Celebrity chef and filmmaker Vikas Khanna has created history by becoming the first Indian to receive a special citation honour from New York State during AAPI Heritage Month celebrations. The recognition was presented in appreciation of his remarkable contribution to the culinary world and his efforts in promoting Indian cuisine internationally. The achievement has been widely celebrated by fans, celebrities and members of the Indian community across the globe. Originally from Amritsar in Punjab, Vikas Khanna has earned worldwide recognition through his restaurants, cookbooks, television appearances and humanitarian activities. His New York-based restaurant has become popular among food lovers for offering authentic Indian flavours with a modern global touch. Apart from his culinary success, Khanna is also admired for his charity initiatives and food relief efforts during difficult times, which further strengthened his reputation internationally. After receiving the honour, Khanna expressed gratitude and described the moment as a proud achievement for India. He emphasized the importance of cultural connection through food and said Indian cuisine continues to unite people from different backgrounds around the world. The recognition during AAPI Heritage Month highlights the growing influence of Indian talent globally and further establishes Vikas Khanna as one of the most respected Indian chefs on the international stage.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, that Iranian authorities had agreed to halt the execution of eight women following his direct intervention, describing the development as a humanitarian success amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran. In a public statement issued later that day, Trump said he had been informed that the women, identified as protesters,

Iran has dismissed recent claims made by former US President Donald Trump, responding with sarcasm to his remarks on ongoing geopolitical developments. In an unusually sharp diplomatic exchange, Iran’s embassy in Zimbabwe mocke

Iran has denied reports suggesting any plans to transfer its enriched uranium, rejecting recent claims attributed to former US President Donald Trump regarding a possible agreement on the issue. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismael B

India has confirmed that Bangladesh’s request to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is currently under examination through established judicial and legal processes. The matter was discussed during recent talks betwee

Lawmakers in Iraq elected Nizar Mohammed Saeed Amidi as the country’s new president during a parliamentary session held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, according to official results announced by the Iraqi Parliament. The vote marked the conclusion of a delayed presidential election process that had extended be

A deadly rocket attack near Basra, Iraq, on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, triggered protests that escalated into a storming of the Kuwaiti consulate in the southern city, according to local security and health officials. Authorities reported that rockets fired from the direction of Kuwait struck a residential house in the Khor al-Zubair area, killing at least three people and injuring five others. Emergency responders warned that the death toll could rise as search operations continued fo

Iranian authorities have stated that at least 30 universities across the country have been damaged since the start of ongoing military strikes involving the United States and Israel, highlighting the widening impact of the conflict on civilian infrastructure. Officials in Tehran reported that multiple higher education institutions were affected during a series of attacks that have intensified in recent weeks. The strikes, which Iran attributes to coordinated US-Israel military operati

India has issued a fresh advisory for its citizens residing in or travelling to Mexico following reports of ongoing clashes and heightened security operations in several regions of the country. The Indian Embassy in Mexico City released the alert on Sunday, urging Indian nationals to exercise extreme caution and limit their movement until the situation stabilizes. According to the advisory shared by the embassy, individuals currently in Jalisco state, including Puerto Vallarta, Chap

Taliban’s newly introduced penal code has sparked global concern after reports revealed provisions that allow husbands to physically punish their wives and children under certain conditions. The controversial law, signed by Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organisations and international observers, who warn that it severely undermines women’s rights and legal protections in Afghanistan. According to reports, the penal code

A newly released video has revealed the details of a covert maritime operation that enabled Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado to leave the country last month, defying a decade-long travel ban and nearly a year spent in hiding. The operation allowed Machado to travel to Norway, where she was scheduled to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, marking a significant moment in her long-running confrontation with Venezuela’s political establishment. According to footage shared

A 25-year-old student from Telangana lost his life in Germany after attempting to escape from a fire that broke out in his apartment building on December 31, turning what should have been the start of a new year into a moment of deep grief for his family and community. The student, Hruthik Reddy, hailed from Malkapur village in Jangaon district and had been residing in Brandenburg, near Berlin, while pursuing higher studies. According to information provided by his family, a fire er

