Author: Malavika Subramanyan

Two-time World Cup winner Gautam Gambhir has been appointed as the head coach of the India men’s cricket team across all formats, starting with the limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka later this month. Gambhir shared his feelings on social media platform X, stating, “India defines who I am, and serving my country has been the highest honor of my life. While I’m returning in a new role, my mission remains unchanged: to make every Indian proud. The Men in Blue carry the aspirations of 1.4 billion people, and I will do all I can to fulfill those dreams.” BCCI secretary…

Manoj Mohanan, recently appointed as interim dean of Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy, expressed his commitment to supporting colleagues and enhancing the school’s community and resources. Taking on the role from July 1 for a two-year term, Mohanan emphasized the importance of stability and continuity in his new position, aiming to make a positive impact while providing leadership amidst ongoing developments. A faculty member since 2011 and previously Sanford’s senior associate dean for faculty and research, Mohanan is an applied microeconomist specializing in health and development economics, blending his background in medicine and public health. His research focuses…

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, expressed his readiness to advance negotiations on the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and emphasized his commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. In a press statement from the UK government, Starmer conveyed his willingness to finalize a mutually beneficial FTA that would benefit both nations. The leaders exchanged congratulations on their recent electoral victories and underscored the robust historical ties between the UK and India. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, both leaders reaffirmed their dedication to enhancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the…

Union Minister Piyush Goyal has announced significant concessions aimed at fostering entrepreneurship among women and MSMEs, including an 80% reduction in licensing fees for women entrepreneurs and a 50% reduction for MSMEs. These incentives, as detailed in a press release from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, are expected to spur greater participation and innovation within these sectors. Under Minister Goyal’s leadership, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry recently hosted a Stakeholder Consultation in New Delhi, emphasizing the delicate balance between industry compliance and public safety. The consultation, organized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT),…

Indian American Congressman Shri Thanedar has expressed strong support for President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign. As a first-term Congressman from Michigan’s Detroit area, a critical battleground state, Thanedar’s endorsement is particularly noteworthy. Among the five Indian American Congressmen in the House of Representatives – Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Shri Thanedar – Thanedar is the first to publicly endorse Biden following his recent debate setback in Atlanta. The debate resulted in a dip in Biden’s approval ratings and increased calls from within his party for him to consider withdrawing from the race. A win for Biden…

Jay Bhandari, an influential Indian-American leader and president of GOPIO Virginia, has been elected as a national delegate to the Democratic Convention in Chicago. The convention, scheduled from August 19 to August 21, will officially endorse Joe Biden as the Democratic Party’s nominee for president. As the presumptive Democratic candidate for the upcoming presidential election, Joe Biden has endorsed Bhandari’s election. Jay Bhandari secured his position as a national delegate during the state convention in Richmond, Virginia, where he received a majority vote. Bhandari mentioned that the selection process will be finalized through votes cast by Democratic delegates nationwide. A…

Isro chairman S Somanath emphasized the necessity of international collaboration to develop a planetary protection system against asteroids, noting that no single country can tackle this challenge alone. Speaking at Isro’s inaugural workshop on planetary defense for students in Bengaluru, he highlighted India’s desire and qualifications to be part of global missions studying asteroids. During the event, Somanath stressed the dual nature of asteroids as both potential threats and opportunities for scientific exploration. He pointed out that studying asteroids can provide valuable insights into the universe’s formation and the origins of life on Earth. Expressing India’s interest in global asteroid…

In June 2024, India’s wholesale numbers for domestic passenger vehicles (PV) saw a 3.7% year-on-year increase to 340,784 units, buoyed by the launch of new models despite challenges such as elections and heat waves. For the first half of 2024, PV sales grew by 7.6%, totaling 2.168 million units compared to 2.015 million units in the same period last year. Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL), the largest carmaker in the country, reported a 3% year-on-year rise in domestic PV wholesales to 137,160 units in June 2024, with total sales for the April-to-June quarter reaching 419,114 units. MSIL also achieved a significant…

GLP-1 medications designed for diabetes management are highly effective in facilitating weight loss, with users often achieving up to a 15% reduction in their initial body weight within a year. These medications, including semaglutide, tirzepatide, dulaglutide, and liraglutide, mimic the glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone naturally produced in the gut. By doing so, they reduce hunger sensations, increase feelings of fullness after eating smaller amounts, and slow down the stomach’s digestion process. Of these medications, only Wegovy and Zepbound have gained FDA approval specifically for weight loss. Others like Ozempic, Rybelsus, Saxenda, and Trulicity are prescribed off-label for the same purpose. A…

When comparing the strengths and weaknesses of the T20 World Cup finalists, India and South Africa, it’s clear that both teams balance each other perfectly, much like the scales held by Lady Justice. Both teams remain unbeaten, share similar strengths and weaknesses, and each features a left-arm wrist spinner. Both are eager to secure an ICC trophy: India has not won a major title since their 2011 World Cup victory, while South Africa has often seen success slip away despite their talented roster. The phrase “carpe diem” seems particularly fitting for this final showdown in Bridgetown. One of the most…