Farzana Begum, an Indian woman living in Pakistan, is fighting for custody of her two sons with her Pakistani husband, Mirza Mubin Elahi. Married in Abu Dhabi in 2015, the couple later settled in Pakistan with their two boys. Begum's refusal to return to India stems from concerns for her children's safety. The dispute intensified when allegations of assault were made against Begum by her husband over custody and property matters. Begum contests her husband's claim of divorce, demanding evidence. The case has drawn public attention to the complexities of cross-border custody battles and legal rights.

Heavy rains in Dubai cause chaos at Dubai International Airport, disrupting flights from major airlines like IndiGo and Air India. Emirates suspends check-in, while IndiGo cancels several flights to Dubai. Passengers express frustration over abrupt cancellations and poor management. Air India also faces complaints, with Flydubai halting all departures until the next morning. The weather also impacts other Gulf Peninsula locations, with Oman experiencing casualties. Dubai witnesses one of its wettest April days, partly attributed to cloud seeding by the country’s weather department.

A tragic incident in Canada claims the life of Gursahib Singh (23), a student from Mahddipura village, Punjab. Studying in Canada since March 13, he was fatally hit by a vehicle in Surrey city on April 13. Despite efforts by Canadian police and medical staff, he succumbed to his injuries. His father, Palwinder Singh Bath, urges both the Central and Punjab Governments to facilitate the repatriation of Gursahib's body to India for final rites.

India's economy shines brightly according to the International Monetary Fund, with a projected growth rate of 6.5% for 2024. Surpassing China, India maintains its status as the world's fastest-growing major economy. Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, IMF's chief economist, praised India's strong performance, noting revisions for fiscal years 2023-2025. The forecast anticipates robust growth for India, at 6.8% in 2024 and 6.5% in 2025, driven by domestic demand and a growing working-age population. This affirmation underscores India's economic resilience and its pivotal role in global growth.

Indian Ambassador to Ireland, Akhilesh Mishra, ignited controversy by attributing corruption to a "single dynastic party," prompting objections from the Congress. Mishra's remarks ensued from the Indian embassy's reproach of an editorial in The Irish Times. The editorial anticipated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reelection, referencing legal actions against opposition figures. In response, Mishra defended Modi's anti-corruption efforts, citing historical governance by a singular party as the root cause. Congress rebuked Mishra, emphasizing the diplomatic decorum expected of ambassadors regarding political matters.

Over a million highly skilled Indian professionals, including doctors, engineers, and scientists, are grappling with a staggering immigration backlog in the United States. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data, these individuals face the prospect of waiting decades to obtain permanent residency due to per-country limits and an annual quota. This prolonged uncertainty not only causes personal distress but also impedes the U.S.'s ability to attract and retain top talent. With the backlog projected to swell further, urgent action from Congress is needed to address this brain drain crisis and prevent the loss of invaluable human capital.

Ashwani's family seeks help as their son goes missing in Belarus. Believing promises of a better life in Germany, he vanished after being misled by an agent. The family paid Rs 7.5 lakh for the journey, but Ashwani never made it to his destination. Despite 11 others returning, his whereabouts remain unknown. Desperate for answers, his family pleads for government assistance and justice against the agent. They urge authorities to trace their missing son, highlighting the dangers of illegal migration routes.

Amid concerns over the deaths of 11 Indian-origin students in the United States this year, Indian-American academician Gurdip Singh reassures of a welcoming environment for Indian students. Indian diplomatic missions engage proactively with students, offering open houses and updated guidelines. Singh, from George Mason University, Virginia, acknowledges parental worries but sees no underlying pattern indicating hate crimes. He emphasizes no specific university shows a succession of incidents, alleviating concerns of a targeted trend. Despite unfortunate incidents, Singh maintains confidence in the safety and well-being of Indian students in the US.

In a recent affidavit to the Supreme Court, the Income Tax Department disclosed a probe into NGO Environics Trust, alleging it receives foreign funding to obstruct Indian public projects. The department claims the Trust's activities deviate from its stated objectives, with over 90% of its income sourced from abroad. The affidavit suggests a concerted effort by foreign entities to hinder Indian development projects. The Trust's appeal against a Delhi High Court order faces scrutiny by the Supreme Court bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra visited Washington DC to enhance the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. Discussions with US officials covered defense, commerce, and supply chain resilience. Meetings with think tanks and commerce chambers focused on strengthening ties in sectors like technology and aerospace. Emphasis was on fostering commercial collaboration, especially in semiconductors, AI, and space technology, to bolster India's manufacturing economy and improve business environment. The visit underscores efforts to deepen cooperation and strengthen bilateral relations between India and the US.