Author: Deepika chandrasekar

Indian American scientist Rhina Kaur, a researcher at Howard University College of Medicine, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Next Gen Leadership Award by the Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT). The award recognizes early-career scientists who show exceptional promise in genomics and related fields. Kaur’s research focuses on methylation dysregulation and imprinting disorders—key areas in understanding how genetic modifications influence gene expression and disease development. As part of her award, she will present her work at the AGBT General Meeting, one of the world’s leading genomics conferences, which fosters collaboration and professional growth among emerging scientists. The 2025…

Australia has unveiled a strategic plan to deepen and diversify its economic relationship with India by launching the Australia-India Trade and Investment Accelerator Fund. As part of this initiative, Canberra is investing $16 million to strengthen collaboration in key sectors such as clean energy, education, agribusiness, and tourism. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized India’s crucial role in expanding trade partnerships to enhance national prosperity. He described the roadmap as a pivotal step in unlocking the full potential of the Australia-India economic alliance, benefiting businesses, job creation, and overall economic growth. The newly introduced strategy outlines nearly 50 targeted opportunities…

Kash Patel, who recently assumed the role of FBI Director, has now been sworn in as the acting head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This development, confirmed by a source familiar with the matter, places Patel in charge of two major Justice Department agencies. The ceremony took place at ATF headquarters just days after his FBI appointment. However, it remains uncertain whether President Donald Trump will officially nominate him for the ATF role or if this is a temporary assignment. Both the Justice Department and the White House have yet to comment on the administration’s…

The University of Arizona has announced Dr. Sunita Mishra as a recipient of its Alumni of the Year award. A graduate of the College of Medicine – Tucson (Class of 1989 and 1994), Dr. Mishra is recognized for her outstanding contributions to healthcare innovation and leadership. The university will celebrate the award recipients on Feb. 27 at the Student Union Memorial Center Grand Ballroom. Currently serving as the chief medical officer of Amazon Health Services, Dr. Mishra is dedicated to improving accessibility and affordability in healthcare. She has spent over 20 years as a primary care physician, practicing in both…

During the 119th episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi applauded ISRO for reaching a remarkable milestone with its 100th rocket launch. On January 29, the GSLV-F15 rocket successfully carried the NVS-02 navigation satellite into orbit, marking a significant achievement in India’s space journey. Modi likened the moment to a cricket century, emphasizing that it was not just a number but a testament to the nation’s unwavering commitment to space exploration. Reflecting on India’s progress in space, the Prime Minister highlighted key missions such as Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, Aditya L1, and the historic feat of deploying 104 satellites in…

Aman Kumar Sharma, Secretary-General of the Association of Traditional Sports and Games, India, has been invited to represent India and the International Council of Traditional Sports and Games (ICTSG) at a prestigious United Nations event on sports security. Titled “Securing the Legacy: Debriefing from Paris 2024 for Future Major Sporting Events,” the conference will take place on March 5, 2025, in a hybrid format at the UN Headquarters in New York. Organized by the United Nations Office of Counterterrorism (UNOCT) in partnership with the Permanent Mission of France, the event is part of UNOCT’s Global Programme on Major Sporting Events…

The Maha Kumbh Mela commenced on the auspicious day of Paush Purnima, which fell on January 13, 2025, and will continue until February 26, 2025. This year’s Mahakumbh Mela is particularly significant as the rare planetary alignment occurs only once every 144 years. The 2025 Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj is anticipated to be a grand spiritual event, drawing an estimated 450 million devotees from across the globe. Deeply rooted in Sanatan Dharma, this sacred congregation highlights age-old traditions and cultural magnificence. With the integration of modern technology, advanced security protocols, and meticulous planning, it ensures a safe and spiritually uplifting…

Veena Reddy, the former head of USAID’s India operations, is facing scrutiny over allegations that $21 million was allocated to increase voter participation in India’s elections. The controversy escalated after BJP MP Mahesh Jethmalani demanded an investigation into her role, with former US President Donald Trump also weighing in. Trump suggested that USAID might have attempted to sway election outcomes, stating, “I guess they were trying to get someone else elected.” Reddy, originally from Andhra Pradesh, took charge of USAID’s India mission on August 5, 2021, and left in July 2024, a month after the Lok Sabha election results. During…

India’s mobile phone exports witnessed an impressive 50% growth in the first ten months of the financial year (April–January), soaring to $17.27 billion from $11.51 billion in the same period last year. This surge was primarily fueled by Apple’s increased iPhone production, with exports climbing to $11.51 billion, a sharp rise from last year’s $6.91 billion. Samsung also played a significant role, exporting $3.97 billion worth of mobile devices. According to the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), total mobile exports are projected to reach $20.72 billion by the financial year’s end, reflecting a 40% year-over-year increase. This marks an…

Emmy-nominated Indo-American filmmaker Tirlok Malik was among the distinguished panelists at the Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFFCY) 2025, an initiative of Smile Foundation in collaboration with the European Union. The discussion, titled “The Cinematic Bridges: Fostering India-Global Collaboration and Opportunities in Cinema”, took place at Siri Fort Auditorium. SIFFCY’s Festival Director, Jitendra Mishra, remains committed to fostering lasting global partnerships in cinema. The panel brought together key figures from the international film industry, including Andrea Anastasio (Director, Italian Embassy Cultural Centre), Stephan Ottenbruch (Festival Director, IndoGerman Film Week), Ketki Parikh (Co-Founder, Chicago South Asian Film Festival),…