Author: Deepika chandrasekar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated India’s five-member team after the country achieved a remarkable performance at the 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026 held in Bucaramanga, Colombia. All five Indian participants won gold medals, highlighting the growing strength of India’s young scientific talent on the global stage. The winners, Kanishk Jain, Riddhesh Anant Bendale, Rishit Garg, Shresth Suraiya, and Svarit Joshi, secured top honors in one of the world’s most prestigious physics competitions for school students. Modi praised their achievement, describing it as a reflection of the immense potential of India’s youth and their dedication toward science and research. The…

India and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defence and strategic cooperation as Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh met Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in Tokyo on Monday. The discussions focused on regional developments, defence industry collaboration, and ways to further deepen the partnership between the two countries. Following the meeting, Koizumi shared that Singh’s visit marked an important opportunity for both sides to hold extensive and constructive discussions. The talks covered the evolving regional security environment, defence manufacturing cooperation, and other areas of mutual interest. The engagement highlighted the growing importance of India-Japan relations amid changing geopolitical dynamics. During…

Indian American physician Dr. Nirav Shah, who gained national recognition during the Covid-19 pandemic, has announced his campaign for the United States Senate from Maine. Shah is seeking to challenge longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins in what is expected to become one of the closely watched races of the 2026 midterm elections. Shah, the former director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, launched his campaign with a statewide “Defeat Susan Collins Town Hall Tour” aimed at connecting directly with voters across Maine. He said the initiative would help him listen to residents and build support for his…

Simon Fraser University has named decorated Indian-Canadian wrestler Nishan Randhawa as the new head coach of its women’s wrestling program, while veteran coach Gord Sturrock has been appointed mentor coach. The leadership duo will guide the Red Leafs through the 2026-27 university wrestling season, bringing together international competitive experience and decades of coaching expertise. University officials said the appointments reflect SFU’s commitment to strengthening its women’s wrestling program. Randhawa’s success as an elite athlete, combined with his recent coaching experience at the university, and Sturrock’s long-standing record in athlete development are expected to provide student-athletes with strong technical and personal…

New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani has appointed Bharti Sharma as the new Executive Director of the Center for Innovation through Data Intelligence (CIDI), placing an experienced public health and data strategist at the helm of one of the city’s key research and analytics agencies. The appointment underscores the administration’s commitment to using data and technology to improve government services and develop more effective public policies. Announcing the appointment, Mayor Mamdani praised Sharma’s career-long dedication to applying data-driven solutions that directly benefit communities. He highlighted her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and credited her with creating innovative systems that…

Ahead of the United States’ 250th Independence anniversary, nonprofit organization Indiaspora has launched “The Indiaspora 250 at 250: The Indian American Story,” a comprehensive timeline highlighting 250 milestones that trace the evolution of the Indian American community over more than two centuries. The initiative illustrates how Indian Americans have contributed to nearly every aspect of American society, from politics and business to science, medicine, culture, and cuisine. The project begins with what is believed to be the first recorded non-coerced arrival of an Indian in the United States in 1790. Historical records describe an unidentified “Man from Madras” who traveled…

Actor Ranveer Singh has begun preparations for his upcoming film ‘Pralay’, a high-concept zombie thriller that is expected to bring a fresh take on the apocalypse genre in Bollywood. The film, directed by Jay Mehta, is scheduled to begin production in Australia during the second half of the year. According to reports, Ranveer has already started intensive physical and emotional training for the demanding role. The project is expected to feature large-scale action sequences and requires extensive preparation to meet the film’s ambitious vision. Filming is slated to commence in Australia in September, with pre-production work already underway. The production…

The administration of New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani has introduced a new collection of housing resources designed to increase residential development while safeguarding the city’s historic neighborhoods. Announced alongside Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) Chair Lisa Kersavage, the initiative aims to simplify the process for homeowners seeking to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and help owners of landmark-designated properties benefit from Landmark Transferable Development Rights (TDRs). The newly launched resources include an interactive online map that allows residents to identify properties within historic districts where ADUs are permitted. Homeowners will also have access to a detailed fact sheet explaining…

India has moved a step closer to becoming a major player in the global semiconductor industry after the Expenditure Finance Committee approved the proposal for the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0. Backed by an allocation of US$13.21 billion, the initiative now awaits final approval from the Union Cabinet and is expected to significantly expand the country’s semiconductor capabilities. The funding marks a substantial increase from the US$8.03 billion allocated under the first phase of the mission. Introduced as part of the Union Budget 2026-27, ISM 2.0 is designed to build a complete semiconductor ecosystem by supporting chip manufacturing, semiconductor equipment,…

Trade discussions between India and the United States are continuing to gain traction, with industry leaders expressing growing optimism about the prospects of a bilateral trade agreement. The positive outlook emerged during the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum’s (USISPF) IX Annual Leadership Summit in Washington, where senior executives met privately with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer to review the progress of ongoing negotiations. The meeting came shortly after Ambassador Greer concluded his visit to India, where he held discussions with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. Those talks centered on creating a balanced bilateral trade agreement while also exploring the…