor said the community has long complained of racism by the police. Kalam also cited misogyny and toxic masculinity in the force. While the Police accepted most of her complaints, a spokesperson said the accused represent a small minority tarnishing the wider force's professionalism. The Police aim to engage with Sikhs to address diversity and respect. (Pic 1 Image Courtesy: CHannel 4)

Australia's High Commissioner Philip Green said India has become the first country to return to and surpass pre-pandemic travel levels to Australia. In a tweet, he noted 100,000 Australians visited India last year, double the pre-COVID number. The envoy highlighted direct flights between the countries have nearly tripled. His remarks came after Australian PM Anthony Albanese's India visit. Green emphasized growing exchanges between the strategic partners, with India driving the tourism rebound. He termed people the "living bridge" between the nations. The upbeat assessment by the High Commissioner underscores strengthening India-Australia ties.

Nineteen nurses from Kerala were among 30 Indians arrested in Kuwait after authorities raided a private clinic where they worked. Kuwait's Human Resources Committee alleges the nurses violated foreign residency laws and lacked proper work licenses. However, families of the arrested nurses maintain they had valid visas and years of service at the clinic. The Indian Embassy and Union Government are facing appeals to intervene and secure the nurses' release, as they insist their documents were legally valid. The incident has sparked concern over the welfare of Indian expatriates working in Kuwait without the correct permissions.

The North American Association of Indian Students (NAAIS) expressed disappointment after Seattle police officers laughed about the death of Indian graduate student Kartik Vasudev. NAAIS said the incident raises concerns about police protecting the Indian student community. With over 100,000 Indian international students in the US, NAAIS urged local and national authorities to implement safety measures amid rising hate crimes. While appreciating calls to hold the officers accountable, NAAIS said the incident should prompt reflection on not minimizing Indian students' struggles. NAAIS seeks firm discipline against the officers involved to show Indian students' lives have equal value.

The town of Santiniketan in West Bengal has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site during the ongoing 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in Saudi Arabia. Founded in 1901 by Rabindranath Tagore as an experimental school and cultural center based on Indian traditions, Santiniketan houses Visva-Bharati University, established in 1921 as a 'world university' promoting the unity of humanity. With its unique pan-Asian architectural style distinct from British colonial and European modernist orientations, Santiniketan represents Tagore's visionary approach to education and culture. Prime Minister Modi hailed the prestigious inscription as a proud moment for India.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated it is time to move beyond the perspective that the West is the "bad guy" for not flooding developing country markets with goods. He said the resentment over the impact of globalization, with cheap goods inundating markets, was building up for years and not solely the West's fault. Jaishankar indirectly referred to China's trade policies. He urged shifting away from always portraying the West negatively. The EAM also discussed India's role in the Global South and the G20 Summit's achievements. Jaishankar's remarks reflect India's nuanced, pragmatic approach rather than blindly vilifying the West amid global challenges.

Indian-American Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has promised to overhaul the H-1B visa program if elected in 2024. Despite personally using H-1B visas 29 times, Ramaswamy criticized the current lottery-based system as "indentured servitude", instead advocating for a merit-based process. He aims to eliminate chain-based migration under the reformed system. Ramaswamy acknowledged the system is broken, mirroring Trump's 2016 stance despite also having previously hired H-1B workers. With over 780,000 applicants vying for 85,000 H-1B slots in 2021, demand remains incredibly high.