An appellate court in Romania has sentenced American rapper Wiz Khalifa to nine months in prison for drug possession, bringing a legal case tied to a 2024 music festival appearance to a close more than a year after the incident occurred. The ruling was delivered on Thursday by the Constanta Court of Appeal and represents a final decision under Romanian law. The case stems from events at the Beach, Please! Festival, held in July 2024 in Costinesti, a popular coastal resort in Constanta County along the Black Sea. Romanian authorities stopped the artist after he allegedly consumed cannabis while performing on stage during the festival. Prosecutors later stated that Khalifa was found in possession of more than 18 grams of cannabis and that part of the substance had been used publicly during his performance. Court documents identified the artist by his legal name, Cameron Jibril Thomaz, and confirmed that he was convicted of possession of dangerous drugs without legal authorization for personal use. Under Romania’s criminal code, cannabis remains classified as an illegal substance, and possession for personal consumption is treated as a criminal offense rather than a civil violation. The appellate ruling followed an earlier decision by a lower court in Constanta County, which in April imposed a criminal fine of 3,600 lei, equivalent to approximately $830. Prosecutors challenged that outcome, arguing that the penalty did not reflect the seriousness of the offense or the circumstances under which it occurred. The appeal sought a custodial sentence, which the higher court ultimately approved. Romania is known for maintaining some of the stricter drug laws in Europe. Even small quantities of cannabis intended for personal use can lead to criminal prosecution, with penalties ranging from fines to prison terms of up to two years. Legal experts note that public consumption, particularly in a high-profile setting, can be viewed as an aggravating factor under Romanian law. It remains unclear whether Romanian authorities will pursue extradition, as Khalifa is a U.S. citizen and does not reside in Romania. Officials have not publicly confirmed whether further legal steps will be taken to enforce the sentence outside the country’s borders. Wiz Khalifa, 38, rose to international fame with his breakout mixtape “Kush + Orange Juice” and later achieved mainstream success with chart-topping singles and collaborations. During his performance at the Romanian festival last summer, he was seen smoking a large hand-rolled cigarette while performing his hit song “Young, Wild & Free,” a moment that later became central to the criminal investigation. The case has drawn attention to the legal risks artists face when performing abroad, particularly in countries with stringent drug policies. Legal analysts say the ruling underscores the importance of understanding local laws, as actions that may be tolerated or legal in one jurisdiction can carry serious consequences in another.

Reports claiming that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled or delayed his upcoming India visit due to security concerns after the recent Delhi blast have triggered widespread discussion. However, senior government sources have now clarified that such claims are misleading and factually incorrect. The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Netanyahu, initially expected later this year, is unlikely to take place in 2025, but officials emphasize that the decision has no

Fatima Bosch of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2025 after a finale filled with emotions, controversy, and global attention. Her win became one of the most talked-about moments in pageant history, especially after her unexpected walk-out from the competition earlier in the week. Bosch triumphed over Thailand’s Praveenar Singh, Venezuela’s Stephany Abasali, the Philippines’ Ma. Ahtisa Manalo, and Côte d'Ivoire’s Olivia Yace, who secured the remaining top five positions. The official

Iran has officially ended its one-way visa-free entry for Indian citizens, a policy shift that will take effect from November 22. The new rule requires Indians to hold a valid visa not only for visiting Iran but also for transiting through its airports. The Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi issued a fresh advisory urging Indian travellers to exercise caution, citing a surge in incidents where Indians were deceived with fraudulent job offers and onward travel promises and then kidnappe

As the world watches the evolving dynamics of U.S.–China relations, former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed confidence that a “fair trade deal” with Chinese President Xi Jinping could soon materialize during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Speaking ahead of the high-profile event, Trump described his relationship with Xi as “strong” and said he expects posit

Russia has issued a sharp response to Ukrainian President Zelensky’s recent warning that Moscow’s top officials should know the locations of their bomb shelters if the invasion continues. Speaking in an interview, Zelensky made it clear that Ukraine would not target civilians, stressing that “we are not terrorists,” but hinted at the possibility of using advanced long-range weapons if supplied by the United States.