Summit Postponed Due to Ebola Outbreak The Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit, originally scheduled to take place in New Delhi from May 28, 2026, has been postponed due to an escalating Ebola outbreak in several African countries. The Democratic Republic of Congo’s South Kivu province has reported the latest cases, contributing to concerns about regional health security. India and the African Union, followin

The latest wave of Silicon Valley layoffs affecting Indian H-1B visa holders has put thousands of Indian techies under extreme pressure. Professionals working at major companies like Meta, Amazon, and LinkedIn now face a ticking 60-day clock to either find a new employer willing to sponsor their visa, switch to another legal status, or leave the United States. In today’s slowing US tech job market, securing H-1B visa transfers or completing interviews and background checks within this short

WASHINGTON, May 20 – Former President Donald Trump expressed approval of the US indictment against former Cuban leader Raul Castro, describing it as a significant moment for accountability. While acknowledging the seriousness of the charges, Trump emphasized that the United States should avoid any additional escalation with Cuba. Background of the Indictment The indict

The United Arab Emirates has achieved a major milestone with 50% completion of the West-East Pipeline, a strategic crude oil project designed to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Managed by ADNOC and accelerated under Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, the pipeline aims to increase crude export capacity via the port of Fujairah by 2027. ADNOC CEO Sultan Al Jaber highlighted that even after the resolution of regional conflicts, global oil flows could take several months to

A Vilnius shelter alert was issued in Lithuania after military officials detected drone activity near the country’s border with Belarus, raising fresh security concerns on NATO’s eastern flank. Residents in the Vilnius region were told to move to shelters or safe locations as authorities assessed the possible threat. Airspace over Vilnius Airport was temporarily closed, and Lithuania’s president, Gitanas Nauseda, and Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene were moved to

Iran said it is reviewing a new US proposal as Pakistan helps relay diplomatic messages between Tehran and Washington, keeping indirect talks active despite major unresolved disputes. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, that Tehran had received Washington’s latest position and was examining the points raised by the American side. The comments came as diplomatic communication continued through back channels rather than direct public ne

Iran nuclear talks are nearing a critical stage as US President Donald Trump warns that Washington may take tougher action if diplomacy fails. Trump said in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, that the United States is close to either securing a deal with Iran or moving toward further steps if no agreement is reached. Iran Nuclear Talks Enter Final Stage Speaking to reporter

Laid-off H-1B workers are facing a tighter immigration deadline as tech layoffs at Meta, Amazon and Oracle add pressure on Indian professionals living in the United States. For visa-dependent employees, job loss can quickly become a legal, financial and family crisis because the H-1B grace period is limited. Why Laid-Off H-1B Workers Face a 60-Day Deadline US immigration rules generally give H-1B workers up to 60 consecutive days after employme

Amid growing regional tensions, Iran has initiated a public training program teaching citizens how to safely handle AK-47 and Kalashnikov rifles. The initiative, named “National Defense Preparedness”, is designed to enhance civilian readiness while educating citizens about firearm safety. Public Drills Across Major Cities In Tehran and other key cities, men, women, and teenagers are particip

U.S. regulators are examining an unexpected spike in oil futures trading that occurred just before President Donald Trump announced a postponement of planned strikes on Iran’s energy sector. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is reviewing unusual off-hours trading activity that reportedly generated millions in profits for several trading firms. Trading Activity Details

A Pakistan Air Force training jet crashed near Mianwali, Punjab on Wednesday, with both pilots escaping unharmed. The aircraft, a Hongdu JL-8, was on a routine flight when it went down in a rural area. Authorities have secured the crash site, while locals shared photos and videos showing scattered wreckage across fields. Pilot Ejection and Safety The Hongdu JL-8 is widely used for training and is

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Beijing to reaffirm the growing strategic partnership between their nations. The summit emphasized energy cooperation, trade expansion, and technological collaboration. Xi described the bilateral relationship as a “source of stability,” underscoring the importance of maintaining a strong alliance amid shifting global dynamics. Key Agreemen

Strong Tremors Shake Kagoshima A 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s Kagoshima region on Wednesday, May 20, sending tremors across multiple areas. While some reports suggested a magnitude of 6.2, authorities continue to assess the situation. No immediate tsunami warnings were issued, and early reports indicate no major injuries or structural damage. Japan’s location on the Pacific Ring of Fire makes it highly suscep

UK Loosens Russian Oil Restrictions On May 19, the United Kingdom announced it is easing restrictions on importing diesel and jet fuel refined from Russian crude in third countries. The move comes after the G7 reaffirmed commitment to imposing severe costs on Russia for its war in Ukraine. The UK government cited concerns about fuel supply disruptions caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz since the US-Israel operations against Iran in late February.

US Military Investigation Nears Completion The US military investigation into the Minab school strike in Iran is nearing its final stages, officials said. The February 28 strike targeted a girls’ school in southern Minab, which Iranian authorities claim resulted in over 175 deaths among students and teachers. Admiral Brad Cooper told the US House committee that the investigation has been complex due to t

PM Modi Arrives In Rome For Final Leg Of Tour Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Rome on May 19 to conclude his five-nation tour. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed him on X with a photo captioned, “Welcome to Rome, my friend!” As part of the ceremonial welcome, PM Modi was presented with a painting depicting the ghats of Varanasi. Traditional musical performances accompanied the greeting, highlighting India’s cultural heritage in It

US Seizes Iran-Linked Skywave Tanker In Indian Ocean The United States has seized the Iran-linked oil tanker Skywave in the Indian Ocean, marking another significant enforcement action under US sanctions against Tehran. Officials said the tanker, sanctioned in March for allegedly transporting Iranian crude oil, was intercepted west of Malaysia on May 19 after passing through the Strait of Malacca. Ship-tra

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, that the World Health Organization was “a little late” in detecting the Ebola outbreak spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as deaths continued to rise and Washington prepared support for the response. The outbreak has intensified concern among global health officials because of its speed, suspected death toll and spread in difficult field conditions. Reuters reported at least 131 fatalities linked to t

The United States has extended its sanctions waiver on Russian seaborne oil by 30 days, allowing continued imports to key global partners like India. This temporary extension reverses previous plans to let the waiver lapse, aiming to provide flexibility for nations managing critical energy needs. Treasury officials stated the extension ensures that stranded Russian crude and petroleum products can reach markets without violating US sanctions on major Russian oil firms. This marks th

Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to Beijing this week, shortly after a visit from US President Donald Trump. The summit emphasizes China’s role as a central global power, balancing relations with both Washington and Moscow while advancing its strategic interests. Amid energy crises, trade disputes, and geopolitical conflicts, China aims to project stability and strengthen its influence on the global stage. Strengthening China-Russia S