Author: Malavika Subramanyan

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday experienced her first flight in a Rafale fighter jet, describing the sortie as an “unforgettable experience” and a moment of immense pride in India’s defence prowess. The 30-minute flight took place at the Ambala Air Force Station, where she covered roughly 200 kilometers in the skies over Haryana. Following the sortie, President Murmu penned her reflections in the visitor’s book, expressing gratitude to the Indian Air Force for organizing the experience. She wrote that her first flight aboard the Rafale had given her a renewed sense of confidence and pride in the nation’s defence forces…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing his first public rally after Chhath Puja in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, announced that the central government is actively pursuing UNESCO recognition for Chhath Mahaparva under the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. Speaking to a large crowd, PM Modi emphasized that Chhath is not only a celebration of devotion but also a festival symbolizing equality and social unity. The prime minister said, “This is my first visit to Bihar after Chhath Puja, a festival that has now gained international recognition. Our government is working to ensure that Chhath gets the global heritage honor it deserves.” His…

India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, recently hosted a 13-member Indian parliamentary delegation led by BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari. The meeting highlighted the depth and diversity of India’s engagement with the UN across multiple areas, including peace, development, and international law. Ambassador Harish shared insights into the multi-dimensional nature of India’s collaboration with the global body and praised the delegation for its leadership and vision. Posting on X, he wrote, “We gain a lot from their leadership. It was a great opportunity for the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations to…

Republican and Democratic lawmakers in the US have joined hands to defend the India–US partnership, uniting through a series of letters and resolutions that push back against recent Trump administration policies seen as targeting Indian interests. Over the past 10 days, at least six bipartisan communications have been sent to the administration, reaffirming the importance of the relationship and expressing concern over discriminatory rhetoric and restrictive policies. Last week, a group of House members raised alarm over an event at Rutgers University that they said could “fuel prejudice” against Hindus, at a time when Hindu temples have been targeted by…

Florida International University’s (FIU) international business teaching professor, David Wernick, has been honored with the 2025 Changemaking Education Award by the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of South Florida. This prestigious recognition celebrates educators who inspire students to become engaged, socially responsible leaders. FIU alumna and assistant teaching professor of public policy, Daniella Long, was also among this year’s honorees. A faculty member at FIU since 2002, Wernick teaches international business and management courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Beyond his classroom contributions, he advises the International Business Honor Society, which oversees the Bandhwari Women’s Project — an initiative that…

Sonia Raman is set to make history as the first person of Indian descent to become a head coach in the WNBA, after agreeing to lead the Seattle Storm, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke to the Associated Press. The deal has yet to be officially announced, though ESPN first reported the news. Raman joins Seattle after serving as an assistant coach with the New York Liberty for one season. Before that, she spent four years as an assistant with the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA, where she developed a strong reputation for player development and…

Amid an uncertain global trade and policy environment, India’s economy gained renewed momentum in the second quarter of FY26, according to the Finance Ministry’s monthly report released on Monday. The report noted that this growth is particularly encouraging given the United States’ decision to impose higher tariffs on Indian goods in August, a move that could have otherwise dampened trade sentiment. High-frequency supply-side indicators pointed to sustained growth, while consumer demand continued to improve, spurred by GST reforms and buoyant festive season activity. The Ministry’s report emphasized that India’s outlook for FY26 remains optimistic, supported by strong domestic demand, favorable…

The United States on Wednesday announced fresh sanctions targeting two of Russia’s biggest oil producers, citing Moscow’s ongoing unwillingness to commit to a peace process aimed at ending the Ukraine war. The sanctions, unveiled by President Donald Trump, mark the first such punitive action against Russia during his second term in office. Posting on Truth Social, Trump shared an official statement from the US Department of the Treasury titled “Treasury sanctions major Russian oil companies, calls on Moscow to immediately agree to ceasefire.” The decision comes as Trump’s frustration with the Kremlin grows over its continued military campaign in Ukraine,…

Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella received a total compensation package of $96.5 million for fiscal year 2025, marking the highest payout since he assumed the role in 2014. This represents a significant increase from the $79.1 million he earned the previous year, highlighting Microsoft’s strong performance, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing. Approximately 90% of Nadella’s compensation came in the form of Microsoft shares, while his base salary stood at $2.5 million. The company’s board lauded his leadership, noting that Nadella and his team have positioned Microsoft as a global AI leader during this generational technology shift.…

 India’s exports to the United States experienced a steep decline in September 2025 after Washington implemented 50 per cent tariffs on the majority of Indian goods. Shipments fell to $5.5 billion, a 20.3 per cent drop from August, marking the fourth consecutive month of decline and erasing over $3.3 billion in trade since May, according to the Global Trade Research Institute (GTRI). Trade statistics indicate a continuous slide over the past months. Exports had peaked at $8.8 billion in May, the last month of growth, before declining to $8.3 billion in June (–5.7%), $8.0 billion in July (–3.6%), $6.9 billion…