Author: Deepika chandrasekar

India’s steel sector delivered a solid performance in 2025–26, maintaining its position as the world’s second-largest producer despite a challenging global environment. Crude steel output increased by more than 10.7% year-over-year, reaching approximately 168.4 million tonnes, reflecting sustained industrial momentum. Domestic consumption remained the backbone of this growth, with finished steel usage climbing to nearly 164 million tonnes, marking an expansion of about 7–8%. This upward trend was largely fueled by strong demand across key sectors such as infrastructure, construction, railways, and manufacturing. Continued government investment in large-scale infrastructure projects and urban development initiatives further supported this growth trajectory. Exports…

India has secured the third spot globally in renewable energy installed capacity, surpassing Brazil, according to the Renewable Energy Statistics 2026 published by the International Renewable Energy Agency. As of March 31, 2026, the nation’s total non-fossil fuel capacity stood at 283.46 GW, with renewable energy accounting for 274.68 GW. In July 2025, renewable sources supplied a record 51.5% of India’s electricity demand, highlighting the country’s accelerating clean energy transition. Overall power generation reached 1,845.921 billion units (BU) during 2025-26, with non-fossil sources contributing 538.97 BU, or 29.2%, demonstrating steady progress toward sustainability objectives. A landmark achievement was reached in…

Three Indian-American entrepreneurs, Adarsh Hiremath, Brendan Foody, and Surya Midha, have made global headlines as the youngest self-made billionaires at just 22 years old. Their AI-powered recruiting startup, Mercor, recently achieved a $10 billion valuation, cementing their place in history and surpassing previous record-holders, including Mark Zuckerberg. Each founder holds an estimated 22% stake in the company. Mercor’s rise reflects the growing influence of AI in transforming traditional industries. The platform streamlines hiring by using sophisticated algorithms to identify, assess, and match top talent with employers. Candidates can even undergo interviews with AI avatars, making the recruitment process faster and…

New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani has introduced a first-of-its-kind online child care map and resource center designed to help families easily locate and evaluate child care programs across the city. The platform, available at nyc.gov/childcare, centralizes information on 10,000 providers from all five boroughs, allowing users to filter results by location, age group, and cost. Key details about each provider, including services, eligibility, and contact information, are included to assist families in making informed decisions. The initiative reflects the Mamdani administration’s ongoing commitment to universal, accessible child care. It complements recent expansions, such as over 1,000 new 3-K…

India has highlighted the urgent need to restore peace and stability in West Asia while supporting ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, according to statements from Iran’s Foreign Ministry. The position was conveyed during a recent phone conversation between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The discussion focused on the rapidly evolving situation in the region, which has seen rising tensions and growing concerns about a wider conflict. During the call, Araghchi raised serious allegations against the United States and Israel, accusing them of carrying out attacks targeting Iran’s industrial facilities, production centers,…

India and Russia are set to enhance parliamentary cooperation following a meeting between Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and a Russian delegation led by First Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council of Russia, Vladimir Yakushev. The discussions highlighted the long-standing partnership between the two nations, built on mutual trust and shared strategic interests. Both sides noted that ongoing engagement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin has further strengthened bilateral relations, creating new avenues for collaboration. During the meeting, leaders emphasized the value of parliamentary diplomacy and cooperation on global platforms such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the BRICS…

India’s electronics manufacturing sector has made significant strides, with domestic value addition now reaching 18%-20%, reflecting a growing localisation push. This development comes as a result of consistent government initiatives aimed at building a comprehensive electronics value chain, covering everything from finished goods and components to sub-modules, base materials, and capital equipment. Over the past 11 years, production in India’s electronics sector has expanded nearly sixfold, increasing from US$ 24.74 billion in 2014-15 to approximately US$ 156.39 billion in 2024-25. Exports have surged even faster, nearly eight times, reaching US$ 43.01 billion during the same period. Mobile phone manufacturing, in…

Western Sydney University recently launched the first ‘AgriMaitri’ roundtable, an initiative designed to strengthen agribusiness ties between India and Australia. Hosted at the Australian High Commission, the inaugural meeting aimed to create a collaborative platform where stakeholders from both countries could develop practical and scalable solutions for the agricultural sector. Dr Vanita Yadav, who leads the project, described the roundtable as a key milestone in fostering cooperation across diverse groups to address agribusiness challenges. The event brought together 58 delegates, including officials from government agencies, industry leaders, AgTech companies, research institutions, academia, and trade organisations, creating opportunities for meaningful exchange…

As the U.S. Supreme Court evaluates the legality of President Donald Trump’s executive order limiting birthright citizenship, author and television host Padma Lakshmi has spoken out in support of the constitutional guarantee. Writing for the New York Times, Lakshmi emphasized that birthright citizenship provides certainty, which motivates immigrant communities to invest in society, innovate, and shape American culture. Drawing from her experiences traveling across the United States, Lakshmi highlighted how immigrant contributions have become integral to American cuisine and traditions. She cited examples such as pizzerias, Turkish coffee shops, Chinese restaurants, and taco trucks as evidence of how immigrant recipes…

In a notable shift in crew equipment practices, NASA astronauts aboard the Artemis II mission are carrying personal iPhones into deep space for the first time. The move reflects a broader effort by the US space agency to modernise how astronauts document and share their experiences during missions beyond Earth’s orbit. The four-member crew, led by Commander Reid Wiseman, along with Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, launched aboard the Orion spacecraft using the Space Launch System from the Kennedy Space Center. The mission marks a historic return of human spaceflight to the vicinity…