Bengaluru Travel Operators Raise Alarm Travel operators in Bengaluru have raised serious concern over the possible impact of increasing work-from-home practices on their livelihood. The Karnataka State Travel Operators’ Association has urged the Centre to protect the employee transport sector, saying the industry supports lakhs of jobs across India. The association said corporate cab and bus services continue to play an important role in helping IT, corporate an

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

India relies heavily on imported crude oil, with domestic production covering only 10–15% of demand. Historically dependent on Middle Eastern oil, India is now sourcing crude from the U.S., West Africa, and Russia to reduce vulnerability to geopolitical risks. Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) transport oil in shipments of 200,000–300,000 DWT to key ports on the west coast—Mumbai, Mundra, Kandla, Jamnagar—and east coast—Paradip, Visakhapatnam, Chennai. From ports, extensive pipeline

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

Flamingo Season Makes Pulicat Lake A Birding Hotspot Pulicat Lake, a historic lagoon town near Chennai, has become one of the most popular bird watching places near Chennai, especially during the Pulicat Lake flamingo season. Every year, birders, wildlife lovers and photographers visit the lake to witness graceful flamingos moving across the shallow waters. The calm surroundings, open wetlands and still ref

Niagara Falls, one of the world’s most iconic waterfalls, spans the border of New York, USA, and Ontario, Canada. The landmark features three distinct waterfalls—Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls—along the Niagara River. Formed about 12,000 years ago after the last Ice Age, the falls are a powerful symbol of natural force. With a height of 167 feet and an average flow rate of 85,000 cubic feet per second, Niagara Falls showcases immense water power while attracting

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

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

Strike Announcement And Causes Truckers and transporters in Delhi-NCR have announced a three-day strike starting May 21, which could delay essential goods and disrupt supply chains. The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), representing 68 unions, said the protest targets the EC Cess hike on Delhi-bound goods vehicles and the ban on BS-IV commercial trucks from November. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi increased the EC Cess following a Supreme Court order t

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

Maharashtra’s Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana beneficiaries may soon get relief if they are facing problems due to e-KYC errors. According to reports, the state government is considering giving eligible women another opportunity to correct mistakes in their electronic verification details. The move could help beneficiaries whose payments were delayed, stopped or affected because of wrong Aadhaar details, bank account mismatches, mobile number issues or incorrect information entered du

MEA Responds To Trust Question In Oslo India’s Ministry of External Affairs responded strongly during a press briefing in Oslo after a Norwegian journalist questioned why India should be trusted and why Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not take questions from the press. MEA Secretary West Sibi George answered by defending India’s democratic institutions, constitutional protections, media environment and record on human

Trump Addresses Ebola Outbreak In DRC US President Donald Trump said onMay 18,2026 that he is concerned about the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but believes the virus has not spread to the United States. Speaking at the White House after an American working in the DRC was infected, Trump said the situation appears to be confined to Africa for now, while acknowledging that the outbreak remains a serious

The USCIS invalid signature rule 2026 could make small filing mistakes more costly for immigration applicants, employers and petitioners. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security published an interim final rule on Monday, May 11, 2026, clarifying how U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services may handle immigration benefit requests with missing, incomplete or invalid signatures. The rule is set to take effect on Friday, July 10, 2026

India has strongly rejected reported comments made by Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten on press freedom and minority rights, saying such remarks do not reflect a proper understanding of India’s democratic system, social diversity and constitutional values. The response came during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands. Speaking in The Hague, MEA Secretary West Sibi George defended India’s record on democracy, elections, minority rights and development, making

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually flagged off the new Bengaluru–Mumbai Express train on Sunday, May 17, 2026, marking a major boost to rail connectivity between Karnataka and Maharashtra. The new service is expected to benefit passengers travelling between Bengaluru and Mumbai, two of India’s busiest urban and business hubs. According to officials, the train strengthens direct connectivity and addresses a long-pending demand from passengers in both South and North Karnataka.&

PM Modi received Sweden’s Royal Order of the Polar Star, taking his total global honours count to 31. The recognition highlights India-Sweden ties and adds a fresh milestone to Modi’s international award list. Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Sweden’s Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree Commander Grand Cross, during his visit to Gothenburg on May 17, 2026. With this award, PM Modi’s 31 global honours list has again come into focus. The honour wa

A coach of the Sasaram-Patna passenger train caught fire at Sasaram railway station, with no casualties reported. The incident came a day after a Rajdhani Express fire near Ratlam, raising fresh concerns over railway safety. A major fire broke out in a coach of the Sasaram-Patna passenger train at Sasaram railway station in Bihar’s Rohtas district on Monday, May 18, 2026. The train was standing at the platform when the fire was reported, prompting fire brigade te

May 17, 2026, PM Modi received Sweden’s Royal Order of the Polar Star in Gothenburg, marking his 31st international honour. The award highlights stronger India-Sweden ties and recognises his role in boosting bilateral friendship, diplomacy and cooperation.