Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

 The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) celebrated the Men in Blue’s emphatic triumph over Pakistan in the Asia Cup final, calling it both a sporting and symbolic statement. India clinched the continental crown for the ninth time with a five-wicket win at the Dubai International Stadium, a result that resonated far beyond the scoreboard. Following the victory, the BCCI posted a sharp message on social media: “3 blows. 0 response. Asia Cup Champions. Message delivered.” Alongside the remark, the board confirmed a prize of $2.5 million (₹21 crore) for players and support staff in recognition of their…

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed major changes to the H-1B visa program, shifting from a random lottery to a weighted selection system designed to prioritize higher-paid and higher-skilled foreign workers. Published in the Federal Register on September 24, 2025, the new framework aims to incentivize U.S. employers to offer competitive wages and recruit talent for positions requiring advanced skills. Under the proposed system, the allocation of H-1B visas will be guided by the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) wage levels. Registrations for workers at OEWS wage level IV will be entered into the selection pool…

 On September 23, President Donald Trump delivered a lengthy address at the United Nations General Assembly, sharply criticizing the UN and its policies while reiterating his controversial assertion that he ended multiple conflicts, including the India-Pakistan standoff. Speaking for nearly an hour—well beyond his allotted 15 minutes—Trump lambasted the organization for “empty words” and inefficiency, referencing technical difficulties during his speech as emblematic of its shortcomings. Trump expressed frustration that he had to personally intervene in global conflicts, claiming that the UN had failed to support his peace efforts. He cited a rejected $500 million proposal to renovate the UN…

Indian officials have reinforced their request for the United States to ease sanctions on Iranian and Venezuelan crude if it expects India to scale back its Russian oil imports. The appeal came during meetings in Washington this week with US counterparts, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Officials warned that simultaneously restricting Indian refiners’ access to crude from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela could trigger a sharp increase in global oil prices. Sources cited by Bloomberg emphasised that cutting off all three sources at once would destabilize the international energy market, potentially causing widespread economic repercussions. The delegation’s visit follows…

 On Thursday, India successfully conducted the test firing of its Agni-Prime missile from a rail-based mobile launcher system, marking a historic first-of-its-kind achievement. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the milestone, highlighting that the rail-launch system will provide the armed forces with cross-country mobility and enable missile deployment within a short reaction time while maintaining reduced visibility. “This successful flight test positions India among a select group of nations capable of operating canisterized launch systems from a mobile rail network,” he noted. Senior scientists from DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and officers from the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) observed the…

Jayanta “Jay” Bhattacharya, born in 1968 in Kolkata, India, has emerged as a pioneering figure at the intersection of medicine, economics, and public health. In 2025, he made history as the first Indian-American to lead the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he now plays a central role in shaping national medical research and health policy. Bhattacharya’s academic journey is notable for combining medicine and economics in a unique way. He earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s in economics from Stanford University by 1990, graduating with honors and Phi Beta Kappa recognition. During his undergraduate years, he also experienced a…

Bollywood stars Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal have officially revealed that they are expecting their first child, sending fans into celebration across social media. The couple shared the news with a touching black-and-white polaroid picture, where Katrina is seen cradling her baby bump as Vicky lovingly places his hand over it. The photo came with a heartfelt caption that read, “On our way to start the best chapter of our lives with hearts full of joy and gratitude.” Within minutes, the internet was flooded with congratulatory messages from fans and celebrities alike, marking this as one of the most talked-about…

 India and Morocco have taken a significant step in strengthening their defence ties by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing military collaboration. The agreement followed discussions between India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Morocco’s Defence Minister Abdeltif Loudiyi during Singh’s visit to the North African nation on Monday. In a statement shared on X, Singh highlighted the productive discussions with his Moroccan counterpart, emphasizing the MoU’s role in expanding cooperation in key areas such as counter-terrorism, maritime security, cyber defence, and capacity building. This agreement is designed to establish a structured framework for bilateral defence engagement, covering…

 India is actively positioning itself as a global leader in clean energy and advanced manufacturing through a strategic focus on critical minerals, emphasizing sustainability, technology, and responsible mining practices. At the Indian Mining Summit 2025, Mr. Arun Misra, Chairman of the CII National Committee on Mining and CEO of Hindustan Zinc Ltd., highlighted how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and startups are revolutionizing mineral exploration. These innovations help lower exploration risks while improving success rates. India’s mining sector is gradually shifting its focus from traditional resources like coal and steel to critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earths, which are…