Archive: The Week

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he would urge King Charles to return the Koh-i-Noor diamond to India. The two spoke briefly at a 9/11 memorial event during the king's state visit.

Trump told Congress in a formal letter that the hostilities that began February 28, 2026 have terminated, with no exchange of fire between US forces and Iran since April 7. The two-week ceasefire announced April 7 has been extended indefinitely. The US Navy continues to blockade Iranian ports; Iran retains its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz. Hegseth claims the ceasefire pauses the 60-day War Powers Resolution clock; Democrats including Sen. Tim Kaine reject that reading.

Speaker Mike Johnson cleared a procedural rule 216-210 after a two-hour floor revolt. The package combines FISA Section 702 reauthorization, the farm bill, and DHS funding.

The Trump administration's FY27 budget proposal would cut NASA by 23 percent and force the cancellation of dozens of active and planned missions. The plan also proposes wastewater testing for illegal-drug data and AI threat tracking.

Pete Hegseth clashed with Democrats and some Republicans over the Iran war and Pentagon firings. Two dozen senior officers have been removed or had promotions blocked since the war began.

The Greater Nicobar port sits 150 km from the Malacca Strait, where 75% of China's energy trade transits. The retired Air Chief said ecological concerns will be mitigated.

Vietnamese President To Lam visits India May 5 to 7. The trip lands as New Delhi expands engagement with ASEAN states.

BJP leaders in Karnataka asked police to investigate firms offering to buy gold pledged as loan collateral. The schemes target borrowers with assets locked at lenders.

The Trump administration imposed 50% tariffs on India over its continued purchase of Russian crude oil and the failure to secure a bilateral trade deal by the agreed deadline. The move adds friction to the post-Iran-war energy positioning.

Prime Minister Modi will launch ₹7,800 crore in development projects in Telangana on May 10. The visit covers infrastructure and welfare announcements.

Vote counting for state assembly polls is scheduled for May 4 across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry. Exit polls have pointed to BJP-JD(S) gains in Karnataka 2028 and a tight TMC contest in Bengal. The political map redraws over the weekend.

Andhra Pradesh holds 211 MT of beach sand mineral deposits, 25% of India's 838 MT. The state has accelerated exploration activity this fiscal year.

Banksy installed a new sculpture overnight in Waterloo Place, central London: a suited man stepping forward from a plinth, face hidden behind a large black flag. The artist confirmed the work; Westminster Council called it a 'striking addition' to the city's public art. Read by many as a satire of blind patriotism.

Oil hit its highest level since 2022. Axios reported US Central Command has prepared a plan for 'short and powerful' Iran strikes.

Trump said the US is studying troop reductions in Germany. The remarks followed Chancellor Merz's criticism of US conduct in the Iran war.

Karan Aujla's 2026 P-Pop Culture tour opens at Rogers Arena Vancouver on May 2. The four-date Canadian run hits Edmonton May 5, Calgary May 6, and Toronto May 9.

The 2026 Met Gala theme is Costume Art with the dress code Fashion Is Art. Sabyasachi, Manish Malhotra, Gaurav Gupta, and Prabal Gurung are expected on the carpet alongside co-chairs Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour.

Zarna Garg's Million Dollar Excuses headlining tour kicked off in December 2025 and runs through 2026. Stops include Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, and Las Vegas.

Lucky Ali announced a North American return for April-May 2026 with intimate, candle-lit shows in New York, the Bay Area, Dallas, and Los Angeles. The Glendale Alex Theatre date is May 9. Tickets $35 to $250 via Sulekha.

Usama Siddiquee was named to Deadline's Comics to Keep an Eye On 2026 list and is competing on Funny AF, Kevin Hart's Netflix stand-up competition with Keegan-Michael Key, Tom Segura, Kumail Nanjiani, Chelsea Handler, and Nikki Glaser as judges. The live semi-final is May 4 with the finale May 5; viewers vote in real time.

Usama Siddiquee was named to Deadline's Comics to Keep an Eye On 2026 list and is competing on Funny AF, Kevin Hart's Netflix stand-up competition with Keegan-Michael Key, Tom Segura, Kumail Nanjiani, Chelsea Handler, and Nikki Glaser as judges. The live semi-final is May 4 with the finale May 5; viewers vote in real time.

Diljit Dosanjh appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to perform Morni and showcase Bhangra, his second visit since his 2024 debut. The performance previewed the Aura album and world tour.

Diljit Dosanjh appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to perform Morni and showcase Bhangra, his second visit since his 2024 debut. The performance previewed the Aura album and world tour.

Warner Music Group launched 5 Junction with entrepreneur Anjula Acharia as a joint-venture label focused on discovering and nurturing US-based artists of South Asian heritage. The move follows Universal's Dialled In Records launch in London the same week.

Warner Music Group launched 5 Junction with entrepreneur Anjula Acharia as a joint-venture label focused on discovering and nurturing US-based artists of South Asian heritage. The move follows Universal's Dialled In Records launch in London the same week.

Times Internet (India's largest digital products company) launched Diaspora Dialogues today, a fortnightly video podcast hosted by veteran broadcaster Sujatha Padmanabhan. Each 30 to 45 minute episode profiles South Asian trailblazers in business, culture, and creative life. Available across all major platforms.

The 2026 Met Gala on Monday May 4 anchors the Costume Art exhibition (theme: Fashion Is Art) in the new 12,000-square-foot Condé M. Nast Galleries. The exhibit pairs ~200 garments with ~200 artworks spanning 5,000 years. Co-chairs: Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, Anna Wintour. Lead sponsors: Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez. Sabyasachi, Manish Malhotra, Gaurav Gupta, and Prabal Gurung expected on the carpet. Around 450 attendees.