Author: Akancha Mishra

The administration of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has introduced a wide-ranging urban development agenda aimed at reshaping housing policy, restoring historic public spaces, and upgrading transportation infrastructure across the city. The new initiatives reflect an integrated approach to tackling affordability challenges, infrastructure gaps, and mobility demands ahead of major upcoming global events. At the core of the strategy is a major housing reform push. The city has announced its first neighborhood rezoning plans, focusing on White Plains Road in the Bronx and areas south of Prospect Park in Brooklyn, particularly along key corridors such as Coney Island and…

Veteran Indian film icon Dharmendra was posthumously conferred the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour, during the Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on May 25. The prestigious award was received on his behalf by his wife and veteran actress Hema Malini, in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu. The ceremony witnessed an emotional moment when Dharmendra’s name was announced. His daughter Ahana Deol was seen deeply moved, while her husband Vaibhav Vohra remained by her side offering support. Several top dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, were present at the event. Hema…

Air India has introduced its newest Maharaja Lounge at San Francisco International Airport, marking another major step in the airline’s ongoing modernization efforts. The premium facility, located near Gate A1 in the International Terminal, officially welcomed guests starting May 23. Spread across nearly 3,300 square feet, the lounge can accommodate up to 80 travelers. Access has been reserved for Air India’s First and Business Class passengers, along with Platinum and Gold-tier members of the Maharaja Club loyalty program. A dedicated private section has also been created specifically for First Class guests seeking a quieter and more exclusive pre-flight environment. Air…

Akie Abe, wife of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, recently visited the Indian Embassy in Tokyo, where she reflected on her late husband’s deep admiration for India and his strong personal bond with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During her interaction with India’s Ambassador to Japan, Nagma M Mallick, Akie Abe also spoke about her ongoing charitable work and initiatives focused on supporting young people. The embassy described the visit as a meaningful moment of remembrance and goodwill, highlighting the longstanding friendship between the two nations. In a post shared on X, the Indian Embassy noted that Akie Abe fondly…

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stated on Thursday that India and the United States are increasingly becoming natural strategic and economic partners, supported by strong complementarities across sectors such as technology, defence, digital infrastructure, medical devices, and quantum computing. Speaking at the Annual Leadership Summit hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in New Delhi, Goyal said the growing relationship between the two nations is built on shared economic priorities, mutual confidence, and expanding investment opportunities. He emphasized that both countries possess economic strengths that work together rather than compete directly, creating significant opportunities for long-term collaboration. According…

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit India from May 23 to May 26 as Washington and New Delhi prepare for high level discussions focused on strengthening strategic cooperation in the Indo Pacific region. The visit is expected to include talks on defense partnerships, trade relations, energy security, and regional geopolitical developments. According to the US State Department, Rubio’s itinerary will include visits to Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur, and New Delhi. The trip comes at a time when both countries are increasing coordination on global security issues amid rising tensions in the Indo Pacific and the Middle East.…

Indian mangoes are becoming a major sensation across the United States, with premium varieties such as Alphonso, Kesar, Langra, Chausa, and Banganapalli witnessing exceptionally high demand among American consumers. The latest wave of excitement was seen in Seattle, where newly imported Kesar mangoes reportedly disappeared from supermarket shelves within hours of arriving. Videos circulating online from stores in Seattle showed large crowds rushing to buy the fruit, highlighting the growing popularity of Indian mangoes in the American market. Reports suggest that many shipments are effectively sold out even before reaching stores, demonstrating how rapidly demand has expanded in recent years.…

A fresh “Melodi” moment involving Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has once again taken over social media platforms, with users celebrating what many described as one of the most amusing diplomatic interactions of the year. During Modi’s latest visit to Italy, the Indian leader surprised Meloni with a packet of Melody toffees, instantly reigniting the internet’s fascination with the duo’s widely popular “Melodi” nickname. The light-hearted exchange gained momentum after Meloni uploaded a short video on X, formerly known as Twitter. In the clip, both leaders can be seen smiling while jointly displaying the…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued his high-level diplomatic engagements in Oslo on Tuesday, meeting Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations as part of his ongoing visit to Norway. The discussions were part of a broader effort to deepen India’s engagement with Nordic countries across multiple strategic sectors. The meeting was attended by senior Indian officials, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and other top representatives from the Ministry of External Affairs, reflecting the importance of the discussions. Earlier the same day, Prime Minister Modi also…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with Norway’s highest civilian honour, the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, during his official visit to Oslo. The prestigious recognition marks a significant milestone in his diplomatic engagement with the Nordic country and stands as his 32nd international award. The Grand Cross is the highest rank within the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit and is awarded to individuals who have made exceptional contributions toward strengthening Norway’s interests and advancing international relations. The honour highlights the growing partnership between India and Norway, particularly in areas of diplomacy, trade, and global…