Author: Bhakti Narayanan

 Virat Kohli continued his stellar form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy as Delhi faced Gujarat in Round 2 of the tournament. Coming off a match-winning century against Andhra Pradesh in his first game, Kohli delivered another impressive innings, scoring 77 runs off 61 balls, featuring 13 fours and a six, before being dismissed by Vishal Jayswal. This innings propelled Kohli past a historic milestone, bringing his career List A total to 16,207 runs at an extraordinary average of 57.87. This achievement makes him the highest batting average holder in the history of List A cricket, narrowly surpassing Australian great Michael…

Recently declassified US diplomatic documents reveal that India played a pivotal role in shaping the structure and flexibility of the Paris climate agreement. Released by the National Security Archive on the agreement’s tenth anniversary, the records include internal US cables and negotiation notes from 2014 and 2015. Together, they show that American officials viewed India as essential to the success of any global climate deal, while also considering it one of the most challenging negotiating partners. According to the documents, US policymakers believed a credible climate framework could not exist without India’s participation. At the same time, Washington was intent…

A sweeping change to the US H-1B visa selection process has triggered fresh anxiety among Indian technology professionals and Indian American families, after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that future H-1B cap selections will be weighted based on wage levels rather than a random lottery alone. The final rule, published in the Federal Register, amends existing regulations to allow the selection of unique beneficiaries under the H-1B annual cap and advanced degree exemption in a weighted manner based on the wage level listed in each registration. For Indian nationals — who account for a significant share of H-1B…

Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday’s highly anticipated romantic drama Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri hit theaters on December 25, 2025, marking the final major Bollywood release of the year. Promoted as a vibrant and light-hearted rom-com, the film quickly became a topic of discussion online, with audiences sharing diverse opinions about the story and performances. While some viewers praised the film for its charm and entertainment value, describing it as “fresh, youthful, and wholesome,” others found it lacking, calling it “a romantic drama that never takes off” due to routine storytelling and awkward dialogues. Positive reactions highlighted…

 Indian-origin researchers Subhasish Mitra from Stanford University and Tathagata Srimani of Carnegie Mellon University have played a central role in creating the first monolithic 3D artificial intelligence chip fabricated in a US commercial foundry. Collaborating with teams from Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, the University of Pennsylvania, and MIT, the duo demonstrated a design that significantly enhances AI system performance while reducing energy consumption. This achievement was recently presented at a major semiconductor conference and represents a milestone in AI hardware development. Subhasish Mitra, the William E. Ayer Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Stanford, has long been a leader…

The President of the US-India Business Council, Atul Keshap, has strongly advocated for India and the United States to conclude a trade agreement that has remained unresolved for years. Speaking after his recent visit to India, Keshap emphasized that finalising the pact would play a critical role in strengthening economic integration and restoring confidence among businesses operating in both markets. Keshap pointed out that trade relations between the two countries are already on an upward trajectory, but unresolved tariff issues continue to create uncertainty. Addressing US-imposed tariffs on Indian exports, he noted that India has taken proactive steps to diversify…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday announced a $450 million reconstruction package for Sri Lanka, reaffirming India’s role as a first responder following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Highlighting Sri Lanka’s importance under India’s Neighbourhood First and MAHASAGAR policies, Jaishankar said it was natural for India to step forward during times of crisis. He recalled India’s earlier support to Sri Lanka during its economic difficulties. The External Affairs Minister called on Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo and handed over a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirming India’s commitment to Sri Lanka’s recovery and reconstruction.…

Indian diplomatic missions across the world observed World Meditation Day, emphasising the timeless relevance of meditation in fostering inner peace, emotional well-being and social harmony. In 2024, the United Nations General Assembly designated December 21 as World Meditation Day, recognising the importance of mindfulness and inner harmony in human life. Marking the occasion in Ghana, the Indian High Commission in Accra organised a unified meditation session at its Chancery, reaffirming the role of meditation in promoting physical and mental well-being. The event, organised in collaboration with the Art of Living, brought participants together in a shared moment of stillness and…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new terminal at Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport in Guwahati, Assam, on Saturday, marking a significant milestone for the region’s aviation sector. Constructed at an investment of $480 million, this terminal stands out as India’s first nature-themed airport, blending modern infrastructure with elements inspired by the region’s environment. The inauguration ceremony included Modi’s visit to the terminal and the unveiling of an 80-foot statue of Assam’s first chief minister, Gopinath Bardoloi, situated just outside the airport. Designed to accommodate over 13 million passengers annually, it now holds the distinction of being the largest airport…

During his two-day visit to Oman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the Sultanate’s highest civilian honour, the First Class of the Order of Oman. This prestigious recognition places him among the world’s most decorated leaders and adds to his growing list of international accolades. The Order of Oman is the Sultanate’s top national award, reserved for foreign heads of state and global leaders who have significantly contributed to bilateral ties. PM Modi’s latest honour follows other distinguished awards, including Ethiopia’s Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia and Kuwait’s Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer, highlighting his global stature and diplomatic influence. Expressing…