Author: Malavika Subramanyan

The countdown is on for the release of Bhooth Bangla, the much-anticipated horror-comedy featuring Akshay Kumar and directed by Priyadarshan. The recently unveiled trailer offers a whirlwind of fun, chaos, and familiar nostalgia reminiscent of the Bhool Bhulaiyaa series. The 3-minute trailer opens with a spooky introduction to the ghost Vadhusur and a centuries-old curse, setting a thrilling tone. The narrative quickly shifts to Akshay Kumar’s character, enjoying life in a lavish palace, where humor is injected immediately through his budding romance with Wamiqa Gabbi. The trailer also highlights a strong supporting cast, including Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, and Asrani,…

7 Indian-American Politicians Shaping US PolicyIndian-Americans, who make up roughly 1.6% of the US population, have emerged as influential figures across politics, business, and technology. Their growing presence in governance reflects both the community’s integration into American society and its impact on national policy debates. Former Vice President Kamala Harris, born in California to immigrant parents, remains one of the most prominent Indian-origin politicians. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, moved from India in 1958 to study at UC Berkeley. Harris often visited her grandparents in Chennai and continues to maintain family connections in India. Serving from 2021 to 2025 under…

US President Donald Trump held discussions on India-US relations with diplomat Sergio Gor during a dinner engagement in Washington, highlighting the continued importance of the bilateral partnership. Describing the interaction as a significant and memorable exchange, Gor noted that the conversation focused on strengthening ties between the two nations and advancing shared global priorities. The meeting underscored the strategic depth of the relationship, with both sides expressing optimism about future cooperation. Earlier in the day, Gor also met with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to discuss the commercial roadmap between India and the United States. The talks explored avenues to…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to To Lam on his election as President of Vietnam, expressing optimism about the continued growth of the longstanding friendship between India and Vietnam. Modi emphasized his commitment to working closely with the newly elected leader to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations. “Heartiest congratulations to Mr. To Lam on his election as President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. I am confident that under his leadership, the enduring friendship between our countries will continue to strengthen. I look forward to close collaboration to advance our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership…

India’s Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, met Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal in Kathmandu on Monday to discuss ongoing cooperation and bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries. The meeting, described as a courtesy call, took place at Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and reflected continued diplomatic engagement between the two sides. During the interaction, Srivastava conveyed greetings from India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, congratulating Khanal on his recent appointment. The discussion covered various aspects of the India-Nepal relationship, with both leaders focusing on strengthening cooperation and maintaining close coordination across key areas. Khanal assumed office as Nepal’s Foreign…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting with Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov on Thursday to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, fertilisers, connectivity, and people-to-people ties. The discussion also focused on advancing the outcomes of the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, which took place during President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India in December last year. Taking to X, the Prime Minister said he was pleased to meet Manturov and highlighted their discussions on mutually beneficial cooperation. He welcomed the continued efforts by both nations to implement the decisions and initiatives agreed upon at the recent summit. Earlier…

India’s ambition to build a globally competitive deeptech ecosystem will depend on sustained capital investment, stronger domestic demand, and deeper collaboration between industry, government, and research institutions, according to Indian-American business leaders and innovators. At a recent global forum focused on India’s innovation landscape, industry experts highlighted that while the country possesses significant strengths, key structural gaps continue to slow the pace of progress. A major advantage, they noted, lies in India’s vast talent pool, which continues to power advancements across sectors such as defence, aerospace, and emerging technologies. Startups are increasingly emerging as central drivers of innovation, bringing agility…

The Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA) commemorated the 77th Rajasthan Diwas along with the Holi Sneh Milan at the Consulate General of India in New York, marking a significant milestone for the community. At the event, an initial pledge exceeding $5 million was announced by the Mehta Family Trust, on behalf of founder K.K. Chandra Mehta, to support the development of a proposed Indo-US Friendship Center. The envisioned project, conceptualized by Consul General Ambassador Binay K. Pradhan, aims to include a Rajasthan Bhawan, a dedicated yoga and Ayurveda center, a convention facility, and a senior social center, reflecting a…

Akhil Reed Amar, a Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science, has been honored with the 2026 Abraham Lincoln Institute Book Award for his work on American constitutional history. The recognition was presented during the 29th annual symposium hosted at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., where Amar also participated in a panel discussion focused on equality and the legacy of Abraham Lincoln. His award-winning book, “Born Equal: Remaking America’s Constitution, 1840–1920,” is the second installment in a planned trilogy. The book examines a critical period in American history, particularly the transformative constitutional amendments introduced after the Civil War. These include…

India has emerged as the global leader in issuing Internationally Recognized Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs) under the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS), according to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. As per the latest data available on the Access and Benefit-Sharing Clearing-House (ABSCH), India has issued 3,561 IRCCs out of a global total of over 6,300, accounting for more than 56 per cent of all certificates published worldwide. This places India significantly ahead of other contributing countries. Among the top contributors, France ranks second, followed by Spain, Argentina, Panama, and Kenya. Out of 142 countries registered…