Author: Bhakti Narayanan

In a landmark move to safeguard and promote India’s centuries-old literary treasures, the Ministry of Culture has announced the country’s first-ever global conference focused entirely on manuscript heritage. Titled ‘Reclaiming India’s Knowledge Legacy Through Manuscript Heritage’, the event will be held from September 11 to 13, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The announcement, fittingly made on Guru Purnima, honors India’s enduring guru–śiṣya tradition and intellectual history. The event is also timed to commemorate the 132nd anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s iconic speech at the Parliament of the World’s Religions on September 11, 1893—a historic moment representing India’s global contribution…

US President Donald Trump has imposed a steep 50% tariff on copper imports, adding to previously implemented duties on steel and aluminum. He also signaled a potential 200% tariff on pharmaceuticals imported into the US starting next year. Trump confirmed that the August 1 deadline for activating higher tariffs on numerous global economies would remain unchanged. This development holds critical implications for India. The US is not only India’s top market for pharmaceutical exports but also an important buyer of copper and its related products. Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Trump said, “We’re doing copper today. It’ll be…

Elon Musk has officially filed to launch his own political outfit — the America Party — with Indian-origin Tesla Chief Financial Officer Vaibhav Taneja appointed as the party’s treasurer, according to documents submitted to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) over the weekend. This new political chapter comes after Musk’s public rift with former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party over legislative disagreements, including the controversial ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’. The FEC paperwork lists Elon Musk as the sole candidate representing the party, with its official headquarters located at 1 Rocker Road, Hawthorne, California — Tesla’s design and development hub. Vaibhav…

Arti Ajit Hirani has officially stepped into her new role as President of The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division (YLD), making history as the second Indian-American to ever lead the organization. The milestone moment was celebrated during the 75th Annual Convention of The Florida Bar, with the announcement made by Meenakshi A. Hirani PA. Arti Hirani, who previously broke barriers as the first Indian-American and the youngest individual to serve as President of the Orange County Bar Association, highlighted the significance of her appointment. “This moment is incredibly personal but also a powerful sign of progress in Florida’s legal profession,”…

US President Donald Trump announced late Thursday evening that his administration would begin sending out letters on Friday to various countries, detailing the new tariffs that they will face on imports to the United States. These letters will outline the specific tariff rates, which range from 10% to 70%, depending on the country. During a press briefing, Trump explained, “We are starting to send letters tomorrow, with about 10 or 12 going out at the beginning. Over the next few days, we expect to have them all sent out, with full coverage by the 9th.” The President emphasized that the…

As the July 9 deadline approaches, the United States and India are working intensively to finalize a bilateral trade agreement aimed at creating a fair and mutually beneficial relationship. According to US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mignon Houston, India is a key strategic ally for Washington in the Indo-Pacific, particularly within the Quad alliance. In an interview with ANI, Houston emphasized that the Trump administration’s “America First” agenda seeks trade arrangements that are balanced and reciprocal, especially with significant partners like India. “India plays an essential role in our Indo-Pacific vision, and our policies are centered around ensuring mutual benefits…

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…