Tracy Hickman, a 57-year-old British woman battling terminal breast cancer, ended her life through euthanasia on a New Zealand beach on May 22. Living in New Zealand for two decades, Hickman, surrounded by loved ones, passed away "in the sunshine," as she wished. Diagnosed in 2019, her condition worsened with tumors spreading to her brain, lungs, and spine. She campaigned for the UK to adopt similar assisted dying laws as New Zealand, where euthanasia was legalized in 2019 for terminally ill adults. Hickman expressed gratitude for the opportunity to say goodbye to friends and family peacefully.

Kabosu, the Shiba Inu behind the "doge" meme and Dogecoin cryptocurrency, passed away on May 24 at the age of 18. Rescued from a puppy mill in 2008 by Atsuko Sato, Kabosu's iconic image with crossed paws went viral in 2010, sparking countless memes. Kabosu, suffering from leukemia and liver disease, quietly passed away while being caressed by Sato. The meme inspired Dogecoin, now a top cryptocurrency, and received support from figures like Elon Musk. Kabosu's impact extended to charitable donations, including over $1 million to Save the Children. Sato expressed gratitude, calling Kabosu "the happiest dog in the world."

Bangladesh MP Anwarul Azim Anar was brutally murdered in Kolkata after being honey-trapped, according to police. Anar arrived in the city on May 12 for medical treatment and disappeared two days later. The West Bengal CID arrested Jihad Hawladar, a Bangladeshi butcher from Mumbai, who confessed to the murder and dismemberment of Anar's body. Hawladar revealed that the plot involved four other Bangladeshi nationals and was orchestrated by Akhtaruzzaman, a US-based Bangladeshi, who allegedly paid ₹5 crore for the killing. Dhaka police detained Shilasti Rahman, suspected of luring Anar into the trap. Investigations continue as Anar's body remains missing.

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.              

Police sources revealed that the parents of a 17-year-old boy, who crashed his Porsche into a bike killing two IT professionals in Pune, asked their driver to claim responsibility in exchange for a cash reward. The accident, which killed Aneesh Awadhiya and Ashwini Koshta on May 19, led to the arrest of the boy’s father, Vishal Agarwal. Despite attempts to shift blame, police confirmed the teen was driving. The boy, lacking a license and having spent Rs 69,000 at pubs prior to the incident, has been remanded to an observation home.

The West Bengal CID arrested Jihad Hawladar, a 24-year-old Bangladeshi butcher from Mumbai, for the murder of Bangladesh MP Md Anwasrul Azim Anwar. The MP, last seen in Kolkata on May 13, was reportedly smothered and skinned by Hawladar to conceal his identity. Hawladar, brought to India by alleged mastermind Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman, confessed to the crime. Anwar's body remains missing, and three other suspects are in Dhaka police custody. Anwar, a member of the Awami League, had traveled to Kolkata for medical treatment.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for a cyclonic storm likely to impact the coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh. A yellow alert has been issued for several districts in West Bengal, while a red alert has been issued for fishermen on May 26. Heavy rainfall is predicted in coastal districts of West Bengal and Odisha on May 26-27, with rough sea conditions expected over Andaman Islands and North Andaman Sea. The IMD has urged caution to prevent loss of lives due to strong winds and intense water waves.

Alphabet Inc., led by Sundar Pichai, will start manufacturing Pixel smartphones in Tamil Nadu, as announced by Chief Minister MK Stalin. The company plans to collaborate with Foxconn Technology Group to establish production facilities near Chennai. Additionally, Alphabet's subsidiary Wing may begin drone assembly in the state. This decision follows a visit by Tamil Nadu officials and Foxconn executives to Google's headquarters in California. Tamil Nadu, already a key player in mobile phone manufacturing with significant Apple and Tata operations, will further enhance its industry standing. This move is part of Google’s plan to begin Pixel 8 production in India, announced in 2023.

In Uttarakhand, a helicopter carrying seven people, including six pilgrims, had to make an emergency landing near Kedarnath due to a technical issue. Thankfully, all passengers, along with the pilot, are safe. CCTV footage reveals the helicopter attempting to land on the helipad but failing, ultimately touching down a few meters away in an open field. The incident occurred after takeoff from Sirsi helipad for Kedarnath when a technical glitch in the rear motor forced the pilot to take immediate action, ensuring the safety of all aboard. Rudraprayag district magistrate, Saurabh Gaharwar, confirmed the details.

A severe heat wave sweeping through India has claimed at least 12 lives in Rajasthan this week. The deaths, reported in various districts including Jalore, Barmer, Alwar, and Jaisalmer, are suspected to be due to heat stroke-like symptoms. While the exact cause is yet to be confirmed, officials say the scorching temperatures, which reached a high of 48.8 degrees Celsius in Barmer, are likely to blame. The heat wave continues to grip large parts of India, leaving many more vulnerable to its deadly effects.