Author: Akancha Mishra

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Chile an “important friend and partner” in Latin America during President Gabriel Boric Font’s first official visit to India. The leaders engaged in extensive discussions at Hyderabad House, identifying new avenues for cooperation in trade, strategic partnerships, and research initiatives. Highlighting Chile’s geographic significance, PM Modi described the country as India’s gateway to Antarctica. A letter of intent was signed to enhance collaboration in this domain, reinforcing India’s commitment to scientific research and exploration in the region. The two nations also emphasized expanding bilateral trade relations, particularly through a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. PM Modi…

Kash Patel’s first month as FBI Director has seen decisive actions aimed at tackling critical law enforcement issues highlighted during the Trump administration, such as violent crime, gang violence, and drug trafficking. Republican lawmakers have commended Patel for his transparency, particularly his efforts in releasing long-awaited documents to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. Patel’s leadership has already led to significant achievements, such as the capture of three high-profile fugitives from the FBI’s most-wanted list. Among them was Arnoldo Jimenez, wanted for the 2012 murder of his wife, Donald Eugene Fields II, accused of child sex trafficking and rape, and…

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to visit London next week, from April 8-10, where she will engage in discussions related to bilateral trade and investment. Additionally, she will hold talks under the India-United Kingdom Economic and Financial Dialogue, a key mechanism aimed at strengthening economic cooperation between the two nations. During her visit, Sitharaman is expected to meet with her UK counterpart, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves. The India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue serves as a crucial institutional platform that facilitates discussions on enhancing trade and investment between India and the United Kingdom. According to a senior official,…

The Association of Indians in America – New York Chapter (AIA-NY) hosted its inauguration ceremony, welcoming Beena Kothari as the new President along with the Executive Committee. The event, held in New York, saw an attendance of over 150 distinguished guests, including elected officials, community leaders, and media representatives. The ceremony began with the singing of the American and Indian national anthems by Bina Sabapthy, Jyoti Gupta, and Roopam Maini, followed by a Ganesh Vandana performance by Hamsaasya School of Dance. Harsh Vyas and Jasbir Jay Singh served as the event’s emcees. In her address, President Kothari emphasized the significance…

Ajay Anand has been named the inaugural Executive in Residence at the Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative (WAIAI), where he will contribute his industry expertise to shape AI research, mentor students, and participate in discussions and events. Anand, currently the senior vice president of Global Services, Strategy & Business Services at Johnson & Johnson, will collaborate with Wharton faculty to ensure AI research aligns with real-world business applications. Achim Welter, senior director of ERP, Digital & IT Strategy at The Hershey Company, will also join WAIAI in this initiative. Expressing enthusiasm about his new role, Anand shared on LinkedIn that…

Duke University has awarded Samit Dasgupta the prestigious James B. Duke Distinguished Professorship in the Department of Mathematics. He is among 31 faculty members honored with distinguished professorships this year. The university will formally recognize Dasgupta at a ceremony at the Washington Duke Inn on May 14. Expressing pride in the honorees, Duke University President Vincent E. Price highlighted their contributions to research, innovation, and education. He emphasized that their work leads to groundbreaking solutions and advancements that benefit society. Distinguished professorships are reserved for faculty who have made exceptional contributions to their disciplines and demonstrated outstanding academic leadership within…

India’s ambitious joint space mission with NASA, aimed at sending an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS), has faced a substantial budget cut, leading to a deferral of the mission to the next fiscal year, a Parliamentary panel report revealed on Tuesday. Despite the postponement, the budget allocation for 2025-26 has been drastically reduced to just one-sixth of the original amount set for 2024-25, raising concerns over India’s spaceflight timeline. The Gaganyaan program, India’s first human spaceflight initiative, has also experienced a budget reduction of over $42 million due to delays in hardware realization and milestone-based payments. Announced…

Vice President JD Vance has significantly shortened his planned trip to Greenland, now limiting his visit to a brief stop at the U.S.-operated Pituffik Space Base. This decision follows heightened tensions after former President Donald Trump’s renewed comments about America’s interest in the Arctic island. Originally, his wife, Usha Vance, and one of their children were scheduled to spend multiple days in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, attending cultural events such as a prestigious dogsled race. However, on March 25, the White House announced that JD Vance would accompany them, but the visit would now be restricted to a single-day stop at…

Leo Varadkar, Ireland’s former prime minister, is transitioning from politics to public relations as he prepares to join Washington, D.C.-based Penta Group next month. The PR firm, which acquired Ireland’s Hume Brophy in 2023, specializes in strategic communications. The 46-year-old’s new role aligns with Penta’s commitment to data-driven policymaking, according to CEO Matt McDonald, who praised Varadkar’s leadership skills and extensive policy expertise. Varadkar stepped down as Ireland’s prime minister in March last year, citing both political and personal reasons. His unexpected resignation came just 15 months into his second tenure. Expressing gratitude for his time in office, he acknowledged…

Thousands gathered in Richmond Hill, Queens, on Sunday, March 23, to welcome spring with the vibrant celebration of Holi at the 37th annual Phagwah Parade. Liberty Avenue was transformed into a sea of colors as revelers joyfully threw powdered pigments, danced, and participated in a grand cultural display. The festivities kicked off well before the official 10 a.m. start, with dozens of floats rolling down the parade route. Spiritual leaders from the Federation of Hindu Mandirs led the event with traditional mantras and prayers, setting a reverent tone before giving way to high-energy performances. Indian dancers in regal sarees captivated…