Author: Malavika Subramanyan

US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller praised India’s Lok Sabha elections, describing them as the “largest exercise of democracy in the history of the world” and lauding it as an “extraordinary achievement.” During a press briefing, Miller emphasized that the US government does not take sides regarding the election outcome, leaving the decision to the Indian people. Responding to queries about alleged efforts from certain groups in the US to influence India’s democracy by funding opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Miller stated he couldn’t confirm specific reports but reiterated the US government’s clear stance on celebrating India’s democratic process.…

Afghanistan’s cricket journey has been nothing short of remarkable since their debut in 2004. From their inaugural appearance in the Asian Cricket Council Trophy to now reaching their first-ever World Cup semi-final in just two decades, Afghanistan has defied expectations. Their rise is attributed not only to raw talent but also to enhanced skills, cultivated through exposure to global T20 competitions. Led by captain and star spinner Rashid Khan, hailed as one of the top T20 players globally, Afghanistan boasts a formidable lineup. Alongside Rashid, Noor Ahmad mirrors his spin prowess, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz adds firepower as an aggressive opener.…

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, carrying astronauts Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore, launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Wednesday for a test mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Sunita Williams, 58, an Indian American astronaut, made history as the first woman to pilot a spacecraft on its maiden voyage. This mission represents her third journey into space. Moments before liftoff, Williams radioed mission control with the message, “Let’s go, Calypso. Take us to space and back,” referring to the Starliner capsule by name. The spacecraft is set to dock with the ISS around 9:45…

India emphasized its significant contributions to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) resources during an interactive dialogue at the UN. Petal Gahlot, India’s First Secretary for the Second Committee of the UNGA, highlighted this during her address on Tuesday. She noted that during India’s G20 Presidency, the UNDP served as a knowledge partner on Digital Public Infrastructure. Gahlot also underscored the collaborative efforts between India and the UNDP on the localisation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the multidimensional poverty index in India. She shared on social media that her participation in the dialogue involved discussions on these key partnerships…

The latest trends suggest that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is poised to make a significant impact in the Odisha state assembly elections, with the party leading in a substantial number of seats. As per the current trends, the BJP is ahead in 77 out of 145 seats, while the Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is leading in 53 seats. The Congress party is trailing behind, with only 12 seats under its control. If the current trends continue, the BJP may form the next government in Odisha, bringing an end to Naveen Patnaik’s 24-year rule in the state. Patnaik,…

President Marcos Jr. of the Philippines marked a historic moment by becoming the inaugural Philippine leader to present the keynote speech at the 21st International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Manila on Friday. He emphasized that ASEAN Centrality remains a fundamental component of the Philippines’ foreign policy. In his speech, Marcos Jr. described India as a valued ally and expressed Manila’s intention to continue its collaborative efforts with New Delhi. He expressed, “We will fortify our ties with the United States and our strategic partnerships with Australia, Japan, Vietnam, Brunei, and all other ASEAN member states.” Additionally,…

With a significant influx of pilgrims visiting the Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand, a video depicting chaos near the Sitapur area has gone viral on the Internet. Due to the overwhelming crowd, offline registration for the Char Dham Yatra has been suspended until May 31. The viral video captures over a thousand pilgrims trapped in heavy traffic in the Sitapur area, with most of them on foot. The footage shows vans stuck in a narrow lane, and a voice can be heard saying, “If you want to come to Kedarnath, please watch this video. This is just Sitapur, 40 km from…

With only three days remaining for the final phase of Lok Sabha elections, campaigning has reached its peak. This phase will see voting for 57 Parliamentary Constituencies across seven states and a Union Territory on June 1.In this phase, there are 904 candidates competing in total. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a senior leader of the BJP, addressed a public meeting in North 24 Parganas district in support of the Barasat and Basirhat Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal. During his speech, Modi emphasized his administration’s zero tolerance for corruption. Modi criticized the Congress and the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, claiming they do…

Lord Patel of Bradford and Justine Greening have been named as the new Chancellors of the University of Southampton, marking the first occasion the university has appointed two individuals to this position. They succeed Ruby Wax, the comedian, in this ceremonial role. The Chancellor serves as the primary lay officer of the University, with significant responsibilities including presiding over graduation ceremonies. This ambassadorial role is crucial for the ceremonial aspects of the university. Lord Patel’s career began in social work before he transitioned into academia and government roles focused on health, education, and social care. In recognition of his contributions…

In May, PBS platforms will debut “America’s First Guru,” a documentary directed by Raja Choudhury and produced by A Thousand Suns Academy. The film delves into Swami Vivekananda’s influential journey, introducing Yoga and Vedanta to America in the late 19th century. At the 1893 World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago, Vivekananda’s profound teachings on Yoga, Vedanta, and Hinduism captured hearts, igniting a spiritual revolution. His impact extended beyond the Parliament, as he established the first Hindu ashram in America and shared transformative practices across the nation. Vivekananda’s legacy permeates American culture, with over 55 million practitioners of Yoga today. He…