Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

A recent US study reveals that parents are evenly divided on the appropriate age to begin discussing puberty with their children. While the majority agree that talking about puberty is essential, many remain uncertain about when and how to initiate the conversation, according to findings released on Monday. The study, conducted by the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health, highlights that one of the most common challenges for parents is deciding the right age to start these conversations and whether discussions should include topics related to sex. “It’s easy to assume a child…

India’s luxury housing market continued its upward trend in Q1 2025, with a 28% year-on-year increase in sales of high-end homes priced above $464,595. In the quarter, around 1,930 units were sold across the top seven cities, up from 1,510 units in Q1 2024. Delhi-NCR led the market with a 49% share, followed by Mumbai with 23%. Bengaluru experienced the sharpest growth, with sales increasing from just 20 units in Q1 2024 to nearly 190 in Q1 2025. Although Kolkata and Chennai accounted for only 5% of total sales, Hyderabad saw a significant drop in market share, falling from 45%…

an interaction with students at CHARUSAT, Dr. S. Jaishankar, India’s Minister for External Affairs, shared insights into the country’s evolving global outlook. He emphasized that India is no longer cautious or hesitant on the international stage. Instead, the country now engages with the world with assurance and an enterprising spirit. He described a clear mental shift within India—one that views the global landscape not with reluctance, but as a vast arena for opportunity. Speaking of the notion of a “global workplace,” Dr. Jaishankar explained that India not only aims to gain from the international system but also contributes meaningfully to…

Despite global economic uncertainties, India’s total exports of goods and services soared to a historic high of $820.93 billion in the financial year ending March 31, 2025, marking a 5.5% rise over the previous year’s figure of $773 billion, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal announced. Merchandise exports alone amounted to $437.4 billion. Notably, non-petroleum exports saw a robust 6% increase year-on-year, reaching $374.08 billion in FY25. However, trade data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry revealed a widening trade deficit in March. The gap rose to $21.54 billion from $14.05 billion in February. March merchandise exports showed a modest year-on-year…

Santa Clara University will award an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree to Jayshree V. Ullal, an accomplished alumna and technology industry trailblazer, during its 2025 undergraduate commencement. The ceremony, scheduled for June 14, will be the university’s largest, celebrating graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences, Leavey School of Business, and School of Engineering. Ullal, who earned her M.S. in engineering management from SCU in 1986, will also deliver the commencement address. Speaking before over 1,400 students and their families, she will share insights from a career marked by innovation, resilience, and transformational leadership. Originally from London and raised…

Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-born Canadian businessman wanted in connection with the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has been extradited to India and placed in custody for 18 days. The 64-year-old arrived in Delhi on Thursday after being handed over by the United States, with India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) confirming the successful extradition. Rana is accused of aiding the deadly attacks by collaborating with childhood friend David Headley, who helped the Lashkar-e-Taiba group plan the coordinated strikes across Mumbai that killed 166 people and injured hundreds over three days in November 2008. Upon arrival, Rana was taken into custody by the…

During the Carnegie Global Tech Summit 2025, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delved into the evolving role of technology in global politics, highlighting a significant shift in the United States’ worldview over the past year. He pointed out how America’s altered approach under President Donald Trump, specifically the MAGA (Make America Great Again) agenda, is increasingly intertwined with technology. Jaishankar emphasized that the tech sector now plays a critical role in Trump’s strategy for national resurgence. While the link between MAGA and technology may not have been as obvious during Trump’s first term, it has become undeniable in recent…

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has announced its newly elected 471 Fellows for 2024, a prestigious lifetime recognition awarded to scientists and engineers who have made exceptional contributions to their fields. Among the honorees, at least 32 researchers of Indian and South Asian origin have been recognized for their work in various disciplines, including biological sciences, engineering, medical sciences, physics, and social sciences. Founded in 1848, AAAS is one of the world’s largest multidisciplinary scientific societies, and its Fellowship program dates back to 1874. Being elected as an AAAS Fellow is considered a distinguished lifetime honor,…

Industry experts on Thursday welcomed the decision to exempt Indian pharmaceutical exports from the US reciprocal tariffs announced by President Donald Trump. At the same time, they emphasized the need to bolster domestic manufacturing to ensure a resilient supply chain. The exemption, they noted, underscores the crucial role of Indian pharmaceutical products, particularly cost-effective and life-saving generic medicines, in the global healthcare ecosystem. They pointed out that these medicines play a vital role in reducing healthcare costs in the United States, which already has one of the most expensive healthcare systems in the world. A White House factsheet released on…

Swati Thapa, a central figure in the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), is careful with her words. “People want the king back,” she asserts, “not as a ruler but as a guiding force, a stabilizer. They also want Nepal recognized as a Hindu state. These aren’t just political slogans; they reflect the people’s survival instincts.” The RPP, founded in 1990 after Nepal’s transition to multi-party democracy, started with four parliamentary seats in 1991. Despite fluctuating influence, it has often played a pivotal role in governance. In the 2022 elections, the party secured 14 out of 275 parliamentary seats. However, by February…