Author: Senjuti Bhattacharya

Alia Bhatt made a striking debut as a presenter at the BAFTA Awards 2026, opening with a warm greeting in Hindi and immediately drawing attention for her impeccable style. Over the past few years, Bhatt has transformed from a promising actor into a confident fashion ambassador, carrying Indian aesthetics onto international stages including Paris, New York, and Cannes. Her first major global fashion moment was at Paris Fashion Week 2024, where she walked the runway for L’Oréal Paris’s “Walk Your Worth” show. She wore a metallic silver sculptural corset with black flared pants by Gaurav Gupta, merging futuristic design with…

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Israel this week, a move that promises to significantly advance bilateral relations, according to Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar. Speaking on X, Azar highlighted that the visit represents more than diplomatic meetings—it symbolizes a partnership built on trust, innovation, and a shared understanding of modern global challenges. The visit is expected to accelerate key agreements, including a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), while strengthening defence ties through updated security arrangements. “India and Israel have maintained close cooperation in security and defence for years. With evolving threats, updating our agreements will enable…

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India’s “exceptional support” during Cyclone Ditwah and for the invitation to the landmark AI Impact Summit. The leaders met on the sidelines of the summit, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the historic partnership between the two neighbours. In his remarks, the Sri Lankan President thanked India for its swift assistance in the aftermath of the cyclone, which caused widespread damage across the island nation. He emphasized that India’s timely intervention reflected the depth of bilateral ties and the spirit of regional solidarity. Prime Minister Modi described…

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva highlighted India’s historic contributions to computing and praised the India AI Impact Summit 2026 during his visit to New Delhi. Speaking alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bharat Mandapam, Lula emphasized that the digital era has returned to its origins, noting that Indian mathematicians invented the binary system over 2,000 years ago, which laid the foundation for modern computing. The Brazilian leader remarked that the summit comes at a critical juncture for global societies. “We are navigating a crossroads,” he stated, pointing out that the rapid rise of the Fourth Industrial Revolution coincides…

Julie Patel Liss, associate professor at California State University, Los Angeles, has been appointed to the advisory board for a new $20 million statewide initiative supporting local journalism and civic engagement in California. The Civic Media Program, convened by the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, is a public-private partnership funded equally by the state and Google. Its mission is to strengthen local news outlets and expand community access to reliable information. “Local journalism amplifies the voices of communities and engages citizens on issues that matter,” said Patel Liss, originally from India and now based in Long Beach,…

India is intensifying its engagement with global partners, signaling a proactive approach in economic diplomacy, said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on February 18, 2026. Speaking at the Global Economic Cooperation conference, he emphasized that the country is approaching international relations from a position of strength, with trade deals reflecting a strategic effort to secure market access and boost economic resilience. Jaishankar noted that the world is entering a period of heightened uncertainty, marked by geopolitical shifts, tighter export controls, and the use of production and finance as strategic tools. In this context, India’s expanding trade relations are designed to…

The 2026 edition of Forbes’ America’s Greatest Innovators list highlights the growing influence of immigrant entrepreneurs in shaping the United States’ innovation ecosystem, with Indian-American billionaire Vinod Khosla securing the 10th position. While Elon Musk leads the rankings, Khosla’s inclusion in the top 10 underscores the significant role Indian-Americans continue to play in advancing technology and venture capital in the US. Forbes’ annual list evaluates innovators based on creativity, commercial influence, engagement, and the breadth of their contributions across industries. The 2026 report reflects increasing diversity, with more than one-third of the 250 honorees comprising women and people of color.…

 India’s digital payment ecosystem has achieved a major milestone, with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) emerging as the most preferred method of transactions at 57%, overtaking cash usage, which stands at 38%, according to a recent survey published by DD News. The findings highlight a rapid transformation in consumer payment behaviour, with digital transactions becoming increasingly prevalent across both urban and rural areas. The surge in UPI adoption has been driven by widespread mobile phone penetration, improved internet accessibility, and growing acceptance of digital banking products. UPI’s ease of use, speed, and compatibility with multiple platforms have made it a…

 India’s chief negotiator and Special Secretary in the Department of Commerce, Rajesh Agrawal, announced that the India-US trade discussions are advancing toward formalising a legal agreement. Following a series of virtual engagements, Agrawal confirmed that next week he will lead a delegation to Washington to finalise the legal framework for the interim trade deal. Speaking to the media while releasing January trade data, Agrawal also referenced ongoing India-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, stating that teams are working to finalise the terms of reference. Earlier this month, he had indicated that India aims to sign the interim trade deal with…

India captain Suryakumar Yadav dedicated his side’s comprehensive Twenty20 World Cup victory over Pakistan to supporters across the nation after a commanding display in Colombo. The high profile Group A contest, billed as one of the marquee clashes of the tournament, ultimately turned into a one sided affair as India posted 175 for 7 before dismissing Pakistan for 114 in 18 overs. Despite the intense anticipation surrounding the fixture, the match unfolded without major on field incidents. However, tension was visible before the first ball was bowled. During the toss at the R Premadasa Stadium, neither Suryakumar nor Pakistan captain…