Author: Bhakti Narayanan

US President Donald Trump will deliver his first address of his second term at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on September 22, the White House confirmed. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump plans to reassert his “America First” vision, with particular emphasis on tariffs and trade policies that he argues protect US industries. Trump’s UN appearances in the past have often drawn global headlines. In 2017, he threatened to “totally destroy North Korea” while ridiculing Kim Jong-un as “Rocket Man.” His subsequent speeches attacked global institutions, defended tariffs on China, and condemned the Iran nuclear deal.…

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic ties ahead of a key summit. The discussions come at a time of rising global trade frictions, particularly due to new US tariffs. According to reports, India and Japan are preparing to finalize a landmark agreement valued at $68 billion. The deal, which may be signed on August 29, 2025, will focus on ramping up Japanese private sector investments in India. Over the next decade, Tokyo aims to channel 10 trillion yen ($68 billion) into India’s growing economy while also enhancing human…

Prime Minister of Japan, H.E. Mr. Shigeru Ishiba, has announced a plan to invest approximately US$ 68 billion in India over the next decade, aiming to strengthen economic and technological ties between the two nations. The proposal is expected to be highlighted during the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 29–30. This long-term investment will span eight priority sectors, including mobility, environmental technologies, healthcare, artificial intelligence (AI), and semiconductor manufacturing, while also supporting Indian startups and promoting collaborative technology initiatives. The move reflects Japan’s strategy to deepen its presence in India by leveraging its own…

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on August 27 underscored the significance of India-Australia relations at a time when the global and regional order is undergoing a major transformation. Speaking in Canberra with a group of Indian journalists, Wong emphasized that both nations share clear objectives for a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific, making their partnership more crucial than ever. Responding to questions about the United States’ recent tariffs on India, Wong avoided direct comments on bilateral relations but stressed Australia’s firm position against tariffs. “We don’t support tariffs. Australia’s economy has advanced because we embraced openness and global trade. Openness has…

Bollywood’s much-loved courtroom drama series is returning with a bang as Akshay Kumar once again dons the black coat in Jolly LLB 3. Following the success of Jolly LLB 2 and his impactful role in Kesari Chapter 2, the superstar is ready to take audiences back into the world of sharp arguments, emotional depth, and laugh-out-loud moments. Akshay has built a reputation for seamlessly blending gravitas with entertainment. In the courtroom, he can shift from a fiery, emotional plea to a perfectly timed quip that eases the tension, making his portrayals memorable and relatable. This unique ability is set to…

Lawrence Technological University (LTU) has announced the appointment of Dr. Devesh Misra as Dean of its College of Engineering. Widely regarded as a global authority in engineering, Dr. Misra brings over 40 years of academic excellence, research innovation, and visionary leadership to the role. His career has been defined by advancing groundbreaking discoveries while inspiring future generations of engineers to design, build, and lead with purpose. Before joining LTU, Dr. Misra served as the Founding Director of the Center for Structural and Functional Materials Research at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He also held key positions at the University…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a two-day visit to Gujarat, unveiled two milestone projects for India’s automotive and energy sectors on August 26. At Maruti Suzuki’s Hansalpur facility in Ahmedabad, Modi officially flagged off India’s electric vehicle exports to 100 countries and inaugurated localized production of hybrid battery electrodes. The highlight of the event was the launch of exports for the Made-in-India e-VITARA, a battery electric vehicle (BEV) designed to strengthen India’s presence in the global EV market. Alongside this, the Prime Minister inaugurated the manufacturing of hybrid battery electrodes, a critical component in lithium-ion cells. This step is expected…

US President Donald Trump has officially nominated Sergio Gor, one of his most trusted aides and a seasoned political strategist, to serve as the United States Ambassador to India. Gor will also take on the role of Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs, marking his most prominent diplomatic appointment to date. The announcement came through Trump’s Truth Social post, where he praised Gor’s loyalty and organizational ability. Highlighting Gor’s contributions, Trump said, “I am proud to nominate Sergio Gor as our next Ambassador to the Republic of India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asia.” He emphasized…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bihar and West Bengal on August 22 to launch a wide array of development projects valued at over $2.1 billion, aimed at transforming connectivity, healthcare, energy, and urban infrastructure in both states. The day-long tour begins in Gaya, Bihar, where Modi will dedicate initiatives worth nearly $1.6 billion to the public. Among the highlights is the inauguration of the 8.15 km-long Aunta–Simaria bridge on NH-31, which includes a six-lane structure across the Ganga built at a cost of more than $224 million. This project will dramatically shorten travel distances for heavy vehicles, removing the…

 India and Russia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen economic and energy partnerships, signaling that recent U.S. tariff threats over Indian purchases of Russian oil are unlikely to weaken their cooperation. The two nations agreed on a roadmap to expand bilateral trade, including boosting India’s exports of pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and textiles to help balance the trade deficit. Bilateral trade between New Delhi and Moscow reached a record $68.7 billion for the fiscal year ending March 2025, with India’s growing oil imports accounting for a $59 billion trade gap. Indian officials also highlighted plans to send skilled workers in IT, engineering, and…