Author: Bhakti Narayanan

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom Space Mission-4, is working on a pioneering experiment to develop a brain-computer interface (BCI) in microgravity. The initiative, revealed by NASA on Thursday, uses near-infrared technology to record brain activity in space and enable communication between the brain and digital systems in a zero-gravity environment. Conducted in the Columbus laboratory module, the experiment titled “Thoughts over Gravity” (PhotonGrav) is a collaborative effort between Shukla and Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski. The study aims to test the effectiveness of functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) in low-Earth orbit.…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a pivotal five-nation diplomatic tour on Wednesday, aiming to reinforce India’s position as a key leader in the Global South. His journey, spanning July 2 to 9, includes stops in Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia. The trip is designed to bolster partnerships across Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean while promoting collaboration on multilateral platforms like BRICS, CARICOM, the African Union, and ECOWAS. Before departure, the Prime Minister expressed optimism that this outreach would “strengthen bonds of friendship and cooperation across the Global South and deepen engagements on both sides of…

India and the United States are on the brink of finalizing a significant trade agreement, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Leavitt emphasized that the deal is nearly complete and highlighted the strong diplomatic rapport between US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She noted that discussions between the President and Commerce Secretary confirmed progress, with public announcements expected shortly. Labeling India a “strategic ally” in the Asia-Pacific, Leavitt reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations. Her comments came amid External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to the US for…

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture has welcomed Kaushik Luthra as the new assistant professor of post-harvest grain processing. With his appointment, the state’s grain sector is set to benefit from advanced research and targeted community engagement initiatives. Luthra will work within the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, serving both the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service. Based at the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center in Harrisburg, he will spearhead efforts to enhance grain quality, efficiency, and profitability throughout Arkansas. Expressing his enthusiasm for the role, Luthra stated, “I’m excited to serve this…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Ghana, one of West Africa’s fastest-growing economies, will be driven by a strong economic focus, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Monday. Ghana will be the first destination in PM Modi’s five-nation tour, which begins on July 2 and includes Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia. The visit marks a historic milestone as it will be PM Modi’s first-ever bilateral trip to Ghana and the first prime ministerial visit from India to the country in over 30 years. According to MEA Secretary (Economic Relations) Dammu Ravi, the two-day visit (July…

The Shree Siddhivinayak Temple in New Jersey celebrated its ninth anniversary on June 21 and 22 with a weekend of profound devotion and cultural unity. The two-day observance attracted a large gathering of devotees from across New Jersey and neighboring states, all coming together to seek the divine blessings of Lord Siddhivinayak and honor the temple’s spiritual journey. The ceremonies were anchored by revered temple priests Dr. Ganesh Prasad Ojha and Vashist Kumar Ojha, who led an extensive lineup of Vedic rituals. Devotees participated in Swasti Vachanam, Atharvashirsha Paath, Ganesh Pujan, Shivabhishek, and Punyahavachanam, followed by Kalash Sthapana and Kalash…

India is set to honor its micro, small, and medium enterprises on June 27, 2025, with President Droupadi Murmu presiding over the MSME Day 2025 – Udyami Bharat celebrations at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. This event, organized by the Ministry of MSME, will highlight the pivotal role MSMEs play in the nation’s economy and introduce new strategies to strengthen the sector for the future. Key attendees include Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje, and KVIC Chairman Manoj Kumar, along with various stakeholders and dignitaries. To honor 25 years of the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and…

On June 26, former US President Donald Trump unleashed a fierce verbal attack on New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani after the 33-year-old emerged as the leading candidate in the Democratic primary for New York City’s mayoral race. Venting on his platform Truth Social, Trump labelled Mamdani a “100% Communist Lunatic,” expressing outrage over the party’s direction. “The Democrats have officially lost it,” Trump wrote, reacting to Mamdani’s surprising success. “We’ve had far-left candidates before, but this is beyond belief.” Trump didn’t stop there. In another fiery post, he mocked Mamdani’s appearance, voice, and intelligence, and took jabs at his…

The US State Department has updated its travel advisory for India, issuing a Level-2 warning on June 16, cautioning American citizens to exercise increased vigilance due to the growing risks of violent crime and terrorism across parts of the country. According to the advisory, rape and sexual assaults are among the fastest-rising crimes in India, and tourist-heavy areas such as transportation hubs, shopping malls, and public markets are frequent targets for such incidents. The advisory underscores that terrorist attacks could occur without any advance notice, potentially impacting both locals and foreign travelers alike. The advisory also noted that US government…

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has spoken out in favor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, particularly after the government’s diplomatic push following Operation Sindoor, which came in response to the recent terror attacks in Pahalgam. Writing in The Hindu, Tharoor acknowledged Modi’s enthusiasm, assertive global engagement, and dynamic presence as assets that deserve broader support from within India. He described the post-Operation Sindoor diplomatic campaign as a demonstration of national will and strategic communication, emphasizing that such outreach efforts helped strengthen India’s stance on international platforms. Tharoor, who led a multi-party delegation abroad to explain India’s position, highlighted how a…