Bollywood actor Sunny Deol recently attended a special screening of 'Gadar 2' in London as the film continues its successful box office run. Deol said the original 'Gadar', released over 20 years ago, connected deeply with audiences. He was initially hesitant about making a sequel but the story idea during COVID-19 convinced him and the team to revisit the classic. Speaking about future plans, Deol said he wants to cherish 'Gadar 2''s moment and carefully choose his next step. He aims to do cinema that provides larger than life experiences and values, which much of today's films lack. Deol wants subjects that can light up the silver screen again.

The India Club in London, a historic landmark tied to Krishna Menon and the Indian independence movement, is closing permanently on September 17 after a decade-long eviction fight. Owners Yadgar and Phiroza Marker who have been running the place for the last 26 years, regretfully announced the closure last week. The club held deep cultural and emotional significance for Indians in the UK. But freeholders Marston Properties plan to gut the premises and replace it with a luxury hotel. The club’s demise represents the loss of an institution cherished by generations of Indians in Britain.

An Indian couple, Yogesh Nagarajappa and Prathiba Amarnath, their 6-year-old son Yash Honnal from Karnataka were found dead with gunshot wounds in their Baltimore county home last Friday in an apparent murder-suicide. Police responded to a welfare check at the Baltimore County residence. The family members were reportedly last seen alive on Tuesday evening, police said, adding that an autopsy would be conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer to determine the manner and cause of death. Local officials expressed condolences for the tragic loss of innocent life. Police assured no threat to surrounding communities.

Germany's Federal Minister for Digitalisation Volker Wissing used India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) during a recent visit and was fascinated by the experience. The German Embassy in India praised India's digital infrastructure, calling UPI one of the country's success stories. Wissing was seen in photos and video using UPI to pay a vegetable seller. The Embassy tweeted that UPI enables instant transactions for millions of Indians, and Wissing was able to experience its simplicity first-hand. His positive experience highlights how India's world-class digital payment system is gaining global recognition.

Several students from Andhra Pradesh were recently deported by US officials despite possessing valid visas. In response, CM Jagan Mohan Reddy has decided to address the matter with Ministry of External Affairs to resolve the students' plight and save their careers. Though the students had proper paperwork, they were denied entry by US officials. The Andhra government advised future travelers to be prepared for questioning and carry all relevant documents. The state has also shared helplines for deported students to reach out for assistance. Reddy aims to intervene on behalf of the students with the MEA.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz proclaimed August 15, 2023, as "India Day" in the state to honour India's 77th Independence Day. In his proclamation, Walz applauded India as the world's largest democracy with immense cultural heritage. He stated Indian-Americans have helped create a better Minnesota since the state welcomed immigrants after the 1965 Act. Minnesota now hosts an Indian community of 55,000 working statewide as educators, entrepreneurs, healthcare providers, and more. The India Association of Minnesota celebrated Indian culture, heritage, and traditions through activities at IndiaFest held on the State Capitol grounds.

Indian-American economist Raj Chetty was awarded Harvard's prestigious George Ledlie Prize for using big data to uncover truths about economic mobility in America. Along with biologist Michael Springer, Chetty was recognised for research benefiting humanity. His work on inequality and lack of access to opportunities, stemming from his own background, looks at how geography and community impact outcomes. Chetty's findings have influenced policies on affordable housing, job training, and education to increase equity. The Ledlie Prize highlights Chetty's groundbreaking economics research revealing barriers and solutions to achieving the American Dream.

Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami called India's G20 presidency a seminal moment this Independence Day. He said the G20 gives India a unique opportunity to advance the development agenda of poor nations globally. Doraiswami highlighted India's progress since 1947 in poverty, education, healthcare and other areas. He stated the G20 will shift global discourse to developing world priorities and highlight India on the world stage. Doraiswami emphasized the G20 will enable India to promote key issues like digital development and its own agenda. India’s 77th Independence Day was celebrated at the HCI on August 15, 2023.

On India's 77th Independence Day, Eilat, Israel inaugurated an Indian-Jewish Cultural Square celebrating the civilisational bond between the two countries. Mayor Eli Lankri said the square symbolizes the love, friendship and deep connection between India and Israel, showcasing ties between the Indian-Jewish community and Eilat. It features symbols of the Malida ceremony traditionally performed by the Bene Israel community and flags of both nations. Malida was recently recognised as an official holiday, acknowledging Indian-Jewish traditions. The Cultural Square commemorates the centuries of shared heritage between India and Israel.

Unprecedented security surrounded the Indian embassy in Washington DC on August 15, 2023, amid a protest by Khalistan activists. Multiple armed police units, including mounted and motorcycle officers, protected the embassy and nearby Gandhi statue. Despite being closed for the holiday, the embassy took precautions after recent attacks on the San Francisco consulate. Demonstrators gathered for over an hour, waving flags and shouting slogans. The multi-agency security effort ensured a peaceful demonstration on the sensitive anniversary. The embassy coordinated closely with US authorities to avoid any vandalism or violence by activists.