The deaths of 11 Indian and Indian-origin students in the US in 2024 prompt safety worries. Causes include gun crimes, kidnappings, and potential hate crimes. A study by a diaspora group urges US authorities to take preventive action. Indian students pursue US education for better career prospects, but recent tragedies have sparked fears. The deaths, all under 25 years old, prompt worries about safety for international students in the US. Urgent measures are needed to ensure their well-being.

Current and former US officials express dissatisfaction with President Biden's pressure on Israel following an attack on aid workers in Gaza. They deem the response inadequate to address the humanitarian crisis. Despite increased scrutiny, Israel's commitment to aid routes is deemed insufficient. Internal dissent within the US government mounts, with officials advocating for conditioning arms supplies to Israel. The Biden administration faces criticism for its perceived unconditional support for Israel amid escalating civilian casualties in Gaza. The strain in US-Israel relations deepens as calls for reassessment of policies persist.

Indian software engineer Bhuwan Chitransh, based in the Netherlands, faced racist remarks from Canada's Dbrand after complaining about a MacBook skin color change. Dbrand responded to Chitransh's tweet, mocking his surname. The incident sparked outrage on social media, with users demanding an apology. Despite criticism, Dbrand remained unapologetic and did not delete the offensive post. "Your last name is basically s**t rash, be serious," Dbrand wrote. The company's rude tone on social media is well-known. The incident adds to recent instances of racial discrimination faced by Indians abroad, highlighting the need for awareness and action against racism.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief S Somnath announced Chandrayaan-4 as India's next moon exploration mission, aiming for an astronaut landing by 2040. Chandrayaan-4, a crucial step, focuses on lunar sample collection for analysis on Earth. ISRO also pursues numerous rocket, satellite, and technology projects. Notably, Chandrayaan-3's successful South Pole landing in August 2023 propelled India's lunar exploration strides. Additionally, India launched its first solar mission, Aditya-L1, in January. The Gaganyaan project, targeting human spaceflight, remains a significant endeavor, demonstrating India's ambitious foray into space exploration.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is set to visit India this month to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and disclose investment intentions, as per Reuters. Musk's agenda reportedly includes discussions on establishing a new factory, potentially valued at $2 billion. Talks suggest Tesla is seeking local partners, with Reliance Industries emerging as a contender. Maharashtra might be favored due to its port facilities for both domestic and export operations. This move marks a significant step for Tesla's expansion into the Indian market, potentially paving the way for increased electric vehicle adoption in the country.

Delhi's Patel Nagar MLA and Minister of Social Welfare and SC/ST, Raaj Kumar Anand, has tendered his resignation from both his ministerial position and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Citing dissatisfaction with the party's stance on corruption, Anand expressed his inability to align with ongoing corruption allegations. He lamented AAP's departure from its anti-corruption roots, taking a subtle dig at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Anand also highlighted concerns over inadequate Dalit representation within the party. Despite allegations against him in a money laundering case, Anand's departure underscores growing tensions within AAP.

The BBC is dividing its operations in India into two firms following tax raids last year. The broadcaster will establish the Collective Newsroom, an independent Indian-owned company producing content for its regional channels. A team in the UK will handle English-language news. Raids by India's tax authorities in 2023 targeted the BBC after it aired a documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The government accused the BBC of breaching foreign investment rules. The Collective Newsroom, led by former BBC employees, aims to create diverse journalism while adhering to BBC standards.        

Indian-American actress Avantika Vandanapu was honored as the South Asian Person of the Year by the South Asian Association at Harvard University. The award was presented at Harvard's annual Andaaz event. Vandanapu expressed gratitude on Instagram, calling the recognition surreal. In her acceptance speech, she humorously remarked on her mom's aspirations for her to attend Harvard. Known for her roles in 'Mean Girls', 'Moxie', and 'Senior Year', Vandanapu has also acted in Telugu-language films. The award celebrates her contributions to the South Asian community and her flourishing career in Hollywood.

Nineteen Indian fishermen, held by the Sri Lanka Navy, were sent back home to Chennai after being detained for fishing in Sri Lankan waters. This follows a recent incident where a similar number of fishermen were also repatriated. The Sri Lankan Navy has detained 23 Indian trawlers and 178 fishermen in 2024 alone for alleged illegal fishing. The longstanding issue exacerbates tensions between India and Sri Lanka, often resulting in confrontations at sea. Despite diplomatic efforts, clashes and boat seizures persist, highlighting the ongoing struggle over fishing rights in the region.

Ministers considering banning smartphone sales to under-16s amid rising public demand, backed by campaigns and tragedies like Brianna's death. Esther Ghey, Brianna's mom, pushes for age restrictions and tighter social media controls. A Parentkind survey reports 58% of English parents support the ban, with over 80% worried about smartphones' impact on kids. This follows recent school mobile phone guidelines. Ghey emphasizes the need for kid-friendly phones sans social apps. The discussion amplifies about protecting children's digital health.