Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

Taylor Swift, widely known as a pop icon, has shown her potential influence beyond music, possibly impacting the political sphere. On Wednesday, she publicly endorsed Kamala Harris, the US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate, via social media. In her post, Swift provided a link to help voters find essential information on registration and voting dates. Her endorsement had a significant impact, as over 300,000 people visited vote.gov, a site where citizens can access voter rights information. While the website doesn’t register voters directly, it guides users to their state election sites for specific details on the voting process. According…

A recent study presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2024 explores a possible link between sleeping on one’s back (supine position) and increased risk of neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s spectrum disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, and mild cognitive impairment. The research builds on previous findings that suggest prolonged supine sleeping might impair neurotoxin clearance from the brain, a process crucial for preventing neurodegeneration. The study used the Sleep Profiler device to monitor participants’ sleep positions, revealing that those with neurodegenerative diseases spent over two hours a night in the supine position, compared to a control group. This finding aligns with…

Apple’s iPhone exports from India have experienced a remarkable surge, reaching $5 billion (approximately ₹41,985 crore) within the first five months of FY25. This represents a significant 54% increase from the same period last year. The growth is attributed to Apple’s strategic decision to manufacture the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone Max locally. The current export figure aligns with Apple’s total exports for the entire fiscal year FY22, indicating a notable acceleration in production. Apple’s production partners in India—Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron (now Tata Electronics)—are working under the smartphone production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme. They have pledged a combined export output…

Foreign direct investments (FDI) experienced a notable surge of 47.8%, reaching US$ 16.17 billion for the period of April to June 2024. This uptick is attributed to a combination of factors including potential Federal Reserve rate cuts, moderate growth expectations in the US, and favourable economic conditions in India. Investment preferences have evolved over the past decade, with sectors like power, construction, healthcare, chemicals, and non-conventional energy becoming more appealing, according to Deloitte India’s Economist, Ms. Rumki Majumdar. She predicts that strong FDI trends will persist, influenced by anticipated US election results, possible Fed rate adjustments, and India’s robust economic…

Photo : X.com Hindus for America First, a newly established grassroots organisation, has declared its support for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and will initiate a campaign against Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris in key battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Georgia, and North Carolina. The announcement was made on Thursday by Utsav Sanduja, the organisation’s chairman and founder, who expressed concerns that Harris could be “very destabilising for Indo-US relations.” Sanduja argued that if Kamala Harris were to become president, she might appoint liberal judges who could potentially reverse Supreme Court decisions affecting Asian-American voters. He criticised the Biden-Harris…

India has surpassed the US to claim the title of the world’s second-largest 5G handset market, trailing only China, according to a recent report. Counterpoint Research reveals that global 5G handset shipments saw a 20% year-on-year increase in the first half of 2024. Leading the charge, Apple dominated the 5G handset market with over 25% of global shipments, largely driven by the popularity of its iPhone 15 and 14 series. The availability of budget-friendly 5G handsets has significantly fueled growth in emerging markets. India’s rise to second place was propelled by strong shipments from brands like Xiaomi, Vivo, and Samsung,…

Allan Lichtman, the renowned American election forecaster often dubbed the “Nostradamus of US presidential polls,” has made his prediction for the 2024 presidential race. Lichtman, known for his impressive track record, has forecasted that Kamala Harris, the Vice President and Democratic nominee, will secure the presidency and become the next President of the United States. In a recent video for the New York Times, Lichtman confidently stated, “Kamala Harris will be the next President of the United States.” With the presidential election scheduled for November 5, there are only two months left for voters to decide who will succeed Joe…

The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) has launched the “Indo-American Votes Matter” campaign to enhance voter turnout among Indian-Americans for the upcoming U.S. presidential election. The initiative aims to register one million Indian-American voters, ensuring their voices are considered by both major political parties. With the election just two months away, the campaign seeks to galvanise Indian-American participation in the electoral process. Although Indian-Americans represent just 1.5% of the U.S. population, they reside in pivotal swing states where their votes can significantly impact the outcome. The campaign also features a survey to gauge Indian-American voters’ views on…

Despite a challenging global environment, the Indian economy is thriving, according to the World Bank’s latest report, *India’s Trade Opportunities in a Changing Global Context*. The update reveals that India remains the fastest-growing major economy, expanding at an impressive 8.2 percent in FY23/24. This growth surge has been driven by significant public infrastructure investments and a rise in household spending on real estate. On the supply side, the economy benefited from a dynamic manufacturing sector, which grew by 9.9 percent, and robust services activity that mitigated slower performance in agriculture. Urban unemployment has gradually improved since the pandemic, with female…

Eleven-year-old Maya Neelakantan made a groundbreaking debut on “America’s Got Talent” by performing a cover of Metallica’s classic track “Master of Puppets.” This marked the first time the legendary band allowed their music to be showcased on the show. Maya, an Indian-American, delivered a captivating performance during the quarter-finals, skillfully blending her classical Indian music background with Metallica’s heavy riffs. She even tuned her electric guitar to mimic the sound of a sitar, adding a unique cultural twist to the iconic metal anthem. Before her performance, Maya shared her excitement, saying, “I’m the first act Metallica has ever permitted to…