Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

Sergio Gor officially assumed his role as the United States Ambassador to India and Special Envoy to South and Central Asia on Monday. The swearing-in ceremony, held in the Oval Office, was led by Vice President JD Vance and attended by top members of the Trump administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Attorney General Pam Bondi. President Donald Trump praised Gor’s appointment, saying he was confident that Gor would excel in his new position and further strengthen one of the United States’ most important global relationships. “This is a big deal—Sergio will handle it…

 Bollywood actors Vikrant Massey and Mahima Makwana have been signed to play the lead romantic duo in Musafir Café, a forthcoming web-series based on the popular novel of the same name. The streaming giant Netflix is expected to host the show, building on its expanding roster of original Indian content. Production has already kicked off with scenes being shot in the scenic hill station of Mussoorie, creating a tranquil backdrop for the love story. Mahima Makwana has reportedly begun filming her portions on location. The project marks a significant collaboration for both stars as they step into the digital-first format,…

The Indian Consulate in Seattle recently hosted a Pre-Summit Roundtable to set the stage for the upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026, with US Representatives Adam Smith and Michael Baumgartner among the key attendees. The event gathered prominent tech leaders from the Greater Seattle area, who presented insights on how artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping global industries, particularly Agri-Tech, as well as the rising potential of data centers and digital infrastructure investments in India. In a post shared on X, the Consulate expressed gratitude to both US Representatives for joining the roundtable, noting, “India AI Impact Summit 2026: Pre-Event Briefing…

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has announced major changes to the framework for anchor investor allocations in initial public offerings (IPOs), aiming to deepen domestic institutional participation and improve market transparency. Under the revised rules, the anchor portion has been raised to 40%, up from the previous 33%, with 33% reserved for mutual funds and 7% for insurance and pension funds. If the 7% portion remains unsubscribed, it will automatically be reallocated to mutual funds to ensure optimal utilization. In a move to widen investor engagement, SEBI has also increased the number of eligible anchor investors for…

The wait is finally over for Bollywood fans as beloved couple Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal have welcomed their first child, a baby boy, on November 7, 2025. The couple announced the joyful news through a heartfelt Instagram post that instantly lit up social media. Sharing their happiness with the world, Katrina and Vicky wrote, “Our bundle of joy has arrived. With immense love and gratitude, we welcome our baby boy. 7th November, 2025. – Katrina and Vicky.” Vicky simply captioned the post, “Blessed,” while fans and fellow celebrities flooded the comments with congratulatory messages and heart emojis. The…

The Indian government announced on Thursday that it had successfully wrapped up two major rounds of trade negotiations with Latin American nations, underscoring its growing commitment to enhancing economic cooperation and deepening regional trade relationships. According to the Ministry of Commerce, the ninth round of India–Peru Trade Agreement discussions took place in Lima, Peru, from November 3–5. The talks made significant headway across several crucial areas, including trade in goods and services, rules of origin, customs procedures, technical barriers to trade, dispute settlement, and the inclusion of critical minerals. Peru’s Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Teresa Stella Mera Gomez,…

Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old progressive Democrat, has been elected as the next mayor of New York City, marking a monumental shift in the city’s political landscape. His victory over former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa makes him not only the first Muslim and first mayor of South Asian descent to lead the city but also the youngest mayor in more than 100 years. Mamdani’s win is being hailed as a triumph for the Democratic Party’s progressive faction, signaling growing support for left-leaning candidates who advocate for social reform and inclusivity. Born in Uganda and raised in New…

Former Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan has voiced concern that the proposed US Halting International Relocation of Employment (HIRE) Act could harm India’s economy more significantly than the $100,000 increase in H-1B visa fees. Speaking to DeKoder, Rajan said the act, if passed, could extend tariffs beyond goods to include outsourced services—posing a direct challenge to India’s technology and service exports to the United States. He explained that the HIRE Act aims to promote domestic job creation by discouraging American companies from offshoring work. The proposal would impose a 25% outsourcing tax on payments made to foreign workers…

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a massive $6.1 million reward for India’s women’s cricket team, their coaches, and the support staff after their sensational ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 victory. The announcement came shortly after India’s historic 52-run win over South Africa at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, a triumph that sent the entire nation into celebration. BCCI secretary Devajit Saika applauded ICC Chairman Jay Shah for his unwavering support toward women’s cricket, crediting his leadership for major reforms within the sport. “Since Jay Shah took charge of the BCCI, he has transformed the…

India and the United States are steadily progressing toward finalizing a long-discussed trade deal, according to Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs. He confirmed that ongoing talks between both sides remain active, with negotiators aiming to conclude an agreement soon. The discussions come at a crucial moment as the US currently imposes steep 50% tariffs on Indian goods—half of which are reciprocal, while the other half serve as penalties tied to India’s crude oil purchases from Russia. However, the proposed trade arrangement could significantly reduce these levies, cutting them to about 15%, while prompting India to lower…