Author: Malavika Subramanyan

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…

Narendra Modi is set to interact with voters and party workers in Assam and Puducherry on Monday through the NaMo App, as part of the outreach initiative “Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot Samvaad.” The Prime Minister will engage with participants from Assam at 1 PM, focusing on key issues related to the upcoming Assembly elections. Later, he will connect with party workers in Puducherry at 5:30 PM. In posts shared on X, Modi highlighted the developmental progress achieved in Assam over the past decade. He noted improvements across multiple sectors and expressed confidence that voters would support another term for the…

India’s health insurance industry has demonstrated steady expansion in the financial year 2024–25, with total premium collections surpassing $12.98 billion. The sector recorded growth of more than 9%, reflecting increasing demand for financial protection against rising healthcare costs and improved access to insurance services. This upward trend has been fueled by greater awareness among consumers about the importance of health coverage, along with evolving healthcare financing options. Structural shifts in healthcare spending patterns have also contributed to the sector’s expansion, as more individuals seek reliable coverage to manage medical expenses worth millions of dollars over time. A significant role in…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to dominate international popularity rankings, securing a 68% approval rating in the latest survey conducted by the US-based analytics firm Morning Consult. This achievement reinforces his position as the world’s most admired democratic leader, reflecting broad public support across multiple countries. Among the respondents, 26% expressed disapproval of his leadership, while 6% remained undecided. The survey employs a trailing seven-day simple moving average to capture public opinion trends among adults globally. Modi’s approval rating places him ahead of several international counterparts. Switzerland’s Guy Parmelin follows closely with 62% approval, while South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung…

S&P Global has projected that India will maintain strong economic momentum, with GDP growth estimated at 7.1% in FY27 despite ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia. In its latest economic outlook, S&P Global highlighted that India continues to be among the fastest-growing major economies, supported by robust domestic demand, steady export performance, and a gradual recovery in private investment. The report noted that India’s growth trajectory remains resilient even as global uncertainties, including rising crude oil prices and geopolitical disruptions, pose challenges to the broader Asia-Pacific region. Across Asia-Pacific (excluding China), economic growth is expected to improve to around 4.5%…

New York City is witnessing a significant shift in governance strategy as Zohran Kwame Mamdani has announced a series of major administrative appointments and institutional reforms aimed at reshaping how the city functions. The changes reflect a broader effort to build a more coordinated, service-oriented, and accountable system of urban governance. At the center of the reforms is a new approach to public safety. Mamdani has introduced the Office of Community Safety and appointed Renita Francois as Deputy Mayor for Community Safety. With extensive experience in public service and advocacy, Francois will lead a citywide strategy that focuses on addressing…

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening its long-standing partnership with Russia, stating that New Delhi will work closely with Moscow under its BRICS chairmanship to address shared global challenges. Speaking virtually at a conference titled “India and Russia: Towards a New Bilateral Agenda”, Jaishankar highlighted India’s “humanity-first” and people-centric approach during its leadership of BRICS. He emphasised that India looks forward to collaborating with Russia in a balanced and inclusive manner, while reiterating the strong foundation of trust and mutual respect that defines the bilateral relationship. Referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to…

‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ has emerged as a major cinematic success in the United States, setting new benchmarks for Indian films with its extensive screenings and strong box office performance. The sequel has quickly gained traction among audiences, drawing packed houses and generating significant buzz across North American theatres. The film, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, is witnessing an unprecedented exhibition strategy. In several multiplexes across the United States, screenings are scheduled as frequently as every 30 minutes, resulting in near sold-out shows throughout the day. This aggressive release pattern marks one of the widest distributions ever seen…

India’s Digital India programme, launched in 2015, has significantly reshaped the country’s digital ecosystem by expanding connectivity, improving affordability, and strengthening digital infrastructure across urban and rural regions. Over the past decade, the initiative has played a central role in transforming how citizens access services, communicate, and conduct financial transactions. Broadband penetration has witnessed a remarkable surge, rising from 2.5 billion connections to 10.3 billion, reflecting nearly a 400 percent increase. At the same time, mobile infrastructure has expanded rapidly, with base transceiver stations increasing by around 273 percent to 2.95 million units. Connectivity has now reached nearly all villages,…