Author: Akancha Mishra

New York City is set to introduce a free child care facility for municipal employees as part of a pilot initiative aimed at easing the burden on working parents. Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that the center will operate from the David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building and will cater to children between six weeks and three years old. The service will be available to employees working in the building as well as staff from the Department of Citywide Administrative Services. The center is being developed as part of a renovation project valued at $10 million. Spread across 4,000 square feet,…

Usha Vance has offered a rare personal glimpse into life inside the Vice President’s residence, speaking candidly about family, public life, and her evolving role in an interview with NBC News. In the wide-ranging conversation, Vance described her transition from a legal career to public life as “disorienting,” following the election of her husband, JD Vance. “It was really disorienting at first… your whole day changes,” she said, referring to stepping away from her professional work. However, she also framed the shift as an opportunity to focus on issues she cares about, particularly education and family life. Emphasising her role,…

India and the European Union have formalized a working agreement in industrial aviation production to strengthen safety and harmonize India’s processes with international standards. The pact, signed between India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), focuses on collaboration in certification, production, and regulatory compliance, aligning India’s aviation manufacturing practices with global norms. This partnership paves the way for major aerospace initiatives, including the assembly of Airbus H125/AS350 helicopters in Karnataka. The project represents a significant advancement for India’s aerospace sector, supporting the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative while attracting foreign investment. By…

Ramu Abbagani held a meeting with Dato Seri Setia Haji Nazmi Mohamad in Bandar Seri Begawan, focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation between India and Brunei. The discussions highlighted efforts to enhance collaboration across cultural, youth, and sports sectors, reflecting a broader push to deepen diplomatic engagement between the two nations. In recent engagements, the Indian High Commissioner also met Hajah May Fa’ezah binti Haji Ahmad Ariffin to explore opportunities for expanding economic and trade cooperation. The talks focused on strengthening commercial ties and boosting bilateral economic exchanges. Earlier meetings with Pg Hj Mohd Hasnan Pg Hj Ali Hassan emphasised the…

India’s balanced and pragmatic approach in the Middle East is set to further strengthen its strategic partnership with Israel, according to a report by the Middle East Forum. The report notes that over the past three decades, India-Israel relations have evolved from limited diplomatic engagement into a robust partnership spanning defence, technology, and security cooperation. Shared concerns over terrorism, regional instability, and evolving security challenges have brought the two countries closer. Israel has emerged as a reliable partner for India, particularly in defence and advanced technology, even as New Delhi continues to maintain strong ties with Arab nations as part…

India and Norway are strengthening their strategic partnership through high-level discussions focused on addressing global challenges and expanding cooperation in future-oriented sectors. The dialogue covered key areas such as climate action, sustainability, digital transformation, maritime industries, tunneling technologies, and Arctic engagement, reflecting a shared vision for long-term collaboration. The discussions were led by Pooja Kapur, Additional Secretary at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik from Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, Kravik highlighted India’s growing role as a reliable partner in addressing complex global issues, referencing his participation in the Raisina Dialogue. Both sides explored…

India continues to strengthen its position as the most cost-competitive office fit-out market in the Asia Pacific region, offering global occupiers an attractive mix of affordability, scale, and quality, according to a recent report. The study by Cushman & Wakefield highlights that office fit-out costs across India’s major cities range between $65 and $73 per square foot. This is significantly lower compared to other key regional markets such as Tokyo ($215), Sydney ($161), and Singapore ($140). This cost advantage reinforces India’s appeal as a preferred destination for companies seeking to build high-quality, collaborative workspaces at scale while maintaining cost efficiency.…

During a special session at the Ananta Centre on March 24, US Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby emphasized the United States’ deep respect for India, highlighting the country’s rich strategic heritage and its growing influence over the Indo-Pacific’s future. Colby noted that while the US and India differ in history, geography, and perspective, both nations share a fundamental belief that Asia’s future should be shaped by sovereign nations charting their own course. Colby, currently visiting New Delhi to engage with senior Indian officials, stressed that India is not only a key partner for the US but also…

Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff of India, held a high-level meeting with Harvey Smyth, Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal Air Force, to review the progress of bilateral defence cooperation between India and the United Kingdom. The discussions focused on advancing intelligence collaboration, expanding training exchanges, and strengthening integrated military engagement between the two nations. According to official statements, both sides reviewed ongoing initiatives and highlighted the importance of building a future-ready defence partnership. The talks also emphasised enhancing interoperability and operational coordination between the armed forces of both countries. General Chauhan commended the successful conduct of…

The growing partnership between India and Israel is emerging as a key pillar in shaping a value-based alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) gaining strategic importance. According to an analysis published in The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent engagement with Israel highlights a deeper alignment between the two nations as part of a broader geo-economic strategy. The article notes that India is increasingly focusing on building strong, issue-based partnerships rather than following traditional non-alignment policies. This shift reflects New Delhi’s effort to strengthen its strategic autonomy while countering…