Maryland took a major step forward in the fight against the opioid crisis with its first-ever Substance Use Awareness Advocacy Day on April 2. The event, held at Lawyer’s Mall, brought together community advocates, government officials, and public health leaders to spotlight progress and ongoing challenges in addressing substance use across the state. Lieutenant Governor Aruna K. Miller and Special Secretary of Overdose Response Emily Keller led the day’s efforts, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to saving lives. “The battle is tough, but determination and action are making a real difference,” Miller said. “With support from our General Assembly partners, we’re…
Author: Bhakti Sharma
Bhakti Sharma
Bhakti has been working as a journalist for about twenty years. She holds a postgraduate degree in mass communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication and a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Delhi.
French carmaker Renault Group announced on Monday that it will acquire the remaining 51 per cent stake in Renault Nissan Automotive India Private Ltd (RNAIPL), currently held by Nissan Motor Corp, thereby becoming the sole owner of the company. This move marks a significant restructuring within the Renault-Nissan alliance, impacting both companies’ operational strategies in India. Despite selling its stake in RNAIPL, Japanese automaker Nissan has reaffirmed its commitment to the Indian market, with a focus on strengthening its presence and expanding market coverage. The company emphasized that RNAIPL would continue producing Nissan vehicles, including the new Nissan Magnite, ensuring…
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) has recognized Congressman Ami Bera, MD (CA-D), with the 2025 Legislative Champion Award for his bipartisan dedication to advancing nuclear medicine research. The award was presented at SNMMI’s Hill Day on March 26, 2025. Congressman Bera played a crucial role in securing language within the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Fiscal Year 2024 funding legislation, emphasizing the importance of nuclear medicine research in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). His efforts have contributed to enhancing medical outcomes for service members while helping reduce the DoD’s financial strain related to cancer treatment.…
In August 2024, Google lost a major antitrust lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), with Judge Amit Mehta declaring the company a monopolist that has acted to maintain its dominance. A key point in the case was Google’s $20 billion annual payment to Apple to remain the default search engine. As part of its proposed remedies, the DOJ is pushing Google to sell its Chrome browser, which holds nearly 90% of the global market share, exceeding that figure on mobile devices. A revised filing by the DOJ states, “Google must divest the Chrome browser… to allow a new…
Indian-origin US Second Lady Usha Vance has been chosen to lead the presidential delegation to the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Italy, as announced by President Donald Trump’s office. The prestigious event will take place in Turin, with the opening ceremony scheduled for March 7. According to the White House statement, the official delegation will comprise key officials, including Shawn Crowley, the US Chargé d’Affaires to Italy and San Marino, Trent Michael Morse, Deputy Director of Presidential Personnel, Riley Barnes from the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, and Douglass Benning, Consul General at the US Consulate…
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that a shifting global power structure toward multipolarity aligns well with India’s strategic interests. Speaking at Chatham House in London, he stated that many of the priorities set by the Trump administration benefited India, particularly in energy stability and technological advancements. Jaishankar noted that while the world is embracing multipolarity, this does not extend to currency. Dismissing claims of an anti-dollar stance within BRICS, he clarified that India has no policy to replace the dollar as the global reserve currency. Instead, he stressed that economic stability relies on the dollar’s availability, adding that many…
Born in a small village in India, Sam Maddula faced immense challenges from birth—poverty and legal blindness shaped his uncertain future. His fate changed in 1987 when his parents discovered an Eye Camp run by the Eye Foundation of America (EFA) in Andhra Pradesh. This organization not only secured him a visa to the United States but also connected him with Dr. VK Raju, who performed dual corneal transplants at no cost when Maddula was just two years old. “That surgery transformed my life,” he recalls, expressing deep gratitude for the foundation’s role in his journey. Speaking at an Eye…
Shasti Conrad, Chair of the Washington State Democrats, has been named Associate Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), adding another groundbreaking achievement to her political career. The youngest person and first woman of color to lead the Washington Democrats, Conrad, will serve as Associate Chair of the Democratic National Committee alongside Labor Caucus Chair Stuart Applebaum and U.S. Representative Joyce Beatty. Expressing her gratitude, she stated that she is honored and proud to take on the role. She emphasized the party’s responsibility in ensuring oversight of the Trump-Musk Administration, citing Washington State’s resilience in the 2024 elections as a…
A student-driven advocacy group, Hindu on Campus (HOC), has launched a dedicated online platform to document instances of Hinduphobia across university campuses in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. The website catalogs over 100 cases of reported anti-Hindu and anti-India bias from the past four years. It serves as a resource for Hindu advocacy groups and organizations working to address discrimination and ensure fair treatment of Hindu students. Announcing the launch on social media platform X, Hindu on Campus shared: “We have created the first website dedicated to tracking Hinduphobia on university campuses. It compiles over 100 cases…
In a significant boost to UK-India economic ties, UK Ministers announced 17 new export and investment agreements during their visit to India this week, with deals exceeding £100 million. These agreements, primarily focused on the technology and life sciences sectors, are expected to create hundreds of jobs and further strengthen bilateral trade. Leading the UK delegation, Secretary of State Jonathan Reynolds and Investment Minister Poppy Gustafsson highlighted the growing economic partnership, noting that UK-India trade had surged to £41 billion in the past year. Reynolds emphasized that government-backed initiatives have helped UK businesses expand into India’s dynamic market, bringing millions…