Author: Bhakti Narayanan

India marked a significant milestone in advancing marine collaboration across the Bay of Bengal by hosting the first biennial BIMSTEC-India Marine Research Network (BIMReN) Conference in Kochi. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that the event, held from November 4 to 6, 2025, was aimed at deepening regional cooperation in the field of ocean research and sustainable development. The three-day conference served as a platform to strengthen partnerships among BIMSTEC countries, fostering innovation in marine science and promoting the sustainable growth of the Blue Economy. Experts and researchers from across the region discussed strategies for tackling shared marine challenges,…

Indian-origin leader Aftab Pureval has been re-elected as the Mayor of Cincinnati, defeating his Republican challenger Cory Bowman — the half-brother of US Vice President JD Vance. This victory secures Pureval, 43, a second consecutive term in office. Though the position of mayor in Cincinnati is officially non-partisan, Pureval is widely recognized for his alignment with the Democratic Party. Earlier this year, Pureval demonstrated strong public backing when he won the all-party municipal primary in May, securing over 80% of the total vote. His popularity among Cincinnati residents continues to reflect confidence in his leadership and progressive governance style. Born…

The White House confirmed that President Donald Trump maintains frequent communication with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as both countries work toward finalizing a bilateral trade agreement. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt emphasized Trump’s admiration for Modi, stating that the two leaders “speak pretty frequently” and that the administration remains deeply engaged in trade discussions with India. Leavitt added that the president holds a strong and optimistic view of India-US relations. During Diwali celebrations in the Oval Office, Trump personally spoke with Modi while surrounded by prominent Indian-American officials. She also noted the active involvement of Sergio Gor, the US…

India’s accelerating economic and technological advancement could soon make it a defining “third pole” in an increasingly multipolar world, said Harsh Vardhan Shringla, former foreign secretary and current Rajya Sabha member. Speaking at the Pune International Centre, Shringla cautioned that India must not allow its strategic influence to diminish, particularly as global power equations appear to be shifting toward a G2 model led by the United States and China. He pointed out that the idea of a G2 framework—where Washington and Beijing jointly steer major international issues—was earlier hinted at by former US President Donald Trump before his meeting with…

Republican Congressman Rich McCormick, who co-chairs the India Caucus, has called for a renewed and stronger partnership between India and the United States. Speaking at the Hudson Institute, McCormick emphasized that collaboration between the world’s largest and oldest democracies could usher in “another generation of global peace and prosperity.” Highlighting the deepening strategic ties, McCormick urged former President Donald Trump to keep India close, describing it as a vital friend in shaping a peaceful and prosperous world order. “When you combine the oldest democracy with the largest, it creates a partnership that can drive development and ensure global stability for…

Deepti Sharma delivered a once-in-a-generation performance as India claimed its first-ever 50-over Women’s World Cup title, ending decades of anticipation. The final, played on November 2, 2025, at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, will be remembered for Sharma’s brilliance with both bat and ball — a display that defined India’s triumph and secured her place in cricketing folklore. Coming in after a strong opening partnership, Sharma steadied the innings during a tense middle phase. Her composed 58 off 58 balls came at a time when India needed calm and control. With her steady presence, she rebuilt the innings and helped…

India’s digital economy reached new heights this festive season as Unified Payments Interface (UPI) emerged as the most preferred mode of payment, recording transactions worth $200 billion. The Bank of Baroda report revealed a sharp jump from last year’s $170 billion, signaling strong consumer confidence and widespread digital adoption during the Dussehra and Diwali shopping period. According to the data, UPI transaction values rose 2.6% month-on-month in September 2025, underscoring its role as the backbone of India’s cashless ecosystem. Debit card transactions also saw impressive momentum, climbing to $7.37 billion, up from $3.11 billion a year earlier — reflecting a…

Nikita Bhalerao, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at UMass Chan Medical School, has been honored with the 2025 Rising Star Award by the National Pancreas Foundation and a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship from the Pancreatic Cancer Alliance (PCA). Her research, conducted under the mentorship of Dr. Jason Pitarresi, focuses on unraveling the complex biological mechanisms behind cancer cachexia, a condition marked by severe and uncontrollable weight loss that affects nearly 80% of pancreatic cancer patients. The Rising Star Award is presented to individuals who demonstrate exceptional promise, innovation, and compassion in advancing the understanding and management of pancreatic diseases. The PCA fellowship…

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday directed the state’s public universities to “pull the plug” on hiring employees through H-1B visas, a move that could end the employment of hundreds of international faculty and researchers across Florida’s higher education system. DeSantis made the remarks during a speech at the University of South Florida, criticizing the H-1B program as a system that allows universities and tech firms to hire cheaper foreign labor instead of Americans. He called the visa holders “indentured servants,” urging universities to prioritize Florida residents and U.S. citizens. “Why do we need to bring someone from China to…

India has officially risen to become the fourth-largest producer of renewable energy in the world, achieving an installed capacity of 257 gigawatts (GW) — a remarkable threefold increase from 81 GW in 2014, according to Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi. Speaking at the eighth International Solar Alliance Assembly, the minister highlighted India’s unprecedented progress in the clean energy sector, particularly in solar power generation and manufacturing. Joshi noted that the nation’s solar capacity skyrocketed from 2.8 GW in 2014 to 128 GW in 2025, reflecting rapid growth driven by government-backed initiatives and private investments. On the…